Friday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending...
MAN UNITED: Romelu Lukaku knows Manchester United fans "meant well with their songs" but hopes everyone can move on from chanting that Kick It Out called "racist."
-The likes of Amazon and Facebook will "absolutely" enter the bidding war when the next round of Premier League television rights come up for tender, according to Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
ATLETICO MADRID: Atletico have reached an agreement to re-sign striker Diego Costa from Chelsea.
- Costa's return finally fills the void left by his Atletico departure in 2014, Joseph Walker writes.
- Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has brushed aside speculation that he is being lined up to succeed Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus.
REAL MADRID: Karim Benzema has said he wants to retire as a Real Madrid player after winning more titles with the Spanish giants. On Thursday, Benzema put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with Los Blancos, keeping him at the club until June 2021.
CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE: Shanghai Shenhua striker Carlos Tevez has launched an attack on the capabilities of Chinese footballers, claiming those playing in the country will not be able to reach the top "even in 50 years."
CHELSEA: Tiemoue Bakayoko was involved in a minor car accident on the way home from Chelsea training on Thursday, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
MAN CITY: Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been cleared of serious injury following tests on his left knee. The midfielder hurt his knee in the 2-1 League Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion, as the Germany international was making his first start for City since recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out for nine months.
ARSENAL: West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry has revealed Arsenal tried to sign him twice as he prepares to break the Premier League appearance record at the Emirates Stadium.
- Jodie Taylor is closing in on her American dream and has revealed she could walk away from Arsenal Women this winter.
- Arsene Wenger says he is not sending a message to Alexis Sanchez by starting him in cup competitions, adding he is only trying to get the Chile international back to full fitness.
LIVERPOOL: Manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted he's not "in panic" after a recent run of poor form from from his side. "You really think there would be one percent of a reason that I would panic?" Klopp said.
- Liverpool under-23s manager Neil Critchley says any plans to loan Harry Wilson out in the summer were shelved due to the forward's injury.
TOTTENHAM: Mauricio Pochettino says the club is carefully managing Mousa Dembele and explained that keeping the creaking midfielder fit is crucial to the team's success.
EVERTON: Manager Ronald Koeman has said suggestions his side should finish in the Premier League's top four are "ridiculous."
- WATCH: ESPN FC got an all-access look behind the scenes at a day in the life at Goodison Park.
SOUTHAMPTON: Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino could start Virgil van Dijk for this first time this season against free-scoring Manchester United on Saturday.
NEW YORK RED BULLS: New York Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said on Thursday it was "heartbreaking" to see the club fall short of a major trophy once again after losing 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City in the U.S. Open Cup final.
LA GALAXY: Giovani dos Santos expressed frustration with his LA Galaxy teammates for not recognizing his runs toward goal in yet another defeat for the struggling MLS club.
UNITED STATES: United States under-17 national team manager John Hackworth has named his 23-player roster that will represent the U.S. at next month's FIFA U17 World Cup in India. Leading the line for the U.S. will be Josh Sargent, who announced this week that he will join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in February when he turns 18.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN: Bayer Leverkusen say they have been cleared to play Argentine striker Lucas Alario by FIFA.
Source: espn.co.uk