The rebranded Aston Martin Formula 1 team is set to drop Racing Point’s pink livery, with the squad expected to run in predominantly green colours alongside a new title sponsor.

Mikel Arteta has said Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal future will be resolved in “the next few days”, although he insisted the club will only sanction a January move if it is the right deal for them. Ozil has not featured in a competitive match since March and is now free to talk with other teams about a potential move. Fenerbahce and DC United are among the interested clubs but Ozil’s agent has said it remains the players “priority” to stay at Arsenal until the end of the season, when his contract expires. “We will decide what is happening in the next few days,” said Arteta. “Obviously now he is free to negotiate with other clubs. We will discuss internally what the best solution for him is for the near future, obviously with the player and the agent too, and try to find the best solution for everyone. “I think every player wants to play football. This is why we picked this profession and we are so lucky to be doing what we do. For every player that’s not playing, it’s always hard.” Ozil earns £350,000-a-week and none of his potential suitors are expected to match that salary. He would therefore be likely to lose out on money by walking away from his Arsenal deal this month, which is set to make any transfer more complicated. “If something was sorted this month, it’s because it is good for both parties, it is good for Mesut and his future, and it’s good for the club,” said Arteta. “If that is the case, we will move forward, or if it is not the case, the player will stay here.” One player Arsenal are desperate to keep is young striker Folarin Balogun, who is seen as one of the most talented prospects at the club. The 19-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season and Arteta suggested the striker’s agent is to blame for the lack of agreement over a new deal. “You need three parties to make a deal,” said Arteta. “For sure, the club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, the player wants to stay and I’m not sure about the agent. “I am not saying he is stopping [a deal]. I am saying that we need to find an agreement with him. We are negotiating with an agent, with a player that wants to stay at the club and we need to find an agreement. “I’m telling you that we are doing everything we can to keep him here and hopefully from the other part they are doing the same and they defend the same interests, which is the player’s interest, which is to stay at the football club and be successful with us.” Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to confirm the signing of young defender Omar Rekik from Hertha Berlin in the coming days. The 19-year-old is expected to join the club’s under-23 squad after agreeing a deal that is reported to be worth around £500,000.

Germany faces the risk of a much longer coronavirus lockdown if the federal states do not consistently implement tougher restrictions, especially in light of a highly contagious new variant, an aide to Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday. “With every relaxation now, the likelihood of even longer necessary restrictions is greater and greater,” Helge Braun, head of Merkel’s office, told Reuters in an interview. Like many other European countries, Germany is struggling to contain a second wave of the virus.

The proposals should help those with shorter leases fearing bills of many thousands of pounds.

The Children’s Commissioner for England said youngsters should have daily contact with teachers.

Ian Book’s ninth-place finish this year was a rarity among Fighting Irish quarterbacks the past 50 years.