Most of Lionel Messi’s teammates from Argentina’s iconic 2022 World Cup triumph have maintained their level and are expected to feature again in 2026. However, one of the players who lifted the World Cup after turning down a lucrative offer from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League is now reportedly set to see his contract expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The start of the season has been far from ideal for Paulo Dybala. The Argentine star has struggled with fitness issues and, as a result, has gradually lost his starting role at AS Roma. Under new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have taken a new direction, leaving Dybala, once considered the team’s untouchable centerpiece, in a reduced role on the bench and casting doubt over his future.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Dybala is expected to leave Roma as a free agent at the end of the season. The World Cup winner joined the Italian capital club in 2022 on a four-year deal, but with his role now limited under Gasperini, Roma’s leadership is reportedly not planning to offer him a new contract at this stage.

After seven seasons at Juventus, Roma supporters welcomed Dybala with a massive reception, viewing him as the club’s new star and highest-paid player, earning €7.5 million plus €2 million in add-ons. However, he has now started the last four matches on the bench, and in Monday’s 1-0 win over Como, he remained unused for all 90 minutes, underscoring his diminished role within the squad.

Gasperini was asked about Dybala’s absence in the post-match press conference and explained why the Argentine never entered the match: “I usually make all five substitutions, but tonight it was difficult to change anything. That should also serve as motivation for Paulo, who is an extraordinary player.“

With Roma set to face Juventus next Sunday, Gasperini also addressed what he will consider when deciding whether to use Dybala. “When he’s fit and gets going — he dribbles, shoots — there’s no one in Italy with his quality. Maybe he’ll be ready for Sunday, even for a match against his former club. We’ll see how he trains,” he added, showing no urgency to rush him back into the lineup.

Dybala rejected a millionaire offer from Saudi Arabia

Dybala has been one of the most prominent figures in Italian soccer in recent years, not only for his goals and assists but also for his flair and creativity on the pitch. Roma have relied on him as both the leader of the sporting project and a key marketing figure, but with a €12 million release clause for foreign clubs, his future has remained uncertain.

A potential departure emerged in August 2024, when Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah offered Dybala a reported €75 million deal spread over three seasons, which would have made him another marquee name in the Middle East alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The Saudi club was even willing to exceed his release clause, but Dybala ultimately rejected the offer, citing his family, the city of Rome, the team, and his desire to return to the Argentina national team.

In an interview with the Los Edul YouTube channel, the former Messi teammate in Argentina opened up about his decision: “It’s not as easy as it seems — it changes everything. The plane was in Rome for three days. It’s true, and I won’t lie, the figures are mentioned, but when you see them written on a piece of paper — that if you sign it, it’s yours — so many numbers go through your mind.“

Neymar emerged as Santos’ hero at the end of the 2025 season, delivering a string of standout performances that helped the club avoid relegation and secure a place in the Copa Sudamericana for next year. With his contract set to expire in less than a month and his sights firmly set on a return to the Brazilian national team for the 2026 World Cup, details of Neymar’s recovery plan from his knee injury have now reportedly come to light.

Santos’ survival was not driven solely by Neymar’s impact on the pitch, but also by his resilience in playing through discomfort. The star forward wore three layers of protection on his left knee to ensure stability and manage pain, yet still played a decisive role in lifting the club to a 12th-place finish in the Brasileirão. With the season now complete, the next phase of his recovery is set to begin.

According to Globo Esporte, Neymar, currently on vacation in the United States, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to correct a meniscus fraying. Because the issue is not a full tear, the expected recovery timeline is up to one month, allowing him to begin 2026 with a clear rehabilitation schedule.

The Brazilian outlet reports that Neymar plans to undergo the procedure before resolving his contractual situation with Santos. His father is expected to meet with club president Marcelo Teixeira in the coming weeks to discuss an extension, a move that would likely keep Neymar at the club for at least six more months leading into the World Cup.

As a result of the surgery, Neymar is expected to miss the opening days of Santos’ preseason, with players scheduled to report back on January 2. The club’s first official match of 2026 is set for January 11 against Novorizontino in the Campeonato Paulista, though it remains uncertain whether Neymar will be fit to feature.

Brazil’s next international window is in March, making the early months of 2026 critical for Neymar as he works to regain full fitness and earn a recall to the national team. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti recently suggested that selection would be based strictly on form, stating that if Neymar is at the same level—or better—than other options, he will be called up, adding further intrigue to what could be the final major tournament of his international career.

Neymar building momentum for 2026 with Santos

Since returning in February, Neymar appeared in 28 matches for Santos during the 2025 season, scoring 11 goals and adding four assists, while missing 17 games due to injury. Still, his late-season streak of five goals and one assist in the final four matches proved decisive in avoiding relegation and reignited optimism around his future.

Under head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda, Neymar has rediscovered his role within the team, and Santos’ 12th-place finish secured qualification for the Copa Sudamericana. With the opportunity to compete against top continental opposition alongside domestic play, the club is now eager to have Neymar fully fit and leading the project as soon as possible.

Marc-André ter Stegen has been FC Barcelona’s starting goalkeeper for several years, but a long-term injury last season kept him sidelined for more than a year. Now fully fit and pushing for his return ahead of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey debut, the German goalkeeper faces uncertainty after head coach Hansi Flick outlined his plans for the position.

Ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury last season against Villarreal, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. Ahead of the 2025–26 season, however, a separate back issue emerged, requiring surgery and allowing Barcelona to register Joan García as a new signing while Ter Stegen remained unavailable.

With Ter Stegen now recovered, Flick was asked whether the former No. 1 could return for the Copa del Rey match, especially with García expected to be rested: “Marc is an amazing goalkeeper, and we have 3 of them. We’ll see what happens, my words were clear, Joan is the number 1 goalkeeper, so then we’ll see what happens.“

Flick confirmed García would be rested, noting that the starting goalkeeper would be announced on matchday. “(Wojciech) Szczesny had a great season and we won 3 titles with him, as well as well as doing well this season during the injury of Joan Garcia, and gave us stability. For me, Szczesny is an important player for us, not only on the pitch, but also off it,” the coach stated over the Polish keeper.

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, a lack of playing time at club level could become a setback for Ter Stegen, who is eager to remain part of Germany’s plans. Asked whether the goalkeeper would be willing to stay despite limited minutes, Flick was direct: “I think that’s his decision, we’ve talked about his situation. I respect Marc because he’s an amazing goalkeeper, he’s an important person for the team as well. But that remains his decision, he’s the one who makes it.“

Flick’s comments offered little reassurance regarding Ter Stegen’s long-term role after several seasons as a key figure at the club. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are open to the possibility of loaning out the goalkeeper if no clear path to minutes emerges, leaving the final decision in Ter Stegen’s hands.

Flick focused on Copa del Rey objective

Barcelona will visit CD Guadalajara on Tuesday in the round of 32 of the 2025–26 Copa del Rey, with the Blaugrana heavy favorites against the third-division side. Flick referenced last season’s 4-0 win over Barbastro as an example of the focus required to avoid underestimating lower-tier opposition.

After lifting the trophy last season with an epic win over Real Madrid in the final, Flick was asked about the competition, and the coach made it clear that the Copa del Rey is one of Barcelona’s goals this season. “We have to win this match. We’re playing in La Liga, and we’re favorites to win the Copa del Rey. We have to show that. We have the high quality, and we want to show it.”

Inter are the new Serie A leaders, but the top four are crammed within a three-point radius in the tight Scudetto race, while Fiorentina are increasingly isolated at rock bottom.

The Week 15 fixtures have been completed with Roma beating Como 1-0 this evening to consolidate fourth place.

It put them within three points of new headliners Inter, two of AC Milan, and one shy of Napoli.

Serie A table tightening up at the top

This is the last time for a while that we’ll have an accurate view of the Serie A standings, because the Week 16 fixtures are staggered so that Napoli, Inter, AC Milan and Bologna can participate in the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh.

It’s an opportunity for the likes of Roma, Juventus, Como and Lazio to put some pressure on the leading pack.

At the foot of the Serie A table, it’s a very different scenario, as Fiorentina have slipped four points behind everyone else, and are the only team left without a single victory.

Verona’s 2-1 win in Florence saw them leapfrog Pisa, but they remain in the drop zone, so Fiorentina are now a massive eight points adrift of safety represented by Parma, Genoa and Cagliari all on 14.

Sassuolo’s 2-2 draw at Milan and Udinese beating Napoli 1-0 confirms their status as the surprise outfits of the campaign, with newly-promoted Cremonese just one point behind them.

Serie A Table

AC Milan are keen on raiding Premier League club West Ham for one of their attackers.

The player in question in Niclas Fullkrug who has been linked with a move away this January transfer window.

The German’s high-profile move to the London Stadium has failed and the player is now eyeing an exit in the upcoming transfer window ahead of the World Cup.

Despite a strong reputation as a centre-forward, the 32-year-old has struggled for form and goals, managing just three goals across 29 appearances across all competitions.

With the player keen on regular minutes to boost his chances of making the World Cup squad, a return to Europe is a major possibility.

AC Milan in talks to sign Niclas Fullkrug

Among the clubs interested in him are Italian giants AC Milan. According to an update from Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan are looking to sign a new striker in the January transfer window, with the future of Santiago Gimenez uncertain.

As per Romano, the Italian club are in contact with Fullkrug’s camp, with talks currently ongoing between the player’s entourage and Milan.

Romano shared the update on X: ” AC Milan are working on new striker for January transfer window regardless of what’s gonna happen with Santi Gimenez.

“Talks ongoing with Niclas Fullkrug’s camp as target as reported in the recent weeks and days.”

???? AC Milan are working on new striker for January window regardless of what’s gonna happen with Santi Giménez.

Talks ongoing with Niklas Füllkrug’s camp as target, as reported in the recent weeks and days.

??? https://t.co/md6pbSt59D pic.twitter.com/BMTdFjFYJx

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2025

West Ham could strike swap deal to sign Santiago Gimenez

Gimenez has been long linked with a move to the English league.

Tottenham were interested in him in the past and so were Nottingham Forest, who even made a failed attempt to sign him before his move to AC Milan from Feyenoord.

He continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League. Among the clubs linked are Leeds United, who are reportedly hoping to land the hitman.

Interesting, West Ham have also been linked with Gimenez, which opens up the possibility of a potential swap deal.

His excellent goalscoring record with the Dutch club earned him a strong reputation in Europe.

In 105 games for Feyenoord across all competitions, the Mexican international scored 65 and assisted 14, which eventually earned him the high profile move to Italy.

The post Talks ongoing: AC Milan in discussions to sign West Ham star in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ruben Amorim has struggled to find consistency at Manchester United, working with a thinner squad than last season after the club failed to qualify for European competition. In an effort to push back toward the top of the Premier League table, the Portuguese manager is reportedly targeting a USMNT star already playing in the Premier League.

United have delivered strong performances against several teams near the top of the table, only to drop points against lower-ranked opponents due to a lack of balance. One of the main concerns within the squad has been the midfield, where Amorim has limited options that truly fit his system, prompting the club to explore reinforcements.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Tyler Adams is being considered as a potential target for Manchester United. After battling back issues last season, the USMNT midfielder has re-established himself as a regular starter at AFC Bournemouth, one of last year’s surprise teams, and is viewed as a strong tactical fit for Amorim’s approach.

Timing, however, remains a key obstacle. After losing several important players in recent windows, such as Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Ilya Zabarnyi, Bournemouth are reluctant to part with another core contributor midway through the season, especially while battling in the lower half of the Premier League table.

Under those circumstances, a winter move for Adams, valued at €25 million by Transfermarkt, appears unlikely unless a unique opportunity arises. A deal could instead be revisited for the 2026–27 season. If completed, Adams would become just the fourth USMNT player to feature for Manchester United, following Jim Brown, Jonathan Spector, and most recently Tim Howard.

Manchester United’s midfield concerns

With Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro often tasked with anchoring the midfield, Amorim has struggled to find defensive stability, as United have conceded 26 goals in 16 Premier League matches. Manuel Ugarte has fallen out of favor, while uncertainty surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future has only intensified the need for reinforcements, particularly ahead of the winter transfer window.

Romano reports that Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are also on United’s radar. However, their current importance to their clubs and high transfer fees make them more realistic targets for next season. With January approaching and immediate solutions needed, Adams has emerged as one of the more attainable options to address a growing problem.

Despite being 37 years old, Robert Lewandowski continues to play a crucial role for Barcelona, consistently maintaining a strong scoring rate. However, the Polish player’s contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, and discussions about a renewal have yet to take place, leaving his future uncertain. To bridge this gap, the striker’s agent reportedly met with Barcelona to convey Lewandowski’s intentions and propose a solution.

According to Diario Sport, Pini Zahavi, Robert Lewandowski’s agent, met with Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, to discuss the Polish striker’s future. During the two-hour meeting, Zahavi emphasized that the veteran striker is eager to stay at Barcelona beyond June 2026, citing his peak physical condition as a key factor. The report also notes Lewandowski’s willingness to lower his salary expectations to continue with the team.

Lewandowski’s performance in the 2025-26 season raises numerous doubts about his contract renewal. After 17 games, the Polish striker has scored 8 goals, a significant drop from his previous season’s record. However, if the 37-year-old star agrees to a rotational role, a one-season contract extension could offer the team some temporary relief.

As a leader in the dressing room, Robert has remained a key player in Hansi Flick’s team, with him still considering the Polish as one of the most dangerous strikers in the world. Additionally, Lewandowski’s experience could make the difference in the big stages. However, the Polish player’s injuries this season mean that the club is taking its time and avoiding any hasty decisions.

Robert Lewandowski still needs to regain his impact at Barcelona

Unlike in previous seasons, Robert Lewandowski has struggled to make an impact with Barcelona. As he deals with physical issues, he has taken time to regain his scoring rhythm, placing him outside the top three goalscorers in LaLiga this season. If the veteran wants to remain with the team, he must rediscover his effectiveness in front of goal—something that has been missing this season.

Lewandowski’s continuity at Barcelona could reshape priorities

If Robert Lewandowski manages to reach an agreement with Barcelona for his renewal, the team could refocus its transfer market objectives. With Ferran in top-scoring form, the Polish striker as a game changer could alleviate the team’s doubts, allowing them to focus on strengthening the defense and the left wing, which could become an absolute priority.

With uncertainty surrounding Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, Barcelona could look for a left-footed center back to maintain the balance lost with the departure of Iñigo Martinez. Therefore, the team could target a world-class player in that position, along with the signing of a young left winger. In case Lewandowski does not stay, the club would be forced to strengthen its attack, changing its priorities and not pursuing team stability.

Gian Piero Gasperini feels the 1-0 victory over Como was Roma’s ‘best home performance of the season’ and assures he wouldn’t ‘settle for fourth place, but I’d be very happy with it.’

The Giallorossi were feeling the pressure after back-to-back 1-0 defeats in Serie A to Napoli and Cagliari, even though they got back on track in the Europa League with Thursday’s 3-0 win over Celtic.

It was a tough test against Cesc Fabregas’ Como and the only goal of the game was scored by Wesley Franca, firing through Alex Valle’s legs on the Matias Soulé lay-off.

With that in mind, Fabregas praised “great talent” Soulé in his post-match comments.

Gasperini impressed with Roma showing

“Undoubtedly, Soulé had a great performance, but this evening I’d struggle to find someone who didn’t,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a good performance from both teams, otherwise you don’t get this kind of intensity, this battle with each trying to win using their characteristics. If you leave Como space on the counter, they can hurt you with their pace.

“I think it was the best game we’ve had at home so far this season, so I’m glad the fans were able to enjoy this match.”

Roma have now taken the lead on nine occasions in Serie A this season and gone on to win all of them, whereas all their defeats have been by 1-0 scorelines.

They have the strongest defensive record in the league, conceding only eight times in 15 rounds.

“We’ve been solid since the start and even when we lose, they tend to be very tight matches. This is our characteristic and our strength,” noted Gasperini.

“Having said that, in recent weeks we’ve started to create a lot more opportunities too, and tonight we had significantly more than Como. We were much more dangerous and the win could’ve been by a bigger scoreline.

“We’re still lacking something in the finish and the final ball, but the team created a lot and played with quality.”

This result means that Roma consolidated fourth place, but closed to within a point of Napoli, two of AC Milan and three of new leaders Inter.

Would Gasperini be happy now to take fourth place come the end of the season?

“I never settle early,” he laughed, “but I would be very happy with that! More than the final position, I want to focus on us putting in this kind of performance. We have incredible fans, we can sense something extra when we get a deserved victory. There is an extra enthusiasm and it is contagious, so we needed that on home turf.

“This has to be the main objective, then the results come after that.”

Can Roma challenge for the Scudetto this season or are there other teams far better equipped to go for the title?

“It’s an understandable viewpoint, but these lads give their heart and soul. In theory there are stronger players in other teams, but do they have the same spirit, the same work ethic and participation?” responded Gasperini.

“At this moment, we are a good team. We’re working to get better, I saw in the head-to-head clashes, including tonight, that it’s never easy for anyone against us. We hope to continue with this spirit.”

Cesc Fabregas praises Roma talent Matias Soulé, but reveals Assane Diao’s injury and hits out at ‘not right and unfair’ Senegal coach Pape Thiaw.

The game was decided by a Wesley Franca angled drive that slipped through Alex Valle’s legs, but it turned into a battle between two very similar teams.

“I saw a really physical side, the kind of characteristics we are lacking, so either you get the ball on the ground and play, or you struggle,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am proud that the team was competitive to the end, maybe we deserved a goal, but Roma deserve congratulations for playing with physicality. They have an excellent player in Matias Soulé, who I believe will be a huge player in future, so we should enjoy seeing him in Italy. I think he’s a player of a very high level, and he made the difference today.”

Without injured Alvaro Morata, Sergi Roberto, Alberto Dossena and Edoardo Goldaniga, plus suspended Maxi Perrone, Fabregas initially opted to use Nico Paz as a False 9.

“Nico Paz had fever for three days and didn’t train, so we rather forced him to play, as we didn’t have many options today,” revealed the Como coach.

Fabregas will not complain about referee

They struggled to create chances, and were then forced to bring on Tasos Douvikas after 37 minutes when Assane Diao went off injured.

“These are matches where either you run straight at them, as we did with Assane in the first half, then Posch in the second, or they block you off. It’s about who wins the most individual duels, and today Roma won more, especially in midfield.

“Serie A has the least amount of time with the ball rolling, but that’s because it is so physical, with so many individual duels all over the pitch. The referee wanted to let play run a bit more today, quite rightly, so this is something we can improve on.”

With regards to the referee letting play run, he did not stop when Jayden Addai was down injured in the build-up to the Roma goal.

Usually this would lead to furious arguing, but Como accepted the decision and did not protest. Did he expect Roma to put it out of play?

“He hurt himself, it’s difficult for a player. You have to be extremely honest to put the ball out in that situation, I think 99 per cent of players wouldn’t put it out, so it’s only fair to carry on. The football world has changed with VAR, so we have to keep going and then wait and see, we can’t hang around,” noted Fabregas.

“It was just bad luck, nothing malicious.”

Diao pulled up clutching his thigh after a sprint on goal and limped off after 37 minutes, which puts him at huge risk of missing the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

The Como boss had already confessed that he had an ‘unpleasant’ conversation with the coach of Senegal last week, so this could get a lot worse with Pape Thiaw.

“Diao hurt his flexor during that strong run on goal. It’s really difficult to be honest in these post-match comments, because we get attacked either way, but I will try,” noted Fabregas.

“I am a huge fan of international teams, I am really glad when my players are called for international duty, it’s a big thing for a player. I just asked for a little common sense for them not to call him, because this is a player who barely featured for eight months as he keeps getting hurt and can find no consistency.

“He probably shouldn’t have played today either, but I picked him because he’s leaving tomorrow and I won’t have him for five weeks, so we pay his wages, at least let him play for us a bit.”

What made it an unpleasant conversation with the coach of Senegal?

“It’s that he said if Diao doesn’t come with us, he won’t go to the World Cup. That’s not fair, it plays on the fears of the player, he is 20 years old and has a whole career ahead of him. I don’t agree with this, it was not fair and not right,” concluded Fabregas.

Gianluca Mancini explains what happened with Jacobo Ramon and Cesc Fabregas in that tense ending to Roma’s win over Como. ‘I had a lot more respect for older players.’

The Giallorossi were in need of a boost after back-to-back Serie A defeats to Napoli and Cagliari, both by 1-0 scorelines.

They managed to win this time by the same result, as Wesley Franca fired his angled drive between the legs of Alex Valle to secure the victory.

Mancini in thick of Roma-Como action

“I think we were first to every ball, we absolutely dominated the first half, and it’s really rare to see Como with so little possession,” Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.

“We weren’t able to make that domination count, but in the second half we kept up the tempo, scored with Wesley and had a few risks, but over the course of the full 90 minutes, it was absolutely a deserved win.”

There was tension in the final moments of the match, as Mancini seemed to shoulder barge Jacobo Ramon in an off the ball incident, then the two started arguing.

After the final whistle, the problems continued, and the Italian was in an intense conversation with Como coach Fabregas as they tried to explain their respective positions.

“There was a collision with Ramon, it was normal, but he got back up and grabbed me by the neck,” explained Mancini.

“When I was 20 years old like him, I had a lot more respect for older players, otherwise I would’ve got a slap in the tunnel. I told Ramon to calm down, but he kept going. Adrenaline can fuel this sort of thing, but it’s all in the past now.

“With the coach, we cleared the air, and that’s all.”

This result means that Roma consolidate fourth place, but above all they close to within three points of new Serie A leaders Inter.

They are just one behind Napoli and two adrift of AC Milan, making for a very tight Scudetto race.

“This is what the coach asks for, this kind of intensity, I’m very happy with the goal, but above all for the performance and victory,” Wesley told Sky Sport Italia.

It is already the third Serie A goal of the season for the right-back, who was not exactly prolific throughout his career.

“I am really pleased with the goals. Director Massara asked me how many goals I scored for Flamengo, I said four, he joked I needed to double that with Roma. I hope to manage it. I came here to help the team, hopefully with goals too.”

Wesley Franca got the only goal to set Roma back on track in Serie A and inflict the second consecutive defeat on Como, who lost Assane Diao to a new injury.

The Giallorossi were coming off back-to-back Serie A defeats that saw them slide down the standings, but won on Thursday in the Europa League away to Celtic, with Evan Ferguson scoring twice. With Paulo Dybala not fully fit, Artem Dovbyk injured, Zeki Celik suspended, and Neil El Aynaoui on AFCON duty, Ferguson was again upfront. Como made changes after their 4-0 loss to Inter, as Alvaro Morata, Sergi Roberto, Alberto Dossena and Edoardo Goldaniga were injured, with Maxi Perrone suspended. Assane Diao and Evan Ndicka had permission to delay their AFCON departure, but Nico Paz was surprisingly moved into a False 9 role.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free kick was knocked down by Mario Hermoso for a mad scramble, then Wesley wasted from a promising position by ballooning over the bar.

Matias Soulé saw his strike charged down by Marc-Oliver Kempf, but there were chances at both ends in one move. Pellegrini’s acrobatic attempt on a corner found Ndicka for an effort charged down by Jacobo Ramon, so Diao sprinted away on the counter-attack, shrugged off two, until Devyne Rensch got back in time for the decisive block.

Diao pulled up just as he was finishing that run and limped off a few minutes later with a muscular injury, putting him in doubt for the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

Martin Baturina made a crucial block to deflect Ferguson’s finish over the bar at the end of a well-worked team move, then moments later Ferguson prodded a Wesley assist straight at Jean Butez.

Como threatened in first half stoppages when a free kick was flicked on by Kempf for Tasos Douvikas, forcing Mile Svilar to rush off his line and palm it away from close range.

Straight after the restart, Soulé nodded onto the upright and Bryan Cristante fired in the rebound, but none of it mattered because Pellegrini was offside on the initial cross.

Como threatened too, as Svilar had to scramble across to claw the deflected Douvikas shot away from Baturina at the back post. On the resulting corner, Nico Paz saw his volley charged down, and the Lucas Da Cunha follow-up was deflected wide.

Roma broke the deadlock when Como had Addai down hurt near the corner flag after diving into a tackle, as the move continued with a cross that Soulé laid off for Wesley, his daisy-cutter going through Alex Valle’s legs into the far bottom corner.

Ferguson’s angled drive flashed wide, while Jesus Rodriguez swung a dangerous ball across the face of goal that no Como teammates could connect with.

Ndicka made a decisive sliding block from six yards on Stefan Posch, while Posch also hit the side-netting after an Ignace van der Brempt strong run. Leon Bailey forced a fingertip save from Butez at the near post in added time.

There was tension at the final whistle with a row between Gianluca Mancini, who shoulder barged Jacobo Ramon off the field, and the Como players. It continues with an intense conversation between Mancini and Cesc Fabregas.

Roma 1-0 Como

Wesley 60 (R)

15-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Como

1 - 0

Player statistic

2nd half

		55'		Jayden Addai
Gianluca Mancini		58'
		59'		Nico Paz
Wesley (Assist: Matìas Soulé)		60'
Stephan El Shaarawy		88'
Wesley		89'
		90+6'		Jacobo Ramón

Match statistic

53

Possession %

47

14

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

1

4

Shots off target

5

6

Blocked shots

7

6

Corners

3

6

Offsides

3

16

Fouls

8

Roma

Como

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

22

Mario Hermoso

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

73'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

11

Evan Ferguson

Attacker

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

82'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

79'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

65'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

37'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

65'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

35

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

21

Paulo Dybala

Attacker

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

32

Devis Vásquez

Goalkeeper

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

69

Muhammed Bah

Midfielder

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

73'

31

Leon Bailey

Attacker

82'

99

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

55

Andrea Le Borgne

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

37'

27

Stefan Posch

Defender

65'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

65'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

79'

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United are monitoring Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams ahead of the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old midfielder has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Red Devils in January.

The Daily Mail previously reported that Man United are keen on a double Bournemouth swoop, as they look to sign both Antoine Semenyo and Tyler Adams.

And now Romano has confirmed that the Red Devils are indeed monitoring the Bournemouth midfielder.

According to Romano, United currently operate with two separate transfer lists. The elite list includes Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, players viewed internally as “top, top targets” but extremely difficult to sign in January.

Tyler Adams, however, sits on a second list of more realistic January options, though any potential deal remains complicated.

Romano added that Bournemouth see Adams as a key figure under Andoni Iraola, making negotiations difficult in both timing and valuation.

Giving the latest on Adams on his YouTube video, Romano said:

“Tyler Adams, from what I’m told is one of the names that Manchester United are monitoring, not the only one because there are several players in the list of Man United.

“There are two kind of separate list. There is the top top targets players like Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton. These players are considered top top targets but very unlikely for January.

“For the January window, there could be more about opportunities but Bournemouth want to keep a player like Tyler Adams.

“Bournemouth believe that Tyler Adams is a really important player for them and so it’s not going to be easy eventually for Man United to try to find a solution in terms of pricing and in terms of timing.”

However, the Cherries may not be willing to part ways with Adams. This is because Antoine Semenyo is increasingly likely to leave in January, with Liverpool considered favourites to sign him despite strong competition from Man City, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Romano continued: “Bournemouth want to keep him also because there is the Antoine Semenyo situation. And so for Bournemouth, imagine losing two players like Tyler Adams, Semenyo after they already sold many important players in the summer transfer window.

“At the moment, Bournemouth insist on keeping Tyler Adams at the club. Then we will be following the situation. We will see what’s going to happen.

“For the moment, it’s an appreciation from United. Man United like the player, see him as an eventual option, but at the moment again he’s not the only one and is not an easy one because the club insists to keep the player in the January transfer window and to complete the season with Tyler Adams as one of the crucial figures for Andoni Iraola.”

Why Tyler Adams appeals to Ruben Amorim and Manchester United

From Manchester United’s perspective, Tyler Adams fits several of the key traits Ruben Amorim values in a midfielder.

The American is tactically disciplined, press-resistant, and capable of operating as a single pivot, a role that is central to Amorim’s preferred system.

A new midfielder remains a priority for Amorim, and even more so if Kobbie Mainoo leaves in the January window.

While the likes of Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson remains the clubs top targets, they could bring in Adams in the winter.

The post Fabrizio Romano names surprise Man United January target as second transfer list emerges appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bruno Fernandes has successfully transitioned from an attacking midfielder to one of the key players for Manchester United‘s consistency. Since the arrival of Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese has been part of a double pivot alongside Casemiro. While this change has been crucial for the team, it has also resulted in Kobbie Mainoo being relegated to a secondary role, despite being one of the club’s most promising talents.

At just 20 years old, Kobbie Mainoo emerged in 2023 as one of Manchester United‘s most impressive players. Not only did he contribute as a defensive midfielder, but he also shone as a box-to-box midfielder, coming to be considered the future of the team. Although Bruno Fernandes had established himself as a key player in the attacking midfield, the coach decided to move him to the double pivot, leaving no room for the young player.

According to Fabrizio Romano, coach Ruben Amorim was asked about the reason for the lack of playing time, and he replied, “Kobbie Mainoo plays in the same position as Bruno Fernandes, and it’s difficult to take him off the team.” Then, he added: “The problem is that we are playing with a two and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing. Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes.”

Due to his youth, Kobbie Mainoo could be tempted to leave Manchester United as early as January 2026 or by June 2026 at the latest. Faced with this possibility, fans are comparing his potential departure to that of Scott McTominay, who became one of the best players in Serie A after leaving the Red Devils, and there are fears that the same could happen to the 20-year-old star, as he has shown the potential to make a difference.

Kobbie Mainoo set to get chance at Manchester United due to AFCON

Kobbie Mainoo, who traditionally does not have many chances to play a leading role, may find his opportunity with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The departure of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui will reportedly prompt coach Ruben Amorim to make significant adjustments to his lineup. As a result, Mainoo might be facing his best chance to turn his situation around and secure his place at Manchester United.

According to Laurie Whitwell in The Athletic, the impending absence of Mbeumo, Diallo, and Mazraoui has prompted Ruben Amorim to adjust his tactical scheme to a 4-3-3, bolstering the midfield with three players. In this setup, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes will remain, but Mainoo may compete for a spot in the lineup with Manuel Ugarte. As a result, the 20-year-old star could aim to secure playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

If Kobbie does not secure enough playing time, several Premier League teams, as well as Napoli and Barcelona, are reportedly interested in acquiring him. Nonetheless, The Guardian reports that Manchester United remain firmly against a potential departure of the 20-year-old star in January 2026, as they believe he has a bright future with the team.

Tickets for the 2026 World Cup have become a major point of discussion, not only because of the system FIFA implemented for fans to purchase them, but also due to the exorbitant prices following their release. As supporters debate how they will afford a trip to North America, the organization led by Gianni Infantino could ultimately face a boycott from England fans.

As reported by The Telegraph, the Football Association is facing growing pressure from England supporters to lead a boycott over World Cup ticket pricing. The main driver behind the movement is the steep costs FIFA has set across the various stages of the tournament.

In recent days, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) released a statement expressing concern over the situation, and an England Supporters Travel Club member has since written to the FA highlighting the lack of dialogue with fans. The governing body is now planning discussions with tournament organizers in an effort to address the issue.

“If true leadership was shown, and support for the fans who fuel the game with their passion, commitment and, yes, their money (with no FFP laws protecting us), the FA and other Football Associations participating next year would refuse their ticketing allocations, in order to make FIFA think again,” read part of the letter sent to the FA.

According to FSE, the minimum amount fans would need to pay to follow their national team from the opening match through the final is $6,900, not including premium seating. For a fan base as passionate as England’s, the letter, which was also shared on social media, highlighted how family vacations and long-term plans have been jeopardized, as the prices far exceed expected budgets.

The Football Supporters’ Association has previously accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of exploiting fan loyalty to maximize revenue through rising ticket prices following the 2022 World Cup. Compared to four years earlier, the total cost to attend matches from the group stage through the final averaged around $1,600, but has now increased nearly fivefold, fueling frustration among fans worldwide, particularly in England, where a boycott could encourage similar action from other nations.

2026 World Cup still drawing interest despite high prices

Hosting the World Cup in North America has drawn criticism not only over ticket pricing, but also over soaring accommodation costs, as following confirmation of venues and matchups, hotel prices have risen sharply across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Despite these challenges altering how fans plan to attend the tournament, interest in the World Cup remains strong, as reflected in ticket demand.

Last Thursday, FIFA opened the third ticket sales phase for the tournament, with group-stage matches already attracting significant international interest. Excluding host nations, Colombia led all countries with 367,376 ticket applications, followed by England (140,291) and Germany (138,246), with Brazil (101,576) and Argentina (101,056) rounding out the top five.

The most requested match among the confirmed group-stage fixtures was Colombia vs. Portugal on June 27 in Miami. Other highly sought-after games included Brazil vs. Morocco, Mexico vs. South Korea, Ecuador vs. Germany, and Scotland vs. Brazil, featuring nine national teams across five different continents.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas said he had an ‘unpleasant’ conversation with Senegal about using Assane Diao against Roma, so that could get nastier after the striker limped off injured, putting him at risk for AFCON.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

This is the final fixture of Serie A Week 15, so in theory the players going to the Africa Cup of Nations should be available for their club football.

However, as it was scheduled for the Monday evening, it falls beyond the limit where FIFA can force them to release these stars to international duty.

Diao doesn’t last long for Como

Roma were given permission by the Ivory Coast to field Evan Ndicka, but not Morocco to use Neil El Aynaoui this evening.

Como boss Fabregas confirmed over the weekend he had an “unpleasant” conversation with the coach of Senegal when trying to ensure that Diao would be available for this match.

The rapport is unlikely to get any better considering Diao limped off just 37 minutes into the game with a muscular injury.

He had been sprinting from his own half on the counter-attack when he pulled up, so depending on test results, has to be a major doubt to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Botswana on December 23.

AC Milan need a striker straight away, regardless of Santiago Gimenez’s potential surgery, and Niclas Fullkrug can fill the gap while they wait for real target Dusan Vlahovic in July.

On Saturday, we had confirmed that Fullkrug was proposed to the Rossoneri, as he was pushing to leave West Ham United, and we noted the pros and cons of this operation.

The cons were that his recent performances have been below par, the pros that it’s a cheap loan deal because the striker who proved himself in the Bundesliga is eager to show what he can do.

AC Milan need a striker now and in future

The situation could evolve, because this way Milan could postpone their search for the real new centre-forward until the summer.

Vlahovic is currently out injured, but as the rumours from Spain confirm, their interest in him never really died out.

We had already said in September that Milan would continue to keep a close eye on his situation at Juventus, although any suggestion of a January swoop has to be postponed, seeing as he will be out injured until at least March.

That doesn’t mean they’re not still working on it, hoping the great rapport between Max Allegri and Vlahovic can swing his decision, as they battle to beat the competition to this free agent.

Cesc Fabregas explains his unusual tactical changes with a new Nico Paz role for Como against Roma, but jokes he could ‘defend for the whole game today.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Fabregas said after the 4-0 defeat to Inter that he would not change his approach, even if it was risky, but he has made some big adjustments this evening.

Some were forced, as Maxi Perrone is suspended, with Alvaro Morata, Sergi Roberto, Alberto Dossena and Edoardo Goldaniga injured.

Tasos Douvikas was expected to start upfront, but instead Nico Paz seems to be a False 9.

Fabregas outlines different Como vision

“Not much changes, it depends on the game, as Roma are aggressive and go man for man,” Fabregas told Sky Sport Italia.

“We played that way last season against Gasperini’s Atalanta, it went well. We need solutions, because Alvaro Morata is out for two months, Diao is heading to the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow, so we will have only three players for four roles and must find options for the future.”

A victory here would put Como level on points with Roma in joint fourth place, and before the defeat to Inter, they had been unbeaten in 11 Serie A rounds.

These are the teams with the most aggressive press in Serie A so far this season, and the highest average possession statistics.

“We might change and defend for the whole game today,” joked Fabregas.

“We’ll see what we prepared. We are up against a great team, a great coach, and we must do very well to win here.”

Roma director Ricky Massara insists it is ‘premature’ to talk about Evan Ferguson’s future at the club and shrugs off questions about Joshua Zirkzee talks with Manchester United.

The game with Como kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Giallorossi need a boost after back-to-back Serie A defeats to Napoli and Cagliari, as a win here would see them close the gap on the leading group.

However, Como are just three points behind them, so a loss would allow Cesc Fabregas to catch them in joint fourth place.

Surprisingly, the Lariani appear to be using Nico Paz as a False 9 with Alvaro Morata out injured.

Massara on Roma strategy for 2026

“It is not just Nico Paz, they have a lot of talent upfront and it is a dangerous game, as they already showed their quality and entertaining style of football,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.

Ferguson gets the nod upfront after scoring two goals in Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Celtic in Glasgow, so does this change Roma’s idea about buying him outright from Brighton and Hove Albion for the €38m clause?

“It is very premature to talk about this. We are happy that Evan is doing well, he is getting back to the levels that we knew. He was stalled by a few fitness issues, so he needs consistency, he did very well on Thursday and we hope he’ll repeat that performance this evening.”

There were also rumours that Roma were ready to send Ferguson back to Brighton midway through the loan spell in January.

“As I said, we are satisfied with what he is starting to do, and all this speculation certainly didn’t come from us. It is opportune to focus on the current games.”

Massara was asked about the recent trips to London, which it was assumed were for negotiations with Manchester United and striker Zirkzee.

“We have three games yet to play, so it’s premature to talk about the January transfer market too. The trips to Britain were for the important games against Rangers and Celtic,” insisted Massara.

Former coach Claudio Ranieri has become a director this season, so how does it feel talking strategy with Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini?

“It’s fantastic, because when we sit around the table, there are circa 2,000 matches behind them. They are two wonderful characters who achieved magnificent things in their career and are continuing to do so, I realise that I am in a privileged position.”

Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Mohamed Salah’ situation at Liverpool.

The last couple of weeks have been turbulent for Salah, with the player benched for four consecutive games and dropped from Inter Milan game.

After his zero minutes against Leeds, Salah came out in public claiming that someone at the club wants him out. He even hinted that the game against Brighton could be his farewell.

Ultimately, peace talks were held and the issue between Slot and the player has seemingly been resolved.

And while he started from the bench against the Seagulls, an injury to Joe Gomez early in the first half saw Slot bring him on, who came on and assisted Hugo Ekitike’s second goal, etching his name in the Premier League history with most goal contributions for a single club.

After the game, Salah lapped around Anfield as the fans serenaded him with his song, actions that some could interpret as possible goodbyes.

View this post on Instagram

Three Saudi clubs are interested in signing him and the Saudi Pro League CEO has also publicly admitted the desire to bring the Egyptian to the league.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool’s stance on Mo Salah

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed the latest on the situation, confirming that Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas is set to hold definitive talks with the club in England while the player travels for AFCON duties.

As per his information, Liverpool’s stance is clear that they are not in a hurry to sell Salah as long as the player is happy to stay in his current conditions.

That said, if the player wishes to leave, Salah and his representatives could bring an offer to the table and it could be discussed.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said:

“Many of you asking me what’s next now with Mo Salah. Well, Mo is traveling for the AFCON. So Mo will not be available for the next weeks for Liverpool.

“What’s going to happen in England and in Liverpool is that the agent of Mosara Ramy Abbas will be in England to have conversations with Liverpool management and to discuss the situation of Mo.

“So after Mo out of the squad against Inter, after Mo was back against Brighton, after Mo entering in the first half and delivering an assist, breaking another record and showing his quality once again.

“Now it is going to be time for Mo Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas to talk to the club and to take a decision together on what’s going to happen next.

“Again guys, I maintain my information on what Liverpool believe. Liverpool say ‘we are not in a hurry to sell Salah, to find a solution for Salah. If he wants to stay at these conditions. we’re more than happy’.

“If he wants to go and he was maybe suggesting in that interview was not even that clear but was insinuating let’s say like this Liverpool say okay ‘bring a proposal to the table show us the proposal and this could be the the topic let us know uh what you have for us’.

“But at the moment no official proposals apart from Saudi interest arrived on Liverpool table for Salah so this is why also there is going to be this meeting with his agent and to try to understand how to move forward in the next weeks.”

Salah’s incredible numbers for Liverpool

Despite the ongoing transfer turmoil, Salah has continued to demonstrate his world-class quality and commitment on the pitch.

His immediate impact off the bench against Brighton, which included delivering a crucial assist, saw him break yet another record.

The Egyptian superstar recently cemented his legendary status by surpassing Wayne Rooney, securing the record for the most goal involvements for a single club in Premier League history.

Since arriving at Anfield, Salah’s overall statistics are staggering: he has registered 367 goal contributions (250 goals and 117 assists) in just 421 appearances across all competitions.

This incredible output is why many have expressed their surprise over the recent snub from the starting XI which has strained the relationship between the player and the club.

The January transfer window outcome hinges entirely on the impending talks between Ramy Abbas and the club hierarchy.

The post “In the next weeks”: Fabrizio Romano drops huge Mo Salah update; definitive talks scheduled appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Hansi Flick says he wants Barcelona to show why they are the favourites to win the Copa del Rey on the pitch when they face Guadalajara in the round of 32. Barcelona begin their trophy defence on Tuesday against the side from the Primera Federacion, who they are meeting for the first time. Flick’s side […]

The post Flick challenges Barcelona to prove why they are Copa del Rey favourites appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Flick challenges Barcelona to prove why they are Copa del Rey favourites appeared first on Soccer News.

Mohamed Salah has returned to action on the pitch with Liverpool, coming off the bench in the victory against Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite this, the situation between the player and the Reds remains tense, leaving his future up in the air. Although he has a contract until 2027, his future seems tied to the English team, but several teams are already interested in the Egyptian, with one destination in particular reportedly standing out.

According to TEAMtalk, several clubs in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the United States are keeping a close eye on Mohamed Salah. Despite this widespread interest, the Egyptian forward has a favored destination should he decide to leave Liverpool: Saudi Arabia. Not only would the financial aspect be a key factor, but the Saudi Pro League would also offer a very appealing project built around him, making his arrival highly attractive.

While the Egyptian player is considering a possible departure from the team, Liverpool appear to have other plans. According to The Athletic, the Reds are not willing to let the veteran leave in January 2026, as Arne Slot is relying on him for the team’s rotation. His exit would compromise the team’s goals for the season. In fact, they are not planning to sign a replacement in January 2026 to cover for the 33-year-old star, making his continued presence until the end of the season.

With a contract at Liverpool running until 2027, Mohamed Salah’s departure from the team presents a significant challenge. Having recently finished the 2024-25 season as the Premier League’s top scorer, any Saudi Arabian team aiming to secure his services would likely need to offer a substantial transfer fee, as the Reds are keen to avoid losing him as a free agent. Despite this, the tense situation between both parties means all options remain on the table.

Arne Slot shift to renovated lineup without Salah as cornerstone

Mohamed Salah seems to have reintegrated into Liverpool’s rhythm, but coach Arne Slot has opted for a radical change in his system, moving away from using the Egyptian as the team’s cornerstone. To improve defensive consistency, the team has prioritized wingers who can contribute defensively, such as Dominik Szoboszlai or Florian Wirtz. Alongside this change, the Reds no longer have a single cornerstone, instead emphasizing collective play.

Due to his impressive physical ability, Salah remains a highly valuable profile for certain matches. Starting from the right wing, his speed and ability to create space make him a player who still has a role in the team, though no longer as a star around whom the game revolves. Additionally, the Reds reportedly plan to target a versatile winger with defensive capabilities for the 2026-27 season.

Sergio Reguilón was announced as a new Inter Miami player on Monday after signing his contract to replace Jordi Alba in the vacant left back role. Despite being a product of Real Madrid’s academy, Reguilón opened up about the special motivation of playing alongside global superstar Lionel Messi.

After joining Fundación Real Madrid at just nine years old, Reguilón emerged as a potential long-term successor to Alba with the Spanish national team following his early breakthrough. A strong loan spell at Sevilla led to a €30 million move to Tottenham Hotspur at age 23, but inconsistent form and several loan stints prevented him from reaching his full potential, and now the left back is looking to revive his career in MLS.

In his first words as a Heron, Reguilón explained the reasons behind his decision to join the Fort Lauderdale-based club. “I think it’s a very ambitious project. It’s a club that’s doing things very well. They’re the current champions, and that’s what attracts me—winning teams. Both the people at the club and the owners are doing a great job, and that shows,” he said in an interview with Inter Miami.

According to Fabrizio Romano, several La Liga clubs showed interest in signing Reguilón as a free agent after his contract expired last June, including lucrative offers from Iran worth €4 million net per season. However, the left back had always been eager to join Inter Miami, which began negotiations with him last October before finalizing the deal.

Despite his Real Madrid background, Reguilón also highlighted the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi as a major factor in his decision. “It’s a really exciting reason to come here: to keep winning and keep competing. I won’t lie—coming here to play with Leo is an extra motivation,” he added.

Since his contract expired in June, Reguilón has not played a competitive match, but that was not seen as a concern by either the player or the club. Now eager to claim the starting left back role in 2026, he said: “I’m really eager to get started, because I’m coming off a few difficult months, and all I want is to compete on the field, give my best, and be happy on the pitch—which is the best thing in life.”

Reguilón and MLS growth

In recent years, Major League Soccer has increasingly attracted European players not only at the tail end of their careers, but also during their prime. One notable example is Son Heung-min, who completed a move to LAFC at age 33 after winning the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham, despite having multiple offers to remain in Europe.

Reguilón was asked about MLS’s growth and spoke about how the league’s rising profile—boosted in part by Messi’s arrival—has captured global attention. “For example, in Spain I have many friends who follow it, and honestly it’s a league that’s on the rise and doing things very well. In terms of exposure, it keeps growing. It’s becoming more competitive, and that’s also what draws me to it,” he concluded.

Evan Ferguson and Matias Soulé lead the way for Roma, who lost a battle with Morocco for Neil El Aynaoui, as they go head-to-head with Nico Paz in a new False 9 role for Como.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This is the concluding fixture in Serie A Week 15 and could have important ramifications on the top spots.

A victory would allow Roma to close up on the leading pack, but a defeat would see them caught in joint fourth place by Como.

The Giallorossi are in dire need of a boost after back-to-back Serie A defeats to Napoli and Cagliari, although they did get back on track in the Europa League on Thursday with their 3-0 win away to Celtic.

Ferguson scored twice in that match and wants to ride the wave of enthusiasm, especially as Paulo Dybala is only ready for the bench.

Zeki Celik was sent off in Sardinia and is therefore suspended, with Artem Dovbyk injured and Angelino back on the bench after two months out with pneumonia.

Evan Ndicka was given permission to delay his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Morocco refused to let El Aynaoui stay in the squad.

Como are coming off a thumping 4-0 defeat to Inter, but had been unbeaten in 11 Serie A rounds before that.

They have a similar problem with AFCON duty, but were given permission to keep hold of Assane Diao until tomorrow, while Maxi Perrone is suspended.

Alvaro Morata, Sergi Roberto, Alberto Dossena and Edoardo Goldaniga are also out of action.

Tasos Douvikas was expected to lead the attack, with support from Jayden Addai, Nico Paz and Diao.

Instead, it looks as if Nico Paz will be moved into a False 9 role, with Martin Baturina stepping in behind him, although Diao could also be the centre-forward.

Roma vs. Como line-ups

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Wesley, Koné, Cristante, Rensch; Soulé, Pellegrini; Ferguson

Como: Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Ramon, Valle; Da Cunha, Caqueret; Addai, Baturina, Diao; Nico Paz

15-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Como

1 - 0

Player statistic

2nd half

		55'		Jayden Addai
Gianluca Mancini		58'
		59'		Nico Paz
Wesley (Assist: Matìas Soulé)		60'
Stephan El Shaarawy		88'
Wesley		89'
		90+6'		Jacobo Ramón

Match statistic

53

Possession %

47

14

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

1

4

Shots off target

5

6

Blocked shots

7

6

Corners

3

6

Offsides

3

16

Fouls

8

Roma

Como

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

22

Mario Hermoso

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

73'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

11

Evan Ferguson

Attacker

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

82'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

79'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

65'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

37'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

65'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

35

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

21

Paulo Dybala

Attacker

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

32

Devis Vásquez

Goalkeeper

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

69

Muhammed Bah

Midfielder

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

73'

31

Leon Bailey

Attacker

82'

99

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

55

Andrea Le Borgne

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

37'

27

Stefan Posch

Defender

65'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

65'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

79'

{rsn-live-v2}

Inter are top of the Serie A table alone for the first time since April 2025, a remarkable achievement considering they have lost four games already.

The Nerazzurri took advantage of the slip-ups elsewhere this weekend to surge into the leadership of the league, as Napoli lost 1-0 away to Udinese and AC Milan were held to a 2-2 home draw by Sassuolo.

With their 2-1 success at Genoa, it was enough to leapfrog them into first place with a one-point advantage over their city rivals.

Inter on top for the first time

The last time Inter were alone on top of the Serie A table was mid-April 2025, when after the Week 32 fixtures they had 71 points to Napoli’s 68.

The Scudetto race took a twist in Week 33 on April 20 when Inter lost 1-0 at Bologna, while Napoli won 1-0 at Monza to catch them.

Inter followed that with a home defeat to Roma, but Napoli stalled with a 2-2 draw against Genoa, closing the gap to one point at the end of Week 36.

That is how it remained for the final two games, Napoli taking the title.

Looking at the statistics, it is unusual for Inter to be top this season when they lost four of the opening 12 rounds.

They are flying high because Cristian Chivu’s side have the most wins with 11 and zero draws.

In comparison, Milan won only nine, drew five and lost the opening game against Cremonese.

Napoli won 10, more than the Rossoneri, but only had one stalemate and four defeats.

Serie A Table

Reports in Italy claim that Milan have an agreement in principle with Germany international Niclas Fullkrug heading into the January transfer window, but still have to strike a deal with West Ham United before a transfer can go ahead. 

Report Fullkrug agrees to Milan move, West Ham talks pending

Recent reports suggest that Milan are, again, looking for a new centre-forward in January. 

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Santiago Gimenez, who joined the Rossoneri from Feyenoord last winter. Massimiliano Allegri, who has deployed a 3-5-2 since taking over in San Siro, only has Christopher Nkunku, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, all of whom have had various injury and fitness struggles this season, as his other options up front. 

It has been suggested over the last few weeks that Milan are keen on a potential opportunity to pick up Fullkrug from West Ham. The Rossoneri are keen to add another natural centre-forward to their ranks, and the German is reportedly keen to move away from East London after a miserable time of it over the last 18 months. 

Now, according to reports from Calciomercato.com, Rossoneri sporting director Igli Tare has been in contact with Fullkrug’s agents, and there have been no issues in terms of salary. Milan are willing to cover the €1.5m that Fullkrug is set to earn between January and the end of the 2025-26 season. 

Monday’s report claims that Fullkrug has told his representatives to hold off on any other offers to prioritise a move to Milan. 

Milan are reportedly seeking a straight loan deal until the end of the 2025-26 season, although they still need to come to an agreement with West Ham over the terms of a deal for the German.

Santiago Gimenez is still no closer to his AC Milan comeback six weeks after an ankle injury, and there are reports he could require surgery.

The Mexico international has not played since limping off during the Serie A match away to Atalanta on October 28.

His ankle had already flared up over the summer during international duty for the Gold Cup, and weeks go by without much significant progress from conservative treatment.

No sign of recovery for Gimenez

Gimenez has flown back to the Netherlands, where he had already worked with Feyenoord, for a specialist consultation.

According to MilanNews.it, there is the distinct possibility that he could go under the knife to resolve this problem once and for all.

With the 2026 World Cup coming up next summer, co-hosted by Mexico, the USA and Canada, he has to take that into consideration as well as his faltering club career at San Siro.

Meanwhile, Gimenez will not be part of the Milan squad travelling to Riyadh tomorrow for the Supercoppa Italiana, where they face Napoli on Thursday in the semi-final.

Matteo Gabbia will also be left behind after a knee issue, even if there are no significant lesions.

Rafael Leao and Youssouf Fofana are expected to travel and should at least be on the bench.

Fiorentina have not yet made any decisions regarding the future of head coach Paolo Vanoli despite the various different rumours that have been circulating following Sunday’s 2-1 loss against Hellas Verona. 

Fiorentina have not made final Vanoli or Giuntoli decisions

It is only natural that after such a poor start and under increasing pressure that changes around the club might be made. The situation is one that could still develop, but as things stand, no major changes are expected before Thursday’s Conference League match against Lausanne. 

There have been rumours on Monday that former Napoli and Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli could be poised to come in and help Fiorentina. 

However, despite some reports hinting that a deal for Giuntoli could be close, Football Italia can confirm that there have been no direct contacts with the former Bianconeri director as yet. 

In terms of  anew sporting director, we are still some way away from there being any sort of breakthrough.

After three consecutive victories, AC Milan entered the game against Sassuolo needing a win to secure the Serie A lead. However, the Rossoneri suffered a surprising draw that cost them the top spot to Inter Milan. Following the game, coach Massimiliano Allegri explained the reason that lead him to substitute Christian Pulisic, despite the player’s impressive scoring prowess and the team’s need to secure a victory.

“Christian had joined us in Turin after a fever and then trained. He played well for 72 minutes, but at that moment, we needed one more midfielder. Loftus-Cheek held firm up front, but we had to defend better, especially for the second goal. We had to follow Laurienté, and it was too easy for them to score… Today he played a good game, as in Turin. He was decisive for the second goal; he had a chance in the final minutes. He was very good,” Allegri said, via DAZN.

Far from trying to maintain a constant attacking rhythm, Allegri preferred to sacrifice Pulisic in the attack, looking for more stability in midfield with Samuele Ricci. However, everything went the opposite way. Just four minutes after this change, the Rossoneri conceded the second goal and failed to create impactful attacking chances in the absence of the USMNT star, with only Davide Bartesaghi shining at a scoring level by netting a brace.

Massimiliano Allegri has managed to enhance AC Milan’s performances despite not having a sufficiently competitive roster. While they do have a solid midfield with several alternatives, the defensive line and the attacking front remain limited in options, making matches quite unpredictable. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri are aiming to improve the roster in January 2026 to enhance Christian Pulisic’s impact, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Christian Pulisic’s future hinges on AC Milan progress in the upcoming months

With a contract lasting until 2027, AC Milan aim to convince Pulisic to sign an extension before he enters the final year of his current deal. The USMNT star decides not to rush into any decisions and reportedly sets a key condition: The team must qualify for the UEFA Champions League. With this in mind, the Rossoneri to bolster their defense with experienced players like Thiago Silva and Thomas Kristensen, and to enhance their attack eyeing two Premier League stars.

Since joining AC Milan, Pulisic has reached peak form, making a significant impact both in scoring and creativity. Over 113 games, the USMNT star has netted 41 goals and provided 25 assists. However, his influence extends beyond these statistics, as he serves as the team’s attacking focal point and generates the majority of offensive opportunities through his dynamic play.

While Rafael Leao has elevated his performance alongside the USMNT star, coach Allegri might seek a center-forward who excels in winning aerial duels and is physically imposing to capitalize on more scoring opportunities, thus enhancing the team’s efficiency. Should this signing materialize, the Italian team could achieve a much stronger offensive presence, aligning with the potential contract renewal of Christian Pulisic within a solid project.

Match Overview

FC Porto head into this weekend’s Primeira Liga showdown knowing the margin for error is slim at the top of the standings. With Benfica and Sporting already collecting wins this Matchday, the league leaders need a strong performance to keep control of the title race.

Across the pitch, Estrela arrive under pressure of their own, stuck on 14 points and hovering dangerously close to the relegation playoff zone, a position that leaves little room for mistakes. The contrast in objectives sets up a compelling battle with major implications at both ends of the table.

Match Overview

Manchester United arrive at this Premier League clash knowing they can pick an European cup spot. Three points would bring the Red Devils even with Chelsea in the race for the final Champions League position, even if the goal-difference edge still sits elsewhere, adding extra urgency to the afternoon.

Standing in the way are Bournemouth, a team whose season has been marked by inconsistency but also by the ability to strike quickly and cause problems with speed and attacking intent. This matchup carries real weight—make sure you tune in and don’t miss a minute of the action.

The referees have been assigned for the upcoming Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals, as Napoli face AC Milan on Thursday and Inter play Bologna on Friday.

The winners of those two clashes will go on to play each other in the Final of the EA Sports FC Supercup on Monday evening.

All these fixtures kick off at 19.00 GMT at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh.

It is the Final Four format for the Supercoppa Italiana, so the holders of the Serie A title and Coppa Italia play against the runners-up in the other tournament.

A winner is decided after 90 minutes, or they go straight to a penalty shoot-out.

Supercoppa Italiana referees appointed

Napoli vs. AC Milan on Thursday night will be officiated by Luca Zufferli, with Gianluca Aureliano as his VAR.

Imperiale and Rossi are the assistants, with Pezzuto as the fourth official.

The other semi-final between Bologna and Inter on Friday goes to referee Daniele Chiffi, who is supported in the VAR booth by Fabio Maresca.

Rossi and Fontemurato hold the flags on the touchline, with Dionisi as the fourth official.

Davide Calabria is continuing his career at Panathinaikos, but feels bitter over how his experience at AC Milan ended. ‘Honestly, I no longer wanted to have to deal with certain people.’

The 29-year-old had spent his entire football life in the Rossoneri jersey, coming up through their youth academy, climbing to the senior squad and even becoming captain.

However, just days after a very public clash with then-coach Sergio Conceicao in January 2025, he was loaned to Bologna for the final six months of his contract.

“Everything has a beginning and an end in life, so it was going to happen sooner or later,” Calabria told Rivista Undici.

“I had hoped it would be later, but I am super proud to have been at Milan for so many years. Not many can say that, especially coming through the youth academy, becoming captain and winning trophies.

“My teammates changed, so did the coaches, directors and club owners, but I remained. I have no regrets about that, I am proud of my experience there. As a child who supported Milan, I never dreamed that I could one day become captain.

“I entered into a Milan squad that was not what the club had been accustomed to, and I left a team that was challenging for the Scudetto and other silverware.”

How Calabria rapport with AC Milan broke down

The turning point was without doubt that public row with Conceicao, which happened on the pitch after the final whistle of their 3-2 comeback victory over Parma.

The pair got into a heated argument and had to be separated by other players, it was to be his final match for the club.

“It ended the way it ended. There were things that hurt everyone really, during a season that was bad due to certain factors,” explained Calabria.

“I think I lost more than anyone from that situation, perhaps I loved Milan too much and struggled to just shrug some things off. Those months were tough, until the bitterness burst out and the decision was made to go our separate ways.

“It had become difficult to handle, we needed to do something. It was not at all my intention to leave Milan. You all know what happened, even if nobody will say it out loud.”

Sergio Conceicao was already their second coach of the campaign after Paulo Fonseca was sacked in December 2024, just months after Stefano Pioli’s dismissal.

“After so many years, it saddened me to leave over some unpleasant incidents,” added Calabria.

“I think those moments rather ruined my image a little, not that I even did anything particularly wrong… I was the captain, I cared too much, and many people would come and let their frustrations out with me. By talking and having respect, you improve, but perhaps that turned against me during that period.

“In any case, I prefer to live and die by my own ideas than with someone else’s. I had to accept it, and honestly I no longer wanted to have to deal with certain people. There were few other options, I could’ve been frozen out of the squad, or I had to leave.”

Calabria joined Bologna on loan and he revealed an anecdote from Rossoblu director Gigi Sartori.

“I was told that Sartori joked with my ex-agent: ‘If he should ever argue with the coach, be known that we are here and ready.’ Well, two days later, you all saw what happened, unfortunately…

“It was really embarrassing and unpleasant, I honestly couldn’t explain it. The situation was quite delicate.”

Milan also gave Calabria very little time to give a proper farewell to what had been his home for decades.

“It all happened so fast, it was quite surreal. I would leave Milanello and never set foot in it again. I really struggled to accept that after so many years, thinking I might never see these people again, that the workers and my teammates were asking me not to go. To the fans, who I consider the best in the world. Never wearing the shirt of the club I love so much again.

“It was all such a tough blow to deal with. When I got the news I had to leave, I had one last tour of the training ground and cried a lot, people were incredulous that it was really happening. I gathered my things and left, after 12 years. It hurt, but I had to accept it so I could move on.”

Calabria got his revenge, as later that season he’d be in the Bologna team that beat Conceicao’s AC Milan to win the Coppa Italia.

At the end of his contract, he joined Panathinaikos as a free agent, but remains a staunch supporter of the Rossoneri.

“This Milan side can challenge for the Scudetto, they finally have someone in Max Allegri who can create and protect a united group, set the solid defensive foundations. Allegri is a winner, he has experience, and having only one game per week certainly helps too. I’d have liked to be coached by him, aside from anything else, his communication style really makes me laugh.”

Manchester United face a difficult test as they take on Unai Emery’s in-form Aston Villa side away from home in what should be an unmissable Premier League clash.

BUY ASTON VILLA VS. MANCHESTER UNITED TICKETS

Villa have been one of the most in-form teams in the country in recent weeks, and it will be intriguing to see if they can keep that run going against a Man Utd side who’ve also shown some signs of improvement.

The busy festive period of fixtures is always great entertainment so we’re sure to see plenty of interest from fans in getting tickets to this big game.

Here’s our preview and ticket buying guide for Villa vs United…

How Aston Villa could line up vs Manchester United

Villa have been able to rotate a bit and still maintain their strong form across all competitions, but in a big game in the Premier League, we suspect Emery probably has a decent idea of his strongest XI.

See below for our predicted Villa line-up for this game…

Aston Villa predicted line-up: Martinez; Cash, Maatsen, Konsa, Torres; Onana, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers, Watkins.

BUY ASTON VILLA VS. MANCHESTER UNITED TICKETS

How Manchester United could line up vs Aston Villa

United have one or two injury concerns, most notably Benjamin Sesko, while it’s not yet entirely clear if Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt could make it back for the trip to Villa Park.

Assuming the worst, we’ll probably see Ruben Amorim lining up with something like the below…

Man United predicted line-up: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Shaw; Dalot, Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Mount, Cunha.

How to buy Aston Villa tickets

Aston Villa fans looking for tickets will probably be checking the club’s official page here, but we’d actually recommend an alternative that could give you a better chance of making it to this one.

Follow our link here to get access to an easy-to-use and affordable service that has the advantage of not dealing with the club directly, meaning no extra cost or hassle of signing up to become a season ticket holder or club membership.

How to buy Manchester United tickets

Likewise, you can try your luck with Man United’s official ticketing page here, though we would again just warn you that you’ll likely be up against a lot of demand for this game, and will find yourself behind season ticket holders and club members in the queue.

A better bet could be to use our service here, which also offers you a 150% money-back guarantee if, for whatever reason, you’re not satisfied.

BUY ASTON VILLA VS. MANCHESTER UNITED TICKETS

Aston Villa vs Manchester United head-to-head record

United have a really strong record against Villa down the years, winning this fixture a remarkable 107 times in total.

That’s more than double Villa’s success against the Red Devils, with the Midlands outfit coming out on top on just 51 occasions, while there have been 42 draws.

Even during this difficult period for United, they’ve been strong in this fixture in recent times, winning five and drawing one of the last six, and losing only twice since 2009.

Can United get another victory this time, or will in-form Villa continue their run? Give us your predictions in the comments!

Roma have lost their appeal to use Neil El Aynaoui in tonight’s Serie A match against Como, as Morocco refused permission, but Evan Ndicka and Assane Diao will play.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

This is the final match of Serie A Week 15 and in theory the players who have been called up for Africa Cup of Nations duty should be available to their clubs until the conclusion of the round.

However, as this game is scheduled for a Monday evening, it technically falls outside the parameters and their nations can withdraw them.

El Aynaoui out of Roma squad, Ndicka stays in

Roma asked permission to both Morocco for El Aynaoui and the Ivory Coast for Ndicka.

While the defender was allowed to remain because the first Ivory Coast match against Mozambique isn’t until December 24, Morocco won their appeal to FIFA to call in El Aynaoui as they open up the tournament against Comoros on December 21.

It means the midfielder won’t be in the squad for Roma tonight.

Como had a similar issue, with Cesc Fabregas describing an “unpleasant” conversation with the coach of Senegal, but they do have Assane Diao in their squad tonight.

Senegal begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Botswana on December 23.

Alexis Saelemaekers has put pen to paper on a new and improved contract with Milan, which will tie him to the club until the summer of 2031. 

Saelemaekers doubles wages on new Milan contract

Saelemaekers’s new deal is a five-year contract, which will take effect from July 1, 2026. He will continue on his current terms until the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 

The Belgian had been due to be out of contract in the summer of 2027, which meant that he would have been entering the final 12 months of his deal this summer had a new extension not been agreed. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Saelemaekers will more than double his wages on his new contract as he currently earns a reported €1.2m per season and will soon see that figure rise to €3m per season. 

“AC Milan are delighted to announce that Alexis Saelemaekers has renewed his contract with the Club until 30 June 2031, with effect from 1 July 2026,” a statement from the club read.

“Since joining the Rossoneri in January 2020, Alexis has grown each season, standing out for his professionalism, selflessness, and strong sense of belonging, embodying the Club’s values on and off the pitch.

“After 159 appearances and 12 goals in the Rossonero shirt, and playing his part in the 2021/22 Scudetto triumph, AC Milan and Alexis Saelemaekers will continue their journey together, driven by the ambition to reach new milestones and write further chapters in Rossonero history.”

Saelemaekers has been a mainstay in the Milan line-up since the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri this summer. He has started in all 15 league matches so far this term, and has only come off before the 90th minute on four occasions. 

Despite his current status as a specialist right wing-back, Saelemaekers also covered in Milan’s front two when required during the early stages of the season.

Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has taken a fresh swipe at club legend Jamie Carragher, following the pundit’s controversial comments about Mohamed Salah earlier this week.

Carragher sparked intense backlash last Monday after launching into an eight-minute rant criticising Salah after his explosive interview following draw vs Leeds United.

Many fans felt the criticism crossed the line, accusing the former Reds defender of pursuing a personal vendetta rather than offering balanced analysis.

Among several claims, Carragher suggested that Salah routinely “threw his right-backs under the bus” during his time at Anfield, suggesting that the Egyptian winger failed to track back defensively.

The comments quickly went viral, with Liverpool supporters slamming Carragher for attempting to rewrite history and downplay Salah’s immense impact on the club’s success.

Dejan Lovren aims dig at Jamie Carragher in support of Salah

Dejan Lovren, who shared the Liverpool dressing room with Mo Salah for years and remains one of his closest friends, has emerged as one of the Egyptian’s most vocal defenders during the ongoing controversy.

The former Croatia international has repeatedly taken to social media over the past week to defend aggressively defend Salah.

And he was at it again on Monday, as he threw a subtle shade at Carragher for his crazy comments.

Salah recently broke yet another Premier League record after providing an assist for Hugo Ekitike in Liverpool’s clash against Brighton.

The contribution saw Salah become the player with the most goals and assists for a single club in Premier League history, registering an astonishing 277 goal contributions for the Reds.

After Salah posted the milestone graphic on social media, Lovren reposted it on X with a sarcastic caption clearly aimed at Carragher: “Not good enough Mo. You need to cover your full back.”

Not good enough Mo. You need to cover your full back. https://t.co/oaGJDog2eK

— Dejan Lovren (@Dejan06Lovren) December 15, 2025

Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah’s friendship

The bond between Lovren and Salah goes far beyond their time together at Liverpool.

During their years at Anfield, the pair developed a close personal relationship, often referring to each other as brothers and regularly sharing moments together both on and off the pitch.

Lovren has previously spoken about Salah’s humility, professionalism and relentless work ethic, frequently pushing back against narratives that portray the forward as selfish or unwilling to contribute defensively.

Even after leaving Liverpool, Lovren has continued to publicly support Salah, defending him against criticism from pundits, rival fans and now even former teammates.

During Salah’s contract saga last season, the Croatian called for the club to pay Salah whatever he is asking for because he ‘deserves it’

Their friendship has been especially visible during difficult moments, with Lovren consistently standing up for Salah when he feels the Egyptian has been unfairly targeted.

This latest sarcastic post is simply another example of Lovren’s unwavering loyalty, reinforcing just how strong their relationship remains long after their Liverpool careers no longer overlap.

The post Dejan Lovren mocks Jamie Carragher with brutal sarcastic dig over Mo Salah appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Man United are hoping to make a signing or two in January, but they will almost certainly see a couple of players move on too. One of those is expected to be Kobbie Mainoo, who remains out of favour under Ruben Amorim.

As recently as 18 months ago, Mainoo had been the jewel of Man United, but now, he is heading towards the exit door. He has little prominence at Old Trafford, with zero starts in the Premier League this season – all 10 of his appearances in the competition have come from the substitutes’ bench.

Kobbie Mainoo wants to leave Man United

Chelsea are favourites to sign Mainoo, who intends to seek a move away from Man United in January, according to Mick Brown (via Football Insider).

“Mainoo will push to leave in January, I have no doubt. It’s crazy the way he’s been treated, but Amorim isn’t the only one to blame, as Man United were testing the waters about interest in him during the summer.

“All of the noise coming out of the club was that they would be prepared to let him go for the right price because of their financial situation. Nothing ended up happening, but it’s something they looked into, and the player was made aware of that which left him a bit unsettled. If you keep telling a player he’s not wanted by the club and the manager, even if you later change your minds, he’s not going to want to stick around.

“Mainoo works hard, he’s a creative player, an excellent passer of the ball. He’s not a powerhouse or a flying machine, but he’s a very, very good footballer. The fact he continues to be left out of the side and isn’t even coming off the bench, he could go and start every week for a lot of top clubs in Europe.

More Stories / Latest News

Talks ongoing: AC Milan in discussions to sign West Ham star in January

Dec 15 2025, 23:07

Fabrizio Romano names surprise Man United January target as second transfer list emerges

Dec 15 2025, 22:40

“In the next weeks”: Fabrizio Romano drops huge Mo Salah update; definitive talks scheduled

Dec 15 2025, 19:41

“He knows that, and he knows there’s interest, it won’t come as a surprise to anybody but if the chance comes up he will want to jump ship. It was completely avoidable, but it’s a situation the club have put themselves in with the way they have treated him since the summer window opened.”

Who should Kobbie Mainoo join?

It will be interesting to see where Mainoo ends up. Chelsea may be favourites, but the likelihood is that his situation would be similar to how things are at Man United, given that Enzo Maresca already has the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos as midfield options.

The post Man United star wants to secure Old Trafford exit in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to Sport, the injury Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic picked up recently has made Barcelona cross his name off their list of potential long-term replacements for Robert Lewandowski. The 25-year-old left the pitch with an adductor problem just 31 minutes into Juve’s clash with Cagliari at the end of November and is expected to miss […]

The post Vlahovic injury prompts Barcelona to look elsewhere for Lewandowski replacement appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Vlahovic injury prompts Barcelona to look elsewhere for Lewandowski replacement appeared first on Soccer News.

Xabi Alonso said everyone at Real Madrid is pulling in the right direction after they earned a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at Alaves in LaLiga. Alonso’s position has reportedly been discussed by the Madrid hierarchy just six months after he took the reins, but Saturday’s victory at the Estadio de Mendizorroza eased the pressure on the […]

The post ´We´re in this together´ – Alonso hails Real Madrid´s unity after Alaves win appeared first on Soccer News.

The post ´We´re in this together´ – Alonso hails Real Madrid´s unity after Alaves win appeared first on Soccer News.

Goals from Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe eased the pressure on Xabi Alonso as his Real Madrid team beat Alaves 2-1 in LaLiga. Los Blancos started Sunday’s game seven points adrift of Barcelona at the summit, with a run of two wins in seven matches leading to intense speculation about Alonso’s future. But his team picked […]

The post Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid: Rodrygo winner eases pressure on Alonso appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid: Rodrygo winner eases pressure on Alonso appeared first on Soccer News.

According to Sport, the injury Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic picked up recently has made Barcelona cross his name off their list of potential long-term replacements for Robert Lewandowski. The 25-year-old left the pitch with an adductor problem just 31 minutes into Juve’s clash with Cagliari at the end of November and is expected to miss […]

The post Vlahovic injury prompts Barcelona to look elsewhere for Lewandowski replacement appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Vlahovic injury prompts Barcelona to look elsewhere for Lewandowski replacement appeared first on Soccer News.

Lionel Messi managed to lead Inter Miami into their golden era, guiding the team to its first three titles, including the long-awaited MLS Cup. Despite this, Jordi Alba’s retirement posed a major challenge for the team, as they lost a key attacking partner for the Argentine. Nevertheless, the Herons moved quickly and completed the signing of Sergio Reguilón as a free agent to strengthen the left-back position after Jordi Alba’s retirement.

After spending several months as a free agent, Sergio Reguilón has become Inter Miami’s newest star. At just 28 years old, the Spaniard joins the Herons in search of the much-needed continuity he has lacked in recent years. With a contract extending through December 2027, he aims to cement his legacy in the MLS by pursuing more titles and rediscovering the form he displayed at Real Madrid and Sevilla FC.

Unlike Jordi Alba, Sergio Reguilon joins Inter Miami, creating more doubts than assurances. He logged only 316 minutes in the 2024-25 season and was recently excluded from Tottenham Hotspur’s plans. Despite these setbacks, the Spaniard has demonstrated exceptional offensive prowess, making him a promising fit for coach Javier Mascherano, who seeks outstanding performance from the left back position.

With hopes placed on Reguilón regaining his impressive level, Inter Miami hold an option to extend the Spaniard’s contract through 2028. As he is a player in his prime years, there is an expectation that Javier Mascherano can help him recover the level that led him to shine in LaLiga and the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla. Despite this, the biggest challenge will be regaining his competitive rhythm while fighting to prove his worth at the same time.

Inter Miami reportedly accelerate roster rebuild ahead of 2026 MLS season

Far from wanting to keep their roster intact, Inter Miami have remained very active at the end of the season, undergoing several departures from their 2025 MLS Cup–winning squad. Not only have the retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets occurred, but Fafa Picault, William Yarbrough, and Ryan Sailor have also left the team. Along with them, Marcelo Weigandt and Allen Obando will not continue after their loan spells.

These absences in the squad are aimed at opening space for new figures to arrive and improve the overall performance of the team. In addition, the Herons have reportedly reached an agreement to keep Luis Suárez through December 2026, ruling out a move for Timo Werner. Despite this, Inter Miami have reportedly reached a verbal agreement for Facundo Mura, a right back who arrives as a free agent from Racing de Avellaneda.

With a large part of the offseason still ahead, Inter Miami could make more moves to reinforce their defensive line, midfield, and even the attack, as Javier Mascherano already complained during the 2025 season that his roster was quite limited. Therefore, the Herons continue to show Lionel Messi that their sporting project aims to remain competitive.

Defying all expectations, Thiago Silva has remained one of the most competitive center backs, excelling at both Chelsea and Fluminense as a veteran player. Despite his high level of play, he has reportedly decided to leave the Brazilian team in January 2026. As he looks to define his future, Silva has set forth a series of conditions for his next professional destination, which brings him closer to a short-term move to AC Milan.

According to GeGlobo, Thiago Silva has decided to leave Fluminense with the clear objective of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup with Brazil. Because of this, the veteran has set his main goal as a return to European leagues, as he believes it would give him more chances to be seen by coach Carlo Ancelotti as a possible fit for the national team. With this in mind, the Brazilian could benefit from a potential move to AC Milan.

Although Allegri has Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori, and Strahinja Pavlovic as key pieces, the coach appears willing to look for depth on the bench, as only Koni De Winter and David Odogu come in as rotation options, with neither having experience like Thiago Silva to maintain consistency at the back. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri are looking to reinforce the team’s defense, along with the forward line, in the January 2026 transfer window.

With his extensive experience, Thiago Silva could be the ideal reinforcement for AC Milan’s defensive line, which is seeking depth and rotation. If coach Allegri is able to offer him an important role, he could be a key piece in leading a team that has not found a level of consistency that makes a real difference, something he proved not long ago at Chelsea, where he was instrumental in winning the Champions League title.

Thiago Silva reveals his post-retirement soccer professional path

Thiago Silva has successfully maintained peak physical condition, steering clear of serious injuries that could impair his performance on the pitch. Although he is pursuing a ‘last dance’ in European soccer, his 41 years suggest that professional retirement might be closer than anticipated. Instead of setting a date for his farewell, the Brazilian has outlined a distinct professional future connected to soccer, establishing a compelling objective for himself.

In his recent interview with L’Equipe, Thiago revealed that he plans to become a coach when he retires from soccer, despite not yet thinking about his professional retirement. Along with this, the Brazilian star confessed that he will set himself the objective of coaching every club he played for, making Porto, Fluminense, Chelsea, PSG, and AC Milan his future goals as he looks to write more chapters in his professional legacy.

Normally a big game that you’d expect to have consequences nearer the very top of the Premier League table, Tottenham vs Liverpool is looking like being more of a mid-table affair this season.

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Both sides have endured disappointing starts to the 2025/26 campaign, and that could make this tie all the more interesting as they look for a result that could launch them up the table due to how close it’s looking between fourth and 13th place right now.

Spurs have home advantage but have suffered some really bad results at their stadium so far this season, while Liverpool are arguably starting to look a little more like themselves again, even if they’re still not hitting the heights many would have expected after their title triumph last term.

Fans won’t want to miss this unpredictable fixture between two teams who, more often than not, produce a spectacle for the neutrals to enjoy.

Tottenham predicted line up to take on Liverpool

Thomas Frank has rotated a lot this season, so it can be tricky to predict precisely what kind of Tottenham line up we’re going to see.

If everyone’s fit by the time this fixture comes around, Frank will surely go full strength to try to claim a big three points, so perhaps a line up that looks something like this…

Tottenham predicted line-up: Vicario; Porro, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven; Bentancur, Palhinha, Simons, Odobert, Kudus; Richarlison.

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Liverpool’s predicted line-up to take on Tottenham

The big debate in recent weeks has been about Mohamed Salah and if he should still be in the Liverpool team after his outburst about Arne Slot.

This situation is one that could change quickly, so by the time this game comes around it will either be resolved, or Salah will just be a step closer to leaving.

In recent matches, though, we’re perhaps starting to see that LFC look a slightly more balanced side without Salah now, so our hunch is that he’ll probably remain out of the team for this one.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; Bradley, Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Isak, Ekitike.

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How to buy Tottenham tickets

The official Tottenham tickets page can be found by clicking the link here, but we thought we’d also make you aware of another good option you can make use of.

Follow our link here to get access to a quick, easy-to-use and reliable ticketing hub that allows you to get to the games you care about most, without the extra hassle and cost of dealing with club membership fees.

How to buy Liverpool tickets

Most Liverpool fans will likely be aware of the club’s official ticketing page here, but it won’t necessarily give you the best chance of making it to this game.

Instead, make sure you beat the season ticket holders and club members to this one by using our reliable page here, which provides you with a 150% money-back guarantee if, for any reason, you’re not happy.

Tottenham vs Liverpool head-to-head record

This always feels like one of the Premier League’s most entertaining fixtures, and it will certainly be one that Liverpool have mostly enjoyed down the years.

The Reds have won 93 times and lost only 50 games against Tottenham, with a further 44 ending in a draw.

In more recent times, it’s also been a happy fixture for Liverpool, with Spurs winning just twice in their last 17 meetings in all competitions, which includes the 2019 Champions League final.

Spurs did win one of their games last season, though, a 1-0 victory in the league in January, but they were thumped 5-1 in the return fixture at Anfield.

Who will come out on top this time? Drop us your score predictions in the comments!

Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are the only four players to have been directly involved in more than 10 goals in each of the last seven seasons in Europe’s top five leagues, reports Opta.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez inspired the Nerazzurri’s 2-1 win over Genoa on Sunday providing one goal and one assist at Marassi.

The Argentine is currently the Serie A top-goal scorer with eight goals, one more than Milan star Christian Pulisic.

Stats from Opta on X social media confirm that Lautaro has been one of the most decisive strikers in Europe over the last few years.

Lautaro Martinez matches Mbappé, Haaland and Kane

“Lautaro Martínez is only one of the four players to have been directly involved in more than 10 goals (8G-3A this season) in each of the last seven Big-5 European Leagues’ seasons, along with Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Unstoppable,” Opta reported.

Unstoppable Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro has netted 165 goals in 355 Inter games since joining the Nerazzurri in the summer of 2018.

A 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, ‘El Toro’ was the Serie A’s Capocannoniere in 2023-24 with 24 goals, contributing to Inter’s 20th Scudetto in their history.

He was also the top-goal scorer in the Copa America with Argentina in 2024.

Khephren Thuram is the present and future of Juventus, and has recently received the backing of Giorgio Chiellini, so here is the reasoning behind the recent rumours involving the Frenchman and a possible Bianconeri move for Inter’s Davide Frattesi. 

Where Juventus stand with Thuram and Frattesi

In recent weeks, there had been far-fetched suggestions that Juventus were considering the possibility of a swap deal with Inter that would see Thuram and Frattesi move in opposite directions. Similarly, Milan and Napoli have also been linked with deals involving Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lorenzo Lucca swapping sides. Both rumours are baseless. 

Focussing on Juventus specifically, Chiellini has recently stressed Thuram’s importance to Luciano Spalletti: “I won’t talk about Frattesi, as that’s a lack of respect towards Inter. What I can say without doubt is that Thuram will remain a Juventus player. He has done really well in the year and a half he’s been with us and we have no intention of letting him go,” he said before kick-off against Bologna on Sunday. 

Thuram has shown that he is capable of being a Juventus player and that he still has plenty of potential to fulfill. He hasn’t had the most impressive of performances in recent weeks, but there’s no doubt that Juventus intend to stick with him for the time being. 

As for Frattesi, Juventus’s interest is a separate matter. Inter are adamant that they will not let the Italy international leave for anything less than €35m, which is less than the fee that had been cited to interested clubs over the summer. 

If Frattesi wants to leave Inter, it is down to his agent to find him the move, which he has failed to do for the last three transfer windows now.

Napoli have been dealing with several injuries in recent weeks, and many of their stars, including Scott McTominay, have played 100% of the available minutes in the last month.

Napoli suffered their second consecutive defeat across all competitions on Sunday, seeing Udinese secure a 1-0 win at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Earlier last week, Napoli had lost 2-0 away against José Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.

Napoli struggling away from home

Napoli are still unbeaten in home Serie A games with six wins and one draw, but have fallen short away from the Maradona with four losses in the league and three – from three outings – in the Champions League.

“They have a stadium that pushes; playing at home for them it’s a big advantage,” former Lazio goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani told Sky Sport Italia.

“In the first half against Udinese, they did some good things and created some situations. The tragic thing was the start of the second half. That was when Udinese took command.

“This season, Napoli have struggled to face all the teams with the same determination. This is a team that, to be efficient, must play with their intensity; if they drop it, they can suffer against anyone.”

Coach Antonio Conte has had limited chances to rotate in recent weeks, especially in central midfield, where Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka have all suffered injuries.

The latter returned to action against Udinese yesterday after two weeks, while the others will be forced to the sidelines for longer.

“Napoli are a team that doesn’t have the strength to play constantly in the opposing half and dominate proceedings through ball possession,” argued Inter legend Beppe Bergomi.

Napoli stars overused

“The coach is good at fixing problems and finding solutions. They are better than last season because they have a deeper team with important players. But they have an alibi, which is a lot of injuries and reduced options in certain roles.”

Conte’s reduced options have forced the Italian tactician to overuse many of his stars. Sky showed that Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Scott McTominay and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic have played every minute since Conte switched to a three-man defence against Atalanta on November 22. That makes it six full games in less than one month, with the only exception being a Coppa Italia match against Cagliari.

Amir Rrahmani, David Neres, Rasmus Hojlund and Alessandro Buongiorno have played over 90% of the available minutes in the same time, Same Beukema and Noa Lang more than 80%.

Even Matteo Politano, a regular starter at the end of the season, has struggled with playing time, despite being fully fit, playing just 27.9% of the available minutes since November 22.

Monday’s reports claim that Milan have an agreement in place to extend the contract of versatile wing-back Alexis Saelemaekers until the summer of 2030. 

Gazzetta: Saelemaekers set to renew Milan contract until 2030

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan and Saelemaekers have an agreement in place over a new contract that will run until 2030, which comes with an increase in wages from around €1.2m per season to roughly €3m per year. 

The topic of a contract extension for the Belgian has been on the cards for several months, but Monday’s report suggests that an official announcement could now arrive within the next few days. 

Saelemaekers’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, which means that he would be entering the final year of his deal once the current campaign draws to a close. 

The 26-year-old originally joined the Rossoneri in the winter of 2020, and though he would go on to make 111 Serie A appearances across his first three-and-a-half seasons in San Siro, he would later be allowed to join Bologna on loan for the 2023-24 campaign. 

It looked as though his time with Milan might be over when he was sent out on a second consecutive season-long loan deal to Roma in 2024-25, but after seven league goals from 22 appearances, his numbers convinced Massimiliano Allegri to give him another go in the Milan first-team. 

Saelemaekers has gone from strength to strength since then, and has become one of the most dependable performers for the Rossoneri this term. He has started in all 15 of this season’s league fixtures, and has only come off before full-time on four occasions. Now a regular at right wing-back, he has also filled in in the attackiing line on occasion this term.

Football Italia transfer expert examines Juventus’ deserved victory against Bologna on Sunday, highlighting that the Bianconeri are finally starting to flourish under Luciano Spalletti.

The Bianconeri secured a 1-0 win at the Stadio Dall’Ara last night, boosting their hopes of finishing in the top four, which is now just one point away.

Pedullà examined the Old Lady’s victory in his latest YouTube video for Football Italia.

“You can witness a blossom even in December, the blossoming of football and a team that is still trying to internalise a new theorem,” Pedullà said.

Juventus are now just one point below fourth-placed Roma, but the Giallorossi have a game in hand and will be the Bianconeri’s next opponent in Serie A on December 20.

Watch the full video below:

Things have gone from bad to worse for Fiorentina in 2025-26, and with no wins to their name in Serie A after 15 attempts, the finger has been pointed in numerous directions over the last few weeks. This time it’s the turn of goalkeeper David De Gea, whose errors have cost the Viola up to eight points so far this season. 

De Gea under fire for Fiorentina blunders

Fiorentina are already staring at the threat of relegation from Serie A after 15 matches, with just six points to their name so far in the league. They have won none of their 15 league fixtures and have lost nine, the most recent coming in a 2-1 defeat at home against Hellas Verona, also in the relegation zone, on Sunday. 

De Gea came under fire after the Verona loss for his positioning error that led to the first goal. Gift Orban looked as though he was going to challenge the Spaniard one-on-one, but was instead able to wrap a bending finish around the goalkeeper from outside the area with the space that De Gea had left open.

De Gea was also criticised for letting in a relatively weak header deep into second-half stoppage time during a 1-1 draw with Cagliari on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season. 

The former Manchester United stopper also made a hash of an attempted claim in his own area in a 2-2 draw against Genoa at the beginning of November, although in fairness to him, had also kept out a penalty earlier on in that game. 

Additionally, the Spaniard also let in goals against Sassuolo and Milan that he would usually be expected to keep out. There were also subtle slip-ups against Como and Juventus, and as a result of these errors, Fiorentina have directly dropped eight points in the Serie A standings according to Firenzeviola.it. 

Liverpool defeated Brighton over the weekend, with the big story being Mohamed Salah’s return to the squad. He had not featured in three of their last four matches after falling out with Arne Slot, but the matter has now appeared to be resolved.

It has been a season of struggle by Salah’s standards, with only five goals and four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. However, there were signs on Saturday that he is getting back into form, as he was involved throughout against Brighton after coming on in the first half for the injured Joe Gomez.

Micah Richards back Mohamed Salah to return to form

Micah Richards took in Salah’s performance, and when speaking on The Rest Is Football, the former Man City defender admitted that he was impressed with how sharp the Egyptian was.

“The most important thing was he looked sharp when he came on. He should’ve scored, but the bigger picture is that there were question marks as to whether he still had that electric pace, and he does. Maybe he’s not at the consistency of previous seasons, but from a football point of view, it was like, ‘Salah looks very sharp here; we could’ve seen this a bit more during the season’. That was my takeaway.

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“He’s not gonna go on there and have a stinker, is he? He’s gonna be running around. He’s gonna be energetic. I never doubted it. I just think he was going through a spell where he wasn’t scoring. Mo Salah makes your team better. He was going through a ball spell – end of.”

How important is Mohamed Salah to Liverpool?

It certainly has not been an easy season for Salah, but the same can be said for Liverpool as a whole. If they can turn things around, it is still salvageable, and they will surely have a better chance of success with their number 11 involved.

The post “End of” – Micah Richards sends message to Arne Slot over Mohamed Salah involvement appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Thomas Frank has had a difficult start to life at Tottenham, made more so by Sunday’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The former Brentford manager is under severe pressure in North London, as his side sit 11th in the Premier League standings.

In the last 24 hours, it has been reported that Tottenham are looking into replacements for Frank, although they are not yet prepared to give him his marching orders.

Tottenham to stick with Thomas Frank for the time being

As per Football Insider, Mick Brown has revealed that Tottenham are unlikely to make an imminent decision on Frank, with the idea being for him to remain in charge.

“There is a lot of pressure on Frank. Fans have been calling for him to be sacked, and after a result like the one against Nottingham Forest, he’s not going to have done himself any favours.

“I wouldn’t expect anything to happen immediately, because from what I’m told, they’re hoping to stick with him for the foreseeable future. But obviously, if results aren’t picking up and the crowd start turning against him, serious questions will be asked and it could force them to make a decision about where he stands. The feeling is that they want to back him long-term, so turning against him this early into his tenure isn’t going to be part of their plans.

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Dec 15 2025, 23:07

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“I know he’s been given a while to get his ideas across and he hasn’t quite met expectations yet, they’re having a torrid time and they have to turn that around. But they want to stick with the manager and hope he will be the one to get them out of it.”

Should Tottenham sack Thomas Frank?

It has been a difficult season for Tottenham. It makes sense that supporters want Frank out, although when taking into account their struggles during the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, it is clear that the club’s issues go beyond the manager.

The post Tottenham make decision on Thomas Frank future following Nottingham Forest defeat appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Man United want to sign a new midfielder, but in order to do, it is expected that a current player will be sold. At this stage, a likely candidate is Manuel Ugarte, given his lack of importance at Old Trafford.

Ugarte, who joined Man United in the summer of 2024 from PSG in a deal worth €50m (£44m), has struggled for playing time this season. He started only twice in the Premier League, and with plans for a Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton to sign, he is set to fall further down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim. As such, he has chances to leave.

Man United open to offers for Manuel Ugarte

As per Football Insider, Mick Brown has revealed that Man United will consider offers for Ugarte, who would not be short of candidates to sign him.

“Amorim doesn’t see Ugarte as part of his plans. He’s done very little when he has been given the opportunity to show why he should be getting more regular game time, he just isn’t of the required level.

“Ultimately, the manager will be given the freedom to make his own decisions. From what I’m told, he’s willing to let Ugarte go to raise some money, and then that money will be spent on trying to strengthen the squad.

“It’s clear the midfield is going to be their main area of focus, that’s where they want to strengthen, so letting him go means they’ll want to bring in somebody else. If they can do that, they’ll definitely look into it, and I have no doubt Ugarte will have suitors.

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Talks ongoing: AC Milan in discussions to sign West Ham star in January

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“He’s still young, and not being good enough for Man United doesn’t make you a bad player by any means. If they get a big offer for him, I would expect him to leave.”

Should Man United sell Manuel Ugarte?

Ugarte has struggled at Man United, so it makes sense for him to leave. They may struggle to recoup the money they gave to PSG, but a decent transfer fee should still be brought in, which can be used towards his replacement.

The post Man United planning to sell £44m player in 2026 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham intend to improve their squad in January, as they seek to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight in the Premier League. Defence is one area that Nuno Espirito Santo wants addressed, with targets having been drawn up with a view to making a move in the coming weeks.

West Ham have conceded the third most goals in the Premier League (32), with only Wolves (35) and Burnley (33) having worse records. In this regard, it makes a lot of sense for a defender or two to arrive at the London Stadium, and one of those could be former Leeds centre-back Charlie Cresswell.

West Ham want to sign Charlie Cresswell in January

As per Hammers News, West Ham are interested in signing Cresswell during the January transfer window. The 23-year-old, who has also attracted attention from Liverpool and Newcastle, is seen as an ideal solution to the club’s defensive woes, with the plan being for a deal to be finalised as early as possible.

Cresswell has impressed at Toulouse since his 2024 move from Leeds. He helped England win the U21 Euros last summer, and he could now be set to make a return to the Premier League with West Ham.

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Should West Ham sign Charlie Cresswell?

There is no doubt that West Ham need to sign a defender or two in January. They have struggled to keep the goals out, with the likes of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo having been nowhere near their best this season. Cresswell could be an ideal pick-up, especially considering that a deal would likely not cost too much.

It remains to be seen whether West Ham make a move for Cresswell, but he is certainly an option being considered for transfer.

The post West Ham make move to sign towering England defender appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Many attacking players have been paying tribute to the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota after scoring goals, but there are those who rarely score and haven’t had the chance to do so yet. Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, once a Liverpool captain and Jota’s teammate, netted his first goal for the Bees against Leeds on Sunday […]

The post Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson pays tribute to Diogo Jota after scoring for Brentford (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson pays tribute to Diogo Jota after scoring for Brentford (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

Thomas Frank believes he is deserving of being given more time to turn Tottenham’s fortunes around after their 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Frank watched on as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s brace either side of half-time was followed up by Ibrahim Sangare’s 79th-minute stunner at the City Ground. It is a result that leaves Spurs […]

The post ´No quick fix´ at Tottenham, but Frank expects to be given time appeared first on Soccer News.

The post ´No quick fix´ at Tottenham, but Frank expects to be given time appeared first on Soccer News.

Nottingham Forest moved five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone as they brushed aside Tottenham 3-0 at the City Ground. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ibrahim Sangare starred for Sean Dyche’s team, who got back on course in the top flight after losing 3-0 to Everton last time out. The home side made a strong […]

The post Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham: Hudson-Odoi and Sangare star in rampant win appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham: Hudson-Odoi and Sangare star in rampant win appeared first on Soccer News.

Juventus saw their value on the stock market surge on Monday morning as a result of Tether’s €1.1bn offer to take over the club from the Agnelli family. 

On Friday evening, Tether announced that they had officially submitted an offer worth around €1.1bn to purchase the 65.4% of the club shares that are currently owned by Exor, the holding company owned and operated by the Agnelli family. 

Tether, who already own just over 10% of Juventus themselves, also announced that they intended to make a public offer to purchase the remaining shares in the club at the same price, which would give them full and exclusive control. 

The Agnelli family, however, have maintained since Friday evening that Juve is not for sale. “Our Juventus, our history, our values, are not for sale,” said John Elkann in a publicly released video on Saturday. 

Juventus increase in value after Tether offer

As a result of the takeover offer, Juventus’s value on the stock market skyrocketed on Monday morning. When the market closed on Friday evening, prior to Tether’s announcement, a single share in the club was worth €2.34, compared to €2.47 on Monday morning. That is an increase of 12.7%.

Tether’s offer was to purchase the remaining Juventus shares at a price of €2.66 per share, which equated to a total cost of around €1.1bn. That was a premium of 20.47% compared to the stocks’ official value before the weekend.  

Juventus supporters at the Stadio Dall’Ara last night paid tribute to an emotional Federico Bernardeschi after the Old Lady’s 1-0 win over Bologna.

Juventus supporters showed respect to their former winger Bernardeschi after an away 1-0 win against Bologna on Sunday.

Bernardeschi reunites with Juventus fans

It was the first time Bernardeschi met with his former fans as he had left the Bianconeri in 2022 for Toronto FC, returning to Italy from Canada last summer.

Videos circulating on X social media show the Italian winger going under the Bianconeri’s Curva at the Dall’Ara to thank the Juventus fans for their chants.

Juventus fans’ tribute to Bernardeschi

“One of us,” the Bianconeri ultras sang while Bernardeschi thanked them and collected some Bianconeri scarves thrown from the stands.

Bernardeschi spent five seasons at Juventus, scoring 12 goals in 183 games.

#Bernardeschi

pic.twitter.com/EbfZ4vO4p0

— BianconeriZone (ESP) (@BianconeriZonEs) December 14, 2025

Giancarlo Marocchi and Beppe Bergomi highlight John Elkann’s ‘sense of belonging’ as Exor rejected an offer for a majority stake in Juventus.

Juventus minority shareholders Tether have seen a €1.1 billion bid rejected by Exor, a decision confirmed by club owner John Elkann in a passionate message released over the weekend.

Sky Sport Italia pundits Marocchi and Bergomi suggested Elkann, cousin of ex-Juventus President Andrea Agnelli, made the right decision, highlighting the strong sense of belonging he conveyed with his statement.

“I’ve spent a few years there, and there was the feeling of being part of the Agnelli family,” Marocchi, a former Juventus midfielder, said live on TV on Sunday.

“This pushed you to make sure the only thing that mattered was the victory. You looked at the past, and it was full of victories. In the present, you had to do the same.”

Inter and Italy legend Bergomi added: “I highlight this important sense of belonging, which the fans, the players and the staff feel. It’s the Juventus tradition.”

Agnelli family tradition at Juventus

The Agnelli family has owned Juventus for over 100 years, while Tether have an 11,52% stake in the club and is represented on the board of directors by Francesco Garino.

Juventus secured a 1-0 win over Bologna on Sunday night, moving just one point below the top four.

Luciano Spalletti was appointed in October to replace Igor Tudor and has collected five wins in the last six matches.

Juventus’ next game is against Roma at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday, December 20.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Milan defender Matteo Gabbia has suffered a ‘hyperextension trauma of the left knee’, but the Rossoneri are relieved that exams have ruled out ‘capsuloligamentous and meniscal injuries.’

Milan defender Gabbia underwent medical checks on Monday morning after being forced to be substituted with a suspected knee injury during a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo on Sunday.

Gabbia injured during Milan-Sassuolo

Sky Sport and Milan News report that Gabbia has avoided a serious injury involving the meniscus or the knee ligaments, having been diagnosed with a hyperextension trauma of the left knee.

When will Gabbia return to action?

According to Sky Sport, the Italian centre-back will likely miss this week’s Supercoppa Italiana semifinal against Napoli, which will be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, December 18.

Milan hope their defender will recover in time for a Serie A match against Verona on December 28 or even the potential Supercoppa Final on December 22.

The player has already begun his rehabilitation program in Milanello.

Crystal Palace could go ahead with the sale of defender Marc Guehi despite manager Oliver Glasner wanting to keep his captain at the club, according to Football Insider.

The English defender is being constantly linked with a move away from Selhurst Park due to his contract situation.

Guehi is set to become a free agent next year and he has made it clear to the club that he does not intend to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park.

Despite the chance to lose him for free next summer, Glasner is willing to keep him at the club for the remainder of the season.

However, the Palace hierarchy are looking to cash in on him and make some money out of his sale in the January transfer window.

Crystal Palace could be tempted to sell Marc Guehi

Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Palace could be tempted to make some money from the move, which might not go down well with manager Glasner.

“Palace are in a very difficult situation with Guehi,” he told Football Insider.

“Glasner obviously doesn’t want to lose him mid-way through the season, he’s a crucial player, their captain, one of their best players and so important to everything they do.

“So on the playing side of things, it would be very risky to let him leave in January when they still hold ambitions of pushing up the league table and winning in Europe.

“The problem is, it will be very tempting for the Palace hierarchy to sell.

“They almost let him go in the summer and would have done if not for the manager’s protestations, so I have no doubt they will be tempted again.”

Palace are now in a difficult situation regarding the future of the centre-back.

More Stories / Latest News

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Selling Guehi in January is crucial to their finances

Financially, selling him in the January transfer window makes complete sense since it is better than losing him for free.

However, as far as their ambitions for this season are concerned, losing their most important player right now would be a huge blow for the team and the manager.

If he is allowed to leave the club, Glasner would want a top class replacement signed in January.

It was Glasner who blocked his move last summer and his decision has proved to be a masterstroke for Palace on the pitch.

They are currently 5th in the league, ten points behind league leaders Arsenal and having an impressive season so far but Glasner may have to plan the second half of the season without his influential captain.

Crystal Palace eye ambitious January move for Tottenham attacker

The post Crystal Palace set to go against Oliver Glasner wishes and sell star in January appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham were bitterly disappointed to lose against West Ham on Sunday, in a match they had been leading twice. Mateus Fernandes and Jarrod Bowen scored, but a own goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos and Morgan Rogers’ second half brace ensured victory at the London Stadium for the visitors.

There was a lot of frustration among West Ham supporters at the defeat, with the same also being said for manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Both parties aimed their frustration at one player in particular: Lucas Paqueta.

Nuno digs out Lucas Paqueta for costly mistake vs Aston Villa

Speaking to West Ham TV (via Hammers News) after the Aston Villa defeat, Nuno pinpointed the moment where Paqueta gave the ball away in the lead-up to Rogers’ first goal at the London Stadium as one that caused huge frustration for him.

“It was a game that I think we had a lot of positives, but at the same time a lot of things that we should do better. There’s a major pivotal moment of the game, it’s the beginning of the second half, we are in front, we are leading, and we allowed Villa to get back in the game. It has been a factor in recent matches, we are leading and the leads are getting away from us.”

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How does Lucas Paqueta’s future at West Ham look?

It has been a difficult couple of seasons for Paqueta, although a weight has now been lifted with his FA charge for alleged spot-fixing being dropped a few months ago. Despite this, he has struggled to recapture his best form in a West Ham jersey, which has led to speculation on his future at the London Stadium ahead of the January transfer window opening in a couple of weeks.

The post Nuno blames West Ham star for Villa defeat appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Lord Alan Sugar has called on the club’s hierarchy to make a bold managerial change by appointing Jürgen Klopp, following the team’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, a result that has intensified pressure on current boss Thomas Frank.

Spurs are 11th in the Premier League standings right now, 14 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

While the Gunners are too far ahead of their north London rivals, Spurs were expected to challenge for a place in the top four of the Premier League.

That remains still a possibility since they are just six points behind fourth placed Chelsea, however, they have been unable to find consistency this season under Frank.

The outspoken businessman, who co-owned Spurs between 1991 and 2001, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration and propose a solution he believes could transform the club’s fortunes.

Tottenham told to appoint Jurgen Klopp

“With the massive fortune of the Lewis family, it would be a win-win situation if they hired Jurgen Klopp in January. Loads of money for players and a great manager. Who agrees? #COYS,” Sugar posted.

Sunday’s loss at the City Ground marked another low point in what has become a deeply inconsistent campaign for Tottenham under Frank.

Despite early optimism following his appointment from Brentford, the team has struggled to find rhythm, with a worrying dip in form now sparking serious questions about his future.

Spurs have won just one of their last seven league games, a poor run that also included a 4-1 north London derby defeat against Arsenal.

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Spurs are looking to possible replacements

Internal discussions are already underway about possible replacements, though the club is said to be reluctant to act hastily.

Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager in 2024 after nearly a decade of success, remains one of the most sought-after names in world football.

Under his leadership, Liverpool won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup, while transforming the team into one of Europe’s most feared sides.

Sources: Tottenham identify Thomas Frank replacement as manager continues to struggle

The post Tottenham told to make ambitious move to replace under-fire manager Thomas Frank appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona are reportedly preparing a bold attempt to lure Kobbie Mainoo away from Manchester United, as the Catalan giants look to strengthen their midfield for the long term.

However, the Blaugrana face significant competition from domestic rivals Real Madrid, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central.

The 20-year-old England international has been one of the most talked-about young players in English football, but his situation at Old Trafford has grown increasingly uncertain under manager Ruben Amorim.

Despite being widely regarded as one of the brightest academy graduates of the post-Ferguson era, Mainoo has found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season, sparking speculation about a potential move abroad.

Kobbie Mainoo is ready to leave Man United

Mainoo reportedly pushed for an exit during the summer transfer window, eager to secure more consistent game time.

Man United, however, rejected all approaches, insisting that he remained a key part of their long-term project.

Sources close to the player suggest he is frustrated by the lack of opportunities and wants to reignite his career, potentially away from Old Trafford.

A January loan move had been mooted, but United’s shortage of midfield depth during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) period makes a midseason exit complicated.

Barcelona see Mainoo as an ideal long-term investment and a perfect fit for their evolving midfield under Hansi Flick.

The club is keen to inject fresh energy and athleticism into a squad that already boasts young stars like Gavi, Pedri, and Fermín López.

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Barcelona & Real Madrid are both interested in Mainoo

Financially, Barcelona are still operating under tight La Liga spending restrictions, which could make a straight cash offer difficult. The report claims that the club could explore a loan deal with an option to buy, a structure that would mirror how they’ve handled several recent signings.

Complicating matters further for Barcelona is Real Madrid’s growing interest. The same report claims Los Blancos have also made informal enquiries, seeing Mainoo as a midfielder who could add depth and quality to their squad.

United, for their part, remain reluctant to part ways with Mainoo, especially given their own midfield inconsistencies this season. However, the situation could change if the player pushes again for an exit or if Barcelona table an offer that aligns with United’s valuation.

Sources: Man City & Man United monitoring Crystal Palace star but January move is unlikely 

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There has been a lot of anger on Tyneside over the last 24 hours, as Newcastle were defeated by arch-rivals Sunderland in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby. In particular, criticism from supporters has been aimed in the direction of Eddie Howe, whose side put in a very poor performance at the Stadium of Light.

It was another blow in what has been a disappointing season so far for Newcastle. Sunday’s defeat means they are 12th in the Premier League standings, and while they have done well in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, there are concerns about the drop off from last campaign to this.

Eddie Howe won’t be sacked anytime soon by Newcastle

Supporters have asked questions on whether Howe has taken the club as far as he can, but this is not the case for Newcastle’s owners. As per ChronicleLive, PIF will continue to stand by the current manager, who continues to have credit in the bank after two Champions League qualifications and a Carabao Cup success during his tenure.

Newcastle spent in the region of £250m in the summer, with the likes of Malick Thiaw, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa arriving at St James’ Park. Despite this, supporters are concerned about the team looking significantly worse, although Howe will be given time to turn things around over the coming weeks and months.

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Should Newcastle stand by Eddie Howe?

Howe, whose future has been speculated upon for much of the season, has certainly had a fantastic time in charge of Newcastle, but he cannot afford to rest on his laurels. PIF have big ambitions to make the Tyneside club one of the best in Europe, but right now, they look far away from that – even if they have done well in the Champions League.

It remains to be seen whether Howe can turn things around at Newcastle, but there is certainly pressure on his shoulders to do so.

The post Newcastle owners’ stance on Eddie Howe future after Sunderland loss appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham could soon welcome Manor Solomon back to the club, as he prepares to leave La Liga side Villarreal. The winger left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the summer, but his loan deal could now be cut short.

Solomon has struggled for prominence at Villarreal, where he has made only 10 appearances across all competitions. He has one goal and four assists, but he does not appear to be counted on by Marcelino Garcia Toral, which would suggest that an exit could be impending.

Manor Solomon able to break Villarreal loan agreement

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo (via Sport Witness), Solomon is frustrated with his lack of game time at Villarreal, and he could seek to return to Tottenham when the transfer window opens in January. There is a clause in the loan deal between the two clubs that allows him to unilaterally terminate the agreement, which would allow him to end his time at the La Liga club.

It would not be ideal for Tottenham were Solomon to return in January, although they would not be short of suitors to take him if he does become available. West Ham have shown interest in his services, and more recently, Leeds have been linked with re-signing him, following his successful loan at Elland Road last season.

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How should Tottenham approach the situation with Manor Solomon?

Solomon is contracted to Tottenham until the end of the 2027-28 season, so there are chances for him to be sold for a good price. That would be the ideal solution in the event of him returning early from Villarreal, although there is little chance of anything other than another loan when the transfer window re-opens in January.

It remains to be seen how Solomon’s situation plays out, but it would be no surprise to see him end his Villarreal loan early.

The post Tottenham player set to trigger contract termination clause appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The future of Thomas Frank as Tottenham Hotspur manager is becoming uncertain, with mounting pressure on the Danish coach following a string of poor performances and growing discontent among supporters.

Frank, who only took charge of Spurs in the summer of 2025, is facing increasing scrutiny after a series of inconsistent results that have left the club drifting away from their top-four ambitions.

Internal discussions have already begun at Tottenham regarding his long-term position, with Mauricio Pochettino identified as the strongest potential replacement, sources close to agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Spurs’ owners, ENIC, are not currently planning an immediate dismissal. The board continues to show patience, believing that Frank deserves more time to implement his tactical ideas and stabilise the team.

Tottenham are not fully convinced with Thomas Frank

However, behind the scenes, frustration is building among certain senior figures who fear the season could spiral out of control if results do not improve soon.

Tottenham’s recent performances, including the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and disappointing draws against lower-ranked sides, have only intensified the pressure.

The team’s lack of attacking rhythm, defensive vulnerability, and unclear identity have left both fans and analysts questioning Frank’s methods.

Should Tottenham decide to make a managerial change, Pochettino remains the top candidate to return to North London.

Pochettino is currently the head coach of the United States men’s national team.

The Argentine, who famously guided Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, still holds enormous affection among supporters and is seen as someone who understands the club’s culture and playing philosophy.

His familiarity with the club’s infrastructure and his history of developing young players make him an ideal fit for Spurs’ long-term vision.

Two Premier League managers are on Spurs’ radar

While Pochettino is viewed as the front-runner, Tottenham have also shortlisted Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva as alternative options should the managerial situation escalate.

Glasner, currently at Crystal Palace, has impressed with his rapid impact since arriving in the Premier League, guiding the Eagles to an FA Cup triumph and implementing an intense, structured style of football.

His tactical acumen and ability to quickly adapt to English football make him a serious contender.

Silva, meanwhile, has earned plaudits for his work at Fulham, where he has built a disciplined and competitive side on a limited budget.

Report: Tottenham ready to offload 29-year-old midfielder in January 

The post Sources: Tottenham identify Thomas Frank replacement as manager continues to struggle appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester City have reportedly taken the lead in the hotly contested race to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, with the Premier League giants prepared to activate the Ghanaian winger’s £65 million release clause, according to TEAMtalk.

The 25-year-old forward has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, drawing widespread attention.

Semenyo’s blend of athleticism and end product has made him one of the most coveted attackers in England, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City all vying for his signature ahead of the January transfer window.

City manager Pep Guardiola is believed to be an admirer of Semenyo’s versatility and intensity, viewing him as a player who can operate across the front line or as an impact substitute in key fixtures.

Man City are ready to beat Liverpool in Semenyo race

Sources close to the club indicate that City are ready to move quickly once the January window opens, with a formal offer potentially arriving in the first week.

The club’s financial strength means meeting Semenyo’s £65m clause would pose no issue, and personal terms are not expected to be an obstacle, the player is said to be open to a move that would see him compete at the highest level under Guardiola.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have also been closely monitoring Semenyo’s situation. With ongoing uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future and potential Saudi Pro League offers looming, the Reds see the Bournemouth winger as a ready-made replacement.

Tottenham Hotspur are the third major Premier League side showing concrete interest. Thomas Frank is eager to add more direct attacking options as Spurs push for a top-four finish, and the club is reportedly preparing an initial proposal.

Semenyo’s development has been remarkable. After an inconsistent first campaign, he has flourished this season, becoming one of the most productive forwards in the league.

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Semenyo has been highly impressive this season

So far, he has contributed six goals and three assists across all competitions, ranking among the top Premier League players for successful take-ons and progressive carries.

As it stands, Man City appear best positioned to win the race, with Liverpool and Spurs needing to act fast to keep up. Bournemouth are under no pressure to sell but could be tempted if a top club triggers the clause.

While the player reportedly prefers a move to Liverpool, he could be tempted by Man City who are competing with Arsenal for the Premier League title this season.

Sources: Man City & Man United monitoring Crystal Palace star but January move is unlikely

The post Man City have edge over Liverpool in the race to sign £65 million Premier League star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has shed light on Kobbie Mainoo’s ongoing struggle for game time at Old Trafford, admitting that the young midfielder faces an uphill battle for a starting spot due to the presence of captain Bruno Fernandes.

The young Man United midfielder is struggling for playing time at Old Trafford and his progress has stalled since breaking into the first team squad.

Club legends like Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have criticised the United management for not giving enough chances to Mainoo.

Ruben Amorim explains Kobbie Mainoo problem

Speaking candidly about the situation, Amorim said, as reported by Fabrizio Romano:

“Kobbie Mainoo plays in the same position as Bruno Fernandes, and it’s difficult to take him off the team.”

It’s the first time the Portuguese coach has directly addressed Mainoo’s lack of minutes this season, an issue that has become a growing talking point among fans and pundits.

Mainoo remains one of the brightest prospects to emerge from United’s academy in recent years.

However, under Amorim, his role has diminished significantly. Bruno Fernandes continues to be the heartbeat of United’s midfield, leading by example, creating chances, and scoring crucial goals.

Amorim’s tactical setup, which prioritises a single advanced playmaker behind two more disciplined midfielders, has made it hard for both to coexist in the same lineup.

Amorim added:

“Of course I rate Kobbie Mainoo. But in the end it’s going to be the training, the games.

“Of course he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbie has had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone has”.

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Mainoo doesn’t fit in Man United formation

Since arriving at Old Trafford, Amorim has implemented a 3-4-2-1 system that emphasizes fluid pressing and quick vertical transitions. In this structure, Fernandes operates as the central creative force, linking midfield to attack.

Mainoo, despite his technical intelligence and composure, is seen as a player still refining his positional discipline, a key demand in Amorim’s setup.

That balance has been tricky for Amorim to maintain amid a turbulent season. United’s form has fluctuated, and pressure continues to mount for results, leaving little room for experimentation with younger players.

Sources: Man City & Man United monitoring Crystal Palace star but January move is unlikely

The post “Its difficult” – Amorim explains why Kobbie Mainoo does not play enough for Man United appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Juventus winger Massimo Mauro insists the Bianconeri still lack a centre-forward and won’t be favourites when Roma visit them in Turin next week.

Juventus secured a massive 1-0 win over Bologna on Sunday, moving just one point below fourth-placed Roma, who have a game in hand and will host Como this evening.

Juventus and Roma will meet at the Allianz Stadium in Turin next week, and Mauro, a former Juventus player, believes the Old Lady won’t be the team to beat.

“They certainly won’t be the favourites, but we’ll see what happens on the pitch,” the ex-winger told Gazzetta.

“That’s the real issue, not cryptocurrencies. I was at the stadium for Juventus-Pafos, and it highlighted the squad’s issue with depth. Not only defensive absences, but also difficulty in finding a replacement for Yildiz, Conceiçao, McKennie and Locatelli. Thank goodness, David scored; otherwise, he would have had to flee Turin. It had been such a hard game for him.”

The January transfer window is just around the corner, but Mauro doesn’t expect big moves to Turin.

“I wouldn’t know where to turn because they didn’t sell good players. I wouldn’t have signed Openda for that kind of money,” he said.

“I would have said there were no players worthy of Juventus. There’s also a lack of important Italian players, something Juve have always had. Without them, you can’t rebuild because Juventus have always had an Italian dressing room leader.”

Ideally, however, the Bianconeri would still need a centre-forward, particularly after Dusan Vlahovic’s injury.

‘Juventus need a Napoli-style Osimhen’

“They need a Napoli-style Osimhen, a driving force who could carry the attack on his own and whom Luciano Spalletti turned into a true leader. Juve are full of solid, above-average players, but they need someone who makes a difference,” he said.

“I would invest in attack where the situation is incredible. If Yildiz plays badly, it’s a tragedy. If he plays well, there’s a chance to create something dangerous, but Yildiz is not a 20-goal striker, unless he becomes Del Piero or plays as a central forward or support striker. Out wide, at best, he can become like Kvaratskhelia.”

Spalletti has won five of the last six matches and Mauro feels he’s one of the best coaches Juventus could hire.

“He’s the best, along with Conte and Gasperini. An elite coach,” concluded the former winger.

“He can’t be the problem. He has to build the team of the future while hoping to finish in the top four, but he doesn’t have a magic wand.”

Spalletti was hired in October and his contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2026.

Safe to say Scamacca has settled in well under the new Atalanta coach, Palladino, as the Italian striker has been scoring consistently over the last month.

As reported by Gazzetta, Scamacca has gone from scoring one goal every 292 minutes under the previous Atalanta coach Ivan Juric to one every 97 minutes under the new boss.

Scamacca shines under Palladino

Scamacca had been dealing with fitness issues during Juric’s tenure, which also prevented him from featuring with the Italy national team, but he only netted once in seven games with the Croatian in charge.

With Palladino, he’s already grabbed five goals and one assist in seven appearances. He scored one goal against Napoli and Verona and two against Cagliari in Serie A, plus one against Chelsea in the Champions League.

The assist he provided in a 4-0 Coppa Italia win against Genoa means Scamacca has contributed to at least one goal in every game he’s played under Palladino except those against Eintracht and Fiorentina, which Atalanta still won.

Italy watching Scamacca

Furthermore, Scamacca has had more shots and touches inside the opposing box under Palladino than under Juric and, overall, he seems much more involved in the play.

Scamacca’s form will surely come as good news for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who watched Scamacca in action at the New Balance Arena two weeks ago before dispatching his assistant Leonardo Bonucci to watch Atalanta-Chelsea.

Scamacca has only scored one goal in 22 appearances with the Italy national team, making two substitute appearances under Gattuso.

With Mike Maignan’s contract expiring in June 2026, Gazzetta warns that Milan could end up losing the Frenchman on a free transfer, as it happened with Gigio Donnarumma in 2021, but the Rossoneri still hope the story will end differently this time.

Milan will continue talks to extend Maignan’s contract in the next few days, but January is just around the corner, which means the French goalkeeper can start negotiations with any other club in just a few days and complete a free transfer at the end of the season.

Milan faced the same situation a few years ago, when lengthy talks to extend with Donnarumma led nowhere, so the Rossoneri signed Maignan from Lille before Gigio’s free move to PSG.

Maignan’s contract extension a priority for Milan

It is no secret that Maignan attracted interest from Chelsea last summer, and according to Gazzetta, the Milan star still has many admirers in the Premier League.

Milan are aware that every suitor of Maignan, especially from England, will outbid them in contract negotiations with the 30-year-old, but the Serie A giants still hope to secure an agreement in the coming weeks.

Maignan’s contract extension is a priority for Milan, and even coach Massimiliano Allegri is trying to persuade the Frenchman to sign a new deal, Football Italia understands.

What Tare said about Maignan

Igli Tare said on Sunday that the club would soon resume negotiations with the Frenchman, who was “happy” to stay at San Siro. Tare, however, denied that Maignan has demanded a new €8m-a-year contract.

“We’ve never discussed the figures, I’ve never heard these numbers, but it’s easy to talk about Mike because he’s a fantastic lad, he’s a leader and a man of the group,” said the Milan sporting director.

“We are happy with him, he likes to stay at Milan and Milan want to extend. Today we have a game we want to win, then we’ll have time to discuss the matter.”

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Fiorentina are considering sacking their coach, Paolo Vanoli, after barely a month from his appointment, as the Tuscans are still winless in Serie A and have lost four matches from seven under the 53-year-old.

Several Italian sources, including Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, claim that Fiorentina coach Vanoli is on the brink and could be sacked just one month after replacing Stefano Pioli at the Stadio Franchi.

Fiorentina could sack Vanoli after latest loss

Fiorentina sit at the bottom of the table and lost at home against 19th-placed Verona on Sunday, prompting the club to impose a media blackout and send the team into an ‘indefinite’ training retreat.

The Tuscans have only collected six points in 15 Serie A matches and are the only winless team in the league.

Fiorentina hired Vanoli on November 7 to replace Pioli, but the appointment of the ex-Torino and Venezia coach clearly hasn’t produced the desired results.

Fiorentina collected draws against Genoa and Juventus under Violi and lost to Sassuolo, Atalanta and Verona. They lost at home against AEK Athens in the Conference League, but at least managed to beat Dynamo Kyiv.

Fiorentina tension skyrockets

According to Corriere dello Sport, ex-Fiorentina coach Giuseppe Iachini has emerged as one of the early options to replace Vanoli, but the club are currently making their assessments.

Tension in town is so high that Gazzetta reports that the team was taken to the training centre Viola Park on black tinted vans rather than on the team bus after the game yesterday.

Fiorentina fans protested inside and outside the stadium, blaming the players and club directors Alessandro Ferrari and Roberto Goretti, who are currently at the Viola training ground where the team has to prepare for the upcoming Conference League match against Lausanne.

Argentine talents Matias Soulé and Nico Paz will face off in a big match between Roma and Como at the Stadio Olimpico this evening.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT), and it’s the final match of Serie A Round 15.

Just three points separate the two teams in the table, with Roma in fourth and Como in seventh.

The Giallorossi are without the injured Artem Dovbyk and Neil El Aynaoui and the suspended Zeki Celik, so Devyne Rensch is expected to start as a right midfielder with Wesley on the opposite flank.

Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will provide support to Roma’s centre-forward, and according to Tuttosport and Gazzetta, Evan Ferguson is favourite over Paulo Dybala for a starting spot up front.

Como are without the suspended Maximo Perrone and the injured Alberto Dossena, Sergi Roberto, Edoardo Goldaniga and Alvaro Morata.

Anastasios Douvikas is expected to lead the Azzurri’s attack, while Jayden Addai and Assane Diao compete for a starting spot as right winger.

Roma vs. Como – where to watch on TV

The match will be available on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live commentary via a live blog.

Roma vs. Como – probable line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Ferguson.

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Carlos, Valle; Da Cunha, Caqueret; Diao, Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Fiorentina, Serie B hell. Vanoli might leave too

Inter lead

Overtake at the top: Nerazzurri are the leaders alone

Bisseck and Lautaro decide it. Chivu’s pride: ‘Now we want the Supercoppa.’

Juve coup

Golden Cabal. Victory in Bologna with an eye to the Champions League

Little devil

Milan and the nightmare of newly promoted teams, luckily, there’s Bartesaghi

Ahi Napoli

Udinese dominate. Conte: ‘No excuses, we’re struggling.’

Soulé and Nico Paz play for the World Cup too.

Corriere dello Sport

Lauturbo

Chivu’s sprint

Goal and assist: The Toro overtakes Conte and Max, Supercoppa on Thursday.

Inter take the lead. Milan’s draw, Napoli’s stop

Cristian celebrates: 2-1 win at Marassi. Bisseck breaks the deadlock. Laurienté shocks Allegri. Sassuolo’s comeback (2-2). Conte falls in Udine (1-0). Ekkelenkamp scores.

Roma jump: the big chance

Gasp can return in the Scudetto zone: ‘I’ll end my career here, ambition needed to improve.’ Ndicka plays, Wesley returns.

Viola sink: endless training retreat

Shadows on Vanoli: hypothesis Iachini. The Franchi protests: survival is eight points away. Orban’s brace decisive.

Spalletti’s breakthrough

The Bianconeri win again away after 43 days. Cabal scores. Lucio: ‘The best win since I’m here.’ Zortea hits the crossbar on 0-0. Heggem sent off. Supercoppa: on Friday, Italiano against Inter.

Tuttosport

Milan stumble against Sassuolo, Napoli fall in Udine: Chivu’s overtake

Inter put them back in line

On the pitch after the rivals, the Nerazzurri don’t waste their chance: Bisseck and Lautaro sign the blitz in Genoa. The Rossoneri don’t digest the newly promoted sides. Bartesaghi’s brace: 2-2. Palpitation in San Siro after the draw with Pisa and the defeat against Cremonese. Zaniolo sends Conte’s team into a tilt, punished by a super Ekkelenkamp goal. From Thursday, the Supercoppa in Riyadh.

Juve to Cabal

Convincing and heavy win in Bologna: 1-0.

A defender’s header rewards a high-level performance. Rossoblu (who end up with ten men) are overtaken, and a Champions League spot is one point below. Spalletti (five wins in the last six games): ‘It can be a breakthrough.’

Cholito, the leader: ‘Such a good Toro!’

Image of a bomber and a very Granata family: ‘I couldn’t wait to return to action.’ But Baroni’s troubles are not over.

Viola sink, endless training retreat

AC Milan have reportedly made Gabriel Jesus their top attacking target for the January transfer window, with the Italian giants exploring the possibility of a loan deal for the Arsenal forward, according to Corriere dello Sport, as reported by GOAL.

The Rossoneri, who are seeking to reinforce their frontline after an inconsistent start to the season, view Jesus as an ideal addition to inject pace, creativity, and experience into their attack.

However, the move faces significant challenges, primarily due to Milan’s limited transfer budget and the Brazilian’s high wages.

Under manager Massimilano Allegri, Milan have struggled with attacking consistency, especially in big games.

Arsenal attacker Jesus is a player in demand

Jesus, with his versatility and work rate, perfectly fits Milan’s tactical blueprint, a forward capable of playing both as a central striker and out wide.

The 28-year-old’s experience in the Premier League and Champions League makes him a valuable asset for a side hoping to challenge domestically and in Europe.

However, Milan’s financial situation rules out any chance of a permanent deal, with a loan being the only realistic avenue. Even that comes with complications, as Jesus currently earns around €16 million gross per year at Arsenal, a figure far above what Milan’s wage structure can accommodate.

Sources in Italy suggest Milan could attempt to negotiate a deal where Arsenal cover part of the player’s wages, though such an arrangement would require the Gunners’ approval and likely depend on their own January business.

At Arsenal, Jesus has found himself in a difficult position. While he remains one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted forwards, the rise of Viktor Gyökeres, signed last summer, and the emergence of Mikel Merino as a makeshift attacker have limited his playing time.

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The Brazilian striker is looking for playing time

With the 2026 World Cup in North America drawing closer, Jesus is reportedly eager for more consistent minutes to cement his place in the Brazil national team.

Although Arteta values Jesus’ leadership and versatility, the manager has rotated heavily this season and with options like Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard in the squad, players who can also play upfront for the Gunners, Jesus may find it difficult to feature in the second half of the season.

This reduced role could make a mid-season loan appealing to the player, particularly if Milan can guarantee regular football and a central role in Allegri’s system.

Report: Arsenal keeping close tabs on 24-year-old Dortmund ace ahead of potential move 

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Chelsea have made the first move in the race to sign promising Netherlands international Kees, swiftly opening discussions with the player’s representatives ahead of the January transfer window, according to multiple iNews.

The 19-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of Europe’s most intriguing young prospects following a breakthrough campaign in the Eredivisie.

His ability to dictate the tempo of matches have drawn comparisons to players like Frenkie de Jong and Martin Ødegaard.

His performances have now alerted several top clubs, with Chelsea and Newcastle United among the most serious contenders for his signature.

Chelsea make contact with AZ Alkmaar midfielder

Insiders at Stamford Bridge say Chelsea’s recruitment department has already initiated contact with Kees’ camp to explore the feasibility of a deal, as the Blues continue to build one of the youngest and most dynamic squads in the Premier League.

However, while the £25 million valuation is considered fair in the current market, Chelsea’s hierarchy, mindful of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), are reportedly hesitant to make such an investment in January without first moving on a few fringe players.

Manager Enzo Maresca is said to be an admirer of Kees’ versatility and tactical intelligence, believing he could thrive in Chelsea’s evolving midfield setup alongside Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo.

Nonetheless, the club’s transfer committee is proceeding carefully, weighing whether to delay a formal bid until the summer when the financial situation may be more flexible.

While Chelsea deliberate, Newcastle United are preparing to take decisive action.

The Magpies are “definitely pondering a move” for Kees in January, viewing him as a player who could immediately strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad for both the Premier League and their European ambitions.

The Toon Army are expected to test the waters with a formal offer soon after the winter window opens, and sources suggest Kees is intrigued by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

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Dutch midfielder has impressed this season

Kees’ rise has been meteoric. Having excelled in the Eredivisie this season with standout performances against top Dutch sides, he has also caught the attention of Ajax scouts and Bundesliga clubs, but the financial power of the Premier League is expected to dictate the outcome.

At 19, his mix of ball-carrying ability, defensive awareness, and creativity has made him a target for teams seeking long-term midfield solutions.

With Chelsea carefully assessing their January spending and Newcastle ready to move more aggressively, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining Kees’ next destination.

His current club is believed to be open to selling for the right price, ideally around £25 million but would prefer to retain him until the summer if possible.

Sources: Chelsea “leading the chase” as 12 clubs enter race to sign Premier League prodigy

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Crystal Palace defender Daniel Muñoz is fast emerging as one of the most sought-after players ahead of the winter transfer window, following a string of standout performances in the Premier League.

The Colombian international, known for his relentless energy and attacking instincts, has impressed scouts across Europe and now finds himself at the centre of growing transfer speculation.

Manchester City have been keeping a close eye on Muñoz in recent months, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Pep Guardiola is said to admire the 29-year-old’s athleticism, pressing intensity, and overlapping runs, traits that fit perfectly into City’s high-possession, aggressive full-back system.

While City’s interest has yet to translate into a formal offer, sources suggest that their recruitment team has compiled extensive scouting data on the Colombian.

Man City face competition to sign Daniel Muñoz

Elsewhere, Chelsea and Manchester United are also monitoring Muñoz’s development.

Both the Premier League giants are looking to add more strength to the defensive positions and the Palace defender is a player who also add attacking quality in the side from the wide position.

Liverpool have joined the race, viewing Muñoz as a versatile defensive option who could offer depth and competition to Jeremie Frimpong, their summer recruit.

The Reds have scouted several right-backs in recent months as part of a gradual rebuild under Arne Slot, with Muñoz’s adaptability and consistency catching the eye.

On the European stage, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are also following developments closely.

Spanish media claim that both clubs appreciate Muñoz’s tactical discipline and attacking output, he has registered multiple goal contributions from defense this season but acknowledge that Palace’s valuation could pose a challenge.

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Crystal Palace have no desire to sell Muñoz

Despite growing attention, Crystal Palace have made it clear that Muñoz is not for sale in January.

he club regard him as a vital part of Oliver Glasner’s system, particularly after the departures and injuries that have left their defensive unit stretched.

Palace chairman Steve Parish is said to be confident of keeping hold of the player until at least the summer, though insiders admit that strong offers in 2026 could test their resolve.

With Muñoz under contract until 2028, Palace are under no pressure to sell but the reality of big-money bids from Europe’s elite could shift the situation sooner rather than later.

Man City eye move for Tottenham star even though Spurs are pushing for new contract

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Dayot Upamecano’s future at Bayern Munich has become a growing source of tension inside the Allianz Arena, as the club continues to struggle to reach an agreement over a new long-term deal.

According to Foot Mercato, negotiations between the German champions and the French defender have stalled, with the player unimpressed by Bayern’s latest offer.

The 27-year-old’s contract runs out at the end of the current season, and if no breakthrough is made soon, Upamecano could become one of the most sought-after free agents in Europe next summer.

Real Madrid & PSG enter Dayot Upamecano race

Both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are said to have already made their intentions clear, informing the player’s camp that they are willing to meet his wage demands should he opt to move on.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Upamecano, who is attracting attention from some of the top clubs in the world due to his contract situation.

The French defender has been a key figure in the club’s defensive line. However, his future is now clouded by uncertainty, as Bayern’s management has so far been unable to match the financial terms proposed by other European clubs.

Bayern’s offer reportedly falls short of the salary structure Upamecano’s representatives are demanding, with the defender seeking a deal that reflects his status as one of Europe’s elite centre-backs.

The club, mindful of maintaining its wage balance, remains hesitant to meet those figures amid broader financial recalibrations following several high-profile signings.

Real Madrid have already established a verbal agreement on the basics of a contract, putting them in pole position should Upamecano become available on a free transfer.

Madrid’s interest comes as part of a wider strategy to strengthen their backline, with players like Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba facing an uncertain future.

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Liverpool face intense competition for Upamecano

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are also pushing hard behind the scenes. The French champions have made direct contact with Upamecano’s camp, signaling that they can comfortably meet his financial expectations.

PSG view the France international as an ideal homegrown solution to fortify their defense alongside Marquinhos and Lucas Hernández.

For now, Upamecano remains focused on Bayern’s title campaign, but the club’s hierarchy is under increasing pressure to finalise an agreement before January, when the player would legally be free to negotiate pre-contract terms with foreign clubs.

Liverpool open official talks to sign 55-goal winger as Salah informed of club’s decision

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Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot, as per TEAMtalk, with the Spanish giants viewing the Portuguese international as a potential long-term reinforcement for their back line.

Despite the club’s signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, manager Xabi Alonso is said to want additional depth at right-back, particularly with veteran Dani Carvajal approaching the twilight of his career.

Dalot, 26, has been one of Man United’s most consistent performers under Ruben Amorim, impressing with his ability to defend as well as attack.

Capable of playing both as a right-back and left-back, Dalot’s versatility has made him a valuable asset for the Red Devils.

Real Madrid are one of the clubs tracking Dalot

However, his performances have also attracted the attention of Europe’s elite, with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich all reportedly monitoring his situation closely.

According to TEAMtalk, Real Madrid’s scouting department has been tracking Dalot since his standout performances for Portugal at international level.

The La Liga giants see him as a ready-made replacement for Carvajal, who turns 34 next year, and as a reliable rotation option for Alexander-Arnold in a system that demands high physical intensity and technical precision from full-backs.

At Old Trafford, there appears to be growing uncertainty over Dalot’s long-term future.

United’s director of football Jason Wilcox is said to be open to considering offers for the player, despite Dalot being under contract until 2028, with the club also holding an option for a further year.

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Man United could consider selling the defender

While United are not actively looking to sell, their new recruitment model under INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe prioritises squad refreshment and financial balance.

If a significant offer arrives from Madrid or elsewhere, the Red Devils could be tempted to negotiate.

Real Madrid aren’t the only club weighing up a move. Atletico Madrid are also keen, with manager Diego Simeone reportedly identifying Dalot as an ideal fit for his system, which values defensively sound yet tactically flexible full-backs.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have expressed interest as part of their search for defensive reinforcements.

However, Real Madrid’s appeal, coupled with the chance to work under Alonso and compete regularly for silverware, would likely give Los Blancos an edge should Dalot become available.

Man United boss Ruben Amorim has decided to block midfielder move in January

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Manchester City are closely monitoring Pedro Porro’s contract situation at Tottenham Hotspur, as reported by TEAMtalk.

The Premier League giants are in the market for a new right-back, and Porro’s name has re-emerged as a serious option, though Tottenham are determined to keep him and are already working on a new long-term deal to extend his stay beyond 2028.

Porro’s link to Manchester City dates back to 2019, when the club signed him from Girona for a reported £11 million.

Despite his potential, the Spanish full-back never made a senior appearance for City, spending loan spells at Real Valladolid and Sporting CP before making a permanent move to Lisbon.

Man City are interested in signing Pedro Porro

It was there that Porro truly developed into one of Europe’s most dynamic attacking right-backs, eventually earning a £39 million transfer to Tottenham in 2023.

Now, just three years later, City’s recruitment team are said to be keeping tabs on his progress, admiring how his game has evolved since leaving the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola reportedly views Porro as a technically gifted, attack-minded full-back capable of thriving in City’s inverted system, much like João Cancelo at his peak.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are in no mood to lose Porro. The club is currently negotiating a new improved contract that would make the 26-year-old one of their top earners.

Porro has been an integral figure under manager Thomas Frank, combining defensive reliability with creative flair.

The Spanish defender is known for not only his ability to defend but also to help the team in the attacking positions, something that has impressed Man City.

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Spurs have no desire to let the defender leave

Spurs suggest the club’s hierarchy view Porro as “untouchable” and see him as central to their long-term project.

While Porro remains high on City’s list, the Premier League giants are also tracking Tino Livramento of Newcastle United, another young, versatile right-back.

Guardiola is said to be weighing both profiles carefully as part of a wider defensive rebuild, with City looking to refresh key areas next year.

Man City lead Man United in the race to sign the next Erling Haaland 

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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly set to block any attempt by midfielder Kobbie Mainoo to leave Old Trafford on loan in the January transfer window, despite growing frustration from the player and increasing interest from abroad.

According to Italian outlet Il Mattino, Serie A champions Napoli have made Mainoo their top midfield target for January, with Antonio Conte personally pushing for a loan deal to strengthen his squad during the second half of the season.

Conte believes the 20-year-old Englishman’s energy, control, and vision could make him a key component of Napoli’s system as they aim to defend their league title.

The United midfielder has also been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Ruben Amorim wants to keep Kobbie Mainoo

However, Amorim has no plans to sanction his departure, even temporarily.

The Portuguese coach views Mainoo as a player who could still play a vital role in United’s campaign, particularly with several key stars set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January.

Players such as Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will be absent during that period, making squad depth crucial.

Once considered one of the brightest prospects in United’s academy, Mainoo’s progress has stalled since Amorim’s arrival.

Despite impressive showings under previous management, he has found himself on the fringes this season, struggling for minutes in a midfield packed with senior players.

Mainoo was already keen to go out on loan last summer, hoping to secure regular football to continue his development and keep his slim hopes of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad alive.

His patience has worn thin after being left out of multiple matchday squads in recent months.

Reports from Italy claim Napoli are ready to offer a straight loan deal, covering Mainoo’s full salary and guaranteeing him first-team football under Conte.

The Italian champions believe the move could benefit all parties, giving the player much-needed game time while allowing United to monitor his progress from afar.

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Napoli are interested in the Man United midfielder

Napoli are also optimistic due to their strong relationship with Man United following recent transfer dealings, including the Scott McTominay move. That precedent could help smooth negotiations, though Amorim’s stance remains firm.

Despite his reluctance to select Mainoo regularly, Amorim is wary of losing too many midfield options midseason.

With Casemiro’s future uncertain and the club’s pursuit of reinforcements like Adam Wharton and Angelo Stiller unlikely to materialise until the summer, United simply cannot afford to weaken the squad further.

Amorim will hold direct talks with Mainoo in the coming days to reassure him of his place in the long-term project, even if short-term opportunities remain limited.

Report: One eye on the future as Man United intensify interest in midfield prodigy

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Toluca captured the Torneo Apertura title with a dramatic victory over Tigres UANL, decided in a 12-round penalty shootout in the 2025 Liga MX final. After securing yet another trophy this year, Los Diablos Rojos joined an exclusive club in league history with the championship.

After a 1-0 loss in the first leg, Toluca were forced to mount a comeback at home on Sunday. The match initially swung in Tigres’ favor when club legend André-Pierre Gignac took a free kick in the 14th minute that deflected off Fernando Gorriarán and found the net, leaving the hosts needing two goals to force extra time.

Unwilling to go quietly, Toluca pressed forward and found a breakthrough in the 40th minute, when Helinho unleashed a thunderous strike to score the Red Devils’ first goal of the series. The Brazilian remained central to the comeback, providing a pinpoint cross from the right flank that Paulinho converted in the 52nd minute to level the aggregate score.

The match went the full 90 minutes, and despite chances at both ends during extra time, neither side could find a winner. The penalty shootout followed, with all 11 players taking a kick. Both goalkeepers, Luis García and Nahuel Guzmán, missed their attempts, and in the 12th round, Ángel Correa failed to convert. Alexis Vega then buried the decisive penalty to seal a historic title for Toluca.

By winning the Apertura 2025, Toluca became just the fourth club to claim back-to-back Liga MX titles since the introduction of short tournaments in 1996. Previously, only Pumas UNAM, Club León, and Atlas had accomplished the feat, placing Toluca among an elite group in league history.

Pumas UNAM were the first to achieve the milestone, asserting their dominance by winning both tournaments in 2004. León later joined them with titles in the Apertura 2013 and Clausura 2014, a run that Atlas replicated in the 2021 and 2022 editions. The next benchmark remains Club América, the only side to win three consecutive Liga MX titles, a feat Toluca will now aim to challenge in 2026.

Toluca reach No. 2 spot among Liga MX title winners

Since appointing Antonio “Turco” Mohamed as head coach in December 2024, Toluca have emerged as a powerhouse throughout the 2025 calendar year. The Clausura 2025 title came via a 2-0 victory over Club América, and the dramatic triumph over Tigres further elevated the club’s standing among Liga MX’s most successful teams.

With this latest championship, Toluca now sit on 12 league titles, tied with Chivas Guadalajara for the second-most in Liga MX history. Sitting at the top with a considerable difference are Las Aguilas del America, with 16 trophies.

Updated top-10 list of Liga MX winners

• Club América: 16 titles.
• Guadalajara: 12 titles.
• Toluca: 12 titles.
• Cruz Azul: 9 titles.
• Club León: 8 titles.
• Tigres: 8 titles.
• Pumas UNAM: 7 titles.
• Pachuca: 7 titles.
• Santos Laguna: 6 titles.
• Monterrey: 5 titles.

Tadeo Allende emerged as one of Inter Miami’s standout performers during the 2025 season, even outscoring Lionel Messi during the postseason and setting a new MLS record. With his loan deal set to expire at the end of December 2025, the Argentine forward has now raised questions about whether he will remain with the Fort Lauderdale club.

After failing to settle at Celta Vigo, Allende opted to move to MLS, joining Messi’s Inter Miami on a one-year loan at the start of 2025. The deal did not include a purchase option, leaving Inter Miami facing potential negotiations with the Spanish club, an outcome that even the player admits remains uncertain.

While attending a meet-and-greet at a Miami sports shop, Allende spoke with reporters and reflected on his MLS campaign. “Right now, I feel really good about having scored this many goals, about finishing the playoffs in the best possible way, and above all about becoming champions with the whole group. That’s priceless. It will go down in the club’s history.” he said to Deportes Total USA.

When asked directly about a possible return to Inter Miami, Allende struck a cautious tone, neither confirming nor ruling out a future in MLS: “Day to day, family comes first, and we’ll see what happens. There’s still a long way to go. I’m also anxious — I have the same information you do. For now, tomorrow I’m going on vacation and I’m going to clear my head. Then we’ll see what happens.”

With a return to Celta Vigo currently the default scenario, reports have also surfaced suggesting Allende’s agent has offered him to River Plate ahead of the 2026 season. Asked whether a move back to Argentina would be a dream scenario, the striker declined to speculate: “That’s something I can’t answer for you.”

According to Transfermarkt, Allende’s market value stood at €2 million when he joined Inter Miami on loan and has since risen by more than 150 percent to €5 million. Celta Vigo paid €4.5 million to sign him from Godoy Cruz in January 2024, and after such a breakout season, the Spanish club will likely look to recoup, or even exceed that investment, potentially complicating Inter Miami’s efforts to retain him.

Allende enters the MLS record books

Initially deployed as a winger, Allende struggled to find consistency early in the season, including a 10-game MLS scoring drought midway through the campaign. His fortunes changed after shifting into a more central role, finishing the year as a striker with 24 goals and three assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.

His most explosive stretch came during the MLS Cup playoffs. As Inter Miami surged to a historic title, Allende delivered nine goals and two assists in six postseason matches, outscoring Messi and setting a new MLS record for goals in a single postseason, surpassing Carlos Ruiz’s mark of eight with the LA Galaxy.

Asked how he evolved so quickly, Allende credited both repetition and guidance from teammates for his breakthrough: “It was a bit of everything — also taking advice from my teammates, especially the goalkeepers. Taking my time, chipping the ball over keepers who struggle with that… I started to feel more confident, things began to click, and I gained confidence. Each time I felt more secure when it came to finishing.”

Kylian Mbappé has been thriving at the start of the 2025–26 season with Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants showing a growing reliance on their star to deliver results. After scoring again against Deportivo Alavés, Mbappé is now on the verge of breaking one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s most iconic goal-scoring records at the club.

With head coach Xabi Alonso under pressure to show improvement amid a challenging stretch, Real Madrid traveled to face Alavés on Sunday for Matchday 16 of La Liga. In the 2-1 victory, Mbappé opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort in the 24th minute, a goal that moved him one step closer to history.

Mbappé has now scored 56 goals in the 2025 calendar year for Real Madrid and needs just four more to become the club’s all-time single-year top scorer. The record is currently held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who set the benchmark with 59 goals in 2013 during his time at the Bernabéu.

After a slow start following his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, 2025 has marked a dramatic turnaround for Mbappé at Real Madrid. He scored 30 goals across all competitions in the first half of the year, including one at the FIFA Club World Cup, and has added another 26 so far this season, producing a staggering total.

Mbappé has become the only player outside of Ronaldo to crack Real Madrid’s top five list for goals in a calendar year, with the Portuguese legend occupying the remaining spots. The list currently stands as follows:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo — 2013: 59 goals.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo — 2012: 58 goals.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo — 2014: 56 goals.
4. Kylian Mbappe — 2025: 56 goals.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo — 2015: 54 goals.

How many chances does Mbappé have left?

The goal against Alavés leaves Mbappé tied with one of Ronaldo’s seasons at 56 goals. He is two goals shy of Ronaldo’s 58-goal campaign and three away from the all-time mark of 59, a record he will be eager to chase with limited opportunities remaining as the calendar year winds down.

With Sunday’s match now in the books, Real Madrid have just two games left in 2025. The next comes Wednesday, December 17, against Talavera CF in the Copa del Rey Round of 32, presenting a prime opportunity for Mbappé to add to his tally.

Real Madrid will then close out the year at home against Sevilla on Saturday, December 20, for Matchday 17 of La Liga. With the next fixture not scheduled until January 4 against Real Betis, Mbappé will need at least three goals to match Ronaldo’s record and four to surpass it, an achievement that would mark a historic statement just 18 months into his Real Madrid career.

Neymar and Kylian Mbappé formed one of the most explosive attacking duos in Paris Saint-Germain history, helping the club dominate French soccer for several seasons. However, their relationship eventually cooled, and years after their time together in Paris came to an end, a former PSG teammate has offered insight into how the bond between the two stars unraveled.

As part of PSG’s ambitious UEFA Champions League project, Neymar and Mbappé both arrived in Paris in the summer of 2017, Neymar via a world-record transfer from FC Barcelona and Mbappé initially on loan from AS Monaco before a massive permanent deal. One of the leaders of that squad was Thiago Silva, who witnessed firsthand the early chemistry between the two attacking stars.

In an interview with L’Équipe, Silva recalled the period leading up to their arrival and the strong connection they initially shared. “At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé and Neymar got along well at first, but their relationship deteriorated. Why? It was a beautiful story. I remember the Trophée des Champions match against Monaco, Kylian Mbappé’s team, in Morocco,” the defender stated, where PSG collected a 2-1 win on July 29.

The Brazilian defender then explained how Mbappé pushed for his move to Paris: “At the end of the match, Mbappé wanted to speak with me. He said, ‘Even if Neymar signs, I also want to come and be part of this team. If you could talk to the president…’ Both arrived that summer, and their relationship was incredible. They were very close, among the ones who had the most fun together on a daily basis.“

Silva left PSG as a free agent in 2020 to join Chelsea, meaning he was no longer at the club when the relationship soured. “I didn’t understand why they drifted apart. I was no longer at PSG by then. I don’t know which of the two caused the split, but it saddened me. They are two great guys, and it’s disappointing that it ended like that,” he concluded.

PSG reached a new peak in the 2019–20 season, when they advanced to their first Champions League final, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich. The following season, Lionel Messi joined the club, but PSG never fully recaptured the dominance of the early Neymar–Mbappé years. With Messi and Neymar eventually leaving Paris, tensions within the squad became more evident, and Silva’s comments now shed more light on the internal dynamic.

Silva on Neymar’s recovery ahead of the World Cup

Now 41 and playing for Brazilian side Fluminense, Thiago Silva is enjoying the final chapter of an illustrious career away from Europe and the Brazil national team spotlight. Neymar, meanwhile, remains focused on returning to the Seleção ahead of the 2026 World Cup, though persistent injury issues have complicated that path.

During the interview, Silva defended his longtime teammate and emphasized Neymar’s professionalism: “He’s judged unfairly. I assure you that he is preparing the right way, that he is determined to be at his best for the World Cup. Don’t forget that he is coming off a serious injury to his left knee. Contrary to what people think, Neymar is doing the right things.“

Despite feeling physically strong in recent months, Neymar is now expected to undergo surgery on his left knee as part of his recovery process. “Before one of his recent physical setbacks, he felt in perfect shape. But that’s when injuries happen. You feel so good that you push yourself too hard, and then something gives,” the defender added.

Santiago Giménez joined AC Milan at the beginning of 2025 as the club’s most significant attacking prospect. However, injuries and inconsistency have hampered the Mexican striker’s ability to shine, while the team continues to struggle offensively, despite maintaining a position among the top teams in Serie A. As a result, his future appears uncertain, with Christian Pulisic‘s Rossoneri already eyeing two Premier League strikers ahead of January 2026.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan’s medical staff has given the green light for Santiago Giménez to return to the pitch following his ankle injury. However, the Mexican continues to train separately and is undergoing psychological treatment, as he is not satisfied with his situation, which suggests a potential transfer in the coming months. In addition, the Rossoneri are targeting two Premier League strikers.

To support the attacking prowess of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, AC Milan seem determined to strengthen its squad with a center forward in January 2026. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Joshua Zirkzee has become one of the team’s main targets. The Dutchman shone in Serie A with Bologna, but his spell in the Premier League has not been the best, as he has been relegated to a secondary role. Alongside him, another striker is emerging strongly.

Considering the challenge of signing Zirkzee due to Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo departing for AFCON with their national teams, the Rossoneri have already targeted Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham. Even though he is 32 years old, he has showcased his scoring prowess. Compared to the Dutchman, the German striker has been left out of the project by coach Nuno Espírito Santo, who counts on Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville, and Callum Wilson as the main strikers.

Joshua Zirkzee may not fit Allegri’s plan at AC Milan

At just 24 years old, Joshua Zirkzee remains one of the most promising players today. Although his current situation at Manchester United does not reflect this, the Dutchman has already shone with Bologna in Serie A, leading AC Milan’s sporting director, Igli Tare, to consider him one of the best options. However, his style of play is similar to that of Santiago Gimenez, a modern center forward, almost a second striker, so they would repeat the same player profile.

In most teams coached by Allegri, he has opted for a center forward who is much more of a goal scorer but who also knows how to be very mobile, which has meant that the Mexican has not been the profile he is looking for. Like Santiago, Joshua shines with another, more goal-scoring center forward leading the line, which means that a possible fit at AC Milan may not be what the club is really looking for, as Giménez is being left out of the team.

It does not mean that Joshua Zirkzee is not a talented player, but rather that it would mean having the same profile that you already have in the squad and that did not fit, generating at least some doubts from the outset. For this reason, the profile of Niclas Füllkrug, a more traditional striker, fits with the constant mobility of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, despite his age raising certain doubts.

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have undeniably been two of Inter Miami’s defining figures, not only during the 2025 campaign but ever since their arrival in 2023. That process reached one of its highest points with the club’s MLS Cup triumph. Following a productive 2025 MLS season, both Messi and Alba have now received special recognition from the franchise.

The 2025 season has officially come to an end, with the Philadelphia Union lifting the Supporters’ Shield and Inter Miami defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps to claim the MLS Cup. As MLS clubs hand out internal awards to recognize standout performances, Inter Miami did the same, honoring Messi and Alba with two of the club’s top individual accolades.

Lionel Messi was named Inter Miami’s Most Valuable Player of the Year. Coming off his best season since joining the club, the Argentine posted 43 goals and 26 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. Messi also became the first player to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award in back-to-back seasons, and he was an unsurprising choice to top Inter Miami’s internal honors as well.

Meanwhile, in what is set to be his final season as a professional player, Jordi Alba was named Inter Miami CF’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2025. The award reflected not only his defensive consistency, but also his impact going forward, as the veteran fullback recorded eight goals and 16 assists in 52 matches, often serving as an extra attacking outlet.

Back in 2024, both Messi and Alba were selected to the MLS Best XI after Inter Miami claimed the Supporters’ Shield during the regular season. The 2025 campaign was different, as Messi was the only Herons player included in the league’s Best XI, but Alba’s influence throughout the season remained impossible to ignore.

Messi and Alba’s numbers at Inter Miami

The year 2023 marked a turning point for Inter Miami, a club that had been near the bottom of the MLS standings and without a trophy since its foundation. Following the arrivals of Messi and Alba, the club reached a new level, adding the Leagues Cup, the Supporters’ Shield, and the MLS Cup to its trophy cabinet.

Jordi Alba will close the chapter on his professional career after making 103 appearances for Inter Miami, becoming one of the few players to reach the century mark, and also with 15 goals and 33 assists, the second-highest assist total in club history. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has registered 77 goals and 44 assists in 88 matches, an extraordinary rate of production that he will look to extend during the 2026 season.

Juan Cabal explains his goal celebration after giving Juventus victory against Bologna, while Lloyd Kelly admits they ‘had to play our best football’ tonight.

The Bianconeri needed a boost after last week’s 1-0 defeat to Napoli, and knew this was a crucial head-to-head for European places, as they were two points behind Bologna.

It was substitute Cabal who proved decisive with a free header on the Kenan Yildiz short corner routine, followed five minutes later by Torbjorn Heggem seeing red for bringing down Lois Openda.

Cabal and Kelly evaluate Juventus win

“I swapped shirts with Bernardeschi, who played for Juve, so I wanted his shirt. He was at Juventus, I saw him play a lot, and wanted to bring home the shirt as well as the three points. The team gave their all today,” Cabal told DAZN Italia after the final whistle.

He seemed to celebrate by kissing his wrist, so what was the meaning behind that gesture?

“I kissed the tattoo with my son’s name, I got it done recently, and he brought me good luck.”

Cabal has struggled for regular playing time so far this season and Luciano Spalletti wants more consistency from the wing-back.

“The coach wants a lot from me, because he knows I have much to give this team and I work really hard all week.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 0-1 Juventus

Former Newcastle United defender Kelly also spoke to DAZN Italia after the success at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

“It is a very important win, we know it’s a difficult game. We had to play our best football to be able to come away with a win today,” Kelly told DAZN Italia.

Gleison Bremer made his comeback as a substitute this evening, his first appearance since facing Atalanta on September 27, but Teun Koopmeiners was booked and will be suspended next week against Roma.

“It’s nice to have Bremer back, we know he’s an important player for Juventus, and I’m sure he’s happy to be back with the team too.”

Vincenzo Italiano insists the defeat to Juventus ‘does not diminish’ Bologna and their campaign, as they couldn’t recover from the double whammy of goal and red card.

The Rossoblu have really hit problems in Serie A during recent weeks, as this was their second consecutive home defeat after the 3-1 to Cremonese, and they have just one point from the last three rounds.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 0-1 Juventus

It was a free header from Juan Cabal on a short corner that proved decisive, followed five minutes later by the red card for Torbjorn Heggem as he brought down Lois Openda.

Italiano recognises Bologna strengths and weaknesses

“We were up against a strong opponent that found itself ready in the big moments, with the physicality of Thuram, the experience of Locatelli, the dynamism of Cambiaso and McKennie,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.

“In my view we were in the thick of the game, we created chances and lost it on a set play. We then made life complicated for ourselves with the red card, but we were right in it up until then.”

There were some defensive weaknesses on show, not just on the corner for the goal, but also struggling with long balls over the top.

“We should’ve been a bit quicker to isolate Cambiaghi and Orsolini on the wings, but when you are too slow to create those overlaps, McKennie and Cambiaso get back to make it a five-man defence.

“As for the long ball, we can struggle at times, but Heggem got the ball stuck under his feet and wasn’t aggressive enough to clear, so he ended up running into the player. We made too many mistakes overall, a few too many touches and passes,” continued Italiano.

“It can happen when you’ve had this many games, we arrived home on Friday at 5am and had only one training session to prepare. That’s not an alibi, because we had that other times and won, but just being in the game for so long I think was good.

“All those who played on Thursday were struggling, because it was raining so hard in Vigo and the pitch was very heavy, so I had to rotate and preferred to start those who were at 100 per cent.”

Bologna did manage to give their Europa League prospects a significant boost on Thursday with a 2-1 victory away to Celta Vigo, but despite squad rotation this evening, they seemed to lack sharpness.

“We perhaps weren’t as precise as usual, but Juve deserve credit for making us struggle and run hard tonight. Perhaps with these three big games one after another, some fatigue set in, but this result does not diminish the team at all,” added Italiano.

“We’re disappointed to have lost this evening, but we lost against a Juventus side who will challenge for the top spots this season and our journey continues. We are in the Supercoppa Italiana next week and we must be proud of that.”

Now Italiano will travel to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa Italiana, where they take on Inter in the semi-final, as they are the Coppa Italia holders and will therefore face the runners-up of the Scudetto.

The other semi-final is between Napoli and AC Milan, with the two winners going head-to-head on December 22.

Luciano Spalletti insists the victory over Bologna was ‘the most important’ of his Juventus career so far, but notes where Juan Cabal, Lois Openda and Jonathan David can improve.

The Bianconeri knew the importance of this fixture, as they were two points behind Bologna in the Serie A table, so it was a head-to-head for European places.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 0-1 Juventus

Was this the most important victory of Spalletti’s time at the club so far?

“Absolutely, because we were facing a team that has an identity, quality and enthusiasm, they were built well and even down to 10 men made it difficult for us,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

“Having won here means even more for my players, and they must be congratulated this evening. They did really well.”

Spalletti saw Juventus progress

Both sides had chances in the first half, but the game changed in the space of five minutes when first substitute Cabal nodded in a Kenan Yildiz cross on a corner, then Torbjorn Heggem saw red for bringing down Openda.

“I had seen things done well in training, and told the directors that I saw the players energetic and reacting well in training. We needed a performance that could give them confidence, and I hope after this we can continue to improve,” continued Spalletti.

“Aside from the goal, the overall performance needs to be evaluated in football. Juventus were in the heart of the game for 90 minutes tonight, battled for every ball, went beyond these individual duels that Bologna force you into, and this bodes well for the future.

“Cabal must learn to keep some of his emotions in check. He is like a pedigree horse with his strength and ability to sprint repeatedly, he has talent with back-heel flicks, but talent is also repeating the 100 metre runs 20 times. He doesn’t mind being in one-on-one situations, is good in the air, but in the games he played so far he wasn’t precise enough for his talent, so I had to be hard on him.”

Openda was another substitute who made an impact tonight, as he fought hard and got Heggem sent off, but also missed some sitters.

“I liked his performance. Openda is a different player to Jonathan David, who frankly seems more like a second striker to me than a centre-forward, as he combines with teammates. Openda has more power, and probably against teams like Bologna feels more at ease, because he can run at them with sheer pace when those spaces open up,” concluded Spalletti.

This result means Juventus climb above Bologna into fifth place awaiting Como’s trip to Roma tomorrow, while they also steadied the Champions League ship with a midweek 2-0 win over Pafos.

Gleison Bremer made his comeback after two months out, but Teun Koopmeiners was booked and will therefore be suspended next week against Roma.

Juventus have Juan Cabal to thank after picking up a vital three points in a 1-0 victory away against Bologna in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Check out the player ratings below! 

The Colombian scored the only goal of the game from a set-piece, which has sent Juventus above Bologna by one point in the Serie A standings. The Bianconeri sit in fifth place as things stand, one point behind Roma who will host Como at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Bologna 0-1 Juventus: Player ratings! 

Bologna: Ravaglia 6; Zortea 6 (De Silvestri 5.5), Heggem 4, Lucumi 6 (Bernardeschi n/a), Miranda 6; Moro 6 (Holm 6), Pobega 6; Orsolini 6.5, Ferguson 6 (Sulemana 5.5), Cambiaghi 5.5; Dallinga 5.5 (Castro 5.5).

Best Bologna player: Orsolini 6.5 – To little surprise, Bologna’s most threatening outlet on the night. He had more shots and shots on target than any other player in the game, and was a handful for Koopmeiners until the Dutchman came off. 

Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 6 – Statistically, it was a fairly evenly-fought contest at the Dall-Ara. The hosts had 51% of the possession, had one shot fewer than their opponents, but had one more on target. Had it not been for a momentary switch-off from a set-piece, Bologna had done more than enough to earn a draw, which would have suited them better than Juventus.

Juventus: Di Gregorio 6.5; Kalulu 6, Kelly 6.5, Koopmeiners 6 (Bremer 6); McKennie 6, Thuram 6, Locatelli 6, Cambiaso 5.5 (Cabal 7); Conceicao 6.5 (Miretti n/a), Yildiz 7, David 6 (Openda 6.5).

Best Juventus player: Cabal 7 – Two goals in six Serie A appearances for the Colombian now. Immediate impact off the bench on Sunday evening, evading his marker to claim a free header in the middle of the Bologna penalty area. That was a big confidence boost to begin his evening. 

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 6.5 – That was a big six-pointer in the race for Champions League football, and the perfect way to bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Napoli last time out in Serie A. Had Juventus been a touch more clinical, that would have been a slightly more flattering scoreline. Still, managed the game well after going ahead, even if their life was made easier with Heggem’s sending off. 

Juan Cabal came off the bench to snatch all three points for Juventus against 10 men, continuing the dire Bologna record in this fixture, and leapfrogging them into fifth place.

This was a direct battle for position, as the Rossoblu were two points ahead in the table. Juve lost last week to Napoli, but boosted their Champions League chances in a midweek win over Pafos. Daniele Rugani and Gleison Bremer were back on the bench, but Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, Arek Milik and Carlo Pinsiglio were still out. Bologna’s Serie A form stalled with defeat to Cremonese and a draw against 10-man Lazio, but on Thursday they won 2-1 away to Celta Vigo in the Europa League. Nicolò Casale joined Martin Vitik, Remo Freuler and Lukasz Skorupski on the treatment table.

Incredibly, Juve were unbeaten at the Dall’Ara since November 1998 and hadn’t lost to Bologna at all since a 2-0 result in February 2011.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

There was an early double Michele Di Gregorio save, first on Tommaso Pobega’s acrobatic flick from a free kick, then the Riccardo Orsolini follow-up at the back post.

Orsolini’s trademark curler was smothered and Teun Koopmeiners was booked so will be suspended next week against Roma, but David overhit the through ball to Kenan Yildiz after pouncing on a Lewis Ferguson error.

Weston McKennie only grazed his head to the Andrea Cambiaso cross, while David had penalty appeals waved away for going down too easily under a Jhon Lucumi nudge.

Juventus had the ball in the net on 36 minutes when David flicked on a long ball for McKennie, who won the ricochet off on-rushing Ravaglia and generously rolled across for the Canadian to deposit into an empty net. However, McKennie was offside on the initial flick.

Juve kept coming close, but not close enough, as Ravaglia rushed out when Kenan Yildiz found Conceicao with a smart pass, then Lucumi made the crucial interception as Khephren Thuram tried to set up the Portuguese talent.

Yet Bologna had a huge chance on the stroke of half-time, as Orsolini’s inspired disguised pass released Nadir Zortea to thump his finish against the underside of the bar from a tight angle with Di Gregorio just getting his fingertips to it.

Bologna had rather hopeful penalty appeals, but Manuel Locatelli’s hands were clamped behind his back when blocking the Cambiaghi cross.

Juventus finally found a breakthrough when Kenan Yildiz saw his control and strike deflected inches over by Heggem. The resulting corner was taken short for a Kenan Yildiz cross that found substitute Juan Cabal for a totally free header from six yards.

The situation went from bad to worse for the hosts, as soon after Heggem got caught out by a long Di Gregorio ball and bundled Lois Openda over outside the area for a straight red card.

There was more good news for Juventus, as Gleison Bremer made his comeback for the final 15 minutes, the first appearance since the meniscus injury on September 27.

Conceicao had penalty appeals rejected after running into Lucumi’s arm, infuriating the defender, while Federico Bernardeschi’s effort failed to trouble Di Gregorio.

Ravaglia kept the scoreline down with a great one-handed save on Openda’s daisy-cutter from 12 yards on the Cabal lay-off, then Openda fired another promising opportunity over in stoppages.

It is the second consecutive Serie A home defeat for Bologna after the 3-1 with Cremonese.

Bologna 0-1 Juventus

Cabal 64 (J)

Sent off: Heggem 69 (B)

14-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Juventus

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		19'		Teun Koopmeiners
Juan Miranda		24'

2nd half

		64'		Juan Cabal (Assist: Kenan Yıldız)
Torbjørn Heggem		69'
Ibrahim Sulemana		90'
Lorenzo De Silvestri		90+4'

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

12

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

5

3

Corners

4

0

Offsides

2

10

Fouls

11