Chelsea facing big change after Paul Green departure
Just two years ago, Chelsea had manager Emma Hayes and director of women's football Paul Green in charge as the Blues continued their dominance in the women's game. However, that has all changed now with the club finally some way off top spot.
Chelsea announced the news of Green's departure yesterday evening, outlining his achievements with the team: "During that time, he played a significant role in the development and growth of the women’s programme, contributing to the establishment of strong foundations and the evolution of Chelsea Women into one of the leading teams in the domestic and European game.
"His commitment, experience and professionalism have been valued across the club, and his work has helped support a sustained period of success and progress for Chelsea Women during which we won 19 trophies."
Of course, it's not known yet the reasons for Green's departure and whether he will end up in a new role soon but his exit coming just over a season and a half after Hayes left the club means that is all change.
Sonia Bompastor did superbly well in her first season with Chelsea, winning a domestic treble. However, this has felt like 'second-season syndrome' by the club's very high standards with Chelsea sitting in third nine points off the top ahead of Sunday's game against a resurgent Liverpool.
Before last weekend's 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur, which came just after news of Bompastor penning a new deal, the Blues had lost two key games first at home to Arsenal and then a bruising 5-1 hammering away to league leaders Manchester City.
The fact that Chelsea have even lost three league games all season is eyebrow-raising considering their recent dominance and that they may need to replace some key players this summer means that the women's team suddenly has an uncertain future.
Leeds United were pleased to welcome members of Marching Out Together to Elland Road for the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Friday.
The clash marked this season's dedicated 'Premier League With Pride' clash, a new initiative representing a move away from a single campaign moment towards a more flexible, year-round approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion, focusing on education, celebration and belonging.
Marching Out Together is the club's official LGBTQ+ supporter's group, which we work together year-round to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
As part of the matchday activities, Mish and Maz, members of Marching Out Together, were interviewed live on Sky Sports to highlight the importance and impact of Premier League With Pride. They spoke to Roman Kemp about the activities and initiative, to watch the video please click here.
As well as this, the pair were interviewed by Bryn Law on LUTV, before meeting more members of the fan group and heading pitchside to welcome the first team to the pitch before kick off.
We can all play a part in reporting homophobic and transphobic abuse or chanting. If you see it, please make sure you challenge it and report it. Football is for everyone.
Chelsea vs Leeds United: Match Preview, Latest Team News and Score Prediction
Chelsea vs Leeds as context reshapes a familiar Premier League meeting
There are fixtures that arrive with a sense of routine and others that feel quietly loaded. Chelsea against Leeds, under the lights at Stamford Bridge, belongs firmly to the latter. On the surface, this is another midweek Premier League encounter. Beneath it sits a story about momentum, managerial tone and how quickly football narratives can be rewritten.
When these sides last met at Elland Road in December, Leeds United won 3-1, a result that fed into a bleak stretch for Chelsea, just one victory in nine league games and a title challenge that quietly dissolved. Nine weeks later, the landscape looks very different. Chelsea return home reinvigorated, Leeds arrive cautious but defiant, and the meaning of the fixture has subtly shifted.
A change of manager has been central to that transformation. Liam Rosenior has brought a sense of calm authority to Chelsea’s dugout, overseeing four consecutive league wins and guiding the club into the Champions League last 16. Aside from Carabao Cup semi final defeats to Arsenal, the early signs suggest a side rediscovering structure and belief.
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Chelsea resurgence under new direction
Rosenior’s Chelsea feel more measured, less frantic, a team that understands when to control a game and when to accept discomfort. That has translated into points and confidence, particularly at home, where Stamford Bridge has begun to resemble a place of assurance rather than anxiety.
Tonight’s challenge, however, comes with a familiar warning. Leeds have already shown they can hurt Chelsea this season and will take confidence from that December evening. For Rosenior, the task is less about revenge and more about confirmation, proof that this Chelsea can impose themselves even when faced with opponents carrying psychological leverage.
Leeds outlook shaped by survival instincts
Leeds arrive in west London with a different priority. Their campaign has been defined by survival, by the constant arithmetic of the bottom three. A bruising 4-0 home defeat by Arsenal briefly threatened to pull them back into danger, but last Friday’s response, a win over Nottingham Forest, restored breathing room.
Six points clear of the relegation zone, Daniel Farke’s side travel knowing a draw would be useful, a win transformative. Leeds have been stubborn, organised and capable of springing moments of clarity, though their away record remains a concern. They have won just once on the road in the league, a statistic that hangs over this trip like an unspoken doubt.
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Team news adds layers of intrigue
Chelsea’s preparation has been shaped by fitness management rather than crisis. There is optimism that Reece James could return. The captain missed recent games against Arsenal and Wolves with what Rosenior called “a pain management issue”. That problem has eased, although illness may still rule him out.
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Elsewhere, Andrey Santos is available despite limping off late against Wolves, while Filip Jorgensen could return to the matchday squad. Tosin Adarabioyo may not be ready to return from a hamstring issue, though he is back training alongside Romeo Lavia. Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill remain sidelined.
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Leeds, by contrast, are close to full strength. Anton Stach is unavailable with a hip problem, while Pascal Struijk also misses out. Dominic Calvert Lewin and Ilia Gruev are expected to be fit, giving Farke a squad that feels unusually stable at this stage of the season.
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Prediction framed by form and history
Form suggests Chelsea, context urges caution. Leeds have already demonstrated they can disrupt this opponent, but Stamford Bridge has rarely been forgiving to them. Chelsea have not lost at home to Leeds in any competition since December 1999, a run that has outlasted managers, rebuilds and entire squads.
That history, combined with Chelsea’s recent control of matches, points towards a narrow home win. Leeds are likely to compete, to frustrate and to linger, but their away struggles are difficult to ignore.
Eintracht Frankfurt lead the way for Hertha Berlin’s 16-year-old midfield Kennet Eichhorn
Bildreports that Eintracht Frankfurt are the club with the best chance to sign Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn.
There is no doubt that Frankfurt need a defensive midfield to help their defensive problems. It is said that Markus Krösche is now making a push to sign Eichhorn in the summer.
Frankfurt have been in contact with the 16-year-old for over a year and made an attempt to sign him last summer, but he opted to stay in the Hauptstadt.
Eichhorn has played 14 times for the Hertha senior side this season, before an ankle injury sidelined him. The midfielder also has a release clause in his contract worth €10-12m.
However, die Adler are the team with the best chance to sign Eichhorn, but face competition from other Bundesliga sides such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Frankfurt’s summer plans:
Frankfurt can offer Eichhorn a regular starting place in the system of new head coach Albert Riera as he would prove to be a more mobile option compared to the Spainard’s current choice of number six – Ellyes Skhiri.
Michael Carrick: Ferdinand responds to Roy Keane’s criticism of United coach
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hit back at the recent criticism of Michael Carrick from former teammate Roy Keane. The former English midfielder arrived at Old Trafford last month to take over the reins of the first-team squad following the dismissal of former head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils had been inconsistent under the Portuguese, but turned over a new leaf after Carrick took charge. The Englishman has since masterminded four wins in his four games in charge, helping his team sit fourth in the Premier League table after 25 games.
There have already been claims of handing Carrick the full-time job, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp urging United to make his stay permanent. However, there have also been others, like Sam Allardyce, who have advised caution regarding the matter.
Former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane was initially quite critical of Carrick, but although he has softened his stance of late, he has still suggested that the English manager should not be considered for the permanent job. Ferdinand has now responded to Keane’s criticism of Carrick.
Risk does not justify Carrick criticism
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, as cited by The Daily Mail, Ferdinand insisted that the United job is full of risks, but that does not justify ruling Carrick out of the permanent manager race. He said: “There’s risks with anyone that goes in there.”
“No matter what Michael Carrick does, how well he does, and if he got the job on the back of a great ending to the season, there’s still risk. There’s an element of risk, but with every one of the names that get thrown into the hat, there an element of risk with all of them.”
“I don’t know in any walk of life, where someone comes in given the opportunity to do well, and put their first foot forward for a job opportunity, they smash it – and hopefully he carries on, at the moment he’s smashing it, four wins out of four, and people are going ‘no, he shouldn’t get it though’.”
“I don’t understand that with Roy, I’ve got to be honest. I don’t know how you can be so against it.”
What has Roy Keane said about Carrick?
Speaking on The Overlap podcast last month, Keane initially tracked back on his previous comments, wishing Carrick well and even saying that he hoped the Englishman would get the job.
When reminded of his earlier stance by Gary Neville, Keane was quick to point out that United could get a better manager than Carrick this summer. He said: “I think you can get a better manager than Carrick, absolutely.”
“But I think he’s doing a good job, perfect timing for him, and even if he doesn’t get the United job, these results a bit like Ruud (Van Nistelrooy), he can get another job, probably another Premiership manager. But just cause you’re doing well at United, it doesn’t mean he’ll do well at another club.”
A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Fulham could pounce on the English manager if he becomes available this summer.
Final Thoughts
United’s search for their next permanent manager is turning out to be an intriguing affair, with the team’s 100% run under Carrick making him an enticing prospect for the role. However, it is also true that INEOS must be patient regarding the matter, especially since their decision could impact the Red Devils’ progress in the coming years.
Monaco are being fined for each match that Sébastien Pocognoli coaches
AS Monaco are incurring a fine of €25,000 for every match that Sébastien Pocognoli (38) coaches, because he lacks the requisite qualification, L’Équipe has reported.
Despite coaching Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League title last season, Pocognoli is still studying for his professional coaching qualification, which he is due to acquire this coming summer. According to French football regulations, a qualified coach must be named as head coach for any domestic league or cup match, failing which a €25,000 fine is incurred.
Aware of the situation when Pocognoli was appointed to replace Adi Hütter last October, Monaco considered Damien Perrinelle – an assistant coach under both Hutter and Pocognoli – as his proxy on the team sheet. Perrinelle even secured a pay rise in consideration for this and was named on the team sheet for a match against Toulouse FC in October.
However, Perrinelle also lacks the correct qualification so the fine was incurred in any case. Since then, the role of head coach has been left blank on official team sheets.
Pocognoli has to date presided over 17 domestic matches (14 in Ligue 1; three in the Coupe de France), lifting the fine to €425,000. Should he remain in the head coach role until the end of the season, the fine will rise to €750,000.
Under Pocognoli, Monaco have won just four of those 14 Ligue 1 matches played.
Nkunku: France have three teams to win World Cup, Rabiot ‘a beast’
During his interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan striker Christopher Nkunku praised many of his Rossoneri teammates and said France could compete to win the World Cup with three different teams.
Milan striker Nkunku has been in excellent form in recent weeks, scoring one Serie A goal every 63 minutes since the end of December.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan hugs teammate Christopher Nkunku during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
During his interview with Gazzetta, Nkunku spoke highly of many of his Milan teammates, including his compatriots Adrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan.
Nkunku and Rabiot are Milan’s best scorers in 2026.
Nkunku: Rabiot ‘could play 90 minutes every day’
“Adrien always been like this; maybe he’s just more decisive now,” Nkunku said.
“Allegri wants him to play more in attack, while before he used to be more defensive. Adrien has a phenomenal shot, and he runs so much. I think he could play 90 minutes every day because he’s never tired. He’s at the peak of his career, between 29 and 31 years old. He has no limits; he always pushes on and off the pitch. He’s a beast.”
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan inflates a balloon as he celebrates with teammates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Maignan has recently extended his Milan contract and has been a crucial player for the Serie A giants this term. The French keeper saved penalty kicks against Inter and Roma, so Nkunku was asked whether he can score consistently from the spot in training, against his compatriot.
“I would say it’s 50-50, Mike has helped us earn points,” the striker replied.
“He has great leadership inside the dressing room. Everyone listens to him when he says something. He always speaks for the team’s good, as a true captain. We couldn’t tell him to stay, but now that he has extended his contract, we are calmer. It’s good for the club that he stays.”
Do the French players in the Milan team talk much about the upcoming World Cup?
“Not much, because now we are all focused on winning at Milan,” Nkunku said.
“The World Cup will be in three or four months, and if we give our best for the club, we’ll have more chances to be called up.”
The French forward sustained an injury just a few days before the start of the 2022 World Cup.
“It was sad; every footballer dreams of playing at the World Cup. Now I must work to make it happen,” Nkunku said.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal1 from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“France are really strong. We could have three teams, and each would be competitive to win, because we have youth sectors that work well.”
Nkunku faced two final questions about other Milan stars, Rafael Leao and Luka Modric. Who is faster? Nkunku or Leao?
“Luka [Modric] is super, he has a unique quality and makes some fantastic long passes with the outside of his foot. If I even try, my hip goes out. It’s unbelievable that he’s 40. He could still play until 45 or 46.”
Ben Ryan: The Olympic gold medalist helping Brentford reach peak performance
Name the Englishman who led Fiji's rugby sevens team to Olympic gold and ended up with his very own waterfall and his face on a specially commissioned $7 note.
The answer is Ben Ryan - or 'Ratu Peni Rayani Latianara' to give him his Fijian chief title by which he is also known.
Seven years have passed since Ryan led Fiji to its first-ever Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro, but he is still given a hero’s welcome when he returns to the country.
“I went back for three weeks last summer, and it was like I’d never left,” he says.
“There aren’t many gingers on the island, so I don’t get left alone! I will be asked for over 1,000 photographs a day, easily. My face hurts so much from smiling!
“I have to plan a trip to the supermarket – I know it’s going to take an hour and a half to get a loaf of bread – but it’s joyful and the people are very well meaning. It’s very nice to have so many people who feel so warmly about me.”
While Ryan will forever be connected with a country some 10,000 miles away in the South Pacific Ocean, his current role has brought him home.
Growing up, he lived on Field Lane, Brentford, less than a mile from Griffin Park. On matchdays, the sound of the crowd carried down the railway line at the bottom of his garden.
Ryan’s professional rugby career, which began as a player at the age of 17 and then evolved into coaching, meant he had little time to watch the Bees, but he squeezed in games whenever he could and became a season ticket holder in 2011.
“There was no phone coverage, and the toilets were s**t, but I’d get my Bovril at half-time and I could have 90 minutes where everything just disappeared,” Ryan recalls fondly.
“I was fully focused on watching Brentford. I’ve had some fairly big jobs, so knowing I could go to Griffin Park for a couple of hours was so good. I enjoyed it immensely.”
“There was no phone coverage, and the toilets were s**t, but I’d get my Bovril at half-time and I could have 90 minutes where everything just disappeared'
Like any supporter, Brentford was once a place for Ryan to escape the pressures of his working life. But now the club is his working life.
Appointed as the Bees’ performance director in June 2022, Ryan is among five staff, including head coach Thomas Frank, who report into director of football Phil Giles, while medical, welfare, logistics, performance, nutrition and kit staff feed into him.
Ryan specialises in improving culture and performance. The Loughborough and Cambridge graduate coached England’s rugby sevens before his time with Fiji, leading the side to their first World Cup final in 20 years, and after leaving full-time rugby worked as a consultant for world-class athletes, organisations and teams.
With Fiji, Ryan found himself building from the ground up (“it was me and a whistle and nothing else”). Lots of the processes, standards and strategies he implemented were new to the players and staff.
On a sevens trip to Dubai, he spotted one his players Mosese Mawalu strolling back to his table with a tower of 10 pains au chocolat, each with a fried egg on top. Mawalu was not wilfully choosing whatever he wanted to eat; he just had no real idea about what was best for an athlete.
“In Fiji, I sorted out their nutrition strategy, their diet, their physical load and educated them on some of the nuances around when to eat for training and competition. They saw an immediate benefit in energy levels and performance, so they bought straight in,” says Ryan.
“It’s the same for fitness standards, discipline, timings and tactics. If they immediately see there’s a benefit and they haven’t had that before, they’re in.”
Hero’s welcome: Ryan waves from the truck as Fiji’s rugby sevens team celebrate their Olympic triumph on the streets of Suva
Walking through the gates at newly promoted Brentford - an already successful set-up - posed an altogether different challenge…
“When there’s something already in place – ‘Okay, you’ve got something good here, but I think it could be better if you did A, B, C and D’ – you’re quite rightly going to have people who question why. ‘Why are you changing this? It’s worked really well.’ It’s a very good question, and that’s why you have to have things evidenced,” says Ryan.
“I was given time during the first few months to take a look at the landscape and make a personal MOT of the club.
“Look, observe and ask questions. Be open-minded and curious. Where are the gaps and opportunities?
“Then I sat down with Phil and started to talk about some of the things I was seeing. Some changes could be made five minutes later; others might be one or two seasons later. There’s a cadence for some of these things and you’ve got to prioritise.
“I always apply the Pareto principle: 80 per cent of your success is on 20 per cent of the things you do. These are the trampolines. What can we jump on to accelerate our performance?
“During the first season, we completely changed our grounds staff at the stadium and the training ground. That might sound fairly standard, but we’ve now got pitches where we can take corners and do set-pieces regularly and that’s important to us. Before, it was too muddy, it was wet and there wasn’t enough grass coverage.
“The operations department was also significantly changed, and a player care department created.”
Ryan adds: “There are other changes that are a bit more subtle but could have just as big an impact on performance, health of players and making as many players as possible available for selection. All of these things are important, they just have different timelines.
“We’ve had some injuries this season and we’re obviously looking hard at why that is. We’re not just deciding that they’re all unlucky. We’re not naïve enough to think that.
“And it goes back to what I was saying that everything is a journey and things take time to unpack.”
Last term, it was discovered that Brentford’s blue second kit soaked up sweat, meaning each player was carrying up to 500g extra during games. The Bees often decided to wear their third kit instead and worked with technical supplier Umbro to remedy the issue.
While valuable, Ryan is quick to stress that such changes are “the little extras, not the core part of my job.”
“The shirt was a bit of a headline,” he says. “I worked as a consultant for Nike in innovation and I can see why people grab those headlines, but those are just the standard things. You obviously want kit that fits, that doesn’t weigh you down and isn’t against your performance.
“If there’s anything small I see on the hoof – half-time, pre-match or post-match – I’ll ask, ‘Have you thought about this?’
“But I’ve got departments we’re trying to get as good as we possibly can – the fundamental stuff. Most things take time to improve and to grow.”
To steal a line from Ryan’s own website, his story is not about sport but about people.
Whether it’s a grounds person, a chef, a masseur, a coach, a physio or a player, building relationships and understanding what makes each individual tick is fundamental to his role.
Tattooed on Ryan’s wrist is ‘Vei Lomani’, a Fijian phrase that means love one another and work together.
“As a performance director, the easy bit is knowing the solution to making something better, whatever that might be,” Ryan insists.
“The hardest bit is then persuading, influencing and negotiating with the people involved to make them see that the change is going to be good and make that process happen. That’s the tricky bit.
“That’s probably the biggest challenge for anybody who’s looking to change processes or improve things. Or not change things as well, because people might feel they need change when they should actually stick to the process they’re working to. It’s about bringing people on the journey.
“As a performance director, the easy bit is knowing the solution... The hardest bit is then persuading, influencing and negotiating with the people involved to make them see that the change is going to be good'
“Trust takes time to build. No matter how good people think you are, you still need time to build trust for people to realise you’re doing it in their best interests and for the benefit of the club.
“There are a lot of moving parts, so you’ve got to be careful: this is what we want to change, these are the timelines, narrate that to the right people, evidence it and then communicate those steps all the way.
“It’s not straightforward but it’s part of the challenge that I really like, particularly once you see some benefits – a staff member stepping up or a process kicking in that has a tangible impact.”
No matter how strong your processes are, luck is always going to be a major factor in football, with matches often decided by the finest of margins. An unintentional handball adjudged to be a penalty, a deflection off the post or a marginal offside can decide the outcome of a game.
In a sport of such randomness, and when success is so often judged by a scoreline, how important is rational decision making?
“The lead from the top is crucial, from Mathew [Benham], Phil, Jon [Varney], Lee [Dykes], Nity [Raj] and Cliff [Crown],” says Ryan.
“You shouldn’t underestimate the quality they bring into the building to be strategic and make sensible, right decisions in the best interest of the sustainability of the club in the Premier League.
“I’ve been massively impressed. I’ve worked in a lot of big organisations, and I’ve had line managers who have been convicted murderers and military dictators, so I know how difficult it can be to get it right at the top and how it cascades down and impacts the day to day.
“Thomas is in that group as well. He’s so consistent with his energy, how he relates and communicates with people, and that’s a real super strength of his. All of that is wrapped up in the club to ensure we’re not making knee-jerk reactions or getting too carried away either way.”
“He’s so consistent with his energy”: in conversation with head coach Thomas Frank
Ryan continues: “Phil’s said that if we were to do a documentary here, and the club’s probably turned down a few offers in the past, it might be quite boring!
“We’re just doing sensible things every day, and that shouldn’t be underestimated in elite sport. We’re not suddenly hoofing out half the staff after a poor run of games, deciding to bring in a bit of kit that a quarterback has used in a Netflix series or hiring someone because they’ve got friends at the club or they’re a former player.
“We do things in a professional way, and we’ve consistently done it, and that’s a big reason why we are where we are.”
'We’re just doing sensible things every day, and that shouldn’t be underestimated in elite sport'
The Premier League is not a level playing field. With Brentford regularly competing against clubs with far greater resources, what does success look like to the Bees’ performance director?
“I’m not naïve enough, with almost 25 years working in professional sport, that it’s not a lot harder without the resources the top teams have,” Ryan concedes.
“But, in my head, nothing is impossible. Other clubs can spend money on players that we can’t, however there are things that we can do here that would be best practice in the league - as good as anything City, Liverpool or United do.
“Cash isn’t always a limiting factor for us; it’s just good joined-up thinking and getting the right people in the building who are making the right decisions.
“There’s no reason why we can’t be the best-run club in the Premier League, because that’s not about cash, that’s just good thinking, and that’s always our aspiration.”
'He might be interested': Arne Slot offered Anfield escape route
Arne Slot got off to the perfect start as Liverpool head coach.
Signed in the off-season before the 2024/25 campaign, the Dutchman was identified as the outstanding candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp.
And the 47-year-old proved his worth immediately - winning the Premier League title at the first time of asking.
Once Richard Hughes - Liverpool’s sporting director - adding £450m worth of new players in last summer’s transfer window it was expected that the Anfield side would embark on a long period of success.
But it’s not turned out like that.
Where next for Arne Slot?
Slot has had difficulty integrating his new signings and the champions have been plagued by injury issues all season long.
Following defeat to Manchester City on Sunday Liverpool have won only ONE of their seven top-flight games played in 2026.
It has left the club well adrift of Arsenal and Man City in the title race - and it looks like they are even in danger of missing out on the Champions League next season.
Slot is expected to retain FSG’s backing until summer - but with the tactician’s contract expiring in 2027 a parting of the ways could be on the cards if Liverpool do not hit their targets for the remainder of the campaign.
There is a clamour for Xabi Alonso to be appointed and it leaves Slot’s next move in doubt should Hughes end up sacking him.
Arne Slot named as potential Koeman replacement
One option according to Soccernews could be to take over the Netherlands national team job after the FIFA World Cup.
Ronald Koeman’s contract is due to expire after the summer showpiece and according to the report Peter Bosz and Erik ten Hag have both ruled themselves out of the running.
Therefore the Dutch outlet speculates that the Liverpool boss could be the next man up - where he would link up with plenty of his current players.
“Slot might be interested,” the report reads. “[He] was once asked if he ever saw himself as the national coach of the Dutch national team.
"At a certain age, I could imagine it being desirable not to be on the pitch every day. You could go to Ibiza more often," he is reported to have said.
"Or play golf. Or paddle tennis."
Therefore depending on what happens at Anfield at the end of the season he could be receiving a call from the Dutch football federation.
Mason Greenwood’s resurgence in France has reignited interest from the Premier League, with reports suggesting two of England’s biggest clubs are now weighing up a bold summer move.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, both Liverpool and Tottenham have placed the Marseille forward firmly on their radar and would be prepared to meet a substantial asking price to secure his signature.
The report claims offers in the region of £78 million (€90m) could be considered, a figure that shows just how highly Greenwood is now rated after two prolific seasons in Ligue 1.
Any deal would also have financial implications for Manchester United, who negotiated a 50 per cent sell-on clause when Greenwood left Old Trafford, meaning the Red Devils would receive a significant windfall should Marseille agree to sell.
Greenwood remains a deeply polarising figure in English football, and a return to the Premier League would almost certainly provoke strong reactions among supporters.
That backdrop has contrasted sharply with his experience in France. Since joining Marseille in the summer of 2024, Greenwood has been embraced on sporting merit alone, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s best attackers.
After an impressive debut campaign, the 24-year-old has taken his game up another level this season, contributing to 30 goals across all competitions.
Internally, there is thought to be excitement about the potential of pairing him with Hugo Ekitike, forming a dynamic partnership capable of thriving in a high-tempo system.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are also in the market for a forward capable of changing games consistently.
Marseille are aware of the interest building across Europe and would only consider a move if their valuation is met.
Madrid’s recruitment strategy continues to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term planning.
With ambitions to mount a serious dual push in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the club believe subtle but smart reinforcements could make the difference in decisive moments next season.
Why Vitinha appeals to Real Madrid
Vitinha’s name sits at the top of Madrid’s shortlist for good reason. At 27, the Portuguese international is entering his prime and has developed into a key figure at PSG, admired for his composure in possession, positional discipline, and leadership on the pitch.
Madrid’s coaching staff reportedly see him as a midfielder capable of controlling tempo in high-pressure matches, a quality they value highly in European knockout football.
However, prising him away from Paris will not be straightforward. Vitinha is under contract until 2029 and is said to be settled in the French capital, where he plays a central role in PSG’s midfield structure.
That combination of long-term security and sporting importance makes any potential deal complex, both financially and diplomatically.
PGS midfielder Vitinha in action (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
As an alternative, Madrid have also been monitoring Smit, one of the brightest young talents emerging from the Eredivisie.
At just 19, the AZ Alkmaar midfielder has impressed with his technical quality, intelligence, and maturity beyond his years.
While he is not yet considered a finished product, Madrid believe Smit could thrive in their development-focused environment if brought in early.
Madrid’s summer plans also include integrating players already within their system.
The return of Endrick and Nico Paz from their respective loan spells is expected to add depth and freshness to the squad, reinforcing the club’s belief in internal solutions alongside selective external signings.
Coppa Italia: Napoli vs. Como – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV
January signing Giovane is expected to start his first game for Napoli against Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals tonight.
It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT) at the Stadio Maradona.
The Partenopei are short of options in attack and midfield, with Scott McTominay, Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres, Matteo Politano and Billy Gilmour all injured.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Giovane of SSC Napoli runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Khephren Thuram of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Therefore, Eljif Elmas will start in central midfield alongside Stanislav Lobotka, while the attacking midfielders behind Rasmus Hojlund will be Giovane and Antonio Vergara, according to Sky Sport and Gazzetta.
According to reports, Amir Rrahmani, Juan Jesus and Sam Beukema will start in central defence for the Partenopei.
Como are way more rested than Napoli as they didn’t play in Serie A this past weekend, making their last competitive outing on February 1.
Fabregas is expected to pick his ideal Como XI with Anastosis Douvikas and Nico Paz in attack. The only doubt for the Azzurri seems to be on the right wing with either Mergim Vojvoda or Jayden Addai starting.
The winner between Napoli and Como will meet Inter in the semi-finals.
Napoli vs. Como – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on Premier Sports 2 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide a live commentary via a live blog.
Napoli vs. Como – probable line-ups
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Elmas, Olivera; Giovane, Vergara; Hojlund.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Addai, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Daniëlle de Jong: Juventus energy at ‘top level’ ahead of UWCL play-off against Wolfsburg
Juventus star Daniëlle de Jong is ready for the challenge of facing VfL Wolfsburg in their blockbuster UEFA Women’s Champions League play-off clash this week.
The six-time Italian champions will make the trip to Germany on Thursday as they hope to put one foot in the quarter-finals.
De Jong has seemingly cemented herself as the first choice goalkeeper at Juventus following the departure of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to the NWSL.
The Netherlands international has won silverware at every club she’s represented and will be looking to use that experience to help Juventus overcome Wolfsburg in the UWCL play-offs.
Having previously been the first choice keeper at Eredivisie champions FC Twente, it hasn’t taken De Jong much time to adapt herself to the same level in Italy. Juventus are in fine form currently with four wins from their last five domestically. In Europe, the side finished one point behind Real Madrid in the UWCL to qualify for the play-offs.
Daniëlle de Jong not fazed by pressure
At just 23 years old, De Jong is young for a first choice goalkeeper. Especially in one of Europe’s elite teams. The line between winning and losing a game often lies with the goalkeeper and their split-second decisions. With that being said, De Jong still oozes composure in her play and assures she doesn’t let pressure get to her.
“I’ve always been a pretty calm person, on and off the pitch. I don’t really put that pressure on myself,” the shot-stopper said. “To be honest I just love playing the game, I love being a goalkeeper. I trust my teammates, to show them that I feel good about the game, that not only am I ready, but we are ready as a unit, to show them they can trust me too. As long as I feel good and enjoy the game, that’s how I perform best.”
The Turin based side qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League comfortably. Juventus secured wins against St. Pölten, Atlético Madrid and Benfica, while also stealing points from European royalty Lyon.
“I think we’re in a really good place as a team,” De Jong said. “We’ve been playing some good games, I think the energy that we have in our squad at this moment is on a top, top level.”
However, VfL Wolfsburg will be no easy opponent for the Italian outfit.
The German side finished just a single point behind Juventus to see them qualify for the play-offs as a non-seeded team. With wins against Vålerenga, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, they’ve made a good account of themselves. Wolfsburg have also averaged 2.17 goals per UWCL match this season. De Jong will have quite the task ahead of her between the sticks.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game. I think we have to be prepared for every player in a team like Wolfsburg,” De Jong admitted. “Of course, they have key players we know about but you have to be ready for everyone. Who knows what the starting 11 could be. We’re feeling really good, we’re ready for it.”
TILBURG, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 03: (L-R) Danielle de Jong #23 of the Netherlands and Lize Kop. Koning Willem II Stadion on June 03, 2025 in Tilburg, Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
An honour to wear the Juventus badge
The recently capped Netherlands starlet has never been far away from a trophy win at any point in her career. De Jong has won silverware at all three of her senior clubs — PSV, Twente and now Juventus.
That being said, it’s no secret that the UWCL is regarded as the pinnacle of domestic titles.
“I would love to be able to say one say one day that I won it [the UWCL],” De Jong said. “First thing’s first, I’m honoured to play here at Juventus. I’m honoured to play in the Champions League. I think it’s the biggest and most important competition in Europe.
“Right now, my focus is on each game with Juventus and winning each and every game. We’re doing it step-by-step and game-by-game. I’d love to be able to say one day that we did it here.”
How to watch Juventus vs Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League
Juventus will take on Wolfsburg in the first leg of their UWCL play-off clash on Thursday, February 12th. The two teams will then meet again in Italy on Thursday, February 19th. The winner of the two legs will progress to the quarter-finals.
Tickets for both matches can be purchased here. You can also watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions.
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Serie A match-day 12 round-up: Parma denied famous Roma win as Inter title hopes boosted
Wolfsburg’s Ella Peddemors talks winning mindset ahead of blockbuster UWCL clash with Chelsea
Barcelona young attacker may have to undergo surgery after fresh injury blow
This past weekend, FC Barcelona youngster Dani Rodriguez was struck down by a new injury while in action for the reserve team, Barça Atletic, against UD Barbastro.
The 20-year-old winger, who spent more than three months out during the summer of 2025 due to surgery on a dislocated shoulder, has now suffered a serious leg injury.
Surgery a possibility for Dani Rodriguez
In fact, according to SPORT, tests carried out have confirmed a partial tear of the quadriceps tendon in his knee, which may require surgery.
It is a serious setback for Rodriguez, who was enjoying his best moment of the season and had returned to a high level of performance, reopening the door to call-ups with the first team.
The incident occurred during an individual action in the game against Barbastro. Dani took on his defender down the right flank, attempted to beat him, and, at that moment, felt a sharp pain in his leg. He went straight to the ground and immediately called for assistance.
Dani Rodriguez has picked up a serious injury. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBarcelona)
The La Masia prodigy’s gestures and the reaction of his teammates already suggested that the problem was significant. The player had to leave the pitch on a stretcher and was replaced by Oscar Gistau, leaving an image of deep concern.
The diagnosis confirms the worst fears but rules out any involvement of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. However, the partial tear of the quadriceps tendon will force him to stop amidst his good run of form.
The player and the club are now awaiting the next step. In the coming hours, it will be decided whether the treatment will be conservative or whether surgery will ultimately be required, a decision that will determine the exact length of his recovery.
In any case, the lay-off will be prolonged and will once again demand patience from a talented young footballer who was primed for a breakthrough into first-team football.
Man United injury latest: Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount and more
Manchester United Injury Update: Mount and Dorgu Timelines Offer Hope for Man Utd
Manchester United’s push for consistency in the second half of the season continues to be shaped by fitness concerns, with Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu both working their way back from injury. As reported by the Evening Standard in its latest injury update, manager Michael Carrick is hopeful of welcoming key players back at a crucial point in the campaign.
With important fixtures approaching and European qualification still within reach, United’s medical department is under growing pressure to deliver timely recoveries. Mount’s prolonged stop-start campaign and Dorgu’s recent setback have disrupted squad balance, forcing Carrick to rely on rotation and academy depth.
The coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether Man Utd can sustain their recent momentum.
Mount Recovery Progress Provides Timely Boost
Mason Mount’s time at Old Trafford has been hampered by recurring fitness issues, limiting his ability to establish rhythm since his arrival. His most recent absence, triggered by a minor training injury in January, once again halted his momentum just as he appeared ready to reclaim a starting role.
Speaking ahead of United’s recent victory over Tottenham, Carrick confirmed that Mount was edging closer to a return, suggesting the midfielder was “not too far away” from competitive action. Those comments echoed the optimism reported by the Standard, which noted that club staff remain confident about his short-term outlook.
Mount’s versatility remains central to United’s tactical planning. Comfortable operating as a central midfielder, advanced playmaker or wide option, his availability would provide much-needed flexibility. With West Ham and Everton on the horizon, United are targeting late February as a realistic return window.
If managed carefully, Mount could play a decisive role in the final stretch of the campaign, particularly in high-tempo fixtures where his pressing and movement add value.
Dorgu Setback Disrupts Carrick’s Tactical Plans
Patrick Dorgu’s resurgence under Carrick had been one of the more encouraging narratives of recent weeks. The young winger had impressed with his direct running and attacking intent, culminating in a standout performance against Arsenal.
However, that progress was abruptly halted when Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury during the same match. Initial assessments suggested a lengthy absence, with medical staff projecting up to ten weeks on the sidelines.
Carrick later confirmed that the issue was more serious than first feared, admitting the club would need to monitor his recovery closely. According to the Evening Standard, an early April return now appears the most realistic scenario.
Dorgu’s absence reduces United’s options in wide areas and places added responsibility on senior attackers. His pace and confidence had added unpredictability to United’s forward play, something the side has occasionally lacked in his absence.
Long-term, the club remain confident in his development, but short-term planning has been complicated by the injury.
Squad Depth Tested During Key Run of Fixtures
With Mount and Dorgu sidelined, United’s squad depth has been tested during a demanding schedule. Carrick has been forced to shuffle his midfield and attacking combinations, relying on rotation to maintain performance levels.
Despite those challenges, recent results suggest United have adapted well. Four consecutive wins, including the notable victory over Tottenham, underline the resilience within the group. Yet the margin for error remains slim.
The return of Mount would ease creative burdens on central midfielders, while Dorgu’s eventual comeback would restore balance on the flanks. Both players are viewed internally as important components of Carrick’s long-term vision.
Sports science staff are now prioritising gradual reintegration, mindful of Mount’s previous setbacks and Dorgu’s age profile. Rushing either player back could jeopardise availability later in the season.
This cautious approach reflects lessons learned from earlier campaigns, where premature returns led to repeat injuries.
Man Utd Strategy Focused on Long-Term Fitness Stability
United’s injury management strategy has come under scrutiny in recent seasons, prompting internal reviews and changes to conditioning programmes. The current handling of Mount and Dorgu illustrates a shift towards longer-term thinking.
Sources close to the club, quoted by the Standard, suggest that Carrick has been closely involved in rehabilitation planning, ensuring medical decisions align with tactical priorities. This integrated approach aims to reduce recurrence rates and protect player availability.
For Mount, the focus remains on rebuilding match sharpness gradually, likely through controlled minutes and managed workloads. Dorgu, meanwhile, is undergoing phased rehabilitation designed to restore explosive sprinting capacity before full training resumes.
With financial sustainability also shaping recruitment policy, maximising the contribution of existing assets has become essential. Keeping Mount and Dorgu fit could prove more valuable than any short-term transfer activity.
As United enter the decisive phase of the season, their ability to reintegrate key players safely may determine whether recent progress translates into tangible success.
Arne Slot ready to backtrack on £30m summer transfer deal
Liverpool’s centre-back situation is evolving.
Last summer we saw Giovanni Leoni arrive on a £26m deal from Parma. And in the winter transfer window Richard Hughes wrapped up moves for Noah Adekoya and Mor Talla Ndiaye.
That pair will first go into Rob Page’s under-21 side where they will be joined in summer by another promising teenager in Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
The biggest confirmed centre-back deal however concerns Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old will come on board from Rennes after the Premier League champions secured a deal worth around £62m.
The club have been tipped to conclude a move for an experienced figure in order to help the transition. And one name seems to be now emerging above all others - and it’s one that will be very familiar to Liverpool supporters.
According to a report in Football Insider a pre-contract agreement has already been tied up with the England international - who has been a mainstay in the Bundesliga and Champions League this term.
The 23-year-old is exactly the kind of figure that could help with easing in the next generation - and replace Virgil van Dijk who is set to leave in 2027.
“Qaunsah’s return to Anfield can be sealed with a pre-agreed fee, and the contract and paperwork are already in place for the transfer to go through,” the report reads.
The report claims that Arne Slot signed off Quansah’s sale last summer after the centre-back fell out of favour.
He made only appeared 13 times across the title-winning top-flight campaign - but it looked like the Anfield side’s head coach is ready to give Quansah another chance by “backtracking” on last summer’s deal.
“The Dutchman decided at the end of the campaign that the 23-year-old’s services were no longer needed at Anfield, although he could now be about to backtrack on that,” the report states.
Endrick (19) has begun life at Olympique Lyonnais in excellent form. Playing a bit-part role at Real Madrid, he made the move to France to get his career back on track and to make a push for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad, ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
He could hardly have hoped for a better start. He already has five goals in just six games for OL, including the first hat-trick of his professional career, which came against FC Metz. Paulo Fonseca helped convince his fellow Lusophone to make the move to the Groupama Stadium, but there is no question about where the young striker’s long-term future lies.
Speaking in an interview with AS, the player’s agent, Thiago Freitas, confirmed a return to Real Madrid at the end of the current season. “The decision has been taken. He will return to Real Madrid at the end of the season, no ifs, no buts. It is a loan without a buy option, so he will go back,” said Freitas.
And what about a new loan, perhaps even to OL, where Endrick has said that he is currently happy? “What will happen next season? It is difficult to say, but one thing is for certain: at the end of the season, Endrick will once again be a Real Madrid player,” added Freitas.
Before the Brazilian returns to his parent club, he will hope to bring silverware to the Groupama Stadium, with Lyon still in contention in the UEFA Europa League and the Coupe de France.
‘I’m here to win, I know how to do it. I’ve never thought about leaving; I only needed time. Allegri told me to smile; he was right.’
Inter, no wing-back in Europe is as decisive as Dimarco
Juve: McKennie at San Siro as a false nine, then the renewal.
Roma, Malen’s brace. Cagliari surrendered (2-0).
Napoli, Coppa Italia target: Fabregas with an attacking Como.
Corriere dello Sport
Juve limits
Derby d’Italia on Saturday
Chivu’s team scores a goal every 7.7 shots. Spalletti also pays for Vlahovic’s absence.
Inter’s attack: 12 goals more. Yildiz alone. David-Openda flop.
Lautaro, Thuram, Esposito and Bonny have scored 29 goals. Lucio has made the playing style take off, but his quartet has only managed 17. Cristiano: +9 from the appointment of the ex-CT.
Napoli, Conte launches Giovane
Fenucci: ‘Yes to VAR, but not this way.’
Magic Malen: Roma sit fourth
A brace in front of Totti. The Dutchman has scored three goals in four matches. Gasperini catches Juventus.
Tuttosport
Maratona once again empty ‘to defend Toro’
‘The Italian VAR helps cheating.’
Everyone against the referees: Juve among the most affected, Ravanelli complains.
The ex-striker: ‘Abroad, they use technology differently.’ Irritated by referees’ mistakes, the Bianconeri seek replies from ref chiefs. Meantime Spalletti pushes for McKennie’s renewal. Ilic, Serbia’s fitness coach: ‘Vlahovic he’s hungry for goals, he’ll join Barça.’
Still, Digard, Vieira: Franck Haise’s rivals for the vacant Rennes job revealed
Habib Beye was relieved of his duties as Stade Rennais manager on Monday. The former Red Star manager paid the price for a poor run of form in 2026, with Saturday’s 3-1 loss against RC Lens their fourth in succession in all competitions.
With reports of discord in the Rennes dressing room, too, the writing was on the wall for Beye, especially given that Franck Haise, whom Arnaud Pouille already knows from his time at Lens, was starting to be linked with the position.
Haise, who left OGC Nice in December, is the clear favourite for the role, however, there are alternative targets, L’Équipe understands. Rennes are also looking at Patrick Vieira, Laurent Blanc, Will Still, Didier Digard, and Alexandre Dujeux. The latter two are currently in jobs, with the former at Le Havre AC and the latter at SCO Angers. Both are exceeding expectations at their respective clubs, but Rennes would be forced to pay a compensation fee in order to acquire their services.
Sandro Tonali’s future is attracting attention ahead of the summer transfer window this year, with interest intensifying from both England and Italy.
According talkSPORT, Tonali would be receptive to a return to Serie A, a revelation that has added a new dimension to an already crowded race for his signature.
Tonali has become one of the most talked-about midfielders in the Premier League.
His leadership, tactical intelligence, and ability to control tempo have made him central to Newcastle’s project.
Despite his importance on Tyneside, speculation around his long-term future has refused to fade.
Man United and Arsenal are both interested in Tonali
Man United, Arsenal, and Manchester City have all been linked with the Italian international, each viewing him as a player capable of elevating their midfield options.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle in action vs Man United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
While the Premier League clubs offer financial power and global exposure, the emotional pull of Italy remains strong.
Juventus are understood to be long-term admirers, and Tonali’s openness to returning to Serie A has given them encouragement.
A move back to Italy would see the midfielder return to a familiar footballing culture, where his skill set is perfectly suited to the tactical demands of the league.
Newcastle are under no pressure to sell. Tonali is contracted long term, and the club reportedly value him between £80 million and £100 million.
Miguel Cardoso makes rallying plea to Sundowns supporters
Interview
Cardoso implores Downs fans ahead of MCA clash
Photo: BackPagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has made a rallying plea to the Masandawana faithful ahead of their Group C finale against Rulani Mokwena's MC Alger on Saturday.
The Brazilians will host the Algerian champions in a must-win match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, as they aim to secure passage to the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League.
Downs sit third with six points from five matches, while Mokwena's side is in second spot with seven points in as many matches.
With the high-stakes encounter looming, Cardoso is optimistic of securing a favourable result, and has called on the club's supporters to come out in numbers to get the team over the line.
“The team is strong, the team is united, the team is brave, the team will face this week with a lot of enthusiasm because we want to do well. We want to open a page ahead in the competition and for that we need to be strong and we need to be prepared,” he said.
"We hope that in the next match we'll have a full stadium with only one thought - to support the team, not support nothing more. I hope that the opponent doesn't guess or knows how we are going to play. I hope it's controlled so that we can make a fair game from our side.
On their frustrating one-all draw with FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo in DR Congo at the weekend, the Portuguese tactician slammed the Congolese team for their theatrics during the match.
“A lot of theatre during the first half especially, but also in the second one together with a few moments of football. A lot of stops, a lot of players falling down here and there - something that we need to understand gives nothing to football in the future,” Cardoso added.
"It's not the way football gets developed in a country and in Africa in general. It's something that really needs to be fought by the referees and today it was not. So every time we had a moment of energy there was someone falling down. But we knew we had to fight against that also.
Notably, the last time Sundowns were eliminated in the group stage was back in the 2017/18 campaign, and Mokwena could inflict the same fate on his former employers by avoiding defeat.
‘His head’s checked out’: Scholes wants to see controversial PL star at OT despite calamitous display vs Utd
Paul Scholes has revealed he’d ‘love’ to see Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero at Manchester United.
He’s certainly not the only one, as Lisandro Martinez has previously poured praise on his Argentine compatriot, hailing him as the best centre-half in the world and his favourite-ever teammate to have played alongside.
Romero saw red yet again vs United
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
United fans mightn’t be too keen on such a move materialising, though, particularly after Romero’s calamitous display at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Inside the opening half-hour of action in M16, the Spurs skipper was shown a straight red card after lunging into an unbelievably reckless challenge on Casemiro.
As it was his second red of the season, Romero will now miss four matches as opposed to the usual three-game ban.
Yet, there’s no denying that, when he’s able to control his temper, he is one of the most reliable defenders in the game.
He has since, when fit, been a mainstay for the world champions – so much so that he used to keep Martinez out of Lionel Scaloni’s side until they partnered one another in the 2024 Copa America, which Argentina also won.
What Scholes had to say about Romero
(Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
When reflecting on the 27-year-old’s showing against United, Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast: “Do you know what? I love him (Romero). I love watching him play football.
“He’s p*ssed off at Spurs, isn’t he? He doesn’t want to be there. He’s having a go at the crowd, he’s having a go at the board – I think his head has checked out a little bit.
“But I would love him at Manchester United. I just love his character.”
What Rosenior thinks is “very pleasing to see” at Chelsea which wasn’t there before he arrived
In his press conference yesterday, Liam Rosenior was asked about his feelings of how the mood was in the camp, after the Blues racked up a 7th win from his 9 games in charge.
There have been some shaky moments along the way, but Saturday’s game was a confident win, with plenty of nice football along the way.
Rosenior on players enjoying playing for him already
Cole Palmer celebrates his hat trick. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
“I think you can see, whether it’s Cole [Palmer], Joao (Pedro), Enzo [Fernandez], Moi [Caicedo], Andrey [Santos], the defenders, they are all playing with real enthusiasm at the moment because they are enjoying their football,” Rosenior explained in quotes picked up by the club’s official website.
“As a coach, that’s very pleasing to see because if you don’t play with enthusiasm, you don’t play with energy or intensity. At the moment, things are looking good, but we have to continue.”
There certainly does seem to be a new enthusiasm and lightness to the group, and all their quotes about Rosenior’s impact are absolutely glowing. Then again, that could also be down to the winning run they’re on since he took over.
The tense times of December are over, the fans are happy again, even Cole Palmer has a smile back on his face. Things are very much looking up.
In other news…
Chelsea may have won at the weekend, but the way they conceded from a set piece will have been very frustrating for a lot of people. There is a potential solution to solve our increasing concerns about the defensive side of corners and free kicks.
Cole Palmer scored three against Wolves, but one journalist pointed out that it was actually another Blue who had been their outstanding attacker in the game.
Chelsea vs Leeds United – Match preview and team news
Chelsea look to maintain their unblemished Premier League record under Liam Rosenior as they host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
The Blues have undergone a remarkable transformation under their new head coach. They have secured four consecutive top-flight victories against Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Wolves. Currently fifth in the table, Chelsea sit just one point behind the top four following their dominant win at Molineux.
Leeds United also arrive in London with significant momentum. Daniel Farke’s men have won three of their last four matches to move nine points clear of the relegation zone. After a sensational 3–1 win over Chelsea in December, the Whites are now chasing a historic season double.
Chelsea vs Leeds United – Match preview and team news
Date: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Referee: Robert Jones
VAR: John Brooks
Last Meeting: Leeds 3–1 Chelsea (3 Dec 2025), Premier League
Team News
Chelsea
Liam Rosenior expects to remain without Jamie Gittens and Tosin Adarabioyo due to hamstring injuries. Dário Essugo and Roméo Lavia continue their recoveries from thigh problems, while Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee. However, Reece James could return to the squad after missing two matches. Cole Palmer enters the game in record-breaking form following his first-half hat-trick against Wolves.
Leeds United
Daniel Farke welcomes Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha back into contention for the trip to London. Midfielder Anton Stach appears to be the only likely absentee for the visitors. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to lead the line after scoring in the recent win over Nottingham Forest. Facundo Buonanotte may miss out again for tactical reasons following the return of other senior attackers.
Form
Chelsea
The Blues have made Stamford Bridge a fortress in this fixture, remaining unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Leeds. Notably, Liam Rosenior has won all four of his Premier League matches since taking charge. A win tonight would make him the first Chelsea boss since Maurizio Sarri to win his first three home league games. However, Chelsea have failed to win any of their three midweek Premier League fixtures this season.
Leeds United
Leeds have moved significantly clear of the drop zone following a vital run of form under Daniel Farke. Notably, the Whites are seeking their first league double over the Blues since their 1991–92 title-winning season. Farke has lost just two of his last 12 top-flight matches with the club. While their overall away record has been difficult, Leeds arrive having won three of their last four league outings.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Predicted XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; J Pedro
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 4. Fans can also stream the action via the discovery+ app. Extended highlights will be shown on Match of the Day on Wednesday at 22:40 GMT.
Manchester United XI vs West Ham United – Predicted lineup and team news
Manchester United travel to the London Stadium on Tuesday, aiming for their fifth consecutive Premier League victory.
The Red Devils have moved into fourth place under the leadership of Michael Carrick. United recently defeated Tottenham 2–0 to maintain their grip on a Champions League spot. Carrick has transformed the attack, with the team scoring at least twice in every game he has managed. A victory tonight would move United three points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea.
Manchester United Team News
Michael Carrick manages a squad still missing several senior defensive options. Notably, Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, and Patrick Dorgu are all ruled out. Consequently, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez will continue their partnership in defence. Bruno Fernandes remains the focal point of the team. He currently has eight away assists this season, equaling Ryan Giggs’s club record.
Senne Lammens will start in goal after keeping a clean sheet against Tottenham. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will occupy the full-back positions. In midfield, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will anchor the side. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will provide the threat from wide areas. Matheus Cunha is expected to lead the line as he seeks his first goal against West Ham.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Manchester United predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Diallo, B. Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha
How to watch West Ham vs Manchester United?
UK fans can watch the match live on Amazon Prime Video. Highlights will be available on Match of the Day on Wednesday night.
Bournemouth XI vs Everton – Predicted lineup and team news
Bournemouth travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, aiming to break their Merseyside hoodoo and secure a third away win of the season.
The Cherries occupy 11th place, arriving as one of the Premier League’s most improved outfits. Manager Andoni Iraola oversaw a spirited 1–1 draw against Aston Villa this weekend. Despite losing Antoine Semenyo last month, Bournemouth remain unbeaten in their last five league games. However, history frowns upon them on this ground. They have conceded 49 goals in 17 trips to Merseyside’s top-flight clubs. Crucially, they failed to keep a single clean sheet in those visits.
Bournemouth Team News
Andoni Iraola navigates a squad thinned by injuries in creative departments. Notably, a knee injury sidelines Justin Kluivert until April. He joins Tyler Adams and Marcus Tavernier in the treatment room. Consequently, Junior Kroupi operates in the attacking midfield role. Conversely, Alejandro Jimenez is fit to start despite a minor knock against Villa.
Đorđe Petrović starts in goal. Marcos Senesi and James Hill marshal the defensive unit ahead of him. Quentin Truffert retains his spot at left-back. In midfield, Lewis Cook and Alex Scott aim to dictate the tempo against a cautious Everton side. Finally, Evanilson leads the line as the lone striker. The Cherries must avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture; they failed to score in that 1–0 defeat.
West Ham United vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news
The London Stadium hosts a fascinating Premier League encounter on Tuesday night as West Ham United welcome Manchester United in a clash between two in-form teams.
Michael Carrick’s rejuvenated Red Devils arrive in the capital with four consecutive league victories. They recently secured a clinical 2–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. United are firmly hunting for a Champions League spot. However, they face a West Ham side undergoing its own resurgence under Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers have taken nine points from their last 12 available. They secured a vital 2–0 win over Burnley on Saturday. West Ham now sit just three points adrift of safety. Historically, this trip has challenged United, who lost their last three visits here.
West Ham United vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news
Date: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Kick-off: 20:15 GMT
Venue: London Stadium, London
Referee: Simon Hooper
VAR: Craig Pawson
Last Meeting: Manchester United 1–1 West Ham (4 Dec 2025), Premier League
Team News
West Ham United
The Hammers likely field an identical squad to the one that defeated Burnley. Jean-Clair Todibo remains unavailable as he serves a three-match suspension. Axel Disasi is set for his home debut in central defence. Veteran goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański remains out with a back injury. Crysencio Summerville starts in sensational form, seeking to score for the sixth consecutive game.
Manchester United
Michael Carrick remains without Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, and Patrick Dorgu. Benjamin Šeško and Noussair Mazraoui are pushing for starts given the quick turnaround. United has scored at least twice in every game under Carrick’s tenure. Bruno Fernandes is on the verge of history. One more away assist would break Ryan Giggs’s club record for a single campaign.
Form
West Ham United
The Hammers have won their last three home league games against Manchester United. They have not won four in a row against them since 1977. Recently, West Ham took nine points from 12 to boost survival hopes. Notably, captain Jarrod Bowen has three goals in his last five games against United. However, they have struggled at home against established top-flight sides recently.
Manchester United
United has won four straight league games against City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham. They are seeking a third consecutive win in London. Notably, United has lost four of their last six league games against the Hammers. The Red Devils have found the net in 14 consecutive matches. However, they are winless in their last five midweek away games.
Predicted Lineups
West Ham United Predicted XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Potts; Bowen, M. Fernandes, Summerville; Castellanos
Manchester United Predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Diallo, B. Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha
How to Watch West Ham vs Manchester United?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Amazon Prime Video. US fans can stream the game on Peacock Premium.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United – Match preview and team news
A pivotal bottom-half battle takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United both look to distance themselves from a potential relegation scrap.
Both sides enter this mid-week fixture at risk of suffering their 11th Premier League defeat. Spurs’ four-match unbeaten run was recently halted by a 2–0 loss at Manchester United. Meanwhile, the Magpies are reeling from a “grim” 3–2 home defeat against Brentford. With only six points separating them from the drop zone, the Lilywhites are desperate for a win. Conversely, Eddie Howe faces increasing pressure after overseeing three consecutive losses across all competitions.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United – Match preview and team news
Date: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Nicholas Hopton
Last Meeting: Tottenham Hotspur 2–2 Newcastle United (2 Dec 2025), Premier League
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Keith Andrews manages a squad decimated by an “overflowing infirmary”. Captain Cristian Romero begins a four-match ban following a red card against Manchester United. Destiny Udogie is also out with a thigh injury. They join a long list of absentees, including James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus. However, Djed Spence may return from a calf problem. New signing Souza is also poised for his full Premier League debut.
Newcastle United
The Magpies have no fresh fitness concerns but remain without several key players. Lewis Miley (knee) and Bruno Guimarães (ankle) are expected to miss out. They join Joelinton, Anthony Gordon, and Fabian Schär on the sidelines. Sven Botman is available for selection after scoring in the recent loss to Brentford. Eddie Howe is likely to ring the changes to revitalise his struggling side.
Form
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have struggled to turn their stadium into a fortress lately. Since winning four of their first five home games, they have won just four of 26 matches. Notably, Tottenham are winless in their last 11 mid-week Premier League games. This represents their longest such run in the competition’s history. However, Dominic Solanke remains in fine form, scoring 13 goals in his last 19 home starts.
Newcastle United
The Magpies have often enjoyed playing mid-week fixtures. Notably, Newcastle have won six of their last eight mid-week Premier League matches. They average 2.8 goals per game in these contests. Newcastle have also won five of their last seven league games against Spurs. However, their porous defence allowed three goals against Brentford last weekend.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Souza; Sarr, Palhinha, Gallagher; Simons, Solanke, Kolo Muani
Everton vs Bournemouth – Match preview and team news
Everton and Bournemouth clash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday night, with both sides carrying five-match unbeaten league runs into a pivotal mid-table battle.
The Toffees return to Merseyside full of confidence after a spirited 2–1 comeback victory at Fulham on Saturday. This result propelled David Moyes’s men into eighth place with 37 points. While Everton has struggled for home consistency this term, it remains one of the division’s most disciplined defensive units, conceding just 28 goals so far.
Conversely, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth arrive as one of the league’s most improved outfits. Despite losing star man Antoine Semenyo in January, the Cherries have moved into 11th and could leapfrog their hosts with a convincing victory. Having held title-chasers Aston Villa to a 1–1 draw at the weekend, the visitors now seek to maintain their impressive recent record on this ground.
Everton vs Bournemouth – Match preview and team news
Date: Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Referee: Andy Madley
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Last Meeting: Bournemouth 0–1 Everton (2 Dec 2025), Premier League
Team News
Everton
The Toffees face a significant blow with Jack Grealish likely sidelined for the remainder of the season. The Manchester City loanee requires surgery on a persistent ankle injury. In better news, Jarrad Branthwaite is fully fit following a hamstring issue. David Moyes must decide whether to restore him to the starting XI immediately or stick with the unit that won at Fulham.
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola is navigating a depleted midfield. Justin Kluivert (knee) is expected to be out until April, while Tyler Adams (knee) and Marcus Tavernier (thigh) also remain unavailable. Ben Gannon-Doak and Julio Soler are long-term absentees. Spanish defender Alejandro Jimenez is expected to start despite picking up a minor knock against Aston Villa.
Form
Everton
Everton have moved into the top half after picking up points in five consecutive matches. Notably, the Toffees have won both of their Premier League matches on Tuesdays this season. They recently showed great resilience, coming from behind at Craven Cottage. Thierno Barry has rediscovered his scoring touch at home, netting three goals in his last five appearances at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Bournemouth
The Cherries arrive as one of the Premier League’s form teams, with three wins and two draws in their last six fixtures. Notably, each of the last four Premier League meetings between these sides has been 0–0 at half-time. Bournemouth have a difficult record on Merseyside, picking up just seven points in 17 trips to face Everton or Liverpool. However, they showed their quality by holding third-placed Villa to a draw last time out.
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 5. Fans can also stream the action via the discovery+ app, with coverage starting at 19:00 GMT.
Liverpool’s long-term planning at centre-back continues to evolve, and a familiar name has re-emerged as a potential solution.
According to Football Insider, the Reds are seriously considering a future move to bring Jarell Quansah back to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen, as part of a wider defensive succession strategy.
While the decision to sell the academy graduate raised eyebrows at the time, Liverpool were careful to protect their long-term interests by inserting a buy-back clause into the agreement.
That clause, which becomes active in 2027, allows the Merseyside club to re-sign Quansah for a pre-agreed fee should they choose to do so.
Reason behind Liverpool interest in Quansah
Liverpool’s renewed interest is closely linked to uncertainty surrounding their current defensive options.
Ibrahima Konaté is approaching the final stages of his contract and could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season if no extension is agreed.
At the same time, captain Virgil van Dijk is nearing his mid-30s, prompting natural questions about workload management and long-term succession.
The club have already moved to address part of that issue by securing Jérémy Jacquet from Stade Rennais, but internal discussions suggest Liverpool may want to add another centre-half with Premier League experience and familiarity with the club’s demands.
Jarell Quansah of Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
Since joining Leverkusen, Quansah has continued to grow, gaining valuable experience in the Bundesliga and European competition.
His composure in possession, aerial strength, and improving positional awareness have not gone unnoticed by Liverpool’s recruitment staff, who continue to track his progress closely.
That development has also been recognised at international level. The 23-year-old made his senior debut for England national football team last year, starting in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Albania, a milestone that further underlined his upward trajectory.
With Konaté’s future uncertain, Van Dijk approaching a veteran phase, and competition for elite centre-backs intensifying, the option to bring back a developed academy product is an attractive one for Liverpool.
Christian Romero: Paul Scholes say Man United should sign Spurs star
Paul Scholes has urged Manchester United to sign Tottenham Hotspur captain Christian Romero, despite the Argentine handing all three points to the Red Devils last weekend.
Man of the Match
Romero was arguably the Man of the Match in United’s 2-0 win over Spurs on Saturday afternoon – just for the wrong side.
The 27-year-old defender was given his marching orders by Michael Oliver in the 29th minute at Old Trafford after a reckless challenge on Casemiro. Prior to this point, the game was finely poised, with United slightly on top but neither side had yet created a clear chance on goal.
However, not for the first time in his career, and nor will it be the last, Romero’s moment of madness transpired to hand Michael Carrick‘s side an easy day at the office at the expense of his own.
Well-worked goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes put the game to bed, while lifting United to within three points of third-placed Aston Villa and five clear of Liverpool in sixth.
The first goal from the Cameroon international, in particular, was excellent as Fernandes found Kobbie Mainoo with a short corner, before the English midfielder flicked it back to the oncoming Mbeumo at the edge of the box to finish with aplomb.
Within the context of the push for Champions League qualification, with fifth enough to secure entry into Europe’s elite competition due to England’s coefficient, it was a huge win – with Romero playing a pivotal role.
Scholes “loves” Romero
Despite Romero’s costly mistake, Scholes maintains he “loves” the Argentina international as a player, believing the United dressing room would benefit from his “character”.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football Podcast, the legendary midfielder said: “Do you know what? I love him. I love watching him play football.
“He’s p*ssed off at Spurs, isn’t he? He doesn’t want to be there. He’s having a go at the crowd, he’s having a go at the board. I think his has checked out a little bit.
“I would love him at Manchester United. I just love his character,” Scholes concludes.
Spurs boss Thomas Frank came to the defence of his captain in the aftermath of Saturday’s match, insisting Romero is a “leader” for the Lilywhites while conceding he is still “learning every day”.
The Danish manager pointed to the “passion and aggression” the former Atalanta defender, who moved to North London for £42.5 million in 2022, plays with as an explanation for his poor decision-making.
Final Thoughts
Romero is the type of player whose outstanding performances will always be curtailed by his outrageous mistakes. It would be equivalent to shooting yourself in the foot to pursue an expensive deal for the Tottenham man.
The fact that Scholes just watched the Argentine torpedo his side’s chances of getting anything from a crucial match, while wearing the captain’s armband, shows the former midfielder had better eyes on the pitch than he does as a pundit.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Marseille supporter groups consider call to strip Leonardo Balerdi of captaincy & Roberto De Zerbi exit
Several leading figures from Olympique de Marseille’s supporter groups met on Monday to discuss the club’s increasingly fragile situation, according to reporting from L’Équipe.
During those discussions, the possibility of issuing a joint public statement was raised and debated, with a shared belief emerging that a strong gesture is now required from the club’s leadership.
According to L’Équipe, two principal demands have crystallised from those talks. The first concerns Leonardo Balerdi, with several supporter leaders calling for the removal of the captaincy from the Argentine defender, who has been heavily criticised in recent weeks amid Marseille’s poor run of form.
The second, more far-reaching request is the departure of head coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose position has come under increasing scrutiny as tensions rise both inside the club and around the project more broadly.The supporter unrest comes against a backdrop of wider instability at Marseille. As previously reported by L’Équipe, the atmosphere within the club has significantly deteriorated in recent months, with players uneasy about working conditions and uncertain over several sporting decisions.
While De Zerbi is understood to retain the backing of the club’s hierarchy, pressure has continued to build following a turbulent start to the year. This was compounded by a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique on Sunday evening after earlier elimination from the Champions League in January. GFFN | George Boxall
Marseille players questioning Roberto De Zerbi’s methods
According to reporting from L’Équipe, the atmosphere inside Olympique de Marseille has significantly deteriorated in recent months, with players increasingly uneasy about working conditions under head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian is reportedly engaged in deep personal reflection, questioning whether he has become “definitively the problem” at the club – according to RMC Sport. A decision could be made as early this week on his future. Several players reportedly feel they are under permanent observation, with strict monitoring extending well beyond the pitch. Arrival and departure times at the Commanderie training centre are scrutinised, as are the duration of stretching sessions and even the menus served in the canteen.
This heightened level of control has contributed to a growing sense of discomfort within the squad, sources close to the dressing room told L’Équipe. Beyond the atmosphere, there is confusion surrounding De Zerbi’s sporting choices. Members of the squad and staff are said not to fully understand some of the Italian coach’s decisions, yet feel unable to openly challenge them.
More worryingly, L’Équipe report that a feeling among players that they are not progressing in training, despite the demanding nature of the sessions.Les Olympiens come off the back of a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend capping off a chronically inconsistant start to 2026. GFFN | George Boxall
‘Close to breaking point’ – Roberto De Zerbi currently reflecting on future as Marseille project hangs in the balance
Roberto De Zerbi is engaged in deep personal reflection over his future at Olympique de Marseille, questioning whether he has become “definitively the problem” at the club, according to RMC Sport.
A decision could be taken as early as this week, the report from correspondent Florent Germain adds. While the Italian coach is said to feel hurt and betrayed by sections of his squad, he continues to retain the backing of Marseille’s hierarchy.
Those revelations come amid wider concerns inside the club, with L’Équipe reporting that the atmosphere within Olympique de Marseille has significantly deteriorated in recent months, leaving players increasingly uneasy about working conditions under De Zerbi.
“None of this makes any sense anymore, and the players are starting to see it. We’re close to breaking point,” a source close to the OM dressing room told L’Équipe.
Several players reportedly feel they are under constant surveillance, with strict monitoring extending well beyond tactical matters. Arrival and departure times at the Commanderie training centre are closely scrutinised, as are the duration of stretching routines and even the menus served in the canteen.
Beyond the atmosphere, there is also reportedly confusion surrounding De Zerbi’s sporting choices. Members of the squad and wider staff are said not to fully understand certain decisions, yet feel unable to openly challenge them.
More worryingly still, L’Équipe report a widespread feeling among players that they are not progressing in training, despite the demanding nature of the sessions.
Marseille come off the back of a turbulent start to the year, compounded by a 5–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, further intensifying scrutiny on both the coach and the direction of the project.GFFN | George Boxall
Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland took to social media to praise Dominik Szoboszlai following the Hungarian’s stunning free-kick during the dramatic comeback at Anfield on Sunday night.
Despite the intense rivalry on the pitch, Haaland was quick to acknowledge the sheer quality displayed by his former teammate in a match that could prove pivotal in the Premier League title race.
Erling Haaland praises Dominik Szoboszlai for his free-kick
Following the final whistle of the pulsating encounter, Haaland shared a post on Snapchat that quickly went viral.
The Norwegian striker uploaded a still photo from the Liverpool free-kick during the match, with a seven-word message for Szoboszlai.
Haaland captioned the image with a playful seven-word message: “Domi what a goal smile a bit.”
Erling Haaland praises Dominic Szoboszlai’s goal (Screenshot via Reddit)
Haaland and Szoboszlai are good friends from time at RB Salzburg
The message shows a bond between the two players that predates their time in England.
Haaland and Szoboszlai were close friends during their time at RB Salzburg, where they formed a lethal partnership that terrorized the Austrian Bundesliga and announced their talents to the world in the Champions League.
The close friendship was also seen during the game as the Hungarian midfielder tried to get into Haaland’s head as he stood up to take the winning penalty.
Haaland later revealed what he told Szoboszlai during the friendly exchange. He said: “This is the first time I don’t want to speak with you.
Their friendship has remained intact despite playing for the two biggest rivals in English football.
While they are fierce competitors for 90 minutes, their mutual respect is well-documented, with both players frequently speaking highly of each other’s development since leaving Austria.
Heat, tweaks and focus: Brazil U20 women prep for Copa Sul-Americana
The Brazilian Women's Under-20 National Team continues strong in its preparation for the continuation of the South American Championship in the category. This Monday, the team trained at the Women's Football High Performance Center in Ypané, Paraguay, with activities specifically aimed at improving the team's strategy.
Coach Camilla Orlando prioritized the athletes who had little or no playing time in the last match. The session was a positional training focusing on tactical adjustments, already considering the upcoming challenges against Peru and Argentina. The idea was to keep the group competitive to meet the demands of the competition.
The rest of the squad underwent physical load management. Additionally, the players were protected from sun exposure, an important measure given the high temperatures recorded in Ypané, ranging from 34º to 39º, with a heat index that can reach 43º.
After having a break in the previous round of the tournament, Brazil returns to the field on Wednesday (12th), when they face Peru in the continuation of the championship. The match is scheduled for 6 PM (Brasília time) at the Luis Alfonso Giagni Stadium and could secure Brazil's qualification for the next phase.
(Video) Behind the scenes: What really happened between Mbappé and the fourth official at Mestalla?
Offside call and tunnel incident spark debate
Behind the scenes: What really happened between Mbappé and the fourth official at Mestalla?
Kylian Mbappé showed frustration with referees during Real Madrid’s 2-0 La Liga win over Valencia at Mestalla.
Tension during a winning night
Despite shining on the pitch, Kylian Mbappé left the field visibly angry during Real Madrid’s league match against Valencia on Sunday.
The French forward scored Real Madrid’s second goal in stoppage time sealing 2-0 victory that kept pressure on league leaders Barcelona.
Earlier Valencia resisted until the 65 minute when Alvaro Carreras opened the scoring.
Offside call sparks anger
Mbappé’s frustration began at the end of first half after offside decision went against him.
As he walked toward the tunnel, he asked the fourth official to explain the call.
Broadcast footage showed Mbappé requesting clarification, only to feel ignored.
The official suggested the situation looked worse on camera and said the discussion could continue inside.
Mbappé agreed saying he did not understand the decision and wanted explanation.
However once inside the tunnel, the conversation did not continue.
Mbappé repeated his request but the official walked away leaving the player clearly upset.
Words caught on camera
After being ignored, Mbappé turned to his teammate Eduardo Camavinga and used strong words in French calling the referees “clowns”.
The moment was picked up by television microphones and later circulated widely.
Another factor behind Mbappé’s anger was the hostile atmosphere at Mestalla where Valencia supporters directed abusive chants toward him including insults aimed at his mother.
Result holds, Debate remains
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid kept their focus and secured the three point.
The win helped the team stay close in the title race even as emotions ran high during the match.
Michael Kayode: Liverpool threaten Man United’s transfer plan
Manchester United’s pursuit of Michael Kayode is under threat as Liverpool are “plotting a move” for the 21-year-old defender, according to a new report.
Liverpool ready to raid
The Merseyside club have endured a miserable campaign despite spending nearly £450 million last summer after failing to adequately reinforce their backline.
An injury crisis at right-back – Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are both ruled out – has led Arne Slot to redeploy Dominik Szoboszlai in defence, with the Hungary captain sent off against Manchester City in the last-minute defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
Bradley has suffered a serious knee injury and is not expected to feature again this season. Conversely, while Frimpong will return to full fitness this month, the Netherlands international has struggled at right-back with his breakthrough season with Bayer Leverkusen coming in a more advanced role.
As a result, Slot has requested the “recruitment team to look for more dynamic options at the right side of defence,” according to Sports Boom.
This has led Liverpool to target Kayode, with the Brentford full-back having “impressed” the Dutch manager this season.
“The 21-year-old has been a revelation during Keith Andrews’ first campaign in the dugout at the GTech Community Stadium. His long throws, bustling runs down the flank and incredible work rate have caught the eye of Reds’ boss Arne Slot, our sources have been told.”
However, Kayode’s standout performances in west London have also put him on the radar of the two Manchester clubs, with both the red and blue halves of the city considering a swoop this summer.
Newcastle are also understood to be keeping a close eye on the Italy U-21 international, who joined Brentford from Fiorentina on loan in January last year, before the Bees made the move permanent for £17.5 million six months later.
United on the hunt
One of Kayode’s best attributes is his versatility. A right-back by trade, he is also capable of playing at left-back, or even in a back three as an outside centre-back, having made 30 appearances in all competitions this season.
Furthermore, Patrick Dorgu has been reinvented as a left-winger under caretaker coach Michael Carrick, leaving Luke Shaw as the only other option at left-back should the Dane remain in his new position.
As such, a young, versatile defender with Premier League pedigree would present an astute signing to bolster the squad across a number of positions.
One other interesting part of Kayode’s game are his outstanding long throws, which have been described as a “devastating weapon”. The Premier League has shifted heavily towards the use of set-pieces this season, further incentivising the prospect of recruiting a player with a cannon arm in his arsenal.
Ottolini on Juventus targets, new contracts and failure to secure a striker
New Juventus director Marco Ottolini confirms they ‘had tried’ to sign a striker in January, but are ‘proceeding with meetings’ for Luciano Spalletti and Weston McKennie contracts.
The Bianconeri did surprisingly little in the January transfer window, as although there were advanced negotiations with several forwards, including Randal Kolo Muani at Tottenham Hotspur via Paris Saint-Germain and Youssef En-Nesyri at Besiktas, nobody arrived.
Ottolini outlines Juventus strategy
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
PISA, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC reacts during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Juventus FC at Arena Garibaldi on December 27, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Now the focus can turn to others who are running down their current deals, including the coach and prolific midfielder McKennie.
“Now that the transfer window is closed, we can look at those issues of contract renewals, and that is what we are doing,” assured Ottolini.
“We are very happy with the Yildiz deal, with regards to McKennie we are proceeding with meetings, while we are very happy with the coach and will sit down with him over the next few weeks.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Juventus are up against Inter in the fiery Derby d’Italia on Saturday, trying to take down the runaway Serie A leaders, but Roma caught them in fourth place after a 2-2 draw with Lazio.
“At times results come, at others they don’t, but we are extremely happy with the way the team is performing, and we must keep going with conviction.”
After that, Juventus will also be gearing up for the Champions League play-off against Galatasaray.
“The extremely important objective for us is a top four finish, then we’ll concentrate on Istanbul, and hope to go through to the next round,” concluded Ottolini.
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw appears to have taken a subtle swipe at former manager Ruben Amorim while hailing the immediate impact of interim boss Michael Carrick.
Speaking following United’s impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham, Shaw showered praise upon Carrick and his impact since taking over as the caretaker manager.
Luke Shaw reveals the “real difference” Michael Carrick has made
In an interview with talkSPORT, Shaw was asked what has changed since Carrick took the reins following Amorim’s sacking in January.
“He’s made lots of differences. But for me, the biggest one is he knows the club, and he knows exactly what’s needed to win football matches, to make everyone happy and to enjoy what we’re doing.
“He’s, of course, won a lot when he was here as a player. So he understands the club, and I think that’s the biggest thing for me.
“He knows how to get the best out of the players, and he’s really doing that.
“Of course, winning football matches is always going to make everyone feel better, and the confidence is at a real high.
“We can’t take our foot off the pedal. We just have to keep going and keep pushing each other.”
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Carrick’s immediate impact embarrasses the Amorim era
The statistical contrast between the two managers has been nothing short of staggering.
In just four games, Michael Carrick has secured four wins, including massive results against Manchester City and Arsenal, matching the best-ever winning streak Amorim achieved across 47 matches in charge.
Perhaps most embarrassing for the Portuguese coach is the resurgence of Kobbie Mainoo.
Under Carrick, however, Mainoo has looked reborn, controlling the midfield with the same composure that initially earned him England honors.
With United now back in the hunt for a Champions League spot and the mood at Carrington vastly improved, it looks like Carrick has brought back the winning mentality at the club.
Liverpool’s January signing, Jeremy Jacquet, may have played his final game for Stade Rennais after suffering a severe shoulder injury during their Ligue 1 clash against RC Lens on Saturday.
According to reports from L’Équipe, the 20-year-old defender likely requires surgery, a move that would prematurely end his season in France and potentially delay his arrival on Merseyside.
Jeremy Jacquet unlikely to play again this season
The injury occurred in the 69th minute of Rennes’ 3-1 defeat to Lens.
Jacquet landed awkwardly following a challenge and was visibly distressed, signaling immediately to the bench before being helped off the pitch.
(Photo by Emilian Baldow/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Rennes head coach Habib Beye confirmed the severity of the situation post-match, describing the injury as ‘serious’.
While initial hopes were that a period of rest would suffice, the report suggests that a surgery is the most viable path to a full recovery.
If Jacquet undergoes surgery, he will be sidelined for several months, effectively ending his season with his boyhood club.
It is a bitter blow for the young Frenchman, who had expressed a deep desire to finish his time in Red and Black on a high before officially joining Liverpool on July 1.
Anfield officials will look to take a patient approach, prioritising the long-term health of the center-back over a rushed return.
The goal is now to ensure Jacquet is fully rehabilitated in time for the start of Liverpool’s 2026/27 pre-season in July.
With Ibrahima Konate’s future still uncertain and Virgil van Dijk turning 35 this year, Jacquet remains a vital part of Liverpool’s future defensive spine, regardless of this temporary setback.
Wing wizard is coming: Liverpool to sign new Luis Diaz
New winger: 'Final piece of the jigsaw'
A report in Football Insider is now claiming that a wide forward - specialising in one v one duels - will be the “final piece” of the Anfield jigsaw.
“Liverpool are laying the groundwork to sign a one vs one forward this summer,” the report reads.
“There is an acceptance that Liverpool do not have a direct forward who can dribble past players in the manner of former attackers Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.
“The club’s scouts and data analysts are assessing players in that mould aged 24 or below, who have the potential to make a big impact for the Premier League champions.
“A one vs one specialist is believed to be seen by the club’s recruitment team as the final piece in the jigsaw for the newly configured attack.”
Aston Villa vs Brighton: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news, and prediction
Aston Villa will aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on Wednesday evening.
Villa were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving them nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
Brighton lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace, condemning them to their eighth league defeat in this campaign.
Match preview
Villa’s title aspirations have derailed in recent weeks, with the club picking up just eight points from their last six outings.
Unai Emery’s side have struggled at both ends of the pitch. They have failed to score in three of their last five league games, and have kept two clean sheets within that period.
More worryingly, Villa have lost their last two league home games, after being unbeaten in their previous eight.
The Villans could have dropped to fourth before kick-off, making this a must-win.
Similarly, Brighton are struggling, recording one win since the start of December.
The visitors have also picked up just two wins on the road this term. They also have a poor record against Villa, winning just two of their previous 13 meetings in the competition.
The Seagulls are still still some distance from the relegation battle, but could equal their lowest-ever Premier League finish of 17th if they do not arrest this slide.
Team news
Villa are still without the midfield quartet of Ross Barkley, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, and Youri Tielemans. Andres Garcia is also on the treatment table.
For the visitors, Diego Gomez, Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas, and Mats Wielder are on the mend, joining long-term absentee Adam Webster. Yasin Ayari is doubtful.
Predicted line-ups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia, Tammy Abraham.
Brighton (4-3-3): Bart Verbruggen, Maxim De Cuyper, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Ferdi Kadioglu, Pascal Groß, Carlos Baleba, James Milner, Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, Yankuba Minteh.
“Even Messi made mistakes at 17”: Matthäus responds to criticism of Lennart Karl
Bayern legend backs 17-year-old after viral moment
“Even Messi made mistakes at 17”: Matthäus responds to criticism of Lennart Karl
Lothar Matthäus backed Bayern youngster Lennart Karl after failed dribble went viral during the win over Hoffenheim.
Viral moment during Bayern victory
A brief moment involving Lennart Karl drew wide attention during Bayern Munich’s 5-1 win over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
In second half, the 17 year-old winger tried double dribble on the flank but the move ended awkwardly when he accidentally pushed the ball out of play with his heel.
The clip spread quickly on social media and triggered many sarcastic comments.
The incident came at time when Karl has also seen dip in numbers, with only 1 assist in his last six match for Bayern’s first team.
Karl: “I will keep working”
Despite the online reaction, Karl showed calm and maturity when asked about the moment.
Speaking to Sport1, he made it clear that the criticism does not worry him.
The teenager said he simply needs to keep giving his best in training and matches. He stressed that no player can be perfect all the time and added that, at 17, learning and improving are part of the journey.
Karl’s response underlined his focus on long-term progress rather than short-term reactions to viral clips.
Matthäus steps In to defend the teenager
German football legend Lothar Matthäus also came to Karl’s defense. He described the criticism as exaggerated and said moments like this are normal part of modern football.
Matthäus explained that creativity and dribbling are essential to the game and that fans enjoy watching players who try something different even if it does not always work.
He added that some moves may look unnecessary but football needs players who are brave enough to express themselves on the pitch.
“Messi was not perfect at 17”
Matthäus went even further by comparing Karl’s situation to Lionel Messi. He reminded fans that even Messi made mistakes at the same age and did not succeed with every action early in his career.
The former Bayern captain urged supporters to allow young players to enjoy the game and entertain even if opponents sometimes feel frustrated by their style.
Palladino: ‘Atalanta showed maturity, we wanted Raspadori at all costs’
Raffaele Palladino saw the kind of ‘maturity’ he was looking for in Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Cremonese, and admits they ‘wanted Giacomo Raspadori at all costs.’
La Dea were feeling confident after last week’s 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus, but knew they had struggled against the newly-promoted clubs in Serie A.
That issue was resolved this evening thanks to goals from Nikola Krstovic and Davide Zappacosta, although it was once again a tense finale despite their overall domination, when Morten Thorsby got one back late on.
Palladino sees Atalanta progress
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It was an important response from the squad, including those who haven’t played as much, like Mario Pasalic, and Lazar Samardzic, who had to step in at the last second,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.
Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor were also suspended, further limiting the options available.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Sead Kolasinac hadn’t started for a while either, Krstovic had a great performance, so they all had the right spirit today. I like that whoever plays, they step up and give the best of their abilities.
“They give their all and sweat for the jersey. That must be the spirit of this team, it is what our fans need to see.”
When Palladino took the job from Ivan Juric, Atalanta were in 13th place and just one point ahead of Cremonese, but the situation has been transformed and they qualified for the Coppa Italia semi-final, and the Champions League play-offs too.
“We are happy and proud, but must also remember we’ve done nothing yet, because we’re still lagging behind in the Serie A table,” warned the coach.
“I said this game would be a test of our maturity, and I saw a very mature team.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC celebrates with his team after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The arrival of Raspadori from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, with Ademola Lookman going the other way, also added a different dimension to the Atalanta attack.
“Jack is a player we wanted at all costs,” explained Palladino.
“The club did really well to make him understand this was the right project for him. He’s young, Italian, and a winner, so he brought the right mentality and settled in straight away. He’s got to play as much as possible to find his best form, as he’s still lacking a bit of sharpness, but I’m very happy with what he’s doing.”
Liverpool have special agreement in place to sign another centre-back
So, while Jacquet and Leoni is a great start, it should not be the end of Liverpool's recruitment in the position.
The club will need to find a replacement for Van Dijk, and they will probably need to add another centre-back as well on top of that by 2027.
Considering the lack of homegrown players in the squad that player should ideally have been trained in England. That's why Liverpool wanted to sign Marc Guehi and that is also why they have already struck a special agreement for another centre-back who is destined to join the club.
According to the report, the contract and fee to return him to Anfield is already agreed, and this can be activated in 2027.
It's common to include buy-back clauses, but it's less common for a club to already agree a future contract with a player who technically does not belong to them anymore.
Liverpool and Quansah would not have come to such an agreement had they both not seriously thought that a return to Anfield was inevitable.
After all, Quansah is still very young at just 22-years-old and there's plenty more to come from him. He's catching the eye at Bayer Leverkusen, recently earning a nomination for Bundesliga Player of the Month.
He's also become an England international and seems to be getting better and better with regular football.
Given Liverpool's need at centre-back and their lack of homegrown talent, it just feels inevitable that they will bring Quansah back and activate that agreement in 2027.
Quansah, Leoni and Jacquet could be an exciting future centre-back trio.
Montella: ‘Kenan Yildiz has some similarities’ with hero Del Piero
Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella visited the Juventus training camp today and assured Kenan Yildiz ‘has immense potential and some similarities’ to Alessandro Del Piero.
The former Roma boss is taking the Turkish team to the 2026 World Cup this summer, so is visiting his home country to speak with some of the players available for selection.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Vincenzo Montella, Head Coach of Turkiye, gestures during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Turkiye and Georgia at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Montella was present at the Continassa training camp in Turin today, where he was a guest of Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti.
Of course, he was there to see Kenan Yildiz, who just signed a new contract with the Bianconeri until June 2031.
“He is a player with immense potential and is still developing. Kenan manages to combine natural talent with the right mentality, as he really wants to keep improving himself.
“I predict a future for him at the highest level for many years to come.”
Kenan Yildiz adores Del Piero
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 29: Kenan Yıldız of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Genoa at the Allianz Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
There were some references to Del Piero in the announcement of a new contract for Kenan Yildiz, who never disguised that Pinturicchio was his hero.
Wearing the Number 10 jersey, can he follow in Del Piero’s footsteps at Juve?
“There are some similarities, for example the way he shoots, and he has already scored some goals that are very similar to ones netted by Alex, but in terms of general characteristics, they are different,” noted Montella.
Sevilla FC released the official medical report for Joaquín Martínez, better known as "Oso," this Monday, following the severe blow he received during the last league match. The worst fears were confirmed after the player underwent diagnostic imaging tests at the sports city, setting off alarms in the first team's lineup.
Medical Diagnosis: Calf Injury
According to the Medical Services of the Seville club, the player suffers from a contusive myoaponeurotic injury in the internal calf of his left leg. This ailment is a direct consequence of a hard tackle received during last Sunday's match against Girona FC. As it is an injury affecting both the muscle and the membrane covering it (aponeurosis), the recovery process requires caution to avoid relapses.
Recovery Time and Progress
As is usual in these cases, the club has not specified an exact downtime, stating that the player is "pending evolution." However, this type of injury typically keeps athletes off the field for two to three weeks, depending on the severity of the bruise and the response to physiotherapy treatment. "Oso's" absence is a setback for the Seville coach during a demanding part of the schedule.
Journalist: Liverpool must make decision on Arne Slot’s future
David Lynch: Arne Slot’s Future at Liverpool Now Under Serious Scrutiny
After Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield, David Lynch delivered his most direct verdict yet on the uncertain future of manager Arne Slot. Speaking on Media Matters for Anfield Index, Lynch said the run of form has reached a point where questions around Slot’s long-term suitability are now unavoidable.
“We’ve seen 20 games now of really, really awful form from Liverpool with no kind of turning point in sight,” Lynch said, citing a league record of just 24 points from the last 20 matches. “This is not a knee-jerk reaction.”
Liverpool now sit sixth in the Premier League, four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and with momentum working against them.
With Slot having just over one year left on his contract, the club must make a decision. Renew his contract or replace him, whether that be now or in the summer.
Champions League hopes fading, pressure rising
Lynch made it clear that the likelihood of Champions League qualification is almost non-existent. “I just think everybody needs to get their heads around now and completely accept that Liverpool will not be playing Champions League football next season,” he said.
And with that comes scrutiny for Slot. “If they get to the end of the season and this form is continued, the call has got to be to make a change to the manager. It just has to be,” Lynch stated. “There’s no way he can continue if the team plays this poorly till the end of the season.”
“No sufficient reason” for this level of underperformance
Lynch was especially critical of Liverpool’s performances relative to the squad at Slot’s disposal. “I really struggle to find sufficient reasons for Liverpool to be as bad as they are right now,” he said.
Comparisons were even drawn to the club’s past managerial failures. “Roy Hodgson had 25 points in 20 games. Slot’s sitting on 24. He’s got a far better squad,” Lynch said. “How is it this bad?”
Even mitigating circumstances, such as injuries, didn’t hold weight for Lynch. “If you told me Connor Bradley, Frimpong and Gomez being out was going to cause your season to completely collapse, I would’ve laughed at that.”
Patience, but not without limits
While Lynch acknowledged the club’s desire to be seen as patient and process-driven, he believes there’s a limit. “Once he got past the PSV game and survived that, I was on board with giving him the chance to make this right,” he admitted. But he stressed, “Unless Liverpool just lose and lose and lose, I think it will run to the end of the season — but that cannot mean he’s safe no matter what.”
Lynch also pushed back on the idea that Slot would automatically be retained regardless of how the campaign ends. “I don’t agree with anyone who’s saying Slot is safe no matter what. No way. Not with this form.”
Photo: IMAGO
Decision time looms for Liverpool hierarchy
With Slot entering the final year of his contract next season, Lynch believes a clear decision must be made in the summer. “I would be quite surprised if he goes into the final year of his contract without a decision having been made either way,” he said. “That creates pressure to make a call — and with the evidence they’ve got at the moment, that call has got to be to make a change.”
Report: Liverpool have joined the race to sign talented Bundesliga star
Liverpool Target Konstantinos Koulierakis as Wolfsburg Brace for Summer Interest
Liverpool are assessing defensive options ahead of the summer window, with Konstantinos Koulierakis emerging once again as a prominent name under consideration. The Merseyside club’s recruitment team continue to monitor the 22-year-old as they plan for potential changes at centre back, particularly with contract situations and long term succession planning in mind.
Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25, is expected to oversee a refresh of the defensive unit at the end of the current campaign. Results during 2025-26 have fluctuated, underlining the need for added depth and reliability at the back.
Defensive Planning at Anfield
Liverpool’s recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester City highlighted both their ability to compete and the vulnerabilities that have appeared at key moments this season. The club remain confident in the core of their squad, yet there is recognition that further reinforcement in central defence would strengthen competition for places.
Jeremy Jacquet is due to arrive in the summer, which will increase the number of centre back options available to Slot. However, uncertainty around Ibrahima Konate’s future and ongoing fitness concerns elsewhere in the department mean Liverpool are continuing to explore the market.
Konstantinos Koulierakis has been linked with Anfield previously, and interest has now intensified. According to a report from Fussballdaten, the Greece international is viewed as one of the “most promising centre-backs in Europe.” Liverpool are understood to be among the clubs tracking his development closely as part of their long term planning.
Photo: IMAGO
Interest Across Europe in Konstantinos Koulierakis
Competition for the Wolfsburg defender is expected. Tottenham and Inter Milan are also monitoring the situation, creating the prospect of a three way contest should Wolfsburg open the door to negotiations.
Koulierakis has been placed on Liverpool’s shortlist as a potential successor profile in central defence, with his age and trajectory aligning with the club’s strategy of securing players before they reach peak market value. His progression in the Bundesliga has drawn attention from several recruitment departments across Europe.
Wolfsburg Prepare for Potential Exit
Wolfsburg are already assessing contingency plans. The German side are believed to be identifying “potential successors” as it becomes “increasingly difficult” to retain Koulierakis beyond the end of the 2025-26 season.
Contract timelines at Liverpool further shape the context. Deals for Konate and Andy Robertson are due to expire at the conclusion of the campaign, placing added emphasis on proactive recruitment. Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are expected to evaluate multiple centre back targets, though Koulierakis stands out as one of the most compelling options available.
The Greek defender’s development path has invited comparisons with players who have moved from Wolfsburg to the Premier League at a young age and adapted quickly. Liverpool’s analysis will centre on whether his physical profile, distribution, and defensive awareness can translate to English football demands.
The transfer window remains some distance away, yet groundwork is clearly being laid. Liverpool’s presence among the clubs tracking Konstantinos Koulierakis signals intent to address defensive depth, while Wolfsburg’s preparation suggests movement around the player could gather pace in the months ahead.
Ligue 1 Review | Tensions and poor results sees Rennes call time on Habib Beye
And with a four-sentence communiqué, Habib Beye’s time in charge of Stade Rennais was brought to a close on Monday morning. Rennes message confirming that they would be relieving the head coach of his duties was short and lacking in any of the usual warmth or well-wishes that accompany dismissals, as they moved to clear house, removing Beye and his myriad assistants.
Beye’s tenure had just passed its one-year anniversary on the 30th of January, and yet in that time, he had already once before come narrowly close to losing his job. When a poor run of results back in October saw Beye step onto the hangman’s block, with Rennes unable to secure a victory in six games (five draws and one defeat). One outlet even reported prematurely that he had been sacked.
Instead, he would delay his fate. Results picked up, and he led Rennes to six wins from their remaining seven games to close out 2025. The only game they didn’t pick up a result from was a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The feeling around the club as they entered the winter break was that this was a team ready to return to its place in French football as a European challenger.
Rennes- A Stuttering European Challenger
Victories over Lille OSC and amateur side US Chantilly seemed to carry the momentum into the new year, but Rennes’s would soon after flatline. A draw with Le Havre AC would be followed by defeats to FC Lorient, AS Monaco, Olympique de Marseille in the Coupe de France, and finally over the weekend to ten-man RC Lens.
Beye would say in the wake of the defeat on Saturday to Lens, “I’m very aware of what needs to be done, in terms of work and commitment, to get the club out of this slump… I want to show that my passion and desire remain intact despite the difficulties.” Even after losing to Lens, Rennes were still sixth in the table and in contention for the European places, but something had finally snapped.
As L’Équipe reported in the Coupe de France elimination to Marseille, tensions arose between Beye and senior members of his squad, including Musa Al-Tamari and club vice captain Brice Samba. Samba was then not included in the matchday squad for the next game against Lens. Instead, Beye handed 20-year-old Mathys Silistrie his league debut.
Rennes’ Patience with Habib Beye Worn Thin
Beye said of his decision, “When we decided that Mathys is the no. 2, it’s normal that he plays.” Only the situation wasn’t normal. Silistrie was jetisoned into a high-stakes game against one of the league’s best sides, when he had only been trusted in one previous match, the victory in December over amateur club Les Sables Vendée. So no, it wasn’t normal. But it was certainly part of a repeated pattern of behaviour from Beye.
The former Red Star head coach had shown a heavy hand when it came to man-management and dealing with conflict. He was quick to exclude players from the squad when he felt their commitment wasn’t good enough, like in October, when he dropped Ludovic Blas and Seko Fofana. The latter of which was allowed to leave on loan in winter, while Blas has been unable to reearn his starting spot in the team.
And while Beye was allowed to drop Samba in a brazen act of cutting off his nose to spite his face, Rennes’ trust in their head coach had finally run out. Bad results and terrible man-management proved to be too risky a combination for a club that is still within the race for Europe.
This week’s Ligue 1 Sub-Plots
With Beye exiting the building, Franck Haise looks as if he will be next in line for the Rennes hot seat. The former Lens head coach has been out of work since he left OGC Nice in December by mutual consent. Read the full story HERE.
Marseille had dared to dream at the start of the season that they could challenge PSG. However, on Sunday night, they were reminded of the gulf that still separates the two sides. It was utter humiliation for Roberto de Zerbi’s men as they were spanked 5-0 by their eternal rivals. Read all about it HERE.
After a bright start to management in France, Gary O’Neil has faced two setbacks in rapid succession as his RC Strasbourg Alsace have fallen to two consecutive league defeats. A loss to PSG last weekend was followed by a shock 2-1 defeat to Le Havre AC on Sunday, as Ligue 1’s oldest club schooled its youngest squad. Read how it happened HERE.
Brentford have teamed up with Fantasy Football Scout to help bring you hints, tips and advice during the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season.
Scout will be using their expertise to provide info, advice and Gameweek tips which may prove useful in ensuring you sit on top of your mini-leagues.
Best of the Bees
Gameweek 25 brought a second consecutive away win at one of the league’s toughest grounds.
After scoring the only goal for ten-man Brentford at Villa Park, Dango Ouattara (£5.8m) starred once again versus Newcastle United.
Minutes after Vitaly Janelt (£4.9m) blocked a shot on the line, he successfully headed a deep Ouattara cross past the goalkeeper.
Then, on the verge of half-time, the Burkinabe set up a Mathias Jensen (£4.9m) opportunity that hit a hand, allowing Igor Thiago (£7.0m) to score from the spot and end his three-match goalless run. Expect the centre-forward to be bought by many FPL managers from Gameweek 27 onwards.
Rounding off another superb performance, Ouattara reached a lofted Jensen pass and fired home the winner. This 12-point tally was his fourth double-digit haul of the season.
The Spotlight
Meanwhile, centre-back Kristoffer Ajer (£4.4m) once again secured defensive contribution (DefCon) points. Having been in and out of Brentford’s line-up during this season’s early months, the Norwegian has started eight league matches in a row.
In this period, he’s bagged three clean sheets and five DefCon rewards. James Tarkowski (£5.8m) and Pascal Struijk (£4.3m) are the only defenders to accumulate more of such qualifying actions (clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles) than his 88.
Although Ajer is without any attacking returns so far this season, he’s come close from a couple of headed efforts.
The Bees face three of the bottom five teams over the next six outings, which should encourage many to invest in a backline that’s starting to look solid.
Best of the Rest
Joining Ouattara on 12 points were Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot (£4.5m) and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres (£8.7m). The former added an assist to his clean sheet, whereas the latter netted twice past Sunderland.
In fact, the only players to outscore these were Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.9m) and Chelsea star Cole Palmer (£10.5m).
A lot of FPL managers have cautiously stayed away from Palmer because he’s seemingly having his minutes managed. Missing the recent trip to Crystal Palace didn’t quash such game-time uncertainty.
But his 60 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers included a first-half hat-trick and a total of 20 points. Well done to the almost 232,000 who riskily placed their captain’s armband on him.
In Demand
Remember, there’s a quick turnaround before this deadline. All transfers and team decisions need to be made by 6pm GMT on Tuesday 10 February.
Not only that, but it’s this campaign’s first Double Gameweek, as Arsenal and Wolves feature twice. So, it’s no surprise to see the Gunners names dominate the most-bought list.
Gyökeres is starting to look confident, all-rounder Declan Rice (£7.5m) combines Defensive Contributions with set-piece supremacy and the occasional goal, while millions of managers will want to double or triple-up on a defence that has kept four clean sheets in their last five matches.
Other popular purchases are Bruno Fernandes (£9.8m) and João Pedro (£7.6m).
Captaincy
Logically, it makes sense to captain someone who’ll play twice rather than once. More appearance points, more time to score.
That immediately thrusts Arsenal and Wolves individuals into the frame.
Captaining a defender is rare, but many will see Gabriel Magalhães (£7.1m) as the answer. Part of the league’s meanest backline, he’s often the target of their much-publicised set-piece success. That makes him a genuine goal threat, too.
Of the one-time performers, check out Erling Haaland (£14.9m) at home to Fulham andFernandesversus West Ham United.
Caleb Yirenkyi: United set stance on move for Ghanaian midfielder
Manchester United have been firing on all cylinders ever since Michael Carrick took charge as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season. The Englishman took over a team that had struggled to impress under Ruben Amorim, who was relieved of his duties at the turn of the year.
After two games under interim manager Darren Fletcher, Carrick was handed the reins of the first team, and he has since masterminded four consecutive victories in his four games in charge.
If the team manage to hold on to their good run, the Red Devils could secure a blockbuster return to the Champions League next season, which is likely to be a boost to their summer plans.
United are looking to add more quality to their midfield this year, and are already considering Premier League-proven names like Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson. Meanwhile, the Red Devils have also altered their transfer strategy to target budding talents with the potential to become world-beaters, and it now appears that they have found their next target in the Danish Superliga.
United eyeing Yirenkyi
According to TEAMtalk, United are among the clubs keeping a close watch on FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi. The report states: “TEAMtalk can reveal that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all stepped up their interest in FC Nordsjaelland sensation Caleb Yirenkyi, with representatives from all three clubs in attendance at the weekend to watch the Ghanaian midfielder up close.”
“The midfielder, a product of the renowned Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, is already drawing comparisons to compatriot Michael Essien thanks to his blend of power, ball winning intelligence and progressive passing. Inside Nordsjaelland, he is viewed as the club’s next major export and the rest of Europe agrees.”
The report adds that United director of football Jason Wilcox has instructed scouts to monitor the Ghanaian, although there are several clubs in the race. Most notably, Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly identified Yirenkyi as a possible replacement for Red Devils target Baleba.
Nordsjaelland eyeing club-record transfer
The report adds that Nordsjaelland have already rejected a €15 million offer for their star man in January. Yirenkyi has registered two goals and five assists in 22 appearances for the Danish club this season, all of which were starts.
Last year, Nordsjaelland tied the 20 year old down to a new deal until 2030, so they are under no pressure to let him go. Interested suitors may have to pay more than €25 million for Yirenkyi, which could be a new record sale for the Danish club.
A central midfielder by trade, the Ghanaian has also featured as a right-back for his country, so his versatility could also be an asset for his suitors.
Final Thoughts
United are likely to pay close attention to their midfield this summer, with Casemiro already announcing that he will leave. Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte’s future also remains uncertain, while Bruno Fernandes is due to turn 32 in September.
In such a scenario, Yirenkyi represents a market opportunity that the Red Devils could be tempted to take advantage of. The Ghanaian could even be a long-term partner for Kobbie Mainoo at the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield.
Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
FC Bayern Munich declined two offers in the January transfer market for Noël Aséko Nkili. The German U21 international is enjoying a decent season in the 2. Bundesliga as Hannover 96 push for a long-awaited return to top-flight football.
According to Transfermarkt, the Rekordmeister rejected Galatasaray’s approach to sign the central midfielder. West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion are also linked with the 20-year-old, while three unnamed Bundesliga clubs are also keeping tabs as the player’s market value skyrocketed after a strong first half of the season.
Aséko continued his fine form in 2026 as he registered a goal and an assist in Hannover’s 3-1 win over Holstein Kiel on Sunday. Managing director Jörg Schmadtke confirmed to Bild at the beginning of last week that Hannover hope to keep the player for next season.
The 2. Bundesliga side have an option to buy for a reported fee of around €1 million, but Bayern included a buyback clause for less than €3 million. After the confirmation of Leon Goretzka’s impending departure and Kennet Eichhorn’s injury adding more doubts over his transfer from Hertha BSC, Bayern could look to include Aséko in their next season’s plans.
Aséko joined Bayern’s youth setup from Hertha back in 2022. He played for Hannover’s second team when he first joined the club on loan in the second half of last season, but he is now one of the key players under Christian Titz.
Faso Foot Premier League: Rahimo FC asserts its dominance
Faso Foot Premier League: Rahimo FC asserts its dominance
Rahimo Football Club is marching confidently towards the Faso Foot Premier League title. After a commanding 3-0 victory in matchday 18, the Bobo-Dioulasso side has strengthened its lead, now sitting 40 points ahead of its closest rivals.
This eighteenth round featured a thrilling clash between ASFB and USFA, ending 4-2 in favor of the visitors.Meanwhile, following a 1-1 draw against newly promoted CEFFEB, the storied EFO club remains anchored at the bottom of the table with just 14 points.
All matchday 18 results in the Faso Foot Premier League:
De Ketelaere forces Atalanta into last-minute change ahead of Cremonese
Charles De Ketelaere was initially named in the Atalanta starting line-up to take on Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening, but the Belgium international was forced to drop out at the last minute.
De Ketelaere drops out of Atalanta line-up at the last minute
De Ketelaere felt something in his knee during the warm-up ahead of Monday’s Serie A clash between Atalanta and Cremonese at the New Balance Arena and was unable to take his place in the starting line-up. That made for an opportunity for Lazar Samardzic to play instead.
VERONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Atalanta BC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 06, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Raffaele Palladino already had injuries in mind when naming his starting line-up. Gianluca Scamacca started and scored in the 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Juventus on Thursday, but reported a minor issue in training ahead of the Cremonese match and was also unavailable to start.
Nikola Krstovic started at centre-forward instead and opened the scoring for La Dea within 13 minutes against Cremonese.
Here he FINALLY is! The perfect right-back for Liverpool
The perfect right-back for Liverpool is finally here.
Richard Hughes' toughest challenge at Anfield so far has been trying to find the ideal replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He had placed his trust in Conor Bradley, which he was completely right to do. Unfortunately, the Northern Irishman has been tormented by injuries ever since.
Jeremie Frimpong has come in and he's been the same, although with him it seems like Arne Slot prefers him as a winger over being a right-back.
So, Alexander-Arnold's heir is yet to be found. But this summer could present Liverpool with the perfect opportunity to finally get someone in.
The chances are Bradley will not be back for pre-season. Joe Gomez could depart on a permanent deal in the summer, which means there will be very little cover at right-back.
So, Liverpool will simply have to enter the market. And the perfect player has arrived for them to sign.
Liverpool's ideal right-back is someone who can carry the ball forward comfortably, is excellent on the ball, capable of playing key forward passes and can also play in perhaps another role - similar to Gomez.
He doesn't necessarily have to be a like-for-like replacement to Alexander-Arnold. He was one of a kind, a simply unique profile that is impossible to replicate.
But he does ideally have to be a competent player who can make a difference in that role and who can be very impactful in the position.
Full-backs play a key role in modern football. Just look at how important Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi are in Paris Saint Germain's success.
Liverpool need similar players.
Right now, Pierre-Ismaëlo Ganiou seems like the perfect right-back for Liverpool.
You may have never heard of the 20-year-old who just burst onto the scene in France for RC Lens but he is a really exciting profile.
Ganiou has always traditionally been a wing-back and a right-back during his youth career but this season at Lens, he's been used in a back three as a right-sided centre-back.
In this role he has a lot of freedom to go forward and make an impact in the opposition's final third.
Ganiou is quick and he's excellent technically. He can find clever passes in the final third and he can also take players on in.
His ability to both be comfortable playing as an overlapping player on the flanks as well as someone who can come into the middle makes him tailor-made for Slot, who likes to rotate the role of his full-back.
Ganiou is simply an excellent defender and someone who can run up and down from one box to the other. His intensity, his forward passing ability makes the perfect player for Liverpool.
In Ligue 1 this season he ranks among the top five defenders for progressive passes (10.85 per 90 minutes) with an impressive 79% pass completion rate.
He also ranks among the top 10 defenders for forward passes per 90 minutes (27 per 90 minutes).
Being only 20-years-old, he's third and second player in Europe's top five leagues among U21 players in the two metrics.
So, we are talking about an elite talent here, who finally seems good enough to replace Alexander-Arnold, and who Liverpool should absolutely be looking to sign in the summer.
Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult season has taken another turn for the worse as head coach Thomas Frank confirmed that defender Destiny Udogie is set for a significant spell on the sidelines.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United, Frank revealed that the Italian left-back suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for at least a month.
Destiny Udogie out for four to five weeks
The injury occurred during Tottenham’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday.
Udogie pulled up early in the second half and was forced to limp off the pitch in the 55th minute, replaced by January signing Souza.
While Frank initially hoped the withdrawal was precautionary, subsequent scans have confirmed a hamstring strain.
Frank told reporters (via Football London): “Unfortunately, Destiny has a hamstring injury. He will be out for the next four to five weeks.”
This is a recurring frustration for the 23-year-old, who has struggled with fitness throughout the 2025/26 campaign, having only recently returned from a similar muscular issue.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
How many games will Udogie miss for Tottenham?
A four-to-five-week recovery timeline puts Udogie’s return in mid-March.
This means he is guaranteed to miss crucial Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United, Arsenal, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.
Perhaps more devastatingly, the ‘outstanding‘ defender is now a major doubt for the first leg of Tottenham’s Champions League Round of 16 tie scheduled for March 10/11.
With fellow star Dejan Kulusevski also a long-term absentee, Frank admitted he “doesn’t know” if the Swede will play again this season, Spurs are severely depleted.
Tottenham’s trouble worsens as relegation threat looms
The loss of Udogie comes at a time when Tottenham are enduring a nightmare domestic run.
Following the defeat at United, Spurs have now gone seven Premier League matches without a win, leaving them in 15th place, just six points above the relegation zone.
With captain Cristian Romero starting a four-match ban and a growing injury list including Kevin Danso and James Maddison, the North London side is facing a genuine battle to maintain its top-flight status.
Serie A: Atalanta vs. Cremonese – Confirmed line-ups
Nikola Krstovic is called back in to lead the line for Atalanta, who face off against Jamie Vardy and Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening.
Atalanta are coming in off the back of a 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Juventus on Thursday evening and a 0-0 draw after being reduced to 10 men early on in their away game against Como last time out in Serie A.
Raffaele Palladino’s side sit in seventh place in the league table ahead of kick-off.
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta BC is congratulated by teammates after saving a penalty during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 01, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cremonese had started the 2025-26 season in impressive form, but have only picked up two points from their last seven matches in Serie A, which has them tumbling concerningly towards the relegation zone.
Davide Nicola’s side are in 16th place, five points above the drop zone ahead of kick-off.
Atalanta have stuck with the same core of the team that beat Juventus in the cup for tonight’s game against Cremonese, but have swapped Honest Ahanor for Sead Kolasinac at the back, Mario Pasalic for Marten De Roon, Nicola Zalewski in place of Luca Bernasconi and Nikola Krstovic instead of Gianluca Scammaca at centre-forward.
Cremonese once again turn to Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli to lead their attacking line. They have made three changes after their recent 2-0 loss against Inter, with Sebastiano Luperto coming in for Francesco Folino, Tommaso Barbieri instead of Filippo Terracciano and Morten Thorsby instead of Alessio Zerbin.
CREMONA, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Jamie Vardy of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on January 19, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Serie A Week 24 Liveblog: Atalanta-Cremonese and Roma-Cagliari
This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!
Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games, as Atalanta host Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese and Roma face on-form Cagliari.
We begin at 17.30 GMT in Bergamo, with La Dea hoping to ride the wave of enthusiasm from their midweek 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Juventus.
At 19.45 GMT, Roma know a victory can get them back into joint fourth place, but the Sardinians are on a three-game winning streak.
🚨 BREAKING: 'Strike' over? Cristiano Ronaldo set to make Al-Nassr return
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to end his self-imposed 'strike' and return to action for Al-Nassr this weekend.
The 41-year-old has missed his side's last two games due to apparent dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund over perceived preferential transfer treatment afforded to other clubs.
Both ESPN and A Bola report that Ronaldo has decided to make himself available for selection again and is in line to feature against Al-Fateh this weekend.
Reports suggest that he will return after seeing his main demands agreed to by the PIF.
Among those are the agreement to pay Al-Nassr's overdue salaries and allow the club's sporting director and CEO to return to work after they had been suspended from duty.
Last Thursday, Ronaldo received a stern public warning from the league that players would not be permitted to influence wider decisions outside of their own clubs.
👀What’s happened now? Rivero’s tough spell at la U
The bitter experience of Universidad de Chile in Talcahuano, where they fell 2-1 to Huachipato, not only left footballing doubts but also deep concern over the physical condition of one of their star signings. Octavio Rivero, the 34-year-old Uruguayan forward, was notably absent from Francisco Meneghini's squad, adding another chapter to his complex medical history.
Official Diagnosis: Synovitis in Regression
Through a statement, the club revealed that the forward is suffering from synovitis in his right knee. Although the diagnosis indicates that the inflammation is "in regression" —suggesting that the worst of the swelling has passed—, the inflammatory process in the synovial membrane prevents the player from training normally. This condition limits mobility and causes pain upon impact, forcing Rivero to undergo physiotherapy and complete rest for the coming weeks.
A History that Causes Uncertainty
The concern at the Centro Deportivo Azul lies in the Uruguayan's history. It is worth remembering that during his time at Unión Española, Rivero suffered severe ligament tears that led him to consider early retirement. With his knees under constant observation, the management and technical staff must decide whether to wait for his full recovery or if the team should seek alternatives given the physical fragility of their striker.
Sunderland have enjoyed a brilliant return to the top flight, sitting seventh with 36 points, just three points adrift of Liverpool.
The hosts are the only side yet to lose at home, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United collecting more home points.
The Black Cats have struggled lately, gathering seven points from their last six league outings — one more than Liverpool within that period.
However, Sunderland held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture and will be confident of getting another positive result here.
Liverpool are now five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and that could increase before this fixture if United win at West Ham United.
The Reds have won just once in their last six league games, scoring 10 goals and conceding nine.
Arne Slot’s side have been poor on the road, sitting ninth in the away standings, raising concerns about how they will fare in this fixture.
That said, the Merseyside giants have history on their side, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 league meetings with Sunderland.
Overall, Liverpool have won 18, drawn 12 and lost three of their 33 league meetings with Sunderland.
Team news
Sunderland remain without captain Granit Xhaka, as well as Bertrand Traore and winter signing Jocelin Ta Bi.
Liverpool will be without the suspended Dominic Szoboszlai. Alexander Isak, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong are also sidelined through injury.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra, Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi, Brian Brobbey.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis McAllister, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike.
Kaya Kaynak, Tifo Football: Gyökeres starting to deliver for Arsenal
Arsenal’s ability to grind out results has kept them top of the Premier League, explains Tifo Football’s Kaya Kaynak, with Mikel Arteta’s side finding ways to win even when performances have not always been at their best this term.
Attention now turns to Thursday night’s trip to Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium (8pm kick-off, live on TNT Sports), where Viktor Gyökeres arrives in good form.
Having gone on a run of just two goals in 13 games at the end of last year, the Swede has more goal contributions than any Premier League player in all competitions so far in 2026 (eight), underlining his increasing influence as the Gunners look to keep their momentum going at the top of the division.
It has been just under two months since the previous meeting between Brentford and Arsenal. How would you summarise the way that time has gone for Mikel Arteta’s side?
Since Arsenal's 2-0 win in December, things have been good. They have opened up a sizeable lead at the top of the Premier League table, which has been a big thing for them as they try to end that massive wait for a title win.
The performances themselves have not always been the most scintillating and I would not say Arsenal have been at their attacking best, generally. They seem to be better in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, which is where they have been finding their best form.
But there have been glimpses in the Premier League: the 4-1 win over Aston Villa was particularly impressive, as was the 4-0 win at Leeds recently.
Some of the games have been a bit of a slog, but Arsenal are a really effective team, a really strong team, and a really physical team, but they are also a team with a lot of quality and they have shown that over the past few months to build up that lead, which is serving them pretty well at the moment.
'The performances themselves have not always been the most scintillating and I would not say Arsenal have been at their attacking best, generally... but there have been glimpses in the Premier League recently'
They ended the run of three without a win in the league with that emphatic victory at Leeds. Was that period of much concern or just something everyone had to accept was likely to happen throughout the course of a season?
It was a concern for Arsenal fans because it awoke some of their fears about the team being a little bit blunt in attack, which has been a problem over the last few seasons.
Many people said Arsenal needed a striker and Viktor Gyökeres has come in and done okay, but not done spectacularly and, during those three games without a win, some were concerned their bluntness going forward was going to cause them trouble.
However, they seem to have rediscovered it. In the Champions League, they are scoring lots of goals; against Leeds, they scored lots of goals and it does seem now that, with a little of distance and perspective, it is being viewed as a blip.
The nature of being a big club in the title race is that you are only ever one result away from crisis, but it does seem as though things are back on track now.
The possibility of a quadruple is very much on. Is that an idea Arteta has been asked about or is entertaining publicly?
He was asked about the possibility of winning a treble and his response was classic Arteta, in a sense, which is that he is taking it one game at a time and they are not getting too far ahead of themselves.
But internally, I think they are starting to believe they can maybe do something special. The thought process from Arteta is that there is no pointing thinking it, you have to go and do it.
That has been Arsenal’s issue. They have always been a team that had the potential to do things - they could have won the league over the past three seasons, but came second each time - but with that squad depth they have got, which gets spoken about so much, they look as though they are a squad that is pretty well equipped to go and challenge on multiple fronts.
They just have to go and do it now.
Which player should Brentford be keeping an eye out for on Thursday night?
I will say Gyökeres, who is finding a little bit of form at the minute. Before the Carabao Cup semi-final win against Chelsea, he had six goal contributions in his previous six games across all competitions.
There have been some difficult periods in his start to life in north London; he did not have a pre-season, he got injured partway through and has not looked at his best. But I would say he is a player to keep an eye on as he seems to be slowly getting back to the kind of form we saw in Portugal, and he is on track for 15-20 goals this season, which is what Arsenal want from him.
The Brentford game - with respect - is the kind of game he was signed to make a difference in. It looks as though Kai Havertz will be fit, too.
He has barely featured this season, but he makes Arsenal so much better as a team. Those two have formed quite a nice little partnership up at the top end of the pitch.
What should Keith Andrews’ side expect in terms of shape and style?
They set up in a classic 4-3-3, as they have done for the past few seasons under Arteta but, this season, there has been a little bit more of a double pivot, so it changes into a 4-2-3-1, with Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice sitting and being more of a traditional midfield pairing, where one goes forward and one sits back.
The centre-forward is not quite as mobile; Gyökeres is more central and stays there as a fixed point. And we all know about the quality of Arsenal’s wingers, who will look to get balls into the box.
There is a big threat from set-pieces as well, where Arsenal will be hoping to do some damage, but Brentford are pretty good at set-pieces, too, so it should be an interesting game on that front.
What’s your score prediction?
Given Arsenal’s run of form and how good they have been - even though Brentford have been on a fantastic run of form themselves - I will go for a tight 2-1 win.
Yan Valery, new defensive reinforcement for Young Boys
The 26-year-old defender joins the Swiss side on loan until the end of the season, with no purchase option included.
In a statement released on its official Facebook page, the Bernese club announced: “BSC Young Boys is pleased to announce the signing of Tunisian international Yan Valery. An agreement has been reached with Sheffield Wednesday for a loan until the end of the season, with no option to buy.”
The club also highlighted the player’s experience, as Valery already boasts 20 caps for the Tunisian national team. He took part in recent training camps in December and January and is aiming to feature at the upcoming World Cup set to take place next summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A dual French-Tunisian national, Yan Valery grew up in the Paris region. He was developed at Stade Rennais before continuing his football education at Southampton, where he launched his professional career.
His journey speaks volumes about his top-level experience: 43 appearances in the Premier League, 69 in the Championship, 30 in Ligue 1, and 35 in Ligue 2.
Throughout his career, he has worn the shirts of Southampton, Birmingham City, Angers, and most recently Sheffield Wednesday, who are currently struggling at the bottom of the table after a points deduction for financial irregularities.
Currently sitting sixth in the Swiss Super League, Young Boys are banking on the experience of the “Carthage Eagles” defender to shore up their back line in the second half of the season.
Bruno Fernandes scoops huge honour after masterclass in win vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has been honoured following his dazzling performance in Saturday’s victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
Fernandes masterclass
In yet another game, Fernandes ran the show as United cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over 10-man Tottenham.
United started the game brightly and were handed an advantage just before the half-hour mark when Cuti Romero was given his marching orders for a dangerous challenge on Casemiro.
Bryan Mbeumo made the visitors pay almost instantly as he finished off an intelligently worked corner-kick routine by guiding the ball into the bottom corner.
The Red Devils were in the ascendancy from then on and created chance after chance, with Fernandes at the heart of it.
United finally sealed the victory in the 81st minute, as the Portuguese playmaker met Diogo Dalot’s sublime cross and guided it home with an improvised shin.
It was another stunning performance from the seemingly unplayable Fernandes. Since Michael Carrick’s arrival, he has found an extra gear – a surge that has lifted United to another level entirely.
Troy Deeney included Fernandes in his BBC Team of the Week, crediting Carrick’s tactical freedom for unlocking the midfielder’s full potential.
Fernandes honoured
Deeney included Fernandes in a midfield quartet that also includes Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Vitaly Janelt (Brentford), Rayan (Bournemouth) and Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool).
On why he picked Fernandes, Deeney wrote, “What a difference a manager makes – being able to be free, get on the ball, go wherever he wants and be creative.”
“I think Michael Carrick takes a lot of credit for that but again, another goal for him against Spurs, another win for United – he has to go in.”
Fernandes is now up to six goals and 12 assists in 22 Premier League appearances this term.
Newcastle United remain firmly behind Eddie Howe at boardroom level, but growing concern is emerging over whether the head coach himself may eventually decide his future if he feels the mood among supporters continues to sour.
According to journalist Luke Edwards, the club have no intention of dismissing Howe, yet there is an increasing sense that the manager’s own standards, and sensitivity to fan backing, could play a decisive role in what happens next.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency all season. After a fine campaign last season, in which they ended their trophy drought and won the Carabao Cup, they are currently 12th in the league and struggling to make it to European places.
The Magpies’ recent home defeat to Brentford proved to be a pivotal moment.
Newcastle United fan expressed their frustration
It marked one of the first occasions this season where frustration inside St James’ Park became audibly clear, with boos heard after Newcastle conceded three goals at home.
Howe did not shy away from acknowledging those concerns. Speaking after the match, he admitted he understood the disappointment of supporters, particularly given the team’s recent struggles.
Despite these setbacks, Edwards reports that the Newcastle hierarchy remain united in their backing of Howe.
Internally, there is recognition of the context, injuries to key players, a demanding fixture schedule, and the challenge of balancing domestic and European commitments.
Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe looks on (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
From the board’s perspective, Howe is still seen as the right man to lead the club forward.
However, the more delicate issue lies with Howe himself. Edwards suggests that the manager would not choose to remain in a role where he feels unwanted or mistrusted by the supporters.
There is a belief that Howe’s emotional connection to the club and its fans is central to his motivation and if that bond weakens significantly, he may be prepared to step aside, either in the immediate future or at the end of the season.
As results falter and supporter patience is tested, the key question may become whether Howe still feels the same unity and backing that once defined his tenure.
With Wilson’s contract expiring at Craven Cottage at the end of the season, he is expected to explore a move to another club.
In the recently shut winter transfer window, Wilson was heavily chased by David Moyes’ Everton side but the Toffees failed to sign him, however, they still hold interest in the former Liverpool player.
Sunderland hold interest in Fulham’s Harry Wilson
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness told Football Insider:
“He’s a very talented kid, but he’s getting on, he’s 28 now. So this is an important move for him as to where this goes.
“But I don’t see him moving. I’d thought he may have done something in January, but Fulham want to hang on to him just now. With Oscar Bobb coming in, that’s going to be competition as well up front. So let’s just see how this pans out for the second part of the season.
“But he’s another player that if he is going to be agitating for a move, expect him to hit some form as well. He’s scored some very good goals before, and he has got talent, and he will fit certain teams’ playing styles.
“Now, the one that came out of the blue for me when I talked to some of my contacts was Sunderland that were thinking about a possibility for Harry Wilson. I think he would fit their style of play very well and that’s one I’m not discounting to show some interest in the summer as well.”
Harry Wilson of Fulham (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been admirable, but if there is one criticism of the current campaign, it’s a lack of ruthless efficiency from wide areas.
No Sunderland winger has scored more than 4 league goals this season. Wilson is currently outscoring their entire wide contingent combined.
It is easy to understand why they would be interested in a move for Wilson but they should be ready to face intense competition.
Wilson rejected Fulham’s latest offer in December, and having survived the January deadline, he holds all the cards.
Sandro Tonali’s long-term future at Newcastle United may depend on whether the club can secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, with growing indications that failure to qualify could prompt serious conversations about a summer exit.
According to Football Insider, the Italy international is ambitious to test himself consistently at the highest level of European football and that ambition could become decisive in the months ahead.
Tonali has been a central figure in Newcastle’s midfield project since arriving from AC Milan, bringing leadership and elite-level experience to Newcastle United.
Despite facing challenges during his time in England, including off-field issues, the midfielder has re-established himself as one of the most influential players in Eddie Howe’s system.
However, Newcastle swiftly shut down any suggestion of talks, and no deal materialised.
While January interest came to nothing, it served as a reminder of Tonali’s standing across Europe.
Clubs in England, Italy, and Spain continue to track his situation closely, aware that Newcastle’s qualification for elite European competition could play a significant role in shaping his next decision.
Champions League football matters for Newcastle United midfelder
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
For a player of Tonali’s calibre, Champions League football is crucial.
The 25-year-old is keen to remain among Europe’s elite, facing the strongest opposition on a regular basis.
If Newcastle fall short, the midfielder may begin to question whether his personal ambitions match with the club’s immediate trajectory.
That does not mean Tonali is actively pushing for a move. By all accounts, he remains well respected at Newcastle and appreciates the club’s backing during difficult periods.
His relationship with Howe and the club’s hierarchy has been described as positive, and Newcastle still see him as a cornerstone of their long-term plans.
If multiple elite clubs make strong offers, the Magpies may be faced with a difficult decision.
Former Premier League defender Danny Simpson has described Tonali as a ‘top‘ player.
Video: Guardiola’s three-word touchline reaction to Donnarumma’s big save vs. Liverpool
Pep Guardiola looked absolutely amazed by a Gigio Donnarumma late save, which allowed Manchester City to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.
Italy international Donnarumma massively contributed to Manchester City’s away win at Liverpool on Sunday, producing a sensational last-minute save.
Gigio Donnarumma’s fantastic save vs. Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma saves from Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola instantly reacted to Donnarumma’s save from the touchline at Anfield as the Spaniard put his hands on his head in disbelief and looked at his staff, saying: ‘What a save!’
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City celebrates after Erling Haaland (not pictured) scored their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Italy captain Donnarumma has kept 12 clean sheets in 29 Manchester City appearances this season, conceding 27 goals.
🚨 Cost €77m in 2025, 22-year-old flop moves to exile league
Jhon Duran once again proves just how incredibly fast-paced the football business is. The 22-year-old moved to Al-Nassr last January for 77 million euros, and now he's heading to his second loan club.
After half a year at Fenerbahce, the loan was terminated, and now the striker is being loaned out to Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg. His club just announced the move.
It's another stop in his rather wild career. After his time in Colombia and America, he made his breakthrough at Aston Villa. Bayern Munich fans, in particular, will remember him painfully. In October 2024, he scored the only goal in Villa's 1-0 win over Bayern in the Champions League. It was Bayern's first defeat of the season.
This winter, VfL Wolfsburg, Juventus Turin, and OSC Lille were reportedly interested in him. But since the transfer window in the European top 5 leagues is now closed, he's moving to Russia.
The striker could now fade even further into obscurity. After all, since the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian football teams are no longer allowed to participate in UEFA and FIFA competitions.
A real downward spiral—and all at just 22 years old. Will his career pick up again? What do you think? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
🚨Breaking news: Joan Laporta resigns and will stand in the elections
With the upcoming elections on March 15, the current president has submitted his resignation in order to run again.
As expected and as stated in Barça’s statutes, ahead of the upcoming elections to be held on March 15, Joan Laporta has submitted his resignation.
He has done so along with several members of his Board of Directors in order to run as a candidate to be re-elected as president of the Blaugrana club.
Until June 30, the public face at Barcelona will be Rafa Yuste, who will serve as president until a new Board of Directors with a new president is formed.
Bergomi identifies two key Juventus players: ‘Can’t do without’
Former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi argues that Juventus were ‘unlucky’ in a 2-2 home draw against Lazio, but their latest match highlighted that they ‘can’t do without’ two attacking wingers.
Juventus were held to a 2-2 home draw by Lazio on Sunday, but came back from two goals down, securing one point thanks to goals from Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu.
Juventus ‘unlucky’ against Lazio
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Pedro of SS Lazio celebrates a goal with team mates during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“Juventus were a bit unlucky. I looked at the stats, and the figures are amazing. In favour of Juventus,” Bergomi told Sky Sport Italia.
“The way it’s been built, I think Juventus can’t do without two wingers who dribble past opponents. They conceded some counterattacks in the second half, but the danger index was high. The goals come from there. Cross, McKennie’s goal, cross Kalulu’s goal.”
Andrea Cambiaso started the match as a right winger, but then dropped to left-back after Edon Zhegrova was introduced in the second half.
Official: Jeremie Boga joins Juventus on loan with an option to buy from OGC Nice.
Cambiaso provided the assist for McKennie, while January signing Jeremie Boga delivered the cross for Kalulu’s late leveller.
McKennie has now scored seven goals in 22 games under Luciano Spalletti.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah’s long-term future at Liverpool is once again the subject of intense speculation, with Saudi Arabia preparing a dramatic summer move.
According to Daily Mirror, the Egyptian forward has been identified as the ideal successor to Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, with a contract that could see Salah earn as much as £1.2 million per week, a figure that would effectively triple his current salary.
At 33, Salah remains one of the most marketable players in world football.
After nearly a decade at Liverpool, where he has won every major club honour and established himself as a modern Anfield icon, the prospect of a lucrative final chapter abroad is beginning to gather momentum.
Saudi Arabia want Salah to be the face of their league
With Ronaldo’s future uncertain amid growing frustration over what he perceives as preferential treatment toward Al Hilal in the transfer market, attention has turned to Salah as the next face of the competition.
Ronaldo, who is closing in on the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 career goals, is understood to be weighing up his own next move.
Reports suggest he could even consider an emotional return to Europe, with Sporting frequently mentioned as a romantic destination where his professional journey began.
As one of the most influential Muslim athletes in the world, his presence would resonate far beyond football, strengthening the league’s cultural and commercial reach across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Saudi Arabia believe that he could immediately fill the void left by Ronaldo.
A record-breaking salary offer from Saudi Arabia, combined with a substantial transfer fee, would test even the strongest resolve.
The Egyptian attacker faces an uncertain future at Anfield after troubles with manager Arne Slot this season and this could be the ideal opportunity for him to make the next big move.
‘What a difference’: Deeney raves over Carrick’s impact on ‘creative’ Man Utd star in Team of the Week picks
Bruno Fernandes has unsurprisingly been named in Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week.
The Manchester United talisman etched his name onto the scoresheet to secure all three points – and therefore a fourth successive win – with an 81st-minute goal at Old Trafford.
His decisive strike came after he had assisted at least once in the last four league outings following his return from a brief injury layoff, which has now taken his goal contributions in red up to a stunning 200.
The 314 games that it took Fernandes to achieve such a feat are only bettered by Wayne Rooney’s time to reach the milestone, as the club legend did so in 295 games.
After including the Portuguese star in his picks for matchweek 25, Deeney said: “What a difference a manager makes – being able to be free, get on the ball, go wherever he wants and be creative. I think Michael Carrick takes a lot of credit for that but again, another goal for him against Spurs, another win for United – he has to go in.”
Saturday’s win strengthened United’s standing in the top-four race, with the side still holding a one-point lead over fifth-placed Chelsea while sitting only three points adrift of third-placed Aston Villa, whom they face on March 15.
Liverpool’s subsequent, dramatic defeat to Manchester City yesterday evening meant that the Reds are now five points clear of their arch-rivals.
Carrick’s side don’t play Liverpool again until the closing stages of the season on May 2 at Old Trafford, by which point the race for Champions League football may be as good as wrapped up if results keep going in United’s favour.
Serie A: Atalanta vs. Cremonese – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV
Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere are expected to start in the Atalanta attack in a home Serie A match against regional rivals Cremonese.
It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.
The Nerazzurri are in good mood, having recently eliminated Juventus from the Coppa Italia, but they are also climbing the Serie A table, being undefeated in the last five matches with three wins and two draws.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from a penalty, after Mattia Perin of Juventus (not pictured) failed to make a save, during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cremonese, on the other hand, are still five points above the relegation zone, but they haven’t won since December 7 and haven’t scored in the last four league games.
Atalanta must cope without the suspended Honest Ahanor and Marten De Roon, while David Okereke, Warrne Bondo, Michele Collocolo, Jari Vandeputte, Matteo Bianchetti and Mikayil Faye are injured for Cremonese.
CREMONA, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Jamie Vardy of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on January 19, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
According to Tuttosport and Gazzetta, Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino will field Scamacca, De Ketelaere and Raspadori in attack, while Cremonese’s Davide Nicola will reply with Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli, but Antonio Sanabria and January signing Milan Djuric are available on the bench.
Atalanta vs. Cremonese – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. You can also follow a live commentary on Football Italia’s liveblog.
New Liverpool signing Jérémy Jacquet may require surgery on shoulder injury
Jérémy Jacquet (20) sustained an injury to his left shoulder during Stade Rennais’ 3-1 defeat to RC Lens on Saturday. L’Équipe understands that the new Liverpool signing may require surgery, which could compromise the end of his season.
Jacquet signed for Liverpool on deadline day, however, he will only move to Anfield at the end of the season. He will see out the remainder of the season at his formative club, but exactly how much he will play has now come into question.
The defender was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 69th minute of the defeat to Lens. Post-match, manager Habib Beye confirmed the nature of the injury, adding that it seemed “quite serious”. There are now fears that Jacquet could miss several weeks of action, as surgery on the injured shoulder cannot be ruled out, as L’Équipe report.
To make matters worse for Les Rennais, one of their other centre-backs, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, sustained a thigh injury on Saturday and is also expected to spend a period on the sidelines.
A late Pierre Kalulu header secured a point for the Juventus Men’s First Team against Lazio on Serie A Matchday 24, with the game at the Allianz Stadium ending 2-2.
Let’s take a look at the stats from Sunday evening’s match.
CHIPPING IN | Weston McKennie is the Serie A midfielder who has scored the most goals across all competitions since Luciano Spalletti joined Juventus (30th October 2025): He has seven, three of which were headers.
INVOLVED | Pierre Kalulu has been involved in five goals in 24 games in Serie A this season (2G+3A), which is as many goal involvements as he got in the previous 100 matches in Serie A (3G+2A).
LEAVING IT LATE | Kalulu's goal (95:40’’) is the latest goal scored by a Juventus player in Serie A since Andrea Cambiaso, on 28th October 2023 with Hellas Verona (96:00’’).
PERSONAL BEST | Weston McKennie set his season scoring record across all competitions in Europe's Top Five leagues (7).
Habib Beye set to learn Rennes future amid reports of Franck Haise appointment
On a run of four straight defeats in all competitions and amid reports of discontent in the dressing room, Habib Beye’s future as manager of Stade Rennais is set to be decided on Monday, as per a report from L’Équipe.
RC Lens’ 3-1 win over Rennes on Saturday was Rennes’ fourth defeat in succession. It came at the end of a week in which they lost 4-0 to a struggling AS Monaco side, before being dumped out of the Coupe de France by Olympique de Marseille in midweek (3-0).
Beye has been here before, earlier in the season, when he already had half a foot out of the door. Then, he managed to salvage the situation, but on Monday, there will be fresh talks about the Frenchman’s position at the club.
Monday will be decisive amid reports that Franck Haise could take up the mantle. The former Lens manager has been out of work since leaving OGC Nice at the end of December.
🚨Breaking news: Champions League final ball unveiled
The grand final of the Champions League will take place next May 30 in Budapest, and the official match ball has already been revealed.
With nods to Hungarian culture, its vibrant colors like gold, purple, pink, and green blend with the white of the Champions League stars. The official ball for the grand final on the 30th has already been unveiled.
Without a doubt, it will be the great judge that will decide which team will reign over Europe in 2026, in an event where everyone wants to be, but only two will make it.
Former red doubts Liverpool securing Champions League spot
Carragher Raises Fresh Concerns Over Alisson and Van Dijk After Liverpool Setback
Jamie Carragher has questioned Liverpool’s reliability in key moments after their recent defeat to Manchester City, placing particular focus on Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk. Speaking after the 2–1 loss at Anfield, the former defender suggested that repeated high-profile errors have undermined the club’s push for Champions League qualification.
As the campaign enters a decisive phase, scrutiny is intensifying around leadership, consistency, and whether Liverpool can still recover ground in the race for Europe.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores a goal and celebrates 1-2. Liverpool v Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Anfield, Liverpool, UK – 08 Feb 2026Liverpool Anfield United Kingdom EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxCHNxDENxINDxITAxPORxESPxSWExTURxMEXxCOLxVENxPERxECUxBRAxARGxCHIxURUxPARxPANxONLY Copyright: xRyanxBrowne/Shutterstockx 16524446cu
Carragher’s post-match analysis centred on what he described as “unbelievable” errors from players expected to set standards. In his view, Liverpool’s season has been defined by moments that swing matches against them.
He pointed to Virgil van Dijk’s recent lapse against Bournemouth and Alisson’s costly decision-making against Manchester City as emblematic of wider problems. For Carragher, these incidents are not isolated but form part of a worrying pattern.
The former Liverpool vice-captain argued that elite sides are built on reliability at the back. When centre-backs and goalkeepers lose composure, even briefly, the consequences are severe. In tight matches against top opposition, there is little margin for recovery.
This erosion of defensive authority, he suggested, has prevented Liverpool from establishing consistent control in games.
Alisson and Van Dijk Under Growing Spotlight
Alisson has long been regarded as one of Europe’s finest goalkeepers, while Van Dijk remains a central figure in Liverpool’s defensive structure. However, recent performances have brought renewed scrutiny.
Against Manchester City, Alisson conceded a decisive penalty after colliding with Matheus Nunes, a moment Carragher described as avoidable. Meanwhile, Van Dijk’s earlier mistake against Bournemouth raised further questions about concentration levels.
Individually, both players continue to produce strong performances across the season. Statistically, Alisson remains among the league’s top shot-stoppers, while Van Dijk still ranks highly for aerial duels and defensive actions.
Yet football at the elite level is often judged on key moments. For Liverpool, these lapses have directly contributed to dropped points and stalled momentum.
As pressure builds, maintaining composure will be essential if the pair are to reassert their authority.
Champions League Qualification Now in Doubt
Liverpool’s defeat to City left them sitting sixth in the table, four points behind the final Champions League qualification spot with 13 matches remaining. While the gap is not insurmountable, Carragher believes the current trajectory is concerning.
He has questioned whether Liverpool possess the consistency required to overhaul rivals who are currently in stronger form. Injuries and suspensions have further complicated matters, particularly in defensive areas.
With Dominik Szoboszlai suspended and options limited at right-back, squad depth is being tested. Carragher warned that dropped points in this period could prove decisive.
He also noted that cup competitions may now represent Liverpool’s most realistic route to salvaging their season. However, relying on knockout football carries its own risks.
For now, league performance remains the primary focus, and improvement is urgently required.
Arne Slot Faces Crucial Tactical Decisions
Head coach Arne Slot is entering a defining phase of his tenure. Having delivered a title last season, expectations were high for sustained success. This campaign, however, has been marked by inconsistency and tactical adjustments.
Carragher has questioned whether the current balance of the side allows Liverpool to control matches effectively. He highlighted the tendency for games to become open and transitional, placing additional strain on the defence.
Slot now faces important decisions regarding midfield structure, attacking combinations, and defensive protection. Greater stability may require sacrificing some attacking freedom in favour of control.
Internally, there is still belief in the manager’s long-term project. However, results over the coming weeks will shape perceptions of his first full cycle in charge.
With Champions League qualification on the line, Slot’s ability to address defensive fragility and restore confidence will be central to Liverpool’s prospects.
Federico Chiesa arrived with pedigree and promise, yet his Liverpool spell has drifted into uncertainty. According to a report from Caught Offside, the Liverpool board is “open to letting him go” this summer, a striking admission given the player’s contract runs until 2028. The suggestion is not about attitude or commitment, but about fit, with concerns over adapting to Premier League pace shaping thinking behind the scenes.
Chiesa has offered flashes rather than sustained influence, moments that hint at quality without ever fully embedding him into the rhythm of Liverpool’s attack. That context matters, especially in a squad recalibrating its forward options. January whispers of a move away never truly went away, and now the summer window looms large.
Photo @LFC on X
Serie A interest grows quickly
Italian clubs have noticed. Juventus are testing the waters to bring back a former favourite, while Roma and Napoli have him on their shortlist to sharpen attacking depth. No formal bids have landed, but conversations are expected to accelerate once the window opens. Juventus supporters are already animated by the idea of a return in black and white, and Italian media increasingly frame a homecoming as the likeliest outcome.
Caught Offside reports Liverpool’s asking price at around €25–30 million. That valuation would allow the club to avoid a loss while easing pressure on the wage budget. It is a pragmatic stance rather than a forced sale, aligning financial sense with squad planning.
Contract situation shapes talks
With no extension planned and the player reportedly open to a slightly reduced salary back in Serie A, the ingredients for a deal are forming. Liverpool’s openness is not a judgement on ability, but an acknowledgement that timing and environment matter. Chiesa has shown quality in glimpses, yet consistency has been elusive.
Summer turning point ahead
Sitting on the bench will not benefit either party. Juventus lead the chase, but Roma and Napoli could yet complicate matters. For Chiesa, this summer feels like a turning point, a chance to reset and reclaim momentum in a league that understands his strengths.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
There is frustration that a player of Chiesa’s reputation has not fully ignited at Anfield, but also realism about squad evolution. The phrase “open to letting him go” reads less like surrender and more like sensible housekeeping. Liverpool cannot afford luxury pieces who only sparkle intermittently, especially with a forward line that thrives on intensity, repetition and trust.
€25–30 million feels fair in the current market. It protects value, respects the contract length, and creates room to reinvest in profiles better suited to the league’s tempo. Liverpool supporters have seen enough to believe Chiesa is a quality footballer, but also enough to accept that fit matters as much as talent. A return to Serie A could be the making of him again, just as some players need England to sharpen them, others need Italy to set them free.
If the move happens, most fans will wish him well rather than lament a mistake. Liverpool’s edge has always been clarity of purpose. Moving on when something does not quite click is part of that identity, and this feels like one of those moments.
United hunt fifth straight win to crack the top three, but Nuno’s resurgent Hammers stand in the way
Manchester United travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United in their next Premier League fixture knowing that momentum, rather than history, is firmly on their side.
The Red Devils arrive in east London in red-hot form under Michael Carrick, a run that has reignited their season and propelled them up the Premier League table.
United are unbeaten in their last five league matches and, alongside Chelsea, are the only side to have won each of their last four games in a row.
That sequence has lifted them to the top of the form table, a remarkable turnaround that has also left them just three points behind Aston Villa with designs on climbing even higher.
Their latest success came against Tottenham Hotspur, where a familiar red card for Cristian Romero eased the path to a controlled 2–0 victory at Old Trafford.
That win followed an equally impressive 3–2 away triumph over Arsenal, underlining United’s growing confidence on their travels.
Despite that result, United sit only seventh in the away table, a reminder that consistency on the road remains the next hurdle in Carrick’s revival.
They will attempt to address that against a West Ham United side whose own resurgence has added intrigue to Tuesday night’s contest.
West Ham are fourth in the form table, having taken significant strides in their battle against relegation over recent weeks.
Their recovery continued last time out with a return to winning ways following a narrow defeat to Chelsea, restoring belief after that brief setback.
At home, however, the numbers remain unconvincing, with West Ham ranked 19th in the home table and still searching for sustained comfort at the London Stadium.
That said, their most recent home outing brought a confidence-boosting 3–1 win over Sunderland, a result that demonstrated their ability to seize opportunities when presented.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been far more resilient, energetic and direct in recent matches, traits that suggest United will not be handed anything easily.
This fixture therefore shapes up as a clash between two teams trending upwards, albeit for very different reasons.
United are chasing European qualification and have rediscovered fluency and authority under Carrick’s guidance.
West Ham, by contrast, are scrapping for survival and drawing strength from momentum built through necessity rather than ambition.
The contrast is also reflected in the stakes, with United looking to overtake Villa while West Ham aim to pull further clear of the bottom three.
Form suggests a compelling contest, statistics hint at unpredictability, and recent results on both sides point towards an open, competitive evening.
With both teams carrying confidence and incentive, the London Stadium appears set to host one of the more absorbing Premier League encounters of the midweek round.
Manchester United’s recent resurgence has sparked optimism both on and off the pitch, with a growing sense that momentum is finally building at Old Trafford.
Four consecutive victories under interim manager Michael Carrick have steadied the club after a turbulent period, while an unexpected off-field storyline has captured the imagination of supporters online.
At the centre of that lighter moment is superfan Frank Ilett, better known on social media as The United Strand.
Ilett famously pledged not to cut his hair until United won five matches in a row, a challenge that has stretched on for more than a year as the club struggled for consistency.
With victories now secured against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, the end is finally in sight.
United’s next test comes against West Ham United in midweek. A fifth straight win would not only extend Carrick’s perfect start as interim boss but also bring Ilett’s long-running haircut protest to an end, something many fans have been tracking with amusement.
Man United captain is more focused on himself
Despite the viral attention around the fan challenge, Man United captain Bruno Fernandes has made it clear his priorities lie elsewhere.
Speaking about the story, Fernandes played down its significance, insisting he is focused solely on himself and the team rather than online trends.
Asked about the United supporter, Fernandes responded, as reported by the Mirror:
“I need to book for myself, I don’t look at other people.
“I don’t look if they need to go to the hair dresser or not, that is not important for me.”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes during the Manchester Derby (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Beyond the humour, United’s winning streak has real footballing significance.
Carrick’s calm authority and tactical clarity have drawn praise, with the team showing renewed structure and belief.
Beating several direct rivals in quick succession has restored confidence among players and supporters alike, while also reopening debate about United’s longer-term managerial direction.
While fans eagerly await a potential celebratory haircut, Fernandes remains locked in on the bigger picture, results, standards, and progress.
Manchester United’s hopes of landing one of Europe’s most decorated coaches appear to be fading, with Luis Enrique increasingly likely to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Daily Mirror.
Reports suggest the Spaniard is unconvinced by United’s current direction and does not view Old Trafford as “the right project” at this stage of his career, prompting him to favour a new contract in Paris instead.
United have been without a permanent manager since the dismissal of Rúben Amorim in early January, a decision that forced the club into another period of transition.
While the hierarchy continue to assess long-term options, the immediate impact of Michael Carrick as interim boss has been impossible to ignore.
Michael Carrick’s impressive spell at Man United
Carrick has enjoyed a flawless start to his temporary tenure, winning all four matches he has overseen so far.
Those victories have not come quietly either, with statement wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham helping to stabilise both results and mood around the club.
Carrick’s work has earned widespread praise internally, but the club remain conscious of the need for a long-term vision rather than an emotional appointment based solely on short-term success.
Luis Enrique looks on during PSG vs Bayer Leverkusen (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Enrique’s name inevitably surfaced during United’s search. Few managers boast a résumé as strong, treble-winning campaigns with Barcelona and PSG, a proven ability to manage elite dressing rooms, and a clear tactical identity rooted in control, intensity, and positional play.
His success in Paris has also elevated PSG’s standing in Europe, transforming them into a more coherent and competitive force on the biggest stage.
However, from Enrique’s perspective, PSG currently represent stability, ambition, and alignment.
He is deeply involved in shaping the club’s long-term sporting vision and appears unconvinced that United, still navigating structural uncertainty, offer the same clarity.
The club’s leadership want to ensure that the next appointment fits a broader rebuild, rather than simply reacting to external pressure or fan sentiment.
Real Madrid set sights on Barcelona superstar as Florentino Perez eyes new Luis Figo saga
Real Madrid caused all kinds of controversy when they snatched Luis Figo away from Barcelona in 2000, and 26 years on, a new saga could be on the agenda. Bernabeu bosses, headed up by president Florentino Perez, believe they can steal another of the Catalans’ world class players, with in-house talks already underway.
The Barcelona player in question is Pedri, with El Desmarque (via Sempre Barca) reporting that Perez views him as the dream signing for Real Madrid. The 23-year-old midfielder is one of the best in the world in his position, and while Barcelona are enjoying him now, their El Clasico rivals believe he could be theirs.
Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid are keen on adding a new central midfielder to their squad, given that it is an area where they have struggled ever since Toni Kroos’ retirement in 2024. They’ve been linked with Rodri Hernandez and Vitinha among others, but Perez is clear that Pedri, who is currently unavailable for Barcelona due to a hamstring injury, would be the ideal addition.
Real Madrid see deal as possible in 2027
The report states that Real Madrid would try to sign Pedri in the summer of 2027. Perez wants a deal done in order to strengthen his club, while in the process, weakening Barcelona by a significant amount. However, the Catalans will be relaxed about the situation, given the Spain international is protected by a €1bn release clause in his contract, which has another four years left to run.
There is no doubt that Pedri would significantly improve Real Madrid, but Barcelona are clear that Pedri is not for sale at any price – meaning the only way for them to get a deal done is by paying his release clause, which is a non-starter. Nevertheless, Perez continues to dream of a possible seismic transfer.
🥐Revenge, thrashings and more: the top 5️⃣ stories this Monday
Thrilling matches in La Liga, Premier League, and Bundesliga, key players, and much to discuss at the start of this week.
Madrid wins, but...
After Barça's victory, Madrid needed the three points, and although they didn't play a great match, the three points went to Chamartín, keeping the race alive. Mbappé, once again, didn't miss his appointment with the goal.
Chaos at Anfield
Ten minutes of added time, a comeback by Manchester City, and a final play between Haaland and Szoboszlai that enrages some and delights others. Undoubtedly, one of the hottest clashes of the Premier League season.
Revenge is a dish best served cold
Just three days ago, Betis had suffered a heavy defeat at home against Atlético de Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Well, the green-and-white revenge was exacted in La Liga, taking three points from a Metropolitano that sees the league slipping away.
Luis Díaz, the lord of chaos
The Colombian was the star in Bayern's thrashing of Hoffenheim with three goals. The Bavarian team made a statement in a Bundesliga where they are not slowing down.
Dembélé, lord of Le Classique
The Ballon d'Or winner was the standout figure in the French classic, which fell to the Parisian side, sending a message to the rivals for the rest of the season.
🗞️Today's front pages: Madrid on the hunt, elections at Barça
The victory of the white team over Valencia and the announcement of elections at Barcelona are making headlines at the start of this week.
Following in Barcelona’s footsteps, Real Madrid is keeping up the pace in La Liga, and their win at Mestalla is front-page news in the sports press. There is also space for Laporta, who takes stock ahead of the elections, and a green-and-white revenge.
At Anfield the signs were there that a Manchester City midfielder is getting back to his best
This season has been a frustrating one for Rodri. The Spanish midfielder has been battling to return to his best. Rodri sustained an ACL injury last season, and throughout this season, he has battled nagging injuries and, at times, faced a battle with himself so to speak to get back to his best. It has taken time for Rodri to work his way back. Against Liverpool last night, Rodri played an important role for Manchester City in their pivotal 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield. It was clear at the final whistle yesterday that the signs are there that Rodri is getting back to his best after an understandably frustrating experience this season.
Rodri battled through at Anfield to play key role in a special Manchester City win.
As much as Bernardo Silva was superb last night at Anfield, Rodri was just as brilliant, especially in the first half. Rodri’s second-half display wasn’t as smooth as his first-half display, but he battled through fatigue and Liverpool’s efforts to play a key role in Manchester City’s huge win.
In the first half, Rodri played a key role in the dominance that Pep Guardiola’s side had over Liverpool. Manchester City were by far and away the better team in the first half of yesterday’s match. Rodri played a key role in City’s first half display. His passing was on point, and Rodri’s cross-field balls were a highlight of his display. The Spanish midfielder also broke lines superbly well as his passing was a highlight of his display. Rodri also read the danger when Liverpool went forward extremely well and helped his team play out from the back when Arne Slot’s side pressed City at the back. Rodri’s first half performance was superb and it was reminiscent of Rodri’s Ballon d’Or winning displays.
In the second half, Liverpool came at Pep Guardiola’s side and the dynamic of the game changed. Arne Slot’s side came at City and the visitors had to dig in to stay in the game. In the case of Rodri, he did look like he was struggling physically in the face of Liverpool’s second half onslaught. But to his credit, Rodri, like his team, came through that spell. When the game had to be won by Manchester City, Rodri helped ensure that his team left Anfield with all three points which could be crucial in this season’s title race and for the development of this new-look Manchester City team.
The signs are there that Rodri is getting back to his best.
Last night’s performance from Rodri felt like a moment for a Ballon d’Or winner. In a big game, against a team at a venue where City typically struggle, Rodri put in a quality performance. Rodri’s performance represents a victory for the Spanish midfielder. This season has been frustrating for him, and at times you can sense that he has been frustrated with himself and his body. At Anfield yesterday, Rodri was a vital contributor in a big game for his team. Rodri playing well in big games isn’t a story in itself. He is a proven big-game player for Manchester City. But after the battle with his body that he has endured this season, the performance from Rodri felt like a significant moment in his season and his bid to get back to being the midfielder that dominated European football before injury struck.
Sky pundit critical of rules for Szoboszlai red card
Liverpool Collapse Late as Man City Punish Costly Errors at Anfield
Liverpool’s season lurched into deeper uncertainty after a chaotic late collapse handed Man City a dramatic victory at Anfield, a result that further intensified scrutiny on Arne Slot and his faltering campaign.
For long stretches, Liverpool played with purpose and clarity. For the decisive moments, they unravelled.
The sense of control that had briefly settled over Anfield dissolved in a frantic closing spell, one that swung momentum, emotion, and ultimately points towards Pep Guardiola’s side.
Bright Start Raises Anfield Belief
For half an hour, Liverpool looked convincing. Their pressing carried bite, their passing had tempo, and Man City appeared unsettled.
That early authority found its reward through Dominik Szoboszlai. Standing over a free kick from well beyond thirty yards, with Gianluigi Donnarumma curiously deploying a minimal wall, the Hungarian seized initiative.
Szoboszlai, operating out of position but brimming with intent, bent his effort beyond the static goalkeeper. Anfield stirred, belief swelling that Liverpool might claim a statement result in a difficult season.
In that moment, Liverpool looked energised, coherent, and capable of toppling the reigning champions.
Photo: IMAGO
Momentum Swing Changes Contest
Football, though, can pivot on the smallest lapses.
Szoboszlai’s evening took a cruel turn when he inadvertently played Bernardo Silva onside, allowing the City midfielder to level the match. The equaliser shifted the emotional temperature inside the stadium and injected urgency into City’s play.
Liverpool’s earlier composure gave way to anxiety. Passes shortened, challenges mistimed, structure loosened.
City sensed vulnerability and pressed forward with growing conviction.
Haaland Decisive From Spot
The decisive blow arrived from the penalty spot, Erling Haaland converting with authority to complete the turnaround.
Liverpool, chasing the game, committed bodies forward in desperation. That urgency almost produced one of the season’s most extraordinary moments when Rayan Cherki found the net from inside his own half after a loose scramble involving Szoboszlai and Haaland.
Celebrations, however, proved premature.
After a VAR intervention, the goal was ruled out, Szoboszlai was dismissed, and City were awarded a free kick, a sequence that deepened Liverpool’s frustration.
Gary Neville Reaction Sparks Debate
The decision ignited strong reaction, most notably from Gary Neville, who voiced disbelief at the intervention.
“I just don’t get this. He’s fouled him. That’s the foul,” Gary Neville said on Sky.
“That feels so unjust. I know there’s rules but there is the smell of the game. No referee should disallow that goal but it is going to be disallowed.”
“Talk about killjoy. Just let the goal be. You have just killed one of the great moments of the season.”
His comments captured the wider sense of deflation, not only at the decision but at how the evening slipped away from Liverpool.
Breakout star of the Celtiis Benin Ligue 1 with 10 goals and 2 assists in 17 games.
Sahid Ngobi: "My idol? Kylian Mbappé"
If you had to sum up Sahid Ngobi in a single image, it would be that of a striker driven by a clear role model. The top scorer of the first half of the Celtiis Benin Ligue 1 with 10 goals and 2 assists in the colors of Association Sportive du Port Autonome de Cotonou (ASPAC FC), the Kandi native is building his career inspired by a name that makes an entire generation dream: Kylian Mbappé.
"My idol is Kylian Mbappé. I admire his mentality, his self-discipline, his maturity, and his consistency," confides the U20 international forward. Those values are reflected in his on-field attitude: always on the move, always hungry, never satisfied.
I was given my league debut by Dynamo de Parakou. Then I went through AS Takunnin, SOBEMAP FC before arriving at ASPAC FC.
This growth extends beyond club football. Youth national teams, especially at U20 level, have broadened his horizons:
In youth selections, I worked with players who now really motivate those of us still playing in the local league. These experiences have greatly contributed to my development, both athletically and personally.
With 10 goals and 2 assists, ASPAC's number 19 leads the statistics for this first half of the season in Benin. Yet, far from getting carried away, he keeps a cool head:
Alhamdoulillah first of all, but personally I don't think I'm efficient enough yet. Given the chances I have, I know I can do better.
Sahid Ngobi's ambitions are as big as his character. "On a personal level, my greatest dream is to remain a good person and give to others. In football, I want to work even harder, stay humble and keep demanding more of myself. The rest is in God's hands," he says. And when asked about his dream club, one name comes up: Arsenal.
As the second half of the season, scheduled for February 28, approaches, all eyes will naturally be on Saïd Ngobi, who has become the player to watch in the Beninese league for the rest of the campaign.
Carreras, Jimenez react after Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid – ‘A jersey I will frame in my room’
Goals from Alvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 win against Valencia at Mestalla last night, marking the team’s fourth win in their last 12 games at the venue.
For long, the men in white struggled to break past Valencia’s low block and suffered to open the scoring. Carreras’ neat cut-in and finish, however, broke the deadlock and opened the game up.
It was then eventually in extra time that Kylian Mbappe struck and doubled the lead, securing all three points.
The goalscorer speaks
Alvaro Carreras, the team’s goalscorer on the night, first spoke to the media after the game and commented on how the team knew well of the challenge of playing at Mestalla.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match, that they would push hard and that they needed the 3 points. But we came here to win, to continue securing away very important victories.”
“The goal was a drive inside without overthinking, I saw the space and ended up shooting, and it went in,” he added on his goal.
“You step onto the pitch thinking about the team, about defending and keeping a clean sheet, but wherever I can contribute offensively, I’ll help the team as much as possible,” he concluded on the topic.
Speaking on Real Madrid’s improved defensive stability on the night, Carreras said,
“For me, it’s very important to keep a clean sheet, not allowing any clear chances for the opposing team because we know that up front we’ll create opportunities and finish them.”
Finally, he praised Kylian Mbappe for his rich goalscoring form and spoke about how it was a privilege to have him on the team.
“He’s a beast. It’s a privilege to have him in our team and share the day-to-day with him. From the first day, he has treated me very well, and I’m very happy with his achievements.”
Academy star speaks
David Jimenez played for over an hour before making way for Trent Alexander-Arnold. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
“We are very happy to take home the three points. We knew how challenging today’s match was. I want to thank the coach and the entire technical staff for their trust, and especially my teammates for making me feel like one of them,” he began.
He then revealed the advice Arbeloa handed him before the game, saying,
“To play as if I were playing with Castilla. Besides, being surrounded by the best players in the world makes everything much easier.”
Finally, the youngster opened up on his experience training and travelling with the first team, saying,
“In every training session I do with them, I try to observe because they are the best in the world in their position.”
“I want to thank both Trent, Carvajal, and Valverde because they have been very generous with me and have given me all the advice. I felt super comfortable. This is another jersey that I will frame in my room,” he added.
Monster £1.2m offer changes EVERYTHING at Liverpool
A new mega offer will transform Liverpool into a different team. If it's accepted, of course.
Liverpool will continue their rebuild in 2026, though it's going to be a bigger challenge than they'd hoped for. The bulk of it should have happed last summer but it's safe to say the squad hasn't quite worked out as hoped.
The Reds have dropped off dramatically after winning the Premier League title, with clear holes appearing all over the place. While it won't take another £400m spend in order to fix things, the club must invest more if they're to fit this jigsaw together.
But there's another variable here and it's a massive one. Mo Salah has a gigantic offer from Saudi Arabia to move over there, essentially as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo as the face of their league.
The Mirror reports they would triple his salary should he make the move in the summer. It's something that will inevitably tempt Salah and we imagine Liverpool would accept an offer for the Egyptian if he wanted to leave.
But in doing so, that offer would transform the Reds into something new.
New-look Liverpool
Losing Salah would send waves through the Liverpool squad, forcing all sorts of change. First and foremost, though, it takes around £400k off the wage bill every week.
That's an enormous amount that could be recycled back into the squad on new contracts or new signings. Given what Liverpool typically pay superstar arrivals, you're looking at two genuine first-team starters for that money.
And the Reds would need at least one, given selling Salah creates an immediate need for a new right-winger. Liverpool literally do not have a replacement and one would have to arrive, something that may take up around half of the freed-up salary and likely the entire transfer fee.
Now, such a player likely has a much more long-term future at Liverpool. At the same time, they're not going to be Salah and any changes in style of play naturally affects the entire team.
Will they be a creator or a goalscorer? Because if they're not both, this team needs to change.
Liverpool aren't turning towards Salah the same way they were last season, for instance, but he's still one of the go-to players every time the team has the ball. It's a team built around the no.11 and has been for some time.
Moving him on brings another change, then. Liverpool would likely want a new focal point - be it Florian Wirtz or Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak or whoever else.
And that's another significant change. Losing Salah is far from a simple move and would actually be one of the biggest Liverpool have made in their recent history.
There's no reason that change can't be positive - but it's certainly something that piles pressure on everyone at Anfield as they seek to make the right decisions in the wake of it.
Manchester United’s summer rebuild is already taking shape, and a commanding new presence in midfield has emerged as a top priority.
According to The Telegraph, Man United have identified Sandro Tonali as a leading candidate to replace Casemiro, who has confirmed he will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Casemiro’s impending departure marks the end of a short but influential spell in Manchester, and it has accelerated United’s search for a new midfield anchor.
Club sources suggest the Red Devils are planning a major reset in the engine room, with the possibility of more than one midfield arrival if the right opportunities arise.
Sandro Tonali fits the vision of Man United
Tonali’s profile makes him an obvious target. The 25-year-old has been a central figure in Eddie Howe’s side, valued for his composure and leadership qualities.
He combines defensive discipline with the ability to dictate tempo, traits United believe are essential as they transition away from Casemiro’s era.
The Italian’s name resurfaced prominently at the end of the winter transfer window, when Arsenal were linked with a late move.
Arsenal are keeping a close watch on the contract situation of Leon Goretzka, with the midfielder emerging as a potential free-transfer target ahead of the summer window.
According to Daily Mirror, the Gunners are among several clubs exploring the possibility of signing the Bayern Munich star once his current deal expires in June.
With Bayern still competing on multiple fronts and short on experienced midfield depth, the German champions were determined to keep hold of Goretzka until at least the end of the campaign.
That stance, however, is expected to soften once the season concludes.
Bayern Munich midfielder has experience at the top level
Now 31, Goretzka remains one of the most experienced midfielders in European football.
During his time at Bayern, he has collected an extensive trophy haul, including multiple Bundesliga titles and the Champions League, while establishing a reputation for his physical presence, intelligent movement, and goal threat from midfield.
Despite increased competition for places in recent seasons, he has continued to deliver in big moments, particularly in high-pressure fixtures.
Under Mikel Arteta, the club have built a young, dynamic core, but there is a growing recognition that additional leadership and know-how could be vital as they aim to sustain title challenges and compete deep into European competition.
In Italy, both Napoli and Juventus are believed to be monitoring developments, aware that a free transfer represents a rare chance to secure a player of Goretzka’s pedigree without a transfer fee.
However, reports suggest the midfielder is keen to test himself in the Premier League before the latter stages of his career.
That ambition could work in Arsenal’s favour, particularly given their recent resurgence and clear sporting direction.
Iliman Ndiaye is establishing himself as one of the best attacking talents in the Premier League, and his name is already being pencilled into conversations ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Chelsea are all understood to be monitoring the 25-year-old closely.
Despite the growing speculation, Ndiaye has been keen to strike a measured tone.
The Senegal international has acknowledged the interest while reiterating his commitment to Everton, where he remains under contract for another three years after signing a long-term deal in 2024.
Speaking about the rumours, Ndiaye admitted: “If clubs like Manchester United are interested, it means I’m doing something right.”
However, he also stressed that his focus remains on Everton, adding that he wants to give everything for the club and help drive them toward European qualification this season.
Everton’s strong but delicate position regarding Ndiaye
From Everton’s perspective, Ndiaye’s contract situation places them in a relatively strong negotiating position.
The five-year deal he signed ensures the club are under no immediate pressure to sell, and any potential suitor would need to make a substantial offer to even open discussions.
Sources close to the situation suggest Everton would look for a fee in the region of €65-75 million, reflecting both Ndiaye’s importance to the team and the inflated market for proven Premier League attackers.
Man United face competition from Premier League rivals
Iliman Ndiaye of Everton (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Ndiaye’s appeal lies in his versatility and directness. Comfortable operating on either flank or in more central attacking roles, he offers pace, creativity, and an eye for goal.
Manchester United target midfielder from Premier League rivals
Tonali Emerges as Manchester United’s Midfield Priority
Manchester United’s summer rebuild is already taking shape and, as reported by The Telegraph, Sandro Tonali has surged high on the club’s shortlist to replace Casemiro. It is a signal of intent from Old Trafford, a move that would blend long term planning with immediate competitive ambition.
United’s need is obvious. Casemiro’s confirmed summer departure removes not only experience but also tactical security from the engine room. For a side still searching for rhythm, control, and authority in central areas, recruitment here will define the next phase of the project.
Tonali, 25, represents both pedigree and Premier League adaptation, a rare combination in a volatile market.
Midfield Succession Planning
United’s interest in Tonali sits within a broader scouting framework. Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are also under consideration, while previous inquiries into Brighton’s Carlos Baleba underline the club’s desire for athletic, progressive midfielders.
Yet Tonali’s profile stands apart.
Photo IMAGO
Three seasons in England have hardened his tactical awareness. Newcastle’s £55m investment in 2023 now looks modest in an era where Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo and Declan Rice all commanded fees beyond £100m. Newcastle would expect similar territory for Tonali, particularly given his contract running to 2029.
There is risk attached, notably his betting ban earlier in his Premier League spell, but United appear focused on the footballer rather than the controversy.
Agent Comments Fuel Transfer Speculation
Transfer narratives rarely ignite without agent intervention and Giuseppe Riso’s remarks have ensured this story gathers pace.
“Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League,” Riso said.
He added, “We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.”
Perhaps most telling was the ambiguity, “There’s no preference. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow.”
Such language keeps every elite suitor engaged, Juventus, Manchester City, Arsenal, and now United most prominently.
Champions League Factor in Decision
European qualification may ultimately shape Tonali’s future. Newcastle sit 12th in the Premier League and face Qarabag in a Champions League play off, their route back to the competition remains uncertain.
Riso acknowledged the emotional tie, stating, “Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.”
Attachment, though, often bends under competitive gravity. Tonali wants Champions League football. United believe they can offer it, or at least return to it swiftly.
From a strategic lens, this pursuit feels calculated. Tonali is entering his peak years, already Premier League tested, tactically disciplined, and technically secure under pressure. He would not merely replace Casemiro, he would recalibrate United’s midfield identity.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this report lands somewhere between excitement and caution.
Tonali is undeniably elite. His tempo control, positional intelligence, and ability to dictate transitions would address long standing midfield imbalances. United have too often lacked composure in high leverage matches, particularly against top six rivals. Tonali would change that dynamic.
Yet £100m territory demands scrutiny. Fans will remember recent midfield spending sprees across the league and question value versus urgency. Is Tonali transformative, or simply premium stabilisation.
There is also squad context. When Casemiro departs, United require not one midfielder but two, possibly three, depending on outgoings. Investing heavily in a single profile could restrict broader rebuild flexibility.
Still, the upside is compelling. Tonali offers leadership without theatrics, control without slowing play, and durability in England’s most demanding fixtures.
If United are serious about restoring midfield authority, this is the calibre required. The question is not quality, it is whether the club can align finance, Champions League qualification, and long term squad architecture around one decisive signing.
21-year-old super talent WILL replace Liverpool club legend
Liverpool will soon need to replace their club legend and a 21-year-old super talent could do it.
It's a time of metamorphosis at Anfield. Liverpool are in the middle of replacing the old icons who helped the club reach its pinnacle and bring in new stars who can take the baton from them and continue the success.
We've already seen the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold depart.
But their exodus was just the beginning. Mo Salah is likely going to depart in the summer and he will be followed shortly by Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.
Everyone is focusing on replacements for Van Dijk and Salah at the moment, so Alisson has gone under the radar.
Sure, Liverpool have Giorgi Mamardashvili who seems like an ideal successor. However, Liverpool may need more depth than that.
Mamardashvili is a competent back-up but can he be trusted to be the no.1? Or perhaps Liverpool should have two no.1s instead competing for the same spot?
After Alisson's departure, the latter makes the most sense. Mamardashvili is still young for a goalkeeper and he may benefit from added competition and working alongside someone who is just as eager and hungry to oust him from the no.1 spot.
Right now, Alisson's contract expires in the summer of 2026. The club has an option to extend the deal until 2027, and they likely will.
So, we don't have to worry about replacing the Brazilian just yet. Unless, Liverpool decide to surprise us all and let Alisson either leave on a free or for a fee if they extend his contract.
There have been times when it felt like Alisson has been open to returning to Brazil so it is something to keep an eye on.
Fortunately, Liverpool are well-placed to find his successor. The club has an excellent track-record with goalkeepers and right now there is an outstanding young super talent in Europe's top five leagues who seems like he could be the perfect successor to Alisson's throne.
Let us introduce you to RC Lens' 21-year-old goalkeeper Robin Risser. The France U21 international has been ever-present in a side going toe to toe with Paris Saint Germain in Ligue 1 this season.
He's played a key role in Lens' success.
Currently, Risser has prevented 4.56 goals in Ligue 1, which is the second highest among goalkeepers in the competition in the current campaign.
He also has a save rate of 77%, which is the third highest among goalkeepers.
Risser does exactly what you ask from a goalkeeper. He prevents goals and makes important stops. But there's more to him than that.
He is very similar to Alisson in terms of his ability to come off his line. Risser is fast and he's very good in one vs one situations, meaning even when his defence exposes him, he can prevent the opposition from scoring.
At 21-years-old, he's still extremely young for a goalkeeper, but he is absolutely one of the brightest talents out there in European football at the moment.
Risser's ability to come out and smother opposition attackers makes him the ideal and inevitable Alisson heir.
It won't be easy for anyone to live up to the Brazilian's reputation. Alisson is a club legend for everything that he achieved at Anfield. However, if anyone can do it, it's Risser.
Manchester United struggled against most sides last season as they slumped to a 15th-place finish in the league.
The BBC reports, “West Ham did the double over Manchester United last season, and drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture this season.”
In addition, “only once have they avoided defeat in both league meetings with the Red Devils in consecutive campaigns, doing so in 1932-33/1933-34.”
The Red Devils have also lost four of their last six matches against the Hammers.
Changing road fortunes
“Having lost two of their first three Premier League away games this season, Manchester United have now lost just one of their last nine on the road (winning four and drawing four).
More specifically, they have also won their last two league games away at London sides.
The Red Devils have not won three times in a row in the capital in the same season since January/February 2019.
There is no doubt that United’s increased competency on the road has been a significant factor in their much improved Premier League results this season.
Matheus Cunha looking to break duck
The Brazilian has been one of the best signings in the league this season.
Alongside Bryan Mbeumo, he has completely transformed United’s attack and has scored against Arsenal and Fulham in recent matches.
The BBC reports that, “Matheus Cunha has had a hand in four goals in his last five away Premier League appearances for Manchester United (three goals, one assist).”
Surprisingly, though, he has never scored in five Premier League games versus the Hammers, only facing Manchester City more without scoring (six matches).
He will certainly be looking to rectify this on Tuesday night.
Wearing a Barça shirt in the Real store: ex-Arsenal star plays with fire
What can you do if you really want to make yourself unpopular and are hoping to get at least one or two snide remarks thrown your way? This seems to be a question that former Arsenal star Andrei Arshavin asked himself just recently. He seems to have found the answer pretty quickly.
We can't say exactly how people reacted on site. But this snapshot is absolutely hilarious.
As one of the only member-owned major clubs left in Europe, Barcelona will take a major step towards defining the future of the institution over the next two months.
On March 15, Barcelona "socios" will elect the next club president who will lead Barcelona into the next era of European and global football. Until then, we'll have six weeks of campaigning, in which time candidates must drum up sufficient support.
Required by the club's bylaws to hold elections every five years, the current mandate of president Joan Laporta is set to expire, and he has called for new elections for himself and the board to be held in March. That means the incumbents must resign their positions on Monday, February 9.
The Sporting News explains why this is happening, who the candidates for election could be, and what each one stands for as the Barcelona faithful aim to decide the best leader for the next phase of the club's illustrious history.
The duties of the president of Barcelona are wide-ranging. The individual is responsible for overseeing players and coaches signing contracts, managing the finances of the club, chairing General Assembly meetings, and much more.
In essence, the president runs the day-to-day operations of the club while serving as the public face of the team and Barcelona brand. Barca's executives, such as the sporting director, report to the president.
From 2026 onwards, presidential terms at Barcelona will be five years in length, at which point elections must be held for both president and all board members. Laporta's current term will be the last to run for six years. According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta said "sometimes, six years is just too long" during his campaign for election in 2021.
When is the Barcelona presidential election?
Laporta has scheduled the presidential election for Barcelona for March 15, 2026.
As per club statutes, Laporta has stated that he will resign from his position at the General Assembly on Monday, February 9, along with a significant number of the board. Starting then, candidates for election will go about gathering signatures, as they require at least 2,321 socios to support their candidacy to officially stand for election.
From then until the election, a regency will take charge of the club. A number of board members — at least six, or one third of the total board — are likely to remain in position to avoid necessitating the formation of a temporary management committee.
Challengers to Laporta have criticized the decision to hold elections midseason, stating that the timeline "suits Laporta" but does not do the club the service of a fully fair and balanced election process.
Candidates for 2026 Barcelona presidential election
Candidates for Barcelona president must have been a socio for at least 10 years, and must gather at least 2,321 socio signatures backing their candidacy.
Presidential candidates are also required to, together with their executive board, present a "financial guarantee" worth 15 percent of the club's budget. Barcelona's club statutes state that the executive board is "liable for their actions" while in office, and thus the guarantee is a means of backing that claim financially, with the aim to protect against poor governance and mismanagement.
While this process plays out, candidates for election will not be finalized until they present both the signatures and financial backing to solidify their candidacy. This process will not conclude until closer to the date of the election, and thus this list of candidates is, for now, simply a list of "pre-candidates".
Incumbent: Joan Laporta
The sitting president of Barcelona is Joan Laporta. He has been in office since being elected in 2021, taking over for Josep Bartomeu, who had resigned in 2020 amid widespread anger at the club's management, specifically the dire financial situation and Bartomeu's public spat with Lionel Messi.
Laporta is currently in his second stint as president of the club. He was first elected in 2003 and spent seven years at the helm, during which he saw the rise of Messi and the hiring of Pep Guardiola.
After a decade spent in Catalan politics, Laporta returned to Barcelona with his election in 2021, where he has since been tasked with stabilising the club's finances after the emergency situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and years of financial mismanagement under Bartomeu.
Under Laporta's leadership, Barcelona are through the most immediate danger brought about by their money struggles, when it seemed shockingly plausible that they could cease to exist entirely, but they are still significantly in debt.
The club is believed to owe around €1.5 billion ($1.8bn), thanks in part to the massive renovation project to update their stadium, Camp Nou. The club is banking on revenue from the improved venue to rectify the situation in the long term, but for now, they are still under considerable financial strain.
According to Barcelona's treasurer in January of 2026, the club still has liabilities of around €2.5bn ($3bn), with the New York Times describing Laporta's strategy as "spending its way out of crisis."
The Camp Nou renovation is Laporta's crown jewel, and he has platformed on the goal of hosting the 2029 UEFA Champions League final at the newly overhauled stadium. Unfortunately, the renovation process has not been smooth and has been saddled with financial overreaches, significant delays, and other bad press including water leaks.
Challenger: Victor Font
Victor Font, 53, is making a second run at the Barcelona presidency, and is considered the most serious challenger to the incumbent. He lost to Laporta in the 2021 election to replace Bartomeu, receiving 30 percent of the vote to Laporta's 54.3 percent.
Font is the co-founder of Delta Partners, a financial tech consulting firm, and has deep roots in Catalan football. He is a part-owner of Catalan publication Ara and also of football analytics company Kognia Sports Intelligence.
Font's main platform is a pullback on Laporta's aggressive financial tactics. He has criticized Laporta's use of "levers" to achieve short-term financial solvency at the cost of leveraging the club's future earnings. Critics of his economic plan believe that it will harm Barcelona's ability to compete now, which could damage the club's image and trajectory.
Font has also platformed on reducing the presidential term to four years alongside other reforms such as overhauling the requirements to run for a position on the board. He also wishes to create a ticket package tailored to socios who are not season-ticket holders, and he is promoting an expanded voting system that incentivises mail-in and electronic voting for long-distance members.
Perhaps Font's most publicized campaign promise is that he wishes to make every possible effort to bring Messi back to Barcelona to finish his career where it began.
Challenger: Xavier Vilajoana
Xavier Vilajoana, also 53, is the CEO of Grup Euroconstruc, a development company specializing in affordable housing and sustainable construction. He attempted to run in the 2021 election but could not earn the requisite number of socio signatures.
Vilajoana was once, in his youth, a member of the famed La Masia academy, and went on to captain Barcelona's futsal team. He has been heavily involved in Barcelona's executive setup since then, and was on the board during Bartomeu's presidency.
Given his efforts within the club, Vilajoana has attempted to take credit for a lot of the club's current success on the pitch, pointing to the successful current youth product. He is concurrently saying that Laporta's claims to their recent run of results under Hansi Flick should not be attributed to the sitting president, but instead the years of groundwork laid by previous regimes to which Vilajoana was a key contributor.
While Vilajoana's knowledge of the club's history, background, and inner workings is clear, his ties to a disgraced Bartomeu will likely work against him in any bid for the presidency, even if he has tried to distance himself from that time.
Challenger: Marc Ciria
The final presidential candidate is sports economist and financier Marc Ciria.
Ciria has taken Font's promise to bring Messi back to Barcelona one step further, not only claiming he will pursue it with reckless abandon, but calling such a move "strategic... for the future of the club and to protect and preserve the ownership model." Ciria pointed to the club's current revenue, which he says is below expectations when comparing it to Messi's time at the club, as proof that the Blaugrana legend is "essential" to the club's health.
Dubbed "Movement 42," Ciria's plan centers around massive restructuring of the club's financial setup. "When things aren't working, you have to change them, you have to start over," Ciria says.
The 2026 K League 2 season is now only a few weeks away, and the buzz and excitement is in full flow across the division. With another expansion to the league, making it a total of 17 teams, the competition has never been higher as teams look to reach the top of the table and the promised lands of promotion.
For Seoul E-Land Football Club, this will be their 12th season in K League 2, having never experienced the joys of top-flight football. They will hope that this year will be the season that changes all of that. Momentum has been building in the capital over the last few years, and it would be unwise for anyone to count out Seoul in 2026.
However, with that being said, the Leopards will once again come up against strong opponents, some new faces and some old foes, as they look to finally escape the second tier. Michael Redmond takes a look at Seoul E-Land’s season ahead.
Last Season
17 W – 14 D – 8 L (4th place)
Knocked out in the K League playoff semi-finals by Seongnam FC, losing 1–0.
What Happened?
After licking their wounds from the loss against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the promotion/relegation final in December 2024, fans were worried this would be a one-and-done situation. Seoul lost a couple of key players during that off-season, most notably Bruno Silva, who made his move to Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
However, before fans could begin thinking about a long, hard season ahead, Brazilian forward Euller arrived to fill the void left by Bruno. It did not take long for Euller to help fans forget about his predecessor, as he scored a penalty in the opening game of the season in a 2–1 win against Chungnam Asan. Fortunes continued to improve with a draw against Jeonnam Dragons, followed by an emphatic 4–2 victory against Suwon Bluewings in their third match. Seoul started the season strongly, with just one loss in their first seven games, that defeat coming against eventual champions Incheon United. It looked as though Seoul had learned from the previous year and wanted to go one step further.
Then the summer arrived, and everything fell apart. From May 31st to July 19th, Seoul played eight games, losing five, drawing three, and winning none. The Leopards were in freefall, and fans feared they had thrown it away once again, reminiscent of the infamous 2021 season, when Seoul took maximum points from their opening five matches only to finish bottom of the table.
To add further insult to injury, the following five games brought just one win and four draws. Panic began to set in around the club. What helped Seoul during this period was that the teams around them also struggled for consistency, dropping points left, right, and centre rather than pushing for promotion.
Seoul eventually managed to pull things back together, losing just one of their remaining 13 league matches. This strong finish gave them the opportunity to secure fourth place in the table. An emphatic 6–0 victory against Ansan Greeners on the last day of the season showed that Seoul meant business heading into the playoffs.
Yet it was not to be for the Leopards in 2025. After an intense stalemate against Seongnam FC at Mokdong, forward Ruiz, now an FC Seoul player, scored in the 84th minute to knock Seoul out at the semi-final stage. Had Seoul held on for a few more minutes, a draw would have been enough due to home-field advantage. Instead, it was another heartbreaking exit and confirmation of yet another season in K League 2 for the Leopards.
Notable Moves
Rather than focusing on notable arrivals or departures, the key detail for Seoul E-Land this season is the players who have stayed. Just before the close of the 2025 season, Euller signed a three-year deal with the club, showing his understanding of, and belief in, the club’s goals. Osmar and Kim Oh-kyu, whose contracts were due to expire at the end of the season, have both decided to stay on for another year. This is especially exciting for fans of Osmar, as he had previously made it clear that he intended to complete two years at Seoul before retiring. His decision to extend shows that he recognises the strength within the squad and believes the team is building something positive under its current system. Players who finished the season uncertain about the future would very easily have chosen to hang up their boots.
One surprise re-signing during this transfer window was the return of Alan Cariús. Fans will remember the Brazilian as the player who featured for just 21 minutes in his debut for Seoul last season before suffering an injury. Head coach Kim Do-kyun clearly sees potential in Alan, bringing him back into the fold for 2026 and offering him a second chance to prove himself in the capital.
There were, however, some unfortunate departures during the off-season that slightly dented the squad. The exit that made the biggest headlines was goalkeeper Gu Sung-yun’s move to FC Seoul, a transfer that disappointed many E-Land supporters given his commanding presence between the posts. Australian defender Aaron Calver also departed, along with Pedrinho. In Pedrinho’s case, he spent the second half of the 2025 season on loan at Jeju SK before being sold to Ulsan HD, where he will now ply his trade in the top tier.
For the first time at Seoul E-Land, it feels as though the club is building on what it already has, rather than undergoing a constant rebuild as has been the case for most seasons. Seoul have managed to retain the majority of their big-name players, and as a fan, it shows a clear belief in the squad and a genuine desire to become a K League 1 team. It also suggests that the days of pressing the reset button at the end of every season are long behind them.
Key Player
Euller
A strong, passionate, and talented forward, Euller is not afraid to shoot from anywhere on the pitch in his pursuit of goals for Seoul. A player who can seemingly do anything with the ball at his feet, he is the kind of creative spark every team needs in its squad — the type of player who can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and turn a match that looks destined for a draw into a victory.
Euller was Seoul’s top goalscorer last season with 12 goals, made all the more impressive by the fact that scoring was spread evenly throughout the squad. John Iredale contributed 10 goals, Jeong Jae-min added eight, and Byeon Gyung-jun finished with seven. Euller also recorded 11 assists, underlining his influence on Seoul’s attacking output and explaining why goals were shared so evenly. Unafraid to run at defenders, his pace and dribbling ability allow Seoul to create goal-scoring opportunities they would not previously have found — not since the likes of Leandro during his breakout year with Seoul E-Land in 2020.
Even off the ball, Euller shows leadership. Should Osmar and Kim Oh-kyu depart at the end of 2026, it is difficult to imagine Euller not becoming the captain moving forward. He plays with passion, is adored by the fans, and embodies the identity of this team. This could be a defining year for the Brazilian, not only in cementing his place in Seoul E-Land folklore, but also in K League 2 history.
Young Player to Watch
Baek Ji-ung
If you read the2025 Season Review: Seoul E-Land, you may recall that Baek Ji-ung was named my Young Player of the Year. Once again, he is a standout prospect and a player to keep a close eye on in 2026.
Already nominated for Young Player of the Year at the K League Awards, Baek Ji-ung has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Seoul E-Land’s squad. At just 21 years old, Ji-ung featured in 34 matches last season, starting 26 of them, a remarkable level of trust for a player of his age. While his return of four assists and one goal may appear modest on paper, those numbers only tell part of the story.
Fearless in the tackle and unfazed by one-on-one battles against older, more physical opponents, Ji-ung plays with a maturity well beyond his years. His intelligent movement consistently creates space for teammates, allowing Seoul to progress the ball more effectively and make better decisions in the final third. Time and again, he positioned himself to disrupt opposition defensive structures, helping to open up goal-scoring opportunities for the Leopards’ forwards. With another year of experience behind him, Baek Ji-ung looks set to take an even bigger step forward in 2026.
Biggest Question
Can the Seoul E-Land train not only keep rolling, but pick up enough momentum to finally reach its intended destination?
As someone entering a ninth year writing for K League United and covering the highs and lows of Seoul E-Land, it is impossible not to reflect on how far this club has come. In the early days of that journey, most articles focused on the lows, simply because that was the reality at the time. A brief spark arrived in 2020, only to be extinguished the following season.
However, ever since Kim Do-kyun arrived in the capital, the club has taken on a new identity — a renewed belief, a fresh outlook, and a genuine sense of challenge. The days of Seoul being routinely beaten are now long gone. There was a time when any victory felt like a cup final for supporters, simply because wins were so rare. Now, under Kim, victories come far more frequently, and expectations have grown alongside them.
Which brings us back to the question at hand: can Seoul take that final step forward? Over the last two seasons, they have been strong compared to the previous nine that came before, but can they establish themselves as a club to be genuinely feared in K League 2? Last season, we saw a very good Bucheon 1995 side earn promotion through the playoffs. That Bucheon team played with hunger rather than arrogance — they wanted promotion and relentlessly pursued it. Seoul could look to Bucheon as a clear blueprint for how to achieve their own promotion ambitions.
This season will undoubtedly be more challenging with 17 teams now in the mix, but it also presents opportunity. Automatic promotion is awarded to first and second place this year, with teams finishing third to fifth entering the playoff system, subject to Gimcheon Sangmu’s situation (seeExplained: K League promotion and relegation in 2026). Seoul have grown accustomed to playoff football over the last two years, something supporters once thought they might never witness.
The question now is whether this is the year they push just a little further — not merely settling for the playoffs, but knocking firmly on the door of automatic promotion.
Reason to Watch
Seoul E-Land are an exciting team, and it feels as though momentum has not been lost during the off-season. As mentioned earlier, the days of the squad being stripped back and rebuilt every winter are long gone. Instead, Seoul are building on something tangible as they head into the 2026 season.
There is a clear belief within the squad and a genuine sense of opportunity to achieve something the club has never managed before. This season, there is reason to expect more victories for Seoul, and it is difficult to see a repeat of the poor run of form they endured in 2025, when they went multiple games without a win. Instead, there is a feeling that late winners and hard-fought results could keep them firmly towards the top end of the table.
The start of the season will be tough for Seoul. They open with an away trip to Suwon Samsung Bluewings, followed by home fixtures against Gyeongnam and Busan IPark. That is then followed by away games against Cheonan City and Daegu FC. In all honesty, it is hard to imagine a tougher start. If Seoul can take valuable points from these early fixtures, the tempo will be set quickly and clearly for what this team wants to achieve in 2026.
The phrase “third time lucky” often gets used, but if Seoul do achieve promotion this year, it will not be down to luck. It will be something they have fully earned.
This season feels like a chance for Seoul to finally deliver on the promises made when the club was first formed. Back then, ambitions stretched as far as K League 1 and even the AFC Champions League. While that dream may still be some distance away, the 2026 campaign could be the moment the foundations for something truly special are finally laid.
It is shaping up to be a very exciting year to follow the action at Leoul Park (Mokdong Stadium).
Everything happened: Palmeiras beat Corinthians in a fiery Derby 📹
There was a slip during a penalty kick, some great saves, and a big missed chance.
It was Palmeiras who came out on top in a heated Derby played at the Neo Química Arena on Sunday night (8).
Flaco López secured the 1-0 victory over Corinthians in front of 45,660 spectators.
The match was valid for the seventh round of the Paulistão classification phase.
This result eased the bad streak that Verdão had against their biggest rival and secured their spot in the knockout stage.
Could the story of the game have changed?
In an aerial attempt by Dorival Júnior's team, Raphael Claus awarded a penalty by Carlos Miguel on Gustavo Henrique.
A chance for Memphis to open the scoring.
But the number 10’s supporting foot literally brought him down.
Before the kick, Andreas Pereira was caught repeatedly stepping over the penalty spot.
Which may have contributed to Memphis’s slip.
Corinthians had more possession and dominated the first half.
But the only shot on target came from Palmeiras, who had Vitor Roque as their most aggressive player.
Carlos Miguel the protagonist
Palmeiras actually came back better after halftime.
But Corinthians started to pile up chances. Still, they couldn’t get past Carlos Miguel, who made two great saves.
The first big chance for the Alviverde came at 77', when Luighi stole the ball from Matheuzinho, went one-on-one with Hugo Souza, but saw the fullback recover.
Flaco’s goal and scuffle
The competitive Palmeiras finally succeeded at 84', when Flaco López pounced on Hugo Souza’s rebound after Mauricio’s shot.
The number 42’s celebration included a kick at the corner flag and celebrating in front of the rival fans—the only ones present in Itaquera.
Some Corinthians substitutes didn’t like it, leading to shoving between more players from both teams in the aftermath.
The final minutes saw Corinthians try—unsuccessfully—to get back in the game.
Palmeiras controlled their rival’s momentum and celebrated away from home.
📊 Table and schedule 📅
Corinthians remain at 11 points. They are fifth and not yet qualified.
Their opponent in the final round will be São Bernardo (12th) at 1º de Maio.
Palmeiras, meanwhile, moved to 15 points. They are second and already guaranteed in the knockout stage.
Galatasaray made shock €30m offer for Barcelona star in January
Barcelona had a relatively quiet winter transfer window, with only one signing (Joao Cancelo) and one departure (Marc-Andre ter Stegen). There were chances for more players to leave Hansi Flick’s squad during the month, with Marc Bernal being one of those that attracted significant attention.
Bernal, who scored his first Barcelona goal during Saturday’s victory over Mallorca, was wanted by Girona, with a loan deal having been floated between the two clubs. In the end, it was decided that the 18-year-old would remain at the Spotify Camp Nou for the remainder of the season.
However, there was another chance for Bernal to leave late in the window. As reported by Sport, Galatasaray attempted to agree a transfer with Barcelona, and a €30m offer had been tabled by the Turkish giants.
Image via Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
Bernal, who is one of the lowest earners in the Barcelona squad, was also told that Galatasaray would triple his salary, with president Dursun Ozbek being the main driving force behind the move for the Barcelona midfielder. However, it was ultimately a deal that never progressed, as the Catalans made it clear that their player would not be leaving under any circumstances.
Barcelona have high hopes for Bernal
Barcelona had considered a loan exit for Bernal because they wanted him to play regularly, and not stunt his development by remaining on the periphery of Flick’s squad. At no point was a transfer ever considered, as they see him as someone that can become one of the world’s best midfielders in the years to come.
There is no doubt that Galatasaray’s offer was audacious, but in their eyes, it would have been worth a try. Barcelona were always going to turn it down, especially as they believe he will be worth much more €30m in the coming years.
Tottenham are closely monitoring the situation of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with reports suggesting the North London club is ready to battle Chelsea for his signature this summer.
According to Foot Mercato, the Serbian marksman is attracting significant interest from the Premier League as his time in Turin draws to a close.
Tottenham remain “attentive to his evolution,” viewing the 26-year-old as a potential marquee signing to lead their line for the long term.
(Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic set to leave for free in the summer
The alert for Premier League clubs comes as contract talks between Vlahovic and Juventus have completely collapsed.
The striker’s current deal is set to expire in June 2026, meaning he will be available as a free agent at the end of the season.
Juventus had hoped to tie down their star forward to new terms, but negotiations stalled over wage demands, leaving the Old Lady resigned to losing a player they once signed for over €80 million for nothing.
This presents a golden market opportunity for Spurs, who could secure a world-class number nine without a transfer fee, though competition for his wages will be fierce.
Despite recent contract distractions, Vlahovic’s pedigree as one of Europe’s most lethal finishers remains undeniable.
Since exploding onto the scene with Fiorentina, the Serbian international has racked up over 90 Serie A goals, consistently ranking among the league’s top scorers.
His record places him in elite company; he is one of the few strikers born after 1999, alongside Erling Haaland, to have breached the 40-goal mark in Europe’s top five leagues so quickly.
Even in a disrupted 2025/26 campaign, Vlahovic has demonstrated his clinical edge, netting 3 times in 4 Champions League appearances before an adductor injury sidelined him in December.
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Juventus FC
162
64
16
ACF Fiorentina
108
49
8
FK Partizan Belgrade
27
3
1
Fiorentina Primavera
22
20
1
Total
319
136
26
Spurs scouts are reportedly convinced that his physical profile, aerial dominance, and lethal left foot are tailor-made for the physicality of the Premier League.
Tottenham need a lethal striker
Spurs’ interest in Vlahovic is driven by a looming crisis in their attacking department, with a mass exodus expected this summer.
Richarlison faces an uncertain future, with reports indicating the club is finally ready to cash in on the Brazilian after an inconsistent spell in North London.
Furthermore, the loan experiment with Randal Kolo Muani appears to have failed. The Frenchman has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and is widely expected to return to PSG once his temporary deal concludes.
Compounding the issue is the situation of young talent Mathys Tel, who has been heavily linked with a move away in search of regular first-team football.
With their current options dwindling, landing a proven goalscorer like Vlahović has become a critical priority for the Spurs hierarchy.
VAR’s decision to chalk off a late Manchester City goal and send Dominik Szoboszlai off has been widely criticised, with critics claiming that VAR is killing the fun in the game.
What happened: Goal chalked off and Dominic Szoboszlai sent off
The incident occurred in the 100th minute. With Liverpool chasing an equaliser, goalkeeper Alisson Becker had gone up for a corner, leaving the Reds’ goal completely unguarded.
City cleared the danger, and substitute Rayan Cherki launched a counter-attack, striking the ball towards the empty net from the halfway line.
As the ball rolled towards the goal, goal-scorer Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland engaged in a desperate foot race to the line. Szoboszlai tugged at Haaland’s shirt to slow him down, and the Norwegian striker retaliated by pulling back.
The ball eventually crossed the line, seemingly sealing a 3-1 win for City.
However, VAR intervened. Instead of playing the advantage and allowing the goal to stand, referee Craig Pawson was instructed to disallow the strike.
He brought play back to the initial foul and showed Szoboszlai a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, wiping the goal off the scoreboard in favour of a free-kick.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola reacts to controversial VAR decision
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was left scratching his head at the strict application of the rules over common sense.
Speaking after the match, he expressed his frustration that the game’s natural conclusion was interrupted by technology.
Pep Guardiola on the dramatic ending of the match (via BBC Sport): “Come on referee, give goal and go home!”
Strong reaction against VAR decision
The decision has sparked fury among pundits and fans alike, who feel the rigid application of the laws ruined a spectacular moment.
Gary Neville on Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): “You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy. The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that. Talk about a killjoy. They have just killed one of the great moments of the season.”
Fans also reacted on social media
One wrote:
“What a shocking decision at the end of Liverpool game didn’t deserve a red card just let the goal stand. Process, process is killing the game.”
Another said:
“And that is why VAR is killing the game, you’ve taken away a glorious moment to make sure you got a decision “technically” correct. Absolutely pointless and a poor end to a great second half of football.”
Moments like this are when VAR rightly gets criticised.
Anfield witnessed one of the undisputed games of the season this Sunday, as Manchester City clawed their way back from a goal down to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory, ending with a red card, a disallowed goal, and touchline chaos.
The clash between the title rivals lived up to every bit of the hype, delivering a second half of relentless drama.
It looked as if Liverpool had struck a decisive blow in the title race, but a late collapse and a controversial VAR intervention ensured the points went back to Manchester.
Szoboszlai free-kick opened the scoring for the Liverpool
After a tense first hour, the deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion in the 74th minute. Liverpool won a free-kick 25 yards out, and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to produce a moment of magic.
It was a strike worthy of winning any game, and for ten minutes, it seemed certain to be the difference maker.
Alisson Blunder resulted in Erling Haaland winner from the spot
City equalised against the run of play through Bernardo Silva in the 84th minute, but the true turning point came in stoppage time.
With the game poised at 1-1, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered a catastrophic rush of blood.
Racing off his line to close down Matheus Nunes, the Brazilian mistimed his slide completely, wiping out the City midfielder in the box.
The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Erling Haaland stepped up to silence Anfield, burying the penalty in the bottom corner to make it 2-1 in the 93rd minute.
Donnarumma incredible save in stoppage time to deny Mac Allister
Liverpool threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, and they nearly found it deep into added time.
A clearance fell to Alexis Mac Allister on the edge of the box, who struck a venomous volley destined for the top corner.
However, Donnarumma produced a world-class save, flying to his right to claw the ball away.
It was a match-winning intervention that preserved City’s slender lead amidst the dying embers of the game.
If it was David Raya that made this type of Gianluigi Donnarumma's save against Liverpool tonight. We wouldn't hear the end of it.
Controversial VAR drama: Cherki’s goal chalked off to get Szoboszlai sent off
The chaos peaked in the 100th minute. With Alisson up for a Liverpool corner, City broke on the counter.
Substitute Rayan Cherki raced clear and rolled the ball into the empty net for what appeared to be City’s third goal.
However, VAR intervened in bizarre fashion. Replays showed Szoboszlai pulling Erling Haaland back in the build-up as they chased the ball, who then pulled Szoboszlai to deny him from clearing from the goal line.
Dominik Szoboszlai has just scored an outrageous free-kick to give Liverpool a deserving lead at Anfield against Manchester City.
Arne Slot’s side has fully dominated the second half and done everything but put the ball in the back of the net.
But when Liverpool won a free-kick, it was the Hungarian midfielder who stepped up take it.
And just as he has so many times this season, Szoboszlai did not disappoint. Full of confidence, the Liverpool star unleashed a rocket of a strike that flew into the top right corner.
Donnarumma could not do anything about it he stood there watching the ball fly past him into the back of the net.
This moment of magic comes as no surprise to the Anfield faithful, who have watched Szoboszlai evolve into one of the deadliest dead-ball specialists in Europe this season.
He has already built a highlight reel of set-piece stunners during the 2025/26 campaign.
Fans will instantly recall his similar effort against Arsenal back in August, where he struck a magnificent winner past David Raya to secure a vital 1-0 victory.
He repeated the feat in the Champions League in January, netting a crucial free-kick against Marseille and curled one against Bournemouth.
With Trent no more at Anfield, Szoboszlai has fully assumed the mantle of Liverpool’s primary set-piece taker, proving time and again that he can decide the biggest matches with a single swing of his right boot.
(Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s best player this season
While his goals steal the headlines, Szoboszlai’s influence goes far beyond free-kicks.
The 25-year-old has arguably been the first name on Arne Slot’s team sheet, filling in everywhere from attacking midfield to right-back during an injury crisis earlier in the campaign.
His relentless pressing, creativity, and leadership have driven Liverpool’s title charge. Slot has frequently praised the midfielder’s “incredible” engine and mentality, citing him as the embodiment of the high-intensity style he wants to play.
Whether winning the ball back deep in his own half or firing rockets into the top corner, Szoboszlai is currently playing the football of his life.
Crystal Palace are reportedly weighing up a shock move to appoint Michael Carrick as their next manager, should the former midfielder fail to secure the permanent role at Manchester United this summer.
The Eagles are currently evaluating potential replacements for Oliver Glasner, who recently confirmed he will step down at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
According to Football Insider, Carrick has emerged as a primary target for the Selhurst Park hierarchy following his revitalizing impact at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick attracting strong interest after brilliant start at Man United
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January 2026, Carrick has enjoyed a stellar return to the United dugout.
The 44-year-old has guided the Red Devils to four consecutive wins, including high-profile victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.
His ability to steady the ship and restore a winning identity has not gone unnoticed. Speaking to Football Insider, Pete O’Rourke highlighted Carrick’s rising stock:
“He’s obviously building a strong case to have that interim spell turned into a permanent job.
“If Michael Carrick is available, he’s showing he knows how to get wins in the Premier League. If he gets Man United back in the Champions League, he’s going to be a hot commodity.”
Manchester United not to rush into making permanent managerial decision
Despite Michael Carrick’s incredible start at Old Trafford as caretaker manager, the Manchester United board, led by INEOS, are not rushing into making a permanent managerial decision and are sticking to a proper process.
While Carrick is a frontrunner, the club is still monitoring other top candidates including Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner.
With Glasner set to leave Palace at the end of the season and the Eagles seeking a fresh tactical direction, Carrick’s proven ability to handle high-pressure environments makes him an attractive prospect for chairman Steve Parish.
If United opt against Carrick in the summer, Palace appear ready to pounce. For now, Carrick remains focused on a top-four finish, but his future may well lie in South London if the keys to the Theatre of Dreams are handed elsewhere.
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing the Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
According to a report from French publication Foot Mercato, they will face competition from Chelsea for the 26-year-old Serbian International. The player will be a free agent at the end of the season and the Italians have not been able to agree on a new contract with him.
He has shown he can score goals consistently and has the physicality to adapt to English football. He could be the ideal target man for them. His ability to score goals and hold up the ball could add a new dimension to the attack. Vlahovic is excellent at bringing others into the fold. Players like Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus could thrive alongside him.
Dusan Vlahovic warming up for Juventus (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation as well. Things have not gone according to plan for summer signing Liam Delap, and he has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks. If he leaves the club in the summer, Chelsea will need to replace him. The Serbian could be a very useful addition. He will be available on a free transfer, and he could prove to be a major bargain for both clubs.
Vlahovic has shown his quality in Italy with Fiorentina and Juventus. This could be the right time for him to take up a new challenge in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. Both clubs could be exciting destinations for him.
Manchester United are looking to improve their defensive unit with the signing of Eder Militao from Real Madrid.
The Brazilian has done well in La Liga and he has the quality to succeed in the Premier League as well. Manchester United believe he could be a quality acquisition and have submitted a €40 million offer for him.
Man United keen on Eder Militao
According to a report from Fichajes, Real Madrid are not ruling out a potential departure for the Brazilian and they are currently analysing the offer. The 28-year-old has been an important player for the club, but they believe that his departure would free up the wage bill and allow them to invest in future transfers.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are looking for a player who can come in and make an immediate impact. The 28-year-old has the quality and experience to thrive in the Premier League, and he could help them tighten up at the back. Manchester United have looked vulnerable defensively, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch if they want to fight for trophies and return to the Champions League.
Eder Militao of Brazil reacts during the International Friendly between Brazil and Senegal. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The Brazilian knows what it takes to play for a big club, and he has won major trophies with Real Madrid, including the Champions League. His winning experience could prove to be invaluable for Manchester United.
The €40 million investment could prove to be a bargain if the South American manages to adapt to English football.
Manchester United will now be waiting patiently to find out whether they can sign the defender at the end of the season. They have done well to improve in recent windows, but they need further additions if they want to return to the top of English football.
Julian Alvarez continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks.
The Argentina International has done exceedingly well since moving to the Spanish club, and Premier League clubs are looking to bring him back to England.
Arsenal are looking to sign a complete forward who will add creativity and goals to the team. On the other hand, Chelsea are looking for someone who can lead the line for them and score goals consistently.
Chelsea are reportedly willing to pay around €90 million in order to sign this South American. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an official offer in the coming months.
Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Alvarez has played in the Premier League with Manchester City in the past and he knows the league well. He should be able to adapt quickly and make an immediate impact. There is no doubt that he is one of the best attacking players in European football right now, and he could transform Arsenal or Chelsea in the attack.
The 26-year-old striker has 11 goals and five assists to his name in all competitions this season. Overall, he has 40 goals and 13 assists since joining Atletico Madrid.
The player is at the peak of his career, and it could be an interesting opportunity for him. Chelsea and Arsenal are among the biggest clubs in the world, and he could be tempted to join them.
The €90 million offer could be tempting for the Spanish club if it is presented in the coming months.
Liverpool’s future defensive reinforcement, Jeremy Jacquet, has sparked fresh concern at Anfield after picking up a ‘painful’ shoulder injury during his latest outing for Rennes.
Jacquet had been enjoying a commanding performance at the heart of the defense before disaster struck just shy of the 70-minute mark.
Following a heavy collision, he was seen clutching his arm and grimacing in obvious distress, eventually leaving the field with the assistance of the medical staff.
Liverpool will be closely monitoring Jeremy Jacquet injury
(Photo by Neal Simpson/Allstar/Getty Images)
While Jacquet is not scheduled to officially join Arne Slot’s squad until July 1, the report states that Liverpool officials will be closely monitoring his recovery.
The club views the 20-year-old as a key part of their future defence, having moved aggressively to secure his signature ahead of Chelsea.
Reports suggest that the defender was in significant pain in the dressing room, though the full extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed.
The Reds are currently dealing with an injury crisis
The news from France feels like a cruel case of deja vu for Liverpool supporters, who are currently enduring an injury crisis in defence.
The right-back position has been particularly cursed this season; following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s high-profile departure to Real Madrid, his replacement, Jeremie Frimpong, has struggled to stay fit and is currently sidelined with a recurring thigh issue.
With the backline stretched to its breaking point, the last thing Arne Slot needed was news that his future reinforcements are now joining the walking wounded.
Thomas Frank has confirmed that Cristian Romero will not be stripped of the captaincy following his early red card against Manchester United, offering a staunch defense of the Argentine defender’s character and leadership.
“There is not any regret in making him captain and also he is sorry for the incident. He apologised to his teammates.
“He is one of the most important players. We haven’t spoken specifically about this – he apologised: that is enough for me for now. If you look at how many red cards he had, it is not like that he had that many, when you play with passion and aggression.”
(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Cristian Romero sets unwanted feat with latest red card
The red card against United added another chapter to the defender’s controversial disciplinary record.
Romero has now been sent off six times across all competitions since making his debut for the club, the most of any Premier League player within that period.
Romero has now been sent off six times across all competitions since making his debut for Spurs, the most of any Premier League player within that period.
His aggressive, front-footed style has often been a double-edged sword for the North London side.
While his “passion and aggression” are qualities Frank admires, his tendency to find himself in the referee’s book has frequently left his team vulnerable.
Against United, the early exit forced a tactical reshuffle that ultimately hampered the team’s ability to compete.
However, Frank was quick to point out that such incidents are the byproduct of the intensity required to play at the highest level of the English game.
Could Romero leave Tottenham this summer?
Despite the manager’s public backing, speculation regarding Romero’s long-term future at the club continues to mount.
Leicester City have opened initial talks with former manager Enzo Maresca regarding a sensational return to the King Power Stadium.
According to Sports Boom, the Foxes are reportedly in ‘meltdown’ and have turned to a familiar face in a desperate bid to stabilise a season that is rapidly spiraling out of control
The dramatic move comes in the wake of Marti Cifuentes’ sacking just six months into his tenure.
Cifuentes was dismissed following a brutal collapse in form that saw the team win only once between September and October.
A recent 2-1 home defeat to struggling Oxford United proved to be the final straw for the hierarchy.
(Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
How did Enzo Maresca do in his first stint at Leicester?
Maresca, who left Chelsea last month, remains a highly respected figure at Leicester due to the immediate impact he made during the 2023–24 campaign.
After being appointed in June 2023, the Italian tactician, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola, implemented a dominant, possession-based style that swept through the second tier.
During that season, he was named Championship Manager of the Month on four separate occasions as he guided the Foxes to the league title and an immediate return to the Premier League.
Although his eventual departure for Chelsea left some supporters divided, his track record of securing promotion from the Championship is exactly what the board believes is required.
Leicester City are in a precarious situation
The urgency of the move for Maresca is heightened by a mounting crisis off the pitch.
Oliver Glasner has revealed that Crystal Palace had huge bids for a Marc Guehi replacement rejected on Deadline Day, capping off a chaotic and ultimately frustrating January transfer window for the South London club.
Despite the Eagles’ hierarchy sanctioning significant expenditure in the final hours of the window, Glasner confirmed that their attempts to recruit a new center-back were rebuffed by clubs unwilling to sell their prized assets so close to the 7:00 PM deadline.
Glasner reveals Crystal Palace deadline day drama
(Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
The Austrian manager, who has often cut a frustrated figure regarding the club’s recruitment strategy, admitted that while the intent was there, the timing proved fatal.
“I’ve learned to accept situations. My wish of course, and everyone at the club, would have been that JP [Mateta] gets what he wants and we get Jorgen [Strand Larsen] and Dwight McNeil into the building and Marc Guehi’s replacement into the building.
“This is what everybody was working on until the final seconds. At the end of it the club tried everything with huge offers and huge bids for a Marc Guehi replacement, but clubs said they don’t sell on Deadline Day.
“Credit to the club that they without getting any money for JP spent a big fee on Strand Larsen.
“On the other side, McNeil was the last one we thought we could finalise but in the last minutes the terms of the deal changed again and the deal failed. I expected him and planned for him in the next day’s training.”
Glasner was not happy at Crystal Palace selling Marc Guéhi mid-season
The move left a gaping hole in a defense that had already been weakened by the summer sale of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.
Glasner previously described the sale of his captain just 24 hours before a Premier League fixture as ‘being abandoned’, arguing that the squad lacked the necessary depth to compete at the highest level.
The failure to secure a direct replacement on Deadline Day, despite interest in Lyon’s Ruben Kluivert and Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, leaves Palace light at the back for the remainder of the campaign.
Glasner set to leave the club at the end of the season
Despite leading Palace to a historic FA Cup triumph in 2025, the breakdown in alignment between the manager and the board over the timing of player sales and arrivals has made his exit inevitable.
Martin Zubimendi has drilled a strike from outside the box to give Arsenal the lead against Sunderland.
The Spanish maestro, who has become the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s midfield since his summer move from Real Sociedad, broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute.
After a patient spell of possession, Leandro Trossard find space on the left and cut the ball back to the edge of the box.
Zubimendi took one touch to set himself before unleashing a low, fizzing effort that clipped the inside of the post and flew past Sunderland’s Robin Roefs.
If Arsenal win, they will put immense pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side, who would then be forced to win in one of world football’s most hostile environments just to keep the Gunners within sights.
In a frustrating night for Tottenham at Old Trafford, the dismissal of vice-captain Cristian Romero proved to be the turning point as Manchester United secured a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario revealed how the center-back reacted inside the dressing room.
Speaking after the final whistle, Vicario was quick to defend the defender’s character while confirming that Romero took full responsibility for the incident.
He told TNT Sport: “He is disappointed because he knows this red card could have been avoided so he apologised. He is our captain and today he made a mistake but we know the player he is and he is going to come back stronger and help us massively throughout the season.”
"He apologised to us… we know the player he is, and he’s going to come back stronger"
Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario says club captain Cristian Romero apologised to the squad following a difficult outing against United ?
This did not go down well with the hierarchy who dealt with him behind the scenes as confirmed by Thomas Frank ahead of the game.
His recent comments have further fuelled speculations over a summer exit, with Real Madrid among top clubs linked with a move for the World Cup winner.
Bruno Fernandes has today hit 200 goal involvements for Manchester United, and he’s done it quicker than some of the club’s all-time greats.
Fernandes scored for Man Utd in their 2-0 win at home to Tottenham, putting him on 104 goals for the club – a hugely impressive feat for a midfielder.
On top of that, the Portugal international has also managed this double century of goal involvements faster than legendary figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes.
See below as Opta posted this stat on X, laying out just how impressive Fernandes’ achievement is…
200 – Games taken to reach 200 goal involvements for Man Utd in the Premier League era:
295 – Wayne Rooney (133G, 67A) 314 – Bruno Fernandes (104G, 96A) 339 – Cristiano Ronaldo (144G, 56A) 393 – David Beckham (85G, 115A) 424 – Ryan Giggs (90G, 111A) 564 – Paul Scholes (138G,… pic.twitter.com/vjX3JxaBJs
On top of that, it’s really worth emphasising that Fernandes has had to do this in what has been a far more challenging period for United than those other players played in.
The former Sporting Lisbon man hasn’t won nearly as many trophies as the likes of Ronaldo and Beckham managed, and he hasn’t had the fortune of playing with as many other quality players.
Bruno Fernandes cements his status as a Manchester United great
It’s easy to imagine the 31-year-old playing in those great Red Devils sides of old, but for now the club simply has to focus on keeping him for as long as possible.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates for Manchester United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Of course, if you’re looking for West Ham vs Manchester United tickets then you’ll undoubtedly see Fernandes play, but there’s a slight risk that these will be his final few months at Old Trafford.
ESPN recently reported on United planning talks over Fernandes’ future, with Saudi clubs linked with him in recent times as he’s sent mixed messages over his future.
Still, if this is the last we see of Fernandes in the Premier League, it’s been a pleasure watching him, and United fans will no doubt relish the games ahead as he looks to add to his legacy.
Cristian Romero’s red card for Tottenham in today’s game against Manchester United is a big blow as Spurs now play on with ten men, while they’ll also miss the defender for the next four games.
Romero was shown a straight red for a nasty challenge on Man Utd midfielder Casemiro, and it now means he’s set to miss some important fixtures for Tottenham, including the North London Derby vs Arsenal.
Spurs take on Newcastle next, with Romero out of that one, then Arsenal, and then games against Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Romero has now only made that problem even worse with his foolish antics today, as that moment of madness means THFC will be even more stretched in their next four games.
Romero might have had some poor moments for Tottenham, like this one, but he’s mostly been one of their most solid and reliable defensive performers, so it’s a big blow for them not to have him available against Arsenal.
For one thing, Tottenham fans will be desperate not to see their north London rivals winning the title, but this makes their task that bit harder.
Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero has been shown a straight red card for an awful challenge on Casemiro in today’s game against Manchester United.
The Argentine went in studs-up on the Man Utd midfielder and could’ve caused a serious injury, so there’s surely no argument that the sending-off was the right call by the referee.
Romero really let Spurs down here, and fans will be furious with him as they now have to try coming back at Old Trafford when the home side have a man advantage.
Not long after Romero’s red card, we saw United take the lead through Bryan Mbeumo, giving Thomas Frank’s men a mountain to climb for the rest of the afternoon.
Romero is normally a pretty reliable defensive player for Tottenham, but he is prone to moments of madness like this, and that will be a source of huge frustration for fans of the north Londoners in what was already going to be a tough game today.
Tottenham’s Cristian Romero is shown a red card against Manchester United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
This also follows Romero’s social media outburst recently, in which he hit out at Tottenham’s lack of squad depth, which, ironically, he’s just exposed again by making himself unavailable for important upcoming games.
Bryan Mbeumo goal punishes ten-man Tottenham
See below as Mbeumo finished off a well-worked corner routine by United…
The Cameroon international has proven a superb signing since joining MUFC from Brentford in the summer.
Can Spurs possibly come back from this now or will United just go on to extend their lead even further? Drop us your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
The Hammers were 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge before a late Chelsea comeback dealt them yet another poor result in this season of struggling to get out of the relegation zone.
Nuno will surely be feeling the pressure after a poor start at the London Stadium since he replaced Graham Potter earlier in the season.
It doesn’t help that one of his own players, Tomas Soucek, also appeared to aim a dig at the manager’s tactics at important moments.
What Tomas Soucek said after West Ham’s collapse against Chelsea
As quoted by West Ham’s official site, Soucek spoke after the Chelsea defeat about managing the game better and trying to make more of opportunities to counter-attack.
“They played much better, but we have to manage it much better, even because we know we were 2-0 up, and we just need to win this game,” Soucek said.
“We have to go for counter-attacks again as to score a third goal would be important, but we can’t concede three goals, because it’s sometimes too easy.
“That’s the mentality we should have [to score a third goal], because the best defence is to attack, so that’s what we want, but sometimes when we are winning we go too much to defence, and then they create the chances and we didn’t manage that.”
Tomas Soucek warming up for West Ham (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Nuno’s message to West Ham ahead of Burnley test
Nuno has now spoken out about what he feels his team needs to do as they prepare for an important game away to Burnley this afternoon.
WHUFC really need to win to distance themselves from their fellow relegation strugglers, who are five points below them in the table.
West Ham fans will have to decide for themselves, however, if it sounds like Nuno has taken Soucek’s comments on board.
“We have analysed it and looked at things, and we have to find solutions going forward,” Nuno said in his press conference, as quoted by Hammers News.
“We spent a lot of energy pressing high in the game, and playing so well offensively, and after about 55-60 minutes we felt that energy getting away.
“We tried to rebalance the team with an extra body and it didn’t work out, so the challenge is to keep the standards throughout the whole match.
“The positives are that we played some really good football, we just need to sustain that going forward. The players are hurting, and they will be ready to go on Saturday, to show a reaction.”
Romano posted: “Juventus reach verbal agreement with Kenan Yildiz and his camp over new long term deal. New contract will be valid for the next four years as Yildiz has agreed to put pen to paper with salary increased. He’s gonna be among the best paid players in the squad.”
Kenan Yildiz staying at Juventus but transfer interest will surely remain
Juventus fans will surely be delighted that Yildiz has committed his future to the Turin outfit for the time being, but one imagines it won’t entirely kill off the transfer speculation.
Clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea have the financial power that can be persuasive at the highest level, so that could mean they’re able to offer big money to both Juventus and to Yildiz at some point in the future.
Kenan Yildiz in action for Juventus (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Ultimately, the Premier League is widely regarded as the most competitive and prestigious league in the world these days, so it’s hard to imagine a quality player like Yildiz doesn’t have ambitions to play in England at some stage.
Juventus are fourth in Serie A at the moment, but one imagines if they fail to qualify for the Champions League then they could be at risk of losing star names like Yildiz.
The 20-year-old’s new deal is a four-year one, according to Romano, so that could open the door to a big move just as he’s approaching his peak years.
A source close to the Saudi Pro League has been reported as saying they can cope with Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential transfer away from Al Nassr.
It seems Ronaldo is facing an increasingly uncertain future after refusing to play for Al Nassr in their last two games.
According to iNews, it seems Saudi figures are relatively relaxed about the prospect of Ronaldo leaving, with big targets lined up for the summer to soften the blow.
The Portugal international may be arguably the biggest name in world football, but Saudi clubs could also turn to highly attractive options in Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr looks on (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Source on Cristiano Ronaldo transfer and possible replacements
Speaking to iNews, the source said: “With other big names leaving, we will look at lots of other marquee names in the summer.
“Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes would be the perfect picks. Salah especially, given he would attract an Arab audience as a Muslim.
“Either of those coming in, along with that younger talent, would be huge for us. And really soften any Ronaldo blow.”
Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr
Games
Goals
2022/23
19
14
2023/24
51
50
2024/25
41
35
2025/26
22
18
What Fabrizio Romano has said about Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation
It may well be too early to know for sure if the 41-year-old has already decided to try something new, with Romano calling for calm amid a lot of noise and speculation.
Speaking on his YouTube channel earlier this week, Romano said: “I told you in a video yesterday, let’s not overreact – Cristiano to MLS, Cristiano breaking his contract, and this kind of stuff. For now, let’s not overreact.
“But for the present, to give you an update, to give you news, Cristiano Ronaldo, according to my information, will not play a crucial game on Friday because Cristiano has no injury, no fitness management, no physical problems.
“So, forget about that. Cristiano is fit but Cristiano will not be without squad exactly as he did a few days ago. Why? Because Cristiano remains upset with the management from the Saudi group, especially PIF, that is taking care of several clubs in Saudi.”
According to iNews, Ronaldo could leave for £43m, the value of his release clause with Al Nassr, with a return to Sporting Lisbon looking a genuine possibility.
Another of Ronaldo’s former clubs, Manchester United, are not currently looking to re-sign the Portugal international, however.
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer situation explained by sources
The report from iNews quotes Saudi sources as sounding relaxed about the Ronaldo situation, as other big names could be targeted in this summer’s transfer window.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during a game for Al Nassr (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Even if it would be a blow to lose a huge name like Ronaldo, it seems the Saudis remain confident that they could perhaps land someone like Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
“With other big names leaving, we will look at lots of other marquee names in the summer,” one source is quoted as saying.
“Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes would be the perfect picks. Salah especially, given he would attract an Arab audience as a Muslim.
“Either of those coming in, along with that younger talent, would be huge for us. And really soften any Ronaldo blow.”
Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr
Games
Goals
2022/23
19
14
2023/24
51
50
2024/25
41
35
2025/26
22
18
Cristiano Ronaldo not set for third Manchester United spell
Even if it makes sense that we were always likely to see Ronaldo linked with Man Utd again after two previous spells at Old Trafford, it seems this one is not happening.
The 41-year-old forward may still be a top class player, but paying the kind of money required to sign him at this age is surely too big a risk for someone like United.
In truth, it’s hard to see any European club who could afford Ronaldo being tempted to go in for him after his spell in Saudi football, which is far less competitive than most of the major European leagues.
United fans would surely love to see CR7 return again, particularly after the difficult end to his second spell, but there would also surely be some acknowledgement that that’s based on sentiment more than anything else.
It would be quite a fitting end to Ronaldo’s career, however, if he were to end up back at his first club Sporting.
Still, Falk also noted that Goretzka sees himself as being a good fit for Premier League football, so that could be good news for Arsenal as they’re expected to try again for him this summer, according to Calciomercato.
Goretzka has had a fine career at Bayern, but is not getting any younger, so it perhaps makes sense that he’s about to become available and that big clubs are interested.
Calciomercato’s report also names AC Milan as an option for the 31-year-old, while Falk also reported on interest from the likes of Juventus and Napoli.
Leon Goretzka linked again as Arsenal eye midfield rebuild
Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
It seems like Goretzka is not the only target for Arsenal in midfield as they look to strengthen in that area of their squad this summer.
Sandro Tonali to Arsenal could be another saga to watch out for, according to the Sun and others, with the Italy international’s agent suggesting his client could leave Newcastle.
“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer,” Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso said about the player, as quoted by the Daily Mirror. “These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.”
Tonali might be a difficult target, however, as Newcastle surely won’t sell unless they receive crazy money, so that might make Goretzka a good alternative.
Above all, AFC probably need depth more than they need someone to compete with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi for a starting spot.
Tonali is someone Arsenal would sign if they wanted to replace either of those two, whereas Goretzka could be a good rotation option who’d probably also be more willing to accept not being first choice at this stage of his career.
The England international has been a key player for Liverpool for a number of years now, proving himself to be a solid and reliable member of the Reds’ squad, even if he’s not always been a regular starter.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has previously praised Jones as being “outstanding” and a “complete” player, as per BBC Sport, so he’d presumably like to keep him around if possible.
Could Curtis Jones seal a transfer away from Liverpool?
Jones has 18 months left on his current Liverpool contract, so it could be that it would make sense for them to cash in on him this summer.
Curtis Jones looks on from the Liverpool bench (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old might also feel it’s time for a new challenge, and that he could get more regular minutes at a club like Newcastle.
The Magpies could be facing some doubt over a midfielder of their own, with the Athletic reporting on Sandro Tonali being offered to Arsenal earlier this week.
If that saga drags on into the summer then NUFC will surely be on the lookout for a new midfielder, and Jones could be a decent option.
Curtis Jones transfer: How important is he to Liverpool?
Liverpool could end this speculation very easily by giving Jones a new contract, but the fact that they haven’t done so already could suggest they’ve already made up their minds about his future.
Even if keeping Jones around for squad depth could make sense for the Reds, there might also be some key decision-makers at the club who want to make changes in midfield.
Jones is a hard-working player with some qualities, but he’s probably not outstanding enough in any particular area for a top club with Liverpool’s ambitions.
Newcastle might be a better fit for Jones, though of course LFC could live to regret letting him strengthen a rival.
The agent of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has seemingly opened the door for a potential transfer to Arsenal in the summer.
As was recently reported by the Athletic, it seems Tonali was offered to Arsenal on Deadline Day, though there was never likely to be enough time to get such a major deal done on that occasion.
Still, it seems the Italy international could still be on his way out of Newcastle in the summer, with latest updates sure to have the Gunners on alert.
Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso has spoken out on the situation and suggested further talks over his client’s potential exit will take place soon.
Sandro Tonali agent opens the door to potential Arsenal transfer
Although Riso did not mention Arsenal specifically, his words could be significant given that he supposedly contacted the north London giants about this deal.
“Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League,” Riso told Tuttosport, as quoted and translated by the Daily Mirror.
Sandro Tonali waves to the Newcastle fans (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.
“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.”
Do Arsenal need Sandro Tonali?
Interestingly, despite the surprise talk about Tonali and Arsenal towards the end of the January transfer window, it’s not yet been confirmed if Mikel Arteta’s side are actually interested.
AFC already have Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi as their first choice in that area of midfield, with Christian Norgaard as backup.
It’s hard to see Tonali starting over Rice or Zubimendi that often, while he also surely wouldn’t settle for a backup role like Norgaard has had.
Arteta would obviously love to have more depth if possible, but Tonali might be better off moving somewhere where he’d be a guaranteed starter, as there are surely plenty of other top clubs who could give him that kind of key role.
Liverpool remains interested in signing the Newcastle United defender Sven Botman.
They are plotting a move for the 26-year-old Netherlands international at the end of the season, and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle is prepared to sanction his departure.
Liverpool have secured an agreement to sign Jeremy Jacquet recently. However, they are looking to add another defender to the squad. Ibrahima Konate will leave the club on a free transfer in the summer, and Virgil van Dijk is entering the twilight stages of his career, so he will need to be replaced in the future.
Sven Botman of Newcastle United (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Botman has done well for Newcastle in the Premier League, and there is no doubt that he is good enough for Liverpool as well. However, he sustained multiple injuries during his time in England. Liverpool will not want to sign an injury-prone player. They need someone with excellent availability, and it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to take a gamble on the Newcastle star.
The opportunity to join Liverpool will be exciting for the Netherlands international. It would be a step up for him, and he would get to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. He would also get to join a team where he might be able to push for trophies.
However, Newcastle are already lacking in defence, and selling one of their best players would be a huge blow. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
West Ham United crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League and manager Nuno Espirito Santo has now admitted that the approach did not work out.
West Ham employed a high-pressing style of football against Chelsea and did reasonably well until the hour mark. However, fatigue crept in during the second half, and West Ham eventually lost their spark.
Nuno Espirito Santo needs a change of approach
The 4-4-2 system deployed by Espirito Santo demands high pressing from the two strikers, but West Ham simply do not have the depth in that area of the pitch to change things around and maintain the same level of pressure throughout the 90 minutes.
Nuno has now admitted that the system needs to change, and it will be interesting to see whether he can get the best out of his team while staying within the resources available to him. They should have signed more players if they wanted to play a high-pressing style.
Nuno said (h/t Claret&Hugh): “We spent a lot of energy pressing high in the game, and playing so well offensively, and after about 55–60 minutes, we felt that energy getting away. We tried to rebalance the team with an extra body and it didn’t work out, so the challenge is to keep the standards throughout the whole match.”
There is no doubt that they have the players to do much better than they have this season. The fan will certainly expect them to step up their performances and bounce back strongly.
Wolves attacker Jhon Arias is now closing in on a move away from the club this month.
According to a report from Globo Esporte, the player has signed a pre-contract agreement with Palmeiras, and the two clubs are now preparing the final paperwork ahead of the move.
The 28-year-old Colombian attacker is now set to complete a €25 million move to the Brazilian club next week.
Jhon Arias needs a move
Arias has played 23 Premier League matches for Wolves this season, and he has scored just once. His form has been erratic, and it will be interesting to see if he can recapture his peak form with the Brazilian club. There is no doubt that he is a quality player and versatile enough to play in multiple roles. He can play as a centre forward or a wide player. He could be a very useful addition to Palmeiras if he regains his confidence.
Meanwhile, Wolves have also sanctioned the departure of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Jhon Arias of Wolverhampton Wanderers (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
They are at the bottom of the league table, and they are fighting to survive. Losing these players will only further weaken them. It will be interesting to see if they can miraculously escape relegation this season. As things stand, they are the favourites to go down.
Arsenal are interested in signing the Bournemouth attacker Eli Junior Kroupi.
The 19-year-old attacker joined the Cherries at the start of the season, and he has been excellent for them. He has eight goals in the Premier League so far, and he scored against Arsenal earlier this season. The Gunners are impressed by his performances and hope to sign him, according to a report from MediaFoot.
Bournemouth paid €13 million to sign the player, and they are likely to demand a substantial fee for him if Arsenal come calling in the summer. It is no secret that they need more quality in the attack. They spent a lot of money on Viktor Gyokeres during the summer transfer window, but the Swedish International has not been prolific enough.
Eli Junior Kroupi of AFC Bournemouth is congratulated by teammate Antoine Semenyo (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Arsenal need a more reliable attacker leading the line for them, and the 19-year-old could be ideal. He has the potential to develop into a top-class player. He has adapted to Premier League football seamlessly, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. Playing for one of the biggest teams in the country will only help him improve further.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal follow up on their interest with an official proposal to complete the deal. They will face competition from the French outfit PSG. Both clubs have the financials to pay a premium, and it will be interesting to see where the 19-year-old attacker ends up.
He should look to join a club where he can play a prominent role. He needs regular high-level gametime to fulfil his tremendous potential.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
According to a report from Fichajes, Arsenal wanted to sign the player during the January window, but the move did not materialise. The player is likely to be on the radar of top clubs in the summer as well. Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring his situation, and they could look to make a move for the Italian.
Sandro Tonali asking price revealed
The midfielder is reportedly valued at €90 million, and it will be interesting to see whether Real Madrid decides to sign him. They could use a reliable defensive midfielder, and the Italian would be an excellent addition. He has shown his quality in the Premier League and can thrive in La Liga as well.
Both Arsenal and Real Madrid could be exciting destinations for the player. He has won the English League Cup with Newcastle, but he will now want to win major trophies. Newcastle are not quite at the level required to win league titles or the UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid or Arsenal could provide him with that platform.
Sandro Tonali warming up for Newcastle United (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
A report from The Times has also confirmed that the player is looking to move on in the summer. His agent has indicated that a summer move is on the cards.
The 25-year-old is an indispensable asset for Newcastle, and his departure would be a huge blow for them. However, they cannot hope to keep top players at the club if they are unable to compete regularly for major trophies. They will have to reluctantly let the player move on.
€90 million is a lot of money, and they should be able to find a quality replacement.
Chelsea are interested in signing the Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, and they will face competition from Manchester United.
According to a report from Fichajes, both clubs are keen on the 23-year-old Brazilian defender, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. The South American has shown his quality with Nottingham Forest, and he is certainly ready for the next step.
Murillo could fancy a big move
The opportunity to play for Chelsea or Manchester United will be exciting for him. They are among the biggest clubs in the country, and they could provide him with a platform to compete in Europe and fight for trophies.
It will be interesting to see if Nottingham Forest is willing to sanction his departure at the end of the season. They have had a disappointing season so far, and it will be difficult to convince top players to continue. Players like Murillo will want to compete at the highest level, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Murillo of Nottingham Forest (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
Chelsea have looked quite vulnerable defensively, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch. Murillo would be an excellent acquisition for them, and he could prove to be an upgrade on players like Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
As for Manchester United, they need a quality long-term replacement for Harry Maguire, and the Brazilian certainly fits the profile. He is well settled in English football, and he could make an immediate impact at Chelsea or Manchester United. It remains to be seen where he ends up eventually.
Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing the Manchester United defender Leny Yoro
The defender has been linked with Real Madrid in the past, and they have been monitoring his progress since 2024. Manchester United signed the player for €62 million and are prepared to sanction his departure for €70 million at the end of this season, according to Fichajes.
Real Madrid keen on Leny Yoro
It will be interesting to see whether Real Madrid renew their interest in the player and sign him in the summer. It is no secret that they need more quality in the defensive unit. The Frenchman has shown he is a top talent with a bright future, and he can succeed in La Liga as well. He will look to establish himself as a key player for the Spanish outfit if the deal goes through.
Real Madrid have the financial muscle to pay €70 million for him, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds. Manchester United are quite vulnerable at the back as well, and losing the defender would be a blow for them.
Leny Yoro of Man United (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The 20-year-old is quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a world-class defender with the right guidance. Manchester United could regret letting him leave. Yoro has been labelled as a “special talent” in the past.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid should do everything in their power to sign the talented young defender. He could justify the investment in future and prove to be a long-term asset for them. They need to tighten up at the back if they are serious about winning major trophies again.
Meanwhile, Yoro might fancy a move to Real Madrid as well. They are widely regarded as the biggest club in the world, and the opportunity to play for them can be hard to turn down.
The Premier League’s 2025-29 deal was worth £6.7 billion. Have the vast sums paid to every top-flight team made the league more competitive, and how have they spent so far?
Summer 2025 spending
There wasn’t a clear pattern of mid-table clubs spending more, relative to the traditional bigger sides.
Fulham spent €44.5 million, a relative pittance in Premier League money. Kevin from Shakhtar was their biggest buy for €40m.
Crystal Palace won the FA Cup and finished one place behind Fulham in 12th. They spent €55.3m, with most of that going on Yeremy Pino.
Bournemouth did spend €138.1m, with Bafode Diakite their most expensive signing at €35m. Their €15m fee for Veljko Milosavljevic, a teenage centre back bought with future seasons in mind, highlighted how much the Premier League has grown. (It was only six seasons ago that Manchester United, who were aiming for a title, signed Dan James for a similar fee to compete for a position in the starting eleven. That same season, Newcastle signed Allan Saint-Maximin for a similar amount.)
These new players are playing to bigger audiences than ever, in large part because the UK is showing even more games on TV. Sky Sports and TNT Sports share an average seven games per weekend, with a typical gameweek having just three traditional 3pm kickoffs. These Saturday 3pm games are the only ones not allowed to be shown on domestic TV, with the UK the last country in Europe still applying the “3pm blackout”.
This law does not apply to fans abroad in countries like the United States, where football fans regularly watch 3pm kickoffs on channels like NBC. If they travel to the UK, though, they have to use a tool likeExpressVPN to access their subscriptions.
The Premier League and EFL are reportedly in talks to end the3pm blackout. The contracts do not expire until 2029 so any changes would likely take place from the 2029-30 season. The currentPremier League rights is clouded in uncertainty as Netflix attempts to buy Warner Bros. Pictures, Television, and Games, along with DC Studios, HBO, and TNT Sports. The latter being part of Warner Bros Discovery’s umbrella of companies means that if the Netflix sale were to go through, Premier League fans could be watching games on Netflix.
Top six
Of the bigger clubs, Liverpool were the summer’s biggest spenders. €482.9m went on stars including Alexander Isak (€145m), Florian Wirtz (€125m), and Hugo Ekitike (€95m). They spent €46.9m on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, which meant the latter club’s net spend wasn’t quite as dramatic as it would have been (“only” €100.31m).
Chelsea had a typically active window, spending €339.15m and bringing in €332.25m. Joao Pedro, yet another purchase from Brighton and Hove Albion, was their biggest buy at €63.7m.
Arsenal finished second last season and were the summer’s next biggest spenders, with Martin Zubimendi (€70m), Eberechi Eze (€69.3m), Viktor Gyokeres (€66.9m), Noni Madueke (€56m), Christhian Mosquera (€15m), and Christian Norgaard (€11.6m) all arriving in the same window.
Aston Villa finished 6th last season but made a summer profit of €24.65m, with their only significant signing being Evan Guessand from Nice (€30m). They sold Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for €45m.
Manchester United, a traditional “big six” team, finished 15th last season and attempted to make amends with a €250.7m outlay. It wasn’t enough for Ruben Amorim to keep his job but interim coach Michael Carrick may benefit from having Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbuemo, and Matheus Cunha to choose from, each costing over €70m.
Is the Premier League more competitive?
Spending has not always correlated with results in the Premier League, and this season is similar. Bournemouth started well but then dramatically dropped off and have looked relegation candidates for much of the season. Arsenal may be happiest with how their new signings have paid off: Zubimendi has made a strong midfield even better, Eze has given them more options and still has room to grow at 27 years old, and while Gyokeres (also 27) hasn’t had the smoothest of starts, Mikel Arteta has repeatedly said the striker will find his feet.
Despite Amorim’s sacking, United look like they could climb back to the top five and potentially Champions League qualification this season. While it wouldn’t be quite as romantic as Fulham or Bournemouth competing with Real Madrid and co, it would suggest that the TV money helps teams stay competitive even after a huge underperformance.
The 23-year-old hasn’t played much since joining Man City in the summer, and one imagines his situation might attract a lot of interest if it doesn’t change soon.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke is keen to strengthen in goal, and it seems Trafford is a name on the club’s radar, according to TEAMtalk.
The report also names Tottenham and Aston Villa as admirers of the England Under-21 international, so this might not be an easy race for Leeds to win.
James Trafford praised as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, but could he leave Man City?
Trafford looked like a top young talent at former club Burnley, and he probably thought he was moving to the Etihad Stadium to become City’s number one.
Pep Guardiola described Trafford as “incredible”, as per BBC Sport, but actions speak louder than words and it’s clearly Gianluigi Donnarumma who’s the number one for City.
James Trafford in action for Manchester City (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
The Italy international ended up joining later in the summer, but he’s clearly the bigger name and more proven performer at this level, so that doesn’t bode well for Trafford.
Where should James Trafford move to if he leaves City?
Trafford will perhaps regret his move to City, so he needs to choose his next club very carefully in order to ensure he will end up playing regularly.
Leeds seems a fairly safe bet from that point of view, as he’d surely be a clear upgrade on the likes of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier.
Tottenham would probably also make Trafford their number one after unconvincing performances from Guglielmo Vicario since he joined.
Villa, meanwhile, currently have Emiliano Martinez as their number one, so that might be a trickier one for Trafford, unless of course the Midlands outfit end up selling the Argentine this summer.
The attacker has made it clear to Palace that he wants to leave the club for a new challenge and join a club who can match his ambitions.
However, a knee injury resulted in him failing to get his desire move to the Serie A.
With the player now stuck at Palace and perhaps needing a surgery on his injury issue, his future looks uncertain.
It was expected that his actions will not go down well with the fans but even some of his teammates are unhappy with him and how he treated the club.
Crystal Palace players are unhappy with Mateta
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that some key figures in the dressing room are unhappy with Mateta.
“I don’t agree at all with the way Mateta has gone about things,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He’s been making noise about how much he wants to be paid, which clubs are interested, all of that forgetting that Crystal Palace are the reason he’s in this position.
“It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but in my experience, it doesn’t go down well with the squad.
“He refused to play against Nottingham Forest, saying his head wasn’t in the right place, and there have been suggestions he’s not been training either, that can have an impact on the squad.
“From what I hear, some of the stronger players in that dressing room are unhappy with him. There are some good lads in that dressing room, so I’m not surprised.
“They’ll say, you’ve made your bed, you’ll have to lie in it. They’re getting on with the job with players who want to play for Crystal Palace.
“Mateta can’t have an argument for that, because it’s not as if he’s been banging the goals in either. Plus, they’ve signed Strand Larsen now, so it might be hard for him to get back in.”
Barcelona are preparing to turn Marcus Rashford’s loan spell into a permanent move, with the club convinced the England international represents outstanding value in the current market.
According to reports from Diario Sport, the Catalan giants intend to activate the €30 million purchase option included in Rashford’s agreement with Manchester United and are planning to offer the forward a three-year contract at Camp Nou.
The decision shows Barcelona’s satisfaction with Rashford’s impact since arriving in Spain.
At 28, the forward has rediscovered form and confidence, becoming an important part of Barça’s attacking structure.
His numbers show that influence, Rashford has directly contributed to 23 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season, a return that has strengthened the club’s belief that securing him permanently is both a sporting and financial win.
In a market where established forwards regularly command fees well beyond that figure, Rashford’s combination of experience, versatility, and productivity has convinced the club that finding a comparable player for less would be “impossible”.
Rashford’s ability to operate across the frontline has been a major factor.
Comfortable on either wing or through the middle, he has given Barcelona tactical flexibility while also adding pace and directness to their attack, qualities that have sometimes been missing in recent seasons.
Marcus Rashford warming up for Barcelona (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
From Man United’s standpoint, the move represents a clean break.
Rashford is a product of the club’s academy and enjoyed spells of outstanding form at Old Trafford, but consistency and direction became issues in recent years.
The loan to Barcelona was designed as a reset, and while his revival in Spain may prompt some regret among United supporters, the financial return and wage savings make the deal appealing for the Premier League side as they reshape their squad.
Former Arsenal striker Jay Bothroyd has hit back at Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior over his comments about a lack of respect from the Gunners.
Speaking on Sky Sports in the video clip below, Bothroyd insisted that what Rosenior described – players warming up and occasionally moving into their opponents’ half – happens all the time.
Rosenior was clearly not happy with Arsenal’s antics when he spoke about it in his press conference yesterday, saying: “It wasn’t the players. When you warm up, we have our half and the other team have their half. I’ve never asked my team or coaches to encroach on the other team’s territory. I thought they were affecting our warm up.
"It happens in every single game" ??
Jay Bothroyd doesn't believe Arsenal showed disrespect to Chelsea following Liam Rosenior claims but understands his frustrations ? #skysportsfcpic.twitter.com/t7qxw6uvUa
“I asked them, maybe not politely, to move away. I’m not here to have mind games. There are certain etiquettes in football. I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club. It was just in that moment, I don’t think that respect was shown to my team.”
Has Liam Rosenior handled Chelsea-Arsenal saga badly?
Liam Rosenior shouts instructions during Chelsea’s defeat vs Arsenal (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Rosenior is relatively inexperienced at the highest level of management, even if he did an impressive job at Strasbourg before landing the role of replacing Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.
The 41-year-old might learn from this and decide it’s not the best way to try to manage the media, but it could also turn out to be clever mind games.
Overall, however, the reaction seems mostly to be pretty negative for the time being.
See below as journalist Henry Winter offered his take on it all…
Liam Rosenior is a highly promising young coach as he proved at Derby, Hull, Strasbourg and with six wins in eight games at Chelsea. He thinks deeply about the game. He’s obviously a very intelligent person. He’s also worked in the media. So Rosenior should be smart enough to…
“Rosenior should be smart enough to avoid observations that lead to headlines unhelpful to him and his players,” he posted.
“Coaches, especially goalkeeping ones, do step into the opposition half to deliver long kicks to warm up their keeper. It happens often. Crossing the halfway line isn’t crossing the line,” he added.
Chelsea ended up losing 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners progressing 4-2 on aggregate to set up a Carabao Cup final date with Manchester City next month. In a sense, the fact that we’re now talking more about this than about Chelsea’s poor performance over both legs could be mission accomplished for Rosenior!
What do you make of this whole incident, Chelsea fans? Are you behind Rosenior or has he massively overreacted here? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Morgan Rogers’ rapid rise at Aston Villa has not gone unnoticed, and the attacking midfielder is now emerging as one of the most sought-after young talents in the Premier League.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are among several top-flight sides showing a ‘strong interest’ in the 23-year-old, viewing him as a player with the potential to develop into one of the very best in his position.
Club scouts have reportedly been impressed not only by his output, but by his adaptability, Rogers has operated as a central attacking midfielder, from wide areas, and even in deeper roles when required.
Chelsea face competition from Premier League rivals
That level of interest shows how highly Rogers is now rated across the division.
For Arsenal, his dynamism and ability to operate between the lines would fit naturally into Mikel Arteta’s positional play system.
Manchester United, meanwhile, see him as a potential long-term solution in attacking midfield as they continue reshaping their squad profile.
Manchester City’s interest is perhaps the strongest endorsement of all, given their reputation for only targeting players they believe can meet the highest tactical demands under Pep Guardiola.
Aston Villa have firm stance on the England international
Morgan Rogers celebrates a goal for Aston Villa (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Despite the growing attention, Aston Villa are in a commanding position. Rogers is viewed internally as a pillar of their project, and there is no appetite to sell unless an extraordinary offer arrives.
Reports suggest Villa would demand a fee north of £100 million to even consider negotiations, a valuation that reflects both his age and his importance to the squad.
Under Unai Emery, Rogers has flourished, benefiting from a system that encourages intelligent movement, pressing intensity, and technical bravery.
Villa believe his best years are still ahead of him and see little reason to weaken their side as they aim to establish themselves as regular contenders for European football.
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile is now rated as “very likely” to be out of the Blues’ project as transfer suitors emerge ahead of the summer.
As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, there has not yet been any contact from clubs for Badiashile, despite some background interest from AC Milan.
I’m also told that Juventus and Marseille could be two teams to watch in the race for Badiashile’s signature, as he’s set to be made available for around €35m this summer.
Chelsea consider Badiashile out of their project and will ideally look to sell him permanently rather than loaning him out.
Sources on Benoit Badiashile’s Chelsea future
“Badiashile is very likely out of the Chelsea project now,” one source in the industry told me this morning. “There has been some interest from AC Milan, albeit nothing that concrete yet, but we can expect to see them and others step up their efforts in the months ahead.
Benoit Badiashile in training with Chelsea (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)
“While I wouldn’t say Chelsea are forcing Badiashile out, they are very much open to offers and would prefer a permanent sale to a loan. His asking price will be in the region of €35m.”
Badiashile will surely have options once it comes to leaving Stamford Bridge, but he’ll no doubt be disappointed he couldn’t make more of this opportunity.
The Frenchman looked highly promising when he first joined from Monaco in 2023, but it just hasn’t quite happened for him in English football.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has acknowledged that the club came close to strengthening their defensive ranks during the closing stages of the January transfer window, only to see a potential move fall through.
The Reds, who have been severely stretched at the back this season, explored a deal for Lutsharel Geertruida, but ultimately decided against pursuing the transfer due to its complexity.
Liverpool targeted a move for Lutsharel Geertruida
Slot knows the defender well from their shared time at Feyenoord, where Geertruida captained the side and became a cornerstone of Slot’s defensive structure.
His versatility, capable of operating at centre-back or full-back, made him particularly appealing given Liverpool’s short-handed squad.
However, the move proved far from straightforward. Geertruida is currently on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, creating a complicated three-club scenario.
Rather than forcing through a stopgap solution, Liverpool opted to think ahead.
The club instead focused their efforts on securing Jérémy Jacquet from Stade Rennais, agreeing a deal worth around £60 million to bring the highly rated centre-back to Anfield in the summer.
The move reflects Liverpool’s preference for long-term planning over short-term fixes, even in the face of immediate challenges.
“I think I’ve said that we’ve tried to strengthen the squad, so that probably tells you [I wanted players] and I don’t think I was the only one who wanted that,” Slot said on Thursday, as reported by the Mirror.
“But it’s always about availability and the right player.
“We do have discussions about what is good for the short and for the long term of the club and now, for example, Jeremy Jacquet wasn’t available for the winter, but he was for the summer.
“We’ve made a decision to sign him because we think he’s a really good signing for the future of this club. I’m very happy with the squad. Let that be clear. But it’s all clear and obvious, that we have three long-term injuries (Bradley, Leoni, Alexander Isak).
“That’s why we’ve tried to strengthen the squad in winter break and the player you mentioned (Geertruida), in the end, wasn’t available. But we’ve tried to strengthen the squad – that is clear.
“And that tells you that we think that it would have helped us. But it should be possible that we’re not gonna sign players that are not good enough to play for this club.”
Lutsharel Geertruida of Sunderland (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Slot has since hinted that while January was difficult, the club did not want to compromise its wider strategy.
Bringing in Jacquet is seen internally as a major investment in the future of Liverpool’s defense, rather than a reactionary decision driven solely by injuries.
With injuries testing their depth and Geertruida’s situation proving too complex, the Reds chose patience over panic.
The Argentina international has been linked strongly with Arsenal by ESPN after impressing during his time in La Liga, but he’s probably not someone who’d make sense for Bayern as they already have Harry Kane up front.
Arsenal, however, could do with bringing in someone like Alvarez after an unconvincing start for Viktor Gyokeres at the Emirates Stadium this season.
Arsenal boost in Julian Alvarez transfer race
Discussing Bayern links with Alvarez, Falk said: “He’s an interesting player, but when I spoke with some guys from Bayern, they said they didn’t need these rumours at the moment – they wanted a quiet transfer window.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid looks on (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“So they won’t go for him at the moment. They’d love to have a player like him in the team, but with a contract until 2030, it’s a no-go.
“They did try to sign him in 2023, around the time Harry Kane signed; they were thinking about another striker and whether having the Englishman alone was enough. But, at the moment, it’s not a move they’re going to push for.”
Is Julian Alvarez the answer for Arsenal?
Alvarez has mostly shone during his time in Madrid, as well as looking a very decent squad playing when he was at Manchester City, so it’s easy to see why Arsenal might be interested.
At the same time, however, it’s worth noting that the 26-year-old is on a run of just one goal in his last 13 games in all competitions.
Given that Alvarez would surely cost huge money, Arsenal need to be careful before putting all their eggs into that basket, even if there appears to be a bit of a shortage of top strikers on the market at the moment.
Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided his insight into the Cristiano Ronaldo situation with Al Nassr, admitting that the Portuguese superstar is “upset”.
The 41-year-old is currently refusing to play for Al Nassr, as reported by ESPN, who also state that his long-term future with the Saudi Pro League club could be in serious doubt.
Romano has admitted that Ronaldo is not happy at the moment, but he also stressed that people shouldn’t be overreacting to the situation and talking up a transfer away for the player at this stage.
It will be interesting to see how this develops, but for now it seems that Romano does not necessarily see this as the beginning of the end for Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
Fabrizio Romano on Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation at Al Nassr
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “I can tell you that Cristiano remains upset. Cristiano remains upset with the situation.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
“I told you in a video yesterday, let’s not overreact – Cristiano to MLS, Cristiano breaking his contract, and this kind of stuff. For now, let’s not overreact.
“But for the present, to give you an update, to give you news, Cristiano Ronaldo, according to my information, will not play a crucial game on Friday because Cristiano has no injury, no fitness management, no physical problems.
“So, forget about that. Cristiano is fit but Cristiano will not be without squad exactly as he did a few days ago. Why? Because Cristiano remains upset with the management from the Saudi group, especially PIF, that is taking care of several clubs in Saudi.”
He added: “Again I told you yesterday guys I’m not here to speak for Cristiano Ronaldo. I am not one to speak for Cristiano Ronaldo. There will be Cristiano clarifying. There will be people close to Cristiano clarifying.
“There will be Al Nassr for sure also clarifying. So it’s not my duty to come here and tell you what’s going on, but it’s my duty to tell you what I’m hearing. And my information is that Cristiano is not happy with the current situation and with what happened in this transfer window.”
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo?
If Ronaldo doesn’t stay at Al Nassr then there will inevitably be big speculation about where he could end up next, and if we could see him back in Europe.
The Portugal international remains a top player and even at the age of 41 he may well still fancy himself to play for a big club in a competitive league.
At the same time, however, there probably aren’t too many clubs who can afford his astronomical wages, while it also seems a bit risky to be moving for someone who is surely not too far away now from retiring from football altogether.
Cristian Romero’s standing as one of the Premier League’s most combative and accomplished centre-backs has not gone unnoticed across Europe, and his future at Tottenham is now under growing scrutiny.
According to TEAMtalk, both Barcelona and Real Madrid are showing serious interest in the Argentine defender amid signs of mounting frustration in north London.
At 27, Romero is entering what should be the peak years of his career.
Since arriving at Tottenham Hotspur, he has established himself as the heart of Spurs’ defense, admired for his aggression, leadership, and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
However, despite his individual growth, Tottenham’s wider project has struggled to match his ambitions.
Frustration behind the scenes at Tottenham
Romero’s discontent appears to stem from Tottenham’s recruitment strategy and their perceived inability to consistently strengthen the squad with elite-level signings.
Spurs’ recent transfer windows have focused heavily on youth, depth, and financial sustainability rather than marquee arrivals, a model that has drawn mixed reactions from senior players.
The defender’s frustration became public after he took to Instagram to comment on Spurs’ lack of squad depth, describing the situation as “unbelievable but true and disgraceful.”
While Romero did not explicitly call out the club hierarchy, the timing and tone of the message were widely interpreted as a clear expression of dissatisfaction, particularly given Tottenham’s recurring injury problems and struggles to compete on multiple fronts.
Sergio Romero celebrates after Tottenham’s win vs Eintracht Frankfurt (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
For Romero, the appeal of a move to Spain is clear. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid offer regular Champions League football and realistic chances of competing for major honours, ambitions Romero is believed to hold strongly.
Barcelona admire his intensity and front-foot defending, viewing him as a potential long-term leader in their back line as they continue to rebuild under financial and sporting constraints.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are always alert to opportunities involving elite defenders.
With an ageing defensive core and a long-term succession plan already in motion, Romero’s profile, battle-hardened, experienced, and still in his prime, fits their recruitment philosophy.
Manchester United fans may be interested to learn that two of their former players, Jesse Lingard and Robin van Persie, could be set to link up at Feyenoord.
Lingard and Van Persie briefly played together for Man Utd, and it could now be that the former England winger will be managed by the former Netherlands striker.
It remains to be seen if this will definitely go through, but it looks like a return to Europe with Feyenoord is a serious option for Lingard since his departure from South Korean club FC Seoul.
Who else is looking at Man United cult hero Jesse Lingard?
Jesse Lingard celebrates a goal for FC Seoul (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
It could also be that Lingard has another spell in the Premier League in him, with the Mail noting that the likes of West Ham and Wolves have been looking at him.
Serie A outfit Genoa are also mentioned in the report, so it seems like the 33-year-old won’t be short of options.
Lingard remains something of a cult hero from his United days, and he also previously shone during a loan spell with West Ham.
Even if the former England international is clearly no longer at his peak, it would be exciting to see him back playing at a higher level again before the end of his career.
MUFC supporters will also surely be particularly intrigued to see how he might get on under Van Persie, who has not endured the smoothest start as manager of Feyenoord, but who will surely be one of a number of former players who could be a future candidate for the job at Old Trafford if he manages to improve.
Manchester United’s hunt for a new permanent manager has taken a dramatic turn, with fresh reports from France suggesting the club have already begun exploring one of the most high-profile options available in European football.
According to a trusted source on X, relayed by a reliable contact in France, Man United officials recently held talks in Paris with Iván de la Peña, whose agency, De la Peña & Sostres, represents Luis Enrique.
The meeting reportedly took place last week and centred on an ambitious attempt by United to convince Enrique to reject a new contract offer from Paris Saint-Germain.
While no agreement was reached, the very fact that discussions occurred shows the scale of Man United’s managerial ambition ahead of the summer.
Man United in transition after Ruben Amorim exit
United are currently in a holding pattern following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim, with club legend Michael Carrick installed as interim head coach.
Carrick is expected to guide the team through the remainder of the season, but the club’s hierarchy have made it clear that a permanent appointment will only be made after a thorough evaluation of all available options.
That process appears to be well underway and targeting Enrique would represent a bold statement of intent.
Luis Enrique looks on during PSG vs Bayer Leverkusen (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Enrique is regarded as one of the elite managers of the modern era. He won a historic treble with Barcelona, showcasing his ability to manage global superstars while implementing a clear tactical identity.
At PSG, he has further enhanced his reputation by transforming the club into a more cohesive and tactically disciplined side, taking them to a new level in Europe by winning the Champions League in 2025 and reinforcing their status as a genuine force in football.
Club
Competition
Trophy Count
Season(s) Won
Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1
2
2023/24, 2024/25
UEFA Champions League
1
2024/25
Coupe de France
1
2023/24
Trophée des Champions
1
2023
UEFA Super Cup
1
2025
FIFA Intercontinental Cup
1
2025
FC Barcelona
La Liga
2
2014/15, 2015/16
Copa del Rey
3
2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17
UEFA Champions League
1
2014/15
FIFA Club World Cup
1
2015
UEFA Super Cup
1
2015
Supercopa de España
1
2016
Total Honours
Major Trophies
16
2x Treble Winner
His track record at the highest level, combined with his experience handling dressing rooms filled with elite talent, makes him an attractive candidate for a Man United side desperate to re-establish authority, consistency, and a clear footballing vision.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, there are now plans for Napoli and McTominay to sit down and discuss a new contract for the Scotland international, whose current deal with the Serie A giants expires in 2028.
Red Devils fans must be disappointed with their club’s decision to let McTominay leave, as he’s gone on to become a star player for Napoli, scoring 22 goals in 69 appearances so far and helping them win the title last season.
Scott McTominay to extend his stay at Napoli?
It now looks like McTominay is likely to extend his stay at Napoli even further, dashing hopes of a possible return to the Premier League.
Scott McTominay in action for Napoli (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
United looking into bringing the 29-year-old back is hardly surprising after his eye-catching displays since leaving, and in truth he was often a bit of an underrated part of their squad while he was still at Old Trafford.
Arsenal, meanwhile, don’t exactly look like they desperately need new midfielders, but someone with McTominay’s goal threat from the middle of the park would always be useful.
Players improving after leaving Manchester United
McTominay is not the only big name to shine after leaving MUFC in recent times, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund also improving.
Rashford has looked back to his old self whilst on loan at Barcelona this season, while Antony has flourished at Real Betis and Hojlund has impressed alongside McTominay at Napoli.
This will be immensely frustrating for United fans, with their club frequently unable to make the most out of their signings despite often spending more than their rivals in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Tottenham Hotspur passed on the opportunity to bolster their attack with a high-profile loan move for Colombian striker Jhon Duran on transfer deadline day.
Despite a frantic final few hours of the winter window, the North London club ultimately decided to stick with their current squad.
Tottenham turned down chance to sign Jhon Duran
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on the Here We Go podcast that Duran was offered to Spurs as a ‘last-minute chance’ while he was looking to cut short his loan spell at Fenerbahce.
The 22-year-old, who made headlines last year with a massive £64 million move to Saudi side Al-Nassr, has amassed an impressive career tally of 54 goals and 15 assists across his spells in MLS, the Premier League, and abroad.
The French international has been heavily linked with a return to PSG or a move to Juventus after a stop-start beginning to life in London.
“Tottenham were offered the possibility to sign Jhon Duran on loan from Fenerbahce, who is on loan from Al-Nassr.
“He was offered to Tottenham as a last-minute chance for Spurs. The club decided against it.
“It was a possibility that was offered because some people in the industry thought that Tottenham were going to break the loan for Randal Kolo Muani to go to Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain.
“So that was a possibility, but Tottenham decided to continue with Kolo Muani. He started the last two games, so they decided to trust the player and turn down the opportunity to sign Duran, who was keen on this possibility.”
Manager Thomas Frank reportedly played a key role in the decision, opting for continuity over another mid-season transition, despite the team languishing in 14th place.
Duran joins Zenit in shock move
With the door to the Premier League closed, Duran’s entourage acted quickly.
Within hours of the English deadline passing, it was confirmed that the ‘lethal‘ striker had terminated his contract in Turkey to join Zenit Saint Petersburg on loan for the remainder of the season.
The move to Russia marks Durán’s third club in just 12 months, continuing a nomadic period for the former Aston Villa man.
While Spurs fans wonder if they missed out on a clinical goalscorer, the club’s hierarchy is betting that Kolo Muani will finally find his shooting boots as they look to salvage their season.
Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in what is set to be a cracking showdown between two of Premier League’s best teams over the last decade.
The Reds need a win to continue their growing momentum in the second half of the season.
While Man City can not afford to lose any more points if they want to catch up with Arsenal at the top of the table.
Tension will be high on Merseyside, and fans will be desperate to witness the spectacle firsthand. If you are looking to be there in person, you can find information on how to buy Liverpool vs Manchester City tickets.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Man City
(Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot is expected to keep the same lineup that beat Newcastle 4-1 last weekend.
Most notably, Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to continue his “inverted” role at right-back, filling in for the injured Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley while adding extra midfield presence in possession.
The only change in defence we expect is for the experienced Andy Robertson to replace Milos Kerkez for this encounter.
Ibrahim Konate is expected to partner Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the defence while Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
In attack, the partnership between Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike has been the talk of the Premier League.
Ekitike, who scored twice against Newcastle, starts up top, flanked by the ever reliable Mohamed Salah and the versatile Cody Gakpo.
GK: Alisson Becker
RB: Dominik Szoboszlai
CB: Ibrahima Konaté
CB: Virgil van Dijk
LB: Andy Robertson
CM: Ryan Gravenberch
CM: Alexis Mac Allister
LW: Cody Gakpo
AM: Florian Wirtz
RW: Mohamed Salah
ST: Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Man City via Create Formation
Form Comparison: Liverpool vs Manchester City
The two giants enter this fixture with contrasting momentum. Liverpool have found their rhythm in early 2026, while City have struggled with uncharacteristic inconsistency and a rare goal drought for Erling Haaland.
Liverpool’s Last Six (PL):
W 4-1 vs Newcastle
L 2-3 vs Bournemouth
D 1-1 vs Burnley
D 0-0 vs Arsenal
D 2-2 vs Fulham
D 0-0 vs Leeds
Manchester City’s Last Six (PL):
D 2-2 vs Spurs
W 2-0 vs Wolves
L 0-2 vs Man United
D 1-1 vs Brighton
D 1-1 vs Chelsea
D 0-0 vs Sunderland
While City won the reverse fixture 3-0 in November, Anfield has rarely been a kind hunting ground for Pep Guardiola.
With Liverpool’s new look attack starting to click, the Reds are expected to be much more of a threat compared to the game at the Etihad.
Arsenal are interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund left-back, Daniel Svensson.
According to BILD, Arsenal will compete with Leeds United for the 23-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether they can complete the deal.
The defender is valued at £26 million, and Arsenal certainly have the financial muscle to complete the deal. However, it would be quite surprising if they invested in the Swedish defender. They already have players like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori. They might not be able to accommodate Svensson in the starting lineup.
Arsenal move might not be ideal for Daniel Svensson
The Bundesliga fullback needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and sitting on the bench at Arsenal would be detrimental to his growth. On the other hand, moving to Leeds United could be ideal. He could play regularly with them, and exposure to the Premier League could further improve and accelerate his development.
The asking price is affordable for both clubs. It will be interesting to see if they follow up on the interest with an official proposal to get the deal done.
Daniel Svensson has been linked with Arsenal (Getty Images)
If Arsenal do proceed with their interest in signing the player, it could mean the end of the road for Lewis-Skelly.
The young defender has been linked with a move away from Arsenal, and Chelsea are keen on him, as per TEAMtalk. The Blues will certainly look at the situation as encouragement to continue their pursuit. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Svensson has performed well in Germany and has the quality to thrive in English football as well. He could be an asset in the right team. Although he is naturally a left back, he can operate as a winger as well as a central midfielder.
Brazilian outfit Bahia have reached an agreement to sign Tottenham striker Alejo Veliz on a permanent deal, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The move, worth €9 million (£7.8m) plus performance-related add-ons, marks a significant shift for the Argentine forward who arrived in North London with high expectations just three years ago.
The agreement was verbally finalised today with Bahia director Cadu Santoro.
Veliz, currently back in Argentina on loan, expressed a desire to complete his current spell with Rosario Central before moving to Brazil.
Consequently, his medical and formal signing are scheduled for June 2026.
“€9m fee plus add-ons, Véliz wanted to stay in Rosario until the end of his loan and then join Bahia.Medical to happen in June, deal verbally agreed with director Cadu Santoro today.”
??? Bahia agree deal to sign Alejo Véliz from Tottenham on permanent move, here we go!
€9m fee plus add-ons, Véliz wanted to stay in Rosario until the end of his loan and then join Bahia.
Medical to happen in June, deal verbally agreed with director Cadu Santoro today. pic.twitter.com/1pW9H3GVWF
Alejo Veliz failed to make it at Tottenham despite strong reputation
When Veliz joined Spurs for £13 million in August 2023, he was hailed as one of South America’s most “dynamite” young talents.
Standing at 6’2″ and possessing a physical, aerial presence, he was expected to provide a different dimension to the Tottenham attack.
However, his time in England was marred by a lack of opportunities and unfortunate timing.
He made just eight substitute appearances for the senior team, with his sole goal coming in a 4-2 defeat to Brighton.
Loan spells at Sevilla and Espanyol also failed to ignite his European career, as he struggled for consistent minutes in La Liga.
He is currently back in Argentina, playing for Rosario Central on loan from Spurs, and it appears that his time at the North London club has come to an end.
(Photo by Mateo Occhi/Getty Images)
Veliz career stats across all clubs
Despite his struggles in Europe, Veliz’s overall career numbers highlight why Bahia, backed by the City Football Group, are willing to invest in him.
He has consistently proven his worth in his homeland, recently surpassing a career milestone of 34 senior goals across his various stints.
Club
Apps
Goals
Assists
CA Rosario Central
82
25
3
RCD Espanyol
29
4
0
Tottenham Hotspur
8
1
0
Sevilla FC
6
0
0
CA Rosario Central II
5
3
0
Tottenham Hotspur U21
2
1
0
Total
132
34
3
Alejo Veliz’s career stats across various clubs via Transfermarkt
Leicester City’s survival hopes have been dealt a massive blow after the Premier League confirmed an immediate six-point deduction for the club.
The sanction, handed down by an independent Commission, relates to a breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules (P&S Rules) during the 2023/24 season.
The ruling follows a complex jurisdictional battle. After Leicester’s promotion to the top flight in 2024, the EFL’s investigation was transferred to the Premier League.
Despite legal challenges from the Foxes, including a claim that the rules breached competition law, the Commission determined that the club exceeded the permitted loss threshold by £20.8 million over a three-year assessment period.
(Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Premier League statement after six points deduction confirmation
In an official statement, the Premier League revealed that the Commission rejected Leicester’s plea of “exceptional cooperation,” citing the club’s failure to provide annual accounts by the required deadline as a further rule breach.
While the Commission acknowledged the club’s “improving financial position” as a mitigating factor, the EFL Board has now ratified the recommendation.
As Leicester is currently competing in the Championship, the deduction has been applied to the current 2025/26 standings with immediate effect.
Leicester City in danger of relegation?
The timing of the points deduction could not be worse for the Foxes. Currently managed by an interim team following the recent sacking of Marti Cifuentes, the club has plummeted down the Championship table.
Position
Club
Played
Points
19
Norwich City
30
33
20
Leicester City
30
32*
21
West Brom
30
32
22
Blackburn Rovers
29
29
*> Reflects 6-point deduction
The deduction leaves Leicester in 20th place, hovering just three points above the relegation zone.
With back-to-back relegations now a distinct possibility, the club described the sanction as “disproportionate” and is currently considering an appeal.
Double standards highlighted as Man City yet to be charged
While the Foxes have been sanctioned for a single-period breach, the investigation into City’s alleged historical financial irregularities (stretching from 2009 to 2018) remains unresolved.
Critics argue that the current system punishes mid-sized clubs while the “Big Six” benefit from protracted legal timelines.
With a verdict on Manchester City’s case not expected until late 2026 or even 2027, the perceived “double standard” in English football’s financial policing has never been more apparent.
Stam urges Manchester United to snub Michael Carrick for Roberto De Zerbi
He said (via The Mirror): “I like De Zerbi very much, you know, because of how he performed at Brighton and also now in Marseille.
“How he’s playing with his teams, because he plays possession-based football, he’s very good on the ball. He also sets the players in certain positions that it makes it really difficult for the opposition to press them.
“You know, he’s going forward, he attacks. Scores a lot of goals, sometimes concedes, but you know that as a manager.
“But I think he’s also a good man-manager. I think he’s also good with the players and giving them the confidence, giving them the attention they need – and not only the starting XI, but also the other players within the squad.
“And that’s what you need in a big club like that. So I would be very happy if they don’t go for Carrick, and that they go for him.”
(Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Roberto De Zerbi has made a name for himself in European football
De Zerbi’s reputation has skyrocketed since his time in the Premier League, where he led Brighton to European qualification for the first time in their history.
Stam highlighted the Italian’s ability to manage big personalities and squads, a leadership skill required to manage a club like Man United.
Club
Matches
W
D
L
ø-Goals
PPM
Marseille
68
39
8
21
2.35 : 1.38
1.84
Brighton
89
38
20
31
1.81 : 1.56
1.51
Roberto De Zerbi’s manerail stats for Marseille and Brighton via Transfermarkt
He is highly rated and loved by his players, both current and former. In fact, Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has even rated him above Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said about De Zerbi: “He’s a crazy guy, but I love him. I think he’s the best manager I’ve ever had.”
Host Gary Lineker asked: “Really? Wow! You’ve got Slot and Klopp in there.”
Mac Allister replied: “I had a couple of conversations with Slot about De Zerbi as well, because he really likes the idea. Then I have coaches like (Gabriel) Heinze as well in Argentina. So I have very good coaches.”
Michael Carrick is making a strong case for a permanent role
While Stam looks elsewhere, Carrick is doing everything right on the pitch.
Since taking the reins, he has scrapped the rigid tactical systems of his predecessors and restored a sense of harmony to the dressing room.
Under his guidance, United have a 100% win record and have climbed back into the top-four race.
Fixture
Result
Outcome
Manchester United vs Manchester City
2–0
Win
Arsenal vs Manchester United
2–3
Win
Manchester United vs Fulham
3–2
Win
With a crucial home fixture against Tottenham looming, the clamor for Carrick to stay is growing, but the debate between a “club man” and an established European tactician like De Zerbi remains the central question for the United hierarchy.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is under a lot of pressure after a disappointing first half of the season.
There have been rumours that he could be shown the door soon if the results do not improve dramatically. However, the recent performance against Manchester City shows that the players retain their faith in the manager and are willing to fight for him. Tottenham were 2-0 down, but they battled hard to secure a 2-2 draw.
Thomas Frank has the backing of his players
Keith Wyness believes Frank has not lost the dressing room yet and that there is hope for him. He is a quality manager who has demonstrated his Pedigree at Brentford. It will be interesting to see if he can silence the doubters at Tottenham and prove his quality.
He told Football Insider: “I don’t think they’re out of getting a European place by any means yet. I think they could still challenge for that and that would be acceptable, I think, to the Spurs fans, and they see some growth coming back.
“But Frank got that second half out of them and that did surprise me. I mean, like everybody, I was writing them off at 2-0 down, but the comeback certainly showed me that the players are still playing for Frank, and so I think, look, it’ll settle down at Spurs. We’ve got to, I hate using the excuse of injuries, but in this case, it is such a long list.”
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
A club of their stature should regularly push for Champions League qualification and do well in domestic competitions. Instead, Tottenham are in the mid-table positions. It remains to be seen whether they can get the season back on track over the next few weeks.
They have had multiple injury problems, and that has contributed to their struggles. Frank will certainly hope that his key players can return to action quickly and help him salvage the season.
According to Football Insider, Everton are prepared to sell him for £20 million, and the player will be seeking a new destination in the summer. It remains to be seen whether he can convince the manager to give him more opportunities before the end of the season. He has shown his quality in the top flight before, and he could be a useful player for Everton until the end of the season.
“I was surprised to see that deal hadn’t gone through,” Mick Brown told Football Insider.
“It looked like he was on his way to Palace, the deal was agreed with Everton and he’d done a medical, but they pulled out of it for whatever reason.
“These things happen in football and I expect Palace will have their reasons for their decision.
“McNeil now will have to be looking for other opportunities, because Everton were obviously prepared to let him go because he’s not part of the plans.
“If that’s the case now, it’ll be the case in the summer and I expect they’ll be looking to move him on.
“Whether Palace come back in for him, I highly doubt it because as I say they had their reasons for pulling out, but there will be other clubs interested.”
Dwight McNeil of Everton is challenged by Max Kilman of Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
The winger is at the peak of his career, and sitting on the bench at Everton will be disappointing for him. It remains to be seen whether he can work hard in training and convince the manager that he can help the team.
Ever are pushing for a respectable finish in the Premier League this season, and they could use all the resources at their disposal. There is no doubt that McNeil could be a handy option for them in the attack, especially if they need to turn games in their favour late on.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has slammed Arsenal for showing what he felt was a lack of respect ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final this week.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to complete a 4-2 aggregate victory over Rosenior’s side and book their place in the Carabao Cup final.
Still, as well as the action on the pitch, there was an intriguing moment before the game when Rosenior could be seen shouting at someone off-screen about moving into their own half.
It has now emerged that Rosenior was not happy with Arsenal’s pre-match preparations as he felt they encroached onto Chelsea’s side of the pitch and didn’t show respect.
Liam Rosenior hits out at disrespectful Arsenal antics
Arsenal and Chelsea in action in the Carabao Cup semi-final (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
When asked about the incident at his press conference today, as quoted by BBC Sport, Rosenior explained why he was unhappy with the Gunners.
“It wasn’t the players. When you warm up, we have our half and the other team have their half. I’ve never asked my team or coaches to encroach on the other team’s territory. I thought they were affecting our warm up,” Rosenior said.
“I asked them, maybe not politely, to move away. I’m not here to have mind games. There are certain etiquettes in football. I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club. It was just in that moment, I don’t think that respect was shown to my team.”
Arsenal dent strong Liam Rosenior start at Chelsea
It perhaps makes sense that the 41-year-old was frustrated by Arsenal, but it also sounds slightly like he’s making something out of nothing here.
Only time will tell if this proves to be Rosenior playing the media game cleverly, or if it’s an unforced error that comes across as a bit of a tantrum.
Rodrigo Mendoza completed a move to Atletico Madrid in January, and he is already being linked with another transfer.
According to a report from Fichajes, Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation, and they could look to make a move for him next summer. The Blues are aware that he is likely to cost a premium, but they are monitoring his development.
It remains to be seen whether Mendoza can make a defining impact at Atletico Madrid. The Spanish club will not want to lose him soon after securing his signature. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Chelsea are looking to add more quality and depth in the middle of the park. They believe that Mendoza would be ideal for them because of his ability to read the game, his physicality, creativity, and intelligence. Mendoza has been likened to Barcelona star Pedri.
The 20-year-old will now look to prove his quality at a top club like Atletico Madrid. It is unlikely that he will be distracted by the links with Chelsea. Any transfer might have to wait.
Rodrigo Mendoza in action for Elche (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Mendoza was excellent during his time at Elche, and it will be interesting to see if he can make a similar impact under Diego Simeone. He is a talented young player with a bright future, and it is normal for clubs like Chelsea to monitor his progress. It remains to be seen whether they decide to follow up on their interest with an official proposal at the end of the season.
They would have to make a mind-boggling offer to convince Atletico Madrid to sell a player they signed only recently.
Leon Goretzka has been linked with a move away from Bayern Munich, and he could be on his way to the Premier League.
According to a report from Fussball Daten, Arsenal and Manchester United are closely monitoring his situation and have held initial talks with his representatives about a potential move.
The €250k-a-week star will be out of contract in the summer, and signing him for free would be a masterstroke. Both clubs could use physicality and defensive steel in the middle of the park. The 30-year-old has the quality and the experience to play for an elite club, and he could make an immediate impact.
At Arsenal, he could prove to be a major upgrade on someone like Christian Norgaard. He knows what it takes to play for big clubs and fight for trophies regularly. Arsenal could use his quality, experience, and leadership skills.
On the other hand, Manchester United need an experienced head like him in the middle of the park, especially after Casemiro’s departure. It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs can get the deal done.
At 30, this could be his final opportunity to join an elite club, and the Germany international will be attracted to the idea of playing for Arsenal or Manchester United. They are among the biggest clubs in the world. He has the skill set to succeed in the Premier League, and he could be tempted to make the move.
Whoever ends up signing the German International could have a real asset on their hands for a nominal investment. He has been hailed as an “absolute top player” in the past. He will look to hit the ground running in the Premier League if a move goes through.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino may be a doubt for the rest of the club season and perhaps even the 2026 World Cup in the summer due to a mysterious injury.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta explained that Merino’s injury is a rare one, so there’s not a clear idea of when the Spain international will be back to fitness, though for the time being it is being treated as pretty serious.
Numerous outlets have reported that Merino is almost certainly out for the rest of the season, meaning he’ll miss the title run-in with Arsenal, while his participation at the World Cup could also be in doubt.
This will be a blow for fans of the Spanish national team as they start making their own preparations for the tournament and looking into how to buy Spain World Cup tickets as their country aims to lift the trophy this summer.
What Mikel Arteta has said about Mikel Merino’s injury
Describing it as a “big blow”, Arteta said: “He (Merino) needs to go through a procedure, which is not always positive. He’s a big player for us, a player that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions, and that’s a big blow.
Mikel Merino applauds the Arsenal fans (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“It’s a very rare injury so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery, how that reacts daily, obviously monitor it throughout the week for the surgery and see.
“I know Mikel is going to do absolutely everything that he possibly can to come back as quick as possible. But as well you have to respect the healing process and the fact that obviously it’s an injury that is quite rare.”
Mikel Merino will be missed by Arsenal and Spain
Anyone who’s watched him closely will surely agree that Merino is one of the most underrated footballers in today’s game.
The 29-year-old has put in a series of superb displays whether playing in midfield or as a makeshift striker for Arsenal, and he has a surprisingly good scoring record.
With 15 goals in 77 appearances for Arsenal, and eight goals in his last ten games for Spain, Merino has shown how valuable he can be as he really starts to establish himself quite late on in his career.
Spain have fellow Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi as another key part of their midfield, as well as other big names like Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Pedri, so they certainly aren’t short of other quality options in that area of the pitch.
At the same time, however, Merino offers some unique qualities that a lot of others can’t, and Arsenal fans will have to hope he can perhaps return earlier than expected, and that his absence doesn’t prove too costly as they compete for the Premier League and Carabao Cup in the months to come.
Atletico Madrid are reportedly eyeing up a potential transfer swoop for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus for the summer.
The Brazil international is being monitored and considered by Atletico, according to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, in news that will surely excite a fair few Gunners supporters.
Jesus has performed well for Arsenal since returning from injury, but in general the feeling at the Emirates Stadium is that they surely need a new striker this summer.
Julian Alvarez to Arsenal with Gabriel Jesus moving in the opposite direction?
Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Leeds United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Swap deals are not that common in football, but if Atletico really are keen on Jesus, then it seems like a no-brainer for Arsenal to try to reach an agreement with them involving Alvarez.
The Argentina international is not in the best form right now, but in general he’s been hugely impressive in recent years, both in Madrid and during his time at Manchester City.
Despite not being a regular starter at Man City, Alvarez scored 36 goals in two seasons at the Etihad Stadium, and has a further 40 goals in 88 games in Spain.
Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
AFC probably can’t rely on Jesus for much longer due to his poor injury record, so if they could use him to tempt Atletico into doing business that could be a big win for them.
Could Arsenal succeed in swap deal with Atletico Madrid?
It remains to be seen how this will all pan out, but if Atletico want a signing up front, then perhaps they could also look at other Arsenal players like Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard.
There are surely a few players there who’d be tempting for Diego Simeone even if Jesus ends up being deemed too risky due to his poor recent fitness record.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly agreed to sell Jhon Arias back to Brazil, accepting a £21 million offer from Palmeiras despite the English transfer window already being closed.
According to GE Globo, this represents a rapid turnaround for a player who arrived in the Premier League with considerable expectations just months ago.
Arias joined Wolves last summer from Fluminense in a deal worth around £15 million, following a string of eye-catching performances at the FIFA Club World Cup.
His energy, creativity, and ability to influence matches had convinced Wolves that he could add a new dimension to their attacking play. However, the transition to English football has proved challenging.
Arias struggled to settle at Wolves
The 28-year-old has found it difficult to establish himself under head coach Rob Edwards, scoring just once in 23 Premier League appearances.
While his work rate and tactical flexibility have been appreciated, Arias has struggled to deliver consistent end product in the final third, a key reason Wolves initially moved for him.
In recent weeks, Edwards has increasingly deployed Arias in a deeper, box-to-box midfield role rather than as a forward, a tactical shift that further limited his attacking influence.
Jhon Arias of Wolverhampton Wanderers (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
From Wolves’ perspective, the decision to accept Palmeiras’ offer is grounded in pragmatism.
Recouping £21 million, significantly more than the initial outlay, provides financial flexibility at a time when the club are reshaping their squad.
Although the Premier League window is closed, the Brazilian transfer window remains open until March 3, creating a narrow but valuable opportunity to conclude the deal.
Arias is already in negotiations over personal terms, and sources in Brazil expect the move to be formalised shortly.
A return home would place him in a familiar environment where his qualities are well understood and his confidence could be quickly restored.
Those funds were partly reinvested in reinforcements, with Adam Armstrong arriving, alongside the loan signing of Angel Gomes from Olympique de Marseille.
However, the Daily Mirror now report that this request has been rejected by the EFL, leaving City without an important player for the March 22nd clash against the Gunners.
Pep Guardiola on Marc Guehi playing the Carabao Cup final
Speaking after the semi-final victory over Newcastle United last night, Guardiola made it clear he could not understand why Guehi was not allowed to play.
“Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play the final. I don’t understand why he cannot play the final.
“You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule I don’t understand. Hopefully they can change it.”
Marc Guehi in action for Man City vs Tottenham (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
He added: “I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely. I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final in March, when I have been here for a long time.
“The rules to buy a player depends on Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League who say, OK the transfer window is open, when you buy a player you have to play, no? It’s logic. Of course we are going to try to ask [for] him to play. Pure logic.”
Early boost for Arsenal in Carabao Cup final
Even if it was never particularly likely that Guehi would be allowed to play, this is a bit of a boost for Arsenal as they prepare to take on City at Wembley next month.
Mikel Arteta’s side are desperate to end their six-year wait for a trophy, and it won’t be easy defeating this City side, even if they’ve not been at their best this season.
Any boost they can get will be welcome, with City suffering some injuries in defence in recent times that could prove costly in a big game like this.
That’s why Guehi was signed from Crystal Palace this January, and Guardiola will no doubt be furious that he can’t use the England international in what is sure to be one of his team’s most important games all season.
Beşiktaş have moved decisively to secure the signing of Emmanuel Agbadou, with the Turkish giants tabling an offer in the region of £16 million for the Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back.
Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported the story and it signals a rapid turnaround for a player who only arrived in the Premier League a year ago.
For Wolverhampton Wanderers, the January transfer window was one of adjustment rather than continuity.
After a difficult start to the league campaign, Wolves streamlined their squad, sanctioning several departures.
While Jørgen Strand Larsen was the only player to leave on a permanent deal earlier in the window, a number of others departed on loan, reshaping the depth of the squad.
At the same time, Wolves sought to rebalance by bringing in fresh options, adding Adam Armstrong and Angel Gomes to provide attacking and creative support.
Against that backdrop, Agbadou’s imminent departure may come as a surprise.
Wolves defender expected to start new chapter in Turkey
Agbadou joined Wolves from Stade de Reims in January 2025 for a reported €20 million.
Despite the club’s struggles, the 28-year-old quickly established himself as a dependable presence when available, making 14 league appearances this season.
His campaign was interrupted by international duty with Ivory Coast national football team at the Africa Cup of Nations, but his performances did enough to attract attention abroad.
That interest has now crystallised in Turkey. Wolves and Beşiktaş are understood to have agreed a fee of approximately €18 million, allowing the Black Eagles to move quickly.
Agbadou has already reached personal terms and is expected to sign a contract running until 2030.
Beşiktaş step up interest in the Premier League defender
Emmanuel Agbadou of Wolverhampton Wanderers (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Beşiktaş have identified defensive solidity as a priority for the second half of the season, and Agbadou’s physicality, aerial presence, and experience at international level make him an appealing solution.
Sources in Turkey suggest the defender was eager for the move, attracted by the prospect of a central role in Istanbul and the opportunity to compete for honours.
For Beşiktaş, it is a statement signing aimed at strengthening a vulnerable back line with immediate effect.
This comes just a few weeks after Liam Rosenior’s appointment to replace Enzo Maresca, though it isn’t entirely clear if Hazard is pushing for this to happen now.
Still, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgian made it clear how big a fan he is of Fabregas after seeing his work with Serie A side Como.
The Spaniard, who played alongside Hazard at Chelsea, is becoming widely regarded as one of the most promising young coaches in the game, so it makes sense that a big move could be on the cards sooner or later.
Eden Hazard wants Cesc Fabregas as Chelsea manager
Discussing Fabregas’ work at Como, Hazard says he’s already urged him to come back to Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I’ll be honest, in the summer we talked a bit. I told him he was one of the best midfielders in history and that he’s destined to become one of the best coaches as well,” Hazard said.
“I explained to him that the time has come for him to return to Chelsea, and he joked about it, but I really believe it. He loves football and knows everything about this sport.
“I’m a Chelsea fan, and I want the best for the club. That’s why I dream of seeing Cesc on their bench, while I’ll be staying in the stands behind him, enjoying the show.”
Could Cesc Fabregas replace Liam Rosenior?
Even though Rosenior hasn’t been in the job long, we know that Chelsea change managers pretty quickly.
The west London giants have already been through Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca under these owners, so Rosenior might not get that much time to impress.
It seems Hazard is already making it clear he’d welcome Fabregas back to CFC even if it meant replacing Rosenior, though he didn’t say that explicitly.
Still, Hazard’s comments hint at that, with the pair clearly already discussing this in recent times, and with Hazard stating clearly that he still views the 38-year-old as ideal for the job.
The England international had fallen completely out of favour under Amorim, who was sacked by Man Utd last month after poor results and performances.
However, Mainoo is now back in the starting line up under interim manager Michael Carrick, and performing very well again, showing how important he can be for the Red Devils.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that Mainoo really could have left if Amorim had stayed, but not because he wanted out of United for any reason other than the fact that he wasn’t playing.
Kobbie Mainoo update from Fabrizio Romano
Kobbie Mainoo in action for Manchester United against Arsenal (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Although Mainoo was unhappy at falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford, he only wanted to leave on loan to boost his playing time, according to Romano.
“Don’t forget the big change around Kobbie Mainoo in the recent weeks with Ruben Amorim. He was probably going to leave the club,” Romano said.
“And let me mention once again, Kobe Mayo never wanted to leave Man United. Kobbie Mainoo only wanted to play football. So Kobbie was not asking, ‘I don’t like Man United. I don’t love Man United. I want to go. I want another project.’ No, Kobbie only wanted to play football, which is something normal for a football player, especially when you are so young.
So Kobbie was prepared to go on loan, not on a permanent transfer because he loves Man United. He loves the club. He’s a Man United boy. But let me mention to you that Kobbie Mainoo is now a crucial player for Michael Carrick.”
Kobbie Mainoo happy at Manchester United
As we’ve recently reported, Mainoo is happy at United now despite having previously attracted interest from the likes of Napoli and Chelsea.
The 20-year-old now looks like he can become a key player for MUFC after initially making his breakthrough under Erik ten Hag.
Things went downhill for him under Amorim, but Carrick now looks to be reviving his career, which will no doubt go down well with fans who like seeing homegrown talents coming through.
Ronaldo was notably absent from Al Nassr’s last match, in an act of protest against the Public Investment Fund, which directly controls Saudi Arabia’s major clubs.
The striker, who is used to having his own way, feels that PIF’s decision-making is not in his favour, according to ESPN. Now, with the situation at boiling point, it seems unlikely that he’ll complete the remaining 18 months of his £488,000-per-day agreement with the Saudi club.
The final straw for Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Ronaldo’s refusal to play in the latest match was triggered by Karim Benzema’s transfer from Al Ittihad and Al Hilal, a shift which greatly strengthens Al Nassr’s biggest rival. According to sources close to the star, Ronaldo feels that his club is taking a backseat in the eyes of the PIF.
In his view, he is being exploited, while other teams receive unfair favouritism. His decision not to play is a dramatic declaration of intent. He is leveraging his huge public persona to force changes in the Saudi league. If he can’t do that, his exit seems inevitable.
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer back to Man United looks unlikely
Following this intense scrutiny, it’s no surprise that fans are wondering whether we’ll see Ronaldo back at the club where he made his name.
But his former colleague, Wes Brown, says no. The ex-Manchester United centre back told BettingLounge: “He’s not happy, but would Cristiano Ronaldo come back to Manchester United for a third go? I would say no. I can’t see how that could happen.”
Manchester United are laying the groundwork for a major midfield rebuild this summer, with Elliot Anderson emerging as a leading target in their recruitment plans.
According to The Athletic, the Nottingham Forest midfielder currently sits at the top of a shortlist that also includes Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion.
United’s urgency in the market has intensified following confirmation that Casemiro will depart Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The Brazilian has been a stabilising force since his arrival, providing leadership, experience, and defensive structure in midfield.
His exit, however, leaves a significant void, one United are keen to fill with a younger, more mobile profile capable of anchoring the next phase of the club’s rebuild.
Since joining Nottingham Forest, he has impressed with his energy, ball progression, and tactical discipline, earning recognition at international level with the England national football team.
Anderson’s age profile also fits United’s strategy of targeting players who can grow into leadership roles rather than offering only short-term solutions.
Elliot Anderson in action for Nottingham Forest (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
While Anderson is currently the frontrunner, United are keeping their options open.
Wharton, 21, has been one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League since his move to Crystal Palace, earning praise for his composure, passing range, and maturity.
His rapid adaptation to top-flight football has not gone unnoticed at Old Trafford.
Baleba remains another name of interest. United explored a move for the Brighton midfielder last summer, but Brighton & Hove Albion’s valuation proved prohibitive.
Since then, Baleba has continued to develop, reinforcing Brighton’s reputation for nurturing elite midfield talent and potentially making any future deal even more complex.
The departure of Rúben Amorim has been viewed as a boost for academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, whose long-term future at the club now looks more secure.
However, concerns remain over the form and consistency of Manuel Ugarte, adding further pressure to recruit effectively.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to boycott another Al Nassr game as he could push for a transfer away from the club in June.
According to ESPN, Ronaldo remains firm in his stance that PFI should change their transfer policy, and he’s willing to continue his strike to push for change.
The report adds that if the situation doesn’t change by the summer, Ronaldo would be prepared to ask to leave Al Nassr.
The Portugal international refused to play in Al Nassr’s last game, with ESPN adding that he tried to block Karim Benzema’s transfer from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal earlier this week.
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy at Al Nassr?
As the report goes on to explain, there have been some changes at Al Nassr recently that have hindered what the club can do in the transfer market.
Cristiano Ronaldo lining up for Al Nassr (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Club director Simao Coutinho and CEO Jose Semedo were recently suspended by PIF, which angered Ronaldo, while there was also apparently a cut to the team’s expenses.
While all this has been happening, Al Hilal have been given more money to spend on big signings like Benzema, so it’s perhaps not too surprising that Ronaldo has been left frustrated by the whole saga.
The 41-year-old has a contract with Al Nassr until 2027, but it might now be tricky for them to hold on to him.
It would surely be a big blow for Saudi football to lose Ronaldo, but it’s clear they’ll have to make some changes to keep this star name happy.
Casemiro’s time at Manchester United could be approaching a natural conclusion, with Major League Soccer emerging as a serious option for the Brazilian midfielder’s next chapter.
According to reports from Daily Mail, LA Galaxy are actively considering a move for the 33-year-old once his contract at Man United expires.
United are understood to have decided against extending Casemiro’s stay beyond the end of his current deal, a decision shaped by a combination of age, wages, and the club’s long-term rebuilding strategy.
While the midfielder remains a respected figure within the squad, Old Trafford is increasingly focused on refreshing its core with younger, more dynamic profiles.
Casemiro changed Man United midfield
Casemiro arrived in Manchester as a statement signing, bringing elite pedigree from Real Madrid and immediately raising standards in midfield.
His influence was undeniable, providing leadership, defensive stability, and a winning mentality that had been missing.
However, as the seasons have progressed, the physical demands of the Premier League have taken their toll, and United’s tactical evolution has gradually reduced his importance.
Despite that, Casemiro’s experience and professionalism continue to command admiration, both inside and outside the club, qualities that make him an appealing target for leagues seeking established global stars.
Even in Man United’s most recent win in the Premier League, which came against Fulham, Casemiro provided an assist and scored a goal, showing his importance to the team.
Competition
Apps
Goals
Assists
Yellows
Reds
Premier League
22
5
2
6
1
FA Cup
1
0
0
0
0
EFL Cup
0
0
0
0
0
Total
23
5
2
6
1
Casemiro’s stats this season
MLS appeal and LA Galaxy’s ambition
Casemiro in action for Manchester United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
For LA Galaxy, the potential signing represents more than just a midfield reinforcement.
The club have a long tradition of attracting high-profile names to MLS and see Casemiro as a figure capable of elevating their sporting and commercial profile.
His global recognition aligns with the Galaxy’s ambition to remain one of the league’s flagship franchises.
Casemiro is not expected to rush his decision. Reports indicate he intends to assess his options at the end of the season, with additional interest anticipated from clubs outside England.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made it clear that the club will try to ask to get Marc Guehi available for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
The England international actually scored against Arsenal in Palace’s quarter-final defeat at the Emirates Stadium in December, and he’ll now be a key player for Guardiola’s side after being brought in to help with the club’s injury crisis.
City recently lost Josko Gvardiol to a long-term injury, while Ruben Dias has also missed a lot of games, so it’s not surprising to see Guardiola now pushing to have Guehi available to him for the Carabao Cup final.
Pep Guardiola on pushing to get Marc Guehi eligible to play vs Arsenal
Speaking after last night’s semi-final second leg victory over Newcastle, Guardiola suggested the club will speak to the relevant authorities about getting them to change the rules.
Marc Guehi in action for Manchester City (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
As quoted by BBC Sport, the Spanish tactician said: “Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play the final. I don’t understand why he cannot play the final.
“You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule I don’t understand. Hopefully they can change it.”
He added: “I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely. I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final in March, when I have been here for a long time.
“The rules to buy a player depends on Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League who say, OK the transfer window is open, when you buy a player you have to play, no? It’s logic. Of course we are going to try to ask [for] him to play. Pure logic.
Asked what answer he expected, Guardiola responded: “No. But we will try.”
When asked about this by talkSPORT, Magpies CEO David Hopkinson didn’t deny the stories, but simply stated he didn’t know.
This follows the Athletic reporting that Tonali’s agent offered the player to the Gunners, and although it was too late for anything to happen in the January transfer window, it perhaps suggests it’s going to be a story to watch out for in the summer.
Hopkinson, however, made it clear that he feels Tonali is very happy at Newcastle and that the Italy international is hugely important to the club.
Newcastle chief speaks out on Sandro Tonali Arsenal transfer story
When asked if the Tonali stories were true, Hopkinson said: “I have no idea. That’s our answer.
“Eddie (Howe) got it right, he doesn’t know, I don’t know. Here’s what I do know, he’s a superstar player, he’s under contract here.
Sandro Tonali warming up for Newcastle United (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“He’s not the only player we had that other clubs would covet, so I think if we get a situation where people aren’t trying to muck about and sew some chaos into the marketplace in order to dislodge our players then we’ve got a real problem.
“Sandro has been a wonderful player, a smile’s on every day I see him, I believe he’s happy here and we’re certainly happy with him.”
Could Arsenal lure Sandro Tonali away from Newcastle?
Tonali has shone for Newcastle, helping them qualify for the Champions League last season, but he’d surely be tempted by a big name like Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s project really looks like it’s going somewhere now, with the north Londoners topping the Premier League table, Champions League league phase, and making it to the final of the Carabao Cup this season.
Tonali could be a great fit alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in midfield, but Newcastle will surely do all they can to keep the 25-year-old.
As Hopkinson said, he’s a superstar player for NUFC and they won’t want a repeat of last summer’s saga that saw Alexander Isak leave St James’ Park for a big-money move to Liverpool.
Leeds United are among the clubs interested in signing Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough.
They were interested in signing the player during the January window, according to Sports Boom. It will be interesting to see if they decide to return for him in the summer.
Leeds eye Hayden Hackney move
They view the 23-year-old central midfielder as a “future captain”, and he could cost around £30-£35 million. He has proven himself consistently, and the opportunity to move to the Premier League is exciting for him. He will look to test himself at the highest level.
Leeds United must secure Premier League safety before they can sign quality players like him. Hackney will not want to join Leeds United if they’re in the Championship. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. Leeds are currently fighting for survival. They must focus on securing Premier League football for the next season.
Hayden Hackney in action for Middlesbrough (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
It is no secret that they need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and Hackney would be a solid acquisition. He will bring control, creativity, and composure to the team. He will aim to compete at the highest level, and a move to the Premier League would be ideal for him next season. Hackney has been linked with multiple clubs in recent months, and it remains to be seen whether he can finally complete the move in the summer.
Leeds will be hoping to establish themselves as Premier League regulars. They need quality players like Hackney if they want to compete at this level regularly. It remains to be seen whether they can convince the player to join the club after securing safety this season.
Liverpool are interested in signing the AS Roma defender Zeki Celik.
The 28-year-old right back will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Liverpool have made enquiries for him. According to journalist Marco Conterio, multiple clubs are interested in the experienced fullback. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get the deal done.
The opportunity to join Liverpool will be exciting for the defender. It would be a major step up at this stage of his career. He would get to play for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, and he would look to fight for trophies with them.
Zeki Celik of Turkiye REACTS during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Spain and Türkiye at Estadio de La Cartuja on November 18, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Signing the player on a free transfer would be a no-risk acquisition for the Premier League site. They should look to get the deal done. He has shown his quality in Italy and can succeed in England as well.
If the 28-year-old manages to adapt to English football quickly, the deal could look like a huge bargain. Celik is at the peak of his career, and this could be the final opportunity for him to join an elite club. It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few months.
Technically, Liverpool can secure a pre-contract agreement with the defender ahead of a summer move.
Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing the Wolves attacker Mateus Mane.
According to SportsBoom, they have held formal discussions to sign the 18-year-old, and he will cost around £45-50 million. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool or Manchester United are prepared to pay that kind of money for the young attacker.
They need more quality and depth in the attacking unit, and the England youth international would be a long-term acquisition. Liverpool and Manchester United have been scouting the player extensively over the last month and have been impressed by his performances. The young attacker will also be attracted to the idea of joining a big club. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
The asking price seems high for a player who is still unproven at the highest level, but Mane has tremendous potential and could justify the investment in the future. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool and Manchester United are prepared to take a gamble and pay a premium for him.
Mateus Mane applauds the Wolves fans (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
The 18-year-old will add technical ability, flair, and explosive pace from the flanks. He can operate centrally as well. Liverpool or Manchester United could groom him into a future star. They have done well to nurture young players in the past. Mane has been described as a player with a “footballing brain beyond his years”.
Wolves are currently the favourites to go down at the end of the season, and they will be powerless to stop their players from leaving. The young attacker will want to compete at high-level and joining Liverpool or Manchester United would be ideal for him. It remains to be seen where he ends up.
Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing the Sunderland goalkeeper, Robin Roefs.
The 23-year-old Dutch goalkeeper has done quite well since joining the Premier League club, and Sunderland is expecting offers in excess of £50 million for him in the summer. According to Football Insider, Liverpool and Chelsea are keen on the player.
Roefs will be attracted to the idea of joining a top club, and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool or Chelsea acts on their interest with an official proposal. Liverpool already have two quality goalkeepers, and it would be quite surprising for them to move for the Sunderland star. They need to improve the other areas of the squad in the summer.
However, Chelsea need a reliable goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez has been criticised since his arrival, and they need to replace him. Signing the Sunderland star could be ideal for them. He has shown his quality in the Premier League with the black cats, and he could be tempted to take the next step in his career and join a bigger club.
Robin Roefs joined Sunderland during the summer transfer window. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the country, and they could provide him with the platform to compete in Europe and fight for trophies.
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea are prepared to pay an excess of £50 million for him. It is a lot of money for a goalkeeper. They have also been linked to Mike Maignan of AC Milan.
It is no secret that Chelsea needs a quality goalkeeper, and it remains to be seen who they end up with. Signing a reliable keeper should be one of their priorities heading into the summer window.
Manchester United want to add more creativity and control in the middle of the park. Scott could prove to be an excellent long-term acquisition for them. He has shown his quality with Bournemouth, and there is no doubt that he is good enough to play for a bigger club.
Alex Scott of Bournemouth (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
The young midfielder can play as a central or attacking midfielder. He will add technical ability and creativity to the team. Meanwhile, the opportunity to play for Manchester United will be exciting for the youngster. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he will want to take the next step in his development. He will hope to compete for trophies with Manchester United.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United follow up on their interest with an official proposal to complete the deal. Convincing the young midfielder to join the club will not be difficult, but they need to agree on a deal with the Cherries.
The Red Devils have not competed for major trophies for quite some time, and they will look to return to the top of English football. Signing the right players could help them bounce back strongly. Scott could be an excellent acquisition for them. They have done well to groom young players in the past, and they could help the Bournemouth star fulfil his tremendous potential.
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Aitor Paredes from Athletic Club Bilbao.
The 25-year-old central defender has done well for the La Liga club, and Tottenham want to secure his signature in the summer. They could lose key players like Cristian Romero at the end of the season, and they need to replace them properly.
The Spanish defender has proven himself in La Liga, and he has the physical and technical attributes for Premier League football as well. According to a report from Fichajes, he will cost around €40 million due to a release clause in his contract. Tottenham have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and it remains to be seen whether they can wrap up the move quickly.
He has been identified as a priority target by Thomas Frank. Tottenham have looked vulnerable at the back this season, and losing a key defender in the summer would further weaken them. They need to bring quality alternatives, and Paredes could prove to be a useful addition. The 25-year-old could be tempted to move to the Premier League. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he will look to prove himself in English football.
Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish defender #04 Aitor Paredes (C) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Spanish league football match between Sevilla FC and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on January 4, 2024. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)
The €40 million asking price is reasonable for a player of his quality, and he could justify the investment in future. The 25-year-old has the quality to hit the ground running in English football and adapt quickly.
He will look to establish himself as a key player for the North London club if the transfer goes through. The Spanish outfit will not want to lose a key player like Paredes, but the release clause in his deal makes them powerless to stop him from leaving.
They are prepared to submit an offer of around €70 million (£60m) in order to get the deal done. They signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro at the start of the season, but they have not been able to score goals consistently. The report from Fichajes claims that Chelsea are prepared to cash in on Delap in the summer. It appears that they are looking to sign the Real Madrid star as a replacement.
It will be interesting to see if the Spanish outfit is willing to sanction the departure of the Brazilian forward. His explosive loan spell in Ligue 1 will certainly force Real Madrid to reconsider his future. They will not want to lose an elite prospect like him. He was regarded as a world-class talent when he arrived in Spain, and he has shown glimpses of that quality in the French league. There is no doubt that he could develop into a world-class player with the right guidance.
Endrick of Real Madrid (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Chelsea are in desperate need of elite talents like him if they want to return to the top of English football once again. €70 million is a substantial amount of money for a player who has struggled for opportunities at Real Madrid this season. It will be interesting to see what the outfit decides if an offer is presented. If they cannot offer him regular opportunities, they should look to cash in on the player.
Manchester United could emerge as a surprise destination for Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer, with reports suggesting the Crystal Palace forward is now firmly on the Red Devils’ radar.
The 28-year-old striker is approaching a key moment in his career. With his contract at Crystal Palace set to enter its final 12 months in June, Palace could be forced to consider offers at a reduced price rather than risk losing him for nothing further down the line.
That contractual situation has alerted several clubs, with Man United now monitoring developments closely.
Why Man United are looking at Mateta
Man United’s interest comes amid continued uncertainty over their attacking options.
Although the Red Devils have Benjamin Sesko, who they signed last summer, they still want more depth and quality in attack.
Joshua Zirkzee is out of favour at the club and United would need someone else to take his place if he is moved out of the club.
Mateta has enjoyed a strong spell at Selhurst Park, developing into a reliable focal point capable of leading the line or operating as a rotational option.
His ability to hold up play, occupy defenders, and contribute consistently in the final third has earned praise across the league.
Jean-Philippe Mateta in action for Crystal Palace (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace’s actions in the market suggest they are already planning ahead.
The Eagles have secured what is widely regarded as Mateta’s long-term replacement, completing a £48 million deal for Jørgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That move significantly alters Palace’s negotiating position and increases the likelihood they would be open to selling Mateta if the right offer arrives.
Harvey Elliott, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, has no interest of moving to the MLS despite interest from Charlotte FC, according to BBC’s Nick Mashiter.
Elliott’s loan spell at Aston Villa has taken an increasingly complicated turn, with the playmaker finding himself on the fringes of Aston Villa’s plans despite hopes of a fresh start away from Anfield.
The 22-year-old joined Villa from Liverpool on deadline day last September, but his situation under head coach Unai Emery has become awkward.
Elliott arrived in the Midlands with a significant clause attached to his loan, once he reaches 10 appearances, a £35 million obligation to buy is triggered.
Harvey Elliott frozen at Aston Villa by Unai Emery
However, he currently sits on just seven appearances, largely because he was frozen out for almost four months between October and late January.
Harvey Elliott in action for Aston Villa (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
There was, however, a potential escape route. Major League Soccer’s transfer window remains open until the end of March, and several MLS clubs explored a move for Elliott in recent weeks.
Charlotte FC were among the most prominent admirers, viewing the England youth international as a marquee signing who could elevate their attacking play.
Elliott has decided he has no interest in a move to the United States at this stage of his career.
The midfielder is instead expected to remain at Villa Park until his loan deal expires, despite the uncertainty surrounding his role.
Elliott’s decision suggests a desire to prove himself in England rather than seek a reset abroad.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the situation is also delicate, with the obligation-to-buy clause looming and Elliott’s long-term pathway still unclear.
For now, Elliott’s immediate future remains in the Midlands, even if his prospects at Aston Villa look limited.
Newcastle United are preparing for a potentially intense summer transfer battle after placing a firm and significant valuation on midfield pillar Sandro Tonali.
With elite Premier League clubs monitoring his situation, the Magpies are determined to make it clear that any approach for the Italy international will come at a premium.
While the links generated plenty of noise, Newcastle were quick to shut down suggestions of active talks, insisting the midfielder was never available mid-season.
Summer interest expected to intensify in Tonali
According to The Sun, Arteta would love to pair Tonali with Declan Rice as part of a dominant midfield unit at the Emirates.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle in action vs Man United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
From Newcastle’s perspective, there is no urgency or incentive to sell. Tonali is under contract until 2029, giving the club complete control over his future.
As a result, the Magpies are said to have set an asking price of at least £100 million, a figure designed both to reflect his importance and to deter speculative bids.
Despite the growing speculation, Tonali’s relationship with Newcastle remains strong.
The midfielder has spoken positively about the club’s backing during a difficult period following his betting ban, with Eddie Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy praised internally for their supportive approach.
That loyalty has helped Tonali re-establish himself both on and off the pitch, and he remains a popular figure within the squad.
However, sources suggest the 25-year-old is also ambitious. As a player who has competed at the highest levels in Italy and Europe, the pull of Champions League football and title contention could become increasingly influential.
According to the Mirror, Liverpool will be a part of the transfer race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in the summer.
The Palace midfielder has several admirers after his impressive performances for the Premier League side.
Liverpool, along with Manchester United and Real Madrid are closely monitoring the midfielder ahead of a potential move in the summer.
The Reds signed Jeremy Jacquet in the winter transfer window but he will arrive at the club in the summer.
Liverpool enter race to sign Adam Wharton
Investing in youth is priorititised at Liverpool and they plan to do the same again in the near future.
More than Liverpool though, Man United have been linked with a move for Wharton in recent times.
The Red Devils are regularly linked with midfielders as it is their weakest position and more so after Casemiro announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
United would need someone to take control of their midfield and even though Kobbie Mainoo has been impressive recently, he cannot be relied upon due to his lack of experience.
The likes of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have both left the club in recent times and manager Oliver Glasner is also on his way out after making it clear that he will not be signing a new deal at the club.
Wharton is a passer who likes to progress the ball forward and take control of the midfield, control the tempo of the game and bring stability to the playing style.
With Liverpool already having players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenverch in the midfield, the question is do they even need someone like Wharton.
Perhaps they should be targeting other positions more, like a left-winger to add depth to the squad.
Jadon Sancho is increasingly expected to reassess his future this summer, with a return to the Bundesliga emerging as a realistic and potentially career-defining option once his loan spell at Aston Villa concludes.
The England international joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United in the hope of reigniting his form, but signs now point towards another change of scenery rather than a permanent stay in the Premier League, according to Football Insider.
Once regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers, the 25-year-old has found it difficult to reproduce the consistency, confidence, and attacking output that defined his time in Germany.
Despite flashes of quality, he has been unable to establish himself as a decisive figure in England’s top flight.
Struggle in Premier League continues for Jadon Sancho
This season at Villa Park has done little to alter the narrative.
While Unai Emery has spoken positively about Sancho’s professionalism and attitude in training, the winger has struggled to command a regular starting role or consistently influence matches.
Villa’s squad depth and tactical demands have also limited Sancho’s opportunities to express himself freely.
As a result, there is a growing acceptance on all sides that the loan will not be extended and that a fresh solution will be sought once the season ends.
Why Bundesliga move makes sense for the winger
Jadon Sancho is on loan at Aston Villa from Man United (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
A return to the Bundesliga is viewed by many close to the player as a logical next step. Sancho’s most productive football came in Germany, where he thrived in a faster, more open style that emphasised attacking freedom and one-on-one creativity.
His previous loan spell back at Dortmund offered brief reminders of his quality, even if it fell short of a full renaissance.
It remains to be seen if Dortmund are willing to welcome him back to the club or some other German club will now take a chance on the English winger.
Premier League clubs are increasingly shaping the direction of the Kees Smit transfer saga, with England emerging as the most likely destination for one of European football’s most coveted young midfielders.
The 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar standout has attracted sustained interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, all of whom explored potential deals during the January transfer window, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
Smit’s rise in the Eredivisie has been swift and eye-catching. Comfortable dictating play from deep while also capable of driving forward with the ball, the Dutch youth international has developed a reputation for showing maturity beyond years.
The Merseyside club have a track record of identifying elite young midfielders before their value peaks, and Smit fits that recruitment profile closely.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are thought to be operating with a longer horizon. Sources suggest the Gunners are already mapping out a possible move for the summer of 2026.
Man United have also kept a watching brief and could move more aggressively as soon as this summer if conditions allow, particularly as they reassess their midfield options.
Kees Smit warming up for AZ Alkmaar (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
AZ Alkmaar have placed an initial valuation of around €60 million on Smit, but that figure is widely expected to rise.
With multiple Premier League clubs monitoring the situation, the price could climb towards €75 million, a level that reflects both Smit’s potential and the inflationary effect of English interest.
That financial reality gives Premier League sides a clear edge over European rivals such as Real Madrid.
Arsenal have officially booked their place at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final after a pulsating 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, securing a 4-2 aggregate win.
While the night ended in celebration, the closing stages were defined by a moment of pure tactical tension that saw Mikel Arteta lose his composure just seconds before the decisive blow was landed.
Mikel Arteta was going ‘mad’ before Kai Havertz winner
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
As Chelsea pushed for a late equaliser to force extra time, the atmosphere in North London reached a fever pitch.
With Arsenal clinging to a narrow lead, the ball appeared to drift out of play during a frantic Chelsea buildup, yet play was allowed to continue.
Former England international Matt Upson, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, reported the frantic energy on the touchline.
“Well, 30 seconds ago Mikel Arteta was going mad that the referee had not blown his whistle.
“It has been a high-pressure last 10 minutes.” Arteta was seen frantically gesturing at the fourth official, convinced his side was being denied a blatant stoppage.
However, that frustration leftin an instant. Arsenal intercepted the resulting play, launching a lightning-fast counter-attack while the Chelsea defense was still over-committed in the final third.
Arsenal likely to face Man City in final Wembley showdown
The win means Arsenal will now face one of Manchester City or Newcastle in the final of the competition.
Their most likely opponents are going to be Pep Guardiola’s side who lead 2-0 on aggregate.
The return fixture is at Etihad where the home side are favourites to beat the defending champions and book the place in the final.
Man City have not been at their usual best this season. In contrast, Arsenal look their strongest self and are full of confidence at the moment, with Arteta doing an incredible job at the club.
Could the League Cup be the first of multiple trophies Arsenal will win this season?
Bruno Guimaraes has been exceptional for Newcastle United since joining the club, and he has been linked with a move away in recent seasons.
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has now suggested that the Brazilian could be on the move soon. He believes that Guimaraes will want to compete at the highest level and that the opportunity to join elite European clubs will be hard to pass up.
However, the German explained that the player is quite settled at Newcastle and would not be surprised if he decided to stay for a season or two.
A player of his quality will want to win major trophies regularly. Newcastle have an ambitious project, but they are not quite at that level yet.
Hamann on Bruno Guimaraes
Hamann said (h/t Chronicle Live): “Without a question, the best players want to play in the Champions League. Money is important too but it’s not the deciding factor. He will be getting paid well up in the North East.
“But the Champions League is the trophy along with the World Cup that all players want to win. If you’re not in the Champions League, you can’t win it, and every single Champions League club in England would be interested in Bruno Guimaraes if he decides that he can see himself elsewhere. The two Spanish giants would be interested too.
“I think Bruno can pretty much pick his club depending on how much Newcastle would want for him but he seems to be very settled in the North East.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays at least one more season or even a couple more seasons at Newcastle even if they don’t get into the Champions League.”
Bruno Guimaraes in action for Newcastle. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Newcastle are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and losing their best midfielder would be a huge blow. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the player to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.
Tottenham Hotspur are struggling with injuries in their attacking unit and have been advised to sign Raheem Sterling on a free transfer.
The England International recently terminated his contract with Chelsea, and Paul Merson believes that Tottenham should sign Sterling.
Spurs could use Raheem Sterling
Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are currently on the sidelines with injuries. Tottenham need someone who can operate anywhere in the front three and create opportunities for his teammates in the final third. They will also need goals, and Sterling could be the dynamic attacker they are looking for.
Signing him on a free transfer could prove to be an interesting opportunity for the north London club. Unless his financial demands are significant, the move would make a lot of sense for Spurs.
Merson told Sky Sports: “They need players in. Thomas Frank and Tottenham have been unlucky with Solanke, Kulusevski and Maddison all out.
“I would bring Sterling in. I think it’s a no-brainer on a free transfer. I really do.
“You don’t want to start bringing every Tom, Dick and Harry in to try and stay up.
“They just need one or two players in and get their players fit.”
It will be interesting to see how the situation develops. Tottenham have been mediocre this season, and they need quality players to bounce back. They improved in midfield and defence in January, but failed to plug the gaps in the attacking unit.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa have submitted an offer to sign the Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen.
The talented young defender recently joined Real Madrid from Bournemouth, and the Spanish club has no intention of sanctioning his departure. They will not enter into negotiations with the English clubs, and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle or Aston Villa move on to other targets.
Newcastle and Villa want Dean Huijsen
They could use a quality central defender, and they were preparing to spend €40 million (£34.5m) on the Spaniard, as per Fichajes. However, the 20-year-old is a key part of Real Madrid’s plans, and it is no surprise that they are not prepared to consider any move.
Aston Villa are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they are likely to be an attractive destination for players if they finish in the top four. However, Huijsen is unlikely to leave Real Madrid for them. They will have to look at other options as they look to tighten up at the back.
Newcastle are also looking to put together a formidable team. They need quality long-term alternatives to players like Dan Burn and Fabian Schar. There is no doubt that the Spanish defender would have been ideal for them, but the move seems unrealistic.
Dean Huijsen warming up (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are looking to build a team for the future, and they will not want to lose one of the most talented young defenders in Europe and football right now.
Newcastle and Aston Villa have exciting projects, and they will be attractive destinations for quality players in the summer. It remains to be seen whether they can plug the gaps in their defence and launch a strong push for trophies next season.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero created controversy with his explosive social media post after the January window closed.
The South American defender seemed to criticise the lack of adequate signings, and he has now been slammed by Simon Jordan from talkSPORT.
Romero said: “Great effort from all my team-mates yesterday [against Manchester City], they were incredible. I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful.
“We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans.”
It is no secret that Tottenham needed more additions during the January window. They signed Conor Gallagher and Souza this winter, but they still need more depth in the attacking unit. They are without several key attackers and have struggled to create opportunities and regularly find the back of the net. The decision not to sign a quality attacker and to let Brennan Johnson leave the club could prove costly.
It is hardly a surprise that top-quality players like Romero are disappointed. He will want to fight for major trophies every season, and Tottenham have simply not shown the ambition required to challenge at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Jordan believes Romero has been “uncontrollable” in his social media outbursts and should be cautioned by the north London club. He also added that he feels the 27-year-old “will leave Tottenham” at the end of the season. The defender also wanted to leave at the start of the season.
Liverpool are working on plans to replace struggling manager Arne Slot after a disappointing season.
Having spent a massive amount on new signings last summer, Slot has struggled to keep the club competitive at the top level.
Since October, Liverpool have struggled to keep up pace with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings.
Although their performances have been impressive in the Champions League, they have failed to have the same impact in the Premier League.
The signings of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and others have so far not completely lived up to expectations, possibly without the exception of Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool identify Alonso as managerial target
Although nothing is decided at the moment, according to Fichajes, the Reds are interested in appointing Spanish manager Xabi Alonso as the next leader of the club.
Alonso was recently sacked by Real Madrid and despite his tough spell in Spain, he is still highly rated for his impressive work with Bayer Leverkusen where he ended the dominance of Bayern Munich.
Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain and a report has claimed that he is on the shortlist of Man City to replace the legendary manager.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised Alonso in the past, calling him ‘exceptional‘.
Alonso knows the club well, he knows the sentiments of the fans and the type of football they want to see at the club.
He would be the ideal replacement of Slot at the club and players at Anfield would respect him due to his past success at the club as a player.
Marcus Rashford’s future appears to be moving decisively away from Old Trafford, with the England forward reportedly having no plans to return to Manchester United once his loan spell at Barcelona comes to an end this summer.
According to The Mirror, the 28-year-old has already made his intentions clear, prioritising stability and clarity over a reunion with his boyhood club.
Rashford joined Barcelona on loan in search of a reset after a turbulent period at Man United, where form, confidence, and scrutiny combined to stall his momentum.
While his time in Spain has been closely monitored, the move has given Rashford a fresh environment and renewed sense of purpose, something he is keen to preserve as he enters a crucial stage of his career.
Barcelona option and World Cup timing
Barcelona hold an option to make Rashford’s move permanent for a reported €30 million, a figure that reflects both his pedigree and the challenges United faced in maximising his value.
Rashford is understood to be eager for his future to be resolved swiftly, with the 2026 World Cup looming large in his planning.
Regular football, tactical clarity, and a settled club situation are viewed as essential if he is to remain a key part of England’s long-term plans.
Sources suggest Rashford has already communicated to Barcelona his desire to stay at Camp Nou beyond the current season.
While financial considerations remain central to any permanent deal, particularly given Barcelona’s well-documented constraints, the player’s stance is clear, a return to Man United is not his preferred option.
Man United position and Michael Carrick’s influence
Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
At United, the door has not been fully closed from the club’s side.
Interim head coach Michael Carrick is believed to admire Rashford’s qualities and would attempt to convince the academy graduate to stay should he be appointed on a permanent basis.
Carrick’s relationship with Rashford and belief in his ability could yet have played a role in negotiations.
However, reports indicate Rashford is prepared to look elsewhere if Barcelona are unable to finalise an agreement.
Rather than returning to Old Trafford under uncertain circumstances, he would prefer to secure a fresh long-term project, whether in Spain or another major European league.
Sandro Tonali is once again emerging as a major talking point ahead of the summer transfer window, with several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs reportedly keeping a close watch on the Newcastle United midfielder’s situation.
According to The Sun, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea have all registered an interest in the Italy international, showing his growing reputation at the top level.
Tonali, 25, has steadily reasserted his value at Newcastle United, becoming a pillar of their midfield along with Bruno Guimaraes.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, particularly by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is believed to be a long-time admirer.
Arsenal admire Newcastle midfielder Tonali
Reports suggest Arteta views Tonali as an ideal partner for Declan Rice, with the pair potentially forming a balanced and dynamic midfield core capable of competing at the highest level.
Arsenal were even alerted to the possibility of a move on Deadline Day, though the enquiry failed to develop into anything concrete.
Pep Guardiola is understood to be a strong admirer of Tonali’s game intelligence and positional discipline and along with his teammate Tino Livramento, the Spanish manager is keen on bringing the Newcastle duo to the Etihad Stadium.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle in action vs Man United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Chelsea, meanwhile, are taking a more cautious approach. The Stamford Bridge club are monitoring Tonali’s situation as part of their midfield review but have yet to make any decisive moves.
Despite the mounting interest, Newcastle remain relaxed. Tonali is viewed as a central figure in the club’s long-term project, and there is no desire to part with him unless an extraordinary offer is presented.
A report from Fichajes has claimed that the Magpies have set an asking price of €80 million for the Italian midfielder.
Football pundit Paul Scholes has described the Newcastle United midfielder as a “brilliant” player.
Speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo is beginning to gather momentum once again, with interest from both Europe and Major League Soccer reportedly intensifying ahead of the next transfer window.
According to TEAMtalk, the 40-year-old forward’s situation at Al Nassr has sparked renewed debate over what could be the final major chapter of his illustrious career.
Ronaldo was notably absent from Al Nassr’s recent 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Riyadh, a decision that quickly attracted attention.
Sources cited by ESPN suggest the Portuguese icon has grown increasingly frustrated with how the league handled Karim Benzema’s high-profile move to Al Hilal, a transfer that has reportedly left Ronaldo feeling sidelined within the broader Saudi project.
Man United and MLS interested reignited
Ronaldo’s unease has inevitably triggered fresh interest abroad. Clubs across Europe are said to be closely monitoring his situation, with some reportedly willing to adapt their sporting plans to accommodate a player whose commercial and competitive impact remains significant, even at this stage of his career.
While few teams can realistically build around him tactically for the long term, his short-term influence, both on and off the pitch, continues to hold strong appeal.
In England, Manchester Evening News has reignited talk of a sensational return to Man United.
Although such a move would be complex and emotionally charged given his recent Old Trafford exit, the link shows how Ronaldo’s name still commands attention whenever uncertainty surrounds his future.
Across the Atlantic, MLS clubs are also believed to be exploring the feasibility of a move.
Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Despite turning 40, Ronaldo continues to defy conventional expectations. His goal output in Saudi Arabia has remained strong, and his professionalism and physical conditioning are frequently cited as evidence that he can still contribute at a high level.
Man United may not consider a move for him since they are now focusing on younger players who can contribute to the team for years to come.
The Brazilian midfielder has been brilliant for the Red Devils this season.
Under new manager Michael Carrick, Casemiro has found his form once again and in the last three matches, his contribution has been important.
Man United will have to look for Casemiro’s replacement
The midfielder scored and assisted a goal in the 3-2 win against Fulham. While United are happy with him, they know he is leaving and they are currently working behind the scenes to identify his replacement.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson has been heavily linked with a move to United with Manchester City also expected to be a part of the race to sign him.
However, Merson has raised questions about Anderson and his ability to control the midfield.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, he said, as reported by United In Focus:
“I’m not sure, I like Elliot Anderson, but I’m not wow-factored over him.
“I like Elliot Anderson, but they’re fourth bottom of the league, fifth bottom of the league, Forest, so they’re not dominating all midfields, are they?
“And if you’re a midfield player, that’s where the engine is. Do you know what I mean? I don’t see him running the show in midfield at Nottingham Forest, and we’re talking about Man Utd.”
Arsenal’s transfer strategy has been forced into an unexpected turn after an injury to one of their midfielders.
The Gunners were left scrambling for cover on Deadline Day after Mikel Merino was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, prompting internal discussions over whether to move aggressively in the market or wait until the summer.
Ultimately, Arsenal opted for restraint. Having already committed significant resources in the previous transfer window, the club were reluctant to sanction another major outlay.
Arsenal considered a move for Tonali in the winter window
Reports surfaced suggesting Arsenal had made enquiries into Tonali’s availability late in the window, fuelling excitement among supporters eager for an elite midfield addition.
However, those claims were swiftly played down. Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, dismissed the idea entirely in an interview with Sky Sports, insisting there were no discussions with Arsenal and no intention from Newcastle to entertain a January exit.
“We never had any conversation with Arsenal. Newcastle were never going to let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it,” Riso said.
While the January links appear to have been overstated, the episode has done little to quieten longer-term talk.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano added further clarity, stating that a winter move was never on the table but hinting that the summer could be a different story.
Romano noted on X that Tonali’s situation is one to monitor once the season concludes, with several clubs already attentive to his status.
He wrote:
“Sandro Tonali was never gonna leave Newcastle in January window, never been a possibility. Could be one to watch in the summer with several clubs already keen, but it will depend on Newcastle + not a topic now.”
Tonali offers elite-level experience, tactical intelligence, and the ability to operate in multiple midfield roles and it is easy to see that Arteta would love a midfielder like him in the team.
Andy Robertson’s future at Liverpool is increasingly under scrutiny, with the Scotland international now expected ‘assess his options’ when his contract expires this summer.
According to Football Insider, the long-serving left-back is open to a new challenge after seeing his role at Anfield diminish over the course of the season.
Robertson, 31, has been one of Liverpool’s most influential players of the modern era, but recent developments have shifted his standing within the squad.
The arrival of Milos Kerkez has altered the pecking order at left-back, and head coach Arne Slot, Robertson is no longer considered the automatic first choice.
That reduced involvement has prompted serious reflection as he approaches the final months of his deal.
January interest and Tottenham’s persistent monitoring
Despite that rejection, Tottenham are believed to have revisited the situation on Deadline Day, making further enquiries to understand whether Liverpool’s position had softened.
It had not. Liverpool made it clear that Robertson would not be leaving midway through the campaign, particularly with the club still competing across multiple fronts.
Andy Robertson celebrates Liverpool’s victory over Burnley. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
While Liverpool’s refusal to sell in January was unsurprising, the longer-term picture appears more fluid.
With Kerkez increasingly trusted and Slot implementing a system that demands different positional profiles, Robertson’s minutes have declined sharply.
For a player accustomed to being central to Liverpool’s identity, that shift has been significant.
Sources close to the situation suggest Robertson remains highly professional and respected within the dressing room, but he is also realistic about his stage of career.
Robertson’s contribution to Liverpool cannot be overstated. Since arriving from Hull City, he has been a cornerstone of the club’s most successful period in decades.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave the perfect response when asked about Manchester United legend Paul Scholes criticising his team’s style.
Speaking at his press conference on Monday, Arteta was asked about concerns over his tactics and how entertaining the style of football has been this season.
Arsenal have had their critics, though Arteta mainly insisted that he only hears good things from people he’s spoken to around Europe.
The Spanish tactician was then also asked about Scholes in particular, as the pundit has been particularly outspoken about finding Arsenal boring to watch.
See below as Arteta shrugged it off in pretty damning style, making it clear how little Scholes’ opinion meant to him!
? Mikel Arteta's brilliant reaction to hearing that Paul Scholes is not a fan of Arsenal's style of play! ? pic.twitter.com/I4shy7WBKM
Arsenal fans won’t care about style as Arteta’s side close in on titles
Arsenal aren’t exactly playing the free-flowing attacking football that became their trademark under Arsene Wenger for so many years, but that approach didn’t exactly bring much success in the second half of the Frenchman’s reign.
Arsenal fans will just want to see their club get over the line as they chase the Premier League title and close in on the final of the Carabao Cup.
Mikel Arteta shouts instructions during Leeds vs Arsenal (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Plenty of teams have enjoyed success with a variety of different approaches down the years, and Arsenal under Wenger were often criticised for not being better at adapting their tactics to grind out results when needed.
Now that AFC are better at that, they seem to be attracting critics too, so Arteta will surely continue to shut out the noise from media figures like Scholes.
See below for details as Dean also revealed the fee for the player, whose arrival still hasn’t been officially confirmed by the clubs…
I'm told Jaden Dixon will be joining Arsenal from Stoke City for a fee of around £500,000. Chelsea were also interested in signing the 18-year-old England youth international.
“I’m told Jaden Dixon will be joining Arsenal from Stoke City for a fee of around £500,000. Chelsea were also interested in signing the 18-year-old England youth international,” Dean posted.
Arsenal get a late deal done as Chelsea miss out on top prospect
Arsenal fans will surely be pleased with this smart bit of business, with Dixon joining for very cheap despite looking like someone whose value will surely increase a lot in the next few years.
Jaden Dixon in action for Stoke City
The teenager has shown huge potential at Stoke, and it makes sense that this was a deal Chelsea were also really keen on.
The Blues have a policy of recruiting the best young players from English football and elsewhere in the world, and it looks like Dixon could have been a good fit.
Arsenal fans will now hope the Dixon deal can be officially announced soon and that he can go on to make an impact on their first-team before too long.
Even if he most likely won’t be a regular straight away, we have seen Mikel Arteta giving plenty of opportunities to top young players in recent times.
Chelsea have officially announced that Mamadou Sarr has been recalled to the club from his loan at Strasbourg, while Aaron Anselmino has joined the Ligue 1 side.
The Blues recently recalled Anselmino from his loan stint with Borussia Dortmund, and it looked like this could lead to him being involved in their first-team in the second half of the season.
However, Chelsea have now confirmed that the talented young Argentine has instead gone on loan to Strasbourg for the second half of this campaign, replacing Sarr as he’s returned to Stamford Bridge.
See below for the official announcements, which came in quick succession this evening…
Mamadou Sarr has returned to Chelsea from his loan spell at Strasbourg.
Even if some Chelsea fans might be a bit baffled by all this movement, it could end up being smart business by the west London giants to get Sarr playing under Liam Rosenior again.
Rosenior recently replaced Enzo Maresca as CFC manager, having impressed at fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg.
Mamadou Sarr takes a sip of water (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Sarr played under Rosenior and performed well, so that could be a useful option for Chelsea to have in the second half of the season.
It will be interesting to see if the talented 20-year-old goes straight into the Chelsea team, but there’s no doubt Rosenior could do with more options at the back.
There’ll no doubt be fans looking into last minute Arsenal vs Chelsea tickets for tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, but that game is surely going to come too soon for Sarr.
The Senegal international would really be being thrown in at the deep end if he were to be handed his Chelsea debut in such a big game at the Emirates Stadium, but perhaps after that he’ll get a run in the side.
Fabrizio Romano has some positive Arsenal transfer news today despite it being a mostly underwhelming Deadline Day for the Gunners and a lot of other clubs.
It seems the Gunners have agreed the signing of Stoke City wonderkid Jaden Dixon, with Romano posting that the deal is done for £3.2m.
See below for details as Romano also claims Arsenal view this as a “massive signing” for a very highly regarded young talent…
???? EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal agree deal to sign England U19 international Jaden Dixon on a four-year deal.
Deal completed for £3.2m plus add-ons. Arsenal view the player as a massive signing beating several clubs to the signings. pic.twitter.com/9z5oX5SEKf
Romano posted: “Arsenal agree deal to sign England U19 international Jaden Dixon on a four-year deal. Deal completed for £3.2m plus add-ons. Arsenal view the player as a massive signing beating several clubs to the signings.”
Arsenal have had long-standing transfer interest in Jaden Dixon
This is not the first time Arsenal have been linked with Dixon, with the Daily Mail first reporting on the north Londoners keeping tabs on him almost a year ago.
Jayden Dixon is set to sign for Arsenal
Still, it now seems a deal is close to going through, so Arsenal can say they’ve got an important bit of business done before this evening’s transfer deadline.
Interestingly, it’s not the first time Arsenal have signed a Dixon from Stoke!
Back in 1988, Lee Dixon made the move from Stoke to Arsenal, and he ended up becoming an all-time great for the Gunners, forming part of that legendary back four along with other top defensive players such as Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Nigel Winterburn.
Dixon stayed at Arsenal until his retirement in 2002, winning a total of four league titles and numerous other major honours.
If this Dixon can go on to enjoy even half the career that his namesake had at Arsenal, then he’ll have done very well indeed!
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