Over the past several weeks, the high cost of tickets for matches at the 2026 World Cup has sparked major backlash around the world. In that context, FIFA announced a decision this Tuesday aimed at easing the situation and responding to complaints from fans.

“With demand in the current sales phase achieving 20 million ticket requests, FIFA has confirmed that fans of the national teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will benefit from a dedicated ticket pricing tier,” the organization said in a statement published on its official website.

FIFA then added that the new ticket pricing tier “has been designed to make following their teams on football’s greatest stage more affordable.” The move includes a specific allocation of tickets priced significantly lower than those initially made available.

“Supporter Entry Tier tickets set at USD 60 each and available for all 104 matches,” the statement explains. That represents a stark contrast to the first three tiers previously announced by FIFA, which ranged from $4,185 for the lowest-priced option to $8,860 for the most exclusive tier.

How will fans be able to access the Supporter Entry Tier?

In the same announcement, FIFA provided details on how the allocation process for these World Cup tickets will work: “The entry tier tickets will be allocated specifically to supporters of qualified teams, with the selection and distribution process managed individually by the Participating Member Associations (PMAs).”

However, the world soccer governing body later added an important clarification. “Each PMA will define its own eligibility criteria and application process. They are requested to ensure that these tickets are specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams,” the statement adds.

Finally, FIFA detailed how ticket quantities will be distributed across price categories. The newly created Supporter Entry Tier will account for 10 percent of each PMA’s allocation, 40 percent will go to the next lowest category, the Supporter Value Tier, and the remaining 50 percent will be divided between the two most expensive categories: the Supporter Standard Tier and the Supporter Premier Tier.

FIFA’s reaction to criticism and boycott calls

FIFA’s announcement reflects a response to mounting criticism over ticket prices in recent days. Organizations such as Football Supporters Europe released statements describing the pricing model as “a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup,” arguing that the costs make attendance inaccessible for a significant portion of fans.

Tensions escalated further when a member of the England Supporters Travel Club even encouraged the possibility that The Football Association and other World Cup participants could refuse to accept ticket allocations as a way to pressure FIFA into taking action.

That response has now arrived, although it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to calm the controversy. Ultimately, FIFA’s announcement covers a limited number of affordable tickets, representing just 10 percent of the allocations assigned to each Participating Member Association. That means only a small fraction of the total tickets available for each World Cup match will fall into the lowest-priced tier.

The modern transfer market rarely produces genuine shockwaves anymore, but this one landed with a thud felt across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. With Vinicius Junior already linked to astronomical interest from abroad and Neymar’s long-standing world record looming over soccer’s financial history, attention has now shifted decisively toward Kylian Mbappe, the most marketable forward of his generation.

Real Madrid, quietly but firmly, suddenly found itself at the center of a proposal so vast it threatened to redefine soccer’s economic ceiling. The numbers alone suggested a seismic moment — yet the response from Spain would ultimately speak louder than the offer itself.

According to Fichajes, Real Madrid received a world-record transfer offer worth approximately $381 million for Mbappe, submitted by Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Hilal. The proposal would have obliterated Neymar’s $240 million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, a transfer widely regarded as the moment soccer economics crossed a point of no return. But this bid went far beyond a simple transfer fee.

Al-Hilal’s plan reportedly included a four-year contract valued at roughly $327 million per season, a figure that would have instantly placed Mbappe above Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest-paid player in history. The ambition was unmistakable: this was not merely about signing a star — it was about securing a global sporting icon.

Why Mbappe became the target — not Vinicius

Saudi interest in Real Madrid is not new. Vinicius has been repeatedly linked with the Pro League amid ongoing contract negotiations, and his profile — younger, explosive, and commercially magnetic — fits the league’s long-term ambitions. However, this time the focus shifted.

Mbappe, fresh into Madrid’s sporting project and already established as a generational face of global soccer, represented something different. For Al-Hilal, he was not just a signing — he was a symbol capable of anchoring broadcast deals, sponsorships, and international attention at a time when Saudi soccer is recalibrating its spending strategy.

With high-earning stars like Karim Benzema approaching contract expiration and Cristiano Ronaldo’s deal entering its later stages, the league is seeking younger, enduring figureheads rather than short-term spectacles.

Real Madrid’s immediate reaction inside the Bernabeu

The size of the offer left no room for hesitation — and yet, inside the Santiago Bernabeu, the decision was reportedly instantaneous. Midway through internal discussions, Madrid made its position unmistakably clear. The offer was rejected outright, without negotiation.

According to Fichajes, “the message was immediate: Mbappe’s departure would not be negotiated at any price.” No counteroffer was discussed, and no internal debate prolonged the process. The proposal was simply deemed incompatible with the club’s sporting vision. This clarity reveals something fundamental about Madrid’s current identity.

From a purely financial standpoint, rejecting $381 million appears almost irrational. But Los Blancos don’t operate on short-term logic. Sources close to the board emphasized that “some sporting assets cannot be measured solely in economic terms.” Mbappe is not viewed as a tradable commodity — he is seen as the axis of a long-term project, both competitively and commercially.

The club believes that selling him, even for a record fee, would weaken the sporting structure built around him and dilute their global narrative at a time when it seeks sustained dominance rather than momentary profit. In short, the Whites did not see a price — it saw a threat to identity.

Christian Pulisic walked off the pitch at San Siro believing he had done his job. The net had rippled, the crowd had erupted, and Milan had seemingly taken control of a tense Serie A afternoon. Instead, what followed was confusion, whistles, and a growing sense that something decisive had been taken away. Days later, a shocking claim from Serie A’s refereeing hierarchy has reopened the debate — and it carries consequences not only for Milan’s title ambitions, but also for Pulisic’s season-defining momentum.

At the heart of the storm is a refereeing decision that continues to divide Italy’s soccer establishment. What initially appeared to be just another controversial call has now evolved into a broader conversation about VAR thresholds, referee interpretation, and how fine margins can influence a title race.

Milan’s 2-2 draw against Sassuolo was chaotic, emotional, and ultimately damaging. Teenage defender Davide Bartesaghi scored his first two senior goals, giving the home side a 2-1 lead and appearing to put the match under control. Yet the guests never disappeared, equalizing late through Armand Lauriente, who nearly stole the game outright in the dying minutes. In between those goals came the incident that defined the afternoon.

Shortly after halftime, a header from Strahinja Pavlovic was parried by the goalkeeper. Pulisic reacted quickest, bundling the rebound into the net from close range. San Siro celebrated — briefly. The referee had already blown his whistle, judging that Ruben Loftus-Cheek had fouled a defender in the build-up. There was no VAR intervention, and the goal was gone.

Why VAR could not save the decision

The most frustrating aspect for Milan was not just the call itself, but the process. Because the whistle had already been blown, VAR was legally prevented from intervening, regardless of what replays later showed.

Former referee and DAZN pundit Luca Marelli immediately questioned the decision. “It’s a field assessment because there was contact. Loftus-Cheek placed his hands, but I don’t see any push,” Marelli said via Calciomercato.com. “This contact is below threshold; there isn’t a real push. This goal shouldn’t have been disallowed.” The phrase “below threshold” would soon become central to the debate.

Days later, the controversy reached a new level when Andrea De Marco, head of institutional relations for CAN A and B, addressed the incident on DAZN’s Open VAR program. After reviewing the audio, images, and referee communication, De Marco delivered a verdict that stunned many observers.

“The referee called a foul. Loftus-Cheek placed his hands on the opponent’s back, but the intensity must be assessed,” De Marco explained. “Given the guidelines we’ve established this year, this cannot be considered a foul, so the goal should have been validated.” This was the moment the hidden truth became unavoidable: Christian Pulisic’s goal should have stood.

What it means for Milan’s title race and Pulisic

The dropped points were costly. Milan is now second below Inter with 32 points, and has suddenly found itself vulnerable, with Napoli and Roma close enough to capitalize. In a season where margins are razor-thin, a single disallowed goal can reshape an entire campaign.

Former coach Fabio Capello did not mince his words when assessing the broader impact. “Even the goal disallowed for Pulisic is something that happens only in Italy,” Capello told Gazzetta dello Sport. “It is not ballet. This is football.”

Beyond the standings, the incident directly affected Pulisic. The goal would have pushed him to the top of the Serie A scoring charts, reinforcing his status as the Rossoneri’s most decisive player this season. Instead, it became a footnote — one later acknowledged as a mistake, but never corrected. For Milan, the damage is irreversible. For Pulisic, the frustration lingers.

Luis Suárez’s future has been one of the biggest question marks in recent weeks, with the striker’s contract set to expire at the end of the season and no official update from the club. With Lionel Messi committed to the project through 2028, Suárez has now reportedly made a key decision regarding his future at Inter Miami.

After being left out of the starting lineup in Inter Miami’s recent MLS Cup playoff matches, with head coach Javier Mascherano opting for younger options, Suárez’s role with the club appeared uncertain. Speculation even emerged about a possible return to Uruguayan side Nacional on a free transfer, but a final decision has now reportedly been reached.

According to the Miami Herald’s Michelle Kaufman, Luis Suárez is on the verge of signing a new contract with Inter Miami. Set to turn 39 in January, the veteran forward has earned the club’s trust to remain part of the project for one final season, with an extension expected to run through the end of 2026.

Suárez recently took part in the GOAT Tour in India alongside Inter Miami teammates Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, appearing across four different cities in the country. Now set to return to Miami, the Uruguayan striker is expected to continue his career with the Herons during the inaugural season at Miami Freedom Park.

After a strong first season in 2024, Suárez struggled to rediscover his best form in 2025, finishing with 17 goals and 17 assists in 50 appearances. A scoring drought late in the campaign saw him drop out of the starting lineup, but he will now look to reclaim his role as Inter Miami’s lead striker.

Luis Suárez’s role in Mascherano’s squad

Now expected to remain with the team in 2026, the main question has shifted to what role Suárez will play under Javier Mascherano. With the winter transfer window approaching, Inter Miami are expected to make changes to the roster, including the pursuit of another striker.

Star forward Tadeo Allende is set to return to Celta Vigo, with the club president acknowledging that the sides remain far apart on a potential permanent deal. Inter Miami also have an open Designated Player slot to pursue another marquee signing, meaning that despite expected departures in attack, Suárez could face increased competition during what may be his final season with the club.

Following the departure of Iñigo Martinez, Barcelona have fallen into an unconvincing defensive performance, accumulating a series of consecutive games conceding goals. In light of this, the Culers have set their sights on Nico Schlotterbeck, a left-footed defender who has established himself among the best in the Bundesliga. Moreover, they have set their sights on another Borussia Dortmund star, looking to expand their bench ahead of the 2026-27 season.

According to Sky Germany, Barcelona have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson. Far from being one of the German team’s star players, the Norwegian is usually Yan Couto’s understudy. Despite this, his versatility and defensive commitment make him a great option as an alternative to Jules Kounde, as his signing would be valued at around €20 million (around $23.5 million), quite affordable for the Spanish team.

Unlike Schlotterbeck’s departure, Borussia Dortmund are quite open to Ryerson leaving. They are already in negotiations with Barcelona, though they have not yet reached an agreement for the Norwegian player. Should the transfer occur, Eric Garcia would transition from rotating at right-back to being a primary option as a central defender or defensive midfielder. Kounde would maintain his position as a starter, with Julian serving as his backup.

Schlotterbeck remains a priority for Barcelona, but a Premier League star joins

While Barcelona still compete for all available titles, the club is already preparing for next season by securing the signing of a central defender. Nico Schlotterbeck may be the priority due to his ball-playing ability and defensive solidity, but Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also pursuing his signature. Consequently, the Blaugrana are exploring alternative options, with a Premier League star now emerging among their potential targets.

According to ESPN’s Moi Llorens, Aston Villa’s Pau Torres has been added to Barcelona’s list of priorities. The 28-year-old Spanish defender has excelled in the Premier League, securing his starting spot and improving in one-on-one duels, which was a key weakness in previous seasons. However, he is under contract with the English side until 2028, which could make his potential transfer costly due to his valued position under coach Unai Emery.

In case Nico Schlotterbeck prioritizes a move to Barcelona, Pau Torres could be ruled out, as the German defender is reportedly a top priority for Hansi Flick. With the possibility of putting pressure on Borussia Dortmund over his departure, he could join the Blaugrana for around €50 million (approximately $58.8 million), potentially prompting the Spanish club to submit a €70 million (around $ 82.3 million) package deal for both Julian Ryerson and Schlotterbeck.

With the end of 2025 also comes a long pause in international soccer. After the November FIFA break, four months will pass before national teams reunite to play new matches. In March, Argentina and Spain will contest the 2026 Finalissima, and before that, they will each play another match.

Reports indicate that final confirmation of the Finalissima, including the date and venue, will arrive in the near future after the Argentine Football Association gave its definitive approval. The match is expected to take place on Friday, March 27, at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

However, that will not be the only game played during that period. Both Argentina and Spain will take advantage of their stay in Asia to play a friendly match that will serve as valuable preparation for the FIFA World Cup, which begins in June.

“The Argentines will face Qatar, while Luis de la Fuente’s team will play Egypt,” Diario AS reported this Tuesday. “Both matches will also be confirmed at the same time the Finalissima is officially announced.”

The choice of opponents is not a coincidence. FIFA regulations prevent a national team from playing matches on two different continents during the same international break. As a result, both teams were required to look for alternatives within the region, against opponents that were also planning to play there in March.

Argentina against Asian opponents

While Argentina’s main focus in March will be winning the Finalissima title, the World Cup—just three months away—will also be a major consideration for head coach Lionel Scaloni. Because of that, the opportunity to play an additional friendly match is an attractive option.

Argentina will face Jordan in the World Cup group stage, so playing against an Asian opponent during the March FIFA break will allow them to test themselves against a team with similar characteristics. The last time they faced an Asian opponent was in June 2023, when they played against Indonesia and Australia.

Qatar will represent an interesting test for Lionel Messi and his teammates. After making their World Cup debut as hosts in 2022, they secured a spot in the tournament for the first time through the qualifiers this year. At the FIFA tournament in North America, Qatar will share Group B with Canada, Switzerland, and the winner of the intercontinental playoff between Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A tough test for Spain

Just as Argentina will benefit from facing an Asian opponent, Spain need to play against African national teams. In Group H of the World Cup, they will face Cape Verde—along with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia—and gaining prior experience against teams from the Confederation of African Football will be useful.

The last time Spain played against an African national team did not go well. In the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, they drew 0-0 against Morocco and were eliminated on penalties. Now they will have the chance to face another of the continent’s strongest teams, Egypt, who have also secured qualification for the World Cup and will face Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.

Napoli arrived in Riyadh this evening for the Supercoppa Italiana, and as expected, Romelu Lukaku was with the squad for the first time this season.

The Belgium international suffered a high-grade tear in his thigh during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos on August 14.

He has been out of action ever since and made his return to training on Monday morning.

Lukaku in Riyadh with Napoli squad

Il #Napoli è arrivato a Riyad per la Supercoppa Italiana#Sportitalia pic.twitter.com/Oo1553VEDW

— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) December 16, 2025

There had been reports that Lukaku would be part of the squad for the Supercoppa Italiana and he was indeed spotted getting off the plane in Riyadh tonight.

Also in attendance was President Aurelio De Laurentiis, while many of the players were seen holding their freshly-prepared cups of espresso.

Napoli will play the semi-final against AC Milan on Thursday, then Bologna take on Inter in the Friday evening clash.

The winners of those two matches can then face each other in the final for the EA Sports FC Supercup on Monday December 22.

The chaos at Fiorentina means there could be big departures in January, with reports Roma could swoop for Albert Gudmundsson.

The Viola are rock bottom of the Serie A table and the only team still without a single victory in the league this season.

The entire squad is kept in a training retreat indefinitely following the 2-1 home defeat to Hellas Verona, and malcontent is at an all time high.

This points to potential exits in the January transfer window to completely revamp the group, and one of those heading for the door is Gudmundsson.

Gudmundsson not happy at Fiorentina

The Iceland international was signed from Genoa last year on loan and then bought outright for a total fee of €18.85m plus bonuses, but has been completely incapable of recreating the form he had shown earlier in Serie A.

He also got into a very public row with coach Paolo Vanoli when denying he had refused to take a penalty, insisting he simply didn’t want to “argue with a teammate in front of everyone.”

Nonetheless, his five goals and two assists in 19 competitive games this season suggest he could get a good price, and Calciomercato.com claim Roma would be interested in a swoop.

An offer of over €25m could be sufficient, but Roma are more likely to propose a loan with option to buy at the end of the season.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma had very different ideas in their votes for FIFA The Best Men’s Player award.

The trophy was won by Paris Saint-Germain and France striker Ousmane Dembele, who was a key figure in the club’s triumphant march last season.

They won the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and French Supercup, as well as reaching the Final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Dembele topped the charts and was also first choice for his former PSG teammate and Italy captain Donnarumma.

Donnarumma and Gattuso voted very differently

The goalkeeper had another Paris Saint-Germain player in second place, Achraf Hakimi, with Barcelona’s teenage talent Lamine Yamal in third.

On the other hand, Italy coach Gattuso had a very different vision of the year’s sporting achievements.

His maximum points went to Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé, with PSG and Portugal midfielder Vitinha in second and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in third.

As for the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award, Donnarumma absolutely dominated the voting, with very few getting a look-in for first place.

The only others who managed a handful of votes were Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martinez, David Raya, Manuel Neuer, Alisson Becker and Yann Sommer.

Some had rather odd ideas leaving Donnarumma out of their top three entirely.

Bizarrely, Donnarumma himself voted for Wojciech Szczesny, who had come out of retirement to take over at Barcelona.

He had Inter’s Sommer in second and Arsenal’s Raya third.

Watch and listen to the latest news updates from the world of Calcio courtesy of Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà.

Today, Pedullà discusses Roma’s fiery 1-0 victory over Como and how this affects the Giallorossi’s transfer strategy going forward for Joshua Zirkzee and Giacomo Raspadori.

Elsewhere, AC Milan are considering Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham United, with their eye still on Dusan Vlahovic for the summer.

Khephren Thuram is the last player Juventus should consider selling, while Pedullà outlines which clubs most need to take action in January.

Watch: Pedullà on Roma progress and plans for January

Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos are two great defenders, but with one turning 41 in September and the other who will be 40 in March, signing them would be an act of faith.

The former AC Milan and Chelsea centre-back has decided to leave Fluminense six months before the end of his current contract, while the ex-Real Madrid legend announced the termination of his rapport with Monterrey.

Both would love to come back to the European football that really matters, and have been linked with Serie A, but so far we haven’t seen any movement on that front.

Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos represent the past

The bond with Milan is more about nostalgia that will never fade, seeing as Thiago Silva was an unforgettable pillar of that squad, but there’s nothing more to it.

The same is true for Sergio Ramos, who wrote memorable pages in the history books of football, but seeing as clubs must look to the future and not the past, signing him would require an act of faith.

It’s not just about the economics of these operations, but their ages have to be taken into account too.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has made a surprising admission after naming a Manchester City star as the most annoying player in the Premier League.

The Portuguese midfielder openly conceded that his Manchester derby rival is even more frustrating to face on the pitch than he is himself.

Bruno Fernandes calls Bernando Silva the most annoying

Bruno Fernandes spoke to Portuguese outlet Canal 11, where the conversation turned to on-field reputations.

Fernandes, who is often on the receiving end of criticism from rival fans for his demeanor during matches, was asked directly if he considered himself the most annoying player in England’s top flight.

In a surprising deflection, he named his international teammate and club rival, Bernardo Silva, as the true holder of that title.

As quoted by Daily Mail reporter Nathan Salt on X, Fernandes said: “My image on the pitch makes me seem like someone who’s always complaining, but Bernardo Silva is more annoying than me! He’s politically correct and I’m not! My problem is talking with my arms.”

Bruno Fernandes got asked if he's the most ANNOYING player in the PL…

"My image on the pitch makes me seem like someone who's always complaining, but Bernardo Silva is more annoying than me!

"He's politically correct and I'm not! My problem is talking with my arms." #mufc

— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) December 16, 2025

This lighthearted admission highlights a friendly rivalry between the two midfielders, who often face off in high-stakes Manchester derbies but line up together for the Portugal national team.

Why Fernandes and Silva frustrate opposition fans

Since joining Manchester United, he has been a transformative player in terms of statistics, providing crucial goals and assists.

However, his on-pitch body language has frequently made him a target for pundits and opposition supporters.

Critics often point to his tendency to throw his arms up in frustration when a pass goes astray, his frequent complaints to referees, and his visible annoyance when decisions go against his team.

While United fans view this as passionate leadership and a desperate will to win, neutrals often perceive his ‘always complaining’ attitude as annoying.

Fernandes’ choice of Bernardo Silva is not surprising because the Manchester City playmaker shares similar traits.

Like Fernandes, Silva is a tenacious competitor whose supreme technical skill is matched by an aggressive work rate.

The City star is known for his relentless pressing, tactical fouling to break up play, and an ability to get under the skin of opponents through persistent harrying.

While Silva might not be as visibly demonstrative with the “arm-waving” theatrics that Fernandes admits to, his ability to frustrate defenders and nibble at opposition players has made him a figure that rival fanbases love to hate.

The post Bruno Fernandes names who he thinks is the most annoying player in the Premier League appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for the AC Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani. 

According to a report from Gazzetta, Arsenal are very interested in the 20-year-old goalkeeper, and it will be interesting to see if they come forward with an offer to sign him. The player is highly rated at the Italian club, and they do not plan to sell him anytime soon.

Milan value Lorenzo Torriani

They are looking to help him continue his development with regular football for the youth team. Torriani is considered an asset for the club, and he could be an important player for them in future. Selling him now could be a mistake for Milan. They are looking to build a formidable team for the future, and they need to keep their best young players.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal follow up on their interest with a lucrative offer to get the deal done. They have the finances to tempt the Italian club to sell the young goalkeeper. Convincing the player might be too difficult for them, either. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they will be able to offer him a lucrative contract.

AC Milan plotting January move for Arsenal star who has fallen down the pecking order

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Bruno Fernandes names who he thinks is the most annoying player in the Premier League

Dec 16 2025, 20:10

Report: Arsenal are very interested in signing 20-year-old Serie A sensation

Dec 16 2025, 20:00

Tottenham join Leeds United in the race to sign 27-year-old La Liga ace

Dec 16 2025, 19:30

Can Arsenal sign Torriani?

The 20-year-old goalkeeper could be a very useful long-term investment for Arsenal, and he could develop into a first-team player for them. The player is unlikely to get too many opportunities at Arsenal now, but he could be an important member of the youth team at the London club. If he can continue his development, he might be able to hold a starting spot at Arsenal in future.

It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can finalise an agreement in the coming months.

Arteta wants to sign “amazing” 26-year-old to get the best out of Gyokeres

The post Report: Arsenal are very interested in signing 20-year-old Serie A sensation appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sevilla attacker Ruben Vargas has been linked with a move away from the club, and multiple Premier League clubs are keen on him.

Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leeds United are all monitoring his progress, and they could look to make a move for him. According to Fichajes, Leeds are already preparing a €20 million offer to sign the 27-year-old attacker.

It will be interesting to see if Sevilla are prepared to sanction his departure.

Leeds eyeing Ruben Vargas

Leeds could use more quality on the flanks, and signing the La Liga attacker could prove to be a wise decision. Signing a quality player in January could improve their chances of surviving in the Premier League as well. They are currently fighting for survival.

Spurs are looking to add more depth on the flanks as well. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to follow up on their interest with an official proposal. The 27-year-old could be attracted to the idea of joining a big club like Tottenham. They will be able to provide him with Champions League football and the platform to showcase his qualities at the highest level.

More Stories / Latest News

Bruno Fernandes names who he thinks is the most annoying player in the Premier League

Dec 16 2025, 20:10

Report: Arsenal are very interested in signing 20-year-old Serie A sensation

Dec 16 2025, 20:00

Tottenham join Leeds United in the race to sign 27-year-old La Liga ace

Dec 16 2025, 19:30

Villa and Newcastle also keen on Vargas

Villa and Newcastle are also looking to add more players to their sides. They will be hoping to compete in European football regularly, and they need to improve their team. The 27-year-old is expected to be a very useful acquisition for them. He will add pace, player and unpredictability. It remains to be seen where he ends up.

If Leeds can convince Sevilla to accept the €20 million offer, it could prove to be a reasonable investment. The player is at the peak of his career, and he could justify the outlay in future.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

The post Tottenham join Leeds United in the race to sign 27-year-old La Liga ace appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ousmane Dembélé was awarded FIFA The Best in 2025, capping off a dream season in which he also claimed the Ballon d’Or and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy. After securing the two most prestigious individual honors in world soccer, the Paris Saint-Germain star has now joined an elite club alongside legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

After dominating domestic competition in France, Dembélé played a decisive role on the continental stage, helping PSG win the Champions League and reach the FIFA Club World Cup final. With 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances, “The Mosquito” was one of the standout performers of the season, edging out Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé in voting for both awards.

By sweeping the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best in the same calendar year, Dembélé became the fourth player to achieve the feat. The only others to do so are Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Lionel Messi, placing the French winger among the most exclusive company in the modern era.

Since 2010, France Football and FIFA briefly unified their criteria to present the FIFA Ballon d’Or as a single award recognizing the world’s best player. That partnership ended in 2016, after which the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best became separate honors again, often aligning in their winners, but occasionally producing different outcomes.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player to win both awards in the same year, accomplishing the feat in back-to-back seasons. In 2016, he won the Champions League and the European Championship with Portugal, and in 2017, he repeated the double after claiming the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid.

Modrić followed in 2018 after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid and leading Croatia to a runner-up finish at the World Cup. Lionel Messi later joined the list in 2019, thanks to his Golden Boot-winning season and La Liga title, and again in 2023, largely driven by Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph.

Who failed to claim both awards?

The Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best are decided using different voting systems. The Ballon d’Or is determined by journalists, while FIFA The Best includes votes from national team captains, coaches, and fans worldwide. While the results often align, several seasons have produced split decisions.

In 2020, FIFA awarded The Best to Robert Lewandowski, while the Ballon d’Or was not awarded at all due to the pandemic, denying the Polish striker a potential historic sweep. A year later, Messi won the Ballon d’Or, while Lewandowski claimed FIFA The Best, sparking widespread debate.

In 2022, Messi won FIFA The Best, while Karim Benzema claimed the Ballon d’Or. Most recently, in 2024, Rodri secured the Ballon d’Or, while Vinícius Júnior was named FIFA The Best in another controversial split. Dembélé has now ended that trend in 2025, emerging as the consensus choice for the world’s best player.

Even though Manchester United have experienced a significant offensive boost with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, they have failed to showcase consistency. For that reason, they are planning to reinforce Bruno Fernandes with a top Premier League winger. Nonetheless, the Red Devils will face tough competition as Manchester City and Liverpool are also chasing his arrival in the 2026-27 season.

According to Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports, Manchester United are leading the race to sign AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo ahead of the 2026–27 season. However, securing the African forward will not be straightforward, as Manchester City have also emerged as a strong contender for his signature, increasing the competition and dealing a blow to Liverpool, who had identified him as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Far from being a player who stands out as a goal scorer, Semenyo has distinguished himself in the Premier League with his impressive versatility, shining offensively while also contributing defensively. For this reason, the Red Devils could target him as a winger or wing-back, offering coach Ruben Amorim a great variety that could make a difference with Bruno Fernandes impressive consistency.

Antoine Semenyo holds the major advantage of controlling his future. With offers from several teams, the Ghanaian might prioritize a team competing in the UEFA Champions League, a decision that could significantly weaken the Red Devils’ chances, as Manchester City may offer a clear advantage. However, the prominence he could enjoy within the squad might be a key factor—something Liverpool or Manchester United could be better positioned to guarantee.

Semenyo’s arrival at Manchester United may hinge on Marcus Rashford

Unlike Liverpool or Manchester City, the Red Devils face a challenging path to securing Antoine Semenyo’s arrival. Although Marcus Rashford has left the club, he might return from his loan spell, as Barcelona reportedly hesitates to complete the deal due to the high cost of a permanent transfer. As a result, the potential arrival of the Ghanaian could stall until Rashford’s departure is finalized, which would free up both wage space and a spot in the squad.

Rashford has reportedly made it clear to the Red Devils that he sees his future solely with Barcelona. With their interest in Semenyo, the club might need to lower their financial expectations to offload Marcus’s multimillion-pound wages and create space for the Ghanaian player. However, Manchester United may need to resolve this situation quickly, as Antoine could opt for another destination if his move is not finalized soon.

For seven seasons, Kylian Mbappe was the face of Paris Saint-Germain and the superstar around whom the club revolved. His goals powered domestic dominance, his image carried global ambition, and his presence defined an era. Yet when he finally left the club, the farewell was anything but graceful. What followed was a bruising legal battle that exposed one of modern soccer’s most toxic breakups — and ended with a stunning ruling that reshaped the power balance between player and club.

Few expected the fallout to escalate this far. Fewer still predicted the scale of the outcome. At the center of it all was a question soccer rarely wants to confront: what happens when contracts, loyalty, and power collide under the scrutiny of labor law?

Mbappe joined PSG in 2017 and quickly became its defining figure, winning six league titles and scoring a record 256 goals. But tensions simmered beneath the surface long before the legal confrontation.

In 2023, the Frenchman informed the club that he would not activate an extension clause in his contract, meaning he could leave on a free transfer the following summer. That decision triggered a chain reaction. He was excluded from pre-season plans, sidelined from the opening match of the season, and placed under mounting pressure to either renew or leave.

The club claimed these actions were necessary to protect its financial interests. Mbappe’s camp saw it differently. According to multiple reports cited by The Athletic, the forward’s legal team argued that wages and bonuses were unlawfully withheld during the final months of his contract, despite him continuing to train and play.

The court steps in — and delivers its verdict

After months of legal wrangling, a Paris labor court delivered a decisive ruling. The judges found that the club had failed to pay three months of salary, a loyalty bonus, and a signing bonus owed under Mbappe’s contract. As a result, the club was ordered to make an immediate payment exceeding $70.7 million, covering unpaid wages and bonuses.

The ruling also dismissed the club’s extraordinary counter-claim, which had sought hundreds of millions in damages for what it described as a “loss of opportunity” following Mbappe’s free transfer. In a statement following the verdict, Mbappe’s lawyers declared: “This ruling confirms a simple truth: even in professional football, labour law applies to everyone.” They added that the decision validated their long-held position that no written agreement existed in which the player waived his earnings.

Why Mbappe won and PSG lost the case

At the heart of the case was an alleged verbal agreement. The club insisted that Mbappe had agreed to forgo certain payments in exchange for being reintegrated into the squad during the 2023-24 season. The court disagreed. Crucially, judges ruled that no formal amendment to the contract had ever been signed, making the club’s position legally untenable. Without documentary proof, the claim collapsed.

That finding proved decisive — and devastating. The court also rejected Mbappe’s attempt to reclassify his fixed-term contract as a permanent one, limiting the size of his award. But on the central issue of unpaid compensation, the verdict was unequivocal.

Lionel Messi, the face of Inter Miami’s project, continues to redefine what soccer looks like in the United States, while Robert Lewandowski remains one of Europe’s most prolific No.9s despite approaching the twilight of his career. Elsewhere, Luis Suarez stands at a crossroads, his future uncertain as Inter Miami reshapes its attack. Somewhere between ambition, timing, and legacy, a major decision is quietly taking shape — one that could dramatically alter the balance of power in Major League Soccer.

Inter Miami’s rise has never been accidental. The club has built carefully around experience, star power, and familiarity, creating a structure that allows Messi to thrive while attracting names that resonate globally. Now, with Barcelona reassessing its future and Lewandowski weighing his final big move, Miami finds itself at the center of another potential soccer earthquake.

Speculation surrounding Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona has intensified in recent months. At 37, the Polish striker remains highly effective, but the Blaugrana is entering a phase of sporting and financial recalibration. The club is no longer willing to make emotional decisions, especially when age, salary, and squad balance are involved.

Thus, Lewandowski has already begun narrowing his options. Reports confirmed that he rejected a winter approach from Fenerbahce, despite the Turkish club offering a lucrative deal through 2027. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the striker made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Barca mid-season, a decision that sent a ripple effect through the European market.

Milan remains a quiet admirer, viewing Lewandowski as a potential free-agent opportunity next summer. But Europe is no longer the only stage capable of hosting his final act. In Poland, journalist Marek Jozwiak revealed a detail that shifted the narrative entirely. “Inter Miami — they were looking for a home for Robert Lewandowski. I received a message from someone who knows the file very well,” he said on Moc Futbolu. That single sentence spoke volumes. Inter Miami, it seems, is not merely monitoring the situation — it is preparing for it.

Inter Miami’s blueprint: Familiar faces, maximum impact

Inter Miami’s strategy has been consistent. Messi, Suarez, Busquets, and Jordi Alba formed the spine of a project built on trust, chemistry, and shared history. That formula delivered results, culminating in a historic MLS Cup triumph that further elevated the club’s global standing.

But time waits for no one. Busquets and Alba have stepped away, and Suarez’s contract situation remains unresolved. With one Designated Player slot still open alongside Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, Miami faces a pivotal decision. This is where Lewandowski enters the equation.

How Suarez could be the key

Midway through the story, the mystery finally lifts. Inter Miami’s internal view is that Robert Lewandowski could become Luis Suarez’s replacement — or even his partner in attack, depending on how the Uruguayan’s future unfolds.

This is not merely about replacing goals. It is about continuity at the elite level, ensuring that Messi continues to operate with a world-class finisher capable of converting moments into trophies. Lewandowski’s profile fits perfectly: leadership, ruthless efficiency, and global appeal.

As Lewandowski himself admitted when asked about a potential move outside Europe: “I don’t know if I will be in Barcelona or somewhere else. I will decide my future soon. The decision won’t depend only on sporting factors, but also on emotional ones.”

2025 will be remembered as the year Inter Miami won the Major League Soccer title for the first time. They are now looking to strengthen their squad for 2026, and according to reports, Lionel Messi recommended signing two La Liga stars.

“Leo Messi has conveyed to the sports management the need to bolster the midfield and attack,” a Fichajes report stated this week. “It is not about flashy signings but functional pieces.”

The two players reportedly recommended by the Argentine forward have stood out for years at Atletico Madrid, where they were Messi’s rivals during his time at Barcelona. The midfielder is Koke, while the forward is Antoine Griezmann, with whom Messi also played briefly.

“For Leo Messi, Koke represents order, tactical reading, and continuity in circulation. An ideal profile to support the team from the core of the game,” Fichajes adds. “Messi believes that Antoine Griezmann would be the perfect complement in attack. Mobility, intelligence, and the ability to link up in tight spaces.”

What is the situation of Koke and Griezmann at Atletico Madrid?

Koke is a historic player for Atletico Madrid. He has spent his entire career at the Spanish side, making his debut in 2009. Since then, the midfielder has played 706 matches, scoring 49 goals and winning 8 titles, including two La Liga trophies.

Now approaching 34 years old, Koke is near the end of his contract, which will expire in July 2026. He remains an important piece for head coach Diego Simeone, having started 15 of Atletico’s 22 matches in the 2025-26 season.

Antoine Griezmann’s situation is somewhat different. He will turn 35 in March and, although he is under contract with Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2027, his role in the team is no longer the same as in previous years. Across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the French forward has started just 8 matches this season, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 assist.

Inter Miami need new stars

Reports of Inter Miami’s supposed interest in signing Koke and Antoine Griezmann align with the squad’s needs. The end of the 2025 season also saw the departure of key players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, both retired, while uncertainty remains regarding other stars such as Tadeo Allende.

To replace Alba, the Herons secured the signing of Sergio Reguilon. However, they still need a central midfielder to replace Busquets, and Koke could fit perfectly alongside Rodrigo De Paul, with whom he played for years at Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann has different characteristics than Tadeo Allende. The French star is not a pacey winger like the Argentine player; over the years, he has evolved into forward with vision for distributing the ball and a frequent scoring presence. On Griezmann’s side, the experience of playing two seasons with Messi at Barcelona could help him integrate quickly into Inter Miami‘s structure.

Lionel Messi has been a central figure in Inter Miami’s rapid growth over the past few years, and the club is set to inaugurate Miami Freedom Park beginning with the 2026 season. Before that transition, however, the Herons will play one final match at Chase Stadium, bidding farewell to their longtime home ahead of the home debut in the Major League Soccer campaign.

Since 2020, Chase Stadium has served as Inter Miami’s home during the club’s early years, with a capacity of 21,550 fans, a venue that has since become undersized following Messi’s arrival. After hosting several defining moments in club history, the Herons will play one last official match at the stadium where they lifted multiple trophies.

Inter Miami will say goodbye to Chase Stadium on Tuesday, March 18, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Having qualified directly for the Round of 16 after winning the MLS Cup, the Herons will face the winner of the matchup between MLS side Nashville SC and Canadian club Atlético Ottawa.

The first leg of the Round of 16 will be played on March 11, with Inter Miami on the road. The return leg the following week at Chase Stadium will mark the final appearance of Messi and his teammates at the Fort Lauderdale venue after celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup title.

When will Miami Freedom Park open?

A significant upgrade from Chase Stadium, Miami Freedom Park will become Inter Miami’s new home starting in the 2026 season. However, the club will not play its first match there until April, several weeks after the MLS season officially kicks off.

The first official match at Miami Freedom Park is scheduled for April 4, when Messi’s side will host Austin FC in league play. Inter Miami will open the season with four consecutive road matches against LAFC, Orlando City, D.C. United, and Charlotte FC before making their long-awaited debut at the new stadium.

Inter star Denzel Dumfries has broken his silence after undergoing ankle surgery in London. ‘It’s been a tough month with a lot of emotions, but I’m glad the worst is behind me.’

The Dutchman has been out of action since picking up the left ankle issue during the 2-0 Serie A victory over Lazio on November 9.

His recovery took longer than expected, and with so little genuine progress, it was decided that he would go under the knife to stabilise the ankle.

Dumfries posts from hospital bed

Dumfries posted a picture on Instagram of himself in his hospital bed at the Fortius Clinic in London, where he had the operation earlier today.

“Surgery went well. It’s been a tough month with a lot of emotions, but I’m glad the worst is behind me. Now full focus on recovery and I’ll do my best to be back on the pitch as soon as possible!”

 

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Although the official Inter statement does not specify how long he will be out for, Sky Sport Italia are reporting they expect him to be on the sidelines for at least two to three months.

With that in mind, the Nerazzurri are likely to seek a replacement on the January transfer market.

Meanwhile, the multiple reports were confirmed and are now official, Dumfries has changed his agent and is now represented by the Epic Sports Agency run by Ali Barat.

He has left Jorge Mendes, and with a release clause set at €25m valid outside Italy until July 15, it is very likely that he is preparing for a new experience in the Premier League.

 

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Former referee Andrea De Marco analysed the controversial Serie A decisions made during Parma-Lazio, Bologna-Juventus, Udinese-Napoli and Torino-Cremonese.

He was representing the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) in the weekly DAZN Italia programme Open VAR, where the footage and audio from conversations between the officials are analysed.

You can read about his comments regarding the incidents during AC Milan 2-2 Sassuolo here.

Serie A referees got most of it right

De Marco was pushed on the Mattia Zaccagni straight red card for a sliding tackle on Nahuel Estevez during Lazio’s 1-0 win away to Parma, a decision that some refereeing pundits had called “excessive.”

Not for the first time, the official line was different to the one presented by the television pundits.

“In these situations, there is maximum severity when punishing tackles like this that are serious foul play,” assured De Marco.

“We see there is everything required for this to be a red card, the referee is very well placed, and he was quick to make the correct decision.

“The criteria for a red in this case are the speed of the lunge, the high leg, and the danger posed to the opposition player. It’s true he doesn’t get him full on, but this type of challenge will be clamped down on with the maximum severity throughout the season.”

If that was correct, then some other decisions this weekend did not meet with the approval of the AIA.

Specifically, Cremonese were furious late on when Torino striker Giovanni Simeone’s handling offence was not spotted by VAR.

“In this case, the VAR and AVAR focused too much on the green zone of the arm when the ball first makes contact, which also touches his chest,” explained De Marco.

“Their review was a little superficial, because they didn’t pay attention to the second touch with his arm. If there was one, then it was punishable, because it was not knocking it onto his own arm, it was a clear deflection, so that should’ve been a penalty.”

However, De Marco sided with the officials on two other contentious Serie A Week 15 situations.

“Karlstrom’s foul on Lobotka is clear, so Ghersini is right to suggest the review, which leads to referee Sozza disallowing the Udinese goal against Napoli.

“When Lucumi had a hand on David’s back in Bologna-Juventus, the intensity was not enough to warrant a penalty, so the correct decision was made. We raised the bar for giving penalties for a push and this falls well below it.”

Gian Piero Gasperini has a wish list for the Roma attack and it’s in a clear order, with Joshua Zirkzee first, Yuri Alberto second, and Giacomo Raspadori only third.

The Giallorossi know they need to secure some reinforcements over the January transfer window and their recent results show the need for a reliable centre-forward, even if it is an atypical one.

Gasperini will be heavily involved in the selection process and Zirkzee is at the top of his list.

The Manchester United outcast is considered to be a centre-forward, with Raspadori as a support striker who can also play in a wider role.

Why Zirkzee is the hot favourite for Roma

The former Napoli player had been appreciated by Gasperini when still in charge of Atalanta, although that was to play off centre.

So the coach would gladly bring both in, but if that is not possible, then his pick would be Zirkzee.

Now it is up to director Frederic Massara to push Manchester United into getting a deal done quickly, not waiting until mid or late January.

It is also true that Gasperini would like Yuri Alberto, but he is seen as an alternative to Zirkzee, while Beto is mentioned largely because both Everton and Roma have the same owners.

This isn’t a priority, and would only be pursued if Artem Dovbyk were to move on.

It is confirmed that Gasp also likes Giovane of Hellas Verona, who is on the wish list of Inter and Napoli already.

Raspadori is seeking a new club, seeing as he never got much playing time with Atletico Madrid, so it’d be ideal for Roma if Tommaso Baldanzi (liked by Verona) or Stephan El Shaarawy were to make way.

Jack knows that Maurizio Sarri is an admirer and would gladly take him to Lazio as a centre-forward, but a lot depends on Taty Castellanos.

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma was named in the FIFA Best Men’s XI 2025, with his former PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele getting the overall prize.

Inevitably, Paris Saint-Germain dominated this evening’s awards in Doha, as they won the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and French Supercup last season.

Donnarumma was a key figure in that squad, so despite being sold to Manchester City in the summer, he was recognised with the Best Men’s Goalkeeper award and as part of the Best Men’s XI.

Donnarumma featured in FIFA Best awards

His former teammate Dembele was as expected given the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2025, following on from his Ballon d’Or success.

PSG coach Luis Enrique was also crowned the Best Men’s Coach for 2025, although Italian Enzo Maresca of Chelsea was in the list of seven nominees.

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Best Women’s Player award for the third year in a row.

FIFA Best Men’s XI 2025

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Achraf Hakimi

William Pacho

Virgil van Dijk

Nuno Mendes

Cole Palmer

Jude Bellingham

Vitinha

Pedri

Lamine Yamal

Ousmane Dembele

Manuel Ugarte has been linked with the move away from Manchester United, and OGC Nice are keen on him. 

According to a report from JeunesFooteux, OGC Nice have already enquired about the midfielder, but the player is not keen on the move. They were hoping to sign him on loan. It will be interesting to see if the midfielder stays at Manchester United beyond the January window.

Manuel Ugarte could use a fresh start

He is not a key player for the club, and he needs to play more often. A move in January could be ideal for Ugarte. Regular football could help him regain his form and confidence. He has not been able to live up to the expectations since the move to Old Trafford. He was highly rated during his time in Portugal, but the move to England has not worked out for him.

He is still relatively young, and he has plenty of time to fulfil his potential. Joining the right team could bring out the best in him. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

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Man United to sell Ugarte in future?

Meanwhile, Manchester United could look to get rid of the player for the right price. They need an upgrade on him if they want to fight for major trophies. Letting the Uruguayan International leave the club would be ideal for them. It will be interesting to see if any other club is willing to come forward and provide him with an exit in January.

A loan move could be ideal for the player. It could help him get back to his past once again. Even if he fails to succeed at Manchester United, the English club will be able to offload him permanently for a reasonable amount of money at the end of the season.

The post Report: How Man United player feels about move January move after latest approach appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are increasingly expected to part ways with Ruben Amorim before next season, according to a reliable insider.

Sources close to Old Trafford claim the club’s hierarchy believe the Portuguese coach is not the right man to lead their long-term rebuild, with discussions already underway over his replacement as pressure mounts both on and off the pitch.

Manchester United make Ruben Amorim decision

According to the insider, the decision has effectively been made behind closed doors. The source claims there is a ‘growing belief’ among the Manchester United hierarchy that the Amorim experiment has failed.

In a move that will likely dominate the back pages, Oliver Glasner has been identified as the primary target.

The Crystal Palace manager, who has earned plaudits for his work at Selhurst Park, is reportedly ‘desperate’ to take the reins at Old Trafford.

The report suggests that Oliver Glasner is certain to leave Palace this summer, making him a prime candidate for the United board.

The pressure on Ruben Amorim has intensified following a series of lackluster results.

However, the issues extend beyond the pitch. Amid the uncertainty surrounding the manager’s future, Manchester United have seen several key transfer targets slip away, with players reluctant to commit to a project in flux.

This instability has forced the board’s hand. As per the insider, the club is ready to sack Amorim if results do not drastically improve.

Contingency plans are already in motion; if the situation becomes untenable before the season ends, United are prepared to appoint a temporary manager to steer the ship until Glasner can potentially take over in the summer.

Exclusive ?

?? Ruben Amorim to leave @ManUtd
?? Oliver Glasner desperate for job
?? Temporary manager plan

????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ?????????? ?????? ???? ??????.

While club officials may deny this,… pic.twitter.com/LuROkaEi6A

— indykaila News (@indykaila) December 16, 2025

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Could Michael Carrick return if Ruben Amorim is sacked?

If Amorim is dismissed mid-season, there is a possibility Manchester United could once again turn to Michael Carrick as a temporary solution.

The Old Trafford dugout is familiar territory for the former United midfielder.

After retiring in 2018, Carrick moved directly into coaching and served as an assistant manager under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, gaining nearly four years of elite Premier League experience.

That period proved crucial when Carrick was appointed caretaker manager in November 2021 following Solskjaer’s departure.

Charged with stabilising a struggling side under intense media scrutiny, Carrick delivered impressive results during his brief spell in charge.

He remained unbeaten across three matches, including two Premier League fixtures.

His tactical approach was widely praised, particularly after guiding United to a resilient 1-1 draw away at Chelsea and a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Arsenal.

If Manchester United opt for a short-term fix before making a permanent appointment, Carrick’s previous success as caretaker could make him a natural option once again.

The post Manchester United ready to make ‘dramatic’ Ruben Amorim decision as replacement ‘desperate’ to takeover appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with the move away from Manchester United in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old has struggled for gametime at Old Trafford this season, and he needs to leave the club to play more often. He has been linked with multiple clubs, but Manchester United are not keen on letting him leave.

Man United make decision on Kobbie Mainoo

According to TEAMtalk, the player’s relationship with the club has suffered, but Jason Wilcox has already informed him and his representatives that he is not going to be sold in January. It will be interesting to see if the 20-year-old can fight back and hold down the starting spot at the club.

There is no doubt that he is a talented player with a bright future. He could develop into a future star for Manchester United, but he needs regular opportunities. Sitting on the bench at Manchester United will not benefit him. Several clubs are monitoring his situation, and it remains to be seen whether they decide to come forward with an offer. It seems unlikely that the player will be allowed to leave in January. Perhaps a move in the summer might be more feasible.

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Mainoo is a top talent

Mainoo has the quality to compete at the highest level, and he could develop into a star with the right guidance. Joining the right team could bring out the best in him. He needs to focus on his development and play every week. If Manchester United cannot provide him with that opportunity, he should look to force an exit in future.

Ruben Amorim is clearly not a fan of the player, and it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese manager is prepared to give him more opportunities. He is a promising young player with a bright future, and Manchester United could regret forcing him out of the club.

The post Jason Wilcox informs player what Man United have planned for him amid exit links appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are interested in signing the Trabzonspor midfielder Christ Inao Oulai.

The 19-year-old midfielder will cost around €40 million, and he is a target for Manchester City as well. Pep Guardiola views him as the ideal replacement for Rodri in the long-term. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United can beat them to his signature.

Man United make contact for Christ Inao Oulai

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United have already initiated contact with the player’s representatives regarding a move.

They have the financial muscle to pay the asking price as well. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to pay a premium. The 19-year-old is a talented player with a bright future, and he could develop into a key player for the club. Manchester United need a replacement for Casemiro, who has clearly passed his peak. Oulai could be the ideal alternative.

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Inao Oulai could fancy a move

The opportunity to move to Manchester United or Manchester City will be quite exciting for the young midfielder. It would be a step up in his career, and he will test himself at the highest level. Regular football in England could bring out the best in the youngster and help him fulfil his potential.

Both clubs have done well to groom young players in the past, and they could play a key role in his development. Meanwhile, Manchester City will be able to offer him Champions League football and the platform to fight for major trophies regularly. It will be interesting to see what the player decides.

Oulai must look to join a club where he will get regular opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club will not be ideal for him. He must seek game time assurances before joining a new club.

The post Man United initiate contact to sign €40 million-rated Man City target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ousmane Dembélé has just been crowned the best player in the world by winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Although the Frenchman hasn’t started the 2025–26 season in top form due to injuries, he still managed to secure the 2025 The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, becoming the first French player to do so. Consequently, this feat sparked comparisons, recalling how long it took for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim this prestigious honor.

With his performances during the 2024–25 season, Ousmane Dembélé managed to become the best player in the world, leading PSG to their first Champions League title along with multiple other trophies. As a result, the Frenchman not only won the 2025 Ballon d’Or but was also crowned the 2025 The Best FIFA Men’s Player, achieving it at 28 years old and becoming the first French player in the history of these awards to do so.

Unlike the Ballon d’Or, The Best FIFA Awards were first presented in 2017, which means there is a relatively short list of winners. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first winner in the history of these awards, thanks to his impact with Real Madrid and his victory at the 2016 UEFA Euro. As a result, the Portuguese won this award at 31 years old, already a veteran, but inaugurating the event and elevating its importance.

Lionel Messi, similar to Cristiano Ronaldo, won this award as a veteran. At 32 years old, the Argentine was crowned with his first The Best FIFA Men’s Player award due to his impact with FC Barcelona. That year, he beat Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo to secure his first victory. Even of both stars won the award as veterans, they were among the first players to win it, leaving a path for other stars to clinch it.

What is the current ranking of The Best FIFA Men’s Player winners?

The Best FIFA Men’s Player award may have a brief history, but many stars have already claimed this accolade. Cristiano Ronaldo may have won it twice in the early years, yet he does not hold the record for the most wins. Instead, he ties for second place with a surprising contender. Consequently, Ousmane Dembele joins this exclusive list, that Lionel Messi standing at its forefront.

Not only is it surprising that Messi has surpassed Cristiano as the all-time winner of The Best awards, but Robert Lewandowski also emerges as one of the most decorated players in the history of these honors, making it clear that his legacy stands alongside the greatest players of all time. Nevertheless, players such as Lamine Yamal or Kylian Mbappé could soon surpass them on this list, as they are much younger and are currently dominating the soccer world.

Although Manchester United have failed to establish themselves as one of the brightest teams in England, Bruno Fernandes has remained one of their best players. Leading the team, the Portuguese has established himself as one of the Premier League’s top players. Despite this, his future remains in doubt, making him decide to break the silence about the possibility of joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

“The person who spoke to me was the president of Al Hilal, who called me directly… They wanted me to play the Club World Cup with Al Hilal… I can’t complain, I earn very well, but obviously the difference is enormous. That was never what guided me. If one day I have to play in Arabia, I will play in Arabia. My lifestyle will change, my children’s life will be with sun, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain, I will play in a growing league,” Bruno Fernandes said, via Canal 11.

Bruno had consistently dismissed the idea of leaving Manchester United, but this summer, the Portuguese midfielder disclosed the club’s unexpected intentions, which prompted him to reconsider his stance. He might be enticed by the opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League, potentially reuniting with Cristiano after the 2026 World Cup. While Al Hilal showed interest, Ben Jacobs reports that Al Ittihad and Al Nassr were also keen on securing his services.

Far from perceiving his arrival in Saudi Arabia as a step backward, Bruno Fernandes believes that entering this league does not limit his level, citing Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, and Ruben Neves as examples: “I believe that they went there to sign big contracts and still have the possibility of returning to Europe to play for big clubs, because of the quality they have and because they still go to the national team.”

Bruno and Cristiano could make an elite offense at Al Nassr

Although Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t played the most games with Bruno Fernandes as a teammate, they’ve shown an incredible connection on the field. In 67 matches for Portugal, this pair has spearheaded the national team’s most successful era, featuring in two UEFA Nations League titles and combining for nine goals. Thus, the potential arrival of the 31-year-old star would significantly boost Al Nassr, creating a formidable offense led by Portuguese stars.

In case Manchester United remain open to selling Bruno Fernandes after the 2026 World Cup, Al Nassr could emerge as a top contender for his arrival. Not only could Cristiano’s presence, but also Joao Felix and Jorge Jesus, make a significant difference, as he would have a familiar entourage to shine. Moreover, he could boost the midfield alongside Brozovic and Angelo, providing the necessary balance for the team to succeed in winning titles.

The Red Devils may have considered selling the 31-year-old in the summer of 2025; however, Simon Stone of BBC Sport reports that the English club is no longer open to parting ways with its star. That said, Manchester United could be tempted if a suitable offer arrives that helps fund the squad rebuild INEOS is pursuing under head coach Ruben Amorim, paving the way for the arrival of new young players.

Match Overview

Barcelona open their Copa del Rey title defense with the weight of expectations firmly on its shoulders, entering the tournament in top form after setting the pace in La Liga and delivering steady results on multiple fronts this season.

The defending champions arrive as overwhelming favorites against CD Guadalajara, a Primera Federacion outfit that will try to turn the spotlight into an opportunity by challenging one of Spain’s most decorated clubs in a classic David-versus-Goliath matchup.

Match Overview

A tense cup clash is on deck as familiar rivals from opposite ends of the English football pyramid collide with a spot in the semifinals at stake. Chelsea bring top-flight pedigree and momentum into the contest, sitting fifth in the Premier League and carrying the look of a team built for deep runs, which makes the Blues the projected favorite heading in.

That said, Cardiff City won’t be intimidated, arriving as League One leaders with momentum and belief after a string of impressive performances. The underdogs see a rare opportunity to rewrite the script and push for a historic result, adding genuine intrigue to what promises to be a compelling battle—one fans won’t want to miss when the whistle blows.

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We talked about Rafik Belghali a couple of weeks ago and can now confirm top Italian clubs set their sights on the Verona right-back, including Juventus, Inter and Roma.

The Algerian with a Belgian passport has been a major protagonist with Verona so far this season and is helping their climb up the table with back-to-back wins.

This operation cost €1.5m plus bonuses at the time from Mechelen, and now his value on the transfer market has increased by at least a factor of 10.

If we were to suggest around €15m for his price-tag, we wouldn’t be far off the reality of the situation.

Belghali wanted by Inter, Juventus and Roma

Now we can confirm that all the big Italian clubs appreciate Belghali and are keeping a close eye on his progress.

Juve really like him, Inter had asked for information even before the Denzel Dumfries injury and consequent surgery.

Roma appreciate the player too, despite already having Wesley on that flank, and have spoken to Verona about both Giovane and Tommaso Baldanzi.

Hellas hope to keep Belghali to the end of the season, seeing as they need all the help they can get to avoid relegation, but that depends on what offers come in.

Former referee Andrea De Marco analyses the various controversial incidents in AC Milan 2-2 Sassuolo, giving the official verdict on where the officials went right and wrong in that game.

De Marco was the official attending this week’s edition of DAZN Italia show Open VAR, where the footage and audio of the conversations between Video Assistant Referees and the man with the whistle are aired.

A Week 15 match that hit a lot of headlines was Milan’s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo.

Milan 2-2 Sassuolo controversial situations

There were penalty appeals from Sassuolo for Strahinja Pavlovic’s coming together with Walid Cheddira.

“In this case, the referee did very well to evaluate the situation in the moment,” said De Marco, representing the Italian Referees’ Association.

“Prontera and Maresca in the VAR room also did well, because as you can see from the camera overhead, Pavlovic continues his run, while Cheddira doesn’t control the ball, instead pushing his leg out to run into his opponent.”

Notably, this is not what DAZN Italia’s own refereeing pundit Luca Marelli said when analysing the exact same incident.

Another incident that created more issues was the referee blowing the whistle too early when he thought Ruben Loftus-Cheek had pushed Fali Cande, meaning that when Christian Pulisic put the ball in the net, it was disallowed.

“In this case, the referee blows for a foul, the Milan player does put his hands on the Sassuolo player’s back, but the intensity of the push has to be evaluated,” explained De Marco.

“VAR cannot intervene, but considering the parameters we are setting for fouls this year, this cannot be considered a foul, and the goal should’ve been allowed to stand.”

If the referee has already blown the whistle, then the action has stopped and VAR cannot intervene.

The Serie A Disciplinary Commission has inflicted a two-match ban on Lazio midfielder Toma Basic, while Teun Koopmeiners, Mattia Zaccagni and Torbjorn Heggem are among those suspended for one.

The verdicts were handed down following a fiery set of Week 15 fixtures, which concluded last night.

The most contentious game was certainly Lazio’s victory away to Parma, which saw them get all three points even after going down to nine men.

Serie A bans after Week 15 games

Basic was sent off for elbowing Nahuel Estevez in the ribs during an off the ball incident, and has therefore been given a two-match ban for violent conduct.

His Lazio teammate Zaccagni was also shown a straight red card during that match, but his mistimed sliding tackle on Estevez only warranted a one-game suspension.

Bologna defender Heggem saw red for stopping a clear goal-scoring opportunity against Juventus and he too received a one-match Serie A ban.

The players who accumulated enough yellow cards to activate an automatic one-match ban are Koopmeiners (Juventus), Rafik Belghali (Verona), Martin Frese (Verona), Kialonda Gaspar (Lecce), Martin Payero (Cremonese) and Kristjan Thorstvedt (Sassuolo).

Genoa have been fined €12,000 for their fans throwing fireworks onto the pitch, forcing the referee to halt play temporarily against Inter.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas and Verona tactician Paolo Zanetti must sit out a touchline ban.

Inter announced that Denzel Dumfries has undergone surgery for his ankle injury, so is expected to be out for two to three months.

The Netherlands international had been struggling for a while with the ankle problem, that was taking longer than expected to heal.

He underwent a specialist consultation and opted to go under the knife.

Dumfries not expected back until February or March 2026

A statement from Inter confirms Dumfries had surgery to stabilise the left ankle at the Fortius Clinic in London today.

He will follow a rehabilitation programme over the coming weeks, but Sky Sport Italia and others are already suggesting this means at least two to three months out of action.

Inter are therefore likely to go back onto the transfer market in January to find a suitable replacement, as so far they have been using Luis Henrique or moving Carlos Augusto over to the right flank.

It also raises more question marks about the future of Dumfries, who recently changed agents, suggesting he is pushing for a summer exit towards the Premier League.

The player has a release clause in his contract believed to be set at €25m, albeit only valid for a brief period of the summer.

Juventus have launched a new line of clothing in honour of legend Alessandro Del Piero, with current Number 10 Kenan Yildiz roped into the campaign referencing Renaissance art.

The icon is depicted as several works of art in a gallery, so he sits down and asks what a young man thinks about the paintings.

“Not bad,” is the response from Kenan Yildiz, who so adored the Italian that he copied his tongue out goal celebration.

That gesture is also replicated in some of the shirt designs as part of the ADP Collection, launched today by Juventus and Adidas.

Not bad pic.twitter.com/sdkHME1LXN

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 16, 2025

Del Piero a true legend in the Juventus jersey

He spent 19 years at the club, scoring a total 290 goals in 705 appearances between 1993 and 2012.

The centrepiece of the collection is the pre-match jersey, which has symbols of Renaissance art around his signature celebration.

There are also items of apparel and accessories with Del Piero’s signature and personal logo.

Witness the art of football.
Once a prodigy. Always a legend. pic.twitter.com/D4tBIiPWRS

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 16, 2025

Jorginho has not hidden the fact that he would like another go in the Italy national team, but admits ‘there’s not a lot to say other than I’m feeling good and working hard’. 

The former Napoli, Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder has not featured for the Azzurri since the massively disappointing EURO 2024 campaign, and then failed to work his way back into Luciano Spalletti’s plans. In September 2024, it looked like his international career was over. 

Things didn’t go much better for Jorginho at club level in 2024-25, as he saw his opportunities in the Arsenal first-team limited to just 15 outings in the Premier League. 

He was allowed to leave the North London outfit over the summer, and has since joined Flamengo in his native Brazil. 

“It’s a happy moment. It’s a nice choice that I made (joining Flamengo), there’s a lot of games, a lot of tournaments to think about, but I’m really happy about it. We need to continue pushing,” the former Italy international told Sky Sport Italia. 

Jorginho also spoke about his beloved Napoli, for whom he made 133 Serie A appearances across a four-year spell. 

“Napoli are always strong, I always watch with a lot of affection because it’s a club that gave me a lot, a team that gave me a lot and with supporters who gave me a lot,” he said. 

“I have a lot of love for the city, I always follow them and they will continue to fight until the end, they’ve won it recently, they play well, I wish them luck, I’ll always support them.” 

Could Jorginho still play for Italy?

Jorginho was asked, given that he never officially announced his retirement from national team duty, whether he is still interested in a call-up to the Italy squad. 

He replied: “I’m working harder and harder so I can always be ready to play. I always want whatever is best for the national team, there’s not a lot to say other than I’m feeling good and working hard.”

Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in signing the Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

The 25-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, and he is expected to be on the move soon. It will be interesting to see if any club is willing to sign him next month.

Marc Guehi is in demand

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are prepared to make their move for him in January, and they have already informed the player’s representatives of their desire. It will be interesting to see if they can beat the competition for his signature. More than a dozen clubs are interested in the England international, and he is expected to be the “most wanted” free agent of all time. 

Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have looked vulnerable defensively, and they need to tighten up at the back. Signing a defender would be a wise decision for them. The Crystal Palace star has himself in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact. He could improve all three teams. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

The 25-year-old was very close to joining Liverpool at the start of the season, but the move did not work out. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can convince him to join the club in the coming weeks.

Ibrahima Konate will leave the club on a free transfer, and they need to replace him. The Crystal Palace star could be the ideal replacement.

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Where will Guehi end up?

Guehi will look to join a club where he can play regularly. He will also want to fight for league titles and the UEFA Champions League. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool, Chelsea or Tottenham can convince the player of their ambitions.

Chelsea have had multiple defensive problems this season, and they have suffered injury issues at the back. Guehi knows the club well, and bringing their former academy graduate back to the club would be ideal.

The post Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United inform “most wanted” star’s camp of their transfer plan appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Conor Gallagher has been linked with the move away from Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old England international has struggled for regular opportunities, and he might need to leave in January in order to play more often. Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle are interested in signing the player.

Conor Gallagher set for January move?

According to TEAMtalk, the player is open to a loan move in January, and Manchester United are receptive to the idea of signing him temporarily as well. They need more quality and depth in the middle of the park. The 25-year-old knows the Premier League well, and he could make an immediate impact. He will add physicality, drive and walk rate to the side.

Meanwhile, Tottenham and Newcastle are keen on the player as well. It will be interesting to see what the 25-year-old decides. He will look to join a club where he will be able to compete at a high-level and play regularly. All three clubs could provide him with that platform.

Tottenham and Newcastle will be able to offer him Champions League football as opposed to Manchester United. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. He is a quality player who has shown his ability in English football with Chelsea and Crystal Palace. There is no doubt that he could improve all three teams.

Gallagher has been praised by Terry Gibson recently: “He’s been fabulous. A bit overlooked because we’ve got Marcus Rashford and we’ve got Jude Bellingham.

“He’s been overlooked when it comes to the English contingent that are playing in La Liga. But he’s been really good.”

More Stories / Latest News

Bruno Fernandes names who he thinks is the most annoying player in the Premier League

Dec 16 2025, 20:10

Report: Arsenal are very interested in signing 20-year-old Serie A sensation

Dec 16 2025, 20:00

Tottenham join Leeds United in the race to sign 27-year-old La Liga ace

Dec 16 2025, 19:30

Gallagher needs game time

He has not been a regular starter for Atletico Madrid, but he remains a useful player for them. Letting him leave in the middle of the season might not appeal to them. They will hope to fight for trophies, and they need to keep their squad intact.

It will be interesting to see if Manchester United, Tottenham or Newcastle follow up on their interest with an official proposal to sign the player in January.

The post Man United linked with a loan move for “really good” Tottenham and Newcastle target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the RC Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare, as per TEAMtalk.

The 23-year-old has done quite well since joining the French outfit, and he is certainly one of the best midfielders in the league this season. He is a talented young player with a bright future, and he could develop into a key player for all three clubs.

Man United need Mamadou Sangare

Manchester United need someone who can break up the opposition attack and protect the back line. The 23-year-old could be ideal for them. He has been outstanding defensively. The player is averaging 3.66 tackles, 7.98 duels won, and 7.76 recoveries per 90 minutes in the league this season.

He is a young player, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a key player for the club.

Jean-Louis Leca, Racing’s Sporting Director, said: “His well-rounded profile and personality, perfectly aligned with our project, convinced us. Thanks to his work rate and ability to get forward, Mamadou is an influential midfielder both defensively and offensively. He also possesses very interesting athletic and technical qualities.”

Bruno Fernandes names who he thinks is the most annoying player in the Premier League

More Stories / Latest News

Bruno Fernandes names who he thinks is the most annoying player in the Premier League

Dec 16 2025, 20:10

Report: Arsenal are very interested in signing 20-year-old Serie A sensation

Dec 16 2025, 20:00

Tottenham join Leeds United in the race to sign 27-year-old La Liga ace

Dec 16 2025, 19:30

Spurs and Chelsea keen on Sangare

Similarly, Tottenham need a reliable partner for Joao Palhinha. The African could add defensive steel and physicality in the middle of the park. Tottenham have looked vulnerable defensively this season, and they need to tighten up. Signing the 23-year-old could be ideal for them.

Chelsea already have two quality midfielders like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Sangare could be the ideal cover for Caicedo.

It will be interesting to see if the French outfit is willing to sanction his departure. He is an important player for them, and losing him would be a blow. However, the Premier League clubs certainly have the financial muscle to submit a lucrative proposal.

Furthermore, convincing the player to join the club might not be too difficult either. He will look to compete at the highest level, and the move to England could be exciting for him. He would get to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Sangare has the physicality and technical attributes for English football, and he could develop into a future star in the right team.

Report: How Man United player feels about move January move after latest approach

The post Man United want to sign “well-rounded” Chelsea & Tottenham target from Ligue 1 side appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Despite Ibrahima Konate running out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season and his liberty to talk to clubs outside England from January 1st, the Premier League champions have no intention of selling the 26-year-old French defender this winter at this point, according to TEAMtalk. and they’re keen to tie him down […]

The post Liverpool still aim to tie Konate down to new deal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool still aim to tie Konate down to new deal appeared first on Soccer News.

Despite Ibrahima Konate running out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season and his liberty to talk to clubs outside England from January 1st, the Premier League champions have no intention of selling the 26-year-old French defender this winter at this point, according to TEAMtalk. and they’re keen to tie him down […]

The post Liverpool still aim to tie Konate down to new deal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool still aim to tie Konate down to new deal appeared first on Soccer News.

This Tuesday, The Best awards will be handed out, honoring the top male and female players in world soccer for 2025. The ceremony takes place just months after the Ballon d’Or was awarded, the sport’s other major individual prize. That timing naturally raises an obvious question: what is the difference between the two awards?

The first major contrast has to do with who organizes each prize. The Best is FIFA’s official award. FIFA is the governing body that oversees all national soccer federations worldwide and is also responsible for organizing some of the sport’s most important tournaments, including the World Cup.

By contrast, the Ballon d’Or was created by France Football magazine, which means it has no official connection to the organization of soccer competitions and tournaments at the global level.

Another difference between the two trophies is the time period each one considers when selecting its winners. While the Ballon d’Or follows the calendar of Europe’s top leagues—generally starting in September and ending the following summer—The Best is based on the calendar year, from January to December.

The voting system of The Best and Ballon d’Or

Perhaps the most significant difference between the two awards is the voting process. France Football awards the Ballon d’Or based solely on a vote by journalists. Each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s soccer rankings is represented by one journalist, and those votes are used to calculate the final results.

FIFA’s system, on the other hand, is a mixed voting model. The total score used to determine the winners is divided into four equal parts: national team head coaches, national team captains, a panel of media representatives, and fan voting. Each group accounts for 25 percent of the total score, and the final results are calculated by combining all four components.

FIFA and France Football once shared an award

The Ballon d’Or holds a clear advantage over The Best when it comes to history. France Football created the award in 1956, and it has only grown in prestige and global recognition ever since. FIFA’s trophy, by comparison, is much newer, having been introduced in its current name and format in 2016.

However, there was a period when both awards were combined into one. In 2010, FIFA and France Football reached an agreement to merge their annual ceremonies and created the FIFA Ballon d’Or. That partnership lasted just six years, through the 2015 ceremony. After that, FIFA launched The Best, while the Ballon d’Or returned to its traditional format under the sole organization of France Football.

Ballon d’Or and The Best share the same dominant figure

Despite their differences, the Ballon d’Or and The Best share one major similarity: both have been dominated by the same player. Lionel Messi is the most decorated winner in the history of both awards, with eight Ballon d’Or trophies awarded by France Football and three The Best honors from FIFA. Notably, he won four of the six editions that were jointly organized.

The player with the second-most trophies is also the same in both awards: Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star won the Ballon d’Or five times and The Best twice. In the latter, he shares that distinction with Robert Lewandowski.

Bruno Fernandes has emerged as a key figure for Manchester United, maintaining his role as one of the team’s most crucial players despite the club’s ongoing crisis. Surprisingly, however, the Portuguese midfielder revealed unsettling details about his future with the club, shedding light on Red Devils’ questionable plans with a surprising team showed interest in him. In response, he has issued a strong statement regarding his position.

During Bruno’s five years at Manchester United, the Portuguese player has been tempted on numerous occasions by different teams. Despite the Red Devils never recovering their best form, Fernandes chose to remain at the club, missing major opportunities to shine with highly competitive teams. Far from appreciating this loyalty, the 31-year-old star revealed that the English club wanted to sell him in the summer of 2025.

“The club wanted me to GO [in the summer], I have that in my head. I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the COURAGE to make that decision. I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay. But, from the club’s side, I felt a bit like, ‘if you leave, it’s not so bad for us.’ It hurts me a lot. More than hurting, it makes me sad,” Bruno Fernandes expressed, via Canal 11.

Not only did Bruno reveal Manchester United’s intentions, but he also added details about Al Hilal’s interest in his services. “The president of Al Hilal spoke to me. He called me directly… They wanted him to play in the Club World Cup… I can’t complain, I’m very well paid, but obviously the difference is huge. That was never what guided me. If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia,” Bruno Fernandes said, via Canal 11.

Bruno Fernandes has reportedly decided on his future at Manchester United

Unlike in previous years, Bruno Fernandes has left the door open for a potential departure from Manchester United, fueling significant uncertainty about his future with the club. As a seasoned veteran, the Portuguese star might consider the lucrative financial opportunities presented by the Saudi Pro League. In this context, the 31-year-old has reportedly made a decisive choice about his career, prioritizing specific objectives.

According to Simon Stone of BBC Sport, neither Bruno Fernandes nor Manchester United plan to part ways at a professional level. The Portuguese star still wants to win major titles with the club, and the Red Devils consider him a key piece in their future plans, now ruling out a move to Saudi Arabia. With a contract running until 2027 plus an optional extra year, the 31-year-old star appears to be on track to become a legendary figure in the club’s history.

Milan are preparing to jet off to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa Italiana, which kicks off later this week, and with a few injury headaches, Massimiliano Allegri has decided to call in five youth team players including Maximilian Ibrahimovic. 

Ibrahimovic and four other Milan youngsters included in Supercoppa Italiana squad

Napoli and Milan will face off against each other in the first Supercoppa Italiana semi-final on Thursday evening. That will be followed by Bologna vs. Inter on Friday night, and then the final on Monday night. All three matches will be played in Riyadh. 

Milan and Napoli are both scheduled to fly over to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri were scheduled to fly out from Malpensa airport at around 15.00 GMT. 

Santiago Gimenez is not on the flight as he continues to be troubled by ankle issues. Mattia Gabbia is also not in the squad at the moment, although there is reportedly still hope that he could join the team in Saudi Arabia in a few days’ time. 

Allegri has also taken the opportunity to include a handful of younger players in his squad for the Supercoppa. 

 

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Among them is 19-year-old Ibrahimovic, son of the legendary Zlatan, who is currently working as an advisor to Milan owners RedBird. Joining the young Ibrahimovic are his Milan Futuro teammates Matteo Dutu, 20, and 17-year-old Valeri Vladimirov.

18-year-old Emanuele Sala, a central midfielder, has been called up from the Primavera squad, as has 17-year-old winger Emanuele Borsani. 

Italy national team captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has officially been handed The Best Men’s Goalkeeper at FIFA’s The Best awards on Tuesday. 

Donnarumma wins FIFA’s The Best Goalkeeper award

This is the first time that Donnarumma has won the goalkeeping prize at FIFA’s The Best awards, having finished second behind Chelsea’s Champions League-winning Edouard Mendy in 2021. This award adds to the Yachine Award that Donnarumma won at the Ballon d’Or ceremony earlier this year. 

He has seen off competition from Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, Arsenal’s David Raya, Inter’s Yann Sommer and Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczesny to win the award. 

Donnarumma’s highlight of the last calendar year came while he was still with Paris Saint-Germain, when they thumped Inter 5-0 in the Champions League final at the end of May. He has since joined Manchester City, who are in second place, two points off Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

The former Milan stopper becomes the second Italian to have won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper prize, which has been running since 2017, following Gianluigi Buffon’s triumph in the inaugural year. 

Italy and Brazil are the only two nations to have two different goalkeepers win the prize (Buffon and Donnarumma, and Ederson and Alisson). 

Gianluigi Donnarumma is crowned #TheBest FIFA Men's Goalkeeper 2025!

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 16, 2025

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus wing-back Joao Mario could potentially be allowed to leave the club during the January transfer window and that Premier League outfit Crystal Palace are among the interested parties. 

Could Crystal Palace move for Juventus’s Joao Mario?

The Portuguese, who joined the Bianconeri from Porto at a cost of just over €12m last January, has struggled for opportunities under both Igor Tudor and Luciano Spalletti this term. 

He started in two of Juve’s first five Serie A matches of the season, but first-team chances have been even harder to come by since Spalletti took charge at the end of October. Joao Mario has been named as an unused substitute for Juve’s last five Serie A matches, and their last four in the Champions League. 

All told, Joao Mario has played for just 11 minutes since Spalletti took over. 

Spalletti is not short on options at wing-back either, with Weston McKennie, Andrea Cambiaso and Pierre Kalulu all capable of covering on the right flank. He also has Juan Cabal and Filip Kostic on the left. 

For that reason, Juventus could be talked into letting the former Sporting. According to reports from Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com, the player’s agents will speak with the club in the coming days to take stock of the situation. 

Tuesday’s report also claims that Crystal Palace are interested in the 25-year-old. Juventus would reportedly be willing to let Joao Mario go on a permanent basis in January as long as they recoup the fee that they invested last year.

There have been no offers from South London yet, but there has been an initial enquiry according to Tuesday’s report.

Fabio Cannavaro agrees with the growing portion of Serie A supporters who feel that there are not enough opportunities for young, homegrown players in Italy, and has explained what he would do to change the situation. 

The 2006 World Cup winning captain gave an in-depth interview to Tuttosport on Tuesday, in which he discussed his prospects with Uzbekistan at the World Cup, his recent candidacy for the Italy national team job, and the current state of affairs in Serie A. 

• Read more: Cannavaro reveals how close he was to becoming Italy CT

Cannavaro: ‘Not enough Italians, even fewer young players’

Cannavaro believes that the fundamental flaw of the Italy national team is the lack of playing time for homegrown players, and especially young Italian players in the top flight. 

He also feels that Italian football is centred too much around its tactics and not around the technical ability of the players. 

When asked by Tuttosport if he still has an opportunity to watch Serie A football in his job as head coach of Uzbekistan, Cannavaro said: “No, no, I watch it even more, it helps you understand lots of different things.

And so, what has he learned from watching Serie A football recently? 

“There’s a difficult tactic they use in Italy, they play man-for-man all over the pitch. They all seem to be sons of Gasperini now, a coach I also appreciate a lot and learn a lot from.” 

And the flaws of the Italian game? 

“Not many Italians are used, and even fewer young players. All this is reflected in the national team and the coaches who have to make the call-ups. 

“For 20 years before we won the World Cup in 2006, we had players being called up who would make you say ‘wow’. 20 years later, we’ve got a team that makes you say: ‘Oh mamma mia’.” 

Cannavaro was then asked if he thinks that Italy needs a full-scale football ‘revolution’, to which he replied: “Yes, because we’re focussing too much on tactics.

“Young players coming into football are like houses being built, the foundations should be built on technique, not tactics. Until I turned 20, coaches used to just tell me to follow my opponent, even when he went to the bathroom. This Gasperini method helps young players become better.”

Cesc Fabregas is far from the most popular man in Senegal at the moment following the injury sustained by Assane Diao during Monday evening’s Serie A clash between Roma and Como, which puts the 20-year-old at risk of missing the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Fabregas abuse after Diao injury in Roma 1-0 Como

Como were beaten 1-0 by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night: Wesley Franca with the only goal of the game. 

On top of losing what was effectively a six-pointer in the race for Champions League football, Como have also had to deal with the loss of Diao, who pulled up and then limped off after 37 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico. 

The Senegal talent had missed several months of action earlier this year due to a fractured metatarsal, and had only recently returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out for two league matches in November. 

However, he has now picked up another muscular injury, which makes his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations into major doubt. 

Now, Fabregas is the target of insults from Senegal fans on social media after his decision to deploy Diao as a starter against Roma, just a few days before the Africa Cup of Nations is due to get underway. 

The Spaniard has been labelled an ‘imbecile’ by some supporters, while others have used more extreme language, and others have made degrading comments about his wife under his most recent post on Instagram in the hours since Como’s 1-0 defeat against Roma.

 

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Manchester City are preparing to step up their pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi as Pep Guardiola looks to reshape his defensive unit with elite Premier League talent.

The England international has emerged as one of the most coveted defenders in the domestic game, and City view him as a long-term solution capable of thriving in Guardiola’s demanding tactical system, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Guéhi has been placed near the top of Man City’s defensive shortlist as the club plans for the next phase of its squad evolution.

While City have enjoyed remarkable success in recent seasons, Guardiola is understood to be keen on refreshing certain areas of the team, particularly in defense, where questions have been raised over depth.

Man City are looking for more defensive depth

With players such as John Stones and Nathan Ake managing fitness concerns and entering later stages of their careers, City’s recruitment team has been tasked with identifying defenders who can combine immediate impact with long-term value.

Guéhi fits that profile perfectly. Since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea, the 25-year-old has developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs.

He has captained Palace on numerous occasions, showcasing leadership and class. The defender has made 147 appearances in the Premier League which shows he is experienced at the top level.

Those traits are particularly attractive to Guardiola, whose system relies heavily on defenders being comfortable on the ball and tactically intelligent.

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City face competition from Liverpool

City are not alone in their admiration. Liverpool are also believed to be monitoring Guéhi closely as they assess options to refresh their own backline in the coming seasons.

With Virgil van Dijk into his thirties and uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté’s long-term future, the Reds see Guéhi as a potential cornerstone of their next defensive era.

This sets up a fascinating battle between two of the Premier League’s dominant forces, with both clubs eager to secure a proven, homegrown defender who is already established at the highest level.

Elsewhere in Europe, Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation closely and could enter the race to sign him next year.

Man City have edge over Liverpool in the race to sign £65 million Premier League star 

The post Sources: Man City place English star at the top of their transfer wishlist for 2026 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing to accelerate their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, with the 26-year-old emerging as a prime candidate to reinforce their defense.

According to Bild, Bayern view Schlotterbeck as a strategic alternative to Dayot Upamecano, whose contract situation remains unresolved amid strong interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

The situation surrounding Upamecano has caused growing concern within Bayern’s hierarchy.

Negotiations over a contract extension have stalled in recent months, with reports suggesting that the French defender’s wage demands have yet to be met.

Both Real Madrid and PSG are believed to have made informal approaches, indicating they could make a serious move if he becomes available in the summer.

Bayern Munich step up Schlotterbeck chase

In light of this uncertainty, Bayern have begun exploring defensive reinforcements, with Schlotterbeck now top of the shortlist.

Dortmund could face a tough decision if Bayern formalise their interest. The Bavarians are said to be willing to offer around €50 million, a fee that might be difficult for BVB to refuse given their financial limitations compared to their title rivals.

Bayern have a long history of signing key talents from Dortmund, including Mats Hummels, Mario Götze, and Robert Lewandowski, and could now add Schlotterbeck to that list.

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Liverpool & Barcelona are also showing interest

Bayern are not alone in their admiration for Schlotterbeck. Both Liverpool and Barcelona have been monitoring his development closely over the past year.

Liverpool’s scouting team values Schlotterbeck’s ball-playing ability, viewing him as an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s system, while Barcelona see him as a long-term replacement for Ronald Araújo, should the Uruguayan depart.

Nevertheless, Bayern’s financial strength and domestic familiarity give them a clear advantage.

‘Can you imagine Mo Salah’ – Jamie Carragher sounds alarm on the future of Liverpool star

The post Report: Bayern Munich step up interest to sign 26-year-old Liverpool target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a bold managerial change that could see former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández take over from Thomas Frank, according to Fichajes.

The North London club’s hierarchy is said to be increasingly concerned about the team’s form and lack of tactical identity under Frank, who only took charge last summer.

Tottenham’s start to life under the Danish manager has been far from convincing. The team has managed just 10 wins in 25 matches across all competitions, and Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest is being described by many as the lowest point of the season.

The loss, coupled with several flat performances in recent weeks, has intensified speculation about Frank’s future at the club.

Tottenham have been inconsistent this season

While Frank was initially seen as a progressive appointment, a manager capable of implementing a balanced, possession-based style, Spurs’ recent displays have been inconsistent and uninspired.

Senior club figures have grown frustrated with the lack of progress and are questioning whether Frank can deliver long-term success.

Xavi Hernández has emerged as a serious candidate to replace Frank should Tottenham decide to make a change mid-season.

The former Barcelona manager is currently available and is believed to be open to a Premier League challenge.

Tottenham’s board reportedly view Xavi as a strategic, long-term investment, rather than a short-term fix.

His track record of promoting youth, emphasising technical football, and maintaining a clear tactical identity is seen by them as principles that can help the club move forward and progress.

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Could Xavi move to the Premier League?

Despite his pedigree as a Barcelona legend, Xavi’s managerial tenure in Spain drew mixed reviews.

While he won La Liga in 2023 and helped stabilize the team after years of turmoil, critics argued that his methods lacked consistency against elite European opposition.

However, his commitment to tactical discipline and player development has caught the attention of several top clubs across Europe, including Tottenham.

For now, Tottenham’s hierarchy is said to be adopting a wait-and-see approach but more results like the defeat against Forest will raise questions over the future of Frank.

Tottenham attacker is being eyed for January move by Italian giants

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Mohamed Salah should at least see out this season at Liverpool, says club legend Jamie Carragher. Salah sparked controversy following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United on December 6, when he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club. The 33-year-old faced intense criticism for those comments, with Carragher among those to […]

The post Carragher urges Salah to stay at Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Carragher urges Salah to stay at Liverpool appeared first on Soccer News.

Fabio Cannavaro has explained how close he was to becoming the successor to Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italy national team, and has revealed which other nation he came close to taking over before taking on his current role with Uzbekistan. 

The 2006 World Cup winner, who was appointed as head coach of Uzbekistan in October,  has given an in-depth interview with Tuttosport, in which he discussed his career prospects and his ambitions for the summer. 

Cannavaro was among the names linked with the Italy national team job after the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti in June. In the end, the job went to his former national team colleague Gennaro Gattuso, who will guide the Azzurri into the World Cup play-offs in March. 

Cannavaro on Italy, Poland and Uzbekistan jobs: ‘I got tired of waiting’

Cannavaro told Tuttosport that he did have conversations regarding the Italy national team job, but that he never truly felt like a genuine candidate. 

“I’ll be honest. I spoke with Buffon, but I wasn’t really in contention,” Cannavaro said. “I had a great past as a footballer, but maybe they saw me as a poster boy more than anything. I won’t give up on coaching, I will continue. I agree with Gattuso’s choices, he’s someone who studies a lot.” 

Cannavaro also revealed that he had an opportunity to become the head coach of Poland shortly after the Italy post came up, a job which he ultimately turned down. 

“Yes, I was one step away and then said no. I didn’t feel like it, and that was a mistake, the biggest since I came back from China. I might have said no because I was waiting for Italy. That was my idea, but nothing came of it and then I got tired of waiting.” 

Still, in his role as head coach of Uzbekistan, Cannavaro is guaranteed a place at the World Cup, while Gattuso and Italy are not. 

“I’ll be back 20 years after that victory in Germany,” he said. “It was a great feeling being in the meeting with all the coaches who will be there in America.” 

And what was it like meeting his players for the first time in Uzbekistan? 

“They were all in awe when they first met me. I understood them and put them at ease to break the ice. I know why they qualified. They’re a tough national side and the Uzbeks are determined people. 

“I don’t have much time and have to find solutions quickly. I’ve watched a lot of matches, I’ve toured the country. Now the league is over and we’re going to follow the other championships where Uzbek players are involved . I call them every week, especially Shomurodov who speaks pretty good Italian. He’s in Turkey with Basaksehir now.” 

Uzbekistan will face Colombia, Portugal and possibly DR Congo in the World Cup group stage. 

When suggested that this is ‘not a walk in the park’, Cannavaro replied: “No, I wouldn’t say so, but we will be prepared when we get to those games. We’ll play against Colombia first, my friend Asprilla has already called and given me some suggestions.” 

Tuesday’s reports claim that Milan are still ‘dreaming’ of a move for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window, despite the path being clear for them to pick up Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham. 

Where Milan stand in pursuit of Fullkrug and Zirkzee

The Rossoneri are aiming to add to their attacking department in January. Massimiliano Allegri typically deploys a 3-5-2 system in San Siro, and despite the fact that Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku have all played up front at various stages this season, the injured Santiago Gimenez is Milan’s only natural, senior centre-forward. 

For that reason, Milan have been exploring their options ahead of the January transfer window, and according to recent reports, have an agreement in principle over a potential loan deal for Fullkrug. 

The Germany international is expected to be made available for a straight loan deal until the end of the season, which suits Milan, and his wages are not an issue for the Rossoneri either. 

However, his injury record and lack of goals during his West Ham spell is an obvious risk. The 32-year-old has not scored since a 2-2 Premier League draw with AFC Bournemouth on April 5. 

Fullkrug has also had several spells on the treatment table during his time in East London: An achilles issue that caused him to miss 16 games in 2024, a thigh injury in January 2025 which saw him miss another 12 games and then a muscular injury in October which has caused him to miss another month and a half. 

With these doubts in the back of Milan’s mind, the club have reportedly kept their interest in former Bologna forward Zirkzee according to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Milan have reportedly been in contact with the Manchester United forward’s agents in recent weeks. Tuesday’s report claims that he is open to the idea of leaving Old Trafford, but that negotiations with Manchester United are not expected to be straightforward. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that United will seek a loan deal with an obligation to buy for a fee in the region of €35m if they are to sanction Zirkzee’s departure in January. Milan are also not the only interested party, with Roma also among the clubs thought to be following the Dutchman. 

AS Roma are exploring the possibility of signing Tottenham Hotspur forward Mathys Tel as part of their January plans to reinforce their attacking options, according to a report from Calciomercato.

The Italian club, under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, are keen to bolster their frontline amid growing uncertainty surrounding their current striking depth and long-term planning.

The 20-year-old French forward, who joined Spurs from Bayern Munich last summer, has impressed in flashes under Thomas Frank but has struggled to cement a consistent starting role in North London.

Roma view Tel as a dynamic and versatile attacker capable of playing across the front line, a player who could inject pace, creativity, and youthful energy into their squad as they look to push for a Champions League qualification spot.

Roma are looking at Tottenham star to add depth

The Giallorossi have been searching for reinforcements in attack, with Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United previously identified as a priority target.

However, reports in both Italy and England suggest that the Red Devils have no intention of letting Zirkzee leave in January, preferring to reassess his situation in the summer.

This has forced Roma to pivot toward alternative options, with Tel emerging as a serious name under consideration.

While no formal contact has yet been made between Roma and Tottenham, the Italian club’s recruitment team is closely monitoring Tel’s situation.

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Mathys Tel is looking for more playing time

Tel remains highly rated but has faced stiff competition for minutes, with the likes of Richarlison and other Spurs attackers.

Frank has used him mainly as an impact substitute, a role that could prompt the young Frenchman to consider opportunities elsewhere in search of regular football.

Spurs are not actively looking to sell Tel but could consider a loan deal if it helps accelerate his development, particularly if the club manages to secure an additional attacking reinforcement in January.

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Having signed for Newcastle this summer as a direct replacement for Alexander Isak, Nick Woltemade has enjoyed a bright start to his first season in the Premier League. However, this was one goal he won’t want to remember. An unstoppable header – at the wrong end of the pitch – to settle the Tyne-Wear Derby, […]

The post Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade scores own-goal to hand Sunderland Wear-Tyne Derby victory (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade scores own-goal to hand Sunderland Wear-Tyne Derby victory (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

According to The Times, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has emerged as a leading defensive target for Manchester City at the end of the season, when his contract expires. The 25-year-old is certain to leave Selhurst Park next summer – he has already informed Crystal Palace that he would not be signing a new contract. […]

The post Guehi tops Manchester City list of defensive reinforcements for next summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Guehi tops Manchester City list of defensive reinforcements for next summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The January transfer window is fast approaching, but reports in Italy claim that Juventus are already looking ahead to the summer, when they could make a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager. 

Reports Juventus interested in Schlager on free transfer

According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Schlager is of interest to the Bianconeri given that his contract is set to expire in June and could be tempted away from the Bundesliga. 

The 28-year-old has 134 Bundesliga appearances to his name, but is not currently a guaranteed starter under Ole Werner at RedBull Arena. 

A central midfielder, also capable of playing in a more advanced role, Schlager would be comfortable covering in both a three-man or two-man midfield at Juventus. 

The Austria international suffered a cruciate ligament injury in May of 2024, which kept him sidelined for most of the 2024-25 campaign. Before then, he was a guaranteed starter for Die Roten Bullen, making 29 Bundesliga appearances and eight in the Champions League in 2023-24. 

Romelu Lukaku is back in training with Napoli and could be poised to make his return to competitive action in the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia later this week according to reports on Tuesday morning. 

Lukaku set for Napoli return in Supercoppa Italiana

The Belgium international has missed 124 days of action after picking up a high-grade tear in his thigh during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos on August 14. 

The injury to Lukaku, which occurred just a week before the start of the Serie A campaign, fast-tracked the signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United after it became clear that Antonio Conte would be without his first-choice centre-forward for several months. 

Conte could soon have Lukaku, Hojlund and Lorenzo Lucca to chose from, though, as the Belgian has returned to training as of Monday morning and is set to be included in Napoli’s squad for the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia later this week. 

According to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lukaku and the Napoli squad will fly over to Riyadh on Tuesday afternoon, although it remains to be seen how long he will be able to play for after missing 22 matches across Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Super re-match 

The Inter pact 

Barella and Lautaro have given the Nerazzurri squad a boost after taking the lead in Serie A

First semi-final in Riyadh on Thursday

Milan: The no.9 puzzle 

Leao is a big doubt, heading towards Nkunku-Pulisic. Gimenez could have an operation 

Napoli, Lobotka changes you 

The regista returns as a starter and Conte also brings Lukaku to Arabia

There’s also Roma for the Scudetto 

Como beaten at the Olimpico 

A goal from Wesley (1-0) Gasp beats Fabregas and goes fourth -3 from the top 

Juve

Tough but sincere Spalletti effect (and dreaming of Hojbjerg)

Corriere dello Sport 

The Christmas of Rom 

Lukaku in Arabia

Napoli, Big Rom returns for mission Supercoppa 

Training with the group as of yesterday and flying to Riyadh today: First call-up since the injury on August 14

Re-embraces Conte: He’s the special card for the semi-final against Milan on Thursday. Cannavaro: ‘How could you criticise Antonio?’

Fiorentina, judgement day 

Commisso on the phone from the States 

Rocco wants to restructure the technical department: A new director will decide Vanoli’s future. Here’s the plan to avoid relegation to Serie B

Saele signs until 2031, Now Fullkrug 

Milan in action 

Dumfries operation: 2 months out 

Inter think about Norton-Cuffy

Bologna, a shot in defence 

From Leysen to Disasi

Tuttosport

‘Spalletti sends Juve crazy, you can dream’

Interview with Cannavaro 

The CT of Uzbekistan will hold a workshop at the training ground where Maradona practiced. ‘Luciano, like Gasp, is someone you can always learn from. With him, you can start to believe in a Scudetto. Yildiz as a 10? He has a lot of quality, but he strikes me as more of a winger. Inter are the strongest, but when Napoli are at full strength though …’

Toro: Vlasic runs until 2028 

The Croatian is leading the team and is one of Cairo’s favourites

The new contract will be made official in 2026. Five goals and two assists in his last six games with Croatia and Torino: Tactical changes decisive. Three at the back, even without Coco and Masina: Here’s how. Israel is becoming a talking-point

Wesley goal: Gasperini, message to Luciano 

1-0 against Como 

Roma win a high-stakes match and secure fourth place. The battle with Juve on Saturday

From Palestra to Zaniolo: Gattuso’s christmas 

World Cup play-offs: New resources 

100 days until the semi-final against Northern Ireland. The league is providing different alternatives at full-back and in attack. Eyes also on Bartesaghi and Bernardeschi

Fiorentina, ahead with Vanoli until Udinese at least

Viola crisis

Jamie Carragher has added fresh fuel to the growing uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool, admitting he struggles to see the Egyptian superstar still wearing red next season.

Speaking candidly during a wide-ranging discussion on Liverpool’s current situation, the former Reds defender suggested that the coming months could define not only Salah’s legacy at Anfield, but also the club’s direction under mounting pressure.

The Egyptian attacker has been involved in a controversy recently after he voiced his concern over his treatment by manager Arne Slot.

Salah even claimed that someone at the club is throwing him under the bus.

He was dropped for three matches by Slot and he did not hold back in expressing his concern.

Since then, after his peace talks with the club, he came back into the side and appeared against Brighton as a substitute.

Jamie Carragher feels Salah will leave in the summer

Carragher feels that Salah is not going to be at Liverpool next season.

“I don’t see Mohamed Salah playing for Liverpool next season,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“The big thing in my mind is, are we going to see Mo Salah from now to the end of the season? Now, we know he’s now going to AFCON, AFCON will finish mid-January.”

Importantly, Carragher dismissed the idea of a romantic European move for Salah.

“Mo Salah’s not going to move and leave Liverpool to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid, I just mentioned the Saudi League.”

Salah’s imminent departure for the Africa Cup of Nations has only intensified speculation.

The 33-year-old will be absent during a crucial period of Liverpool’s season, potentially missing Premier League and cup fixtures at a time when margins are tight and pressure on manager Arne Slot continues to grow.

Carragher hinted that the combination of international commitments, ongoing tension behind the scenes, and growing interest from abroad could push all parties toward a decisive break.

He added: “Now, Liverpool, in the second half of the season, they could get to an FA Cup final, they could get to a Champions League final… Can you imagine Mo Salah in Saudi Arabia watching Liverpool in a Champions League final?”

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Liverpool have big decisions to make next year

Salah is entering the final stage of his prime, Liverpool are balancing finances and squad evolution, and Saudi clubs are offering contracts that could redefine the final chapter of his career.

Carragher’s comments reflect a growing belief within the game that, unless there is a dramatic reconciliation and clarity over Salah’s role, this season may represent the end of an era at Anfield.

As Liverpool chase silverware and Salah prepares for AFCON, the next few months could determine whether one of the Premier League’s most iconic partnerships reaches a fitting conclusion or drifts toward an inevitable farewell.

Liverpool open official talks to sign 55-goal winger as Salah informed of club’s decision

The post ‘Can you imagine Mo Salah’ – Jamie Carragher sounds alarm on the future of Liverpool star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United have been dealt a devastating injury setback after defender Dan Burn was diagnosed with a punctured lung and a broken rib, ruling him out of action for up to six weeks, according to Daily Mail.

The injury leaves Eddie Howe’s side severely short of defensive options, with only four senior defenders currently fit and available.

The incident occurred during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in the heated Wear-Tyne derby, when Burn was involved in a nasty collision with Black Cats full-back Nordi Mukiele just before half-time.

Mukiele was booked for the challenge after his knee appeared to drive into Burn’s midsection during a sliding tackle.

Newcastle United suffer Dan Burn injury blow

Burn, visibly in discomfort, attempted to play on for a few minutes before signaling to the bench that he could not continue. He was substituted in the 42nd minute and taken straight down the tunnel for treatment.

During the interval, medical staff became concerned when the 33-year-old complained that he was struggling to breathe.

He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where scans confirmed the extent of his injuries, a punctured lung and rib fracture.

Burn’s absence further complicates an already dire situation for the Magpies’ backline.

Sven Botman remains sidelined with a persistent back issue, Kieran Trippier is battling a hamstring strain, and Emil Krafth continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury.

That leaves Newcastle with only Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles, Tino Livramento, and Matt Targett as fit senior defenders, a major concern with a congested fixture list ahead in both domestic and European competitions.

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Magpies could enter the market for a defensive signing

The injury crisis could force Newcastle to accelerate plans for defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.

Burn has been an integral part of Howe’s defensive setup. His leadership, aerial dominance, and ability to operate both as a centre-back and left-back have made him one of the first names on the team sheet.

His absence will not only affect the team defensively but also reduce their physical presence in set-piece situations, an area where Burn’s height and timing have been invaluable.

Newcastle owners’ stance on Eddie Howe future after Sunderland loss

The post Newcastle United rocked by injury as star is ruled out for six weeks appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Napoli are preparing to open fresh talks with the representatives of Kobbie Mainoo as they step up their pursuit of the Manchester United midfielder, according to transfer expert Nicolo Schira.

The 20-year-old England international has found regular first-team minutes hard to come by this season under manager Rúben Amorim, prompting speculation about a potential move away from Old Trafford during the January transfer window.

Sources in Italy claim that Napoli are keen to negotiate a loan deal for Mainoo until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

The reigning Serie A champions, managed by Antonio Conte, are in the market for a versatile midfielder capable of injecting energy and creativity into their side as they look to close the gap on league leaders Inter Milan.

Kobbie Mainoo has an admirer in Antonio Conte

Conte, who has long admired English midfielders for their tactical awareness and work rate, is said to be personally involved in the discussions.

Napoli see Mainoo as an ideal fit for their high-intensity system and a potential solution to their recent midfield injury concerns.

At Old Trafford, the situation remains more complex. While Manchester United value Mainoo highly as one of their brightest academy graduates, his limited involvement this season, coupled with his desire for more playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup, has made a temporary move plausible.

United’s hierarchy, led by director Jason Wilcox and INEOS sporting chief Sir Dave Brailsford, are expected to assess the club’s midfield depth before making a final decision.

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Mainoo is frustrated at Man United

Amorim has publicly praised Mainoo’s talent but hinted that the youngster’s best role overlaps with that of Bruno Fernandes, making consistent minutes difficult to guarantee.

Amorim reportedly wants to keep the player as part of the rotation but understands his frustration over the lack of regular starts.

For Mainoo, the coming weeks could be decisive. Having impressed during pre-season and in flashes last term, he remains regarded as one of England’s most promising midfielders.

If a deal materialises, the loan could provide Mainoo with the platform to develop further and compete at the highest level of Italian football.

Man United looking to beat Liverpool & Man City to sign 7-goal Premier League star 

The post Talks scheduled: Man United midfielder to hold talks with last season’s league winners appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to The Times, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has emerged as a leading defensive target for Manchester City at the end of the season, when his contract expires. The 25-year-old is certain to leave Selhurst Park next summer – he has already informed Crystal Palace that he would not be signing a new contract. […]

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The post Guehi tops Manchester City list of defensive reinforcements for next summer appeared first on Soccer News.

Round 16 of the Premier League season ended with Manchester United taking on Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday evening, and the game turned into a proper show as each side scored four goals. Amad Diallo broke the deadlock 13 minutes in, and Antoine Semenyo equalized in the 40th. Still, United went to the break […]

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Chelsea’s long-standing reputation for developing elite young talent is once again under the spotlight, with Tyrique George emerging as a player who could leave the club in January.

The highly rated 19-year-old winger is understood to be increasingly frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge and is now actively pushing for a permanent move away in order to accelerate his development, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

George has been a standout performer at youth level for Chelsea, earning praise for his pace, directness, and ability to operate effectively on either flank, though his preference remains the left wing.

Tyrique George has struggled for playing time at Chelsea

Despite being regularly involved in training with the senior squad and featuring in cup matchday squads, consistent minutes under Enzo Maresca have been hard to come by.

The youngster has just featured in four Premier League matches this season.

With Chelsea boasting an overcrowded attacking department and continuing to invest heavily in established wide players, George and his representatives believe the time is right to seek a new challenge.

Interest in the teenager is widespread. In England, Leeds United, Everton, Fulham, Southampton, and Crystal Palace are all monitoring his situation closely, viewing him as a high-upside signing capable of developing into a Premier League regular.

Fulham, in particular, have a long-standing admiration for George and came close to securing his signature on deadline day in the summer.

A proposed £22 million deal collapsed late in negotiations, but that valuation is now seen as the benchmark Chelsea will work from when talks resume in January.

More Stories / Latest News

Sources: Man City place English star at the top of their transfer wishlist for 2026

Dec 16 2025, 12:34

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Interest is rising in the Blues winger

Elsewhere, RB Leipzig and Roma are also firmly in the picture. Leipzig’s interest is believed to be driven by their track record of nurturing young attacking talent, offering George a clear pathway in a development-focused environment that has previously benefitted players like Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo.

Roma, meanwhile, see him as a long-term project who could thrive in Serie A under a more structured tactical system, with sources suggesting the Italian club are exploring creative financial solutions to make a deal viable.

Crucially, George’s camp has drawn a clear line: they want a permanent transfer, not another loan, and any move must include assurances over regular starts and a defined role in the first-team setup.

With multiple clubs preparing to make their move and Chelsea unlikely to stand in his way if their valuation is met, George’s exit in January is looking highly likely.

Chelsea establish contact with midfielder wanted by Man United & Newcastle 

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Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a January swoop for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, as the club looks to outmaneuver Liverpool and Manchester City in the race for one of the Premier League’s most dynamic wide forwards.

According to TEAMtalk, Man United have been monitoring the 25-year-old Ghanaian for months and are now seriously considering making a move, even though their original winter transfer priority remains strengthening the midfield.

Sources close to Old Trafford indicate that manager Rúben Amorim is open to diversifying United’s recruitment strategy in January, should the right attacking opportunity arise.

While Amorim has repeatedly stressed the need for a ball-carrying midfielder, the chance to secure a Premier League-proven winger with versatility like Semenyo is proving too tempting to ignore.

Ruben Amorim is looking to sign Antoine Semenyo

Amorim reportedly sees Semenyo as a player who could offer tactical flexibility, not only as a right-sided winger but also in a wing-back role, given his explosive pace, pressing ability, and defensive work rate.

Semenyo has developed into one of the Cherries’ most reliable attacking threats. His seven goals and three assists in 15 league appearances this season underline his productivity.

The Bournemouth attacker was on the scoresheet in the dramatic 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford on Monday night.

At 25, Semenyo is entering the peak years of his career and has earned praise for his powerful running, composure in transition, and ability to stretch defenses.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has described him as a “difference-maker,” but also admitted recently that keeping hold of key players during the January window could prove difficult if major bids arrive.

More Stories / Latest News

Sources: Man City place English star at the top of their transfer wishlist for 2026

Dec 16 2025, 12:34

Report: Bayern Munich step up interest to sign 26-year-old Liverpool target

Dec 16 2025, 12:16

Report: Tottenham are looking to replace Thomas Frank with Spanish manager

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Man United face intense competition for Semenyo

Liverpool and Manchester City have both been long-term admirers of Semenyo.

For Liverpool, his name has resurfaced as uncertainty continues to swirl around Mohamed Salah’s future, while Pep Guardiola reportedly views Semenyo as a potential rotational option to ease the workload on Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku.

However, United’s willingness to move early could put them in the driving seat.

With Amorim keen to inject fresh energy into a squad struggling for consistency, a January move is under active discussion.

Bournemouth are expected to demand around £65 million, the same as Semenyo’s reported release clause.

Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wears controversial shirt at Old Trafford targeting Ruben Amorim

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Speculation surrounding Ruben Amorim’s future at Manchester United has intensified dramatically following another chaotic and disappointing performance, with senior figures at the club reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with the team’s lack of structure and tactical identity.

According to a trusted source on X, there is a growing belief inside Old Trafford that Amorim’s approach is failing to translate at the highest level, despite the club’s significant financial backing.

The Red Devils were involved in a 4-4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, a match they should have won after getting into a comfortable position against Andoni Iraola’s side. It was a chastic performance from United, one that showed that they lack tactical discipline.

United have invested heavily in reshaping the squad over recent transfer windows, committing vast resources to players specifically identified to suit Amorim’s philosophy.

Man United have failed to find consistency

However, concerns are now being raised that the on-pitch product is not reflecting that investment.

The Red Devils have kept just eight clean sheets in 59 games under Amorim, a surprisingly poor return considering the total number of matches.

Those close to the club describe recent performances as disjointed and overly open, with matches turning into end-to-end affairs that leave United exposed defensively and lacking control in midfield.

The absence of a clear tactical framework has reportedly alarmed decision-makers, who expected greater cohesion and progression by this stage of the season.

Internally, there is frustration that United continue to look vulnerable in transition, with large gaps appearing between the lines and little balance between attack and defense.

Analysts within the club are said to have flagged repeated issues with pressing triggers, positional discipline, and game management, areas that were supposed to be hallmarks of Amorim’s success at Sporting CP.

The dissatisfaction is heightened by the scale of investment made under the current regime.

United’s hierarchy believe that, given the calibre of players at Amorim’s disposal, performances should be far more controlled and consistent.

Instead, results have fluctuated wildly, and confidence among supporters is beginning to erode rapidly.

More Stories / Latest News

Sources: Man City place English star at the top of their transfer wishlist for 2026

Dec 16 2025, 12:34

Report: Bayern Munich step up interest to sign 26-year-old Liverpool target

Dec 16 2025, 12:16

Report: Tottenham are looking to replace Thomas Frank with Spanish manager

Dec 16 2025, 12:02

Ruben Amorim is facing uncertain future

Amorim’s position is now under serious internal review, with patience wearing thin at board level.

Senior figures are understood to be questioning whether the Portuguese coach can adapt his methods quickly enough to meet the demands of English football, particularly in high-pressure fixtures.

For now, Amorim remains in charge, but the coming weeks are expected to be decisive. Sources suggest that unless there is a swift and visible improvement, both in results and in overall structure, United may feel compelled to act sooner rather than later.

Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wears controversial shirt at Old Trafford targeting Ruben Amorim 

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The debate surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s reduced role at Manchester United has intensified after a highly visible protest from within the midfielder’s own family, shining a fresh spotlight on Ruben Amorim’s handling of one of England’s brightest young talents.

Mainoo, widely regarded as one of United’s most exciting academy graduates in recent years, has found himself increasingly sidelined this season.

Despite his breakthrough campaign last year and subsequent England recognition, the 20-year-old has made just 12 appearances across all competitions, with only one start to his name.

That solitary start came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby, while he has yet to begin a single Premier League match under Amorim.

The situation took on added significance during Monday night’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. While United surrendered control of the game after leading on three separate occasions, Mainoo was again limited to a brief cameo from the bench.

Kobbie Mainoo’s brother targets Ruben Amorim

When he was introduced in the second half, he was met with loud cheers from the home supporters, a clear indication that many fans believe he deserves a greater role.

Shortly after the match, Mainoo’s older brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, made a bold statement that quickly gained traction online.

He attended the game wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “FREE KOBBIE MAINOO”, later sharing an image of the outfit on Instagram.

Kobbie Mainoo’s brother Jordan on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/laXZEfnQqv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2025

The message was widely interpreted as a direct protest against United’s management and Amorim’s reluctance to trust the young midfielder.

Sources close to the club suggest that Mainoo was already frustrated over his lack of opportunities in the summer, when his request to explore a potential move away from Old Trafford was firmly rejected.

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Man United have no intention to let Mainoo leave

United’s hierarchy reportedly viewed him as a key long-term asset, but Amorim’s tactical preferences, particularly his reliance on more experienced midfield profiles, have left Mainoo on the fringes.

The public nature of his brother’s protest has only added to the pressure on Amorim, whose team has drawn criticism for inconsistency and game management issues.

While there is no indication that Mainoo will force an immediate exit, talk of a January loan or summer transfer has already begun to circulate, particularly with clubs in Serie A and the Premier League monitoring his situation.

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

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Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of FC Barcelona’s brightest revelations in recent years, arriving at a crucial moment as the club continues to battle serious financial constraints. Now firmly established as one of the team’s cornerstone players, Yamal could soon find himself affected by a major managerial shake-up, as reports suggest a historic billionaire offer could be on the table for the club.

One of the most pressing issues Barcelona have faced in recent years, and one that even contributed to the departure of club legend Lionel Messi, has been their fragile financial situation. Massive transfer spending, an inflated wage bill, and the ambitious Camp Nou redevelopment project have pushed the club to the brink, creating a debt crisis that may soon force transformative decisions.

According to El Chiringuito journalist François Gallardo, Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman is preparing a €10 billion offer to purchase FC Barcelona. After making a significant investment in the Premier League through the Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of Newcastle United, Saudi leadership has reportedly identified the Catalan giants as a potential next target.

In Forbes’ 2024 ranking of the world’s most valuable soccer clubs, Barcelona placed third with a valuation of $5.6 billion, trailing only Manchester United ($6.55B) and Real Madrid ($6.6B). With club debt exceeding $2.5 billion and ongoing struggles to meet registration requirements without securing new sponsorships, a potential takeover could represent a financial lifeline for the institution.

Already asserting influence in Formula 1 and boxing, Saudi Arabia has made an aggressive push to establish itself as a global power in soccer. That effort has included heavy investment in the Saudi Pro League, headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo and other international stars, as well as securing hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. Within that broader expansion strategy, a move for Barcelona would be unprecedented but transformative.

Bin Salman facing multiple obstacles in potential Barcelona takeover

Despite generating some of the highest annual revenues in world soccer, Barcelona’s mounting debt has severely limited its spending power, allowing just €23 million in transfer expenditures during the most recent window. With Mohammed bin Salman’s reported personal wealth estimated at $25 billion (and his family’s assets approaching $1.3 trillion) the financial burden itself would not be a major obstacle.

The primary challenge, however, lies in Barcelona’s ownership structure. Like Real Madrid, Athletic Club, and Osasuna, Barcelona is owned by its socios, or club members, rather than a private individual or corporation. These members elect the club president and play a central role in determining the club’s future direction.

For a €10 billion takeover bid to move forward, Barcelona would first need approval from its board, followed by a vote from its membership to fundamentally alter the ownership model. While such a shift remains highly unlikely given the club’s history and identity, the severity of Barcelona’s financial situation means the possibility may no longer be automatically dismissed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dybala rejected a millionaire offer from Saudi Arabia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neymar building momentum for 2026 with Santos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flick focused on Copa del Rey objective

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

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

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

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

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

Serie A table tightening up at the top

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

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

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

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

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

Serie A Table

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

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

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

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

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

AC Milan in talks to sign Niclas Fullkrug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2025

West Ham could strike swap deal to sign Santiago Gimenez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manchester United’s midfield concerns

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

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

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

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

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

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

Robert Lewandowski still needs to regain his impact at Barcelona

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

Lewandowski’s continuity at Barcelona could reshape priorities

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gasperini impressed with Roma showing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fabregas will not complain about referee

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It was just bad luck, nothing malicious.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mancini in thick of Roma-Como action

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roma 1-0 Como

Wesley 60 (R)

15-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Como

1 - 0

Player statistic

2nd half

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

Match statistic

53

Possession %

47

14

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

1

4

Shots off target

5

6

Blocked shots

7

6

Corners

3

6

Offsides

3

16

Fouls

8

Roma

Como

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

22

Mario Hermoso

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

73'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

11

Evan Ferguson

Attacker

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

82'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

79'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

65'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

37'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

65'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

35

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

21

Paulo Dybala

Attacker

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

32

Devis Vásquez

Goalkeeper

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

69

Muhammed Bah

Midfielder

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

73'

31

Leon Bailey

Attacker

82'

99

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

55

Andrea Le Borgne

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

37'

27

Stefan Posch

Defender

65'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

65'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

79'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Tyler Adams appeals to Ruben Amorim and Manchester United

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2026 World Cup still drawing interest despite high prices

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

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

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

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

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

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

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

Diao doesn’t last long for Como

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AC Milan need a striker now and in future

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

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

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

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

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

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

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

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

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

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

Fabregas outlines different Como vision

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Massara on Roma strategy for 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View this post on Instagram

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

Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool’s stance on Mo Salah

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

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

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

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salah’s incredible numbers for Liverpool

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arne Slot shift to renovated lineup without Salah as cornerstone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reguilón and MLS growth

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

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

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

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roma vs. Como line-ups

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

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

15-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Como

1 - 0

Player statistic

2nd half

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

Match statistic

53

Possession %

47

14

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

1

4

Shots off target

5

6

Blocked shots

7

6

Corners

3

6

Offsides

3

16

Fouls

8

Roma

Como

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

22

Mario Hermoso

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

73'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

11

Evan Ferguson

Attacker

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

82'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

79'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

65'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

37'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

65'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

35

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

21

Paulo Dybala

Attacker

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

32

Devis Vásquez

Goalkeeper

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

69

Muhammed Bah

Midfielder

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

73'

31

Leon Bailey

Attacker

82'

99

Alberto Cerri

Attacker

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

55

Andrea Le Borgne

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

37'

27

Stefan Posch

Defender

65'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

65'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

79'

{rsn-live-v2}

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

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

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

Inter on top for the first time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Serie A Table

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

Report Fullkrug agrees to Milan move, West Ham talks pending

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No sign of recovery for Gimenez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fiorentina have not made final Vanoli or Giuntoli decisions

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

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

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

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

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