The Marcus Rashford saga at Barcelona is finally reaching its final act. After arriving as a calculated gamble in the summer, the Manchester United academy graduate has done more than enough to convince the hierarchy at Camp Nou, and now the Blaugrana have reportedly decided that making Rashford’s stay permanent is the most sensible move for the club's sporting project.

Barcelona have majorly bolstered their youth ranks after winning a high-stakes race to secure the signature of Norwich City starlet Ajay Tavares. The 16-year-old winger, who has been widely regarded as one of the most clinical prospects in the English academy system, has officially traded Carrow Road for Catalonia. Despite intense interest from a plethora of top-tier clubs across the continent, late administrative hurdles were finally cleared to allow the Blaugrana to formalise their latest coup.

Orlando City are reportedly in talks to sign Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann, according to The Athletic. The former France captain has a long-standing interest in Major League Soccer, and the Florida club is eager to sign the former France captain before the primary transfer window shuts on March 26. Griezmann has six goals in La Liga this season.

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has issued a blunt warning to the Old Trafford hierarchy, insisting they must look past Michael Carrick for the permanent managerial role. Despite a stunning resurgence under the former midfielder since he took the reins following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January, Neville believes the club cannot afford to gamble on another inexperienced appointment.

Former Manchester United striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez showed his sensitive and compassionate side after being reduced to tears by a viral sensation. The 37-year-old Mexican legend took to social media to share his heartfelt reaction to the story of Punch, a baby macaque at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo. The infant monkey has gained global sympathy after being rejected by its parents and seeking solace in a stuffed orangutan toy.

Manchester City have been warned that a 60-point deduction would be “logical” if they are found guilty of multiple rule breaches in their 115-charge Financial Fair Play case. That saga has dragged on for several years, with a final verdict yet to be delivered. The Premier League cannot relegate City into the EFL, but various alternative outcomes are being speculated on.

Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.

Another transfer window and another highly-rated prospect is on their way to Chelsea. The club's youth policy has struck again, with the west Londoners landing 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his very limited experience at senior level, the teenager provoked a transfer tug-of-war between three Premier League giants, but it is the Blues who have emerged victorious.

Kazakhstan isn't a nation known for its love of football. That doesn't mean it's non-existent, however, and with a new teenage sensation emerging as one of the country's best players already, the nation sandwiched between Europe and Asia could be on the verge of a golden generation.

Everything you need to know about how to secure Liverpool FC tickets

Jose Mourinho “f*cked up” with his “clumsy” comments on Vinicius Junior, claims former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel. The Portuguese coach attracted criticism following a Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid that sparked another racism row. Mourinho sought to defend his player, Gianluca Prestianni, while questioning the behaviour of Brazilian star Vinicius.

How to watch the Champions League match between Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiacos, as well as kick-off time and team news

Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.

Anyone that manages to carve out a career for themselves in professional football is ridiculously talented. The standard at the highest level is just so high that it is simply impossible to 'fake it 'til you make it'. However, not everyone is as prodigiously gifted as Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal. Your average player will require some time to get to grips with the rigours of the elite game.