Manchester United are reportedly still refusing to green-light January exits for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, despite their wishes to leave Old Trafford amid Serie A transfer interest. Both players have struggled to fit into Ruben Amorim's plans, but the club hierarchy does not want to sanction their sales in the winter window.

Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Newcastle in the transfer race for AZ Alkmaar's 'Dutch Pedri' Kees Smit. The 19-year-old, valued at around £25 million ($33m), has attracted attention from across the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also tracking his progress in the Netherlands. However, it is the Blues who are said to be in pole position as it stands.

Crystal Palace are reportedly exploring an ambitious January move for Bayern Munich right-back Sacha Boey, with the £30 million-rated French defender emerging as a serious target amid Daniel Munoz’s injury and the club’s packed winter schedule. With Oliver Glasner pushing for reinforcements, Palace believe a cut-price deal could strengthen their Champions League push.

Arsenal have suffered another injury blow after Ben White hobbled off in the first half of their Premier League clash with Wolves. The defender has been working his way back to fitness after various injuries but the 28-year-old could no longer continue around the half-hour mark after aggravating his hamstring. The Gunners have had a lot of bad luck in defence with injuries, and now that problem has worsened.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hailed new signing Hugo Ekitike after he bagged another brace to secure a 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday. The French striker now has 10 goals in all competitions for the Reds so far in 2025-26 and is starting to prove his worth following a big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer transfer window.

The festive season is a busy time of year for football fans, while December 25 is quiet, football is still played in some countries.

Barcelona's famed La Masia academy has long been the envy of every other top club in Europe, and for good reason. It has forged dozens of legends over the last 46 years, from Pep Guardiola and Albert Ferrer, to Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and a certain Lionel Messi. Every generation produces multiple superstars, with Lamine Yamal leading the current crop after bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old.

Florian Wirtz's £100 million ($130m) move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool didn't just upset Bayern Munich. It also hit hard at Koln. After all, Wirtz had come through their academy only to leave for Leverkusen in the summer of 2020 - and for a paltry €300,000 (£265,000/$350,000). Koln were furious. They felt Leverkusen had broken a 'gentleman's agreement' by signing one of the most exciting young players they'd ever produced - but there was nothing they could do about it. Wirtz's contract was expiring and he wanted to leave.

Sweden has a proud modern history of producing elite strikers, from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. If the hype is to be believed, then 16-year-old Kevin Filling is the latest sensation off that conveyor belt of talent, and the AIK prospect is already being linked with a transfer to one of the Premier League's big hitters.

GOAL has complete guide to Champions League top scorers in 2025-26 with the prestigious Golden Boot on the line.

Aurelio De Laurentiis has launched a passionate defence of Jose Mourinho following Napoli's Champions League defeat to Benfica. The Napoli president slammed critics who believe the Portuguese tactician is 'finished', claiming that European football culture seeks to 'bury' winners out of envy, whereas they would be celebrated as icons in the United States.

Bernardo Silva has warned Manchester City stars that they face being "killed", in a sporting sense, if they fail to win trophies in 2025-26. Under Pep Guardiola, the Blues have grown accustomed to collecting major silverware. They missed out on the grandest of prizes last season and are aware that more tough decisions will be made if they come up short again.

Romario moved around the penalty area with the stealthy gait and sly gaze of a panther, ready to suddenly accelerate as soon as the ball came his way, to disorient the opposing defenders with a couple of feints, to pounce on the ball, which inevitably ended up at his feet, as if magnetised, and finish with an unstoppable shot of pure technique or power, or alternatively serve up a perfect assist for one of his team-mates. He was a Hall of Fame striker if ever there was one.

Describing Roberto Baggio to those who did not experience him is a sort of generational challenge, an arduous attempt at conveying something that is too difficult to explain in words. But we will try - because Roberto Baggio was, especially for Italians, a symbol, a standard-bearer, an icon and an emotion.

The perfect embodiment of total football, the game wouldn't be what it is today without the former Barcelona maestro

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...

In the latest from our series focusing on players who swam against the tide during their careers, we take a look at one of Germany's great sporting rebels

The Brazilian was tipped to become one of the greats, but he ultimately succumbed to the pressures of sporting fame

The list of top goal-scorers through the early weeks of La Liga's season is full of familiar faces. Kylian Mbappe is well out in front having netted 13 times in just 11 games, while Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Jr and Ferran Torres are among the chasing pack. But in amongst those household names is a player in Karl Etta Eyong who has emerged from complete obscurity to being on the transfer radar of Europe's biggest clubs; the true personification of a Hidden Gem...

Bilal El Khannouss is talking to Belgian reporters in the press area of the Cegeka Arena, home of KRC Genk. While the attacking midfielder is discussing the details of a 0-0 draw with Ferencvaros, a journalist from Sporza can no longer contain himself.

The Brazilian striker has been linked with West Ham and Wolves, among others, as he continues to thrive in his homeland