Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s son Maximilian is reportedly in talks to leave AC Milan and join another one of his father’s former clubs. Ibrahimovic Snr was widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, representing a host of Europe’s biggest clubs including Milan, Inter and Juventus in Serie A, as well as Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and La Liga champions Barcelona.
U.S. men's national team striker Ricardo Pepi suffered a broken arm in his first game back for PSV after the Eredivisie's winter break. The injury came as Pepi scored a goal, extending a recent hot streak that will now be put on hold with the striker eyeing a two-month absence.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has returned to boyhood side FC Twente as their new new technical director. Ten Hag has been out of work since September after he was sacked only three competitive games into an extremely short-lived spell as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. He has now decided to head back to the Netherlands.
Fulham have seen an initial $33 million (£26 million) bid for United States international striker Ricardo Pepi rejected by PSV Eindhoven, according to The Athletic. The Premier League club is expected to return with an improved offer as it looks to bolster its attack during the January transfer window, though competition remains for the 22-year-old’s signature.
Manchester United and Newcastle transfer target Kees Smith has been spotted at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace after taking a trip to the capital with friends. The AZ star made the most of the occasion by going undercover and donning a Shaun the Sheep outfit as he joined fellow darts fans to watch the likes of Luke Littler and Co. in action.
Liverpool are all set to terminate young starlet James McConnell’s loan with Ajax as Championship clubs circle ahead of the January transfer window. The Liverpool academy graduate made his senior debut in 2024 and left for Dutch giants Ajax on a season-long loan after penning a five-year deal with his boyhood club in the summer.
It's that time of year where leagues around Europe begin to wind down for their winter breaks. Some countries allow their top-flight teams an extended period off around Christmas, while others will only be missing from the schedules for a week or so. All the while, the Premier League will continue throughout the festive period as the title race continues to hot up.
Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie felt the need to confront furious Feyenoord fans after seeing the side that he now manages suffer another disappointing defeat in the 2025-26 campaign. The Rotterdam-based outfit have now come unstuck in three consecutive fixtures across all competitions, with a bid for cup glory coming to a close.
Japanese international defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has officially joined Dutch club Ajax on a short-term contract, seeking to rebuild his career after a challenging period with injuries at Arsenal. The 27-year-old was a free agent after mutually agreeing to terminate his deal with the Gunners in July of this year.
Former Manchester United starlet Zidane Iqbal has been told he can leave Utrecht in January, with head coach Ron Jans admitting the midfielder's "head wasn't in it" recently. The Iraq international, who was famously banished from the first team earlier this season for a disciplinary "reset", is now set to move on permanently as the Dutch club prioritises academy talents.
Injury-plagued former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is finally set to return to football after finding a new club following his exit from the Emirates Stadium. The Japan international left the Gunners in July this year after the Premier League giants agreed a contract termination with the full-back, who had struggled with injuries in the last few seasons.
GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, headlined by a goals from two strikers and an assist from a player fighting for a role next summer
Troy Parrott has become a “cult hero” with the Republic of Ireland, but will he be back in England by the time a bid to reach the 2026 World Cup is completed? That question has been put to Stephen Carr, with the former Tottenham defender discussing future plans for the in-form striker and collective efforts to reach a first global gathering since 2002.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
The latest weekend of matches around Europe brought with it top-of-the-table clashes, dramatic late goals and even fan rebellions as clubs around the continent look to get themselves into form ahead of the long winter to come. La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all have new leaders following the most recent round of matches, with some title races looking likely to be nail-biters all the way through to May.
The Eredivisie fixture between Ajax and Groningen was abandoned in the sixth minute, after an ultras group set off hundreds of fireworks in honour of a recently deceased supporter. Referee Bas Nijhuis initially suspended play for half an hour before abandoning the game entirely as the pyrotechnic display continued after both teams retook the field.
While the November international break was one for the ages as teams around the globe kept their World Cup dreams alive in dramatic circumstances, the return of club football marks a magic time in the calendars of many fans, as it means we are now at the beginning of four uninterrupted months of club action. This is when narratives truly take form, with teams able to build momentum and set off on potentially season-defining runs.
We're two months into the season now, and it feels like things are starting to take shape around Europe. Some title races are looking like they will be closer than others, with some surprise contenders in the mix, while other presumed challengers are beginning to struggle, casting doubt on the futures of their managers and star players.
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