Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has issued one of his starkest warnings to European football. Calling today’s game “too slow, outdated, and destined to die,” he argues young audiences are tuning out of a sport stuck in the past. From pushing a 16-team Serie A to free-to-air broadcasts, he insists football must reinvent itself with bold reforms before collapsing under its own weight.
Bayern Munich reportedly launched a shock summer swoop to sign Raheem Sterling but the Chelsea misfit rejected the Bavarians. The Bundesliga champions made their move late in the window, with Vincent Kompany eager to link up with his former Manchester City teammate. But despite Bayern offering the lure of trophies and Champions League nights, Sterling gave them a flat rejection.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia didn't fall short of words while praising Barcelona duo and Spanish national team-mates Lamine Yamal and Pedri. While Garcia admitted that he "enjoy watching him", he hailed Pedri as the nucleus of the reigning La Liga champions, explaining what makes the former Las Palmas sensation such an effective and reliable footballer.
Christian Norgaard has opened up on his Arsenal "frustration" after making his first start following an injury return. The 31-year-old Dane, who swapped Brentford for the Emirates in a £10 million ($13m) summer move, had to endure a stuttering beginning to life in north London after suffering a knee problem on the eve of the season.
Julian Alvarez silenced talk of a rift with Diego Simeone in the best way possible, by firing a stunning hat-trick that sealed Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano. After the match, the Argentine forward addressed the lip-reading controversy from the Mallorca game, insisting his frustration was misinterpreted and that his bond with Simeone remains intact.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has described the relentless pressure that Manchester United players under Sir Alex Ferguson would put on match officials. He explained how they would consistently challenge decisions in order to influence future calls. Clattenburg reveals that he started saying to the United players to 'tell Ferguson to f*ck off' and that he knew what was happening.
Manchester City are reportedly considering a second raid on Paris Saint-Germain for another Champions League winner. The Premier League giants took advantage of a surprising situation in the French capital to lure Italy international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to the Etihad Stadium during the summer of 2025. It is now being claimed that Warren Zaire-Emery is a “dream target” for Pep Guardiola.
Former Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton hailed ex-boss Jurgen Klopp for believing in him, giving him valuable playing time and opportunities to develop at Anfield. While he struggled for minutes under Arne Slot, Morton says appreciated the Dutchman’s honesty, which ultimately led to his move to Lyon in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has put his cards on the table, ranking the Premier League’s top defenders in a no-nonsense knockout showdown, and his verdicts will spark plenty of debate. In a high-energy Q&A with GOAL, the former England skipper was asked to play “winner stays on” with some of the league’s biggest centre-back names.
Real Betis opened their Europa League account with a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The Andalusian outfit had Antony to thank as his late equaliser denied Forest all three points. Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo hailed the Brazilian's impact and even went so far as to say that the Manchester United flop might be the club's most important signing ever.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has invited recently retired club legend Jerome Boateng to return as an intern as he begins his journey toward a coaching career. Kompany believes Boateng’s vast experience can provide valuable insight and guidance to the current squad. However, the former defender’s options extend beyond Bayern, as he has also contacted other coaches about potential opportunities.
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson looks set to extend his stay in Germany after Bayern Munich reportedly reached an informal agreement with the Senegal international over a permanent deal. Jackson only joined on loan in the summer following Chelsea’s busy attacking rebuild, but strong early impressions have convinced the Bundesliga champions to plan beyond this season.
Multi-club ownership is under threat in France after a member of parliament presented a cross-party bill that could ban timeshare control of football clubs, potentially affecting Chelsea and Manchester City’s stakes in Ligue 1 teams. Coquerel warns the law is aimed at ensuring “sporting risk” and “equality of opportunity” while punishing non-compliance with heavy fines and competition bans.
Neymar’s career faces fresh scrutiny after another injury and a Brazil squad omission. Despite returning to form at Santos following his 2023 ACL injury, he remains out of national team coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for technical reasons. Legendary striker Ronaldo defended the forward, insisting “we don’t have another player like him” and urged Neymar’s return ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Jamie Carragher has poked holes in Mikel Arteta's claims that his Arsenal side are not playing with the "handbrake" on. The Gunners rescued a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend, a result that saw them slip five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Although Arteta has talked up his team's offensive capabilities, Carragher isn't buying what he's selling.
Monaco coach Adi Hutter believes Paul Pogba is getting closer to full fitness and is progressing well with the training regimen put in place. The Austrian coach reported that Pogba is doing well both physically and mentally, but he will not rush him into the squad merely to bolster numbers, despite the club facing an injury crisis.
Lauren Hemp has spoken about a surprising and amusing routine she does before games, fake tanning in the buildup to be freshly bronzed out on the pitch. Speaking to ex-England internationals Karen Carney and Jill Scott, the Lionesses winger joked that she can't always be bothered do it properly and the Manchester City star laughed it off as 'a ritual of mine'.
Hugo Ekitike is reportedly set to be fined two weeks' wages by Liverpool manager Arne Slot after getting sent off against Southampton in their 2-1 Carabao Cup win. The Frenchman came off the bench to score the winner but he was soon walking down the tunnel after picking up a second yellow for taking off his shirt in celebration.
The EFL has confirmed that Blackburn Rovers' abandoned Championship clash with Ipswich Town will be replayed in full, despite the Lancashire club's frustration at losing their late advantage. The match was called off in the 79th minute with Blackburn leading 1-0 against ten-man Ipswich, but a majority EFL Board vote has ruled the fixture must restart.
Cole Palmer reportedly missed Chelsea's latest training session amid concerns about a troublesome groin problem. The England international has had an injury-hit start to the season, with the 23-year-old missing games against West Ham and Fulham due to this issue. The England international limped off in the Blues' 2-1 loss to Manchester United and it seems a spell on the sidelines beckons.
Another Frenchman could lift the Ballon d'Or by following the Ousmane Dembele blueprint. Indeed, according to Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus, Michael Olise has the potential to become the first Ballon d'Or winner from Die Roten after 45 years. The 23-year-old has been exceptional since arriving from Crystal Palace in 2024 and is reportedly set to be offered a new deal.
Marseille's historic 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week came at a cost, as head coach Roberto De Zerbi was sent off towards the end of the game. His actions have been swiftly punished by France's Disciplinary Committee. Reflecting on the red card shown to him, which has resulted in his ban for the game against Strasbourg, De Zerbi expressed his unhappiness while apologising for his mistakes.
William Osula’s deadline day move to Eintracht Frankfurt collapsed at the last moment after Newcastle United's Saudi owners intervened when the Bundesliga side walked back on a deal that was virtually agreed. Now, with Yoane Wissa sidelined through injury, the 22-year-old has stayed put, hit form in the Carabao Cup, and emerged as an unlikely top scorer so far.
Liverpool have shut down around 145,000 ticket accounts in the past two years as part of a huge crackdown operation. The club say they took 'decisive action' to put an end to 45,000 fake ticketing accounts and they are currently investigating a further 10,000. The Reds added that this is a 'positive' drop in the almost 100,000 fake accounts that were created and closed in the 2023-24 season.
Benjamin Sesko has yet to impress on the field for Manchester United since his big summer move from RB Leipzig. The Slovenian has faile to score a goal for the Red Devils despite playing close to 300 minutes. The search goes on, but a picture from training has shown Sesko mimic Old Trafford icon Mark Hughes and his famous 1989 volley against Manchester City.
Manchester United have secured their first signing of the summer, agreeing a pre-contract deal for highly-rated Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco, who will officially join in July after he has turned 18. The club have also handed a trial to Senegal U17 captain Mouhamed Dabo, signalling their intent to reshape midfield options for both the present and future.
The stadium used by Manchester United Women and the club's Under-21 men is officially being renamed from Leigh Sports Villag. The immediate change was approved by Wigan Council this week and reflects a renewed emphasis on community spirit and shared values. The rebrand comes just days after United Women set a new attendance record at the venue.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was seen observing training sessions at the New York Red Bulls' facility, ahead of their crucial Hudson River Derby match against New York City FC this weekend. The German coach, who began his role as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer in January, continues his tour of the organization's global football network with this timely visit to the MLS club.
In an emotional message on social media, Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets confirmed what had been rumored in recent weeks: he will retire from professional football at the end of the playoffs as the Herons chase their first MLS Cup. The 37-year-old has made 69 league appearances for the club and his contract expires in December
Club América earned a hard-fought 1-0 road win over Atlético de San Luis thanks to an 89th-minute strike from Alejandro Zendejas, sending the three points back to Mexico City ahead of Saturday’s Clásico Capitalino against Pumas. The USMNT winger now has three goals in the Apertura 2025 and has produced a goal or assist in four straight games, underlining his impressive form.