Pep Guardiola has launched a stinging attack on U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration following the deaths of Renee Good and nurse Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE agents. The Manchester City manager delivered an impassioned defence of human rights during a press conference, breaking his usual silence to condemn "genocide" in Palestine and demand compassion for migrants crossing the English Channel.
Mason Greenwood scored as Marseille beat Rennes 3-0 to progress to the Coupe De France quarter-finals. The striker was joined on the scoresheet by Amine Gouri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, although Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was fortunate to avoid a red card.
As investment in the women’s game continues to grow, each and every transfer window feels bigger and bigger, as both the anticipation and likelihood of new record transfers and big money moves for the game’s greatest stars increases. In that sense, January is never as headline-grabbing as the summer window, but there has still been plenty of eye-catching business over the last few weeks - especially in the Women’s Super League.
Three years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo stunned the sporting world by joining Al-Nassr. Six months later, the Portuguese trailblazer was joined in the Saudi Pro League by a number of high-profile players, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte. Some of those superstars were clearly past their prime, but the mere fact that they were willing to move to the Middle East felt significant.
N’Golo Kante has officially completed a dramatic move to Fenerbahce after agreeing to terminate his contract with Al-Ittihad. The French World Cup winner has put pen to paper on a deal until June 2028, returning to European football after FIFA finally granted the green light following an administrative blunder that had initially derailed the switch.
Liverpool have been branded "suckers" for deciding to fork out £60 million on young French defender Jeremy Jacquet. The Premier League champions usurped Chelsea in the race for the 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot, and he will arrive on Merseyside in the summer. Now, the Reds have been mocked for handing Rennes such a huge sum of cash for a young prospect.
New York City FC’s proposed move for Mali international Moussa Sylla collapsed late, sending the 26-year-old back to Schalke. The German club blasted NYCFC over a disputed medical, insisting contracts were signed, and insisting the striker is fit. With the deal off, NYCFC will pivot as Schalke keep a key scorer. The striker was set to be a Designated Player before talks unraveled abruptly, publicly.
Paul Merson ripped into Chelsea's players after Liam Rosenior's side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday night, exiting the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage with a 4-2 aggregate loss. The Blues struggled to create many clear-cut chances and couldn't score the goals they needed to reach the final, instead seeing Kai Havertz strike to send the Gunners to Wembley.
Barcelona secured safe passage through to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 2-1 win over Segunda Division outfit Albacete on Tuesday. The Catalan giants were made to wait until the 39th minute before Lamine Yamal opened the scoring, and Ronald Araujo later netted the second of the night, though Javi Moreno's strike set up a nervy ending to the encounter.
Arsenal are into the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday, prevailing 4-2 on aggregate. The Gunners showed little attacking appetite at the Emirates having entered the game with a lead to protect, and ultimately their visitors didn't ask enough meaningful questions to ever put their place at Wembley in serious doubt.
Chelsea missed out on a place in the Carabao Cup final as they failed to find a breakthrough in the second leg of their semi-final with Arsenal before eventually losing 1-0 on Tuesday to fall to a 4-2 aggregate defeat. The Blues defended resolutely and had the better of the game in the second half, but couldn't create enough opportunities before Kai Havertz put the tie to bed in stoppage time.
A former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered his verdict on the Portuguese legend potentially returning for a third spell at Manchester United. The 40-year-old has reportedly become unhappy at Al-Nassr, believing owners the Public Investment Fund (PIF) have favoured its other three teams ahead of his own. Ronaldo could seek a fresh move in the coming months as he targets hitting 1,000 career goals before he retires.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was a surprise absence from the Gunners' squad to take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night. Eberechi Eze started the clash in the No.10 role, with the Norwegian worryingly not even among the substitutes. Before kick-off, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta revealed the midfielder had picked up an untimely knock.
The cause of Jean-Philippe Mateta's failed medical with Italian giants AC Milan has been revealed after the French striker's move away from Crystal Palace collapsed at the end of the January transfer window. The 28-year-old was keen to secure an exit from Selhurst Park and looked to be inching his way towards a switch to San Siro. However, issues became apparent during medical checks and Mateta remains a Palace player.
ITV plans to take advantage of the BBC's cut-price coverage to win the battle of the broadcasters at this summer's World Cup. While the BBC will not have a studio in North America for the group stage, their rivals have decided to base themselves in the heart of New York from the outset, and they plan to have an all-star cast of pundits to 'blow their competitors out of the water'.
Mohamed Salah has reportedly emerged as Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad's number one priority to replace Karim Benzema. The Egyptian has long been a target for Saudi Arabian clubs and has endured a disappointing campaign so far, hitting out at Liverpool in December before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old signed a new contract with the Reds last April but his future is up in the air having only scored six club goals this season.
The January transfer window offered admittedly few high profile moves, but there were certainly some significant deals that will have an impact this year and for those to come.
Minnesota United are in talks with James Rodríguez over a potential move that would bring the Colombian star to MLS, according to The Athletic. The 34-year-old is a free agent after leaving Club León and remains a key figure for Colombia ahead of the 2026 World Cup, despite not playing since late 2025.
N'Golo Kante reportedly refused to turn up for training with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad on Tuesday after a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce collapsed. The France international was set to fly to Istanbul to wrap up the transfer, but an administrative error from Al-Ittihad apparently stopped the deal from going through. There is still a chance of the transfer being completed, with Turkiye's transfer window not closing until Friday, February 6.
Alejandro Garnacho has taken a subtle pot shot at former club Manchester United ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Arsenal. Chelsea trail the Gunners 3-2 in the tie but Garnacho believes his side can turn it around at the Emirates Stadium, pointing to how the Red Devils pulled off a surprise victory over Mikel Arteta's men last month.
England's most recent debutante, Anouk Denton, has joined NWSL club Bay FC from West Ham in what is reportedly a club-record sale for the Hammers. The 22-year-old defender won her first cap for the Lionesses back in December and is now set for a new chapter in 2026, moving to the United States after impressing in London for the last three years.
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has been set a potential return date as he recovers from an injury which ruled him out of his side's Premier League clash with Leeds United on Saturday. The England international was included in Mikel Arteta's starting XI but appeared to suffer a groin complaint in the warm-up at Elland Road and was replaced in the Gunners team by Noni Madueke. Saka is not expected to feature in Arsenal's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Chelsea on Tuesday night but his club are optimistic that he won't be out of action for too long.
Pep Guardiola has sarcastically claimed he wished Manchester City would spend more money after they splashed £84m ($114m) in the January transfer window on Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo. City have invested more in new players than any Premier League club for the second consecutive winter transfer window but Guardiola was at pains to point out that six teams have a higher net spend over the last seven years.
Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham is being billed as “the one” to make a union between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo possible. Two all-time greats have competed against one another down the years, but have never graced the same team. That ultimate pact may yet happen, with CR7 seeing a move to MLS mooted on the back of his strike action at Al-Nassr.
Barcelona icon Andres Iniesta has tipped teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to reach the very pinnacle of world football, insisting the winger possesses the natural ability required to become an all-time great. The legendary midfielder also offered fascinating insight into his future, revealing his plans to return to the dugout soon as he completes his coaching badges in Dubai.