Bayern Munich have been told it would be a “must” to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck if contract talks with Dayot Upamecano collapse. With the Frenchman’s future uncertain and Liverpool monitoring the situation, Lothar Matthaus believes the German international could be the ideal replacement one who already knows the Bundesliga inside out.
It's difficult to overstate Cole Palmer's importance to Chelsea, but it's probably reflected in how determined head coach Enzo Maresca has been to have him at his disposal this season despite a persistent, niggling groin injury. The Blues have now paid a significant price for that over-reliance on the 23-year-old, with the attacker - who has already been sidelined for close to a month - now ruled out until December, in a crushing blow to his club and his World Cup hopes.
Arne Slot has revealed Alexander Isak is fully fit again after his lack of pre-season, with the £125 million ($166.7m) striker now searching for his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. The Swedish striker might have forced his way out of Newcastle United in a messy transfer saga over the summer, but he is yet to shine since swapping St James' Park for Anfield.
Mikel Arteta laid down a stern "pressure" warning to Viktor Gyokeres as the Arsenal boss claimed he isn't concerned by a six-game goal drought. The Swedish striker enjoyed a prolific spell at Sporting Lisbon, but is enduring a nightmare run in front of goal since his summer move to North London. Now, Arteta has made it clear that wearing Arsenal’s No.9 shirt comes with heavy expectations and an unrelenting level of pressure.
Pep Guardiola is thrilled to see Jack Grealish getting "back to real business" after leaving Manchester City for a loan spell at Everton. The England international found the going tough towards the end of his stint at the Etihad Stadium, but is playing with a smile on his face again and appears to be well on course to secure a permanent transfer to Merseyside in the summer of 2026.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he does not know when Rodri will return from injury as he confirmed that the Ballon d'Or winning midfielder will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton. Rodri suffered a hamstring injury in City's 1-0 win at Brentford before the international break, missing two World Cup qualifiers for Spain as a result.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has rejected the notion his former club can’t attract superstar players to the north east after a number of big-name summer signings elected to join rival teams in Manchester and London this summer. Shelvey believes it's a mistake to look down on the region and has spoken of the love players feel from supporters at St James’ Park.
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has likened Mohamed Salah to Cristiano Ronaldo and explained why it is far too early to be writing the Egyptian superstar off at Liverpool. The remarkable numbers that he has been posting for the Reds have dipped slightly in 2025-26, on the back of signing a new contract, but the expectation is that he will come good again.
Cole Palmer's injury has been put down to Chelsea's "bizarre, wrong and impossible" schedule, with club icon Pat Nevin spelling out Enzo Maresca's "biggest challenge" so far. The 23-year-old has been ruled out for at least another six weeks, as revealed by the Italian manager in a press conference before resuming Premier League commitments after the international break with a clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Wayne Rooney has been brutally informed, by Danny Simpson during an exclusive interview with GOAL, that his dream of one day becoming Manchester United manager is likely to have "died". The Red Devils legend has, however, been talked up for alternative roles at Old Trafford - and one of those could see him help son Kai to chase the professional football dream.
Pep Guardiola longed to see Jack Grealish return to being the player he was when he helped Manchester City sweep to the treble. He waited and waited, and now has finally got his wish, albeit not in the way he would have hoped. Grealish feels like a brand new player away from City on loan at Everton, even more influential than in 2023, a talisman for his new club rather than just one of many stars.
Manchester United's newest star Senne Lammens supposedly became a goalkeeper to 'avoid running and being substituted', with his brother revealing the secrets of the Belgian stopper. Signed from Royal Antwerp this summer for £18.2 million ($24.5m), the 23-year-old has quickly caught attention with his commanding presence between the sticks. His clean sheet on debut in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break gave United fans a glimpse of his potential.
Cole Palmer is set to spend six more weeks on the sidelines, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admitting he was "wrong" about his injury return in November. The 23-year-old, who inspired the Blues to last season's Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, has seen his campaign derailed by a persistent groin injury that hasn't healed.
Florian Wirtz has been set a goals and assists target that would help to justify his £116 million ($156m) transfer fee at Liverpool. The German playmaker briefly became the most expensive player in British football when moving to Anfield over the summer. He is still waiting on his first competitive goal contribution for the reigning Premier League champions.
Yoane Wissa is reportedly set to avoid a nine-month injury layoff, with Newcastle's £55 million ($74m) striker eyeing a return against former club Brentford. The 29-year-old, yet to even kick a ball for the Magpies since arriving on Tyneside, injured his knee while on international duty with DR Congo just a week after completing his move. The timing could not have been worse, as he hadn't even trained once with his new team-mates before disaster struck.
Wayne Rooney says that Marcus Rashford has to accept responsibility for his own demise at Manchester United, with the Old Trafford outcast suggesting that an "inconsistent environment" contributed to his struggles for form before being sent out on loan. The England international, having been deemed surplus to requirements by the Premier League heavyweights, is currently taking in a spell with Barcelona.
Declan Rice has opened up on England's World Cup ambitions, with the Arsenal midfielder taking on a "leadership" role under Thomas Tuchel. Fresh from sealing World Cup qualification in ruthless fashion, Rice insists that the squad's hunger and maturity have reached new heights. The Three Lions are dreaming big and are ready to do what it takes to bring back the global crown.
Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old Trafford in some capacity, the Portuguese's former team-mate Danny Simpson has said in an exclusive interview with GOAL, as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to "make Manchester United great again". A third stint with the Red Devils may be taken in once retirement has been reached and a move into directorial posts is explored.
Manchester United may have a secret agent on their hands in Bryan Mbeumo, with the Red Devils winger said to be urging Cameroon international team-mate Carlos Baleba to join him at Old Trafford. United remain in the market for another proven performer to operate in the heart of their midfield, with a big-money raid on Premier League rivals Brighton being mooted.
Liverpool have reportedly made a decision on whether they will pursue a Nico Schlotterbeck transfer as contract talks with Borussia Dortmund continue to stall. The 25-year-old's negotiations with Dortmund have dragged on for months, with both sides yet to agree on fresh terms. The club is desperate to keep hold of one of their defensive cornerstones, but Schlotterbeck’s camp has been reluctant to commit, leaving Europe’s biggest teams circling with the hopes of a potential transfer.
Of all factors explaining the chasm between Manchester United and Liverpool right now, not one can compare with the differing approaches to appoint their latest managers. Liverpool were compelled to hire Arne Slot after consulting a highly sophisticated data model developed by a Harvard-educated physicist. United, meanwhile, recruited Ruben Amorim largely because of the vibes.
Nottingham Forest's surge towards the Premier League's top four was the most inspiring story of the 2024-25 campaign, and though a late collapse ultimately led to Nuno Espirito Santo's side finishing seventh, it was still the club's best top-flight performance in 30 years. The party mood at the City Ground was reignited three months later too, as Forest were promoted from the Conference League to the Europa League after Crystal Palace were controversially punished for breaching UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.
Joshua Zirzkee’s agent has been blasted for "choosing the money" when it comes to his client, with Manchester United considered to have "become a cesspool". Netherlands international Zirkzee moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, when having other options to consider at the time, and has tumbled down the pecking order with the Premier League heavyweights.
Gianluigi Donnarumma highlighted the major difference between the style of play in Serie A and Premier League. Having spent six years in the Italian top-flight with AC Milan, the Italy national team captain made a summer switch to Manchester City, taking his goalkeeping talents to the English first division. Donnarumma firmly believes that Italian football is "no less than the others."
Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente has found himself at the centre of controversy after defending his use of tinted glasses. His detailed Instagram post about light exposure, melatonin, and “protecting biology” sparked online debate. However, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has surprisingly come to his defence, showing support for his views.
The end of the October international window is upon us, club football fans. Get ready for four more weeks of Premier League fun before we're lulled back into the November break. Fortunately, there's non-stop action before then to look forward to, beginning with some mouth-watering fixtures this coming weekend, including Manchester United's trip to Liverpool.
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo finally made good on a promise in the wake of his team's 2-2 draw with Hungary in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night. The Al-Nassr forward had long promised to swap his shirt with Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai, and the midfielder confirmed after the match that he had finally got his hands on the Portugal icon's jersey.
Chelsea winger Estevao has been named among the list of nominees for the 2025 Golden Boy Award. The Brazil international will compete against the likes of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham and Real Madrid talent Franco Mastantuono for the trophy which was last won by Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, who is unable to defend his crown due to the competition’s rules.
Manchester United are reportedly prioritising a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton after cooling their interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba. The Red Devils were keen to strengthen in the middle of the park by signing the Cameroon international in the summer but have now decided to rethink their shortlist following the 21-year-old’s difficult start to the 2025-26 season.
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