Chris Burton

Real Madrid are reportedly ready to restart contract talks with Vinicius Junior following the departure of Xabi Alonso. Los Blancos have made another change in their dugout after generating plenty of unfortunate headlines across the 2025-26 campaign. Many of those have focused on Brazilian superstar Vini, with the South American shelving discussions regarding an extended stay at the Bernabeu.

Liverpool are in talks with Mohamed Salah regarding a return to club action. The Egyptian superstar has been away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations since mid-December. A heartbreaking semi-final exit from that competition has been suffered against Senegal. The Pharaohs still have a third-place play-off to take in, after which their talismanic captain will be cleared to head back to England.

Chelsea fans have accused their club of being “finished” amid claims that Liam Rosenior, who is already being branded a “LinkedIn manager”, does not wear gloves during the Blues’ training sessions so that players can hear him clapping their endeavours. The 41-year-old is only two games into his tenure at Stamford Bridge, but has already raised plenty of eyebrows.

Harry Kane has, as a complete forward that blends goal-scoring with ball-playing, been compared to Toni Kroos and Kevin De Bruyne by Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany. England captain Kane is all about hitting the net - an artform that he has mastered down the years - but his remarkable numbers in the final third also include plenty of assists.

Marc Guehi has moved a step closer to securing a January transfer to Manchester City following a “big approach” to the player’s representatives. Fabrizio Romano reports on how the England international defender, who continues to run down his contract at Crystal Palace, could make his way to the Etihad Stadium before the winter window closes.

Manchester United are being backed to finally sign boyhood Red Devils fan Cole Palmer if they can lure the Chelsea star’s former manager, Mauricio Pochettino, back to England. A new permanent boss is required at Old Trafford following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. Various names have been added to that pot, including an Argentine tactician that is currently working with the USMNT.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has told GOAL why the Reds could get rid of both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the summer of 2026. Arne Slot is expected to be granted license to build for the future on Merseyside, with the reigning Premier League champions looking to “indulge” the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as “old top men” move on.

Manchester United continue to count the cost of their on-field struggles, with it being reported that the Red Devils face another £50 million ($67m) hole in their accounts for 2025-26. With no European football on the agenda this season, the Premier League heavyweights have crashed out of both domestic cup competitions at the earliest opportunity.

Declan Rice was involved in a furious row with Arsenal coach Albert Stuivenberg during the half-time interval of the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The England international was spotted on camera saying "oh, for f*ck’s sake" and suggesting that a member of Mikel Arteta’s backroom staff "doesn’t know what the hell he is on about".

Bruno Fernandes has reportedly made a definitive decision on his Manchester United future with another transfer window open. It has been revealed that the Portuguese midfielder, who continues to generate talk of interest from the Saudi Pro League, has a £57 million ($76m) release clause in his contract that can be triggered by teams outside of the Premier League.

Jesse Lingard is training alone again, having become a free agent, and is currently mixing business with pleasure during a trip to Dubai. The former Manchester United midfielder is without a club after severing ties with Korean outfit FC Seoul. His desire to compete at the highest level on a regular basis has previously been called into question by Paul Scholes.

Morgan Rogers is being tipped to complete a stunning £80 million ($107m) transfer to a Premier League powerhouse at some point in the not too distant future. Former Villans striker Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL why the England international will likely be on the move in upcoming windows and which teams will be leading the chase for his signature.

Roy Keane has taken aim at Manchester United’s new coaching team, with Steve Holland, Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate being drafted in alongside interim boss Michael Carrick. Keane has pointed out that certain members of that backroom unit were “on the beach a week ago”, with more questions being asked of the direction in which the Red Devils are heading.

Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has explained why an emotional return to Camp Nou for Lionel Messi remains “complicated”. He has also addressed the speculation surrounding the respective futures of prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, head coach Hansi Flick and German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with there always a lot going on in Catalunya.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic has formed part of a Ronaldo comparison on the back of the chances that he squandered in AC Milan’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Fiorentina. The Rossoneri snatched a point late on in that Serie A contest, but could have been out of sight. No finger of blame is being pointed in the direction of their 10-goal American forward.

Enzo Fernandez has explained how Lionel Messi is allowing him to live out a “PlayStation” dream. The Argentine midfielder looked up to an iconic countryman when seeking to forge his own professional career. Fernandez could never have imagined at that point what the future would have in store - with World Cup glory being savoured alongside Messi at Qatar 2022.

Manchester United have been urged to consider Carlo Ancelotti when identifying candidates to become the club’s next permanent manager. The Red Devils are back in the market for a new head coach after taking the decision to part with Ruben Amorim. A man who knows all about life at Old Trafford believes that current Brazil boss Ancelotti would return a “winning culture” to Premier League heavyweights.

Enzo Fernandez is reporting “considering his future” at Chelsea following the departure of Enzo Maresca as manager. The Blues took the decision to part with the Italian tactician on New Year’s Day, with Liam Rosenior now calling the shots at Stamford Bridge. It is being suggested that World Cup winner Fernandez could be lured away from west London, with Paris Saint-Germain among his many suitors.