Dean Huijsen turned down Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich to secure a move to Real Madrid, his father has confirmed. The 20-year-old centre-back joined Los Blancos this summer after an impressive season at Bournemouth, where he featured in 30 Premier League games. His dad revealed how Huijsen waited patiently for the chance to join his "dream club" despite other lucrative offers coming in first.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave the comforts of Great Britain 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.
Barcelona continue to shine in La Liga with the team topping the table after a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Key players like Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, and returning star Lamine Yamal impressed, but it was Pedri who stood out as both a midfield engine and an emerging leader. Hansi Flick praised the Spaniard for his tactical intelligence and influence, highlighting his pivotal role in Barca’s resurgence.
Lamine Yamal made a dazzling return from injury as Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 2-1, with the teenage winger providing an assist just one minute after coming on. While La Real head coach Sergio Francisco called him 'the best in the world', Barca boss Hansi Flick insisted Yamal isn't the only Ballon d'Or contender at the Catalan club.
Liverpool weren't the only European team to lose their 100 percent record this weekend. Over in Italy, Napoli slipped to second in the Serie A table after being beaten 2-1 by a Christian Pulisici-inspired AC Milan at San Siro.
Dean Huijsen’s father has described his son’s Juventus exit as a “dark day” and hit out at Thiago Motta for his “brutal” treatment of the defender. The 20-year-old was sold to Bournemouth for €15 million in 2024, before Real Madrid triggered his release clause this summer leaving Juve fans furious over the loss of one of their brightest academy products.
Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Sociedad was clouded by controversy as referee Alejandro Hernandez admitted he wrongly awarded the corner that led to Jules Kounde’s equaliser, goalkeeper Alex Remiro says. The Sociedad star labelled the error “a shame”, but also admitted his side’s poor defending played a role in their defeat.
Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano has issued a damning verdict on Xabi Alonso’s side following their 5-2 humbling by city rivals Atletico Madrid. The former manager warned that the performance "revived a monster" and exposed a "real drama" in the team's defence, leaving the new project under intense scrutiny.
Jude Bellingham has been advised to take inspiration from NBA legend LeBron James. The England international midfielder has returned to competitive action with Real Madrid after undergoing shoulder surgery over the summer. He is now looking to retain fitness for as long as possible, allowing him to star for club and country, with Malik Scott urging the Three Lions talisman to take a leaf out of LeBron’s record-shattering playbook.
Lamine Yamal returned to the Barcelona matchday squad and had an instant impact as he his assist led to Robert Lewandowski scoring the winning goal in the second half. Yamal started on the bench against Real Sociedad and was introduced in the game just a minute before the hour mark. He came on and within a few seconds played a perfect cross for the Polish forward to score.
Real Madrid have been plunged into a defensive crisis after Dani Carvajal suffered a calf injury during the Madrid derby, ruling him out for around a month. With Trent Alexander-Arnold already sidelined for up to eight weeks, Los Blancos are left without a single natural right-back, forcing Xabi Alonso to improvise ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Robert Lewandowski has been urged to leave Barcelona to once again become the main man in a top team. Legendary Polish goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski believes his compatriot is being unfairly sidelined in favour of other big names at Barcelona and that he should leave the club to seek a new opportunity. He added that the striker's 17th place finish in the Ballon d'Or was too low.
Xabi Alonso reacted after Real Madrid got hammered by rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Saturday. Los Blancos suffered their first loss of the 2025-26 campaign as Diego Simeone's side registered a convincing 5-2 derby win at the Metropolitano Stadium courtesy of a brace from star striker Julian Alvarez. Veteran star Antoine Griezmann was also on target for Atletico.
Kylian Mbappe was seen storming down the tunnel after Real Madrid suffered a shock thumping at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman did not wish to shake hands with his opponents, nor clap Los Blancos' travelling fans, opting to make a beeline straight to the dressing room. Keen to avoid interacting with anyone, Mbappe was visibly unhappy with the performance and result.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has confirmed Lamine Yamal will make his return to the Barcelona squad for their clash with Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. The 17-year-old had been nursing a groin injury, but will make an appearance for the Blaugrana as they look to keep the pressure up on league leaders Real Madrid whose struggles against Atletico could open up an opportunity.
Atletico Madrid hammered Real Madrid on Saturday in the first derby of the season, with some calamitous defending from Los Blancos leading to a comprehensive 5-2 win from their city rivals. Julian Alvarez stole the show from Kylian Mbappe by scoring twice for Diego Simeone's side, while Antoine Griezmann added a fifth in stoppage time to complete the rout.
Barcelona star Joan Garcia remains sidelined after a successful knee operation with the goalkeeper in danger of missing the Clasico showdown against Real Madrid in late October. The 24-year-old stopper, signed this summer from Espanyol for €25 million, has been ruled out for between four and six weeks after arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Cristiano Ronaldo was named as a key reason for Inigo Martinez to join Al-Nassr from Barcelona as the defender opened up on having "enriching conversations" with the Portugal hero. At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy age and expectation. His blistering display against Al-Ittihad served as another reminder that he’s still operating at the highest level.
Barcelona have been told to get rid of Hansi Flick due to his methods with Robert Lewandowski. Legendary goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski did not mince his words, declaring that a squad the veteran striker “should have won everything", including the Champions League, last season as he blamed the German coach for their failure.
Xabi Alonso believes Franco Mastantuono has the Real Madrid "gene" as the manager waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old's bright start since his summer transfer from River Plate. Madrid’s swoop for Mastantuono had been in the works for months. They agreed a deal but had to bide their time until the wonderkid turned 18. Once the birthday candles were blown out, the six-year contract was sealed, tying him to the Bernabeu until 2031.
Harry Kane became the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club in Europe's top five leagues after bagging a brace for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen. The England captain had scored 98 goals in just 103 games for Bayern before kick-off, but his double in Friday's Bundesliga clash brought up his century and put him in a league of his own.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele was confirmed as the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner earlier this week and final voting figures revealed he finished more than 300 points clear of Barcelona's teenage superstar Lamine Yamal. The Frenchman's stellar campaign, which included a historic quadruple, made him only PSG's second ever recipient of the prestigious prize.
Lamine Yamal has expressed his delight at being back fit again after a frustrating period with a groin injury. The 18-year-old missed Barcelona's games against Valencia, Newcastle United, Getafe and Real Oviedo in recent weeks but his time on the sidelines appears to be over. The winger declared he is "back" on Instagram, potentially paving the way for him to return to Hansi Flick's side.
After primary target William Saliba agreed a new long-term deal at Arsenal, Real have reportedly turned their attention back to Ibrahim Konate. The Liverpool defender's contract expires next summer, fitting Madrid's strategy of focusing on free transfers, but there is said to be internal debate at the club over the move.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has confirmed Jude Bellingham is ready to feature in the crucial derby against Atletico Madrid. The England midfielder has returned from shoulder surgery earlier than expected, offering Alonso flexibility in midfield as Los Blancos chase a perfect start to the 2025-26 La Liga season.
Sergio Busquets has announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, prompting an outpouring of emotion from the football world. Former rival and Spain teammate Sergio Ramos paid tribute to the Barcelona legend, calling him “one of the most brilliant midfielders” he ever played alongside.
Kylian Mbappe was hiding in the background while Xabi Alonso soliloquised. It was just after the opening game of the Champions League group phase. Mbappe had pieced together a remarkable Blancos rescue act, scoring twice to overturn a 1-0 deficit (and he might have had one or two more.) Alonso was singing his praises. He hailed Mbappe's "incredible impact", and promised that they were "just getting started.” And then, as he realised Mbappe was in the room - just out of the shot - he tailed off.
Barcelona overturned a first-half deficit to claim a 3-1 win at Real Oviedo, with Robert Lewandowski making a decisive impact off the bench. The striker remains patient over his substitute role but continues to find the net, while Hansi Flick’s tactical tweaks and substitutes, including Frenkie de Jong, proved crucial in securing the comeback.
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