Barcelona want to extend Marcus Rashford's stay at Camp Nou but are unwilling to use the £26 million (€30m) buy option in his loan deal due to the club's ongoing financial difficulties. The Catalan giants have made contact with Manchester United to try and either negotiate a lower price or a second loan for the 2026-27 season which would include a mandatory purchase option.
Real Madrid's new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has played down the prospect of replicating the managerial style of his former boss Jose Mourinho. Arbeloa has been placed in charge of the first-team squad at the Bernabeu following Xabi Alonso's surprise exit from the club on Monday, departing after only 34 matches at the helm.
Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has been branded a "snake" for posting a delayed response to Xabi Alonso's exit. The former midfielder has left his role as manager after just eight months in charge, with Bellingham taking his time before posting a farewell message to the coach. The move has not gone down well with some supporters who have expressed their feelings on social media.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would reportedly "seriously consider" replacing Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid if they come calling. Alonso has left the Bernabeu after just eight months in charge, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking charge of the team. Klopp is currently working as the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, but it has been claimed he could be tempted back into football management by Real Madrid.
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Joao Cancelo on loan from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Cancelo's move back to Catalunya, where he spent the 2023-24 season, was initially announced earlier on Tuesday, but the club had to delete all traces of this unveiling as the transfer had not actually been completed yet.
Kylian Mbappe defied medical advice and risked a serious knee injury in a desperate bid to save Xabi Alonso’s job at Real Madrid. The French superstar played through the pain barrier in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, knowing that a loss would likely spell the end for the Basque coach, with whom he shared a close bond despite their short time together at the Bernabeu.
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has unleashed a furious tirade against Real Madrid's stars following the shock dismissal of Xabi Alonso. The undefeated fighter did not hold back in his assessment of the situation at the Bernabeu, branding the squad "spoiled brats" and insisting that the club should have cleared out the dressing room rather than sacking one of the world's best tactical minds.
Barcelona fans were left confused on Tuesday after the club announced the return of Joao Cancelo only to immediately wipe all evidence from their social media channels. The Portuguese full-back had been pictured signing a contract to seal his loan move from Al-Hilal, but a delay in paperwork led to a hasty retreat by the club's media team as they wait for the final green light.
Barcelona still consider Robert Lewandowski’s future to be “open”, with the door to an extended stay at Camp Nou not being “completely closed” as yet. The prolific Polish striker, who is now 37 years of age, has entered the final few months of his contract. With free agency beckoning in the summer, it has been suggested that the veteran frontman could head to MLS or the Saudi Pro League.
Barcelona have confirmed the return of Portuguese star Joao Cancelo, who has rejoined the Catalan giants on a loan deal until the end of the season from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The versatile full-back, who impressed during the 2023-24 campaign, was unveiled on Tuesday alongside president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, where it was revealed he will wear the No. 2 shirt for his second spell at the club.
Kylian Mbappe played no part in Real Madrid’s first training session since taking the decision to part with head coach Xabi Alonso. He was relieved of his duties in the wake of a Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, with the axe falling within 24 hours of that setback in Saudi Arabia being suffered. Reins have been passed to Alvaro Arbeloa on an interim basis, but he is not yet working with French superstar Mbappe.
Xabi Alonso has broken his silence following his abrupt departure from Real Madrid, issuing a dignified statement that addresses his time in the dugout. The Basque tactician was relieved of his duties just a day after a painful Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, but he refused to show bitterness, instead sending a clear message of gratitude to his squad and the Bernabeu faithful.
Jurgen Klopp has responded to speculation suggesting that he could be a contender to succeed Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. The Blancos have made another change in their dugout early in 2026. Klopp is “genuinely surprised” that the Liga giants wielded the axe at this stage, with the former Liverpool boss seeking to distance himself from a now vacant post.
Despite only linking up with Lyon at the start of the January transfer window, it has been revealed that Endrick could be returned to parent club Real Madrid within a matter of days. The Blancos have parted company with head coach Xabi Alonso, meaning that clean slates are on offer at Santiago Bernabeu, and they hold a recall option when it comes to Endrick.
The final image of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid manager - and one that tells the story of his time in charge at the Bernabeu - was of someone else telling him what to do. After Sunday's Supercopa de Espana loss to Barcelona, Alonso gestured to his players that they should give a guard of honour to their victorious opponents as they went to collect the trophy. Kylian Mbappe, though, was having none of it, and insisted his team-mates follow his lead. They did just that - and so too did Alonso.
Kylian Mbappe was the first high-profile Real Madrid star to address Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure as the club’s manager. It was announced on January 12, less than 24 hours after a Super Cup defeat to Clasico rivals Barcelona, that a change in the dugout was being made at Santiago Bernabeu. Mbappe, who is said to have clashed with Alonso, has posted a message on social media.
Xabi Alonso has been bluntly told following his sudden departure why he was never going to succeed as Real Madrid's manager. The Spaniard swapped Bayer Leverkusen for his former club last summer but his time at the Spanish giants was abruptly brought to an end on Monday. Now, a legend of La Liga has given his take on the 44-year-old's short stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Tottenham appear primed to hijack Aston Villa's proposed move for Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher. Unai Emery's side have been on the lookout for more strength in depth as they try to keep touch in the Premier League title race, while also competing for cups this season. But it seems Spurs may pip them to the post on one recruit, days after losing to the Villans in the FA Cup.
Real Madrid have announced the departure of manager Xabi Alonso following their Spanish Super Cup final loss to rivals Barcelona. Speculation has not gone away about the ex-midfielder's position at Los Blancos, with reports suggesting the 44-year-old is not an entirely popular figure among the dressing room. Now, Madrid state Alonso has left by "mutual consent".
Joao Cancelo has been spotted arriving in Barcelona ahead of a loan move from Al Hilal. The Portugal international spent the 2023-24 season with the Catalan outfit after falling out of favour at Manchester City. More than two years later, the experienced full-back is temporarily pausing his time in the Middle East to head back to the defending La Liga champions.
Real Madrid’s stance when it comes to the future of under-fire manager Xabi Alonso has been revealed. The World Cup-winning former Los Blancos midfielder only returned to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2025 as he succeeded legendary Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. He has endured a baptism of fire in the Spanish capital, leading to inevitable sack speculation being generated.
Lionel Messi remains “the best in the world” and will hold that title “until he retires”, claims the Argentine’s former Barcelona team-mate David Villa. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is now 38 years of age, but he is showing no sign of slowing down and continues to enhance his standing as the most decorated player of all-time while turning out in the United States for Inter Miami.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany insists he has not spoken to Lennart Karl over his recent transfer remarks regarding Real Madrid after reiterating that the teen sensation has apologised for his “communication mistake”. The Bavarians' head coach has come to the aid of the 17-year-old, who raised eyebrows earlier this month by revealing it is his “dream” to play for the Spanish giants.
"I think he’s going to lift people off their seats," Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada said of Matheus Cunha during a summer interview with United We Stand and The Athletic. "He’s got a bit of a swagger about him that people are going to really like. Dare I say, [Eric] Cantona-esque." Talk about setting sky-high expectations!
It's never a good idea to pay much attention to football's annual awards ceremonies. These glorified popularity contests drag on for far too long and trying to wrap your head around the lack of logic involved in the voting process is an exercise in futility. However, it was impossible to ignore The Best FIFA Men's 11 for 2025 - because the omission of Raphinha made so little sense.
Former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has suggested that Marcus Rashford may be acting as an agent at Camp Nou, with Kobbie Mainoo another of those to be seeing a move from Manchester United to Catalunya speculated on. If the Blaugrana are keen, then loan star Rashford could be used to help talk a fellow England international into treading a similar career path.
Xavi Hernandez is "ready" to return to management and has his sights set on the Premier League, but reports claiming a deal with Manchester United is imminent have been played down. While the Barcelona legend is a candidate to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has clarified the current state of play.
We have been waiting for some time to see how Nike would react to the juggernaut that is adidas' Predator revival campaign, and the American sportswear behemoth is finally set to deliver a serious on-pitch response following the relaunch of cultural phenomenon Total90 as a streetwear silo in 2025. With the new year upon us, the iconic Nike Tiempo has been revamped for the modern creator-in-chief.
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