Lists

Manchester United have been told that Antoine Semenyo could become another Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham for them, with the Ghana international poised to leave Bournemouth in the January transfer window. The Red Devils form part of that £65 million ($87m) race, and Dwight Yorke has urged them to pip Premier League rivals to a much sought-after signature.

A rocket from Ollie Rathbone and an impressive finish from Sam Smith saw Wrexham to a 2-0 victory away at Blackburn. It proved to be a happy New Year for the Red Dragons at Ewood Park as they opened 2026 in style. Phil Parkinson’s side have taken maximum points from their last three fixtures in the Championship and remain within sight of the play-off places.

The Columbus Crew have appointed Henrik Rydström as the ninth full-time head coach in club history, the team announced Wednesday. Rydström arrives from Sweden after a highly successful spell with Malmö FF, where he established himself as one of the country's most highly regarded coaches.

AC Milan have been warned that ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic “can’t always save” them, with the Rossoneri becoming “too dependent” on their USMNT star. That is the opinion of legendary coach Fabio Capello, who continues to keep an eye across events at San Siro. He is not convinced that Pulisic can deliver Serie A title glory with Golden Boot-winning exploits.

Enzo Maresca, who has been relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge, revealed to Chelsea on three occasions prior to his New Year’s Day dismissal that he has held talks with officials at Manchester City regarding a potential opportunity to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. The Italian tactician is now out of work and waiting on enticing offers.

Chelsea have taken the decision to part company with head coach Enzo Maresca. The Italian tactician leaves Stamford Bridge with immediate effect, with speculation regarding his future having raged for some time. He severs ties with the Blues after less than two years at the helm, with Premier League giants in west London opening 2026 with another managerial search.

Real Madrid legend Raul has put club allegiance to one side and explained why Barcelona great Lionel Messi ranks above Blancos icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane. Many with strong ties to Santiago Bernabeu have sided with CR7 in the long-running GOAT debate, but Raul is happy to concede that he favours Argentine magic over Portuguese passion.

Chelsea reportedly have a shock candidate in mind to replace Enzo Maresca, with the Blues searching for a new head coach after parting ways with the Italian. The west Londoners announced on New Year's Day that Maresca had left his post with immediate effect, and it is being suggested that highly-rated Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior could now be lured back to English football.

AC Milan have reportedly set a date for further contract talks with USMNT star Christian Pulisic. The American forward, who has become a talismanic figure at San Siro, has delayed committing his future to the Serie A giants. They are, however, in title contention this season and remain confident that the 27-year-old can be persuaded to extend his association with the club.

Roma reportedly have two Premier League defenders on their recruitment radar for the January transfer window, with raids on Chelsea and Tottenham being planned. The Serie A giants are eager to reinforce at the back and believe that Axel Disasi and Radu Dragusin, who have been enduring tough times in London, could be shrewd additions at Stadio Olimpico.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca could be sacked within the first two days of 2026, according to Sky Sports. The Italian is under pressure after overseeing a dismal run of form which has seen the Blues win just one of their last seven Premier League games - a victory over Everton in which he described the build up to the match as his “worst 48 hours” at the club.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk paid an emotional tribute to former team-mate Diogo Jota when delivering a New Year’s Eve wrap of his 2025. The Dutch defender experienced wild swings in emotion across the last 12 months, with Premier League title glory being followed by the tragic passing of a close friend and club colleague. Van Dijk admits that the loss of Jota has “changed” Liverpool “forever.”

Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes has explained why he took to trolling Amadou Onana after helping the Gunners to a vital victory over Premier League title rivals Aston Villa. The Brazilian defender returned with a bang in that contest, as he opened the scoring in a 4-1 win, and took the opportunity afterwards to have some “fun” when delivering a copycat “pocket” celebration.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stages ended on a high note with heavyweights taking the centre stage in the North African country of Morocco. In the four games that were played, 14 goals were scored, with the defending champions, The Elephants, scoring the most as they finished top in their pool.

With women's football in most countries on its winter break, it is prime time for clubs, players and agents to sit down and sort out contracts. But while there are some names entering the final six months of their current deals who many would be shocked not to see renew with their current teams, there are also plenty of others who are likely to be seriously considering other options in 2026.

Neymar has reportedly ended the speculation linking him with a move to Inter Miami or a return to Europe by agreeing a new contract with Santos. The veteran Brazilian superstar, who retraced steps to his roots in January 2025, is poised to sign fresh terms that will take him through the 2026 World Cup finals and to the end of another calendar year.

Real Madrid and Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has undergone emergency surgery after being diagnosed with a heart problem. The iconic former left-back underwent the procedure back in his homeland having returned to Brazil following a hectic month, which included jetting stateside for the 2026 World Cup draw. Carlos initially went to hospital due to a small blood clot in his leg and has delivered an update on the severity of his condition following the spread of unfounded rumours.

The January transfer window is notoriously tricky for buying clubs to manoeuvre in. Sure, willing teams may have the money to spend and financial wiggle room to squeeze some deals in, but their rivals may be less inclined to do business midway through the season with trophies and other honours still up for grabs.

South Africa discovered their opponents following the last round of group stage matches on Wednesday. The 1996 African champions will battle it out with the Indomitable Lions this weekend, with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake.

Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed a deal to re-sign midfielder Pascal Gross from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Germany international is reportedly close to sealing a surprise return to the Premier League - just a year after he decided to end his seven-year stay with the Seagulls by returning to his homeland.

Out-of-favour Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling could be on the move in the January transfer window with Fulham reportedly still interested in securing his services. The Cottagers have previously explored the possibility of signing the England international, who is yet to make an appearance this season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.

Arsenal should have conceded a penalty in their 1-0 win over Everton on 20 December, according to the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI). The Gunners have now been told they should have given away a spot kick when William Saliba and Thierno Barry challenged for the ball at Hill Dickinson Stadium - in a controversial decision which could have huge implications in this season’s title race.

GOAL grades the biggest USWNT-related transfers, including Alyssa Thompson, Mia Fishel, Ally Sentnor and Jaedyn Shaw.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has told Lionel Messi he should “never retire” as the Argentina star continues to weigh up whether to compete at the 2026 World Cup. The Inter Miami forward remains undecided over whether he will turn up in North America next summer, but he has now been told he can be the difference maker for the defending champions.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad in the first few games of 2026

Struggling West Ham United should vacate the London Stadium if they are relegated from the Premier League this season, according to former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara. The Hammers are currently 18th in the table and four points adrift of safety following a poor run of form which has seen them fail to win any of their last eight games.

Crystal Palace are confident that Brennan Johnson will join the club in a £35 million deal ahead of the weekend, with the winger set to undergo a medical within the next 24 hours. The Eagles are closing in on the signature of the former Nottingham Forest winger, who scored the goal that won Spurs the Europa League last season.

Luka Modric has named Jose Mourinho as the toughest manager of his illustrious career, claiming the legendary boss is so intense that he once made Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the Real Madrid dressing room. The Croatia and AC Milan midfielder has worked under several world-class coaches during his sparkling spell in football, but he has labelled the Portuguese as the strictest of them all.

Como Women's star Alisha Lehmann showed off her impressive skills by recreating an iconic Ronaldinho advert to celebrate her partnership with Fanvue. Lehmann moved to Como over the summer after just one year with Juventus, during which time she scored two goals in 16 appearances. The Swiss star had spent three years with Aston Villa before securing a switch to Italy.