Rasmus Hojlund continued his impressive start to life with Napoli with a brace in Sunday's 2-0 win over Cremonense to remain on the coattails of league leaders AC Milan. The Dane departed Manchester United for the Scudetto winners on loan over the summer having struggled to adapt to the speed and physicality of the Premier League following his move to Old Trafford in 2023.
Antonio Rudiger could return to Chelsea as the Real Madrid star is weighing up a Premier League return. Rudiger's current Los Blancos contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 campaign and he has yet to agree to sign on a new extension. The German defender has been tipped with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu next summer as he could also link up with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
Wayne Rooney has expressed his concerns over former club Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window, as the Red Devils continue to pick up positive results in the Premier League without being fully convincing, according to their all-time top goalscorer Rooney. United returned to a top-six place after beating Newcastle United on Boxing Day but might need to add to their squad in January, claims the pundit.
Kylian Mbappe is backing Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco to go the distance in front of their fans at the prestigious competition, according to national team captain Achraf Hakimi. Real Madrid star Mbappe was in attendance for Morocco's 1-1 group stage draw with Mali with the hosts tipped by many to win AFCON for the first time since their initial success in 1976.
Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed an impressive Premier League feat that even England captain Harry Kane could not achieve during his time with Tottenham Hotspur, as the English forward scored the all-important equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Sunderland on Sunday. The former Everton star is in sublime form since moving to his new club as he has already scored eight league goals.
Brenden Aaronson delivered a pinpoint assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin's equalizer just 47 seconds into the second half as Leeds United continues to battle Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The American midfielder's creative vision helped spark Leeds' response after falling behind in the first half, with the Whites ultimately securing a critical 1-1 draw against the Black Cats.
Christopher Nkunku pulled off his trademark celebration after finally scoring his first goal in Serie A. The France international left Chelsea for AC Milan over the summer, penning a five-year contract in a deal worth £36m having failed to make an impact in west London. And while Nkunku has taken time to find his groove in Italy, celebrated his first league goal in style on Sunday.
Real Madrid have reportedly 'rejected' the signing of three big-name stars ahead of the January transfer window, as Los Blancos plan for their future amidst the intense recent pressure placed upon head coach Xabi Alonso. The three players in question all see their contracts expire on June 30, 2026, and so will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1. Real have often used this tactic to secure top signings, but have reportedly been offered and rejected the trio.
Unai Emery insists that his Aston Villa side are not Premier League title contenders despite their record-equalling run of 11 straight wins. Villa came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday night to keep on the coattails of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Joao Pedro had flicked Reece James' corner past Emiliano Martinez to put the Blues ahead on home turf.
Christian Pulisic continued his remarkable form for AC Milan, scoring the opening goal in a convincing 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona at San Siro. The American winger's first-half strike helped propel the Rossoneri to the top of the Serie A standings, two points clear of city rivals Inter Milan and extends Milan's unbeaten league run to 17 matches.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk fumed as the Reds' main weakness was exploited again in their win over Wolves. The club's record summer signing Florian Wirtz finally opened his account in the Premier League on Saturday after 17 matches as the reigning English champions edged out relegation-threatened Wolves 2-1 at Anfield to collect crucial three points in their final game of 2025.
Chelsea captain Reece James has revealed who is to blame for Saturday's collapse to Aston Villa, a result that saw the Blues drop out of the the Premier League's top four. The west London side dominated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes and were duly rewarded for their perseverance shortly before the break after James' corner was inadvertently flicked in by Joao Pedro.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has thanked Paris Saint-Germain and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi for their role in helping Achraf Hakimi return to fitness, as the Atlas Lions captain nears a return for his national side at AFCON after the best part of two months on the sidelines. Hakimi is expected to feature in hosts Morocco's final group game against Zambia on Monday, and Regragui praised 'gentleman' Al-Khelaifi for allowing Hakimi to join up with his national side early to aid his recovery.
Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven has taken a major step toward defining his international future after deciding against a switch to Ghana, despite World Cup eligibility. The 19-year-old defender is instead focused on representing England at the senior level, a stance that reflects his growing confidence after an impressive run of performances at Old Trafford.
Ian Wright has warned that Arsenal need to start taking their chances of else they run the risk of being leapfrogged by title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa. The Gunners edged to a 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday afternoon to return to the top of the Premier League table having briefly dropped to second following City's 2-1 victory at Nottingham Forest in the lunchtime kick-off.
Manchester United have reportedly "not stopped discussing" the possibility of signing Brighton star Carlos Baleba despite failing to recruit him earlier this year. The Red Devils spent around £230 million ($310m) on players during the summer transfer window but they balked at the thought of forking out more than £100m ($135m) for Baleba. However, they have not given up on trying to secure his services heading into 2026.
Vinicius Junior’s Real Madrid future is under fresh scrutiny after stalled contract talks left the Brazilian weighing his options, with Saudi Arabia circling. Al-Ittihad sporting director Ramon Planes has now made a bold prediction, insisting it is realistic that elite players like Vinicius could move to the Middle East during their prime years.
Marcus Rashford has passed a Barcelona referendum as members voted in favour of signing the England forward permanently. Rashford move to the reigning La Liga champions on loan from Manchester United over the summer having been outcast by head coach Ruben Amorim. And the 28-year-old has made an impressive impact for the Blaugrana, who may be prepared to extend his stay in Spain.
Cole Palmer's new girlfriend watched the Chelsea star at Stamford Bridge in their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. Olivia Holder was at the Blues' home ground on Saturday, in a game where the England international was hooked for the final 20 minutes. This comes days after their incognito date at Winter Wonderland but the Christmas cheer was thin on the ground in west London after this defeat.
Chelsea have launched an internal probe and agreed to cooperate fully with the Premier League after Aston Villa complained that a bottle was thrown towards their bench, with reports suggesting that the projectile was launched from behind the Chelsea dugout. The flashpoint followed the Villains’ dramatic 2-1 comeback win, with CCTV footage now being reviewed to identify the culprit.
Jarrod Bowen thought his wife, Dani Dyer, was 'joking' when she told the West Ham captain she was going to appear on Celebrity SAS, it has been revealed. Dyer signed up for the show having been forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing after breaking her ankle during rehearsals back in September and admitted that she agreed to take part to prove herself.
Christian Eriksen has backed striker Harry Kane to one day return to Tottenham. Kane left Spurs for Bayern Munich in 2023 and has become a revelation with the Bundesliga giants, earning his first piece of silverware of his career last season. And the Danish creator, who spent six-and-a-half years in north London, is hoping to see the England captain back in a Spurs shirt.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes it was right to allow Rayan Cherki's Manchester City goal to stand despite Sean Dyche's protestations that Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White was fouled in the build-up. The France international scored a late winner in a 2-1 victory at City Ground but Forest boss Dyche felt his side were robbed of a point - something Rooney disagrees with.
Manchester City’s hopes of landing Antoine Semenyo in January may have taken a hit after Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola made his position crystal clear. With speculation intensifying around a release clause and elite interest growing, the Cherries head coach has stressed his desire to keep the in-form Ghanaian forward for as long as possible.
David Moyes says Jack Grealish missed Everton's goalless draw with Burnley due to illness, days after the Manchester City loanee partied with ex-team-mate Kyle Walker in London. The two England internationals were spotted for a pre-Christmas bonanza last weekend, and while Grealish was absent for the trip to Turf Moor, 35-year-old Walker still featured and didn't seem worse for wear.
John Terry has moved quickly to shut down speculation linking him with a surprise return to frontline management after reports claimed the Chelsea legend was being lined up for the Oxford United job. The former Blues captain has now spoken out publicly, distancing himself from the Championship strugglers and clarifying his current priorities.
Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso has issued an emotional statement after their children got to act as mascots for Liverpool's Premier League clash against Wolves. The footballing world was left reeling in early July when news emerged that Jota and his brother Andre Silva had died in a car crash. Months on from that tragic incident, both his former clubs led tributes to the 28-year-old on Saturday at Anfield.
Maya Jama got a taste of a Manchester City away day as she watched boyfriend Ruben Dias take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Love Island presenter cheered on the Portugal international from the away section of City Ground as Pep Guardiola's men secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the Premier League. The 31-year-old clearly enjoyed her day out, describing it as a "whole different experience".
Pep Guardiola has offered a candid and comical glimpse into life with Rayan Cherki at Manchester City, admitting the Frenchman can leave him torn between frustration and affection. After a decisive display against Nottingham Forest, the City boss joked there are moments he wants to shout at Cherki and others where he wants to "kiss him" as the youngster continues to shine.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to put aside his long-running rivalry with Lionel Messi and play out his career with him at Inter Miami. The two sporting icons are among the greatest footballers to ever play the game but they have often been pitted against one another this century. But as the 40-year-old contemplates life after Al-Nassr, speculation is mounting that he may want to be Messi's team-mate in Major League Soccer in one last hurrah.