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With the 2026 World Cup just months away, GOAL looks at the state of the strikers vying for spots next summer.

Liverpool have opted against accelerating their interest in Antoine Semenyo, despite holding initial discussions with the player's camp, allowing Manchester United and Manchester City to move into stronger positions in the race for the Bournemouth forward. The Reds were keen to explore a move for the in-form Ghana international, but have now pulled out, simplifying matters for the forward.

The December 2025 FIFA Men’s World Ranking has been released, showing little movement at the top. Spain remain first after overtaking Argentina in September, with the world champions second and France completing an unchanged podium. The United States climbed two spots to 14th, overtaking Mexico to finish 2025 as CONCACAF’s highest-ranked nation.

As the NWSL’s proposed “High Impact Player” rule continues to generate discussion, USWNT and Chelsea forward Cat Macario is reportedly drawing interest from several NWSL clubs. Macario’s contract with Chelsea expires in July, but under FIFA regulations, she will be eligible to sign a pre-contract with a new team beginning in January.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has defended Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Benjamin Sesko following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. United left Villa Park without a point after Morgan Rogers scored twice to secure a seventh consecutive Premier League win for the hosts. The loss means the Red Devils missed out on the chance to creep closer to the Champions League spots.

Santos and Brazil star Neymar has undergone knee surgery following the end of the season. The forward helped save Santos from relegation, despite struggling with a knee issue in the final weeks of the campaign, but has now gone under the knife. Santos have offered an update on his condition and an update on when he is expected to be fit again has been provided.

Borussia Dortmund are facing the prospect of losing Aaron Anselmino as early as January after details emerged of a clause in his loan agreement with Chelsea. According to reports, Chelsea have the option to recall the 20-year-old defender during the winter window if he has not reached an agreed minimum number of playing minutes for Dortmund.

Former Wrexham star Steven Fletcher has offered some insight into his time at the club and revealed the "craziest thing" about playing for Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's side. Fletcher said an emotional farewell to Wrexham back in May after two years with the Welsh side, during which he became a firm favourite and helped fire the club into the Championship.

GOAL reviews the top USWNT Abroad performances as Girma helped Chelsea get a big Champions League win, and Yohannes and Tullis-Joyce impressed over the weekend.

Liverpool star Florian Wirtz has been warned patience may be starting to run thin at Anfield after a slow start to his career on Merseyside following his £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany international is still yet to open his account for the Reds and former midfielder Didi Hamann says he really needs to start coming up with the goods for his new club.

Ruben Dias has made it clear that Manchester City’s recent success will not be allowed to dull their hunger to reclaim their Premier League crown, as the defender sets his sights on chasing down Arsenal in the 2025-26 title race. Pep Guardiola's side have returned to their best form this season, after forfeiting top spot to rivals Liverpool last term.

Premier League legend Emile Heskey has warned England’s established stars that Morgan Rogers is fast becoming impossible to ignore ahead of the 2026 World Cup. After a blistering festive run for Aston Villa, the in-form midfielder has been tipped to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI, putting serious pressure on the likes of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer.

Vinicius Junior has been advised to “not do what Neymar did” when it comes to pushing for a move away from a European superpower. The Brazil international remains tied to Real Madrid for now, but talk of a transfer to the Saudi Pro League being completed refuses to go away. Fellow countryman Sandro believes Vinicius should stay put and compete for future Ballons d’Or.

Former Premier League midfielder Sandro has claimed Manchester United missed a golden opportunity after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement by failing to appoint Harry Redknapp. Reflecting on the club’s turbulent post-Ferguson era, he insists Redknapp’s authority, man-management and attacking philosophy were exactly what United needed to avoid more than a decade of decline.

Harry Kane is being tipped to remain at Bayern Munich for “a long time to come”. If that predication proves to be correct, then transfer talk surrounding the England international striker will quieten quickly. He has seen a return to the Premier League mooted, while also being linked with Barcelona, but is fully focused on events in Germany for the foreseeable future.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted he is ready to offer Gabriel Jesus his first start in almost 12 months. The Brazilian striker has endured a testing 2025 on the fitness front, with knee ligament damage being suffered, but he could have a prominent role to play for the Gunners in their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with London rivals Crystal Palace.

Wayne Rooney has delivered a timely warning to Arsenal and Manchester City by insisting Liverpool cannot yet be ruled out of the Premier League title race. Despite sitting ten points off the summit at Christmas after a stuttering title defence, the former Manchester United striker believes the defending champions’ recent revival means they could still have a major say.

Mason Greenwood has been applauded for the “against all odds” impact that he has made in French football. World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf, who is a Marseille native, has told GOAL why the former Manchester United forward deserves immense credit for what he has achieved at Stade Velodrome. He has also addressed the transfer talk that Greenwood continues to generate.

Manchester United are a better footballing side under Ruben Amorim, that is undeniable. They move the ball far quicker and with a purpose that was largely lacking under the Portuguese manager's bumbling predecessor Erik ten Hag, whose poor decision-making set the club back years. Fans are getting proper entertainment in exchange for their money and time again, which means Amorim has hit the minimum requirement 13 months into his reign.

Arsenal are reported to have stepped up their interest in Borussia Dortmund-owned goalkeeper Diant Ramaj - who is currently on loan at Heidenheim. It is claimed that the Gunners have sent several scouting missions to Germany. David Raya remains No.1 at Emirates Stadium, with Kepa Arrizabalaga filling back-up duties, but further additions between the sticks are being considered.

West Ham have confirmed the appointment of former Juventus boss Rita Guarino as their new women’s head coach, handing the highly decorated Italian an 18-month contract. The 54-year-old arrives in east London with a glittering trophy haul and will take charge of her first match in the Women's Super League against Chelsea in January after the end of the winter break.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have sold another stake in Wrexham, but the Red Dragons - and their new investors - are expected to have Hollywood co-owners locked in “golden handcuffs”. Their value to the collective cause is not lost on anybody connected with the Welsh club, with a meteoric rise to prominence being enjoyed under A-list chairmen.

GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones 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.

Gary Neville has delivered a pointed verdict on Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes as the race with Manchester City reaches a decisive phase, insisting the Gunners will not “bottle it this time”. While acknowledging the pressure Pep Guardiola’s side apply every spring, the former Manchester United defender believes Arsenal’s biggest danger lies elsewhere.

It's that time of year where leagues around Europe begin to wind down for their winter breaks. Some countries allow their top-flight teams an extended period off around Christmas, while others will only be missing from the schedules for a week or so. All the while, the Premier League will continue throughout the festive period as the title race continues to hot up.

Wayne Rooney is tipping Declan Rice to be the next England captain, with the Arsenal midfielder considered to be “irreplaceable” for club and country. The all-action 26-year-old has become a talismanic presence for the Gunners and Three Lions. He is being billed as a natural heir to Harry Kane on the international stage, with the prolific Bayern Munich striker poised to pass up a prominent armband at some point.

Real Madrid have been advised to do "everything possible” to sell Vinicius Junior if he demands a contract similar to Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. The Brazilian forward is not considered to be deserving of such terms, with the Blancos needing to move him on - amid interest from the Saudi Pro League - as no player is bigger than the Liga heavyweights.

Premier League teams have been warned off a move for Neymar, as he prepares to hit free agency, with clubs in England being told that any approach for the Brazil international would be “about how many shirts they sell”. Despite being a modern day great, Neymar is now 33 years old and has struggled with injury of late - leading to questions of what he has to offer in a sporting sense.

Steven Gerrard has delivered a clear verdict on Arne Slot’s future amid mounting pressure at Liverpool, insisting he wants the Dutch manager to turn things around rather than be replaced at Anfield. However, the Reds legend also made it clear he would return to Anfield in any capacity if asked by the hierarchy, underlining his enduring loyalty to the club.