Hakim Ziyech has completed a stunning return to Moroccan football, joining Wydad Casablanca on a free transfer after being linked with a move to La Liga side Sevilla last month. The 32-year-old, who famously helped Chelsea lift the Champions League in 2021, now returns to his homeland for the first time in his club career.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is willing to sell anyone except French forward Kylian Mbappe to sign Juventus' star Kenan Yildiz, according to agent Giovanni Branchini. The Turkish international has garnered interest from multiple European clubs, and Alonso, who was winding down his playing career at Bayern Munich while the winger was coming through the German side's youth academy, is eager for a reunion.
Harry Kane returning to the Premier League "isn't even a question" at the moment, claims ex-Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann, but "things can change quickly" when it comes to movement in the transfer market. Prolific former Tottenham striker Kane is said to have a release clause in his contract at the Allianz Arena that can be triggered during the summer of 2026.
Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Michael Olise's contract situation at Bayern Munich after being made aware of how much it would cost to prise Antoine Semenyo away from Bournemouth. The Premier League title holders continue to scour the global transfer market for a potential long-term successor on their right wing to Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has ignited pre-Clasico controversy by claiming Real Madrid “steal” during a cheeky exchange on Twitch. The 18-year-old made the remark while chatting with streamer Ibai Llanos, comparing Madrid to a Kings League team known for benefiting from refereeing decisions. The comment comes just days before El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern Munich have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they step up plans to sign the England international. The 25-year-old Eagles skipper, who will be free to negotiate a move away to foreign clubs in January, has attracted serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, with Der Rekordmerister now making the first concrete move to secure his signature.
Barcelona forward and England international Marcus Rashford has formed a deep relationship with Swedish winger Roony Bardghji. Both players joined the Catalans before the start of the season, one on loan from Premier League giants Manchester United and the other on a permanent deal from Danish heavyweights Copenhagen.
Manchester City's youth academy is one of the most productive talent factories in the world, although the reality is the vast majority of graduates end up having to seek their fortune away from the Etihad Stadium. Phil Foden is the pride and joy of City's youth system, but for many years he was the exception that proved the rule.
Marcus Rashford is looking forward to gracing his first Clasico, with the Barcelona loanee picking out his favourite memory from previous meetings between the Blaugrana and Real Madrid. Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi figures prominently as collective minds are cast back to iconic moments from the past - with the Argentine GOAT having often starred against the Blancos.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has urged his players to "stay humble" after their surprising 1-0 defeat to Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the Conference League. On a night that was supposed to celebrate Selhurst Park's first-ever European fixture, the Eagles' dream turned sour as the visitors spoiled the occasion with a second-half winner and a stark reminder for the Premier League side.
Liverpool's 5-1 rout of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League came as a major boost for Arne Slot's side after four successive defeats, but one man didn't seem in the mood to celebrate after the final whistle. Mohamed Salah clapped the away fans at Deutsche Bank Park, but then headed straight for the tunnel instead of revelling in the final result with his euphoric team-mates.
With the title race having already swung back and forth while the top-four and relegation battles are as open as they have been for a few years, the Premier League is becoming increasingly difficult to predict. Sure, the odd match still follows the formbook, but a number of teams are proving tough to pin down and figure out what to expect from them on a game-to-game basis.
When it comes to a country's player pool, Sarina Wiegman is certainly one of the more blessed international managers in the women's game right now. The England boss can call upon world-class players across various positions and has incredible depth in her squad, with the names on her bench making for enviable reading for most of her peers. However, that is not to say that the Lionesses do not have gaps in their squad, and even their starting line-up, that they need fresh faces to step up and fill as attention turns towards the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Morgan Gibbs-White helped Nottingham Forest to a welcome win under new manager Sean Dyche and admitted afterwards that it feels like he and the rest of the Reds squad can "finally breathe" as they put Ange Postecoglou's disastrous spell as head coach behind them. Dyche's first game at the helm delivered an impressive 2-0 victory over Porto in the Europa League.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be available for Friday’s MLS Cup Playoffs opener against Nashville SC, easing concerns after the Argentine missed training earlier in the week with a back injury. Mascherano said Messi returned to full training on Wednesday and Thursday, clearing him to feature at Chase Stadium.
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, one of San Diego FC’s brightest stars in the 2025 MLS season, was a surprise omission from the lineup in the club’s recent Matchday 34 clash against the Portland Timbers. What first appeared to be a tactical decision by head coach Mikey Varas now seems to stem from a deeper disciplinary issue, according to reports.
Scott Carson has officially retired from professional football, ending a remarkable 22-year journey that saw him lift two Champions League titles, win four England caps, and become a beloved figure in the Manchester City dressing room. The veteran goalkeeper, 40, departs the game as one of English football’s most respected professionals and a cult hero among City fans.
Marcus Rashford has signalled that he wants to extend his successful spell at Barcelona and has revealed the three team-mates who have made life so enjoyable for him since joining the Catalan giants. Rashford made the difficult decision to forge a career away from his boyhood club Manchester United earlier this summer, but it’s a decision he certainly doesn’t regret.
Ajax’s fall from grace in both domestic and European competition has taken another grim turn, with Remko Pasveer claiming the club still hasn’t recovered from the loss of Jordan Henderson. The goalkeeper has claimed that the ex-Liverpool captain’s leadership “held everything together” and his departure to Brentford has left a void the Dutch giants can’t seem to fill.
Sofyan Amrabat has hailed Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a “real winner” and one of the best players he’s ever shared a dressing room with. The Moroccan midfielder, now at Real Betis, looked back fondly on his time at Old Trafford, singling out the Portuguese playmaker for his leadership, talent, and professionalism despite enduring his own difficult loan spell.
New Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche has made an instant impact since taking the helm at the City Ground, where one of his first moves was to ban a once very popular item of clothing favoured by players during the winter months. Dyche has become the club’s third manager despite the season just being a couple of months old, and the former Forest youth player is already laying down the law with his players.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone has been named to Forbes’ America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports list for 2025, recognizing her leadership and influence across U.S. athletics. She ranked No. 14 in the 25-person list. The honor comes as Cone guides the federation through major structural reforms and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The positive news keeps coming for high-flying Arsenal after they secured a deal to keep youngster Max Dowman at the Emirates. The Gunners are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and are joint top of the Champions League table after demolishing Atletico Madrid 4-0 earlier this week. And the future’s looking bright after nailing down Dowman to a long-term deal.
Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly ready to end his troubled Manchester United spell by formally requesting a transfer in January. The £36 million 2024 signing has fallen completely out of favour under Ruben Amorim, and West Ham United are leading the race to rescue the Dutch striker from his Old Trafford nightmare after a torrid year where he has struggled to find any form.
Major League Soccer has announced the finalists for its 2025 Year-End Awards, with Lionel Messi headlining a five-player shortlist for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. Bradley Carnell, Jesper Sørensen, and Mikey Varas are finalists for the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year honor, with winners to be revealed during the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy believes that Benjamin Sesko and Rasmus Hojlund could form a devastating strike partnership reminiscent of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole if they are reunited next season. While the Danish striker impresses on loan at Napoli, McCarthy says the pair have the potential to lead a new era of firepower at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.