Crystal Palace are ready to compete with Manchester United and Real Madrid in the transfer market to sign Dutch wonderkid Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar as the Eagles plot an ambitious swoop. Smit came into the limelight in 2023 after he scored from 50 yards against Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League and then helped Netherlands win the European U19 Championship last summer.
England fans will have to dig deep to watch their country go the distance at the 2026 World Cup. Ticket prices for football's showpiece event on the other side of the Atlantic have been leaked and it won't be a cheap trip if you fancy heading stateside next summer to watch Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and co. do the business for Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions outfit.
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown has received his first call-up to Germany’s senior national team for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The 22-year-old dual national, still eligible for the United States, could permanently tie his international future to Germany if he appears in either of the competitive matches.
Gian Piero Gasperini was left astonished as AS Roma missed three penalties in a row and went down 1-0 against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday. The incident happened after Roma were awarded a penalty. Artem Dovbyk had to take his penalty twice after Berke Ozer came out of his line to stop both efforts. Finally, Matias Soule took the spot-kick in the third attempt and Ozer once again saved.
Michael Carrick has a new job as rumours of a potential Manchester United return do the rounds. Carrick has been linked with a move back to Old Trafford for a second interim spell as United weigh up whether to sack Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese boss is under mounting pressure to turn the club's fortunes around with United currently mired in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Copenhagen confirmed that after an MRI, Rodrigo Huescas has been diagnosed with a torn ACL. The former Cruz Azul fullback will miss the rest of the season and faces a race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup. The injury occurred 13 minutes into Copenhagen’s Champions League clash against Qarabag. Huescas went down in clear pain.
Alexi Lalas backed Weston McKennie for the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup squad following his recall for the October friendlies. The Juventus midfielder had been absent from Mauricio Pochettino’s recent rosters, raising doubts about his role. But with the manager calling this group his potential A squad, McKennie’s inclusion is an encouraging sign.
Tottenham are among a number of teams chasing highly-rated Brazilian teenager Rayan Vitor. The 19-year-old has excelled for Vasco da Gama this season, scoring seven times to boost his reputation. However, Spurs wouldn't be the only Premier League side to show an interest in Rayan, who is also reportedly wanted by rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.
Former national team star Alexi Lalas cast doubt on Ricardo Pepi’s chances of making the 2026 World Cup roster after the striker’s knee injury with PSV, noting that USMNT roster spots will only be more competitive - leaving injured players especially at risk of losing out as the tournament gets closer to kicking off.
Former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro is all set to take up a shock new international job ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Ballon d'Or winning ex-Juventus star was without a job since Dinamo Zagreb parted ways with him in April this year. However, Cannavaro is now set to return to football management to lead Uzbekistan in their maiden appearance at the 2026 World Cup.
Former Manchester City star David Silva has outlined the one role he'd like to see Pep Guardiola take on in the future. The Spaniard is approaching 10 years at the Etihad Stadium helm having signed a two-year contract extension last November. And Silva, who played for City between 2010 and 2020, believes he knows what is next for his compatriot when he decides to leave City.
Zinedine Zidane's son Luca has earned his first national team call-up as he has been included in Algeria's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Luca, born in France, has represented the French national team at youth level, but never broke into the senior team. However, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper has finally got an opportunity to make his international debut.
Aston Villa's first European away day of the season has been marred by fan violence in Rotterdam. Villa take on Feyenoord in matchday two of the Europa League phase as they sought to follow up recent victories over Bologna and Fulham. However, the build up to the game saw fans of both sides clashing ahead of the match at De Kuip.
Manchester United reportedly considered appointing former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before they hired Ruben Amorim last November. The Portuguese coach was brought in from Sporting CP as United parted ways with Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign. Solskjaer managed the Red Devils for three years before being dismissed in November 2021.
Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Alisson is expected to be ruled out until the November international break through injury. The Brazilian was forced off early in the second half of Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday night after suffering a hamstring problem at RAMS Park, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in line to deputise.
Two decades have passed since Mexico shocked the world in Peru with a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 2005 U17 World Cup final. For many fans, that night at the Estadio Nacional remains one of the defining moments in Mexican football history. The tournament launched the careers of players such as Carlos Vela, Giovani dos Santos and Héctor Moreno.
Tottenham have been subject to interest of a takeover bid by DJ Brooklyn Earick, but the 41-year-old has been accused of breaking takeover rules. Earick has emerged as the public face of a mystery consortium that has claimed it is willing to pay a world record £4.5bn to acquire the club. Spurs are reported to have rejected any interest from the consortium to acquire the north London side.
Marseille midfielder Arthur Vermeeren has been warned against joining Premier League giants Chelsea or Manchester United, as he has been told that he would ruin his career if he ever moves to either of the English clubs. After failing to make a mark at RB Leipzig, Vermeeren joined the Ligue 1 giants on loan towards the end of the summer transfer window.
Referee Jarred Gillett broke PGMOL protocol in the process of denying Arsenal a penalty at Newcastle last weekend. While Arsenal went on to win 2-1 at St. James' Park courtesy of late goals from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes, fans were incensed as Gillett overturned his decision to award a penalty in the 14th minute when it looked as though Nick Pope had fouled Viktor Gyokeres.
Premier League chief Richard Masters dropped a huge hint over the future of the 3pm blackout. The rule has been in place for the last 60 years and the Football Association has consistently policed the blackout as it is viewed as essential to protect attendances in the Football League. However, in recent years, there have been several rumours of a push to abolish the system.
Ex-Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer believes that Steven Gerrard should return to management as head coach of Wrexham or Birmingham. Gerrard, who has managerial experience with Rangers and Aston Villa, has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq at the turn of the year. And Smicer has mapped out Gerrard's career plan that'll see him take over Liverpool one day.
Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi confessed that he "dreams of wearing the AC Milan shirt" one day, adding that he regularly watches Massimiliano Allegri's team. This past summer, the Rossoneri signed Swiss international Ardon Jashari from Brugge in what was a record transfer fee received by the Belgian Pro League giants. Tresoldi dreams of following a similar pathway to the Serie A.
The Premier League are set to vote on scrapping the divisive Profit and Sustainability Rules and bringing in a new system that will be more aligned with the UEFA financial regulations. The PSR was introduced by the Premier League ahead of the 2015/16 season in a bid to prevent clubs from overspending on transfers, however, time and again, the rules have faced criticism.
France manager Didier Deschamps claims Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe possesses a remarkable range of abilities, adapting his game depending on the system, though he thrives most in a central role. The 26-year-old has recently become France’s second-highest goal scorer, surpassing national legend Thierry Henry, and continues to lead Les Bleus in their World Cup qualifiers.
AC Milan are interested in signing Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer, with his contract set to expire in 2026. His high salary could prove to be an obstacle, so Milan are also evaluating other options and may look to bring in a new striker in January. Lewandowski’s future is not limited to Milan, however, as he also has offers from Saudi Arabia.
Casemiro has received the backing of his former Real Madrid and current Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to wear the captain's armband for the Selecao in the build up to next year's World Cup. Having marked his return to the national team setup after a prolonged absence, Casemiro hasn't lost the trust of Ancelotti, who has urged the resurgent Manchester United man to "set an example everyday."
Liverpool wonderkid Giovanni Leoni sent out a positive message after undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament surgery. Leoni suffered knee ligament damage when making his competitive debut for the club in a Carabao Cup clash with Southampton last week and will not remain out of action for almost a year. The teenage defender only moved to Anfield over the summer from Parma.
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has set summer signing Viktor Gyokeres a huge goal target for his debut season in England. Gyokeres moved to the Gunners after a goal-laden spell with Portuguese side Sporting CP. And while the Swede has failed to score in five games, Martinelli believes that hefty goal target is attainable as Arsenal look to land domestic and continental success.