Marc Guehi has become a 'top target' for Real Madrid as the La Liga giants make contact with the Crystal Palace captain. The Palace centre-back will run down his contract until the summer of 2026. The England international has already informed the Premier League side that he will not sign an extension, effectively guaranteeing a summer exit and triggering a battle among Europe's elite.
Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams has slammed the decision to play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The tournament will once again take place in the Middle East in January with Athletic facing defending La Liga champions Barcelona in the semi-finals. The winners of the match will go on to face either Real Madrid or Atletico in the final for the chance to claim the first Spanish trophy of the current season.
Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez is reportedly close to agreeing a move to MLS outfit the Columbus Crew as he aims to remain in shape ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Colombian midfielder has left Leon in Liga MX and while he initially planned to remain in Mexico, he now looks set to move to the United States instead.
New Year's Eve is almost upon us, meaning 2025 is about to be consigned to the past - but how will it be remembered by the football world? It was certainly an unforgettable year for some players, coaches and clubs. Paris Saint-Germain, for example, finally got their hands on the trophy they craved above all others, the Champions League, thus vindicating a sensible change in recruitment strategy by the club's owners, who went from signing superstars to investing millions in youth.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has revealed what his relationship with Vinicius Junior was like on and off the pitch. Speculation is continuing to mount that the Brazil international will leave Los Blancos in 2026 after a difficult year or so at the Spanish giants. Amid such rumours, ex-midfielder Kroos has given a very strong character reference of the 25-year-old, while also giving his take on Endrick's Lyon loan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Real Madrid are preparing for all eventualities as contract negotiations with Vinícius Junior continue to stall, with reports suggesting a contingency plan has already been mapped out. The Brazilian forward remains locked in talks over improved terms, holding firm on his financial demands while the club have so far refused to move beyond their most recent offer.
Endrick is already breaking records for Lyon without kicking a ball since leaving Real Madrid on loan. The 19-year-old will spend the second half of the season with the French giants as he bids to get his fledgling career back on track after struggling for game time at Los Blancos. While he won't be able to play for Lyon for a couple of weeks, he is producing record-breaking numbers on social media.
With the halfway stage of the season upon us, the time has come to shine a spotlight on the players who have made the biggest impact across Europe's major leagues. But first, let's run through the lay of the land.
Cole Palmer has been advised not to look too far ahead at Chelsea, with Blues legend Frank Leboeuf telling GOAL that the England international has only enjoyed a “two-year career”. It has been suggested that the talented playmaker could one day attract interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but he has been told to focus on maximising the potential of both himself and his trophy-hungry colleagues at Stamford Bridge.
Kylian Mbappe has been told, during GOAL’s exclusive interview with Frank Leboeuf, why he “cannot compare” to Zinedine Zidane in any discussion regarding the GOAT of French football. Even a second World Cup win, while becoming Les Bleus’ all-time leading scorer, may not be enough to lift the current Real Madrid superstar above the Blancos “icon” of the past.
Real Madrid have requested Barcelona's financial records from 2010 to 2018 as the Negreira case intensifies. Madrid president Florentino Perez used the club's traditional Christmas address to launch a blistering attack on Spanish football authorities regarding the hotly debated scandal. The club chief labelled the affair the "biggest scandal in football history".
Xabi Alonso is struggling to maintain order in the Real Madrid dressing room because it is full of big-name players who believe they "deserve" to start every game, according to his former Spain team-mate Cesc Fabregas. The Como head coach has laid bare the reason why he believes his compatriot has found himself under pressure at the Bernabeu this season.
Antoine Semenyo is good enough to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona, at least that's according to the Bournemouth star's personal coach. The Ghanaian winger is in the midst of a transfer tug of war with a number of Premier League sides hoping to lure the Cherries ace away from the Vitality Stadium when the January transfer window opens next week.
Vinicius Jr sent a heartfelt message to Endrick after the Brazilian star sealed a loan move to Lyon. The move represents a decisive step away from the Santiago Bernabeu spotlight and towards regular football. The 19-year-old has struggled to force his way into the picture under new head coach Xabi Alonso and will now spend the remainder of the campaign in Ligue 1 with Lyon, a club eager to harness his raw potential.
Lyon have been sent a stark warning about new signing Endrick after the Brazilian striker completed his loan move to the French side on Tuesday. Endrick was expected to depart Real Madrid in the New Year owing to a lack of playing time under Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso. The 19-year-old registered just 12 minutes of league action in the first half of the season.
Real Madrid outcast Endrick has sealed a loan transfer to Ligue 1 side Lyon for the rest of the 2025-26 season. The Brazilian youngster moves in search of regular game time after struggling for minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu under Xabi Alonso. Endrick is clearly thrilled to seal the deal, saying "Christmas has come early" after making the move from the Spanish capital.
Kylian Mbappe has been told that Paris Saint-Germain would not have won the Champions League had he stuck around in France, with it “fantasy” to believe that European success could ever have been savoured with the France international, Lionel Messi and Neymar lining up in the same starting XI. World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf has explained to GOAL why that is the case.
Lyon have reached an agreement with Real Madrid over a loan move for Brazil wonderkid Endrick. The Ligue 1 side were seeking a striker following the departures of Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze during the summer window, and are set to reinforce their ranks for the second-half of the season with Los Blancos' young forward on his way to France.
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.
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.
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.
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