Chelsea's transfer plans for the next year or so have been revealed as the club look to further strengthen their squad. The Blues have enjoyed a reasonably strong Premier League campaign so far this season, sitting fourth in the table, but have identified one playing area in particular where reinforcements are required to take the team to the next level.
Former Manchester City star Scott Sinclair has been labelled as a "piece of sh*t" by ex-partner and Coronation Street actor Helen Flanagan after the 36-year-old missed their son's nativity to attend the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Flanagan took to social media to slam the footballer, whom she has since unfollowed on Instagram, for his insensitivity.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was forced off during the 2-0 win over Brighton after suffering an ankle injury, prompting concerns over his availability during the hectic Christmas schedule. The Hungary international has been one of the Reds' leading performers in an otherwise disappointing Premier League title defence so far and there are doubts over his availability for Saturday's trip to Tottenham.
United Kingdom prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned Roman Abramovich "the clock is ticking" for the former Chelsea owner to donate £2.5 billion ($3.35bn) of the sale of the Blues to Ukraine. The Russian oligarch pledged to give the proceeds of the transaction to the people of Ukraine back in 2022, having been forced to sell the club after being sanctioned following Vladimir Putin's invasion earlier that year.
Diehard Manchester United fan firastalksfootball has locked horns with supporters from five rival teams to discuss some burning football topics. From stating that the Red Devils are England's greatest club, to Wayne Rooney being the best player ever to grace the Premier League, and Sir Alex Ferguson topping the pile when it comes to all-time managers in the English top-flight. Will he win over the doubters? 🤔
Former Wolves starlet Ethan McLeod has tragically died in a car crash at the age of just 21. The youngster was travelling back from a National League North game with current side Macclesfield Town at Bedford Town when his car collided with a barrier on the M11 motorway. Macclesfield have confirmed McLeod's passing and offered their condolences to his family and friends.
Bruno Fernandes has shed light on his relationship with "very serious" Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who has converted him into a holding midfielder since replacing Erik ten Hag at the helm. Five goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League appearances this season underline Fernandes' enduring influence, helped by the building of "boundaries" between him and Amorim.
Manchester United and Roma are locked in a tense standoff over the transfer of Joshua Zirkzee, with the two clubs seemingly miles apart in their valuation of the struggling Dutch striker. While the player is reportedly keen on a return to Serie A, negotiations have hit a wall over the structure of the deal, forcing Roma sporting director Frederic Massara to line up a list of alternatives.
Manchester City have offered an update on the club's 115 FFP charges amid talk a verdict could be returned imminently. The Cityzens are still yet to discover if they will face sanctions after being slapped with the charges for allegedly breaching financial rules during a nine year period between 2009 and 2018. A hearing concluded over a year ago but a verdict is still yet to be announced.
Stefan de Vrij’s time at Inter appears to be reaching its conclusion, with reports from Italy suggesting the Dutch defender is ready to pack his bags. Nottingham Forest have emerged as a surprise Premier League suitor, while Benfica and Bologna are also monitoring the situation closely.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has shared his thoughts on whether the Portugal national team is better off without veteran talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The legendary forward turned 40 back in February but is aiming to play a key role for his team at World Cup 2026. There have been suggestions that Portugal may be stronger without their ageing superstar, who only scored once in five games at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Ruben Amorim has been told he only has two players who rank above "average" at Manchester United. Their chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday night felt like a microcosm of Amorim’s reign so far. There was attacking intent and moments of genuine quality, but also defensive fragility, lapses in concentration and an inability to manage key moments. United led three times, looked to have landed the knockout blow late on, and still contrived to let victory slip away.
The winner of The Best FIFA Men's Player award for 2025 has been announced, with Paris-Saint Germain attacker and Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele once again scooping the top prize after an exceptional season. The voting for the awards has also now been revealed, showing who the biggest names in the sport picked as their top choices, including Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Virgil van Dijk, and England manager Thomas Tuchel.
Cole Palmer will launch an aftershave featuring his trademark "cold" celebration as the Chelsea star looks to set up a business empire. Documents lodged with the UK government’s Intellectual Property Office reveal that Palmer is seeking to secure rights across a remarkably broad range of products.
Thierry Henry will take his place among the most revered figures in global sport later this month when he is presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony. The Arsenal legend, now 48, has been confirmed as the latest winner of the prestigious accolade, following in the footsteps of footballing legends Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir David Beckham.
Monday's insane Premier League clash was packed full of goals and incidents as Bournemouth came from behind on three occasions to claim a creditable draw from their trip to Old Trafford. Featuring Antoine Semenyo's altercation with Diogo Dalot and Matheus Cunha's Samba dancing, 442oons has produced the best of the highlights from the eight-goal thriller!
The Africa Cup of Nations is back this December and January, with the continent's very best set to battle it out in Morocco as they aim to take Cote d'Ivoire's crown after their unlikely victory at the start of 2024. AFCON's prestige, drama and quality remains up there with the Euros and Copa America, but the downside for European clubs is it's another tournament which falls slap bang in the middle of their seasonal calendar, meaning most teams will be losing players for up to a month.
Manchester United reportedly complained to FIFA after Morocco refused to allow Noussair Mazraoui to play in the club's Premier League game against Bournemouth. The Red Devils believed that the defender should have been eligible under the Africa Cup of Nations release arrangements. FIFA’s regulations state that players selected for AFCON squads must be released seven days before their nation’s opening fixture, with the release period beginning on December 15 - the day of the Bournemouth clash.
After a 1-1 draw against a 10-man Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light on September 21, Aston Villa were languishing in the relegation zone and questions were being asked over Unai Emery's position as manager. The Villans finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in Emery's first two full seasons at the helm, but were winless after the opening five games of the 2025-26 campaign with only one goal on their record.
Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland dressed up as Santa Claus to spread Christmas joy among the kids in Manchester amid his fine festive form for the Cityzens. After an injury-laden 2024-25 campaign, the Norwegian striker is back to his very best as he has already scored 23 goals in 22 matches across all competitions and has kept his side at the top of the table heading into the New Year.
Liverpool are set to lose their wonderkid for free as Leeds United are ready to snap up 15-year-old attacker Kai Morrall. The youngster joined Liverpool's U-9 side in 2017 and has since then progressed through the ranks. But now, after eight years, the Morall has parted ways with the Reds mutually and is on his way to join Leeds' youth team.
New Chelsea signing Geovany Quenda is all set to undergo surgery ahead of his Chelsea move. The Blues secured a transfer for the Sporting CP wonderkid earlier this year and an agreement was reached between the two clubs where Quenda will formally complete his move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2026. Now, just months before the move, the teenager has picked up a serious injury.
Leeds United are eyeing a €20m swoop for in-form Sevilla winger Ruben Vargas in the January transfer window. Vargas completed a permanent transfer to the La Liga side in January 2025 on a five-and-a-half-year contract and has slowly established himself as a key member in Matias Almeyda's starting lineup. Leeds are looking to bolster their squad after a poor start to their 2025-26 campaign.
Manchester United are firmly in the race to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65 million ($87.3m) clause which can be activated from January 1st. However, United have stiff competition to secure his signing as rivals such as Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool are also vying for his signature.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has been tipped to make a shock return to Serie A as Reds legend opens up on 'solution' to the Egyptian's transfer saga. After slamming the club and manager Arne Slot publicly for keeping him out of Liverpool's starting lineup following their clash against Leeds, Salah returned to action against Brighton last weekend.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted that he is 'unsure' about his squad's 'mentality' amid a miserable run away from home. The Magpies have won just one away Premier League fixture since mid-April and their latest derby loss to Sunderland last weekend further rubbed salt into their wounds. Howe's side now sit 12th in the Premier League table.
England are being advised to drop Jude Bellingham from their starting XI at the 2026 World Cup, with the Real Madrid superstar being informed that Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers currently has “more of an influence” on games. Thomas Tuchel has warned all of those at his disposal that no places in his plans for a shot at global glory next summer are guaranteed.
Former Manchester United starlet Zidane Iqbal has been told he can leave Utrecht in January, with head coach Ron Jans admitting the midfielder's "head wasn't in it" recently. The Iraq international, who was famously banished from the first team earlier this season for a disciplinary "reset", is now set to move on permanently as the Dutch club prioritises academy talents.
Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has been ruled out of the club's Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Brentford and is set to miss the bulk of the festive programme. Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Belgian winger is still recovering from the leg injury that kept him out of City's win at Crystal Palace over the weekend, while also discussing the future of back-up goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of the January window.
Manchester United have been advised to explore a transfer move for USMNT star Christian Pulisic, with the AC Milan talisman being told that he could become one of the most famous American players ever if he moved to Old Trafford. Ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker has explained to GOAL why a raid on San Siro for a Premier League-proven forward makes sense.