Karim Benzema has ignited a storm in the Saudi Pro League by branding his new club Al-Hilal the "Real Madrid in Asia" immediately after completing a controversial transfer from rivals Al-Ittihad. While the Frenchman eyes more silverware, the move is said to have infuriated Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly attempted to block it.
Harvey Elliott faces a nightmare conclusion to the season at Aston Villa after Liverpool refused to waive a fee that would have allowed his loan to be terminated. The 22-year-old has been frozen out by Unai Emery to avoid triggering a mandatory £35 million transfer clause, but with no compromise found before the deadline, the midfielder is now left stranded in limbo until the summer.
442oons looks back at Saturday's Premier League meeting between Chelsea and West Ham and the stoppage-time skirmish that saw Adama Traore clash with both Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro. Will the Blues left-back survive? And how will the Brazilian striker deal with a raging Adama? Find out by watching the clip above!
Newell's Old Boys vice-president Juan Manuel Medina has announced that the club are "working on" a 2027 homecoming transfer for Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami superstar took his first steps into football at youth level with the Argentine club, who are eager to bring him back as the face of a new "project for the city of Rosario".
Chelsea icon John Terry has become the subject of brutal mockery from Arsenal supporters after sharing a video of himself watching the dying moments of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash. The Stamford Bridge hero filmed his reaction hoping to capture a last-gasp equaliser, only to record the moment former Blues player Kai Havertz sealed his side’s fate, much to the delight of the red half of London.
Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa has revealed the components of his "perfect" striker, selecting the elite traits of modern legends like Lionel Messi and Harry Kane. The veteran goalscorer also didn't shy away from self-praise, naming himself as the ultimate choice when it comes to the crucial attribute of player mentality.
Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly decided to delay his public response to his sacking until the summer to avoid derailing the club's season. The 41-year-old will break his silence once the campaign concludes, refusing to disrupt interim boss Michael Carrick’s desperate bid to secure Champions League football for the Red Devils.
The LA Galaxy are reportedly 'exploring' a free transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder Casemiro. The Brazil international, who is enjoying a resurgence under Red Devils interim manager Michael Carrick, has confirmed he will leave Old Trafford upon the expiration of his contract in June, and has also been linked with a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo has not left Riyadh and continues to train with Al-Nassr, debunking reports of a strike. The Portuguese legend remains furious over the club's lack of transfer activity and the controversy surrounding Karim Benzema's proposed move to Al-Hilal, but a return to his homeland has been ruled out as he eyes the MLS or Europe for his next step.
Pep Guardiola has launched a stinging attack on U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration following the deaths of Renee Good and nurse Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE agents. The Manchester City manager delivered an impassioned defence of human rights during a press conference, breaking his usual silence to condemn "genocide" in Palestine and demand compassion for migrants crossing the English Channel.
Mason Greenwood scored as Marseille beat Rennes 3-0 to progress to the Coupe De France quarter-finals. The striker was joined on the scoresheet by Amine Gouri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, although Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was fortunate to avoid a red card.
Three years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo stunned the sporting world by joining Al-Nassr. Six months later, the Portuguese trailblazer was joined in the Saudi Pro League by a number of high-profile players, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte. Some of those superstars were clearly past their prime, but the mere fact that they were willing to move to the Middle East felt significant.
As investment in the women’s game continues to grow, each and every transfer window feels bigger and bigger, as both the anticipation and likelihood of new record transfers and big money moves for the game’s greatest stars increases. In that sense, January is never as headline-grabbing as the summer window, but there has still been plenty of eye-catching business over the last few weeks - especially in the Women’s Super League.
N’Golo Kante has officially completed a dramatic move to Fenerbahce after agreeing to terminate his contract with Al-Ittihad. The French World Cup winner has put pen to paper on a deal until June 2028, returning to European football after FIFA finally granted the green light following an administrative blunder that had initially derailed the switch.
Liverpool have been branded "suckers" for deciding to fork out £60 million on young French defender Jeremy Jacquet. The Premier League champions usurped Chelsea in the race for the 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot, and he will arrive on Merseyside in the summer. Now, the Reds have been mocked for handing Rennes such a huge sum of cash for a young prospect.
New York City FC’s proposed move for Mali international Moussa Sylla collapsed late, sending the 26-year-old back to Schalke. The German club blasted NYCFC over a disputed medical, insisting contracts were signed, and insisting the striker is fit. With the deal off, NYCFC will pivot as Schalke keep a key scorer. The striker was set to be a Designated Player before talks unraveled abruptly, publicly.
Paul Merson ripped into Chelsea's players after Liam Rosenior's side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday night, exiting the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage with a 4-2 aggregate loss. The Blues struggled to create many clear-cut chances and couldn't score the goals they needed to reach the final, instead seeing Kai Havertz strike to send the Gunners to Wembley.
Barcelona secured safe passage through to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 2-1 win over Segunda Division outfit Albacete on Tuesday. The Catalan giants were made to wait until the 39th minute before Lamine Yamal opened the scoring, and Ronald Araujo later netted the second of the night, though Javi Moreno's strike set up a nervy ending to the encounter.
Arsenal are into the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday, prevailing 4-2 on aggregate. The Gunners showed little attacking appetite at the Emirates having entered the game with a lead to protect, and ultimately their visitors didn't ask enough meaningful questions to ever put their place at Wembley in serious doubt.
Chelsea missed out on a place in the Carabao Cup final as they failed to find a breakthrough in the second leg of their semi-final with Arsenal before eventually losing 1-0 on Tuesday to fall to a 4-2 aggregate defeat. The Blues defended resolutely and had the better of the game in the second half, but couldn't create enough opportunities before Kai Havertz put the tie to bed in stoppage time.
A former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered his verdict on the Portuguese legend potentially returning for a third spell at Manchester United. The 40-year-old has reportedly become unhappy at Al-Nassr, believing owners the Public Investment Fund (PIF) have favoured its other three teams ahead of his own. Ronaldo could seek a fresh move in the coming months as he targets hitting 1,000 career goals before he retires.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was a surprise absence from the Gunners' squad to take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night. Eberechi Eze started the clash in the No.10 role, with the Norwegian worryingly not even among the substitutes. Before kick-off, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta revealed the midfielder had picked up an untimely knock.
The cause of Jean-Philippe Mateta's failed medical with Italian giants AC Milan has been revealed after the French striker's move away from Crystal Palace collapsed at the end of the January transfer window. The 28-year-old was keen to secure an exit from Selhurst Park and looked to be inching his way towards a switch to San Siro. However, issues became apparent during medical checks and Mateta remains a Palace player.
ITV plans to take advantage of the BBC's cut-price coverage to win the battle of the broadcasters at this summer's World Cup. While the BBC will not have a studio in North America for the group stage, their rivals have decided to base themselves in the heart of New York from the outset, and they plan to have an all-star cast of pundits to 'blow their competitors out of the water'.
Mohamed Salah has reportedly emerged as Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad's number one priority to replace Karim Benzema. The Egyptian has long been a target for Saudi Arabian clubs and has endured a disappointing campaign so far, hitting out at Liverpool in December before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old signed a new contract with the Reds last April but his future is up in the air having only scored six club goals this season.