The January transfer window is fast approaching, and clubs will once again be scrambling to strengthen for the second half of the season. In the 2025 winter market, £1.2 billion ($1.4bn) was spent across Europe's top leagues and the English Championship, the highest mark in seven years, with Manchester City accounting for £191 million ($256m) of that amount alone.
Borussia Dortmund are facing the prospect of losing Aaron Anselmino as early as January after details emerged of a clause in his loan agreement with Chelsea. According to reports, Chelsea have the option to recall the 20-year-old defender during the winter window if he has not reached an agreed minimum number of playing minutes for Dortmund.
Arsenal are reported to have stepped up their interest in Borussia Dortmund-owned goalkeeper Diant Ramaj - who is currently on loan at Heidenheim. It is claimed that the Gunners have sent several scouting missions to Germany. David Raya remains No.1 at Emirates Stadium, with Kepa Arrizabalaga filling back-up duties, but further additions between the sticks are being considered.
Manchester United have been told to sign Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi to replace Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absence. The Red Devils are bracing themselves for a difficult festive period as the AFCON threatens to strip Ruben Amorim of a crucial spine on the right side of his team. With the tournament in Morocco beginning over Christmas and running until mid-January, the absences of three key squad members, including Noussair Mazraoui, are expected to leave a significant dent in their resources.
Arsenal have identified Real Madrid teenager Victor Valdepenas as a serious long-term target, with plans reportedly forming for a move in 2026 that could test the resolve of the Spanish giants. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta view the 19-year-old defender as an ideal fit for their evolving squad, with the north London club prepared to play the long game in their pursuit.
Fabio Silva’s nightmare stint at Borussia Dortmund appears destined for a premature conclusion, with the Portuguese forward reportedly in advanced negotiations to return to La Liga this January. Just months after his €27 million summer switch, the former Wolves record signing has admitted defeat in his battle for Bundesliga minutes, sparking a scramble for his signature that includes Real Betis and a host of Italian heavyweights.
Borussia Dortmund are preparing to break the bank to secure the long-term future of defensive lynchpin Nico Schlotterbeck, with the club reportedly tabling a historic contract offer that would see him become the highest-paid player at Signal Iduna Park. However, the German international is in no rush to sign, hinting that a final decision on his future will not be made until the summer amid circling interest from European giants.
Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear at Signal Iduna Park as Borussia Dortmund external advisor Matthias Sammer has launched a stinging attack on the club’s culture. The former Ballon d'Or winner has backed Nico Schlotterbeck’s recent brutal assessment of the squad, claiming the Bundesliga giants are suffering from a debilitating 'addiction to harmony' and a distinct lack of genuine leadership.
Barcelona have reportedly identified Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson as a shock transfer target to bolster their defensive options. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for reinforcements amid growing fears that Manchester City could launch a swoop for Jules Kounde, forcing Hansi Flick to draw up contingency plans for the right-back position.
Jobe Bellingham has been slapped with a ban after being sent off during Borussia Dortmund's draw with Freiburg in the Bundesliga. Bellingham's miserable start to life in Germany continued on Sunday as the 20-year-old was shown a straight red card in Dortmund's disappointing 1-1 draw. The youngster joined the Bundesliga side from Sunderland in the summer after playing a starring role in the Black Cats' promotion.
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has advised Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck to reject a potential move to Bayern Munich if Dayot Upamecano remains at the club. The pundit believes the centre-back would struggle for game time in Bavaria and suspects that Schlotterbeck is currently stalling on a new contract because he is holding out for a lucrative transfer to the Premier League.
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.
Things are really heating up in the run-up to Christmas across Europe's top leagues, with Inter reclaiming top spot in Serie A, Lens surprisingly leading the way in Ligue 1 and Barcelona continuing to pile pressure on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid. Over in Germany, though, it seems that nobody is really capable of dethroning Bayern Munich, but Premier League leaders Arsenal are looking more and more nervous with each passing week.
Gregor Kobel has shouldered the blame for Borussia Dortmund's dropped points against Freiburg, admitting his distribution error led directly to the match-altering red card for Jobe Bellingham. The goalkeeper insisted the team was 'dominant' before the incident but conceded that they were forced to be 'satisfied' with a draw after playing the entire second half with ten men.
Jobe Bellingham's miserable start to life in Germany continued on Sunday as the England U21 international was shown a straight red card in Borussia Dortmund's disappointing 1-1 draw with Freiburg. The younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude joined the Bundesliga giants from Sunderland over the summer after playing a starring role in the Black Cats' promotion, but has struggled to find his feet at Signal Iduna Park.
Arsenal have stepped up their monitoring of Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Diant Ramaj, with scouts repeatedly watching the 24-year-old during his standout loan spell at Heidenheim. With Kepa Arrizabalaga currently serving as David Raya’s understudy, the Gunners are exploring long-term options, and Ramaj’s rise in the Bundesliga has positioned him as a potential future competitor for the No.1 spot.
Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has publicly backed Nico Schlotterbeck after the defender launched a scathing attack on his teammates following their disappointing Champions League draw against Bodo/Glimt. The manager admitted the collapse was "completely unnecessary" and insisted the centre-back had every right to voice his frustration.
Borussia Dortmund winger Julien Duranville is reportedly on the verge of a January exit after manager Niko Kovac delivered a dismal assessment of the teenager's current standing in the first-team picture. The coach admitted that "others are better" than the Belgian starlet, despite his long-awaited return to full fitness following a nightmare run of injuries.
Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has launched a scathing attack on his team-mates following their disappointing Champions League draw against Bodo/Glimt. The German international accused the substitutes introduced by manager Niko Kovac of "losing every ball" and lacking the necessary intensity during a collapse that has severely jeopardised the club’s hopes of automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Barcelona's pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has reportedly hit a stumbling block as the German international appears to favour a future move to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, while internal doubts among the Catalan hierarchy have seen them hesitate to sanction a formal approach despite manager Hansi Flick's strong connection to the player.
Mark Bellingham, the father of England and Real Madrid superstar Jude and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe, has made an unexpected return to amateur football by signing for outfit FC Herdecke-Ende. Bellingham, a prolific striker in English non-league football with over 700 career goals, joined the Kreisliga B side after relocating to Germany to be closer to his youngest son.
The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool, including rumors tying Pulisic with a move back to the Premier League.
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.
Cole Campbell has formally requested to leave Borussia Dortmund during the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg. The 19-year-old American winger is seeking a move in order to find regular first-team playing time and continue his development. Campbell featured for the U.S's U20 side and has made five senior appearances for BVB.
Niko Kovac has given his backing to Aaron Anselmino amid the defender's struggles for regular playing time after he recovered from a muscle injury that hindered his start following a loan move from Chelsea. The Argentine has started four matches for the German side, sparking suggestions he could end up being recalled to Stamford Bridge.