Transfers

Former Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has heaped high praise on the Magpies’ record signing Nick Woltemade, boldly claiming that the German striker is “better in the air than Peter Crouch.” The comparison has drawn attention across English football, with Woltemade’s early Premier League form backing up Hamann’s words.

The revolving door of transfers at Manchester United shows no sign of stopping as it has been revealed Ruben Amorim is chasing six potential targets when the coming windows open in January and in the summer. The focus will be on midfield signings with a number of high-profile stars potentially heading to Old Trafford as the club attempt to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

Rafael Benitez is closing in on his 17th managerial role, as the veteran Spaniard is set to become Panathinaikos’ new head coach on a record-breaking contract. The 65-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024, is poised to become the highest-paid manager in Greek football history, marking his return after a 19-month break.

Harry Kane has been urged to become a ‘Galactico’ alongside Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, with the England captain being told that “Real Madrid would be interested” in doing a deal with Bayern Munich. It has been revealed that there are clauses in the striker’s contract at the Allianz Arena which can be activated in the summer of 2026 - with a return to the Premier League also being mooted for the former Tottenham striker.

Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee could be close to ending his nightmare spell at Old Trafford with another Premier League team touted to want the Netherlands striker in the forthcoming January transfer window. Zirkzee has barely featured for United this season and he is yet to start or score, managing just 74 minutes across three Premier League appearances and an eight-minute Carabao Cup cameo against lowly Grimsby Town - all as a substitute.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been encouraged to swap Old Trafford for the Allianz Arena and link up with Harry Kane, with former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen billing him as the “perfect fit” for Bayern Munich. Meulensteen believes Fernandes' footballing intelligence and creativity would allow him to easily slot into Vincent Kompany’s blistering Bayern setup and potentially help Kane rack up more goals.

John Terry has revealed his confusion at the fact he does not receive more job offers, while seemingly giving up on his ambition to manage Chelsea. The former England captain has not held a first-team coaching position since working as an assistant at Leicester City in 2023, as offers do not appear to have materialised.

Manchester United have switched their attention to Elliot Anderson after failing to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba, as Ruben Amorim eyes a midfield overhaul. The 22-year-old Nottingham Forest dynamo has become one of the most sought-after names in English football following his breakthrough into the Three Lions squad. United had already been monitoring Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and revisiting interest in Baleba, but it is now being reported that Anderson has emerged as the standout target.

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been urged to dispense with manager Phil Parkinson and appoint Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg as the Welsh club aim to finally reach the Premier League. The club have endured a difficult start to life in the second-tier after flying up the divisions from non-league, and the pressure is ramping up on the Wrexham head coach.

Liverpool have reportedly identified Antoine Semenyo as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, with a January swoop lined up for the Bournemouth player after the emergence of a release clause in his contract. The 'Egyptian King', whose goals have lit up Anfield since he joined the Merseyside club in 2017, is enduring a rare drought, and whispers of a successor are starting to grow louder.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Maghnes Akliouche admitted he has been 'flattered' by the Premier League club's interest ahead of AS Monaco's Champions League showdown with Thomas Frank's side. After Spurs lost the transfer race to Arsenal for Eberechi Eze in the summer, they had eyed a move for Akliouche but the north London outfit eventually signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

Marcus Rashford could return to Manchester United next summer if Ruben Amorim leaves the club by then, according to former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen. Rashford left his boyhood club this year to join Barcelona on a loan deal after he was included in Amorim's 'bomb squad' during pre-season, alongside several other unwanted United stars.

It is being suggested that Barcelona are mulling over a move that would see Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford reunited in Catalunya. The Liga giants have already acquired one former Manchester United winger, with a productive loan spell being enjoyed by Rashford in 2025-26, and it is now being claimed that their sights are locked on another who continues to impress at Marseille.

Son Heung-min could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League during the January transfer window of 2026, with the LAFC star reportedly seeing a “David Beckham clause” inserted in the contract which took him to MLS. The former Tottenham forward has made a stunning impact in the United States, but his association with the European game may not be over.

Real Madrid are believed to be open to the possibility of letting young starlet Endrick leave on loan in the January transfer window amid the striker's lack of playing time under new head coach Xabi Alonso. Having spent the past few months on the sidelines due to an injury, the Brazilian wonderkid has been named in Madrid's matchday squads in recent times but is yet to make his first appearance this season.

Eintracht Frankfurt have earned a sterling reputation for developing players from the promising bracket to top-class and selling them on for significant profit in recent years, particularly in attacking positions. The German club made around €208 million (£181m/$242m) by transferring Luka Jovic, Sebastien Haller and Randal Kolo Muani to AC Milan, West Ham and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, and boosted that total by another €170m (£148/$198) last season when two more talismanic performers caught the eye of Europe's elite.

Nottingham Forest have confirmed Sean Dyche as their third manager of the 2025-26 season after brutally sacking Ange Postecoglou. The Australian was shown the door just minutes after a 3–0 thumping at the hands of Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. Postecoglou's brief and bruising 39-day tenure produced no wins in eight games across all competitions. It was a miserable run that left Forest languishing in the relegation zone and their supporters furious.

Thomas Muller ended his 25-year association with Bayern Munich by joining Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps as a free agent over the summer. However, things could have played out a whole lot differently. Indeed, Bayern's all-time record-appearance holder admitted that he could have "imagined a future with Barcelona" had his former coach Hansi Flick called him.

Real Madrid starlet Endrick reportedly remains "very reluctant" to leave the club despite continuing to struggle for game time under new manager Xabi Alonso. However, club insiders are worried about the youngster and feel a move away in January is the best option as his situation is unlikely to change anytime soon as he risks missing out on a place in Brazil's World Cup squad if he remains on the bench.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has singled out one of his summer signings for praise ahead of the team's Champions League fixture against La Liga side Villarreal on Tuesday night. The Cityzens spent big over the summer in a bid to strengthen their squad after an underwhelming campaign and Guardiola has been blown away by one player in particular.

Fulham are reportedly keen to renew manager Marco Silva's contract in a bid to secure his long-term future. The 48-year-old has previously been linked with clubs including Manchester United and Juventus, but the Cottagers are eager for him to continue in west London. Silva's current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and currently contains a release clause set at £15 million ($20.1m).

Danny Rohl has at last been confirmed as the new manager of Scottish Premiership side Rangers. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss, who had previously ruled himself out of the running, has succeeded Russell Martin in the hotseat in Glasgow. Rohl will take charge of Rangers for the first time on Thursday night when they take on SK Brann in the Europa League.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are being tipped to spend again at Wrexham, with Tony Pulis making a January transfer prediction. He expects further reinforcements to be sought in the next window, but has warned the Red Dragons - who are taking aim at a place in the Premier League - not to “anticipate a top-six finish or immediate promotion” out of the Championship.

Jurgen Klopp has, having previously criticised the spending power of Manchester City, addressed Liverpool’s elaborate recruitment drive in the summer of 2025 that saw them smash records while splashing out £450 million ($603m). Ex-Reds boss Klopp claims that he would “never, ever” have asked for that kind of money from the Anfield board during his time at the helm.

Real Madrid outcast Endrick has made up his mind on a potential move to Marseille, which could see the Brazilian youngster link up with Mason Greenwood in France in the January transfer window. After a difficult debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu, which saw the teenager struggle for game time, things have worsened under Xabi Alonso, as he has yet to feature in a La Liga or Champions League match in the new season.

An update on Lionel Messi’s contract situation at Inter Miami claims that “final details” are in the process of being thrashed out. It has been reported for some time that the Argentine GOAT is preparing to commit his future to the Herons. They are understandably keen to get a deal done as Messi looks to make history as the first player to claim back-to-back MVP awards in MLS.

Neymar is seeing his contract run down at Santos, meaning that another new challenge early in 2026 is being speculated on. With next summer's World Cup to think about, and Brazil hoping to secure a first global crown since 2002, Neymar is seeing a return to European football discussed. Italian giants Inter have, however, distanced themselves from the Samba superstar.

Ruben Amorim has poured cold water on speculation that Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee could leave Manchester United in January. The Portuguese boss acknowledged both players' frustration over limited game time but made it clear that they remain "our players" and will not be allowed to depart midway through the season as he seeks stability at Old Trafford.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton opened up on the shock phone call he received from current Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, while being on a golf course. Alonso, who was managing Bayer Leverkusen last season, had shown interest in the Reds' youth star and wanted to bring him to Germany. Morton further revealed that he idolised the Spaniard while growing up.