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Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has put his cards on the table, ranking the Premier League’s top defenders in a no-nonsense knockout showdown, and his verdicts will spark plenty of debate. In a high-energy Q&A with GOAL, the former England skipper was asked to play “winner stays on” with some of the league’s biggest centre-back names.

Former Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton hailed ex-boss Jurgen Klopp for believing in him, giving him valuable playing time and opportunities to develop at Anfield. While he struggled for minutes under Arne Slot, Morton says appreciated the Dutchman’s honesty, which ultimately led to his move to Lyon in the summer transfer window.

Manchester City are reportedly considering a second raid on Paris Saint-Germain for another Champions League winner. The Premier League giants took advantage of a surprising situation in the French capital to lure Italy international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to the Etihad Stadium during the summer of 2025. It is now being claimed that Warren Zaire-Emery is a “dream target” for Pep Guardiola.

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has described the relentless pressure that Manchester United players under Sir Alex Ferguson would put on match officials. He explained how they would consistently challenge decisions in order to influence future calls. Clattenburg reveals that he started saying to the United players to 'tell Ferguson to f*ck off' and that he knew what was happening.

UEFA is reportedly set to make a decision next week on whether Israel will be suspended from European competition. There have been calls for the continental governing body to take action amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. A UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel is committing genocide in that region. Sporting institutions are now being urged to take action.

Julian Alvarez silenced talk of a rift with Diego Simeone in the best way possible, by firing a stunning hat-trick that sealed Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano. After the match, the Argentine forward addressed the lip-reading controversy from the Mallorca game, insisting his frustration was misinterpreted and that his bond with Simeone remains intact.

Christian Norgaard has opened up on his Arsenal "frustration" after making his first start following an injury return. The 31-year-old Dane, who swapped Brentford for the Emirates in a £10 million ($13m) summer move, had to endure a stuttering beginning to life in north London after suffering a knee problem on the eve of the season.

Leah Williamson was among the superstars in attendance at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with the Arsenal and England defender being joined at that event by model girlfriend Elle Smith. They thoroughly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in world football, and made the most of an opportunity to let their collective hair down afterwards when enjoying a McDonald’s takeaway.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia didn't fall short of words while praising Barcelona duo and Spanish national team-mates Lamine Yamal and Pedri. While Garcia admitted that he "enjoy watching him", he hailed Pedri as the nucleus of the reigning La Liga champions, explaining what makes the former Las Palmas sensation such an effective and reliable footballer.

Bayern Munich reportedly launched a shock summer swoop to sign Raheem Sterling but the Chelsea misfit rejected the Bavarians. The Bundesliga champions made their move late in the window, with Vincent Kompany eager to link up with his former Manchester City teammate. But despite Bayern offering the lure of trophies and Champions League nights, Sterling gave them a flat rejection.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has issued one of his starkest warnings to European football. Calling today’s game “too slow, outdated, and destined to die,” he argues young audiences are tuning out of a sport stuck in the past. From pushing a 16-team Serie A to free-to-air broadcasts, he insists football must reinvent itself with bold reforms before collapsing under its own weight.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The Guinea international, who is under contract with Dortmund until 2028, has been offered to several clubs across Europe, with Barcelona reportedly targeting him next summer. However, president Joan Laporta is reportedly not enthusiastic about the idea of bringing Guirassy in.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has reiterated the club's commitment to Harry Kane, stating that they have no intention of parting ways and are focused on helping him succeed. The comments were prompted by Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who had publicly expressed his openness to Kane rejoining the Premier League club. Coach Vincent Kompany subsequently declined to comment on the matter.

Chichester City have been forced to postpone their game as a former Arsenal youngster, Billy Vigar, had to be placed in an induced coma after a horror head injury. The forward collapsed after a brutal collision with a pitchside surface just 15 minutes into their clash against Wingate and Finchley.

Galatasaray have been handed a huge fitness boost by Victor Osimhen ahead of their Champions League clash with Premier League giants Liverpool. The Reds are due to pay a visit to Turkey next Tuesday. Gala are desperate to have Nigeria international Osimhen available for that fixture, and the prolific striker appears ready to make a timely return to competitive action.

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Lyon are reportedly considering plotting a bid to sign Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi in an attempt to bolster their forwardline. Les Gones are struggling in attack following the late departure of Georges Mikautadze to Villarreal. Martin Satriano is not exactly someone Lyon are expecting big things from, which has prompted the Ligue 1 outfit to reconsider their options in attack.

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With Thomas Muller’s 25-year Bayern Munich journey behind him, Harry Kane and the new leadership core are stepping up to uphold the Bavarian spirit and carry forward the winning mentality the legendary forward embodied. While director Christoph Freund admits Muller's personality is irreplaceable, Kane says the squad already have a “sense of togetherness” despite the loss of their "vocal" leader.

Manchester United had reportedly "put €30 million (£26m/$35m) on the table" to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Kaua Santos in the summer before landing Belgian star Senne Lammens. The club had been tracking the 23-year-old for over a year and even reignited talks late in the window. But Frankfurt stood firm. The Bundesliga side made it crystal clear they had no intention of losing their prized shot-stopper and Santos himself opted to stay put.

Steven Gerrard is considered to tick the “Disney” box for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with Wrexham continuing to see moves for a “so-called bigger name” in the managerial department speculated on. If Phil Parkinson were to be moved on by the Red Dragons, then a Liverpool legend may be approached as he boasts the “American connection” that has taken on greater importance in North Wales.

Former Ballon d'Or winner Jean-Pierre Papin has offered words of advice to 2025 champion Ousmane Dembele, warning that the period after such recognition would be the most challenging. Papin congratulated the Paris Saint-Germain forward and insists he fully deserved the award, though he urged him to stay true to himself.

Harry Kane has been informed of the “obvious choice” he should make in the summer of 2026 if exit doors do swing open at Bayern Munich. The former Tottenham striker has seen a return to the Premier League speculated on. There is said to be a clause in his contract that could be triggered in 2026, with leading sides in England keeping a close eye on his situation.

Juventus star Gleison Bremer is reportedly being monitored by both Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of the January window with the pair aware of a €55 million (£48m/$65m) release clause. While Juventus are keen to keep hold of Bremer, Premier League sides could potentially secure his signature by offering between €70-80 million (£61m/$82m-£70m/94m), according to Italian outlet Tutto Juve. The race is heating up as Europe’s elite monitor one of Serie A’s standout defenders.

Jurgen Klopp's former assistant Peter Krawietz hit back at criticism of the former Liverpool manager's decision to join the Red Bull group as head of global soccer. The announcement stunned supporters after the former Reds boss left the dugout to head upstairs and take a strategic role at the German club.

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has broken his silence on rape allegations as he insists he is being accused of a lie, describing how the claims have affected his family, tarnished his name, and forced him to change his life. The defender, who has consistently denied the charges, speaks candidly about the emotional toll and the precautions he has taken to protect himself and his loved ones.

Brooklyn Beckham has broken his silence on the feud that has supposedly ripped an iconic sporting family apart. The eldest child of Manchester United legend David and former Spice Girls popstar Victoria has seemingly severed ties with his mother, father and siblings. Brooklyn was a notable absentee when his ex-England captain dad celebrated turning 50 in May 2025.

Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli praised AC Milan’s Luka Modric and Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne, insisting that class has no age amid the veteran midfielders' bright starts in Serie A. The duo moved to the Italian top-flight from Real Madrid and Manchester City respectively after their contracts expired and Prandelli says they bring an excitement to the league.

Arsenal could reportedly launch a mega Kenan Yildiz swoop as the Gunners have been linked with a €60 million (£52m/$70m) swap deal to sign the Juventus ace. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been on fire for the Old Lady this term. With two goals and four assists in just five appearances, Yildiz has rocketed to the top of Juve’s list of untouchables.