Napoli's hierarchy has admitted they are fearful of losing Scott McTominay as rumours of a Premier League return continue to swirl. The former Manchester United midfielder has been a revelation in Italy, but a senior club official has now conceded that the Scottish international "deserves" a move to the "next level" in the future, citing the financial dominance of English clubs as a major hurdle for Serie A sides.
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.
The 2026 winter window closed on Monday, with Jorgen Strand Larsen's £48 million move from Wolves to Crystal Palace the biggest deal done on deadline day. Truth be told, though, it was a pretty tame end to what's been a fairly quiet month in the transfer market. Indeed, aside from Manchester City, most of Europe's top teams did next-to-no mid-season business, while there was very little movement at all in France, Germany or Spain - which wasn't that surprising, given January is traditionally a tough time to find good value for money.
Famously, the January transfer window is the more difficult of the two to operate in. It's hard to persuade other clubs to give up assets mid-season, sometimes even harder to convince players that they're better off making a move immediately rather than waiting until the following summer. But that doesn't mean deals are impossible, or that you can't get good value for your buck.
January is a notoriously bad time for buyers because nobody ever wants to sell top talent midway through the season. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. Some clubs need to raise funds to balance the books, while others can be left with not option but to unload an unhappy player who has made it clear that he wants to join a stronger side.
Sandro Tonali's agent has opened up on the midfielder's future amid talk of interest from Arsenal and Juventus. Beppe Riso has denied reports that he offered the Italy international to the Gunners on deadline day but says he will evaluate the midfielder's future later in the season and whether Newcastle "are open to anything." Tonali is contracted to the Magpies until 2029.
Jean-Philippe Mateta's proposed move to AC Milan from Crystal Palace has collapsed, according to reports. The Eagles striker had first been in talks with Nottingham Forest but was closing in on a move to Italy; at the last minute, however, the Serie A side have pulled the plug. Milan have opted to walk away after medical checks revealed a knee problem.
After all the drama provided by the Champions League in midweek, domestic action returned over the weekend, and it did not disappoint. Title races and battles to earn European spots are heating up around the continent, with there plenty of twists and turns still to come over the next three-and-a-half months.
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.
A shocking incident marred Inter's Serie A clash with Cremonese on Saturday as a firecracker was thrown at visiting goalkeeper Emil Audero, leaving him stunned on the turf. The fan responsible for the explosion reportedly lost several fingers after a second device detonated in his hand and now faces immediate arrest upon his release from hospital. Inter players refused to salute the Curva Nord after the match in protest at the violence.
AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez has jokingly declared that he is prepared to “kill” club colleague Christian Pulisic if Mexico cross paths with the USMNT on 2026 World Cup duty. The pair have struck up quite the bond at San Siro, as they regularly watch NFL action together, but friendship will be put to one side if they lock horns in the international arena.
Inter are reportedly in talks with Liverpool over a loan move for midfielder Curtis Jones. The Reds academy product is not a regular under manager Arne Slot and that has led to links with the Serie A giants. The 25-year-old's contract at Anfield runs until the summer of 2027, and now it seems the Merseyside outfit have a decision on their hands, with the deal potentially including a buy option.
AC Milan have launched a dramatic late raid to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, reportedly striking a verbal agreement with the Eagles overnight. The move is a calculated blow to Nottingham Forest, who had made the Frenchman a top target, as Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani looks to secure the forward to bolster the Rossoneri attack.
Tottenham are reportedly exploring a move to rival Inter Milan for Al-Ittihad star Moussa Diaby. The winger swapped Aston Villa for the Saudi Pro League team in a £50 million ($69m) deal in the summer of 2024, but he could be heading back to Europe in 2026. The winger is said to be open to returning to a Champions League club, which boosts Inter and Spurs' chances of signing him.
Rebekah Vardy has revealed husband Jamie's stance on going into management when his glittering playing career finally comes to an end. The 39-year-old is currently halfway through a one-year deal at Serie A side Cremonese, and despite approaching 40, he is still proving his worth in attack. But when he does hang up his boots, will he want to move into coaching?
Brad Friedel has told GOAL why elite clubs in the Premier League should be doing all they can to acquire USMNT star Weston McKennie this summer. The versatile midfielder, who previously endured a troubled loan spell in England at Leeds, is running down his contract at Serie A giants Juventus. Free agency will soon be hit, meaning that new challenges can be sought.
Raheem Sterling's hopes of a swift return to elite European football have hit an early stumbling block after Napoli's sporting director cast doubt on a potential move. The England international is searching for a new club after ending his three-year spell at Chelsea by mutual consent, but his "significant financial expectations" could prove a major hurdle for suitors in Serie A.
Aston Villa have announced the return of Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season. The Brazil international swapped Villa for Juve in the summer of 2024 for £42 million ($58m), but the 27-year-old has endured a difficult 18 months since then. After failing to fire at the Italian side, his loan stint at Nottingham Forest hasn't worked either. Now, he is back with Unai Emery's side.
Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard is reportedly closing in on a return to football in Serie A. The 33-year-old is a free agent after a stint in South Korea with FC Seoul, which came to an end in December 2025. Lingard is thought to have spoken to several Premier League clubs about a January transfer but now appears set to resume his career in the Italian top flight.
Manchester United have identified AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao as a primary target for the left wing as INEOS chiefs accelerate their plans for a major summer overhaul. The Portuguese international features on a three-man shortlist alongside Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Chelsea teenager Tyrique George, while the club is also locked in a fierce battle with Manchester City for their "absolute top priority" midfield target ahead of the World Cup.
Juventus supporters inevitably revelled in getting one over on former boss Antonio Conte on Sunday night, as the Bianconeri swept Napoli aside in Turin. "Antonio Conte, jump with us!" the home fans began chanting in the dying minutes of their team's 3-0 win over the reigning Serie A champions. Unsurprisingly, Conte was in no mood to join in, as his injury-ravaged side suffered a devastating defeat that saw the Partenopei fall to fourth in the table.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana could make a sensational return to former club Inter during the summer 2026 window, a new report has claimed. Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor, but he is not expected to remain at the Turkish Super Lig side beyond the end of the season and so the player is trying to find other suitors.
Antonio Conte has sent a bitter warning to Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti after he claimed Napoli were the 'former Italian champions'. Juve defeated Napoli 3-0 in Serie A on Sunday, but a war of words between the two head coaches has extended into this week, with Conte using his pre-match press conference prior to Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea to hit out at his rival.
Antonio Conte has hit back at Diego Costa after the former Chelsea striker launched a scathing personal attack on his character. The Napoli manager dismissed the specific insults regarding his private life but appeared to brand the forward "stupid", revealing that Costa tried to force a move away from Stamford Bridge three times during their title-winning campaign.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)