Joao Cancelo has been spotted arriving in Barcelona ahead of a loan move from Al Hilal. The Portugal international spent the 2023-24 season with the Catalan outfit after falling out of favour at Manchester City. More than two years later, the experienced full-back is temporarily pausing his time in the Middle East to head back to the defending La Liga champions.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has formally opened disciplinary proceedings following a series of ugly incidents that marred the quarter-final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Officials have confirmed that investigations are underway regarding "unacceptable behaviour" from players and staff during the high-profile clashes involving the hosts, Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria.
Eddie Howe has taken aim at a rule change allowing Manchester Cityās Ā£65 million signing Antoine Semenyo to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. The forward played for Bournemouth earlier in the tournament, but new regulations have scrapped ācup-tiedā rules. It leaves Howe rueing his luck as he battles a severe defensive injury crisis ahead of the semi-final first leg at St James' Park.
Harry Kane remains an almost unstoppable force for Bayern Munich, with remarkable individual standards being maintained by the prolific striker. The England captain scored another stunning goal for the German title holders as they crushed Wolfsburg 8-1 last time out. That effort took him to 20 league goals for the season and saw a Bundesliga record matched that has stood for almost 60 years.
Real Madridās stance when it comes to the future of under-fire manager Xabi Alonso has been revealed. The World Cup-winning former Los Blancos midfielder only returned to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2025 as he succeeded legendary Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. He has endured a baptism of fire in the Spanish capital, leading to inevitable sack speculation being generated.
The toxic atmosphere engulfing Manchester United reached a new nadir on Sunday as director of football Jason Wilcox was subjected to a barrage of boos and abuse from furious supporters upon his arrival at Old Trafford, foreshadowing a disastrous afternoon that saw the Red Devils crash out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the first time in over a decade.
Vinicius Juniorās moment of magic for Real Madrid in their Super Cup clash with Clasico rivals Barcelona counted for little in the grand scheme of things, as they suffered a 3-2 defeat, but it did see him match a notable record. The Brazilian forward now sits level with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Ferenc Puskas when it comes to goal contributions in major finals.
Endrick admits to having his āsmile backā after enjoying a dream debut for Lyon. The Brazil international made his Lyon bow in style when opening his goal account in a cup clash with Lille. He joined Real Madrid as a teenager in 2024 and has endured a tough time of late. Regular game time proved hard to come by with La Liga giants, leading to a loan at the start of 2026.
Joan Laporta has launched a critique of Kylian Mbappe following the Real Madrid star's controversial refusal to engage in a guard of honour after the Spanish Super Cup final. The Barcelona president branded the Frenchman's decision to urge his team-mates to leave the pitch as "surprising" and lacking in sportsmanship. Barca beat Madrid 3-2 to claim their first trophy of 2026.
Arne Slot has vowed that he will not be making the same mistake twice at Liverpool, with the Reds boss taking valuable lessons from an FA Cup giant-killing in 2025. Some 12 months ago, the then-runaway Premier League leaders suffered a humbling third-round defeat to Plymouth - who were bottom of the Championship at the time. They are now preparing to face Barnsley in 2026 and will avoid any sweeping changes.
Lucas Paqueta asked not to be selected by West Ham in their FA Cup clash with Queens Park Rangers and is reportedly pushing for a transfer away from the Premier League club. The Brazilian playmaker is said to still be feeling "disillusioned" after the spot-betting scandal that dominated two years of his life, and he is now ready to leave England and head home.
Manchester City are pushing to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi immediately, opting not to wait for his contract to expire in the summer. Pep Guardiolaās side have opened talks and are ready to meet the Ā£35 million valuation to fend off heavy interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid. The champions are moving quickly to capitalise on the defenderās situation following a chaotic weekend for the Eagles.
Manchester Unitedās turbulent season has taken yet another dramatic twist with the sacking of Ruben Amorim, a decision that has inadvertently handed a massive lifeline to Kobbie Mainoo just as the midfielder appeared destined for a January exit. As the dust settles on Amorimās departure, club legend Dwight Yorke has issued a stark warning to the young midfielder, urging him to reject any potential loan moves and prove his worth at Old Trafford.
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.
Arsenal have confirmed that club legend Per Mertesacker will step down as academy manager at the end of the current campaign. The former captain, who has overseen the club's youth development for eight years since retiring in 2018, leaves a lasting legacy and will assist with a seamless transition before departing to explore new challenges elsewhere.
On the weekend that the Bundesliga returned after its winter hiatus and two of Serie A's top three met in a crucial clash in the fight for the Scudetto, much of Europe was focused on cup competitions of varying degrees of importance. England and France played host to the latest rounds of their domestic tournaments while Spain and Turkey followed France's lead from earlier in the week in crowning their Super Cup champions.
Manchester United wonderkid Shea Lacey has apologised for the petulant red card that he picked up in an FA Cup clash with Brighton. The talented teenager feels as though he "let everybody down" when being dismissed towards the end of a forgettable 2-1 defeat for the Red Devils that has seen them hit a 111-year low. Lacey picked up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.
Manchester United legend Nani delivered his trademark celebration after finding the back of the net during a Baller League UK appearance. The former Portugal international, who once played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for club and country, was back in England for an outing in six-a-side competition. He showed that he has lost none of his finishing ability, or acrobatic prowess.
Marcus Rashford has poured cold water on speculation linking him with a shock return to Manchester United following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, insisting his focus remains firmly on winning more silverware with Barcelona. The England international, who lifted his first trophy for the Catalan giants on Sunday night, admitted he "hopes not" to see his time in Spain cut short as he revels in a "perfect" new lease of life.
Lamine Yamal chose to brutally snub Real Madridās players when Barcelona lined up for a guard of honour at the end of their Spanish Super Cup win over Clasico rivals. The Blaugrana prevailed 3-2 in a thrilling encounter that was staged in Saudi Arabia, with Hansi Flickās side getting their hands on major silverware. Yamal was reluctant to give any credit to Los Blancos at the final whistle.
Everything you need to know about the 2025-26 FA Cup fourth round draw, including when it is, how to watch it live for free, ball numbers for teams and more.
Real Madridās misery in Saudi Arabia was compounded by a moment of viral humiliation for Arda Guler, who was left red-faced after a furious attempt to kick a water bottle backfired spectacularly following the 3-2 Supercopa de Espana defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona. The Turkish playmaker, who had endured a difficult cameo off the bench, became the subject of social media ridicule as footage emerged of him slipping and landing on his back while his opponents celebrated their trophy triumph.
Danny Welbeck has joked that revealing the secrets behind his incredible longevity might attract the attention of "drug testers" after he returned to haunt Manchester United once again. The 35-year-old striker rolled back the years to score a stunner as Brighton dumped his former club out of the FA Cup, sparking fresh talk of a shock England World Cup recall.
Manchester United are reportedly ready to snub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and appoint an alternative former fan favourite as their interim boss. A successor is being sought to Ruben Amorim following the Red Devilsā decision to part with the Portuguese on January 5. Solskjaer has held talks regarding an emotional return, but Michael Carrick is also in the frame.
Manchester United suffered more humiliation on the back of their FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton, with it being revealed that Bruno Fernandesā X account was hacked. The Portuguese playmaker, who is club captain at Old Trafford, played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 loss to the Seagulls. Bizarre posts appeared on one of his social channels a few hours later, including an anti-INEOS message, but he was not responsible for their sharing.
Kylian Mbappe has been accused of ensuring that Real Madrid did not give Clasico rivals Barcelona a guard of honour after seeing Los Blancos suffer an agonising 3-2 defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final. It is customary for the runners-up in that contest to pay homage to the victors, but Mbappe - who returned to action after injury in Saudi Arabia - waved his team-mates away from arch-enemies.
Toronto FC have reportedly submitted an $18 million bid for USMNT striker Josh Sargent, but Norwich manager Philippe Clement has insisted the forward is not for sale amid growing MLS interest. Sargent missed the Canariesā FA Cup match this weekend after informing the club he was focused on a potential transfer, with Clement saying there would be consequences.