The final round of league phase fixtures in the 2025-26 Champions League is finally upon us, and it promises to be the most dramatic yet. Only table toppers Arsenal and Bayern Munich have already secured automatic qualification for the round of 16, with the former boasting a 100 percent record through their first seven games, while just four clubs have been eliminated so far: Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat.
Back in the summer of 2023, Victor Osimhen was the most in-demand striker in world football. He'd just spearheaded Napoli's run to their first Scudetto in 33 years, netting 26 goals in 32 games to become the first African player ever to finish as Serie A top scorer, and had pretty much every elite club in Europe knocking on his door. For a 24-year-old with talent and drive, it seemed like the start of something truly special.
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been reportedly targeted for a loan transfer by Turkish giants Galatasaray, who are also willing to consider a potential permanent £22m ($30m) deal in the summer. The Uruguay international arrived in Manchester only last year, signed from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to £51m ($68m), but has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League.
Ex-Chelsea star William Gallas has revealed who he believes the Blues should sign this January, as their lack of striking options rears its head once again following a second injury in quick succession for summer signing Liam Delap. Gallas believes the Blues should target 'dream' striker Victor Osimhen, who he believes would adapt with ease to the demands of the club and the Premier League and could put Chelsea 'on top'.
Wilfried Zaha is returning to the Ivory Coast fold after a prolonged spell away, with the 33-year-old earning a surprise recall for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The Charlotte FC winger had been absent from the national team squad for two years, having initially slipped out of contention following disagreements with former coach Patrice Beaumelle. As a consequence, Zaha missed Les Éléphants' triumphant campaign on home soil in 2023.
USMNT star Folarin Balogun made history by scoring in a third successive Champions League match to steer Monaco to a hard-fought victory over Galatasaray in the Principality. On an evening when both teams squandered a catalogue of inviting opportunities, the 24-year-old’s scrappy finish midway through the second half proved enough to secure a vital three points and lift Monaco level with their Turkish opponents in the league phase.
Facing Galatasaray's formidable line-up and an on-fire Osimhen, AS Monaco, decimated in defence, is fighting for survival in the Champions League in a high-stakes match.
Galatasaray have escalated their protest over Jhon Duran’s controversial celebration in Sunday’s heated Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce by filing a criminal complaint with the Anadolu Courthouse. The two giants shared the spoils following a 1-1 draw in the 14th matchday of the Turkish Super Lig.
How can you watch the Süper Lig match between Galatasaray and Gençlerbirliği? Let's take a look at the kick-off time, team news and everything else you need to know with GOAL.
Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen missed out as Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi won the African Player of the Year award. The Moroccan full-back collected the honour on Wednesday evening, sealing a triumphant year in which he won the treble, including the Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League trophy. The only blemish was PSG’s defeat in the Club World Cup final to Chelsea in New York, where he was forced to settle for a silver medal.
Galatasaray advisor and prominent agent George Gardi has dived into the behind-the-scenes developments with regards to the transfer to Leroy Sane to the Turkish heavyweights. The 29-year-old, who left Bayern Munich as a free agent at the end of last season, signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray after the club managed to convince him of his importance in the project.
Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho has reportedly held transfer talks with three Turkish clubs amid his latest underwhelming loan spell. Sancho was included in Ruben Amorim's bomb squad in the summer before he secured a loan move to Aston Villa. However, he has struggled for minutes under Unai Emery and is already thought to be contemplating another change of scenery.
Julian Nagelsmann has fiercely defended his public warning to Leroy Sane, stating that his comments were not "for fun" and had been discussed with the player beforehand. The Germany boss faced criticism in the media for his handling of the Galatasaray winger, but Nagelsmann reiterated his expectations for Sane's performance on the pitch.
Former Schalke coach Jens Keller, who managed Leroy Sane and handed him his professional debut, has criticised Germany national team boss Julian Nagelsmann for his comments about the winger. On Monday, Nagelsmann issued another warning to Sane regarding his World Cup prospects following his move to Galatasaray, with Keller of the belief that such comments should be reserved for private conversations.
Turkish football has been thrown into turmoil after the nation's football federation confirmed that over 1,000 players and 149 referees are under investigation for involvement in football betting. The scandal has led to emergency suspensions, fixture delays and arrests, raising serious concerns about integrity across the country’s leagues.
Julian Nagelsmann has issued a stark warning to Leroy Sane, cautioning the Galatasaray winger that he no longer has "countless opportunities" to prove himself for the German national team. The Germany coach, while acknowledging Sane's improved performances in Turkey, made it clear that he expects more from the 29-year-old and that his recent call-up was partly due to a lack of alternatives.
Galatasary club president Dursun Ozbek has dropped a massive hint that the Turkish giants will make a sensational move for Argentina maestro Lionel Messi. Gala have dominated Turkish football in recent seasons, winning three consecutive titles and notably tallying a record-breaking 102 points back in 2023-24. And now Ozbek believes he can convince Messi to swap Inter Miami for the Turkish capital.
Leroy Sane has praised Vincent Kompany’s leadership and vision amid Bayern Munich’s 16-game winning run this season. The German winger, who played under Kompany last season, believes the Belgian’s influence is already clear at Bayern and expects him to have a brilliant coaching career, while he focuses on his new start at Galatasaray.
Leroy Sane has hinted at a possible return to his boyhood club Schalke, saying he could imagine ending his career where it all began. The former Bayern Munich winger, who made a switch to Galatasaray in the summer, called the idea of a Schalke reunion 'exciting', but admitted that it will not happen anytime soon.
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Galatasaray
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