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Mikel Arteta has issued a passionate plea to the Premier League, begging chiefs to increase the size of matchday squads to protect the mental health of players. The Arsenal boss believes the current rules are outdated given the intense demands on modern footballers and has called for immediate reform to avoid the "avoidable" heartbreak of leaving stars at home.

The 22-year-old central defender is in his third season playing Premier Soccer League football and is enjoying his maiden campaign with the Buccaneers after joining the club ahead of the current season. He wasted no time in cementing his place in the starting line-up, delivering impressive performances at the back. His rise even saw Nkosinathi Sibisi relegated to the bench as he struck up a solid centre-back partnership with Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Barcelona transfers in the 2025-26 season so far.

Maya Jama and Ruben Dias are said to have been left “devastated” after seeing their Cheshire mansion broken into while they were away on Love Island and Manchester City duty. It is claimed that a “number of items” were stolen from the property during a break-in on January 28. A police investigation has been opened, with the hope being that culprits can be found.

Nottingham Forest and Celtic have been handed demanding routes to the last 16 of the Europa League following the knockout round play-off draw. Martin O'Neill’s Celtic side must overcome Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart, while Forest face an intimidating two-legged clash against Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Both British sides face crucial tests in February as they bid to join Aston Villa in the next stage of the competition.

Manchester United are facing a significant internal dilemma regarding the future of Harry Maguire, with the club’s hierarchy reportedly split on whether to offer the veteran defender a new contract. With the 32-year-old’s current deal set to expire in June, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reluctant to sanction an extension, even though the centre-back is willing to accept a pay cut to remain at Old Trafford.

Manchester City have sanctioned the £27 million sale of highly-rated winger Oscar Bobb to Premier League rivals Fulham. The 22-year-old Norway international has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal at Craven Cottage, ending his stint at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola looks to streamline his squad for the title run-in.

Jack Grealish has seen injury heartache bring his loan spell at Everton to a premature conclusion, while potentially dashing his World Cup dreams, with David Moyes admitting that the England international is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his foot. The Manchester City-owned forward is likely to require an operation, with a lengthy rehabilitation programme being worked through after that.

Robin van Persie was left heartbroken after watching his son Shaqueel suffer a serious knee injury during Feyenoord's Europa League defeat to Real Betis. The 19-year-old was stretchered off in Seville just eight minutes after coming off the bench, leaving his father and manager devastated on the touchline as he admitted the "first signs are not looking good" regarding the severity of the blow.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Newcastle United transfers in the 2025-26 season so far.

Real Madrid will be reunited with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League knockout play-off round, while title holders Paris Saint-Germain must overcome domestic rivals Monaco in order to reach the last-16 and Newcastle face a tough test against Qarabag. A number of European heavyweights are paying the price for failing to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase.

Real Madrid chiefs have privately admitted that their long-term transfer strategy has failed following a disastrous night in Lisbon. Reports from Spain suggest the club accepts their renewal plan to replace legends like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric has flopped, with the board now preparing for a massive summer overhaul to fix the broken midfield engine.

South Africa is expected to submit a bid to host the continental tournament. According to the top government official, a joint bid is expected alongside neighbouring countries. If South Africa wins the hosting rights, it will have another chance to try and win the AFCON trophy on home soil, having done so in 1996.

Amadou Onana has cast doubt over his long-term future at Aston Villa after openly admitting that securing a transfer to a "world-class club" remains a major career goal. The Belgian midfielder, who joined from Everton in 2024, insisted he has matured under Unai Emery but made it clear he sees his time in the Midlands as a stepping stone to the very top of the game.

Paul Pogba is being sensationally tipped to make France’s 2026 World Cup squad, with Bacary Sagna telling GOAL why the mercurial midfielder remains in contention for selection by Didier Deschamps. Pogba is now on the books at Monaco, but remains short on match sharpness after serving an 18-month doping ban. He has 91 international caps to his name.

The 27-year-old arrived at Amakhosi amid huge expectations to help end the Soweto giants’ long-standing attacking problems. Despite having a squad packed with eight forwards, the Glamour Boys have continued to struggle for goals, placing the spotlight firmly on their strikers' shoulders. The former Cape Town City star is still expected to become the prolific scorer Amakhosi desperately need as they chase the Premier Soccer League title, the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup.

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.

Arsenal have moved to ensure that they remain the ones to benefit from Max Dowman’s undoubted potential, with the Gunners agreeing pre-contract terms with the teenage wonderkid. Records have already tumbled for the talented 16-year-old, with the promise of more senior achievements to come as he prepares to sign a long-term deal in north London.

Paris Saint-Germain have enjoyed a meteoric rise on and off the pitch over the last decade or so, growing their global profile exponentially and ending the long, long wait to become European champions. In February, PSG will take over a corner of the English capital in a showcase of the cultural phenomenon the French giants have become.

Manchester United have suffered a major transfer setback as long-term target Ruben Neves is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract with Al-Hilal. Despite holding talks with the Red Devils in December, the midfielder is in advanced negotiations to remain in Saudi Arabia, ending Michael Carrick's hopes of a January reinforcement.

Jamie Carragher has sought to defend Raheem Sterling from any criticism, following his release by Chelsea, with the England international considered to be seriously “underrated”. The Premier League title-winning ex-Manchester City star is now looking for a new challenge at 31 years of age, with a former team-mate from his days at Anfield hoping that a “fitting finale” to a distinguished career can be found.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Real Madrid transfers of the 2025-26 season so far.

Although Bucs have made some significant signings, two exits have defined their transfer business in the January window. The exit of Monnapule Saleng to Mamelodi Sundowns and Ndah's contract termination grabbed headlines. Now, after the centre-back's exit from Bucs was confirmed, he has been linked with a move to Masandawana.

Danny Murphy has hailed Declan Rice as the "most complete midfielder in Europe" but warned the Arsenal star he still has one final hurdle to clear before he can be compared to Premier League icons Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. The former Liverpool man believes the £105 million ace needs to start producing "magic moments" in major finals to cement his legacy.

Jose Mourinho oversaw “the miracle of Da Luz”, as Benfica prevailed in dramatic fashion against Real Madrid to keep their Champions League dreams alive, with it being revealed how the ‘Special One’ made that possible. The Portuguese stunned his former employers from the Bernabeu as another impressive entry was added to his distinguished coaching CV.

Another transfer window and another highly-rated prospect is on their way to Chelsea. The club's youth policy has struck again, with the west Londoners landing 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his very limited experience at senior level, the teenager provoked a transfer tug-of-war between three Premier League giants, but it is the Blues who have emerged victorious.

The Glamour Boys have confirmed the exit of the goalkeeper at a time their fans are waiting to see if a new player will be signed for the first team. Unlike Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, Amakhosi have not yet strengthened the first team, which sends a signal that they are satisfied with the current playing unit. Meanwhile, there is stiff competition in the goalkeeping department at Chiefs currently, with Brandon Petersen the number one choice given his performance.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly withdrawn their interest in signing Raheem Sterling, dealing a blow to the England international’s hopes of a swift return to Premier League action in London. Despite being available as a free agent following his dramatic release by Chelsea, Spurs hierarchy have decided against pursuing the 31-year-old, citing concerns over his substantial wage demands which do not align with the club's current financial structure.

Unai Emery has responded to speculation suggesting that he is a leading contender to succeed Xabi Alonso as manager of Real Madrid. The Blancos are currently working under the tutelage of interim head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Various names have been added to the mix at the Bernabeu, with Aston Villa boss Emery said to be climbing that list.