New Year's Eve is almost upon us, meaning 2025 is about to be consigned to the past - but how will it be remembered by the football world? It was certainly an unforgettable year for some players, coaches and clubs. Paris Saint-Germain, for example, finally got their hands on the trophy they craved above all others, the Champions League, thus vindicating a sensible change in recruitment strategy by the club's owners, who went from signing superstars to investing millions in youth.
Nicolas Jacksonâs future is once again under the spotlight after his agent dropped a telling hint about the strikerâs next move, with doubts growing over a permanent stay at Bayern Munich. The Senegal internationalâs loan spell in Germany appears to be nearing its natural end, opening the door to a new destination as interest builds elsewhere in Europe.
Christian Eriksen has backed striker Harry Kane to one day return to Tottenham. Kane left Spurs for Bayern Munich in 2023 and has become a revelation with the Bundesliga giants, earning his first piece of silverware of his career last season. And the Danish creator, who spent six-and-a-half years in north London, is hoping to see the England captain back in a Spurs shirt.
The Christmas period is upon us, which means we are somehow already more or less at the midway point of the 2025-26 football season. As many of Europe's leading leagues pause for the winter break, it's time to take stock and reflect on four scintillating months of action. It's also the opportune moment to assess those players who completed transfers across the continent in the summer, now that they have a decent sample size of games under their belts.
With the halfway stage of the season upon us, the time has come to shine a spotlight on the players who have made the biggest impact across Europe's major leagues. But first, let's run through the lay of the land.
Florian Wirtz would be receiving far more criticism if he was producing his current Liverpool form for Bayern Munich, according to Germany legend Thomas Muller. The Vancouver Whitecaps forward has weighed in on the performances of the Reds midfielder, who turned down interest from two European giants in favour of a big-money move to Anfield in the summer.
Bayern Munich are closely monitoring Cardiff City teenager Dylan Lawlor, with the Bundesliga giants alerted to the defenderâs rapid rise by Wales manager Craig Bellamy. talkSPORT have reported that the German champions have taken a serious interest in the 19-year-old, whose development in League One has not gone unnoticed across Europe.
Marc Guehiâs future appears to be drifting further away from Barcelona after reports in Spain suggested the reigning champions have cooled their interest in the Crystal Palace captain due to his wage demands. The England international, long admired across Europe, has become one of the most sought-after defenders on the market, but the financial gap between Guehiâs expectations and Barcelonaâs limits is now considered too wide to bridge.
Lamine Yamal has offered fans an insight into his personal life after giving a tour of his huge mansion on YouTube. The Spain star has also revealed details about his fitness and football routines, interests away from the game and the unusual reason he believes he cannot maintain a relationship. The video has amassed nearly a million views within a few hours of being posted.
Harry Kane is being tipped to remain at Bayern Munich for âa long time to comeâ. If that predication proves to be correct, then transfer talk surrounding the England international striker will quieten quickly. He has seen a return to the Premier League mooted, while also being linked with Barcelona, but is fully focused on events in Germany for the foreseeable future.
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.
Real Madrid are reportedly set to join Manchester City in the race for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, with Europeâs elite circling one of the Bundesligaâs standout performers. However, Die Roten have made their stance clear as they view the France international as untouchable amid plans to secure his long-term future at the Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane's incredible season continued on Sunday as the Bayern Munich striker made more history with a goal in their 4-0 win over Heidenheim in the Bundesliga, captaining the club for the first time. This was the England captain's 100th Bundesliga goal contribution. The 32-year-old has also been named German Footballing Personality of the Year by kicker for a phenomenal 12 months.
Luis Diaz has described Bayern Munich team-mate Harry Kane as a "spectacular" player, while revealing how the England captain has surprised him. The winger swapped Liverpool for the German giants over the summer and has made a strong impression so far this season. Now, he has spoken about settling in at Bayern and what it is like having Kane as an ally.
Arsenal have been warned that they face the threat of enduring a bleak Harry Kane-esque scenario if major silverware is not captured soon. The Gunners have remained in contention for top honours across recent seasons, only to be left empty-handed. Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL why that lack of tangible success could lead the likes of William Saliba to explore transfer opportunities elsewhere.
Micah Richards has backed Manchester City to take the Premier League title race with Arsenal to the wire largely thanks to the efforts of Erling Haaland, while he also claimed to have predicted former team-mate Vincent Kompany becoming a leading manager amid the Belgian's fine work with Bayern Munich. Richards was speaking exclusively to GOAL as part of Specsavers' Best Worst Team campaign.
Lennart Karl the 17-year-old attacking midfielder, has experienced a remarkably rapid ascent at Bayern Munich, quickly transitioning from the academy to the first team and earning significant praise from superstar team-mate Harry Kane who has hailed the youngsterâs positive impact with the Bavarian giants. The England captain has also offered some advice to his young colleague.
GOAL U.S. writers take a look at some of the biggest storylines in European soccer, including Mo Salah's future, Vinicius Jr's exit rumors, and the Premier League title race
Harry Kane is considered to be operating in the shadow of Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl, with the 17-year-old sensation being likened to Lionel Messi. He is, having made a stunning senior breakthrough at the reigning Bundesliga champions, also being challenged by Dietmar Hamann to match the levels of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Harry Kane has revealed his highlight of 2025 as well as his New Yearâs âwishâ. The Bayern Munich and England striker has lifted his fabled trophy curse, with the Bundesliga title being secured, and is eager to land more major silverware with club and country. There will be plenty of opportunities for him to do just that in 2026, with Champions League and World Cup crowns up for grabs.
Harry Kane has expressed his delight after welcoming Bayern Munich's "best player" Jamal Musiala back into the first team fold after a six-month injury layoff. The 21-year-old Germany international has been sidelined since July, when a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle cut short his Club World Cup campaign during Bayernâs quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller has opened up on his new life in North America, revealing a bizarre mix of new hobbies including rapping and yodelling, but the Vancouver Whitecaps captain has made a candid admission about his language struggles, confessing he is simply "too lazy" to improve his English skills despite his best intentions.
Dayot Upamecano is literally 'on the move' in Munich, but his change of address could signal a major blow to his international suitors. While Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain circle the French defender ahead of the January window, Upamecanoâs decision to relocate within the Bavarian capital offers the biggest hint yet that his long-term future lies at the Allianz Arena rather than the Bernabeu or the Parc des Princes.
Bayern Munichâs hopes of securing the long-term future of Dayot Upamecano have hit a significant stumbling block, with reports emerging that the French defenderâs camp is insisting on a massive salary hike and a release clause that could force the German giants into a difficult corner. As the January transfer window approaches, the 'contract poker' at the Allianz Arena is reaching a fever pitch.
Jamal Musiala has returned to first-team training at Bayern Munich after six months out with a fractured fibula. The 21-year-old Germany international stepped onto the grass at Sabener Strabe for an outdoor session, drawing a line under a painstaking rehabilitation process that began after he suffered a brutal injury against Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup in July.
Bayern Munich
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
