Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, and once again, it is stretching far beyond the pitch. While speculation around Vinicius Junior has dominated headlines amid uncertainty at Real Madrid, a very different name has quietly emerged in Riyadh. This time, the push is not for a winger or a headline-grabbing attacker, but

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, applauds the fans at the end of the Serie A match between AS Roma and Como 1907 at Stadio Olimpico on December 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Cesc Fabregas was keen to keep expectations in check after

Hansi Flick has said he will be “happy” if Barcelona complete a short-term deal to sign Joao Cancelo from Al Hilal. The Athletic reported in the DealSheet on January 6 that Barca were in talks to sign the Portugal international — who spent 2023-24 on loan at Camp Nou — on a temporary deal for

The hectic January period is already in full swing as Premier League supporters prepare for another round of midweek action. The new year has already provided mass drama with Chelsea and Manchester United opting for managerial changes and Gameweek 21 promises to deliver further spectacle on the field. The bulk of action arrives on Wednesday

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina follows the warm-up from the bench during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Udinese at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 23, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Edoardo Bove is set to leave Roma by mutual consent, with the club

SASSUOLO, ITALY – OCTOBER 26: Leon Bailey of AS Roma applauds the fans during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and AS Roma at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on October 26, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) Roma are not impressed with Leon Bailey’s returns this season, and

When Roefs made his way towards the visitors’ dressing room at the City Ground, the home of Nottingham Forest, Sunderland’s staff and players all stopped their quiet chatter to loudly cheer and applaud their new goalkeeper, who had quickly become a fundamental part of the newly-promoted side’s early success upon their return to the Premier

1 Hamburg have moved ahead of Werder Bremen in the race to sign Southampton forward Damion Downs. According to Kicker, Downs will undergo a medical on Tuesday before joining HSV on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy. Damion Downs has struggled at Southampton After joining the Championship club from

Roma are not impressed with Leon Bailey’s returns this season, and are now exploring options to terminate his loan deal with Aston Villa according to reports in Italy. Could Roma send Bailey back to Aston Villa in January? Bailey joined Roma on a season-long loan deal during the summer transfer window, in a deal which

January 6 – With Turks currently forming one of the largest minority ethnic groups in Germany, it comes as no surprise that Sportdigital has secured last-minute rights to the Turkish Super Cup.  All matches will be shown on the linear Sportdigital1+ channel. The four-team competition brings together Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Samsunspor, and Trabzonspor, with two semi-finals

1 La Liga champions Barcelona have on Monday secured an agreement for their first signing of the January transfer window. The player on his way in at the Spotify Camp Nou? João Cancelo. Defender Cancelo’s name has of course reemerged as a prominent one in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital over recent weeks. This comes after

Welcome to matchday 21 of The Athletic’s Premier League predictions challenge, offering you a brief diversion from the madness of the managerial merry-go-round. Chelsea parted company with Enzo Maresca on the first morning of the new year. Manchester United followed suit with Ruben Amorim four days later. Looking at the growing sense of strain at

Welcome to the latest edition of The Alternative Premier League Table, where each week, The Athletic analyses the entire division through a specific lens. This week the focus is on that most aesthetically pleasing of passes, the defence-splitting through ball. As usual, the article that follows is long but detailed, so please settle down and

FC Barcelona will begin their defense of the Spanish Super Cup when they take on Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The La Liga rivals will battle for a spot in the final, facing the winner of the other semifinal matchup between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. Barca are fresh off an emotional win