Category Uncategorized

The Gunners were briefly level in the tie after Mariona Caldentey's penalty, but goals from Kadidiatou Diani and Melchie Dumornay gave OL the win

Arsenal will need to beat Lyon in France next week if they are to reach a first Women's Champions League final since they triumphed in the 2007 edition of the competition, after falling to a 2-1 defeat at home. The Gunners were by no means poor in the first leg of this semi-final and they had plenty of chances to get a positive result – they just didn't take them. Instead, clinical finishes from Kadidiatou Diani and Melchie Dumornay fired the eight-time European champions to victory in London, despite Mariona Caldentey briefly equalising from the spot.

It took Lyon just 17 minutes to break the deadlock, though they should've done so earlier when former Arsenal star Danielle van de Donk somehow missed from inside the six-yard box. It wouldn't come back to bite her, though, as Diani arrowed a shot beyond Manuela Zinsberger to put the visitors in a good position in the early stages. The Gunners had a whole host of opportunities to change the result, however, with Frida Maanum also guilty of a big miss and Alessia Russo watching a header crash off the bar, after Dumornay had hit the woodwork from range at the other end.

Despite more chances for Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead and Russo, it wasn't until 12 minutes from time that there was another goal and it was a controversial one. There were confusion, and no real appeals, when the referee was instructed by the VAR team to take another look at Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler making contact with Leah Williamson in the box, resulting in an Arsenal penalty that Caldentey coolly converted.

However, there was still time for Lyon to retake the lead, with an incisive team move finished off by Dumornay late on to give the French champions the advantage heading into their home leg next week.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Manuela Zinsberger (6/10):

Was very lucky to get away with palming the ball right into the path of Van de Donk early on. Was otherwise composed, though, including on the ball.

Emily Fox (5/10):

Had good moments, regularly popping up with important interventions, but was guilty of playing Diani onside for the opening goal and didn't get close enough to Dumornay for the second.

Leah Williamson (6/10):

Stood up well to Lyon's dangerous attack, thwarting a few promising moves, but was caught out when she stepped up late on and Dumornay burst into that space to put Lyon ahead again.

Steph Catley (6/10):

Had a couple of iffy moments, though was generally solid without being spectacular.

Katie McCabe (6/10):

Created plenty of chances with her balls into the box. Hard to ignore the disappointing role she played in Diani's goal when she jumped to intercept Carpenter's pass and got nowhere near it, however.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Kim Little (6/10):

Was sloppy in possession at times but battled hard to win it back and did so more than any other player.

Mariona Caldentey (7/10):

Was great on the ball but struggled to sprinkle her usual magic onto the game from a deeper position. Was cool as ever from the spot, though.

Frida Maanum (6/10):

A good performance, with her always looking to get a shot off and able to create a fantastic chance for Mead. Should've equalised with a header inside the six-yard box, however.

Getty ImagesAttack

Beth Mead (6/10):

Combined well with Fox and set Maanum up with a huge chance, though missed a great opening that the Norwegian provided for her in return. A lively but unpolished display.

Alessia Russo (6/10):

Didn't have much service at all. Was unlucky not to score late in the first half when a header from one of her only opportunities hit the bar.

Caitlin Foord (5/10):

Worked hard off the ball and created some promising moments, though did walk a fine line on a yellow card. Lucky not to be sent off, in truth.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Chloe Kelly (6/10):

Made a positive impact, both in open play and with her set-piece deliveries.

Stina Blackstenius (5/10):

Could've scored within seconds of coming on but opted to pass rather than shoot. Struggled to get involved otherwise.

Lia Walti (N/A):

Came on for the final few minutes, after Lyon retook the lead.

Victoria Pelova (X/10):

Introduced at the same time as Walti but didn't have much time to make an impact.

Renee Slegers (5/10):

Kept Caldentey in the deeper, central role she's thrived in as of late but it didn't quite pay off and it wasn't until the final five minutes that she pushed her further forward.

Chelsea have now made a formal bid as they attempt to get a potentially “exciting signing” over the line by January deadline day, with Enzo Maresca’s side very much in the market for a fresh attacking option.

Enzo Maresca coy on Chelsea transfer plans for January

The west Londoners recently recalled Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, seemingly putting an end to their search for a centre-back this window, while Maresca has remained coy over whether Chelsea will make a new signing before February 3rd.

Real Madrid ready to offer Chelsea £202k-per-week star for Enzo Fernandez

The Galacticos really want Maresca’s captain.

3 ByEmilio Galantini Jan 24, 2025

The Italian has refused to rule out a potential incoming over the coming days, but appears relaxed about the situation overall – amid reports that a host of his squad members could depart Stamford Bridge.

“Listen, the club, the sporting directors, we pay attention if something can happen,” said Maresca on January transfers.

“But at the moment, as you said, 10 days to go and we haven’t done nothing. We called back Trev [Chalobah] and we will see in the next 10 days if something is going to happen.”

Man City (away)

January 25

West Ham (away)

February 3

Brighton (away)

February 14

Aston Villa (away)

February 22

Southampton (home)

February 25

Lazio are in talks to sign Cesare Casadei, prompting noise of a Chelsea swoop for Hellas Verona midfielder Reda Belahyane, while Renato Veiga is rumoured to be on his way to Juventus on loan until the end of the season (Fabrizio Romano).

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell are also attracting rumoured interest ahead of the January deadline, and if their possible transfers come to fruition, Maresca could be left short in some areas.

Mykhailo Mudryk faces a lengthy ban after failing a recent drugs test as well, with Bayern Munich’s interest in Nkunku reportedly motivating Chelsea to target fresh forward options this month.

One of their top targets, according to credible media sources, is Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Chelsea make "formal" bid to sign Garnacho from Man United

According to South American journalist Uriel Ligt, Chelsea have now made a “formal” bid for Garnacho, as negotiations begin to intensify.

This follows on from reports earlier this week that Chelsea were set to hold talks over Garnacho (The Telegraph), with Maresca’s side now putting an official proposal on the table as they look to prise the Argentine away from Old Trafford.

It is unclear just how much this bid is worth, but other media sources believe United want around £65 million for a player who’s been called a potentially “exciting signing” for Chelsea by members of the media (Matt Law).

Garnacho has racked up eight goals and five assists in all competitions for Ruben Amorim’s side so far this term. However, United’s PSR issues could force them to sell up this month.

A respected reporter from The Telegraph has shared what “contacts” have told him about the prospect of Chelsea signing a Premier League star in January.

Enzo Maresca shares January transfer update at Chelsea

The west Londoners have been reliably tipped to bring in a new centre-back this month, and were backed to do so long before Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile succumbed to injury.

Chelsea ask Aston Villa about signing their £75k-per-week star in January

Unai Emery’s side have made their demands clear.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 10, 2025

Very reliable Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips reported at the beginning of December that signing a new central defender was the club’s top priority for this month, with the potential addition of a centre-back taking precedent over their chase for a new striker and left-back.

Bournemouth (home)

January 14

Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)

January 20

Man City (away)

January 25

West Ham (away)

February 3

Brighton (away)

February 14

The likes of Fabrizio Romano have backed Chelsea’s serious interest in re-signing Marc Guehi in January as well, even if it won’t be an easy deal to pull off, which makes the latest update from manager Enzo Maresca quite surprising.

Speaking in his latest pre-match press conference, the Italian moved to downplay suggestions that his side are in dire need of another centre-half – perhaps looking to divert attention and pressure off Chelsea transfer chiefs.

“At this moment I think we are OK,” said Maresca on Chelsea signing another centre-back before January.

“The timing [for Fofana] is between 12 and 16 weeks, which is three months, and the season could be finished. If he can come back early, we will all be happy. [But] we have Benoit, who is close to being back, we have Josh who is doing well, Axel and Levi who can all do well in the position.”

Furthermore, Chelsea’s head coach refused to rule out a new January signing – but insisted they must be of the right calibre.

“My message is quite clear since we first started here – we will only sign players to improve what we have and upgrade the squad,” said Maresca on January transfers.

“If we sign players just for signing them, it isn’t worth it, so if we do something, it is because we think that we are improving and updating the team.”

Chelsea are fans of Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi

In the build-up to the window, Chelsea were reliably linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi – and while Maresca says they’re not in need of a centre-back right now, you could make a very good case that the Ukrainian would be an upgrade on their current options.

Unlike defensive partners Dean Huijsen and Marcos Senesi, who have rotated in and out of the starting eleven, the 22-year-old has been an ever-present in Andoni Iraola’s backline – starting all 20 of their Premier League games and averaging more clearances per 90 than any other Cherries player (WhoScored).

This has resulted in Bournemouth putting a £50 million price tag on his head, but according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Chelsea signing Zabarnyi this month isn’t seen as possible right now.

Speaking on the London is Blue podcast this week, Law said (via TBR): “Look, I’ll tell you that my contacts, I’ve thrown names such as Zabarnyi at Bournemouth at them. I’ve been told Chelsea like him, but don’t see a deal being done for him this month.

“The Barcelona defender, is it Araujo? I’ve thrown him at someone and been told, yeah, we’ve looked at him, but don’t see us doing that one this month.

“So I don’t have the names exactly on the list, but there seems to be a list.”

Zabarnyi cost Bournemouth just £23 million to sign from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, with his value doubling after an impressive two years in England.

The wages of Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi have been revealed by L'Equipe, with the Italian one of the highest-paid coaches in Ligue 1.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Wages of Marseille boss De Zerbi made public
• Italian is among the highest-paid coaches in Ligue 1
• Has been linked with a return to Serie A, though

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a new report from French publication (h/t Get French Football News), the wages of Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi have been made public, with the Italian earning a respectable salary in Ligue 1.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  De Zerbi is in his debut season at the helm for Les Phoceens and has done a remarkable job so far. Marseille are currently in second position on the Ligue 1 table and are on course to seal a spot in next season's Champions League.

  Now, have made the former Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Brighton manager's wages public. De Zerbi earns a whopping €550,000 (£460,000/$590,000) every month, which amounts to an annual salary of €6.6m (£5.5m/$7.1m).

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 45-year-old, however, is not the highest-paid manager in Ligue 1, with that distinction going to Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique. De Zerbi is the second-highest earning coach in the French top-flight.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ROBERTO DE ZERBI?

  Head coach De Zerbi is having an impressive debut season at Stade Velodrome, with Marseille in a strong position to secure an automatic spot in next season's Champions League. In their next game, they will face Reims on Saturday, March 29.

  However, De Zerbi's future in France has been a constant subject of speculation, with Italian media linking him with a return to the Serie A in recent weeks.

Desire Doue is having a sensational debut season at the Parc des Princes with PSG, but he could have been signed by Barcelona last summer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Barca turned down chance to sign Doue last summerCatalans wanted to sign Nico Williams but failedClub sporting director Deco in hot pursuit of Premier League superstarFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

A new report from the Catalan publication SPORT has unveiled the reasons behind Barcelona's decision to reject PSG wonderkid Désiré Doué last summer, while he was still under contract with Rennes. Barcelona endured a protracted transfer saga with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams following Euro 2024, but ultimately failed to secure his signature, opting instead to sign Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Barcelona reportedly considered signing the 19-year-old Frenchman last summer, with Deco receiving positive reports on the then-Rennes talent, who was regarded as having a "Barca profile." However, due to financial constraints and a concurrent pursuit of Williams from Bilbao, Barcelona couldn't finalise a deal. Doue ultimately joined PSG, where he has impressed despite not being a regular starter under Luis Enrique.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Catalans will look to sign a left winger once again, but this time, Williams is not expected to be a candidate to bolster the attack. Instead, sporting director Deco has turned his attention to Liverpool's Luis Diaz and is eager to secure the transfer, following reports of the Colombian's uncertain future and a contract impasse with the Reds.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Hansi Flick has done a terrific job in his debut season as Barca head coach, guiding them to the Champions League quarter-finals, Copa del Rey semi-finals, and currently atop the LaLiga standings. He also helped the club secure the Spanish Super Cup in January, where they beat rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in the final.

Barcelona's next fixture is the rescheduled game against Osasuna next Thursday, March 27, followed by a Catalan derby against Girona next weekend.

No word will have sounded sweeter all year to Yorkshire than the one where the umpire Ian Blackwell called “play” and their Championship season rumbled into life. A winter of condemnation as Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of racism attracted national attention gave way to what they hope will be a Spring of renewal. Beleaguered no more, or at least not as much.It would have been a entirely satisfying day as well, if it was not for a most judicious hundred by Gloucestershire’s Australian opening batter, Marcus Harris, who made 136 out of their 227, watchful before lunch, easing into his innings afterwards and responding to a post-tea crash of wickets with an uninhibited finale. Not a bad retort for a player who has recently missed the Sheffield Shield final because of Covid, lost his Australia contract and was barely over jet lag after arriving in Bristol only three days earlier.This was a good first-day Bristol pitch, offering a decent amount of pace and bounce so early in the season and a little movement for the seamers. Matthew Fisher marked his new England status with a return of 4 for 19. Sometimes a player must grow to win an England cap; sometimes a player must win an England cap to grow. Perhaps it is the latter with Fisher. His talent has been proclaimed since he was 16, but for all that ability he has seemed slightly flaky, a little prone to injury, a bowler to be concerned about. Now he began the season as if he wanted to make it his business, a bowler ready to carry the attack. There was no swagger, just an air of confidence from a bowler who has been bolstered by his new-found status.”I have always dreamed of playing for England – that was at the top of my sheet,” he said. “Deep down I am quite an anxious person over things, particularly with the injuries I’ve been through. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. There are a lot of bowlers with a better record than me, but they have invested in me and I want to remember that.”Related

• Dane Vilas, Steven Croft craft excellent start for Lancashire

• Alarm sounds as Somerset's batting goes up in flames again

• Ollie Pope shows the more things change, the more they stay the same

He has slightly extended his run after studying himself from side-on at the end of the season and deciding that he didn’t get enough momentum into the crease and was prone to muscle injuries as a result. He worked with Jon Lewis on an England Lions tour and feels that his pace has increased naturally, but the new approach – only 10 feet or so longer – has improved his accuracy because he is not straining so much. He had both of Yorkshire’s pre-lunch wickets to slip catches from around the wicket.Darren Gough, Yorkshire’s MD of cricket, was present to oversee the start of what he hopes will be a grand awakening, an era where Yorkshire don’t just fulfil minimum social expectations on diversity, but set an example. “This is a one-in-a-generation chance to shape something and become a leading light for every county to follow,” he told BBC radio.Gough does not do blandishments and it is very Yorkshire to respond to decades of failure when it comes to diversity by now wanting to do it better than anybody else. When he was not considering grand plans, he was mulling over small ones, such as more protection square on the off-side for the Pakistan quick on debut, Haris Rauf, who repeatedly offered width to Gloucestershire’s procession of left-handers; Harris, compact and selective, took full advantage: his first 10 boundaries against Rauf all crisply despatched between third man and cover’s left hand.Rauf, in only his fourth first-class match, bowled fast at times, took three wickets, saw catches dropped and disappeared at five an over. If Harry Duke had held a fast keeper’s chance to his right when Harris was on 18, the story might have been different. Rauf also bowled the most eventful over of the day in which he saw Duke drop Ryan Higgins off successive deliveries (the second might have been a press box catch, to be fair), dismissed Higgins at short midwicket and then had Tom Lace lbw, first ball. Harris reached his century by square-driving him to the boards. When Zafar Gohar contributed the finest of cricketing dismissals – stumped for nought, charging down the pitch – Harris produced a gung-ho finale which ended when he skied a leg-side hit at Steve Patterson to the wicketkeeper.A good day for the White Rose then, but there remains much off the field for Yorkshire’s players to block out. There has been talk this week that the ECB are considering charges of bringing the game into disrepute against around a dozen players, coaches and officials, although none (apart from Gary Ballance, who is absent on stress leave) are thought to be on the current staff which will help the healing process. Some critics still advocate docked points, a curious logic which, considering that a new regime is in place promising change, puts a thirst for punishment ahead of the need for progress.Gough talks impressively about the development pathways Yorkshire are already improving in minority ethnic areas – and, as a working-class lad who knew as a teenager what it was like for money to be tight, he is wise enough to realise that affordability as well as cultural understanding is at the heart of Yorkshire’s challenge – but he has also been quick to offer the players emotional support.”I was shellshocked myself when I took over,” he said. “I have never seen players as down. They had seen their friends sacked. Some of them had been at the club a long time. They were upset. I understand that. They still have questions they want answering. It is going to be difficult during the season. All those questions – are they going to drop us, are they going to dock points from us – they just have to focus on what they can. We are giving them an opportunity to play cricket. That’s what they have to do. Get out there and express their skills and play cricket for Yorkshire.”The first day after Yorkshire’s latest revolution was a peaceful, united affair, a day that began with “a moment of reflection” on pretty much anything odious that people wanted to reflect upon. Travel back 38 years and the last Yorkshire revolution, over whether Geoffrey Boycott was sinner or saint (he was neither), had seen a new general committee virtually drink Taunton dry into the early hours. Resentful or vindicated men plotted in dark corners or stalked around the ground with folded arms. This time, life proceeded in a state of bliss.When Rauf took a neat catch at long leg to dismiss Miles Hammond, hooking at Fisher, a man in a Wensleydale Creamery polo shirt leapt up and shouted “Good catch lad!” As the ECB-approved announcement on diversity rang around the ground, cries of encouragement for Rauf were sounding from the slips. Rafiq had an important message, but Yorkshire cricket is not evil incarnate. It is time for a sense of perspective and a new start – and Rafiq has said as much.”I’ve always said we need to be role models on and off the field,” Fisher said. “This is a game for everyone. I like those announcements around the ground. That’s what I want to see more of.”Returning to Bristol for the first time in a decade was a reminder that county grounds are steadily improving, as if in defiance of the professional game’s detractors, although the card-only payments in the Thatchers bar did cause a few grumbles. Bristol is not just the most environmentally-conscious, but also the most colour co-ordinated ground in the country. Its yellow and black is bright enough to send a nest of wasps into sexual ecstasy and the colour was appropriate as Yorkshire emerge, stings at the ready, from a waspish winter.

Jack Grealish has been a “huge success” at Manchester City, says Richard Dunne, despite questions being asked of value for money in a £100m transfer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Moved to the Etihad Stadium in 2021Won the Treble in second season with CityEnd product has been in short supplyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international forward became the most expensive player in British football when moving to the Etihad Stadium from boyhood club Aston Villa in 2021. He now has three Premier League titles to his name and formed part of a historic Treble triumph in 2022-23.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Grealish has, however, faced accusations of changing his game under Pep Guardiola – with the 29-year-old seemingly reluctant to carry the ball as much as he did at Villa. His end product has also dried up since swapping the West Midlands for the North West.

DID YOU KNOW?

Just 16 goals have been registered for City through 151 appearances, with his last effort in the English top-flight coming over 14 months ago on December 16, 2023. As many headlines have been made off the field of late as on it.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT RICHARD DUNNE SAID

Quizzed on whether Grealish has justified his nine-figure price tag, former City captain Dunne – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “The price tag is what it is, that’s the business of Premier League football at the moment.

“If you look at any player that is involved in a Treble-winning team, they have justified their reasons for being there. Jack was a huge part of that Treble-winning side, so I don’t think anyone can doubt that he has been a success at Man City. He has been a huge success.

“He has probably not had the goals and assists that everyone wants to look at and see, but his performances and what he’s brought to the club and the team have been exceptional. If he was to leave in the summer, I don’t think people would say it has been a failed move. He’s had a really successful time and hopefully it will continue for more years, rather than thinking that’s the end this summer.”

Getty Images

Sat one point adrift of safety in the Championship and sacking Tim Walter as a result, one manager is now reportedly in pole position to take the vacant managerial role at Hull City, who desperately need to get their next appointment right.

Hull City's Tim Walter replacement

Having failed to win in nine games, Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat against relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday proved to be the final straw in Walter’s reign, with Hull left with no choice but to end his time in charge. Taking over from Liam Rosenior was never going to be an easy task, given that he took his side within three points of the play-offs last season, but the Tigers made their bed by sacking their former manager and watched on as Walter struggled since.

Releasing a statement after parting ways with Walter, Hull said: “Hull City can confirm we have parted company with head coach Tim Walter with immediate effect. Assistant head coaches Julian Hübner and Filip Tapalović have also left the club.

“First-team coach Andy Dawson will take interim charge while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a permanent successor. We would like to thank Tim, Julian and Filip for their efforts during their time at the MKM Stadium and wish them well for the future.”

Back to the drawing board, the Tigers may have already identified their next manager. According to TalkSport journalist Alex Crook, Slavisa Jokanovic is now in pole position to become the next Hull manager and is the leading candidate to replace Walter.

Out of a job since leaving Dynamo Moscow in 2023, Jokanovic could return to take his fourth job in English football, having enjoyed mixed success at both Sheffield United and Fulham. Earning promotion twice from the Championship, the 56-year-old represents an option who would likely do more than just take Hull to safety in England’s second tier.

"Proven" Jokanovic would be a wise appointment

Unexpectedly in the Championship’s bottom three, now is the time that Hull must turn towards experience rather than gambling like they did when sacking Rosenior at the end of last season. Jokanovic is more than capable of taking the Tigers towards their play-off ambitions too. He’s already got two promotions on an impressive CV, but taking Hull back to the Premier League would arguably be his best achievement in English football yet.

The manager earned plenty of praise the last time that he returned to English football, with Sky Sports’ Tim Thornton saying after his arrival at Sheffield United was confirmed: “Two-and-a-half months after the departure of Chris Wilder, Sheffield United have got their new first team manager. Jokanovic comes in on a three-year contract.

“He’s been managing in Qatar since 2019 but he’s someone with a proven track record in the Championship having already gained promotion at Watford and Fulham.”

It is, of course, early days in Hull’s managerial hunt but picking Jokanovic out of the leading pack could instantly be a wise decision, given the Tigers’ long-term ambitions.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has reportedly acquired a 49% stake in the Trent Rockets franchise, as the American billionaire moves into cricket.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Cain International lodged winning bid in auction
• Become the latest investors in The Hundred
• Spent big on pursuit of success in west London

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cain International, the company that Boehly co-funded alongside Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein, are said to have lodged the winning bid for The Hundred outfit as part of the ongoing auction process being overseen by the ECB.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE GOSSIP

  The Trent Rockets, who claimed The Hundred title in 2022 and count ex-England captain Joe Root among their centrally contracted players, are reportedly valued at £80 million ($99m). That means Boehly will be parting with around £40m ($50m) in order to acquire 49 per cent of the team.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Boehly and Co will have plenty of say when it comes to big decisions at Trent Bridge, but Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club will retain a controlling 51 per cent stake in the Rockets. They have been snapped up after other wealthy investors pumped funds into rival outfits.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , Boehly – who helped to complete a big-money takeover at Premier League giants Chelsea in May 2022 – had also expressed interest in the London Spirit and Oval Invincibles, only to be outbid.

Barcelona are ready to go all out to sign one of Manchester City’s stars in 2025 amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of the Etihad club.

What next for Manchester City?

Having dominated English football for much of the last decade, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola made it a historic four consecutive Premier League title wins as they beat Arsenal to top spot on the final day of the season. Now, they are looking to make it a record fifth straight title, and have started the season strongly. As it stands, they sit just a point behind Liverpool, level on points with Arsenal after seven games and unbeaten thus far this season.

That has been achieved largely without Ballon d’Or candidate and arguably best midfielder in world football Rodri, who is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury sustained in his side’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

But beyond this season, the future for Manchester City remains unclear; Guardiola is out of contract this summer as thing stand, and recent reports have both linked him with the vacant England job and also a potential one-year extension at Manchester City.

It leaves City in limbo just days after it was announced that Txiki Begiristain would be stepping down as Director of Football for the club at the end of the season, to be replaced by Hugo Viana from Sporting CP.

Why Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d'Or

Not even a season-ending injury could stop Manchester City’s Rodri from claiming football’s biggest individual prize.

ByBarney Lane Oct 28, 2024

Then, there are the 115 charges levelled at the club by the Premier League, a case which remains ongoing but from which a conclusion is expected at the beginning of 2025. It has left clubs circling around the Etihad, and Barcelona are one of them.

Barcelona to go all out for Erling Haaland

Now Barcelona are looking to go all out to sign Erling Haaland in 2025 as they look for a long term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, reports claim. It has previously been claimed that Haaland is unhappy in Manchester, and sees a move to Spain as a natural step in his career, but one would do well to trust such reports in the Spanish media.

A move to Real Madrid is now off the table following the signings of both Endrick and Kylian Mbappé, which leaves Barcelona as the only other logical move should he wish to move to Spain. And according to reports in Spain [via Football Transfers], Barcelona are keen to go ‘all out’ to try and sign the Norwegian goalscoring phenomenon next summer.

Having won the Premier League golden boot in each of the last two seasons, Haaland has already grabbed 10 Premier League goals this time around and leads the way once more.

Premier League goalscoring charts

Erling Haaland

10

Cole Palmer

6

Bryan Mbeumo

6

Luis Diaz

5

Mohamed Salah

4

Guardiola is understandably a huge fan of his treble-winning striker, hailing him “unbelievable” after a hat-trick against West Ham earlier in the season: “He is so reliable on penalties. Assist for the second, fantastic for the third. Last season he struggled a lot, especially at the beginning. He felt tired and niggles most of the time. This time, with the rest with no Euros, he has arrived with a good vibe. The numbers are unbelievable.”

Taking home a massive £375,000 a week at the Etihad as a base salary, with a further £475,000 in bonuses, Haaland still has three years left to run on his contract in Manchester.

With Barcelona having struggled to register free transfers, let alone pay significant transfer fees in recent seasons, the striker’s reported massive £173m release clause is likely to be beyond even the Catalan giants, let alone the mammoth wages he would demand. Though a deal looks unlikely, much could hinge on the outcome of Manchester City’s court case.