Today's top global international football news, transfers and more - 13th Jan

Catch Up On Today's Top Global International Football News.

Fiorentina suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Serie A strugglers Monza. Despite dominating possession, Fiorentina struggled to find a way past Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati. Goals from Patrick Ciurria and Daniel Maldini put Monza in a comfortable position before Lucas Beltrán pulled one back for Fiorentina from the penalty spot. The defeat leaves Fiorentina six points behind league leaders Napoli and facing a battle to secure a top-four finish.

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Netherlands international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old winger has agreed personal terms with the Premier League club and will undergo a medical before the deal is finalized. Villa will pay Dortmund a fee of €23 million, plus an additional €3 million in add-ons. Malen, who has previously played for PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal, will add pace and creativity to Unai Emery's side.

Inter Miami kicked off their 2025 season under new head coach Javier Mascherano. The team, featuring star players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, held their first training session on Monday. Mascherano, who took over from Tata Martino, will look to guide the team to success in both the MLS and the Concacaf Champions League. With a friendly against Club America scheduled for January 19th, Inter Miami is gearing up for another exciting season.

Inter Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Venezia, thanks to a Matteo Darmian goal. The win propels Inter up the Serie A table and keeps them in the hunt for the title. Despite dominating possession, Inter struggled to create clear-cut chances and relied on a moment of brilliance from Darmian to secure the three points. The result will be a boost for the Nerazzurri following their recent Supercoppa Italiana defeat to AC Milan

Eintracht Frankfurt secured a vital 1-0 victory over St. Pauli, thanks to a goal from Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian winger has been in impressive form this season and his goal has sparked speculation about a potential move to Manchester City. The win ends a three-game winless run for Eintracht Frankfurt and moves them up to third place in the Bundesliga.

Lazio have completed the signing of young Bayern Munich forward Arijon Ibrahimovic on loan with an option to buy. The 19-year-old German-Kosovar forward, who has previously played for Frosinone, arrived in Rome on Sunday and was greeted by excited Lazio fans. Ibrahimovic will compete for a starting place with Argentine striker Valentin Castellanos. The loan deal includes a €9 million purchase option, with Bayern retaining a buy-back clause. Lazio are currently fourth in Serie A and hope that Ibrahimovic can help them secure a Champions League place.

Manchester City are actively pursuing a deal for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis, according to reports in Brazil. The Premier League champions have already made an official offer for the 19-year-old Brazilian, who has impressed with his performances for the Brazilian club. While City manager Pep Guardiola has been reluctant to discuss specific transfer targets, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira has confirmed the club's interest in Reis. With the January transfer window nearing its close, City are keen to strengthen their squad and are looking at young, promising talents like Reis to bolster their defense.

Nottingham Forest will look to pull off another upset when they host Liverpool on Tuesday. Forest, who are currently third in the Premier League, stunned Liverpool earlier in the season with a 1-0 win at Anfield. Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo has urged his team to remain focused and avoid complacency ahead of the rematch. Despite the impressive start to the season, Nuno believes that it is too early to talk about challenging for the title.

Julián Álvarez has made an immediate impact at Atlético Madrid. The Argentine forward has been a revelation since joining the club from Manchester City. Álvarez's goals have been crucial for Atlético, with his strikes directly contributing to a significant portion of the team's points this season. His ability to play in multiple positions and his tireless work rate have made him a favorite of Diego Simeone. Álvarez has proven to be a shrewd signing for Atlético, and his importance to the team is only going to grow in the coming seasons.

Manchester United is facing a contract standoff with young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The 19-year-old has been impressive for the Red Devils and has attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Mainoo is reportedly demanding a significant pay rise, which has put the club in a difficult position. With his current contract set to expire in 2026, United will need to act quickly to secure his long-term future at the club.

Liverpool will face a stern test when they travel to face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. The Reds will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, but they will come up against a Forest side that has been in impressive form. Forest, who have won six consecutive league games, have been one of the surprises of the season and are currently sitting in third place in the Premier League. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised Forest's manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, for the job he has done at the club. Slot acknowledged that Forest are a formidable opponent and that his team will need to be at their best to secure a victory.

Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has become an unlikely hero for the club. The Turkish shot-stopper, who arrived from Fenerbahce for a fee of just €5 million last year, has been in and out of the team under various managers. However, his recent performances have been nothing short of exceptional. Bayindir saved a crucial penalty from Martin Odegaard in the FA Cup tie against Arsenal, helping United to a dramatic shootout victory. The 26-year-old has impressed with his shot-stopping ability and has become a valuable asset to the team, despite facing competition from more established goalkeepers.

David Moyes has returned to Everton as the club's new manager. The experienced Scotsman, who previously managed Everton for over a decade, replaces Sean Dyche who was sacked earlier this week. Moyes has a strong history with the Toffees, leading them to the FA Cup final and European qualification on multiple occasions. Everton's CEO, Marc Watts, expressed his delight at bringing Moyes back to the club, stating that his experience and knowledge of the club make him the perfect fit to lead Everton through an important period of transition.

Manchester United have secured the signing of promising Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon. The 17-year-old has been tracked by a number of top European clubs but it is the Red Devils who have won the race for his signature. Leon, who will join the club in the summer when he turns 18, has been compared to Real Madrid legend Marcelo. The deal is expected to be finalized soon, with the young defender set to become an important part of Manchester United's future plans.

Aston Villa are on the verge of signing Barcelona academy graduate Óscar Mingueza from Celta Vigo. The Premier League club are set to trigger the €20 million release clause in the defender's contract. 1 Mingueza, 25, has been a standout performer for Celta this season and has attracted interest from several top European clubs. Barcelona, who still own 50% of Mingueza's economic rights, are set to receive a significant portion of the transfer fee

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing Paris Saint-Germain forward Kolo Muani this winter transfer window. The Premier League club have been in talks with the player's representatives and are confident of securing a deal. While PSG are open to a loan deal, Tottenham are pushing for an obligation to buy. Muani has struggled for regular playing time in Paris and is eager for a move to the Premier League.

Kyle Walker is set to leave Manchester City. The England international has informed Pep Guardiola of his desire to seek a new challenge elsewhere. Guardiola confirmed the news after City's 8-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup. Walker, who has been a key player for City since joining from Tottenham in 2017, has been linked with a move to several clubs abroad. With his contract set to expire in 2026, City are willing to let the defender leave this summer.

Bournemouth secured a comfortable 5-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup, booking their place in the fourth round. Justin Kluivert and Dango Ouattara both scored twice, while Antoine Semenyo added a fifth. Elsewhere, Leicester City thrashed Queens Park Rangers 6-2, Wolverhampton Wanderers edged past Bristol City 2-1, and Brighton & Hove Albion cruised to a 4-0 win over Norwich City. However, Brentford suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Plymouth Argyle.

Kyle Walker is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season. The England international has requested a transfer and has been linked with a move to AC Milan. According to reports, the Italian giants are in pole position to sign the experienced full-back. Walker, who has been a key player for City since joining from Tottenham in 2017, has fallen out of favor with Pep Guardiola and is looking for a new challenge. The 34-year-old has 18 months remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium but is expected to depart this summer.

Manchester City are on the verge of signing highly-rated defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens. The 20-year-old Uzbekistani center-back has impressed in Ligue 1 with his strong performances and has caught the eye of several top European clubs, including Real Madrid. However, it is City who are set to secure his signature for a reported fee of €50 million. The Cityzens are in need of defensive reinforcements following injuries to Ruben Dias and John Stones, and Khusanov is seen as the ideal candidate to bolster Pep Guardiola's backline. The young defender has been praised for his physicality, athleticism, and ball-playing ability, and his statistics back up his reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.

A Premier League footballer was arrested during training on suspicion of creating a non-consensual intimate video. The player, an international, was taken into custody and questioned for six hours. Police seized two phones as part of their investigation. While the player was released without charge due to insufficient evidence, the incident has sent shockwaves through the football world. The alleged victim claimed that she felt violated and humiliated after the footballer secretly recorded their encounter, despite her requests to stop.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Asensio, according to French outlet RMC Sport. The Villans are keen to bolster their squad for the second half of the season as they look to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. Asensio, a versatile attacker with Champions League experience, could be tempted by a move to the Premier League. PSG, meanwhile, have shown interest in Villa's young striker Jhon Duran, and a swap deal could be on the cards. However, Villa manager Unai Emery is reluctant to part ways with Duran, who has been a key player for the club this season.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a deepening injury crisis after Gabriel Jesus was forced off on a stretcher during the FA Cup tie against Manchester United. 1 The Brazilian forward suffered a knee injury in the first half while attempting to block a Bruno Fernandes shot. Jesus signaled to the bench that he was in pain and was immediately replaced by Raheem Sterling. 2 The exact nature of the injury is not yet known, but there are fears that Jesus could be sidelined for an extended period. Arteta expressed his concern after the match, stating that the injury "doesn't look good" and that Jesus was in a lot of pain. 3 This latest setback comes after Arsenal lost both Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri to injuries in recent weeks, leaving Arteta with limited options in attack.

Manchester United stunned the football world by knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout. Playing with a man down for most of the match, the Red Devils battled back from a goal down to force extra time and ultimately prevail from the spot. 1 David de Gea's replacement, Altay Bayindir, was the hero of the night, saving two penalties and denying Kai Havertz a clear-cut chance to win it for the Gunners in the dying minutes of extra time. Havertz had an evening to forget, also conceding a penalty that Martin Odegaard missed. The win was a testament to United's resilience and fighting spirit, as they defied the odds to progress in the competition

Kai Havertz endured a night to forget as Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United in a dramatic penalty shootout. The German forward was at the center of the controversy, winning a dubious penalty that Martin Odegaard missed. With the score level late in the game, Havertz inexplicably blazed a shot over the bar from close range, squandering a golden opportunity to win the match for the Gunners. To add insult to injury, he also missed his penalty in the shootout, as United advanced to the next round.

Renato Veiga, who joined Chelsea from Basel last summer, is reportedly set to move to Borussia Dortmund. Despite impressive performances in the Conference League this season, the Portuguese midfielder has struggled to displace Marc Cucurella as the Blues' first-choice left-back. According to Sky Germany, Dortmund have reached a verbal agreement with Veiga, who is keen on a move to the Bundesliga. The German club is now pushing for a deal with Chelsea, aiming for a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his desire for Veiga to stay, but it seems increasingly likely that the Portuguese midfielder will be on the move this summer.

Manchester United, defending FA Cup champions, will face Leicester City at Old Trafford during the weekend of February 8 in a match filled with intrigue. The game marks the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy to United, just months after being dismissed as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s departure. Despite a solid interim record of three wins and a draw, Van Nistelrooy was replaced by Rúben Amorim before joining Leicester, where his team currently sits in the relegation zone of the Premier League.

Other notable FA Cup fixtures include three Premier League clashes: Aston Villa vs. Tottenham, Brighton vs. Chelsea, and Everton vs. Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Liverpool will visit Plymouth, who upset Brentford in the previous round, and Manchester City awaits the winner of Leyton Orient vs. Derby County, whose match was postponed due to frozen turf.

Arsenal, plagued by injuries to key attackers Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, and Gabriel Jesus, is struggling across competitions, trailing Liverpool by six points in the Premier League and facing elimination threats in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. To address these setbacks, Mikel Arteta has reportedly identified Kingsley Coman (28) as a priority signing, according to Football Insider. Despite limited starts under Vincent Kompany at Bayern, Coman has contributed four goals and two assists this season. However, prying the French winger from Bayern mid-season will require a substantial financial effort, given his importance to the squad.

Both Kyle Walker (34) and Marcus Rashford (27) are set to leave their clubs this winter, but only one can join AC Milan due to Serie A’s post-Brexit rules limiting teams to two non-EU signings per season, plus one slot for an English or Albanian player. Milan filled its non-EU quota in the summer with Strahinja Pavlovic and Emerson Royal, leaving just one spot available for the winter window. Walker has expressed his desire to end his career abroad, as confirmed by Pep Guardiola, while Rashford publicly declared his readiness for a new challenge. Milan’s sporting director, Zlatan Ibrahimović, must now choose between the two England internationals.

The Barcelona trio of Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal has decisively outperformed Real Madrid’s attack this season, highlighted by their dominant displays in both Clásicos. In the Supercopa final, the trio contributed four of Barça’s five goals in a 2-5 victory, mirroring their four-goal performance in October’s 0-4 LaLiga win at the Bernabéu.

Barcelona's trident now boasts 53 goals this season, compared to Madrid's 38, led by Lewandowski (26), Raphinha (19), and Lamine (8). Their individual brilliance shines, with Lewandowski matching his 26 goals from last season in just 27 matches and Raphinha surpassing his personal best with 19. Barcelona’s offensive power is unmatched in Europe, averaging 2.99 goals per game across 28 matches, far surpassing trios from Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Madrid’s attack struggled in the final, with only Mbappé (15) finding the net, while Bellingham and Vinícius remained silent.

In his first final as Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick stayed true to his principles, delivering a dominant 5-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España. Despite facing a formidable attack of Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo, Flick’s high-pressing strategy and attacking full-backs, Koundé and Balde, dismantled Madrid’s defense. Even after conceding the opening goal to Mbappé, Barcelona maintained their intensity, with Balde equalizing and Koundé assisting Raphinha for another.

Off the pitch, Flick demonstrated his strong man-management skills, granting player requests to adjust schedules and providing time to relax before the final. His approach has fostered a family-like atmosphere within the team, balancing discipline and empathy. Flick’s leadership was celebrated on the pitch as players and staff joined him in jubilant post-match celebrations, solidifying his impact both tactically and emotionally.

The worldwide press unanimously celebrated Barcelona’s dominant victory over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España, labeling it a "humiliation," "masterclass," and "thrashing." Spanish outlets like La Vanguardia highlighted the "Éxtasis en la Meca," while El País called it "another Barça festival." In contrast, El Mundo focused on Madrid’s collapse, describing it as a "Paseo en el desierto." Madrid-based sports media, including Marca and As, criticized Carlo Ancelotti and praised Flick’s tactical superiority.

Internationally, publications like Bild applauded Barça’s "spectacular display," while The Times emphasized the "humiliation of Bellingham and Mbappé." Italy’s Corriere dello Sport and France’s L'Equipe echoed similar sentiments, calling it a monumental defeat for Madrid. In Argentina, Olé hailed the match as a "consagración" for Barça, cementing the team’s brilliance on a global stage.

Neymar Jr.'s future has become one of the biggest questions in the transfer market. After confirmation that he won't continue at Al Hilal midway through the year, rumours about his next destination have intensified. Three clubs are emerging as the main contenders to secure the Brazilian star's services: Inter Miami with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Flamengo, who dream of a historic coup, and Santos, the club where he was born.

The Dream Reunion in Miami:

The possibility of seeing Neymar reunited with his former Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, at Inter Miami in the MLS, is generating enormous excitement. The idea of a new version of the "MSN" on American soil is an undeniable attraction, both for fans and for the league's marketing.

Harry Kane, the prolific English striker, has made his ambitions clear: to conquer the Ballon d'Or. In a recent interview, Kane confessed: "My performances put me in a credible position to win the Ballon d'Or. I've dreamt of the award since childhood, especially when it was being given to Messi and Ronaldo, who gave it a unique prestige." These words, full of determination and admiration, open an interesting debate about the real possibilities of the England captain reaching the highest individual award in the world of football.

Kane, known for his lethal goalscoring instinct, his precise passing and his leadership on the pitch, has consistently proven himself to be one of the best strikers in the world over the last decade. His career at Tottenham Hotspur, where he became the club's all-time top scorer, and his subsequent move to Bayern Munich, where he continues to score goals and break records, support his candidacy. However, the Ballon d'Or is not awarded solely for the number of goals scored. Other factors influence the decision, such as collective titles, the impact on the team's game and, at times, the charisma and narrative surrounding the player.

Shakil van Persie, son of legendary footballer Robin van Persie, has officially signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord. The promising young player, who has been honing his skills in Feyenoord's academy, earned the club's trust with his performances, leading to a new and improved contract before his previous agreement expired. The announcement was made on Feyenoord's official website, marking a significant milestone in the young talent's career.

Robin van Persie, Shakil's father and a Feyenoord icon, was present at the signing ceremony, adding a symbolic layer to the occasion. The elder Van Persie’s presence highlighted the continuation of a family legacy at one of the Netherlands’ most storied clubs.

At the 22nd minute, Lamine Yamal had a great individual play to score the 1-1 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Demonstrating all his talent, the 17 year old Barcelona star in an individual play entered the area and with an excellent definition with his left foot scored the equalizer.

At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has already made waves in the football world. The young Barcelona prodigy has showcased exceptional talent and maturity beyond his years, capturing the attention of fans and pundits alike. As we look ahead to 2025, the expectations surrounding Yamal are sky-high. Let's delve into what we can expect from this rising star in the coming year.

The Frenchman took advantage of a long ball to get in front of the goal and score the 1-0. Just 5 minutes in, Mbappé took advantage of his speed and, facing the goal with all his power, he was in front of the goal and with a shot with his right foot scored the 1-0 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in favor of Real Madrid against Barcelona.