Today's top global international football news, transfers and more - 24rd Jan

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

The Uruguayan center back will be with Barcelona until 2031 and will now be one of the highest paid players in the team. Araujo was secured by the team in the face of rumors that put him at Manchester United and his salary went from 6 million to, according to different reports, 9 million, being only behind captain Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski who is the highest paid of the club.

Alejandro Garnacho's future has become one of the hottest topics in the transfer market. The young Argentine winger, who has burst onto the scene at Manchester United, has attracted interest from two major European clubs: Chelsea and Napoli. According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, both teams are determined to secure the talented player's services, but Manchester United are not willing to let him go easily and are demanding a substantial fee: €70 million.

Garnacho: A Meteoric Rise:

Alejandro Garnacho arrived at Manchester United from Atletico Madrid's youth academy. His progress has been meteoric, standing out for his pace, dribbling ability, and capacity to create danger in the opposition's box. His performances with United's first team, despite his youth, have made a strong impression, making him one of the most sought-after young prospects in European football.

Chelsea's Interest: Bolstering the Attack with Young Talent:

Chelsea, under new ownership, are undertaking a significant restructuring of their squad, looking to bring in young talents with high potential. The interest in Garnacho fits perfectly with this strategy. The London club sees the Argentine as a player capable of making a difference in attack, providing dynamism and directness. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are preparing a formal offer to try and convince Manchester United.

FC Barcelona continue to explore options to bolster their defense, with a particular focus on next season. While Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen has been a prominent name in their shortlist, it seems the Catalan giants are casting their net wider.

As the winter transfer window nears its close, Barcelona's attention has naturally shifted towards the summer. The club is keen on signing a new defender and Tah, who is out of contract with Bayer Leverkusen, remains a strong candidate.

However, according to Sport, Barcelona is also monitoring Murillo, a 22-year-old Brazilian center-back currently playing for Nottingham Forest. Murillo's profile aligns well with Barcelona's search for a young, left-footed defender with excellent ball-playing abilities, pace, and physicality.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that all three players signed during the January transfer window have been included in the squad for the upcoming match against Chelsea. The Catalan coach has cited a shortage of squad depth as the reason for the club's significant winter spending.

A staggering £152 million was invested by Manchester City during the January transfer window. The Sky Blues secured the services of Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov (from Lens), Brazilian center-back Vitor Reis (Palmeiras), and Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt).

When questioned about the hefty expenditure, Guardiola explained that the club was compelled to strengthen its squad to ensure they have sufficient depth for the second half of the season. "In recent seasons, we haven't made many signings due to the high quality of the team. We didn't make any signings in the summer, and now we have to do so because of the problems and injuries we've had," he asserted.

He will not continue in the Saudi Arabian League and will return to Europe to compete in an important team, Brazilian Anderson Talisca went to Al Nassr's facilities on Friday to say goodbye to his teammates, including Cristiano Ronaldo, because he will not continue in the Saudi Arabian League and will sign with Besiktas of Turkey.

Key Figures Leaving Saudi Arabian Football: Talisca, Henderson, and Gallardo Return to Europe and South America

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has become one of the most talked-about football leagues in recent years, attracting top talent from around the world with lucrative contracts and high-profile signings. However, as the 2024-2025 season progresses, some major figures in Saudi Arabian football have chosen to leave the league for new challenges, either returning to their previous clubs or moving to different European teams. Anderson Talisca, Jordan Henderson, and Marcelo Gallardo have all made significant moves away from the SPL, raising questions about the league's future in terms of player retention and overall development.

Atletico Madrid, under the management of Diego Simeone, are always on the lookout for young talent to bolster their squad and secure the club's future. On this occasion, according to reports in the Portuguese newspaper Record, the Colchoneros have set their sights on young Portuguese striker Fabio Silva, currently on loan at Las Palmas in the Spanish La Liga. With a market value estimated at €18 million according to Transfermarkt, Silva presents an interesting option for the Rojiblancos' attack.

Fabio Silva: A Youngster with a Promising Career

Born in Gondomar, Portugal, in 2002, Fabio Silva emerged from the youth ranks of FC Porto, where he quickly demonstrated his goalscoring potential. His professional debut with Porto's first team in 2019 made him the youngest player in the club's history to play in a competitive match. His precocity and talent caught the attention of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, who signed him in 2020 for a record fee for the English club.

Bayer Leverkusen is actively seeking to bolster its defense during the upcoming winter transfer window, and one of the names being strongly linked to a move to the BayArena is former Barcelona defender Mika Faye.

According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga club has already initiated talks with the Senegalese center-back. Faye, currently plying his trade at Rennes, joined the French club from Barcelona for a fee of slightly over €10 million.

Barcelona, however, retains a buy-back option for Faye, valued at €25 million, along with a 25% sell-on clause. This means that any potential move for the 20-year-old defender will hinge on Barcelona's decision regarding their buy-back option.

With one game left to play and currently out of the qualification zone, Pep Guardiola assured that he is still confident that Manchester City can qualify for the next round of the Champions League, ahead of the match against Brugge on Wednesday to define their future.

Pep Guardiola's Struggles with Manchester City in the 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 season has been a challenging one for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, a period marked by unexpected difficulties despite the team's dominance in recent years. Guardiola, often hailed as one of the best football managers in the world, has faced a series of issues that have disrupted the team’s usual seamless performance. While Manchester City continues to be one of the strongest teams in the Premier League, these struggles highlight that even the most successful managers and clubs are not immune to obstacles.

Alejandro Garnacho's future at Manchester United has become a hot topic in the football world. With European giants like Chelsea and Napoli reportedly keen on securing his signature, Rubén Amorim, a manager with a past at Sporting Lisbon and knowledge of the young Argentinian, has offered his perspective on the talented winger's situation. His comments, while concise, hint at the uncertainty surrounding Garnacho's future at Old Trafford.

Rising Talent Under European Scrutiny

Alejandro Garnacho burst onto the English football scene with flashes of quality that haven't gone unnoticed by scouts from Europe's top clubs. His pace, dribbling ability and eye for goal have made him one of the most coveted young prospects in football.

Despite his youth, Garnacho has shown he has the personality to perform at a demanding club like Manchester United. His performances, although intermittent, have made it clear that he has the potential to become a world-class player. However, the competition for places in the Red Devils' attack is fierce, and the lack of regular game time could be influencing his future.

Cristiano Jr. was spotted wearing a shirt that was not his father's and caused a stir. An image of Cristiano Ronaldo's son wearing the shirt of Argentinean Alejandro Garnacho went viral on social networks, something very striking because the Portuguese player has had a historical rivalry with another Argentinean like Lionel Messi.

The transfer market never fails to surprise. According to reports from DSports, a rumour is shaking the foundations of European football: Real Madrid are reportedly planning to offer Chelsea a straight swap deal, letting Aurelien Tchouameni go in exchange for securing the services of Enzo Fernandez. This news, if confirmed, would represent a seismic shift in the football landscape, involving two young talents with incredibly bright futures.

Tchouameni: A Gamble That Hasn't Quite Paid Off at the Bernabeu

Aurelien Tchouameni arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2022 as one of French football's biggest prospects and a long-term replacement for Casemiro. However, his adaptation to Los Blancos hasn't been entirely smooth. While he's shown flashes of brilliance and played significant minutes, he hasn't quite established himself as an undisputed starter under Carlo Ancelotti.

Since Pep Guardiola took charge of Manchester City in 2016, the club has enjoyed remarkable success, including winning multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups. Guardiola's influence has transformed City into one of the most dominant teams in Europe, with a playing style based on possession, high pressing, and fluid attacking play. However, despite his success, not every signing has been a hit. Some players, while talented, have failed to live up to expectations at the club. Below is a look at some of the worst signings during Guardiola’s tenure at Manchester City.

The transfer of Julian Alvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid last summer raised a few eyebrows. While the young Argentinian striker had shown glimpses of his talent at the Etihad, he wasn’t a regular starter in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad. However, his subsequent explosion onto the scene at the Metropolitano has not only vindicated Alvarez’s decision to seek regular football but has also prompted questions about whether Guardiola made a significant error in letting him go. The reported £75 million fee received by City now seems a small consolation compared to the impact Alvarez is having in La Liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo has left an indelible mark on every team he has played for. His time at Juventus was no exception, and his contribution was decisive in helping the club maintain its dominance in Italian football. In his first season with the "Vecchia Signora", Ronaldo not only showcased his goal-scoring ability but also brought experience and leadership, key elements in winning the Serie A title in the 2018-2019 season.

In July 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo surprised the football world by announcing his transfer from Real Madrid to Juventus for a fee close to 100 million euros. This move not only became one of the most expensive transfers in history but also marked the beginning of a new era for the Italian club, which aimed to consolidate its dominance in Italy and strive for European glory.

Expectations and challenges

Ronaldo’s arrival generated enormous expectations among fans and Juventus management. His experience and talent were expected to be key in achieving the club's objectives, especially in the UEFA Champions League, a tournament that had eluded them in recent years.

Argentine football continues to make a strong presence in Europe, with two of its biggest stars shining in the continent's top leagues. According to the renowned Transfermarkt website, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández not only stand out for their talent on the pitch but also for their impressive market values. While "La Araña" has an estimated price of €80 million, the Chelsea midfielder is valued at €75 million, figures that reflect the exceptional level both have reached in their respective teams.

Julián Álvarez: From River Plate to European stardom Julián Álvarez has proven to be one of the most complete strikers of the current era. After his successful spell at River Plate, where he won multiple titles and was an undisputed figure, "La Araña" made the leap to European football by signing for Manchester City. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, the Argentine striker experienced a season full of success, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup in 2023, achieving the historic treble with the "Citizens".

Despite his great performances at Manchester City, where he competed in a team full of stars like Erling Haaland, Álvarez decided to take a new step in his career. The striker was transferred to Atlético de Madrid, where he found more prominence under the leadership of Diego Simeone. At the "Colchoneros", Julián has quickly adapted to the intense and tactical style of play that characterizes the "Cholo", consolidating himself as a key piece in the attack. "La Araña's" versatility to play as a centre-forward or in more withdrawn positions has allowed him to excel both domestically and in international competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a central figure in world football, standing out for his ability to transform and enhance the offensive play of the teams he has played for. His influence is evident not only in his scoring ability but also in how his presence changes the tactical and strategic dynamics of his squads.

After joining Manchester United in 2003, Ronaldo evolved from a skillful winger into a versatile and lethal attacker. His ability to break through on the wings, combined with his growing efficiency in front of goal, allowed the team to diversify its offensive options. During his first stint with the club, he scored 118 goals in 292 matches, significantly contributing to the team’s domestic and international successes.

Impact On Title Achievements

Ronaldo's influence was pivotal in Manchester United securing three consecutive Premier League titles between 2006 and 2009, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2008. His knack for scoring decisive goals and creating opportunities elevated the team’s competitive level.