Sandro Tonali has been told that he “deserves to play for a big team”, with the Newcastle midfielder reported to be attracting admiring glances from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. The Italy international has been at St James’ Park since 2023, with Giuseppe Rossi telling GOAL why big-money bids for a proven Premier League performer could be tabled during the summer transfer window of 2026.

Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a five-man wish list of potential replacements for Marcus Rashford, including Paris Saint-Germain treble winner Bradley Barcola and Everton star Iliman Ndiaye. Rashford is expected to join Barcelona on a permanent deal when his loan deal ends this summer, and United are planning to bring in another left winger to fill the void in their squad.

Manchester United’s historical transfer strategy has often been under the microscope, but a sensational new claim suggests that one of Louis van Gaal’s first signings was inspired by a video game. Former Red Devils midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have alleged that the Dutchman was alerted to the talents of Marcos Rojo by his grandson, who had been using the defender on EA Sports’ FIFA.

Liverpool's preparations for their crucial Champions League clash against Galatasaray took a bizarre turn on Monday morning. While the focus was on who was present at the AXA Training Centre, former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood was left baffled at video footage of a training routine involving some of the club's biggest stars - a clip that was eventually deleted by Sky Sports.

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has called out Theo Walcott, suggesting the former Arsenal winger was "probably drunk" when comparing the current Gunners side to United’s iconic 2007-08 Champions League-winning team. The Frenchman did not mince his words after Walcott suggested Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers could compete with Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary squad, joking that he is a "danger to society" for making the claim.

Manchester United have been told that they made a huge mistake in allowing “phenomenal” David de Gea to leave the club in 2023. That is the opinion of former Red Devils striker Giuseppe Rossi, who returned to Old Trafford to train alongside De Gea and Co in 2019. He has told GOAL why it has taken so long for Premier League giants to get back on the “right path” in the goalkeeping department.

They say you should never meet your heroes, but Brazilian teenage prodigy Dell probably wouldn't agree. The Bahia and Brazil Under-17s striker has idolised Erling Haaland since he was a child, so imagine the excitement he got when, one day in training, he received a video message from the Manchester City hitman.

Robinho Jr only turned 18 in December, but he has already broken into the senior team at Santos, where he is now rubbing shoulders with Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, Neymar. The teenager is already attracting transfer interest from a host of top European clubs, partly because of his ability, but also due to the footballing legacy of his father.

Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.

Bayern Munich have received a massive fitness boost ahead of their crucial Champions League knockout stage encounter against Atalanta. Harry Kane, who has been sidelined with a calf issue, was spotted back on the grass on Monday as the German giants completed their final preparations. The 32-year-old striker took part in the full session with the rest of the squad, moving freely and showing no ill effects of the knock that kept him out of domestic action recently.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has delivered a stinging assessment of Xavi Hernandez’s tenure, suggesting the legendary midfielder lacked the winning touch that successor Hansi Flick has already brought to Catalunya. Following an explosive interview where Xavi blamed the hierarchy for various failures, Laporta used a presidential debate to set the record straight on why he opted for a change in the dugout.

Arsenal will be “annoyed” at failing to win the Champions League, GOAL has been told, but that does not mean that the Gunners will “smash up” Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of this season’s competition. Former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere has warned Mikel Arteta’s side against complacency after being handed a supposedly favourable European draw in 2026.

Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

Real Madrid have paid a heavy price for failing to replace Toni Kroos following his retirement in 2024, but then doing so was always going to be a tough task. For starters, the ex-Germany international ranks as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers of the modern era.

Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.