Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Messi reveals 'desire' to play at 2026 World Cup with Argentina

Vieira leaves Genoa rooted to the bottom of Serie A

Patrick Vieira's turbulent tenure at Genoa has come to an end as the Serie A club announced that the Arsenal legend has left his role as head coach with immediate effect. The decision comes amid a disastrous start to the campaign as Genoa find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Italian top flight and staring down the relegation barrel.

Weir named Strasbourg's new sporting director

Former Brighton & Hove Albion technical director David Weir has officially been appointed as the sporting director of RC Strasbourg, the French club owned by Chelsea's parent group, BlueCo. The move marks Weir's first major position since departing the Premier League side, where he played a pivotal role in their rise to European competition.

"It is a great honor to join Racing," Weir said. "A historic club with a strong identity and growing ambition. I was convinced by the project and the quality of the people already in place.

"I am eager to settle in Strasbourg and become fully involved in the life of Racing. I look forward to working with Liam (Rosenior) and all the teams to contribute to Racing's success this season and in the years to come."

Messi reveals 'desire' to play at 2026 World Cup with Argentina

Lionel Messi has expressed his strong desire to compete in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina next summer, saying it would be "wonderful" to get the chance to defend his nation's title of World Champions and play in the tournament for the sixth time in his glittering career. But the Inter Miami superstar explained that he wants to feel good about himself physically if he is to take part, so that he can "contribute and be important" for Lionel Scaloni's side.

Barcelona add Panichelli to transfer radar

After recently expressing interest in Levante attacker Karl Etta Eyong, Mundo Deportivonow reports that Barcelona have turned their attention to another rising star, Joaquín Panichelli of Strasbourg. Panichelli's spectacular bicycle kick in the UEFA Conference League against Jagiellonia initially drew widespread attention, but it is his consistency in Ligue 1 that has truly impressed Barca officials. The 23-year-old forward has already netted nine goals in ten league matches, placing him among the most efficient strikers in France this term and firmly on Barcelona's shortlist.

Milan give Gimenez a deadline to secure his future

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Santiago Gimenez has been handed a January deadline to convince AC Milan that he deserves to remain at the club. The 24-year-old forward, who arrived from Feyenoord for €28.5 million earlier this year, has struggled to make a consistent impact since his move to Serie A.

Milan are actively searching for new attacking options, and Gimenez could be used as part of a swap deal for Roma striker Artem Dovbyk. The Rossoneri are also monitoring several other forwards, including Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Jonathan Burkardt, as they assess long-term reinforcements in attack.

Ramsey becomes Pumas' first departure of the Apertura 2025

Aaron Ramsey's disappointing tenure in Mexico has come to an end. The Welsh midfielder has officially parted ways with Pumas after terminating his contract, following a muscle injury and a personal ordeal involving the loss of his dog during a vacation in Mexico. The Mexico City club has yet to issue an official statement.

Why De Zerbi & Tuchel rejected Man Utd job before Amorim arrival

Manchester United had held talks with Robert De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel to replace Erik ten Hag as their head coach last year, before turning to Ruben Amorim for the role. On November 1, 2024, days after Ten Hag's sacking, the United hierarchy confirmed Amorim's arrival at Old Trafford from Sporting CP. After a disappointing start to their 2024-25 season, Ten Hag was shown the door in October.

Rooney reveals PL club he nearly joined before Man Utd transfer

Wayne Rooney has revealed that he came very close to joining Manchester United's Premier League rivals before completing his fateful transfer to Old Trafford from Everton. The forward joined the Red Devils as a prodigious 18-year-old and went on to become a club legend, playing 559 matches and scoring 253 goals, but things could have been very different.

Amorim hints at new signings in January

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim revealed if the Red Devils are planning to make new signings in the January transfer window after spending heavily in the summer.

Speaking to reporters, the Portuguese coach said: "We want to bring players that we can see have a big future in Manchester United. Not just for few months. Of course, we think about how we can improve the team, and in January, the window is open, we can do something."

Rooney reveals the English club he nearly joined from Everton

Wayne Rooney has revealed that he came very close to joining Manchester United's Premier League rivals before completing his fateful transfer to Old Trafford from Everton.

I would have certainly went [to Newcastle]," Rooney revealed on his self-titled podcast The Wayne Rooney Show. "Manchester United wanted to wait a season and then sign me the year after they did sign me. Newcastle put a bid in and if Manchester United hadn't come in, I would have gone to Newcastle. Those two were bidding against each other. My agent's best mate was chairman at Newcastle at the time! So I'm sure he was getting nudged to try to get me as well. I wanted to go to Manchester United, but I spoke with Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer. "In true Bobby Robson style, on the phone he called me 'Mark'. I thought he had either forgotten my name or he was a genius - because that's my middle name."

Slot addresses sack talk

Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed talk of him losing his job amid the Reds' torrid run of form as pressure cranks up on the Dutch manager.

The Dutchman said: "For me they say similar things. I speak mainly to Richard and once in a while to the others (Edwards and FSG). They also see similar things as what I see. For me the conversations haven't changed a lot. We always talk about the game and it's always nicer to talk about the game if you have won than if you have lost. [I feel supported] not only in this period but also when things go well. I'm a firm believer all the squads I had were 20-21 players that can play because if you have too many it's already a struggle to make a squad. But then you have to keep them fit. Tell me if I'm wrong but I think during the week [the reaction] was about when I said something about the squad we are having, and that could have been seen as criticising or an excuse?"

Amorim explains Mainoo's lack of game time

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has pointed to one major factor as to why Kobbie Manioo isn't getting much game time this season. Mainoo attempted to leave United in the summer but was blocked from leaving Old Trafford by Amorim, but the head coach understands the desire to play regularly with the World Cup looming on the horizon.

Amorim said: "We need to go to Europe because of everything. Our club needs to be in Europe, it's hard to have a very, very good squad. Imagine for me to have Mainoo with that (many) minutes that he's playing, he needs more games for me to make a rotation because, with one game (a week), it's really hard. I have to take one of the guys that is playing to put another. When you have more games, you can divide, you can manage the group in a different way. We are trying to use the time that we have to train to be a better team, we need to be prepared in the future to have European games. But the target doesn't change. We have to go to Europe. To be in the top four is really hard for our moment, but we never know, we just need to focus on winning the next one."

Ramsey terminates contract with Mexican club

Former Arsenal and Wales international Aaron Ramsey has returned home to the UK after terminating his contract with Mexican side Pumas. Ramsey is heading back from the Mexico City side after a brief spell which has been marred by the loss of his beloved dog, Halo, and will be available to join a new club straight away as a free agent.

Beraldo addresses rumours of leaving PSG

Paris Saint-Germain star Lucas Beraldo refutes rumours of leaving the European champions. Speaking to reporters, Beraldo said: "l've seen some fake news saying that I want to leave PSG. I'm very happy at PSG, playing and defending this club is undoubtedly a dream come true. I stay focused to continue giving my best and together with my teammates to achieve our goals."