As the January transfer window continues to churn out headlines and top leagues navigate crucial fixtures, the football world is buzzing with significant results and intriguing speculation. Today, January 8, 2026, we delve into the most impactful match from the last round and the biggest transfer developments across Europe’s elite divisions and Vietnam’s V. League.
Premier League: Manchester City’s Title Hopes Dented by Brighton Draw
The Premier League title race took another twist in the last round of fixtures, with Manchester City dropping crucial points in a surprising 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This result marks the third consecutive game in which Pep Guardiola’s side has failed to secure a win, casting a shadow over their pursuit of the league leaders, Arsenal.
The reigning champions initially took the lead through their prolific striker, Erling Haaland, who converted a penalty to net his 150th goal for City in his 173rd appearance, reaching this milestone faster than any other Premier League player. However, Brighton, known for their resilient performances, managed to claw their way back into the game in the second half, with Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma finding the equalizer. The draw was a significant blow for City, particularly as Brighton’s Diego Gomez missed a golden opportunity from close range to secure an even more shocking victory for the Seagulls. Elsewhere, Fulham secured a notable 2-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea, while Bournemouth edged out Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling 3-2 encounter.
Transfer Talk: Semenyo Set for Manchester City Switch
In transfer news dominating the Premier League, Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is reportedly on the verge of a significant move to Manchester City. Reports indicate that City is prepared to activate Semenyo’s £65 million release clause, securing a key attacking reinforcement for Guardiola’s squad. The Ghana international also attracted late interest from Liverpool, adding a competitive edge to the transfer saga. Semenyo notably scored in Bournemouth’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham, potentially marking his final goal for the Cherries before his anticipated departure. This move highlights City’s intent to strengthen their attacking options as they aim to regain momentum in the title race. Other confirmed deals in the Premier League include Aston Villa’s acquisition of Gremio prospect Alysson for €12 million and Crystal Palace signing Brennan Johnson from Tottenham for €40 million.
La Liga: Barcelona’s Supercopa Demolition
In Spain, Barcelona delivered a stunning performance in the Spanish Supercopa semi-final on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, routing Athletic Bilbao with a dominant 5-0 victory in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hansi Flick’s side showcased their attacking prowess, scoring four goals in a blistering first-half display that left their Basque opponents reeling.
The goals came from a variety of sources, illustrating Barcelona’s collective strength. Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a missed shot by Fermín López. Fermín López then added his name to the scoresheet just seven minutes later, curling in a pass from Raphinha. The demolition continued with Roony Bardghji finding the net in the 34th minute, followed by a brilliant strike from Raphinha in the 38th minute. Raphinha completed his brace and rounded off the emphatic victory in the 52nd minute, solidifying Barcelona’s place in Sunday’s final. This commanding win sends a strong message to their potential final opponents, either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, demonstrating Barcelona’s formidable form.
Transfer Talk: Asensio Linked with Atletico Madrid Move
The La Liga transfer market is abuzz with speculation, and one of the most prominent rumours involves Marco Asensio potentially moving to Atletico Madrid. Asensio, currently with Fenerbahce after a summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, has been in scintillating form in the 2025/26 Super Lig campaign, netting eight goals and providing five assists in 13 appearances. His impressive performances have reportedly caught the eye of Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who are looking to bolster their squad to maintain pace in the title race. While a significant bid would likely be required to pry him away from Fenerbahce so soon after his arrival, the prospect of Asensio returning to La Liga with a rival club of his former team, Real Madrid, is certainly an intriguing one. Another notable rumour suggests a high likelihood (74%) of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen moving to Girona.
Serie A: Inter Milan Extends Lead at the Top
In Italy, Inter Milan solidified their position at the summit of Serie A, extending their lead to four points after a convincing 2-0 away victory against Parma on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This crucial win at the Stadio Ennio Tardini marks Inter’s sixth consecutive league triumph, underscoring their strong title credentials under Cristian Chivu.
The breakthrough for Inter came just before halftime, with Federico Dimarco scoring the opening goal. The victory was sealed in stoppage time when Marcus Thuram added a second, ensuring all three points for the Nerazzurri. This result gives Inter a comfortable cushion over third-placed Napoli, who stumbled to a 2-2 home draw against Verona after initially falling behind by two goals. Napoli’s comeback was sparked by a header from Scott McTominay, followed by a brilliant equaliser from Giovanni Di Lorenzo eight minutes from time. Meanwhile, Atalanta continued their resurgence with a 2-0 win at Bologna, with Nikola Krstovic bagging both goals.
Transfer Talk: Füllkrug Joins AC Milan
One of the confirmed deals in Serie A sees German international striker Niclas Füllkrug joining AC Milan on a loan deal from West Ham United. The move provides Milan with an experienced attacking option as they look to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the season. Füllkrug’s arrival could offer a different dimension to Milan’s offensive play, bringing his physical presence and goalscoring ability to the Italian top flight. This transfer highlights the strategic moves Serie A clubs are making during the winter window to address squad needs and compete for their respective objectives. Other rumours include Inter targeting youth prospects like Tomas Perez and Petar Sucic, and a highly speculative link between Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Napoli.
Bundesliga: Winter Break and Key Confirmed Deal
The German Bundesliga is currently observing its traditional winter break, which commenced on November 24, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on January 27, 2026. Consequently, there were no “last round” match results from the Bundesliga on January 7, 2026.
Before the break, one of the most significant results from Matchday 15 (December 19-21, 2025) saw Bayern Munich assert their dominance with a resounding 4-0 away victory over Heidenheim. While specific goalscorers for this particular match are not detailed in the available reports, Bayern’s attacking prowess, typically spearheaded by stars like Harry Kane and Michael Olise (who scored a hat-trick in an earlier 6-0 win against RB Leipzig), would have been instrumental in securing such a comfortable win, reaffirming their position at the top of the league standings heading into the hiatus.
Transfer Talk: Kalimuendo Arrives at Eintracht Frankfurt
Despite the league being on hiatus, the Bundesliga transfer market remains active. A significant confirmed deal sees French forward Arnaud Kalimuendo joining Eintracht Frankfurt on a loan move from Nottingham Forest. Kalimuendo’s arrival is expected to bolster Frankfurt’s attacking options as they prepare for the resumption of the season. This acquisition demonstrates Frankfurt’s ambition to compete at a high level, adding a dynamic forward to their ranks. Another notable move is Michael Gregoritsch rejoining Augsburg on loan from Bröndby. Meanwhile, USMNT striker Damion Downs is reportedly close to a loan move from Southampton to Hamburg, with an option to buy.
V. League: Extended Winter Break Continues
The V. League 1, Vietnam’s top football division, is currently in the midst of an extended winter break. The 2025-26 season, which began on August 15, 2025, paused for a 64-day period starting from November 24, 2025, and will resume on January 27, 2026. This lengthy hiatus is primarily to accommodate the Vietnam U-23 national team’s participation in the 2025 SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
As a result of this scheduled break, there were no V. League 1 matches played in the last round on January 7, 2026, and consequently, no new match results to report. Furthermore, there have been no prominent transfer rumours or confirmed deals dominating headlines for V. League 1 clubs as of January 8, 2026. The focus for Vietnamese football remains on the national team’s international commitments before the domestic league resumes its exciting 2025-26 campaign.
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