Roma – A Leagues

As the year 2025 draws to a close, the world of football remains as captivating as ever, with dramatic league encounters across Europe and the impending January transfer window sparking a flurry of rumors. From pivotal wins shaking up the top of Serie A to crucial victories in the Premier League and major transfer sagas unfolding, fans have plenty to discuss. Today’s update brings you the most significant match results and the hottest transfer gossip dominating headlines for top clubs in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, and the V. League.

Premier League: Tottenham Secures Crucial Win as Transfer Rumors Swirl

The English Premier League delivered its usual dose of festive period drama, with a significant result impacting the top half of the table. On Sunday, December 28, Tottenham Hotspur edged past Crystal Palace with a narrow 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park. The solitary goal came from Archie Gray in the 42nd minute, marking his first for the club and providing much-needed relief for manager Thomas Frank, whose position had reportedly been under scrutiny following a challenging run of form. Other notable results from the weekend included Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton, which kept the Gunners at the top of the league, Manchester City’s 2-1 triumph against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, and Liverpool securing a 2-1 win against Wolves. These results continue to shape a tightly contested Premier League season as teams battle for European qualification and to avoid relegation.

On the transfer front, the biggest rumor dominating headlines for a top Premier League club involves Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. Manchester City is reportedly emerging as the frontrunner to sign the Ghana international, with a £65 million release clause in his contract set to become active in January. Sky Sports News understands that City is currently Semenyo’s preferred destination, and a deal could be concluded this week. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the Premier League leaders will be “actively looking” to bolster their squad during the January transfer window, particularly in defense, given a recent spate of injuries. Manchester United and Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring Hoffenheim teenager Bazoumana Toure, a highly-rated Bundesliga winger who has enjoyed a breakthrough season. Another intriguing rumor suggests that Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling could make a shock move to Manchester United in 2026, though this is currently a longer-term prospect.

Premier League: Tottenham Secures Crucial Win as Transfer Rumors Swirl

La Liga: Rashford’s Future Dominates Transfer Talk Amidst Quiet Fixture List

In Spain’s La Liga, the festive period appears to have brought a quieter schedule in terms of recent match results, with no prominent fixtures reported for December 28th or 29th, 2025. Many European leagues observe a short winter break or have fewer games around this time, allowing players a brief respite before the intensity of the new year.

However, the transfer market is anything but quiet, with the future of Marcus Rashford being a major talking point. Currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, reports suggest that Barcelona’s sporting management is hesitant to make his €30 million move permanent, citing a focus on financial stability and other urgent positional needs. This has opened the door for Atlético Madrid, who are reportedly keen to meet Manchester United’s asking price for the 28-year-old winger. Rashford’s pace, physicality, and experience are said to make him an ideal fit for Diego Simeone’s tactical approach at the Rojiblancos. Elsewhere, Real Madrid has reportedly received a substantial €200 million offer for Jude Bellingham, while Manchester United and Chelsea have made bids for Vinicius Junior, indicating a potentially blockbuster January window for La Liga’s giants. A confirmed deal saw Javi Galán move from Atlético Madrid to Osasuna on loan on December 24th.

Serie A: Inter Milan Climbs to the Top as Maignan’s Contract Looms

Italy’s Serie A witnessed significant action over the past few days, with crucial results at both ends of the table. The most significant match saw Inter Milan secure a vital 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Sunday, December 29. The decisive goal came in the 65th minute from star striker Lautaro Martinez, propelling Inter to the top of Serie A with 36 points, one point clear of city rivals AC Milan and two ahead of Napoli. This win underscores Inter’s title aspirations as they head into the new year. Other notable results included AC Milan’s dominant 3-0 win against Verona on December 28th, with goals from Christian Pulisic (45+1′), Christopher Nkunku (48′ pen, 53′). Napoli also secured a 2-0 victory over Cremonese, thanks to a brace from Rasmus Højlund (13′, 45′). Furthermore, Roma moved into the top four with a convincing 3-1 win against Genoa on December 29th, with Matías Soulé (14′), Manu Koné (19′), and Evan Ferguson (31′) finding the net.

The biggest transfer story in Serie A revolves around AC Milan’s star goalkeeper, Mike Maignan. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Milan is reportedly planning an “important meeting” with Maignan’s agent in the coming days to discuss his future. The French international could potentially leave on a free transfer in a few months or even sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January. Coach Massimiliano Allegri is said to be putting pressure on the goalkeeper to stay. Elsewhere, Juventus is reportedly eyeing Brentford full-back Michael Kayode as a potential summer target, with a rumored asking price of €30 million.

Serie A: Inter Milan Climbs to the Top as Maignan's Contract Looms

Bundesliga: Winter Break Pauses Play, Transfer Window Anticipation Builds

The German Bundesliga is currently observing its traditional winter break, with competitive action having paused after Matchday 15 (December 19-21, 2025). Matches are scheduled to resume on January 9, 2026. This period allows players to rest and clubs to strategize for the second half of the season.

Despite the on-field hiatus, the transfer market is gearing up, with the January 2026 transfer window officially opening on January 1st. A significant rumor involves Hoffenheim’s teenage winger Bazoumana Toure, who is reportedly being “monitored” by Premier League giants Manchester United and Arsenal. Toure has had a breakthrough season since joining Hoffenheim in February 2025, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. His potential call-up to the national team could further accelerate the race for his services. Other Bundesliga transfer news includes Fortuna Düsseldorf (from the 2. Bundesliga) being set to sign Japanese midfielder Satoshi Tanaka for approximately €1 million. VfB Stuttgart is reportedly pursuing Arnaud Kaliumendo from Nottingham Forest, while Bayern Munich is rumored to be preparing a €25 million bid for a 16-year-old phenom.

V. League: Season on Pause, Focus Shifts to International Tournaments

The Vietnamese V. League 1 is also currently in a scheduled winter break, having commenced its 2025-26 season on August 15, 2025. The league will observe a substantial 64-day pause from November 24, 2025, to January 27, 2026, to accommodate the participation of Vietnam’s U23 national team in the 2025 SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. This extended break prioritizes national team commitments and ensures adequate preparation and recovery time for the young players.

Due to this prolonged hiatus in league play, there are currently no major transfer rumors or confirmed deals dominating the headlines for V. League clubs. The focus for Vietnamese football is firmly on the upcoming international tournaments, with clubs likely to resume transfer activities closer to the restart of the domestic season in late January.

As the festive football calendar delivers its traditional dose of drama and speculation, December 26, 2025, brings with it a mix of high-stakes encounters and intensifying transfer sagas. While European leagues largely observe their winter breaks, the Premier League lights up with its iconic Boxing Day fixtures, and the transfer rumor mill spins furiously ahead of the January window. From crucial league victories that have reshaped title races to blockbuster transfer whispers, here’s a detailed look at the most significant developments in the world of football.

Premier League: Old Trafford Showdown Dominates Boxing Day Anticipation

While many European leagues are enjoying a winter respite, the English Premier League plunges headfirst into its revered Boxing Day schedule. The most anticipated fixture of the day, set to kick off later this evening, is the clash between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford. This standalone spotlight match, scheduled for 8 PM GMT, promises to be a pivotal encounter for both clubs as they navigate a crucial period of the season. Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, are currently battling for European qualification, sitting seventh in the Premier League standings, just three points shy of the top four. Their festive form is historically strong, having won more games and scored more goals on Boxing Day than any other side in Premier League history. Newcastle, meanwhile, arrive at Old Trafford following a demanding run of fixtures, including encounters with rivals Sunderland and Champions League competitors Chelsea in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The outcome of this match could significantly influence the trajectory of both teams’ campaigns as the Premier League title race tightens and the battle for top-four places intensifies.

Premier League Transfer Rumor: Antoine Semenyo Eyed by Manchester City in £65m Pursuit

The January transfer window is just around the corner, and the Premier League is already buzzing with high-profile transfer rumors. Currently dominating headlines is the potential move of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. Manchester City has emerged as the frontrunner to secure the services of the Ghanaian international, despite strong interest from other top clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United. Reports indicate that Semenyo’s preference is to join Pep Guardiola’s side, which has prompted City to push ahead swiftly to finalize a deal. The 25-year-old reportedly has a release clause in the region of £60 million to £65 million, including add-ons, which is expected to become active from January 1st. While Liverpool has been in “constant contact” with Semenyo’s representatives, they face an uphill battle given the player’s reported leaning towards the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, who were initially in the race, have reportedly ended their pursuit of the dynamic winger. This potential blockbuster transfer highlights Manchester City’s ambition to bolster their attacking options and maintain their competitive edge, especially with key players like Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, making attacking reinforcements a priority for several top clubs.

La Liga: Barcelona Solidifies Top Spot with Villarreal Victory

In Spain, the last round of La Liga fixtures before the winter break saw significant movements at the top of the table. The most impactful result came on December 21, 2025, as Barcelona secured a composed 2-0 victory over Villarreal. This crucial win allowed the Catalan giants to head into the new year at the summit of the La Liga standings, establishing a four-point lead over rivals Real Madrid. The goals for Barcelona were netted by Raphinha from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, and Lamine Yamal, who capitalized on a rebound in the 63rd minute. The match took a decisive turn just before halftime when Villarreal were reduced to 10 men, making Barcelona’s task somewhat easier. This result underscores Barcelona’s strong form and their determination to reclaim the league title. Meanwhile, Real Madrid also ended 2025 on a high note with a 2-0 victory over Sevilla on December 20, with Kylian Mbappé scoring both goals and equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid.

La Liga Transfer Deal: Atlético Madrid Nears Permanent Move for Nicolás González

Atlético Madrid is on the verge of confirming a significant transfer deal, with midfielder Nicolás González reportedly moving closer to a permanent switch from Juventus for €32 million. The Argentine international initially joined Atlético on a loan deal with an option to buy, which becomes mandatory if he meets specific appearance conditions. These conditions require González to feature for at least 45 minutes in 60% of Atlético’s La Liga matches. Having already met these conditions in a significant number of games, the 27-year-old now needs just ten more qualifying appearances from the remaining league fixtures to trigger the obligatory purchase clause. González has impressed manager Diego Simeone and the club’s hierarchy with his consistency, work rate, and tactical discipline, leading them to factor this transfer into their future plans. Despite suffering a hamstring injury in Atlético’s final game before the winter break, which may keep him out of their early January fixtures, the permanent move for González is widely anticipated.

Serie A: Juventus Edges Roma in High-Stakes Encounter

Italy’s Serie A also paused for its winter break after a round of competitive fixtures. The most significant result from the last round was Juventus’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over AS Roma on December 20, 2025. This crucial win allowed Juventus to maintain pressure at the top of the table. The key goal for Juventus was scored by Openda in the 70th minute, following an earlier goal by Conceicao for Juventus in the 44th minute, while Baldanzi netted for Roma in the 75th minute. The match was a tense affair, reflecting the competitive nature of Serie A this season. This result was vital for Juventus in their pursuit of the Scudetto, keeping them firmly in the title race as they head into the new year.

Serie A Transfer Rumor: AC Milan’s Goalkeeper Pursuit for Hugo Souza

AC Milan is actively looking to reinforce their squad, with a significant transfer rumor surrounding their pursuit of Corinthians goalkeeper Hugo Souza. Milan has reportedly submitted a written offer for the Brazilian shot-stopper, but it was rejected by Corinthians. The Brazilian club believes Souza’s current market value is higher than the offer made by the Rossoneri. Furthermore, Souza himself is reportedly keen to remain at Corinthians until the upcoming World Cup before considering a move. This pursuit comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the future of Milan’s current first-choice goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, whose contract is set to expire in June 2026. While Milan is attempting to open fresh talks for Maignan’s renewal, reports suggest that a departure for the Frenchman at the end of the current season is increasingly likely, prompting Milan to proactively seek a long-term replacement. The club aims to move early in the market to secure a new goalkeeper for the future, highlighting the strategic importance of this position.

Bundesliga: Leverkusen Stuns Leipzig in Thrilling Comeback

The German Bundesliga concluded its pre-winter break fixtures with a captivating match that saw Bayer Leverkusen achieve a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over RB Leipzig on December 20, 2025. This result was particularly significant as it allowed Leverkusen to leapfrog Leipzig into third place in the Bundesliga standings. Leipzig initially took the lead through Xaver Schlager in the 35th minute. However, Leverkusen responded emphatically, with Martin Terrier leveling the score with a superb glancing header just five minutes later, followed by Patrik Schick blasting home from close range in the 44th minute to complete a first-half turnaround. Teenage winger Montrell Culbreath sealed the victory on his Bundesliga debut, scoring deep into stoppage time after a swift counter-attack. This impressive win marked the end of Leipzig’s unbeaten home record and underscored Leverkusen’s strong development under coach Kasper Hjulmand, who has overseen nine wins in 13 Bundesliga games since taking charge.

Bundesliga Transfer Rumor: Liverpool Targets Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi

As Bundesliga clubs look towards the January transfer window, a prominent rumor links Borussia Dortmund’s winger Karim Adeyemi with a move to Premier League giants Liverpool. According to reports, the 23-year-old German international has become one of Liverpool’s primary targets for January 2026. While Adeyemi is under contract with Dortmund until 2027, a potential transfer fee of around £20 million (approximately $27 million) has been mentioned. Adeyemi has reportedly struggled to consistently shine for Borussia Dortmund this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 22 appearances, a dip in form compared to his previous season. This has led to him becoming a rotation player, potentially opening the door for a move. Liverpool, facing a “dearth of forward options” and with Mohamed Salah away on international duty, sees Adeyemi as an ideal mid-season addition to strengthen their attack. Interest from other top clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and FC Barcelona, suggests a competitive race for his signature.

V. League (Vietnam): Cong An Ha Noi Secures Recent Victory Amidst League Break

The V.League 1, Vietnam’s top football division, is currently observing a lengthy winter break, which began on November 24, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on January 27, 2026, to accommodate the Vietnam U-23 team’s participation in international tournaments. Despite this official break, a recent match result was recorded on December 18, 2025, where Cong An Ha Noi FC defeated Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC 3-1. While this fixture appears to be an outlier or a rescheduled game during the break, it stands as the most recent significant result involving a top club. Cong An Ha Noi FC is currently positioned second in the V.League 1 table, reflecting their strong performance in the 2025/26 season. The goals for Cong An Ha Noi FC in this match were instrumental in solidifying their league position before the extended hiatus.

V. League Transfer Rumor: Limited Dominant Headlines

Information regarding significant transfer rumors or confirmed deals currently dominating headlines for top clubs in the V.League 1 is less readily available compared to European leagues. While the league saw some “blockbuster” deals and record transfer values in the summer of 2025, with players like central defender Matheus Felipe joining Ho Chi Minh City Police for €1 million, and Njabulo Blom moving to Nam Dinh Steel Blue, there are no new, prominent transfer sagas currently dominating headlines for V. League 1 top clubs as the league is in its extended winter break. The focus for Vietnamese clubs appears to be on maintaining their squads and preparing for the league’s resumption in late January 2026.