Soccer: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

D.C. United pick NC State's Nikola Markovic No. 1 in 2026 MLS draft

D.C. United made North Carolina State defender Nikola Markovic the No. 1 overall selection of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday. The full three-round, 90-pick draft was conducted Thursday, just three days after Washington beat Markovic's Wolfpack 3-2 in overtime to win the College Cup men's national championship.

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Vanoli: ‘Fiorentina will move on from those who don’t want to fight’

Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina are in free-fall after their Conference League loss to Lausanne-Sport. ‘If the players don’t react, we’ll look into the

Soccer News / Football Espana / December 18

Barcelona President launches new assault on Real Madrid and RMTV – 'They vomit lies'

In recent weeks, there has been a lot of animosity generated between the presidents of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Joan Laporta and Florentino Perez have gone back and forth with comments made in public, and the latter has now had another say on Thursday.

Soccer News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Arsenal will soon find out how serious Aston Villa is about the title race

Arsenal is one of the teams that should be concerned by Aston Villa’s impressive form, particularly because of what the Villans achieved against them in their last head-to-head meeting.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Report: Barcelona plotting January move for 28-year-old Aston Villa star

Barcelona are interested in signing the Aston Villa defender Pau Torres. According to a report from Fichajes, they are looking to add more quality and depth to the defensive unit, and they have identified the 28-year-old as a target.

Soccer News / Football Italia / December 18

Mandragora reacts to Fiorentina armband controversy: ‘Understand fans are angry’

Rolando Mandragora dismantles controversy after Fiorentina fans suggested he threw down the captain’s armband during a defeat to Lausanne-Sport. ‘I understand people are angry.’ The Viola tumbled to yet another dismal result this evening, this time in the Conference League, where they were beaten 1-0 in Switzerland by a Gabriel Sigua free header.

Bayer Leverkusen News / Football Espana / December 18

Manchester City star wants January move to Girona

In the summer, Girona signed Manchester City defender Vitor Reis on loan, and now another player from the Premier League side could soon be heading to Montilivi.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Sunderland warned player with 'tremendous quality' is 'not staying' for long

Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks. The player is reportedly on the radar of clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea.

Soccer News / Football Italia / December 18

Hojlund on Lukaku hug and Di Lorenzo eager for more Napoli trophies

Rasmus Hojlund reveals why he hugged Romelu Lukaku after scoring to beat AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana and hopes Napoli can ‘win a trophy’ on Monday, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo hails the team spirit.

Manchester City News / Esteemed Kompany / December 18

All of a sudden questions surround the future of Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City in November 2024. The contract Guardiola signed is set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season.

Soccer News / Football Italia / December 18

UECL | Lausanne-Sport 1-0 Fiorentina: Another dismal night for Viola

Fiorentina fell to yet another disappointing defeat, this time 1-0 away to Lausanne-Sport, and will enter the Conference League play-offs. They finish the table in 16th place, so are still seeded, and will play either Rijeka or Jagiellonia in February.

Manchester United News / Caught Offside / December 18

Man United target open to the idea of Liverpool move, Richard Hughes could play key role

Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks. The 25-year-old is in exceptional form this season, and he is on the radar of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Arsenal FC News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Opinion: Does Arsenal put Mikel Arteta under enough pressure to deliver?

Despite winning the league title last season, Arne Slot is already facing pressure at Liverpool following a recent run of poor form. The situation has prompted wider discussion about managerial standards at leading Premier League clubs and how success or failure is judged over time.

Arsenal FC News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Is Gabriel Jesus a better starter for Arsenal than Gyokeres?

Gabriel Jesus has returned as an option for Mikel Arteta, a development that is set to increase pressure on Viktor Gyokeres to deliver consistently for Arsenal.

Soccer News / To The Lane And Back / December 18

Tottenham’s Champions League woes hand Arsenal a boost ahead of the next North London derby

Arsenal’s Champions League dominance positions them perfectly for February’s North London Derby, while Tottenham and Chelsea face fixture congestion that could leave both sides exhausted before crucial league clashes.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Two stars 'might leave soon' as Man United prepare to sign 24-year-old with 'more tenacity'

Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo have been linked with a move away from the club in recent months. According to the journalist Dean Jones, both players could leave the club soon, and Manchester United have already identified the potential alternative.

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Soccer News / Field Level Media / December 18

Austin FC acquire F Jayden Nelson from Whitecaps

Austin FC acquired winger Jayden Nelson from the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in exchange for $1.25 million in general allocation money and a 2026 first-round draft pick.

Soccer News / Yardbarker / December 18

MLS divisional shift could spell trouble for two faltering franchises

Major League Soccer is entering a new era.

D.C. United acquire All-Star striker Tai Baribo from Union

The 'FIFA Club World Cup champions' quiz

Athletic Bilbao News / Caught Offside / December 18

Report: Liverpool ready to blow £83m on 18-G/A star as Salah successor

Liverpool are already preparing for life without Mohamed Salah, and they are interested in signing Nico Williams. The Athletic Club Bilbao attacker has proven himself for club and country, and the 23-year-old could be the ideal acquisition for Liverpool.

Soccer News / Just Arsenal / December 18

Souness explains one key reason why Arsenal may bottle the league again

Graeme Souness believes Manchester City’s experience could prove decisive in their bid to overtake Arsenal and claim the Premier League title this season.

Soccer News / To The Lane And Back / December 18

Tottenham yellow card update, one player close to mirroring Cristian Romero suspension

One Tottenham defender is in immediate danger of triggering a one-game ban heading into the Liverpool fixture on Saturday. Tottenham Hotspur will cross swords with Liverpool in their upcoming Premier League encounter on Saturday evening.

Soccer News / the Boy Hotspur / December 18

'It could prove terminal' top journalist explosively cites 3 issues set to sink Spurs’ gaffer

As of mid-December 2025, Thomas Frank’s time at Tottenham has been mixed and challenging. In the Premier League, Spurs sit 11th in the table, with a record under him of approximately 6 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses from 16 matches: that’s just 22 points.

Whitecaps re-sign GK Yohei Takaoka through 2027

The Vancouver Whitecaps re-signed goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka through June 2027 on Thursday. Takaoka, 29, was an MLS All-Star and Goalkeeper of the Year finalist in 2025 with a league-high 13 clean sheets.

Manchester United News / Stretty News / December 18

‘Absolutely’: Journo delights United fans by verifying INEOS are ‘firmly in the race’ for ‘world-class’ attacker

Manchester United are well in the mix to sign Antoine Semenyo when the January window opens. It must be said that they certainly aren’t alone in the race, though, as the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also set their sights on adding the Bournemouth talisman to their ranks next month.

Nottingham Forest News / Esteemed Kompany / December 18

Manchester City are seemingly in pole position to sign position to sign a dynamic midfielder

It would seem that during next summer’s transfer window, Manchester City will need to strengthen their midfield. There are doubts that surround the future of Bernardo Silva.