Soccer: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Top Ten African Gunners – Number 2

You would think that the longer Arsenal’s title drought lasts, the more supporters would appreciate how difficult it is to become champions. Yet for a section of the fanbase, every season Mikel Arteta falls short appears to trigger an effort to discredit what Arsène Wenger achieved in North London.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Botafogo sack Davide Ancelotti

Brazilian side Botafogo have sacked their coach Davide Ancelotti, the club confirmed in a statement. Davide Ancelotti, son of legendary coach Carlo and a former assistant at Real Madrid, Everton and Napoli, among others, has been sacked by Brazilian club Botafogo.

Tottenham Hotspur News / the Boy Hotspur / December 18

Report: Fabio Paratici ‘crazy’ about signing star for Tottenham who is ‘as good as Saliba’

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan. The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the finest defenders in European football, and Tottenham are hoping to bring him to the Premier League.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Missed opportunites: How dream targets Haaland, Bellingham & Rice slipped through Man United fingers

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s time as Manchester United manager continues to be re-examined, and fresh insight into his transfer wishes has only intensified debate around the club’s recruitment strategy during that period.

Liverpool FC News / Empire of the Kop / December 18

Jill Scott explains why Salah had to speak and backs his decision

A familiar Liverpool debate has taken on a new dimension following comments from an outside voice. Mo Salah has been at the centre of intense scrutiny since his post-Leeds interview, but Jill Scott believes the context around his decision has been widely misunderstood.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Sources: Man United eager for double Premier League transfer raid but face City threat

Manchester United are eager to seal the transfers of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. As first reported here for the Daily Briefing, Man Utd are eyeing this ambitious double transfer in a potential spending spree, but face competition from rivals Manchester City.

Juventus FC News / Juvefc.com / December 18

Spalletti to unleash new Juventus formation vs Roma: McKennie & Bremer the catalysts

Juventus will reportedly adopt a new formation when they host Roma at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening. Since his appointment as head coach in late October, Luciano Spalletti has maintained the 3-4-2-1 system implemented by his predecessor, Igor Tudor.

Nottingham Forest News / To The Lane And Back / December 18

Manchester City are ready to make an audacious €80m offer for Tottenham target

Tottenham sit in an uneasy place this season, as results have swung wildly and confidence has been dropping, while the team’s 11th-place spot with 22 points from 16 games shows a side still looking for rhythm.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 18

'What he had in abundance' – Trevoh Chalobah reveals biggest lessons he learned from Thiago Silva

Trevoh Chalobah has revealed the biggest lessons he learned from playing alongside Chelsea legend Thiago Silva. Silva spent four years at Chelsea before leaving in the summer of 2024, and won the Champions League in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.

Tottenham Hotspur News / the Boy Hotspur / December 18

Tottenham want to sign league-winning star from elite club who is a 'machine'

Tottenham are interested in signing Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich. The 30-year-old wants to leave the German club, and he has fallen down the pecking order.

Soccer News / Empire of the Kop / December 18

Journalist details FSG $1.8bn windfall that could unlock next phase

A major ownership decision away from Anfield could quietly shape what comes next for us. Fenway Sports Group are set to receive a significant financial windfall after agreeing in principle to sell the Pittsburgh Penguins, a move that places fresh focus on how our owners plan to deploy their resources.

Soccer News / Caught Offside / December 18

Tottenham planning January move for Man City star admired by Thomas Frank

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a renewed move for Manchester City winger Savinho in the January transfer window, after failing to secure his signature during the summer.

Bayer Leverkusen News / Esteemed Kompany / December 18

Everything seems to be against one Manchester City player in particular

There were plenty of positives for Manchester City to take from their 2-nil win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup tie at the Etihad Stadium last night.

Lille News / Caught Offside / December 18

Man United midfield target wants to leave Premier League club in January

Carlos Baleba’s future is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched storylines of the January transfer window, with the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder continuing to push for a move away from the Amex Stadium.

Soccer News / Stretty News / December 18

‘A player they absolutely love’: Romano says United have placed one player ‘top of their list’, Amorim is in awe

Manchester United retain their interest in Carlos Baleba after initially holding talks over the summer. Back in August, United approached the Brighton and Hove Albion starlet to gauge the feasibility of him swapping the Amex for Old Trafford before 2025/2026 got underway.

Chelsea FC News / Chelsea News / December 18

The Telegraph reveal Chelsea’s centre back plan for next summer

Chelsea could move for a central defender next summer, but are likely to see how Levi Colwill returns from injury and if a defender leaves according to reports.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'Active NFL 5-passing-TD games' quiz

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

Napoli News / Caught Offside / December 18

Talks held: Man United meet with club chiefs to discuss transfer but new complication has emerged

Manchester United have reportedly had recent meetings with Roma officials to discuss a potential transfer deal for Joshua Zirkzee. However, it seems that a deal is not necessarily close to being agreed, and Roma may have alternatives in mind if they cannot land the Netherlands international.

Manchester United News / Stretty News / December 18

Intermedaries ‘spoken to’: Long-linked United target turns down contract offer, his club now want January sale

Ruben Neves has rebuffed a final contract offer from Al-Hilal, prompting the club to begin pushing for a mid-season sale. Indeed, the midfielder is uninterested

Soccer News / Chelsea News / December 18

Chelsea get tough London draw in semi-finals of Carabao Cup – Caicedo will miss it

Moises Caicedo will miss part of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final as The Blues get a tough London draw for the next round. The midfielder was booked in the last game for a sarcastic clapping action towards the Referee, which was very silly.

RB Leipzig News / Esteemed Kompany / December 17

Manchester City 2 Brentford 0: City player ratings as City progress in the Carabao Cup

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City cruised into the semi-final stage of the Carabao Cup with a 2-nil win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.

Soccer News / To The Lane And Back / December 17

Pep Guardiola has his say on Tottenham’s approach to sign Man City star

Tottenham Hotspur continue to keep moving between promise and panic, and because of that, the season so far feels loose, unsettled, and emotionally draining for every fan.

Soccer News / To The Lane And Back / December 17

Tottenham hierarchy given advice on handling Thomas Frank amid fan frustration

Tottenham’s inconsistency in the Premier League has attracted significant media attention in recent weeks. The Lilywhites often take one step forward before taking two steps back under the guidance of Thomas Frank.

Soccer News / Just Arsenal / December 17

Viktor Gyokeres beats Alexander Isak to an award

Sweden currently boasts two of the most expensive strikers in the Premier League, with Alexander Isak playing for Liverpool and Viktor Gyokeres representing Arsenal.

Soccer News / Yardbarker / December 17

2025 Africa Cup of Nations: Key facts every fan needs to know

Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about Africa's premier soccer tournament.

Mohamed Salah tipped to make surprise European move by Liverpool legend

‘Can you imagine Mo Salah’ – Jamie Carragher sounds alarm on the future of Liverpool star

Just in: ‘Wonderful’ Man Utd star looks destined for January move as top suitor accepts key condition

The 'Ballon d'Or winners since 1995' quiz

Manchester United News / Stretty News / December 17

Just in: ‘Wonderful’ Man Utd star looks destined for January move as top suitor accepts key condition

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee could end up joining Roma in January following a breakthrough in the negotiations between the two clubs. The 24-year-old has been unhappy with his limited playing time this season.