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Harry Kane admits Bayern Munich should have won by a bigger margin after spurning multiple chances in their narrow win over Wolfsburg.

Bayern overcame a stubborn Wolfsburg side in the Bundesliga on Saturday, but only scored from three of their 25 shots on goal. England captain Kane was guilty of missing some chances of his own and after the match, the 31-year-old said his side need to be more clinical – while also praising their overall performance.

He told reporters: “We should have scored more goals today, that would have made the game easier for us. But Wolfsburg always stayed in the game, they scored, even at an important time, and made it stressful for us in the last few minutes. But all in all we won the game. It was a good performance against a strong team that has picked up a lot of points this season.”

The result means Bayern stay four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, although closest rivals Bayer Leverkusen won again to keep the title race alive. Kane and his team-mates will hope he is back to his goalscoring best soon.

Kane’s Bayern take a break from Bundesliga action on Wednesday when they travel to Feyenoord in their penultimate Champions League group phase fixture.

According to reports, Dele Alli has done enough to earn a contract with Como that could be signed tomorrow, while they are also close to Barcelona’s Alex Valle, via Celtic.

Cesc Fabregas spoke about Alli’s presence with the club during today’s press conference and left the door open for his future, noting that the player had been “breathing in the atmosphere” of being part of a squad after a long time out of the game.

According to transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sport Italia, the former Tottenham Hotspur man has done enough to earn himself a contract.
Alli is expected to put pen to paper tomorrow on a deal that will run until June 2026 with an option to extend.

The 28-year-old creative midfielder had 37 senior caps for England, but his career faltered due to injuries and off the field problems, culminating in a spell on loan at Besiktas and his contract running down at Everton in the summer of 2024.
He has been training with Como since their winter break Marbella camp to get him back in shape.

Meanwhile, Romano also reports that a deal is practically done to take left-back Alex Valle on loan from Barcelona.
The 20-year-old must first interrupt the planned season-long loan experience at Celtic, where he has so far contributed five assists in 18 competitive appearances.

The Norwegian put pen-to-paper on the Premier League’s biggest ever contract and the release clauses that have been removed from his extension now make it incredibly difficult for any potential suitors.
While Haaland’s deal is among sport’s most lucrative contracts, huge paydays are commonplace amongst England’s biggest clubs even if not quite at the City star’s extent.

The riches that the Premier League offers is one of the main reasons why players pursue a move to England knowing will likely pay more than other major European leagues.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Spurs have all been known to offer massive salaries to stars and Mail Sport has delved deeper into the figures behind the league’s 20 most valuable contracts.
Haaland’s new deal puts his gross earnings over the next nine years nearly £200m ahead of his closest rival: Enzo Fernandez, who remains one of the league’s most expensive recruits according to Capology.

Chelsea forked out a then record-breaking £107m in January 2023 for the combative midfielder after he played a starring role in Argentina’s magical Qatar World Cup triumph.

His reward was a stunning eight-and-a-half-year contract that runs until 2032 and a £180k-per-week salary. As a result, Fernandez has £74.8m remaining to be paid should he stay for the full length of his deal.
The 24-year-old had a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge having initially signed under Graham Potter’s watch only for the Englishman to be sacked, with struggles then continuing under Mauricio Pochettino.
He finally appears to have found his groove amongst England’s elite and has started all but four of Chelsea’s Premier League matches with Enzo Maresca in the dugout this season.
The same can’t be said for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford who remains the club’s highest earner despite being dropped from matchday squads by Ruben Amorim.
Rashford’s career-best season during Erik ten Hag’s first year in charge saw the England international negotiate a new £375k-per-week, five-year contract at his boyhood club.
He then endured a torrid second season under Ten Hag , scoring just eight goals across all competitions, and the 27-year-old now finds his career at a crossroads.

Rashford has a gross total of £62.4m remaining on his deal but isn’t likely to recoup much of that given he has publicly declared his intention to find a ‘new challenge’ elsewhere.

One Englishman who is showing why he deserves to be rewarded with one of the Premier League’s biggest paydays is Cole Palmer who comes in at number four on our list.
Palmer joined Chelsea in a now-budget £42.5m deal at the start of last season, with the Man City academy product having been unable to claim a regular spot in the champions’ team.
The Blues talisman quickly proved doubters wrong by scoring 22 league goals in his debut season and was given a new two-year contract extension in the summer in a bid to ward off interested clubs.
Palmer’s pay rise means his revised salary is now just over £6.7m-per-year and across the entirety of his contract will be paid a whopping £60.8m.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz follows Palmer close behind in the charts and despite earning more per week will actually earn less in the long run given he has four years remaining on his contract as opposed to the Chelsea attacker’s nine.
Gunners supporters were left frustrated with the playmaker as he missed several massive chances and the final penalty in a shootout against rivals Man United that saw Mikel Arteta’s side knocked out of the FA Cup last week.

His performances since joining from Chelsea in a £65m deal last summer have largely impressed and Arsenal’s offering of another £58.2m gross paid up until the end of his contract in 2028 is testament to the value they place in the German.
Similarly, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto shares the same remaining gross earnings as Havertz but is paid only £160k-per-week due to his contract running over another seven years instead of four.
It’s largely the same situation for his Blues team-mate Moises Caicedo who remains the Premier League’s record transfer with Brighton sanctioning a £115m sale for the midfielder last year.

His rather modest £150k-per-week salary is subject to future rises based on his performances and Chelsea’s silverware success, but as things stand the Ecuadorian will be paid £54.6m over the next seven years in London.
It’s a similar figure for Chelsea captain Reece James, but the full-back is paid roughly an extra £100k-per-week as he signed a contract extension before the club began their process of offering massive futureproof deals.
The 25-year-old has a gross total of £52m remaining on his contract that has four years remaining, but his fitness issues have left questions over his future place at the club.
James is widely-regarded as one of England’s best full-backs but has seen his career stall in recent years after been dogged by injuries. Since the start of last season has missed 316 days through a myriad of setbacks.
It’s an almost identical scenario for Man United midfielder Mason Mount who boasts the Premier League’s ninth most valuable contract since joining from Chelsea in 2023.
Mount – who has the same £52m remaining on his contract – was hoping swapping London for England’s north-west would reignite his career.
The England international had only made 32 appearances for the club, with most of his United career spent on the treatment table.

Amorim’s arrival prompted hopes that Mount could be set for an extended starting role only for the Englishman to limp off in last month’s Manchester derby and remains in extended recovery.
A final injury-prone star completes the top 10 in the form of a sixth Chelsea player as centre-back Wesley Fofana again remains with a gross payable wage of £52m.

The Frenchman is yet to reach the heights that was expected when he joined in a £70m transfer from Leicester two years ago as one of Europe’s most-promising centre-backs.
Fofana missed the entirety of last season with an ACL rupture and now risks being out of action for the remainder of this campaign with a hamstring injury.
Chelsea’s long-term contracts have seen them commit significant funds to three further players in the top 20, with Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Nicolas Jackson featuring.
Man United’s Matthijs de Ligt and Bruno Fernandes also make the top 20, along with Arsenal’s key midfield stars Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Despite being out of the Man City starting line-up currently, Jack Grealish is 16th in the list with £46.8m remaining as part of his deal.

Outside of the traditional Big Six, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen are part of the top ranked players, with the duo set to earn £46.8m in the remainder of their respective deals.

Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Friday completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain from Italian league leaders Napoli, the French champions announced. “Paris Saint-Germain is pleased to announce the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The 23-year-old winger, who will wear number seven, becomes the first Georgian player in the club’s history,” said a PSG statement. No transfer fee was revealed but media reports in France said the Parisians would pay 70 million euros ($72m), not including potential bonuses, for the player.

The move comes 24 hours after the 23-year-old posted a video on social media telling Napoli fans “it’s hard for me but it’s time to say goodbye”.

“It’s an honour to be able to wear the PSG shirt,” he added in an interview with the PSG website on Friday.
“It was a dream for me to play for one of the biggest teams in the world. I’m very proud, it’s a dream and we’re going to fight together to fulfil our dreams. I’m very happy.”
The 2023 Scudetto winner, who arrived at Napoli in 2022 as a bargain buy from Dinamo Batumi in his homeland, was voted Serie A’s best player that season.

Kvaratskhelia scored 30 goals and provided 29 assists in 107 matches in all competitions for Napoli.
He has signed a contract until 2029 with the Ligue 1 leaders and will hope to dislodge France international Bradley Barcola from his position on the left wing in coach Luis Enrique’s starting line-up.

Kvaratskhelia could make an immediate debut for his new club when they go to Lens on Saturday, looking to extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 10 points from nearest challengers Marseille.
However, he will not be able to play in PSG’s remaining Champions League matches this month, at home to Manchester City next Wednesday and away to VfB Stuttgart on January 29.

PSG will only be able to add their new signing to their Champions League squad should they make it through to the knockout phase beginning in February.
They currently sit one place and one point outside the qualifying spots for the play-off round before hosting City in a crunch match at the Parc des Princes.

The project is what convinced me to come here,” added Kvaratskhelia.
“I know what the club wants to achieve and how it works with players. It’s in line with who I am, a lot of great players have played here, so I didn’t think much about it when I had the opportunity to come to Paris.”

Kvaratskhelia’s arrival adds a sprinkling of stardust to a PSG side still adapting following the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid at the end of last season.
His signing comes as PSG try to offload France centre-forward Randal Kolo Muani, who has been on the verge of making a loan move to Juventus having fallen out of favour in Paris.
However, reports in France on Friday suggested that switch is on hold because PSG have already filled their quota for players out on loan, which is capped at six.

Striker Neymar said his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé became “a little jealous” after superstar Lionel Messi joined the French club in August 2021 in a free transfer.

Speaking in a podcast hosted by World Cup winner Romário released Thursday, the 32-year-old Brazilian who plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal added that big egos affected the performances of PSG in big matches.

Neymar made his comments after Romário asked whether Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid this season, “is annoying.”

“No, he is not. I have my things with him, we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived. I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together,” Neymar said.

“We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn’t want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior,” the Brazilian player added.

Mbappé joined PSG from Monaco in 2017, the same year Neymar moved from Barcelona to the French club in one of the biggest transfers in soccer history.

Both were signed as the club sought its maiden Champions League title, which it is yet to win. Neymar said the team often struggled due to big egos, but didn’t name anyone.

“It is good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone. There needs to be another guy by your side. (Big) egos were almost everywhere, it can’t work,” Neymar said.

“If nobody runs and nobody helps, it is impossible to win anything.”

Neymar didn’t rule out returning to Brazil after his contract in Saudi Arabia expires in the middle of the year.

Neither Mbappé nor Messi have reacted to Neymar’s comments.

Amad Diallo struck a 12-minute hat-trick in a dramatic finish as Manchester United came from behind to snatch a 3-1 win over Premier League basement boys Southampton at Old Trafford.

United’s first-half performance seemed to undo much of the good work from their 2-2 draw at Liverpool and Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out at Arsenal as Southampton created chance after chance but only capitalised on one through a Manuel Ugarte own goal.

But as time ticked down Diallo would prove United’s saviour again. The Ivorian levelled in the 82nd minute and then, in the dying seconds of the 90 minutes, exchanged passes with Christian Eriksen before putting the hosts ahead.

He was not done there, capitalising on a horrible error from Taylor Harwood-Bellis to grab a third in stoppage time.
It was another vital intervention from the 22-year-old, who grabbed the last-gasp winner in the Manchester derby last month before scoring a late equaliser in that draw at Anfield.

Yet for much of the night United appeared dangerously close to losing a fourth successive top-flight home game for the first time in 95 years.

Southampton arrived at Old Trafford on course for the worst campaign in Premier League history and the late finish means they now remain on six points, with a goal difference of minus 34 – having found the net only 13 times in the league this season. And yet they looked by far the more dangerous side in the opening half.

Twelve minutes in, Kamaldeen Sulemana left Leny Yoro trailing in his wake before Andre Onana palmed away his low shot. Moments later Mateus Fernandes charged into the box before firing straight at the United goalkeeper.
The hosts responded as Rasmus Hojlund burst down the left and pulled the ball back for Alejandro Garnacho, starting his first league game since December 7. When the Argentinian somehow placed his shot wide, Hojlund kicked the post in frustration.

But the better chances came at the other end, where Onana made an outstanding double save in the 27th minute. Tyler Dibling spun clear of Lisandro Martinez before shooting at Onana and, when the ball fell for Matheus Fernandes, the keeper made an even better save to keep out his close-range effort.
Dibling shot over before Sulemana again beat Yoro, then ran past both Matthijs de Ligt and Martinez before bending a shot narrowly wide.

United did not even manage a shot on target until a tame effort from Bruno Fernandes was scooped up by Aaron Ramsdale in the 36th minute.
Few could deny Southampton deserved the lead they took two minutes before half-time, when Matheus Fernandes’ corner was flicked on by Dibling before striking Ugarte on the back and deflecting in.

Seconds later, Dibling might have doubled the advantage with a powerful shot palmed away by Onana, yet the Saints still led at half-time for only the third time this season.

The visitors started the second half strongly as well with Sulemana continuing to give Yoro a torrid time but United should have been level just before the hour.

Garnacho’s low ball was perfect for substitute Antony, but the much-maligned Brazilian got it it all wrong, his finish effectively a pass back to Ramsdale as Amorim put his head in his hands.

Instead they would leave it late. In the 82nd minute Kyle Walker-Peters blocked Diallo’s first effort but the ball came straight back to the Ivorian, who made no mistake the second time around.

Eight minutes later he had them level after a perfect combination with Eriksen but even Diallo was shaking his head in disbelief after Harwood-Bellis failed to control a pass from Ramsdale, allowing him to swoop in and apply the killer blow.

Liverpool are entering a crucial phase in the Premier League title race after failing to secure a win in two consecutive league games for the first time this season – with Arsenal hot on their heels following a significant 2-1 victory over Tottenham.
The Reds have only managed to clinch three wins out of their last seven matches across all competitions, sparking concerns that Arne Slot’s squad might be experiencing a slump for the first time this season, especially after a challenging 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Securing a win at the City Ground was always going to be a tough task, given Nuno Espirito Santo’s team’s current second-place standing in the table after an impressive season so far. However, this result followed a disappointing home draw with Manchester United and a Carabao Cup defeat.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had been without a win in three games across all competitions before their North London Derby showdown but have now regained momentum and closed the gap to just four points behind their rivals following Wednesday night’s triumph, reports the Mirror.
Here, we examine the next six fixtures for both Liverpool and Arsenal, which could prove pivotal in the title race.

Liverpool and Arsenal are set to face a defining period in the Premier League title race after the Gunners closed the gap on their rivals to just four points.

Liverpool are entering a crucial phase in the Premier League title race after failing to secure a win in two consecutive league games for the first time this season – with Arsenal hot on their heels following a significant 2-1 victory over Tottenham.
The Reds have only managed to clinch three wins out of their last seven matches across all competitions, sparking concerns that Arne Slot’s squad might be experiencing a slump for the first time this season, especially after a challenging 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Securing a win at the City Ground was always going to be a tough task, given Nuno Espirito Santo’s team’s current second-place standing in the table after an impressive season so far. However, this result followed a disappointing home draw with Manchester United and a Carabao Cup defeat.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had been without a win in three games across all competitions before their North London Derby showdown but have now regained momentum and closed the gap to just four points behind their rivals following Wednesday night’s triumph, reports the Mirror.
Here, we examine the next six fixtures for both Liverpool and Arsenal, which could prove pivotal in the title race.

Liverpool

Arne Slot’s team face some significant yet very achievable upcoming Premier League games after navigating through a difficult series of fixtures that included clashes with Manchester United, Tottenham and high-flying Forest.
First up, they travel to Brentford, who staged a dramatic comeback from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in the dying minutes. Thomas Frank’s side have proven to be a formidable opponent this season, having netted 40 goals so far.Following a Champions League clash with Lille, they’ll have a quick turnaround before squaring off against relegation-threatened Ipswich on January 25 – a match that is undoubtedly a must-win for them against a team teetering on the brink of the drop zone.

A challenging journey to Bournemouth awaits on February 1, following another European encounter with PSV, before the much-anticipated rescheduled showdown with local rivals Everton at what is set to be the final match at Goodison Park.
There may be some weary legs for that one, given they face Spurs in the Carabao Cup and Plymouth in the FA Cup within a six-day period prior to the Merseyside Derby.
Liverpool will then host Wolves at Anfield on February 16, in another crucial game against a team fighting for their Premier League survival.

A daunting trip to Manchester City concludes their six-game run in the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola aiming to reignite their season after a disappointing spell before the New Year.
Liverpool’s next six Premier League fixtures are as follows:

Brentford (a) – January 18Ipswich (h) – January 25Bournemouth (a) – February 1
Everton (a) February 12Wolves (h) – February 16Manchester City (a) – February 23

Arsenal

Like Liverpool, the Gunners have had to navigate some challenging matches after suffering losses to Newcastle and Manchester United in the cup before their North London Derby victory over Spurs, which is always a tough game.
Their upcoming six games are no stroll in the park either, starting with a home match against former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, who’s doing a stellar job at Aston Villa.

Next up is an away game against Wolves on January 25, followed by a home clash with last year’s title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates on February 2, just days after a trip to Girona.They’ll enjoy a brief respite between their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle on February 5 and their journey to struggling Leicester City on February 15, before hosting Graham Potter’s West Ham in north London.

Arsenal’s next six Premier League fixtures:.Aston Villa (h)Wolves (a)Manchester City (h)Leicester City (a)West Ham (h)Nottingham Forest (a)

FC Barcelona whizzkid Lamine Yamal received public praise and an order from his idol Neymar on social media, after the youngster put up another world class display against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey to usher in talk of him being the best player in the world on current form.

Teammate Gavi and head coach Hansi Flick made it clear that they agreed with this conclusion in separate post-match interviews in Montjuic.

Elsewhere, Lamine is being talked up as a mix of Lionel Messi – who El Chiringuito says he will inherit the number 10 shirt from next season – and Neymar by figures including the popular Spanish soccer program’s panelist and diehard Culer Jota Jordi.

While Lamine has often been compared to Messi because of their similarities as left-footed La Masia prodigies that debuted for the first team as teenagers and began their careers on the right wing, the Spain international has made it clear that his idol is the Santos academy product.

Speaking to CNN Sport earlier this month, Lamine explained: “I was five years old when I saw him at Santos, but seven years old when I saw him in person at FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou.”

“It was incredible to see him. Yes, it’s true that Messi was there who was also incredible, but he was something totally different. Neymar has always been my idol. He’s a star, a football legend.”

How thrilling it must have been for Lamine to receive praise from his idol following the Real Betis thrashing then.
As Lamine shared photos from the match on his Instagram account accompanied by the Spanish caption “disfrutando” – a declaration that he is enjoying himself – and a Brazilian funk song from Oruam, MC Tuto and Ze Felipe, a famous user of the social media platform showed up in the comments section.

“You are very Brazilian,” Neymar replied, alongside laughing and applause emojis.
“Dance, craque,” he added, with the latter word a name in Portuguese for a phenomenon or star player in soccer.

Considering the way the 17-year-old dribbles and boasts complete, skillful dominance of the ball at his feet while full of tricks, it is difficult to argue with the former statement that the Spaniard of Moroccan and Equitorial-Guinean descent looks like he could have easily derived from the land of the five-time World Cup winners.

VAR was unable to intervene for Arsenal’s equaliser in the north London derby.
Son Heung-min had opened the scoring for Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners were able to battle back through a corner. However, there was controversy in the goal, as Arsenal should have never been awarded the corner

The last touch came off Leandro Trossard, but it was missed by the on pitch officials – with replays showing it should have been a Spurs goal kick. However, VAR is unable to intervene in these situations as it can only call on the referee in certain situations.

In the event of a goal, VAR is only able to analyse the attacking possession phase that led to the goal, and the starting point is limited to the immediate phase, in this instance the corner being taken.
As a result, the Arsenal corner and goal are allowed to stand.

Spurs fans were left furious on social media, and one posted: “I truly believe VAR should be checking if corners are corners. Super quickly while corner taker strolls over to take or if a goal is scored…”

“It’s ridiculous VAR can’t intervene and deny a corner, which will almost always lead to a goalscoring opportunity, if incorrectly given. Again makes you wonder what’s the point in VAR,” a second sighed. While a third posted: “That wasn’t a corner na. Came off Trossard. Why wasn’t it checked?”
“What is the point of VAR if they won’t help with stupid decisions,” a fourth fumed. And another added: “Would be great if VAR could step in with wrongly awarded corner decisions…”

Newcastle United made it nine wins in a row in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James’ Park.

A goal in either half from Alexander Isak put the Magpies 2-0 ahead before the Swede set up Anthony Gordon in the 74th minute.

Gordon wheeled away in celebrations but quickly feared the goal would be ruled out as VAR checked for offside against Isak in the build-up. However, the goal was eventually cleared after a lengthy review.

The Premier League Match Centre, which explains VAR decisions, explained: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR as Isak was in an onside position in the build-up.”

Five minutes later, Wolves thought they’d pulled one back when Santiago Bueno turned the ball in from a corner. The goal was given on field but VAR intervene.

The Wolves defender was then penalised for handling the ball – again explained by the Premier League Match Centre.

“Bueno’s goal was awarded on-field,” it explained. “The VAR deemed that Bueno handled the ball immediately before scoring and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Newcastle completed their first league double over Wolves since 1905-06 to move up to fourth in the Premier League table.

The race for the 2024-25 Capocannoniere is in full swing. Established superstars and rising sharpshooters will battle it out for the prestigious crown of the Italian top-flight’s leading goal scorer.
Inter’s talisman Lautaro Martinez stood head and shoulders above his Serie A colleagues in the top scorer stakes for the 2024-25 season with an impressive 24 goals comfortably outpacing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who finished a distant second, trailing the Argentine by eight goals.

As Martinez aims to defend his crown and secure back-to-back titles this year, the competition promises to heat up. Challengers include stars like Vlahovic, Inter’s own Marcus Thuram, Napoli’s powerhouse Romelu Lukaku, Roma’s rising talent Artem Dovbyk, and potentially AC Milan’s American forward Christian Pulisic, who could spring a surprise.

1Marcus Thuram | Inter | 13 goals

When Inter signed Marcus Thuram following the expiration of his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach, they had to beat out a fair bit of competition to do so. There was a sense that he was a long-term signing who might take a few months to find his feet.
But that didn’t prove to be the case. He well and truly hit the ground running and was super decisive in the final third, alongside goal-machine and partner-in-crime Lautaro Martinez.

2Mateo Retegui | Atalanta | 12 goals

While whispers of a potential transfer to Inter Milan swirled, it was Genoa who secured Mateo Retegui from Boca Juniors in July 2023.
In his debut Serie A campaign, Retegui found the net seven times across 29 appearances, a tally impacted by a three-month injury layoff. Under manager Alberto Gilardino, he was tasked with an intense pressing role, which demanded significant effort off the ball. Even so, Retegui’s natural abilities shone through. His instinctive play in the penalty area and a relentless desire to shoot stood out as hallmarks of his game.

Fast forward to August 2024, and another astute coach recognized his potential: Gian Piero Gasperini. Now thriving in Bergamo, Retegui has transformed from a raw talent into a refined attacker. Known for his aerial prowess, he has sharpened his finishing inside the box and improved his interplay with teammates.
Frequently dropping deep into midfield, Retegui excels at holding up the ball, playing with his back to goal, and executing quick one-twos—particularly with Ademola Lookman—before bursting into space to finish with flair.

3Moise Kean | Fiorentina | 11 goals

It has been eight years since Moise Kean made history with Juventus, becoming the club’s youngest-ever debutant and the first footballer born in the 2000s to feature in one of Europe’s top five leagues as well as the UEFA Champions League. In his maiden season, he clinched a domestic double before heading out on loan to Hellas Verona.
Since then, Kean’s career has been a whirlwind, taking him from Juventus to Everton, then to Paris Saint-Germain, and back to Turin. A move to Atletico Madrid in January 2024 appeared imminent, but a medical examination revealed that his tibia injury required an additional three weeks of recovery, halting the deal.

While Kean dazzled in his early days—making his senior debut for Italy at just 18 years old and earning a nomination for the 2019 Kopa Trophy, awarded to Europe’s best young player—his journey has been anything but smooth. Yet now, on the verge of turning 25 years old, it seems Kean is finally rediscovering his spark. He is transitioning from a perpetual “golden boy” into a mature and reliable striker capable of delivering at the highest level.

4Ademola Lookman | Atalanta | 9 goals

The Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, endured somewhat lackluster stints with Everton, Fulham, and Leicester City earlier in his career, but he has undoubtedly elevated his game to new heights.
In the 2024-25 season, Lookman has been in scintillating form for Atalanta, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net across all competitions. His current contract with the Italian club runs until June 2026, but his impressive performances have sparked a flurry of rumors about his future. A host of clubs are reportedly vying for the talented forward’s signature.

5Dusan Vlahovic | Juventus | 7 goals

Since Dusan Vlahovic made his high-profile switch to Juventus, expectations have mounted for the striker to evolve into a standout performer for the Bianconeri, especially given the club’s substantial investment in him. However, his displays have been somewhat erratic.
During Max Allegri’s tenure, Vlahovic struggled to hit his stride and fulfill the lofty expectations tied to his transfer. Now, under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, the Serbian forward appears to be rediscovering his form, even as speculation about his future and contract negotiations swirl around him.

6Valentin Castellanos | Lazio | 7 goals

After delivering standout displays for Lazio in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this season, Valentin Castellanos has made significant strides as a forward under Marco Baroni’s guidance. His growth in composure, accuracy, and movement—both inside the penalty area and beyond—marks a notable improvement from prior campaigns.

Castellanos has been instrumental for Lazio, contributing both goals and creative play. His knack for stepping up in crucial moments has been evident, with key strikes in matches against Nice in the UEFA Europa League and AC Milan in Serie A showcasing his ability to shine under pressure. This impressive form not only boosts Castellanos’ reputation as a forward but also strengthens Lazio’s attacking prowess. With a reliable focal point up front, the team now has a solid foundation to enhance and refine their offensive strategies for the long term.

7Lorenzo Lucca | Udinese | 7 goals

Lorenzo Lucca has firmly established himself as a rising star in the footballing world, attracting attention from several elite European clubs following a stellar start to the season. The 24-year-old’s outstanding performances earned him his maiden call-up to the Italian national team in October, where he made his debut for the Azzurri in a clash against Israel.

8Romelu Lukaku | Napoli | 7 goals

Napoli has its sights firmly set on dethroning Milan in the race for the Scudetto, with Antonio Conte at the helm and steering the charge. Central to their ambitions is the resurgence of Romelu Lukaku, now 31, who is thriving under Conte’s guidance and proving to be the cornerstone of their attacking prowess.

The Belgian forward has been a revelation at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this season. This dynamic duo—Lukaku and the Italian tactician—has reunited to great effect, rekindling the chemistry that brought them success during their two-year stint at Inter Milan. Back in the 2020-21 Serie A season, the partnership led Inter to the Scudetto, with Lukaku delivering an impressive 24 goals and 11 assists in 36 league appearances.

9Sebastiano Esposito | Empoli | 7 goals

For now, Sebastiano Esposito remains officially on Inter Milan’s books, as the young striker is spending this season on loan at Empoli after making the switch during the summer transfer window.
The Nerazzurri forward has relished his stint at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, making the most of his opportunities with the Tuscan side. In Serie A, Esposito has found the back of the net five times so far this campaign, showcasing his knack for crucial goals. Furthermore, he etched his name into Empoli folklore by delivering a match-winning performance in the Coppa Italia, where he played the pivotal role in knocking out their fierce rivals Fiorentina.

10Riccardo Orsolini | Bologna | 6 goals

Riccardo Orsolini proved his worth for Bologna last season. The Italian winger featured regularly for Bologna since 2018 after arriving on a loan deal first before the club made the move permanent. The 27-year-old usually featured as a right winger, and his red-hot form helped his side massively surpass expectations this season by achieving a top-four finish. He has carried over that form into the ongoing season.

11Andrea Pinamonti | Genoa | 6 goals

Andrea Pinamonti has emerged as Genoa’s primary goal-scoring threat this season. Renowned for his excellent ball-handling skills, he plays a vital role in retaining possession under pressure and crafting chances in the attacking third. His pace is a significant asset, enabling him to capitalize on gaps in opposing defenses.

12Christian Pulisic | AC Milan | 5 goals

Since departing Chelsea in the summer of 2023, Christian Pulisic has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence. The U.S. international has become a pivotal figure at San Siro, achieving career-high numbers in both goals and assists.
His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with several Premier League clubs reportedly eyeing a potential return to England for the 26-year-old. However, Pulisic is currently reaping the rewards of stability and regular playing time, making any hasty departure from Italy unlikely.

13Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli | 5 goals

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is widely considered to be one of the best players in his position in Europe ever since joining in 2022. He has enjoyed another fine start to the season for Napoli, who are flying high in Serie A under former Inter, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte.

14Lautaro Martinez | Inter | 5 goals

Lautaro Martinez has been in sensational form for club and country in the last few seasons, and it is no surprise that he continues to be linked with a big-money move to the Premier League. The 27-year-old has been at the Italian giants for six years, and during that time, he has become one of the top strikers in football.

The England star is out of contract with Liverpool at the end of the season, with no sign yet that he will extend his stay at Anfield. Madrid have long been seen as the frontrunners to sign him as they look for Dani Carvajal’s successor.

The La Liga leaders saw a £20million bid for Alexander-Arnold rejected by Liverpool at New Year’s. The 26-year-old remains the Spanish giants’ top target despite seeing that offer turned down.

They can come to a pre-contract agreement with the right-back at any point until his Liverpool deal comes to an end. And it appears that they are now happy to wait until the summer before renewing their interest.

According to Revelo, Madrid believe that a deal to sign him in January is ‘practically impossible’. Instead, Alexander-Arnold is set to move to the Bernabeu in July, barring any ‘unexpected tun of events’.
Madrid chiefs have approved the decision to park their interest in the summer. Liverpool’s ‘lack of will’ towards letting Alexander-Arnold go and an expectation the right-back will not force an exit are cited as the two biggest factors for a January move being abandoned.

Los Blancos believe that Liverpool would not accept even a high offer, while Alexander-Arnold is thought to be ‘unconvinced’ that leaving the Reds in the middle of the season is the best option.

While Madrid will now push for a free transfer in the summer, they expect the Reds to also mount a sustained bid to keep him at Anfield. Carlo Ancelotti is now hoping to have Alexander-Arnold in his squad ahead of the Club World Cup, which Liverpool have not qualified for.
Ancelotti has been keen to avoid jeopardizing a potential move by speaking publicly about it. He said at the start of the month: “January signings? It’s a bit more complicated to talk about this. We’ll see, we’ll see. Talking about this is not easy at the moment.

“I said that we will not sign anyone in January before. Look, I can’t talk about it now. This is not the time and place. We will see what will happen but I have a great squad. We have got injuries and problems with that but we are also able to overcome them.”

Alexander-Arnold meanwhile has moved to keep rumours around his future out of the public eye. Instead, he is focusing on helping the Reds to win silverware this season.

“I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public – and this one won’t be either,” he told Sky Sports in December.
“I think we win multiple trophies. I think that’s the level that we’re at, that’s the level we’ve shown that we’re capable of, beating the best teams in the world”