The football world has been buzzing over the last seven days, from January 12th to January 19th, 2026, with the January transfer window taking center stage across Europe’s top leagues. While major match results have shaped league tables, the rumor mill and confirmed deals have dominated headlines, alongside several significant injuries impacting key players. Managerial changes have also added a layer of intrigue, particularly in La Liga. This summary delves into the hottest stories from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga, highlighting pivotal moments and potential shifts in power. Due to the concentration of major news during this period within European club football, the focus will primarily remain on these leagues, as distinct top-tier news for FIFA, Asia, and Africa outside of European club football overlaps has been less prominent.

European Football Highlights

The European football landscape has witnessed a flurry of activity, both on and off the pitch. A significant managerial change has rocked one of Spain’s giants, while the transfer market continues to see high-profile movements.

Alonso Departs Real Madrid, Arbeloa Takes Reins
In a surprising development, Xabi Alonso has reportedly left his position as manager of Real Madrid by mutual consent, with club legend Álvaro Arbeloa immediately appointed as his successor. This high-profile change, reported on January 12, 2026, marks a new era for Los Blancos and will undoubtedly be a major talking point in the coming weeks as Arbeloa looks to stamp his authority on the squad. Real Madrid’s hierarchy has indicated they will not be active in the January transfer market for midfielders, despite Alonso’s previous requests, opting instead to utilize Castilla options if needed. The club’s only confirmed January move has been the loan of Brazilian defender Endrick Felipe to Olympique Lyon.

Per Mertesacker to Leave Arsenal Youth Role
Former Germany international and Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is set to depart his role as Arsenal’s head of youth development at the end of the current season. The 41-year-old, who has served in the position for eight years, has expressed a desire to pursue new challenges. His departure will leave a significant void in Arsenal’s academy structure, which has seen considerable success under his leadership.

Donyell Malen Completes Roma Move Amidst Transfer Rush
The January transfer window has seen several notable moves across European leagues. Dutch forward Donyell Malen has completed a loan move from Aston Villa to AS Roma, with reports suggesting an obligatory purchase option if Roma qualifies for the Europa League. This transfer is expected to bolster Roma’s attacking options for the second half of the season. Additionally, Conor Gallagher has been a hot topic, with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly striking a permanent agreement for the Atletico Madrid midfielder for €40 million.

Premier League

England’s top flight has been a hub of transfer activity, with several clubs reinforcing their squads, while injuries continue to plague key players.

Manchester City Lands Antoine Semenyo, Crystal Palace Signs Brennan Johnson
The Premier League transfer window has been bustling with significant deals. Manchester City has reportedly secured the services of winger Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth for £64 million. This move adds further attacking depth to the reigning champions. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace made a notable acquisition, signing Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur for £35 million, a deal that could be a club record. Brighton & Hove Albion also brought back Pascal Gross from Borussia Dortmund for £1.2 million. Rumors also suggest that Manchester City is making a strong push to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, with a deal reportedly in the final stages.

Injury Woes Hit Tottenham and Aston Villa
Several Premier League clubs are grappling with significant injury lists. Tottenham Hotspur is facing a crisis with key players like James Maddison sidelined with an ACL injury, potentially keeping him out until June 2026, and Radu Dragusin also suffering an ACL blow. Other notable absentees include Yves Bissouma (knock) and Dominic Solanke (ankle surgery). Aston Villa is also dealing with injuries to crucial midfielders, with Ross Barkley out with a knee issue and Boubacar Kamara also sidelined due to a knee injury. Furthermore, Richarlison of Tottenham is expected to be out for up to seven weeks with a hamstring injury.

Liam Rosenior Tipped for Chelsea Managerial Role
Reports indicate that Liam Rosenior is expected to replace Enzo Maresca as the manager of Chelsea. This potential change at Stamford Bridge suggests a shift in the club’s direction and will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.

La Liga

Spain’s La Liga has seen a major managerial upheaval at Real Madrid, alongside a significant loan return for Barcelona and ongoing injury concerns across the league.

Xabi Alonso’s Departure and Arbeloa’s Appointment at Real Madrid
As highlighted in the broader European news, the most impactful story in La Liga this past week is the departure of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid’s managerial post and the immediate appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa. This unexpected change on January 12, 2026, has sent ripples through the league and will be a defining moment for Real Madrid’s season. The club has also stated that they will not be pursuing further signings in the January transfer window beyond the already announced loan of Endrick Felipe to Lyon.

Joao Cancelo Returns to Barcelona on Loan
Barcelona has secured the return of Joao Cancelo on a loan deal. Cancelo’s presence is expected to provide a significant boost to Barcelona’s squad as they navigate the remainder of the season. This move comes amidst other transfer rumors, including Conor Gallagher being linked to Atletico Madrid for a €40 million fee, though Premier League clubs like Tottenham also reportedly had strong interest.

Espanyol’s Javi Puado Out for Season Amidst Injury Epidemic
La Liga clubs are contending with a considerable number of injuries. Espanyol will be without Javi Puado for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Athletic Bilbao’s Yeray Álvarez is serving a suspension for a doping violation, a significant blow to their defensive lineup. Other notable injuries include Getafe’s Borja Mayoral, expected back in early February from a knee injury, and Atlético Madrid’s Clement Lenglet, also anticipated to return in late January from a knee injury.

Serie A

Italy’s Serie A delivered thrilling match outcomes, continued transfer movements, and key players facing time on the sidelines due to injuries.

Inter Milan and Napoli Share Spoils, Juventus Dominates
The latest Serie A matchday, around January 10-12, 2026, saw some compelling encounters. Inter Milan and Napoli played out an exciting 2-2 draw, showcasing the competitive nature at the top of the league. Elsewhere, Fiorentina held AC Milan to a 1-1 draw, while Juventus delivered a dominant performance, securing a resounding 5-0 victory over Cremonese. Genoa also had a strong showing, defeating Cagliari 3-0. These results have certainly impacted the Serie A standings, with Inter Milan currently leading the table.

Roma Secures Donyell Malen, Lazio Adds Kenneth Taylor
The Serie A transfer market has been active, with AS Roma notably acquiring Donyell Malen on loan from Aston Villa. This addition is expected to provide a boost to Roma’s attack. Lazio has also strengthened their midfield by confirming the signing of Dutch midfielder Kenneth Taylor from Ajax. Other confirmed transfers include Gino Infantino to Fiorentina, Valentín Carboni to Inter, and Joaquín Sosa to Bologna. Napoli is reportedly eyeing a move for striker Evan Ferguson, while Juventus continues to show interest in midfielder Davide Frattesi.

Calhanoglu and Fullkrug Face Injury Setbacks
Inter Milan is awaiting an update on midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who was forced off with suspected calf muscle fatigue or a minor strain during their 2-2 draw with Napoli. AC Milan faces concerns over striker Niclas Fullkrug, who is feared to have suffered a broken toe, potentially ruling him out of upcoming matches. Roma’s Evan Ferguson also sustained a lower back bruise during a recent victory, though the injury is not believed to be muscular. Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks with a low-grade femoral bicep injury.

Bundesliga

The German Bundesliga has been marked by a significant injury crisis at Bayern Munich, impacting their squad depth, while a key player’s return offers a glimmer of hope.

Bayern Munich Grapples with Extensive Injury Crisis
Bayern Munich is currently facing a severe personnel crisis, with a growing list of injured players impacting their squad. Midfielder Konrad Laimer is expected to miss a month due to a muscle injury, while defender Josip Stanisic is sidelined for approximately three weeks with damaged ankle ligaments. These injuries, which forced Bayern to finish their last two matches with only 10 men due to a lack of substitutions, add to the existing unavailability of key players like Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and Sacha Boey. This situation presents a significant challenge for coach Vincent Kompany during a congested fixture schedule.

Jamal Musiala Nears Return for Bayern
In a positive development for Bayern Munich, Jamal Musiala is reportedly close to making his long-awaited return to the squad. The talented midfielder has been out for six months with a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle but has been back in full training for two weeks. His potential availability for the upcoming match against RB Leipzig offers a much-needed boost to the injury-hit Bayern side.

Bayern Dominates Wolfsburg in High-Scoring Affair
Despite their injury woes, Bayern Munich demonstrated their attacking prowess with a commanding 8-1 victory over Wolfsburg. This high-scoring match highlights Bayern’s ability to perform even with a depleted squad, although the extensive injury list remains a concern for the club’s long-term prospects. Elsewhere in the league, Eintracht Frankfurt was without Mario Götze for their clash against Werder Bremen due to illness.