Starting with the hosts, opening up the 2025/26 campaign in the midst of a record-breaking rut, Norwich are still trying to fully recover from what was a woeful start to proceedings. While new boss Philippe Clement might have only arrived at Carrow Road last month, it appears that the former Rangers boss is offering some essential signs of life in Norfolk.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs keen on signing Marseille midfielder Darryl Bakola, according to Footmercato. Newcastle United, VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the 18-year-old's development, following his impressive recent displays in France. Bakola may well leave Marseille next month if he turns down the club's contract extension offer. His current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2027.
Chelsea and Manchester City are both weighing up potential moves for Leicester City's highly rated teenage winger Jeremy Monga, with interest in the 16-year-old continuing to intensify ahead of the January transfer window. According to TEAMtalk, the Premier League giants are closely monitoring Monga's development as he establishes himself as one of the most exciting young talents currently playing senior football in England.
Drawing a line under their four-match winless rut against Premier League opposition, Keith Andrews' men are sat within touching distance of finding a route into the top-half of the table. Hoping to secure consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since the end of October, the Bees will also be excited to make a return to the English capital this weekend.
Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have mounted a dramatic second-half comeback away at Newcastle last weekend as they eventually left St. James' Park with a 2-2 stalemate, the Blues have shown some real inconsistencies over the past month. Getting December underway with a shock 3-1 defeat against relegation scrappers Leeds, it has been suggested that Enzo Maresca has some increasing pressure on his shoulders in west London.
The Gunners dominated in the first half of the only remaining quarter-final tie, but found Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez in superb form. Despite Palace improving markedly in the second half, Arsenal finally broke them down in the 80th minute when Maxence Lacroix inadvertently put through his own net from a corner. Marc Guehi briefly spared his blushes when he levelled in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The 25-year-old left-back is expected to be on the move during the January transfer window, but he has been told to turn down a move to the London club. West Ham are going through a difficult phase right now, and they are fighting for survival in the Premier League. El Karouani has been warned that he could find himself in the Championship next season if he joins West Ham.
"Gary joined during a challenging period and deserves immense credit for the hard work and leadership that saw us retain our Championship status last season. However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the club. On behalf of the board, I would like to place on record our thanks to Gary and Mark for their contribution to the club and to wish them all the best for the future."
However, despite enjoying what was an eye-catching flurry on either side of November's international break, Chris Davies' men have gone crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in a nightmare display as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming away at Sheffield United, Birmingham have collected just one-point from any of their previous four consecutive Championship appearances.
Starting with the hosts, signing off October in the midst of a three-match winning run, it appeared that Manchester United had finally started to find their feet under Ruben Amorim's guidance. However, dropping out of the European spots and once again showing some glaring inconsistencies, the former Sporting Lisbon boss once again finds serious scrutiny on his position at Old Trafford.
The 2026 winter transfer window for the Women's Super League (WSL) begins on Jan. 2 and ends on Feb. 3, but what do teams need to do? Manchester City have set the pace and lead the table by six points as we head into the winter break, with action set to resume on Jan. 10, while Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have work to do to catch them.
Fulham may have had to wait nearly a year for a Premier League penalty, but its conversion should never have been in doubt. Raul Jimenez calmly slotted home the Cottagers' first penalty since the 2-2 draw with Ipswich in January 2025 to earn Fulham a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest and move to within two spot-kicks of breaking a Premier League record.
Manchester United could move for Conor Gallagher on loan, three Premier League clubs are vying for Antoine Semenyo, while Aston Villa join the race for Brennan Johnson. Manchester United have shortlisted seven midfielders to sign, with a loan deal for Atletico Madrid's 25-year-old England international Conor Gallagher in January being one of the more feasible options. Tottenham have ended their pursuit of Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo.
Saturday's defeat at home to Brentford means Wolves have taken just two points for 17 games. No side in the entire history of English league football, in any division, has ever made a worse start than that. To reach 11 points, the record low for a Premier League season set by Derby County in 2007-08, would require a significant improvement. How can this have happened?
