Al Ittihad News, Transfers & Highlights
Latest Al Ittihad News
Why Roma's Salah Dream Is Dead On Arrival: The Financial Reality
AS Roma's reported interest in re-signing Mohamed Salah represents one of football's most unrealistic transfer fantasies. With the Giallorossi battling FFP violations and the Egyptian locked into a Liverpool contract until 2027, the numbers tell a brutal story of ambition colliding with economic reality.
City Dream Over Italy: Why Maresca Won't Return to Serie A
Enzo Maresca's dramatic New Year's Day departure from Chelsea wasn't about returning home to Italy—it was about positioning himself for the Manchester City job. After winning two trophies in 18 months, the Italian walked away from Stamford Bridge because he'd already held talks with Pep Guardiola's potential successors at the Etihad.
Salah’s Reinvention: The ‘Creator King’ at Crossroads Amid Madrid Whispers
Mohamed Salah has evolved from Anfield’s executioner to the Premier League’s most potent architect, creating 19 big chances in 2025. But as the Egyptian departs for AFCON, a recent rift with Arne Slot and Kylian Mbappé’s injury have cracked the door open for a sensational January twist.
Inside Manchester United’s January Reset: Six Players, One Financial Pivot
Manchester United are preparing a calculated January clear-out that blends squad management with strict financial logic. With European qualification still in reach, the club’s next moves may define both the short-term race and the long-term rebuild.
Icardi's Italian Job: Roma Eyes 'Discounted' Predator Amid Galatasaray Contract Standoff
Mauro Icardi faces a career-defining January as Galatasaray demands a 50% wage cut. With AS Roma desperate for firepower to replace a misfiring Artem Dovbyk, the Argentine poacher could be set for a dramatic Serie A return.
The 2025 Calcio Anomaly: How Roma Became Italy’s Best Team Without a Trophy
In a statistical quirk that defies logic, AS Roma dominated the 2025 calendar year with a league-best 2.22 points per game. We break down the data behind the Giallorossi's invisible dominance over Scudetto-winners Napoli and rivals Inter.
The Broken Compass: Neymar’s 2026 World Cup Dream vs. The Physics of Decline
As Neymar undergoes yet another surgery in December 2025, his path to the 2026 World Cup has narrowed to a tightrope. We analyze the catastrophic economics of his Saudi exit, his bittersweet return to Santos, and why Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival as Brazil boss might be the final hurdle rather than a safety net.
Guardiola Hails Rodri's 'Game-Changing' Return as City Misfire at the Stadium of Light
The champions’ six-game winning streak ended in a flurry of missed chances and xG anomalies against Sunderland. But amidst the frustration of a goalless draw, Pep Guardiola found solace in the return of his midfield general, Rodri, just days before a crisis clash at Stamford Bridge.
The World Champion Paradox: Why Chelsea Axed Enzo Maresca
Despite lifting the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in New York, Enzo Maresca has been dismissed by Chelsea. A toxic cocktail of internal friction and a dismal 1.74 points-per-game average left the BlueCo board with no choice but to pull the trigger.
The Guardiola Protocol: Why Cesc Fàbregas is the Logical Heir to the City Throne
While critics question the volume of his team's backward passing, Cesc Fàbregas has quietly engineered a tactical revolution at Como 1907. We analyze the underlying data that validates his 'progressive possession' model and why Manchester City's hierarchy is reportedly monitoring him as the ultimate continuity candidate.
Man City 1-1 Chelsea: Enzo Stoppage-Time Equalizer Gifts Arsenal Major Title Advantage
The Premier League title race took a seismic shift at the Etihad as Enzo Fernández's 94th-minute scrap cancelled out Tijjani Reijnders' opener. The 1-1 draw ends Manchester City's three-match winning run over the Blues but leaves Pep Guardiola's side six points adrift of leaders Arsenal, with defensive indiscipline and wasted chances haunting the defending champions.
Rodrygo’s Exit Strategy: Why Madrid’s Star Is Preparing to Leave
Rodrygo’s camp has moved beyond frustration into execution. With a new representation plan and Premier League gravity pulling hard, the Brazilian winger’s Real Madrid chapter is approaching a decisive end.
Mbappé’s Injury Exposes Real Madrid’s Winter Gamble: Why Alonso Has No Safety Net
With Kylian Mbappé sidelined and Endrick freshly loaned to Lyon, Xabi Alonso faces a striker crisis of his own making. The manager must now rely on a misfiring Vinícius Júnior and the teenage prodigy Franco Mastantuono to save Real Madrid’s faltering season.
Premier League Giants Circle as Trent’s Madrid Gamble Hits Turbulence
What was meant to be the defining leap of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career has turned into one of Europe’s most debated transfer sagas. A stuttering first season in Spain has reopened a door few expected to see unlocked so soon: a dramatic Premier League return.
Juventus Plot Ambush for Real Madrid’s ‘Castilla Jewel’ Gonzalo García to Solve Yildiz Crisis
With Kenan Yıldız facing burnout under Luciano Spalletti’s demanding regime, Juventus have identified Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García as the ideal winter reinforcement. However, Xabi Alonso’s squad management and a shock loan exit at the Bernabéu threaten to derail the deal before it begins.
Emery’s Tactical Masterclass: How Aston Villa’s 11th Straight Win Exposed Chelsea’s Lack of ‘Killer Instinct’
Unai Emery's Aston Villa extended their historic winning streak to 11 matches with a comeback 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Despite Chelsea's early dominance, the introduction of Ollie Watkins proved decisive, leaving Enzo Maresca searching for answers to his side's recurring clinical deficiencies.
Barcelona’s Julian Alvarez Temptation Meets Atletico’s New Power
Barcelona’s admiration for Julian Alvarez isn’t going away — but the numbers, the contract, and Atletico Madrid’s new financial muscle make this a transfer story that’s more chess than checkers. With Barca prioritising a left-footed centre-back and Atletico holding the strongest cards, the real question is not desire — it’s leverage.
Set-Piece Kryptonite: Chelsea’s Aerial Frailty Undoes Estêvão’s Masterclass
The Blues stumble into 2026 as Bournemouth exploits a chronic defensive weakness to snatch a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite Estêvão Willian’s electric performance and Cole Palmer’s composure, Enzo Maresca’s side remains haunted by defensive disorganization.
Catalan Moneyball: How Flick’s Bargain Trinity Powered Barcelona’s 2025/26 Renaissance
Constrained by stadium debt and strict financial controls, Barcelona turned to smart data and distressed assets last summer. The result? A tactical masterclass featuring a reborn Marcus Rashford, a wall from Espanyol, and a Swedish prodigy purchased for pennies on the euro.
Inter 3-1 Bologna: Chivu's Side Exorcises Supercoppa Ghosts to Reclaim Summit
Less than three weeks after a heartbreaking penalty shootout exit to Bologna in Riyadh, Inter Milan exacted ruthless revenge at San Siro. Lautaro Martínez inspired a dominant 3-1 victory that vaulted Cristian Chivu's men back to the top of a suffocating four-horse Serie A title race.