Robert Lewandowski
January 2026
Barcelona are planning for life after Lewandowski with Alvarez as a premium target and Vlahovic as a lower-cost alternative, with both deals carrying complications. Alvarez would require a very large fee and faces competition, while Vlahovic’s contract situation could lower the price but his form and injury record add risk and other clubs are watching.
Dro Fernandez
January 2026
PSG are set to sign teenager Dro Fernandez for about €8 million, with Laporta accusing the player’s camp of reneging on a verbal plan to extend once he turned 18. Reports say the player is in Paris for a medical and the transfer is effectively done. Laporta described it as an unpleasant surprise and said the club believed they had an agreed pathway for renewal.
Joan Laporta
January 2026
Laporta called Barcelona’s presidential election at the earliest date allowed, while the team is still active in major competitions, drawing criticism from rival candidates who argue it disrupts the sporting season. Barcelona’s statutes require an election before end-June, with a March to June window. Laporta chose March 15 and the club issued a formal notice that process details will follow per statutes, triggering rivals to frame the move as politically convenient and destabilising.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
January 2026
Ter Stegen is reportedly set for a half-season loan to Girona after losing Barcelona’s starting role to Garcia and slipping to third-choice status under Flick. A serious knee injury derailed his captaincy season, Flick publicly backed Garcia as the clear number one, and Ter Stegen rejected West Ham interest while a La Liga loan now looks the route to regular football and a reset.
Jose Mourinho
January 2026
Mourinho dismissed speculation linking him to a second Real Madrid stint, as Madrid’s week spiralled from Alonso’s departure to a Copa del Rey shock exit and a tense Bernabeu atmosphere despite a league win. After the Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, Alonso left and Arbeloa took over, then suffered a cup elimination and heard boos in the subsequent league match; Mourinho responded by distancing himself from the drama and rejecting “soap opera” narratives.
Hansi Flick
January 2026
Flick indicated frustration with people influencing Fernandez after reports the 18-year-old is forcing an exit by paying his release clause, with PSG positioned to secure him on a long-term deal. Fernandez wants more first-team minutes and is reportedly activating a low clause to leave, while Flick avoided full comment until finalised but stressed coaches give confidence and suggested outside voices can push players toward decisions the club does not agree with.
Marcus Rashford
January 2026
Barcelona want Rashford to stay but do not want to trigger the £26m (€30m) buy option, instead seeking a lower fee or a second loan for 2026-27 with a mandatory purchase clause. Barca cite financial constraints; Rashford has delivered 7 goals and 8 assists in 27 games and won the Supercopa after a 3-2 win over Real Madrid, strengthening Barca’s desire to retain him while United prefer a permanent sale.
Kylian Mbappe
January 2026
Mbappe publicly thanked Alonso and wished him well after an eight-month spell ended; reports claim Mbappe argued with Alonso over tactics and Mbappe ignored a post-match guard-of-honour instruction. Pressure built from inconsistent results and the 3-2 Super Cup defeat; Alonso left by “mutual agreement” and Arbeloa took over as caretaker, with fallout rumours pointing to dressing-room and boardroom friction.
Xabi Alonso
January 2026
Real Madrid ended Alonso’s tenure by “mutual agreement” and installed Arbeloa as interim; Mendieta said Alonso’s high-press approach was never going to work at Madrid. Mendieta argued Madrid historically do not sustain compact, high-press defending across matches, so Alonso’s Leverkusen-style system failed to translate and the team “broke” during games.
Marcus Rashford
January 2026
Barcelona reportedly intend to sign Rashford permanently at season’s end, despite Amorim’s exit potentially reopening a path back to United. Rashford has contributed goals and assists, Barca are top of La Liga, and the loan includes a €30m option to buy. A member survey reportedly leaned in favour of making the move permanent.