Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has confirmed that renewing Neymar's contract is a major prioritydays after the Brazil international admitted he was unsure where his future lies. The former Barcelona star returned to his boyhood team at the start of the year and helped them avoid what would have been an embarrassing relegation from Serie Abut his current deal is now set to expire.

West Ham have reportedly signalled their willingness to sanction the permanent departure of struggling striker Niclas Fullkrugbut a potential return to the Bundesliga withWolfsburg has hit a significant snag due to administrative delays involving incoming sporting director Pirmin Schwegler and the German international's substantial salary package. The delay will have rival clubs across Europe on alert to the situation.

Harry Kane has made a decision on his future at Bayern Munichhaving been linked with both a move to Barcelona and a return to the Premier League. The England captain broke his trophy duck last season and looks on course to add more silverware to his honours listwith the German giants well placed in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Liverpool fans have been impressed after hearing club legend Steven Gerrard share his thoughts on the current Mohamed Salah saga. The Egyptian star has been critical of the club and manager Arne Slot after being benched in recent games for the Reds. Former defender Jamie Carragher has hit out at Salah for his commentsbut Liverpool fans think Gerrard's analysis of the situation is far more accurate.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has picked out a surprising player for praise after returning to Arsenal to train. The former Liverpool midfielder is staying match-fit by training with the Gunnershaving had his contract terminated by Besiktas back in August after two seasons in Turkey.

Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is reportedly facing a lengthy spell out after suffering an ankle ligament injury. The 15-year-old was in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United at the weekend and was left hurt after a heavy challenge.

Barcelona's famed La Masia academy has long been the envy of every other top club in Europeand for good reason. It has forged dozens of legends over the last 46 yearsfrom Pep Guardiola and Albert Ferrerto Xavi HernandezAndres Iniesta and a certain Lionel Messi. Every generation produces multiple superstarswith Lamine Yamal leading the current crop after bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old.

Florian Wirtz's £100 million ($130m) move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool didn't just upset Bayern Munich. It also hit hard at Koln. After allWirtz had come through their academy only to leave for Leverkusen in the summer of 2020 - and for a paltry €300,000 (£265,000/$350,000). Koln were furious. They felt Leverkusen had broken a 'gentleman's agreement' by signing one of the most exciting young players they'd ever produced - but there was nothing they could do about it. Wirtz's contract was expiring and he wanted to leave.

Sweden has a proud modern history of producing elite strikersfrom Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovicto Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. If the hype is to be believedthen 16-year-old Kevin Filling is the latest sensation off that conveyor belt of talentand the AIK prospect is already being linked with a transfer to one of the Premier League's big hitters.

Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has made an emotional return to competitive action after a torturous nine-month injury nightmare. After coming off the bench during the Champions League victory over Sporting CP to rapturous applause from the Allianz Arena faithfulhis team-mates lined up to praise the Canadian's mental resilience during his 261-day rehabilitation.

Charles De Ketelaere enjoyed getting his revenge on Alejandro Garnacho as the Chelsea winger was made to eat his words after his side's Champions League defeat in Italy on Tuesday night. The Argentina international had ruffled some feathers while speaking during a pre-match press conferencebut was left speechless after the Serie A side came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun made history by scoring in a third successive Champions League match to steer Monaco to a hard-fought victory over Galatasaray in the Principality. On an evening when both teams squandered a catalogue of inviting opportunitiesthe 24-year-old’s scrappy finish midway through the second half proved enough to secure a vital three points and lift Monaco level with their Turkish opponents in the league phase.

Romario moved around the penalty area with the stealthy gait and sly gaze of a pantherready to suddenly accelerate as soon as the ball came his wayto disorient the opposing defenders with a couple of feintsto pounce on the ballwhich inevitably ended up at his feetas if magnetisedand finish with an unstoppable shot of pure technique or poweror alternatively serve up a perfect assist for one of his team-mates. He was a Hall of Fame striker if ever there was one.

Describing Roberto Baggio to those who did not experience him is a sort of generational challengean arduous attempt at conveying something that is too difficult to explain in words. But we will try - because Roberto Baggio wasespecially for Italiansa symbola standard-beareran icon and an emotion.

The perfect embodiment of total footballthe game wouldn't be what it is today without the former Barcelona maestro

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tidesuch as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Piquewho has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

In the latest from our series focusing on players who swam against the tide during their careerswe take a look at one of Germany's great sporting rebels

The Brazilian was tipped to become one of the greatsbut he ultimately succumbed to the pressures of sporting fame

The list of top goal-scorers through the early weeks of La Liga's season is full of familiar faces. Kylian Mbappe is well out in front having netted 13 times in just 11 gameswhile Julian AlvarezVinicius Jr and Ferran Torres are among the chasing pack. But in amongst those household names is a player in Karl Etta Eyong who has emerged from complete obscurity to being on the transfer radar of Europe's biggest clubs; the true personification of a Hidden Gem...

Bilal El Khannouss is talking to Belgian reporters in the press area of the Cegeka Arenahome of KRC Genk. While the attacking midfielder is discussing the details of a 0-0 draw with Ferencvarosa journalist from Sporza can no longer contain himself.

The Brazilian striker has been linked with West Ham and Wolvesamong othersas he continues to thrive in his homeland