Noni Madueke’s unsettled start at Arsenal has opened the door to January speculation, with several clubs already being linked. Juventus and Atlético Madrid are among those reportedly tracking the situation, while the winger’s place in the current pecking order looks increasingly fragile.

Madueke is presently the back-up to Bukayo Saka on the right, and he is also facing competition from 16-year-old Max Dowman. On the other side, he provides cover for Christos Tzolis, although he has not featured there this season. Tzolis was injured while playing for Greece last week, but Eberechi Eze had been taking those minutes before that.

His early-season form has also had international consequences. England manager Thomas Tuchel left Madueke out of the September-October squad, despite the winger making five appearances at the 2026 World Cup. The message is clear enough: club performances matter, and they matter quickly.

Atlético Madrid are one possible landing spot. Diego Simeone has used a 3-4-2-1 system this season, which could leave Madueke operating as a wingback or narrow winger. Marcos Llorente and Lee Kang-in currently hold the right-sided roles, with Giuliano Simeone another option. Simeone Sr. has previously taken Kieran Trippier and Conor Gallagher to Spain, but breaking into the side would still be difficult.

Liverpool are another theoretical fit, though the mechanics of any deal would be complicated. The club spent heavily in the summer to replace Mohamed Salah, yet the right side remains unresolved. Rio Ngumoha and Víctor Muñoz have struggled there, while Cody Gakpo has handled the role best so far. Madueke is a natural right winger, but Arsenal’s fee and Liverpool’s status as a direct rival would make negotiations awkward.

Juventus remain a serious possibility. Francisco Conceição owns the right flank, but depth behind him is thinner, especially compared with the left, where Kerim Alajbegović arrived in the summer. Madueke has already shown a willingness to leave London, having joined PSV Eindhoven at 16. A permanent move would likely require movement elsewhere first, while even a loan could depend on the numbers.

The 2026 Kopa Trophy nominees have been confirmed, and Lamine Yamal is once again the leading name on the list as he targets a third straight success.

Barcelona’s Yamal arrives at the ceremony after a season that underlined his growing status. He produced 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 matches for Barcelona during the 2025-26 campaign, helping Hansi Flick’s side secure La Liga. That form is expected to place him near the top of the Ballon d’Or conversation when the final ceremony is held on Oct. 26.

He is joined by club and international teammate Pau Cubarsí, who continues to build on a strong rise of his own. The centre-back finished seventh last season and now returns after winning La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain. He also collected the FIFA Young Player Award at that tournament.

The shortlist also includes Yan Diomande, following a season that ended with a $161.6 million (€140 million) move to the Bernabéu, while Ayyoub Bouaddi has been named after Manchester City’s $111 million signing. Warren Zaïre-Emery remains a familiar figure among the nominees, having tied for eighth in 2024.

There are several first-time challengers too. Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich and Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen represent the Bundesliga, while Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi bring Premier League representation to the list. Juventus’ Kerim Alajbegović completes the men’s shortlist.

The women’s Kopa Trophy, introduced in 2025, also features a strong field. Barcelona and Spain’s Vicky López, the inaugural winner, is back in contention. She is joined by teammate Clara Serrajordi, Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman, Real Madrid’s Felicia Schröder and OL Lyonnes’ Lily Yohannes.

The 2026 summer window delivered its share of headline purchases, but not every major move inspired confidence. Alongside smart recruitment and eye-catching spending, there were also a number of deals that raised questions across the game.

With so many players changing clubs, some questionable decisions were always likely. Here are eight signings that stand out for the wrong reasons.

Tottenham Hotspur’s capture of Sávio was among the most eye-catching. The $101.9 million fee surprised many, especially given the Brazilian’s return of just two Premier League goals in two seasons at the Etihad. Spurs also added Omar Marmoush from Manchester City in quick succession, and the scale of the Sávio deal left plenty of people stunned once the talk of a sell-on clause was dismissed.

Another Tottenham move came on deadline day and caused just as much confusion. The loan signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, alongside the addition of Chelsea center back Tosin Adarabioyo, puzzled supporters. Mudryk had not played a competitive match in nearly two years after a doping ban that was recently lifted, making the move a considerable gamble.

Nottingham Forest also drew attention for the wrong reasons when they spent $61.2 million on Liam Delap. Chelsea had only signed him for $40.6 million, and after a difficult debut season that brought three goals in 49 appearances, the fee looked excessive despite his 12-goal Premier League campaign for Ipswich Town in 2024-25.

Chelsea’s own summer business included Emmanuel Emegha, signed from Strasbourg for $28.5 million. Expected to back up João Pedro, he now sits third in the pecking order after the arrival of Danny Welbeck, leaving him with a difficult route to regular football.

Juventus paid $43.8 million for Randal Kolo Muani after his mixed loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored five goals in 41 appearances. AC Milan then turned to Gonçalo Ramos for $80 million, despite his role as a rotation option behind Ousmane Dembélé and a return of 13 goals in 50 matches.

Gabriel Martinelli’s $81.5 million move to Al Hilal was not a disaster for the clubs involved, but it was still a surprising step for a 25-year-old forward who could have rebuilt his standing at a Champions League club.

For Trabzonspor, the free signing of Mohamed Salah was a major coup. The Liverpool winger arrived with no transfer fee attached and plenty of interest elsewhere.