As the festive season unfolds, the world of football remains abuzz with crucial league encounters and the ever-present hum of transfer speculation. On this Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, major leagues across Europe are either kicking off their traditional holiday fixtures or navigating the quieter period before the January transfer window officially opens. From high-stakes clashes to intriguing transfer sagas, here’s a detailed look at the most significant developments across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga, and the V. League.
Premier League: Boxing Day Showdown and Midfield Maestro Rumors
The Premier League calendar traditionally offers a feast of football on Boxing Day, though the 2025/26 season sees a slightly altered schedule. Today, December 26, 2025, features a single, highly anticipated fixture: Manchester United versus Newcastle United at Old Trafford. As this report is compiled before the match’s conclusion, a final result cannot be provided. However, this standalone game is undeniably the headline event, setting the tone for the extended Boxing Day weekend, with other matches spread across December 27th and 28th. Both Manchester United, historically strong on this festive date, and a resilient Newcastle side, keen to solidify their European aspirations, will be battling for crucial points. The outcome will significantly impact their respective campaigns as the season approaches its halfway mark.
Off the pitch, the transfer rumor mill is churning with reports linking Bournemouth’s talented midfielder Alex Scott to Manchester United. Scott has emerged as a key target for the Red Devils, who are reportedly looking to strengthen their midfield options in the upcoming January transfer window. Valued for his impressive vision, passing range, and composure, the young English talent has attracted significant attention. Whispers of a potential €40 million deal gaining momentum suggest Manchester United’s serious intent to secure his services. This move would not only be a substantial financial investment but also a significant step for Scott, offering him the chance to compete at the highest level of English football. Meanwhile, other Premier League giants like Chelsea and Manchester City are also keeping a close eye on emerging talents, including Leicester City’s promising starlet Jeremy Monga.
La Liga: Atletico’s Dominance and Endrick’s Loan Move
In Spain, the last completed round of La Liga action, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, delivered several impactful results. The most significant match saw Atletico Madrid secure a commanding 3-0 away victory against Girona. This was a crucial statement win for Diego Simeone’s men, who effectively nullified a Girona side that has been one of the league’s surprise packages this season, often challenging the traditional powerhouses. While specific goalscorers for this particular encounter were not detailed in the available snippets, the emphatic scoreline underscores Atletico’s defensive strength and clinical finishing, allowing them to consolidate their position among the league’s frontrunners. Elsewhere, Barcelona also recorded a 2-0 away win over Villarreal on the same day, maintaining their pursuit of the La Liga title.
The biggest transfer news from La Liga centers around Real Madrid’s young Brazilian prodigy, Endrick. Reports indicate that the 19-year-old forward is set to embark on a loan spell at French Ligue 1 club Lyon, a move expected to be finalized early in the January transfer window. Endrick, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu with high expectations, has reportedly found playing time limited this season, prompting this strategic loan to gain valuable first-team experience. The objective for Endrick is clear: regular minutes to aid his development and enhance his chances of securing a spot in the Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup. This decision reflects Real Madrid’s long-term vision for the player, prioritizing his growth over immediate squad integration. Across the divide, Barcelona is also reportedly preparing for potential activity in the January market, with a focus on strengthening their defensive line, despite initial reluctance from Director of Football Deco.
Serie A: Holiday Hiatus and Vlahovic’s Future
Serie A is currently in a transitional period around the holiday season. While a new round of fixtures is scheduled for December 27th and 28th, 2025, a definitive “last round” of significant completed matches with detailed goalscorers immediately prior to Christmas is not prominently featured in the latest reports. The Italian league often experiences a staggered schedule or a short winter break, leading to a focus on upcoming matches rather than recently concluded ones. However, the period is ripe for transfer speculation as clubs prepare for the January window.
The most significant transfer story dominating headlines in Italy involves Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and a potential move to AC Milan. On December 26, 2025, reports emerged that AC Milan’s sporting director, Igli Tare, held discussions with Vlahovic’s agent, Darko Ristic, regarding a possible free transfer for the Serbian international next summer. Milan had previously expressed strong interest in Vlahovic during the last summer transfer window, though a deal ultimately fell through. With Vlahovic’s contract negotiations with Juventus reportedly stalled and the striker currently sidelined with an adductor injury until February, a departure from Turin at the end of the season appears increasingly plausible. This potential acquisition would be a major boost for Milan, adding a prolific goalscorer to their squad, especially after recently bringing in Niclas Fullkrug on loan from West Ham United to address immediate attacking needs.
Bundesliga: Bayern’s Rout and Defensive Reinforcements
The Bundesliga wrapped up its 15th matchday just before the Christmas break, with games played between December 19-21, 2025. A standout result from this round was Bayern Munich’s emphatic 4-0 away victory over Heidenheim on December 21st. This dominant performance showcased Bayern’s formidable strength and continued their impressive “storming form”, solidifying their position at the top of the league table. While specific goalscorers for this particular match were not detailed in the concise snippets, a victory of this magnitude for Bayern typically involves contributions from their star attacking lineup. Earlier in the round, on December 19th, Borussia Dortmund also secured a crucial 2-0 home win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, with Julian Brandt opening the scoring in the 10th minute and Max Beier adding a late second goal in the 90+7th minute. These results highlight the competitive nature of the German top flight as teams head into a brief winter respite.
Looking ahead to the January transfer window, which officially opens on January 1, 2026, Bayern Munich is reportedly making moves to strengthen their squad. Rumors suggest the Bavarian giants have reached a “full agreement” for an Ecuadorian defensive player. While the specific identity of the player remains under wraps in the immediate reports, this indicates Bayern’s proactive approach to reinforce their backline, potentially addressing any defensive concerns as they aim for continued domestic and European success. This strategic recruitment underscores Bayern’s meticulous planning and their commitment to maintaining a top-tier squad. Other notable transfer activities include Wolfsburg’s permanent signing of Sael Kumbedi from Lyon, following a successful loan spell, and Jonathan Norbye’s return to RB Leipzig from Arminia Bielefeld at the conclusion of his loan agreement.
V. League 1: Recent Action Amidst International Break
The Vietnamese V. League 1 recently concluded a segment of its schedule before entering a significant mid-season break. On Thursday, December 18, 2025, one of the more prominent results saw Cong An Ha Noi FC (CAHN FC) achieve a 3-1 away victory against Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC (HAGL FC). This was a vital win for CAHN FC, who currently occupy the second position in the league table, demonstrating their strong performance and title ambitions in the 2025/26 season. The league is currently observing an extensive 64-day hiatus, which commenced on November 24, 2025, and will run until January 27, 2026. This break is primarily to accommodate the Vietnam U-23 team’s participation in the 2025 SEA Games and the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
