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Lamine Yamal's Barcelona head into 2026 with a major advantage over Real Madrid in the La Liga title race after beating Villarreal 2-0 at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday.
Next Game: Espanyol vs. Barcelona - Saturday, January 3 at 8pm in La Liga
| Current League Standings | P | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Barcelona | 18 | 31 | 46 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 18 | 20 | 42 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 18 | 17 | 37 |
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Follow @sportsmole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
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Barcelona transfer news: La Liga giants face European competition for Marcos Senesi?
Barcelona reportedly could face competition from Serie A giants Juventus for AFC Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi.17:33
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2Fmarcus-rashford-9-68e29f611965a608317459.jpg "Marcus Rashford of Barcelona during his side's match against Sevilla, on October 5, 2025")
Barcelona 'actively working' on signing Marcus Rashford as Hansi Flick stance revealed
Barcelona are reportedly actively working on signing Marcus Rashford permanently next summer amid their financial troubles.16:42
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fetta-eyong-692e145b7af64903950760.jpg "Levante's Karl Etta Eyong on November 29, 2025")
Barcelona transfer news: Barca scout Etta Eyong at AFCON but fall for his teammate instead
While FC Barcelona were monitoring Karl Etta Eyong during the 2025 AFCON, a new prospect has caught the eye of the Catalan scouts.15:23
Karl Etta Eyong: Cameroon's AFCON hero tracked by European heavyweight and Premier League clubs
Several European heavyweights monitor Karl Etta Eyong following match-winnnig goal for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.00:07
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fhansi-flick.jpg "Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick on November 10, 2024")
Barcelona transfer news: Hansi Flick 'targets' Argentina duo to help ease injury crisis
Barcelona actively explore defensive options to maintain their lead in La Liga amid a growing injury crisis.Dec 25, 00:47
Barcelona to rival Atletico Madrid for 28-year-old Premier League stalwart after transfer 'acceptance'
Barcelona supposedly add a Bournemouth stalwart to their January shortlist and are prepared to battle Atletico Madrid for his services next year.Dec 24, 13:23
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fimago1069583444-1-694bb10c9921b478898892.jpg "Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona, Barca leaves the pitch after being sent off as he shakes hands with Hansi Flick")
Barcelona transfer news: Two Premier League defenders 'offered' to Barca this winter
FC Barcelona, who are looking to strengthen their central defence on the 2026 transfer market, are reportedly offered two Premier League defenders this winter.Dec 24, 09:23
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fzuma-press-wire-barcelona-manager-hansi-flick-with-striker-robert-lewandowski-on-december-21-2025-69483150639cf364971372.jpg "Barcelona manager Hansi Flick with striker Robert Lewandowski on December 21, 2025")
Barcelona transfer news: Barca have their 'defensive priority target' and it's bad news for Liverpool
Looking to strengthen their defence during the January transfer window, FC Barcelona reveal the identity of the defender who stands out from the rest.Dec 24, 09:14
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Frashford-3-68cc8aae41ee7052426043.jpg "Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates with Jules Kounde on September 18, 2025")
Marcus Rashford latest: Barcelona star confirms transfer stance as Man Utd await £26m decision
Barcelona attacker Marcus Rashford - on loan from Manchester United - makes his stance clear on his future amid uncertainty over his next career move.Dec 24, 08:02
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Farne-slot-and-xabi-alonso-pictured-on-november-5-2025-crystal-pix-691fb739dcc0d098810410.jpg "Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso pictured on November 5, 2025")
Liverpool transfer news: Reds 'poised' to sign 'top target' despite possible four-way battle
Liverpool enter 2026 with a potential signing as they reportedly secure a gentleman's agreement with a top defensive target.Dec 23, 23:42
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F08%2Falexander-arnold-6-68a4e0c0a7da7410698261.jpg "Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold on August 19, 2025")
Real Madrid transfer news: Los Blancos eye £21m full-back - bad news for Trent Alexander-Arnold?
Real Madrid could sign a new right-back, as star man Trent Alexander-Arnold is taking time to adapt to the Spanish club.Dec 23, 08:18
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fdeco.jpg "Barcelona sporting director Deco on May 19, 2024")
Barcelona transfer news: Catalan giants eyeing 'spectacular' signing to solve 'major' issue
Barcelona reportedly consider making a move for Juventus defender Bremer in 2026.Dec 22, 12:51
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fjules-kounde-69389b64898f0352031308.jpg "Jules Kounde celebrates scoring a goal for Barcelona")
Barcelona injury news: Jules Kounde issue 'revealed' as La Liga champions look ahead to 2026
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde reportedly avoids a serious injury during Sunday's La Liga clash against Villarreal.Dec 22, 09:01
Barcelona transfer news: La Liga giants set sights on 15-year-old English wonderkid?
On the hunt for several talents to bolster their academy, FC Barcelona are interested in Ajay Tavares, a young English football prodigy who is already causing a stir on the transfer market.Dec 22, 08:45
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fns-2-photo-frame-email-sportmole-6948a19bc3d28422686376.jpg "Chelsea are reportedly trying to sign a Barcelona player ahead of Manchester United")
Chelsea transfer news: Blues 'working to recruit' former Barcelona star but face Manchester United 'battle' in January
Chelsea are reportedly trying to recruit a former Barcelona player, but they will face competition from Manchester United for his signature in January.Dec 22, 01:41
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fdefodi-images-lamine-yamal-of-barcelona-dribbles-against-villarreal-on-december-21-2025-6948dddb224bf064630853.jpg "Lamine Yamal of Barcelona dribbles against Villarreal on December 21, 2025")
Villarreal vs. Barcelona: Head-to-head record and past meetings
Sports Mole looks at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between Barcelona and Villarreal.Dec 21, 22:50
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fdefodi-images-lamine-yamal-celebrates-scoring-for-barcelona-on-december-21-2025-6948319121806345477698.jpg "Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring for Barcelona on December 21, 2025")
Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Lamine Yamal keeps Barca four above Real Madrid in La Liga
Lamine Yamal's Barcelona head into 2026 with a major advantage over Real Madrid in the La Liga title race after beating Villarreal 2-0 at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday.Dec 21, 17:30
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Man City transfer fear emerges as Barcelona's Andreas Christensen suffers season-ending injury
Barcelona announce that defender Andreas Christensen has sustained a severe knee injury, which could potentially impact Manchester City following a recent transfer link.Dec 21, 15:19
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fns-photo-badge-email-sportmole-5-6947e56ed270c699542711.jpg "Ruben Dias/Josko Gvardiol Barcelona composite"){kind=icon}
Man City transfer news: 'Most popular' defender wanted by Barcelona amid Pep Guardiola uncertainty
Barcelona allegedly earmark a 'most popular' Manchester City centre-back as one of their two top defensive targets for 2026.Dec 21, 12:36
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F16%2Funai-emery.jpg "Aston Villa manager Unai Emery pictured on April 12, 2025")
Aston Villa transfer news: Unai Emery 'happy' with 'stance' on signing Barcelona player in January as title race intensifies
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is reportedly happy with the club's stance on signing a Barcelona player in the January transfer window.Dec 21, 01:11
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