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BUNDESLIGA: Leverkusen on cusp of first Bundesliga title after Bayern loss

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Bayer Leverkusen are just three points from a first Bundesliga title after a 1-0 win at Union Berlin on Saturday, with Bayern Munich letting a two-goal lead slip in a 3-2 loss at Heidenheim.

Bayern were cruising at half-time thanks to strikes from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry but conceded three times in the second half, losing their second match in a row.

Florian Wirtz converted a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time as Leverkusen were made to work hard in the German capital against 10-man Union, extending their unbeaten run this season to 41 games.

Xabi Alonso’s side need just three points from their remaining six matches to clinch a first league title in the club’s history.

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Bayern, on a streak of 11 straight Bundesliga titles, could relinquish their crown next week in between the first and second legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal.

Union did their best to hold on despite Leverkusen’s relentless pressure but gave way just before half-time, Germany defender Robin Gosens picking up a second yellow for a desperation tackle on Nathan Tella near the penalty box.

After some chaotic scenes from the ensuing free-kick the ball connected with the arm of Union captain Christopher Trimmel, giving Leverkusen a penalty after a long VAR review.

Wirtz calmly dispatched the penalty, his third goal in his past two games.

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Transfer: Neymar in shock return to Barcelona after Santos move

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Neymar Jr., a former forward for Paris Saint-Germain, may be returning to his old team, Barcelona.

This follows his brief stay at Santos, the club he frequented as a youngster.

The Brazilian confirmed his transfer from Al-Hilal, a Saudi Pro League team, to Santos on Monday.

Al-Hilal will terminate his contract, and he will sign a brief six-month contract with his Santos.

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June 2025 was the expiration date of his initial contract with Al-Hilal.

Neymar will also be a free agent after his six-month stay with his hometown team.

Fichajes.net reports sources close to the Brazilian as saying that he is keen on returning to Europe in 2025.

The former PSG superstar wants to prepare himself to lead Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.

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After Santos, Barcelona has emerged as one of Neymar’s top destinations, the report claims.

When Neymar Jr. relocated from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, his journey into European football officially began.

In 186 appearances across all competitions, the Selecao great helped the Catalan team score 105 goals and dish out 76 assists.

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Transfer: Marseille move to sign Iheanacho on loan

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Olympic Marseille, a Ligue 1 team, is interested in loaning Sevilla forward Kelechi Iheanacho for the rest of the season.

After the Nigerian failed to make an impression after joining on a free transfer last summer, Sevilla is willing to let him go this month.

This week, the Rojiblancos acquired Jerome Akor Adams, a fellow countryman, from Montpellier, a French team.

Despite having other offers on the table, Iheanacho is reportedly leaning toward a move to Marseille, according to French publications.

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According to reports, Sevilla and the striker have contacted Marseille.

Before the winter transfer window closes, the 28-year-old is anticipated to make a decision regarding his future.

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Former Belgium player Radja Nainggolan arrested for alleged cocaine smuggling

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Former Belgian footballer, Radja Nainggolan has reportedly been arrested for alleged involvement in cocaine smuggling.

According to a report by Corriere della Sera, the former AS Roma midfielder was allegedly part of a smuggling operation transporting cocaine from South America to Antwerp.

The Brussels public prosecutor’s office confirmed Nainggolan’s arrest as part of a large-scale raid on 30,000 houses in Antwerp and Brussels on Monday, January 27, 2025.

“The federal judicial police of Brussels carried out thirty house searches on Monday morning in the context of a case from the Organized Crime department of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. The searches mainly took place in the province of Antwerp and in Brussels.”

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“The investigation concerns suspected activities related to the importation of cocaine from South America to Europe via the port of Antwerp, as well as its distribution in Belgium. We can confirm that the footballer RN (Radja Nainggolan) has been taken into custody in connection with this case,” the statement read as quoted by UK outlet, Daily Mail.

“Given that interrogations are ongoing, and in compliance with the principle of presumption of innocence, no further comment will be made at this stage.”

Nainggolan, 36, currently plays for Lokeren-Temse, a lower-tier club in Belgium. He rose to prominence during his time in Italy, representing clubs such as Inter Milan, AS Roma, and Cagliari.

The former midfielder announced his retirement from international football in 2018 after being omitted from Belgium’s squad for the FIFA World Cup that year.

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