Day: June 2, 2025

Wrexham are making a bold move in the summer transfer market, with former Liverpool and West Ham striker Danny Ings reportedly at the top of their wishlist. 

According to the Daily Mail, Wrexham, want to sign the experienced 32-year-old forward as they prepare for the Championship.

Ings is set to become a free agent after leaving West Ham and brings a wealth of top-flight experience. He played for clubs like Aston Villa, Burnley, Bournemouth, and Liverpool, scoring 125 goals across his senior career.

Manager Phil Parkinson is planning a calculated recruitment drive, telling The Leader that while fans are eager for new arrivals, the club will remain patient to ensure the right fits. 

Wrexham have also been linked with Premier League players like Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell.

The club’s goal is to solidify their Championship status while continuing their steady rise up the English football pyramid.

Chido Obi-Martin was Manchester United’s saviour in Hong Kong, netting twice in the second half to help his side recover from another dismal start on their Asia post-season tour.

After a shock 1-0 defeat to the ASEAN All-Stars, United were booed off the pitch and needed a response in their final exhibition game. 

Hong Kong stunned Ruben Amorim’s side by taking a 1-0 lead through Juninho before the 20-minute mark, with Tom Heaton beaten at his near post.

In relentless rain and 24-degree heat, United struggled again, showing little fight in the first half. 

Jonny Evans started his final game before his contract expires, while the futures of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho remain uncertain amid tensions with Amorim.

Casemiro and youngster Shea Lacy were both withdrawn before half-time, and a furious Amorim made wholesale changes at the break.

The second half brought much-needed energy, particularly from 17-year-old Obi-Martin. 

He levelled with a smart turn and left-footed finish before heading home his second in the 82nd minute after a link-up with Mason Mount. 

Ayden Heaven added a third late on, nodding in from an Amad cross to seal a flattering 3-1 win for United.

With summer arrivals like Matheus Cunha and rising talents like Obi-Martin pushing through, the pressure is on established names like Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee. 

Amorim now faces tough decisions as he rebuilds after a turbulent campaign.

Ruben Amorim expressed optimism on Friday about captain Bruno Fernandes’ future at Manchester United, amid swirling rumours of a lucrative Saudi Arabia move.

Fernandes started United‘s 3-1 comeback win over Hong Kong in their post-season friendly, where teenage substitute Chido Obi  scored twice to turn the game around. 

Despite the difficult season that saw Amorim replace Erik ten Hag and United finish a disappointing 15th in the Premier League, the manager sounded hopeful about retaining his key midfielder.

When asked if the Hong Kong match was Fernandes’ last for United, Amorim said:
“I don’t think so, I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so. He sees us taking some actions and to change all the things… I think he wants to stay.”

Speaking of his conversations with Fernandes, Amorim added:
“I talk with him, I explained some things and I just have that feeling when you talk to someone, I think you have that feeling if he wants to stay.”

The Portugal international showed glimpses of his quality in the first half against Hong Kong. 

Fernandes came close to scoring but was denied after an ambitious attempt. 

Alejandro Garnacho started the game, as did Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund.

After a poor first half, United came alive following the break with fresh legs including Amad Diallo and Obi, who helped seal a morale-boosting victory as the team closes out a troubled campaign.

Carlos Vela has officially retired from professional football at the age of 36. This brings an end to a 19-year career that spanned top leagues in Europe and North America.

The former Arsenal and Real Sociedad forward announced his decision on Instagram on Tuesday, writing:

“Throughout my career, I have experienced some very special moments, but the time has come to officially retire from professional football. It has been an honour and a privilege to share my career with all of you.”

Vela made 29 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and found greater success in La Liga during a seven-year spell with Real Sociedad.

Internationally, he earned 72 caps for Mexico and won the CONCACAF Gold Cup twice.

He became a star in Major League Soccer after joining Los Angeles FC in 2018. Carlos Vela won both the MLS Cup and US Open Cup and setting a league record with 34 goals in the 2019 season.

 

“He has been the heartbeat, the captain, and the face of LAFC,” said LAFC co-president John Thorrington.

Kevin De Bruyne is nearing a move to Serie A champions Napoli as a free agent following his departure from Manchester City.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna confirmed the Belgian is “pretty close” to joining the club. Joining Napoli will potentially link him up with fellow Premier League exports Romelu Lukaku, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.

De Bruyne, 33, recently ended a decade-long spell at City. He won six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League at City.

Antonio Conte, meanwhile, has confirmed he will remain as Napoli’s head coach after speculation linking him with a return to Juventus.

“We have a contract and seeing as we have a shared vision, we don’t have anything else to add. We’re moving forward because we’re serious people,” Conte told Sky Sport.

Asked by reporters late on Thursday night, Napoli‘s sporting director Giovanni Manna said that De Bruyne was “pretty close” to joining Romelu Lukaku, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour in moving to Italy from the Premier League.

Earlier this month De Bruyne ended a 10-year spell at Manchester City, where he won six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League.

De Bruyne, 33, will have Conte as his coach after he and Napoli ended weeks of speculation by confirming that he would stay to defend the Scudetto.

“At the end of every season coach and club always get together to assess the past season, to see if there is a shared vision and if there is still desire to continue towards certain goals,” Conte told Sky Sport.

“We have a contract and seeing as we have a shared vision, we don’t have anything else to add. We’re moving forward because we’re serious people.”

Luka Modric has ignited fresh rumours of a stunning move to Swansea City following the announcement of his departure from Real Madrid.

The 39-year-old midfield legend will leave Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June. It would bring to a close an illustrious 12-year stint with the Spanish giants.

Modric recently made headlines for buying a stake in Championship side Swansea, and now, The Sun reports that he has also purchased a mansion in Wales, a move that has only intensified speculation he could join the Swans as a player next season.

Despite his age, Modric reportedly has no plans to retire, with his sights set on representing Croatia at the 2026 World Cup. His potential arrival would be a huge coup for Swansea. Swansea finished 11th in the Championship last season.

Should the deal materialise, it would mark a remarkable twist in Modric’s career. 

Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of German international Jonathan Tah on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 28-year-old centre-back has signed a contract until June 2029. The contract ends a decade-long spell at Leverkusen where he made 402 appearances.

“I’m very happy to be at FC Bayern,” Tah said. “I want to take on responsibility here and work hard every day so that we’re successful as a team and win lots of trophies together.

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Tah began his professional career at Hamburger SV before joining Leverkusen in 2015. He has been capped 35 times by Germany since his debut in 2016.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jonathan Tah to FC Bayern,” said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen.

“As an experienced international and leader, he brings the consistency and quality that will strengthen our defence. He’s a real gain for us – and he’s also proven that he can win titles.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has taken a swipe at Manchester United following their latest post-season embarrassment in Asia.

The Red Devils, now managed by Ruben Amorim, were booed off after a shocking  1-0 friendly defeat  to a Southeast Asian XI in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. The game capped a season where they finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy.

Anwar mocked United’s decline on Facebook.

“Oh no! Manchester United failed to win a trophy again. Looks like you guys are going to have a ‘headache’ next season,” he wrote.
“Hopefully you don’t get relegated to the Championship.”

United will play Hong Kong in their final match of the Asian tour on Friday.  However, the fixture at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium has yet to sell out.