July 2, 2025 - Matchplug Blog

Brighton reject £50 million offer for star forward Joao Pedro

Brighton have reportedly turned down a £50 million offer from Newcastle. The offer is for forward Joao Pedro.

According to talkSPORT, This is not the first have turned down several offers in excess of £50 million for the 23-year-old, including one from Newcastle.

Eddie Howe is understood to be pushing his club to beat the likes of Chelsea to Pedro’s signature as he seeks to build upon their qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Joao Pedro is open to leaving Brighton this summer in pursuit of a new challenge, but the South Coast club are holding out for a fee of £70 million.

Newcastle will likely return to Brighton with a new offer in the near future with Pedro seen as their priority target this summer.

Calvert-Lewin confirms departure from Everton

Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced on Sunday that he will leave Everton. His departure is on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract with the Toffees.
Calvert-Lewin, 28, said he was seeking a “new challenge” after a nine-year spell on Merseyside.

The former Sheffield United striker was once the deputy to Harry Kane as England’s number nine, scoring four times in 11 appearances.
But his last inclusion in an England squad was as part of the team that reached the final of Euro 2020.

He leaves as Everton’s third-highest goalscorer in the Premier League with 71 goals in 273 appearances in all competitions.
However, his career has been blighted by a number of lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury.

“After nine remarkable years at this club, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision – together with my family – to begin a new chapter in my career,” Calvert-Lewin said in a message posted on Instagram.
“The choice to move on was not simply about me – it was a decision my family and I spent a long time considering together.

We believe it is the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton.”

Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea are among the clubs to have previously been linked with a move for Calvert-Lewin.

Van Nistelrooy Leaves Leicester After Relegation

Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Leicester City by mutual agreement after the club was relegated from the Premier League.

The 48-year-old took over in November 2024, but couldn’t stop Leicester from dropping back to the Championship after one season.

Leicester said the decision was made together and that Van Nistelrooy’s contract has ended immediately.

“Ruud has overseen a challenging period for the club,” the statement read. It praised his professionalism and his role in promoting academy players to the first team.

Van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper and earned four points from his first two games. But things quickly turned bad. Leicester lost 15 of their next 16 matches, including nine straight home games without scoring.

“I would like to personally thank the Leicester City players, coaches, academy and all the staff I have worked with for their professionalism and dedication during my time at the club,” Van Nistelrooy said.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker waited weeks to hold talks with the club’s board after relegation was confirmed.

Leicester went down with Ipswich and Southampton. All three clubs had been promoted together the season before.

Leicester will now start life back in the Championship against Sheffield Wednesday on August 10.

The club could also face a points deduction after being charged with breaking financial rules.

Pogba Signs for Monaco in Bid to Revive Career

Paul Pogba has joined Ligue 1 side Monaco on a two-year deal, aiming to restart his career after nearly two years out of action.

The 2018 World Cup winner has played just 12 games in the last three seasons. He’s been hit by injuries, a doping ban, and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

Pogba failed a drug test in August 2023 while playing for Juventus and was banned for 18 months. His contract with the Italian club was terminated. He’s been free to return to football since March.

The 32-year-old will now play in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career.

“I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time,” Pogba told French TV last weekend.

He started at Le Havre before moving to Manchester United in 2009. After limited chances, he joined Juventus in 2012, winning four Serie A titles.

Pogba returned to United for a world-record fee in 2016 before heading back to Juventus in 2022. Injuries kept him on the sidelines for most of his second stint in Italy.

Pogba has 11 goals in 91 games for France and scored in the 2018 World Cup final win over Croatia.

Monaco, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season, will compete in the Champions League next season.

Ajax Ban Seven Players from Pre-Season First-Team Activities

Ajax have reportedly banned seven players from joining the first team for pre-season training under new coach John Heitinga.

According to De Telegraaf, the club’s technical director Alex Kroes informed the players through WhatsApp.

The players involved are: be Chuba Akpom, Carlos Forbs, Borna Sosa, Kristian Hlynsson, Christian Rasmussen, Jay Gorter and Branco van den Boomen.

Chuba Akpom
Carlos Forbs
Borna Sosa
Kristian Hlynsson
Christian Rasmussen
Jay G

They are not allowed to train with the main squad when pre-season starts on Sunday.

The club has placed strict limits on them:

They can only use the pitch and gym after the first team finishes lunch.
If there are two training sessions, they must wait until both are done.
Their parking spots have been taken away.
Only one physio is available for all seven players.

Ajax have yet to comment officially on the situation.

Vinicius Jr Delighted After Leading Madrid to Club World Cup Win

Vinicius Jr was all smiles after his standout performance in Real Madrid’s 3-0 Club World Cup victory over RB Salzburg.

The Brazilian star scored one goal and assisted another for Fede Valverde, earning the man-of-the-match award.

“I’m delighted with the goal, the assist, and everything we’re doing in this competition,” he said.

Vinicius added that Madrid are now entering the part of the tournament they enjoy most. He praised their strong first half and urged focus for the knockout round.

“We have to rest for the next game, which is very important in the last 16, and we can’t slip up,” he said.

Evans retires and takes up new position at Man Utd

Jonny Evans has been appointed head of loans and pathways at Manchester United after retiring from football.

The 37-year-old made 241 appearances for United, came through their academy, and won three Premier League titles. He also won the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, and two League Cups with the club.

Now, as announced on the club website, Evans will take charge of a new role at United. In this role, he will help prepare young talent to perform in the first team.

Evans opened up on his retirement, saying it has been an honour to perform at the highest level for many years and expressing his excitement about taking on a new challenge with the Red Devils.

“I am looking forward to working with the next generation of talented players to support them to reach their potential. Having had experience of loans myself, I know the crucial role that they can play within a player’s development.

I am excited to help further develop the pathway to our first team and continue the legacy of young players thriving at Manchester United.”

Barcelona in Talks With Man United Over Rashford Loan Move

Barcelona are planning to open talks with Manchester United over a move for Marcus Rashford. Their interest came following the forward’s recent comments about wanting to play for the Spanish giants.

According to The Sun, Barça are eyeing a loan-to-buy deal, while United would prefer a permanent transfer worth around £40 million.

Rashford is said to be keen on the switch, even if it means accepting a big pay cut from his current £370,000-a-week wages.

Talks between both clubs are expected to begin this week.

Chelsea agree deal to sign Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens

The 20-year-old England U21 international will return to the Blues. The team where he once played as a youth before joining Manchester City’s academy. Gittens moved to Dortmund in 2022 and has since made 107 appearances, scoring 17 goals.

This move comes after Chelsea declined the chance to make Jadon Sancho’s loan permanent and amid the provisional suspension of Mykhailo Mudryk following a failed drugs test.

Gittens becomes Chelsea’s fourth signing of the summer, joining Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr.

He’ll also be joined later in the summer by Brazilian teenage star Estevao Willian. Estevao will arrive after his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras.

Both Chelsea and Dortmund are currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Day: July 2, 2025

Brighton reject £50 million offer for star forward Joao Pedro

Calvert-Lewin confirms departure from Everton

Van Nistelrooy Leaves Leicester After Relegation

Pogba Signs for Monaco in Bid to Revive Career

Ajax Ban Seven Players from Pre-Season First-Team Activities

Vinicius Jr Delighted After Leading Madrid to Club World Cup Win

Evans retires and takes up new position at Man Utd

Barcelona in Talks With Man United Over Rashford Loan Move

Chelsea agree deal to sign Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens

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