Athletic Club defender Yeray Alvarez has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. The test followed the club’s Europa League semi-final match against Manchester United on May 1st. The 30-year-old centre-back said the substance was taken “involuntarily” through medication used to treat hair loss. Alvarez has been using the medication since recovering from testicular cancer. “After overcoming my illness, I have been taking a treatment against alopecia for years,” he said.“After studying the issue, we have found out that the positive test came because I involuntarily took a preventative medicine against hair loss which contained a prohibited substance.” Alvarez was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016. He returned to play in 2017, but suffered a recurrence later that year and made a second comeback in 2018. He added: “The disciplinary proceedings are currently in an investigatory phase and confidential, so I am provisionally suspended and I am not authorised to make further public comment.” Alvarez featured in the second leg against Manchester United and also played two more La Liga games before the season ended. He said he received notice of the positive test result “a few weeks ago”. “I could not believe it, given that never in my life have I taken prohibited substances,” said Alvarez. Athletic Club said in a statement that they “lament the human error of Yeray” and pledged to support the defender during this time. The club added that they could not make further comments. UEFA has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has spoken publicly for the first time since suffering a serious leg injury in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old sustained a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle after a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma near the end of the first half. Musiala was stretchered off and flown back to Munich from Atlanta, where he underwent surgery. He is expected to be out for several months and will likely miss the start of the new season. Despite the severity of the injury, Musiala insists there is no bad blood over the incident. “The surgery went really well, I’m in good care and I wanted to say there’s no one to blame for this,” he said in an Instagram post.“I think situations like this happen and now I’m just going to use the next period of time to build up my strength and positivity again.” Donnarumma appeared visibly shaken after the injury and said his “prayers and well wishes” were with Musiala. Bayern manager Vincent Kompany expressed his frustration after the match, which ended in a 2-0 defeat, saying he had “rarely been so angry.” Musiala had a strong season before the injury, scoring 21 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions as Bayern secured the Bundesliga title.

Liverpool are gearing up to defend their Premier League crown when the 2025/26 campaign kicks off in just over a month. With Arne Slot now fully settled in the dugout, the Reds are entering a new era, blending continuity with key reinforcements. While fans have waved goodbye to Trent Alexander-Arnold, they’ve welcomed marquee signings like Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz. The latter, in particular, signals a bold statement of intent from the club’s hierarchy. Liverpool’s board are backing Slot’s vision For a club at the top, strengthening while ahead is crucial. Too often, teams become complacent, only investing once form begins to drop. Liverpool’s board, however, have stayed proactive. Despite occasional fan criticism, the ownership group continues to invest at key moments. Slot initially took a cautious approach, choosing to work with the squad he inherited. That decision paid off with a dominant title-winning season. Now, with the Dutchman more entrenched, Liverpool are targeting elite-level additions to push for sustained success across all competitions. Room must be made for new arrivals Naturally, squad evolution requires tough decisions. To make way for new signings, departures are inevitable. One potential exit that continues to make headlines is Darwin Nunez. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Uruguayan striker has struggled with consistency, often frustrating fans and coaches alike with his decision-making and finishing. If the right offer arrives, Liverpool may be tempted to move on. Ekitike fits the bill Enter Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old French striker, currently at Eintracht Frankfurt, has emerged as a prime candidate to fill the gap should Nunez depart. Ekitike combines pace, technique, and positional intelligence. Having previously been linked with PSG and Newcastle, Ekitike’s potential has never been in question. What’s changed is his maturity and finishing consistency. Last season, he netted 18 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt and registered 7 assists, showing significant improvement in his all-round play. Why he’s the right profile Ekitike doesn’t just offer goals. His movement off the ball, willingness to press, and ability to combine in tight spaces make him a modern forward. Unlike Nunez, whose style sometimes feels chaotic, Ekitike plays with more composure, fitting Slot’s structured system better. He also plays as a central striker or wide forward. That could be crucial in a Liverpool front line that includes the likes of Wirtz, Diaz, Jota, and Salah. The right time for change If Liverpool are serious about maintaining their dominance, refreshing the squad with players who align better with the manager’s style is essential. Ekitike might not be a household name just yet, but his profile suggests he could be the ideal long-term solution. With preseason approaching and key decisions looming, all eyes will be on Anfield to see whether the Reds cash in on Nunez, and whether Ekitike steps through the door as the next striker to lead the line.

Stefano Pioli has been named the new head coach of Fiorentina, marking a return to the club on a three-year contract. The 58-year-old replaces Raffaele Palladino, who unexpectedly left the role just three weeks after signing an extension in May. Pioli arrives after a short stint with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, which he departed last month. His return to Florence comes with deep personal and professional ties. “I am very happy that Stefano Pioli is the new coach of Fiorentina’s first team,” said club president Rocco Commisso.“From the very first moment I spoke to him, I found a coach with great human values who is ready to do everything he can for this club and this city, which he knows very well and has a close bond with.” After leaving Fiorentina in 2019, Pioli enjoyed a successful tenure at AC Milan, where he won the Serie A title in the 2021–22 season.  Fiorentina finished sixth in the league last season, securing a spot in Europe’s third-tier competition. Their appointment of Pioli follows a broader shake-up in Serie A, with managerial changes at several top clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, AS Roma, Atalanta and Lazio.

Newcastle United are reportedly preparing a £36 million bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to Mundo Deportiv. The 25-year-old England international only joined Atletico from Chelsea last summer but could be set for a swift return to the Premier League. Gallagher began the 2024–25 season strongly in Spain, scoring twice in his first five appearances under Diego Simeone. However, his form tailed off later in the campaign, and he ended the season with just 19 La Liga starts. Atletico are believed to value Gallagher at roughly £36 million. With limited game time and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the former Chelsea academy graduate is said to be seeking more regular minutes. Newcastle view Gallagher as a player who fits their high-energy system and Premier League experience profile.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is “happy” to see Noni Madueke leave the club after agreeing a £52 million deal with Premier League rivals Arsenal. The 23-year-old is set to become the latest player to swap Stamford Bridge for the Emirates with the deal set to be announced shortly. Madueke has been given permission to leave Chelsea’s squad as they prepare for the Club World Cup final with PSG and undergo his Arsenal medical in London. Speaking ahead of the game against the European champions on Sunday, Maresca revealed it was the player’s decision to leave Chelsea. “Noni is in contact with the new club,” he told a press conference. “I guess he is going to be (announced) in the next hours.” “I said in the one of the last press conferences, if players want to leave then it is difficult for the club and the manager. Noni decided to leave, nobody told Noni he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy.”

Veteran coach Louis van Gaal has confirmed he is no longer battling cancer and is considering a return to high-level football. The 73-year-old revealed in 2021 that he was being treated for prostate cancer. However, speaking on a Dutch television talk show, Van Gaal said: “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.” Van Gaal last worked as head coach of the Netherlands during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has not managed since. “Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he explained. The former manager of Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United ruled out a return to club football but admitted the right international opportunity could tempt him back. He currently serves as a special advisor at Ajax.

Former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand says Wrexham‘s rise under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has helped increase awareness and interest in English lower-league football in the United States. Ferdinand, 40, now a club ambassador for West Ham, told AFP that the club’s journey has “opened people’s eyes across the pond on such a great league.” Wrexham have enjoyed a dramatic rise since the 2021 takeover, when Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the Wales-based club for around £2 million ($2.7 million). They have since earned three consecutive promotions. Ferdinand praised the effect of the story: “It’s helped lift the bonnet on lower-league English football.” He’s followed football in the U.S. since West Ham played in the 2008 MLS All-Star Game against a team featuring David Beckham, and he sees the growing U.S. interest as a long-term development. He also pointed to CBS Sports’ four-year deal to show 250 EFL and League Cup matches each season until 2028 as proof of Wrexham’s influence.