Atletico Madrid express interest in winger Sancho

Atletico Madrid have expressed interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. Sport1 journalist Julius Schamburg is reporting that Atletico are launching a move for the England international. Atletico aim to strike a loan-to-buy agreement with United, with the aim of agreeing on terms over an initial €5 million loan fee. Sancho hasn’t ruled out a possible move to Atletico, although his heart seems to be set on Borussia Dortmund, where he has already shone in the past. According to Schamburg, the winger would be willing to make significant financial sacrifices, giving up approximately 30 per cent of his current salary, whether he joins Atletico or returns to BVB. This flexibility demonstrates his desire to find a new home where he can relaunch his career after a difficult spell with Manchester United.

Read More »

Revamped Real Madrid target Barcelona in new La Liga season

Barcelona will look to defend their La Liga and Copa del Rey titles after a dominant 2023/24 campaign, but face a reshaped Real Madrid under new coach Xabi Alonso. Hansi Flick’s side, led by teenage star Lamine Yamal, scored 174 goals in 60 matches last season, including 16 in four straight wins over Madrid. Barca have added Marcus Rashford on loan to an attack featuring Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Dani Olmo.  However, defensive weaknesses exposed in their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan  remain a concern. They begin the new season with goalkeeper Joan Garcia, signed from Espanyol, a move that has sparked tension with veteran Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been stripped of the captaincy amid disciplinary proceedings. Alonso has strengthened Madrid’s defence with Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, centre-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth for £50m, and left-back Alvaro Carrera from Benfica for €50m. The reinforcements come after a trophy-less season under Carlo Ancelotti, who has since taken over Brazil. In attack, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are still seeking to hit top form together, while academy striker Gonzalo’s emergence adds to competition involving Rodrygo, Endrick and Brahim Diaz for playing time.

Read More »

Serie A referees to announce VAR decisions live in stadiums and on TV

Serie A referees will start announcing VAR decisions directly to fans in stadiums and to TV audiences from next season. Referee chief Gianluca Rocchi announced to the Italian media on Tuesday. Rocchi described the change as an important step in improving communication between match officials and the public. He also noted that the goal is to make decisions faster and easier to understand. “We have a selected group of referees and we want to ensure their language is as consistent as possible so the public can clearly understand the calls,” Rocchi said. Similar initiatives, where referees explain their decisions to spectators, have also been tested in countries like England and Germany.

Read More »

Guardiola reveals injury setback for Manchester City star Rodri

The 29-year-old missed most of last season after tearing his ACL against Arsenal, a blow that coincided with City’s dip in form. He was forced off again in their 4-3 FIFA Club World Cup loss to Al-Hilal this summer and is still recovering. Speaking before City’s pre-season friendly with Palermo, Guardiola said Rodri is unlikely to return before September. “Rodri is getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al Hilal. Hopefully, after the international break, he will be really fit,” he explained. He added: “What is important is that he doesn’t have pain because we don’t want Rodri coming back injured. He has been training the last two sessions with us and that’s good.”

Read More »

Liverpool’s Wirtz named Germany’s Player of the Year

Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz has been voted Germany’s Player of the Year, adding to the 22-year-old’s growing reputation as one of the game’s top talents. Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen in June for a club-record £100m fee that could rise to £116m with add-ons, received 191 votes from German sports journalists. Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise finished second with 81 votes. The Germany international joined as part of Liverpool’s summer spending spree, which also brought in Hugo Ekitike  and Milos Kerkez, as the club look to retain the Premier League title. Former Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, now in charge of Real Madrid, has called Wirtz “world class.” The midfielder has said his ambition is to “win everything every year” and to help Liverpool defend the league title while pushing further in the Champions League. Wirtz was central to Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic campaign in 2023/24, winning the Bundesliga and German Cup before losing to Atalanta in the Europa League final. He was also named Bundesliga Player of the Year.

Read More »

Man City wrap up pre-season with win over Palermo

Manchester City ended their pre-season with a 3-0 victory against sister club Palermo in the first Anglo-Palermitan Trophy. Nearly 35,000 fans attended the match, which celebrated Palermo’s 125th anniversary. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the contest, providing a strong test for Pippo Inzaghi’s team despite the gulf in quality. Palermo will begin their Coppa Italia campaign away to Cremonese next Saturday.

Read More »

Gyokeres scores first Arsenal goal in friendly win

Viktor Gyokeres marked his first appearance for Arsenal with a goal in their 3-0 pre-season victory over Athletic Club. The 27-year-old celebrated with his trademark mask gesture after converting a cross from fellow summer signing Martin Zubimendi. The Sweden international will hope it is the first of many as Arsenal look to end a five-year trophy drought. Mikel Arteta’s side begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign away to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United on August 17.

Read More »

Reijnders ready to play any role for Guardiola

Manchester City’s summer signing Tijjani Reijnders says he is prepared to take on any midfield role under Pep Guardiola following another injury setback for Rodri. The 27-year-old joined from AC Milan for a reported £46.6m to boost City’s midfield depth. Last season, City endured their worst campaign under Guardiola after Rodri suffered an ACL injury, and the Spaniard is now out again until at least September. “In the Club World Cup, I played three different midfield roles and I want to be able to perform in all of them,” Reijnders told reporters. “I’ll play wherever the manager wants me and give my best.” He said the squad have been focusing on ball possession, breaking down low blocks, and quick ball recovery in training. “We’ve got to know each other better and I can see he has a lot of qualities, which makes it easier for us midfielders to play alongside him,” he added.

Read More »
salah-criticizes-uefa-over-tribute-to-palestinian-legend

Salah criticises UEFA over tribute to Palestinian legend

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA for omitting details about the death of former Palestine international Suleiman al-Obeid in its tribute post. Obeid, nicknamed the “Palestinian Pele,” died on Wednesday after being shot by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip while people were waiting for humanitarian aid, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). He was 41. UEFA posted on X: “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” In response, Salah wrote: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Obeid, born in Gaza City, was married with five children and made 24 appearances for the Palestinian national team.

Read More »
ten-hag-defends-ronaldo-and-criticizes-man-utd

Ten Hag defends Ronaldo and criticises Man Utd

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says Cristiano Ronaldo was “never the problem” during their time together at Old Trafford. Ten Hag and Ronaldo, 40, were reported to have clashed before the forward left for Saudi club Al-Nassr. Ronaldo has since kept up his scoring form, netting a hat-trick in a 4-0 friendly win over Rio Ave. Speaking after Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Chelsea, Ten Hag said: “For me, it is no problem, he was never the problem. I think that’s the past, it is what happened, and after that we won two trophies at Manchester United, and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Read More »