Manchester United are poised to launch a £70 million bid for West Ham star Mateus Fernandes after abandoning their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, as it became clear that Manchester City is leading the race, while his asking price was too high.

Liverpool are moving quickly to secure the future of Rio Ngumoha following stunning reports linking the teenage sensation with a move to Bayern Munich. The Reds have no intention of letting their prized asset leave Anfield and are preparing a lucrative contract offer to end any speculation of a move to Germany.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged his former club to launch a sensational move to re-sign Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay. The iconic forward admitted his utter bewilderment at the Red Devils' decision to sanction the 29-year-old’s cut-price £26 million ($35m) departure to Serie A two years ago, following his exceptional transformation into an elite goalscoring talent.

Arsenal are exploring a move for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his title-winning squad. The Greece international could be available for around £34.5 million, with the Gunners viewing him as a separate target to Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers as they continue to reshape their attack.

Manchester United are preparing to offer captain Bruno Fernandes a blockbuster new £375,000-a-week contract to secure his long-term future at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are moving swiftly to tie down their talismanic midfielder following a historic, record-breaking season, shutting down any rumors of delaying negotiations until later this year.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas has opened up about the severe personal and professional toll of his dismissal from the BBC. The former pundit admitted he lost everything after his contract was abruptly terminated following an internal investigation into inappropriate workplace messages to colleagues.

Khadija Shaw is one of the best centre-forwards in the women's game, if not the best. Winner of three successive Women's Super League Golden Boots, and scorer of more goals than any other player in Europe's top five leagues since her move to Manchester City in 2021, it's no wonder that Chelsea were trying to bring her to west London as her contract neared its expiry this summer. But as it became apparent that the Blues were going to miss out on Shaw, it says a lot about Felicia Schroder that the Swedish teenager was next on their wish list.

As 40-year-old Edin Dzeko enters the late twilight of his career, Bosnian football has a new potential superstar to carry it forward. Kerim Alajbegovic hadn't even been born when the revered striker made his international debut 19 years ago, but the pair are set to shoulder their country's hopes at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer.

At Palmeiras, Endrick, Estevao, Luis Gulherme, Vitor Reis and Luighi became known as 'The Billion Generation' - a reference to the colossal amount of money four prodigiously gifted players were expected to generate for the Brazil club. However, it now feels as if another name should be added to that illustrious list of outstanding academy products, that of Eduardo Conceicao.

Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint in Paris against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of active influence peddling and spreading false accusations linked to the events that ended his FIFA presidency bid in 2015. The former UEFA chief is also targeting two former FIFA officials as he seeks to clear his name and pursue accountability.

Real Madrid have sensationally called for Barcelona to be stripped of their historic titles as the fallout from the Negreira scandal reaches a definitive breaking point. Following his dominant re-election victory, Florentino Perez has taken the offensive by submitting an extensive legal dossier to UEFA's headquarters.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly on the brink of an emotional return to Real Madrid following Florentino Perez re-election as club president, but the Portuguese tactician isn't heading back to the Spanish capital for a mere nostalgia trip. The 'Special One' is driven by a singular goal that escaped him during his first three-year stint at the helm of the world's most successful club.

Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

The Bosman ruling revolutionised football in 1995. It shifted the balance of power in favour of the players and accelerated the sport's professionalisation. Yet few recall the player whose case triggered this landmark decision. Part 13 of our Rebel United series.

On the pitch, Didier Drogba was a firebrand; off it, a peacemaker. The long-serving Chelsea striker played a pivotal role in the peace process in the Ivory Coast. Part 12 of our Rebel United series.

GOAL's Rebel United series focuses on players who prefer to swim against the tide, players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic – an icon who not only disrupted the system, but also subjugated it...

Gift Orban may only be 23 years of age, but he has already spent time in five different European countries while scoring at a rate of a goal every other game. A move to an elite club likely awaits for a player who went through plenty of hardship as a child, with Orban easily one of the continent's biggest Hidden Gems...