With the new Premier League season now less than a month away from kicking off on August 21, pre-season friendlies are about to get into full swing as the majority of clubs jet off around the globe to ensure the best possible preparation for the 2026-27 campaign. However, due to the World Cup, a number of squads are far from full strength as those who reached the knockout rounds in North America enjoy some belated time off, creating opportunities for others to stake their claim for greater roles over the next 10 months.
It feels as though Marcus Rashford and Manchester United are back at square one. Both player and club must have been desperately hoping that Barcelona would take up what looked like a bargain £26 million ($35m) option to buy the attacker at the end of a productive loan spell in Catalunya in 2025-26, but, much to United's disbelief and anger, they turned in another direction. Now, Rashford faces limbo at Old Trafford.
Crysencio Summerville has completed a surprise £60m move from West Ham to Al-Hilal after signing a four-year contract. The Netherlands international attracted interest from several European clubs, but the Saudi Pro League side ultimately secured one of the summer's biggest transfers.
Bayern Munich are desperate to offload their three expensive returning loanees, Joao Palhinha, Sacha Boey and Bryan Zaragoza - but according to a Bild report, the move is still being held up for various reasons.
Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton has broken his silence regarding the criticism aimed at him by former France manager Didier Deschamps following Les Bleus' exit from the 2026 World Cup. The match official has defended his credentials and background after his performance in France's semi-final defeat to Spain was called into question.
Lionel Messi's playing days for Argentina may be drawing to a close, but a leading South American football journalist believes the icon could stick around in a different "Master Yoda" capacity, guiding heir apparent Nico Paz through the transition as the Albiceleste's next generation takes shape.
The Zinedine Zidane era of the French national team is finally ready to begin following years of intense speculation regarding the legendary midfielder's future. The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed that a major announcement is imminent as they prepare to move on from long-serving manager Didier Deschamps after a disappointing end to the 2018 World Cup.
Tottenham have left Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus out of their pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia, with the pair's recovery from long-term injuries continuing. Kulusevski has not played for the club since the 2024-25 season, while Kudus has been sidelined since January.
