Al Talaba Overview

AS Monaco have officially completed the permanent signing of Ansu Fati from Barcelona. The Ligue 1 side have activated their €11 million (£9m/$13m) purchase option following the 23-year-old's impressive loan spell. Fati, who once took on Lionel Messi's iconic number 10 shirt in Catalonia, has signed a four-year contract to remain in the Principality until June 2030.

Rafael van der Vaart has launched a blistering critique of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong following the Netherlands' dramatic World Cup exit against Morocco. The former Oranje midfielder was left utterly baffled by Ronald Koeman's tactical decisions in Monterrey, arguing that the manager's system completely isolated and nullified De Jong.

Wayne Rooney has publicly pleaded with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to reject a potential move to Barcelona in favour of a blockbuster return to England with Manchester United. The legendary forward believes his former international team-mate should focus on conquering the Premier League rather than pursuing another European domestic title.

Marcus Rashford is set to be integrated back into the Manchester United first-team squad ahead of the upcoming pre-season schedule. Club chiefs have ruled out sanctioning another temporary departure for the forward following his recent stint abroad, with all parties now showing a clear willingness to revive his career at Old Trafford.