Athletico Paranaense defender Leo Derik has been sentenced to 13 years in prison following his conviction on two counts of rape involving a former partner. The ruling was handed down by a court in Curitiba regarding events from 2024. Although facing a lengthy sentence, the 21-year-old footballer will remain free pending his appeal.
Veteran referee Anthony Taylor has officially retired from English football after 20 years and 668 matches. The 47-year-old official has opened up on the immense pressure, scrutiny, and family sacrifices that led to his decision to step away and take a new role in Turkey.
Santos star Neymar has raised fresh doubts over his participation in the upcoming Copa do Brasil quarter-final tie against Palmeiras due to concerns over the synthetic pitch at Nubank Parque. The 34-year-old forward has long been a vocal critic of artificial surfaces, raising questions about his readiness to play in the crucial fixture on August 26.
Jude Bellingham is “not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo” and cannot “win games by himself”, John Barnes has told GOAL, with the England and Real Madrid superstar considered to be more of a Bryan Robson-esque No.8 than a creative No.10. The all-action midfielder has often been pushed into a more advanced role, but his ability is maximised when operating in a deeper-lying berth.
MLS outfit LAFC have strengthened their forward line with the permanent signing of German attacker Armindo Sieb from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. The 23-year-old former Germany youth international joins the Black and Gold on a long-term deal running through the 2028-29 season, with a club option to extend for a further year.
Manchester United might have spent the summer scouring the transfer market for reinforcements, but the answer to their attacking woes could be a familiar face returning to Carrington. After a loan spell in La Liga, Marcus Rashford is back in the fold at Old Trafford, and some of the game's biggest legends believe he is ready to take the Premier League by storm once again.
Manchester City are set to sell midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah for £51 million. The Dutch international has already agreed personal terms and departs the Etihad Stadium after spending just a single season with the club.
Al-Hilal have included defender Joao Cancelo in their squad for the new season while negotiations with Barcelona continue. The Saudi Arabian club has assigned him the number 20 shirt as talks over a permanent transfer stall.
New Zealand defender Tim Payne has seen his signed Olimpia debut shirt trigger a fierce bidding war, with offers surpassing $3,200 shortly after going to auction. Having become a global social media sensation during the 2026 World Cup, the 32-year-old full-back continues to ride a remarkable wave of popularity with the Paraguayan powerhouse.
Gabriel Martinelli has reportedly informed the Arsenal hierarchy that he has no intention of joining Galatasaray despite the Turkish giants stepping up their pursuit of the winger. The Brazilian international remains focused on his career in north London even as the Gunners evaluate their attacking options for the new campaign.
Ronald de Boer has backed Patrick Kluivert to become the perfect assistant for new Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernandez. The former Barcelona team-mates share a close bond, and De Boer believes Kluivert's vast experience would immediately benefit the incoming manager.
Jack Grealish may have faced questions of his £100 million ($135m) move to Manchester City, while generating transfer talk in 2026, but Colin Hendry has told GOAL how the “clever” playmaker has maximised his career. Whatever happens from this point, the 30-year-old forward boasts the kind of trophy-winning CV that most players can only dream about.
Inter Milan are reportedly plotting a late summer move for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as they look to complete their squad. The Italian champions have already reached an agreement with the player while negotiations continue over a transfer fee.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has called for much-needed stability at Stamford Bridge as the club prepares to enter a new era under head coach Xabi Alonso. The West London outfit have experienced frequent managerial changes and heavy player turnover in recent years, prompting the French international to urge a more settled long-term approach.
Santos star Neymar lashed out at "negative" home supporters after being booed during Thursday's 2-1 Copa Sudamericana comeback victory against Macara at Vila Belmiro. Despite registering two assists to complete a hard-fought round-of-16 first-leg win, the former Brazilian international urged critical fans with pessimistic attitudes to "stay home" instead.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino believes the Gunners have now assembled the most formidable engine room in world football following the blockbuster arrival of Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian international completed a £75 million move from Newcastle United this summer, further bolstering a squad that successfully achieved their Premier League title dream last term.
Djed Spence has touched down in Italy ahead of his €35 million transfer to Inter. The England international is set to undergo his medical on Friday after Tottenham Hotspur agreed to sell the defender following an impressive World Cup campaign.
Juventus are actively looking to streamline their squad by placing several players on the transfer market. High-profile names such as Nico Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners lead the club's exit list as the Bianconeri look to strengthen their team.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has received four Guinness World Records certificates honouring his remarkable goalscoring feats in domestic and international football. The 26-year-old Norwegian earned recognition for historic milestones achieved across the Premier League, Champions League, and Nations League ahead of the new season.
Former Chelsea first-team doctor Eva Carneiro has launched a stinging rebuke to Jose Mourinho and John Terry after the pair revisited their infamous 2015 touchline clash in a new Netflix documentary. The long-standing feud, which began during a Premier League season opener against Swansea City, has been reignited as the protagonists trade fresh barbs over medical ethics.
Arsenal have reportedly opened negotiations with Galatasaray regarding a stunning move for Victor Osimhen, potentially bringing the Nigerian superstar to the Premier League at last. The Gunners are exploring the deal as part of wider discussions with the Turkish giants that involve several other high-profile names moving in the opposite direction.
Ezri Konsa has made his feelings clear on a move to north London after Aston Villa shocked Arsenal by demanding exactly double their initial offer. Mikel Arteta is desperate to land the England defender following William Saliba's injury, but Villa's staggering new price tag threatens to derail the transfer.
RB Leipzig are moving quickly to reinvest the massive windfall from their Yan Diomande sale to Real Madrid, with the Bundesliga giants now closing in on a double swoop from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. The German outfit have reportedly reached full agreements on personal terms with both Samir El Mourabet and former Chelsea winger Diego Moreira as they look to reshape their attacking options for the new campaign.
Rodri has sensationally moved to accelerate his departure from Manchester City by requesting a training exemption. The Spanish international is desperate to finalise a return to La Liga as negotiations between the Etihad outfit and Barcelona reach a critical tipping point.
Barcelona’s ambitious pursuit of Manchester City midfield anchor Rodri has hit yet another significant roadblock. The Catalan giants have seen a second approach dismissed by Enzo Maresca's side, who remain steadfast in their financial demands despite the player’s clear preference for a move to the Spotify Camp Nou.
A mystery ticket-holder in Quincy, Illinois, is sitting on a $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot — enough to smash Neymar's world-record $244m transfer fee to PSG four times over, or cover nearly all of the 2026 summer window's biggest deals with the cash option alone.
USL is trialing Football Video Support in the Prinx Tires USL Cup, putting review requests in coaches' hands as it tests a cheaper, less invasive alternative to VAR.
Derek McInnes's tenure as Rangers manager has descended into early-season turmoil after the Light Blues were dumped out of the Europa League qualifiers by Jagiellonia Bialystok. A 1-1 draw on a toxic night at Ibrox confirmed a 3-2 aggregate defeat, leaving the Glasgow giants to settle for a place in the Conference League play-offs.
Leeds United are intensifying their efforts to bolster their defensive options before the transfer window slams shut, with Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi emerging as a primary target. The move would see the Swiss international reunite with Daniel Farke at Elland Road following their time together in the Bundesliga.
Ruben Amorim has wasted no time in making his mark at AC Milan, reportedly identifying several high-profile stars for an immediate summer exit. Following a series of underwhelming displays during the club's pre-season tour, the Portuguese tactician has held crunch talks with ownership to finalise his squad plans.