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Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has given his initial green light to join Juventus as he seeks a return to Italian football. The Bianconeri are pursuing an ambitious double attack overhaul that includes Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani, with discussions progressing to rebuild their frontline for manager Luciano Spalletti.

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.

After finishing last season outside the European places, Chelsea have been rebuilding under new boss Xabi Alonso. They should not be underestimated.