Soham Mukherjee

Joao Pedro was straight into Chelsea training after completing a £60 million ($82m) transfer from Brighton ahead of the Club World Cup quarter-finals. The 23-year-old wasted no time in linking up with his new team-mates, joining Enzo Maresca’s side in the United States. He could be in contention to make his debut in Friday’s tie against Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Gareth Bale has taken a significant step toward owning the club he supported as a child by leading a consortium that has formally submitted a £40 million ($54.5m) bid to purchase Cardiff City. Despite the emotional and symbolic value of such a move, the offer is facing stiff resistance from the club’s current owner, Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a Dutch legend from his playing days at Arsenal and Barcelona and a successful manager in his own right, has been added to Liverpool’s coaching ranks. The former Netherlands international joins manager Arne Slot’s technical team, stepping into the position left vacant after John Heitinga’s recent appointment as Ajax’s head coach.

Lyon’s rising star Malick Fofana has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in European football, with the French club setting a minimum asking price of £51.5 million (€60m/$71m) for the talented 20-year-old as several Premier League heavyweights, including Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea, scramble for his signature. The English sides are not alone in the chase, with Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Napoli also engaged in talks.

Arsenal appear to be closing in on their preferred attacking reinforcement this summer, with advanced negotiations underway for the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. Having evaluated multiple striker options, the Gunners have reportedly turned their full attention to the Swedish international, side-lining previous target Benjamin Sesko in the process.

Coleen Rooney has firmly stepped into the financial spotlight of the Rooney household, after her business activities and brand endorsements helped her company, CWR 2021, record a £1.3 million profit. Recent financial disclosures for the year ending September 2024 revealed that her company’s earnings more than tripled over a 12-month period, a significant leap reflecting the momentum behind her media and commercial ventures.

Juventus have reportedly reignited their interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho by proposing a swap deal that includes a selection of three players from their current squad, according to GiveMeSport. Among the names floated during early-stage discussions are United States international Tim Weah, midfielder Douglas Luiz, and Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Manchester United have taken the first step toward exploring a move for Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, reaching out to the Serie A giants to gather information regarding a potential summer transfer, as revealed by Caught Offside. His future at the San Siro appears uncertain, with several European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, and Atletico Madrid, also monitoring the situation closely.

Newcastle United have expressed regret after including an image in their latest promotional content that sparked concerns of cultural insensitivity. The issue arose from a video unveiling their new third kit, produced in collaboration with Adidas, which inadvertently featured a flag resembling a controversial historical symbol.

Nottingham Forest have taken the first step in the pursuit of highly-rated winger Malick Fofana by reaching an agreement with Ligue 1 side Lyon, as revealed by Fabrizio Romano. The 20-year-old Belgian is one of the most sought-after young forwards in Europe and although the clubs have agreed on terms, Forest still need to secure the player’s approval before finalising the transfer.

Sky Sports is gearing up to bring back a familiar favourite to football fans as part of its programming revamp for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season. According to Mail Sport, the network is set to reintroduce a programme reminiscent of the much-loved Sunday Supplement, which was shelved in 2020 after two decades on air.

Manchester United star Matheus Cunha has been making the most of his off-season, spending quality time in Brazil. The 26-year-old was spotted unwinding after a busy season and ahead of the challenges that await him at Old Trafford. He joined United in a £62.5 million ($86m) transfer from Wolves and will be tasked with breathing life into an insipid attack that managed to score just 44 league goals.

Arsenal have finalised the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea after activating a £5 million ($7m) release clause in his contract. This transfer marks the end of Arrizabalaga’s seven-year spell at Chelsea, during which he made 163 appearances and secured four major trophies. His initial switch to the Blues in 2018 from Athletic Club for £72m ($99m) still stands as the most expensive transfer ever for a goalkeeper.

England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman has expressed her gratitude towards the Football Association for reaffirming their faith in her leadership ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship. As the Lionesses prepare to head to Switzerland next month to defend the title they clinched in 2022, Wiegman has received assurances that her position is secure beyond the tournament, regardless of its outcome.

England have received a major lift ahead of their Euro 2025 campaign as Chelsea forward Lauren James has been cleared to play in the upcoming friendly against Jamaica. This will mark her first appearance since April following a hamstring issue that sidelined her for three months. She is expected to feature as a substitute at the King Power Stadium, as manager Sarina Wiegman carefully manages her return to full fitness.

Lionel Messi 'didn't have one good moment' during his Paris Saint-Germain spell due to Neymar's rivalry with Kylian Mbappe. A figure said to be close to the legendary Argentine has offered a rare insight into his uncomfortable two-year stint in the French capital, revealing he felt alienated and undermined amid internal tensions at the club.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has firmly shut down any speculation surrounding the possible departure of teenage defender Josh Acheampong. Despite mounting interest from clubs across both England and Europe, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy has made it clear that the 19-year-old is staying put, at least for now.

Phil Parkinson labelled the Championship as a "relentless league" and issued a stern warning to Wrexham players about the potential challenges of the English second tier. The Red Dragons happen to be the only team in the division who have no prior Premier League experience. Having last competed at this level in 1982, the Welsh side now faces the daunting task of navigating one of the toughest leagues in English football.