An emotional return to Birmingham for Jude Bellingham is not being ruled out, although former Blues boss Steve Bruce has told GOAL that it could be a “long, long time” before such a move is considered. The No.22 shirt at St Andrew’s, which has been retired, is waiting to be filled again by a home-grown hero that is currently starring as a ‘Galactico’ with Real Madrid.
Dietmar Hamann has admitted to GOAL there is “always a chance” that Erling Haaland will leave Manchester City “when Barcelona or Real Madrid come calling”. Those approaches have not been made as yet, with the Norwegian striker tied to a contract through to 2034, but there will come a point when a fresh start away from the Etihad Stadium is considered.
LaLiga has contributed to developing Iraqi football, strengthening its structures and supporting young talent, leaving a sustainable legacy for football in Iraq.
For some football fans, the summer is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most - and that's not just because it's filled by a World Cup every four years! Rather, it's because the end of the season means only one thing: It's time for transfers! The 2026 window once again proved to be exceptionally busy, with some huge names making big-money moves all the way up to Deadline Day on September 1.
Fulham have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Manuel Angel from Real Madrid on a three-year contract for an initial fee of £3 million. The move sees the 22-year-old link up with manager Alvaro Arbeloa at Craven Cottage, becoming the third prospect to swap the Santiago Bernabeu for West London during a frantic summer recruitment drive.
Brighton have reached a verbal agreement to sign former Real Madrid midfielder Chema Andrés from VfB Stuttgart on deadline day. The two clubs moved rapidly to finalise a lucrative transfer for the talented prospect, who is now preparing to travel for his medical before the window officially closes, ending speculation over a return to Spain.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has officially announced his retirement from international football, ending a 12-year career with the German national team. Rüdiger earned 86 caps for Germany and has chosen to step aside for the younger generation, confirming he will now focus his efforts entirely on his club career in Spain.
Following Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, Manuel Angel is already the third player in this transfer window to follow coach Alvaro Arbeloa from Madrid to London.
Former Real Madrid forward Tote has fiercely criticised the club's summer recruitment strategy following the return of manager Jose Mourinho. Speaking on a recent podcast, the ex-player labelled the current squad as the most unrecognisable iteration of the Spanish giants he has seen in four decades.
Real Madrid
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