FORTUNE

‎Real Madrid have identified Arsenal defender William Saliba as their top transfer target to anchor a summer defensive overhaul, according to a report from Spanish outlet Marca. The 23-year-old French international is said to be the club’s preferred solution to reinforce a backline that has struggled in key moments this season, particularly during their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal. ‎ Real Madrid plot Summer rebuild with Arsenal's William Saliba at the centre. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Los Blancos were eliminated from Europe’s elite competition after conceding five goals across two legs against the North London side. That performance reportedly intensified internal discussions over the need to rejuvenate a once-impervious defence. Saliba, who has grown into one of the world’s premier centre-backs under Mikel Arteta, has long been admired by Real’s chief scout Juni Calafat, who views him as an ideal long-term leader in defence. ‎ ‎Despite Saliba sig...

‎Manchester United are confident that they have sealed a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The Swedish international has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, and club insiders now believe that the move is effectively a “done deal.” ‎ ‎' Viktor Gyokeres. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎United, under manager Rúben Amorim, are seeking to overhaul their attacking options following a disappointing Premier League campaign. Current centre-forwards Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to deliver consistent performances, prompting a strategic focus on bolstering the front line. ‎ ‎Gyokeres, who has enjoyed a sensational debut season with Sporting CP, fits the profile United are after. In Liga Portugal alone, the former Coventry City striker has netted 34 goals and provided 7 assists across 29 appearances. His performances in the Champions League have also been impressive, with 6 goals...

‎Chelsea are reportedly keen on bringing young forward Jamie Gittens back to English football, as the club targets a move for the Borussia Dortmund star. The England Under-21 international, who is under contract at Signal Iduna Park until 2028, has been making waves in the Bundesliga, but recent developments suggest that his future may lie elsewhere. Gittens’ growing dissatisfaction with his reduced role under Dortmund's coach Niko Kovac has led to speculation about a potential transfer, with several top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham, also monitoring the situation. ‎ Chelsea eye Jamie Gittens' return to English Football with impressive salary offer amid discontent at Dortmund. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎According to a report from Sky Sport Germany, Chelsea have officially shown interest in Gittens, who has accumulated 12 goals across all competitions this season. However, despite his strong performances, the 20-year-old has not start...

Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to consider a surprising yet potentially shrewd financial move—investing in English League Two side Cheltenham Town. The recommendation comes from leading football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson, who believes the Al-Nassr forward could make a transformative impact on the lower-tier club, mirroring the sensational success story of Wrexham under Hollywood ownership. ‎ ‎' C. Ronaldo. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Since 2021, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have dramatically reshaped the narrative at Wrexham AFC. Their investment not only propelled the Welsh side to three consecutive promotions, but also captured global attention through the acclaimed Welcome to Wrexham documentary series. This meteoric rise has sparked a new wave of interest in lower-league football investments, prompting experts to highlight similarly undervalued opportunities. ‎ ‎' Ryan Reynolds ' and ' Rob McElhenney. ' ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎Speaking t...

‎Jose Mourinho reportedly came within touching distance of signing Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014, with personal terms agreed and a staggering £50 million annual salary on offer. But despite the West London club’s readiness to activate the €250 million release clause in Messi’s Barcelona contract, the transfer never materialised—blocked by a surprise revelation from a Premier League player that alerted Messi’s father and ultimately brought the negotiations to a halt. ‎ ‎ Jose Mourinho almost signed Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014 before deal collapsed over player revelation. ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎At the time, Mourinho had just returned for his second spell at Chelsea, eager to reinforce his legacy after two Premier League title wins during his first tenure. Always one to think big, the Portuguese manager set his sights on Lionel Messi, arguably the most coveted player in world football. ‎ ‎According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s 2014 book Grand Hotel Calciomercato, the ground...

‎Football pundit Gary Lineker has suggested that former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is exactly what the struggling Premier League side is currently lacking. The Match of the Day host highlighted McTominay’s combative nature and knack for scoring goals, stating that the Scotland international would thrive under United’s current coach Ruben Amorim. ‎ ‎Scott McTominay is the missing piece at Manchester United amid Napoli brilliance — Gary Lineker. ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎Speaking on his podcast The Rest Is Football, Lineker praised McTominay's latest performances for Napoli, where he has quickly become a pivotal figure in their Serie A title race. "Scott McTominay, scored two more goals, one of them a beauty, for Napoli at the beginning of the week," Lineker said. "He's exactly the player I would say that would work in an Amorim system. He's what they need." ‎ ‎McTominay left Old Trafford in a £25 million ($34m) move last summer, a...

‎Manchester City are positioning themselves at the front of the pack to sign Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, with the Premier League champions identifying the midfielder as a potential successor to Kevin De Bruyne. ‎ ‎ Manchester City target Morgan Gibbs-White as De Bruyne successor amid growing transfer race. ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎De Bruyne, who has played a pivotal role in City’s dominance over the past nine years, is expected to depart the Etihad this summer, prompting Pep Guardiola and the club’s recruitment team to search for a creative midfielder capable of filling the Belgian's sizable boots. ‎ ‎While Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has long been on City's radar, The Daily Mail reports that attention has now turned more decisively toward Gibbs-White, whose performances under Nuno Espirito Santo have caught the eye across Europe. ‎ ‎The 24-year-old England international has been central to Nottingham Forest’s surprise push for Champions League qualific...

‎The Premier League headlines this week are dominated by Mohamed Salah, as the Liverpool icon officially signed a contract extension with the club—dashing rumors of a summer departure. But while fans rejoiced over the Egyptian king’s decision to remain at Anfield, it was his wristwear, not just his pen, that made waves across social media. ‎ ‎' M. Salah. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The 32-year-old forward, who has been a cornerstone of Liverpool since his arrival in 2017, has amassed an extraordinary 243 goals and 109 assists in 393 appearances. Despite persistent rumors linking him with a move away and the looming departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, Salah’s renewed commitment offers a glimmer of stability amid uncertainty—particularly as doubts linger over the futures of Virgil van Dijk and other senior players. ‎ ‎Contract Details: No Pay Cut, Massive Potential Earnings ‎ ‎Sources close to SPORTING confirm that Salah’s new deal is as lucrative as his previo...

‎Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has paid heartfelt tribute to Kevin De Bruyne following the Belgian midfielder’s announcement that he will leave the club this summer. The news marks the end of a glittering era at the Etihad for De Bruyne, who has been a cornerstone of City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. ‎ ‎' Jack Grealish ' Ft. ' Manchester City. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎De Bruyne, 33, confirmed his impending departure earlier this week via a personal message to supporters. The midfielder has been integral to Manchester City's recent success, amassing 15 major trophies—including six Premier League titles in the last seven seasons. ‎ ‎Tributes from across the football world have poured in, and among the most poignant was Grealish’s Instagram post, where the England international shared a collage of photos featuring the pair on and off the pitch. At the center of the post, Grealish wrote: "One of the reasons I joined City was to play alongside you b...

‎Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese coach who has had remarkable success against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City this season, has shared his approach to overcoming the Premier League giants. With a history of two wins against Guardiola's team, Amorim now aims to secure a third victory when Manchester United hosts Manchester City this weekend. ‎ ‎' Ruben Amorim ', ' Pep Guardiola. ' ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎In the current season, Amorim’s Sporting side stunned City with a dominant 4-1 win in the Champions League group stage. This victory was followed by a thrilling comeback victory with Manchester United in December, when Amorim's team triumphed against Guardiola's side with a late surge. As both teams prepare to face each other once again, Amorim has shed light on what he believes contributed to his success. ‎ ‎Speaking to the press, Amorim humbly admitted that luck played a significant role in his victories. He said, "The secret [to beating City]...

‎Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in the upcoming summer transfer window. As Mikel Arteta searches for a new striker, Gyokeres has become a top target, with the club looking to reinforce its attacking options. ‎ ‎' Viktor Gyoekeres. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎According to The Athletic, Arsenal's interest in the 25-year-old forward is growing, with Andrea Berti, the club's new sporting director, said to be a strong admirer of the Swedish striker. Gyokeres, who is proving to be an increasingly cost-effective option, could provide a more affordable alternative to high-profile targets like Alexander Isak of Newcastle United. Additionally, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, another option on Arsenal’s radar, has attracted significant attention from various suitors, making a move for him more complicated. ‎ ‎Gyokeres’ impressive form at Sporting CP has not gone unnoticed. In just 92 appearances, the striker has scored an impressive ...

‎RB Leipzig have initiated discussions with Jobe Bellingham as the Bundesliga club intensifies its efforts to secure the Sunderland midfielder for the 2025-26 season. According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Leipzig has thoroughly assessed Bellingham's profile, who is under contract with Sunderland until 2028. Despite recognizing the high cost of signing the 19-year-old, Leipzig has made him a priority target for the upcoming summer transfer window. ‎ ‎' Jobe Bellingham. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Bellingham, who has gained considerable attention for his performances with Sunderland, could potentially follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude Bellingham, by making a move to Germany. Borussia Dortmund, another prominent Bundesliga club, is also reported to be interested in the young midfielder. The German side believes they can persuade him to join, particularly due to his brother's successful tenure with the club before his recent transfer to ...

‎Bruno Fernandes has recently been the subject of speculation linking him with a potential transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid, but a £90 million ($116 million) move is widely regarded as "impossible" due to various financial and strategic considerations. ‎ ‎' Bruno Fernandes. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎The Portuguese midfielder continues to play a pivotal role at Old Trafford, where he has taken on the responsibility of club captain. Despite his leadership, Manchester United’s ongoing struggles for consistency have prompted questions about Fernandes’ future at the club. ‎ ‎At 30 years old, Fernandes is at a crucial juncture in his career, with limited time to wait for another potential rebuild at United. Though he is contracted until 2027, reports suggest that he could be open to leaving should the right offer materialize. Real Madrid, who are reportedly exploring potential options to strengthen their squad, have emerged as one of the clubs inte...

Victor Osimhen has reportedly turned down an approach from Juventus, with the Nigerian forward prioritizing a move to one of Europe's elite clubs, ideally in the Premier League, during the summer transfer window. Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray for the 2024-25 season, is contracted to Serie A side Napoli but intends to secure a permanent transfer to a new club this summer. ‎ ‎' Victor Osimhen. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎According to JuveFC, as relayed by Football Italia, Juventus made their intentions clear in recent discussions with the 26-year-old, presenting their vision for the club ahead of the 2025-26 season. Despite acknowledging their interest, Osimhen reportedly expressed gratitude but made it clear that his preference lies in joining a Premier League club, which he sees as a more fitting step in his career. ‎ ‎Osimhen’s €75 million release clause will become active next summer, which has only heightened interest in his services. Juventus, in p...

‎Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has addressed questions surrounding Antony’s future following the Brazilian winger's impressive loan spell at Real Betis. ‎ ‎' Anthony. ' ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎Antony joined Real Betis on loan in January after struggling to make an impact at Manchester United, under both former manager Erik ten Hag and Amorim, who took charge later in the season. Since his move to Spain, the winger has enjoyed a revival in form, contributing eight goals and assists in just 12 appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. ‎ ‎Given his resurgence, speculation has grown over whether Antony will return to Manchester United's first team next season. However, Amorim has made it clear that no option to buy was included in the loan deal with Betis, ensuring that the winger will return to United once the loan term concludes. ‎ ‎Addressing the issue, Amorim told the media, “Antony to return? I’m planning the future but I don’t want to talk about the fut...

‎Aston Villa have set their sights on Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic for a potential summer move, according to recent reports. The 25-year-old forward has emerged as a key target as Villa aim to refresh their squad following an underwhelming Premier League season. Despite securing a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they are set to face PSG, Villa are positioned ninth in the Premier League, just four points behind fourth-place Chelsea. ‎ ‎' Dusan Vlahovic. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Reports indicate that Juventus would be open to selling Vlahovic for a transfer fee of €40m (£33m/$43m). This comes after a season in which the Serbian international netted only nine goals in Serie A. While Vlahovic previously attracted interest from Arsenal, the Gunners have since cooled their pursuit of the player. Villa are also reportedly monitoring the situation, with Vlahovic potentially joining the club as part of a wider summer overhaul. Additionally, Villa had s...

‎Simon Jordan has issued a cautionary warning to Aston Villa regarding the potential permanent signing of Marcus Rashford this summer. Despite the England forward’s impressive performance during his loan spell from Manchester United, Jordan believes Villa will be reluctant to meet the financial demands associated with the deal. ‎ ' Marcus Rashford. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Rashford has made a strong impact since his loan move to Villa Park, scoring two goals and providing four assists in just 10 appearances. His standout performance came over the weekend when he netted twice in a commanding 3-0 victory over Preston North End, propelling Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals. ‎ ‎However, Jordan, speaking on talkSPORT, expressed skepticism about Villa's willingness to commit to the reported £300,000-per-week wages Rashford currently commands at United. Despite Villa reportedly holding an option to make the move permanent for £40 million ($52 million), the financial package ...

‎Lille striker Jonathan David is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the upcoming summer transfer window, with his contract expiring at the season’s end. However, his high wage demands could complicate interest from major Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool. ‎ ‎ ' Jonathan David. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The Canadian international has made it clear he will not be renewing his deal with the Ligue 1 side, making him available for a free transfer in the summer. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, as reported by Get French Football News, David's demands could deter several suitors. Specifically, Premier League giants, such as Manchester United and Liverpool, may reconsider their pursuit due to his substantial financial requirements. ‎ ‎Earlier reports, including from The Daily Mail, highlighted that up to seven Premier League clubs had shown interest in David, including Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham, Newcastle, and Tottenham...

‎Bruno Fernandes, a key player for Manchester United, has emerged as a prime summer transfer target for Real Madrid, according to a recent report. As per the Daily Star, the Spanish giants have been keeping a close eye on Fernandes throughout the current season, with scouts attending United's matches at Old Trafford to assess the Portuguese midfielder's capabilities ahead of a potential move. ‎ ‎' Bruno Fernandes. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Real Madrid sees Fernandes as a long-term successor to Luka Modric, whose future at the club remains uncertain. United, however, are likely to demand a club-record fee to part ways with their star player, with reports suggesting that the asking price could exceed £90 million ($116 million), surpassing the £80 million Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. ‎ ‎Despite the interest from Madrid, Manchester United remains determined to retain Fernandes. However, the club's financial position, influenced by concerns over P...