FORTUNE

‎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...

‎Inter Miami’s strategy for managing Lionel Messi’s workload in the 2025 season has been carefully outlined to ensure his continued success. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been given a balanced schedule to maintain his peak form, with the club ensuring that he is capable of playing consecutive games without risking long-term injury. ‎ ‎' Lionel Messi. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Messi recently made a crucial impact in Inter Miami's 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, coming off the bench to score just two minutes after his introduction. His goal helped secure three more points for the Herons, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season. ‎ ‎Despite his impressive contribution, Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, clarified that Messi’s playing time remains closely managed. Mascherano suggested Messi would participate in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final against LAFC on Wednesday. In a recent press conference, he explained, “Th...

‎Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing Sporting CP's highly-rated defender, Goncalo Inacio, with a summer move on the horizon. According to A Bola, Inacio has long been a target for the Red Devils, who have tracked his progress over the past few years. Although United initially focused on Leny Yoro, speculation around Inacio remains, leaving room for a potential future approach. ‎ ‎' Goncalo Inacio. ' ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎Sporting CP have set a firm price tag of €45 million (£38 million / $49 million) for the 22-year-old, signaling their reluctance to part ways with the defender for anything less. United’s recent transfer strategy has focused on younger talents with long-term potential, and Inacio fits perfectly into this model. Known for his composure on the ball, ability to play out from the back, and experience at both the club and international levels, Inacio represents a promising addition to United’s defense. ‎ ‎A defensive overhaul at Old Tra...

Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu has openly admitted that his use of cocaine during his career cost him the chance to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, a title he believes was well within his grasp. ‎ ' Adrian Mutu. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Mutu’s time at Chelsea was both brief and tumultuous. After joining the club from Parma, the Romanian forward initially showed promise. However, his tenure quickly spiraled following a falling-out with manager José Mourinho and struggles with personal issues. Mutu’s career in the Premier League came to an abrupt end when he was banned for eight months after testing positive for cocaine. This incident led to his dismissal from Chelsea, marking a disgraceful end to his time in London. ‎ ‎In a candid interview with The Telegraph, Mutu reflected on his decisions and the impact they had on his career. "Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made," he confessed. "I was alone and s...

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has come under pressure to make a bold decision ahead of the 2026 World Cup – replacing Cristiano Ronaldo with a younger forward to give his team the best chance of success. ‎ ‎' Cristiano Ronaldo. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Cristiano Ronaldo, who has led Portugal to victory in both the European Championship and Nations League, has yet to capture the elusive World Cup. However, as the Al-Nassr forward turns 40, questions are being raised about his ability to compete at the highest level. His physical decline and reduced influence on the pitch are becoming increasingly apparent. ‎ ‎Several former players and pundits, including ex-Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann, have voiced concerns over Ronaldo's place in the national team. Speaking to CardPlayer.com, Hamann noted, “Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact at the last European Championship was limited, and considering he will be another year older by the 2026 World Cup, his influence will likely dec...

‎Premier League clubs, notably Manchester United and Arsenal, have reportedly been monitoring two promising talents from Olympiacos, Christos Mouzakitis and Charalampos Kostoulas, over the past few months. Both players are widely regarded as key figures in Greece's emerging golden generation of footballers. ‎ Manchester United and Arsenal scout Olympiacos stars Christos Mouzakitis and Charalampos Kostoulas. Getty Images (2) ‎Mouzakitis, a left-footed central midfielder, made history in November by becoming the youngest-ever debutant for Greece in a senior international match against Finland. Meanwhile, Kostoulas, primarily a number nine or second striker, has garnered significant attention from several top clubs. ‎ ‎' Christos Mouzakitis. ' ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎Despite this interest, Olympiacos sporting director Darko Kovacevic has confirmed that Kostoulas will not be leaving the club anytime soon. He stated, "There is growing interest in h...

‎Manchester United has received a potential cash boost amid ongoing transfer speculation surrounding former academy graduate Mason Greenwood. Following a productive loan spell at Getafe in La Liga, the Red Devils agreed to part ways with the forward in the summer of 2024. Greenwood secured a £27 million ($35 million) transfer to French club Olympique de Marseille, where he has enjoyed a solid debut season at the Stade Vélodrome, netting 15 goals in Ligue 1. ‎ ‎' Mason Greenwood. ' ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎However, despite his impressive performance on the field, Greenwood’s attitude has reportedly come under scrutiny by Marseille's manager Roberto De Zerbi, which has led to speculation about a possible departure. Recent rumors suggest that a move elsewhere may be on the horizon. ‎ ‎As the winter transfer window approaches, Ruben Amorim, Marseille’s manager, could potentially benefit from additional funds to strengthen his squad. Nonetheless, transfer expert Fabriz...

AC Milan’s ongoing search for a new sporting director has created uncertainty surrounding Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at the club, which could have wider implications for Arsenal. According to reports from Italy, the iconic striker’s current role at Milan may be at risk as the club’s leadership undergoes a shift. ' Zlatan Ibrahimovic. ' Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎Ibrahimovic, who has taken on an executive position at AC Milan as an advisor to the club’s RedBird ownership, has been a prominent figure in key footballing decisions. His influence extended to hiring coaches such as Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao, and even interviewing candidates for the sporting director role. However, his position appears to be evolving, with Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani now tasked with overseeing sporting matters after discussions with RedBird’s Gerry Cardinale. ‎ ‎The 2025-26 season could mark a turning point for Ibrahimovic’s involvement at Milan, especially as his presence has been nota...