Clubs everywhere are splashing plenty of cash in the transfer window, and we're here to evaluate ...

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Running analysis and grades for every major summer transfer

Jack Grealish will try to revive his career at Everton after Manchester City allowed him to leave...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17264" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17264">Jack Grealish</a> will try to revive his career at Everton after Manchester City allowed him to leave for Merseyside on a season-long loan Tuesday.</p><p>The Toffees have an option to buy the 29-year-old for £50 million at the end of the loan agreement, according to transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1954990364252835905">Fabrizio Romano</a>. Grealish's Manchester City contract expires in June 2027.</p><p>Before they entertain a permanent transfer, Grealish's wages and loan fee over the 2025-26 campaign could cost Everton more than £12 million, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/11/jack-grealish-agrees-to-join-everton-season-loan-manchester-city">The Guardian's Andy Hunter and Will Unwin report</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton - it's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans," Grealish said.</p><p>The English winger joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in a £100-million transfer in 2021, which held the British record for an incoming transfer before Enzo Fernandez moved to Chelsea for about £107 million around 18 months later.</p><p>Grealish won the Champions League, three Premier League titles, and the FA Cup with Manchester City, including his crucial role in the club's historic 2022-23 treble-winning season. However, his form tailed off and his minutes dwindled after that high point, resulting in 10 league starts over the 2023-24 campaign and just seven last season. He was omitted from City's Club World Cup squad this summer.</p><p>Aside from getting his club career back on track, one of the main motivating factors behind Grealish's move is regular first-team football ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3069358" href="https://thescore.com/news/3069358">described</a> the last offseason as his "worst summer" after he was left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024. The Three Lions, who are now overseen by Thomas Tuchel, have opened their World Cup qualification campaign with wins over Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.</p><p>"Thomas Tuchel ... is a massive fan and sees Jack Grealish as a starter in his team, if only he can get back up and running and playing on a regular basis," <a href="https://x.com/5liveSport/status/1953425842681397751">BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel</a> said last week.</p><p>Everton are steadily recruiting this summer before their first season in the Hill Dickinson Stadium. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/209327" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/209327">Thierno Barry</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/165412" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/165412">Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/205407" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/205407">Adam Aznou</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101896" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101896">Mark Travers</a> were signed this summer, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/192919" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/192919">Carlos Alcaraz</a>'s loan from Flamengo was turned into a permanent deal, before Grealish made the trip west on the M62.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 2: Manchester City's Jack Grealish celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Leicester City FC at Etihad Stadium on April 2, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Grealish joins Everton on loan after Man City spell sputters out

The Manchester United boardroom is putting its trust in Ruben Amorim.  Benjamin Sesko officially ...

<p>The Manchester United boardroom is putting its trust in Ruben Amorim.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///gerdfbp/players/166129" href="https://thescore.com/gerdfbp/players/166129">Benjamin Sesko</a> officially joined United from RB Leipzig on Saturday. His arrival for an initial €76.5 million plus €8.5 million in add-ons, according to figures from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6538359/2025/08/07/benjamin-sesko-manchester-united-transfer/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMBkOlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp9uUhpPzQjVFkUoM2FZOWP5dVP7T46SRLZ_DUiUPcom1fACPEkwtE_0yBZF-_aem_xwcRkDXXq9LHpxMaLCOTXQ">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>, means the club's summer refresh of Amorim's attack now potentially exceeds £207 million.</p><p>The 22-year-old Slovenian was unveiled at Old Trafford after signing a five-year contract.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge roar as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a> new boy Benjamin Sesko is unveiled at Old Trafford <a href="https://t.co/1YsslD5LZL">pic.twitter.com/1YsslD5LZL</a></p>— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonPeach/status/1954146836010197192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Sesko, a physical forward who stands at six-foot-five, is a natural fit to spearhead Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcqcon/players/100524" href="https://thescore.com/wcqcon/players/100524">Matheus Cunha</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/99561" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/99561">Bryan Mbeumo</a>, the other attackers signed this summer for a combined fee of up to £133.5 million, could operate on either side of Sesko, while captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/23312" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/23312">Bruno Fernandes</a> busies himself in midfield.</p><p>The revamp was prompted by United scoring just 44 goals in the Premier League last term. Only Everton and the relegated trio of Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton scored fewer goals than Amorim's side. United finished the season in 15th place.</p><p>Newcastle United were also trying to sign Sesko. The Magpies' bid of a guaranteed €82.5 million with €2.5 million in bonuses was also accepted by Leipzig, Ornstein reports. However, Sesko picked Manchester United over Newcastle despite the latter's promise of Champions League football.</p><p>"The history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future," said Sesko. "When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon."</p><p>"From the moment that I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created," he added. "It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions. I cannot wait to start learning from Ruben and connecting with my team-mates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together."</p><p>Sesko has scored 39 goals and assisted eight times over 87 appearances for Leipzig since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023. United were first alerted to him in 2019 when he broke into Slovenian PrvaLiga side NK Domzale's senior team at 16, The Athletic's Carl Anka reports.</p><p>In addition to their attacking recruits, Manchester United signed full-back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/216661" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/216661">Diego Leon</a> from Paraguay's Cerro Porteno earlier this summer. That deal could surpass £6.5 million after add-ons, according to figures from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6474574/2025/07/05/manchester-united-diego-leon-signing/">The Athletic's Mark Critchley and Jessica Hopkins</a>.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: (L-R) New Manchester United signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko & Matheus Cunha pose together with team shirts prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Man United sign Sesko as attacking rebuild reportedly surpasses £200M

Men's soccer is still embracing a new era while the women's game might be ready to shake things u...

<p>Men's soccer is still embracing a new era while the women's game might be ready to shake things up.</p><p>The men's Ballon d'Or will be awarded to a first-time winner for the second straight year. The best player of 2024, Manchester City midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/67114">Rodri</a>, and the winners over the 15 editions before Rodri's triumph - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> (eight wins), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcquefa/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/wcquefa/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> (five), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///espcr/players/1308" href="https://thescore.com/espcr/players/1308">Karim Benzema</a> (one), and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///itaci/players/1910" href="https://thescore.com/itaci/players/1910">Luka Modric</a> (one) - weren't among the 30 nominees announced Thursday for the coveted individual award.</p><p>Barcelona and Spain's four-year sweep of the Women's Ballon d'Or is under threat. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122479" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122479">Alexia Putellas</a> (2021 and 2022 winner) and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122471" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122471">Aitana Bonmati</a> (winner at the past two ceremonies) are still in contention to collect the prize, but representatives from Arsenal and England threaten to end the Iberian reign.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The winners will be announced Sept. 22 in Paris, France.</p><h3>2025 Men's Ballon d'Or nominees</h3><p>Paris Saint-Germain equaled Real Madrid's record of nine nominations from 2018 after they finally clinched the Champions League crown - with a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan, no less - while winning their 11th French title in 13 years and hoisting the Coupe de France. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/61590" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/61590">Ousmane Dembele</a> is a strong contender to win the Ballon d'Or after he scored 32 goals and provided 13 assists across those three competitions.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Country</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jude Bellingham</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ousmane Dembele</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gianluigi Donnarumma</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Italy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Desire Doue</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Denzel Dumfries</td>
<td>Inter Milan</td>
<td>Netherlands</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Serhou Guirassy</td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund</td>
<td>Guinea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Viktor Gyokeres</td>
<td>Sporting CP/Arsenal</td>
<td>Sweden</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Erling Haaland</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>Norway</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Achraf Hakimi</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Morocco</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Harry Kane</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia</td>
<td>Napoli/PSG</td>
<td>Georgia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Lewandowski</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Poland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexis Mac Allister</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>Argentina</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lautaro Martinez</td>
<td>Inter Milan</td>
<td>Argentina</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kylian Mbappe</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott McTominay</td>
<td>Napoli</td>
<td>Scotland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nuno Mendes</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Portugal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joao Neves</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Portugal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Olise</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cole Palmer</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pedri</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raphinha</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Declan Rice</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fabian Ruiz</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mohamed Salah</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>Egypt</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Virgil van Dijk</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>Netherlands</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vinicius Junior</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vitinha</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Portugal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Florian Wirtz</td>
<td>Bayer Leverkusen/Liverpool</td>
<td>Germany</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamine Yamal</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><div><h3>2025 Women's Ballon d'Or nominees</h3></div><p>Will a Women's Super League player win this time around? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122177" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122177">Chloe Kelly</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/199433" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/199433">Alessia Russo</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122161" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122161">Leah Williamson</a> are among the 30 nominations after winning the Champions League with Arsenal and Euro 2025 with England. The trio counts four more club colleagues and two additional England teammates in the list. Although it's impossible to rule out Bonmati and Putellas, there's a chance that a non-European player wins the award while four other continents are represented, with the effervescent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/159314" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/159314">Marta</a> and Amanda Gutierres among the standouts after they helped Brazil win another Copa America Femenina title. There are only two Americans nominated.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Country</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sandy Baltimore</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Barbra Banda</td>
<td>Orlando Pride</td>
<td>Zambia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aitana Bonmati</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lucy Bronze</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Klara Buhl</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>Germany</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mariona Caldentey</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sofia Cantore</td>
<td>Juventus/Washington Spirit</td>
<td>Italy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steph Catley</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>Australia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Temwa Chawinga</td>
<td>Kansas City Current</td>
<td>Malawi</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melchie Dumornay</td>
<td>Lyon</td>
<td>Haiti</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Emily Fox</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>United States</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cristiana Girelli</td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>Italy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Esther Gonzalez</td>
<td>Gotham FC</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Caroline Graham Hansen</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Norway</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Patri Guijarro</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amanda Gutierres</td>
<td>Palmeiras</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hannah Hampton</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pernille Harder</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>Denmark</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lindsey Heaps</td>
<td>Lyon</td>
<td>United States</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chloe Kelly</td>
<td>Manchester City/Arsenal</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Frida Leonardsen-Maanum</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>Norway</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marta</td>
<td>Orlando Pride</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Clara Mateo</td>
<td>Paris FC</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ewa Pajor</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Poland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Claudia Pina</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexia Putellas</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alessia Russo</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johanna Rytting Kaneryd</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>Sweden</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Caroline Weir</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>Scotland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Leah Williamson</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><div><h3>Kopa Trophy nominees</h3></div><p>No prizes for picking the frontrunner in the best young men's player category. Eighteen-year-old phenom <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a> isn't just producing on a different stratosphere when compared to his rivals, he's also putting together numbers that far outweigh those tallied by Messi and Ronaldo at the same age.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Country</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ayyoub Bouaddi</td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pau Cubarsi</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Desire Doue</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Estevao</td>
<td>Palmeiras/Chelsea</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dean Huijsen</td>
<td>Bournemouth/Real Madrid</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Myles Lewis-Skelly</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rodrigo Mora</td>
<td>FC Porto</td>
<td>Portugal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joao Neves</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Portugal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamine Yamal</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kenan Yildiz</td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>Turkey</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><div><h3>Yachine Trophy nominees</h3></div><p>Each player among the best men's goalkeeper nominees has been in contention for the honor before. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/49561" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/49561">Emiliano Martinez</a> is the only one to have won the trophy twice (2023 and 2024), but Paris Saint-Germain's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/43614" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/43614">Gianluigi Donnarumma</a> may match his haul after he last collected the award in 2021. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/55092" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/55092">Alisson Becker</a> (2019) and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/9963" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/9963">Thibaut Courtois</a> (2022) are also previous winners.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Country</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Alisson Becker</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yassine Bounou</td>
<td>Al-Hilal</td>
<td>Morocco</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lucas Chevalier</td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thibaut Courtois</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
<td>Belgium</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gianluigi Donnarumma</td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>Italy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Emiliano Martinez</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>Argentina</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jan Oblak</td>
<td>Atletico Madrid</td>
<td>Slovenia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Raya</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matz Sels</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>Belgium</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yann Sommer</td>
<td>Inter Milan</td>
<td>Switzerland</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Yohann Cruyff Trophy</h3><p>It's just the second year that these awards will be handed out and we're set for two more first-time winners after the pair recognized in 2024, Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes, weren't nominated. Luis Enrique is a strong favorite to win the men's award after steering Paris Saint-Germain to the treble. Sarina Wiegman and Renee Slegers will presumably battle it out for the women's award following their impressive exploits in charge of England and Arsenal, respectively.</p><p><strong>Men's team coach of the year</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Coach</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Antonio Conte</td>
<td>Napoli</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Luis Enrique</td>
<td>PSG</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hansi Flick</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Enzo Maresca</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arne Slot</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Women's team coach of the year</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Coach</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sonia Bompastor</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arthur Elias</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Justine Madugu</td>
<td>Nigeria</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Renee Slegers</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarina Wiegman</td>
<td>England</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 5: Lamine Yamal of Spain, Ousmane Dembele of France before the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal football match between Spain and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 5, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.

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Major League Soccer has another global star.  Son Heung-min joined Los Angeles FC from Tottenham ...

<p>Major League Soccer has another global star.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/12696" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/12696">Son Heung-min</a> joined Los Angeles FC from Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, reportedly becoming the most expensive signing in league history.</p><p>The cost of the 33-year-old's move is around $26.5 million, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6536835/2025/08/05/son-heung-min-tottenham-lafc-transfer-mls-record-fee/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=twhq&amp;source=twitterhq">The Athletic's Paul Tenorio</a>. The deal beats the previous record for an incoming MLS transfer, which was set in February when Atlanta United paid Middlesbrough $22 million to sign <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/85601" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/85601">Emmanuel Latte Lath</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Son signed a Designated Player contract with LAFC through 2027, with options for both the 2028 and 2029 MLS campaigns.</p><p>Son is arguably only third to Inter Miami's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and new Vancouver Whitecaps signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/2232" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/2232">Thomas Muller</a> in terms of recognizability in MLS. He has 14.5 million Instagram followers at the time of his move. He draws such a strong following from his homeland that many South Koreans were often seen in the stands and press box at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Now he moves to Los Angeles, a city with a sizable Korean population.</p><p>Son attended LAFC's 2-1 Leagues Cup win over Tigres on Tuesday evening. Nineteen-year-old <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/198614" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/198614">David Martinez</a>, whose minutes could be reduced following Son's arrival, produced a stunning brace in an impressive performance by Steve Cherundolo's side. LAFC's top scorer in MLS this season is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/59772" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/59772">Denis Bouanga</a> with 13 goals.</p><p>"Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions, and I am here to help write the next chapter," Son said in a statement. "I'm excited for this new challenge in MLS. I have come to L.A. to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans. I cannot wait to get started."</p><h3>'Spurs will always be in my heart'</h3><p>Son revealed his wish to leave Tottenham last Friday. The South Korean star was tearful during Spurs' friendly against Newcastle United in his homeland Sunday. He received a touching farewell from both teams when he was substituted and was later thrown in the air by Tottenham players. Members of his family also watched from the stands in Seoul.</p><p>"It was a beautiful moment, and it was really emotional," Son <a href="https://x.com/SpursOfficial/status/1952032418602328193">said</a>. "Oof. I'm getting emotional again."</p><p>He added while holding back tears: "Spurs will always be in my heart. I will cheer as a family member. All the best, guys."</p><p>Son said during Friday's press conference that the decision to leave "was the most difficult" of his career.</p><p>"I came to north London as a kid. A boy came to London who couldn't speak English. I leave this club as a man," he explained, according to <a href="https://x.com/AlasdairGold/status/1951452686039261397">Alasdair Gold of Football London</a>. "Thanks to all the Spurs fans who have given me so much love."</p><p>Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly showed interest in Son, but the former Puskas Award winner preferred a switch to LAFC. Spurs, in recognition of his decade of service to the club, apparently wanted to make his exit as smooth as possible.</p><p>One of Son's best friends at Tottenham, <a href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/16618">Ben Davies</a>, spoke about the forward's legacy at the club after the friendly against Newcastle.</p><p>"I'm pretty sure it's more than we could've ever dreamed of when we got him in, what he would've done for this club. Not just on the pitch, off the pitch," Davies <a href="https://x.com/SpursOfficial/status/1952039023062434130">said</a> about Son, who's the godfather to Davies' son. "His personality, his charisma, how hard he works - to do so much for this club. He deserves whatever comes next."</p><h3>Consistency for Spurs</h3><p>Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, scoring 173 times in 450 appearances across all competitions. A beloved figure at the club, he put together a run of eight consecutive seasons in which he hit double digits in Premier League goals, including in 2021-22 when he shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a>.</p><p>Son was named captain by former manager Ange Postecoglou in 2023. His crowning achievement with Spurs came when he helped the club end its 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League in May.</p><p>"He told me a couple of days ago that he'd be leaving Tottenham this summer," Spurs midfielder <a href="https://x.com/MenInBlazers/status/1951629519376232791">James Maddison</a> <a href="https://x.com/MenInBlazers/status/1951629519376232791">said</a> Saturday. "It's weird for me. Since I joined the Premier League, even with Leicester City, Sonny is Tottenham, and Tottenham is Sonny to me."</p><p>Former Tottenham teammate <a href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/3022">Hugo Lloris</a> is LAFC's first-choice goalkeeper. Gareth Bale, another Spurs favorite, won the 2022 MLS Cup with the Californian side before his retirement.</p><p>Postecoglou, who Tottenham sacked as manager shortly after winning the Europa League final, is among the coaches under consideration to succeed current LAFC boss Cherundolo when he leaves after the 2025 MLS campaign, according to a report in June by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ce8zy854y4eo">BBC Sport's Ian Dennis</a>.</p>

South Korean football player Son Heung-min holds his LAFC jersey during a press conference as he joins the Los Angeles FC (LAFC) at BMO Stadium's Field Club in Los Angeles on August 6, 2025. South Korea star Son Heung-min has signed for Los Angeles FC, bringing to an end his 10-year stay at Tottenham, both clubs announced on August 6, 2025. The 33-year-old will reportedly cost a Major League Soccer record $26 million transfer fee, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

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Son moves to LAFC in reported record-breaking deal

The Vancouver Whitecaps signed Bayern Munich and Germany legend Thomas Muller on Wednesday.  Mull...

<p>The Vancouver Whitecaps signed Bayern Munich and Germany legend <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/2232" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/2232">Thomas Muller</a> on Wednesday.</p><p>Muller will wear No. 13, his preferred shirt number while on international duty, for the Canadian outfit.</p><p>The Whitecaps agreed to acquire Muller's MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati before sealing the move. Cincinnati will receive $200,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), $100,000 in 2026 GAM, and a conditional $100,000 in 2026 GAM from Vancouver.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Muller isn't immediately a Designated Player in Vancouver, but his contract includes a DP option for 2026.</p><p>"I'm looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship," Muller <a href="https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/tm13">said</a>. "I've heard great things about the city, but first and foremost, I'm coming to win. I've had great conversations with (CEO and sporting director) Axel Schuster and (head coach) Jesper Sorensen, and now I can't wait to play in front of the supporters and to see all of the fans come out to BC Place as we head towards the playoffs."</p><p>Schuster described Muller as a "world-class player" and highlighted the qualities that established the 35-year-old as one of the finest tactical footballers in Europe.</p><p>"He not only brings a winning pedigree and exceptional football intelligence, but also a tireless work ethic that will elevate the entire team," Schuster said. "Thomas is a natural leader whose passion for the game is infectious. This is a statement signing by our club and our ownership - a transformative moment for our club and our city."</p><p>The World Cup winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3258967" href="https://thescore.com/news/3258967">announced</a> in April that he'd be leaving his boyhood club after 25 trophy-laden years. Bayern Munich opted not to offer the veteran forward a new contract, a decision Muller said he respected although it didn't "reflect (his) personal wishes."</p><p>He played his final match for Bayern at the Club World Cup this summer.</p><p>Muller joined the German giants when he was 10 and went on to craft one of the most decorated careers in the sport's modern era.</p><p>He made more appearances for Bayern than any player in history - over 500 in the Bundesliga alone - and won 33 trophies. That list includes 13 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, and two Champions League crowns.</p><p>He racked up 250 goals and 276 assists in 756 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarian side.</p><p>Muller also earned 131 caps for Germany. He won the Golden Boot as the top scorer at the 2010 World Cup and then helped Germany lift the trophy four years later in Brazil.</p>

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 20: Thomas Muller #25 of FC Bayern Munchen celebrates after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group C match between FC Bayern Munchen and CA Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium on June 20, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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German legend Muller joins Vancouver: I want to 'win a championship'

Newcastle United have turned down Liverpool's opening offer of £120 million plus add-ons for Alex...

<p>Newcastle United have turned down Liverpool's opening offer of £120 million plus add-ons for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/91018" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/91018">Alexander Isak</a>, according to transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1951243206063948071">Fabrizio Romano</a>.</p><p>Liverpool won't submit a second bid unless Newcastle show a willingness to conduct business after finding a replacement for Isak, <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45879665/alexander-isak-liverpool-not-planning-second-isak-bid-bid-snubbed-source">ESPN's Beth Lindop</a> reports. The Magpies value the 25-year-old at about £150 million.</p><p>Isak has been training alone at his former club, Real Sociedad, while Newcastle are on a preseason tour of Asia. His omission from Eddie Howe's squad was his own decision amid uncertainty around his future, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6526892/2025/08/01/liveroool-bid-transfer-newcastle-alexander-isak-future/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>. He <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3315208" href="https://thescore.com/news/3315208">reportedly</a> informed Newcastle of his desire to leave last week.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Liverpool's huge bid is larger than the record transfer fee paid by a British club. Chelsea's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/185698" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/185698">Enzo Fernandez</a> is currently the most expensive recruit at £107 million, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/166018" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/166018">Florian Wirtz</a>, who arrived at Liverpool earlier this summer, could <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3299718" href="https://thescore.com/news/3299718">reportedly</a> cost £116 million after bonuses. The eventual sum for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167739" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167739">Moises Caicedo</a>, another Chelsea player, could reach £115 million.</p><p>Liverpool's summer outlay could exceed £250 million before the potential acquisition of Isak. The reigning Premier League champions have signed Wirtz and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/162728" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/162728">Jeremie Frimpong</a> from Bayer Leverkusen, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/183614" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/183614">Milos Kerkez</a> from Bournemouth, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/166446" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/166446">Hugo Ekitike</a> from Eintracht Frankfurt in an eye-catching spree.</p><p>It's been a largely frustrating summer transfer window for Newcastle. Despite offering the incentive of Champions League football, their only addition to Howe's senior squad is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167255" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167255">Anthony Elanga</a> from Nottingham Forest for around £55 million. Their attempts to sign Ekitike and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/168160" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/168160">James Trafford</a>, the latter of whom left Burnley for Manchester City on Tuesday, fell short, and they risk missing out on Brentford's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/69598" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/69598">Yoane Wissa</a> and RB Leipzig's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///gerdfbp/players/166129" href="https://thescore.com/gerdfbp/players/166129">Benjamin Sesko</a>. Newcastle were also linked with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/99561" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/99561">Bryan Mbeumo</a> (who joined Manchester United) and new Chelsea signings <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167323" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167323">Liam Delap</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/165016" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/165016">Joao Pedro</a>.</p><p>Newcastle have tried to tie Isak down to a contract beyond his current agreement, which runs until 2028, with a release clause available from next summer, Ornstein reports. There's been no luck on that front, either, as the Magpies face the prospect of losing a forward who recorded 23 goals and six assists in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.</p>

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - JULY 14: Alexander Isak during the Pre Season Training Camp at FC Seefelder Plateau on July 14, 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria.

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Victor Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a permanent basis Thursday after helping fire the club to th...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/90910" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/90910">Victor Osimhen</a> joined Galatasaray on a permanent basis Thursday after helping fire the club to the Super Lig title during last season's loan spell from Napoli.</p><p>Napoli will receive €75 million from the transfer and take 10% of any profit that Galatasaray make from the next sale of Osimhen, the Turkish club <a href="https://www.galatasaray.org/haber/gs-sportif-a-s/victor-osimhen-galatasarayda/58214">revealed</a>.</p><p>The 26-year-old striker will be guaranteed €15 million in salary, plus a €1-million loyalty bonus and €5 million for image rights if he sees out his four-year contract in Istanbul.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="it" dir="ltr">SOLO IL GALA! 🦁 <a href="https://t.co/akj1heiN4B">pic.twitter.com/akj1heiN4B</a></p>— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) <a href="https://twitter.com/GalatasaraySK/status/1950999156731875723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Osimhen's move ends a transfer saga that's rumbled on since Napoli's 2022-23 Serie A triumph. The former Lille forward was linked with moves to Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Saudi Pro League after he hit 26 goals en route to Napoli's Scudetto success. However, no club could match both the Italian club's asking price and Osimhen's wage demands, and he remained in southern Italy for another year.</p><p>The Nigerian's relationship with Napoli reached its breaking point last summer. He was omitted from Antonio Conte's roster and denied a squad number after agitating for a move. Galatasaray pounced last September, brokering a loan deal for the unwanted goal-scorer after Al-Ahli <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3057146" href="https://thescore.com/news/3057146">reportedly</a> backed away from a transfer due to their valuation of Osimhen being €5 million short of Napoli's.</p><p>Osimhen was an instant hit at Galatasaray: He crammed 26 goals and five assists into just 30 league appearances, and also netted six times and provided one assist over seven Europa League outings.</p><p>Galatasaray won the 2024-25 Super Lig title, finishing 11 points above second-placed Fenerbahce. Napoli also won the league without Osimhen - and, perhaps more importantly, without <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/154299" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/154299">Khvicha Kvaratskhelia</a> for half of the campaign - thanks to starring roles from the likes of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/2204" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/2204">Romelu Lukaku</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/92608" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/92608">Scott McTominay</a>.</p>

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - JULY 30: Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen, whose transfer talks with Galatasaray have begun, arrives at Ataturk Airport's General Aviation Terminal by private jet, where club officials and numerous fans welcome the 26-year-old player in Istanbul, Turkiye, on July 30, 2025.

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Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady wants the club to continue spending to fuel its rivalry ...

<p>Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady wants the club to continue spending to fuel its rivalry with Wrexham in the Championship.</p><p>"We've got to. We've got to keep up with one another," Brady told "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yAPved_2cI">The Sports Agents</a>" podcast.</p><p>Birmingham and Wrexham were both promoted from the third tier last season after making huge splashes in the transfer market. Their two League One meetings were dubbed the "Hollywood derby" due to the presence of seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady and Wrexham's co-owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Brady joined the Birmingham ownership group in August 2023. The team subsequently suffered relegation to League One, then secured an instant return to the Championship following last summer's record-breaking recruitment drive. Wrexham have been similarly aggressive with their transfer business since Reynolds and McElhenney assumed control in 2021, but their journey - which is tracked on the award-winning documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham" - has encountered few hurdles during three successive promotions that began in the fifth division.</p><p>"Wrexham have, I'd say, done an incredible job. I mean, you can't be anything but excited about what they've done for that club," Brady said. "To invest in the club, where they were at, and to create the awareness around the world for this amazing team and a pretty small city, and the way the players have responded has been nothing short of remarkable. I'm so impressed by Wrexham, what they do on the pitch, off the pitch - again, they're in a great position to succeed as well."</p><p>Birmingham and Wrexham's first meeting of the 2025-26 Championship campaign is currently set for October. Birmingham are considered more likely than Wrexham to earn promotion to the Premier League, according to <a href="https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/promotion">Oddschecker</a>'s comparison of British betting companies.</p><p>"We're going to talk a lot of smack in the meantime between all of us because it's pretty fun theater, and I think there's some little friendly side bets going on," Brady said. "But make no mistake, the people who are going to decide the fate of those games are the players wearing those jerseys."</p>

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Rob McElhenney co - owner of Wrexham speaks to Tom Brady ahead of the Sky Bet League One match between Birmingham City FC and Wrexham AFC at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on September 16, 2024 in Birmingham, England.

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Brady hypes Birmingham-Wrexham rivalry: We'll 'talk a lot of smack'

Pep Guardiola is shaking up Manchester City's goalkeeping department.  James Trafford returned to...

<p>Pep Guardiola is shaking up Manchester City's goalkeeping department.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/168160" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/168160">James Trafford</a> returned to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, two years after he left for Burnley. The 22-year-old made the switch to City in a deal worth an initial £27 million but could surpass £30 million after bonuses, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5533703/2025/07/25/james-trafford-man-city-transfer/?source=emp_shared_article">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/53437" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/53437">Jordan Pickford</a> became the most expensive British goalkeeper in history when he joined Everton from Sunderland for £30 million in 2017.</p><p>Trafford inked a five-year contract with City.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"This is the place I call home - it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play," he said in a statement. "I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving - and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be."</p><p>Newcastle United had the opportunity to sign Trafford about two months ago, before City decided to make an approach for their former academy player, Ornstein reports.</p><p>Trafford's arrival casts doubts on the futures of the other goalkeepers in Guardiola's squad. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/58740" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/58740">Ederson</a>, who's been a regular starter for the past eight seasons, said in June that rumors about him leaving were "fake news" and that he'd remain at the club for next season. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/53316" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/53316">Stefan Ortega</a> is linked to Fenerbahce and three Premier League clubs, <a href="https://x.com/Plettigoal/status/1948790982998176156">Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg</a> reported Friday. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/15678" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/15678">Marcus Bettinelli</a> joined City on a free transfer from Chelsea earlier this summer.</p><p>Trafford was a highly regarded member of City's youth ranks before he flourished during an 18-month spell on loan in League One with Bolton Wanderers. He then played a starring role for England during its triumphant run at the European Under-21 Championship ahead of his transfer to Burnley in July 2023.</p><p>The Cumbria native had a difficult first season in the Premier League with Burnley and eventually lost his place in the starting lineup to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engch/players/94368" href="https://thescore.com/engch/players/94368">Arijanet Muric</a>. However, Trafford was back at his best last term, conceding 16 goals in 45 Championship outings to help the Clarets secure an instant top-flight return.</p>

James Trafford trains during the match between the national teams of Andorra and England, corresponding to Matchday 3 A of Group K of the World Cup Qualifying, at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on June 7, 2025.

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Man City re-sign Trafford in deal reportedly worth initial £27M

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas is worried about the future of Lionel Messi's relationship with Ma...

<p>Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas is worried about the future of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>'s relationship with Major League Soccer after the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and his teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1341" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a> were <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3315527" href="https://thescore.com/news/3315527">suspended</a> for one match after skipping Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game.</p><p>"He's very upset, extremely upset today, as expected," Mas said, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6515822/2025/07/25/messi-suspension-mls-all-star-game-miami-owner-jorge-mas/">The Athletic's Paul Tenorio</a>. "I'm hopeful it doesn't have an impact long-term. Will it have an impact initially, in the players' perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely no doubt."</p><p>Messi and Alba will both miss Saturday's visit from FC Cincinnati because league rules state "any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match," an MLS statement <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-miami-cf-players-unavailable-for-july-26-match-vs-fc-cincinnati-due-to-all-star-game-absence">read</a> Friday. Messi and Alba had returned to Inter Miami training shortly before MLS announced their suspensions.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>MLS commissioner Don Garber told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6515641/2025/07/25/messi-jordi-alba-suspended-mls-all-star-game-miami-cincinnati/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=twhq&amp;source=twitterhq">The Athletic's Paul Tenorio</a> after Messi and Alba's bans that the league would reconsider the policy for future All-Star Games. He also said "nobody has done more for Major League Soccer than Lionel Messi" and backed the attacker's decision to skip the match against the Liga MX All-Stars to prioritize being fit for Inter Miami.</p><p>Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi missed the All-Star Game due to fatigue, while Alba was recovering from a knock from the team's match last weekend. Mas said their omission from the MLS squad in Austin, Texas, was made by the club because "they were coming off a run of nine games in 35 days."</p><p>Messi's importance to Inter Miami was underlined over his last five MLS outings - the superstar scored eight goals and provided two assists to help his side win four games.</p><p>"The reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision, who don't understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension. The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it," Mas said of the pair's response to the bans.</p><p>"The punishment is, frankly, draconian," he added, according to <a href="https://x.com/tombogert/status/1948819279174103058">GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert</a>.</p><p>Messi also missed the 2024 MLS All-Star Game. On that occasion, the decorated veteran was nursing an ankle injury he suffered on Argentina duty.</p><p>The timing of Messi's apparent frustration with MLS isn't ideal. The former Barcelona forward's talks over a new Inter Miami contract were <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3241195" href="https://thescore.com/news/3241195">reportedly</a> at an advanced stage in April, but the 38-year-old still hasn't officially signed fresh terms. His current deal expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season, and he's often been the subject of rumored interest from the Saudi Pro League since his Paris Saint-Germain exit in 2023.</p><p>Messi is the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3241193" href="https://thescore.com/news/3241193">highest-paid player</a> in Major League Soccer with a guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million in 2025, which is over 70% more than CF Montreal's overall compensation. With his signing-on fee and equity in the club, <a href="https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2023/lionel-messi-career-earnings-billion-mls-1234730823/">Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen</a> reported in 2023 that he would earn up to $150 million over the duration of his two-and-a-half-year contract in Miami. Those sums don't include his non-playing income, such as his revenue-sharing agreement with MLS broadcaster Apple and his sponsorship deal with Adidas.</p>

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Inter Miami CF owners Jorge Mas celebrates with Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF as he holds his trophy during the Ballon d'Or trophy presentation at DRV PNK Stadium on November 10, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Miami co-owner: Messi 'extremely upset' with ban for All-Star Game absence

Major League Soccer suspended Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Inter Miami's meeting with FC Cinci...

<p>Major League Soccer suspended <a href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and <a href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a> for Inter Miami's meeting with FC Cincinnati on Saturday after they controversially missed Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game.</p><p>The league <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3314799" href="https://thescore.com/news/3314799">revealed</a> on the day of the match against Liga MX All-Stars that the pair wouldn't play despite being voted onto the roster by fans and media, leading to speculation that MLS would ban them for one match.</p><p>Miami head coach Javier Mascherano announced Friday that Messi and Alba returned to training in anticipation of Saturday's match against FC Cincinnati. However, MLS belatedly punished the former Barcelona players.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match," MLS said in a statement.</p><p>MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league would look into changing the policy of suspending players who skip future All-Star Games and declared that "nobody has done more for Major League Soccer than Lionel Messi."</p><p>"His decision (not to attend) is not one that I really can argue with whatsoever, and I understand it," Garber added in a phone interview with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6515641/2025/07/25/messi-jordi-alba-suspended-mls-all-star-game-miami-cincinnati/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=twhq&amp;source=twitterhq">The Athletic's Paul Tenorio</a>. "But unfortunately, we have a longstanding policy relating to player participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce that policy.</p><p>"It was a very, very difficult decision, but one I hope both (Messi) and everyone else can understand and respect. He has shown up for his club, for his teammates, for our league time and time again, and I respect his decision."</p><p>Mascherano said Messi missed the showpiece game in Austin, Texas, due to fatigue, while Alba was reportedly dealing with a knock suffered in the team's 5-1 road win against the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.</p><p>"Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. But luckily, (Messi) is returning today," Mascherano said, according to <a href="http://%22Look,%20players%20always%20have%20discomfort,%20especially%20when%20they%20play%20every%20three%20days.%20But%20luckily,%20he%20is%20returning%20today.%20Let's%20hope%20he%20can%20train%20alongside%20the%20group%20so%20we%20can%20count%20on%20both%20of%20them%20for%20tomorrow's%20game.%20We%20haven't%20received%20any%20%5Bsanction.%5D%22">ESPN's Lizzy Becherano</a>. "Let's hope he can train alongside the group so we can count on both of them for tomorrow's game."</p><p>Mascherano added before MLS suspended the two stars: "We haven't received any (sanction)."</p><p>Mascherano also voiced his support for the All-Star Game but suggested holding it on a weekend to allow players more rest.</p><p>The MLS All-Stars beat their Liga MX counterparts <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3241197" href="https://thescore.com/news/3241197">3-1</a> on Wednesday. Nashville SC's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/60583" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/60583">Sam Surridge</a>, Philadelphia Union's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/188141" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/188141">Tai Baribo</a>, and Vancouver Whitecaps' <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/100493" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/100493">Brian White</a> scored for MLS. Club Tijuana's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fmf_ap/players/209295" href="https://thescore.com/fmf_ap/players/209295">Gilberto Mora</a> netted Liga MX's goal to become the youngest scorer in MLS All-Star Game history at 16.</p>

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Lionel Messi #10 and Jordi Alba #18 of Inter Miami CF are seen at an Inter Miami Training Session at Florida Blue Training Center on March 15, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Messi, Alba suspended for skipping MLS All-Star Game

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba didn't participate in Wednesday night's MLS All-Star Game despite bei...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1341" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a> didn't participate in Wednesday night's MLS All-Star Game despite being voted into the roster.</p><p>The Inter Miami pair wasn't included when MLS <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/allstar/2025/news/mls-provides-final-roster-for-2025-mls-all-star-game">confirmed</a> the final All-Star squad to face the best of Liga MX.</p><p>League rules state that opting out of the All-Star Game without an approved medical reason can result in a one-game suspension, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45794279/lionel-messi-jordi-alba-play-mls-all-star-game-mls">ESPN's Lizzy Becherano</a>. MLS will reportedly talk to Inter Miami before deciding on Messi's and Alba's availability for Saturday's league visit from FC Cincinnati.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Miami had a schedule that is unlike any other team. Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn't. We had Leo playing 90 minutes in almost all the games. That's nine games in 35 days," MLS commissioner Don Garber said during a press conference prior to Wednesday's All-Star Game.</p><p>"We would have loved to have Leo here, we'd love to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here."</p><p>Messi, who didn't feature in the 2024 MLS All-Star Game due to an ankle injury, is in exceptional form. The 38-year-old attacker scored eight goals and assisted twice across his past five MLS matches, helping Miami win four of its five outings since its last-16 elimination by Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup.</p><p>The Herons are fifth in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.</p><p>Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano admitted last week that he would prefer Messi and Alba rested rather than played in the showpiece match amid a demanding regular season, but he said the decision was out of his hands. "I know how important the All-Star (Game) is, and as far as I know, there is no decision from the club, everything is as normal," Mascherano <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45769486/miami-coach-prefers-rest-messi-all-star-game">said</a>.</p><p>Messi and Nashville SC's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/60583" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/60583">Sam Surridge</a> are the joint top scorers in the 2025 MLS campaign with 18 goals.</p>

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JULY 09: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami waves to fans following the MLS match between New England Revolution and Inter Miami CF on July 9, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

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Messi and Alba skip MLS All-Star Game, could face suspensions

Liverpool aren't resting on their laurels after capturing their 20th English title.  Hugo Ekitike...

<p>Liverpool aren't resting on their laurels after capturing their 20th English title.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///gerdfbp/players/166446" href="https://thescore.com/gerdfbp/players/166446">Hugo Ekitike</a> became the latest player to join the Reds on Wednesday after agreeing to move from Eintracht Frankfurt. The deal could be worth up to €95 million in total, according to <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1948088958229139819">transfer insider Fabrizio Romano</a>.</p><p>Liverpool will pay €80 million up front and €15 million in potential add-ons, Romano adds.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The potential outlay on Ekitike and the other players who've joined during a summer of frenzied transfer activity at Anfield - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/166018" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/166018">Florian Wirtz</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/162728" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/162728">Jeremie Frimpong</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/183614" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/183614">Milos Kerkez</a> - could reportedly exceed £250 million. Wirtz is the most expensive of Liverpool's incoming deals as they could pay Bayer Leverkusen up to £116 million for his transfer.</p><p>Ekitike reportedly signed a six-year contract on Merseyside after Liverpool beat Newcastle United to his signature.</p><p>Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike in three separate transfer windows, including this summer, when Frankfurt rejected their offer of around €75 million, per <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6493702/2025/07/16/hugo-ekitike-liverpool-transfer-eintracht-frankfurt/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>. At the same time as their last failed attempt to land Ekitike, Newcastle reportedly braced for Liverpool to make a roughly £120-million approach for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/91018" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/91018">Alexander Isak</a> after the Reds communicated their interest in the Swedish striker. However, Liverpool then unexpectedly swooped ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Ekitike.</p><p>Meanwhile, Isak is still with the Magpies, with his coach expressing his belief that the 25-year-old will remain with the team.</p><p>"I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window," Eddie Howe said last week after omitting Isak from a 4-0 friendly loss at Celtic due to the speculation over his future, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/19/eddie-howe-confident-alexander-isak-will-stay-newcastle-striker-left-out-friendly-thrashing-celtic">The Guardian's Andy Hunter</a>.</p><p>Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal - who, like Newcastle, are owned by the Gulf nation's Public Investment Fund - are considering tabling a huge offer for Isak, <a href="https://gianlucadimarzio.com/isak-al-hilal-newcastle-transfers-news/">Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio</a> reported last week.</p><p>Ekitike, 23, notched 15 goals over 33 Bundesliga appearances last season and attempted more shots than any other player. He's also earned praise for his all-around attacking game, ranking sixth in successful take-ons and providing eight assists over the 2024-25 league campaign.</p><p>Frankfurt helped rebuild Ekitike's career after he scored just three Ligue 1 goals over an 18-month spell at Paris Saint-Germain. He spent most of that stint as backup for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/66967" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/66967">Kylian Mbappe</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsm/players/14263" href="https://thescore.com/olymsm/players/14263">Neymar</a>.</p><p>Ekitike, who started his career with hometown club Reims, is yet to make a senior appearance for France.</p><p>His arrival facilitates an overhaul of Arne Slot's strikeforce. The tragic death of Diogo Jota reduced Liverpool's forward options, and there are regular reports regarding outgoing deals for <a href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101948">Luis Diaz</a> and <a href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/162705">Darwin Nunez</a>.</p>

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - APRIL 13: Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at Deutsche Bank Park on April 13, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

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Liverpool land Ekitike as summer spree reportedly exceeds £250M

Marcus Rashford completed his move to Barcelona on Wednesday.  Rashford's season-long loan deal i...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/66886" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/66886">Marcus Rashford</a> completed his move to Barcelona on Wednesday.</p><p>Rashford's season-long loan deal includes an option to buy worth €30 million, according to transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1946945547232854174">Fabrizio Romano</a>.</p><p>Barcelona will cover the forward's full salary during the 2025-26 season, reports <a href="https://x.com/David_Ornstein/status/1946585899497656484">David Ornstein of The Athletic</a>. He'll reportedly earn £245,000 per week while he's in Catalonia.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I want to win the biggest trophies and feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world, so it is the perfect place," Rashford said at his unveiling, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cp863dzjv7jt?post=asset%3Aecf9d2ac-22ba-4887-a937-44104b51e45f#post">BBC Sport</a>. "You see with the team last season, they have a young ambitious team and I want to add my qualities, my personality, improve the team, and help them win."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">📞 "Yeah… It’s official."<br>Rashford follows in Lineker’s footsteps. <a href="https://t.co/ZvbnDAtbax">pic.twitter.com/ZvbnDAtbax</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1948062283407434027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Rashford's time at Manchester United was tainted by accusations that he lacked professionalism and had lost the drive to perform for his boyhood club.</p><p>The door isn't completely closed on Rashford returning to Old Trafford while he's on loan in Spain, but it's hard to imagine him playing again for United while Ruben Amorim is in charge.</p><p>Rashford had well-documented disciplinary issues during the reign of Amorim's predecessor, Erik ten Hag, but he briefly appeared to be back on track when he scored 80 seconds into the Portuguese coach's first match at the helm Nov. 24, 2024. Rashford and Amorim's relationship quickly deteriorated thereafter. He didn't play a minute for the club after a 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen on Dec. 12, 2024, amid reports that he was available for transfer.</p><p>Amorim famously <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3201678" href="https://thescore.com/news/3201678">said</a> he'd rather select his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach in the starting lineup rather than a player "that doesn't give the maximum every day" when he was questioned about omitting Rashford.</p><p>"Our team should be so much better with Rashford, but he has to change," Amorim <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3204053" href="https://thescore.com/news/3204053">added</a> on Rashford's apparently poor effort in training days before the forward joined Aston Villa at the end of the winter transfer window.</p><p>Rashford, 27, scored four goals and logged five assists over 17 appearances while on loan at Aston Villa. He provided flashes of inspiration during his spell with the club, including when he almost helped Unai Emery's side launch an improbable comeback in the second leg of its Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain.</p><p>The English attacker was earning more than £325,000 per week at United. Villa covered 75% of his wages and performance-related bonuses during his half-season loan spell,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6505085/2025/07/20/marcus-rashford-barcelona-transfer-latest/"> The Athletic's Laurie Whitewell</a> reports. Like the rest of the Manchester United squad, Rashford's salary dropped by 25% after the team's failure to qualify for the Champions League, according to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/07/19/barcelona-make-move-for-marcus-rashford/">The Telegraph's James Ducker</a>. </p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/769293/cropped_GettyImages-2187354385.jpg?ts=1738886321" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/769293/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187354385.jpg?ts=1738886321 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/769293/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187354385.jpg?ts=1738886321 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/769293/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187354385.jpg?ts=1738886321 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/769293/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187354385.jpg?ts=1738886321 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/769293/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187354385.jpg?ts=1738886321 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>"The situation with United is the club is in a period of change and they have been for a while. I don't have anything bad to say as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life. So I was grateful for the opportunity," Rashford <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cp863dzjv7jt?post=asset%3Ab9389869-d5a4-41ad-a52d-dcd5532ae18a#post">said</a>.</p><p>He added, "I have nothing bad to say about United. I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future."</p><p>Barca's financial commitment to the season-long deal - believed to be around £12.75 million (€14.7 million) - could be construed as a sign of their trust that Rashford will return to his best. But it could also be interpreted as the club taking desperate measures after its links with Athletic Bilbao's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/170285" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/170285">Nico Williams</a> and Liverpool's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101948" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101948">Luis Diaz</a> failed to result in a transfer.</p><p>Rashford can fulfill any role across the attack but regularly operated from the left for United, where he would try to wreak havoc via dribbles into the 18-yard box from his wide position. However, he scored five goals and assisted twice in the seven matches he started as a center-forward last season, according to <a href="https://www.whoscored.com/players/300299/show/marcus-rashford">WhoScored</a>.</p><p>Barcelona's strikeforce last season regularly featured <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/96238" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/96238">Raphinha</a> on either side of veteran striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/9563" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/9563">Robert Lewandowski</a>. Hansi Flick's team won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana but was eliminated in the Champions League semifinals by Inter Milan.</p>

English forward Marcus Rashford who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United holds up his jersey during his official presentation at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on July 23, 2025. Barcelona and Manchester United have reached a deal for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until June 30, 2026," announced the La Liga champions in a statement.

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Rashford joins Barca on initial loan after Man Utd relationship sours

England performed another miraculous rescue to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time Tuesday and reach ...

<p>England performed another miraculous rescue to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time Tuesday and reach the Euro 2025 final.</p><p>Trailing 1-0 to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122240" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122240">Barbara Bonansea</a>'s 33rd-minute opener, Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman made substitutions and in-game tactical tweaks to try to keep her side's title defense alive. And just like in the Lionesses' quarterfinal against Sweden, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang popped up with a late equalizer - this time in the 96th minute - to send the game into extra time.</p><p>Then, as the additional half-hour neared its conclusion and a shootout looked certain, England was awarded a contentious penalty. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122177" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122177">Chloe Kelly</a> was decisive for her country once again, burying the rebound after her initial attempt was saved.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"It feels unbelievable. Such a great feeling. This team deserves nothing but that. Three finals on the bounce and we want more," Kelly told ITV, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cy4ykyw8wzkt?post=asset%3A3f7590a4-57b6-44c2-8471-7270418aebc7#post">BBC Sport</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">5 - Sarina Wiegman is the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five major international tournament finals in a row:<br><br>UEFA Women's Euro 2017 🏆<br>FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 🥈<br>UEFA Women's Euro 2022 🏆<br>FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 🥈<br>UEFA Women's Euro 2025 ❔<br><br>Boss. <a href="https://t.co/Xo44G4oBNN">pic.twitter.com/Xo44G4oBNN</a></p>— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJohan/status/1947773072012095931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Italy was denied its first final in 28 years by England's latest late heroics. Captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/122250" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/122250">Cristiana Girelli</a>, who was substituted in the 64th minute with an apparent injury, was openly crying as the emotional Azzurre tried to make sense of what happened when extra time ended.</p><p>England's Dutch boss, meanwhile, is left with some selection dilemmas ahead of Sunday's final against Spain or Germany. Should Wiegman start Agyemang and Kelly after their crucial contributions from the bench against Sweden and Italy? Will <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/199439" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/199439">Jess Carter</a> return to the starting lineup?</p><p>But the celebrations from the England players and their fans in Geneva suggested those questions were shelved until the following morning. Somehow, the reigning champion is just one match from winning it again.</p><p>"We have the hope, we have the belief, and we have the quality, so we just need to keep at it and keep working hard at training to make sure we're right next weekend," Kelly said.</p>

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - JULY 22: Chloe Kelly of England celebrates with her teammates after scoring her team's second goal from a rebound following a saved penalty in extra-time during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match between England and Italy at Stade de Geneve on July 22, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

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England pulls off another great escape to beat Italy, reach Euro 2025 final

Bryan Mbeumo joined Manchester United on Monday after drawn out negotiations between the club and...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/99561" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/99561">Bryan Mbeumo</a> joined Manchester United on Monday after drawn out negotiations between the club and Brentford culminated in a transfer reportedly worth £65 million plus £6 million in add-ons.</p><p>The 25-year-old attacker signed a contract until June 2030 with the option to extend for a further year.</p><p>The cost of the move was significantly higher than the Red Devils' initial offer of £55 million (£45 million guaranteed plus £10 million in bonuses). Brentford held out for a higher amount than the £62.5 million that United paid to sign <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcqcon/players/100524" href="https://thescore.com/wcqcon/players/100524">Matheus Cunha</a> from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this summer, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6499896/2025/07/18/bryan-mbeumo-man-utd-transfer/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a> reported.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Mbeumo can now join United's preseason tour of the United States. Ruben Amorim's side takes on West Ham United at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday. United play two more games in the Premier League Summer Series the following week against Bournemouth and Everton.</p><p>Mbeumo prioritized a move to Old Trafford. Tottenham Hotspur - who are now coached by Mbeumo's former Brentford boss, Thomas Frank - expressed an interest in signing him, but he told the north London outfit that he would only leave Brentford for Old Trafford this summer, Ornstein reports.</p><p>"As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up," Mbeumo <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/transfer-news-man-utd-sign-bryan-mbeumo-from-brentford?t=y&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=link_post&amp;utm_campaign=muwebsite">said</a>.</p><p>The Cameroonian international sometimes operated in the shadow of fellow attackers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/35483" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/35483">Ollie Watkins</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/49997" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/49997">Said Benrahma</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcquefa/players/24227" href="https://thescore.com/wcquefa/players/24227">Ivan Toney</a> as a raw youngster during Brentford's Championship days. However, he<span style="margin:0px; padding:0px; text-align:left"> has since developed into one of the Premier League's most reliable forwards, ranking third behind Liverpool's <a target="_blank" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> and Newcastle United's <a target="_blank" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/91018">Alexander Isak</a> for goal involvements in England's top flight last season,</span> recording 20 goals and seven assists.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/188378" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/188378">Alejandro Garnacho</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/187791" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/187791">Rasmus Hojlund</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101177" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101177">Joshua Zirkzee</a> combined for 11 fewer Premier League goal involvements than Mbeumo over the 2024-25 campaign.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Of the 21 players to attempt 70+ shots in the Premier League in 2024/25, Bryan Mbeumo had the best shot conversion rate (23.5%). 📈 <a href="https://t.co/2KDU0qCl7t">pic.twitter.com/2KDU0qCl7t</a></p>— WhoScored (@WhoScored) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/1946185466539020621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Mbeumo's most notable performances for Brentford have tended to come as a winger or as part of a striking duo with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/69598" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/69598">Yoane Wissa</a>. He should be able to fulfill various attacking roles in Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation.</p><p>Manchester United's three incoming summer transfers could exceed £140 million with the bonuses tied into the deals. Mbeumo's switch was preceded by the arrivals of Cunha from Wolves and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/216661" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/216661">Diego Leon</a> from Paraguay's Cerro Porteno (a deal that could surpass £6.5 million after add-ons, according to figures from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6474574/2025/07/05/manchester-united-diego-leon-signing/">The Athletic's Mark Critchley and Jessica Hopkins</a>).</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 20: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United poses with Director of Football Jason Wilcox after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on July 21, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Man Utd sign Mbeumo for reported £71M after back-and-forth with Brentford

Arsenal added to their attacking contingent Friday with the arrival of Noni Madueke from fellow L...

<p>Arsenal added to their attacking contingent Friday with the arrival of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/162571" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/162571">Noni Madueke</a> from fellow London outfit Chelsea.</p><p>Madueke makes the short journey to the northern part of the city after the two clubs agreed to a move worth £48 million plus £4 million in add-ons, according to transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1944365581886525678">Fabrizio Romano</a>.</p><p>The English winger signed a long-term contract that runs for five years, reports <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6487723/2025/07/11/arsenal-noni-madueke-transfer-chelsea/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well. Having seen the quality of Noni's performances up close in recent seasons, we're really excited he is joining us," <a href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/noni-madueke-signs-arsenal">said</a> Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.</p><p>Madueke scored 13 goals and assisted five times in 67 Premier League appearances over two-and-a-half seasons with Chelsea. His last outing for the club came as a substitute in the Club World Cup semifinal win over Fluminense before returning to England to finalize his transfer to Arsenal. In addition to featuring in Chelsea's triumphant Club World Cup run, Madueke started in the final as Enzo Maresca's side won the 2024-25 Conference League and helped Chelsea qualify for the Champions League with last season's fourth-placed Premier League finish.</p><p>"We achieved so much this season and I honestly wish you guys nothing but the best. To (Chelsea head coach) Enzo Maresca, it was a privilege to play under you; thank you for trying to better me as a player and as a person," Madueke <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMQLJUtoI8n/">posted</a> on Instagram shortly before his transfer to Arsenal was announced.</p><p>"Lastly, thank you to every single Chelsea fan. Thank you for the love, the praise, and also the criticism - I appreciate it all. I leave here with nothing but fond memories."</p><p>Since moving to Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven for around €35 million in January 2023, Madueke has played 88% of his Premier League minutes on the right flank, per <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crrqxdwnz5go">BBC Sport's Tom McCoy</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/106844" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/106844">Bukayo Saka</a>, one of Arsenal's most influential players, is a mainstay on the right side, so Madueke could instead primarily compete with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/161088" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/161088">Gabriel Martinelli</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85895" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85895">Leandro Trossard</a> for opportunities down the left. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/93739" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/93739">Reiss Nelson</a>, who started just five league games during last season's loan spell with Fulham, appears to have fallen further down the pecking order.</p><p>Madueke spent time in Tottenham Hotspur's academy before making his first steps in the professional game with PSV.</p>

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Arsenal unveil new signing Noni Madueke at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 18, 2025 in London Colney, England.

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Arsenal sign Madueke from London rivals Chelsea for reported £52M fee

Canadian forward Olivia Smith became the most expensive player in women's soccer history with a m...

<p>Canadian forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/199855" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/199855">Olivia Smith</a> became the most expensive player in women's soccer history with a move to Champions League winners Arsenal.</p><p>Liverpool accepted an offer from their Women's Super League rivals worth £1 million ($1.3 million), sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45716362/arsenal-sign-liverpool-olivia-smith-world-record-transfer">Emily Keogh of ESPN</a>. That exceeds the previous record fee of $1.1 million, which was set in January when Chelsea bought American defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/199752" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/199752">Naomi Girma</a> from the NWSL's San Diego Wave.</p><p>"It's a privilege and an honor to sign for Arsenal," Smith said upon being unveiled by Arsenal. "It's my dream to compete for the biggest titles here in England and in Europe and I'm excited to get started and contribute to doing that here with Arsenal. The atmosphere the supporters create at Emirates Stadium is incredible and I can't wait to have that behind me now."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The latest addition to the Arsenal family ❤️<br><br>Olivia Smith is a Gunner ✍️ <a href="https://t.co/9tDKSMcfxf">pic.twitter.com/9tDKSMcfxf</a></p>— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1945774495727243335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Smith can fulfill various attacking roles and scored seven of Liverpool's 22 goals during the 2024-25 Women's Super League campaign. The 20-year-old was named the Players' Player of the Year and the Players' Young Player of the Year by her teammates after her debut season with the club.</p><p>Smith became the youngest player ever to be called up to the Canadian women's team at the age of 15. She has since earned 18 caps, scoring three goals and assisting three times despite starting just seven matches.</p><p>Liverpool reportedly rejected numerous bids for Smith before succumbing to Arsenal's record-breaking proposal. The accepted offer is understood to be at least five times more than the £200,000 that Liverpool paid Sporting CP to sign Smith in July 2024.</p><p>"She's phenomenal. She gives us so much on the ball, but the work-rate off the ball is just as good," Liverpool's interim head coach Amber Whiteley <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/we-put-absolutely-everything-amber-whiteley-liverpool-3-1-man-utd">said</a> after Smith scored twice - including the women's team's first goal at Anfield - in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in March.</p>

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Olivia Smith signs for Arsenal at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 15, 2025 in London Colney, England.

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Canada's Olivia Smith joins Arsenal in reported world-record transfer

Genie Bouchard indicated Wednesday she plans to retire from professional tennis after participati...

<p>Genie Bouchard indicated Wednesday she plans to retire from professional tennis after participating in the Canadian Open in her hometown of Montreal.</p><p>The first round of the women's tournament begins July 27. Bouchard received a wild card for the event.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You’ll know when it's time. For me, it's now.<br><br>Ending where it all started: Montreal ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/NxqKqXdgHt">pic.twitter.com/NxqKqXdgHt</a></p>— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) <a href="https://twitter.com/geniebouchard/status/1945529452236058661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Bouchard, 31, rose as high as No. 5 in the world in 2014, but her current WTA ranking is No. 1,078. She last competed at a Grand Slam event in 2020 when she was eliminated from the French Open round of 32 by eventual winner Iga Swiatek.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bouchard <a href="https://x.com/geniebouchard/status/1937337566606541010">posted</a> a 13-second video of her playing tennis June 23 with the caption, "In case you thought I forgot how." She lost to the United States' Anna Rogers in her first match at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, on July 8.</p><p>The finest year of Bouchard's career was 2014. She lost to Czechia's Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon final, reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and French Open, and fell in the fourth round of the US Open. She also reached the same stage of the US Open and the Australian Open quarterfinals the following year.</p><p>Bouchard joined the Professional Pickleball Association Tour in September 2023. She's now ranked No. 12 in the world.</p><p>"I didn't like it at first because I was losing and I felt uncomfortable and awkward on the pickleball court. It was like, 'Put me on the last court so no one sees the train wreck that's about to happen,'" she <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3218420" href="https://thescore.com/news/3218420">said</a> in February. "But I've slowly found my footing."</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 04: Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in action against Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the first qualifications round ahead of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 04, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario

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Bouchard, 31, plans to retire from tennis after Canadian Open

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Gianluca Nesci

Supervising Editor

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