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

<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.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.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.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"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."We would have loved to have Leo here, we'd love to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here."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.The Herons are fifth in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.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>.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.

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

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

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

Liverpool aren't resting on their laurels after capturing their 20th English title.<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>.Liverpool will pay €80 million up front and €15 million in potential add-ons, Romano adds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>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.Ekitike reportedly signed a six-year contract on Merseyside after Liverpool beat Newcastle United to his signature.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.Meanwhile, Isak is still with the Magpies, with his coach expressing his belief that the 25-year-old will remain with the team."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>.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.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.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>.Ekitike, who started his career with hometown club Reims, is yet to make a senior appearance for France.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>.

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...

<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.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>.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.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"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."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
📞 "Yeah… It’s official." Rashford follows in Lineker’s footsteps. <a href="https://t.co/ZvbnDAtbax">pic.twitter.com/ZvbnDAtbax</a>— 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>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.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.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.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."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.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.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>. <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"> Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>"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>.He added, "I have nothing bad to say about United. I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future."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.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>.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.

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 ...

England performed another miraculous rescue to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time Tuesday and reach the Euro 2025 final.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.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.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"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>.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
5 - Sarina Wiegman is the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five major international tournament finals in a row: UEFA Women's Euro 2017 🏆 FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 🥈 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 🏆 FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 🥈 UEFA Women's Euro 2025 ❔ Boss. <a href="https://t.co/Xo44G4oBNN">pic.twitter.com/Xo44G4oBNN</a>— 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>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.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?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."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.

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...

<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.The 25-year-old attacker signed a contract until June 2030 with the option to extend for a further year.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.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>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.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."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>.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 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, recording 20 goals and seven assists.<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.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>— 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>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.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>).

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...

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.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>.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>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"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.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."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."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."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.Madueke spent time in Tottenham Hotspur's academy before making his first steps in the professional game with PSV.

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...

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.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."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."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The latest addition to the Arsenal family ❤️ Olivia Smith is a Gunner ✍️ <a href="https://t.co/9tDKSMcfxf">pic.twitter.com/9tDKSMcfxf</a>— 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>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.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.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."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.

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...

Genie Bouchard indicated Wednesday she plans to retire from professional tennis after participating in the Canadian Open in her hometown of Montreal.The first round of the women's tournament begins July 27. Bouchard received a wild card for the event.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
You’ll know when it's time. For me, it's now. Ending where it all started: Montreal ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/NxqKqXdgHt">pic.twitter.com/NxqKqXdgHt</a>— 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>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.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>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.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.Bouchard joined the Professional Pickleball Association Tour in September 2023. She's now ranked No. 12 in the world."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."

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

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for 10-12 weeks following shoulder surg...

Real Madrid's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a> is expected to be sidelined for 10-12 weeks following shoulder surgery in London on Wednesday, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45746215/real-madrid-bellingham-surgery-miss-3-months-sources">ESPN's Adriana Garcia</a>."Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery today to address recurrent dislocation of his left shoulder," Real Madrid <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/medical-reports/parte-medico-de-bellingham-16-07-2025">said</a> in a statement.The club added, "Bellingham will now undergo a period of rehabilitation prior to returning to training and starting his recovery."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The midfielder has struggled with the shoulder issue since dislocating it during a match in November 2023, just a few months after his €103-million transfer from Borussia Dortmund. He prioritized playing over a quick recovery, but recently outlined his decision to finally resolve the issue."After the Club World Cup, I'll get the surgery on my shoulder," he told <a href="https://videos.marca.com/v/x9lrt7i-jude-bellingham-confirms-he-will-have-surgery-at-the-ending-of-the-fifa-club-world-cup">Marca</a> after a 3-1 win over Pachuca on June 22.He added, "I'm sick of playing in the brace, especially in this heat. It will be nice to have my old body back, my old shoulder back, so, yeah, really looking forward to it."Bellingham, 22, has scored 41 goals and contributed 27 assists across 106 La Liga and Champions League appearances since joining Real Madrid. He won both competitions and the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and Supercopa de Espana over his first 18 months with the club.The Birmingham City academy graduate finished third behind Manchester City's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/67114">Rodri</a> and Real Madrid teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a> for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 09: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid CF looks on after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid CF at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Report: Jude Bellingham to miss up to 3 months after shoulder surgery

Liverpool will retire Diogo Jota's No. 20 jersey after the 28-year-old forward died in a car cras...

Liverpool will retire Diogo Jota's No. 20 jersey after the 28-year-old forward died in a car crash July 3.The club said the decision was made in consultation with his wife, Rute Cardoso, who married Jota 11 days before the tragic accident, and his family. The shirt number will be retired across all levels of the club, including the women's team and throughout the academy."I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club's history that such an honor has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person," <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/diogo-jota-forever-our-number-20">said</a> Michael Edwards, chief executive of football for Liverpool's ownership company, Fenway Sports Group.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal - and therefore never to be forgotten."Liverpool are <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3310511" href="https://thescore.com/news/3310511">set to honor</a> Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the car crash in northern Spain, during their friendly at Preston North End on Sunday. The tributes include a special rendition of the club anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" and Preston players laying a wreath in front of the visiting supporters.Cardoso visited Anfield with members of the brothers' family Friday. She carried flowers and viewed the many tributes to her husband outside Liverpool's stadium."Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us (English league title) No. 20, and he wore - with honour, distinction and affection - the No. 20," Edwards added."As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our No. 20."

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diogo Jota of Liverpool poses for a photograph with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

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Liverpool retire Jota's jersey: 'Forever our No. 20'

Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their attempt to turn a team that finished 17th in the Premier ...

Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their attempt to turn a team that finished 17th in the Premier League table into a Champions League-ready outfit.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/166288" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/166288">Mohammed Kudus</a> joined Spurs from London rivals West Ham United on Thursday in a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3310278" href="https://thescore.com/news/3310278">reported</a> £55-million deal. The Ghanaian international signed a long-term contract with Tottenham and will wear the No. 20 shirt.The unpredictable 24-year-old attacker's arrival coincides with widespread reports that Nottingham Forest talisman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/91051" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/91051">Morgan Gibbs-White</a> is also joining Thomas Frank's project after Spurs triggered the midfielder's £60-million release clause. Gibbs-White was previously linked with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Frank appears to have targeted more incisiveness in a squad that already boasted plenty of forward-thinking and creative players in midfield and attack. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/184462" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/184462">Mathys Tel</a>'s loan move from Bayern Munich was already made permanent this summer and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/93055" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/93055">Manor Solomon</a> returned from a successful loan spell with Championship winners Leeds United, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/100082" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/100082">Dejan Kulusevski</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/34985" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/34985">Dominic Solanke</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/161384" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/161384">Brennan Johnson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/12696" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/12696">Son Heung-min</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/28286" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/28286">James Maddison</a> were among the nine players who played the most Premier League minutes for Spurs over the 2024-25 campaign.Frank's predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, was dismissed at the end of last season. The Aussie coach secured a backdoor route into the Champions League courtesy of beating Manchester United in the Europa League final, but Johnson's match-winning goal wasn't enough to ease chairman Daniel Levy's frustration with a lowly Premier League standing and disappointing domestic cup campaigns.The Europa League triumph marked Spurs' first trophy since their 2008 League Cup success.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and West Ham United FC at Amex Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Brighton, England.

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Tottenham sign Kudus from West Ham for reported £55M fee

Desire Doue added another huge goal to his fledgling career Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain beat ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/187930" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/187930">Desire Doue</a> added another huge goal to his fledgling career Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in a hard-fought Club World Cup quarterfinal.Doue struck a near-post finish from the edge of the area in the 78th minute. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/61590" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/61590">Ousmane Dembele</a> strengthened his case to win the Ballon d'Or when he smashed in PSG's second tally in the 96th minute.Doue, who is just 20, scored the goal that secured the 2024-25 Ligue 1 title. He also scored twice and assisted once in his side's 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the Champions League final in May.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Dembele scored 29 times and provided 12 assists across Ligue 1 and Champions League play in the 2024-25 campaign.PSG will face Real Madrid in the final four.Paris Saint-Germain finished the game with nine men following red cards for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/187787" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/187787">Willian Pacho</a> (in the 82nd minute) and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/54561" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/54561">Lucas Hernandez</a> (92nd minute). Pacho was punished for a high tackle on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/22583" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/22583">Leon Goretzka</a> and Hernandez was sent off shortly after joining the game for elbowing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/25855" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/25855">Raphael Guerreiro</a>."It was a fight today. As a player, it is always difficult to go out of a game. We are really sad for Pacho and Lucas," Doue said to DAZN post-match, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cvg66n3dm14t?post=asset%3Af15a7bdb-f7f3-4250-b8bb-3be51cf2b78f#post">BBC Sport</a>. "But it is part of the game and we need to be good in the next game to win it."Bayern Munich were denied a penalty in the closing moments when the referee overturned his decision after consulting the pitchside monitor. The Bavarians also had two goals ruled out after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/85768" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/85768">Dayot Upamecano</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/3804" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/3804">Harry Kane</a> scored from offside positions.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/43614" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/43614">Gianluigi Donnarumma</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/3458" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/3458">Manuel Neuer</a> both stepped up for their sides with some important saves over the course of the game, but Dembele's late strike relieved huge pressure on PSG after Bayern threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/2232" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/2232">Thomas Muller</a> was brought on in the 80th minute but couldn't provide a decisive moment before the final whistle ended his legendary 25-year stay with Bayern Munich.The match in Atlanta was soured by what <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3308342" href="https://thescore.com/news/3308342">appeared to be a serious injury</a> for young Bayern playmaker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/166065" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/166065">Jamal Musiala</a>.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 05: Desire Doue #14 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Doue and Dembele fire 9-man PSG past Bayern, into Club World Cup semis

Chelsea took a gargantuan loss on Kepa Arrizabalaga after the goalkeeper joined London rivals Ars...

Chelsea took a gargantuan loss on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engfa/players/57697" href="https://thescore.com/engfa/players/57697">Kepa Arrizabalaga</a> after the goalkeeper joined London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday.The deal was worth just £5 million after Arsenal triggered the goalkeeper's modest release clause, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp90x3y4037o">BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella</a>.Kepa remains the world's most expensive 'keeper after he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £72 million in 2018. The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Bournemouth.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Spaniard will compete with compatriot <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/24606" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/24606">David Raya</a> to be Arsenal's starting goalkeeper."I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it," Kepa said in an Arsenal statement.Kepa won the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup while making 163 appearances for Chelsea. Despite his successes, his spell in west London was blighted by errors and rampant criticism.His lowest ebb with the Blues was perhaps during his debut campaign when he appeared to refuse his substitution near the end of extra time of the 2019 League Cup final. He then failed to lead Chelsea to victory over Manchester City in the shootout as backup 'keeper Willy Caballero, who had a strong track record of saving penalties, watched on from the bench.Kepa finished as a runner-up in three FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals with Chelsea.Kepa was on loan at Real Madrid the season before his Bournemouth stint. He played 20 times across all competitions for Los Blancos and won the Champions League, La Liga, and the Supercopa de Espana.He's earned 13 caps for Spain."We are really happy to have Kepa joining us," said Mikel Arteta. "He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUly 01: Arsenal unveil new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga at Emirates Stadium on July 01, 2025 in London, England.

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Kepa, most expensive 'keeper ever, joins Arsenal for reported £5M

Paul Pogba joined AS Monaco on a two-year contract Saturday as he tries to reinvigorate his caree...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/13802" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/13802">Paul Pogba</a> joined AS Monaco on a two-year contract Saturday as he tries to reinvigorate his career following an 18-month doping ban.The 2018 World Cup winner hasn't played since September 2023 because he failed a random drug test. Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024. He was eligible to return to the pitch in March.Pogba was visibly emotional while signing his Monaco contract.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🥹❤️ <a href="https://t.co/rYySxcFEKW">pic.twitter.com/rYySxcFEKW</a>— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/AS_Monaco_EN/status/1939020532399382568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Pogba had tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone, a substance that can produce testosterone. His representatives said the traces in his system had come from a food supplement a U.S. doctor prescribed to him. The substance <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3299751" href="https://thescore.com/news/3299751">normally</a> only affects performance for women."This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold," Pogba said in a statement last October when his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months."Thank you for your love and support. I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch."Pogba, 32, is set for his first appearance in Ligue 1 after becoming one of the more experienced members of Adi Hutter's Monaco squad. His new teammates include last season's breakout star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/187349" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/187349">Mika Biereth</a>, former Liverpool playmaker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/40124" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/40124">Takumi Minamino</a>, and American striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/162980" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/162980">Folarin Balogun</a>.Pogba's honors<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Competition</th>
<th>Wins</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Europa League</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>English League Cup</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Serie A</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Coppa Italia</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Supercoppa Italia</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UEFA Nations League</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>World Cup</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>The midfielder started his journey in football in France with Le Havre, although he moved to Manchester United before he made a professional appearance. United sold him to Juventus for around £1.5 million in 2012, but he was back with the Red Devils four years later after agreeing to an £89-million (€105 million) switch, which was a world-record transfer at the time. He returned to Juventus in 2022 after a spell with United that was defined by infamous falling-outs with coaches and inconsistent form.Pogba earned his last France cap as a substitute in a 5-0 friendly win over South Africa in March 2022.

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Paul Pogba attends the "Highest 2 Lowest" red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France.

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Pogba joins Monaco after almost 2 full seasons on sidelines

The group stage at the revamped Club World Cup is in the books. Below, we're looking back on the ...

The group stage at the revamped Club World Cup is in the books. Below, we're looking back on the biggest surprises from the tournament's opening two weeks in the United States.<h3>Brazilians step up to European challenge</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791968/cropped_GettyImages-2220208792.jpg?ts=1750910047" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791968/w220xh124_GettyImages-2220208792.jpg?ts=1750910047 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791968/w320xh180_GettyImages-2220208792.jpg?ts=1750910047 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791968/w640xh360_GettyImages-2220208792.jpg?ts=1750910047 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791968/w768xh432_GettyImages-2220208792.jpg?ts=1750910047 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791968/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2220208792.jpg?ts=1750910047 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304379" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304379">said</a> before the tournament that the gap between his team and European sides was "minimal." That seems true of his team, and also for fellow Brazilian outfits Botafogo, Flamengo, and Fluminense.Botafogo's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid was the only defeat for a Brazilian team during the group stage. Botafogo and Fluminense progressed with second-placed finishes, while Flamengo and Palmeiras topped their quartets. Atleti, Chelsea, and FC Porto finished below their Brazilian group rivals. The four Brazilian squads, along with their vibrant fans, have arguably been the most entertaining part of this tournament thus far.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Botafogo's 1-0 upset of Champions League holders PSG was the standout result of the group stage, and it produced the most memorable soundbite. "The cemetery of football is full of favorites," Botafogo coach Renato Paiva <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3304379" href="https://thescore.com/news/3304379">said</a>, rather poetically, after the memorable victory.Group stage: Brazil vs. Europe<ul>
<li>Palmeiras 0-0 Porto</li>
<li>Fluminense 0-0 Borussia Dortmund</li>
<li>Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Botafogo</li>
<li>Flamengo 3-1 Chelsea</li>
<li>Atletico Madrid 1-0 Botafogo</li>
</ul>The excuse of European sides faltering against supposedly lesser opponents due to their tougher workload doesn't totally ring true.The squads of Brazilian clubs have navigated more matches than their counterparts in Europe over the past 12 months through their commitments in the league, state competitions, and continent-wide tournaments. Cash-rich European clubs also enjoy greater roster depth over Brazilian teams, allowing more opportunities to rotate squads over the course of a season.The only advantage that Brazilian teams may have is that they're better acclimated to the temperature and humidity. A heatwave in the United States has thrust the Club World Cup into Carnival conditions. The Brazilian sides often appear comfortable while the European-based players seem to be wading, not running, through the thick, damp air.It's a shame resilient duo Botafogo and Palmeiras will meet in the round of 16, therefore denying one of those teams another meeting with a European giant. But at least one will be assured of a quarterfinal against Benfica or Chelsea.Brazil's last Club World Cup win came in 2012 when Corinthians overcame Chelsea in the final. Winning it will be tougher now that the tournament is much bigger and full of wealthy clubs, but it's already been a historic summer for Brazilian club football - and one that's made even sweeter by the failures of Boca Juniors and River Plate, the storied teams from rival nation Argentina.<h3>More misery for Atleti</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792111/cropped_GettyImages-2221754889.jpg?ts=1751028536" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792111/w220xh124_GettyImages-2221754889.jpg?ts=1751028536 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792111/w320xh180_GettyImages-2221754889.jpg?ts=1751028536 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792111/w640xh360_GettyImages-2221754889.jpg?ts=1751028536 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792111/w768xh432_GettyImages-2221754889.jpg?ts=1751028536 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/792111/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2221754889.jpg?ts=1751028536 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Pantling - FIFA / FIFA / Getty</figcaption></figure>Atletico Madrid fans have endured a rotten few months.A 2024-25 season that promised so much rapidly disintegrated. The laws now stipulate an accidental double-touch penalty that goes in can be retaken, but that change in early June was prompted by Julian Alvarez's slip and finish being ruled out during Atleti's shootout with Real Madrid, leading to a Champions League last-16 elimination. That heartbreak coincided with a strong La Liga title push sputtering into a third-placed finish. Los Colchoneros also suffered heartbreak to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals.Not only did the Club World Cup offer a chance to ease that pain, it was an opportunity to play and win a tournament that they'll otherwise find it hard to enter again. Atletico Madrid qualified for the Club World Cup based on UEFA's four-year ranking; it's hard to imagine that La Liga champions Barcelona won't be above them the next time the competition rolls around in 2029.The Club World Cup also presented a chance to edge closer toward the true European elite by earning some of the huge prize money on offer.Atletico failed in their mission for redemption and growth. Getting thumped by Paris Saint-Germain isn't wholly surprising and Atleti beat the Seattle Sounders, but only scoring once against Botafogo led to the Spaniards' ignominious exit as the Brazilians progressed.<h3>Inter Miami silence doubters</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791205/cropped_GettyImages-2220230381.jpg?ts=1750369275" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791205/w220xh124_GettyImages-2220230381.jpg?ts=1750369275 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791205/w320xh180_GettyImages-2220230381.jpg?ts=1750369275 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791205/w640xh360_GettyImages-2220230381.jpg?ts=1750369275 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791205/w768xh432_GettyImages-2220230381.jpg?ts=1750369275 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/791205/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2220230381.jpg?ts=1750369275 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Inter Miami were in a rut going into the Club World Cup.Lionel Messi's team, a tournament invitee for all intents and purposes, had just three wins in 10 matches heading into the competition. Miami looked painfully slow and defensively frail, conceding 26 goals in those games dating back to late April. There were genuine concerns, not unfounded, that Javier Mascherano's team would get humbled on home soil in Group A.They admitted as much themselves."It's clear that we are not at the level to compete at the Club World Cup, but we will try to compete in our group," midfielder Sergio Busquets <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45024595/miami-not-level-compete-club-world-cup-busquets">said</a> after Miami was eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in emphatic fashion by the Vancouver Whitecaps in late April.Those doubts certainly seemed justified in the first half of the tournament opening against Egyptian giants Al Ahly. If not for the heroics of goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, including a penalty save, Mascherano's men would've been in trouble right from the off. But Inter Miami steadied the ship after that. They were unfortunate not to score at least once themselves in the second half against Al Ahly, and then, powered by a majestic Messi free-kick, beat FC Porto in their second match. They earned a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras in their Group A finale, becoming the lone MLS team in the tournament to reach the knockout rounds.The once defeatist outlook has been replaced by hope going into the last 16, where Miami will look to pull off an all-time upset against Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions League holders and presumptive best team in the world."If there is something this sport has proven (it's) that anything can happen in any match," Mascherano <a href="https://apnews.com/article/club-world-cup-inter-miami-psg-mesi-suarez-enrique-603bffa4168b0d03eb8f96e65ead7229">said</a> of the upcoming contest, which will see Messi take on his former club for the first time since leaving in 2023. "And who's to say that Sunday will (not) be our day. Sometimes, things happen."

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3 biggest surprises from Club World Cup group stage

Cristiano Ronaldo signed a contract extension with Al-Nassr on Thursday that ties him to the Saud...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> signed a contract extension with Al-Nassr on Thursday that ties him to the Saudi club for another two years.His latest deal runs through his expected participation at next summer's World Cup with Portugal and the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign. The contract will expire when Ronaldo is 42 years old."Al-Nassr forever," Ronaldo <a href="https://x.com/AlNassrFC/status/1938221514408542498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1938221514408542498%7Ctwgr%5Eeb05f10417d6b07506986148f526aa588a79a134%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcmsadmin.thescore.com%2Fadmin%2Fnewsroom%2F%2Farticles%2F3241194">said</a> in the club's video to announce his extended terms.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Ronaldo could still decide to retire after the 2026 World Cup in North America, according to last week's report in Saudi publication <a href="https://arriyadiyah.com/868764/%D8%A5%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1">Arriyadiyah</a>."A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together," Ronaldo <a href="https://x.com/Cristiano/status/1938227636976709678">posted</a> on X.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuX1yNkXYAADkSH?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900" srcset="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuX1yNkXYAADkSH?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900 220w, https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuX1yNkXYAADkSH?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900 320w, https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuX1yNkXYAADkSH?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900 640w, https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuX1yNkXYAADkSH?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900 768w, https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuX1yNkXYAADkSH?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>(Courtesy: <a href="https://x.com/Cristiano/status/1938227636976709678">@Cristiano</a>)The five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined Al-Nassr near the end of 2022, shortly after his release from Manchester United. He signed a contract worth around €200 million per year to help Saudi Arabia's bid to become a force in world soccer.He's since scored 74 goals and assisted 16 times in 77 Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Nassr, but domestic success has eluded the highly decorated attacker. Al-Ittihad (twice) and Al-Hilal have won the Pro League and the same two teams have won the King's Cup since his arrival, but he did lift the Arab Club Champions Cup in August 2023.Ronaldo finished as the Saudi Pro League's top scorer in each of the past two seasons, and racked up 14 tallies in 16 outings after joining Al-Nassr midway through the 2022-23 campaign.His teammates in the lavishly assembled Al-Nassr squad include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/20486" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/20486">Sadio Mane</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///worldcup/players/49850" href="https://thescore.com/worldcup/players/49850">Aymeric Laporte</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagued/players/49365" href="https://thescore.com/natleagued/players/49365">Marcelo Brozovic</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wcqcon/players/187782" href="https://thescore.com/wcqcon/players/187782">Jhon Duran</a>.Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer with 138 goals over 221 appearances for Portugal. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward's other records include the most Champions League goals (140) and appearances (183) ever. He counts five Champions League winners' medals and seven domestic titles among his many club honors, and he won Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Nassr's Portuguese forward #7 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr at the Kingdom Arena stadium in Riyadh on April 4, 2025.

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Ronaldo signs 2-year contract in Saudi Arabia: 'Al-Nassr forever'

The first European heavyweight has fallen at the Club World Cup.  Atletico Madrid's campaign ende...

The first European heavyweight has fallen at the Club World Cup.Atletico Madrid's campaign ended in the group stage Monday despite beating Brazilian and South American champions Botafogo with a late <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/10181" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/10181">Antoine Griezmann</a> goal at the Rose Bowl.Paris Saint-Germain beat Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders 2-0 in a concurrent Group B fixture, meaning the Champions League holders finished first in the quartet and reached the last 16. Botafogo took second place and will join PSG - the team they stunned with a 1-0 victory last Thursday - in the knockout rounds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Group B<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>#</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Paris Saint-Germain</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Botafogo</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Atletico Madrid</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Seattle Sounders</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>Atletico Madrid expressed displeasure at some of the officiating during Monday's match, but with 23 shots and a squad that's worth over three times more than Botafogo's roster, according to <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/fifa-club-world-cup/teilnehmer/pokalwettbewerb/KLUB">Transfermarkt</a>, it was a game that Diego Simeone's side should've won comfortably.Atleti were smashed 4-0 by PSG in their group opener before they won 3-1 against Seattle in their second outing."We're frustrated that we didn't qualify - we had six points," Atletico coach Simeone said. "At the end of the day we were punished because it wasn't enough."I'm proud of the work of my guys. We played our hearts out; we won two games but unfortunately we are not going through."

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Julian Alvarez #19 of Atletico De Madrid looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group B match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Botafogo FR at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 23, 2025 in Pasadena, California.

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Atletico eliminated from Club World Cup as PSG, Botafogo advance

Liverpool agreed to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in a transfer reportedly w...

Liverpool <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-agree-signing-florian-wirtz-bayer-leverkusen">agreed</a> to sign <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/166018" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/166018">Florian Wirtz</a> from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in a transfer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3299647" href="https://thescore.com/news/3299647">reportedly</a> worth over €136 million (£100 million) before add-ons.That fee already makes the 22-year-old Liverpool's club-record signing, while he leapfrogs <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/86595" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/86595">Kai Havertz</a> as the most expensive German of all time and overtakes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a> as the priciest Bundesliga sale.The potential fee after bonuses is €150 million (£116 million). Should the conditions in his contract be met, he will comfortably surpass Chelsea's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/185698" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/185698">Enzo Fernandez</a> (£107 million with no add-ons) as the biggest transfer in British football history, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqj7kjp52kyo">BBC Sport's Emlyn Begley</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/167739" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/167739">Moises Caicedo</a>, Fernandez's teammate at Stamford Bridge, could reportedly cost up to £115 million after add-ons.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsm/players/14263" href="https://thescore.com/olymsm/players/14263">Neymar</a> remains the world's most expensive player from his €222-million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. If his deal is ultimately worth €150 million, it would make Wirtz the third-most expensive player ever behind only Neymar and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/66967" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/66967">Kylian Mbappe</a>.Wirtz signed a long-term contract on Merseyside."I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me," Wirtz said. "This was also a big point of my thoughts: That I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League."Wirtz has long been considered one of the best young players on the planet. He started to realize his potential when he recovered from an ACL injury early in 2023 and became the talisman of Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen squad. Die Werkself sensationally ended Bayern Munich's 11-year Bundesliga reign while winning their first title with an unbeaten 2023-24 domestic campaign. Leverkusen also beat Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final. The only defeat of their season came in the Europa League final against Atalanta.Over the course of that historic campaign, Wirtz scored 17 goals and provided 18 assists while enthralling onlookers with his relentless energy, evasive dribbling, and overall incredible technical ability.Leverkusen won the DFL-Supercup at the start of the following term, but they couldn't maintain the same frenetic pace in the league or cup competitions. But Wirtz was still influential for Alonso's side with 10 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga and another six goals and two assists across DFB-Pokal and Champions League play.His arrival at Liverpool should ease some of the attacking burden on 32-year-old <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a>, who sensationally fired 29 goals and assisted 18 times as the Reds won the 2024-25 Premier League title. Arne Slot's attack should look refreshed next season with Wirtz's inclusion, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/162705" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/162705">Darwin Nunez</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101948" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101948">Luis Diaz</a> are repeatedly linked with moves away."For a striker, it's a dream to have this player behind you," Leverkusen striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/32111" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/32111">Patrik Schick</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3166862" href="https://thescore.com/news/3166862">said</a> of Wirtz last December.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engch/players/1615" href="https://thescore.com/engch/players/1615">Jeremie Frimpong</a>, who also joined from Leverkusen, and young Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi are the other incoming deals struck by Liverpool this summer. The club is also strongly linked with a move for Bournemouth left-back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/183614" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/183614">Milos Kerkez</a>.

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England.

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Liverpool smash multiple transfer records to sign Wirtz for reported €150M

The Premier League transfer window is open for a second time this summer, giving clubs until Sept...

The Premier League transfer window is open for a second time this summer, giving clubs until Sept. 1 to revamp their squads. Seven of the league's best teams have massive holes to fill and the money to do it. Below, theScore offers these heavyweight outfits potential solutions to their biggest problems.<h3>Arsenal</h3>Biggest need(s): Striker Target(s): Benjamin Sesko, Viktor GyokeresIn case you haven't heard, Arsenal need a striker. Their failure to sign one during the last couple of transfer windows has widely been criticized and blamed for the club's second-place finish in the Premier League last season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Would Arsenal have been able to catch up to Liverpool had they pulled the trigger on a deal for a top-class striker? Doubtful, but we'll never know. In hindsight, it might've helped cut into Liverpool's lead, considering that Arsenal were left without a true striker when they lost Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury right after the January window closed. But don't expect the north London club to stand idle this summer when the opportunity to strengthen its attack arises.Arsenal have already been linked with a host of elite forwards. But now it looks as though they've narrowed their search down to RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko or Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres. Gyokeres is fresh off another strong season in Portugal, while Sesko offers a younger option with tons of potential.<h3>Chelsea</h3>Biggest need(s): Forward, center-back, goalkeeper Target(s): Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guehi, James Trafford<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790711/cropped_GettyImages-2188253982.jpg?ts=1750092422" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790711/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188253982.jpg?ts=1750092422 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790711/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188253982.jpg?ts=1750092422 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790711/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188253982.jpg?ts=1750092422 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790711/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188253982.jpg?ts=1750092422 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790711/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188253982.jpg?ts=1750092422 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</figcaption></figure>Chelsea ended the season on an encouraging note by winning the Conference League after booking their return to the Champions League. But there's still plenty of work to be done to ensure that coach Enzo Maresca's squad can compete in both the Premier League and Europe's most revered club tournament. They've won both competitions in the last decade, but now it's about staying competitive in them.The capture of striker Liam Delap is likely to be followed by the arrival of another attacking reinforcement. Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens has been heavily linked with a move to west London, with reports suggesting the winger could cost €50 million. Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho may be an alternative if Gittens doesn't sign.Chelsea will also hope to bring Marc Guehi back to Stamford Bridge after multiple failed attempts. Despite Maresca's apparent faith in unconvincing netminder Robert Sanchez, a new face between the sticks is another possibility; Chelsea tried, and failed, to land Mike Maignan from AC Milan earlier this month. Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is considered a target despite Newcastle's rumored interest in him.<h3>Liverpool</h3>Biggest need(s): Left-back, winger, forward Target(s): Milos Kerkez, Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak, Hugo EkitikeLiverpool moved quickly to address their biggest need, signing right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen shortly after Trent Alexander-Arnold left his hometown club for Real Madrid. Their reported club-record deal for Florian Wirtz is also near completion. So the Reds are already better than they were when they took the Premier League by surprise and won their record-tying 20th English top-flight title.Should everything proceed as expected, Liverpool will unveil Milos Kerkez as Andy Robertson's heir apparent for a reported £45 million. All they'll really need to enter the 2025-26 season as a multi-competition juggernaut is a greater goalscorer than Darwin Nunez and a left-winger to replace Luis Diaz. Both South Americans could yet leave Anfield this summer. Newcastle United's Alexander Isak is Liverpool's No. 1 choice up front, with Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike as a backup and PSG's Bradley Barcola as a potential luxury signing. Isak, of course, finished second to Mohamed Salah in Premier League scoring with 23 goals in 34 appearances.<h3>Manchester City</h3>Biggest need(s): Goalkeeper, right-back Target(s): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Diogo Costa, Tino Livramento<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784639/cropped_GettyImages-2212650693.jpg?ts=1746705719" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784639/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212650693.jpg?ts=1746705719 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784639/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212650693.jpg?ts=1746705719 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784639/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212650693.jpg?ts=1746705719 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784639/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212650693.jpg?ts=1746705719 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784639/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212650693.jpg?ts=1746705719 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Pep Guardiola has been ruthless following Manchester City's first trophyless season in eight years. He allowed Kevin De Bruyne, one of his most trusted midfield lieutenants, to leave on a free transfer and left underperforming £100-million signing Jack Grealish out of City's Club World Cup squad. Kyle Walker is set to return from a short-term loan spell at AC Milan, but he no longer has a place in the team. Guardiola wants to both freshen up his side and reduce the total number of players under his watch.With Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders all joining City over the last week, Guardiola has already managed to achieve the necessary turnover. He could angle for a new goalkeeper, and PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma is a candidate given his contract standoff in Paris. If Donnarumma ends up renewing his deal, Porto's Diogo Costa feels like a nice alternative. City also need a long-term solution at right-back after shoehorning midfielder Matheus Nunes into that position this past season, and while Newcastle would try their best to keep Tino Livramento, the reliable 22-year-old fits the bill.<h3>Manchester United</h3>Biggest need(s): Forward, striker, goalkeeper Target(s): Bryan Mbeumo, Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, Emi MartinezManchester United might not be able to attract the type of talent they need to get them back into the Champion League conversation. After a historically poor Premier League campaign, they're left trying to sign players without the promise of playing in Europe next season. After finishing 15th, you could argue the Red Devils need to improve every area of their squad, but more firepower up front is a clear priority. They've already strengthened their attack with the arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves. Bryan Mbeumo looked set to join the Brazilian forward, but now there are doubts given that the Brentford winger has been rumored to reunite with former Bees coach Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United will likely now need to consider alternatives who can boost a lowly attack that only scored 44 times in the Premier League last term. Strikers like Victor Osimhen and Gyokeres could help solve that issue, but their respective price tags present an issue.The situation isn't much better at the back, where confidence in goalkeeper Andre Onana has dwindled after numerous costly blunders. Surprisingly, Emi Martinez has emerged as a possibility. The World Cup-winning Argentine appears likely to leave Aston Villa this summer.<h3>Newcastle United</h3>Biggest need(s): Forward Target(s): Justin Kluivert, Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766021/cropped_GettyImages-2194541111.jpg?ts=1737211767" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766021/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194541111.jpg?ts=1737211767 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766021/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194541111.jpg?ts=1737211767 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766021/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194541111.jpg?ts=1737211767 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766021/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194541111.jpg?ts=1737211767 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766021/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194541111.jpg?ts=1737211767 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Visionhaus / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It'd take a huge offer for Newcastle to allow Alexander Isak to leave, especially now that the club's financial situation is in better condition following Champions League qualification. But Isak's backup striker, Callum Wilson, hasn't scored a Premier League goal since May 2024, and youngster William Osula is yet to be trusted with a start in England's top flight. Winger Anthony Gordon also suffered a dramatic dip in form following his red card in the FA Cup loss to Brighton &amp; Hove Albion in March.Newcastle need to strengthen their attack to successfully navigate their domestic and continental commitments next season. It's no surprise that the Magpies are reportedly plotting swoops for frontmen who are proven in the Premier League, like Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert and Brighton's Joao Pedro. The one concern about those players? Kluivert scored 12 times and Pedro netted 10 in the 2024-25 Premier League term, but both players struck half of their goals from the penalty spot. Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga would be a clever signing to improve Eddie Howe's wide options.<h3>Tottenham Hotspur</h3>Biggest need(s): Forward Target(s): Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Antoine SemenyoMathys Tel's loan from Bayern Munich was made permanent, and Manor Solomon should be given another chance in the first team after an impressive season-long spell at Leeds United. Nevertheless, Tottenham Hotspur's attack still needs work, especially if Son Heung-min decides to leave the club after an iconic 10-season stay in north London.Mbeumo, a standout Premier League forward with 20 goals and seven assists last season, would be an excellent acquisition. Frank was Mbeumo's boss at Brentford for six seasons, which makes the arrival of the Cameroonian international seem much likelier. Yoane Wissa, who hit 19 goals and provided four assists last term, could also be plucked from Frank's former club, while Antoine Semenyo's reputation has skyrocketed since he's slotted seamlessly into various attacking roles at Bournemouth.

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Biggest transfer needs, ideal signings for Premier League's top clubs

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