Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Morocco and Lille defensive midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and want it completed this week, sources told ESPN. Sources added that City have already agreed personal terms with Bouaddi on a five-year contract and have acknowledged Lille’s valuation of €100 million (£87.5 million) for one of the revelations of the 2026 World Cup. The two clubs will be discussing bonuses and the structure…
Coventry City have signed striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old scored 23 times in 103 appearances across all competitions for Forest after joining in 2022. But the Nigeria international was limited to just three starts in the league last season and will be looking for more game time at the Coventry Building Society Arena. “I am very excited about this season, and I can’t…
Reece James said there is “rust” to come off before he is match fit after being given an extended Chelsea break following England’s run to the World Cup semifinal. The captain played in the club’s final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad on Saturday just four weeks after returning home from North America. James started the 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge alongside new signing and international teammate Morgan Rogers after both…
The Scottish Football Association has officially withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, citing the “lack of transparency” shown over the plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors. A number of European FAs — including those in England, the Republic of Ireland and Wales — had already withdrawn letters stating their intention to back Infantino for reelection at next year’s FIFA Congress, and now…
The ball-boy kicked by Eden Hazard in 2013 is reportedly set to earn a major windfall by selling his viral business. Charlie Morgan was a ball-boy for local side Swansea City 13 years ago when he was involved in a notorious skirmish with Chelsea star Hazard. Hazard was sent off and later said: “The boy put his whole body on to the ball and I was just trying to kick…
Former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has returned to the club to begin his coaching career with the reserve team in the Spanish fourth tier. Busquets, 38, will form part of manager Juliano Belletti’s staff this season while he completes his own coaching badges. Barça Athletic were in the second division as recently as 2018, but have since dropped two levels into the Segunda Federación. Belletti and Busquets’ task is to…
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has praised summer signings Jérémy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo for their impressive debuts against Como but admitted it will take time to develop a solid centre-back partnership. Both Jacquet and Araújo played 45 minutes of Liverpool’s final preseason clash on Sunday afternoon, with the former netting the Reds’ second goal in a 2-0 win. Making his first appearance since suffering a dislocated shoulder at Rennes…
CARDIFF, Wales — Martin Ødegaard has spoken glowingly of Bruno Guimarães and said he has already formed a connection with the Brazil international on the pitch. Guimarães joined the Gunners from Newcastle United in a deal worth up to £75 million ($101 million) and made his first start for the club in the Community Shield on Sunday. Ødegaard and Lewis-Skelly made up the rest of Arsenal’s midfield, and they overpowered…
Juventus have agreed a deal with Tottenham to sign Guglielmo Vicario on loan, sources have told ESPN. The Italian goalkeeper will move on a season-long loan with an option for Juventus to make the deal permanent for an £8.6 million ($12m) fee. Juventus had previously tracked Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa, who are chasing Parma’s Zion Suzuki. New Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that his first-choice goalkeeper…
Enzo Maresca has said that Jack Grealish will be given minutes for Manchester City this season if he “deserves” to play — but left the door open to an exit. With City 2-0 down, Grealish replaced Jérémy Doku at half-time in the Community Shield 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, marking his first appearance for the club in more than a year. “Jack came on when we were already 2-0…