Barcelona agree deal to sign England international Marcus Rashford on an initial loan deal from Manchester United.
Barcelona’s already impressive front line is about to be boosted by the signing of Marcus Rashford.
Rashford is in Barcelona to complete a move from Manchester United, a person with knowledge of the transfer told The Associated Press news agency on Monday.
The person was not authorised to speak about the transfer publicly and did not want to be named.
The loan deal would give the 27-year-old England forward, once considered among Europe’s top talents, a chance to revive a career that has stalled in recent years after he fell out of favour at United and ended last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Spanish media said the one-year loan would give Barcelona an option to buy Rashford for about $35m.
Barcelona had the best attack in Spanish football and one of the most prolific across Europe last season but had been trying to add another piece to the front line to go along with young star Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and veteran Robert Lewandowski.
Rashford has spent his entire career at United, scoring 138 goals in 429 appearances and winning five major trophies, including two FA Cups and the Europa League.
But he struggled to consistently live up to the hype that surrounded him when he burst onto the scene as a teenager in 2016 – managing 20 goals or more only in three seasons. In his past two seasons at United, he scored a combined 15 goals and added another four in 17 games on loan at Villa.
Barcelona won the Spanish league title with 102 goals, 24 more than runners-up Real Madrid. The Catalan club also led the Champions League in goals with 43, five more than champion Paris Saint-Germain, before being eliminated by Inter Milan in the semifinals.
The Chargers were the first team in the NFL to open training camp, but the focus Thursday quickly shifted to who didn’t join them.
Wide receiver Mike Williams is retiring, the Chargers confirmed Thursday as the team began camp. Just as a hole opened in the receivers room, the Chargers also signed rookie receiver Tre’ Harris, the team announced, ending the second-round pick’s contract holdout.
The news of Williams’ sudden retirement broke on social media as Chargers players went through some of the first team drills of training camp. Williams, 30, was just months removed from his feel-good homecoming to the franchise that drafted him seventh overall in 2017. The free agent was optimistic about revitalizing his career in familiar territory. A wide smile split his face when he was asked in March about reuniting with quarterback Justin Herbert.
On Thursday, Herbert still smiled at the jaw-dropping plays they made together.
“I want what’s best for Mike,” said Herbert, who propelled Williams to a career season in 2021 with 86 catches and 1,146 yards receiving. “He’s always been there for us and we’re going to be there for him. It’s obviously a tough situation and I got so much respect for him as a teammate, as a friend, as a receiver, as a player and the man that he is. … Football at the end of the day is a game. There’s more to life than just football and I’m just hoping for the best for him.”
Williams, who was two years removed from his torn anterior cruciate ligament with the Chargers, was set to begin camp on the physically unable to perform list after suffering an undisclosed injury during the offseason training program. Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, general manager Joe Hortiz expected Williams could return to practice soon.
Later that day, Williams’ agent, Tory Dandy, dropped the news, a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly confirmed.
Williams caught 309 passes for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Chargers. Coming off the season-ending knee injury, the 30-year-old was released in a salary-saving move in 2024. It was the beginning of what Williams called a “terrible” season. He caught only 21 passes for 298 yards for the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He returned to the Chargers as a free agent hoping to recapture the magic he had with Herbert.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes during the first day of training camp practice Thursday.
(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)
Since being drafted by the Chargers in 2020, Herbert found comfort with the 6-foot-4 Williams, who always seemed to tilt the odds in his favor on 50-50 balls. Williams’ presence, especially in the red zone, demanded the defense’s attention. Herbert fondly recalled the receiver’s twisting, one-handed catch against the Rams as one of his favorite plays, but noted there are too many to recite the whole list.
“You can’t really replace a guy like that,” Herbert said. “But thankfully we’ve got a receiver room that’s continuing to push each other. They compete and they want to be the best.”
With Williams, the Chargers hoped to add another outside receiving threat to complement budding star Ladd McConkey and bring veteran leadership to a position in flux.
Harris can now rejoin the competition as he agreed to terms with the team. The 55th pick in the draft was stuck in an unprecedented 30-player standstill this week as second-round picks and teams negotiated for guaranteed money. The logjam began to loosen Thursday as several teams wrapped up deals, including the Chicago Bears, who signed the 56th pick Ozzy Trapilo early Thursday.
Harris still participated in rookie minicamp, voluntary workouts and the team’s mandatory minicamp before his holdout officially began Saturday. Herbert believed the previous reps would help Harris jump back in seamlessly.
Chargers fans take photos with owner Dean Spanos during the first day of training camp at the team’s headquarters in El Segundo on Thursday.
(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)
“No one’s going to fault him for doing what he’s doing,” Herbert said. “He’s a teammate. We respect him and we’ve got his back no matter what. … Whenever that deal gets done and he comes back, I know he’s not going to miss a beat.”
During the spring, Harris started moving up the depth chart, taking some team reps with Herbert in place of Jalen Reagor. Reagor, a 2021 first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, had the standout play of Thursday’s practice, diving for a fingertip catch on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Herbert.
Fans cheered when Reagor tucked the ball away and rolled into the pylon. The temporary stands at the Chargers’ training facility were packed as fans were eager for their first look at the team since January. Days after launching new gold-and-navy alternate jerseys, the team set up a shop to sell merchandise.
As Chargers players broke the final huddle, a group of fans started chanting “Bring back Keenan!”
Keenan Allen, another long-term Herbert target, remains unsigned after 70 catches for 744 yards receiving and seven touchdowns for the Bears last year.
Etc.
The Chargers placed running back Najee Harris on the active/non-football injury list Thursday. The recent free agent signing suffered a minor eye injury in a Fourth of July fireworks accident. … Quarterback Taylor Heinicke was the only player on the active roster who did not appear on the field during Thursday’s roughly 75-minute practice.
July 21 (UPI) — An 18-year-old Ole Miss football player is dead and four others are injured following a shooting that erupted outside a Tennessee home over the weekend, authorities said.
At least five people were shot in the incident at a Fern Glade Cove residence at about 10:15 p.m. CDT Saturday at a Fern Glade Cove residence in Cordova, a community located just northeast of Memphis.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that when officers arrived at the intersection of Forest Hill-Irene and Walnut Grove, they stopped a vehicle transporting a male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives later identified the victim as 18-year-old Corey Adams of New Orleans.
Four other gunshot victims, all identified as men, arrived by personal vehicles to area hospitals. All were listed in non-critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.
Multiple shell casings were found at the Fern Glade Cove residence.
SCSO detectives are investigating a shooting that took place at about 10:14 pm outside a residence on Fern Glade Cove in Cordova.
When deputies arrived at the intersection of Forest Hill-Irene and Walnut Grove, they stopped a vehicle, finding an adult male gunshot victim. They… pic.twitter.com/PB6G506g77— ShelbyTNSheriff (@ShelbyTNSheriff) July 20, 2025
Ole Miss Football has confirmed that Adams was a freshman on the team.
“While our program is trying to cope with this tragic loss, our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the team said in a statement that added that out of respect for his family it will not comment further.
“We ask the Ole Miss community to keep Corey in their thoughts and respect the privacy of everyone involved.”
The identities of the other four victims were not released.
The shooting remains an active homicide investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
According to the independent, nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive, there have been 8,188 gun-related deaths so far in the United States this year.
A Long Beach Poly assistant football coach offered a warm greeting to Mater Dei football coach Raul Lara on Saturday morning before the start of a summer passing tournament at Poly.
Lara, a Poly graduate who won five Southern Section championships in 13 seasons as the Jackrabbits’ head coach, was struck by some of the changes he saw, such as an all-weather sports field and bungalows on the old baseball field. The school has begun a $450-million construction project.
“I haven’t been here in a while,” Lara said. “They’re doing a lot of reconstruction. It’s pretty neat. It will be interesting when it’s completed. We didn’t have this. We had a dirt track, regular grass field. We used to have a pole by those two trash cans and we had a coach, Don Norford, that every time he yelled, ‘Hit the pole,’ everybody knew they were in trouble.”
Lara won a Southern Section Division 1 title and state championship last season in his first year at Mater Dei, and his team is a heavy favorite to repeat thanks to strong offensive and defensive lines as well as a receiving group that includes receiver Chris Henry Jr., who has commited to Ohio State, and tight end Mark Bowman, who has committed to USC.
“That group is special,” he said of his receiver group that includes Ohio State commit Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Georgia commit Gavin Honore and senior Koen Parnell.
Still to be decided is who starts at quarterback, with Wisconsin commit Ryan Hopkins competing with Minnesota commit Furian Inferrera. Asked if he could end up playing both, Lara said it was possible.
Asked if he was still having fun, Lara said, “It’s a different kind of fun. It’s more of a CEO fun. I have an awesome staff. All I do is make sure it’s functioning. They do a fantastic job.”
Saturday’s competition featured a rarity in that three outstanding tight ends were in the spotlight — Bowman, a USC commit; Andre Nickerson of Inglewood, an Southern Methodist commit; Jaden Hernandez of Poly, a Colorado State commit. Defensive backs were pushing and shoving and the tight ends were having none of that.
Long Beach Poly tight end Jaden Hernandez makes a catch.
(Craig Weston)
Mayfair has two college-bound defensive backs in Chaz Gilbreath (UC Davis) and Miles Mitchell (Air Force). Mitchell has a 4.5 grade-point average.
Poly’s Donte Wright is a junior cornerback committed to Georgia with a big upside because he’s 6 feet 2 and still growing with track speed. The Jackrabbits made it to the final of their tournament before losing to Mater Dei.
Teams are winding down their summer seven-on-seven passing tournament schedules. Coaches are starting to pass out shoulder pads because official practice begins July 28.
Bronze said Sarina Wiegman’s squad held meetings before the tournament to discuss abuse and how it had become a “huge factor specifically in women’s football”.
Before travelling to Switzerland, Arsenal and England striker Alessia Russo said she preferred to stay off social media because of how “damaging” the abuse can be.
And Chelsea forward Lauren James, who received racist abuse at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and during the following Women’s Super League season, said abuse “never really stops”.
Their comments came after British tennis player Katie Boulter spoke to BBC Sport about being subjected to online abuse and death threats.
Bronze said she hoped that by standing before kick-off, instead of taking a knee, “noise will be reached around the world”.
“We know the people higher up are the ones who can ultimately put in things to make change. But I think we know we’re never helpless as players,” she added.
“Our voices are loud enough to be heard by people around the world, whether that’s social media platforms or federations like Uefa and Fifa.
“That’s something we’re very proud of as a Lionesses team, that we’ve created this voice and a platform so we can reach the highest of heights. We’re willing to use that platform and that voice to make differences.”
Bronze also called for more action from social media platforms, adding: “People need to be held accountable.
“We don’t want it to be small steps anymore.
“No player needs social media. We play football because we love the sport, we love playing. We do love connecting with our fans, social media is a great way to do that, but we don’t need it.
“That’s something that the platforms should be very aware of. We can thrive without it.”
On Carter calling the abuse out publicly, she said: “For her to speak out is so empowering to our whole team in general, especially to the likes of someone like Michelle [Agyemang] who is in her first tournament.
“It gives people more power to be brave, stand up and speak up and see all the team-mates and the country are behind [Carter]. That means a lot in moments like this.
“A lot of players have known that this has always been an issue in football. To hear Jess talking about it yesterday, we’re all just so disappointed in so-called fans writing these messages.
“For Jess herself, she probably wouldn’t put it out to the world, but it’s obviously difficult for her to go through. We know it’s not just Jess as well.”
CLEVELAND — President Trump wants Washington’s NFL franchise and Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team to revert to their former names, which where changed in recent years because many considered them racist.
Trump said Sunday on his social media site that “The Washington ‘Whatever’s’ should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past. Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!”
Josh Harris, whose group bought the NFL’s Washington Commanders from former owner Dan Snyder in 2023, said this year the name was here to stay. Not long after taking over, Harris quieted speculation about going back to Redskins, saying that would not happen.
Cleveland Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti indicated before Sunday’s game against the Athletics that there weren’t any plans to revisit the name change.
“We understand there are different perspectives on the decision we made a few years ago, but obviously it’s a decision we made. We’ve got the opportunity to build a brand as the Guardians over the last four years and are excited about the future that’s in front of us,” he said.
Both teams have had their current names since the 2022 seasons. Washington dropped Redskins after the 2019 season and was known as the Washington Football Team for two years before adopting Commanders.
Cleveland announced in December 2020 it would drop Indians. It announced the switch to Guardians in July 2021. In 2018, the team phased out “Chief Wahoo” as its primary logo.
The name changes had their share of supporters and critics as part of national discussions about institutions and teams dropping logos and names considered racist.
The Guardians are the fifth name for Cleveland’s baseball franchise. It joined the American League in 1901 as one of the eight charter franchises, as the Blues. It switched to the Bronchos a year later and used the Naps from 1903 through 1914 before moving to the Indians in 1915.
Washington started in Boston as the Redskins in 1933 before moving to the nation’s capital four years later.
Washington and Cleveland share another thing in common. David Blitzer is a member of Harris’ ownership group with the Commanders and holds a minority stake in the Guardians.
Real Madrid are happy to wait it out to sign France andLiverpooldefender Ibrahima Konate, 26, on a free next summer but may offer a low bid in this transfer window. (Football Insider), external
A nine-figure Saudi contract for Brazil and Real Madrid forwardVinicius Jr, 25, has been taken off the of the table for now but could be available again in 2026. (AS – in Spanish), external
Leeds United want a bidding war to ensue for Spanish forward Mateo Joseph, 21, in the hope they can raise funds for a move to sign Brazil and Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, 24. (The Sun), external
United have also put in a bid for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27, and hope they can persuade him to join them rather than Arsenal. (A Bola – in Portuguese), external
Sunderland have pulled out of a £17.5m deal to bring in 26-year-old French forward Armand Lauriente from Italian club Sassuolo.(Northern Echo), external
Holders England face Italy while world champions Spain take on Germany as the Women’s Euro enters its final week.
A last-minute winner, two thrilling shootouts, missed penalties and countless saves – the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Euro delivered everything one could ask for.
The drama now rolls on to the final week with four teams left in the hunt for the European crown.
Here’s how the Euro 2025 semifinals line up:
⚽ First semifinal: England vs Italy
When: Tuesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
A long-cherished dream became a reality for Italy on Wednesday when captain Cristiana Girelli’s 90th-minute header ended their 28-year wait for a place in the semifinals of the Women’s European championships.
Coming into the contest as the underdogs, Italy stunned Norway 2-1 as Girelli scored twice while Ada Hegerberg netted once for the Norwegians after missing a penalty for the second time in this year’s tournament.
“I felt something different, something special. I have seen in the eyes of my teammates a special light,” the 35-year-old Girelli said after the game. “If you have a flame, you have to continue to live. We suffered a lot, but we fought until the end.”
Their fairytale run now faces its next test against holders England, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout against Sweden on Thursday.
Eleven minutes from full-time the Lionesses – trailing 2-0 and on the brink of elimination – mounted a rapid comeback, scoring two goals in two minutes to send the match into extra time.
In the penalty shootout, which featured 14 attempts, defender Lucy Bronze slammed her spot kick into the roof of the net as the seventh penalty taker, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two saves as England coach Sarina Wiegman breathed a sigh of relief as her side qualified for the final four at Euro 2025.
“It was hard. One of the hardest games I’ve ever watched. Very emotional. We could’ve been out four or five times during the game,” Wiegman said.
England are unbeaten in their last five matches against Italy, all friendlies, with four of those ending in victories. The winner of the first semifinal will face either Spain or Germany in the final.
Cristiana Girelli scored a 90th-minute winner, her second goal of a superb double, as Italy beat Norway 2-1 to book their spot in the semifinals at the UEFA Women’s Euro for the first time since 1997 [Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo]
⚽ Second semifinal: Germany vs Spain
When: Wednesday at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
Spain kept their quest for a maiden Women’s Euro title alive by knocking out hosts Switzerland 2-0 in Friday’s quarterfinal despite failing twice from the penalty spot.
The world champions were made to work hard against a stubborn Swiss defence in the first half before super sub Athenea del Castillo scored the opener shortly after the hour mark, and Claudia Pina doubled the lead with a superb curling effort. Spain’s victory kept their 100 percent winning record at Euro 2025 intact.
“Maybe we’d prefer to face Germany again because of what happened at the Olympics,” del Castillo said after the match, referring to their 1-0 defeat to Germany in the bronze medal match at Paris 2024.
Athenea may just get the revenge she hinted at: Germany are through, and Spain will now meet their Olympic nemesis in the semifinals.
The Germans defeated France 6-5 on penalties in Saturday’s thrilling semifinal, pulling off a superb comeback from a goal down despite playing with 10 players for most of the match. In the 13th minute, German midfielder Kathrin Hendrich was issued a straight red card after she pulled the hair of France captain Griedge Mbock.
With the match tied 1-1 after extra time, the contest was decided on penalties. Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero, firing home from a crucial spot kick herself before pulling off a decisive penalty save to seal the upset victory against France.
“There is a very hard and tough opponent [Spain] we have to face [in the final]. Everybody really gave their ultimate effort here, and we need to regenerate. We have to make sure we recover,” said the 34-year-old Berger, who produced a string of outstanding saves throughout the match.
Germany are unbeaten in eight meetings with Spain, winning five and drawing three with a goal count of 18-3.
Germany won the shootout against France 6-5, thanks to the heroics of Ann-Katrin Berger, who saved two shots and converted a penalty kick herself [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
Manchester United are on the verge of signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford with a medical understood to be imminent.
Manchester United have reportedly agreed to sign Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in a deal worth an initial $87m as Ruben Amorim steps up his overhaul of the team’s misfiring attack.
Mbeumo attracted Amorim’s attention with 20 goals in 38 Premier League games for Brentford last season.
Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the 25-year-old before United’s improved offer sealed the deal after their two previous bids were rebuffed.
United will pay an additional 6 million pounds ($8.07m) in potential add-ons to Brentford.
Mbeumo is due to undergo a medical in time to travel to the United States on Tuesday as Amorim’s men start their pre-season tour.
He is set to become United’s third signing since the end of last season, joining Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon at Old Trafford.
Amorim has been determined to revamp United’s forward options after a woeful campaign.
They suffered a toothless 1-0 defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight that ranked as their lowest since 1973-74.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim’s main strikers last term.
Amorim has reportedly told Alejandro Garnacho to look for a new club, while Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are expected to leave following their loan spells at Aston Villa and Chelsea, respectively.
Mbeumo will be Amorim’s latest new recruit in his bid to revitalise moribund United.
Having already paid 62.5 million pounds ($84.03m) for Cunha, United’s spending spree comes despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League costing the club a minimum of 70 million pounds ($94.11m).
The versatile Mbeumo is able to operate in a variety of roles on the flanks or in central attacking areas.
His pace, creativity and clinical finishing should be a significant boost to United.
Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019.
He helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25.
Former NFL linebacker and special teams player Bryan Braman, who rose from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion, died Thursday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 38.
“You look at his journey and beating the odds to make it to the NFL after going undrafted,” Braman’s agent Sean Stellato told KPRC-TV in Houston. “Not only making it, but producing and becoming a world champion, he had a real hard journey. … To die at age 38, the game of football and his family are hurting today. He was a staple for what football and underdogs are about.”
Stellato told the station that he had learned from one of Braman’s closest friends that the former Long Beach City College player “took his last breath while surrounded by friends and family.”
Braman graduated from Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Wash., and redshirted for a year at Idaho before playing at LBCC in 2007 and 2008. He transferred to West Texas A&M in 2009.
After going undrafted in 2011, Braman signed with the Houston Texans and remained for three seasons, playing in 46 games, mostly on special teams. In the final game of his rookie season, Braman earned the admiration of Texans fans when he tracked down and tackled Tennessee’s Marc Mariani after losing his helmet earlier in the play. The following season, Braman was a Pro Bowl alternate on special teams.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Bryan Braman,” the Texans wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Braman family during this difficult time.
“During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team,” the Eagles said in a statement. “More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him.”
According to a GoFundMe page set up for Braman in February, he was battling “a very rare form of cancer.” Several of Braman’s former teammates contributed to the fund, including retired Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who donated $10,000.
On Thursday, Watt also paid tribute to his late teammate on X.
“Rest in Peace brother,” Watt wrote in a post that also featured a photo of Braman in his Texans uniform. “Gone far too soon.”
Barcelona reportedly in talks with DR Congo over football sponsorship deal with war-hit central African country.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has agreed to pay more than $46.37m in a sponsorship deal with Spanish football club Barcelona that would see a logo promoting tourism appear on some team apparel, according to a contract seen by Reuters.
The contract with Barcelona, seen on Thursday by the news agency, is dated June 29 and stipulates that a logo branding the war-hit Central African country as the “heart of Africa” will appear on the backs of training and warm-up jerseys for the men’s and women’s teams.
The logo will also appear in advertising for the club and in the club magazine and annual report, the contract says.
DR Congo will pay the club between $11.6m and $13.3m annually over the next four seasons, it says.
Details of the deal between DR Congo and Barcelona have not been announced.
AS Monaco and AC Milan last month also announced sponsorship deals with DR Congo without disclosing the amounts.
Arsenal Football Club in the United Kingdom is facing criticism for its sponsorship deal with the Rwanda tourist board [Andrew Boyers/Reuters]
DR Congo’s Sports Minister Didier Budimbu told Reuters the contract with AS Monaco is worth $1.85m per season. He did not disclose the amounts for the contracts with AC Milan or Barcelona.
A government source said the contract with AC Milan was worth $16.2m per season.
DR Congo’s Ministry of Tourism did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday, while Barcelona told Reuters they had no comment at this time.
In February, DR Congo’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to end their “blood-stained” sponsorship agreements with “Visit Rwanda”.
The appeal came less than a week after M23 rebels seized eastern DR Congo’s biggest city, Goma, as part of a lightning advance.
Rwanda denies backing M23, saying it is defending itself.
A report by a group of United Nations experts obtained by Reuters this month said Kigali exercised command and control over the rebels during their advance, gaining political influence and access to mineral-rich territory.
Liverpool expected to rival Newcastle for Hugo Ekitike,Reds also interested in Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen, and Eintracht Frankfurt reject Magpies’ written offer for Ekitike.
Liverpool are expected to rival Newcastle United for Eintracht Frankfurt’s French striker Hugo Ekitike, 23, after being told Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, is not for sale in this window. (Sky Sports) , external
As well as Ekitike, Liverpool have also made enquiries about four other attackers in case they are unable to secure a deal for Isak – Aston Villa‘s Ollie Watkins, 29, Napoli‘s Victor Osimhen, 26, Yoane Wissa of Brentford, 28, and Real Madrid‘s Rodrygo, 24. (Mail+ – subscription required), external
Meanwhile, Frankfurt are understood to have rejected an offer from Newcastle worth £69m for Ekitike. (Sky Sports Germany) , external
Napoli have informed Liverpool a deal for Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, 26, can be considered off. (Fabrizio Romano) , external
Colombia winger Luis Diaz, 28, has made it clear he wants to leave the Reds after the club rejected a £58.6m bid from Bayern Munich.(Athletic – subscription required), external
Bournemouth are holding out for £59m for Ukraine centre-back Illia Zabaryni, 22, who is wanted by Paris St-Germain. (Independent), external
Chelsea are ready to begin a summer clearout with Portugal forward Joao Felix, 25, in talks over a return to Benfica and France’s Christopher Nkunku, 27, also set to leave. (Standard), external
Liverpool and France centre-back Ibrahima Konate, 26, has rejected a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League. (Mirror) , external
The Redshave put a £43.5m price tag on Konate for any clubs interested this summer. (AS – in Spanish) , external
Sassuolo and Italy striker Andrea Pinamonti is attracting interest from West Ham, with London rivals Brentford also enquiring about the 26-year-old. (Standard), external
With close to half a million fans attending the group-stage games, the UEFA Women’s Euros has attracted attention like never before.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the knockout stages, where the stakes are high and the pressure even higher.
Eight teams remain in contention to lift the trophy, with hosts Switzerland reaching the quarterfinals for the first time. World champions Spain have lived up to their billing as the team to beat at the competition, while holders England advanced after overcoming an early scare.
Here’s how the Euro 2025 quarterfinals line up:
⚽ First quarterfinal: Norway vs Italy
When: Wednesday, July 16 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
With a perfect nine points, Norway finished on top of Group A as expected, but they lack cohesion. The two-time European champions conceded five goals in the opening round – the most among the table toppers of the four groups.
Nonetheless, the experienced duo of striker Ada Hegerberg and winger Caroline Graham Hansen has proven to be vital for the Norwegians, who have an excellent opportunity for a deep run with Italy their quarterfinal opponent.
The Italians, who finished second in Group B, will be playing in the knockouts for the first time since 2013. Top-four finishers at six of the first seven Euro tournaments, Le Azzure have endured a barren spell since and have made the knockout round only twice in the 21st century.
But after surviving a tricky group stage – registering a win, a draw and a defeat – the Italians believe their best football is ahead of them in the last-eight.
“We have a great desire to do well, to continue dreaming, to continue writing important pages of a story that is only at the beginning,” midfielder Annamaria Serturini said before the quarterfinals.
The winner of this match will face either Sweden or England in the semifinals.
Italy finished second in Group B on four points, five behind Spain and one ahead of Belgium. Having survived a tricky group stage, Le Azzure are relaxed and full of self-belief ahead of their quarterfinal against Norway [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
⚽ Second quarterfinal: Sweden vs England
When: Thursday, July 17 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich
After an opening match defeat which raised serious doubts about their title defence, England bounced back in style with consecutive statement wins, reaffirming their status as one of the heavyweights.
Thanks to the attacking prowess of Lauren James, Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway, the holders scored a combined 10 goals in their last two matches, finishing second in Group D.
In the quarterfinals, the Lionesses will be up against familiar foes, Sweden, whom they smashed 4-0 at the same stage during their Euro 2022-winning campaign.
“Sweden are a fantastic team, they’re relentless in the way they go about their game,” England captain Leah Williamson said.
“I think they sort of avoid the expectation of every tournament, and nobody really talks about them, [which is] slightly disrespectful, I think, because they always show up. They always seem to pose a threat to most teams, and normally come out with a medal or [be] a semifinal team, so they’re a strong team. We’re looking forward to the fixture.”
The Swedes laid down a marker with a sensational 4-1 win against a powerful Germany outfit on July 12, sealing the top spot in Group C and laying the groundwork for a revenge victory against England in Thursday’s quarterfinal in Zurich.
Defending champions England have found their goal-scoring form before the quarterfinals but will need to be at their very best to deny Sweden in the last-eight [Martin Meissner/AP Photo]
⚽ Third quarterfinal: Spain vs Switzerland
When: Friday, July 18 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: Stadion Wankdorf, Bern
Playing in the Euro knockout stage for the first time, hosts Switzerland face their biggest test yet against reigning world champions and title favourites Spain.
La Roja, who topped Group B with three wins in as many games, looked unstoppable in the opening round, scoring a tournament-high 14 goals while conceding just three.
Twice Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas once again grabbed the spotlight with three goals and four assists, while striker Esther Gonzalez has led the scoring charts with four goals.
Switzerland, who finished second in Group A, are the underdogs in this contest but will undoubtedly count on passionate home nation support in Bern as their youthful side strives for an unlikely upset.
“I think none of us expected things to happen in Switzerland – sold out crowds… Everything is blowing up way bigger than we ever expected,” Swiss captain Lia Walti said.
“We couldn’t even imagine having this when we were little,” added defender Viola Calligaris. “And now it’s like this for every match. We felt the people cheering – that really gives you strength.”
The winner of this match will face France or Germany in the semifinals.
The Switzerland team will be counting on their enthusiastic host nation fans to provide a boost when they play title favourites Spain in Bern on Friday [File: Sebastien Bozon/AFP]
⚽ Fourth quarterfinal: France vs Germany
When: Saturday, July 19 at 9pm (19:00 GMT) Where: St Jakob-Park, Basel
France enter the quarterfinals in scintillating form, advancing as table toppers in what many had dubbed the “group of death”.
Scoring 11 times in the opening round, including a 5-2 thrashing of the highly-touted Netherlands outfit, France proved why they are the dark horses at this year’s tournament. Attacking winger Delphine Cascarino and striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto are both in stupendous form and have scored two goals a piece in the group stage.
“When it comes to Germany, it’s a very big nation,” Cascarino said. “They won several trophies and they have already knocked out others, so we know it’s going to be a great game… we’re going to try to find the cracks and win.”
For the eight-time record champions Germany, who finished second in Group C, defensive frailties remain a concern, especially after their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Sweden in the last group match.
The last time these sides clashed was in February 2024 with France defeating Germany 2-1 to reach the first UEFA Women’s Nations League final. A victory on Saturday would also avenge France’s painful defeat to Germany in the Euro 2022 semifinals.
France’s #20 Delphine Cascarino has been on a tear at Euro 2025 and hopes to send France through to the Euro 2025 final-four with victory against Germany in Basel [File: Sebastien Bozon/AFP]
Arsenal are set to approach Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze, Liverpool hold talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Manchester United reach agreement to sign Bryan Mbeumo.
Arsenal are set to approach Crystal Palace to discuss whether they can do a deal for England winger Eberechi Eze without triggering the 27-year-old’s £68m release clause. (Talksport), external
Liverpool have held talks with Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, with the Frenchman meeting with the club’s representatives in Paris. (Footmercato – in French) , external
Brentford are considering a move for Ipswich Town and England Under-21 winger Omari Hutchinson, 21, as a possible replacement Mbuemo. (Standard), external
After holding initial talks in January, Chelsea have active interest in 21-year-old Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho. (TBR Football) , external
France defender Benoit Badiashile, 24, has been linked with Marseille but says he will be staying at Chelsea next season. (Footmercato – in French), external
West Hamhave added Liverpool’s England Under-21s duo, forward Harvey Elliott, 22, and defensive midfielder Tyler Morton, 22, to their list of targets. (Mail) , external
Manchester United have made contact with Lyon to ask about the availability of 30-year-old French midfielder Corentin Tolisso. (L’Equipe – in French) , external
Gabon international and former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 36, is set to leave Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah and join French club Marseille. (La Provence – in French), external
Manchester City will sell England Under-21s midfielder James McAtee, 22, this summer with an eye on generating pure profit from a Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP) perspective. (Football Insider) , external
Wolves are close to agreement on a £15m deal for 27-year-old Fluminense and Colombia winger Jhon Arias. (Mail) , external
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Neom SC, who have yet to finalise a fee with Bayer Leverkusen for the 32-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany), external
English Premier League side Chelsea beat European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in FIFA’s club showpiece final.
Cole Palmer scored twice and fed Joao Pedro for a goal as Chelsea overwhelmed Paris Saint-Germain in the first half and beat the European champions 3-0 in the final of the first expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Palmer had almost identical left-footed goals from just inside the penalty area in the 22nd and 30th minutes on Saturday, and then sent a through pass that enabled Pedro to chip goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 43rd for his third goal in two starts with the Blues.
“It’s a great feeling. Even better, because everyone doubted us before the game. We knew we had to put up a fight against a great team,” player of the match Palmer said afterwards.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer scores their first goal against PSG [Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]
A 23-year-old who joined Chelsea from Manchester City two years ago, Palmer scored 18 goals this season.
PSG finished a man short after Joao Neves was given a red card in the 84th minute for pulling down Marc Cucurella by his hair. After a testy final few minutes, the teams needed to be separated as PSG coach Luis Enrique and Donnarumma pushed Pedro near the centre circle.
A heavy favourite who had outscored opponents 16-1, PSG had been looking to complete a quadruple after winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and its first Champions League title.
Before a tournament-high crowd of 81,188 at MetLife Stadium, which included United States President Donald Trump, Chelsea showed the energy of a fourth day of rest after its semifinal, one more than PSG.
US President Donald Trump salutes alongside First Lady Melania Trump in the stands, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his wife, Leena Al Ashqar, during the US national anthem ahead of the match [Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]
Chelsea had finished fourth in the Premier League and won the third-tier UEFA Conference League. The Blues took the world title for the second time after 2021, when it was a seven-team event. The Blues earned $128.4m to $153.8m in prize money, the amount depending on a participation fee FIFA has not disclosed.
PSG had not lost by three goals since a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Newcastle in October 2023.
Chelsea went ahead in the 22nd after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez kicked the ball downfield and Nuno Mendes mis-hit his header 15 yards past the midfield stripe towards his own goal. Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked by Lucas Beraldo, and rebounded to Palmer, who ended PSG’s streak of 436 minutes without conceding.
Palmer doubled the lead in the 30th when he ran onto a long ball from Levi Colwill, and cut inside before shooting.
Chelsea heads into the 2025-26 season, which starts in less than five weeks, believing it can challenge Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Chelsea’s Joao Pedro scores their third goal past PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma [Brian Snyder/Reuters]
The Argentinian superstar extends his multigoal record run with a brace against Nashville at Chase Stadium.
Lionel Messi has extended his MLS-record scoring streak with two more goals, which made the difference in a 2-1 victory for hosts Inter Miami over Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The 38-year-old’s brace on Saturday helped Inter Miami (11-3-5, 38 points) snap a club-record 15-game unbeaten streak across all competitions for Nashville (12-5-5, 41 points), which lost for the first time since April 19 at Seattle.
Messi scored two or more goals for the fifth consecutive time in an MLS match, which is a league record.
Inter Miami improved to 4-0-1 in its last five matches with Nashville while also winning their fifth consecutive MLS match overall. Miami has won three in a row since it was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup on June 29.
Messi capitalised on a major mistake by Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis to strike for what turned out to be the match-winning goal in the 62nd minute. Willis chested a ball and tried to clear it out of his zone but kicked it right in Messi’s direction.
Messi intercepted it with his left foot, then worked the ball around Willis and fired it home to put Miami ahead for good.
The goal came 13 minutes after Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar tied the game at 1-1 with a perfectly timed header off a pinpoint cross from distance by Andy Najar. It was Mukhtar’s 10th goal of the season. Patrick Yazbek also had an assist.
Messi’s first goal came in the 17th minute on another spectacular free-kick score. Messi fired a ball precisely through a gap in the wall set up by Nashville’s defenders, and it found the mark just out of the reach of a diving Willis.
Messi with his 16 goals this season is tied for the most in the league with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who was kept off the scoresheet on Saturday. Messi has 23 goal contributions in MLS games this season and has 22 goals across all competitions.
Each side returns to action on Wednesday as Inter Miami will play at Cincinnati and Nashville will host Columbus.
Messi scores his team’s match-winning second goal against Nashville in the 62nd minute [Chandan Khanna/AFP]
On the eve of the FIFA Club World Cup final, the governing body’s president hails a ‘golden era’ for the club game.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino triumphantly declared the Club World Cup to be “the most successful club competition in the world” on Saturday before this weekend’s final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
The first 32-team edition of the tournament faced criticism in the build-up for stretching demands on elite players and has been played out in baking temperatures in the United States that have raised concerns for the health of those involved.
There were also doubts about the level of interest the competition would generate among fans, but Infantino said he was satisfied with the attendance at matches, despite many games being far from sold out, and claimed it had been a major success financially.
“The golden age of club football has started. We can definitely say this FIFA Club World Cup has been a huge success,” Infantino told reporters at Trump Tower on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, where FIFA has just opened an office.
“We heard that financially it would not work, that nobody is interested, but I can say we generated almost $2.1bn in revenues, for 63 matches,” he said.
“That makes an average of $33m per match – no other club competition in the world comes close.
“It is already the most successful club competition in the world.”
Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has been one of the leading voices against the tournament, calling it “the worst idea ever implemented in football” in a recent interview.
But the head of world football’s governing body dismissed suggestions that Klopp might be speaking for most observers in Europe.
“We shouldn’t say that the opinion of Europe on this is very bad because it is not true,” said Infantino, who was appearing on a stage alongside numerous footballing greats, including the Brazilian Ronaldo.
“All the teams who have come here have been happy – some teams who didn’t come here because they didn’t qualify were calling us to see how they could qualify.
“Of course, I would have liked to have Liverpool here, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Tottenham, AC Milan, Napoli … but you have to qualify and there are different criteria.”
The next Club World Cup is due to take place in 2029, with Infantino refusing to commit when asked whether the tournament could be played every two years or be expanded to feature more teams.
“We created something new, something which is here to stay, something which is changing the landscape of club football,” he added.
Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is on Chelsea’s radar, Newcastle eyeEintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, while West Ham want Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Chelsea are interested in signing Paris St-Germain and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 27. (L’Equipe – in French), external
Newcastle have rekindled their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s French forward Hugo Ekitike, 23, and hope to beat Liverpool to his signing. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
West Ham are keen on signing former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus, with the 27-year-old Brazilian having struggled to make an impact in Serie A. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external
Barcelona continue to work on deals for both Liverpool’s Colombia winger Luis Diaz, 28, and Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, but will not rush to sign either player. (Marca – in Spanish), external
Sporting are ready to take disciplinary action against Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27, after he missed his deadline to report for pre-season training as waits on a move to Arsenal. (Guardian), external
Aston Villa’s Argentina international Emiliano Martinez is still of interest to Manchester United but the two clubs are quite a way apart with their valuations of the 32-year-old. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
Arsenal have made progress in discussions with 18-year-old English midfielder Ethan Nwaneri over a new contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Bayern Munich are still monitoring France forward Christopher Nkunku’s situation at Chelsea but whether they move for the 27-year-old will depend on the rest of their transfer business. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Newcastle United would have to agree a £100m deal to sign England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, from Aston Villa this summer. (Football Insider), external
Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher is open to a Premier League return after the England midfielder, 25, was offered to Newcastle. (Teamtalk), external
Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and clubs in Italy have made enquiries about RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko after Arsenal distanced themselves from signing the Slovenia striker, 22. (Teamtalk), external
West Ham have told Roma they are looking to sell Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd, 29, and will not let him leave the club on loan. (Gianluca di Marzio – in Italian), external
Napoli have jumped ahead of Leeds in the race to sign Torino’s 28-year-old Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. (Football Italia), external
Who: Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea What: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final Where:Metlife Stadium, New Jersey, United States When: Sunday, July 12, at 3pm ET (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from noon ET (16:00 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream.
Fresh from their first European crown, Paris Saint-Germain go in search of the most lucrative prize in club football as they face Chelsea in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC).
FIFA, football’s global governing body, has pulled out all the stops to present this tournament as the most prestigious trophy in the club game.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at a match that could top a stellar season for the Parisians or could kick-start the reboot of one of the teams that had previously sought global domination, Chelsea.
How did PSG reach the CWC final?
Following their 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, the Parisians pulled off another great achievement by beating the record Club World Cup and European Cup winners Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinals of this year’s edition.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz celebrates scoring their first goal with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia [Amanda Perobelli/Reuters]
Fabian Ruiz scored on either side of an Ousmane Dembele strike to set PSG on their way in the first half, before Goncalo Ramos rounded matters off with three minutes remaining of normal time.
PSG had already overcome Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages, while topping their group following wins against Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders, and a defeat by Botafogo.
The round of 16 provided a much stiffer test with Benfica, after a two-hour lightning delay, coming back onto the field with four minutes remaining of normal time and levelling the match through Angel di Maria’s penalty.
Reece James had given the Blues the lead in the 64th minute from a freekick, but Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to Chelsea’s tally in extra time to seal a 4-1 win.
Wins against Los Angeles and ES Tunis straddled a defeat by Flamengo in the group stage.
Reece James, captain of Chelsea, speaks to the media during a news conference in advance of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final [Emilee Chinn – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images]
What happened the last time PSG met Chelsea?
The Parisians claimed a 2-1 win in London in March 2016. Adrien Rabiot and Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted before and after Diego Costa’s strike for the Blues.
It capped a 4-2 aggregate win in the knockout stages of that season’s UEFA Champions League.
What the managers said
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea head coach: “It is a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season – top four in the Premier League, Conference League and now in the final of this competition. We are so, so happy. We go game by game. Finally, we have the last game of the season and hopefully, we can win the tournament.”
Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, spoke about his side’s quest to add to the European crown and domestic double they sealed last season. “We are in a special season, a special moment, and we have one more step against a very good team like Chelsea,” Enrique said. “Now it’s time to prepare. We want to make history for our club.”
Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, issues instructions during a Paris Saint-Germain training session before their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final [Patrick Smith/FIFA via Getty Images]
Head-to-head
This is the ninth meeting between the sides with PSG claiming victory on three occasions, while Chelsea have won twice and there have been three draws.
The first encounter came in the Champions League group stage in September 2004. The Blues won 3-0 in Paris, with the return fixture resulting in a 0-0 draw.
The Londoners have not won in the last four meetings, with PSG winning twice in that time.
PSG team news
Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez are both once again suspended, having both been shown straight reds in the quarterfinal win against Bayern.
Ousmane Dembele returned from a knock to face Real in the semis and managed the first hour of the game. The French forward is expected to be fit to start once again in the final.
Chelsea team news
The Blues may have a number of selection dilemmas heading into the final.
Central defender Levi Colwill and striker Liam Delap are both available, having both served one-game bans for picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament in the quarterfinals.
Reece James was only fit enough to make the bench in the semifinals but is pushing to be fit for a starting return. Moises Caicedo sustained an ankle injury late in the last-four win against Fluminense and is a doubt for the match with PSG.
Chelsea set huge asking price for Nicolas Jackson, Barcelona turn to Marcus Rashford in their hunt for new left winger, Juventus agree fee for Jadon Sancho and more.
Chelsea set a £100m asking price for Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, amid interest from AC Milan. (Mail), external
Manchester United and England’s Marcus Rashford, 27, is Barcelona’s top left-wing target after the Spanish club failed with moves for Liverpool’s Colombian forward Luis Diaz, 28, and 22-year-old Spaniard Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao. (Sky Sports), external
Juventus have agreed a 20m euros (£17.3m) deal with Manchester United for England winger Jadon Sancho, who is negotiating a severance package with the Old Trafford club before any move. (La Stampa – in Italian), external
Tottenham are still interested in DR Congo international Yoane Wissa, despite not having contacted Brentford after being told of the 28-year-old’s valuation of £50m earlier this summer. (Standard), external
PSV Eindhoven are ready to sell Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko, 22, with Everton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, as well as RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, having made approaches. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Nottingham Forest are weighing up a bid worth £25m plus add-ons for England Under-21 attacking midfielder James McAtee but Manchester City value the 22-year-old at closer to £40m. (Mail), external
Atalanta want a bid of at least £50m to even consider selling 21-year-old Italy centre-back Giorgio Scalvini, who is wanted by Newcastle United and Manchester United. (i paper), external
Arsenal remain interested in Real Madrid and Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, despite them closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea’s English forward Noni Madueke, 23. (GiveMeSport), external
Colombia wing-back Daniel Munoz, 29, hopes to leave Crystal Palace this summer despite only signing a new contract in April. (Mirror), external
Turkish side Fenerbahce are close to securing a deal to sign Spain attacking midfielder Marco Asensio, 29, from Paris St-Germain.(Football Italia), external
