This stuff is going to get interesting soon

The Arsenal striker mystery may have reached its denouement: who will be unmasked as the man to knock down the ball to an onrushing Declan Rice. The answer appears to be Viktor Gyökeres, who is close to sealing his dream move from Sporting. If Benjamin Sesko is the great, lost Gunner, it’s because RB Leipzig want to charge €100m (around £86m), when Gyökeres will cost £70m and lower wages. Victor Osimhen, another striker in the reckoning, seems likely to convert his loan at Galatasaray to a permanent move, should a £65m fee be paid to Napoli. Yet another candidate, Real Madrid’s rather good Rodrygo, seems poised for a move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Chances are that Noni Madueke will be one of Gyokeres’s suppliers as the Arsenal-Chelsea trade route opens up once more. The winger wants Arsenal but Chelsea are open to accepting other bids than the Gunners’ £50m. Also, isn’t he a right winger, where Bukayo Saka plays? Seems Arteta wants a surfeit of players in each position, following the addition of Martín Zubimendi to a packed midfield. Chelsea need to sell £60m of talent to make Champions League regulations after the slapped wrist – and fine – received from Uefa on Friday.

The midfielder says he can be a ‘big player’ after years away from football due to injury, a doping ban and legal cases

By Get French Football News

Dozens of journalists from France, England and Italy are inside the auditorium of Monaco’s performance centre. The densely packed room is filled with multilingual chatter about Eric Dier and Ansu Fati, who have just been presented to the media. There is one player yet to appear: the headliner, the man who has brought reporters from far and wide to this room. Then a door opens. Paul Pogba enters.

After making his way on to the podium and settling into his chair, he speaks. “As you saw, there were a lot of emotions,” says Pogba of the viral video in which the tears flowed as he signed his Monaco contract, bringing an end to two years in the footballing wilderness. “It is very rare to see me cry like that, so I hope you enjoyed it,” he says with a smile. “There were so many images that came into my mind. We know the doping story, my injury. Everything came back to me during the signing and I couldn’t hold back.”

• Striker fails to secure early summer move away

• Rashford has no problem returning to club

Marcus Rashford will report for Manchester United pre-season training on Monday after failing to secure an early summer move. The forward is understood to have no problem with returning to the club after falling out with Ruben Amorim and going on loan to Aston Villa.

Rashford, who would like to join Barcelona, is understood to be ready to train with maximum intensity and expects to play a full part in United’s preparations until any move is agreed.

• Former team principal will be present at Tour de France

• John Allert says 61-year-old ‘a not-so-secret weapon’

Dave Brailsford has returned to a leading role at Ineos Grenadiers on the eve of the 2025 Tour de France, calling the shots on team selection and performance objectives, barely a month after he stepped back from his role at Manchester United.

“Dave’s definitely coming to the Tour,” John Allert, the team CEO, said. “He’s like a kid in a sweet shop, talking about climbs and getting back to the mountains. That’s the battlefield that he knows and loves.

Sculptors discuss their craft and the pressure of preserving a player’s likeness and legacy for generation of fans

By Nutmeg magazine

At its heart, football is about community. A feeling of shared identity and purpose. A place where supporters gather to watch their team. The games, goals and moments that live on in the club’s collective memory through a shared act of will. The people responsible for these defining moments – shrewd managers, inspiring captains, prolific goalscorers – are increasingly immortalised in statues.

A sculptor is enlisted to preserve their likeness in a single definitive pose. The subjects take on a size and form, literally larger than life, befitting the impact they had on the club and community that chooses to honour them. According to the Sporting Statues Project, which is run by Chris Stride and Ffion Thomas, there are more than 100 football statues in the UK. The vast majority have been made since the turn of the millennium and there are even more in progress. They have exploded in popularity, becoming the established means of commemoration.

• Defender will be United’s ‘head of loans and pathways’

• Evans won three Premier League titles and two FA Cups

Jonny Evans has announced his retirement after a 19-year playing career and been appointed head of loans and pathways at Manchester United.

The 37-year-old Evans played 241 times across two spells for United, claiming three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups, and was capped 107 times by Northern Ireland. In total he made 536 appearances for five clubs, also winning the FA Cup with Leicester City.

• Add-ons being discussed after forward’s initial fee agreed

• United coach Amorim also interested in signing a No 9

Manchester United are close to finalising a deal for Bryan Mbeumo worth more than £60m that would make the Brentford forward Ruben Amorim’s second major signing of the summer after Matheus Cunha.

The initial fee is understood to be agreed, with the clubs discussing add-ons that may take the overall deal close to Brentford’s £65m valuation. It would take United’s spending to about £125m after they paid Cunha’s £62.5m release clause to buy him from Wolves.

• Manchester United player’s versatility an asset

• Flick believes Rashford would enhance his options

Barcelona are eyeing a loan move for Marcus Rashford, with the 27-year-old’s flexibility across the frontline viewed as an asset.

Barcelona’s No 1 target is Nico ­Williams but even if the Athletic ­Bilbao wide player is signed, Hansi Flick believes the Manchester United forward would enhance his options.

• London club want £65m for Cameroon forward

• Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku another option

Manchester United have made an improved offer of £60m to Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo, with the west London club holding out for an overall deal of £65m.

Brentford value the 25-year-old in the same bracket as Matheus Cunha, for whom United were willing to pay a £62.5m release clause from Wolves. As the Cameroon international is younger than the 26-year-old Brazilian they are holding out for a fee that, with add-ons, is worth more – around £65m.

• Manchester United forward talks up 17-year-old

• Barça also retain interest in Nico Williams

The dream destination for Marcus Rashford after his exit from Manchester United appears to be Barcelona after he declared an interest in playing alongside Lamine Yamal.

An interview with Spanish YouTuber Javi Ruiz revealed something of the 27-year-old’s thoughts on his future. Asked if he would like to be teammates with Lamine Yamal, Rashford said: “Yes, for sure. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully … we’ll see.” Barcelona’s sporting director Deco told Catalan radio station RAC1 in May that the club “like” Rashford.

• Onana was dropped by Ruben Amorim last season

• Monaco also monitoring Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic

Monaco have shortlisted André Onana as a potential signing this summer but the goalkeeper is intent on staying at Manchester United and proving his worth to Ruben Amorim next season.

The Ligue 1 club are admirers of the 29-year-old and are also thought to be monitoring Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic. Onana, however, is keen to remain at United despite his patchy form at the club.

The young Eintracht Frankfurt striker has rough edges but he may be the best value goalscorer on the market

By WhoScored

Alexander Isak is a man in demand this summer. Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with the Swede. It would take a monumental bid to convince Newcastle to sell their prized asset, and for good reason. Isak scored 23 goals in the Premier League in the season just finished; only Mohamed Salah (29) scored more.

With few, if any, clubs prepared to match Newcastle’s reported £150m asking price, those keen on Isak could do worse than make a move for a striker whose style is eerily similar to that of the Sweden international. An Isak-lite, if you will. Hugo Ekitike is hot property on the forward market after he enjoyed a fine campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 15 times and providing eight assists.

• United announce members’ prices of up to £97 for a seat

• Everton to take United’s Nick Cox as technical director

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (Must) has described the club raising ticket prices to “eye-watering” levels as a “kick in the teeth” after it was announced it will cost up to £97 to attend Premier League matches at Old Trafford.

United have a new four-category system, increasing the cost of tickets for the most in-demand matches. Fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham will be placed in category A, where prices range from £59 to £97.

• Thomas Frank’s Spurs start at home to Burnley

• Sunderland face West Ham, Leeds host Everton

• Check out the full Premier League season fixtures

Liverpool begin the defence of their Premier League title with a home game against Bournemouth on an opening weekend of the 2025-26 season that sees Manchester United host Arsenal.

Arne Slot’s champions, who are likely to contain the £100m signing Florian Wirtz, kickstart the new campaign at Anfield on Friday 15 August. The following day sees Thomas Frank’s Tottenham take on newly promoted Burnley, with Scott Parker’s side handed a daunting opening set of fixtures on their return to the top flight. After the visit to Spurs come trips to both Manchester clubs and Aston Villa, as well as the visit of Liverpool to Turf Moor, all by early October.

• CEO sticking to timetable after trophyless season

• Men finished 15th and women were 16 points off top

Manchester United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, remains confident the club can win the men’s and women’s league titles by their 150th anniversary in 2028.

Berrada, who told staff of his “Project 150” vision last September, knows that represents a significant challenge with the men having just endured a worst top-flight season since relegation in 1973-74 and Chelsea continuing to dominate the Women’s Super League.

• Bournemouth sign France left-back Adrien Truffert

• Leeds fear Newcastle or Milan may hijack Bijol transfer

Manchester United are monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt’s No 9, Hugo Ekitike, as a potential recruit to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s options in the position.

The Frenchman is of interest to the head coach after United’s hopes of signing one of his prime targets, Viktor Gyökeres, receded due to the Swede expressing a preference to move to Arsenal.

• Forward lost to United in Europa League while at Lyon

• Frenchman inspired by Rodri to win Ballon d’Or

Rayan Cherki has said he is waiting for Manchester City to play Manchester United next season so he can “kill” his new team’s fierce rivals.

Cherki was part of the Lyon team that endured a 7-6 aggregate defeat by United in the Europa League quarter-finals this past season, the 21-year-old making a rude gesture towards the home fans after scoring at Old Trafford to give Lyon a 5-4 lead.

• Sporting striker wants to play in Champions League

• Mikel Arteta thought to prefer Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United’s pursuit of Viktor Gyökeres appears doomed after the Sporting striker said signing for Arsenal would be a “dream”. United held exploratory discussions about buying the 27-year-old, with Ruben Amorim intent on strengthening the position. But it is understood the player’s representatives have told United he does not wish to join the club.

Instead Gyökeres is understood to view Arsenal as his preferred option since they will play in the Champions League next season.

• Brazil forward, a childhood United fan, joins from Wolves

• Jason Wilcox hails ‘exciting and productive’ signing

Manchester United have completed the £62.5m signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, with the forward intent on helping the club “back to the top”. The 26-year-old has a five-year contract with the option of a further year and will be paid about £150,000 a week.

Cunha said: “It is hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player. Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt.

Signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are leaps of faith, as is hoping Ruben Amorim can solve all the problems

In publicly rejecting the overtures of the Saudi Pro League, Bruno Fernandes has made it clear he wants to continue playing football at the highest level. That he wants to challenge for trophies. That he has no interest in wasting what remains of his peak years jogging around aimlessly in the service of a vast public relations project, providing lucrative content for a cruel and heartless regime. Despite all this, he’s more than happy to remain at Manchester United for now.

There were other angles to this decision. In a sense, Al-Hilal’s courtship of Fernandes represented a kind of catch-22 for United, desperate to reinforce their underperforming squad while remaining compliant with profitability and sustainability rules. Only a player who truly loved United could contemplate leaving in order to help balance the books. But in signalling his willingness to leave, Fernandes merely demonstrated why United could not possibly let him go.