Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been after the signing of Paris Saint-Germain's Xavi Simons and the Bavarians are now in pole position to sign him.
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Barca and Bayern wanted SimonsSpaniards pull out of the raceBavarians free to negotiate with PSGGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Simons came up through the ranks at La Masia before making the move as a 16-year-old to the French side. Having played through their youth teams, he made the move to PSV and back before going on loan to RB Leipzig, where he impressed a lot of clubs. PSG still aren't certain about the Dutch attacking midfielder and are likely to let him leave this summer.
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As per , Barcelona's economic situation has ruled them out of the race for Simons as they believe they will not be able to compete with the deal that Bayern will offer to both PSG and the player. Therefore, they are now unlikely to target the Dutchman and will focus their other targets for the summer. This will open up the door for Bayern to strike as they look to strengthen their squad for Vincent Kompany's debut season.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Since he signed Simons for Leipzig, Bayern's new sporting director, Max Eberl, is said to be his biggest supporter and has a cordial connection with him and his agency. Eberl is betting on Simons' signing to be a success at Bayern and could get the club to make a multi-million euro deal this summer.
WHAT NEXT FOR SIMONS?
Simons was said to be keen to decide his future before the start of the Euros, however, he now understands the delays caused by PSG will mean that he can only completely focus on the move after the tournament.
Everton could reportedly now sell as many as three of their players to Tottenham Hotspur as some transfer news has emerged in Mike McGrath’s column for The Telegraph.
The Lowdown: Poor season
Even though the Goodison Park faithful now look quite likely to survive the relegation threat, they have still had a poor season by their standards.
Sitting just above the bottom three, they have not finished lower than 12th since the 2004/05 campaign, and with the amount of money that they have spent over the years, they really should not be in this position.
Given their troubles with Financial Fair Play, it would not be a surprise to see the Blues offload some players even if they stay up.
The Latest: Tottenham lurking
As per The Daily Telegraph’s McGrath, Spurs have now been keeping an eye on Richarlison, Ben Godfrey and Anthony Gordon ahead of potential moves in the summer.
Given their situation, it is likely that the Merseyside club could look to move on some of their players for big money, in order to help fund a rebuild.
The Verdict: Difficult to keep
If a club like the Lilywhites, who are pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification, come calling for some of the Toffees’ best players, then it will be difficult to keep them.
Richarlison currently ranks as their best performer in the Premier League, while Gordon has come on leaps and bounds this term with four goals, two assists and two man-of-the-match awards, and Godfrey ranks highly among his teammates in some key defensive areas (WhoScored).
Rated at £45m, £14.4m and £19.8m respectively, a value totalling £79.2m, selling them would increase the transfer budget significantly, although the Blues supporters would surely see keeping Gordon in particular as a big priority this summer.
In other news, find out what huge in-house EFC update has now emerged here!
A new update has claimed that Celtic are believed to be in pole position to sign a “very promising” player in the summer transfer window.
Celtic make contact with transfer target
The Hoops have been linked with a summer move for FC Cukaricki midfielder Andrej Bacanin, with the teenager seen as a player with a bright future in the game.
Celtic are thought to be locking horns with Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers, along with European sides Ajax and Udinese, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top, if either, with Bacanin expected to leave his current club before the new season gets underway for around £2.6m.
Elsewhere, Royal Antwerp attacker Michel-Ange Balikwisha continues to be mentioned as an option for Celtic this summer, with the Hoops reportedly in ongoing talks over a move to Parkhead.
He isn’t the only option being looked at, though, with CFR Cluj striker Louis Munteanu backed to join Brendan Rodgers’ champions in the near future.
Celtic and Rangers in pole position for Bacanin
According to Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke, Celtic are one of two sides in pole position to complete the signing of Bacanin during the current window.
The Hoops and Rangers “lead the race” for the 18-year-old’s signature ahead of Ajax and Udinese at this moment in time.
Brendan Rodgers
At this point, it would arguably be a surprise if Bacanin wasn’t plying his trade in Scotland next season, but it remains to be seen which of the two giants of the national game will snap him up.
Celtic pipping Rangers to his signature would be another psychological blow to their rivals, with the teenage midfielder a player with so much long-term potential, being described as “very promising” by analyst Hit The Byline.
Despite still only being 18 years of age, Bacanin has already made 19 appearances for Cukaricki at senior level, scoring once and registering two assists in that time, and he has also won 10 caps for Serbia’s Under-19s.
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Granted, he may not be a key starter for Celtic from the off, given his age and lack of experience, but if he reaches his potential, Rodgers could have a future star on his hands.
Sunderland’s long wait to bring Granit Xhaka to the Stadium of Light this summer now looks to be over.
Indeed, the whole saga to bring the Swiss international back to English shores has seemingly concluded, as the ex-Arsenal enforcer looks set to complete a medical imminently after landing in Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen.
For £17m, it could well be Sunderland’s most important signing of the summer in offering Regis Le Bris’ troops some much-needed Premier League experience.
However, although experience has been sought after in clinching the 32-year-old’s signature, the Black Cats will also look to the future when making other standout summer purchases, knowing the success they’ve had with starlets such as Chris Rigg.
Sunderland'sChrisRiggand Wilson Isidor celebrate after the match
Sunderland show strong interest in £38m talent
Of course, the Wearside outfit will also be prioritising more Premier League-ready captures, away from going all in on their young and hungry model.
Stefan Ortega is the next top-flight star on their radar, having impressed in spurts as Manchester City’s back-up goalkeeper, with a surprise move for Jamie Vardy also allegedly on the cards after he waved goodbye to Leicester City recently.
But, there has also been apt time for Sunderland to scout out some promising talents who could go on to the club’s next big thing, with Fiorentina’s 20-year-old centre-back Pietro Comuzzo catching the eye in this regard.
As per reports from Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Sunderland, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest are all showing a strong interest in the up-and-coming Italian, with no offers coming Fiorentina’s way, just yet.
It could cost Sunderland a substantial £38m to get the deal over the line, however. But, this might be a worthwhile investment to make, if he suddenly explodes into life in the Premier League, much like Rigg managed under Le Bris’ wing in the second tier.
Why Comuzzo could be Sunderland's next Rigg
Rigg had already amassed 25 first team appearances at the Stadium of Light before the Frenchman’s inspired appointment.
But, he would really come into his own under the watchful eye of the ex-Lorient manager, who has even been hailed as a “father figure” in his approach with youngsters, according to journalist Luke Entwistle.
In total, the exciting 18-year-old midfielder would make 47 appearances last season as Sunderland triumphantly secured promotion, with four goals and one assist also coming his way to play a pivotal part in his side’s whirlwind ascent back to the Premier League.
Knowing what their team has managed to achieve with Rigg in such a short space of time will make the Wearside masses even more eager to see what Comuzzo could achieve in his fresh environment, with the 20-year-old already in and around the senior Italy circles as an international, after looking way beyond his years in his native country last season, much like the teenage sensation.
Games played
33
Goals scored
1
Assists
0
Touches*
47.4
Accurate passes*
32.5 (86%)
Ball recoveries*
2.6
Total duels won*
3.6
Clean sheets
6
Comuzzo’s breakout campaign, which saw him collect a promising six clean sheets from 33 Serie A appearances, has led to him gaining many plaudits, with his former Fiorentina manager, Raffaele Palladino, hailing him as “extraordinary” for the maturity he displays when throwing himself into 3.6 duels on average in the testing terrain of the Italian top-flight.
That has further led to Palladino donning him a “soldier” for this resilience and energy, away from also being labelled as an “old-fashioned defender” by Italian scout Michele Fratini for his willingness to get stuck in, even as a 20-year-old still learning the ropes.
He will look to continue his upward trajectory on Wearside, with Comuzzo already one season down in a taxing top-flight environment.
This breakout offering in Florence has even seen him be shortlisted for the 2025 Golden Boy award, as he aims to become the next top starlet at the Stadium of Light in a similar vein to Rigg and other notable names before the 18-year-old.
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If Sam Curran was the more exotic choice, England’s decision to pick Overton demonstrates a desire for a more reliable option as their third seamer
George Dobell in Manchester03-Sep-2019
England have called upon Craig Overton in the hope he can offer them reliability and control•Getty Images
He probably isn’t the player the crowds will be looking forward to watching, he probably isn’t the bowler keeping Steve Smith awake at night and he probably isn’t likely to feature on the front cover of , but Craig Overton’s selection for this fourth Test makes some sense.Overton is, in many ways, an archetypal English seamer. He is not especially quick – 85mph may be his peak speed – and doesn’t gain the sharp movement of James Anderson. But he will hit a consistent line and length, he will gain more bounce than most, he bowls a decent bouncer and he will not wilt under pressure. He won’t let England down.With England keen to ensure their strike bowlers are not worked into the ground and concerned that Chris Woakes is a little jaded after a tumultuous few months, Overton has been called up to offer reliability and control. They are not the most glamorous of attributes but, in a team blessed with more flamboyance than consistency, more champagne than bread-and-butter, such skills have their place.ALSO READ: England replace Woakes with OvertonWhile his selection here may seem to come out of the blue, it doesn’t really. He was put on unofficial standby as a concussion substitute earlier in the series and, in the last month, is said to have recovered that bit of nip and bounce that suggests he is at his best. He has claimed 32 wickets at 21.34 this Championship season and while his brother, Jamie (who has claimed 26 at 18.88 this season), is notably sharper, he is also less reliable.Some, it seems, will never forgive Overton for an incident in 2015 when he was alleged to have abused – perhaps racially – Sussex’s Ashar Zaidi. And it is true there were aspects of the case – not least that the comments were reported by two exemplary witnesses, non-striking batsman Michael Yardy and one of the umpires, Alex Wharf – which remain concerning.Before rushing to condemn him, however, it is worth remembering he was found guilty of a Level One offence – using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting – and not a Level Two or Three offence – which would have encompassed racial abuse. In short, he wasn’t found to have committed the more serious charge. As a result, it doesn’t seem especially reasonable to continue to hold it against him.The England management have long admired his tough character. This was demonstrated early in his Test career when he not only top-scored in the first innings of his debut Test in Adelaide – he made 41 from No. 9 – but also bowled the most overs and took the most wickets in Australia’s first innings. His maiden wicket was Steve Smith.Perhaps more persuasively, he shrugged off a cracked rib – sustained when Pat Cummins struck him with a short ball – to bowl 41 overs in Australia’s first innings in the following Test in Perth. He was only forced to admit defeat when throwing himself into a diving boundary save. He heard a large crack as he landed – the little crack becoming something more substantial – and was ruled out for the rest of the series. Paul Farbrace used to say, were it up to him, he would include him in every England team.Overton will have the role of workhorse here. He may be expected to bowl long, tight spells and ensure Jofra Archer, in particular, can be used more sparingly. England hope that his extra height will extract a bit more bounce from a surface that isn’t expected to offer the same lateral movement as other tracks in this series. Indeed, in normal circumstances, it looks to be the sort of surface – a little cracked already and with little grass cover – on which two spinners might be played. But with Adil Rashid injured and Moeen Ali out of sorts, Jack Leach will be relied upon to carry that burden. At least one member of England’s coaching staff thought it an oddly hospitable pitch which offered no home advantage.Woakes can probably count himself unfortunate. Having suffered from a knee injury through the winter tours, he was obliged to play several games for Warwickshire in order to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup. He then played in the series against Pakistan, the whole World Cup and every Test so far this summer. And, while England insist he was fit for selection here, there were times at Leeds, at least, when the miles in the legs started to show. He will hate to miss out on this game, but the break may do him good.In the longer term, the England management are concerned at his effectiveness on flat surfaces, especially flat surfaces where there is no Duke’s ball available to him. They point out he could still play at The Oval in the unlikely event that the pitch is green but his captain’s use of him so far this series – lack of use, might be more accurate – does not augur especially well for him.Sam Curran, too, could be forgiven for wondering why he is with the squad. But while he clearly has talent with bat and ball, he is a bit slower and a bit shorter than Overton. The concern is his batting is not quite strong enough – he hasn’t scored a first-class century – to bat in the top six and his bowling not quite strong enough to be relied upon to ensure that Archer and co aren’t over-bowled. His best chance of a place may be at No. 7 instead of Jos Buttler.It is revealing that the only selection change has involved the bowlers. While there has been the odd day in recent years when England’s bowlers have struggled for penetration or consistency, this team’s primary problem remains their fragile batting. Shuffling that top-order seems unlikely to suddenly unearth a pair of aces. There are two of three batsmen in this side who really need to repay the faith shown in them.In the longer term, there seems to be a strong temptation to play Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley in a top three that also includes Rory Burns. But for that, it seems, we will have to wait until they reach New Zealand. There is important business to be conducted first.
As Alexander Isak edges closer to the exit door, Newcastle United are beginning to map out life without their talismanic striker.
The Swede’s choice to skip Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia and instead train at former club Real Sociedad has only heightened speculation about his future.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
While Liverpool lodged a bid to secure his signature, the Magpies are already working on contingency plans. In Benjamin Šeško, Newcastle believe they have identified an heir to Isak’s throne.
A towering presence at 1.94m, the 22-year-old is equally capable of leading the line with intelligence and intensity.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskoheads at goal
Despite the club’s willingness to meet RB Leipzig’s valuation, the Slovenian appears to prefer a move to Manchester United – even in the absence of European football.
This has left the door open for alternatives.
One name is emerging as a serious contender – a raw but high-ceilinged talent who combines power, pace and composure in front of goal.
Newcastle looking at Europe's next powerhouse forward
According to TEAMTalk, Newcastle and Aston Villa are among five Premier League clubs interested in Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.
FC Porto's SamuOmorodioncelebrates scoring their first goal
The 21-year-old Spanish-Nigerian powerhouse has taken Europe by storm since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid for around £15m last summer.
Aghehowa has scored 27 goals in 45 games, including six in the Europa League and two against Manchester United, evidence of his ability to shine on the biggest stage.
As per the report, sources close to the player suggest he is keen on a move to the Premier League, drawn by its competitiveness and global appeal. However, Porto’s valuation, a steep £70 million, partly due to Atlético Madrid’s 50% sell-on clause, may complicate matters.
Nevertheless, it’s believed a lower fee could be negotiated, with £50m-£60m having been suggested.
Why Samu Aghehowa Might Be the Next Šeško — Or Better
Standing at 1.93m, Aghehowa fits the same physical profile as Šeško. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson described Omorodion as an “absolute powerhouse”, while also noting that he is the “real deal”.
Samu Aghehowa in action for Porto.
Crucially, he’s already proven capable of shouldering a club’s attacking burden, an attractive quality for both Newcastle and Villa, especially with the latter facing uncertainty over Ollie Watkins’ future.
Should Newcastle miss out on Šeško, Aghehowa represents a similarly ambitious gamble, albeit one with a potentially higher ceiling.
Benjamin Sesko
In truth, comparisons between the pair are as inevitable as both are towering, physically dominant forwards.
What’s more, both are under the age of 23 and represent the archetype of the modern target man: capable of bullying defenders whilst also possessing the technique to play in dynamic, high-tempo systems.
According to data from FBref, his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) stood at 8.4, with 11 goals scored in open play, and he averaged 2.5 shots per 90 minutes. But as promising as those numbers are, Aghehowa’s hold up well in comparison.
In the Liga Portugal, the Porto man scored 19 league goals and added three assists. Across all competitions, he notched 27.
The same data shows he ranks in the 75th percentile for non-penalty xG per 90 (0.43) and the 86th percentile for total shots per 90 (3.10).
In terms of pass completion, he’s even more efficient than Šeško, ranking in the 96th percentile (77.8%), demonstrating his ability to play quick link-up football.
Additionally, the former Atleti starlet is an active presence in the box.
Sesko vs Samu
He ranks in the 86th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.45), and, surprisingly for a striker, in the 73rd percentile for interceptions – testament to his defensive work rate.
Šeško, for all his finishing prowess, has a more passive off-ball profile. With Isak increasingly detached, training independently at Real Sociedad and unlikely to return without resolution, Newcastle’s hierarchy must make a call.
Wait for a Šeško U-turn, or invest in the next rising star before the market catches up?
Aghehowa might not be a household name yet, but neither was Haaland before his Salzburg breakout, nor Šeško before Leipzig.
The traits are all there: size, speed, hunger, and a fearless eye for goal. In the end, signing him wouldn’t just be a response to Isak’s departure, it could be a defining statement of ambition for the years ahead.
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Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele has revealed why he performs better in France than he did at Barcelona.
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Dembele joined PSG in 2023Enjoys more freedom than at BarcelonaForm resulted in France call-upWHAT HAPPENED?
Dembele joined PSG a year ago for half the price Barcelona paid for him in 2017. The French champions forked out just north of €50m (£42m/$53m) for the pacey winger who tallied 20 goal contributions in all competitions in 2023-24. He recently gave an interview suggesting that he works better under head coach Luis Enrique because he is given the freedom to roam on the pitch.
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Dembele's value may have decreased in recent years, but he has continued to show glimpses of his world-class talent. The 44-cap France international has suffered from several long-term injuries but when fit, he is one of the most formidable wingers in Europe. With Kylian Mbappe leaving his hometown club this summer, Dembele may need to be the man to step up in his absence.
WHAT DEMBELE SAID
In an interview with Marca, Dembele said: "Luis Enrique gives me a lot of freedom. At Barcelona I was more attached to the wing. At PSG, I can play everywhere, as a No.10, on the wing, as a false 9. I had more freedom in the second half of the season. The coach told me to keep moving, except when I had to maintain my position on the wing."
DID YOU KNOW?
The 27-year-old arrived at Barcelona a few months after his current manager Enrique left the Camp Nou. Dembele was unveiled after signing a deal worth over €100m (£84m/$107m) but only scored three times in 17 La Liga appearances in his first season.
New Barcelona signing Marcus Rashford once called a Real Madrid icon the best he’s ever played against ahead of Nou Camp legend Lionel Messi.
Marcus Rashford signs for Barcelona from Man Utd
The forward has officially competed a season-long loan move to the Nou Camp from Manchester United, with Barca also having the option to buy Rashford in 2026 for an initial £26m next summer.
Rashford becomes the first Englishman to sign for Barcelona since Gary Lineker, who did so back in 1986. Taking the number 14 shirt number with the Catalan giants, Rashford has been quick to praise current Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, calling the Ballon d’or contender “one of the leading players in the world”.
“He is a very special talent, and for me, I feel definitely last season, he is one of the leading players in the world, if not the best. Everyone wants to play with the best, and there is a lot of talent in this squad. I am happy and eager to play with them on the pitch. Maybe I can help them, and for sure, they can help me. It is going to be exciting.”
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Rashford will also come up against England teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham in the El Clasico in 2025/26, with Barca looking to retain their La Liga title under Hansi Flick.
Games
426
Goals
138
Assists
77
Red cards
2
Trophies
6
Rashford calls Cristiano Ronaldo best he’s played against
Back in 2017 when talking to ESPN, relayed by Football 365, Rashford was asked for the best player he has played with or against.
Still just two years into his professional career, the attacker said Cristiano Ronaldo was the best he had came up against during his time at the Bernabeu. However, he also name-checked former Red Devils teammate Wayne Rooney, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Brazilian star Neymar.
Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Brazil striker Ronaldo also got a mention from Rashford, highlighting his World Cup displays.
“Brazilian Ronaldo has had the biggest World Cup performances, I’d say. And his were among the most enjoyable to watch. There were a lot of top players who performed in the World Cup and went to another level.”
Nottingham Forest now hold a strong interest in signing a “superb” defender, who is also a target for Premier League rivals Manchester United, according to a report.
Nottingham Forest's ambition underlined by Gibbs-White renewal
Evangelos Marinakis has made no secret of the fact that he has big aspirations for Forest, and Morgan Gibbs-White made it clear that the owners’ ambition was one of the main reasons he decided to extend his contract, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
With the Tricky Trees set to take part in the Europa League next season, it is important they have tied Gibbs-White down to a new contract, and one of the key tasks to follow will be bringing in a replacement for Anthony Elanga.
Bologna’s Dan Ndoye has emerged as the main target, and the deal is now edging closer to completion, with Fabrizio Romano giving his trademark ‘here we go’ on Monday afternoon.
As such, Nuno Espirito Santo can perhaps now turn his attention towards strengthening other areas of his squad, and the Europa League side have now joined the race for a defender.
That is according to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), which reveals Nottingham Forest now hold a strong interest in signing Fiorentina’s Pietro Comuzzo, who is also being targeted by Man United and Sunderland.
Given Comuzzo’s impressive performances last season, he is attracting strong interest from the Tricky Trees, although none of the interested Premier League clubs have submitted an offer as things stand.
Should Forest decide to formalise their interest, it could take a big offer to prise the centre-back away from Fiorentina, as the Italian club value him at £38m.
"Superb" Comuzzo could be ready for Premier League move
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig described the 20-year-old as “superb” last season, while also praising his composure and consistency, and for good reason, given that the youngster managed to hold down a regular spot in the Fiorentina starting XI.
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The Italian made 44 appearances in all competitions, which is no mean feat at such a young age, and he scored a remarkable goal in Fiorentina’s 3-2 victory against Udinese back in May.
Comuzzo is showing very promising signs at Fiorentina, and he could be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, but a £38m asking price is a little on the pricey side, given that the starlet is yet to prove himself at the highest level.
Matthijs de Ligt scored his first Manchester United goal against Southampton just minutes after Andre Onana saved a penalty at the other end.
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De Ligt scores first goal
Heads home Fernandes cross
Onana saved a penalty
WHAT HAPPENED?
De Ligt opened the scoring for United at St Mary's against Southampton, as he headed home a brilliant cross from Fernandes. The ball bounced beyond goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and the goal came just minutes after Andre Onana denied Cameron Archer from the spot to keep United level.
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Southampton had been on top before missing their penalty, but found themselves 2-0 down at half-time as Marcus Rashford added another for the visitors. The winger, who has struggled for form in recent months, cut in off the left and curled a strike into the bottom corner.
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WHAT NEXT?
United play Barnsley in the League Cup at Old Trafford on Tuesday. They will then face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League next weekend.