Phil Foden has agreed a new long-term contract with Manchester City that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until at least 2030.
The England international’s current deal was due to expire next summer, but he will now commit to a four-year extension featuring the option of an additional 12 months.
Despite losing his guaranteed starting place during a difficult 2026 campaign, the Carabao Cup winners remained determined to retain their homegrown talent.
The 25-year-old has been on the books at the Manchester club since joining their under-nine setup over a decade ago.
Stellar career and recent struggles
Since making his senior debut, the academy product has amassed 365 appearances and scored 110 goals for his boyhood team.
His impressive trophy haul already includes six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups and the 2023 Champions League.
The versatile playmaker enjoyed a sensational 2023-24 season, scoring a career-best 27 goals to sweep both the Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year awards.
Rebuilding for the future
However, the forward has endured two frustrating seasons since that peak, failing to find the net in his last 25 outings following a brief autumnal scoring streak.
Securing his long-term future represents a significant boost for the club as they prepare for the impending summer departures of captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones.
He now joins an extensive list of core squad members contracted into the next decade, alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and recent additions Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guehi.
Alexis Mac Allister is facing intense scrutiny over his physical form following a difficult performance during Liverpool’s 3-2 Premier League defeat against Manchester United.
The Argentina international was involved in three decisive errors that ultimately cost Arne Slot’s side at Old Trafford.
Pundit Jamie Carragher recently highlighted that the Merseyside club lack the physical dominance required to cope with the demands of the league.
Costly errors at Old Trafford
The midfielder was unfortunate to see Matheus Cunha’s opening strike deflect off him and into the bottom corner.
A slack pass from the 27-year-old then led to a loss of possession in a dangerous area, allowing Benjamin Sesko to force home a second goal.
“The second goal we did not concede because of the handball,” stated Arne Slot. “We conceded it because we lost the ball in a stupid position.”
To compound a miserable afternoon, a mishit clearance was severely punished by Kobbie Mainoo for the winning strike.
Tactical and physical drop-off
Deployed in a deeper midfield role, the World Cup winner struggled to track back efficiently as Ryan Gravenberch pushed forward.
This tactical setup afforded Bruno Fernandes vast amounts of space to orchestrate frequent counter-attacks for the hosts.
Data suggests the South American has experienced an alarming dip in his physical metrics throughout the current campaign.
Both his average and top speeds have decreased compared to previous seasons, alongside a noticeable drop in pressing intensity.
A heavy workload takes its toll
The current season has demanded significantly more minutes from the playmaker, who has already surpassed his start totals from the previous two years.
Despite these recent struggles, he remains a highly valued figure at Anfield following his instrumental role in their recent title triumph under Slot.
However, rectifying this drop in pace and power will be crucial if the club are to prevent opposition sides from exposing them in transition.
Representatives for Anthony Gordon have held talks with Barcelona sporting director Deco regarding a potential summer transfer from Newcastle United.
The winger’s future at St James’ Park has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months.
Footage emerged showing the player’s agents, Will Salthouse and Adam Dugdale, meeting with the Catalan club’s hierarchy in Spain last weekend.
Barcelona have made the acquisition of a wide forward one of their primary objectives ahead of the upcoming window.
Newcastle’s difficult campaign
The Magpies are currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table and look certain to miss out on European qualification.
Manager Eddie Howe finds himself under pressure after a disappointing season, despite significant summer investment in players such as Anthony Elanga and Yoanne Wissa.
A departure for their star forward would represent a significant setback for the Tyneside outfit.
Heavyweight competition
The La Liga giants are not the only major European side monitoring the English attacker’s situation.
Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in securing his signature.
Any move to the Camp Nou remains complicated by the substantial financial demands involved in the deal.
Financial hurdles
The former Everton man is contracted to his current employers until 2030 and holds an estimated market valuation of €60m (£51m).
Newcastle have reportedly already received lucrative offers in the region of €80m (£68m) for their prized asset.
It is believed the Spanish heavyweights will find it extremely difficult to match those rival bids.
The Catalan club recently opted against triggering a €30m (£26.1m) option to sign loanee Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis to focus on other targets.
Stellar individual season
Since arriving in the North East for £45m in 2023, the dynamic forward has established himself as a crucial figure.
He has registered 39 goals and 28 assists across 152 appearances for the English side.
The current campaign has proved to be his most prolific yet, with the attacker finding the net 17 times in 46 matches.
Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a £27m permanent move for Paris St-Germain loanee Randal Kolo Muani following his standout performance in a crucial Premier League victory over Aston Villa.
Spurs have already secured agreements to sign Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson and Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on free transfers.
However, the completion of those moves relies entirely on the north London club retaining their top-flight status for next season.
Their survival hopes received a significant boost at the weekend following a second consecutive league victory.
De Zerbi promised summer funds
West Ham’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Brentford means Roberto De Zerbi’s side are edging closer to Premier League safety.
If they successfully avoid relegation, the Italian manager is expected to be handed a substantial transfer budget to overhaul his squad.
Successive campaigns fighting near the bottom of the table will not be tolerated by the club’s hierarchy.
Securing a permanent deal for their on-loan striker may now become an immediate priority for the upcoming window.
Overcoming initial struggles
The French international arrived in the summer amid strong interest from Italian giants Juventus.
Despite the initial fanfare, he struggled to adapt and looked disjointed under former manager Thomas Frank.
His overall form remained underwhelming when Igor Tudor stepped in as interim boss.
At that stage, committing £27m to secure the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward was considered highly improbable.
A turning point against Villa
Sunday’s exceptional display on the right flank appears to have dramatically altered his long-term prospects.
The World Cup finalist delivered a relentless pressing performance, severely testing opposition defender Ian Maatsen.
His dynamic play and clear commitment won over the frequently frustrated home supporters.
The 25-year-old won a match-high 11 duels and successfully completed four dangerous dribbles.
TNT Sports co-commentator Lucy Ward praised his dramatic transformation during the match broadcast.
“He was absolutely brilliant.”
Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi says he has evolved as a player under Mikel Arteta as Arsenal prepare for a defining week in their history.
The league leaders currently hold a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League with three matches remaining.
However, second-placed Manchester City possess two games in hand, ensuring the domestic title race remains finely poised.
The north London club swept Fulham aside 3-0 at the weekend, keeping their hopes alive of ending a 22-year wait for domestic supremacy.
European ambitions
Domestic matters are briefly paused as Arteta’s squad face Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.
Victory against the Spanish opposition would secure a first-ever appearance in the final of Europe’s premier club competition.
It presents the Gunners with a rare opportunity to complete a historic league and European double.
Tactical evolution under Arteta
A central figure to this campaign has been Zubimendi, who arrived from Real Sociedad in a £51m deal last summer.
The 27-year-old remains the only outfield squad member to feature in every league fixture this season.
Initially expected to operate solely as a defensive anchor, the midfielder has flourished in a more advanced role, contributing a career-best six goals.
Speaking to the official club website, the former Real Sociedad man outlined his manager’s profound influence.
Once I joined the club I realised that I had a lot to learn; Mikel’s a coach who’s seen a lot, who’s learnt a lot and who’s studied a lot.
You can see that since I’ve joined the club I’ve become a different player.
We work really hard, all of our training sessions have tactical, technical and strategic aspects. Ultimately, repetition leads to perfection, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.
Liverpool join forward race
Meanwhile, plans for next season are already accelerating with reports indicating renewed competition in the transfer market.
Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.
The highly-rated French attacker has been monitored by the Emirates hierarchy for several years as they look to bolster their offensive options.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is undergoing concussion protocols following a head clash against Nottingham Forest and could miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool.
The Spanish international was withdrawn in the 66th minute of Monday’s 3-1 home defeat after colliding with midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
Although not officially registered as a concussion substitution, the 26-year-old must pass mandatory Football Association medical checks at Cobham.
Club medical staff will assess the former Brighton stopper at regular intervals throughout the week.
Jorgensen on standby for Anfield trip
If the Blues’ number one fails any stage of the return-to-play guidelines, he will be forced to observe a minimum 12-day rest period.
Filip Jorgensen replaced the injured Spaniard against Forest and is poised to start at Anfield should the first-choice keeper be ruled out.
Losing their primary goalkeeper would be a significant blow for the London club as they look to revive their fading European qualification hopes.
Head injury concerns mar Forest fixture
The match at Stamford Bridge was severely overshadowed by multiple concerning head injuries.
Gibbs-White suffered a deep facial gash requiring stitches and faces similar medical protocols before Forest’s European tie against Aston Villa on Thursday.
Earlier in the game, full debutant Jesse Derry was knocked unconscious following a heavy collision with Zach Abbott and was immediately stretchered off to hospital.
Forest defender Abbott was the only player officially logged as a concussion substitute during the physical Monday night encounter.
Captain Lawrence Shankland scored a 71st-minute winner as Hearts came from behind to defeat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle and take control of the Scottish Premiership title race.
The victory moves Derek McInnes’ side three points clear of second-placed Celtic with just three fixtures remaining.
Meanwhile, the defeat leaves the visitors seven points adrift and effectively ends their championship hopes.
Dujon Sterling had initially threatened to blow the three-way title battle wide open when his deflected effort gave the away side a first-half lead.
Rangers dominate early exchanges
The Glasgow club arrived in Edinburgh needing a victory to close a four-point gap at the top of the table.
Danny Rohl’s team controlled the first half and created several excellent opportunities to seize the initiative.
Nico Raskin forced Alexander Schwolow into an early save, while Tochi Chukwuani wastefully headed over the crossbar from a corner.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 23rd minute when a long throw from James Tavernier caused chaos inside the penalty area.
Sterling reacted fastest to the loose ball, volleying a shot that looped off Michael Steinwender and over the helpless goalkeeper.
McInnes substitution sparks revival
The hosts struggled to gain a foothold in the match until the introduction of Blair Spittal at half-time transformed their attacking threat.
Jack Butland was suddenly called into action, producing a fine save to deny Claudio Braga as the home crowd found its voice.
The pressure eventually told in the 54th minute following a flowing move down the right flank.
Kyziridis curled a low strike against the far post, allowing Stephen Kingsley to calmly guide the rebound into the net from close range.
Shankland seals crucial victory
With momentum firmly on their side, the buoyant league leaders pushed relentlessly for a decisive second goal.
The breakthrough came with 19 minutes remaining when Spittal orchestrated a devastating attack down the left wing.
His precise cutback found the Scottish international perfectly positioned to fire home and ignite rapturous celebrations inside the stadium.
Having secured three consecutive victories, the Tynecastle outfit now possess a superior goal difference over Celtic as they chase a historic league triumph.
Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones this summer, with the Magpies facing stiff competition from Aston Villa and Inter Milan.
Eddie Howe is planning a major rebuild at St James’ Park following a disappointing campaign that sees his team currently sitting 13th in the Premier League.
The Tyneside club recently snapped a five-game losing streak with a victory over Brighton, but significant squad changes are still expected ahead of next season.
The Anfield academy graduate is entering the final 12 months of his contract on Merseyside, making a permanent exit a genuine possibility.
Inter Milan and Villa track playmaker
Aston Villa have already made initial contact over a summer deal for the versatile midfielder.
Meanwhile, newly crowned Italian champions Inter Milan attempted to secure his signature during the January window and are expected to return with a fresh approach.
The Liverpool-born player is reportedly open to the prospect of moving to Serie A to embrace a new challenge abroad.
Clear pathway at St James’ Park
Despite the lure of European football elsewhere, Newcastle are prepared to push hard for a domestic transfer.
Howe has identified the 23-year-old as an ideal replacement for Sandro Tonali, who continues to be heavily linked with a departure.
A move to the North East could offer a clearer route to regular first-team football than his other suitors can currently guarantee.
Inter boast a dominant midfield unit, while Villa possess established options such as Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana.
Although no formal bid has been submitted, the Magpies view the Liverpool star as a priority target to anchor their midfield next season.