Aston Villa are in negotiations with Bayern Munich to sign midfielder Joao Palhinha as manager Unai Emery seeks to strengthen his squad following a severe injury to Amadou Onana.

The Midlands club are keen to bolster their options in the middle of the pitch ahead of a demanding season that includes Champions League football.

Emery’s side recently suffered a narrow defeat to Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup, highlighting their need for deeper squad reserves.

While Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi have already arrived at Villa Park, the team requires a defensively-minded anchor to replace the injured Onana.

Bayern set asking price for defensive specialist

Discussions remain ongoing despite the German club rejecting the prospect of a straight loan without a guaranteed future purchase.

Villa have been informed they must either buy the Portugal international outright or agree to a loan with a mandatory purchase obligation.

Bayern are reportedly demanding a fee of £25.6m for the player, though a compromise slightly below that figure could eventually be reached.

The Bundesliga outfit initially paid £47.4m for his services, but the combative midfielder struggled to cement a regular starting place in Germany.

Successful stint in north London

Despite his difficulties in Munich, the midfield enforcer rejuvenated his career during a recent loan spell with Tottenham Hotspur.

He stood out as one of their most consistent performers in domestic competition.

Spurs ultimately declined their option to sign him permanently, opting instead to invest heavily in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Former Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi was full of praise for the player during their time together.

“Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see players with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit and the same personality,” said Roberto De Zerbi.

Proven Premier League pedigree

During his loan spell last season, the midfield anchor produced impressive statistical numbers across the board.

His innate ability to break up play and shield the defence has long earned him widespread acclaim from former colleagues.

“He’s one of the best midfielders in Europe at what he does,” noted former Fulham manager Marco Silva.
“João is a beast. He wins everything in midfield, and that gives us freedom to play,” added former team-mate Andreas Pereira.

Newcastle United have secured the signature of defender Amar Dedic from Portuguese side Benfica for a fee of approximately £30m.

The 24-year-old has committed his long-term future to the Tyneside club by putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.

He successfully completed his mandatory medical examinations in the North East on Monday.

Familiar faces on Tyneside

The lucrative transfer facilitates a major reunion with current Magpies manager Matthias Jaissle.

The pair previously established a highly successful working relationship during their time together at Red Bull Salzburg.

Their fruitful partnership memorably culminated in lifting the Austrian Bundesliga title during a dominant 2023 campaign.

Embracing the English challenge

The former Benfica standout officially finalised the transfer paperwork on Tuesday to perfectly coincide with his birthday.

He openly acknowledged that the prospect of playing under his former mentor heavily influenced his career decision.

“Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. We know each other well. He knows what I can bring on the pitch and I’m really happy to be playing for him again.”

Amar Dedic

The incoming full-back is also eagerly anticipating his introduction to the club’s famously passionate supporter base.

“Playing Premier League football at St James’ Park is going to be really special. Every game feels like a big occasion, with an amazing atmosphere. I’m really excited to get started.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heavily criticised former captain Kyle Walker over his mid-season departure to AC Milan, newly released documentary footage has revealed.

The emotional behind-the-scenes series, which chronicles the Spanish tactician’s final two years at the Etihad Stadium, captures the immediate aftermath of the defender’s exit.

The England international secured a loan move to the Serie A giants in January 2025 after requesting a fresh challenge away from the reigning English champions.

Dressing room tensions exposed

Addressing his squad before a Premier League clash with Chelsea, the veteran manager expressed profound disappointment over how the experienced full-back handled his departure.

“It was so easy for him to come to me and say ‘I’m tired’. But you cannot behave as a captain the way he has done it. You cannot, in the toughest moments in our lives.”
“What did you do my friends? What did you do with your captain? Tell me, what did you do?”

The Amazon Prime series also highlights a fiery exchange between the pair following a dismal defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in December 2024.

During that fixture, the 34-year-old defender lost possession to Luis Diaz, leading directly to a penalty won by the Colombian winger.

Anfield argument and tears

“Kyle has to know that if you lose the ball it’s a goal.”

That post-match dressing room assessment drew a furious reaction from the Sheffield-born player.

“Every meeting, it’s my name.”

When his manager suggested the intense scrutiny came with wearing the armband, the former Tottenham star fired back, claiming his boss had never wanted him to lead the team.

City players had voted to give him the captaincy for the 2024-25 campaign, supported by a leadership group containing Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

Guardiola’s emotional plea

The documentary reveals the immense pressure on the Catalan coach during a sequence of four consecutive defeats, which occurred shortly before he signed a contract extension.

Following his clash with the club captain, a tearful Guardiola pleaded with his remaining players to communicate openly if they felt he was the root of their problems.

“I won’t stay here just for the money, or just for the fact to stay. I extended the contract because I want to be here with you, I want to win a fight in that position.”
“But if you feel, captains first, then the other ones, that there’s a problem, tell me. It’s not going to change the love I have for all of you – not one second. But I want to fight. That’s all. I’m sorry.”

The defender’s departure brought an end to a highly successful era in Manchester, having amassed 316 appearances and six league titles since his £50m arrival in 2017.

However, that final campaign ultimately ended in disappointment, with the Manchester side finishing a season without a major trophy for only the second time under their legendary manager.

Fifa chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the global governing body after publicly accusing president Gianni Infantino of deceiving staff over his now-abandoned World Cup plans.

The 46-year-old departed his role following a two-year stint at the international organisation.

His exit follows explosive comments made to the Associated Press in July regarding the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.

The former executive claimed the project was driven solely by one person and urged football leaders to urgently intervene.

‘I will sleep well tonight’

In a previous statement addressing his potential dismissal, Lamour acknowledged the severe professional risks of his public dissent.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it.”
“I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

According to reports from the New York Times, the outgoing official also voted against the enterprise plan during a meeting held just hours before the World Cup final.

Fifa confirms swift departure

The governing body released a brief statement confirming the termination of his contract while refusing to elaborate on the circumstances.

“Fifa can confirm that the working relationship between Fifa and Kevin Lamour as Fifa’s Chief Operating Officer has ended.”
“Fifa thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter.”

Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has since notified all remaining staff via email regarding the high-profile departure.

Infantino’s leadership continues to face intense scrutiny as the fallout from the abandoned proposals reverberates through world football.

Chelsea shareholders Todd Boehly and Mark Walter are in negotiations to sell their stakes in the Premier League club to majority owners Clearlake Capital.

The proposed agreement would value the West London side at more than £5bn, according to financial reports.

This development arrives four years after the BlueCo consortium purchased the Stamford Bridge outfit in a £2.5bn takeover.

Consolidating control at Stamford Bridge

Clearlake, a California-based private equity firm, currently holds a commanding 61.5% majority stake in the club.

The remaining 38.5% is divided equally among the American businessmen and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss.

It remains unclear whether the 90-year-old Wyss also intends to offload his shares during these ongoing boardroom discussions.

The ownership structure has faced intense scrutiny following a prolonged period of heavy spending and disjointed performances on the pitch.

A shifting strategy under Alonso

Despite investing nearly £1.5bn in player transfers since May 2022, the former European champions have struggled to secure major silverware.

Supporters have increasingly voiced their frustration over rising ticket prices and the wider multi-club strategy implemented by the consortium.

First-team manager Xabi Alonso is now tasked with ushering in a new era following the recent departure of Liam Rosenior.

The Blues have already spent £348m on new recruits this summer, while balancing the books with £138m in outgoing sales.

Balancing youth and experience

Signalling a noticeable shift in recruitment policy, the club recently secured the signatures of veterans Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.

The experienced duo provide a stark contrast to the previous ownership strategy of exclusively signing long-term prospects.

“For sure, we need to have the right balance in everything. The right balance in physicality, the right balance in talent and experience.”

Alonso explained, highlighting the need for maturity within his youthful squad.

The newly assembled side will begin their domestic campaign away against local rivals Fulham next Monday.

Rangers are theoretically only obliged to offer Celtic a mere 50 tickets for their upcoming Scottish League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.

The historic Glasgow rivals were drawn against each other in the last eight, raising immediate questions regarding stadium safety and security.

Disorder marred the previous cup encounter between the two Scottish Premiership giants at the same venue in March.

Speculation has been mounting over whether the Parkhead club will be granted an entire stand as they were during that previous fixture.

Strict SPFL rules outline minimal obligations

A detailed review of the Scottish Professional Football League Cup Competition Regulations reveals a surprising baseline for visiting allocations.

Under Section 11 of the competition rulebook, the home side is only strictly required to provide a handful of complimentary passes to their opponents.

“The Home Club shall forward to the Visiting Club ‘without charge’ tickets… 10 for Directors’ Box, 40 for the Stand.”

Consequently, the strictest interpretation of these regulations means the Ibrox hierarchy could effectively deny a meaningful away support.

Custom and practice expected to dictate terms

Despite the written legislation, broadcasting demands and the global profile of the Old Firm derby typically force a more pragmatic approach.

Clubs traditionally default to standard league parameters to ensure a vibrant atmosphere for sponsors and neutral television viewers.

Regular SPFL guidelines demand a reasonable number of visiting supporters be admitted based on advance mutual agreement.

Should the Glasgow heavyweights fail to reach an accord 14 days prior to kick-off, broader league interventions may be required to resolve the standoff.

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is reportedly feigning a hip injury to force through a summer transfer to Inter Milan following prolonged negotiations.

The 23-year-old has been absent from the Reds’ recent pre-season fixtures against Leeds, Monaco and Como due to a cited medical complaint.

However, reports in the Italian media suggest this explanation is a ‘white lie’ designed to protect an impending move to the Serie A side.

Negotiations reach critical stage

The Italian giants have pursued the academy graduate throughout the summer and are now preparing an official bid worth £25.65m plus add-ons.

Liverpool previously rejected a £21.7m offer from the Nerazzurri in June, but speculation over the player’s future has only intensified.

Frustrations over the sluggish pace of talks have reportedly led the Merseyside club to lower their original £34m asking price to facilitate an agreement.

Time is becoming a crucial factor, with less than two weeks remaining in the current transfer window and the midfielder entering the final year of his contract.

Managerial stance contradicts Italian reports

Manager Andoni Iraola previously attributed the homegrown talent’s absence to a minor hip issue following a recent 3-2 defeat by Monaco.

“Curtis, he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip,” Iraola said.

“It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”

Despite the ongoing transfer saga, the head coach had earlier expressed a strong desire to retain the local prospect.

“For me he is a great, great player and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing,” he added.

Squad rebuild continues

An impending departure would mark another significant exit for Liverpool this summer, further testing the depth of their squad.

The club has reportedly already lost Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah on free transfers, significantly limiting their bargaining power.

Meanwhile, the prospective move would see the Scouse midfielder link up with English duo John Stones and Djed Spence in Milan.

Inter have paved the way for the signing by loaning Davide Frattesi to Lazio, freeing up vital space in their squad for the incoming arrival.

Santos captain Neymar has become the first player to be temporarily removed from the pitch under a new goalkeeper time-wasting rule during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Vasco in Brazil’s Serie A.

The experimental regulation, which is also scheduled for a Premier League trial, requires an outfield player to leave the field for one minute if their goalkeeper receives medical attention.

Managers are given a strict 10-second window to nominate the individual who will serve the brief sideline suspension.

If the technical area fails to identify a player in time, the team captain is automatically chosen to step across the touchline.

Historic enforcement in Brazilian top flight

The unprecedented incident occurred when Santos shot-stopper Gabriel Brazao required treatment during the comfortable weekend win.

Because the coaching staff did not make a swift nomination, the match referee instructed the former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward to depart.

The 34-year-old subsequently returned to the action 60 seconds later to help see out the routine league triumph.

International retirement confirmed

This domestic milestone comes shortly after the prolific attacker confirmed his retirement from international football following a disappointing World Cup campaign.

A persistent calf injury restricted the Brazilian icon to just two tournament appearances, culminating in a last-16 elimination at the hands of Norway.

I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I’m very happy about it.

I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don’t think I want it anymore.

The veteran forward bows out of international duty with a staggering 80 goals and 58 assists across 130 appearances for his country.

Despite a glittering club career, his only senior honour on the global stage remains the 2013 Confederations Cup.