Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has indicated a preference to join Barcelona rather than return to the Premier League amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Reports suggest the Argentina international is keen to remain in Spain despite strong enquiries from English clubs.
TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul claims the 26-year-old prioritises the lifestyle in La Liga over the climate in England.
Lifestyle factor key to decision
“Julian chose to live in Spain because he liked the country,” Edul stated regarding the forward’s future.
“He is keen on Barcelona to avoid returning to the cold of England, but Barcelona needs to be more concrete about what they’re hinting at.”
The Catalan giants have reportedly maintained long-standing interest in the World Cup winner, having tracked him during his time at Manchester City.
However, significant doubts remain over Barcelona’s financial capacity to facilitate a deal for a player of his valuation.
Dip in form at Atletico
Alvarez moved to the Wanda Metropolitano in 2024 for £82m but has seen his output decline during the current campaign.
After netting 29 goals in his debut season in Madrid, the former River Plate star has managed just 13 strikes in 37 appearances this term.
His role as the primary attacking outlet has come under threat following the arrival of Ademola Lookman and the impressive form of Alexander Sorloth.
Consequently, the Madrid outfit are reportedly contemplating offloading the forward if a suitable offer arrives.
Premier League suitors wait in wings
Arsenal and Chelsea continue to monitor the situation closely should negotiations with Hansi Flick’s side fail to materialise.
The striker previously enjoyed a trophy-laden two-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, winning six major honours including the Premier League.
During his time in Manchester, he scored 20 goals in 67 top-flight outings before seeking a prominent starting role elsewhere.
Alvarez remains under contract with Diego Simeone’s side for another four-and-a-half years, placing Atletico in a strong negotiating position.
Arsenal remain in the driving seat for the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City, while Tottenham have been dragged into a relegation scrap following a heavy north London derby defeat.
The Gunners currently hold a five-point lead over the reigning champions with three months of the campaign remaining.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side possess a crucial game in hand as the race looks set to go down to the wire.
A defining moment in the season looms on 18 April, when the top two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium.
Champions keep up the pressure
Manchester City have capitalised on recent stumbles by their rivals to keep their title defence alive.
Following Arsenal’s draws against Brentford and Wolves, the holders secured vital victories against Liverpool and Fulham.
They continued that momentum last weekend by overcoming Newcastle United 2-1, courtesy of a brace from Nico O’Reilly.
Despite City’s resurgence, statistical models still favour the current league leaders.
Opta data currently gives Mikel Arteta’s side an 82.8% chance of lifting the trophy, predicting a margin of roughly six points.
However, the psychological burden of the 2022-23 season, where Arsenal surrendered an eight-point lead to City, remains a significant narrative.
Tottenham slide towards danger
While one north London club chases glory, their neighbours are facing the prospect of a shock battle against the drop.
Spurs suffered a chastening 4-1 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday, a result that has compounded their misery.
The loss leaves the Lilywhites languishing in 16th position in the table.
They are now sitting just four points above the relegation zone, sparking genuine concern regarding their Premier League status.
A mounting injury list has further hampered their ability to pull away from the bottom three.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are also under scrutiny regarding their on-field conduct, with the Blues currently on course to set an unwanted record for disciplinary issues.
Manchester United have announced an operating profit of £32.6m for the first half of the financial year following a rigorous cost-cutting programme led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The latest figures represent a significant turnaround from the £3.9m operating loss recorded by the club during the same period last year.
This financial boost is largely attributed to the “operating cost and headcount reduction programmes” implemented at Old Trafford over the past 12 months.
The club’s minority owner initiated a sweeping restructuring process, which included widespread redundancies, shortly after acquiring his stake in February 2024.
Quarterly growth and strategic decisions
For the second quarter alone, the Red Devils reported an operating profit of £19.6m, a substantial increase on the £3.1m figure from the previous fiscal year.
These results follow a promising first quarter where the 13-time Premier League champions saw profits rise to £13m, recovering from a £7m loss the year prior.
Chief executive Omar Berrada has acknowledged that the improved balance sheet is a direct consequence of the tough measures taken recently.
The difficult decisions made in the past year by Sir Jim Ratcliffe enabled that turnaround.
Omar Berrada, Manchester United chief executive
Stabilising the club’s finances
INEOS’s arrival has marked a distinct shift in strategy, prioritizing financial sustainability to ensure compliance with profitability and sustainability rules.
The turnaround highlights the immediate impact of the new hierarchy’s approach to reducing overheads and streamlining operations.
Chelsea and West Ham have been fined a combined total of £625,000 by the Football Association following a mass confrontation during their Premier League match in January.
Stoppage-time chaos
The Blues have been ordered to pay £325,000, while their London rivals received a penalty of £300,000.
Both clubs admitted to failing to control their players during the stoppage-time incident at Stamford Bridge on 31 January.
Tempers boiled over in the 95th minute shortly after the hosts had completed a comeback from 2-0 down to lead 3-2.
A challenge involving Marc Cucurella and Adama Traore sparked the melee between the two sets of players.
West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo was shown a red card following a VAR review for grabbing Joao Pedro by the throat during the altercation.
Regulatory commission ruling
An independent regulatory commission found that the charges brought against both sides were valid.
Video footage and the referee’s report were used as evidence to determine the severity of the sanctions.
The FA confirmed the outcome in a statement released on Wednesday.
“It was alleged that Chelsea FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 95th minute. It was also alleged that West Ham United FC failed to ensure its players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way at this time.”
FA Statement
Liam Rosenior’s side faced allegations of improper conduct, while the Hammers faced the additional charge of violent behaviour.
Managers address conduct
Disciplinary measures have been discussed internally at both clubs following the chaotic scenes.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior spoke to his squad immediately after the victory regarding how to handle high-pressure situations.
Across London, West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo and captain Jarrod Bowen met with club executives to address player conduct standards.
Newcastle United are exploring options to build a new stadium worth more than £1bn that would become the third largest venue in English football.
The club are reportedly considering a move away from their historic St James’ Park home to a site at nearby Leazes Park.
Such a development would form part of a major regeneration project in the city, intended to propel the Magpies to the next level of financial competitiveness.
While no official confirmation has been given, a final decision on the upgrade is expected by the end of 2026.
Capacity to rival the elite
If the Tyneside club proceeds with the new build, the proposed capacity could reach as high as 68,000.
This expansion would see the North East outfit boast a ground larger than both the Emirates Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Only Wembley and Manchester United’s Old Trafford would hold more spectators in England.
Sources indicate the regeneration plans are viewed as “bold and exciting” by those involved in the process.
However, the club’s hierarchy maintains that staying at their current ground remains a possibility while they assess the feasibility of all options.
Funding and government support
Despite being backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the richest owners in world football, the club may look beyond their own coffers.
Reports suggest Newcastle have held conversations about securing government funding to aid the construction.
The pitch for public money is based on the premise that the infrastructure project would modernise the city and boost the local economy.
A final design has yet to be drawn up, but construction is estimated to take approximately three years once approved.
The trend for modernization
Newcastle’s potential move follows a wider trend of Premier League clubs upgrading facilities to maximise matchday revenue.
Everton are preparing to move into their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock, while Tottenham recently completed their state-of-the-art venue.
Manchester United are also currently evaluating multi-billion pound plans to either redevelop or replace Old Trafford.
Speaking recently on the uncertainty of the project, Newcastle’s chief executive David Hopkinson admitted the board is still weighing the options.
“We haven’t decided,” Hopkinson said regarding the specific direction of the stadium development.
Leading football agent Volker Struth has revealed he attempted to engineer a move for Florian Wirtz to Real Madrid before the midfielder joined Liverpool in a British record transfer.
Failed Bernabeu talks
The 22-year-old moved to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth £116m.
However, Struth has admitted he initially planned for the German international to join Real Madrid alongside outgoing Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
The intermediary contacted Real president Florentino Perez directly to recommend the transfer.
“During the period when a move to Liverpool or Bayern was being discussed, I called Xabi Alonso and told him: ‘You have to take the lad from Leverkusen with you to Real.'”
Volker Struth, speaking to Phrasenmaher
Alonso advised Struth to contact Perez, prompting a direct message from the agent.
Financial constraints
Despite the recommendation, the Spanish giants declined the opportunity due to budget restrictions and squad priorities.
Real Madrid focused their resources on defensive reinforcements, signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras.
“That year, it simply wasn’t the right time due to the squad and the budget. Even Real Madrid’s coffers aren’t always overflowing.”
While the playmaker is now establishing himself on Merseyside, Struth confessed his long-term ambitions for the player remain unchanged.
He stated that his “wish remains” for the former Bundesliga star to play at the Bernabeu one day.
Slot provides injury update
Wirtz has begun to find form for Arne Slot’s side, registering six goals and three assists in his last 14 appearances.
However, he was absent from the squad for Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest after sustaining a knock in the warm-up.
The Liverpool manager confirmed the omission was a precautionary measure regarding a back issue.
“We don’t think it is very serious. He felt his back too much during the warm-up to start.”
Arne Slot, Liverpool manager
Experts believe Mexican cartels will likely allow the 2026 World Cup to proceed peacefully despite a recent surge in violence following the death of a notorious drug lord.
Authorities have reported significant unrest across the host nation following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’.
The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was a central figure in the country’s organised crime landscape.
His death triggered road blockades and vehicle arson, leading to calls for Mexico to be stripped of its hosting duties.
Economic interests shield tournament
However, academics suggest that criminal groups have a financial incentive to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.
Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham, told the BBC that these organisations are deeply embedded in the local economy.
“In general, the cartels have an economic interest in making sure the World Cup is peaceful,” he said.
“Yes, they pay off politicians and local police forces, but they also buy restaurants and own hotels.”
“They are part of the economic system.”
“It is useful for them if Brits, Americans, and others go to Mexico, spend their money and have a good time.”
Potential path for British teams
Mexico is scheduled to host 13 matches across Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Depending on group stage results, British supporters could find themselves travelling to these regions.
If England win their group, their last-16 tie would take place in the capital, Mexico City.
Should Scotland qualify and finish second in their pool, the Tartan Army would travel to Monterrey for a round-of-32 match.
‘Moderate’ risk for fans
Dr Karina Garcia-Reyes, a senior lecturer in criminology at UWE Bristol, described the threat level for visiting supporters as “moderate”.
“Unless more military operations are conducted this week, I would expect that the authorities in the most affected areas will be able to address potential risks,” she explained.
“Overall I would expect tourists to be safe as long as they follow the authorities’ indications.”
Fifa has confirmed it is “closely monitoring” the situation and remains in constant communication with government agencies regarding public safety.
Gianni Infantino has reached 10 years as Fifa president, overseeing a period of vast financial recovery and competition expansion while facing criticism from players and European leagues.
It has been a decade since the Swiss administrator was elected with a specific remit to rescue football’s world governing body.
The years since have been defined by radical reform, aggressive expansion and, increasingly, conflict with key stakeholders.
Infantino took charge with the organisation engulfed by corruption allegations following the resignation of his predecessor, Sepp Blatter.
Finances were in a desperate state at the time, with a reported £392m deficit after major sponsors walked away.
Record revenues and financial recovery
In Infantino, the game felt it had found a safe pair of hands to stabilise the ship.
“I will work tirelessly to bring football back to Fifa, and Fifa back to football.”
Gianni Infantino, speaking upon his election in 2016
Ten years later, there is no doubt the governing body is in rude financial health.
Fifa expects to report record revenues of £9.6bn ($13bn) for the three-year cycle ending this year.
However, those figures are boosted by the controversial new Club World Cup and the largest-ever World Cup, which has drawn criticism for high ticket prices.
The 54-year-old has frequently clashed with players’ unions and European football bodies, yet he remains in an apparently impregnable position at the summit of the global game.
Emerging from Platini’s shadow
It is easily forgotten that Michel Platini was originally intended to be Blatter’s successor.
After the former France captain was implicated in the organisation’s scandal – though both he and Blatter were later cleared of corruption – Infantino became Uefa’s preferred candidate.
As general secretary of European football’s governing body, he had served as Platini’s right-hand man for seven years.
To many casual observers, he was previously known simply as the official who presented Champions League draws.
Turning Fifa around was a monumental task given the US Department of Justice had indicted numerous top executives.
A mandate for expansion
Two pages of the Swiss official’s initial manifesto were devoted to doubling development money for member associations.
This funding covered new competitions, infrastructure, and travel costs for smaller nations.
Expanding the World Cup was also a key pledge, initially targeting 40 teams before being rubberstamped as a 48-team tournament within a year.
The 2016 election itself was a tense affair.
In the first round, Infantino held a slim lead over Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, the president of the Asian confederation.
He eventually secured victory by 115 votes to 88 after votes from other candidates were reallocated.
“This is a new day, a new dawn.”
Greg Dyke, former Football Association chairman