Mohamed Salah’s agent has dismissed public speculation surrounding the forward’s next destination as the 33-year-old prepares to leave Liverpool this summer.
The Egyptian international is set to depart Anfield after an illustrious nine-year spell that yielded 257 goals across all competitions.
Despite agreeing a contract extension last April to stay until 2027, a mutual agreement has been reached to curtail his time on Merseyside early.
Since the impending departure was announced, the former Roma attacker has been heavily linked with lucrative moves to the Saudi Pro League and Turkey.
Agent shuts down immediate speculation
Representative Abaas has now moved to quash ongoing public discussion regarding his client’s immediate future.
Taking to social media platform X, the agent insisted that the prolific winger is yet to finalise any plans for next season.
“Mohamed is doing perfectly fine and neither he nor I prefer to discuss sensitive future plans with people not involved in them.”
“Both he and I are very private about these things. Yes, people may ask and they may get a standard polite response but that’s about it.”
International teammate hints at potential stay
The firm statement follows intriguing comments from Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy.
The international teammate suggested the prospect of leaving the Premier League giants has weighed heavily on the veteran forward.
“The prospect of leaving Liverpool has affected Mo psychologically, but the situation might change and he could still stay with the team.”
El-Shenawy added that the player himself confessed to being entirely uncertain about his next career move.
Turkish giants circle after difficult campaign
On the pitch, the legendary attacker endured a relatively challenging domestic campaign before his scheduled departure.
He managed just 12 goals across all competitions last season, representing his lowest return since arriving in England back in 2017.
This dip in attacking output has not deterred potential suitors, with Fenerbahce openly declaring their interest.
Ertan Torunogullari, an executive at the Turkish club, recently claimed that productive discussions regarding a potential transfer had already taken place.
“He was very keen on coming to Turkey. The meetings we had were extremely positive. We had established common ground with him on many issues, including his salary.”
Torunogullari expressed confidence that a deal could be finalised should the club’s new management team wish to pursue the transfer.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is relying on a meticulous collection of tactical notebooks spanning almost three decades as he targets World Cup success with Cristiano Ronaldo in North America.
The seasoned tactician begins his quest for international football’s ultimate prize when his side face DR Congo in Houston next week.
Failure is barely tolerated for the heavily fancied European nation, but their preparation will be exhaustive under the guidance of the famously obsessive coach.
The former Everton and Belgium boss has revealed the remarkable lengths he goes to in order to understand the precise mechanics of winning football matches.
A lifetime of tactical analysis
Since his childhood in Spain, the methodical manager has curated a vast archive of journals detailing every match he has watched, played in, or managed.
He has transported a selection of these records to North America to directly assist his strategic planning for the upcoming tournament.
The 50-year-old attributes this lifelong obsession to the deeply analytical influence of his father.
I watched football through my dad. Because of him.
He would never say, ‘what a good goal’, but ‘why did that happen?’.
I was a young boy wanting to discover why a winger had so much time to cut in and score a goal.
Adapting to different football cultures
The comprehensive records date back to 1995, capturing every single training session the ex-Wigan Athletic midfielder participated in during his playing days.
This diligent documentation highlights a stark contrast in sporting philosophies that initially shocked him upon his arrival in British football.
The possession-heavy Spanish approach he was accustomed to stood in direct opposition to the fast-paced, physical nature of the English game at the time.
When I was in Spain, I didn’t know there were all these methods there. I thought everybody trained the same.
When I arrived in England, I realised I was almost involved in a different sport. It was completely different.
Chasing the ultimate prize
Having previously guided Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, the experienced manager is now aiming to navigate his current squad all the way to the final.
Securing the coveted trophy would also provide a historic conclusion to the astonishing international career of 39-year-old forward Ronaldo.
With expectations sky-high, the meticulously prepared coach hopes his lifetime of tactical research will finally yield the biggest reward in world sport.
Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola could depart the French champions this summer, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool both actively monitoring his situation.
Negotiations over a contract extension for the French international have reached a complete impasse, according to sports daily L’Equipe.
The talented attacker currently has two years remaining on his deal at the Parc des Princes.
Impasse opens door for English clubs
Discussions regarding a new agreement were shelved during the latter stages of last season as the club focused on their successful Champions League defence.
The young forward has reportedly fallen behind Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the Parisian pecking order.
That situation has alerted Liverpool, who are actively seeking wide attacking reinforcements following the recent departure of Mohamed Salah.
Arsenal are also tracking the dynamic wideman as they look to build upon their Premier League title triumph.
Enrique desire at odds with club stance
Manager Luis Enrique is understood to strongly favour retaining the quick-footed attacker.
However, the Parisian hierarchy are now reportedly open to entertaining incoming offers.
The Spanish head coach previously described the winger as a player he had heavily invested hope in for the future.
“Bradley Barcola’s future? I have no doubt he’ll remain our player.”
“We like the fact that our players are interesting to other clubs. But he’s one of those young players we’ve been banking on. I expect him to play here for many more years.”
Alternative attacking targets
The recently crowned English champions have outlined a new forward as a priority target for the upcoming transfer window.
Lorient’s Eli Junior Kroupi and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams are also considered candidates for a move to North London.
Meanwhile, Liverpool face a crucial summer of transition following wholesale changes and the exit of key dressing room figures on Merseyside.
Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio has shown three red cards during a controversial World Cup clash between Mexico and South Africa following multiple VAR interventions.
The expanded 2026 tournament witnessed its first dismissals as officiating took centre stage during a fiery encounter.
Former Premier League referee Andy Davies has analysed the major flashpoints from the match to evaluate the use of video technology.
Sithole makes unwanted World Cup history
South Africa were trailing 1-0 early in the second half when Sphephelo Sithole was dismissed for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The midfielder brought down Brian Gutiérrez as the Mexican broke through on goal in the 49th minute.
Video assistant referee Nicolás Gallo Barragán reviewed the incident and endorsed the on-field decision.
Davies believes this was a straightforward call for the match officials.
“Gutiérrez had a clear opportunity to score with his next action, so the resulting red card was the correct decision,” Davies explained.
Harsh VAR intervention reduces South Africa to nine
The most contentious moment arrived in the 84th minute when Themba Zwane received his marching orders following a pitchside monitor review.
The veteran playmaker caught Roberto Alvarado in the face with his hand while attempting to bypass the North American defender.
Sampaio initially waved play on before being advised to halt proceedings by the VAR booth.
Davies insists the upgrade to a dismissal for violent conduct was excessively punitive.
“When you strike an opponent and there is contact to the face, there is a danger that it could be judged as violent conduct, but I do not believe this was an act of brutality,” Davies argued.
Montes dismissed in chaotic finale
The officiating expert suggested the Brazilian referee likely felt compelled to issue a red card after being summoned to the screen.
Despite enjoying a two-man advantage, El Tri also finished the match with ten players following a frantic stoppage-time sequence.
César Montes was penalised for denying a goal-scoring opportunity as the African side launched a desperate late counter-attack.
The flurry of disciplinary action highlights the intense scrutiny referees will face throughout this unprecedented 104-game tournament.
Tottenham Hotspur have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche after the player hinted at a summer departure while on international duty.
The north London club previously attempted to secure the 24-year-old’s signature during the last transfer window but were unable to finalise an agreement.
However, the French international is now reportedly open to exploring new opportunities following his involvement at the 2026 World Cup.
Akliouche addresses club future
When questioned by French outlet Nice-Matin about a potential transfer, the highly-rated attacker confirmed his desire to take the next step in his career.
I am focused on the World Cup.
[The World Cup] is a huge window of opportunity but I am focused on the national team’s objectives. I don’t want to disrespect my club by talking about the transfer window now.
The versatile playmaker enjoyed a highly productive domestic campaign, registering seven goals and nine assists across 41 appearances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
With only two years remaining on his current contract at the Stade Louis II, the principality outfit may view this summer as the optimal time to secure a premium transfer fee.
De Zerbi looks to bolster Spurs attack
Newly appointed Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi is eager to add attacking reinforcements ahead of his debut season in charge.
Spurs are already understood to be in advanced negotiations with Manchester City over a deal for Brazilian winger Savinho.
The Lilywhites will face fierce competition for Akliouche’s services, with Liverpool, Paris St-Germain and the reigning Premier League champions all reportedly monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the Tottenham hierarchy remain active in strengthening their defensive ranks, having recently secured free transfers for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.
The club are also preparing an improved third bid, believed to be in the region of £60m, for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.
Liverpool have confirmed the departure of three senior coaches following the dismissal of manager Arne Slot and the subsequent appointment of Andoni Iraola.
Sipke Hulshoff, Ruben Peeters and Giovanni van Bronckhorst have all been relieved of their duties at Anfield.
The trio formed a key part of the backroom staff under the departed Dutchman, but the club has opted to assemble a fresh coaching team.
First assistant coach Hulshoff and lead physical performance coach Peeters were instrumental during a highly successful debut campaign, helping the Merseyside club secure the Premier League title.
Iraola prepares to assemble new team
Van Bronckhorst departs after just 12 months, having joined the setup last summer.
New head coach Iraola is expected to target his own personnel, with reports suggesting the Spaniard wishes to recruit Bournemouth coach and boyhood Reds fan Tommy Elphick.
Slot paid the ultimate price for an underwhelming domestic season, seeing his side plummet from champions to a fifth-place finish.
The drastic drop in form came despite a summer transfer outlay exceeding £400m, a spending spree that saw the club break the British transfer record on two separate occasions.
A failure to find solutions
The former Feyenoord boss struggled to rectify systemic issues throughout the year, momentarily threatening their qualification for the Champions League.
At the time of his departure, a club statement highlighted the urgent necessity for a change in direction.
“We have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward.”
Prior to his dismissal, the departed manager had openly expressed confidence in retaining his position, with plans already underway to bring in Feyenoord assistant Etienne Reijnen.
Bournemouth pedigree brings fresh optimism
Iraola will now seek to translate his impressive managerial overachievement at the Vitality Stadium to the intense pressures of Anfield.
The highly-rated tactician masterminded a historic sixth-place finish for the Cherries last season, securing European football for the first time in their history.
“You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.”
Speaking upon his appointment, the incoming manager emphasised the undeniable draw of the club’s atmosphere, supporters, and the rare opportunity to challenge for major honours.
Manchester United have renewed their interest in signing Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, with scouts reportedly monitoring the centre-back during his recent World Cup appearances.
The 29-year-old recently completed the full 90 minutes as South Korea secured a 2-1 victory over Czechia in their opening Group A fixture.
Staged at the Estadio Akron in Mexico, the commanding performance further showcased the qualities that have caught the eye of the Premier League club.
German publication TZ reports that emissaries from Old Trafford have been tracking the imposing centre-half across multiple appearances.
A long-standing defensive target
This is not the first time the Red Devils have pursued the South Korean international.
The English giants closely monitored his progress during a standout spell in Italy with Napoli.
However, they ultimately missed out when the Bundesliga heavyweights activated a £43m release clause to bring him to Germany in 2023.
The former Serie A winner will have another opportunity to impress potential suitors when his nation faces World Cup co-hosts Mexico on Thursday.
United active in the transfer market
The Old Trafford hierarchy have already demonstrated their intent to rebuild by acting decisively in the summer window.
The Manchester club recently struck a deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson for an initial £35m fee.
With performance-related add-ons included, the overall value of that transfer could eventually reach £38.8m.
Meanwhile, pursuit of Nottingham Forest prospect Elliot Anderson has reportedly cooled, with rivals Manchester City now emerging as the preferred destination for the English talent.
The United States and Canada will play their opening fixtures of the 2026 World Cup on Friday, hosting Paraguay and Bosnia-Herzegovina respectively.
The co-hosts are eager to make an immediate impact as the expanded 48-team tournament gets fully underway across North America.
Los Angeles provides the backdrop for the Stars and Stripes, who take on South American opposition in their crucial first group stage encounter.
Meanwhile, the Canadian national team will welcome their European challengers to Toronto.
Early tournament drama sets the stage
The global showcase has already delivered significant talking points following the initial round of fixtures.
Fellow tournament hosts Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa in a highly physical encounter marred by multiple red cards.
Elsewhere, South Korea demonstrated remarkable resilience to overcome an early deficit and defeat Czechia 2-1.
A historic competition unfolds
This iteration of the premier international tournament is the largest event in football history.
Matches are being distributed across three nations, testing the logistical preparations of the entire continent.
Anticipation continues to build across the host cities as the remaining contenders finalise their tactical preparations.
Away from the football pitch, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was among the high-profile sporting spectators soaking up the North American atmosphere at the Stanley Cup.