Manchester City have completed the £2m signing of Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille to provide backup for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The World Cup winner arrives to bolster the goalkeeping department after James Trafford recently departed the Etihad to become the new first-choice stopper at Leeds United.
Rulli has agreed a two-year contract that will keep him in Manchester until 2028.
It marks a return to English football for the experienced shot-stopper, who previously spent the 2016-17 season with City without making a senior appearance.
European pedigree and international success
The former Ajax and Villarreal star is best remembered by British fans for his dramatic heroics against Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final.
During a tense penalty shootout, the South American famously converted his own spot-kick before making the decisive save to secure the continental trophy for the Spanish side.
At international level, he has earned eight caps for his country and was a member of the Argentina squad that lifted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
An amazing opportunity
When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it.
The returning player expressed his excitement about rejoining a club with such an impressive track record of long-term success and incredibly high standards.
My job now is to train hard, get to know the players and staff and do everything I can to reach my best level.
City’s football director Hugo Viana praised the acquisition, highlighting the obvious top-level experience the new signing will bring to the dressing room.
It is clear we are getting a brilliant professional, as well as a top keeper.
Viana confirmed the Argentine will form part of a strong goalkeeping unit alongside Italian international Donnarumma and fellow squad member Marcus.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is exploring a summer move to sign former Chelsea players Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto.
The Italian tactician is preparing for his first season at Etihad Stadium and wants to reunite with familiar faces.
Midfielder Fernandez is reportedly open to departing Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea are demanding a £120m fee.
The West London club are reluctant to lose the Argentine World Cup winner, making their hefty valuation a significant obstacle.
Maresca has also identified lightning-fast winger Neto as a potential replacement for current City attacker Savinho.
Tottenham open talks for Balogun
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur have initiated discussions to sign Monaco striker Folarin Balogun in a deal potentially worth €60m (£51m).
The United States international has attracted heavy interest from English and Spanish sides throughout the summer.
Newcastle United are actively monitoring the 25-year-old forward, while clubs in Saudi Arabia and Turkey have made recent enquiries.
Arsenal offer teenager to United
In a bid to balance their finances, Arsenal have offered teenage defender Myles Lewis-Skelly to Manchester United for £45m.
The Gunners are attempting to recoup funds following their recent £75m acquisition of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
United continue to prioritise Newcastle’s Lewis Hall for their left-back vacancy.
However, manager Matthias Jaissle is desperate to retain Hall after already losing Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
Barcelona negotiate Torres exit
In Spain, Barcelona have granted Ferran Torres permission to miss training as they negotiate his departure to Paris St-Germain.
The forward was due to return following an extended break after scoring the winning goal for Spain in the World Cup final.
The Catalan club are simultaneously working on an ambitious deal to bring Manchester City midfielder Rodri to the Nou Camp.
Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr are scheduling face-to-face talks with AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will return to action for Paris Saint-Germain against Aston Villa in the Uefa Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was absent from the recent World Cup but is determined to reclaim the spotlight following a stellar domestic campaign.
He was named the Champions League player of the season in May as the French giants successfully defended their European crown.
Now, the reigning champions begin their new campaign eyeing an unprecedented third consecutive continental triumph.
The catalyst for Parisian dominance
While team-mates Desire Doue, Vitinha and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele have claimed recent plaudits, the Georgian remains the heartbeat of this side.
Since arriving from Napoli in January last year, the dynamic forward has transformed Luis Enrique’s team into a relentless pressing machine.
His high-intensity approach immediately elevated the standards of the entire forward line in the French capital.
During the latter stages of last season’s Champions League, no player scored more goals or provided more assists from open play.
A familiar threat for Aston Villa
Aston Villa will be acutely aware of the danger posed by the former Napoli star ahead of their showpiece meeting in Austria.
The lightning-fast winger previously tormented the Premier League side during a gruelling Champions League quarter-final clash in 2025.
His mesmerising footwork famously dismantled the Villa defence during the first leg of what was arguably the Parisians’ toughest European test that year.
Before his move to France, he famously ended Napoli’s long wait for a Serie A title, earning himself the affectionate nickname ‘Kvaradona’.
As club football resumes following a star-studded summer international tournament, this genuine outlier of the world game is ready to take centre stage once more.
Tottenham Hotspur have accelerated their pursuit of Monaco striker Folarin Balogun by laying the foundations for a £51m transfer.
Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is eager to drastically bolster his attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
The north London club are reportedly working on deals for Manchester City winger Savinho and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, but a central striker remains the priority.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Tottenham have made a decisive move in recent hours to secure the USA international for a fee in the region of €60m.
Transfer record could be broken again
Tottenham have already shattered their transfer record twice this summer to bring in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
With less than three weeks until the 1 September deadline, the club hierarchy are prepared to back De Zerbi heavily once more.
Newcastle United and several Spanish clubs have monitored the 25-year-old, but Spurs have now seized the initiative to bring him back to English football.
The forward enjoyed an outstanding domestic campaign for Monaco before starring for his country at their home World Cup this summer.
International praise from team-mates
He further enhanced his growing global reputation by netting three goals in just four tournament appearances.
National team colleague Christian Pulisic was quick to praise the lightning-fast striker following a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
He was absolutely insane out there.
The impressive displays have convinced the Spurs recruitment team that he is ready to lead the line in the Premier League.
Richarlison facing potential exit
The potential arrival of the American casts significant doubt over the long-term future of Richarlison.
The Brazilian is increasingly linked with a move away from the capital, with Spurs reportedly demanding £40m to sanction his departure.
Since his £60m arrival from Everton in 2022, the forward has managed 32 goals in 133 appearances but has struggled to justify his enormous price tag.
De Zerbi is widely expected to overhaul his forward line, and the former Monaco star is viewed as a clear tactical upgrade.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Barcelona defender Jules Kounde hinges on whether North London rivals Tottenham are willing to sell Pedro Porro to the Catalan club.
Mikel Arteta is desperate to recruit an experienced defender this summer to provide vital cover for William Saliba.
The French centre-back is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season due to a back injury sustained at the World Cup.
Aston Villa interest and Barcelona shift
The Gunners initially identified Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa as a primary defensive target.
However, a prohibitive £60m valuation and rival interest from Liverpool forced the Emirates club to pivot their attention towards Kounde.
The France international offers valuable tactical flexibility, capable of operating comfortably at both right-back and centre-half.
Securing the 25-year-old remains complicated, as he currently has four years remaining on his contract and is reportedly reluctant to leave Spain.
Tottenham’s role in the transfer chain
Barcelona are willing to consider a lucrative sale to fund a revamp of their defensive line under manager Hansi Flick.
The Spanish giants have already loaned Ronald Araujo to Liverpool and view Tottenham’s Porro as their ideal replacement for Kounde.
This development leaves Arsenal heavily reliant on their fiercest rivals sanctioning a departure for the highly-rated full-back.
Porro recently committed his long-term future to Spurs by signing a new contract that runs until June 2031.
De Zerbi determined to keep Porro
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has made it completely clear he has no intention of losing the World Cup winner.
“Pedro is a very important player for us, who has consistently shown his ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking situations.”
“As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level.”
Any failure to land a defender would compound a frustrating window for Arsenal, who have already missed out on Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
Despite capturing Bruno Guimaraes for £75m, Arteta confirmed the club remains actively searching for squad improvements.
“If we have the right player in the market to make us much better, we are very looking forward to it.”
Paris St-Germain will begin their quest for an unprecedented six-trophy haul when they face Aston Villa in the Uefa Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday.
The back-to-back European champions are aiming to become only the second team in the modern era to win three consecutive Champions League titles.
Luis Enrique’s side face the Europa League winners as they look to add to their growing continental dominance.
After decades of frustration, the French giants finally conquered Europe by thrashing Inter Milan in Munich in 2025.
The capital club then successfully defended their crown by defeating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest earlier this year.
Chasing Real Madrid’s historic European record
Only Real Madrid have previously managed to retain the trophy in the modern Champions League era.
The Spanish heavyweights achieved a remarkable three-peat between 2016 and 2018.
Legendary sides managed by Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson never managed to win three consecutive European titles.
In the older European Cup format, Ajax and Bayern Munich also achieved three successive victories during the 1970s.
Targeting an unprecedented six-trophy clean sweep
The reigning Ligue 1 champions will compete across six different competitions during the upcoming campaign.
Alongside the Uefa Super Cup and Champions League, they will contest domestic league and cup honours, the Trophee des Champions, and the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.
The Parisian outfit secured a joint-record five trophies last term, only missing out on the French Cup following a surprise defeat by neighbours Paris FC.
No major team in world football has ever completed a clean sweep of six major pieces of silverware in a single season.
Celtic famously secured five trophies in 1967, a feat later matched by several European heavyweights including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
World Cup fatigue and a disrupted pre-season
The French powerhouse may experience a sluggish start to the campaign due to severe fixture congestion.
Sixteen members of their squad recently participated in the World Cup, with six reaching the final weekend of the tournament.
Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz lifted the prestigious international trophy, while five of his club-mates featured for runners-up France.
With just 24 days between the global showpiece final and Wednesday’s clash in Austria, several key stars remain far from fully rested.
A similar schedule disruption occurred last season, yet the French champions still managed to overcome Tottenham on penalties in the previous Uefa Super Cup.
Former France international Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco as discussions over an early termination of his two-year contract near a conclusion.
The midfielder originally joined the Ligue 1 outfit last summer following a reduction in his lengthy doping suspension.
He signed a deal intended to run until the end of the forthcoming campaign.
However, a source has told the BBC that negotiations regarding an early departure are well under way and should be finalised shortly.
Managerial change prompts midfield reshuffle
The former Juventus star endured an injury-disrupted debut season in the principality.
There was initial optimism that the upcoming campaign would see the 2018 World Cup winner return to regular first-team action.
Those hopes appear to have been dashed by a recent managerial switch at the club.
Filipe Luis has replaced Sebastien Pocognoli in the dugout, leading the side to pursue a different direction in central midfield.
Return from lengthy doping suspension
Monaco have not yet issued an official comment regarding the ongoing exit negotiations.
The highly decorated playmaker was provisionally suspended from football for four years following a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in August 2023.
He consistently maintained his innocence, arguing that the banned substance was ingested accidentally via an unknowingly contaminated supplement.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport eventually reduced that ban to 18 months, clearing the way for his return to professional action in March 2025.
Record signing Morgan Rogers and three other summer arrivals could make their Chelsea debuts this Saturday when Xabi Alonso takes charge of his first home game against Real Sociedad.
The West London club have won two of their five pre-season fixtures to date, securing victories over Western Sydney Wanderers and AC Milan.
Rogers has yet to feature for his new employers following a mandatory three-week break after international duty.
Record signing ready for action
The former Aston Villa man helped England secure third place at the World Cup in July, delaying his integration into the domestic squad.
The £117m attacking midfielder recently reported to the Cobham training facility to commence a condensed pre-season programme.
Coaching staff will now assess the 22-year-old before a final decision is made regarding his involvement against the Spanish side.
“I’m so excited. For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.”
Morgan Rogers
High expectations in the capital
“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading,” the British record transfer addition added.
“That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Maxence Lacroix, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson also completed their first training sessions on Tuesday and could feature this weekend.
Triple fitness boost for Alonso
Henderson is now fully fit after removing a cast from his arm.
The veteran midfielder sustained a freak injury during England’s post-match celebrations against Mexico, forcing him to miss the remainder of the World Cup.
Club captain Reece James and Malo Gusto have also returned to full training to bolster the defensive options available to the new manager.
Enzo Fernandez remains active in preparations despite ongoing speculation surrounding the Argentine’s future at Stamford Bridge.