New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is considering triggering the €60m release clause of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to complete his summer rebuild.
The Spanish tactician has identified the Portuguese international as the vital final component needed for his new squad at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso recently overhauled his attacking options by securing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a British record £117m.
Attention has now firmly shifted towards upgrading a defensive unit that has lacked a truly elite presence between the posts.
Seeking a long-term solution
The West London club have struggled to find a reliable first-choice stopper since Thibaut Courtois departed for Real Madrid in 2018.
Robert Sanchez has largely retained the starting role in recent seasons, despite failing to entirely convince a succession of different managers.
His deputy, Filip Jorgensen, notably struggled during a Champions League knockout clash with Paris St-Germain when a desire to play out from the back proved costly.
Costa represents a premium upgrade after coming through the ranks to establish himself as the undisputed number one for both club and country.
Door left open for Premier League move
The highly rated shot-stopper, who boasts 48 international caps, recently helped his boyhood club lift the Portuguese Super Cup following a victory over Torreense.
Despite maintaining a long-term contract with the Primeira Liga champions, the sought-after custodian refused to definitively rule out a summer departure.
“I’ve been linked with leaving this club for some time now. As I’ve done up to now, what I can say is that I’m very happy here and, while I’m here, I will always be the same player and the same person.”
However, the experienced goalkeeper acknowledged the unpredictable nature of top-flight football when pressed further on his future.
“I very much want to keep winning titles for FC Porto, but we all know what the life of a professional player is like.”
“It’s something I can’t promise, but what I can promise is my work and my commitment, as I have done since I started playing for the first team.”
A record-breaking nine Premier League clubs will begin the 2026-27 season with a new permanent manager following a summer of unprecedented turnover.
Almost half of the English top flight has experienced sweeping changes in the dugout ahead of the opening weekend.
The scale of this managerial reshape includes major transitions at heavyweights such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
The previous high mark for opening-day appointments was set in 2016-17, when eight teams kicked off under fresh leadership.
Title contenders undergo major dugout transformations
Andoni Iraola has taken the reins at Anfield following the dismissal of Arne Slot.
Meanwhile, the reigning champions replaced the departing Pep Guardiola with Enzo Maresca after the Catalan’s trophy-laden spell at Etihad Stadium concluded.
Xabi Alonso is tasked with leading a senior revolution at Stamford Bridge, succeeding Liam Rosenior after his brief tenure in west London.
Newcastle United are also expected to finalise the appointment of Matthias Jaissle following the resignation of Eddie Howe.
Mid-table upheaval creates unpredictable landscape
The sweeping alterations extend well beyond the traditional elite, with Bournemouth securing Marco Rose to replace the Liverpool-bound Iraola.
Nottingham Forest turned to Oliver Glasner after sacking Vitor Pereira, prompting Crystal Palace to hire Pierre Sage when the Austrian’s deal expired.
Former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa assumes control at Fulham following Marco Silva’s departure.
Ipswich Town moved swiftly to install Gary O’Neil as their successor to the resigning Kieran McKenna.
Arteta remains a rare symbol of longevity
This dramatic turnover leaves Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as the division’s longest-serving boss, having arrived at Emirates Stadium in December 2019.
Only Atletico Madrid tactician Diego Simeone boasts a longer uninterrupted tenure across Europe’s five major leagues.
The rapid nature of the current hiring cycle is perfectly illustrated by Michael Carrick’s situation at Manchester United.
Despite only being named permanent manager in May after a spell in interim charge, the former England midfielder is already the 11th longest-serving coach in the Premier League.
Carrick is remarkably the seventh permanent figurehead at Old Trafford since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson just over a decade ago.
Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg has been appointed as the next commissioner of Major League Soccer following a vote by league owners in New York.
He will officially assume the top executive role on 1 January 2027, succeeding long-serving incumbent Don Garber.
Garber, who has stewarded the North American top flight since 1999, will transition to the position of league chairman once the handover is complete.
Navigating a new calendar and media landscape
The incoming leader takes charge at a pivotal juncture for the rapidly expanding competition.
Following a transitional shortened season in 2026, the league is set to pivot to a radical summer-to-autumn calendar format for the 2027-28 campaign.
The former private equity and finance executive will also be immediately tasked with managing negotiations for the next broadcasting cycle.
The competition’s current global media rights deal with Apple TV is scheduled to conclude in 2029.
I’m honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era.
Larry Berg
The new appointee expressed immense excitement for the future, highlighting opportunities to strengthen the competition’s quality and develop more world-class talent.
Divesting from a Californian powerhouse
To ensure total impartiality in his new governing role, the future commissioner will divest his ownership stake in LAFC through an established transition process.
Since their debut in 2018, the Californian franchise have established themselves as a dominant force in the domestic game.
Under his partial stewardship, the black-and-gold outfit claimed an MLS Cup, two Supporters’ Shields, and a US Open Cup trophy.
Jimmy Haslam, co-chair of the MLS succession committee, praised the newly appointed executive’s lifelong connection to the sport and global perspective.
Throughout our process, it became clear that Larry is uniquely qualified to lead MLS through one of the most significant periods in its history.
Jimmy Haslam
Garber’s eventual departure from the commissioner’s desk marks the end of a transformative 28-year reign.
During his tenure, he oversaw the project balloon from a fragile 10-team setup into a robust 30-club enterprise stretching across the United States and Canada.
Fulham have completed the double signing of Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid on five-year contracts.
The Spanish pair arrive at Craven Cottage in a move that reunites them with former Bernabeu coach and newly appointed Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Garcia, a 22-year-old forward who recently earned his first senior international cap for Spain, joins for a reported fee of £34m following an impressive campaign.
The versatile attacker made 39 appearances and scored eight goals across all competitions last season, notably finishing as joint-top scorer at the Club World Cup.
Reunion with Arbeloa in the Premier League
The highly rated forward expressed his immense delight at making the permanent switch to English football.
“I’m very grateful, very happy to be here,” Garcia said.
“I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they’ve put in me, and I’m very, very excited to start.”
Joining him in west London is 21-year-old attacking midfielder Palacios, who provides further creative reinforcement for the Cottagers ahead of the upcoming domestic season.
Long-term commitment to young talent
The Spanish Under-20 international made five substitute appearances for Los Blancos’ senior side before opting to seek regular first-team opportunities in England.
Both prospects have committed their futures to the club with long-term agreements running until the summer of 2031.
The Premier League side also hold options to extend both contracts by a further 12 months, underlining a clear strategy to develop elite European talent.
The family of Kevin Keegan have announced plans for a private funeral and charity fundraiser following the former England manager’s death from stomach cancer on 20 July.
The 75-year-old passed away last month, prompting an unprecedented outpouring of tributes from across the global footballing community.
A heartfelt statement released via the League Managers Association expressed profound gratitude for the immense support received by his relatives.
“As a family we have been truly overwhelmed by the volume of tributes and are grateful for them all.”
The loved ones of the double Ballon d’Or winner requested ongoing privacy as they navigate this extremely difficult period.
Charity fundraiser launched
Instead of floral tributes, relatives have established a fundraising page to support causes deeply important to the former Liverpool and Hamburg striker.
Donations will be split evenly between The Christie Charity and Football Families for Justice.
The latter organisation, established by John Stiles, supports ex-players suffering from neurodegenerative diseases linked to heading footballs during their careers.
“A sporting superstar, but also a husband, father, grandfather and friend – Kevin gave so much to us all.”
Public memorial planned
While the initial service will remain small, supporters will have the opportunity to pay their respects at a later date.
Newcastle United are scheduled to host a large-scale memorial service at St James’ Park to celebrate their legendary former manager.
The former Southampton forward remains an iconic figure on Tyneside, having completely transformed the club’s fortunes during the 1990s.
“Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.”
The Magpies praised the infectious ambition and world-class talent that the 63-cap international brought to the North East.
Liverpool have highlighted a pressing need for defensive reinforcements after suffering a 4-2 pre-season defeat by Leeds United during their tour of the United States.
Head coach Andoni Iraola admitted the Chicago friendly was both useful and revealing.
“Obviously it’s not the result you want but I think it was probably the most useful friendly we played,” he said.
The Spaniard noted his side learned valuable lessons from a collapse that saw four goals conceded in just 25 second-half minutes.
Youthful backline brutally exposed
The Premier League giants fielded a highly experimental defence featuring Luke Chambers and Milos Kerkez.
While a similarly inexperienced rearguard kept a clean sheet against Wrexham days earlier, top-flight opposition proved far less forgiving.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ruthlessly exploited the gaps, brutally cutting open the makeshift back four.
Only Hungarian international Kerkez is currently expected to start when the upcoming league campaign begins.
Transfer market demands grow
Club captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to training, but depth remains a critical issue for the Anfield outfit.
The Dutch stalwart will require a reliable partner when the Merseyside club face Newcastle United in less than three weeks.
Current options are severely limited, with experienced regulars Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate having recently departed.
Injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni have further depleted the squad, while new arrival Jeremy Jacquet is having his minutes carefully managed.
Seeking experienced solutions
Sporting director Richard Hughes attended earlier tour matches and will be acutely aware of the mounting defensive crisis.
At least one versatile centre-back is urgently required, especially with Conor Bradley remaining far from a first-team return.
Last season, Arne Slot was forced to deploy midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as emergency full-backs.
“Last season I played a lot of positions,” Szoboszlai noted following the defeat.
“Hopefully he puts me in midfield but if he needs me at right-back, I am happy to do that.”
Former skipper Phil Thompson believes the current setup must lean heavily on their remaining senior figures.
He noted that previous title-winning iterations of the squad relied on a fantastic leadership group to navigate difficult periods.
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sell defender Trevoh Chalobah to Italian side Como as the London club looks to trim its heavily bloated squad.
The academy graduate has fallen drastically down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following another busy summer of spending.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the Serie A outfit have now secured a verbal commitment for the centre-back.
A move to Italy would finally end a lengthy and emotional association with his boyhood team.
Balancing the books
The Blues are actively seeking to offload homegrown talent to comply with financial regulations.
Following a string of new arrivals, further exits were deemed completely inevitable before the transfer window closes.
The English centre-half found his opportunities increasingly limited following the recent recruitment of further defensive reinforcements.
Fellow Stamford Bridge defender Tosin Adarabioyo recently offered high praise for his outgoing teammate.
He is flawless.
Tosin Adarabioyo
A fresh start in Italy
A switch to the peninsula offers a crucial chance for regular first-team football.
The ambitious Italian side have been aggressively targeting experienced players from top European leagues to bolster their newly-promoted ranks.
The exact fee for the former England Under-21 international has not yet been officially disclosed.
Negotiations are expected to progress rapidly over the coming days to finalise the requisite paperwork.
Liverpool have opened formal negotiations with Paris St-Germain to sign France winger Bradley Barcola in a transfer that could be worth more than £87m.
The Premier League side are desperate to bolster their forward line following the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah at the end of last season.
Manager Andoni Iraola has identified the 23-year-old as his primary target to line up alongside Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Valuation gap remains
The back-to-back European champions currently value their prized asset at approximately £145m.
However, the Anfield club are aiming to negotiate a lower fee and have signalled a willingness to bid above €100m (£87m).
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that while an agreement is not imminent, the player is extremely eager to complete a move to England.
“Next week, new contacts prepared between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola,” Romano stated on his YouTube channel.
A potential summer saga
The Italian transfer specialist suggested the complex negotiations could drag on throughout the summer window.
“Paris Saint-Germain are open to negotiating, but their conditions are expensive,” Romano added.
“Negotiations are going to take place, but don’t forget that the player wants to go to Liverpool, and that Liverpool consider Barcola their top, top target.”
The French World Cup semi-finalist enjoyed a stellar international tournament, registering three goals and one assist across eight appearances.
At club level, the dynamic forward’s creative metrics have been exceptional under Luis Enrique.
The Parisian manager recently praised the lightning-fast attacker as the finest passer in Ligue 1, while team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma previously labelled him phenomenal.
Competition for attacking spaces
Further attacking arrivals at Anfield may depend on the futures of Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa, who all face uncertain summers.
Meanwhile, Barcola’s desire to secure guaranteed starting opportunities has accelerated his search for a new challenge away from the French capital.