Serbia international Dusan Vlahovic will leave Juventus on a free transfer this summer after the club failed to meet his salary demands.
The imposing forward has been a vital component of the Turin side’s attack since his £60m arrival from Fiorentina in 2022.
During his time in black and white, the prolific marksman has netted 68 goals in 168 appearances across all competitions.
In fact, only Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has outscored the former Fiorentina man in Serie A over that period.
Injury struggles and financial realities
However, a persistent thigh injury has severely disrupted his current campaign, limiting him to just seven league goals in 19 outings.
Juventus have also endured a difficult domestic season, finishing sixth in the table and consequently missing out on lucrative Champions League qualification.
That failure to secure top-tier European football has forced the Italian giants into making difficult financial decisions to balance the books.
Club director Giorgio Chiellini confirmed that the administration could not facilitate the player’s requested terms after months of intense negotiations.
“I am very sad, he cared about Juve right up to the last minute,” Chiellini told news agency AGI.
“He is a serious professional. With these figures, he won’t remain in Italy, so it is only fair and legitimate that he is seeking a different type of salary.”
Premier League clubs on red alert
The confirmation of his imminent departure has inevitably sparked intense speculation regarding his next destination.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have all reportedly registered their interest in acquiring the powerful target man.
The English trio could face stiff competition from mainland Europe, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona also monitoring the situation closely.
Manager Luciano Spalletti had previously emphasized the striker’s unique importance to the squad, praising his physical attributes and ability to lead the line.
“We missed Vlahovic terribly because we don’t have someone else with his characteristics,” Spalletti admitted last month.
“A winning team needs a physical, strong centre-forward. Even if he’s not that tall, he still needs to be able to hold off defenders, deal with the physical duel.”
Chelsea are prepared to listen to offers for Alejandro Garnacho this summer, just 12 months after the winger arrived at Stamford Bridge for £40m.
The Argentine made the switch from Premier League rivals Manchester United last year to rebuild his career after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
However, the 21-year-old failed to secure a regular starting position in west London, finding himself largely restricted to appearances from the substitutes’ bench.
Struggles in the final third
A succession of managers including Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior and Calum McFarlane consistently preferred alternative attacking options.
Consequently, the former Old Trafford prospect started merely 14 league matches across the campaign, returning a solitary goal.
The Blues endured a dismal season overall, finishing 10th in the table after suffering seven defeats in their final 10 domestic fixtures.
Alonso faces extensive rebuild
Newly appointed head coach Xabi Alonso arrives as the club’s fourth permanent boss since 2022 and is expected to oversee a significant squad overhaul.
Several other forward players could depart, with striker Liam Delap seemingly losing the hierarchy’s backing following an injury-plagued debut season.
Nicolas Jackson is deemed surplus to requirements following the arrival of Joao Pedro, despite the Senegal international returning from a loan spell at Bayern Munich.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Axel Disasi are also anticipated to leave the capital club.
Conversely, Jamie Gittens will be granted more time to prove his worth following a similarly challenging transition from Borussia Dortmund.
The incoming Spanish manager will be bolstered by the impending arrival of Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon, while the board remains determined to retain Real Madrid target Enzo Fernandez.
Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, successfully beating Premier League rivals Manchester City to the prospect’s signature.
The Gunners secured the young talent’s commitment after key recruitment figure Andrea Berta held a decisive meeting with the player.
It is understood the North London club outlined a clear development pathway similar to that of emerging academy star Max Dowman.
This long-term vision ultimately convinced the highly sought-after wide player to choose the Emirates Stadium over the reigning champions.
Building on recent domestic success
This early transfer agreement follows a historic 2025-26 campaign that saw the club successfully lift the Premier League trophy.
However, a heartbreaking defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s Champions League final highlighted a critical need for enhanced squad depth.
Disappointing early exits in domestic cup competitions have also prompted a swift summer recruitment drive.
Management staff are working tirelessly to ensure the English champions possess the necessary quality to compete on all four fronts next season.
Midfield reinforcements and loan plans
The Foxes academy product could be sent out on loan during the upcoming summer transfer window to gain valuable senior experience.
Meanwhile, the club hierarchy are simultaneously pushing hard to secure a new elite central midfielder.
A substantial £52m bid has reportedly been submitted for a separate priority target ahead of the impending World Cup.
Forward Lauren James is fit to feature as England can secure their place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup by avoiding defeat against Spain in Mallorca on Friday.
The Lionesses currently sit top of Group A3 after winning all four of their qualifying matches and conceding just one goal.
Sarina Wiegman’s side hold a three-point advantage over second-placed Spain heading into the penultimate qualifier.
A draw or victory against Sonia Bermudez’s team will give England an unassailable lead before their final group game against Ukraine.
Rivalry renewed in Mallorca
The fixture reignites a fiercely competitive rivalry between the two European heavyweights.
England suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Spaniards in the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney.
However, the European champions have won three of their four meetings since, including a narrow 1-0 victory at Wembley in April.
“We approach the game as we want to win the game,” said manager Wiegman.
“We’re in a good position. We just really want to qualify as quick as possible and top the group.”
Squad updates as key players return
Wiegman confirmed her entire travelling squad is fully fit and ready for the crucial tie.
The availability of the dynamic Chelsea attacker provides a significant boost, alongside the return of Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone.
Captain Leah Williamson remains absent through injury, but the coaching staff are confident in the team’s overall depth.
“We have done this before, a squad without Leah, so I am comfortable with that,” added the Dutch coach.
Securing early qualification for the tournament in Brazil would provide the national squad with invaluable preparation time over the next year.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago has outlined his ambitions with Brazil ahead of the upcoming World Cup following a prolific debut season in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old earned his first senior international call-up in March and has already established himself within the national setup.
The reliable penalty taker has translated his domestic scoring form to the international stage, finding the net twice in his first three appearances for the Selecao.
Embracing the national expectation
Brazil enter the tournament carrying the immense expectations of their supporters, having failed to progress past the quarter-finals in their last two global campaigns.
The five-time world champions have not lifted the prestigious trophy since 2002, prompting the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti to lead the squad this summer.
“When you are playing for the Brazil national team, you have to deal with this kind of pressure because it’s part of playing for Brazil.”
Relying on a personal superpower
The former Club Brugge forward remains completely unfazed by the heightened scrutiny surrounding the team’s prospects.
He attributes his mental resilience and ability to handle elite-level pressure to his deep personal faith.
“My faith is my source of peace, balance and to give my best.”
From childhood dreams to reality
Growing up in South America, the Premier League marksman vividly remembers gathering with dozens of extended family members to watch the national team compete.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment. When it happened, it took me a while to absorb what was happening because it’s Brazil, there’s something about that which makes it different.”
His journey to the international fold features early career setbacks and challenging developmental stints with Ludogorets before securing his breakthrough move to London.
“To be called up, to represent my country, to fight for my country, to represent my people, it’s something that I can’t explain or put into words.”
Arsenal have strongly hinted at completing a permanent £45m deal for Piero Hincapie after omitting the on-loan defender from their official end-of-season released list.
The South American spent the previous campaign on loan from Bayer Leverkusen and quickly established himself as Mikel Arteta’s preferred option at left-back.
His impressive form culminated in a starting role during the recent Champions League final defeat by Paris St-Germain.
The Gunners had been widely expected to trigger their option to buy the versatile 24-year-old, and his absence from Thursday’s departure announcements suggests an official agreement is imminent.
Significant departures in north London
The club’s retained list confirmed that 15 players across the senior and youth teams will leave when their contracts expire on 30 June.
When Arsenal published a similar document last year, loan signings such as Raheem Sterling were explicitly confirmed to be returning to their parent clubs.
The lack of such clarification regarding the former Leverkusen man points heavily towards a prolonged stay at Emirates Stadium.
McCabe and Mead among major exits
Alongside the men’s squad updates, several high-profile figures from the women’s team are confirmed to be moving on.
Arsenal Women legends Beth Mead and Katie McCabe will depart, with the latter having already agreed a controversial switch to London rivals Chelsea.
Meanwhile, promising academy prospect Josh Nichols is set to join Croatian outfit NK Kustosija after penning an emotional farewell to supporters.
Club pays tribute to departing players
The north London side also revealed that discussions remain ongoing with Australian forward Caitlin Foord and two academy scholars regarding potential contract extensions.
In an official statement addressing the raft of summer exits, the club expressed their gratitude to those moving on to new chapters.
We thank all the players leaving us for their contributions to the club.
You will always be part of the Arsenal family and we wish you all the best of health and happiness in your futures.
Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison by an Istanbul court for inciting illegal betting.
The significant ruling arrives just days before the Turkish giants are scheduled to elect a new president at an extraordinary congress.
Judges found the sports executive and his brother, Kenan Saran, guilty of encouraging individuals to engage in illicit gambling through advertising and other means.
Local media reports indicate the departing chief consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout his legal defence.
Elections overshadowed by controversy
Saran had already announced his intention to step down from his leadership role prior to the conviction.
The club will convene on 6 and 7 June to determine a successor capable of ending a frustrating 13-year championship drought.
Former chairman Aziz Yildirim has announced his candidacy in a bid to return to the presidency.
He will face a direct challenge from businessman Hakan Safi for overall control of the Istanbul institution.
Wider Turkish football crisis
This high-profile sentencing comes amid extensive ongoing investigations by authorities into alleged match-fixing and illegal gambling across the nation.
The sprawling probe has severely disrupted domestic competitions during the current campaign.
The Turkish Football Federation has suspended dozens of referees as a direct consequence of these widening inquiries.
Several commentators, match officials, and top-tier players have also faced detention or arrest as authorities continue their crackdown.
This latest legal setback for Saran follows a brief, unrelated detention earlier this year connected to a separate probe into drug use among Turkish celebrities.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been photographed in public for the first time since being taken to hospital as a precaution in May.
The 84-year-old Scot was spotted in high spirits posing with a supporter at a restaurant in Wilmslow.
He had previously missed United’s home fixture against Liverpool on 3 May following a sudden health scare.
Paramedics transported the legendary boss away in an ambulance shortly before kick-off, although the situation was not deemed an emergency.
Recovery progress confirmed
Following the incident, the 13-time Premier League winner returned home to continue his recuperation away from the public eye.
League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan recently confirmed the managerial icon is firmly on the mend.
His recovery meant he was unable to attend the recent LMA annual awards ceremony.
England manager Thomas Tuchel stepped in to present the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy to Frank Lampard in his absence.
“It is, of course, not the same without Sir Alex himself, and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery so that he is hopefully with us next year on stage again.”
A special supporter encounter
Football enthusiast Vimal Devassy shared the newly emerged photograph online alongside a heartfelt message.
The restaurant worker expressed his deep admiration for the profound impact the former Aberdeen manager had on Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I wasn’t shaking because I met a football legend, I was shaking because I was standing beside a man who helped shape the journey of my idol.”
Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest minds, the veteran coach stepped down from his Old Trafford role in 2013 after 26 spectacularly successful years.