Federico Chiesa has declared his commitment to Liverpool following growing speculation over his future, insisting he is fully focused on the new era under manager Andoni Iraola.
The Italian international scored during Saturday’s 4-2 friendly victory against Sunderland as the Reds began their pre-season preparations.
His goalscoring return comes amid intense scrutiny regarding his position on Merseyside after a highly frustrating spell under previous boss Arne Slot.
Seeking consistency in the Premier League
Across two seasons working with Slot, the 28-year-old managed just a single top-flight start and recorded five goals in 50 appearances across all competitions.
This lack of regular game time led the former Juventus winger to publicly admit last month that he would have to look elsewhere if his situation did not improve.
However, following a promising early display under Iraola, the attacker has now firmly clarified his immediate intentions.
Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything.
I am doing the best I can to have a chance here – and then we will see.
At the minute, the only thing I am thinking about is Liverpool.
Overcoming past frustrations
Iraola arrived at Anfield in June following the dismissal of Slot, presenting a crucial clean slate for players previously on the fringes of the squad.
The £12.5m signing, who remains contracted to the club until 2028, appears determined to prove his worth to the newly appointed Spanish coach.
When questioned about whether this summer represents a genuinely fresh start, the forward offered a remarkably honest assessment of his recent history.
Maybe there have been too many fresh starts. But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager.
Last year, I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not.
The gaffer decided to do so, he had his gameplans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that. It is football.
This year, let us say it is a new chapter. There is a new manager and I have to focus on that.
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has dismissed Liverpool’s hopes of signing Michael Olise this summer, insisting the winger will remain in Germany.
The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield as the Premier League club reportedly search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.
Real Madrid have also shown strong interest in the Frenchman following a superb individual World Cup campaign where he provided seven assists in eight matches.
Stunning debut season in Germany
Olise enjoyed an outstanding previous campaign under manager Vincent Kompany, registering a combined 48 goals and assists across 52 appearances.
His prolific attacking output helped the Bavarian giants secure a domestic double, lifting both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal.
Consequently, the German champions are eager to retain their star attacker and are reportedly preparing to offer him a lucrative new contract.
Real Madrid speculation dismissed
When questioned about claims that the highly-rated forward was pushing for a move to Spain, Freund remained completely relaxed about the situation.
“This is absolutely not an issue for us.”
“We’re delighted that Michael is back from his holiday. He’ll play an important role for FC Bayern this season, just as he did last season, too.”
The sporting director’s comments followed a surprise 2-1 friendly defeat for a youthful Bayern side against third-tier outfit Wehen Wiesbaden.
Senior figures such as Olise and England captain Harry Kane were absent from that fixture but are expected to feature later in the pre-season schedule.
Alternative targets identified
Real Madrid recently issued a formal statement denying reports that they had submitted a £130m bid for the coveted attacker.
The Spanish club highlighted their excellent institutional relationship with Bayern and expressed regret over the circulation of unfounded speculation.
Given the firm stance from Munich, both Liverpool and Real Madrid are now actively exploring alternative attacking options in the transfer market.
The Merseyside club are reportedly monitoring Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche to bolster their forward line.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig have reportedly rejected an £85m bid from Los Blancos for Yan Diomande, demanding a fee closer to the £100m mark.
Andoni Iraola began his tenure as Liverpool manager with a 4-2 pre-season victory over Sunderland in Nashville, though the result was overshadowed by an early injury to Joe Gomez.
The Spanish tactician watched his new side secure a high-scoring win in the United States courtesy of goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas.
However, the celebratory mood quickly dampened when the Reds’ captain for the evening went down in the eighth minute.
Gomez was immediately withdrawn, compounding an already precarious defensive situation for the Premier League giants.
Defensive crisis looms for Iraola
The Merseyside club are desperately short of senior options at centre-back following a string of high-profile absences.
“Probably the worst news has been straight away the injury of Joe,” said the former Bournemouth boss.
We were happy because we were going through training without losing any players and unluckily for us we’ve lost Joe straight away.
With Virgil van Dijk given extended leave following the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign and new signing Jeremy Jacquet rested, two 18-year-old debutants were forced to hold the defensive line.
Mor Talla N’diaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe performed admirably, but sporting director Richard Hughes will be acutely aware of the need for immediate reinforcements.
Teenager Giovanni Leoni also remains sidelined as he recovers from a severe anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Attacking flair shines in Music City
Despite their defensive frailties, Liverpool demonstrated plenty of attacking intent to entertain the American crowd.
Sunderland had initially threatened an upset, with Enzo le Fee and Timur Tutierov finding the net for the Championship side.
Yet the introduction of Szoboszlai at half-time shifted the momentum firmly back in Liverpool’s favour.
The Hungarian playmaker marked his return with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area to level the contest at 2-2.
Harvey Elliott also impressed upon returning from a loan spell at Aston Villa, providing the assist for Morrison’s opening goal.
Following the departure of Mohamed Salah, the 19-year-old Northern Ireland international highlighted his potential as a valuable attacking option for the upcoming campaign.
Jack Grealish’s hopes of a return to Aston Villa appear over after the club signed winger Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea.
The 22-year-old Argentine has agreed a season-long move to Villa Park with an obligation to buy next summer.
His arrival follows Chelsea acquiring Morgan Rogers for a record £117m fee, initiating a domino effect in the transfer market.
Injury struggles and loan spell
The 30-year-old England international spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Everton from Manchester City after falling out of favour.
The former Villa captain regained his creative spark on Merseyside, registering six assists in 22 appearances before suffering a momentum-halting stress fracture in his foot.
Now back at the Etihad Stadium, the playmaker must decide whether to fight for his place under Enzo Maresca or seek a permanent departure.
A closed door at Villa Park
A romantic homecoming to the club he joined as a six-year-old had been heavily touted as the ideal solution.
Former team-mate Robert Snodgrass recently suggested a deal was a “no-brainer” for both parties.
“It’s well-documented that he is a die-hard Villa fan who is incredibly passionate about that club, so if the chance arose, you really have to think why not?”
Robert Snodgrass
However, Garnacho’s presence on the left flank provides a younger, faster alternative who will naturally command significant playing time.
Having made 213 appearances for his boyhood side before a £100m exit in 2021, the three-time Premier League winner may now have to look elsewhere for his next challenge.
Financial expert Stefan Borson has described the prolonged delay in delivering a verdict on Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches as “inexplicable” and “totally unacceptable”.
The reigning Premier League champions were initially charged with 115 alleged breaches of financial fair play regulations in February 2023.
That figure has since risen to 130, covering a period of intense domestic success between 2009 and 2018.
A hearing into the allegations concluded in December 2024, but a final outcome remains unpublished.
Industry frustration over drawn-out process
Many within English football anticipated a resolution ahead of the upcoming top-flight campaign.
However, with no public announcement forthcoming, Borson has expressed bafflement at the extended timeline.
Speaking to TalkSport, the financial specialist suggested that a definitive conclusion remains completely absent.
“The general feeling around the industry is that there’s been no decision yet, as remarkable as that is. 19 months on, 20 months on almost, still no decision.”
“Totally unacceptable, of course, beyond all of the parties’ expectations about when they would receive a decision. Broadly inexplicable by any sport of norms in these sorts of matters.”
Stefan Borson
Comparisons with Chelsea’s FA charges
The current delay is not an isolated administrative incident within the English game.
Borson highlighted a similar lag regarding Chelsea, who faced a Football Association hearing in November over 74 alleged rule breaches involving football agents.
Despite being a straightforward sanction hearing, an outcome for the Stamford Bridge club is still pending eight months later.
“I don’t really know what’s going on with these cases in terms of the timings and why they’re so elongated, but they’re completely out of the realms of normality.”
Etihad spending points to confidence
Despite the looming threat of severe sanctions, the Manchester club continues to operate aggressively in the market.
Recent outlays on player contracts, backroom staff and a £400m stadium development project indicate a distinct lack of internal panic.
According to Borson, this sustained financial commitment suggests the Etihad hierarchy remain highly confident of clearing their name.
A 54-year-old construction worker has died following a fatal accident during the ongoing redevelopment of Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.
Catalan regional police confirmed the man suffered a fatal blow while working at the site on Friday.
Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, and authorities have now launched a formal investigation into the incident.
Club offers condolences
The La Liga side released an official statement to express their deep regret over the workplace tragedy.
Joan Laporta, the club president, also offered his personal support to the grieving family.
“FC Barcelona deeply regrets the death of the worker who lost his life yesterday in the workplace accident that occurred during the renovation works at Spotify Camp Nou.”
The statement added that the Catalan giants extend their heartfelt support to the victim’s family, friends and colleagues.
Major stadium redevelopment
Construction work at the iconic Spanish ground began in June 2023 as part of a massive modernisation project.
The extensive rebuild is expected to cost approximately £1.1bn and will eventually increase the venue’s capacity to 105,000.
This ambitious expansion will make the renovated arena one of the largest sporting grounds in world football.
The overall architectural project is scheduled for completion in early 2028.
Atletico Madrid have told Arsenal they will only sanction the sale of Argentine forward Julian Alvarez if Viktor Gyokeres is included as a direct replacement.
The Spanish giants are completely ruling out a domestic transfer to La Liga rivals Barcelona this summer.
However, negotiations with the North London club remain a distinct possibility, provided the Swedish marksman moves in the opposite direction.
Club officials are currently prioritising incoming transfers before finalising any major departures from the Metropolitano Stadium.
Salah nears Besiktas switch after Anfield exit
Elsewhere in the market, Mohamed Salah is edging closer to joining Besiktas on a free transfer after departing Liverpool last month.
The former Reds talisman has struck an agreement in principle over a 12-month contract, which includes an option for a further year.
Besiktas head coach Vincenzo Italiano has spearheaded efforts to sign the Egyptian attacker following his immensely successful nine-year tenure on Merseyside.
Real Madrid launch massive double pursuit
In Germany, RB Leipzig have firmly rejected a €100m bid from Real Madrid for highly-rated forward Yan Diomande.
The Spanish heavyweights matched a previous proposal from Liverpool, but both lucrative offers fell short of the Bundesliga side’s steep valuation.
Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring the situation closely, having already agreed personal terms with the promising attacker until 2031.
Simultaneously, the Champions League holders are increasingly confident of securing Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
The international midfield maestro has entered the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and is yet to commit to a new deal.
Villa target Jackson as Watkins replacement
Finally, Aston Villa have opened formal talks with Chelsea over a permanent £65m deal for Nicolas Jackson.
Manager Unai Emery is keen to reunite with the Senegal international at Villa Park this season.
The Midlands club view the forward as their preferred successor to Ollie Watkins, who is heavily linked with a move to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has agreed personal terms with Juventus over a summer transfer, though a significant gap remains in the clubs’ valuation of the player.
According to Italian journalist Alessio Lento, the World Cup winner has locked in a preliminary agreement to join the Serie A side.
However, a substantial difference in the transfer fee valuation must be bridged before any formal deal can be completed.
The Midlands club’s chief executive has publicly stated there are zero plans to let their number one leave this summer.
Villa’s tumultuous transfer window continues
A departure for the Argentine would mark another massive blow for manager Unai Emery during a highly disruptive pre-season.
The Premier League side have already lost key figures, with Morgan Rogers recently joining Chelsea for a record-breaking £117m fee.
Furthermore, Paris St-Germain and Manchester United recently triggered the release clauses of Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans respectively.
Adding to Emery’s woes, midfielder Amadou Onana is expected to miss most of the upcoming campaign after suffering a serious knee injury.
Replacing an irreplaceable figure
The 31-year-old stopper was instrumental last season, helping the team secure a fourth-place league finish and continental glory in the Europa League.
His leadership and imposing presence at Villa Park are considered crucial to maintaining the standards required for continued success.
While the Italian giants have not abandoned their pursuit, prising the South American away from England appears to be a monumental task.