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.
The New York Knicks are one victory away from ending their 53-year championship drought as they prepare to face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday.
The Eastern Conference champions secured a dramatic victory in the previous matchup after erasing a record-breaking 29-point deficit.
That stunning collapse leaves the Texan franchise fighting for survival on their home court.
Tactical rethink for struggling hosts
League insiders suggest San Antonio must adjust their game plan to keep their season alive.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper has emerged as a potential starter following an impressive 21-point performance on Wednesday.
The young playmaker was largely bypassed in the closing stages as De’Aaron Fox dominated possession.
“He’s their second-best player. It’s incredible how good he’s become so quickly,” an Eastern Conference executive noted.
Wembanyama recovery key to survival
Another crucial factor for the hosts will be the energy levels of Victor Wembanyama.
The French phenomenon played 44 exhausting minutes during the latest devastating defeat.
Two days of rest before the weekend clash may provide the towering center with vital recovery time.
Bucks face Antetokounmpo uncertainty
While the championship battle commands attention, the wider league is already preparing for the upcoming draft.
Rumours continue to circulate regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks as the offseason rapidly approaches.
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.
New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer Kane Williamson has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket.
The sudden decision brings the curtain down on a glittering career that saw the prolific right-hander dominate bowling attacks across all formats.
His departure leaves a significant void in the Black Caps’ batting lineup ahead of their upcoming international fixtures.
A generational talent steps away
The former captain will be best remembered for leading his nation to glory in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India in 2021.
Widely regarded as one of the finest batters of his era, the 35-year-old accumulated records with an elegant technique and a famously calm demeanour.
He steps away having amassed more Test runs than any other player in New Zealand’s history, cementing his status as a modern great.
End of an era for the Black Caps
Although he stepped down from the Test captaincy in recent years, his influence within the dressing room remained unparalleled.
The veteran batter consistently delivered on the biggest stages, frequently guiding his team deep into major World Cup tournaments.
Cricket New Zealand is expected to release a formal tribute detailing his extraordinary contributions to the national side over the coming days.
The Republic of Ireland will play their home Nations League fixture against Israel behind closed doors at a neutral overseas venue this October following approval from Uefa.
The Football Association of Ireland requested the move to address operational concerns surrounding the scheduled Dublin match on 4 October.
European football’s governing body has now sanctioned the relocation, ensuring the tie goes ahead away from the Republic’s capital.
The two nations are already slated to meet on 27 September for the corresponding Group B3 fixture, which will also take place at an unconfirmed neutral location.
Mounting Boycott Pressures
Domestic pressure has been intensifying to boycott the international matches entirely owing to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Last month, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign staged a major protest outside the national parliament demanding action.
Campaigners from Irish Sport For Palestine have also launched a dedicated movement aimed at halting the upcoming fixtures.
Political demonstrations previously spilled into the sporting arena during May’s international friendly victory over Qatar.
That match at the Aviva Stadium experienced brief disruptions when protesters threw tennis balls adorned with the Palestinian flag onto the pitch.
Governing Body Stance and Player Reaction
Despite the mounting backlash, the domestic football administration confirmed earlier this year that they intend to fulfil all competitive obligations.
David Courell, the association’s chief executive, previously warned that withdrawing from the games could result in severe disciplinary action.
“We have no choice but to play, and could face serious consequences if we pulled out of the games.”
Within the playing squad, senior figures have expressed mixed feelings regarding the complicated geopolitical situation.
Veteran defender Seamus Coleman recently suggested that political and administrative authorities should have resolved the controversy long before it reached the dressing room.
Meanwhile, team captain Nathan Collins offered support to any squad members grappling with the moral implications of participating.
“If individual players felt strongly enough to boycott the games, we are not going to stand against them.”
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall and Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett has died at the age of 64 following a 30-year career in the English Football League.
The hugely respected coach stepped down from his final role as director of football at Gillingham on medical grounds in November 2024.
He amassed vast experience across four decades in the dugout, taking charge of more than 900 matches after beginning his managerial journey with Watford in 1996.
Success across the English Football League
The experienced tactician earned promotions with both Swansea and Millwall before taking charge at Molineux in 2013.
Arriving with the West Midlands club languishing in League One, he immediately secured promotion by winning the title at the first time of asking.
The former Watford boss subsequently made them highly competitive in the Championship, narrowly missing out on a play-off spot.
His extensive resume also included challenging spells at Rotherham United, Portsmouth and Leyton Orient.
During his tenure at Fratton Park, he guided the south coast side to consecutive EFL Trophy finals, lifting the silverware in 2019.
Tributes pour in for a ‘hugely capable leader’
Several of his former employers have released emotional statements acknowledging his profound impact on their respective histories.
Millwall Football Club is extremely saddened to announce the passing of former manager Kenny Jackett at the age of 64. Kenny managed over 300 games during his time with the club, leading The Lions to promotion from League One and to an FA Cup Semi-Final. Rest in peace, Kenny.
Wolverhampton Wanderers echoed those sentiments, highlighting his crucial role in modernising the club.
Kenny led the club to its incredible record-breaking League One title and laid the foundations for the club as we know it today. The thoughts of everyone at Wolves are with Kenny’s family and friends at this time.
League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan praised his lasting influence on the sport.
He embodied everything we like to see in a manager, humility, professionalism and a deep care for his players and staff. He improved every club he served and did so with quiet dignity throughout his career.
Bevan added that the much-loved figure would be remembered for an incredible sense of responsibility to his teams and to the game itself.