Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are actively pursuing a marquee summer signing, targeting Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola to elevate their starting line-up.
The Spanish manager admitted that finding individuals capable of immediately improving his squad is a difficult task.
However, the Gunners remain determined to add significant quality before the transfer window closes.
Arsenal have reportedly shifted their focus to Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez and Paris St-Germain winger Barcola.
Search for elite additions
This pivot follows a failed pursuit of Vinicius Jr, who recently committed his long-term future to Real Madrid.
Securing either of their new primary targets will prove complex and financially demanding for the North London club.
Any successful deal is expected to significantly surpass the £75m fee they previously invested in midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Speaking after Wednesday’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Como, the Arsenal boss reiterated his desire for top-tier reinforcements.
“I think for the margins to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club,” Arteta said.
“Every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that.”
Lewis-Skelly future remains uncertain
Alongside incoming transfers, speculation is mounting over the future of 19-year-old prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The versatile midfielder produced an emotional goal celebration against Como amid reports he has been offered to Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.
The academy graduate was asked to deputise in an unfamiliar holding role during the summer tour to cover for senior players away on international duty.
While acknowledging the teenager’s highly consistent pre-season performances, his manager refused to guarantee he would stay at Emirates Stadium.
“If there is a speculation about our player, it’s a good sign, that means that we attract attention and they’re doing a good job,” he added.
Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina saved four penalties to eliminate host nation Morocco and send her side to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper denied Fatima Tagnaout from the spot in the 118th minute to keep the tense semi-final goalless after extra time in Rabat.
She then delivered a masterclass during the ensuing shootout, keeping out efforts from three Moroccan players to leave the home crowd in stunned silence.
Teenage defender Maryam Nyadjou confidently held her nerve to convert the decisive kick, securing a 3-1 shootout victory for the Central Africans.
Unlikely finalists prepare for Malawi test
The Indomitable Lionesses will now face Malawi in Sunday’s showpiece event, following the southern African nation’s earlier victory over Algeria.
Reaching the climax of the tournament is a remarkable achievement for a squad that initially failed to qualify for the competition.
The team were only granted a late reprieve based on their world ranking when the Confederation of African Football expanded the tournament to 16 teams.
Late drama halts Moroccan dominance
The hosts controlled possession throughout a tight encounter at the Moulay Hassan Stadium but struggled to break down an organised defensive unit.
Sanaa Mssoudy came closest for the Atlas Lionesses in normal time, diverting a right-wing cross against the upright in the 14th minute.
The defining moment arrived in the dying seconds of extra time when a video assistant referee review awarded the home side a controversial penalty.
Substitute Tagnaout stepped up with the match at her mercy, but the winger’s tame left-footed strike was expertly palmed away.
Heroic keeper continues stellar form
Building on her incredible nine-save performance in the quarter-final victory over ten-time champions Nigeria, the Benfica keeper proved unbeatable when it mattered most.
She denied Kenza Chapelle with her first shootout intervention before producing two stunning consecutive stops to thwart Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui.
While opposing keeper Khadija Er-Rmichi managed to save one Cameroonian effort, it was not enough to prevent heartbreak for the tournament hosts.
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has completed an emotional transfer to Turkish side Fenerbahce from Napoli for an undisclosed fee.
The 33-year-old forward departs the Serie A club after enduring an injury-plagued campaign where he made just seven appearances across all competitions.
His latest switch represents a poignant return to the country where he spent the 1996-1997 season as a child.
During that period, his father Roger played professionally for Super Lig outfit Genclerbirligi.
A heartfelt message to supporters
The Belgian record goalscorer directly addressed his new fanbase in a social media video to confirm the transfer.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be joining your club.”
The former Chelsea and Everton frontman was quick to reassure fans about his physical condition following last season’s struggles.
“I am fit, 100%, ready to go. It is an emotional moment after many years to be going back to Turkey where I lived as a young kid, where I discovered the professional world as a toddler with my dad.”
Targeting long-awaited domestic glory
Despite his limited domestic minutes last term, the powerful attacker still managed to score three times at this summer’s World Cup.
He brings significant pedigree to Istanbul, having previously secured major honours with Anderlecht, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli.
The veteran marksman is the second former Manchester United forward to arrive at Fenerbahce this summer, following Mason Greenwood’s move from Marseille.
His arrival provides a major boost for a team who have suffered the frustration of finishing runners-up to rivals Galatasaray for four consecutive seasons.
The historic club will be desperately hoping their new signing can fire them to a first Turkish league title since 2014.
Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw with Cesc Fabregas’ Como as manager Mikel Arteta faces a race against time to build match fitness ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Gunners travel to Cardiff on Sunday to face Manchester City in the Community Shield.
They will then kick off their domestic campaign against Coventry in just nine days.
However, the north London club appear to be suffering from a disjointed summer schedule.
Management are heavily reliant on late returners from the World Cup to elevate squad standards.
Key stars lacking match practice
Influential midfielders Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have not played a single minute during this pre-season.
Both England internationals returned to training this week, but medical staff are carefully managing their workloads.
A lack of squad depth and caution over Ben White’s fitness handed an unexpected starting opportunity to 18-year-old Theo Julienne.
The friendly nature of the fixture was evident as the technical area oversaw constant rotations.
Attacking options including Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus were limited to short 30-minute cameos.
Lewis-Skelly sends transfer message
Despite the disrupted preparations, Myles Lewis-Skelly delivered a standout performance amidst intense transfer speculation.
The 19-year-old has recently been linked with surprise moves to Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, the holding midfielder demonstrated his commitment by scoring the opening goal.
He led an aggressive press to force goalkeeper Jean Butez into an error before calmly slotting a low finish into the net.
The academy graduate celebrated by tapping the badge and making a heart gesture to the crowd.
His assured display in the number six role will likely deter any potential summer sale.
Guimaraes makes highly anticipated debut
Meanwhile, supporters were treated to the first glimpse of Bruno Guimaraes in an Arsenal shirt.
The Brazilian was introduced at half-time to build his match fitness ahead of the impending Community Shield clash.
His arrival sparked a massive roar around the stadium, providing a rare highlight in an otherwise forgettable encounter.
Malawi’s historic run at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will continue into the final after the Chawinga sisters scored all three goals in a 3-1 semi-final victory over Algeria in Rabat.
Making their tournament debut as the lowest-ranked side in Morocco, the Southern Africans added Les Fennecs to a growing list of heavyweight scalps that already includes Nigeria and Ghana.
However, the final scoreline obscures a chaotic, end-to-end encounter featuring two first-half red cards and numerous spurned opportunities from both sides.
VAR drama and spectacular finishes
Algerian defender Morgane Belkhiter was dismissed early on for denying Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The Lyon striker quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage, breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a breathtaking acrobatic overhead kick that spun wildly over the line after striking the crossbar.
Her younger sibling, who recently claimed the NWSL MVP award with Kansas City Current, doubled the advantage deep into first-half stoppage time.
The numerical parity was restored just before the interval when Rose Kadzere received a straight red card following a prolonged video assistant referee check for a dangerous studs-up challenge.
Debutants verge on unprecedented triumph
The second half provided only marginally less drama, with Ikram Adjabi temporarily giving the North Africans a lifeline.
That glimmer of hope was swiftly extinguished when the older Chawinga sister grabbed her second goal of the evening to secure the hard-fought victory.
The Scorchers will now face either host nation Morocco or Cameroon in Sunday’s showpiece event.
A victory this weekend would make the tournament debutants only the fourth nation in history to lift the prestigious continental trophy.
Having already secured their maiden qualification for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil, this remarkable underdog story proves that the women’s game in Africa is rapidly expanding beyond its traditional powerhouses.
Former Barcelona manager Xavi has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands national team on a four-year deal.
The 46-year-old steps into the role to replace Ronald Koeman, who recently resigned following a shock last-32 defeat to Morocco at this summer’s World Cup.
His arrival represents a major historical milestone for the Oranje, as he becomes the nation’s first foreign manager since Austrian tactician Ernst Happel departed in 1978.
A deep connection to Dutch football
Despite his Spanish nationality, the legendary playmaker possesses a profound understanding of the country’s historic sporting philosophy.
I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team.
As someone who received his training at Barca’s academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.
You could say that I am partly a son of Dutch football.
The former international midfielder also credited prominent Dutch figures such as Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard for heavily shaping his development as both a player and a tactician.
World Cup history and past candidates
The World Cup winner is uniquely familiar with his new employers, having been a pivotal member of the Spain squad that broke Dutch hearts in the 2010 tournament final.
He now returns to top-level management for the first time since leaving his beloved Catalan club in 2024, where he notably secured a La Liga title during his first full campaign.
The Dutch association had initially explored negotiations with former Liverpool boss Arne Slot, but the 45-year-old ultimately withdrew from talks to prioritise future opportunities in club football.
Celtic have completed the signing of winger Haissem Hassan from Spanish side Real Oviedo on a four-year contract in a deal potentially worth up to £9m.
The Egypt international underwent a medical in London before putting pen to paper on an agreement that includes the option of a further year.
The Scottish champions will pay an initial fee of £6m for the 24-year-old, with an additional £3m structured in performance-related add-ons.
Champions League deadline met
A significant portion of those bonus payments will be triggered if the Glasgow club reach the newly-formatted league phase of the Champions League later this month.
Crucially, the left-footed right-winger arrives in time to be registered for the upcoming play-off tie against Austrian outfit LASK Linz.
The European registration deadline falls on Thursday, allowing the former Oviedo man to immediately join the squad for next week’s crucial fixture.
World Cup pedigree
The highly-rated attacker emerged as a primary target for the Hoops following a series of impressive displays for his country at this summer’s World Cup.
He featured 38 times during his final season in Spain, providing three assists from his favoured position on the right flank.
The Egyptian becomes the third new arrival at Celtic Park during the current transfer window.
He follows striking duo Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh into the club as they prepare to mount a defence of their Scottish Premiership title.
Former Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, concluding an 18-season career spanning seven different franchises.
The veteran guard leaves the sport as the undisputed king of the triple-double, holding the all-time league record with a staggering 209.
He famously surpassed Oscar Robertson’s long-standing tally of 181 during the 2021 campaign, breaking a milestone that had remained untouched since 1974.
Oklahoma City legacy and Finals heartbreak
The dynamic playmaker was originally selected as the fourth overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA draft.
However, he spent the vast majority of his professional career representing the Oklahoma City Thunder following the franchise’s relocation.
During his 11-year tenure in Oklahoma, the explosive athlete secured the prestigious MVP award in 2017 after a historic individual campaign.
An iconic trio falls short
Westbrook formed a formidable partnership with fellow future superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden in the early stages of his career.
That young core successfully navigated their way to the Western Conference title in 2012, before ultimately falling to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
Across a remarkable career, the relentless competitor maintained impressive overall averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.