Arsenal Eye €100m Serie A Star After Vini Jnr SnubArsenal Weigh Kenan Yildiz Move as Juventus Demand Tops €100mArsenal are back in the market for a headline forward and, according to La Stampa, Kenan Yildiz has moved firmly into view. The Juventus attacker has emerged after the north London club failed to land Vinicius Junior, who has now committed his future to Real Madrid. That part is over. Arsenal have had to pivot.The key line here is simple. Arsenal still want a ‘major attacking signing’ and Yildiz is being treated as a serious solution. Juventus know exactly what that means in this market. If a club with Champions League ambitions, and serious money, starts circling your number ten, you set the price at a level designed to make people think twice.That is where this becomes interesting. Juventus are said to want well over €100m before talks even become realistic. In other words, this is not a routine negotiation and it is certainly not an invitation to bargain. The message from Turin is blunt, Yildiz stays unless somebody produces an absurd fee.Photo IMAGOArsenal have helped create this situation themselves. Once word gets around that you explored a move for Vinicius Junior, nobody expects a discount on your next target. Clubs smell capacity to spend, then the numbers rise. That is football. Complaining about it is pointless.Kenan Yildiz Transfer Price Sets ToneYildiz has talent, profile and age on his side. He is 21, already carries status at Juventus and fits the sort of attacking recruitment Arsenal have chased in recent windows. He also comes with a premium attached to potential as much as production. That is why the €100m figure matters. It is less a valuation than a deterrent.Arsenal Transfer Strategy Faces TestIf Arsenal truly believe Yildiz is the right piece, they will have to prove it with a bid that gets attention in Turin. Anything else will be filed away, politely, and ignored.Our ViewFrom an Arsenal fan perspective, this report is fascinating because it hints at ambition, but it also raises the usual question, are Arsenal chasing the right star or simply the next available star? Yildiz is clearly gifted. He has that modern forward profile, technical, mobile, comfortable between the lines, able to operate wide or inside. On talent alone, there is plenty to like.Still, more than €100m is a huge number. That is the sort of fee that demands certainty, not excitement. Supporters will rightly ask whether Yildiz is already the finished article or whether Arsenal would be paying for what he might become in two years. There is a difference, and it matters when the margins at the top are so fine.There is also the squad-building angle. Arsenal may need another attacker, but they also need balance and reliability across the front line. If this deal consumes a massive chunk of the budget, it has to elevate the team immediately. That is the standard.The intriguing part is that Arsenal do at least appear to be shopping at the top table. Missing on Vinicius Junior could have led to drift. Instead, the club seem ready to test another elite market. Whether that turns into a real bid is the whole story. Interest is easy. Paying Juventus what they want is the hard part.

Liverpool told a ‘positive outcome’ is expected in their deal for ‘unstoppable’ sensationThere's now less than a month left of the summer transfer window. By this point, most Liverpool fans expected the Reds to have a fair few new faces among their first-team squad.However, that clearly hasn't happened with only Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet being welcomed so far.But, if Liverpool are wanting to improve their chances of finishing near the top of the Premier League table or even winning some sort of silverware, change is clearly needed.Indeed, a deal for Ronald Araujo seems to be just around the corner which is a massive boost but, away from their defence, other areas among their ranks also need upgrading which is why the latest update to emerge from Anfield is something to be celebrated.A 'positive outcome' is expected to emerge from Liverpool's potential deal for Bradley BarcolaBradley Barcola has been one of Liverpool's main targets this summer.The Frenchman may have been the Reds' second-choice after Yan Diomande but, now that the Ivorian has joined Real Madrid, it feels like the Anfield outfit are going to go full steam ahead for Barcola.Indeed, rumours about Ibrahim Mbaye also joining Liverpool have emerged but, at the moment, the 23-year-old seems like the Reds' main priority.And now, as per a fresh update from journalist Abdellah Boulma, things certainly seem to be heading in that direction."Liverpool has still not submitted an official offer for Bradley Barcola. The gap remains significant between the Reds' intentions and PSG's demands (over 150 M)," they wrote."Discussions are ongoing. Meanwhile, PSG is preparing a new push for Mika Godts. A positive outcome is hoped for from both sides.Bradley Barcola would be the perfect addition for LiverpoolEven though Paris Saint-Germain haven't recieved a bid from Liverpool yet for Barcola, it's clear that he is their main target.The attacker only has two years left on his current contract so, if the Ligue 1 champions don't sell him this summer, they'll lose on awful lot of money on the Frenchman next term.The 23-year-old has won the Champions League twice in a row with PSG and, even though he's naturally a left-winger, he has been used on the right by Luis Enrique in the past.In fact, he's one of Enrique's favoured players with the Spaniard even dubbing the young attacker 'unstoppable.'Of course, the Frenchman would cost Liverpool a lot of money to bring in but, in order to replace Mohamed Salah, Liverpool were bound to spend a hefty chunk of change.He'd help bring some more goals to Iraola's first-team squad while also helping Alexander Isak add more to his tally.There's now just under a month until the window slams shut so, if Liverpool are truly wanting to sign Barcola, they need to get themselves into gear and get a deal over the line as soon as possible.

El portugués debuta tras el descanso en un triunfo trabajado de los blancos, que vuelven a encontrar en Arda Güler a su gran motor ofensivo (1-2) Leer

El segundo Real Madrid de José Mourinho selló este sábado en Budapest, una ciudad que no visitaba desde hacía más de tres décadas, su primer triunfo (1-2) tras el empate que había firmado el sábado de la semana pasada ante la Fiorentina (2-2). El equipo, todavía sin figuras como Mbappé, Courtois, Bellingham, Cucurella o el recién fichado Diomande, fue superior en su segundo amistoso al Ferencvaros, que lucha en la fase previa por entrar esta temporada en la Europa League. En el Groupama Arena, lleno a rebosar con casi 22.000 personas en una jornada en la que el conjunto húngaro aplazó su tercer partido liguero para disputar el bolo, el fútbol del club blanco comenzó a carburar, guiado sobre todo por la zurda de Güler, que iluminó pasillos que antes de contactar él con el balón semejaban cerrados. El jugador turco, que ejerció de mediapunta, fue el futbolista más diferencial de un choque que se decidió por los tantos del canterano Mario Rivas y de Carlos Espí, que se estrenó como goleador con el Real antes de que Kodro recortara la diferencia.Seguir leyendoFerencvaros 1 - 2 Real MadridGroupama Arena. Unos 21.500 aficionados.Ferencvaros: Dibusz (Varga, m. 46); Osváth (Zachariassen, m. 46) (Sevikyan, m.80), Gómez (Raemaekers, m.46), Zohoré (Lakatos, m. 79), Cadu (O'Dowda, m. 46); Rommens (Nagy, m. 46), Kanikovszki (Nagy, m. 46), Arzani (Corbu, m. 46) (Keïta, m.70); Csirkovics (Dele, m. 46) (Szabó, m. 79), Joseph (Kodro, m. 46) (Lisztes, m. 70) y Varga (Levi, m. 46) (Bagi, m. 80).Real Madrid: Lunin; Dumfries (Trent, m. 46), Mario Rivas (Huijsen, m. 46), Joan Martínez (Rüdiger, m. 46), Carreras (Lamini, m. 83); Valverde (Lacosta, m. 86), Camavinga (Carlos Espí, m. 46); Brahim (Bernardo Silva, m. 46), Arda Güler, Alexis Ciria (Vinicius, m. 46); y Endrick (Cestero, m. 64). Goles: 0-1. M. 41. Mario Rivas. 0-2. M. 49. Carlos Espí. 1-2. M. 57. Kodro. Árbitro: Balázs Berke (Hungría). Amonestó a Szabópor parte del Ferencvaros y a Trent por el Real Madrid.

Why Lamine Yamal may hold the key to Flick’s next attacking evolution at BarcelonaBarcelona are still searching for life after Robert Lewandowski. For four seasons, the Catalan club knew who the spearhead of their attack was.Pedri could turn away from pressure. Raphinha could arrive from the blind side. Lamine Yamal could isolate his full-back and bend the game towards his left foot.Somewhere ahead of all of them stood the legendary Robert Lewandowski, the fixed reference around which the rest of Barça’s attack could function.Now, that reference is gone. Lewandowski departed after four years and 120 goals for the club, eventually joining Chicago Fire in MLS. His final campaign had already shown signs of transition, with only 15 La Liga starts and 13 league goals.However, replacing him is not merely a question of replicating the numbers. It is about replacing the presence he brought up front.Hansi Flick knows it too. Speaking during Barcelona’s pre-season camp in England, the German admitted that Barça “have to do something” about the centre-forward position.He suggested names like Ferran Torres, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, who can play in that position. There was one more name he mentioned that caught everyone’s attention: Lamine Yamal.Hidden inside that suggestion may lie one of the most fascinating tactical possibilities of his third season.Because Barcelona could occasionally solve the absence of a No. 9 by removing the No. 9 altogether and putting Lamine Yamal at the centre of everything.Lamine’s journey inwards has already begunA solution for Barcelona if no striker arrives. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)The idea is not as unnatural as it might initially sound.Barcelona may consider Lamine Yamal a right winger and his career may have begun on the touchline, but Flick has already experimented with moving him slightly inwards during games.There have been games where Lamine has almost been used like a right-sided interior attacking midfielder.However, that is not quite the same thing as playing as a false nine.A number ten searches for spaces behind a striker. A false nine creates those spaces by pretending to be the striker.Imagine Lamine beginning between two centre-backs before drifting 10 yards towards Pedri. Suddenly, the defender has a decision to make.Follow him and space opens behind him. Stay, and one of football’s most destructive creators receives between the lines facing goal.Ask a midfielder to track him instead, and another Barcelona midfielder becomes free. A false nine thrives in this hesitation.Lamine’s natural intelligence could make him an ideal fit for this role.Why Lamine could make the role workFor most opponents, defending Lamine on the right has already become a case of damage limitation.At least there, the defenders know the pattern. A full-back can show him towards the touchline, protect the inside channel and wait for help. The sideline itself becomes another defender.Move him centrally and all hell could break loose.Lamine has the tools to succeed through the middle. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Lamine finished the 2025-26 La Liga season with 16 goals and 12 assists and was named the competition’s best player.He still destroys defenders from the outside, but he can now control matches from within them. A false-nine role would precisely emphasise that quality.Barcelona would not need him wrestling centre-backs with his back to goal. They need him to drop at the right moments and find pockets of space to turn.With runners like Raphinha, Gordon and Adeyemi on either side of him, Lamine can then find them to perfection.That could also shorten one of the most important distances on the pitch: Pedri to Lamine. With Lamine moving centrally and dropping deeper, he can combine better with the Canary Islander.This relationship could improve Barça’s attack to devastating effect.Gordon and Adeyemi change the equationA false nine who drops towards the ball is useless if everybody else does the same. Someone must attack the space he abandons, and this is where Barcelona benefit from having runners everywhere.Gordon arrived from Newcastle after scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season, including ten in the Champions League.Adeyemi followed him from Borussia Dortmund with the reputation of being a player who once clocked 36.65 kilometres per hour in the Bundesliga.Both can operate across the frontline. That flexibility creates possibilities.Gordon-Lamine-Adeyemi; Raphinha-Lamine-Adeyemi; Gordon-Lamine-Raphinha, all three forward lines have a real chance of thriving.When Lamine comes short, Gordon can attack the channel. Adeyemi can threaten to break behind the opposition line with pace. Raphinha can do what he does best: make diagonal runs with perfect timing.With players like Gordon and Raphinha around, Lamine could excel. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)It also fits Flick’s preference for verticality. His Barcelona have never simply been a slow-possession team.Their best attacks combine control with sudden acceleration, using runners beyond the opposition once central spaces have been opened.Lamine can help the team become even more devastating in this regard.A role without a positionThe mistake would be confining Lamine to a position with the label “striker” on it. The most interesting thing Flick can do is keep it as fluid as possible.During one sequence, he could begin centrally and drift towards the right half-space. During another, Gordon could become the highest attacker while Lamine drops alongside Pedri, allowing Dani Olmo to run beyond both of them.The opponent’s problem would no longer be identifying Barcelona’s striker. It would be identifying who Barça’s striker is at that moment.This dynamism is important because it also protects what already makes Lamine extraordinary. His false-nine invention should not come at the cost of his right-wing prowess.The other important thing to remember is that this tactical idea should be used in selective games, as it cannot work against all opponents.Against a deep five-man defence, there may be little space behind for Gordon or Adeyemi to attack.Barça may need a more physical reference up front, like Hamza Abdelkarim or, to an extent, Ferran Torres, and in such game states, Lamine could return to the right wing.This is why the false nine should be used as a weapon, not the template.Barcelona have seen the trick beforeThe historical parallel is inevitable. In May 2009, Pep Guardiola moved Lionel Messi into a false-nine role against Real Madrid.Fabio Cannavaro and Christoph Metzelder could not decide whether to follow him into midfield, Barcelona repeatedly attacked the resulting spaces, and the evening ended 6-2 in their favour.However, Barça should not place expectations on Lamine based on the precedents set by Lionel Messi in that position.Barcelona’s great discovery that night was not simply that their best player could play through the middle. It was that their best player could cause havoc when unshackled from the right wing and moved centrally.Of course, all this depends on what Barça do in the transfer market between now and the end of the window.If Deco eventually signs the striker Flick wants, all these tactical experiments may have to wait, and Lamine will have to stick to his right-wing role this summer.However, the prospect of playing Lamine through the middle is tantalising, and Flick should keep the option open to unleash him when the moment is right.

Mourinho to act as a ‘father figure’ to key Real Madrid superstar after fresh extensionReal Madrid put an end to Vinicius Jr.’s long-running transfer saga by extending his contract until 2032.The Brazilian has signed a lucrative contract that should seal his long-term future at Santiago Bernabeu and it is evident the club want to keep him happy.Vinicius has been an asset for Los Blancos over the years and Real Madrid are working hard to make sure the player feels at home, despite having made so many signings this summer.Jose Mourinho to act as a father figureAccording toEl Larguero, Jose Mourinho is set to take Vinicius under his wing and act as a father figure to the Brazilian going forward.Mourinho will back Vinicius at every turn. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)The report suggests Mourinho intends to be by Vinicius’ side at all times, aware that the winger is a good but highly emotional character whose temperament has occasionally led him into trouble. The Portuguese understands that, and believes his guidance can help the player channel his emotions more effectively.Having previously held out for a package worth close to €30 million, the Brazilian ultimately accepted a €24 million base salary, boosted by significant bonuses, effectively choosing glory over money by turning down Arsenal’s ambitious interest.Mourinho’s crucial role in the renewalThat father-figure relationship is no surprise given the part Mourinho reportedly played in getting the deal over the line.Vinicius expected to play a key role at Real Madrid next season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)The Portuguese was absolutely key to the renewal, directly intervening to ensure the player stayed. Mourinho is said to have called Vinicius multiple times during the holidays to sell him on his project and open his mind to accepting Real Madrid’s offer, with the pair also speaking regularly after training.The two now share a strong relationship despite the fallout from last season’s Champions League tie against Benfica, when Mourinho appeared to criticise the winger.With the renewal secured, Vinicius will now look to justify the faith placed in him and rediscover his best form.The immediate priority, however, will be improving his chemistry with Kylian Mbappe, which was surprisingly poor last season.

Wanted him to join Real: ex-Neymar adviser reveals wild storyNeymar’s career has been marked by highs and lows. The Brazilian reached his peak during his time at Santos and then, of course, at FC Barcelona. But as Neymar’s former advisor Wagner Ribeiro has now revealed, things could have turned out very differently.The Brazilian revealed that he actually wanted Neymar to join Real Madrid, FC Barcelona’s arch-rivals. A scenario that might have taken the career of one of the most talented players of the 21st century in a completely different direction.In the end, though, it is all speculation. After his time at Barça, Neymar moved to PSG for the record fee of €222 million and later went to Saudi Arabia before returning home to Santos FC.Now it’s your turn: Would Neymar’s career have gone better if he had joined Real? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments!This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

Amorim: ‘Milan must make choices’ to cut large squad after 3-0 to ChelseaRuben Amorim admits Milan ‘will make some choices next week’ on who to cut from the squad after their 3-0 friendly defeat to Chelsea. ‘We knew we’d struggle, but we wanted to challenge the players.’The Rossoneri had been undefeated so far in their pre-season under the new coach, including a 1-1 draw with Inter in Perth, Australia.They were in Indonesia today to take on Chelsea, and were swept aside 3-0 by a Joao Pedro brace and Moises Caicedo volley off the outside of the boot.Amorim looks at bigger Milan pictureGLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 25: AC Milan Manager Ruben Amorim during the Celtic v AC Milan match in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)“We knew that we’d struggle a bit today, but we wanted to challenge the players,” Amorim told Sky Sport Italia.“They know how to defend as a team, play one on one and press high. Against teams like Chelsea, we will never press in this way, but we are here to prepare so that we can win the first official game of the season and give our players some confidence.“We also had many young players in the squad, so this is a process to get them into the team and be ready to win the first official match of the campaign.”JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots against Moises Caicedo of Chelsea FC during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)The opening fixture of the Serie A season will see Milan visit Torino on Sunday August 23.Luka Modric and Rafael Leao had their first starts of pre-season after the World Cup, but notably Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori spent the entire game on the bench.JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots against Moises Caicedo of Chelsea FC during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)While Milan have been bringing in new signings, the frustrating aspect now is being stuck unable to get more until some of the current crop find different clubs.“We will make decisions on our players. These two weeks of training have been very positive, but we have a large squad, so we must pick some players and we’ll make some choices next week,” concluded Amorim.

Ronald Araujo set for Liverpool move after Barcelona fall from favourBarcelona have agreed to send defender Ronald Araujo to Liverpool on a season-long loan for the 2026/27 campaign, according to Fabrizio Romano. The verbal agreement between the two clubs has been approved by Blaugrana sporting director Deco, with Mundo Deportivo confirming that the deal includes an option for the Premier League side to buy the Uruguayan international permanently next summer.Araujo’s fall down the Camp Nou pecking orderAraujo, 27, has seen his role at Barcelona diminish over recent seasons under Hansi Flick. Having previously been an important figure in defence, he lost his starting spot to Gerard Martin, who formed a partnership with Pau Cubarsi in the centre of defence.Araujo’s versatility across the backline has also not secured him a regular role at right-back, where Jules Kounde is the preferred option and Eric Garcia has been used when cover is needed. Araujo returned from injury and was sidelined for a period, further affecting his continuity. Barcelona had also held off Bayern Munich despite rumoured bids of €80m in late 2023 and early 2024.Loan structure and option to buyTransfer expert Matteo Moretto confirmed Romano’s initial report, detailing that the Uruguayan defender will head to Anfield for the upcoming campaign. The exact loan fee and terms of the purchase option have not been disclosed, but Liverpool hold an option that could allow them to sign Araujo permanently next summer.Araujo leaves Barcelona having made 213 appearances for the club since his first-team debut in 2019 after joining from Uruguayan side Boston River. He scored 14 goals and was one of the squad’s four club captains.Liverpool’s defensive options and Barcelona’s setupFor Liverpool, Araujo is expected to provide defensive cover following Ibrahima Konate’s free transfer to Real Madrid and injury concerns surrounding Jeremy Jacquet. Reports have highlighted Araujo’s physicality, recovery pace and defensive qualities.For Barcelona, Araujo’s move comes after the club’s defensive hierarchy changed, with Martin and Cubarsi establishing themselves in central defence while Kounde remains the preferred starter at right-back.

Barcelona confident of signing Manchester City star as they prepare new transfer bidBarcelona are set to launch a new bid for Manchester City star Rodri. The Spanish giants recently made an opening £38.5 million offer, which was turned down by City. According to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, the Blaugrana plan to submit a second bid for the Spain international. They reportedly have ‘zero doubts’ about securing a transfer. City would ideally like to keep Rodri, but their negotiating position is weak because of the midfielder’s contract expiring in June 2027. The former Atletico Madrid star has also made it clear he doesn’t want to renew his deal and desires a return to La Liga. The Citizens are now open to sanctioning a summer sale for a fee over £60m. However, there are significant doubts whether Barcelona will be willing to go that high for the 30-year-old. Real Madrid are also strongly linked with an interest in Rodri, and they are prepared to spend up to £43m to secure his services. Rodri reinforced his reputation as one of the best in his position after helping Spain win the World Cup 2026. He featured in all eight matches and was awarded the tournament’s Golden Ball for his impressive displays.Rodri is hailed for his passing, composure, aerial dominance and stamina. He has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and three League Cups since joining Man City from Atletico in 2019.