World Soccer news

• Report: Aston Villa star reaches agreement over mega-money exit

  18-08-2026 18:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Aston Villa star reaches agreement over mega-money exitOllie Watkins to Al-Hilal: Aston Villa Face Major Transfer Call as Saudi Talks LoomAston Villa are facing a significant summer decision after reports that Ollie Watkins has “agreed terms with Al-Hilal” and the Saudi Pro League side are now preparing to take the next step in pursuit of the England striker. According to TeamTalk, the Saudi club are ready to open talks with Villa after making Watkins their leading attacking
  
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• When is the Champions League draw and who is in each pot?

  20-08-2026 09:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The league phase draw for the 2026-27 Champions League campaign takes place on Thursday, 27 August at 17:00 BST in Monaco.A total of 36 teams will enter that stage of the competition and while 29 teams qualified at the end of last season, the remaining seven places are decided by qualifiers that will conclude next week.In the league phase, each team will face eight different teams once, with four home matches and four away matches.For the draw, the 36 teams will be placed into four pots with one
  
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• Report: Everton have joined the race to sign Serie A forward

  20-08-2026 09:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Everton have joined the race to sign Serie A forwardEverton transfers latest as Assane Diao emerges amid Jack Grealish uncertaintyEverton are weighing a significant move in the market, with TeamTalk reporting that Como winger Assane Diao has emerged as a serious option while the club continue to assess whether a deal for Jack Grealish is realistic.Recruitment at Goodison Park appears focused on adding more quality in the wide areas before the window closes. Diao, the 20-year-old Senegal
  
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• Arsenal legend makes bold Liverpool prediction ahead of the new season

  20-08-2026 09:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Arsenal legend makes bold Liverpool prediction ahead of the new seasonLiverpool Prediction 2026-27: Wirtz, Isak and the Pressure of a Fresh StartLiverpool do not get judged by good intentions. They get judged by trophies, by title races, by whether the team walks onto the pitch looking ready to impose itself on the rest of the division. Last season, that edge was missing far too often, and the wreckage of a campaign that ended with Andoni Iraola inheriting a side in need of repair still hangs ov
  
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• Damaged pitch forces PSG to switch season opener

  20-08-2026 09:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PSG won Ligue 1 by six points in 2025-26, with opening-day opponents Rennes finishing sixth and qualifying for the Europa League [Getty Images]Paris St-Germain have been forced to move their opening Ligue 1 game after the summer's "exceptional heatwaves" left their Parc des Princes pitch "severely damaged". The French champions had been due to start their title defence against Rennes in the capital on Sunday, but the fixture will be reversed and held in Brittany instead. Ligue de Football Profes
  
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• The day's 5⃣ stories: Mourinho-Negreira, Atleti win, the Gamper

  20-08-2026 09:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The day's 5⃣ stories: Mourinho-Negreira, Atleti win, the GamperThis Thursday, August 20, will bring news, signings, football... but let’s go over the five stories you can’t miss to start the day.José Mourinho, blunt about the 'Negreira Case'📸 Christof Koepsel - 2026 Getty Images"It’s in the hands of the courts. Let’s see what justice does. Without knowing it was Negreira, without knowing that was his name, when I was here, I smelled something. You cou
  
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• Why are there so few African players in the WSL?

  20-08-2026 09:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Malawi's Temwa Chawinga scored five goals and assisted two at Wafcon [Getty Images]Plenty of talent was on show during the Women's Africa Cup of Nations this month - but why do so few players from the continent play for clubs in England?The Women's Super League is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world and Europe's top talent is flooding in.Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas joined London City Lionesses this summer - the latest figure from Spain's World Cup-winning squa
  
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• McKnight named NIFWA player of the month

  20-08-2026 09:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Linfield winger Sophie McKnight has been named the Sports Direct Women's Premiership Player of the Month for July by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.The Blues had a strong month with wins over Lisburn Rangers and Larne Women, as well as a 2-2 draw with Belfast neighbours and title rivals Glentoran Women.Teenager McKnight scored her fourth league goal of the season in the draw with Glentoran and impressed throughout the month as Ryan McConville's side also reached the quarter-f
  
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• Richard Hughes given green light to sign €50m sensation now

  20-08-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Richard Hughes given green light to sign €50m sensation nowRichard Hughes may be leaving Liverpool at the end of the summer transfer window but, that doesn't mean that he can't continue trying to improve their ranks before he leaves. Many different rumours have emerged about who Liverpool could target and who they could sign that would actually improve their team and, while three deals have got over the line, a lot more work still needs to be done.The Reds have many problem areas among thei
  
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• Diego Simeone’s response after Atletico fans target Julian Alvarez over Barcelona links: ‘Very respectful towards…’

  20-08-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Diego Simeone’s response after Atletico fans target Julian Alvarez over Barcelona links: ‘Very respectful towards…’Barcelona’s interest in Julian Alvarez continues to create headlines, with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone forced to address the situation after his side opened their 2026/27 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Malaga.The Argentine forward did not feature in the match as he continues working towards full match fitness. However, even in his
  
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• £51m signing to have Arsenal medical today

  20-08-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  £51m signing to have Arsenal medical todayEzri Konsa is set for his medical after Arsenal and Aston Villa reached agreement on a deal worth £51 million plus add-ons.Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesEzri Konsa is expected to undergo his Arsenal medical today after the club agreed a deal worth £51 million plus add-ons with Aston Villa.The England international is now on the verge of becoming Arsenal’s fifth senior signing of the summer after reportedly saying his goodbye
  
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• Anderlecht youngster, once linked to West Ham, set for Werder Bremen move

  20-08-2026 09:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Anderlecht youngster, once linked to West Ham, set for Werder Bremen moveHLN are reporting that Mario Stroeykens is set to leave Anderlecht and join Werder Bremen. Stroeykens, who was linked in the past to West Ham, has had a tumultuous career so far despite only being 21, with injuries having curtailed his progress. Clearly talented, Stroeykens now gets a chance to rebuild his career in a new environment and a new league in the Bundesliga. Stroeykens made his Anderlecht debut back in the 2020/2
  
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• Another midfield target for Manchester City has come into view, and perhaps it is a move that suits

  20-08-2026 09:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Another midfield target for Manchester City has come into view, and perhaps it is a move that suitsIf Enzo Maresca decides to use Elliot Anderson as a number six in midfield, Manchester City will need to find players who can combine well with the strengths of the England international. Currently, City have Anderson, Mateo Kovacic, and Nico Gonzalez as recognised midfielders who could form a double pivot in midfield in their squad. Perhaps, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis could also slot into
  
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• Jose Mourinho identifies his preferred pivot pairing at Real Madrid – report

  20-08-2026 09:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jose Mourinho identifies his preferred pivot pairing at Real Madrid – reportJournalist Roberto Morales believes Jose Mourinho has already given a strong indication of how he wants his new-look midfield to operate.After a busy summer that has brought six new signings and several departures, Mourinho is still working towards his ideal starting XI. There are questions in several positions, particularly in midfield and attack, although the Portuguese coach’s use of a 4-2-3-1 system
  
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• Barcelona hit immediate brick wall in Lautaro Martinez transfer pursuit

  20-08-2026 09:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona hit immediate brick wall in Lautaro Martinez transfer pursuitBarcelona’s interest in Lautaro Martinez appears to have hit an immediate obstacle, with Inter Milan making it clear that their captain is not available for transfer.According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Inter have received no offer from Barcelona for the Argentine striker. More importantly, the Italian club are not expecting one and would have no interest in considering a sale even if Barcelona were to make an approach
  
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• Wolves sign Wales midfielder James on loan

  20-08-2026 09:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Wales midfielder Jordan James on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.The 26-times capped international returns to the Midlands almost two years on from leaving boyhood club Birmingham City for French Ligue 1 club Rennes in a reported £4m deal.James spent last season back in England on loan in the East Midlands at Leicester City. But, despite his 11 goals from midfield, helping him to be voted player of the season, the Foxes were relegated
  
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• Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool talks to re-sign extraordinary wonderkid

  20-08-2026 09:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool talks to re-sign extraordinary wonderkidLiverpool are in talks with a special wonderkid over a new deal as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. Time is running out. Both in terms of the window as we enter the final few days and also for Richard Hughes at Liverpool.He is expected to join Al Hilal at the end of the summer and if that happens, the remaining days of the window will determine how Hughes is remembered at Anfield.There is certainly no shortage of issues to r
  
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• Real Madrid summer signing has strong chance of starting La Liga opener against Espanyol

  20-08-2026 09:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid summer signing has strong chance of starting La Liga opener against EspanyolOne of the first signings that Real Madrid made at the beginning of the summer transfer window was agreeing a deal with Inter Milan to sign Denzel Dumfries.Although the signing was not officially announced until after the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign, he was one of Madrid’s first bets for the new project.Los Blancos had seen Dani Carvajal leave at the end of last season and needed a right-back
  
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• 🥐☕️FC brekkie: King Kazu, 59, bags a brace, Olise on IG!

  20-08-2026 09:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🥐☕️FC brekkie: King Kazu, 59, bags a brace, Olise on IG!At 59, King Kazu scores a brace! 🤯At 59 years old, Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura is still going strong in professional football. On Wednesday, in the Emperor's Cup, the Fukushima United forward bagged a brace against Oyama SC in his team's 7-0 win.Olise’s teaser on Instagram 🎬It’s confirmed, he’s about to give us a crazy season…Ronaldo downgraded on FC 27 📉On Wednesday
  
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• Three takeaways from Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly | Joan Gamper Trophy

  20-08-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Three takeaways from Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly | Joan Gamper TrophyBarcelona’s final pre-season game of the summer kicked off against Al Ahly last evening at the Spotify Camp Nou in a night of celebration as the club hosted their annual Joan Gamper Gala.The Catalans finished on top with a 2-1 win. Hamza Abdelkarim and Raphinha were the goalscorers on the night, and it was Zizo who pulled one back for the visitors in the second half.The performance that Hansi Flick’s side delivered, howev
  
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• St Mirren agree loan deal for Ramsay - gossip

  20-08-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  St Mirren have agreed to sign Liverpool's Scottish right-back Calvin Ramsay, 23 on a season-long loan. (Sun)Celtic are considering a move for Southampton's Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, 24. (Scotsman - subscription required)Sporting director Robert Graf says Hajduk Split need to sell players amid Celtic's interest in Niko Sigur, 22. (Record - subscription required)Scotland forward George Hirst, 27, is set to join Stoke City from Ipswich Town in a £10m deal. (Sun)Hearts defen
  
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• Is Rangers v FK Jablonec on TV? How to watch Conference League play-off

  20-08-2026 08:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Rangers battle FK Jablonec in the Conference League with the goal of reaching the league phase. Rangers have enjoyed a boost on the eve of this fixture with their 11th signing of the summer in Kosta Nedeljkovic. They enter the crunch tie against the Czech side after a 5-1 win over St Mirren on Sunday, with James Penrice scoring on his debut. The big win snapped a four-game winless start for manager Derek McInnes, who underlined a change in atmosphere in training this week: “Even coming in
  
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• James Pearce: Liverpool star’s exit is inevitable

  20-08-2026 08:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  James Pearce: Liverpool star’s exit is inevitableCurtis Jones to Inter Milan: Why Liverpool Have Moved to Sanction £30m ExitLiverpool are moving towards the departure of Curtis Jones, with Inter Milan pushing to complete a £30m deal before the transfer window closes. The situation has developed quickly, although there remains some variation in the reporting over how advanced the agreement is. What appears clear, however, is that the midfielder’s Anfield future has been he
  
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• Why Carlos Baleba could be the missing piece in Manchester United’s new midfield

  20-08-2026 08:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  There is inherent risk with any major transfer, and perhaps the biggest gamble Manchester United are taking, should they sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, is that they don’t yet quite know who he is or what he might become.Is he the brilliant teenager who commanded Premier League midfields when he first arrived at Brighton, or the 22-year-old of last season who let that form slip away? Is he a defensive midfielder who stitches play together, or a box-to-box all-action superhero? Is he a
  
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• Report: Manchester United closing in on £70m signing

  20-08-2026 08:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Manchester United closing in on £70m signingManchester United step up Carlos Baleba move as £70m deal comes into viewManchester United’s midfield rebuild appears to be entering its decisive phase, with TeamTalk reporting that Carlos Baleba has emerged as the leading target to complete the club’s summer business in the centre of the pitch. The Brighton midfielder has been admired internally for some time and, crucially, the pursuit now looks to have moved from long
  
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• José Mourinho on El Chiringuito (II): I haven't asked for any signings

  20-08-2026 08:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  José Mourinho on El Chiringuito (II): I haven't asked for any signingsJosé Mourinho has given an exclusive interview to 'El Chiringuito' in which he talked about everything. This is the second part of the interview.The signings he has asked for"I haven’t asked for anyone. I arrived after analyzing the squad well, being absolutely aware of what I want. Looking at what happened last season and what you pass on to Lisbon, I wanted to understand a lot of things and behave as if I
  
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• José Mourinho on 'El Chiringuito' (II): I didn't ask for any signings

  20-08-2026 08:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  José Mourinho on 'El Chiringuito' (II): I didn't ask for any signingsJosé Mourinho has given an exclusive interview to 'El Chiringuito' in which he spoke about everything. This is the second part of the interview.The signings he has asked for"I haven’t asked for anyone. I arrived after analyzing the squad well, being absolutely aware of what I want. Looking at the things that happened last season and that you pass on to Lisbon, I wanted to come in knowing many things and beha
  
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• Real Madrid face squad size hurdle in bid to sign Racing Santander youngster

  20-08-2026 08:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid face squad size hurdle in bid to sign Racing Santander youngsterReal Madrid already have a very talented squad at their disposal, filled with superstars, but they are constantly on the lookout for market opportunities.Los Blancos want to make the kind of signings where they are ahead of the curve and sign a player before his potential explodes.Madrid well and truly have seen how a player’s price can skyrocket after just one good season, as has been the case with Yan Diomande th
  
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• It's on! Fabrizio Romano confirms mega Liverpool deal can now go ahead

  20-08-2026 08:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  It's on! Fabrizio Romano confirms mega Liverpool deal can now go aheadA mega Liverpool deal is still on according to Fabrizio Romano. The clock is ticking. Tick. Tack. Tick. Tack.Richard Hughes does not have long left now to make this a successful transfer window for Liverpool.He's already fumbled a couple of deals. Yan Diomande being the most prominent one, who ended up at Real Madrid and who was clearly the replacement lined up for Mo Salah.Pre-season has been successful but also informative f
  
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• Eric Garcia, Balde react after Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly: ‘Rodri is the best midfielder in the world’

  20-08-2026 08:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Eric Garcia, Balde react after Barcelona 2-1 Al Ahly: ‘Rodri is the best midfielder in the world’Barcelona defender Eric Garcia looks set for a major change in role next season after revealing that Hansi Flick wants to use him as a right-back.The Spanish international started in that position during Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Al-Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy, with Jules Kounde moving inside to operate at right centre-back.Garcia has now confirmed that the tactical switch was not
  
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