Liverpool reject Barcelona approach for Luis Diaz

 

Liverpool have turned down an approach from Barcelona for Luis Diaz and have insisted the winger is not for sale.

Barcelona contacted Liverpool to discuss a deal for Diaz on Wednesday but their enquiry has been met with a strong response.

Diaz has been linked with an exit having failed to agree terms on an extension to his contract, which runs until 2027. The expected arrival of Florian Wirtz will also increase competition for places but Liverpool have insisted that Diaz remains a part of the club’s plans for next season.

The Colombia international was a key part of Liverpool’s title-winning side and scored 17 goals in all competitions in 2024/25. Barcelona had earmarked Diaz for their left-wing role, having failed in an approach to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao last summer.

The Athletic are reporting that the Spanish champions have been informed that Diaz is not for sale. Saudi Pro League sides had also been keen on a deal for Diaz, though the winger has shown no interest in wanting to leave Anfield.

Despite the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer and Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain contract situation, Liverpool feel the right move is to ‘maximise’ Diaz’s performance value, over his financial worth.

There is a feeling within the Liverpool board that it would be difficult to find a replacement of similar quality, unless the bid for Diaz is too good to refuse.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/liverpool-reject-barcelona-approach-for-luis-diaz-41207187

From pitch invader scuffle to matchwinner – Cristiano Ronaldo stars for Portugal

 Cristiano Ronaldo overcame a pre-match scuffle with an enthusiastic fan to again be Portugal’s hero as he fired them to the Nations League final.

The 40-year-old was confronted by a pitch invader who wanted a selfie ahead of kick-off before scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 semi-final victory over Germany in Munich.

The hosts had gone in front early in the second half when Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz headed home but Roberto Martinez’s men hit back with two goals in five minutes.

A brilliant strike from Francisco Conceicao, whose father Sergio scored the last time Portugal beat Germany in Euro 2000, brought them level before Ronaldo bagged his 137th international goal with an easy tap-in to win the match.

It sent Portugal through to the final where they will meet either Spain or France on Sunday.

There was plenty of drama in the warm-up as midway through an electrical storm, Ronaldo had his confrontation, with the young fan dragged away by stewards.

The storm caused a 10-minute delay to kick-off, but once the action got under way it was almost an electric start for the hosts as they started on the front foot with Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa making two great saves.

First he produced a fine stop to deny debutant Nick Woltemade’s fizzed effort before getting down quickly to turn Leon Goretzka’s stroked effort around the post.

Portugal were inches away from taking the lead early in the second half as Ronaldo was just unable to connect with Nuno Mendes’ incisive cross, which agonisingly grazed the striker’s studs.

And soon after the ball went in at the other end as Germany took the lead in the 48th minute.

Joshua Kimmich, winning his 100th cap, made it, clipping a delightful ball over the defence for Wirtz to run on to and find the bottom corner.

Portugal’s response was good and Bruno Fernandes, fresh from a post-season tour to Asia with Manchester United, whipped an effort just wide.

But it was substitute Conceicao who made the difference five minutes after coming off the bench.

It was a brilliant individual goal, cutting in from the right, driving towards goal before finding the bottom corner with a 25-yard curling effort.

The turnaround was complete five minutes later after another fine goal.

Mendes played a one-two with Fernandes and then laid it on a plate for Ronaldo to tap into an empty net after just staying onside.

Conceicao could have killed the match but whistled an effort just wide and Germany almost equalised moments later as Karim Adeyemi advanced into the box but his shot hit the outside of the post.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a miraculous double save to deny Diogo Jota and Conceicao at the death, but Portugal’s work was done.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/from-pitch-invader-scuffle-to-matchwinner-cristiano-ronaldo-stars-for-portugal-41205754

Manchester City on verge of signing Tijjani Reijnders after agreeing fee

 

Manchester City are set to make Tijjani Reijnders their first summer signing after agreeing a £46m fee with AC Milan.

The Netherlands midfielder will sign a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, assuming he passes a medical.

City hope the transfer will be completed in time for the 26-year-old to make his debut at the Club World Cup.

They have targeted Reijnders as they looked for a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, after deciding not to renew the contract of the 33-year-old.

City had an interest in Florian Wirtz, but he would prefer to go to Liverpool, and Morgan Gibbs-White, who now looks more likely to stay at Nottingham Forest.

Reijnders could be one of two new signings in the summer’s first transfer window for City with Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri also wanted by Pep Guardiola.

Should both arrive, it would take their spending in 2025 past £250m after they brought in four players – Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – during the winter transfer window.

Reijnders, who helped the Netherlands reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024, scored 15 goals for AC Milan last season, even though they only finished eighth in Serie A.

Milan failed to qualify for European football, meaning they had a greater need to sell players.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/manchester-city-on-verge-of-signing-tijjani-reijnders-after-agreeing-fee-41202997

Jadon Sancho Potential Destinations: Five Clubs That Could Sign Man Utd Winger

 

Jadon Sancho’s long-term future doesn’t reside in west London, it turns out.

There were times during his loan spell when Sancho and Chelsea appeared a natural fit. He purred early on, building on the momentum regained at Signal Iduna Park during the back-end of 2023–24, and there didn’t seem to be any doubt that the Blues would opt to sign the winger permanently.

But then the second half of the season happened.

While Sancho played a leading role in the club’s Conference League success, his Premier League form throughout 2025 was indifferent at best. His contrasting fortunes in the two competitions left Chelsea with a dilemma, and a dispute over personal terms will ultimately lead to Sancho returning to Manchester United.

So, who will be there to pick up the pieces? With United unlikely to entertain a revival, Sancho is bound to seek an alternative route for potential rejuvenation.

Here are five clubs that could sign the 25-year-old this summer.

Borussia Dortmund

Sancho offered signs of life on loan at BVB last season. / IMAGO/Revierfoto

Ah, Dortmund. There’s always Dortmund.

Sancho earned his major break in the Ruhr region, with his dazzling form eventually evolving him into a £73 million asset. However, Erik ten Hag failed to set up his shiny new toy for success at Old Trafford and the player himself struggled to deal with the absence of space supplied by the Premier League.

Sancho’s first two-and-a-half years at United were bereft of memorable moments, and Dortmund offered the winger an olive branch midway through the 2023–24 season by agreeing to sign him on loan for the remaining months of the campaign.

While it was clear that he’d lost a step, Sancho showed during Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final that he could still hang with the very best. He was lauded for his performance in the semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain before his team were beaten by Real Madrid at Wembley.

Despite his on-field upsurge, Dortmund opted against signing him due to the finances involved and his reported off-field mishaps, including poor training performances. Now that he’s available again, the German club will inevitably be linked. However, Sancho’s second stint with the club may have cost him another opportunity to shine at Signal Iduna Park.

Bayer Leverkusen

Erik ten Hag has succeeded Xabi Alonso in Leverkusen. / IMAGO/PA Images

Okay, so a third Dortmund stint may be off the cards for Sancho, but might the man who oversaw his Manchester United arrival be willing to team up with him again?

There have been reports of Bayer Leverkusen, now led by Erik ten Hag, making a move, but surely the Dutchman’s presence has reduced the chances of the German club making a play for the Englishman?

While Sancho was signed under Ten Hag’s watch at Old Trafford, the pair later had a very public feud at the start of the 2023–24 season which led to the winger’s Dortmund loan in January. Sancho returned to United for preseason last summer and their relationship may have improved before he left for Chelsea, but the pair won’t be writing to one another at Christmas.

At the start of a new job, Ten Hag is unlikely to sign someone who will constantly remind him of a bleaker time. Sancho, meanwhile, surely won’t want to play for a manager who’s already failed to get anything close to the best out of him.

Juventus were linked when Thiago Motta was in charge. / IMAGO/IPA Sport

Plenty has changed in Turin since Juventus were linked with a move for Sancho last summer. The Old Lady was set to embark on an exciting new dawn with Thiago Motta at the helm, but the Italian failed to last his debut campaign.

Juve cut ties with Motta long before the season drew to a close, and they turned to the underrated Igor Tudor to put out a few fires. Their search for a long-term Motta successor has been pretty humiliating so far, and there’s every chance Tudor remains in charge.

If three-at-the-back advocate Tudor remains, Juventus won’t be going near Sancho. You can imagine those two butting heads.

There’s scope for Sancho, who struggles to burst beyond players but remains a technically sound winger capable of creating a yard of separation with a subtle move, to thrive in Italy, but which clubs would take him? His lofty wage demands are one issue, but Sancho’s not exactly a player the likes of Antonio Conte and Max Allegri will be chomping at the bit to work with.

Newcastle United

Newcastle are in the market for a winger. / IMAGO/IPA Sport

Sancho wasn’t bad during his loan spell at Chelsea, but much of 2024–25 seemingly drifted him by. His stock didn’t take much of a hit, and there will be some clubs who will continue to be tempted based on what he often produced at Dortmund.

While a move abroad seems likely, Sancho‘s Premier League career isn’t dead yet. There may be a couple of clubs, if they can negotiate an amicable deal financially, willing to take a punt on the Englishman.

One of those is Newcastle United, who have seemingly missed out on Bryan Mbeumo to the Red Devils and are certainly in the market for another winger despite Jacob Murphy’s career year. If there’s a manager you’d fancy to get a tune out of Sancho, it’s Eddie Howe.

If he can get Murphy looking like a competent footballer and some, he’ll surely be able to work some magic with the gifted Sancho.

Saudi Pro League

Al Hilal and Al Ahli are two clubs backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. / IMAGO/Ali Issa

This looks like where Sancho could be heading. While exact figures haven’t been disclosed, you have to think the winger was demanding flat-out silly money from Chelsea to sign permanently this summer.

The 25-year-old signed a contract with Man Utd worth a reported £250,000-a-week in 2021.

Sancho’s body of work over the past four years means no clubs in Europe would be willing to offer him that sort of money, and If he doesn’t lessen his wage demands, Saudi Arabia seems like the only option for the Englishman.

The four PIF-backed Saudi Pro League clubs have cash to burn, and they’re desperate to land a big name or two this summer. Interest is surely bound to arrive from the Middle East, but does Sancho, at 25, want to take such a step at this stage of his career? It may be his only choice.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/jadon-sancho-potential-destinations-five-clubs-that-could-sign-man-utd-winger-41201335

Jadon Sancho: Chelsea to pay £5m penalty fee after transfer decision on Manchester United winger

The winger impressed in flashes but the Blues were unwilling to match his wages

Future uncertain: Jadon Sancho will not stay on at Chelsea

Jadon Sancho will return to Manchester United after Chelsea failed to agree terms to sign the Englishman on a permanent deal.

Sancho spent this season on loan with the Blues, who had an obligation to buy him for £25million if they finished in the top 14 of the Premier League table.

Because Chelsea finished fourth, that clause came into effect.

However, they could not agree personal terms with Sancho. Chelsea were unwilling to inherit his inflated wages at United, and a salary that fit within the Blues’ incentive-driven wage structure could not be agreed upon.

He will leave on June 30 upon the expiry of his loan contract. Chelsea will pay United a penalty fee of £5m for failing to adhere to their obligation to buy.

Sancho scored five goals and contributed 10 assists in 41 appearances for Chelsea, including finding the net in the Conference League final last month when they beat Real Betis 4-1 in Wroclaw to win their first silverware since February 2022.

Ending on a high: Sancho’s goal in the conference league final was his last action in a Chelsea shirt

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

The Blues did not pay an up-front loan fee to sign Sancho from United last summer.

He will be allowed to assess his options this month, with his future at United still uncertain.

Sancho will not play at the Club World Cup, and Chelsea are hoping to sign a right-footed left winger before beginning their campaign in the United States later this month.

Standard Sport reported on Monday that Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is a player of interest and they are weighing up submitting a bid following talks. They also have United’s Alejandro Garnacho and the Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams on their list.

The Blues are set to announce the signing of Ipswich striker Liam Delap, having triggered his relegation release clause of £30m.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/jadon-sancho-chelsea-to-pay-5m-penalty-fee-after-transfer-decision-on-manchester-united-winger-41198537

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi still undecided about future several hours before key meeting with Nerazzurri

 As the Nerazzurri board are several hours away from meeting with the former Lazio coach to discuss his future as only one year remains on his contract following the investigating 5-0 defeat in the Champions League final, Simone Inzaghi still remains undecided regarding his future at Inter.

Sky Sports’ Gianluca Di Marzio reports that despite the humiliating result and performance portrayed in Munich in which Luis Enrique tactically out-classed the Italian tactician, the board still hold firm on their position to be willing to continue with Inzaghi heading into next season.

However, Simone finds himself indecisive on whether he will part ways with the Milanese club following the meeting and put an end to his four-year era at Inter.

Whilst many clubs are monitoring the situation very carefully, Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal seem to have made the most concrete contacts in recent weeks, as a two year contract with a salary of €25m per-season is on the table for  49-year-old coach.

With plenty of uncertainty surrounding Inzaghi’s future at Inter, the board have begun exploring alternative options, having made contact with Cesc Fabregas of Como and Roberto De Zerbi of Marseille to take over at the helm in the event Inzaghi heads out the door.

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/inter-coach-simone-inzaghi-still-undecided-about-future-several-hours-before-key-meeting-with-nerazzurri-41197183

Manchester City and Wolves close to Ait-Nouri agreement

 

Manchester City and Wolves expect to reach an agreement for the transfer of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

The Algerian has emerged as Manchester City’s top target to strengthen at left-back with negotiations ongoing between the Premier League sides. Ait-Nouri has just 12 months to run on his contract and Wolves will reluctantly sanction his sale this summer.

The 23-year-old has made 157 appearances for Wolves since joining the club on an initial loan deal from Angers in 2020.

Last season, he scored four goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League for Vitor Pereira’s team. No defender was directly involved in more Premier League goals. Ait-Nouri has featured predominantly at wing-back for Wolves, but has experience as a more orthodox full-back and on the left side of a back three.

Manchester City have prioritised the signing of a new left-back with Josko Gvardiol earmarked for a more central role next season. Nico O’Reilly deputised over the run-in but Guardiola has insisted the academy graduate’s long-term future is in midfield.

The Citizens hope to wrap up the transfer of Ait-Nouri before beginning their Club World Cup campaign. City start the tournament against Morocco’s Wydad AC on June 18th. The Athletic are reporting that both City and Wolves expect an agreement to be reached, following productive talks.

Ait-Nouri is set to become Wolves’ second high-profile sale of the summer. On Sunday, it was announced that Manchester United had signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a deal worth £62.5m, subject to visa and registration.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/manchester-city-and-wolves-close-to-ait-nouri-agreement-41193852