Al Hilal
Meïté Agrees Fee with Al Hilal as United’s January Window Looks Restrained
Meïté looks set for Al Hilal after a reported €30m agreement, leaving United’s January options thin.
Mohamed Kader Meïté is reported to be on the verge of joining Al Hilal after the Saudi Pro League club agreed a deal with Rennes worth in the region of €30 million (£26 million, $35.9 million), per Fabrizio Romano. The move deprives Manchester United of one of the few targets they were linked with for January.
Reports acknowledged “approaches” from Premier League clubs, but Meïté is thought to have seen the chance to work under Simone Inzaghi in the Middle East as the “ideal step” in his development. January is shaping up to be a period of consolidation rather than expansion for United.
The Red Devils dropped to a lowly eighth on this year’s footballing rich list. Without European competition to call upon, the club’s revenues will fall further in the next set of accounts, limiting spending power. The financial reach of the brand means United will not be entirely cash-strapped—more than £200 million was splashed on just three forwards last summer—but there are clear constraints.
Ruben Amorim expressed his frustration before his departure. “I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3 we need to spend a lot of money and need time,” he said. “I’m starting to understand that is not going to happen so maybe I have to adapt.” At his farewell press conference he added: “Every department, the scouting department, the sports director needs to do their job,” and “I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.”
Michael Carrick, now interim coach, has at least one week to prepare for each of United’s remaining 15 matches with the players available. There has been continued talk of Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee and even Bruno Fernandes leaving in January, but if there are no incomings United are hardly in a position to willingly weaken their own hand.
Looking ahead to the summer, United’s attacking depth, reinforced last year, shows in the numbers: second in the Premier League for actual non-penalty goals and expected goals, and top of the division for shots and shots on target. Casemiro will have to be replaced, with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba considered the likeliest candidates. Replacing Bruno Fernandes would be risky, though this may be the last summer to cash in on the talismanic playmaker, who has left the door open to an exit after the World Cup.
Al Hilal
Gabriel Jesus details Arsenal exit after being left to train away from the squad
Jesus says he trained alone before leaving Arsenal for Barcelona in a quick late-summer move.
Gabriel Jesus has described the end of his time at Arsenal as abrupt and uncomfortable, saying he was eventually made to train away from the main group before completing his move to Barcelona in the late summer window.
The Brazilian had already expected his role to shrink after Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning season, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres favoured in the No. 9 position. Even so, the manner of his departure clearly caught him off guard.
“So, the truth is, I was training, I did all the pre-season with Arsenal as normal Obviously, I knew already that probably I would not play there or get many opportunities, but nobody told me nothing,” Jesus told SportyTV.
He added: “Well, I am a professional. Obviously, I was training with the group. Then, from nothing, they put me to train away from the group.
“Well, I was training, I was doing my maximum to be ready if I have a chance to play at a high level again. Then, obviously, in the last week, it was very quick.
“The work with Deco, the president of the club, and my agent was amazing. In one day, it was sure that I would have the opportunity to come [to Barcelona]. I said yes, straight away, no matter what, and I am so happy to be here.”
Jesus has already opened his account for Barcelona, scoring in Wednesday’s 5–1 Champions League win over Feyenoord.
He was not the only major name from Arsenal’s title-winning squad to depart in the summer. Leandro Trossard was moved on to Beşiktaş despite his importance last season, while Gabriel Martinelli was sold to Al Hilal for £60 million ($81.5 million).
Arsenal have used those sales to strengthen elsewhere, bringing in Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa for midfield and defence, while also moving for Christos Tzolis as a replacement for Trossard and Martinelli.
Al Ahli
Yashin Trophy 2026 shortlists reveal established names and fresh contenders
The 2026 Yashin Trophy shortlists are out, with new contenders joining familiar goalkeeping names.
The 2026 Yashin Trophy race has taken shape, with 10 men and five women named on the latest shortlists for football’s top goalkeeping honour.
There will be a new men’s winner this year after Gianluigi Donnarumma, who led the rankings in 2025, was not included among the nominees. That opens the door for a wide-open contest featuring several familiar figures and a few first-time entrants.
Thibaut Courtois is again in the mix, underlining the standing he has built over several years. Barcelona’s Joan García has also earned a first nomination after a season that put him firmly among the leading candidates. Arsenal’s David Raya, last season’s Premier League Golden Glove winner, is on the list too, while Emiliano Martínez returns to the spotlight after being nominated for his work with former employers Aston Villa and later joining Chelsea this summer.
The men’s shortlist also includes Matvey Safonov and Gregor Kobel, plus the Saudi Arabia-based pair of Yassine Bounou and Édouard Mendy. Unai Simón is recognised after helping Spain to World Cup glory, while Vozinha completes the lineup after another notable campaign at 40 years old.
Courtois and Martínez have both lifted the prize before, with Martínez a two-time winner in 2023 and 2024.
On the women’s side, Hannah Hampton is back after becoming the first winner of the Women’s Yashin Trophy last year. She is joined by Ann-Katrin Berger and Cata Coll, who finished second and third in the inaugural edition. Manchester City’s Ayaka Yamashita and Kansas City Current’s Lorena complete the women’s shortlist.
The full lists confirm a competition that mixes proven pedigree with new challengers, and the final outcome now depends on which goalkeeper can turn nomination into the highest honour.
AC Milan
Eight of the poorest deals from the 2026 summer transfer window
A costly summer produced several headline moves, but these eight signings stood out for all the wrong reasons.
The 2026 summer window delivered its share of headline purchases, but not every major move inspired confidence. Alongside smart recruitment and eye-catching spending, there were also a number of deals that raised questions across the game.
With so many players changing clubs, some questionable decisions were always likely. Here are eight signings that stand out for the wrong reasons.
Tottenham Hotspur’s capture of Sávio was among the most eye-catching. The $101.9 million fee surprised many, especially given the Brazilian’s return of just two Premier League goals in two seasons at the Etihad. Spurs also added Omar Marmoush from Manchester City in quick succession, and the scale of the Sávio deal left plenty of people stunned once the talk of a sell-on clause was dismissed.
Another Tottenham move came on deadline day and caused just as much confusion. The loan signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, alongside the addition of Chelsea center back Tosin Adarabioyo, puzzled supporters. Mudryk had not played a competitive match in nearly two years after a doping ban that was recently lifted, making the move a considerable gamble.
Nottingham Forest also drew attention for the wrong reasons when they spent $61.2 million on Liam Delap. Chelsea had only signed him for $40.6 million, and after a difficult debut season that brought three goals in 49 appearances, the fee looked excessive despite his 12-goal Premier League campaign for Ipswich Town in 2024-25.
Chelsea’s own summer business included Emmanuel Emegha, signed from Strasbourg for $28.5 million. Expected to back up João Pedro, he now sits third in the pecking order after the arrival of Danny Welbeck, leaving him with a difficult route to regular football.
Juventus paid $43.8 million for Randal Kolo Muani after his mixed loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored five goals in 41 appearances. AC Milan then turned to Gonçalo Ramos for $80 million, despite his role as a rotation option behind Ousmane Dembélé and a return of 13 goals in 50 matches.
Gabriel Martinelli’s $81.5 million move to Al Hilal was not a disaster for the clubs involved, but it was still a surprising step for a 25-year-old forward who could have rebuilt his standing at a Champions League club.
For Trabzonspor, the free signing of Mohamed Salah was a major coup. The Liverpool winger arrived with no transfer fee attached and plenty of interest elsewhere.
