The 2026 Kopa Trophy nominees have been confirmed, and Lamine Yamal is once again the leading name on the list as he targets a third straight success.

Barcelona’s Yamal arrives at the ceremony after a season that underlined his growing status. He produced 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 matches for Barcelona during the 2025-26 campaign, helping Hansi Flick’s side secure La Liga. That form is expected to place him near the top of the Ballon d’Or conversation when the final ceremony is held on Oct. 26.

He is joined by club and international teammate Pau Cubarsí, who continues to build on a strong rise of his own. The centre-back finished seventh last season and now returns after winning La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain. He also collected the FIFA Young Player Award at that tournament.

The shortlist also includes Yan Diomande, following a season that ended with a $161.6 million (€140 million) move to the Bernabéu, while Ayyoub Bouaddi has been named after Manchester City’s $111 million signing. Warren Zaïre-Emery remains a familiar figure among the nominees, having tied for eighth in 2024.

There are several first-time challengers too. Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich and Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen represent the Bundesliga, while Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi bring Premier League representation to the list. Juventus’ Kerim Alajbegović completes the men’s shortlist.

The women’s Kopa Trophy, introduced in 2025, also features a strong field. Barcelona and Spain’s Vicky López, the inaugural winner, is back in contention. She is joined by teammate Clara Serrajordi, Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman, Real Madrid’s Felicia Schröder and OL Lyonnes’ Lily Yohannes.

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.

Deadline Day brings the summer window to a close on Tuesday, but there is still enough time for late movement, fresh tension and a few final breakdowns.

Several long-running transfer situations remain unresolved, and the final hours could still reshape plans for a number of clubs. Here are six of the most notable sagas heading into the close of the market.

Julián Alvarez has made his desire clear, publicly describing a move to Barcelona as his “dream”, but Atlético Madrid have maintained all summer that they will not sell to their domestic rivals. Barcelona left a $135 million bid on the table in mid-July, yet Atlético have not shifted. The Argentine has tried to force change, but the response has been firm. Atlético are prepared to do business with Arsenal for the right price, although the Gunners have not been able to persuade Alvarez to abandon Barcelona. Barcelona have already moved on to Gabriel Jesus, while Arsenal may now look at Malick Fofana.

Tottenham Hotspur’s response to their early defeats has led them into several forward options. They agreed terms with Iliman Ndiaye on Sunday morning and were also hopeful of sending Richarlison back to Everton, though those moves now appear linked. Everton have not yet reached agreement on personal terms with their former striker, which has complicated Spurs’ work. With Cody Gakpo staying at Liverpool, Manchester City have turned their attention elsewhere, while Spurs are moving on and Roberto De Zerbi may yet reunite with Mykhailo Mudryk.

Enzo Fernández remains another major name to watch. Chelsea considered a sale while Liam Rosenior was in charge, with Real Madrid later explored as a possible destination, but City have emerged as the strongest suitor. They are prepared to pay $162 million for the former Benfica midfielder, who has been transformed into a box-crashing midfielder by Pep Guardiola’s successor, Enzo Maresca, at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are still seeking a right-sided forward after being pushed back for Yankuba Minteh and failing so far to turn interest in Ismaïla Sarr into an agreement. Sarr wants the move, but Palace are standing firm after two bids were rejected.

Joshua Zirkzee’s future also remains open. He has turned down a loan move to Fiorentina and prefers Juventus, but their interest in Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade has created doubt. With Jonathan David having joined Atlético Madrid, Juve are prioritising Woltemade.

Everton are also preparing for change, with Ndiaye expected to leave and Jack Grealish emerging as a possible return target after a loan spell that started brightly before a foot injury ended his season in January.