Chelsea
Balogun’s collapse set off a transfer-day chain reaction
Balogun’s stalled Everton move triggered a deadline-day chain reaction involving Monaco, Chelsea and United.
Folarin Balogun’s deadline-day move looked close to completion before it unravelled into one of the window’s most complicated sequences. Everton had already agreed a $54.1 million (£40 million) deal with Monaco on Monday, and the striker was due to undergo a medical at Finch Farm.
That routine check did not go smoothly. Vague issues emerged, although the draft does not make clear what caused Everton’s concerns. Balogun had not featured in Monaco’s matchday squads in any of their first four games of the new season, and his last competitive outing had come against Belgium in Seattle.
Even so, the situation did not shut the door. Everton returned to Monaco to revisit the fee, while attention shifted elsewhere. The uncertainty around Balogun also prompted a late approach for Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, who was open to the idea after turning down Fiorentina. United were not prepared to lose him, with only one natural senior centre forward, Benjamin Šeško, available and little time left in the window.
Monaco’s handling of Balogun also affected their negotiations over Lamine Camara. Romain Molina said Thiago Scouro had been “bragging and demanding” more than $80 million for the midfielder until Balogun’s future became unclear. With one major sale needed to balance the books, Monaco eventually accepted $63.7 million (£47.1 million) from Chelsea for Camara, who had been identified as Enzo Fernández’s replacement.
Chelsea, however, were then left frustrated when Monaco reversed course after Balogun’s move appeared to be back on. Everton had already submitted a deal sheet signed by the player, giving them a two-hour grace period beyond the 11 p.m. BST deadline to complete the paperwork. Chelsea had not done the same for Camara, so no similar late rescue was possible.
The sequence did not end there. Balogun later changed his mind, did not report for Monaco training the next morning, and talk of a move to a league with a still-open window began to circulate. The fallout also affected Erik Lira, with Monaco needing Balogun’s departure before the Cruz Azul midfielder could occupy the club’s non-E.U. roster slot.
Arsenal
Ballon d’Or 2026: club-by-club breakdown of the leading nominees
Club-by-club guide to the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees, led by PSG, Barcelona, Arsenal and Bayern.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or will spotlight the game’s biggest prizes across the men’s and women’s competitions, with several of Europe’s leading clubs heavily represented on the shortlists.
Paris Saint-Germain headline the men’s field with a remarkable 10 nominations for the Men’s Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona lead overall with 20 nominees across the available categories. Bayern Munich stand alone as the only club to be nominated for both the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year award. Arsenal, the defending English champions, appear in every men’s category except the Kopa Trophy.
PSG’s list is stacked with Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Willian Pacho, Fabián Ruiz, Ferran Torres and Vitinha all named for the Men’s Ballon d’Or. Warren Zaïre-Emery is in line for the Kopa Trophy, Matvey Safonov is on the Yashin Trophy list, Luis Enrique is nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year, and PSG are up for Men’s Club of the Year.
Arsenal’s nominations are more concentrated, with Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba all shortlisted for the Men’s Ballon d’Or. Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo are both in the running for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, David Raya is up for the Yashin Trophy, Mikel Arteta is nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year, and Arsenal are in the Club of the Year conversation.
Barcelona’s nominations span both squads, with Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal among the men’s names, while their women’s representatives include Esmee Brugts, Cata Coll, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leion, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas. Vicky López and Clara Serrajordi are on the Women’s Kopa Trophy list, Joan García is nominated for the Yashin Trophy, Pere Romeu is in the Coach of the Year race, and Barcelona are favourites for Women’s Club of the Year.
Bayern’s strongest men’s nominees are Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano, while Klara Bühl, Pernille Harder and Momoko Tanikawa feature on the women’s side. Lennart Karl is on the Kopa Trophy shortlist and Vincent Kompany is up for Men’s Coach of the Year.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City also have notable representation across the awards, underlining how widely the nominations are spread among Europe’s leading clubs.
Aston Villa
2026 Kopa Trophy shortlist announced as Yamal seeks another win
Yamal leads the 2026 Kopa Trophy shortlist after another huge Barcelona season.
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.
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.
