Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 3:38 PM ET

Transfer Window: Major Deals & Rumours

Barcelona forward Ferran Torres will join Paris Saint-Germain for around €50 million, a source confirmed to ESPN. PSG also beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup, with Désiré Doué scoring the winner. Atletico Madrid and Tottenham have agreed a €40 million deal for Argentina defender Cristian Romero, sources told ESPN, and Sky Sports confirms Atletico agreed a deal in principle. Chelsea have set a Friday deadline for clubs to meet their £120 million valuation of Enzo Fernández, sources say, while they could target Arsenal's Martín Zubimendi if Enzo leaves. Manchester City have rejected a new £55 million bid from Barcelona for Rodri, and BBC Sport looks at options to replace Rodri at City. Galatasaray have made a €45 million bid for Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, and the club also invite offers for Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal held fresh talks over Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, and Mikel Arteta says there is more to do in the transfer market. Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says the club want and need more signings, while Romelu Lukaku sealed an emotional move to Fenerbahce from Napoli. LAFC signed forward Armindo Sieb from Bayern Munich through 2028, and Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille. Celtic signed German midfielder Mika Baur from Paderborn and winger Haissem Hassan from Real Oviedo, while reports link them with Chelsea's Emenalo on loan. Hull City signed centre-back Nobel Mendy for a club record fee and also added Lucas Herrington. Enes Unal completed a move from Bournemouth to Getafe. PSV winger Couhaib Driouech is at Ibrox ahead of a transfer to Rangers. Youri Tielemans apologised to Aston Villa fans for Man Utd remarks, and Jamie O'Hara urged Spurs to sign Marcus Rashford. Chelsea's players for sale are listed with costs, and Thursday's gossip roundup includes Martinelli, Zubimendi and Wan-Bissaka.

Match Results & Pre-Season Friendlies

Paris Saint-Germain beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup, with 17-year-old Brian Madjo scoring on his Villa debut in a fearless display. The match featured breakout performances from Madjo and another Villa star, as Villa lost but found two players. Arsenal were held 1-1 by Como before winning 4-3 on penalties, with Bruno Guimaraes making his debut and Myles Lewis-Skelly scoring. Manchester United beat Leeds United 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Noussair Mazraoui scoring the decisive spot-kick amid pitch invaders. Marcus Rashford was absent but remains part of plans. Real Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 in a friendly, with Brahim Diaz scoring. Fulham's pre-season match against Málaga ended in chaos as Fulham walked off and Málaga scored into an empty net, with BBC also reporting the penalty incident. Barcelona will play Montpellier during a solar eclipse in Spain. In cricket, Australia were humbled by Bangladesh on day one of the first Test. MI London's Hundred title defence ended despite a win over Birmingham Phoenix. In tennis, Jack Draper lost in the Cincinnati Open first round, and Spanish teen Rafael Jodar was beaten by Brandon Nakashima in the Canadian Open semis.

Managerial & Coaching News

The Netherlands have appointed Barcelona great Xavi as national team coach through the 2030 World Cup. Chicago Stars fired coach Martin Sjögren and brought back Lorne Donaldson. ESPN ranks the top 30 men's soccer club managers in Europe. The FAI withdrew support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino while the IFA backs Uefa. Six Arab federations voiced full support for Infantino. Premier League referee Anthony Taylor cited a culture of fear in his retirement. Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick calls for more signings and discusses Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.

European Competitions

Rangers made five changes for their match against Jagiellonia Bialystok, with Couhaib Driouech at Ibrox. The Community Shield history is examined ahead of the Premier League season. In the Champions League, Aston Villa's Super Cup defeat featured Brian Madjo's debut. UEFA Super Cup official Omar Artan made history as a Somali referee. Super League rugby received an investment offer from Australia's NRL.

Domestic Leagues & Cups

Celta Vigo's LaLiga opener against Osasuna was postponed due to a fungus outbreak on the pitch, while BBC also reports La Liga postponed the match. The Premier League season is previewed with 20 defining people at each club. Premier League shirts will change with the gambling sponsor ban. West Ham start their first Championship campaign in 14 years, with analysis on whether they'll bounce back and a look at the boardroom battle. Leicester City are put up for sale for more than £200M. EFL Championship predictions include Wolves to fall flat. Why EFL matches at 3pm are being shown on TV. Sunderland are fourth favourites for relegation but defied odds before. Celtic perseverance paid off with Mika Baur signing. In Africa, Cameroon upset Morocco to reach the Wafcon final after four penalty saves by Michaely Bihina, while Chawinga sisters fired Malawi into the final. Lionel Messi returned to the Inter Miami bench after his father's death, and Messi paid tribute on Instagram. Youri Tielemans credited FIFA's overturn of Balogun red for inspiring Belgium's World Cup win. The new Premier League season starts without hydration breaks, with a guide on how to watch on Sky Sports.

Off-Field Stories & Controversies

Diego Simeone and Julián Álvarez held talks at Atlético Madrid after Álvarez's transfer request. Wesley Fofana opens up about handling hate and seeking stability at Chelsea. Tickets for LIV Golf's Team Championship were pulled amid cancellation reports. Tim Payne's debut shirt sparked a bidding war. The Hundred awards were given by Broad, Hussain, Greenway. Wayne Rooney will co-host a Man Utd show with Mark Goldbridge. Why half of England's World Cup defenders are on the move. South America is lukewarm on the 2030 World Cup on home soil. Major European leagues start dates and big stories are previewed. Barcelona and Real Madrid released new third kits for 2026-27. Jérémy Doku signed a new five-year deal at Man City. Bruno Fernandes is the centre of attention at Manchester United. Mikel Arteta welcomes speculation around Myles Lewis-Skelly. Four Scottish clubs are in European action on Thursday. Joe Root has a unique opportunity as England captain, says Atherton. Kimi Antonelli could be a surprise F1 champion. Damar Thomas chases his own legacy after AJ comparisons. Craig Richards will face Kalajdzic on the Fisher bill. Hollie Doyle previews Coppull at Newbury's Hungerford Day. Sky Sports Racing features Windsor and Lingfield. Rory McIlroy made a woeful start to the Fed ExCup Playoffs.