Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: August 2, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Transfer Window Buzz and New Signings

Argentina international Barco has joined Chelsea from Strasbourg, the London club have announced. Bournemouth finalising an £11.1m move for Sevilla right-back Juanlu as new manager Marco Rose's squad nears completion. Brentford confirmed the signing of Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare from Lens for a club record fee. Chelsea have signed Italy attacking midfielder Giulia Dragoni from Barcelona on a four-year contract. Bournemouth have completed the signing of Portugal international defender Antonio Silva from Benfica. Bournemouth agree a deal worth up to almost £26m for Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva. Real Madrid signed forward Carlos Espí from Levante on a five-year contract, the club announced on Thursday. Real Madrid agreed a deal with Fulham for forward Gonzalo García to join the Premier League club, and are close to another which will see midfielder César Palacios make the move.

Club News and Managerial Movements

Xabi Alonso the "scar" he suffered from his short tenure at Real Madrid has healed, allowing him to fully focus on taking Chelsea into the new Premier League season. Xabi Alonso healing from his Real Madrid exit, his gut feeling to join Chelsea and why he sees his new club as an exciting opportunity. New manager Maresca is a "perfect one" for Manchester City, says defender Josko Gvardiol. Manchester City 1-1 with Inter Milan in Hong Kong before losing 3-1 on penalties as Enzo Maresca took charge for the first time. New manager Maresca is a "perfect one" for Manchester City, says defender Josko Gvardiol. Manchester City Phil Foden is aiming to "repay" the faith shown to him by the club as he looks forward to a "fresh start" under new boss Enzo Maresca. Swansea City coach Vitor Matos agrees a new contract that ties him to the Championship club until 2030. Mullins leaves his role as Fulham Under-21 boss to become the new head coach of League Two side Newport County.

Real Madrid and FIFA Developments

Real Madrid praised UEFA for helping protect football "at a decisive moment" after FIFA abandoned plans to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors. FIFA president Infantino has gambled unsuccessfully on questionable ideas before, but his World Cup plans were ham-fisted and delusional from both a business and political perspective. FIFA president Infantino has abandoned his controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private equity investors after fierce opposition from football's governing bodies. The 2027 Women's World Cup was set to be the first major tournament affected by FIFA's highly controversial plans, and it's too important to the women's game to be treated with such disrespect. FIFA has started a consultation process over an expansion of the men's World Cup to 64 teams, with documents seen by ESPN aiming for a decision by Aug. 14. Pressure is building on Gianni Infantino. Can he as Fifa president after the implosion of the controversial World Cup investment plan?. Gianni Infantino met his Icarus moment. FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors has been heavily criticised, but the body running African football is yet to take a side.

Player Performances and Team Results

Robert Lewandowski two goals, including the winner, in his home debut for the Fire, helping Chicago beat Charlotte FC 2-1 on Saturday. Mbeumo's double earned Manchester United a 2-1 friendly victory over Atlético Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday. Real Madrid 2-2 with Fiorentina in a preseason friendly on Saturday, in new coach José Mourinho's first game in charge. Manchester City 1-1 with Inter Milan in Hong Kong before losing 3-1 on penalties as Enzo Maresca took charge for the first time. St Johnstone gave up a lead before storming back to edge a seven-goal thriller on their Scottish Premiership return at home to Kilmarnock. Another fine from Ben Duckett and crucial late wickets from Mohammad Amir helped Trent Rockets deservedly stay top of The Hundred table with a five-run win over Sun Risers Leeds. Dunkley's 56 off 33 balls fired the Trent Rockets past Sun Risers Leeds in an impressive victory by five runs in The Hundred at Trent Bridge. Hearts' miserable continued as they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 to Aberdeen in their Scottish Premiership opener at Pittodrie. Phillips scored in each half to reward a terrific St Mirren away display with a 2-0 opening-weekend win at Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership. Max Dowman with a goal and an assist as Arsenal recorded a dominant 4-1 win against Girona in their pre-season game at Montilivi in Catalonia. Bryan Mbeumo twice as Manchester United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm. Richarlison scored a 92nd-minute winner for Tottenham as they beat Chelsea 2-1 to win the Sydney Super Cup despite Kevin Danso being sent off in the second half. Jake Connor as Super League leaders Leeds ran in eight tries in a 46-0 rout of Toulouse while Wigan Warriors remain just two points behind after their 20-8 win over Leigh Leopards. Rockets came out victorious in a top of the table clash against Manchester Super Giants at Old Trafford after a masterful unbeaten knock of 72 from 35 balls from Kiwi star Finn Allen saw them chase down the target. Huddersfield twice from behind and produced a second-half fightback as they picked up a second straight Betfred Super League victory with a 22-16 win over Hull FC at the Accu Stadium. England fought to beat South Africa 58-54 to reach the netball semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Jofra Archer Jordan and Adil Rashid inspired the Southern Brave men's team to their first win in The Hundred after a desperate scramble to defend just 128 against Birmingham Phoenix.

Transfer Rumors and Speculation

Arsenal manager Arteta refused to give anything away about his club's reported pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior but said he expects more moves before the end of the summer transfer window. Inter Miami not expressed interest in signing Colombian national team midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero, club sources confirmed to ESPN. Former Liverpool Mohamed Salah is set to move to Turkish club Trabzonspor. Bournemouth USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams is reportedly linked with a move to Newcastle United. Mohamed Salah towards a move to Trabzonspor, Bayern Munich keen on Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko and Man City boss Enzo Maresca wants to work with Chelsea winger Pedro Neto again. Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United following the exit of manager Eddie Howe, sources have told ESPN's James Olley. Manchester City reportedly looking to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. Sassuolo reportedly to pay Hellas Verona £10m for Kieron Bowie as Rangers are claimed to have accepted at offer from Al-Taawoun for Nedim Bajrami. Three Premier clubs are watching Chelsea's Liam Delap, Manchester City are closing in on rising star Ayyoub Bouaddi, plus more.

Other Sports News

Blue Bolt her faultless campaign with victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Jack Draper called for his fans to be patient with his return after the former world No 4 withdrew from the DC Open with an arm injury. England will the Commonwealth Games without a medal in netball after suffering a comprehensive 68-50 defeat to Australia at the Hydro in Glasgow. Pierce O'Leary his first professional defeat when he was stopped by Mark Chamberlain in a thrilling fight in Dublin. Cameron Norrie the Los Cabos Open in the early hours of Saturday morning as he was beaten by Denis Shapovalov. Boxer Tarona has won Tuvalu their first ever Commonwealth Games medal as she took bronze in the women's 75kg boxing division. England's netball fell to a 61-54 defeat to New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games. Jim Crowley called time on his illustrious riding career having failed to recover sufficiently from a serious injury he suffered in a fall at York in September.