Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: August 3, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Transfer Window Frenzy

Premier League clubs have already surpassed the £1 billion mark in transfer spending this window and are anticipated to become even more active. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped regarding speculation linking his club to Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior but indicated that more player movements are expected before the summer transfer window concludes. Real Madrid are reportedly open to letting Vinícius Júnior depart if a new contract agreement cannot be reached, and they do not plan to increase their current offer. Manchester City is preparing a surprising approach for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, according to Transfer Talk. Bournemouth is finalizing an £11.1 million deal for Sevilla right-back Juanlu, as new manager Marco Rose's squad nears completion. Tottenham has made an approach for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, while Atletico Madrid is considering a move for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has reportedly had positive discussions with Tottenham. Arsenal and Newcastle United have agreed on a fee for Bruno Guimarães, with Arsenal expressing confidence in securing the signing following Eddie Howe's departure. Inter Milan has increased their bid for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones. Manchester City intends to pursue a deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi irrespective of any doubts surrounding Rodri's future at the Etihad Stadium. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso stated that the "scar" from his brief tenure at Real Madrid has healed, allowing him to concentrate fully on preparing Chelsea for the upcoming Premier League season. Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to play after his doping ban was resolved. Chelsea has been fined £10 million and issued a suspended two-window transfer ban by an independent appeals board for admitting breaches of Football Association agent rules. Bournemouth has completed the signing of Portugal international defender Antonio Silva from Benfica. West Ham is in negotiations with Celtic regarding the transfer of Arne Engels, with Celtic holding out for a fee of approximately £25 million for the midfielder. Celtic has increased their offer for a Serie A midfielder, while Rangers have initiated talks for a winger from a newly promoted Premier League team. Former Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is reportedly nearing a move to Turkish club Trabzonspor.

Pre-Season Friendlies and Club News

Manchester City drew 1-1 with Inter Milan in Hong Kong, ultimately losing 3-1 on penalties in Enzo Maresca's first match in charge. New manager Enzo Maresca is considered a "perfect one" for Manchester City, according to defender Josko Gvardiol. Despite Manchester City's penalty shootout defeat against Inter Milan, teenager Ryan McAidoo impressed manager Enzo Maresca. Phil Foden aims to "repay" the faith shown by Manchester City as he looks forward to a "fresh start" under new boss Enzo Maresca. Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Fiorentina in a preseason friendly, marking new coach José Mourinho's first game at the helm. Bryan Mbeumo scored twice to help Manchester United secure a 2-1 friendly victory over Atlético Madrid in Stockholm. Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham attended his former club Birmingham City's match, where they defeated Barcelona on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Liverpool concluded their pre-season tour of the United States with a 4-2 defeat against Leeds, having held a two-goal lead at halftime in Chicago. Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead spectacularly as Leeds secured a 4-2 victory in the final match of both teams' US tour. Wrexham ended their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in Philadelphia. Robert Lewandowski scored two goals, including the game-winner, in his home debut for the Fire, leading Chicago to a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday. Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United following the conclusion of his loan spell at Barcelona, ahead of the new Premier League season. Real Madrid has signed forward Carlos Espí from Levante on a five-year contract.

Scottish Premiership Kicks Off

Newly promoted St Johnstone marked their return to the top flight with a goal-filled victory over Kilmarnock on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership season. St Johnstone relinquished a lead before staging a comeback to win a seven-goal thriller in their home return against Kilmarnock. Motherwell began their Scottish Premiership season with a victory at Easter Road, as Ibrahim Said netted a late winner against Hibernian. St Mirren secured a 2-0 opening-weekend win at Falkirk, with Killian Phillips scoring in each half. Aberdeen defeated Hearts 2-1 in their Scottish Premiership opener at Pittodrie, conceding two late goals. Chris Cadden moved from Hibernian to Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen, seeking more game time. Rangers began the Derek McInnes era with a stuttering start, drawing at Dundee United after coming from behind. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill expressed his desire to retain key players during the summer transfer window amidst interest in Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston. West Ham is in talks with Celtic for the transfer of Arne Engels, with the Scottish club seeking approximately £25 million.

International Football and FIFA Developments

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned his controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private equity investors following strong opposition from football's governing bodies. FIFA has initiated a consultation process for expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams, with documents indicating a decision is targeted for August 14. Real Madrid praised UEFA for protecting football "at a decisive moment" after FIFA withdrew its plans to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors. FIFA's plans to sell off World Cup stakes were poorly conceived from both a business and political standpoint. The 2027 Women's World Cup was slated to be the first major tournament impacted by FIFA's contentious plans, and its importance to the women's game warrants more respect. Asisat Oshoala scored the sole goal in Nigeria's victory over Zambia at Wafcon 2026, revitalizing the West African nation's hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Former striker Diego Forlán has been appointed interim head coach of the Uruguay national team until March 2027. Argentina international Valentín Barco has joined Chelsea from Strasbourg. Inter Miami has not shown interest in signing Colombian national team midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero, according to club sources. Cole Palmer stated that he did watch England's World Cup matches but fell asleep at halftime during the game against Mexico.

Golf and Horse Racing Action

Shiho Kuwaki snatched a dramatic play-off victory over Esther Henseleit at the AIG Women's Open following an extraordinary finish. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will regret a "missed opportunity" to claim their maiden major win at the AIG Women's Open, according to Dame Laura Davies. Yealimi Noh capitalized on Haeran Ryu's falter to seize the third-round lead at the AIG Women's Open, with Lottie Woad and Charley Hull remaining in contention for the title. Charley Hull insisted she "does not care" about criticism regarding her pre-major caddie prank and managed her limited sleep to stay in contention at the AIG Women's Open. An emotional Chiara Tamburlini faces a nervous wait to see if she has qualified for Team Europe's Solheim Cup squad after missing the cut at the AIG Women's Open. Blue Bolt continued its undefeated streak with a victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Evening Saigon ridden by James Doyle, secured victory in the Coral Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. American Affair the Scottish speedball, rebounded to form and claimed top honors in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood. We have a full day of racing on Monday featuring Flat action from Ripon and Windsor, live on Sky Sports Racing.

Other Sports News

England will not win a medal in netball at the Commonwealth Games after suffering a significant 68-50 defeat to Australia in Glasgow. England's netball team fell to a 61-54 defeat against New Zealand in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games. Boxer Tarona secured Tuvalu's first-ever Commonwealth Games medal, earning a bronze in the women's 75kg boxing division. Pierce O'Leary suffered his first professional defeat, being stopped by Mark Chamberlain in a thrilling fight in Dublin. Jack Draper has requested patience from his supporters regarding his return to tennis after withdrawing from the DC Open due to an arm injury, having previously been ranked world No. 4. Cameron Norrie exited the Los Cabos Open as his losing streak continued, being defeated by Denis Shapovalov.