Football/Soccer 8 Hours

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 3:09 PM ET

Big-Money Signings and Transfer Talks

Marcus Rashford is set to rejoin Manchester United’s preseason camp in Ireland, sources told ESPN, as the forward begins preparations for the new campaign. Mikel Arteta has backed Bruno Guimarães to “ignite something different” at Arsenal, while also stating the “warrior” can take the club to the “next level” and hinting at further summer business. Trevoh Chalobah completed a move from Chelsea to Como for a fee worth more than £30m. Lucas Digne joined Paris Saint-Germain from Aston Villa for £8.5m. Ferran Torres has told Barcelona he wants to join PSG after agreeing personal terms, a source confirmed to ESPN. Fulham agreed a deal worth up to £30m for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles. Everton and Crystal Palace are in talks over a swap deal that would send Dwight McNeil to the Eagles and Brennan Johnson to the Toffees. Hearts sold winger Alexandros Kyziridis to an unnamed Turkish club for £1.7m. Manchester United are working on a deal for Leicester teenager Louis Page. Sevilla are close to a £7.9m move for Scotland Under-21 striker Robbie Ure. Rangers rejected an offer for Youssef Chermiti that did not meet their valuation. Greg Taylor is linked with Celtic, Burnley, and Malaga as the transfer window heats up.

Preseason Woes for Arsenal and Liverpool

Arsenal suffered a second successive preseason defeat, losing 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta lamented “poor goals” conceded and “comical defending” that cost the Gunners the Emirates Cup. Across the Premier League, Andoni Iraola admitted his Liverpool side “cannot sustain the level we want” after they threw away a two-goal lead for the second straight match, falling 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield in his first home game. Liverpool’s defeat was sealed by a late Monaco rally, echoing the same collapse seen against Sevilla earlier in the week.

Scottish Premiership Roundup

Derek McInnes remains winless as Rangers manager after Hibernian snatched a 2-1 victory at Ibrox with an injury-time winner, despite the boss insisting his team “aren’t as bad as people think.” McInnes also confirmed the Chermiti bid rejection. Hearts gave Wouter Vrancken his first win with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Dundee United, as three summer signings found the net. Motherwell played out a goalless draw with Falkirk ahead of their Conference League qualifier. Celtic swept past Kilmarnock 4-0 thanks to a first-half hat-trick from record signing Kasper Hogh.

Off-Pitch Controversies and Tributes

FIFA has hit out at what it called a “concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” world soccer’s governing body and president Gianni Infantino. LaLiga president Javier Tebas declared that “the Infantino era is over” and accused the FIFA chief of “destroying the very essence” of football. False reports of Cristiano Ronaldo’s wedding caused fan chaos in Funchal, as hundreds flocked to a cathedral only to see a different couple marry. Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died at age 68 in Rosario. Inter Miami honored their absent captain during a Leagues Cup loss to Monterrey. Jose Mourinho criticized summer signing Bernardo Silva’s fitness levels, saying the Portuguese needs to improve after returning to Real Madrid out of shape. Algeria became the first team to reach the WAFCON semifinals, securing their first-ever Women’s World Cup berth with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. In a touching gesture, Brazilian club Coritiba wore the name of an English fan with motor neurone disease on their shirts to raise awareness.

Other Notable News

Seamus Coleman has been training with Killybegs, but the former Everton defender says a return to Gaelic football is not on the cards. Mohamed Salah featured in one of the summer’s most viral transfer unveilings, while the stardom of World Cup goalkeeper Vozinha continues to grow.