Football/Soccer 8 Hours

Last updated: August 25, 2026, 8:42 PM ET

Transfer Market

The summer transfer window is closing with a flurry of late activity. Manchester City are reportedly set for a late move for Enzo Fernandez, with Chelsea already lining up a replacement. Nottingham Forest have agreed a club-record £50m deal to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap, a fee worth around $68M according to sources. Manchester United have completed the $89M signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion. Meanwhile, Nico González is set to join Newcastle United from Manchester City for $71M, with the deal agreed according to sources.

Liverpool are holding fresh talks with PSG for Bradley Barcola. Aston Villa have made an offer for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, among other targets. The futures of several high-profile players remain unresolved. Julián Álvarez faces a stark choice between staying at Atlético Madrid or moving to Arsenal, with the transfer saga drawing backlash from fans over his desire to leave.

Carabao Cup Action

The second round of the Carabao Cup delivered drama across England. Leeds United secured a second win at Nottingham Forest in three days to book their spot in the third round. Callum Wilson scored just six minutes into his full debut as Brentford routed Birmingham 6-1, with captain Nathan Collins adding two headers. Teenager Josh Ayala scored twice on his full professional debut as West Ham came from behind to beat Southampton 4-1.

Marcelino Nunez scored a sensational goal from the halfway line to help Ipswich claim a 3-1 win over Leicester. Coventry survived an early scare at Plymouth before easing through 4-2 at Home Park. Hull City followed up their 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday by knocking Stoke out on penalties after a 1-1 draw. In a historic moment, Cardiff City's Noah Anyadike, aged just, became the youngest player in EFL Cup history after starting their second-round defeat to Norwich City.

Awards and Honors

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the men's PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season, while Manchester City's Bunny Shaw won the women's award for a second time. Fernandes was also named the men's player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association.

International and Other News

France's Christopher Nkunku has rejoined RB Leipzig on loan from Milan, returning to the club where he had the most prolific seasons of his career. New Atlanta United striker Breel Embolo said he's excited about "a new start in my life," even as people in Europe are "shocked" at his decision to move to MLS. Xavi Hernandez said he was unfazed at being third choice for the Netherlands national team head coach job, as he was unveiled in his new role on Tuesday. Austrian club LASK held a moment of silence for the Celtic fan who died during a Champions League play-off match in Glasgow last week.

Darts

In darts, Luke Littler's bid to qualify for the Players Championship Finals, and keep alive his hopes of claiming a historic clean sweep of PDC major titles in 2026, suffered a blow with a quarter-final exit.