Bradley Barcola was left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for the French Super Cup in a boost to Liverpool and Arsenal’s chances of signing the France international winger. Barcola was also an unused substitute in PSG’s Super Cup win over Aston Villa. The European champions were set to demand £145m for the 23-year-old but Liverpool are prepared to play the long-game as they bid to negotiate a price as Andoni Iraola targets a new winger.
Elsewhere, Manchester City will sell Rodri to Barcelona in a deal worth up to £65m after finally accepting the advances of the Spanish champions. It means City will now accelerate their pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Moroccan wonderkid, as they enter talks to finalise a fee with Lille for the midfielder. And City could yet go back for Enzo Fernandez, despite missing Chelsea’s deadline for offers.
Arsenal are bidding to finalise their squad before the Premier League season, with Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri both left out of Sunday’s Community Shield. Both players have been linked with a move away and Martinelli turned down a move to Galatasaray on Friday. Arsenal have been keen to sign a defender following the injury to William Saliba and England defender Jarell Quansah, formerly of Liverpool, would be able to cover both centre-back and right back positions.
Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals below
Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario close to Juventus switch after Emi Martinez talks break down
Juventus have stepped up their interest in Guglielmo Vicario and are eager to finalise a deal quickly for the Tottenham goalkeeper.
Vicario has been in limbo all summer after he asked Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi to leave and return to his homeland following three years in north London.
Juventus emerged as Vicario’s favoured option, but they first targeted a move for Emi Martinez and then Parma youngster Zion Suzki. However, after major developments across the weekend, the Serie A club have opened talks with Tottenham over the loan signing of Vicario.
De Zerbi gave the green light for Vicario to leave after Antonin Kinsky stepped up to guide Tottenham away from relegation with a string of fine displays in the final seven matches of last season.
‘An exciting moment’: Scotland confirm Sebastien Pocognoli as Steve Clarke replacement
Sebastien Pocognoli has been confirmed as the new Scotland head coach.
The former Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco head coach has signed an initial two-year contract to succeed Steve Clarke.
Pocognoli, a former Belgium international, led Union to the 2024-25 Belgian title in his first season as a head coach.
The 39-year-old described his appointment as an “honour” and added on the Scottish Football Association website: “When I first heard of the interest, I was immediately excited about the opportunity.
“Scotland’s supporters are famous for their passion – most recently at the World Cup in the USA – and I have experienced it myself as a player for Belgium when we played in 2013.
“Along with my coaching staff, I will do everything I can to give them a team to be proud of and build on the success that has been achieved already by my predecessor.”
Why Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Man City is so ominous for title rivals
The Premier League champions won the Community Shield in a statement display in Cardiff, giving Mikel Arteta an early-season triumph while condemning new City boss Enzo Maresca to defeat in his first game in charge.
Arsenal to sell Gabriel Martinelli after being left out of Community Shield?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri remains “important” for the Premier League champions despite them both being left out of their squad for the Community Shield final.
Arteta explained that he was been pushing the Premier League to extend their squad limits to accommodate more players, but both Martinelli and Nwaneri have been linked with moves away. Martinelli turned down a move to Galatasaray on Friday, following a bid of around £39m.
“It’s really sad not to have their availability,” Arteta said. “I’ve been fighting with the Premier League to extend and accommodate more players in the squad because they deserve to be in the squad, there’s no question.
“Ethan [Nwaneri] and Marli [Salmon] as well, who has had the whole pre-season with us. Hopefully we can change that rule so players can enjoy on the pitch and can be an option to play and contribute to the team going forward.”
Liverpool’s Barcola boost as winger left out of PSG squad
Liverpool target Bradley Barcola was left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Super Cup defeat to Lens last night.
The winger, who was an unused substitute in PSG’s win over Aston Villa in the European Super Cup on Wednesday, has been Liverpool’s main transfer target this summer, with Arsenal also interested.
Liverpool are prepared to pay £100m for the 23-year-old, but PSG have set their asking price at £145m. Liverpool are hopeful that they can continue to negotiate with PSG before the deadline.
PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye who is also of interest from Liverpool, with ehe Reeds exploring a deal earliest in the window, was also left out of their squad last night.
Juventus walk away from Emiliano Martinez deal
Multiple reports coming out this evening suggest Emiliano Martinez will not be leaving joining Juventus this summer after the Serie A club walked away from talks.
The two clubs were a long way apart on their valuation of Argentina’s No 1, and a finger injury also raised doubts around his long-term fitness.
Villa are still pressing ahead to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki from Japan, who is expected to be their first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League this season – leaving doubt over Martinez’s future.
Man City identify Rodri replacement after accepting £65m offer from Barcelona
Manchester City have accepted a bid of £65.4m from Barcelona for Rodri.
Spain’s World Cup-winning captain is set to leave the Etihad Stadium to join the LaLiga champions and leave City with the question of how to replace him.
Barcelona had two previous offers for Rodri refused with City deeming the first, of just £38.4m, not serious but their third bid matched City’s valuation.
Rodri, who had been reluctant to sign a new deal, has entered the last year of his contract and City risked losing him on a free transfer if he was not sold this summer.
Now they will have two weeks to find a replacement. They are interested in Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Lille manager Davide Ancelotti saying there have been talks about the Moroccan midfielder, and Enzo Fernandez.
