Gusau announced his decision at a press conference at the NFF Glass House in Abuja on Thursday, shortly before the end of his tenure.

“I can confirm to you that I have decided to resign from my position as NFF President. I also advised my board members to follow me and also resign,” he said.

His resignation comes as the NFF faces scrutiny over its handling of an £8.5m ($11m) Federal Government intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024.

The money was intended to settle outstanding wages and bonuses owed to members of Nigeria’s national teams.

Gusau’s departure follows a difficult period for Nigerian football, with both the men’s and women’s senior teams suffering major setbacks in World Cup qualification.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 men’s World Cup, while the Super Falcons’ record of appearing at every Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991 also came to an end.

Nigeria’s women’s side missed out on automatic qualification before eventually being eliminated in the playoffs.

Gusau was elected NFF president at the federation’s 78th Elective Congress in September 2022.

His resignation comes just weeks before the NFF’s next elections, which are scheduled to take place on 27 September in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Explaining his decision, Gusau said he wanted to give other Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the development of football in the country.

He also defended his record, saying that despite the national teams’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cups, he was leaving the federation in a stronger position than when he took over.

Gusau said he had advised members of his board to resign with him, although he added that he was not aware of any board member who had followed his lead.

The NFF has yet to announce arrangements for an interim leadership following Gusau’s resignation.

The 21-year-old centre-back joins the European champions in a deal reportedly worth about €2m after completing his medical.

Naasei will initially link up with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve side, as he continues his development and seeks to establish himself within the Spanish giants’ system.

Real Madrid moved for the defender after his performances for Granada attracted interest from a number of clubs.

Naasei joined Granada in 2023 and progressed through the club’s youth system before breaking into the senior squad.

He has made two appearances for Granada in the Segunda Division this season and has impressed with his versatility, being capable of playing both at centre-back and right-back.

The Accra-born defender also earned his first senior Ghana cap in May when he featured in the Black Stars’ friendly against Mexico.

His move to Real Madrid marks a significant step in his career, with Naasei now hoping to develop at Castilla and eventually earn a place in the club’s first team.

The Ghanaian becomes the latest young defender to make the move to one of European football’s biggest clubs as Real Madrid continue to invest in emerging talent.

Prof. Awaah made these remarks after an inspection of the stadium on Wednesday, August 26, involving NSA officials, members of the Ghana Sports Fund and government representatives.

Speaking to Citi Sports, he warned that the facility’s condition could pose a serious safety risk if its structural problems are not addressed.

“That’s just a death trap. You never know when the entire place will collapse; maybe with a big population, where we will have another disaster. Again, if we had our own way, we would have pulled down the infrastructure for a new one to be underway,” he said.

The Accra Sports Stadium has undergone several renovations ahead of major events. It was last renovated in 2018 ahead of Ghana hosting the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The facility was also renovated and modernised in 2007 as part of preparations for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite the interventions, the latest inspection has raised fresh concerns about the stadium’s safety and ability to host major sporting events.

The Accra Sports Stadium remains one of Ghana’s main sporting venues and is among the facilities approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host Category A matches.

Authorities are expected to step up rehabilitation efforts to ensure the facility meets required safety and international standards as the country prepares ahead of major competitions.

The inspection forms part of Ghana’s preparations to host the 2027 U-20 Africa  Cup of Nations (AFCON), while the Black Stars are set to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in September.

An agreement has reportedly been reached between the Super Lig club and French side OGC Nice for the transfer of the 22-year-old, who is now expected to sign a four-year contract before completing the switch to Turkey.

The move would mark another significant step in Oppong Peprah’s rapid rise after just one season in Ligue 1.

He joined Nice from Swedish club IF Norrkoping last summer and established himself as a key figure in the side, making 39 appearances across all competitions and scoring once during the campaign.

The centre-back had also attracted interest from fellow French club RC Strasbourg earlier in the transfer window.

Oppong Peprah’s growing reputation has also extended to the international stage.

He was included in Ghana’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States, featuring in the Black Stars’ matches against England and Croatia.

Zakour, popularly known as the Millennium Chairman, told Accra-based Sporty FM on Wednesday that Hearts of Oak received $3 million following their historic triumph and shared a significant portion of the money with the players.

He claimed each of the 18 players was given $100,000, describing the amount as substantial at the time.

“It’s not true [that the players were not compensated for winning the trophy]. You can even invite Ato Ahwoi to that. We gave them $100,000 each,” Zakour said.

However, Mireku and Quaye, who were both members of the title-winning squad, strongly disputed his account.

Mireku described the claim as false and said he received only $180 after the triumph.

“It is a lie. None of the players was awarded $100,000 for winning the CAF African Champions League. It is foolishness for Harry Zakour to lie that I was given $100,000 after winning the CAF African Champions League; I only received $180,” Mireku said.

“I am even ready to challenge Harry Zakour in court to prove me wrong and where they paid me that money,” he added.

Quaye also denied receiving the alleged payment, saying he remembered receiving about $2,000 instead.

“It is never true that we were paid that amount. They should stop lying. Sometimes Ghanaian politicians and big men like to lie, and it is unfair,” Quaye said.

“I was never given the said amount. If I recall, I only received $2,000 and not $100,000.”

Hearts made history in 2000 by defeating Tunisian giants Esperance in the CAF Champions League final to become the first Ghanaian club to win the competition in its modern format.

The Phobians went on to beat Zamalek in the 2001 CAF Super Cup, completing a memorable continental double.

They added another major African trophy in 2005 when they won the CAF Confederation Cup.

The 27-year-old Egypt international will join former City team-mate Savio at Spurs, after the Brazilian moved to north London for an initial fee of £75m on Tuesday.

“Tottenham Hotspur is one of the biggest clubs in England, if not the world, and the project was very attractive to me,” said Marmoush

“I’ve spoken with the head coach [Roberto de Zerbi], I loved what he had to say, and I’m sure our passion for the game will go very well together.”

Marmoush signed for City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59m in January 2025 and has scored 16 goals in 62 games for the club in all competitions.

After a bright start to his City career, Marmoush made 13 of his 21 league appearances last term from the bench with Norway international Erling Haaland the club’s preferred central striker.

Marmoush was utilised as a second-half substitute in City’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal and was an unused substitute in their 2-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth last Sunday.

Spurs have spent more than £312m in the transfer window this summer.

They have signed Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, while defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, plus goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, have arrived on free transfers.

Speaking about their most recent arrival, De Zerbi said: “Omar is exactly the kind of player we want at this club – ambitious, hungry and determined to make a difference.

“He has incredible attacking quality but what I also love is his desire to improve and to win.

“He brings pace, intelligence and a real threat in front of goal, and I believe he can take our attacking play to another level.”

The GFA is searching for a new coach after Carlos Queiroz’s short-term contract reportedly ended following a breakdown in talks over an extension.

Queiroz replaced Otto Addo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and guided Ghana to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010.

With reports suggesting assistant coach Desmond Ofei could take charge of the Black Stars during the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Zakour believes the GFA should look beyond the Portuguese coach.

The former Hearts of Oak chief described Queiroz as too old for the role and urged the football authorities to give Kingston an opportunity.

“I don’t believe Carlos Queiroz must continue as Black Stars. He is old for this job,” he told Sporty FM.

“We have good coaches around like Laryea Kingston, but the problem is that he will be hired, and they will not pay him.

“We have all seen what he is doing in Uganda, and I think for me, we must give him a look,” he added.

Kingston is currently in charge of Uganda’s male national teams, where he has earned recognition for his work after leaving his role as Black Starlets head coach.

Ghana are now preparing for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the Black Stars expected to regroup in September for the start of their campaign.

Ghana endured a disappointing qualifying campaign, finishing bottom of their group with just three points from six matches after suffering three defeats and recording three draws.

The failure marked the first time in more than two decades that the four-time African champions had missed out on the continental showpiece.

Reflecting on the Black Stars’ disappointing campaign, Zakour, one of the most decorated executives in Ghanaian football history, admitted that the outcome came as a surprise to him.

“Ghana failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was shocking,” he told Sporty FM.

Despite the AFCON setback, Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where they reached the knockout stage for the first time since the 2010 tournament.

The Black Stars are now set to regroup in September as they begin preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The Ghanaian top flight has struggled in recent years, with several of its top players leaving for clubs in other African leagues in search of better opportunities.

Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Zakour said the quality of the domestic league had declined significantly, although he acknowledged that football has evolved over the years.

“The standard of the Ghana Premier League has dropped. I know times have changed, but the drop in the Premier League is obvious,” he said.

Zakour also praised former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi while backing current GFA president Kurt Okraku to improve the situation.

“Kwesi Nyantakyi was good, but I’ll not write off Kurt Okraku; things have changed. No condition is permanent,” he added.

Zakour remains one of the most successful administrators in Hearts of Oak’s history, having overseen a period of domestic and continental dominance during his tenure.

Under his leadership, the Phobians won the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, while also enjoying considerable success in the Ghana Premier League.

The 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to begin on September 5.

Naasei has already completed his medical and is expected to begin his career with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve side, as he takes the next step towards breaking into the first team.

The Spanish champions secured the defender’s signature despite competition from a German club that had also been pursuing the transfer.

The versatile defender, who primarily plays at centre-back but can also operate at right-back, joined Granada’s Under-19 side from Ghanaian lower-tier club Emmanuel City in 2023.

Since arriving in Spain, he has progressed steadily through the club’s ranks, making 71 appearances across all competitions.

His development has continued this season, with the Ghanaian featuring in both of Granada’s opening two La Liga 2 matches.

Real Madrid’s €2m investment reflects the club’s belief in Naasei’s long-term potential, with Castilla expected to provide the ideal environment for him to adapt to the demands of one of the world’s biggest clubs.

The move also gives the young Ghanaian the opportunity to develop alongside some of Spain’s brightest emerging talents as he aims to earn a place in Real Madrid’s senior squad.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since January after suffering a quadriceps injury during Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Kudus was initially expected to be out for around three months and return in April. However, complications during his recovery delayed his comeback and eventually led to surgery, extending his spell on the sidelines.

The injury setback also ruled Kudus out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where he had been expected to play a key role for Ghana.

After resuming light individual training at the start of August, Kudus has made encouraging progress, with De Zerbi revealing that the forward is now close to full fitness.

“Kudus is almost ready; that is a big point for us,” the Tottenham manager said.

Despite the positive update, De Zerbi stressed that the club will remain cautious in managing Kudus’ return.

“It’s important also the management of the players; when the players have some problem, we have to stay calm, don’t take risks,” he added.

Tottenham are hopeful Kudus could return before the next international break, which begins after their home Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on September 19.

Before then, Spurs are scheduled to face Nottingham Forest on September 5 and Everton on September 12 as they look to welcome one of their key attacking players back into the squad.

The two clubs will meet in the 2026 Democracy Cup on Friday, August 28, with the winner potentially representing the competition at the BABA Festival in Antelope Valley, California, in May 2027.

According to the proposal, the winning club would face a partner team in what organisers hope will become the festival’s flagship sporting event.

The proposal was submitted by Ambassador Christian P. Richards Jr., founder and president of Choosing Independence, in a letter dated August 18, 2026, to Parliament’s Clerk, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror.

“We therefore propose that Parliament extend this tradition to Los Angeles,” the letter said.

It added that the winning club should be invited to travel to Antelope Valley, California, to play a partner team as part of the festival’s programme.

Parliament partnership proposed

Organisers are seeking to make Ghana’s Parliament a strategic partner of the BABA Festival, which aims to strengthen ties between Africa and the African-American diaspora.

Under the proposal, the Democracy Cup and Parliament’s civic engagement initiatives through sport would feature in the festival’s programming and communications.

The organisers argued that staging the match in the United States would showcase the Democracy Cup’s message of “unity and democratic maturity” to African-American audiences while creating “a shared moment of pride, competition, and connection” for Ghanaians living abroad and African Americans.

The letter described the proposed trip as “a natural extension” of the Democracy Cup’s previous international engagements and said organisers were prepared to work with Parliament on the logistics, timing and format of the fixture.

The proposal has now been presented to Parliament, while the outcome of Friday’s match between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak will determine which club could earn the opportunity to represent the Democracy Cup in California next year.

The centre-back joins the Ghanaian giants from Belarusian side FK Smorgon, strengthening the club’s defensive options ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Bini is known for his composure on the ball and ability to play out from the back, while also providing a strong presence in aerial battles.

His arrival is expected to add depth and competition to Kotoko’s backline as the club prepares for the new domestic campaign.

Speaking after finalising the move, the defender expressed confidence in his ability to meet the expectations that come with representing one of Ghana’s most successful clubs.

“I believe in my abilities as a footballer and, like most major clubs in the world, the demands are always high,” Bini told the club’s official website.

“I will therefore do my utmost to help the team achieve its collective target.”

The Ivorian defender has already spent three weeks training with the squad and has integrated well with his new teammates before officially putting pen to paper.

Kotoko will begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League campaign with an away fixture against newly promoted Debibi United as they look to mount a strong challenge for domestic honours.

The 21-year-old completed the move after passing his medical examination and joins the Porcupine Warriors from Cameroonian club As Fortuna.

Nsoh enjoyed an impressive spell at As Fortuna, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 17 appearances, a run of form that earned him recognition at international level.

He has represented Cameroon’s Under-20 side and was recently called up to the country’s Under-23 squad.

Although primarily a centre-forward, Nsoh can also play on either wing, giving Kotoko additional attacking options ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking after completing the move, Nsoh described the transfer as an important milestone in his career.

“This is an important step in my career as I am still young. However, age is irrelevant if one is capable. The coach has a plan regarding our playing style and I believe I have adapted well and am ready for the season.”

Nsoh will wear the number 23 shirt during the 2026-27 season.

Kotoko will begin their Ghana Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Debibi United as they seek to mount a strong challenge for domestic honours under head coach Eric Tinkler.

Filings seen by the BBC show that a case was filed against James Lee Duncan Carragher on Wednesday.

Carragher and his representatives have been approached for comment.

The ‘bankruptcy petition’ filed by lawyers representing HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was first reported by City AM.

A spokesperson for HMRC told BBC Sport that it did not comment on individual cases, but a spokesperson added: “We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans.

“We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort.”

Carragher, who played for Liverpool between 1996 and 2013, regularly appears on Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage, the Stick To Football show and CBS Sports’ Champions League programming.

The 21-year-old joins the Kumasi-based club from Samartex after scoring seven goals in 20 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Standing at 1.88m, Mamah is regarded as one of the more versatile forwards in the Ghana Premier League, having played in the competition for the past three seasons.

The striker primarily operates through the centre but can also play on the left wing, giving Kotoko additional options in attack.

Mamah said he was delighted to join one of Ghana’s most successful clubs.

“This is a dream come true, and I am grateful to the board and coaches for giving me this opportunity to wear the jersey of this historic club. I will put in the hard work to get the goals for the club.”

Mamah will wear the number 18 shirt during the 2026-27 season.

Kotoko will begin their league campaign away to newly promoted Debibi United as they look to challenge for domestic honours.

The signing is expected to strengthen their attacking options as the club seeks to make a strong start to the new campaign.

The former AshantiGold, Vision FC and FC Samartex attacker has joined the Kumasi-based club on a two-year contract after successfully completing his medical.

The 21-year-old has previously expressed his ambition to play for Kotoko and says completing the move is a significant moment in his career.

“I am delighted to have finally secured this opportunity to play for Kotoko,” Opoku said.

“I had previously expressed my desire to join the club to my agents, but the circumstances did not allow it at that time.

“However, I am now here and ready to dedicate my full commitment to the team.”

Opoku becomes the third attacking addition made by head coach Eric Tinkler during the transfer window, following the arrivals of Solomon Nsoh and Emmanuel Mamah.

His signing adds further depth to Kotoko’s attacking options as they prepare for the new Ghana Premier League campaign.

The Porcupine Warriors will open their 2026/27 league season away against newly promoted Debibi United.

Kotoko will be aiming to mount a strong challenge for domestic honours after strengthening their squad during the off-season.

The clubs agreed terms of the proposed deal overnight for a package around £120million (€140m) overall, of which over £100m is guaranteed.

Negotiations are being handled by sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon, and important last details are being ironed out on Thursday morning.

Nothing has been signed yet, and the deal is yet to be completed, but a potential transfer could have knock-on effects for Cody Gakpo, who has been repeatedly linked to Tottenham Hotspur and has been the subject of interest from Manchester City this summer.

The Athletic reported that Liverpool and PSG held key talks on Tuesday to bring clarity over the proposed transfer, with Barcola being committed to joining the Merseyside club.

The 23-year-old emerged as Liverpool’s primary target to replace Mohamed Salah earlier this summer, and The Athletic reported on July 29 that the club were preparing an opening bid for him.

Barcola has two years remaining on his contract with PSG, but had made it clear he does not want to extend his terms with the European champions and was left out of the matchday squad for their Ligue 1-opening 2-2 draw against Rennes on Sunday.

Playing predominantly from the left wing but also able to operate on the opposite flank, the France international was in direct competition with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue for minutes last term. He was largely utilised from the bench in the latter stages of the French side’s Champions League run, as Luis Enrique’s side won the competition in successive years.

Despite his competition for minutes, Barcola made 49 appearances for PSG in the 2025-26 campaign, contributing 13 goals and seven assists as they retained the Ligue 1 title alongside European success. Since breaking into the first team during the 2021-22 season, Barcola has recorded 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances.

The Lyon academy product played a prominent role for France at this summer’s World Cup, appearing in all eight matches and scoring three goals.

The 55 member associations, plus Europe’s members on the Fifa Council, will on Thursday be presented with a letter which guarantees the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan will not be revived.

The official removal of the boycott will be confirmed at Uefa’s executive committee meeting in Monaco.

That will satisfy Uefa’s demands and mean the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup can go ahead next week in Poland with six European teams.

But BBC Sport understands Uefa is confident that a unity candidate can be found to stand against Infantino when he is up for re-election in March.

The vote is likely to be close, with the backing of 106 of the 211 member associations needed to be elected.

However, Uefa has abandoned the idea of trying to force a vote of no confidence.

It would require three-quarters of the member associations, 159 votes, to pass the motion, which is considered unrealistic.

No candidate has been identified, though Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is considered a serious option.

Nominations must be submitted by 18 November.

BBC Sport understands that any vote is expected to be close, and for that reason even if Infantino was to win it could cause terminal damage to his presidency, with his legitimacy compromised.

Last month, European football’s 55 member associations voted to boycott all Fifa competitions until the FFE proposal was dropped “in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that Fifa will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership”.

After the boycott was dropped, Fifa welcomed the development, saying it is “pleased that all qualified teams will be participating in the upcoming Under-20 Women’s World Cup”.

Six European teams – England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland – are scheduled to play in the tournament.

A Fifa spokesperson said it “strongly believes that football has the power to unite, even in challenging circumstances” and Fifa “remains committed” to developing the game in “full dialogue with the confederations and stakeholders”.

Former players divided on Fifa

On Tuesday, a group of former players published a statement saying “change is necessary” at the head of Fifa.

Former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre, who sits on Fifa’s Players’ Voice Panel, issued a statement on X on Monday in a post he titled “Enough is Enough!”.

The statement has been shared on social media by the likes of England defender Lucy Bronze, France’s 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and former England goalkeeper David James.

However, on Wednesday, a different group of former players including World Cup-winning Brazil captain Cafu, former Italy striker Christian Vieri, former Portugal captain Pepe and ex-Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso all posted supportive messages for Infantino on social media.

All of the players are so-called Fifa Legends, officially recognised by the governing body.

Vieri’s statement said: “Over the past 10 years, we have seen the work Fifa and President Infantino have done to create representativity for players in football, which did not exist.

“We will remain available to support the great evolution our game has seen this past decade, so that it keeps reaching and benefiting people of every country that plays football all around the world.”

Alvarez has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, and after being booed by Atletico supporters on Sunday during their draw with Villarreal, the 26-year-old missed training on Wednesday.

Reports say Alvarez was unwell, and Atletico have now condemned Laporta’s latest video, published on Wednesday, which said Barcelona’s 100m euros (£85.7m) offer remained on the table.

“This is not about money, it’s about dignity. The player is being victimised, but the only victim in the Julian case is us,” Atletico said.

“They have harmed us economically and socially. There is 0% chance of selling him to Barca.

“There is a campaign of many lies and half-truths. The only one paying for this is Atletico.”

In the video, Laporta said the club had great respect for Atletico, but the bid they lodged earlier this summer was still on offer.

Sources at Barcelona say they will keep trying to sign Alvarez, who joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024, until the transfer window ends.

The comments come after weeks of increasingly complicated negotiations and public disagreements between the two clubs.

It also comes as Arsenal continue to show interest in the striker, who is viewed as the Gunners’ dream transfer target.

But sources close to the situation say Alvarez still wants to stay in Spain.

For now, Arsenal are sitting back and watching this unfold, as they become more realistic about their chances of signing Alvarez before next week’s transfer deadline.

Alvarez started on the bench on Sunday but was jeered while warming up, and there were even louder boos when he came on in the 66th minute.

He headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, rather than joining the rest of the team who were applauding the fans, which drew more boos.

Atleti boss Diego Simeone suggested afterwards that it was a pre-agreed club decision for the forward to head straight to the dressing room.

Speaking before Barcelona’s match against Athletic Club on Thursday, head coach Hansi Flick declined to discuss Alvarez directly, saying: “I only want to speak about the situation of the club.”

With deadline day approaching on 1 September, the war of words continues, and the Argentine World Cup winner’s future remains one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window.

Alvarez transfer saga – how did we get here?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Alvarez scored 20 goals and provided nine assists last season for Atletico Madrid

The first offer on the table came from Barcelona in May, with reports suggesting the club had opened talks to sign Alvarez.

But in what seems to be a recurrent pattern, Atletico were absolutely adamant that they would not sell Alvarez to Barcelona.

In May, they made a series of social media posts brutally mocking Barca’s pursuit of their player to millions of followers, saying they were victims of a “smear campaign”.

Alvarez went to the World Cup with Argentina with his future already a major talking point.

Then, in June, in came another big offer from Atleti’s city rivals, Real Madrid.

Los Blancos made a 150m euros (£130m) offer for Alvarez after president Florentino Perez promised supporters that he would make a bid of that amount for an unnamed “Galactico” if re-elected.

The offer was rejected by Atletico, with Real Madrid pointing to Alvarez’s 500m euros (£430m) release clause and saying Atletico had “expressed its gratitude for the proposal”.

Again, Atleti responded with humorous social media posts, denying any gratitude and remaining adamant that Alvarez would not be sold to Barcelona.

After Argentina’s win over Austria in June, Alvarez told the media that he had spoken to Atletico and he said that “the best thing for everyone is a transfer”, adding: “I want to fulfil my dream”.

Those comments effectively confirmed that, despite Atletico’s insistence that he was not for sale, the player himself was open to leaving and Barcelona and Paris St-Germain were among the clubs reportedly interested.

Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez was driven by their need for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, who left the club this summer.

But Atletico maintained they did not want to sell Alvarez, with chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin saying the club would not sell him “even for 200m euros (£170.8m)”.

The Anfield club had offers of £50m and £60m for Minteh, 22, turned down by Brighton and have now switched their attention to Sarr, who scored 21 goals last season for Palace.

Like Minteh, Sarr is a right-sided winger and has Premier League experience, but the understanding is that Palace are not open to selling the Senegal attacker this summer. Sarr was the subject of interest from Galatasaray last week.

Sources have told BBC Sport that a bid has been made by Liverpool, but the Reds and Crystal Palace have denied this is the case.

Talks are also continuing as Liverpool aim to strike a deal with Paris St-Germain for France winger Bradley Barcola.

The club are assessing all options before Tuesday’s transfer deadline in their search for wide attackers, and want to make two signings before the end of the window.

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage hopes both Sarr and his team-mate Jean-Philippe Mateta remain at the club.

When asked if he expects the Senegalese to stay, Sage said: “For the moment, yes, because when you have three years on the contract it is not easy to leave.”

Sage was then questioned about whether there had been an approach from Liverpool, and added: “I understand that for everybody to have this kind of contact [from another club] is difficult, because you hesitate a lot. But for the moment, he is with us. He is under contract.

“He is injured, and maybe you can make a link between his injury and the situation. But for me, he is honest and I have no problem with that. We just want him on the pitch as quickly as possible.”

‘Mateta wants to be here’

Mateta also faces an uncertain future after BBC Sport’s revelation on Saturday that the France striker has been arguing the final year on his Palace contract should be ruled invalid.

Despite Mateta and his advisers’ contention that the last year of the player’s deal is not legally binding – because it was an extension option activated by the club on his original four-and-a-half-year contract – the 29-year-old remains a Palace player.

Days before starting the Eagles’ Premier League opener at Everton, Fifa ruled that the matter was not in its jurisdiction, and the case has also been heard by a Premier League independent tribunal.

Sage added: “He has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and is prepared to be here all season. I don’t see a player who has a problem with the club or with us.”

There is a broad agreement between the clubs over the terms of a move for the 25-year-old, with Chelsea set to achieve their asking price with an initial sum of £47.5m with £17.5m in add-ons.

And if the Senegal international agrees personal terms and completes the switch to Villa his arrival is likely to trigger England international Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

The deal remains subject to personal terms being agreed, but negotiations are at an advanced stage, with Jackson expected to reunite with Unai Emery having played under the Villa boss at Spanish club Villarreal.

Jackson would become the latest player in Villa’s summer rebuild following the arrivals of record buy Johan Manzambi, midfielder Joao Gomes, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and defender Matteo Ruggeri.

However, there has also been significant movement out of the club and Watkins leaving would mean they had sold five of the starting XI who won the Europa League in May.

Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa have already left with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez expected to depart too.

Chelsea are weighing up a move for the Argentine, who is now deemed surplus to requirements after Suzuki joined from Parma.

In signing Jackson, Villa would be getting a forward who joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £35m in 2023 and scored 30 goals in 81 appearances.

His most recent appearance for the Blues came against Fluminense in the Club World Cup in 2025, while he also won the Europa Conference League with the club.

He spent last season on loan to Bayern Munich, scoring 11 times in 34 games and helping Bayern win the Bundesliga.

Chelsea banked a £14.3m loan fee from the move, though an obligation to buy for £56.2m was not triggered after Jackson failed to make 40 appearances of 45 minutes or more.

Fellow forward Liam Delap is also likely to leave the Blues, with a £50m fee agreed with Nottingham Forest for the striker.

Meanwhile, the club have also been holding talks with Atalanta’s Honest Ahanor, 18, over a potential move to Stamford Bridge. The defender is valued at £34.3m by the Italian club.

Fifa has welcomed the development, saying it is “pleased that all qualified teams will be participating in the upcoming Under-20 Women’s World Cup”.

The matter will be formally discussed at a meeting of Uefa’s executive committee in Monaco on Thursday.

Earlier this month, European football’s governing body said that despite Infantino’s plan being aborted following widespread condemnation, the conditions required to prevent a boycott had “not been met”.

“Assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again,” Uefa insisted.

That came after Infantino and Fifa Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom had told national member associations that the FFE proposal was “now off the table”, and apologised for “errors”.

If the boycott threat is lifted, it will mean next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup will proceed as planned.

Six European teams – England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland – are scheduled to play in the tournament.

Uefa has led the backlash against Infantino, and along with Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, is expected to continue to push for an overhaul of Fifa’s leadership. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has said he expects Infantino to resign or to face a challenge to his role from another candidate at elections in March.

A Fifa spokesperson said it “strongly believes that football has the power to unite, even in challenging circumstances” and Fifa “remains committed” to furthering “global development of the game” in “full dialogue with the confederations and stakeholders”.

One source close to the discussions insisted this was not a climbdown by Uefa, adding that Infantino’s opponents “will continue until there are wholesale changes”.

“It is not a Uefa defeat, rather the reality of avoiding hurting young players [over a] once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” they added.

“The actions and insistence on change will continue, and will win out in the end.”

Last month, European football’s 55 member associations voted to boycott all Fifa competitions until the Fifa Forward Enterprises proposal was dropped “in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that Fifa will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership”.

Uefa has been approached for comment.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said this month she would not support a boycott of the U20 World Cup.

“I am not generally in favour of sporting boycotts full stop, because I think they divide people from one another. I think they unfairly penalise athletes and competitors who are not responsible for the reason that these boycotts take place,” she said.

“What I would like to see actually is football coming together, resolving this, a change of leadership, a change of direction and a very clear message that football belongs to its fans and it will not have women and girls penalised when the women’s game is going from strength to strength. And our Lionesses are leading the world in that.”

Former players divided on Fifa

On Tuesday, a group of former players published a statement saying “change is necessary” at the head of Fifa.

Former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre, who sits on Fifa’s Players’ Voice Panel, issued a statement on X on Monday in a post he titled “Enough is Enough!”.

The statement has been shared on social media by the likes of England defender Lucy Bronze, France’s 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and former England goalkeeper David James.

However on Wednesday, a different group of former players including World Cup-winning Brazil captain Cafu, former Italy striker Christian Vieri, former Portugal captain Pepe and ex-Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso all posted supportive messages for Infantino on social media.

All of the players are so-called Fifa Legends, officially recognised by the governing body.

Vieri’s statement said: “Over the past 10 years, we have seen the work Fifa and President Infantino have done to create representativity for players in football, which did not exist.

“We will remain available to support the great evolution our game has seen this past decade, so that it keeps reaching and benefiting people of every country that plays football all around the world.”

Leeds could potentially face Chelsea, should the London club beat Luton on Thursday.

Manchester United face Premier League opposition in Brighton, while holders Manchester City host Norwich.

Fleetwood, the only fourth-tier side left in the competition, host Sheffield United.

The nine Premier League teams that are playing in Europe – Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Sunderland – all enter the Carabao Cup in the third round.

To avoid clashes with the opening rounds of the Champions League and Europa League, matches will be played across the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September.

The final two places will be decided on Thursday when Chelsea host Luton (19:30 BST) and Fulham take on AFC Wimbledon (20:00 BST).

The draw in full

• Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough
• Manchester United v Brighton
• Manchester City v Norwich
• Sunderland v Hull
• Ipswich v Arsenal
• Coventry v Aston Villa
• Bournemouth v Lincoln
• Liverpool v Tottenham
• Chelsea or Luton v Leeds
• Millwall v Newcastle
• Fleetwood v Sheffield United
• Everton v Wolves
• Leyton Orient v Bradford
• Reading v Brentford
• Peterborough v Barnsley
• West Ham v Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

Mourinho made the ideal start to his second stint in charge of Madrid at the weekend as he oversaw a 2-1 win at Espanyol, following it up with this victory.

Mourinho’s side had to be patient against a stubborn Real Sociedad but their quality ultimately told, with Mbappe producing three brilliant finishes while Jude Bellingham got two assists, also setting up Vinicius Jr for the third.

Plenty of fans packed out the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, eager to witness the return of the coach who brought them three domestic titles over a decade ago, winning 128 of his 178 matches in charge.

But Real Sociedad were clearly determined to spoil the party and initially made life difficult for the hosts.

However, Real Madrid broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time when Mbappe’s superb first-touch took him away from a defender just inside the box and he drove the ball into the back of the net.

Real Sociedad responded superbly and were level just four minutes later when a deflected shot fell kindly for Luka Sucic to fire into the net.

Two bits of Bellingham brilliance helped Real Madrid score two further goals midway through the second half.

He first played a neat one-two with Mbappe to allow the latter to place a shot beyond the goalkeeper, before Bellingham’s persistence inside the box ensured he was able to tee up Vinicius Jr for a tap-in.

Mbappe then wrapped up a brilliant night for him and Real Madrid when he ran onto Vinicius Jr’s fine ball into the box before chipping home.

The 26-year-old made the comments after being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season, describing the recognition as a reward for a journey that has taken him through all four divisions of English football.

“It’s an honour to be standing next to these players. It’s amazing and, yeah, it’s been a long journey,” Semenyo said.

Reflecting on his transition to Manchester City, the Ghana international said adapting to Guardiola’s methods was demanding but ultimately beneficial to his development.

“It was tough. Pep made it tough for me coming in, but I’ve enjoyed every minute, and I’m improving every day,” he said.

Semenyo enjoyed an outstanding Premier League campaign, scoring 21 goals across the season — 10 for Bournemouth before his move and 11 for Manchester City.

He also provided six assists, with three recorded for each club.

His performances earned him recognition among the league’s standout players in the PFA’s annual team selection.

Semenyo is expected to feature when Manchester City travel to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night.

The Timber Boys, who won the league three seasons ago, finished fifth in the 2025/26 campaign with 50 points.

With the new season set to begin in September, Ackah says the club is determined to mount a strong title challenge while also competing for honours in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament.

“The priority is to win the Ghana Premier League and do well next season, but we are also aiming to perform well in the GHALCA Top Four tournament,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

Samartex have already stepped up preparations for the new campaign, having featured in the Nsenkyire Cup.

Their attention now turns to the GHALCA Top 4 tournament, which kicks off at the University of Ghana Stadium.

The Timber Boys will begin their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign with an away fixture against Karela United on Sunday, September 6.

Chairman of the Club Licensing Committee, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuako, recently stated that Asante Kotoko were the only club to fully meet all licensing requirements without sanctions.

However, Ackah has disputed the claim, insisting that FC Samartex has not received any official notification of sanctions from the licensing body.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Ackah said he was surprised by the committee chairman’s remarks.

“I am surprised by the claims made by the Club Licensing Chairman, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuako. I think it is wrong for him to say that no club met the Club Licensing requirements,” he said.

“I haven’t received any sanction. No letter was sent to my club informing us that we had been sanctioned.”

Ackah argued that clubs should be formally notified of any sanctions and given details of the reasons for such decisions.

“So, what kind of sanction was imposed on us without our knowledge?” he asked.

He further challenged the committee chairman to provide evidence of any licensing breaches by Samartex.

“It is hypocrisy for him to go on that path, and I challenge him to prove where any club or even FC Samartex failed to meet the requirements. There are ways to address such issues, and if he does not know, the clubs are not happy with his decision to always address issues on the radio.”

The GFA Club Licensing Committee has approved 14 of the 18 proposed venues for the upcoming Ghana Premier League season, which is scheduled to begin in September.

Meanwhile, Samartex are preparing for the 2026 GHALCA Top Four tournament after replacing Hearts of Oak, who withdrew from the competition. The tournament will run from August 26 to 30 and forms part of the club’s preparations for the new campaign.

The Timber Giants will begin their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign with an away fixture against Karela United on September 6.

The 33-year-old is considered available for a potential transfer from Villa after the club signed Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for about £30m earlier this month.

The move could provide another opportunity for Chelsea and Villa to do business. Chelsea signed forward Morgan Rogers from Villa for a club-record £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal.

Striker Nicolas Jackson, valued around £65m, could also join Villa and be reunited with his former manager, Unai Emery.

The clubs are known to have a close relationship. They were also involved in a deal widely described as a “PSR swap”, which saw defender Ian Maatsen join Villa and Omari Kellyman, who is now at Strasbourg, move to Chelsea.

Juventus attempted to sign Martinez earlier in the transfer window, but the deal collapsed because of concerns over a finger injury.

The Italian club instead signed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.

The potential move comes amid concerns over the performances of Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez, Chelsea’s current number one, was beaten at his near post by Josh King’s angled shot in the opening Premier League match against Fulham.

He later spilled another effort into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score, although Chelsea won 3-2 win at Craven Cottage.

Manager Xavi Alonso initially defended the Spanish goalkeeper after the match and was again asked about him before the Carabao Cup match against Luton Town on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge.

“No, (we have had) normal conversations,” he said. “We have talked more about the team thing, about what we did well and what we have to do better.

“It was more about understanding the context. Every game is going to be important because we are in this process that we still need to develop things, we need to make adjustments that are more team-related.”

Chelsea’s number two goalkeeper Mike Penders, who returned over the summer from a successful loan spell at Strasbourg, could start instead.

Asked about Penders’ involvement, Alonso added: “He’s in the squad, so he has an opportunity.

“We will decide and give the team to the players tomorrow, so I prefer to expect that they know first.”

Sponsorship remains one of the most important and widely adopted financing models in professional football. The enormous global appeal of football provides corporate sponsors with an unparalleled platform for brand visibility, consumer engagement and commercial activation. At the international level, CAF and FIFA’s commercial and sponsorship revenues demonstrate the enormous economic value of football as a global industry. The scale of these revenues underscores an important principle: when football is properly structured, marketed and commercially managed, sponsorship can become a major source of sustainable financing for the sport.

For Ghanaian football, this principle is particularly important. The financial obligations associated with participating in the GPL continue to place considerable pressure on clubs. Player salaries, technical team costs, accommodation, transportation, match-day expenses, signing-on fees, medical costs and other operational commitments require substantial and sustained financial resources. Consequently, meaningful sponsorship support is not merely desirable; it is essential to the survival, competitiveness and long-term development of the clubs and the league.

It is therefore welcome news that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has indicated that each participating Premier League club will receive GHS1 million through an unidentified sponsor. If implemented as announced, this support should provide some relief to clubs and help reduce the financial burden associated with participation in the league.

However, beyond the immediate benefit, the more important question is how sponsorship revenues should be structured, negotiated and distributed to ensure that they produce the greatest possible benefit for the league as a whole.

The US$15 million Glo sponsorship of the GPL for the period 2008–2013 remains, by any reasonable measure, the most significant and impactful headline sponsorship in the history of the competition. It was complemented by an additional US$2.1 million sponsorship from SuperSport over a three-year period.

The importance of these arrangements went beyond the size of the headline figures. The sponsorship revenues provided a structured financial framework through which participating clubs, match officials and the league’s administrative structures were supported.

Under the agreed distribution arrangements:

Each Premier League club received a net sum of US$120,000 from the Glo sponsorship and an additional net sum of US$40,000 from the SuperSport sponsorship;

Ten percent of the Glo sponsorship revenue was allocated to meet the costs of officiating including fees for referees, match assessors, match commissioners, coordinators and independent observers;

Sponsorship revenues also supported the administration and management of the league, including allowances and expenses associated with the Premier League Board (PLB), disciplinary and appeals committees, the awards ceremony and other league-management activities.

This model demonstrated that sponsorship revenues could be used not only to provide direct financial assistance to clubs but also to sustain the broader institutional ecosystem required to operate a professional league.

Another important question was how the decision was reached to distribute US$120,000 from the Glo sponsorship and US$40,000 from the SuperSport sponsorship to each participating club.

The answer lies in a collective approach involving the clubs, the Ghana Football Association and the Premier League Board. The distribution model was informed by established principles and international best practices concerning the allocation of central commercial revenues in professional football.

In June 2011, the GFA invited Sir David Richards, then Chairman of the English Premier League, to Ghana for a two-day consultative engagement with Premier League clubs. The discussions provided Ghanaian football stakeholders with an opportunity to examine how commercial and broadcasting revenues were distributed in one of the world’s most commercially successful football leagues.

The model explained was broadly based on three components:

One-third of sponsorship revenues was shared equally among all clubs;

Another One-third was distributed according to television coverage and appearances; and

The last One-third was distributed according to sporting merit, principally based on league positioning.

The underlying philosophy was clear: central revenues could be distributed in a manner that simultaneously promoted equality, commercial value and sporting integrity & performance.

The GPL adopted a somewhat different approach. Sponsorship revenues were distributed largely on an equal basis among participating clubs, with considerably less emphasis on league position, television appearances and commercial drawing power.

This approach was rooted in the principle of solidarity. The solidarity principle recognizes that a league is only as strong as the collective strength of its participants. The financially stronger and commercially more attractive clubs cannot sustainably prosper if the weaker clubs are allowed to collapse. A competitive league therefore requires mechanisms that ensure that all participating clubs have a reasonable financial foundation from which to operate.

This was particularly significant in the Ghanaian context. Clubs such as Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have historically enjoyed substantially larger national followings and greater commercial appeal than many of their counterparts. Yet, under the solidarity-based model, the advantages associated with their larger fan bases and commercial attractiveness were not allowed to translate entirely into a disproportionately larger share of central sponsorship revenues.

In effect, the bigger clubs accepted a degree of redistribution in favour of the less endowed clubs. That was not merely an act of generosity; it reflected an understanding that the overall value of the Ghana Premier League depends on the existence of financially viable, competitive and credible clubs across the entire competition.

The principle of solidarity should not, however, be interpreted to mean that all sponsorship and commercial revenues must necessarily be shared equally. Solidarity and merit are complementary principles. The two principles are not mutually exclusive.

A modern revenue-distribution system can protect the financial viability of smaller and less commercially powerful clubs while simultaneously rewarding clubs that perform better, attract greater audiences and contribute more significantly to the commercial value of the competition.

Indeed, this is one of the important lessons that can be drawn from the experience of major football competitions around the world. Equal distribution promotes competitive balance and financial stability; merit-based distribution rewards sporting excellence; and commercial or broadcast-based distribution recognises the market value generated by individual clubs.

A sustainable GPL revenue-sharing model should therefore seek to balance all three considerations.

As Ghanaian football seeks to attract larger and more sustainable sponsorship deals, the GFA, the Premier League Board and the clubs should consider developing a transparent and predictable framework for the distribution of central commercial revenues.

Such a framework could, for example, incorporate the three broad components: solidarity, merit and appearance & visibility.

Such a system would preserve the principle of solidarity without undermining the legitimate rewards associated with sporting achievement and commercial performance.

The history of sponsorship in the GPL demonstrates that corporate support can play a transformative role in the development of elite football. The Glo and SuperSport golden era in my respectful view, provides a particularly useful example of how substantial commercial partnerships can provide meaningful financial support to clubs while also financing the administration and operation of the competition.

The 18-year-old joins on a five-year contract, subject to international clearance, with City paying £81.4m upfront plus £4.2m in add-ons.

Enzo Maresca’s side moved to sign Bouaddi after selling central midfielders Rodri to Barcelona in a £65m deal and Tijjani Reinders to Al-Qadsiah for £52m.

He impressed at this summer’s World Cup – starting five of Morocco’s six matches in their run to the quarter-finals – after becoming a key member of Lille’s side in Ligue 1.

“This is a very special day for me and my family. Manchester City are, for me, the best club in the world. It’s a dream to be here and be able to call myself a City player,” said Bouaddi.

“I have spent most of my life working hard to become the best player I can be and reach the top of the game.

“I’ve watched City for many years, and I love their style of play. City always try and play quality football. And they have shown they are winners – this club feels like it’s built to win.”

The fee for Bouaddi surpasses the £58.9m paid by Manchester United to sign French defender Leny Yoro, also from Lille, in 2024.

Bouaddi made 96 appearances for Lille after making his debut in 2023, helping them finish third in Ligue 1 last season.

At the age of 16 he became the youngest footballer to ever play for the French side on his senior debut against Faroese club KI in the Europa League, before announcing himself on the world stage by playing a starring role in Lille’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024.

Bouaddi will form part of a revamped midfield, with City already bringing in England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m.

Bouaddi functions as a deep-lying conductor and would complement Anderson, who is comfortable as a box-to-box midfielder as well as the number six role he plays for England.

City are also set to make an offer for Chelsea’s Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck with the 25-year-old valued at £120m.

Bouaddi’s signing comes after Brazilian winger Savinho, now known as Savio, joined Tottenham in a £75m deal earlier this week.

Spurs have also agreed a loan deal to sign City’s Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, while Spain midfielder Nico Gonzalez is set to leave Maresca’s side to join Newcastle in a £52m deal.

The South African tactician believes his experience of managing in high-pressure environments during his time in South African football has equipped him to handle the expectations that accompany the Kotoko job.

Tinkler, who previously coached Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United, pointed to his involvement in some of South Africa’s biggest football rivalries as evidence of his ability to thrive under intense scrutiny.

“I thrive under pressure, to be honest. As I said, I have been involved in big derbies like Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs,” he told the club’s media.

“I was involved in those games for a number of years, with big crowds and big expectations from both the Chiefs and Pirates fans, so it’s going to be no different.”

The 56-year-old said one of his key responsibilities would be to shield his players from excessive pressure and help them perform with confidence.

“I need to take that experience and knowledge and pass it on to the players and take the pressure off them. You can’t go into a game with a fear of losing.”

Tinkler stressed that he wants his players to focus on producing entertaining football rather than being burdened by expectations.

“I want to put on a good performance, a good spectacle obviously for the fans in the stadium and the millions who are going to listen to it on radio and watch it on TV, and the players will have to go and play with freedom and without fear.”

Kotoko will begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League season with an away fixture against newly promoted Debibi United.

The 28-year-old joins the club as a free agent after leaving Spanish side Real Oviedo at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Al-Swehly confirmed the transfer with a video unveiling that welcomed the Black Stars midfielder ahead of the new campaign.

Sibo’s move follows the collapse of a proposed transfer to Turkish Süper Lig side Gençlerbirliği, which reportedly broke down at an advanced stage of negotiations. The setback paved the way for Al-Swehly to secure the Ghanaian’s signature.

The midfielder’s arrival is seen as a major statement of intent by the Libyan side as they seek success both domestically and in continental competition.

Reports suggest the deal is worth around $10 million, with the transfer linked to wider efforts aimed at attracting established African players to the Libyan league.

Sibo heads to North Africa after featuring prominently for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He played in all four of the Black Stars’ matches, accumulating 249 minutes and starting the team’s goalless draw against England. He also made appearances against Panama, Croatia and Colombia.

The former Real Oviedo player is expected to play a key role in Al-Swehly’s CAF Champions League campaign, with the Libyan champions set to face Zanzibar’s KVZ in the preliminary round.

The Argentina international has been identified by manager Enzo Maresca as a priority target to bolster City’s midfield after a series of high-profile exits.

Chelsea are aware of City’s interest and set an unofficial deadline for the deal to be completed earlier this summer at a minimum fee of £120m, only for that date to pass.

Nevertheless, City are expected to return with another attempt to sign the 25-year-old before next week’s transfer deadline.

Fernandez could become one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, behind only Liverpool’s £125m move for Alexander Isak last summer.

Fernandez maintains a positive relationship with Maresca, who left Chelsea in controversial fashion on New Year’s Day and moved to Etihad Stadium in June.

It could potentially be the second time City break their transfer record in the same window having paid £116m to recruit Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

There have also been four major midfield departures, with Tijjani Reijnders sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah for £52m, while Barcelona have signed Rodri for £65m, Newcastle have agreed a £52m deal to sign Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva departed earlier in the summer before joining Real Madrid.

It has been a turbulent period for Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, during which he and his agent, former Paris St-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore, courted interest from Real Madrid, only for the Spanish club to issue a statement denying any attempt to sign him.

The situation has been ongoing since Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in March, after which Fernandez became increasingly critical of the club.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso spoke in July about a private conversation he had with Fernandez, who signed for £107m from Benfica in 2023, but declined to disclose details of the discussion.

Fernandez came on as a second-half substitute in Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham and was booed by home supporters because of his role in England’s World Cup exit.

After briefly celebrating with the away fans and his team-mates after the final whistle, he was the first Chelsea player to head down the tunnel.

Chelsea’s record sale is Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019, which was worth an initial £89m plus add-ons taking it up to a potential £150m.

The 18-year-old defender signed a three-year contract with the Porcupine Warriors on Tuesday after successfully undergoing a medical examination.

Sanja arrives in Kumasi following an impressive campaign with Vision FC, where he made 25 league appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

His performances earned him five Man of the Match awards and a call-up to Ghana’s Under-23 national team, the Black Meteors.

Speaking to the club’s official website after completing the move, Sanja said joining Kotoko was an easy decision because of his strong personal ties to the club and the city.

“It was not a difficult decision to join Kotoko as it is where I am from and where I completed my senior high education. It felt like returning home after a long holiday,” he said.

“Kotoko is always an attractive club for most young players, and I am prepared to play my best football for the club that my family supports.”

The signing forms part of Kotoko’s preparations for the new season as they seek to challenge for major honours under head coach Eric Tinkler.

Kotoko will begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League campaign with an away fixture against newly promoted Debibi United, with Sanja expected to compete for a regular place in the squad.

The Manchester City forward earned the honour after a standout campaign in which he made an immediate impact following his arrival at the club.

Semenyo announced himself in style on January 10, 2026, scoring on his debut in City’s 10-1 FA Cup victory over Exeter City. He also set up another goal and was named Player of the Match.

Three days later, he delivered another impressive performance against Newcastle United in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, scoring in City’s 2-0 victory.

He had initially appeared to have scored twice, but one of his goals was later ruled out by VAR after Erling Haaland was adjudged to have been offside and to have obstructed goalkeeper Nick Pope.

The Ghanaian’s pace, strength and direct running made him a key figure in City’s attack as he established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout forwards during the season.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year

Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)

Defenders: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Igor Thiago (Brentford)

That was how Carlos Alcaraz settled back into competitive action at the US Open, partnering the American great as she returned to her home slam after a four-year absence.

The tournament’s revamped mixed doubles format has attracted criticism for favouring the allure of the sport’s top singles stars at the expense of established doubles players.

But the crowds turned out and produced a terrific atmosphere for the tournament’s headline act, with about 15,000 people packed inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

All four doubles specialist pairings lost to a team of singles players on Tuesday, while Alcaraz and Williams fell in the quarter-finals.

Seven-time major winner Alcaraz was playing his first competitive match since April after injuring his wrist, while 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams was competing in New York for the first time since she “evolved away” from tennis in 2022.

The pair were greeted by huge cheers and were roared on throughout their opening 5-3 4-1 win against Great Britain’s Lloyd Glasspool and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe.

The 44-year-old Williams won the US Open mixed doubles title in its original format alongside Max Mirnyi in 1998 – five years before Alcaraz was born.

Almost 30 years later, Williams still had the competitive desire. She and Alcaraz enjoyed the occasion, playing with smiles on their faces and roaring each other on after winning a point.

Interviewed during a change of ends, Alcaraz said: “I’m playing next to the one and only Serena Williams, so what else can I do? Just enjoy and try to do the things she told me to do.”

Their partnership improved rapidly in their first match as they won eight of the final nine games to seal victory.

However, they were denied a place in Wednesday’s semi-finals by Italy’s world number six Flavio Cobolli and Swiss team-mate Belinda Bencic, who won 5-4 (7-4) 4-1.

Returning Alcaraz ‘almost forgot how this feels’

While Williams will not contest the singles at the US Open – she has not competed in that format since injuring her knee at Wimbledon – Tuesday’s matches provided the returning Alcaraz with valuable court time.

The Spaniard admitted he felt nervous before stepping out on the court – in part due to partnering six-time US Open women’s singles champion Williams.

“I think everyone could see I was really nervous; I double-faulted on the first point,” Alcaraz said after their opening win.

“I was out for almost five months, and I almost forgot how it feels stepping out on the court once again.

“It [took] just a couple of games [to settle] and she made it very easy for me to enjoy it and try to go for it.”

For Williams, a return to the Arthur Ashe Stadium was something she did not believe would come around again.

“It’s always amazing to be here. I never expected to be back on this court,” Williams said.

“It was just a really cool moment. I never thought this would happen.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Serena Williams won six of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles in New York

The controversial revamped mixed doubles format, introduced last year, pits established doubles players against some of the sport’s biggest singles stars.

The tournament takes place the week before the singles draw gets underway and allows direct entry into the main draw for top-ranked singles players and wildcards.

Established doubles players such as Britons Glasspool and Henry Patten had to come through two qualifying rounds on Monday.

Top-ranked players Patten and Katerina Siniakova advanced to the quarter-finals before losing to husband-and-wife duo Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina.

Discussing their dynamic, with a semi-final against Cobolli and Bencic to come, Frenchman Monfils said: “I’m a big fan of her game and mentality. Sometimes I think she’s ice and I’m the fire.

“We needed to the find the balance. We did today.”

The other semi-final will see Russians Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev face Czech pair Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik.

It was not all plain sailing for the leading singles players, with men’s 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic and women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka suffering an early exit at the hands of Patten and Siniakova.

Infantino has been under increasing scrutiny since his aborted attempt to sell off a 21% stake in Fifa’s commercial operations to a private investment company.

The plans were scrapped after widespread criticism, with Uefa threatening a boycott of all Fifa competitions.

The IFA, the governing body for football in Northern Ireland, had previously backed Uefa’s stance without formally withdrawing their support, but have now said Infantino’s plan raised “fundamental questions” of the president.

It said in a statement: “The proposal to sell part of Fifa’s assets to a private equity firm without consultation, represents more than a failure of communication. In our view, it raises fundamental questions about strategy, governance and stewardship of our assets.

“We believe the time has come for change.”

The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have previously publicly withdrawn support for Infantino, who is scheduled to stand for a fourth term as president in March.

Should the 56-year-old Swiss be successful, by the end of the term in 2031, his tenure will have been extended to 15 years.

Both were previously named the Football Writers’ Association men’s and women’s footballers of the year for the 2025-26 season.

Fernandes, who last season broke the record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign with 21, is the first United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.

It is a second win in three seasons for Shaw, who secured her third consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) golden boot with 21 goals as Man City were crowned champions.

City defender Nico O’Reilly succeeds Morgan Rogers as men’s young player of the year, with the versatile 21-year-old cementing his place in the starting XI.

He contributed eight goal involvements (five goals) and nine clean sheets in 34 league outings, scoring twice, and was named player of the match as City beat Arsenal in the League Cup final.

Arsenal’s Olivia Smith retained her crown as the women’s young player of the year, becoming only the second player after England international Lauren Hemp to win the award on multiple occasions.

The Canada international, 22, scored 10 goals in all competitions after joining the Gunners for £1m last summer from Liverpool.

Individual success for record-breaker Fernandes

Although it was another trophy-less campaign for Man United, Fernandes enjoyed individual success, surpassing Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a Premier League campaign.

Fernandes set up his side’s opener on the final day of the season against Brighton – and scored their third – to finish 2025-26 with nine goals and 21 assists in 35 league outings. Man City’s Rayan Cherki was the second-most prolific provider, with 12 assists.

His haul helped United finish third and secure Champions League football.

In total, the 31-year-old scored nine goals and contributed 22 assists in 37 matches in all competitions.

Fernandes, who joined the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, beat Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhaes, David Raya, and Declan Rice and Man City attackers Cherki and Erling Haaland to the award.

He is only the second Portuguese to be named player of the year, following back-to-back wins for former Man United winger Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007 and 2008.

Golden Shaw wins again

Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 appearances as Man City clinched their second WSL title.

The Jamaica international registered hat-tricks against Aston Villa (four goals) and Tottenham and scored twice against West Ham on the final day of the season to become the first player to score 20 or more goals in three different WSL seasons.

Shaw is the first player to win three WSL golden boots, moving clear of two-time winners Vivienne Miedema and Sam Kerr.

The 29-year-old scored a further five goals, including the opener in the final, as Man City won the FA Cup.

Shaw, the third individual to win multiple PFA Women’s Player of the Year awards, joining Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby, previously completed the PFA and FWA double following the 2023-24 campaign.

Team-mate Yui Hasegawa, Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson, Chelsea’s Lauren James, Man United’s Jess Park, and Arsenal’s Alessia Russo were also shortlisted.

Arsenal and Man City dominate team of the year

The Premier League team of the year, as voted for by the players, was dominated by champions Arsenal and runners-up Man City.

Arsenal only conceded 27 goals last season, with that impressive record reflected in the selections of goalkeeper Raya and defenders Gabriel, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber named alongside midfielder Rice.

Man City have four representatives – O’Reilly, Cherki, Haaland and Antoine Semenyo – with Man United’s Fernandes and team of the year debutant Igor Thiago (Brentford) completing the XI.

The WSL side features three players apiece from champions Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal, with Man United’s Park and Tottenham defender Toko Koga the only players selected from outside the top three sides.

Premier League team of the year: David Raya (Arsenal); Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Man City); Bruno Fernandes (Man United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Man City); Erling Haaland (Man City), Antoine Semenyo (Man City), Igor Thiago (Brentford).

WSL team of the year: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea); Kerstin Casparij (Man City), Toko Koga (Tottenham), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea), Emily Fox (Arsenal); Yui Hasegawa (Man City), Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Jess Park (Man United); Bunny Shaw (Man City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Lauren James (Chelsea).

The 23-year-old is expected to undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract at the City Ground this week.

Delap’s move comes a year after he joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30m amid competition from Manchester United and Everton.

However, Chelsea made him available for sale this summer after he scored just one Premier League goal in a previous campaign disrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Forest have already signed defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34m, alongside free agents, Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda.

They sold England midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a club-record £116m and striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9m.

Delap’s arrival would provide competition for strikers Chris Wood and Igor Jesus, who failed to find the target in Forest’s 1-0 defeat by Leeds in their home Premier League opener on Saturday.

Chelsea have also signed two strikers this summer in Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Danny Welbeck from Brighton.

Delap came up through Derby County’s youth system before joining Manchester City in 2019.

After helping City win the FA Youth Cup in the 2019-20 campaign, he scored 24 goals in 20 Premier League 2 matches in 2020-21 as they won the title.

In September 2020 the striker scored on his senior City debut in a 2-1 League Cup win against Bournemouth, and three days later made his Premier League debut in a 5-2 defeat by Leicester.

Injuries played a part in limiting further first-team opportunities, and between 2022 and 2024 Delap spent time on loan in the Championship with Stoke, Preston North End and Hull City.

In the summer of 2024 he was sold for £20m by City to Ipswich and scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for the newly promoted side.

The 27-year-old Egypt international follows Savio from City to Spurs after the north London club signed the Brazilian for an initial fee of £75m on Tuesday.

Marmoush joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59m last January but had to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland for much of his time at Etihad Stadium.

He was a second-half substitute in City’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal and then an unused substitute in their Premier League opener on Saturday, a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth.

Spurs have already spent more than £312m this summer on transfers.

They have signed Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, Sandro Tonali from Newcastle and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, while defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, have arrived on free transfers.

Newcastle have signed players exclusively from the continent up to this point in the window, but the club have recognised the need to add some Premier League experience after losing Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier in recent months.

Gonzalez has only spent a season-and-a-half in the Premier League after signing from Porto, but the 24-year-old fits the age profile Newcastle have been targeting as someone who could still develop further under head coach Matthias Jaissle.

The Spaniard previously said he “did not want to leave” the Etihad, but Manchester City subsequently agreed an £85.6m deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, having already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m.

Gonzalez was an unused substitute at the weekend as Manchester City came from behind to defeat Bournemouth 2-1 in manager Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League game in charge of the club.

He will become the fourth senior midfielder to leave City this summer after Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders.

Baah-Nuakoh said none of the clubs had been approved under the licensing regulations at the time because the process had not been completed.

“Two years ago, none of the GPL clubs were approved under the club licensing regulations because we didn’t even complete the process, yet they were still allowed to play,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show ahead of the 2026/27 season.

He explained that the authority to determine whether a club is eligible to compete lies with the GFA’s Competition Department, rather than the Club Licensing Committee.

“It’s for the competition department to determine whether a club has the license to play in the league,” he said.

Baah-Nuakoh added that his committee cannot prevent a club from playing if it has been included in the league fixtures despite not holding a licence.

“If the competition department schedules fixtures and includes clubs without a license, there is nothing in the clause system that allows me to do something about it. It is beyond my jurisdiction,” he said.

He said the licensing committee’s responsibility ends once it has made its decision and submitted it to the relevant authorities.

“When we make the decision, it is somebody’s job to monitor and implement. It’s the GFA’s duty to ensure that the clubs comply with judicial decisions. My job ends when I make the decision and submit it,” he added.

Ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season, 14 of the 18 proposed match venues have been approved.

The new campaign is scheduled to begin on 5 September.

The Black Meteors were drawn against the winner of the first-round tie between Togo and Libya, with the two sides scheduled to meet in September.

The first-leg matches of the opening round will be played on 20 September, while the return fixtures are set for 6 October.

Ghana’s second-round tie will be played over two legs, with the first leg scheduled for 9 November and the return leg on 17 November.

The Black Meteors must overcome the winner of the Togo-Libya tie to advance to the next stage and maintain their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-23 AFCON.

Other notable second-round ties include Nigeria against Mauritania or DR Congo, Senegal against Djibouti or South Sudan, Morocco against Ethiopia or Uganda, Cameroon against Rwanda or Sudan, and South Africa against Comoros or Madagascar.

Egypt will host the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the men’s football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games.

The second-round fixtures are scheduled for November, with the first legs on 9 November and the return matches on 17 November.

Ghana reached the knockout stage of the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico but were eliminated after a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.

The Black Stars began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama, before drawing 0-0 with England and losing 2-1 to Croatia in their final Group L match.

Speaking at the GFA’s 32nd Ordinary Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Okraku praised the team’s performances and said the tournament offered signs of progress.

“The Black Stars demonstrated resilience and promise at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico,” he said.

“Advancing to the second round after a commendable performance against some of the world’s strongest teams before going out against Colombia.

“Although we had hopes of progressing further, the tournament provided encouraging signs that the team is moving in the right direction; from being the least-ranked team before the start of the tournament to the 24th-ranked team at the end speaks volumes of the promise in this team,” Mr Okraku added.

Okraku also highlighted Ghana’s improvement in the rankings during the tournament, saying the Black Stars rose from 32nd before the competition to 24th at its conclusion.

The World Cup marked Ghana’s fifth appearance at the global tournament and their first time reaching the knockout stage since the 2010 edition in South Africa.

The Black Stars will now turn their attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in September.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) announced that it had presented its official Bid Handbook to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as the governing body awaits formal applications for the 2028 edition.

In a statement, the federation said the bid had received the backing of the Ethiopian government and demonstrated the country’s readiness to organise Africa’s biggest football event.

“Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to CAF to host AFCON 2028,” the EFF said.

“Backed by the FDRE government, the EFF presented the official Bid Handbook addressing all requirements and reaffirming the nation’s full readiness to host Africa’s biggest footballing event.”

The move makes Ethiopia an early contender to host the tournament, with CAF yet to announce a timetable for selecting the 2028 hosts.

The 2027 AFCON will be jointly staged by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time the competition will be hosted by the three East African nations.

Ethiopia has a long association with African football. The country hosted the tournament in 1962 and 1976, winning the title on home soil in 1962. It also finished runners-up in the inaugural AFCON tournament in 1957.

Despite that rich history, Ethiopia’s presence on the continental stage has been limited in recent decades. The national team has qualified for the finals only twice this century, appearing at the 2013 and 2021 editions.

A successful bid would represent a significant milestone for Ethiopian football and could help restore the country’s prominence within the African game.

However, hosting the tournament would require substantial investment and planning. CAF’s evaluation process is expected to focus on infrastructure, transport networks, stadium facilities, accommodation capacity and security arrangements.

Ethiopia also faces ongoing security challenges, with conflicts continuing in parts of the Amhara and Oromia regions.

CAF has not yet outlined the next steps in the bidding process, but Ethiopia’s announcement signals the start of what could become a competitive race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations.

According to multiple reports in Spain, the 21-year-old centre-back is expected to join Real Madrid’s reserve side initially as the club continues to oversee his development within its system.

Negotiations between the two clubs have gathered pace in recent weeks, with reports suggesting a deal could be finalised as early as Tuesday.

Real Madrid are understood to have moved ahead of other interested clubs in the race for the defender’s signature.

Naasei has featured twice for Granada in Spain’s second division this season and is regarded as one of the club’s promising young talents.

Born in Accra, he joined Granada in 2023 and has steadily progressed through the ranks, establishing himself as an important member of the squad.

His rise has also been recognised at international level. Naasei was named in Ghana’s squad for the friendly against Mexico on 22 May and went on to make his senior debut for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The former captain completed a medical before sealing his return to the Porcupine Warriors, more than three years after leaving for Libyan side Al Ahly Benghazi in July 2023.

Boadu spent two successful seasons with Kotoko during his first spell, helping the club win its 26th Ghana Premier League title before later being appointed captain.

Speaking after his return was confirmed, the midfielder described the move as an emotional homecoming.

“I was born and raised in this city, played for the club at youth level and becoming a captain at some stage was everything to my family,” Boadu said.

“Fate has a way of working out, and I am grateful that it has given me another chance to wear these colours again to defend the club.

“I am looking forward to a successful season,” he added.

During his first stint with Kotoko, Boadu made 32 appearances across all competitions, including the CAF Champions League, and scored two goals.

After leaving Al Ahly Benghazi, he joined Al Tahaddy Sporting Club, where he featured in 21 league matches and scored once during the 2024-25 season.

Kotoko begin their 2026-27 campaign away to newly promoted Debibi United, with Boadu expected to play a key role in the team’s midfield under head coach Eric Tinkler.

The GFA’s Club Licensing Committee has approved 14 of the 18 proposed match venues for the new campaign, which begins on 5 September.

Committee chairman Dr Kwame Baah-Nuako said Kotoko were the only club to fully comply with the regulations during the licensing process.

“Asante Kotoko is the only club that met the club licensing regulations and was approved without sanctions,” he told Asempa FM.

Kotoko will continue to play their home matches at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The Porcupine Warriors begin their league campaign with an away fixture against newly promoted Debibi United when the season gets underway.

The Cameroon international, 22, joins the club in a deal worth up to £70m, made up of a £65m guaranteed fee plus £5m in add-ons.

He has signed a five-year contract which includes the option of a further year.

Baleba is currently injured having picked up an ankle injury in pre-season, but Sky Sports News understands he could be back by mid-September. Manchester United play Manchester City on September 13.

Baleba’s arrival at Old Trafford brings an end to a transfer saga that has lasted almost 12 months. Sky Sports News has been reporting on United’s interest in Baleba since last autumn and broke the news that they enquired about signing him during the January transfer window.

He remained one of United’s top targets this summer and becomes their third addition in midfield after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Baleba joined Brighton from Lille in 2023 and made 112 appearances for the club. He featured 35 times last season and was absent for a spell while representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.