Liverpool already have a deal in place to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in the summer, but the talented young defender is set to arrive recovering from a serious injury.
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As previously also reported by L’Equipe, Jacquet has a shoulder injury that has required surgery.
Jeremy Jacquet in action for Rennes
This now means the 20-year-old could be out for anywhere between four and six months, so it’s highly unlikely he’ll be back in time for pre-season with Liverpool.
It may even be that LFC fans will have to wait until September to see Jacquet making his debut for the club, which is far from ideal as they really needed this signing of a top young centre-back.
Jeremy Jacquet has a big role to play for Liverpool
Even if Jacquet is relatively inexperienced at the highest level, he’s shown tremendous potential during his time at Rennes so far.
This prompted Liverpool to make a move for him in January, and he was also strongly linked with Chelsea by Give Me Sport and others.
It’s clear that Liverpool are bringing in a special talent for the future, but he’d also have a role to play straight away after a difficult season defensively for Arne Slot’s side.
Virgil van Dijk is perhaps starting to show his age, and the Reds have conceded a worryingly high 39 Premier League goals in 29 games so far.
On top of that, Ibrahima Konate is coming towards the end of his contract, so Jacquet could be immediately required to step into Slot’s XI to replace his fellow Frenchman.
Liverpool are reportedly keen on a potential transfer move for Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown this summer.
This comes after a slightly underwhelming first season from Milos Kerkez, who joined from Bournemouth last year after impressing with the Cherries.
It’s proven harder for Kerkez to look as convincing at Liverpool, however, who have generally had a disappointing season, with new signings all slightly struggling to adapt and with the team not at a real risk of missing out on Champions League qualification.
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Liverpool might do well to give Kerkez a bit more time, but Arsenal arguably look in need of making changes in that area after an injury-hit season for Riccardo Calafiori, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has fallen completely out of favour.
Man Utd, meanwhile, should probably be thinking about an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw, while Patrick Dorgu has tended to play further forward more in recent times.
Liverpool to raid Eintracht Frankfurt again?
Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, in what has been one of their more successful signings.
It could be that the Reds will use that relationship to agree a deal for Brown as well, with Fichajes suggesting the opportunity will be there as long as clubs pay the right price.
Even if Brown doesn’t replace Kerkez, this generally looks like a smart deal to bolster Arne Slot’s squad as Andrew Robertson has fallen out of favour this season and might need replacing as a rotation option.
The former Jamaica international ended up leaving West Ham at the end of his contract in summer 2025 as he continued his comeback from a broken leg.
Still, looking back at the saga now, Antonio has admitted he feels saddened by not being given the chance to say a proper goodbye to the fans at the London Stadium.
Michail Antonio’s dig at Graham Potter
Potter was not exactly Mr Popular as West Ham manager, and that’s largely down to results and performances on the pitch.
Still, judging from what Antonio has said, it also seems clear that Potter perhaps wasn’t the right man for the club with the way he handled things away from the pitch either.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the 35-year-old said he had “so much love” for West Ham, but found the way his departure was handled a “hard pill to take”.
Newcastle United central midfielder Sandro Tonali has dropped a possible hint over his future plans after discussing his role as one of the main leaders in this Magpies squad.
Tonali has been a key performer since joining Newcastle from AC Milan, and it’s perhaps not too surprising to see the Italy international become the subject of transfer interest from bigger clubs.
Arsenal were linked with Tonali by the Athletic in January, but now the player himself has suggested he’s already thinking about how he’s going to be an important leader in Eddie Howe’s squad next season.
Sandro Tonali may have just dropped a transfer hint
Tonali has been asked about his more senior role at Newcastle now, and he’s admitted it’s something that seems important to him.
“It would be a little bit tough because it’s not my first language, but I will try,” Tonali said beIN Sports, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“I try to do my best. I try to help every player in the pitch. And I think this is should be for every player, not just for me.
“I think we have six or seven players in the leadership group, they all really helped me, especially the first year, three years ago, for me it was very difficult.
“Especially, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, Jamaal, Bruno and Joelinton as well. Every day, they helped me a lot in that the first the first season. And they help every player now in in our team.”
Should Sandro Tonali leave Newcastle for Arsenal?
Tonali is surely good enough to go to the very top, and that means playing for a club like Arsenal who regularly compete for the biggest trophies.
Newcastle may have won the Carabao Cup final last season, but for now they look like they’ll be in and out of the top four for the foreseeable future, and eventually Tonali might be tempted to look elsewhere.
The Gunners could do with more depth in midfield after using Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi a lot this season without much rotation.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Tonali would be happy to make the move to the Emirates Stadium unless he were to become a guaranteed starter, but it’s the kind of challenge he might also relish.
Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has admitted that his old teammate Eden Hazard is the worst trainer he ever came across in his career.
Speaking on today’s episode of The Overlap, Bale also admitted he wasn’t someone who loved training or put much effort in either, as every player needs something different in how they prepare for matches.
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The Welshman did, however, single Hazard out straight away as the worst trainer he saw, as he also gave some insight into the Belgian’s struggles at the Bernabeu.
Eden Hazard struggled after injury at Real Madrid
Hazard was a world class performer at Chelsea, establishing himself as one of the top Premier League players of all time.
Things couldn’t have been more different for him at Real Madrid, though, as he struggled to make the same kind of impact with goals and assists as he did at Chelsea.
Bale feels an early injury for Hazard upon his arrival in Spain ultimately led to his downfall as he never really recovered from it.
Hazard and Bale could have been a great partnership, and it’s a shame we never saw Hazard at his best while he was playing alongside Bale in Madrid.
Former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Gareth Bale has made it clear that he spoke to Manchester United about a transfer.
However, Bale never ended up at Man Utd, and he’s explained in detail why he went to Real Madrid instead of Old Trafford.
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The former Wales international would undoubtedly have been a dream signing for the Red Devils during what proved to be a difficult period for them after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
As noted by Gary Neville on The Overlap, it seemed that United were at one point confident of deals for big names like Bale and also Cesc Fabregas, but Bale responded by saying he had his heart set on joining Real Madrid.
Gareth Bale opens up about Manchester United transfer talks
Speaking on The Overlap today, Bale explained that he spoke with former United manager David Moyes, but it seems he never considered the move that strongly due to his desire to go to Madrid.
The 36-year-old also suggested a key part of this may have been an informal agreement with former Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about not moving to a Premier League rival.
“I did talk to United yeah,” Bale said.
“But my heart was set on Madrid anyway,” he added. “And I had something in place with Daniel Levy, more of a gentleman’s agreement … he didn’t want to sell me to a rival also. He don’t want to strengthen another (Premier League) team.”
Gareth Bale had a great career at Real Madrid
Looking back, Bale surely made the right choice when he decided to move to the Bernabeu.
Bale went on to score 106 goals in 258 games for Los Blancos, and won the Champions League a remarkable five times in total, including scoring in two finals.
United, meanwhile, have not won a single Premier League or Champions League title since Ferguson’s retirement almost 13 years ago.
Bale may well have helped them, but it’s also clear that there have been major structural issues at the club, rather than just a problem of missing out on a few top players.
Sources in the industry indicate that Manchester City have already held informal talks with people close to the player, but despite this interest, Pavlovic’s priority remains to stay with Bayern Munich.
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I’ve also been told that Chelsea are expected to open discussions with the Bundesliga champions directly in the coming weeks, though any negotiations are unlikely to lead to a breakthrough given the player’s stance and Bayern’s position.
The 21-year-old German international midfielder has publicly stated that he can envision spending his entire career at Bayern. He emphasized that as long as the club continues to meet his ambitions, there would be no reason to seek a transfer. These remarks have significantly cooled speculation about a summer departure and underline Bayern’s determination to keep him at the heart of their long-term project.
Aleksandar Pavlovic Bayern exit looks unlikely at this stage
Pavlovic is under contract with Bayern until 2029, a factor that strengthens the club’s hand in any potential negotiations. His current market value is estimated at €65 million, a figure that explains the strong interest from England but also highlights the financial challenge of prising him away from Munich.Bayern, however, have no intention of cashing in on their rising star, instead viewing him as a cornerstone for both domestic success and European ambitions.
On the pitch, Pavlovic has already proven his worth. In the 2025/26 Bundesliga season so far, he has made 19 appearances, contributing three goals and one assist. At international level, he has earned nine caps for the German national team, scoring once. Despite still being at the early stages of his career, his consistency and maturity beyond his years have made him a firm fan favourite at the Allianz Arena.
While Premier League clubs continue to monitor his situation, Pavlovic’s words and Bayern’s firm stance make a summer transfer highly improbable. The midfielder looks set to remain in Bavaria, where he is expected to play a central role in shaping the club’s future.
Real Madrid are reportedly determined to strengthen their squad with a top young talent this summer, with Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly one of their priorities.
The 20-year-old has shone for Man City since becoming more of a first-team regular this season, showing that he can flourish in a variety of different positions.
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According to Fichajes, this has led Real Madrid to take a serious look at O’Reilly ahead of this summer, with the Spanish giants’ recruitment team rating him very highly.
At the same time, however, it’s hard to imagine City being prepared to let the England international go any time soon.
O’Reilly’s contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until 2030, so MCFC should be in a reasonably strong position with this one.
Nico O’Reilly transfer is not something Manchester City should consider
O’Reilly’s remarkable rise this season surely shows he’s too important for the club to let go, with their academy often producing fine talents.
Phil Foden has been the best example of this, but we’ve also seen Rico Lewis doing well in the first-team, while others such as Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and Romeo Lavia have left the club and gone on to do well elsewhere.
O’Reilly looks like he’s more than capable of emulating players like Foden and Palmer in becoming a top performer at the highest level.
Whether he does that at City or elsewhere remains to be seen, but it’s hard to imagine Madrid being able to get this ambitious deal done at this moment in time.
Could PSR tempt Man City into Nico O’Reilly sale?
One key element of the modern game, however, is the PSR regulations that tempt clubs into cashing in on homegrown players.
Someone like O’Reilly would potentially bring in a lot of money for City, and would also count as pure profit as he came up through their academy.
City would do well not to fall into this trap, however, as they need to put their squad first, and O’Reilly has shown he’s more than capable of contributing a lot in either defence or midfield.
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Fernandes surely won’t have much trouble overtaking that in the final few games of the season, and this stat is yet another reminder of just how important the Portugal international is for the Red Devils.
14 – Bruno Fernandes has now assisted 14 goals in the Premier League this season; only David Beckham has ever assisted more goals in a season in the competition for @ManUtd (15 in 1999-00). Machine. pic.twitter.com/YgL9h8ucFU
Fernandes also has seven league goals so far this season, with the 31-year-old looking simply irreplaceable, even if he’s not getting any younger.
Manchester United must keep Bruno Fernandes
We recently reported on information we’d received on Fernandes and a potential transfer out of Old Trafford this summer.
Although United’s preference is to keep Fernandes, there’s also the feeling that he could leave for the right price, perhaps around £87m, as top clubs like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain show an interest in him.
It may already be that United are shifting their stance, with the Daily Mirror reporting on a possible bumper new contract for the former Sporting Lisbon man.
Given his influence on this team, it would surely be madness for United not to at least consider extending his stay, and making an exception for such a special player, even if he’ll be 32 next season.
Bruno Fernandes should be part of United’s midfield rebuild
Fernandes’ importance is arguably even greater now that MUFC also know Casemiro will be leaving at the end of his contract this summer.
That already means the club will need to make changes in that area of the pitch, with at least one, but perhaps two new signings needed, as Manuel Ugarte’s poor form surely means he could be replaced.
If Fernandes were also to move on, it would surely be too many changes happening all at once in such an important position in United’s squad.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie could be seen shushing Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler during a bad-tempered game in last night’s Premier League action.
The Gunners ended up winning 1-0 away to Brighton thanks to an early deflected goal by Bukayo Saka, but it was far from a vintage display from Mikel Arteta’s side.
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It seems the Seagulls boss also made this clear to Hincapie at one moment, with the Ecuador international clearly not having any of it as he gave this cheeky response…
The clip appears to show Hurzeler telling Hincapie and Arsenal to “f**king play football”, with the Gunners ace seeming amused as he tells the German tactician to keep quiet.
He added: “I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want to do well. I want my players to keep improving, keep playing football on the pitch.
“In the end, of course, every team will manage and waste time, but I think there has to be a limit, and the limit has to be set by the Premier League. The limit has to be set by the referees, at the moment they just do what they want.”
Stats
Brighton
Arsenal
Possession
59.9%
40.1%
Shots
11
7
Shots on target
3
2
Touches in opponents’ box
29
18
A big night in the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City
While there might be a lot of focus on Arsenal’s playing style, the reality is that they were big winners last night with three points at Brighton while their nearest rivals Manchester City surprisingly dropped points at home to Nottingham Forest.
City twice took the lead against Vitor Pereira’s side, but were twice pegged back and had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
This set of results puts Arsenal seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, though City have a game in hand, meaning that gap could still be cut to four points.
Overall, though, it’s a huge psychological boost for Arsenal as they take control of the title race again with some strong recent results.
Liverpool have reportedly made checks on Michael Olise as the Bayern Munich winger is described as a “dream target” for the Reds.
However, it seems Liverpool are realistic about their chances of signing Olise, and currently consider a deal completely unrealistic, according to Florian Plettenberg.
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The France international has had an outstanding season for Bayern, with Plettenberg noting in his post on X that the player is currently on a total of 38 goals and assists in all competitions.
Michael Olise to Liverpool transfer looks unrealistic
“Michael #Olise remains a dream target for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming summer window, and further background checks have been made,” Plettenberg posted.
?? Michael #Olise remains a dream target for Liverpool ahead of the upcoming summer window, and further background checks have been made. However, #LFC now consider a transfer to be completely unrealistic.
“However, #LFC now consider a transfer to be completely unrealistic. He is not for sale. In addition, FC Bayern are looking to extend his contract beyond 2029, with plans to improve his current deal. Incredible 13G/25A this season yet.
“As a result, LFC are shifting their focus within the Bundesliga to Yan #Diomande.”
Diomande is another exciting talent who’s impressed in the Bundesliga, and LFC fans will just have to hope he can end up developing into a player similar to Olise.
Liverpool’s need for a new winger is clear
Whether Liverpool sign Olise, Diomande, or someone else, what’s clear is that they need a winger of this profile this summer.
In recent history, the Merseyside giants were able to rely on the goals and assists of Mohamed Salah, but it seems age is finally catching up with the legendary Egypt international.
Salah, now 33 years old, only has eight goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season – a big drop off from the crazy figures that fired the club to the Premier League title last term.
But it’s not just Salah – there’s also been a considerable dip in form from Cody Gakpo this season, while the sale of Luis Diaz looks like more and more of a mistake as time goes on.
Olise looks better equipped than anyone to replace Salah, but it also wouldn’t make sense for Liverpool to pursue an unrealistic deal, so Diomande could be a smart alternative for the long-term.
How La Liga’s Squad Wage Bill Transforms Barcelona and Real Madrid
Squad Cost Limit was introduced in La Liga in 2013, but the 2025-26 season really drives home the significance of this regulation. This rule has taken Barcelona and Real Madrid on different paths. What was originally a local financial regulation has evolved to affect the position of both clubs in the overall European scheme.
It’s not just about what appears on the pay envelope. The matter is the entire cost of the team. It’s salary, social security, the amortization of the cost of the transfer fees over the length of the contract, bonuses, and the costs associated with the reserves and the academy.
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Immediate Financial Impact: Two Clubs, Two Realities
Real Madrid entered the window with more breathing space than in the previous one. Barcelona, however, hit a ceiling underneath the expected figure as the VIP agreement, which would’ve boosted them to a higher figure, is still waiting for approval and hasn’t been factored into the prediction.
Part of the explanation for this disparity comes down to several converging factors:
The new stadium has significantly increased the club’s income.
Improved sponsorship deals have added to overall revenue.
Barcelona only breached the €1 billion mark in turnover last season, but the debts accrued under Bartomeu still restrict the size of their wallet. Lower down the pecking order, sides such as Villarreal bank on their European adventure to contain their ceiling, sales their only option. Especially while Sevilla remains more vulnerable as they persist in seeking financial equilibrium.
Transfer Strategy Adjustments
The two clubs have responded to their contrasting positions with markedly different approaches to squad building. The 1:1 rule – which requires Barcelona to save €1 for every €1 spent when operating above their limit – has made the club’s transfer philosophy a study in pragmatic constraint:
Without transfer fees and the end of contract signings to avoid the costs of amortization.
Loan deals that allow talent acquisition without immediate financial registration.
Cost-shifting performance-based contract arrangements into later fiscal periods.
Promotees, including Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, to reduce the need for external recruitment.
Real Madrid, with their financial backing, signed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Franco Mastantuono, and Alvaro Carreras during the summer window, as well as several La Fabrica youth prospects into the Champions League squad on List B. This is not only a tactical switch; it is a completely different mindset with the SCL system.
Competitive Implications
The financial disparity is forming a tiered competitive system. Clearly, the two-club duopoly that has long dominated Spanish football is under threat. Atletico Madrid’s financial situation continues to improve while Barcelona’s remains constrained.
The Squad Cost Limit is active only in the territory of Spain. In Europe, Barcelona and Real Madrid compete by completely different financial regimes:
Club
League
Primary financial framework
Spending dynamic
Real Madrid
La Liga
Squad Cost Limit
Capped by domestic rules
FC Barcelona
La Liga
Squad Cost Limit
Further restricted by prior debt
Bayern Munich
Bundesliga
UEFA FFP only
No domestic salary cap
Manchester City
Premier League
PSR rules
Higher permitted outlay
Arsenal
Premier League
PSR rules
Higher permitted outlay
This disparity may not win matches on the day. But it certainly impacts the team’s depth, the attractiveness of the very best free agents, and the ability to cope with the loss of their stars without sacrificing overall quality.
Long-Term Strategic Effects
The long-term impact of the SCL system could be the quietest and most impactful: it could make the case for investing in the youth more attractive to clubs as a strategic decision rather than an emotional one. Both teams are committing more to youth development, not only because they want to, but also because the numbers make more sense.
A youth graduate costs the team nothing in transfer fees, incurs no amortization costs, and is signed without violating the spending limits on new signings. For Barcelona, with its limits of half of Madrid’s cap this year, La Masia is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a “must-have” from a spending perspective. For Real Madrid’s La Fabrica, several youth graduates are already starting in the team’s Champions League squad.
For the revenue side, the numbers work the same way: a team’s SCL is based on income, which means any avenue to increase revenues raises the spending limits – sponsorships, merchandising, and digital content included. And both teams understand this concept all too well:
Barcelona’s ongoing stadium renovation at Spotify Camp Nou targets higher matchday and VIP revenue that would directly increase their SCL.
Real Madrid’s expanded Bernabeu already generates premium revenues that contribute to its comfortable financial position.
Both clubs’ global brand value makes them attractive to sponsors even during periods of sporting or financial difficulty.
The playing field may yet alter as financial prudence gradually reshapes the depth and quality of the squad. La Liga has positioned the SCL model as a corrective influence to the big-spending approach taken by the Premier League. Whether the result is a better team or a healthier bottom line remains a matter for debate.
The SCL system has reached its goal. La Liga clubs are no longer spending money as they once did, and the clubs that need the money the most are feeling the pinch straight away in their day-to-day operations, rather than as a distant threat of regulatory action. Sevilla’s €22m limit is the most obvious example.
For Barcelona and Real Madrid, the legacy of the SCL system has been a split that neither club could have predicted. Real Madrid has the real financial muscle in Spain, with its limit more than twice that of its longtime rival. Barcelona has entered a new era of rebuilding that has changed the way the club operates in several areas:
transfer market activity and the scale of deals it can pursue;
negotiations with players over contracts and wage structures;
reliance on the academy as a cost-effective route to first-team quality.
But the key to the legacy of the SCL system lies in the speed with which the finances of Barcelona recover to the point where the SCL system has a chance of returning to something close to its original status of competitive balance. What can be said with certainty is that the La Liga system of controlling finances is no longer a short-term measure. It’s the framework through which the two biggest clubs in Spain need to build and compete – domestically and in Europe.
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