Transfers news — SportsCatch

Barcelona eye Haaland and Julián Alvarez as part of long-range 2027 attacking rebuild

Barcelona have briefed Lamine Yamal on plans to build a blockbuster attack around 2027, with Erling Haaland and Atlético Madrid's Julián Alvarez identified as targets — though no bid has been made and no talks with Manchester City have opened.

Football Sep 26

Bath move to extend Max Ojomoh contract amid Leicester Tigers interest

Bath have opened early contract talks with England centre Max Ojomoh, whose deal expires at the end of the season. The 26-year-old has previously resisted advances from Leicester Tigers and the club hopes to secure an extension within weeks.

Rugby Sep 26

Julian Ward named Liverpool sporting director as Richard Hughes departs for Al-Hilal

Liverpool have appointed Julian Ward as their new sporting director, the club confirmed on Saturday. The former FSG technical director replaces Richard Hughes, who left Anfield earlier this month to join Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Football Sep 26

Faiq Bolkiah, worth 12 times Messi and Ronaldo combined, left without a club at 28

Faiq Bolkiah, the Brunei royal with a reported £16bn net worth that dwarfs Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo combined, is a free agent after his contract with Thai club Ratchaburi expired. The former Chelsea and Leicester City youth player has been without a top-level club for years.

Football Sep 26

United sign trio from City and Liverpool as academy rebuilds after Gabriel exit request

Manchester United have moved quickly to sign two midfielders from Manchester City and a forward from Liverpool for their academy, just a fortnight after 15-year-old prospect JJ Gabriel requested to leave for Spain.

Football Sep 26

Barcelona's Deco rules out move for Man Utd's 15-year-old JJ Gabriel as academy winger Ajayi signs pro deal

Barcelona sporting director Deco has publicly distanced the club from any interest in Manchester United's 15-year-old prospect JJ Gabriel, who had requested his registration be cancelled. Separately, 17-year-old winger Noah Ajayi has signed his first professional contract at Old Trafford.

Football Sep 26

Arsenal assistant confirms Vinicius Junior pursuit as Havertz faces hamstring scare

Mikel Arteta's assistant Miguel Molina has publicly confirmed Arsenal held genuine interest in Vinicius Junior before Real Madrid's contract U-turn ended the chase. Separately, Kai Havertz is returning to the club for assessment after a suspected hamstring injury in Germany's Nations League draw with the Netherlands.

Football Sep 26

English firm Park Bench set to acquire fallen Bordeaux for just 86p to halt liquidation

Girondins de Bordeaux, former Champions League quarter-finalists now playing in France's sixth tier, are set to be taken over by English investment firm Park Bench for just €1 (86p), with owner Gerard Lopez seeking to offload the club and restructure its €26m debt.

Football Sep 25

Liverpool, City and Chelsea chase Atletico's Llorente as contract runs down

Marcos Llorente, who has scored four Champions League goals at Anfield alone, is attracting interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea as the 31-year-old enters the final months of his Atletico Madrid deal.

Football Sep 25

Parish insists Liverpool's £50m Sarr bid was never going to succeed with five days left

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has publicly dismissed Liverpool's £50million summer bid for Ismaila Sarr as wholly inadequate, saying the club never seriously considered selling their top scorer so late in the transfer window.

Football Sep 25

Nike cancels Benzema photoshoot over criminal past

Nike has cancelled a partnership with Karim Benzema at the last minute, deeming his criminal history incompatible with the brand's values. The 38-year-old striker, recently separated from Adidas, is now without an official equipment sponsor.

Football Sep 25

Manchester United hand first professional contract to 17-year-old winger Noah Ajayi

Manchester United have secured Noah Ajayi on a long-term professional contract. The 17-year-old winger scored nine goals for the club's Under-18s last season, helping them reach the FA Youth Cup final.

Football Sep 25

Manchester United's summer signings cost £36.7m more than the club publicly stated

Exchange filings published Thursday reveal Manchester United spent £191.7m on summer transfers — £36.7m above the £155m figure announced when the deals were signed. Agent fees and the Premier League's four per cent transfer levy are believed to account for much of the gap.

Football Sep 25

Barcelona and Real Madrid chase 15-year-old Gabriel as United fans plan INEOS boycott

Manchester United are fighting to keep teenage prospect JJ Gabriel, who wants to leave Old Trafford immediately, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG all tracking the 15-year-old. Meanwhile, supporters have launched a boycott campaign targeting INEOS-owned companies and United's commercial partners.

Football Sep 25

Ben Arfa on the Brink of Improbable Nice Return at Nearly 40, Puel Puts an End to It

During the January 2025 transfer window, OGC Nice seriously considered bringing back Hatem Ben Arfa, who has been without a club since 2022. Coach Claude Puel imposed conditions deemed unacceptable, killing the project.

Football Sep 25

Rooney questions Sesko's mentality as Gabriel set to leave United for European giants

Wayne Rooney has cast doubt on Benjamin Sesko's resolve after the striker withdrew from international duty with a shin complaint, while teenage prospect JJ Gabriel is reportedly set to leave Manchester United for one of Europe's top clubs by next summer.

Football Sep 25

Liverpool beat Real Madrid to £30m Brughmans as Barcola faces 'not worth it' verdict

Liverpool signed 18-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans for a record £30m on deadline day, fending off Real Madrid's interest, while new arrival Bradley Barcola faces criticism over his £123m price tag from former France defender Frank Leboeuf.

Football Sep 25

JJ Gabriel set to leave Man United as Bayern, Barca and Real Madrid circle teenage star

German outlet Bild reports JJ Gabriel will depart Manchester United by next summer at the latest, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG all pursuing the teenage forward. A previous request to be de-registered at Old Trafford was already rebuffed.

Football Sep 25

Martinelli's agent reveals rejected Premier League, Italian and German offers before £60m Al-Hilal move

Gabriel Martinelli's agent Marcos Casseb has confirmed the Brazilian winger turned down offers from clubs in England, Italy and Germany before completing his £60 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal earlier this month.

Football Sep 25

Raum faces Juventus competition as Balde emerges as cut-price January option for Man United

Manchester United are monitoring RB Leipzig's David Raum and Barcelona's Alejandro Balde as left-back targets for January, after Lewis Hall signed a new long-term deal at Newcastle to end that pursuit.

Football Sep 24