Transfers news — SportsCatch

Puel reveals why Ben Arfa's return to Nice was ruled out this winter

Claude Puel confirms that OGC Nice considered bringing back Hatem Ben Arfa, absent from the pitch since April 2022, during the January transfer window. The former Nice manager ultimately deemed the operation too risky for the club.

Football Oct 16

Real Madrid appoints Bernd Reichart, Super League architect, as business director

Struggling in La Liga with a six-point deficit behind Barcelona, Real Madrid has strengthened its management structure by appointing German businessman Bernd Reichart, a key figure in the European Super League project, as the club's business director.

Football Oct 16

Arsenal target Kim Min-jae in January as Saliba and Hincapie injuries bite

Arsenal are weighing a surprise move for Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae this January, with head of scouting Maurizio Micheli — Kim's former mentor at Napoli — driving the Gunners' interest as injuries to William Saliba and Piero Hincapie expose their backline.

Football Oct 16

Martinez apology hands Carrick a diplomatic lifeline ahead of United press conference

Michael Carrick faces the media at Manchester United having narrowly avoided a forced public stance on Lisandro Martinez's criticism of the club's summer transfer business, after the defender issued an apology on Thursday evening.

Football Oct 16

Registration fears, not money, kept Nico Williams at Athletic Club, agent reveals

Nico Williams turned down Barcelona in the summer of 2025 because the club could not guarantee he would be registered to play, his agent Félix Tainta has revealed. Williams subsequently signed a new Athletic Club deal running through 2035.

Football Oct 16

Free-agent Sancho edges closer to Getafe move after Russia and Dortmund doors close

Jadon Sancho, without a club since leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract last summer, is the subject of an official offer from La Liga side Getafe, according to Fabrizio Romano — with salary the remaining sticking point.

Football Oct 16

Olise signs with Nike and revives the Hypervenom, six months after Mbappé's departure

Michael Olise has officially signed a sponsorship deal with Nike, ending years without an equipment partner. The American brand convinced him by promising the commercial return of the Nike Hypervenom Phantom III from 2027.

Football Oct 16

Unbeaten finisher Gnizditskiy signs UFC deal after visa issues derail Contender Series debut

Ivan Gnizditskiy has signed with the UFC despite missing his scheduled Dana White's Contender Series appearance due to visa issues. The unbeaten Russian light heavyweight, 7-0 with all seven wins by stoppage, is expected to make his promotional debut in December.

MMA Oct 16

Herrera waives £5,500-a-week wage at Real Zaragoza to repay boyhood club's faith

Former Manchester United and PSG midfielder Ander Herrera, who earned £53m across his professional career, has returned to boyhood club Real Zaragoza and is donating his entire weekly wage to the club's foundation as they fight to regain professional status.

Football Oct 16

Gerrard warns Wirtz's confidence is shot as Iraola faces Frimpong-Araujo dilemma

Steven Gerrard has identified a crisis of confidence as the root of Florian Wirtz's inconsistency at Liverpool, while manager Andoni Iraola has acknowledged the contrasting demands Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo create at right-back following a 6-3 win over LASK.

Football Oct 16

Arsenal eye Bayern's Kim Min-jae as Saliba injury deepens defensive crisis

Arsenal are monitoring Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae ahead of the January transfer window as William Saliba's back injury continues to sideline the France international, with the club also forced to clarify his absence from their official squad photo.

Football Oct 16

Martinez's Champions League outburst exposes £342m squad value collapse at Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez's public criticism of Manchester United's recruitment after a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid has intensified scrutiny on the club, as a Football Observatory report reveals their squad value has plummeted by £342million — the steepest drop of any European club.

Football Oct 15

Kane verbally agrees £400k-a-week Bayern extension but misses out on extra year

Harry Kane has reached a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich on a contract worth £400,000 a week that will keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2029 — one year short of the 33-year-old's preferred term.

Football Oct 15

Haas signs Camara for 2027 on raw speed alone, Komatsu insists Ferrari ties were irrelevant

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu says Rafael Camara earned his 2027 F1 seat by outpacing Leonardo Fornaroli, Ryo Hirakawa and Jack Doohan in TPC testing at Portimao, with the Brazilian's natural feel for the car described as "outstanding" and the decisive factor above any Ferrari academy connection.

Formula 1 Oct 15

United weigh January recall for goalkeeper Honor as 15-year-old prospect Dore attends City match

Manchester United are considering a January loan recall for goalkeeper Solomon Honor after Southport sidelined him following a managerial change. Separately, highly-rated 15-year-old winger Jaice Dore was spotted at the Etihad for City's clash with PSG.

Football Oct 15

F2 leader Camara signs multi-year Haas deal to replace Ocon in 2027

Rafael Camara, 21, will make his Formula 1 debut with Haas in 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon after two disappointing seasons. The Brazilian Ferrari academy graduate currently leads the F2 championship and could become the first driver to win FRECA, F3 and F2 in consecutive seasons.

Formula 1 Oct 15

United's squad value drops £342m since 2022 — the worst depreciation in Europe

A Football Observatory report reveals Manchester United's squad has shed £342 million in value since 2022, the steepest decline of any European club — comfortably outpacing second-placed Tottenham's £99.8m drop and arriving days after Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the club's recruitment.

Football Oct 15

Getafe make official approach to sign free-agent Jadon Sancho after months without a club

Jadon Sancho, 26, has been without a club since leaving Manchester United on a free transfer at the end of last season. La Liga side Getafe have now made an official approach to sign the England winger, with his representatives in discussions over a deal.

Football Oct 15

PSG targets Michael Olise, but Bayern wants to extend him until 2032

PSG has opened discussions with Michael Olise and his representatives about a transfer next summer, according to journalist Malick Traoré. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, is negotiating an extension until 2032 with a significant salary increase.

Football Oct 15

95% of fans back Martinez after defender publicly blames Wilcox for United's transfer failings

Lisandro Martinez sparked a storm by criticising director of football Jason Wilcox following Manchester United's 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, claiming the hierarchy failed to back manager Michael Carrick in the summer window. A poll of 9,178 fans found 95 per cent agreed with the Argentina defender.

Football Oct 15