This summer has already served up numerous massive deals in world football, but with exactly one month remaining in the transfer window, there’s still plenty to be decided as clubs work – and, in some cases, scramble – to complete their business. Below, we look at the biggest stories to watch between now and deadline day on Sept. 1.
Where will Ronaldo end up?
The saga that has no end in sight. Not one that will leave anybody satisfied, at least.
Barring a late change of heart – which is not out of the question, of course – Cristiano Ronaldo remains hell-bent on leaving Manchester United this summer. The Red Devils, in the midst of a significant rebuild, would likely benefit from offloading the disgruntled forward; his return has always felt like a marriage of inconvenience.
But with the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atletico Madrid all ghosting Ronaldo and agent Jorge Mendes, there appears to be no logical dance partner remaining for the 37-year-old.
Having failed thus far to engineer an exit, Ronaldo finally reunited with his Manchester United teammates this past weekend, appearing in his first preseason match on Sunday. He claimed afterward that he was “happy to be back.” At this rate, he better be, because unless there’s a late twist in the market, the Portuguese star is stuck at Old Trafford for another season.
The Frenkie de Jong saga™
If Frenkie de Jong was open to joining Manchester United, this deal would have likely been completed weeks ago. Barcelona president Joan Laporta may say publicly that he wants De Jong to remain at the Camp Nou, but privately, he would surely love to offload the Dutchman for a sizeable fee and help ease the club’s well-documented economic distress.
Barca, you may have heard, are struggling financially and want De Jong to reduce his salary and forgo a large portion of the wages he previously deferred during the pandemic.
“We love the player and him as a human being. I want him to stay at Barcelona. He’s a high-quality player and a good guy,” Laporta said in an interview with CBS Sports last week. “All we are doing with Frenkie is the same as the rest of the squad. The signings coming in have adjusted their salary to the new structure. But Frenkie has a contract and we respect that. We can’t force him to take a pay cut. It’s his decision.”
Laporta, whose praise for Ousmane Dembele’s decision to take a pay cut sure feels like a not-so-subtle message to De Jong, says nothing untoward is happening with former Ajax star. According to the outspoken president, the midfielder being pushed to the periphery of the squad during preseason isn’t an effort to coax him to leave.
Who needs soap operas when you have FC Barcelona?
Any Barcelona magic tricks left?
However Laporta attempts to spin the narrative, literally mortgaging Barcelona’s future by activating a series of economic “levers” in order to fund immediate signings is … a questionable tactic. And yet, strictly from a sporting perspective, the Catalan club has produced an objectively excellent transfer window thus far, adding Robert Lewandowski, swiping Jules Kounde and Raphinha from under Chelsea’s nose, keeping hold of Dembele, and bolstering its depth with Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.
There could yet be more to come, too.
Bernardo Silva’s name continues to be mentioned, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso remain concrete targets. The Chelsea duo would represent low-cost options that wouldn’t break Barcelona’s mystical bank, but surely the diminutive Portuguese tweener is too expensive, right?
Chelsea on the hunt for a defender
Chelsea’s bid to bolster their backline has delivered mixed results this summer. The Blues succeeded where several other clubs have failed in recent seasons by prising Senegalese standout Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli. Conversely, they were taken for a ride in the protracted Kounde saga and watched Matthijs de Ligt, their primary target, join Bayern Munich.
Todd Boehly, learning to navigate the transfer window on the fly, is doing an admirable job so far, but there’s still work to be done.
Wesley Fofana, Presnel Kimpembe, Josko Gvardiol, and Denzel Dumfries are all on Chelsea’s radar entering the final month of the window. If Boehly can seal a deal for Dumfries along with one of the three aforementioned center-backs – ideally, for Thomas Tuchel’s purposes, one of the left-footers – the American co-owner’s first foray into the manic world of football transfers will have been a success.
Juventus have holes to fill
Juventus’ first trophyless campaign in over a decade was not exactly what Massimiliano Allegri had in mind when he returned to the club prior to last season. The football itself was dour, but, in fairness to the Italian tactician, there were some mitigating factors, including a disjointed squad that was unable to find continuity due to a variety of injury issues.
That hindered Allegri but, ironically, also gave him some leeway. Last year’s fourth-place finish wasn’t all on him. He’ll get no such break in 2022-23. A marked improvement is required. A legitimate title challenge, if not the Scudetto itself, is expected in Turin. To do that, though, the Bianconeri still have some glaring needs to address.
Alex Sandro’s decline and Luca Pellegrini’s stagnation means signing a new left-back is paramount. With Alvaro Morata’s return looking increasingly unlikely, a versatile forward who can either complement Dusan Vlahovic or deputize for the Serbian at times is necessary; Timo Werner, Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, and Luis Muriel have been floated as possible options. The Nicolo Zaniolo rumors aren’t going away, either. An additional center-back would be welcome, too.
And that’s before you even consider Juve may be forced into action on the midfield front, where marquee addition Paul Pogba and Weston McKennie, a likely starter, are looking at lengthy spells on the sidelines. The Old Lady will be busy between now and Sept. 1.
PSG still trying to clean house
Few clubs, if any, are carrying as many albatross contracts as Paris Saint-Germain. When you throw money around indiscriminately for multiple years, this can be the end result.
Having already pulled off the greatest deal of the year by staving off Real Madrid’s pursuit and retaining Kylian Mbappe, PSG’s focus in the final month of the window should be on reducing a hugely bloated squad. Thilo Kehrer, Abdou Diallo, Layvin Kurzawa, Leandro Paredes, Georginio Wijnaldum, Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera, Rafinha, Julian Draxler, and Mauro Icardi have all been deemed surplus to requirements. How many of them will be shipped out?
If new recruitment adviser Luis Campos helps to significantly trim the fat this summer, the French champions might as well build a statue for him.
More big MLS surprises?
Gareth Bale’s move to Los Angeles FC came largely out of nowhere.
Major League Soccer has an impressive, ever-growing track record of luring notable players from Europe – take Lorenzo Insigne’s deal with Toronto FC, signed only months earlier, for example – but Bale’s was a true bolt from the blue. The current MLS leaders weren’t touted as a destination at any point in the discussion surrounding the Welshman’s future when it became clear he would be leaving Real Madrid. Then, suddenly, he was wearing black and gold. It was a nice change from the more standard drawn-out transfers.
What other bombshells does the league have left? With the league’s Secondary Transfer Window closing later this week, time is running out for MLS teams to make meaningful roster changes.
Will Cucurella force Brighton’s hand?
Manchester City’s desire to add Marc Cucurella and his luscious mane to Pep Guardiola’s squad is no secret. Indeed, the sale of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal was likely sanctioned with the expectation that procuring Cucurella’s signature wouldn’t prove too difficult for a club with unlimited resources.
What City didn’t count on, it seems, is Brighton & Hove Albion’s doggedness. Such is the power of the almighty Premier League pound that the Seagulls don’t need to sell the 24-year-old, and, because the Spaniard’s contracted until 2026, can remain firm on their £50-million valuation and negotiate from a position of strength.
Cucurella has reportedly submitted a transfer request to facilitate the deal, but unless he really causes a ruckus that makes his Brighton tenure untenable, it seems City will need to look elsewhere for a new left-back. The situation could be further complicated by Chelsea, who are reportedly trying to swoop in late.
Breaking down thrilling EPL title race with 10 games left
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One of the most intoxicating title races in Premier League history is, mercifully, ready to resume.
The quirks of the calendar – an FA Cup weekend succeeded by an agonizing international window – means the titanic tussle between Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City will have been on hiatus for a full three weeks before it gets back underway on Sunday.
But there are no more impending interruptions. With 10 matches remaining for each title contender, we’re barreling toward a resolution to the type of three-way battle that’s exceedingly rare in England’s top flight. There’s never been a season in the Premier League era where three teams went into the final day with a chance to hoist the trophy. This could be it. The last time it happened was the 1971-72 campaign, when Derby County won an incredible four-team fight, narrowly beating Leeds United and, ominously, Liverpool and Man City to the crown. We’re overdue for that kind of drama.
That three sides have converged this way at all is, frankly, remarkable.
These are the three best teams in the country by an enormous margin. They’re the only ones with an expected goal difference per game of plus-1.0 or greater this season. The next best mark, surprisingly, belongs to Mauricio Pochettino’s erratic Chelsea team at plus-0.36. So, yeah, it’s not close.
The three of them are also on a tear and show no signs of slowing down. Arsenal have won all eight of their league games in 2024, scoring 33 goals in the process; Liverpool have collected 22 of a possible 27 points in that time; reigning champions Manchester City have racked up 23 of 27 points. They’ve combined for just one loss since the calendar flipped – Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in early February.
The only sides that look capable of halting their progress are each other, which makes this weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad all the more significant.
Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales
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Wales, Greece, and Poland registered statement wins Thursday, joining three other teams in next Tuesday’s playoff finals for the three remaining places at Euro 2024.
Ukraine staged an incredible late comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its semifinal to keep its Euro dream alive.
The highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings that’s no longer in contention to reach the tournament in Germany is 60th-placed Finland.
Here’s how the playoff semifinals across Path A, B, and C played out.
Path A
Mateusz Slodkowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Poland 5-1 Estonia
Estonia barely stood a chance. Down to 10 men as early as the 27th minute, the northern Europeans could only muster a consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Poland. The Polish achieved the rout without Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet and remain unbeaten in 21 Euro qualifiers at home, a magnificent run dating back to September 2006. Poland is trying to make up for a poor qualifying campaign in which it finished third in Group E, four points behind the Czech Republic and Albania. The country hasn’t missed the Euros since 2004.
Wales 4-1 Finland
The Red Wall might descend on Germany this summer. Wales’ raucous supporters have legitimate hopes of traveling to another major tournament after the Dragons scorched Finland without the retired Gareth Bale and with Aaron Ramsey, 33, on the bench after more injury problems. Teemu Pukki gave the visiting team some hope just before halftime following well-taken finishes from David Brooks and Neco Williams. But Wales needed just 73 seconds of the second period to restore its two-goal cushion via Brennan Johnson’s tap-in. Daniel James took advantage of a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to give the host a resounding victory.
Playoff final: Wales vs. Poland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path B
David Balogh – UEFA / UEFA / Getty
Israel 1-4 Iceland
Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson stole the show with an emphatic hat-trick against Israel on Thursday. His stunning free-kick into the top right corner canceled out Eran Zahavi’s opening goal for Israel, and he created a nice cushion for his country with a pair of markers in the final 10 minutes. Just before that, Zahavi blew an incredible opportunity to equalize the match at 2-2, missing a penalty awarded for handball against Iceland’s Gudmundur Thorarinsson. A red card to Israel’s Haim Revivo didn’t help the trailing side. Iceland is now a game away from making only its second-ever appearance at the Euros following its quarterfinal run in 2016.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine
Ukraine scored twice with just minutes remaining in regulation to snatch what seemed to be a sure victory from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Bosnia controlled play for most of the match and took the lead in the 56th minute when Mykola Matviyenko turned in Amar Dedic’s shot into his own net. But a colossal defensive lapse cost the Bosnians a chance to make it a record four countries from the former Yugoslavia at Euro 2024. Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to equalize in the 85th minute and teed up Artem Dovbyk’s sensational winning header three minutes later to turn the playoff semifinal on its head. Ukraine now faces Iceland with a third consecutive Euro appearance at stake.
Playoff final: Ukraine vs. Iceland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path C
GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE / AFP / Getty
Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg
Two clever finishes from Budu Zivzivadze in Tbilisi assured Georgia of a place in Path C’s final – and all without the help of suspended talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But it wasn’t that simple for the host. Luxembourg thought it equalized during the second half, only for the goal to be eventually snatched away due to Maxime Chanot’s apparent foul 45 seconds earlier. Luxembourg’s Chanot was controversially sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Zivzivadze effectively ended the match six minutes later with his second strike. Kvaratskhelia is available for the final.
Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan
Anastasios Bakasetas lashed home a penalty, Dimitrios Pelkas headed into the net’s roof, Fotis Ioannidis tapped in from close range, and Dimitrios Kourbelis added another header. And that was all before halftime. Kazakhstan’s impressive 2022-23 Nations League campaign and notable Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Denmark, Northern Ireland (twice), and Finland suddenly seemed ages ago, as Greece recorded its biggest halftime lead since October 1978 (5-0 against Finland). Aleksandr Marochkin’s embarrassing own goal in the 85th minute made Kazakhstan’s day even worse.
Playoff final: Georgia vs. Greece, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. ET
Look: Nike unveils beautiful kit selection for Euro 2024, Copa America
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Nike released a stunning batch of threads ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America on Monday.
Days after Adidas launched its lineup for the summer’s top two tournaments, Nike followed suit with an array of colorful designs.
The U.S. manufacturer also announced redesigns for Canada and Poland, even though they’ve yet to qualify for their respective tournaments. The Canucks face Trinidad and Tobago in a one-off Copa America qualifier on Saturday, while Poland must navigate a four-team playoff to reach Euro 2024.
(All images courtesy of Nike)
Euro 2024
Croatia
Home
The square-shaped design that gives Croatia its unique look gets a slight upgrade. The home shirt features larger squares than ever before.
Away
Croatia’s away shirt plays on the national flag, with the traditional checkered pattern now on a slant.
England
Home
Influenced by England’s 1966 training gear, the home shirt has a classic feel with a rich blue collar and gorgeous trim along the cuffs.
Away
England embraces a deep purple hue for its away selection. The crest stands out with a contrasting off-white tint that makes the three lions pop.
France
Home
France’s home shirt may have the biggest crest of all of Nike’s offerings. The oversized rooster defines this shirt as much as the royal blue that’s made France’s kits a crowd-pleaser.
Away
The pinstripes mirror the colors of France’s national flag and span the width of the shirt in a simple, yet elegant design.
Netherlands
Home
Nike could’ve offered anything orange here, and it would’ve been perfect. But the Netherlands has something bolder and better to wear. The zig-zag pattern adds edge.
Away
The orange collar and cuffs pop alongside the three shades of blue Nike has chosen to create the abstract design on this work of art.
Poland
Home
Poland dedicates premium real estate on the country’s home shirt to its imposing crest.
Away
Poland’s away shirt is a daring choice. The graphic treatment adds texture, giving it a rugged feel while separating from the red tones of years past.
Portugal
Home
With possibly the best home shirt in Nike’s collection, Portugal leans heavily into its traditional red-and-green motif with a polo collar and thick cuffs. The logo sits prominently as well. A smash hit.
Away
Here’s another winner. Portugal’s away strip has a stunning textile imprint that gives off a cool summer vibe.
Turkey
Home
This is a menacing look. Turkey will look like a whirring red army with these imposing shirts.
Away
The classic red band returns to Turkey’s away uniform. Like the others, it features an oversized crest in the middle of the shirt.
Copa America
Brazil
Home
Nike goes big with Brazil’s crest and adds an intricate design to the same yellow hue the Selecao have used for decades.
Away
Brazil’s secondary strip feels like the beach. A horizontal wavy pattern covering the entire shirt mimics the country’s picturesque coastline.
Canada
Home
The only blemish in Nike’s lineup. Why is there a circle around the swoosh? And why are the shoulders so much darker than the body? None of it makes sense.
Away
The 13 pinstripes are supposed to represent the 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada. Unfortunately, the rest of the shirt looks incomplete.
United States
Home
The United States men’s national team gets a classic home shirt with patriotic detailing along the color and sleeves.
Away
The gradient works perfectly with the red shorts the U.S. will wear at the Copa America.