This fluff comes out only after dark The path from Everton to Liverpool is not one well travelled. Nick Barmby was the last. If the other route is more travelled – think Kevin Sheedy, Peter Beardsley, Abel Xavier – it’s still not the done thing. So, Jarrad Branthwaite to Anfield, a deal that’s been bubbling under. Will it happen? The offer is £63m plus £7m in add-ons to prise the centre-back across Stanley Park. If Everton fans are used to seeing their stars sold too early – Wayne Rooney, Franny Jeffers, John Stones spring easily to mind – then perhaps a new ownership under John Textor may prevent a deal. Branthwaite’s links with Manchester United were closed out by their purchase of Matthijs de Ligt. United are closing in on a deal to sign Manuel Ugarte on a season-long loan deal from PSG, with obligation to buy. Jadon Sancho? Loaned to Barcelona. Continue reading...

Agreement reached quickly with Premier League clubGerman waives €40m worth of wages from Catalan giants Ilkay Gündogan will return to Manchester City on a free transfer, 12 months after leaving the club for Barcelona. The 33-year-old, captain when City won the treble in 2023, will join on an initial one-year deal with an option for a second. Having come to see that Barcelona did not want him to continue at the Camp Nou, Gündogan instigated contact with Pep Guardiola, whom he played under for seven years at City, and the basis of an agreement was reached swiftly. Gündogan has waived the remaining two years of his salary in Catalonia. The deal is expected to be formally completed in the coming hours. Continue reading...

German midfielder wants exit from Catalan clubPep Guardiola open to signing cover for Rodri Manchester City are interested in bringing back their former club captain Ilkay Gündogan from Barcelona. The German midfielder left the club just over a year ago but wants to leave the Catalan club, opening up the opportunity of a return to the Premier League, although there is interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Continue reading...

Serie A champions denied by stoppage-time equaliserLewandowski scores twice as Barcelona beat Valencia Internazionale’s Serie A title defence began unconvincingly with a 2-2 draw at Genoa as a last-gasp goal from Junior Messias secured a point for the hosts. Inter, missing the key players Stefan de Vrij and Piotr Zielinski, could not find the margins to start their campaign with a win, despite a double from Marcus Thuram. Alessandro Vogliacco gave Genoa a shock lead after 20 minutes by tapping in a rebound off the bar. Ten minutes later, Thuram showcased his aerial prowess by heading in a lofted cross from Niccolo Barella to level the scores. Continue reading...