Summary

  1. Head over to our Euro 2025 live textpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 7 July

    You'll be sad to know that this is the end of this live text for today, but don't you worry because we'll be back again in the morning.

    Make sure you head over to our Euro 2025 live as world champions Spain take on Belgium at 17:00 BST.

    We'll have all of the build up from Switzerland from 16:00 BST.

    See you soon!

  2. get involved

    'A reliable right-back would be a big step forward'published at 15:44 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Julia: Phil, as a Manchester City fan I have been pleased with our early signings, but do you think we need to buy a proper right-back who can defend as well as attack?

    Hello, Julia. Some good work so far in the markets but agree a reliable right-back would be a big step forward.

    Matheus Nunes played there last season, but even his most ardent admirers would accept that is not his position.

    It has been no surprise to see City linked with Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento and, of course, there is an added vacancy after Kyle Walker joined Burnley in a permanent deal.

  3. Duran 'is a real talent'published at 15:43 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Jhon Duran celebrating for Al-NassarImage source, Getty Images

    Graham: What do you make of Jhon Duran moving to Turkey not long after moving to Saudi? He could have stayed at Aston Villa or in a Premier League side, but it all seems a bit odd to me.

    Hi, Graham. It seemed a very strange one to me at the time, a 21-year-old with it all in front of him choosing to chase riches in Saudi Arabia.

    Duran was someone with a big personality and huge ability, so my view was that this was a move to make later in his career if he so wished, but Villa were offered £71m by Al-Nassr and that proved impossible to turn down.

    It clearly has not worked out, so the Colombian is on his way to Fenerbahce on a year-long loan.

    I really hope Duran fulfills his huge potential somewhere and does not become a player who just moves around. He is a real talent.

  4. get involved

    Man Utd face 'summer of transition...because so much needs to be done'published at 15:42 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Ruben Amorim giving a speech at Old Trafford in front of the players.Image source, Getty Images

    With our two top targets, Delap and Gyokeres, going to Premier League rivals, where do Manchester United turn now? Mateta will be expensive, Watkins’ injuries concern me and Calvert-Lewin is uninspiring at best. I fear for Amorim.

    Manchester United need to manage their finances carefully and are still working on a £60m-plus deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo, so they need to get that over the line first.

    I’m not sure they would take a chance on Dominic Calvert-Lewin given his injuries, although I can see Ollie Watkins coming into the equation. Maybe they could get themselves in a position to try and entice Benjamin Sesko, but RB Leipzig are demanding huge money.

    It is going to be a summer of transition rather than widespread dismantling at Old Trafford because so much needs to be done, but I do believe United are in serious need of a quality central striker. Rasmus Hojlund has not proved up to the job.

  5. get involved

    'He is exactly what Arsenal needed'published at 15:41 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Viktor Gyokeres celebrating for Sporting.Image source, Getty Images

    Steve. Arsenal fan from Oxford: A lot of people saying that Viktor Gyokeres won't be the right player for Arsenal but I think he will be the perfect fit. He's a great goalscorer which we desperately need. What are your thoughts?

    Hi, Steve. Well, we won’t know until he gets here and plays at Premier League level, but Gyokores has the track record to suggest he is exactly what Arsenal needed with an outstanding tally of 97 goals in 102 matches in two seasons in Portugal.

    That suggests he is the reliable marksman Arsenal require – and the type of striker they should have signed 12 months ago.

  6. get involved

    'Promoted teams always start as favourites to return to the Championship'published at 15:39 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Hi Phil. How would you rate the transfer window so far for the newly-promoted trio?

    They all realise just how vital recruitment is to having a crack at staying in the Premier League and have been going about their business with intent.

    Kyle Walker will provide crucial Premier League experience and dressing room leadership at Burnley, while there will be high hopes of France under-21 forward Loum Tchaouna.

    Walker is nearing the end of his career, but that could prove to be a smart piece of business.

    Leeds have been trying to strengthen at both ends of the pitch and have gone to Wolfsburg to do so by signing Germany forward Lukas Nmecha and defender Sebastian Bornauw.

    They will also hope Slovenia central defender Jaka Bijol will add steel following his arrival from Udinese.

    Sunderland may have lost Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, but it was a real statement from them to respond with the signing of Senegal midfield man Habib Diarra from Strasbourg in a club record £30m deal.

    He was a big influence as Strasbourg returned to European football for only the second time in two decades and Sunderland will want a similar impact at the Stadium Of Light.

    As we have seen in recent seasons, promoted teams always start as favourites to return to the Championship, but by recruiting well (and with time to add more new recruits) they will hope to buck the trend.

  7. get involved

    'I could see Jamie Vardy in that Wrexham story'published at 15:37 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Jamie Vardy celebrating a goal at LeicesterImage source, Getty Images

    Gav: Afternoon Phil, do you think any Championship teams will attract the ‘out of contract/released’ Premier League players such as Jamie Vardy, Ben Mee or Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Or is there such a gulf in wage structures that such ex-Premier League stars will only look at Saudi, the United States or other top European leagues?

    Afternoon, Gav. I have no doubt the more ambitious Championship club will be eyeing those sorts of players but, as you say, offering the sort of package to attract them may prove difficult.

    All three will still feel they have plenty to offer (and indeed prove) at the top level and you can see those newly-promoted clubs such as Birmingham City and Wrexham having a look.

    I could see Jamie Vardy in that Wrexham story, but I suspect he will have very good offers from elsewhere.

    Whether they make a move firmly remains to be seen, but whether they can pull it off I would still question, even with big ambitions.

  8. get involved

    'The sooner Palace's Europa League fate is sorted, the better'published at 15:34 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Crystal Palace celebrating their FA Cup victory at their trophy paradeImage source, Getty Images

    Tom, Croydon: HI Phil, Palace fan here. When is the decision to allow/not allow us into Europe going to be made? We effectively cannot plan for the forthcoming season as we have no idea if we need players for Europe or not. It feels like Uefa don't want to make a decision so have passed the buck back to the French league to make a decision for them. Surely the governing body has more power and should rule in this case.

    Totally understand your frustration Tom and it seems unfair on Palace for all the reasons you have just stated.

    My colleague Sami Mokbel reported last week that Uefa confirmed a final decision would be postponed until Lyon's domestic appeal against their relegation from the French top flight had been heard, so we must wait for that.

    If the French football authorities uphold their relegation Lyon would relinquish their licence to play in Uefa competition - paving the way for Palace to play in the Europa League.

    Sami also reported that Palace will almost certainly launch legal action if they are banned and there is a feeling at Palace that Lyon are being afforded extra time to get their finances in order to aid their relegation appeal.

    The sooner it is sorted, the better.

  9. Postpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 7 July

    You would think if Chelsea wanted to push even further up the league next season then would certainly need a more reliable goalkeeper between the sticks for that.

  10. get involved

    Chelsea 'require upgrade on Robert Sanchez'published at 15:30 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Do you think Chelsea are delaying announcing a goalkeeper replacement for Robert Sanchez until after the Club World Cup?

    Nothing to suggest that they are delaying an announcement, but they should be seeking a new goalkeeper because they require an upgrade on Robert Sanchez.

    Chelsea goalkeeper Robert SanchezImage source, EPA
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    'It’s a real head-scratcher as to who might want Sterling'published at 15:28 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Raheem Sterling at ArsenalImage source, Getty Images

    Gav: Hi Phil, Raheem Sterling is not wanted by Chelsea and Arsenal didn’t want to make his loan permanent, so do you think he would be open to returning to his boyhood club QPR on a ‘free transfer’ where he would be guaranteed first-team football and would make them a credible promotion prospect? Or could they not afford him?

    Hello, Gav. Nice sentimental thought and Sterling will need to do something. Made no impact at Arsenal and clearly unwanted by Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.

    It’s a real head-scratcher as to who might want him, which seems barely believable given his status only a couple of years ago.

    If he has not been snapped up near the deadline, I can see a Premier League club making a move, but at the moment he is in limbo.

  12. Where could Madueke play for Arsenal?published at 15:25 British Summer Time 7 July

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    Madueke's most used position

    Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke ahead of a potential move for the England winger, BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel has reported. But where could the 23-year-old play for the Gunners?

    Madueke has made the vast majority of his appearances for the Blues on the right, with 88% of his Premier League minutes coming on that flank since joining in January 2023.

    His signing would, therefore, ease the burden on Bukayo Saka, who has perhaps been overworked in recent seasons.

    Saka started 108 of 114 league matches from 2021-22 to 2023-24 but missed three months of the most recent campaign with a hamstring injury.

    Like Saka, when Madueke features on the right wing, he looks to cut inside and shoot with his favoured left foot.

    However, Madueke actually ended 2024-25 playing on the left for Chelsea, with head coach Enzo Maresca altering his approach during the run-in.

    The former PSV Eindhoven man started four of the Blues’ final five Premier League matches on that flank, plus the Conference League final. He also began on the left in England’s win against Andorra in June, when he was one of the Three Lions’ better performers, setting up Harry Kane’s winner.

    So in addition to cover for Saka on the right, Madueke could provide competition for both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the opposite wing, where he would offer a slightly more direct threat.

    In the most recent Premier League season, Madueke attempted more shots and dribbles per 90 minutes than both Martinelli and Trossard and carried the ball significantly further.

    Stats comparing Madueke to Trossard and Martinelli
  13. Zubimendi v Rice - what do the stats say?published at 15:21 British Summer Time 7 July

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport Journalist

    With Arsenal having added Martin Zubimendi to their ranks, many are asking 'how would he fit alongside Declan Rice?'

    We took a closer look at their numbers reveals why the two could form one of the most balanced midfield partnerships in the Premier League.

    Stats comparing Zubimendi and Rice
  14. Arteta’s Arsenal recruitment: 32 players signed but only two strikerspublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 7 July

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    Arsenal's signings

    Arsenal have made midfielder Martin Zubimendi their second purchase of the summer, with goalkeeper Kepa having also joined this month, and are now pursuing Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners look to finally strengthen the position many supporters think is the priority – centre-forward.

    Manager Mikel Arteta has brought in 32 players, including loan signings, since his appointment in December 2019, with three-quarters of those midfielders or defenders. The only two recognised strikers he has recruited are Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, both of whom can play other roles, but nonetheless have plenty of experience leading the line.

    The Gunners have used Leandro Trossard up front at times but that was largely due to injuries to Jesus and Havertz earlier this year.

    As the Belgian has made the majority of his Premier League appearances on the wing he hasn’t been included as a striker in the chart above.

    Zubimendi’s arrival brings Arteta’s total transfer spending to £743m, excluding add-ons, of which £107m went on Jesus and Havertz. That compares to £341m invested in midfielders and wingers, £231m on the defence and £63.5m on goalkeepers.

    Arsenal scored 22 fewer goals in the league last season than in 2023-24. That lack of cutting edge prevented them from running eventual champions Liverpool close and may have persuaded Arteta that recruiting a marquee number nine is by now overdue.

    Arsenal's spending
  15. How will Zubimendi and Rice gel in Arsenal’s midfield?published at 15:12 British Summer Time 7 July

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    Martin Zubimendi’s arrival from Real Sociedad means Arsenal have spent over £340m on midfielders during Mikel Arteta’s reign. That includes an initial £100m on record signing Declan Rice, who was the Gunners’ player of the year for 2024-25, but how will Zubimendi’s recruitment affect the Englishman’s role?

    While Rice is often required to operate as a disciplined holding midfielder for England, since joining Arsenal in 2023 he’s flourished as more of a box-to-box player, scoring 11 league goals in two seasons – one more than he managed in six years as a West Ham regular.

    Zubimendi’s presence should mean Rice continues to enjoy license to push forward despite the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. The Spaniard predominantly operated as a deep-lying midfielder for Real Sociedad last term, with only 47% of his open-play touches in La Liga coming in the opposition half, compared to Rice’s figure of 60%.

    While the Spain international is not purely a ball-winner, he has proved himself as an effective midfield shield for the Real Sociedad defence. He made significantly more tackles per 90 minutes than Rice in the league last term and likewise led in terms of interceptions and duels.

    The 26-year-old combined the dirty work with effective distribution, regularly collecting short passes from his centre-backs and looking to play forward whenever possible. He made 238 line-breaking passes in La Liga in 2024-25, which was bettered by only three midfielders, all of whom played for Real Madrid.

    With Zubimendi potentially operating as a single pivot, orchestrating build-up play but also keeping position to guard against transitions, forward forays from Rice are likely to remain a key part of Arsenal’s game plan.

    Rice and Zubimendi stats
  16. What are Arsenal getting with Zubimendi?published at 15:07 British Summer Time 7 July

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Martin Zubimendi, considered one of the world's best defensive midfielders, finally completed his £60m move from Real Sociedad on Sunday in a deal that was widely expected since January.

    "He has a gifted mind," Spanish journalist Roberto Ramajo told BBC Sport. "He sees things on the pitch that others can't.

    "Zubimendi isn't a 10 (out of 10) at anything, but he's an eight at everything. In the Premier League, he can develop into a 10 at everything."

    Ramajo calls him 'el cerebro del futuro' - the brain of the future.

    The Spaniard is set to take the deep-lying midfield position.

    Declan Rice played in the number six role for West Ham but usually appears further forward for Arsenal in a midfield three with Odegaard.

    And Zubimendi's signing might free him up even more.

    Ramajo added: "He's a player capable of coming out from the back very neatly, able to break pressure lines with inside passes and with courageous skills, because Zubimendi is above all a forward-moving player.

    "And he has an important quality - he's better with better team-mates around him, and he's also capable of improving them.

    "I think his style can quickly adapt to the needs of the Premier League, and it can help him establish himself definitively among the elite of our continent's most important players."

    Stats comparing Zubimendi and Partey
  17. Postpublished at 15:02 British Summer Time 7 July

    From one midfielder in Adam Wharton to the midfielder Arsenal have just signed...

  18. get involved

    'I think Wharton is top class'published at 14:54 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton pre FA Cup finalImage source, Getty Images

    Graham: Hi Phil, who are your early guesses for break-out stars of next season?

    Would you call Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton a “break-out star”? I think he is top class and it would be a major mistake if he was not right on the edge, if not in, the England team next season. He should definitely go to the World Cup, barring a drop in form.

  19. Postpublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 7 July

    I've seen this offside decision so many times now and still can't tell you why the goal was ruled out.

    Oh well, on to the next.

  20. get involved

    'It was hard to pick out which part of Mead’s body was offside'published at 14:38 British Summer Time 7 July

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Media caption,

    Russo goal disallowed as Mead is offside

    I've looked at the Russo offside and shared the still with friends and we still can't understand why it was ruled out - can you explain what I'm missing please Phil?

    This created an awful lot of debate, and confusion, so we will simply have to go with the official explanation that it was Beth Mead who was offside by, to coin a phrase, the barest of margins.

    Even looking at the stills, it was hard to pick out which part of Mead’s body was offside, but Uefa said it was her foot and her shoulder in the offside position so we must accept that with the use of Semi Automated Offside.