Summary

  1. Recap - Thursday's top storiespublished at 15:44 British Summer Time

    Check out the key summary at the top of this page for today's top stories or click on the links below to read all of the latest transfer news:

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time

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    Someone please explain why Man United are so focused on Mbeumo? We already have Cunha, Mount, Fernandes, Amad, Zirkzee and Mainoo, who can play in that 10 position. Surely it makes more sense to spend the money on one, or two, out-and-out strikers? Get Osimhen and Vlahovic/Kean and then look for another 10 if necessary. Pre-season supposedly crucial for Amorim, yet United leaving it until the last minute again! Such a lack of urgency.

    Russ, Upton

  3. Fernandes and Dalot due back at Man Utdpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport chief football news reporter

    Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim chose to stagger his squad’s return to pre-season training, so those players who were involved in international matches immediately after the post-season trip to Asia were given an extra few days off.

    Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are among those due to return today.

    It will be their first day at the club since the awful news around Diogo Jota’s death emerged on Thursday. Both players went to Jota's funeral in Portugal on Saturday.

  4. Former QPR boss Cifuentes in line to be Leicester's new head coachpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Former QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is in line to be Leicester's new head coach.

    The 43-year-old is expected to become the Foxes sixth manager in just over two years.

    Gary O'Neil and Chris Wilder were interviewed by the Foxes last week while there was also interest in Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl and ex-Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.

    But Cifuentes, who officially left QPR last month after being placed on gardening leave in April, is expected to be named as Ruud van Nistelrooy's replacement with Leicester likely to have to pay compensation for the Spaniard.

    Current QPR assistant Xavi Calm, who worked with Cifuentes at Loftus Road, could also join him at the King Power Stadium.

    The Foxes are preparing for life in the Championship with the prospect of a points deduction after being charged with an alleged PSR breach.

    Marti CifuentesImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time

    It is time to sweep up the remaining news knocking about before we finish.

  6. Ex-Arsenal youngster Shuaib set to make Real Sociedad switchpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time

    Zac Shuaib training for ArsenalImage source, Getty Images

    Former Arsenal youngster Zac Shuaib is set to sign for Real Sociedad.

    The 18-year-old left Arsenal once his contract expired at the end of June and after impressing on trial with the club he is set to join the academy setup in Spain.

    The defensive midfielder also had a short trial at Brighton before securing the move to Sociedad.

    Arsenal recently completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Sociedad's first team and sources say that the Gunners waived any compensation that they would be due from Shuaib leaving to allow him to complete the move to Spain.

    The family of Shuaib's mother are Basque and live in the town of Hondarribia. The midfielder grew up spending summers in the region and it was his grandparents' dream he would end up playing for Real Sociedad as the club they support.

  7. Which players have recently switched from Chelsea to Arsenal?published at 15:31 British Summer Time

    It isn't often that a player will move from one 'big six' club to another, but Arsenal have regularly dipped into Chelsea's squad over the past decade.

    Seven players have left Stamford Bridge in favour of a move to the Emirates in that time - and Noni Madueke could make it eight players this summer.

    So let's take a look at the business the two clubs have done between each other in the last 10 years:

    • Petr Cech - the former goalkeeper won four Premier League titles, four FA cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea before his transfer in 2015
    • David Luiz - one year later, the defender followed in Cech's footsteps and moved across London
    • Willian - the Brazilian winger made the switch in 2020, after winning two titles with Chelsea
    • Jorginho and Kai Havertz - Mikel Arteta made a double swoop in 2023
    • Raheem Sterling - one year later, the winger moved to the Emirates on a season-long loan
    • Kepa Arrizabalaga - completed his move in this summer's transfer window, making him the second Chelsea goalkeeper to cross the London divide
    Petr CechImage source, Getty Images
  8. Could Madueke provide another option on the left?published at 15:28 British Summer Time

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    In addition to cover for Bukayo Saka on the right flank, Noni 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 2024-25 Premier League season, Madueke attempted more shots and dribbles per 90 minutes than both Martinelli and Trossard and carried the ball significantly further.

    Graphic showing dribbles, carry distance and shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League 2024-25
  9. get involved

    Get Involved: Madueke deal to Arsenalpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time

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    I just cannot convince myself that the Madueke deal is a good one. None of his stats indicate that he is a significant improvement on what we already have, which is what I would expect for the figures being quoted. I would take him as a squad player if it were around £20-25m, but £50m? Do me a favour!

    Luke, Arsenal fan from Malta

  10. Where could Madueke play for Arsenal?published at 15:22 British Summer Time

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Noni Madueke, but where could the 23-year-old winger 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 2024-25 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.

    Graphic showing Noni Madueke's general positioning on the pitch

    However, Madueke actually ended last season playing on the left, with head coach Enzo Maresca altering his approach during the run-in. The England international started four of their 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 and set up Harry Kane's winner.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time

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    As an Arsenal fan I don't understand why we would be interested in Madueke. He is a right winger and is a less good version of Saka and isn’t as good as Nwaneri will be, given time and chance to progress. A player to cover at number 10 is needed. Please don't do it Mikel.

    Guy, Nottingham.

  12. Madueke v Sakapublished at 15:16 British Summer Time

    Arsenal's move for Noni Madueke might be quite the head-scratcher for Chelsea fans, who already have an experienced right winger in Bukayo Saka.

    So let's have a look at how the Chelsea player stacks up against Arsenal's homegrown talent, shall we?

    Noni Madueke vs Bukayo Saka stats
  13. Madueke is a 'mentality monster' but 'has to be consistent'published at 15:13 British Summer Time

    Every footballer has their supporters and their critics - and it is no different for Noni Madueke, but what's the general consensus on the winger?

    After signing the England international back in January 2023 on a seven-and-a-half-year contract, former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter described him as an "exciting talent".

    Personal skills coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, who has worked with the Madueke for a few years, told The Sun, external just after his move from PSV Eindhoven that fans can expect a "mentality monster" who plays like Arjen Robben.

    Some fans have questioned his mentality in the past though, specifically after Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City in 2024-25, where Madueke was seen laughing and joking with Jack Grealish after the final whistle.

    Enzo Maresca also seems to have mixed opinions on the 23-year-old. The head coach dropped Madueke on a number of occasions last season, explaining that he was sidelined "because I don't like the way he trained". He has also urged the youngster to be more "ambitious" in the past.

    Noni Madueke and head coach Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time

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    Sunderland's squad is young. It isn't just about what Henderson could bring in terms of ability, it's also about his experience and mentorship.

    Anon

  15. All-court action Henderson behind him?published at 15:08 British Summer Time

    Matthew Hobbs
    BBC Sport

    Jordan Henderson made his professional debut for the Black Cats nearly 17 years ago in a Premier League defeat at Chelsea. Following a stint on loan at Coventry City, Henderson then became established as a top-flight player in 2009-10, going on to make 71 Premier League appearances in the north east before joining Liverpool for £20m in 2011.

    The 84-cap international obviously offers a wealth of experience, particularly to a newly-promoted team, but would he still suit Premier League football?

    His most recent campaign with Liverpool was in 2022-23, and some of his stats did start to drop off in comparison with the averages of his Premier League career.

    Henderson's starts and minutes were broadly the same but there was a distinct decrease in terms of the physical exchanges, winning significantly fewer duels, whilst also providing fewer goals and assists.

    Jordan Henderson's career

    It suggests that any potential suitors may need to consider Henderson's role (and the system he could play in) carefully, as the days of all-court action at the highest level might potentially be behind him.

  16. Should Sunderland re-sign Henderson?published at 15:05 British Summer Time

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    If Jordan Henderson returns to Wearside this summer following his departure from Ajax he would offer one thing Sunderland notably lack – Premier League experience.

    Just five members of the Black Cats’ current squad have played in the English top flight before, all fleetingly, while the only player to have started in the competition is back-up goalkeeper Simon Moore.

    Moore, Ian Poveda, Patrick Roberts, Leo Hjelde and Niall Huggins boast a combined total of just 25 appearances, amounting to 781 minutes.

    Those figures are dwarfed by former Liverpool midfielder Henderson, who has played in 431 Premier League games, including 361 starts, and spent 32,219 minutes on the pitch.

    Would the 35-year-old be a shrewd signing for the newly promoted side? Hit the thumbs up if you think yes, thumbs down if you think no.

    Jordan Henderson's Premier League experienced compared to Sunderland's current squadImage source, BBC Sport
  17. get involved

    Sunderland signing Henderson 'is not what is needed to stay up'published at 15:04 British Summer Time

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    Sunderland fans are still in the Premier League honeymoon period. Signing a 35-year-old midfielder is football romance but not what is needed to stay up.

    Kevin, Nottingham

    Could Jordan Henderson play at Sunderland until he is 40?

  18. Footballers who played into their 40spublished at 15:00 British Summer Time

    Edin Dzeko's two-year deal at Fiorentina means the 39-year-old former Manchester City and Roma striker could conceivably play into his 40s.

    If he does, the Bosnian forward will join an illustrious group.

    Check out this BBC Sport feature to find out more about these legendary footballing veterans:

    • Francesco Totti - retired aged 40
    • Teddy Sheringham - 42
    • Romario - 43
    • Javier Zanetti - 40
    • Gianluigi Buffon - 45
    • Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 41
    • Ryan Giggs - 40
    • Paulo Maldini - 41
    • Cristiano Ronaldo - 40 [and still going]
    • Kazuyoshi Miura - 58! [and no sign of stopping]

    Kazuyoshi Miura in action for Portuguese second-division club Oliveirense in 2023Image source, Getty Images
  19. Dzeko leaves Fenerbahce to join Fiorentinapublished at 14:58 British Summer Time

    Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has signed a contract with Fiorentina which will mean the Bosnia-Herzegovina captain plays into his 40s.

    The 39-year-old's deal runs until June 2026, with an automatic one-year renewal if conditions are met.

    Dzeko was most recently at Fenerbahce, where he scored 21 goals in 53 games last season before leaving the Turkish club in May.

    After joining City from Wolfsburg in 2011, Dzeko scored 72 goals in 189 games over five years, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.

    He then had spells at Roma and Inter Milan, before joining Fenerbahce where he spent two seasons.

    Edin Dzeko of FenerbahceImage source, Getty Images
  20. West Ham feeling the pinch of last year's recruitmentpublished at 14:56 British Summer Time

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    West Ham are still feeling the pinch from the £125m spent on recruitment last year, while the mid-season sacking of head coach Julen Lopetegui, which cost an estimated £5m in compensation, has further constrained their options.

    Their solitary first-team signing this summer has been compulsory, with Jean-Clair Todibo making an obligatory £32.8m move after a loan spell.

    It was only in January that the Hammers were ranked by Deloitte as the world’s 17th wealthiest club, while their most recent accounts showed a pre-tax profit of £57m, buoyed by the sale of Declan Rice for an initial £100m in 2023.

    However, next season will be their second in a row without European competition and as a result staying within Profit and Sustainability Regulations will become more difficult.

    In addition to finding a replacement for Kudus, the Hammers reportedly want a new striker, goalkeeper, central midfielder and left-back, but overhauling the squad whilst balancing the books could prove challenging.

    Niclas FullkrugImage source, Getty Images