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Aston Villa are set to sell their own women's team to raise £55 million and save themselves from a PSR breach.

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• Aston Villa to sell women's team
• £55m deal set to be done
• Helps club avoid PSR breach

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Telegraph report Villa are planning to sell 10% of the team, worth £5.5m, to an external investor, with the remaining 90% to be bought by the club's own parent company, controlled by Nassef Sawiris. The sale would help raise the funds necessary to satisfy the Premier League's rules without selling a first-team player, a move Chelsea have also used in the past.

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  Villa are also looking at selling other club assets in order to raise the funds they need. One of those options is "The Warehouse", the club's music and event space outside Villa Park. The building could have a potential value of £50m if it can be sold. Though the accounting deadline is Monday June 30, a sale need only be agreed in principle to be accounted for in 2024/25.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  UEFA's financial rules do not allow for the sale of other assets like the women's team and "The Warehouse" to be included. Clubs in European competition are compelled to keep spending on transfer fees and wages at 70% of revenue, and Villa have reportedly agreed a plan with UEFA to bring their ratio down by 10% in each of the next two years.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

  Villa may still have to sell a player this summer in order to be certain of satisfying UEFA's demands. Emiliano Martinez has been linked with Manchester United, while Morgan Rogers is fancied by Arsenal.

Liverpool have released a statement in response to the tragic news of the death of their striker Diogo Jota.

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• Reds react to tragic news
• Club pledge to support family & team-mates
• Champions urge family's privacy to be respected

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jota was killed along with his brother Andre in a car accident in Zamora, north-western Spain, shortly after midnight on Thursday. Liverpool released a short statement on their website reacting to the tragedy.

• WHAT LIVERPOOL SAID

  "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," read the statement.
  "The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
  Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
  We will continue to provide them with our full support."

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  JOTA'S LIVERPOOL CAREER

  Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds after joining from Wolves for £41m in 2020. He netted six times last season to help Arne Slot's side win the Premier League title and was heavily involved in the club's celebrations. He also lifted the FA Cup, Community Shield and the Carabao Cup twice with Liverpool.

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• TRIBUTES TO JOTA

  Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher wrote on Instagram: "Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute and their three kids."

  Former Reds striker Stan Collymore wrote on X: "I'm sure like many in the football family there's just a profound sense of shock, sadness and disbelief at the news of Diogo Jota's death at the unfathomably young age of 28. Newly married too. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club. Devastating."

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo resumed full training on Thursday in a bid to recover in time for the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain this weekend. The Ecuadorian international picked up a knock late in Tuesday night’s semi-final clash against Fluminense, casting doubt over his availability for the much-anticipated final in New Jersey.

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• Caicedo back in contention for CWC final
• Got injured against Fluminense
• Maresca upbeat about Caicedo's chances

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea cruised past the Brazilian side with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a brace from Joao Pedro, who dazzled in his full debut for the club. However, the match ended on a worrying note for Maresca, with Caicedo hobbling off after a challenge in the dying moments of the game.

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  Less than five weeks after storming past Inter Milan in the Champions League final, PSG’s latest masterclass against Real Madrid confirmed their status as Europe’s current elite force. Chelsea’s hopes of countering PSG’s dominant midfield rest heavily on Caicedo’s fitness. The 23-year-old has emerged as a vital cog in Maresca’s setup, offering energy, tackling prowess, and composure in possession and will be crucial to neutralise the marauding trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.

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• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Maresca expressed cautious optimism about Caicedo’s condition and said: "When it happened, I told him there were only two or three minutes left, and we could finish the match with ten players. The priority was to avoid worsening the injury ahead of Sunday. He felt like he could continue, but once he tried, the pain returned. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, and he can recover in time. We’ll assess it day by day.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Sunday’s showdown at MetLife Stadium promises to be one of the sternest tests yet for Maresca, who will be aiming to guide Chelsea to global glory. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, and Pedro are expected to feature prominently once again, but it is the defensive solidity in midfield that could prove decisive. That’s where Caicedo’s inclusion could tilt the balance, especially against a PSG team that excel in controlling possession and orchestrating attacks with relentless precision.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has hit a crucial phase, with head coach Ruben Amorim demanding the deal be completed before their pre-season tour begins on July 22. The Red Devils have already seen two bids rejected by the Bees and the Cameroonian forward is said to be growing increasingly frustrated with the drawn-out negotiations.

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• Amorim sets July 22 deadline for Mbeumo transfer deal
• Brentford reject two bids – want at least £62.5 million
• Frustrated Mbeumo eager to seal switch

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United have been pushing to sign Brentford star Mbeumo since the start of the summer and the saga is now dragging into the second half of July. As per , Red Devils boss Amorim has now told the club to seal the deal before their United States pre-season tour kicks off with the Bees having turned down two offers, as they are holding out for a fee exceeding £62.5 million.

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  Mbeumo has made it clear he wants to join United, but Brentford are standing firm on their valuation. Earlier this week, the Bees' director of football, Phil Giles, stated that no agreement is in place and that the Cameroon international could still remain at the club next season. With pre-season approaching, the lack of progress is frustrating for all the parties involved in the deal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals last season, outperforming every forward in the league except Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland. His form has made him one of United’s priority targets as they aim to add firepower alongside Matheus Cunha. Amorim wants him integrated into the squad quickly ahead of the Red Devils' Premier League Summer Series in the US.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBEUMO?

  United are expected to return with an improved third bid in the coming days to try and break the deadlock. Brentford will only sell if their valuation is met and time is quickly running out. If no deal is struck before July 22, Mbeumo’s transfer could be shelved until later in the window or January.

AC Milan are interested in Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and have enquired about the possibility of signing the Dane.

• AC Milan are in the market scouting strikers
• Milan are interested in signing Rasmus Hojlund
• United open to selling for the right price

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Milan are in dire need of a striker and are considering options to sign the Dane forward, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. United are willing to part ways with the 22-year-old forward due to his struggles since joining from Atalanta.

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  Milan sporting director Igli Tare is looking for an attacking profile that fits into head coach Massimiliano Allegri's style of play. With Luka Jovic leaving and English forward Tammy Abraham already off to Besiktas, there is a desperate need to fill the forward position and Milan's camp believe there is no better option than Hojlund, who has shown earlier with his spell in Italy that he is a good fit for the Italian league.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  United are willing to sell the Denmark international, but the Italian club would prefer a loan deal. The English club are in the hunt for a new striker and are reportedly interested in Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson after missing out on Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MILAN?

  Milan are unlikely to go overboard in spending this summer, and the sporting director has made that clear by refusing to hike up the club's bid for Ardon Jashari. However, should the seven-time Champions League winners plan to make an exception, they will have to decide it soon, as many clubs, including Inter, are also interested in Hojlund.

Manchester City are reportedly still interested in signing Lucas Paqueta after the West Ham star was cleared of spot-fixing.

• Paqueta nearly joined Man City in 2023
• Betting allegations scuppered move
• Interest remains after Brazilian cleared

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian was seemingly on the brink of moving to City for £85 million ($112.6m) in 2023 but a Football Association investigation into alleged betting breaches quickly ended that possibility. Two years on, the attacking midfielder has been cleared of those charges and now Globo Esporte claim City are still keeping tabs on the 27-year-old, having never dropped their interest in him.

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  Paqueta, who would have likely been banned for life if found guilty, could be on the move this summer as reports suggest West Ham are open to selling him. Kevin De Bruyne left City earlier this year and, while new recruit Rayan Cherki could be his replacement, Paqueta would add more quality to Guardiola's midfield.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The report adds West Ham won't stand in the way of a Paqueta exit, so long as they receive between £50-60m ($66m-79.5m) for the playmaker. Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr have been linked with the former Lyon man but a return to Brazilian outfit Flamengo is not an option.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen if Graham Potter's West Ham will receive any bids during the summer transfer window for Paqueta, whose current contract runs until 2027, although the Hammers have an option to extend that for a further year. 

Barcelona reportedly have a new plan for Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United loanee becoming a No.9 option for Hansi Flick.

• England international on loan at La Liga giants
• Signed as an option to operate on either flank
• Could provide striker cover for Lewandowski

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having accepted that they did not have the funds required to complete permanent transfers for Luis Diaz or Nico Williams, La Liga's champions found themselves exploring more budget friendly targets.

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  Rashford quickly registered on their radar, with the England international having spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after tumbling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Barca viewed him as a wide attacker that can operate on either flank, allowing Brazilian Ballon d’Or contender Raphinha to take a rest when required. According to , Rashford is now viewed as a central striking alternative for Flick.

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  TELL ME MORE

  Robert Lewandowski, at 36 years of age, is incapable of playing 60 games a season across all competitions. Ferran Torres is another option to lead the line, but Rashford is – after training and matches during a tour of Asia – now in that conversation.

The Stuttgart bosses have handed Bayern Munich a final deadline to pursue Nick Woltemade's signing, despite the move being off the table.

• Bayern handed Woltemade deadline
• Stuttgart will entertain offers until Saturday
• Bundesliga holders not interested in a move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle has given Bayern Munich an ultimatum in the transfer saga for Woltemade. According to the newspaper, Bayern have until Saturday to table any new bids for the young striker.

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  WHAT ALEXANDER WEHRLE SAID

  Speaking to the media on Monday evening, Wehrle said: "If you really want to sign a player, you have to be able to reach a solution during this period. We're playing the Super Cup on Saturday. 

  "Everything should be sorted out by kick-off at the latest. It's now been six and a half weeks. At some point, enough is enough." 

  If a transfer does not go through by the time the game begins, the rising star will be considered "not for sale."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A decision should therefore have been made as to which team Woltemade will play for next season by the start of the match between Bayern and Stuttgart on Saturday. Bayern have been courting the striker, who made his breakthrough at Stuttgart last season, for some time. The German record champions are said to have already reached an agreement with the 23-year-old during the U21 European Championship.

  During the six and a half weeks mentioned by Wehrle, there were several twists and turns in the negotiations for Woltemade. Most recently, Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl emphasised during the friendly match against Tottenham Hotspur that a transfer of the striker was "off the table". Die Roten had made two offers to Stuttgart, both of which were rejected immediately. Even the second offer, which was reportedly €50 million (£43m/$58m) plus an additional €5m in bonuses, did not lead to personal negotiations.

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  WHAT'S NEXT?

  Die Schwaben continue to present themselves as tough negotiators and are unlikely to budge until an offer of €65 million (£56m/$75m) is made. They will not return to the negotiating table before then. In recent days, optimism had grown at Stuttgart that Woltemade would continue to chase goals in the club's jersey next season. Club president Dietmar Allgaier saw no reason to sell the player. "I don't want to mention any figures, but we at Stuttgart see no need to act and do not want to let Nick Woltemade go," he told .

Former Manchester United star Paul Pogba says he wants to deliver a "great" version of himself as he prepares for life with Monaco.

• Pogba returns from doping ban
• Ex-Man Utd man joins Monaco
• Aims to be "great" for new team

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After Pogba served a doping ban, which was reduced to 18 months from four years on appeal, the midfielder signed for Monaco earlier this summer. But after being out of the game for nearly two years, the 32-year-old wants to make sure he reaches the heights he achieved at United and Juventus before rushing back into action.

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  WHAT POGBA SAID

  He told BeIN Sports: "That's the first thing we said when I arrived. There are stages, for me, it's about preparing well. I don't want to come onto the pitch and not be me, not be Paul Pogba. Everyone is waiting for that, to see a great Paul Pogba on the pitch. That's what I'm preparing for."

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  Former France international Pogba admitted he nearly retired from football during his ban, so for him to be preparing for a second chance at the game is a huge boost. Regardless of how it goes for him at the French team, it is clear he is relishing being back in football.

  "I feel very good, the staff are taking very good care of me, it's only a matter of time to be in top form. It's what I love most in the world, I'm like a kid," he added.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  2018 World Cup winner Pogba could make his long-awaited return to football when Monaco begin their Ligue 1 campaign at home to Le Havre on Saturday, August 16. It remains to be seen how prominent a role he will have in his new team.

Arsenal defender William Saliba has bemoaned his team’s failure to land a Premier League title in the last three years. 

• Saliba urged his teammates to step up
• Arsenal finished second for third consecutive season
• Gunners have spent big this summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners finished 10 points behind title winners Liverpool last term which came after consecutive runner-up positions behind Manchester City. The north London side have finished second a record nine times during the Premier League era, two times more than Manchester United. No side has ever finished in that position four times in a row. And now Saliba has urged his teammates, including the new summer arrivals, to take the next step.

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  The Invincibles of 2003-04 were the last group to secure a Premier League crown. But Arsenal have made key improvements to their squad this summer as boss Mikel Arteta searches for that final ingredient to end the 21-year wait for a title. Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard have been added to the ranks.

• WHAT SALIBA SAID

  Speaking to ESPN, Saliba said: “Of course we’ve finished second for three years in a row, and we know that we always miss something. Now it’s a new season, we have to see what we didn’t do well enough to win the league. 

  "We won the first game and of course we want to win the league, an we will give everything. We have to be better than the last three seasons to win this league. "We know that the new players who came to help us, and I’m sure that they will help us to win some trophies. Of course we are already better with them. Let’s see."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  The Gunners can build on their winning start to the season at home to newly-promoted Leeds United. Daniel Farke’s side beat Everton on Monday evening, but the Yorkshire club have a dreadful record in London where they’ve lost their last seven in a row since a 2-1 win at Brentford on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign.