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Inter have attempted to swoop in to snap up Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge after an offer from archrivals AC Milan was turned down by the Belgians.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Inter planned to snatch Jashari
• Swiss midfielder only wants to join AC Milan
• Inter shifts interest to his team-mate

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Milan's first bid for Jashari was rejected by Club Brugge, with the club asking the Italian giants to up their bid. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Inter tried to snatch Jashari by offering €30 million (£26m/$35m) plus midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic as part of the deal. However, the 22-year-old has already decided he only wants to join Milan and rejected Inter's proposal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Stankovic has long been in the plans of Brugge, and even with the talks for Jashari shot down, Inter have not stopped in their pursuit; instead, they have switched targets. The Champions League finalists are eyeing a move for Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordonez. The Serie A club have proposed a deal worth €22m (£19m/$26m) for the 21-year-old, with Stankovic again part of the offer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Jashari was left disappointed after Brugge CEO Bob Madou rejected Milan's €35 million (£30m/$38m) offer for the Swiss midfielder, deeming it below their valuation of the star midfielder. Milan, though, have stood their ground and are not willing to pay beyond what's financially viable for them. The Italian club hope that Jashari pushes for a move in the coming weeks.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR INTER?

  Inter want new manager Cristian Chivu to have a full squad his disposal when the players return for pre-season and have thus issued an ultimatum to Hakan Calanhoglu. The Italian club have talked to his agent and want his camp to clear his situation this week.

Manchester City are interested in signing Djurgardens youngster Matias Siltanen this summer, according to a new report.

• Man City interested in Stilanen
• Seen as another Lucas Bergvall-esque ace
• Sold Bergvall to Spurs

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Italehti, City are eyeing a Spurs-esque swoop for a Djurgardens youngster this summer. The north London club signed Lucas Bergvall in an £8.5 million ($11m) deal in 2024 and City are now considering a raid on the Swedish club.

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  City have previous interest in Siltanen, who is a Finland youth international, and were linked with him before he joined Djurgardens. As a result of Bergvall's sale, the club do not exactly need to sell, and have set an asking price of €20 million (£17m/$23m) if they are to let him go.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Were the youngster to move this summer, at Djurgardens' asking price, he would become the most expensive Finnish player ever, surpassing Roman Eremenko, who moved for €13m (£11m/$15m) when he joined Rubin Kazan in 2011.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen if City will look to formalise their interest this summer or if they will continue scouting Siltanen as his career progresses. He has only played for the Swedish club for six months, having joined in January from Kuopio Palloseura.

The USMNT star made a special appearance at Halas Hall this week, where the Premier League midfielder connected with Chicago Bears rookie quarterback

• Adams presented Williams with a signed Bournemouth jersey
• Williams gave Adams a signed Chicago Bears jersey
• Cherries are in the USA for the Premier League’s summer series

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  U.S. international Tyler Adams visited the Chicago Bears training facility during a break in his preseason preparations with AFC Bournemouth. Adams, who has been in the United States with, exchanged jerseys with Williams. The midfielder presented the quarterback with a signed Bournemouth kit while receiving a Bears kit in return. Their interaction highlights the shared experiences of young American athletes thrust into leadership positions, with 25-year-old Adams already captaining his national team while 22-year-old Williams enters the NFL carrying immense expectations as the first overall pick.

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• WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTTED

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This meeting comes after news that Tyler Adams got engaged to his long-time partner Sarah Schmidt, with the USMNT midfielder posting the news on his social media pages.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  Following their 3-0 win over Everton, Bournemouth will face Manchester United on July 30, followed by a contest against West Ham United on Aug. 2 in the Premier League summer series.

Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue and Michelle Agyemang are among the nominees for the prestigious Kopa Trophy awards up for grabs at the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

• Best young talent on the planet to be recognised
• Prizes on offer for stars of men & women's game
• Some superstar performers on the two shortlists

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As the prestigious Golden Ball event continues to grow, more and more prizes are being handed out. Leading performers from across the men’s and women’s game will be recognised when it comes to the most exciting young talent.

  Some household names figure on the two shortlists, including wonderkids plying their trade in La Liga, Ligue 1, the Premier League, Champions League and WSL for the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal – while also starring for their respective countries.

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  MEN’S NOMINEES

  Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)

  Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)

  Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain)

  Estevao (Palmeiras/Chelsea)

  Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth/Real Madrid)

  Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)

  Rodrigo Mora (Porto)

  Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)

  Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

  Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

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  WOMEN’S NOMINEES

  Michelle Agyemang (Brighton/Arsenal)

  Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)

  Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea)

  Claudia Martinez Ovando (Club Olimpia)

  Vicky Lopez (Barcelona)

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• WHY HAVE THEY BEEN NOMINATED?

  Barcelona sensation Yamal, who recently turned 18 and inherited Lionel Messi’s old No.10 shirt in Catalunya, helped the Blaugrana to La Liga and Copa del Rey titles in 2024-25.

  France international Doue starred for PSG as they captured a historic Champions League crown, with Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves one of his club colleagues at Parc des Princes.

  Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakthrough year at Arsenal, while also making his senior England debut, and will be joined in the Premier League for the 2025-26 campaign by exciting Brazilian starlet Estevao – who has completed a big-money transfer to Chelsea.

  In the women’s game, Agyemang is one of the five nominees after playing a super-sub role for England in their Euro 2025 triumph. The Arsenal-owned forward netted a couple of crucial goals there and was named Young Player of the Tournament.

The former Premier League goalkeeper has expressed concerns about the current state of both the striker and goalkeeper positions for the national team

• Friedel acknowledges significant issues at both striker and goalkeeper
• Praises young goalkeepers Schulte and Brady
• Veteran keeper approves of Steffen's return to MLS

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  With the 2026 World Cup less than 10 months out, legendary U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel admits he's concerned about the team's chances to succeed due to the uncertainty of two positions: striker and goalkeeper. 

  “I think the two most important situations on this team are unresolved, which is unfortunate a year out,” Friedel said on podcast. “I think the striker and the goalkeeping situation, I think a lot of the other positions are resolved and or getting resolved…But there are players out there that I think most fans would be like, 'Oh, that's okay. If he starts and he doesn't, that's fine.'" 

  As a result, Friedel is choosing to have a wait-and-see approach as new head coach Mauricio Pochettino evaluates his options. Friedel admitted he doesn't have clear solutions for either position, but admits that he’s curious to see what does happen.

  “The striker situation is a little bit of a problem at the moment. And we have to wait and see if it's going to be [Ricardo] Pepi’s job, if Balogun can stay fit, if Josh Sargent’s going to be the guy. As you said, I am a fan now and looking at it. I don't have answers for that," he said. 

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• WHAT BRAD FRIEDEL SAID

  When discussing goalkeepers specifically, Friedel identified five core options currently in the pool: Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, Patrick Schulte, Chris Brady, and Matt Freese. The former Premier League veteran noted that while Turner and Steffen are quality goalkeepers, both have struggled with limited playing time at their clubs during their time in England – which prompted a return to MLS. 

  “I also don't have answers for the goalkeeping situation. You know you have Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, and Chris Brady, in my opinion, who are the core. I really like what I've seen from Schulte and Brady at young ages, playing consistently. I think Zack and Matt are both excellent goalkeepers, but they found themselves in situations where they weren't playing at their club level.

  “I think it was a really good move by Zack to come back to get games on a consistent basis., Unfortunate that he has some injury issues along the way. Matt Freese, who I also had in it the on their 19 national team, has continued to progress really well…But there's some work to do for the strikers and for the goalkeepers to impress Mauricio over the next 12 months."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The goalkeeping position has historically been an area of strength for American soccer, producing world-class talents like Friedel himself, Kasey Keller, and Tim Howard. However, the current generation has struggled to establish similar consistency at the highest levels, with there being no clear No. 1 one year out from the 2026 World Cup.

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• WHAT’S NEXT?

  Both the goalkeepers and strikers will need to impress Pochettino during upcoming international windows and through consistent performances at club level. The USMTN will gather next during the September international window where they will face South Korea and Japan.

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a shock move for Sporting CP's powerhouse captain Morten Hjulmand after their pursuit of Brighton's Carlos Baleba hit a wall, with the Seagulls demanding a jaw-dropping £120 million for their Cameroonian star. United boss Ruben Amorim is desperate to bring Baleba to Old Trafford, but Brighton's sky-high asking price left Old Trafford chiefs wincing.

• Man Utd eye Sporting skipper Hjulmand
• Baleba chase halted by £120m demand
• Arsenal-loving Dane could join Red Devils

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Baleba was a revelation last season, ranking among the Premier League’s best for tackles, interceptions, blocks and recoveries. Brighton aren't budging, seeing him as a pivotal piece for the campaign ahead after starting 31 of 38 league games last term.

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  According to Brighton's firm stance has forced United to shift their focus to Hjulmand. United are preparing a £50m bid, with Sporting likely to consider an offer about £10m shy of his £68m release clause if performance add-ons are met. The Dane is no stranger to Amorim’s high-intensity, structured style, having played 65 matches under him at Sporting. Together, they lifted two Primeira Liga titles and a Taca de Portugal, with Hjulmand wearing the captain’s armband.

• TELL ME MORE

  If United pull the trigger on Hjulmand, the savings could fuel another high-profile raid – this time for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, as they seek a new long-term goalkeeper. However, they must act quickly, as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are also lurking, with the Spaniard also eyeing Baleba as a potential long-term heir to Rodri.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Hjulmand is a lifelong Arsenal supporter, and he’s literally got the ink to prove it, with a Gunners-inspired tattoo on his body. That’s unlikely to sit well with sections of the United faithful, but Amorim believes his ex-captain’s mentality could win over even the most sceptical fans. 

Liverpool starlet Ben Gannon Doak has completed a move to Bournemouth – which could free up funds for a fresh Alexander Isak pursuit from the Reds.

• Liverpool sell Gannon Doak to Bournemouth
• More funds for potential Isak swoop
• Newcastle star wants Anfield move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of the 19-year-old on a five-year deal until 2030. Reports claim he has left Liverpool for £25 million ($34m), taking the Merseyside team's sales to a whopping £200m ($270m) this summer.

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  WHAT GANNON DOAK SAID

  He told Bournemouth's website: "I’m buzzing to be here. I feel like it’s the right time for me and it’s a great opportunity to play regular football at the highest level. It feels like the perfect fit. The team play very nice football. It’s fast and it really suits my game, so I felt like I couldn’t say no to the chance to play here."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  For a player who barely played for Liverpool and was in the last year of his contract, this is good business for Arne Slot's team. Much has been made of the Reds spending around £270m ($364.5m) this summer on signings but their player departure haul is eye-catching, too. That could give them the funds for a Premier League transfer record bid for wantaway Newcastle striker Isak.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Scotland international and former Celtic academy player Gannon Doak, who will wear the number 11 shirt for the Cherries, could make his Bournemouth debut this weekend when they host Wolves in the Premier League.

Carlo Ancelotti admits that he did not speak with Neymar about his Brazil squad omission, with the reasons for the Santos star’s absence being explained.

• All-time leading scorer overlooked
• One of several big names to miss out
• Italian coach assessing other options

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Neymar is one of several big names to have been overlooked for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualification clashes with Chile and Bolivia. New Selecao boss Ancelotti has made some bold selection calls.

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  The experienced Italian stands by those decisions, with the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich manager eager to cast an eye over as many players as possible ahead of a bid for global glory in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.

• WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

  Ancelotti told reporters of his squad: “It's a list that has changed a little since the first squad. We're not counting on players like Carlos Augusto, Beraldo, Leo Ortiz, Danilo, Andreas Pereira, Gerson, Ederson, Antony, and Vinicius, who aren't in the squad, because my idea is to get to know new players that I don't know well.

  “On the technical side, I know all the players and I want to get to know others who can help the team do well. These players who aren't in the squad worked very well in the first squad, and I want to thank them all for that.

  “Neymar isn't in this second squad because he had a minor problem last week, but he doesn't need to prove anything. Everyone knows Neymar, the national team, and all the Brazilian fans. Neymar, like everyone else, needs to be in good physical shape to help the team perform well and try to give their best at the World Cup.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Quizzed on whether he had spoken to Neymar about leaving the 33-year-old out of his plans, Ancelotti added: “I don't need to call them to explain this. If they want, they can call me. Rodrygo (also absent from the list) has my number. I don't know if Neymar has my number, but I think he does.”

Arsenal have been warned Eberechi Eze's arrival from Crystal Palace isn't necessarily the missing link in their bid to land the Premier League title.

• Arsenal sent warning over Eze
• No longer biggest name at club
• Gunners need more to win title

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Crystal Palace and West Ham defender James Tomkins has issued a warning to Arsenal that the high-profile signing of Eze may not prove to be the difference between finishing second and first. The Gunners shocked the football world by hijacking north London rivals Tottenham's expected signing of Eze, with the attacking midfielder hailed as the missing link in Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's Premier League ambitions. But Tomkins believes the club need even more to take the giant leap to becoming champions. 

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  Arsenal will become the first Premier League side to come second four times in a row if they finish runners up again. While Arteta has turned the club from also-rans into genuine title contenders since he took over, they always fall at the final hurdle. They finished ten points behind last season's title winners Liverpool but the arrival of Eze and the nature of how they snatched him right from under Spurs' nose has put a real spring in Arsenal's step.

• WHAT TOMKINS SAID

  Speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest Premier League betting odds, Tomkins said: “He's gone there and he's going to be good for Arsenal, I'm sure. But I think it will take more than just him to win the league now. I do think he will be a big player this year. I think he'll probably need a few games just to kind of get into it, a different style of play, different team, different pressures. He was probably a big fish at Crystal Palace. 

  "Now he's maybe not as highly regarded as he was at Palace, not the number one player there, whereas everyone was looking at him for goals and everything last season. I think it will just be, again, interesting to see him in the important games. He'll be in the Champions League, and he'll be playing a lot more games this year. It might take a toll on him as well. I think Arsenal are going to be a big threat this year. They could possibly be in the top two; it's just whether they'll go over the line this year. We haven’t seen it the last couple of seasons, so let's see."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EZE?

  Eze was brought in on account of his proven Premier League pedigree alongside the unfortunate injury to Kai Havertz. Arsenal have struggled often to break down teams whose sole aim is to stop them playing, particularly at the Emirates, and Eze's job will be to unlock those defences.

The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool

The European transfer window is largely set to close on Sept. 1, which means it's business time for both clubs and players looking to potentially improve their circumstances. While much appears to be settled for players in the U.S. men's national team pool, there are still some uncertainties.

Yunus Musah was reportedly set to head to Atalanta, but a new development might force him to stay with the Norwich's Josh Sargent might be the most in-form striker in England right now, but his rising price tag means he might remain in the Championship.

And Griffin Yow has had difficulty finding a way out of Westerlo, but a return to the U.S. might be in the cards. 

GOAL tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.

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  Injury might force Musah to stay in Milan

  After reports of a complex transfer involving four teams, Musah appeared to be close to a reported $29.2 million move Atalanta. Then a training ground injury changed everything. 

  A collision between Mexico international Santi Gimenez and central midfielder Ardon Jashari resulted in an injury for Jashari. The Swiss international was determined to have a compound fracture in his right fibula. Milan had high hopes for the 23-year-old, for which Milan parted with a hefty sum of $43.1 million to Club Brugge.

  Now with Jashari set to miss at least eight weeks, manager Max Allegri might be compelled to keep Musah, according to Sky Italia. The midfielder didn't play in Milan's opener, but he could factor a lot more following this development.

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  St. Louis to start rebuild around Yow?

  Yow's desire to leave Westerlo has been clear, but he's had difficulty finding suitors in Europe to secure a move. While his aim is to remain abroad, his contract is expiring next summer and it could spark interest from MLS.

  According to Tom Bogert, one team to monitor is St. Louis CITY SC. The club has not met expectations following its inspired inaugural campaign, firing both two head coaches and its sporting director in the past two seasons. The club is expected to go after Yow next season if he doesn't find a suitor abroad before then.

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  Sargent staying in Norwich for now?

  Josh Sargent's strong run of form to start the season – scoring four goals in four games – has led to Norwich raising his price tag. The move has essentially locked in what they wanted: keeping their star striker. 

  Local outlet Pink Un expects Josh Sargent will stay with the club during this transfer window unless it is blown away by an offer it can't refuse.

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  MLS clubs tracking Rokas Pukstas

  U.S. youth international Rokas Pukstas might not generate a lot of headlines, but make no mistake, MLS clubs are watching the Hadjuk Split star. Transfermarkt reports an unnamed MLS club bid $7 million on the striker. 

  And while Split accepted the deal, he ultimately turned it down – preferring to stay in Europe. Yet, several outlets are reporting that interest on the continent is building for the 21-year-old, who hails from Stillwater, Oklahoma.