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Birmingham City are ripping up the transfer rulebook as they reportedly target Champions League players with the Blues chasing a Premier League return. Backed by the deep pockets of Knighthead Capital and the star power of NFL icon Tom Brady, the Blues are no longer thinking like a club fresh out of League One. Instead, they are daring to dream of mixing it with Europe’s elite within the next two to three seasons, and they’re building a plan to make it happen.

Carnall masterminds radical transfer strategy

According to at the heart of this revolution is Joe Carnall, the Blues’ head of recruitment. Promoted from his role as chief scout last season, Carnall is a self-confessed data obsessive who leans heavily on coding and analytics to shape the club’s transfer vision. His model isn’t about gambling on wonderkids who come good. Instead, Birmingham will only sanction deals for players with years of competitive experience behind them, no matter how much potential a younger prospect may appear to have.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportExperience over potential sets Birmingham apart

The shift in recruitment first took shape last season, when Birmingham’s transfer moves powered them to instant promotion back to the Championship. In an era where rivals stockpile teenagers with high resale value, Birmingham are swimming against the tide. The average age of their 14 new recruits this season, including loans, is 26.1. The philosophy is simple: pick players who can handle the pressure of a gruelling nine-month campaign, rather than prospects who might wilt under the spotlight. While rivals squabble over potential gems, Birmingham are quietly stockpiling seasoned campaigners they believe can fire them back into the top flight after 15 painful years away.

Barreiro and Stroeykens meetings raise eyebrows

The Blues have held talks with Benfica’s Leandro Barreiro, a midfielder with 13 Champions League appearances, and Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens, widely touted as one of Europe’s brightest midfield talents. While both players ultimately decided against dropping down to the Championship, the very fact that Birmingham got in the room with them is seen internally as proof that the project is gathering momentum.

One name that raised even more eyebrows was Emi Buendia. Not since Scott Hogan’s switch in 2020 has a player dared cross the Second City divide from Villa Park to St Andrew’s. Villa were never likely to sanction a cut-price deal, and Buendia opted to stay put. But with less than two years left on his contract, the Blues may test the waters again.

Wagner and Brady’s role behind the scenes

Chairman Tom Wagner and celebrity investor Brady have been painted as simply bankrolling a spending spree. However, insiders are quick to stress otherwise. Every deal has to pass Carnall’s stringent data filters before Wagner even gets involved. This isn’t about throwing cash around; it’s about targeted, strategic investments designed to fast-track Birmingham back among English football’s elite.

Usman Khawaja hopes to start forging something good with Sam Konstas in the West Indies in the lead up to the Ashes

Andrew McGlashan24-Jun-2025

“I’m very attuned to whatever is best for the team [and that] is what I’m trying to do”•Getty Images

Usman Khawaja won’t overstay his welcome in the Australia team but is adamant he has more to contribute and sees a significant role for himself in helping nurture Sam Konstas on his return to Test cricket against West Indies.Khawaja scored a career-best double-century earlier this year against Sri Lanka but his form returned to the spotlight with twin failures against Kagiso Rabada in the World Test Championship final. That continued a trend of lean returns against pace bowling following the challenges posed by Jasprit Bumrah last season and New Zealand’s quicks earlier in 2024. However, speaking after Lord’s, head coach Andrew McDonald all but confirmed that Khawaja’s position was secure for the Ashes later this year.Khawaja, who was the second-highest-scoring opener in the last WTC cycle, behind Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Australia’s leading scorer overall, stands by his longer-term record and believes any downturn is more a symptom of his role in the side at a time when top-order batting has been a challenging prospect. Since the start of 2024 he averages 25.29 against pace, only a little below the global average of all openers of 27.84, compared to 65.80 against spin.Related

McDonald asks for 'a bit of patience' as spotlight remains firmly on Konstas

Australia's new-look batting order 'prepared for anything'

Konstas keen to settle into Test cricket

Voges backs Inglis as top-four Test batter

“I can’t understand how I can [have a problem against seam bowling] if I can score so many runs in [Sheffield] Shield cricket or be the highest run-scorer for Australia in the WTC cycle,” he said in Barbados ahead of the opening Test. “I open the batting for Australia. So I get out to seam more than I get out to anyone else. It’s just part and parcel of the game.”I wish I could face more spinners, but you don’t always get that opportunity. So, I’m facing the new-ball bowlers with the new ball every single time. I went back from Sri Lanka to domestic cricket and scored a hundred against Tasmania. I pretty much faced seam the whole time there [and] against Riley Meredith, who is one of the fastest bowlers in the country.””I understand I’m 38 years old. People will be looking for an excuse. [But] I think I’ve got a role to play: open the batting, starting off, and setting a good platform for Australia.”Since David Warner’s retirement in early 2024, Khawaja has had five opening partners: Steven Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Konstas, Travis Head and, latterly, Marnus Labuschagne in the WTC final. Khawaja spoke of the rapport he built with Warner in their 41 innings together at the top, which included almost a sixth sense of what the other was thinking – “I knew when and where he was going to drop and run a quick single, and I was ready for it” – and hoped to start forging something similar with Konstas in the West Indies with an eye to the Ashes.”With young Sammy coming in, it’s an added role [for me],” he said. “To help Sammy along through his journey, trying to impart as much knowledge as I can. I won’t be around forever. But it’s very important that I can do whatever I can, obviously first and foremost, [to] have a solid partnership between us but then bit of stability at the top [and] also guide him through this journey. He’s still very young, he’s a 19-year-old boy, and it’s quite exciting.”There’s obviously this series and then a big Ashes coming up. [You] probably want a little bit of stability at the top. It’ll be tough to chop and change, and opening is a tough place. Mentally it can be very tough. Going out there against the new ball and sometimes just getting a good ball and low scores.Australia are hoping Sam Konstas is the answer to the spot left vacant by David Warner•Getty Images”I’m just looking forward to playing with Sammy, as much as on the field as helping him off the field. I’ve been through a lot in my life, a lot of ups and downs. There are lots of things I’ve seen throughout my career and most of them are not technical. More mindset things. If I can help Sammy through this journey, especially over the next couple of series, try and impart as much knowledge I can to him.”The Sydney Test at the end of the Ashes is often referenced as a stepping-off point for Khawaja but, unlike Warner, he is not outlining a precise route to retirement. After the England series, Australia won’t play Tests again until Bangladesh visit for a series in the Top End in August.”For me, I feel like I have plenty to give still,” he said. “To be playing this series and the Ashes is the pinnacle. That’s the one we all love winning and being involved in… after that there is a bit of a gap between that and the next Test series. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there but for me it’s about making sure I stay in the moment. Because if I’m not in the moment, I don’t think I’m doing the right thing by myself and the team.”I’m not the guy who’s going, ‘I want to play for another ten years’. I’m very attuned to whatever is best for the team [and that] is what I’m trying to do. I’m not here for myself anymore. I’m here for the team. I could have stopped playing two years ago, really. But I found that I was still contributing, still trying to be the best player for the team at that opening spot, trying to do what I can do, [and] that hasn’t changed for me. When it does, you guys will surely find out.”

Spain have reportedly threatened to boycott the 2026 World Cup if Israel qualify. After a United Nations commission of inquiry stated that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza this week, Spanish government officials say they will "assess" the situation if Ran Ben-Shimon's team make it to next year's tournament in North America.

Spain consider major step

Patxi Lopez, the spokesperson for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, admitted they are considering removing their national team from next year's competition. Israel are third in their UEFA qualifying group and have not qualified for a World Cup since 1970. But next year's expanded 48-team format, which is up from 32 nations, gives them a chance to end that barren run. Incidentally, a new UN report says there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel are currently committing a genocide in Gaza.

AdvertisementAFPSpanish government group will 'not remain silent' over Israel

Lopez said, via RMC Sport: "We will assess the situation at the right time. What we want is for people to realize that if Israeli teams cannot take part in sporting events or Eurovision, some are starting to open their eyes. Because ours are wide open and do not tolerate what they see, which is why we cannot and will not remain silent."

What will FIFA say about this?

FIFA tends to take a firm stance against government intervention in football, and any action is likely to be met with strong consequences. Spain previously threatened to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel took part, and in recent weeks, the prestigious Vuelta a España cycling event was cut short due to pro-Palestine protestors opposing the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team.  Whether Spain would go as far as to boycott a World Cup remains to be seen.

AFPWhat next for Israel in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup?

Israel are currently level on points in their World Cup qualifying group with Italy but have played a game more. Norway lead Group I with 15 points from a possible 15, with Italy and Israel six points back. Israel's next match is away to Norway on October 11, before traveling to Italy three days later.

England's Jude Bellingham reportedly plans to stick by his claim that his Slovakia goal celebration was an in-joke when UEFA quiz him on the matter.

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Bellingham scores against SlovakiaMakes lewd gesture in celebrationUEFA to quiz England man on matterWHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick to take England's last-16 Euro 2024 tie with Slovakia into extra-time – a game they eventually won 2-1. In his celebration, the 21-year-old appeared to make a lewd gesture towards Slovakia's bench, but the Real Madrid star said it was an "inside joke" directed at his friends attending the match. UEFA decided to pursue this matter further, with the governing body looking into whether Bellingham violated the rules of "decent conduct". Now, The Telegraph states the Three Lions ace will not deviate from his stance when questioned by UEFA.

AdvertisementWHAT JUDE BELLINGHAM SAID

After the match, Bellingham tweeted: "🥱❌- An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight (Sunday).🤝🏽"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Crucially for England, the report adds Bellingham is 'not expected' to receive a suspension – if indeed he is punished at all. Slovakia have reportedly not complained to UEFA about the gesture and have not commented on the matter. That means the ex-Borussia Dortmund player may be free to play against Switzerland in England's quarter-final Euro 2024 tie on Saturday.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Bellingham's England side take on Switzerland at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening. The Swiss eased past Italy in a 2-0 victory at the weekend to reach the last eight of the competition.

One Rangers player who only touched the ball 18 times against Benfica will "never" be good enough to be a regular, according to journalist Jonny McFarlane.

Rangers crash out of Europa League

Philippe Clement's side suffered a hugely dispiriting loss on Thursday night, as Benfica came to Ibrox and sealed a 1-0 victory, sending them into the quarter-finals in the process.

Having drawn 2-2 in the first leg in Portugal last week, there was genuine optimism that Rangers would progress, but they failed to hit top gear on the night and were ultimately beaten by a superior side.

It means that the Gers' attention can now return to the priority of the Scottish Premiership the title race, ahead of Sunday's crucial trip to Dundee. They could be one point behind Celtic in the table at that point, assuming their rivals win at home to St Johnstone on Saturday, and another negative result would raise some alarm bells.

The Benfica game saw too many players fall below their usual level, picking a bad match in which to do it, and one individual has come under scrutiny.

Rangers star slammed for anonymous display

Taking to X, McFarlane didn't hold back in his criticism of Cyriel Dessers, saying he can't ever see him being the answer leading the line at Ibrox:

"Rangers go out. Not sharp enough at the top end of the pitch. I will say it again – Dessers not, and never will be a Rangers no.9. That said, very little between the two teams over the ties. Parochialism alert: might not be the worst result for Ibrox club’s domestic ambitions."

According to Sofascore, the 29-year-old only had 18 touches of the ball at Ibrox, highlighting his lack of involvement, and he also didn't register a single shot in the game. For a player leading the line and arguably his team's main goal threat, that isn't good enough.

Minutes played

77

Shots on target

0

Shots off target

0

Touches

18

Aerial duels won

1/5

Ground duels won

3/6

In fairness to Dessers, a tally of 12 goals in 26 Scottish Premiership appearances this season is still perfectly reasonable, but when the level goes up in a big European game, his limitations are exposed, as was the case against Benfica.

Thursday night showed the need to bring in a new striker during the summer transfer window, with recent reports suggesting that Rangers are keen on making Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva's loan moves permanent. Both represent good options, so it would be a shame not to see at least one stay on beyond the end of the season.

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A separate update has also suggested that the Gers will be willing to go big on a striker even if Silva's switch is made permanent, further showing the desire to add attacking firepower to the squad this summer.

Window for negotiation opened ahead of mini-draft ahead of postponed maiden season

Matt Roller24-Sep-2020Teams in the Hundred will be able to retain as many men’s players as they wish for the 2021 competition, as details for next season’s draft were revealed on Thursday.The Hundred, the ECB’s new flagship 100-ball competition, was due to be staged for the first time this summer before the Covid-19 pandemic caused its postponement to 2021. The competition’s regulations had initially allowed teams to retain up to 10 players at a mutually agreed salary band for the second season, but that has been extended to the full squad on account of the delay.In practice, teams are unlikely to retain their entire squads due to a number of factors, including the end of Kolpak status, a lack of clarity over the international calendar, and form over the last 12 months.ALSO READ: Women’s Hundred players given option for contract roll-overThe ECB is due to release a list of centrally-contracted players for 2020-21 – likely to be within the next two weeks – at which point teams will be able to negotiate to retain a player at a mutually-agreed salary. That could be higher or lower than their salary last year, meaning that Dawid Malan (a £40,000 pick by Trent Rockets) could negotiate up after an impressive 12 months, while a player who had struggled for form could agree a deal worth less. As revealed by ESPNcricinfo, all salary bands have been cut by 20% from last year.Teams will have from October through to January in which to negotiate with players and agents, with a mini-draft to follow at some point in early 2021. In that draft, each team will then have a ‘right to match’ option, allowing them to retain players with whom they failed to negotiate a deal, if they have a spot remaining in the draft at the salary band at which another team picks him.Each team will still be able to pick one ‘wildcard’ player, who will be chosen after the T20 Blast season in 2021 and will sign a £24,000 contract for the competition.The early stages of retention will depend on England’s red-ball central contract list, with the competition again set to overlap with a Test series, this time against India, and their Hundred deals falling outside of the main draft system. It is unlikely that many of the 10 players currently with deals will fall off the list, with Jonny Bairstow the main exception, but a handful of players – Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Dom Bess – will come under consideration for red-ball contracts.ESPNcricinfo LtdPlayers with red-ball central contracts both years will be able to be retained. Ultimately, each team will have at least one, and at most two players with a red-ball central contract, which will be confirmed in October.A spokesman for the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) said: “The PCA was supportive of the process in confirming the retention details for the 2021 Men’s Hundred.”The players were consulted through PCA representatives, including those who were not originally contracted for the 2020 Hundred. The PCA Players’ Committee fed back their approval of the process to the ECB which allows players an element of control and freedom to negotiate for 2021 while offering opportunities for those who impressed during the 2020 Vitality Blast.”There will be several sub-plots regarding retentions, not least questions over the availability of certain players on Kolpak deals. Dane Vilas, for example, was signed by Manchester Originals as a top-price pick in last year’s draft. He hopes to continue playing as a local via a UK ancestral visa next year, but would be less likely to command a top salary if competing for one of three overseas spots. Cameron Delport, signed by Birmingham Phoenix, is in the same position.The process for women’s retentions has already been confirmed, with players given more control in that they are able to choose to roll their contracts over at the same salary if they choose to do so.

The matches will serve as a summer slate of friendlies for Emma Hayes and the USWNT

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USWNT announce pair of friendlies vs. Republic of IrelandMatches slated for late JuneSecond set of matches vs. team in past two yearsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The U.S. women's national team have schedule a pair of international friendlies against the Republic of Ireland in late June, U.S. soccer announced Monday. Match one will be played on June 26 at DICK's Sportings Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, and match two on June 29 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The U.S. will also play a third match during the international window on July 2 with an opponent and venue to be announced.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

This will be the second time the U.S. have hosted Ireland in a pair of international friendlies in recent years, with the USWNT sweeping them in April 2023 in matches in Austin, Texas and St. Louis, Missouri.

"Ireland is one of the most difficult European teams to play against, so I’m happy we could get these games,” said Hayes. “We need to play teams that will push us and create an environment where our players have to solve problems and play under pressure. We’re still early in our process of building towards World Cup qualifying for ’27 and we still have a lot of growth to go as a team and as individuals, so these summer matches at these great soccer venues will once again provide a platform for the players to show their abilities to excel at a high level.”

The U.S. has played Ireland 15 times across the program's history, and won every match.

DID YOU KNOW?

DICK's Sporting Goods Park was the venue for Hayes' first match in charge of the USWNT, a victory over the Korea on June 1, 2024.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

The U.S. clash with Brazil in a pair of international friendlies in early April.

Arsenal are now tracking another young Turkish talent as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attack in the transfer windows ahead, it has been reported.

Arsenal weighing up options in attack

Arsenal are believed to be on the hunt for fresh impetus in attack as they look to battle back from an underwhelming start to the Premier League season. The Gunners have struggled to find the net from open play this season and have become over-reliant on set-pieces, while Bukayo Saka is still tasked with much of the creativity and goalscoring.

Goalkeepers aside, the attack is the area that Mikel Arteta has spent the least money on so far during his time in north London, and there were signs last summer that he was ready to change that, with the likes of Nico Williams and Benjamin Sesko both linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, while Alexander Isak remains a long-term target.

Initially signed as a midfielder, Kai Havertz has taken the mantle to lead the line for the Gunners, but despite an impressive goal return since moving to the no.9 spot there are concerns about his finishing, while in the wide areas there is little backup for Bukayo Saka or competition for Gabriel Martinelli, leading to plenty of speculation about incomings.

Position

Players signed

Total cost

Goalkeepers

4

£59m

Defenders

11

£213m

Midfielders

7

£238m

Attackers

5

£128m

Another one of the names that appears regularly is that of Real Madrid talent Arda Güler. The Turkish youngster has struggled for gametime at the Santiago Bernabéu, and is reportedly free to leave on loan in January, something that has caught Arsenal’s attention as they look for more options in that area of the pitch. Now, they are also thought to be tracking his teammate.

Arsenal in race for £66m talent

That is according to Caught Offside, who report that Arsenal are one of four sides keeping tabs on Juventus teenage talent Kenan Yildiz as a potential option to strengthen their frontline.

The 19-year-old is another of Turkey’s young talents, and has linked up with Guler on several occasions for the national side. He was dubbed a “future star attacker” who is “ready to explode at senior level” by Football Analyst Ben Mattinson back in December 2023, and in the time since he has begun to deliver on that prediction, grabbing four goals and three assists so far this season for Juventus, his best senior return yet.

Arsenal now targeting "throwback" defender to bolster Arteta's defence

The Gunners are already looking towards strengthening next summer.

ByBen Browning Dec 9, 2024

That has caught the attention of several clubs including Arsenal, and the report claims that though Juventus do not want to sell their talented forward, an offer around the £66m mark would be enough to tempt them to cash in as they battle their own financial problems.

It is added that alongside Arsenal, “Manchester United, Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund” are also keen as well as Liverpool, with several Premier League scouts having been to watch the Turkish youngster in action in recent weeks.

The former Bayern Munich youngster is capable of playing on either flank or through the middle, though Thiago Motta has used him largely on the left side of attack at Juventus.

That versatility could make him a perfect addition for Arsenal, though they will have to shell out a significant fee to land him.

An ex-Premier League CEO has predicted that Manchester City have "done quite well" in their 115-charge FFP case based on his "trusted sources".

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Man City hit with 115 chargesVerdict from legal battle nearsEx-CEO says City have "done quite well"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

While City await the verdict of a lengthy legal battle after being hit with 115 charges of alleged financial rule breaches by the Premier League, former Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness has weighed in on the matter. According to some of his "trusted sources", Pep Guardiola's men may get a more favourable ruling than some have predicted.

AdvertisementWHAT KEITH WYNESS SAID

He told Football Insider: "All the rumours and there's both sides of the rumour mill are going strongly that Man City are gonna escape, that there's a settlement being done behind the scenes – to the Premier League may well win. So right now you just pick your rumour and see where it goes. My own gut feeling and the sources that I've been trusting so far would tend towards City doing quite well in this case. But I don't think both parties will come out of it unscathed. Let's just wait and see."

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If found guilty, City could face a huge points deduction, but relegation and trophies being chalked off may be more unlikely. Either way, this has been a monumental story in English football and could have a huge impact on the sport going forward as a whole.

GettyWHAT NEXT?

It has been reported that a ruling on this seismic matter is likely to come out before the end of the current season. It is just a matter of wait and see. City are due back in action against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 30.

With Ruben Amorim under increasing pressure at Manchester United, the amount that it would cost INEOS to sack their manager has now been revealed.

Latest on Ruben Amorim's Man Utd future

Victory over Chelsea seemed like a glimmer of hope for many, but the reality is that it just papered over the cracks for Amorim in what has been an historically disastrous tenure. A win over Brentford would have handed the former Sporting Club boss back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time in his 11-month spell and it just about sums things up that the Red Devils came away defeated in West London.

Now, it’s all eyes on Old Trafford and Sunderland’s visit. Lose and that may be that for Amorim, who is still refusing to alter the system which has picked up just nine Premier League wins in 33 games.

With pressure increasing, questions have naturally arrived about who could replace Amorim at Old Trafford, with those questions leading to the likes of Gareth Southgate and Oliver Glasner.

Southgate has been out of a job since leaving his England post and has been mentioned among reports as a candidate to replace Amorim if the manager loses his job at Man United.

That said, he’s not the only one on the list. Reports have also mentioned Crystal Palace manager Glasner, who has taken the Eagles into European football and to a stunning 19-game unbeaten run. If the Red Devils want someone who can transform a side in the Premier League, then he is their man.

Just how much it would cost to take the Austrian out of his role at Palace immediately is another question entirely, however, and it would already cost INEOS more than enough to sack Amorim.

How much it would cost Man Utd to sack Amorim

INEOS didn’t just go all in on their manager when it came to summer signings, they also backed the Portuguese coach from the off when negotiating his contract. Now, after a disastrous spell, it would reportedly cost Man Utd £12m to sack Amorim in what should be seen as a nightmare ending for Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

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It also continues a shocking trend for Man United, who would take their termination costs to as high as £81.8m since Sir Alex Ferguson by relieving Amorim of his duties. For context of how incredibly poor that record is, Liverpool paid £75m to sign Virgil van Dijk in 2018, who has since won every trophy on offer at Anfield and been a part of several thrashings over the Red Devils.

Ferguson’s coaching team

£2.4m

David Moyes

£5.2m

Louis van Gaal

£8.4m

Jose Mourinho

£19.6m

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

£9.1m

Ralf Rangnick

£14.7m

Erik ten Hag

£10.4m

Ruben Amorim*

£12m

Total* if Amorim sacked

£81.8m

When INEOS first hired Amorim, it was their first big call and one that many backed. He was a young, impressive candidate. Now, 11 months on, their first decision is one that looks destined to end in expensive failure.