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Florian Wirtz has been voted as the best player of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season by his fellow players in the German top-flight.

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• Wirtz voted as best player
• Harry Kane in fifth place
• Voted by 216 Bundesliga players

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In a survey where 216 Bundesliga players cast their votes, Bayer Leverkusen hero Wirtz was voted over Bayern Munich star Michael Olise by a margin of four votes. Meanwhile, striker Harry Kane finished fifth behind Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, who excelled at Eintracht Frankfurt.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wirtz won the award by a large margin last year when he helped Leverkusen win their first title in history. However, the margins were closer this season as Bayern dominated the German top-flight, with Olise impressing for Vincent Kompany's side alongside Kane. Despite finishing as the top scorer of the Bundesliga this season, Kane could only muster enough votes to come in fifth place. Olise, Marmoush and Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy all finished ahead of the Englishman.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wirtz scored 10 goals and made 12 assists as Leverkusen finished second in the German top-flight, attracting further interest from Europe's top teams throughout the season.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ?

  Wirtz who has agreed terms with Liverpool, must now wait for his club Leverkusen and Liverpool to agree on a financial compensation between the two clubs.

Former Barcelona players Ivan Rakitic and Javier Saviola are among six La Liga stars accused of being involved in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme.

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• Former footballers caught up in scam
• Six La Liga stars involved in cryptocurrency fraud
• Rakitic and Saviola among those named

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Six La Liga players are currently being investigated over their role in a €3m cryptocurrency and NFT scam, according to . Rakitic and Saviola stand accused along with Nico Pareja, Alejandro Papu Gomez, Lucas Ocampos and Alberto Moreno.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Twelve people have filed a complaint against the Shirtum Europa company and claim to have lost "significant amounts of money" after investing in the scheme which "promised great profits". The report states the players all allowed their image to be used for the project and also supported it with posts on their social media channels. However, the indication is that the players were unaware of the fraudulent nature of the project.

• TELL ME MORE

  Rozencwaig, Manel Angel Torras, Marc Alberto Torras and Manuel Morillas are named as the businesspeople involved in the scan. They allegedly created an app and their own cryptocurrency and planned to sell NFTs of the footballers involved at €450 each. The funds were received from the 12 complainants but the project never went ahead and the businessmen promptly disappeared.

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• WHAT NEXT

  The investigation is set to continue with charges of fraud, misappropriation, asset stripping, tax fraud, and money laundering being considered in relation to the businesspeople involved.

In what could see Liverpool face off against Real Madrid once again, the Reds’ reported target worth £50m has just delivered his verdict on a potential move to the La Liga giants this summer.

Liverpool target delivers Madrid verdict

From Champions League final defeats to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reported decision to swap Anfield for the Bernabeu this summer, Liverpool will be sick of the sight of Real Madrid. The chance to join the Spanish giants is a dream that not many turn down and that seemingly includes Alexander-Arnold, who looks set to ditch his boyhood club for the chance to become a Galactico.

Set to leave as a free agent, the Reds won’t even have the opportunity to profit from one of their academy’s greatest-ever products, but will have to turn towards the transfer market for a replacement nonetheless. Whether replacing such a unique talent is even possible remains to be seen, however.

Liverpool now eyeing shock swoop to sign Newcastle star who silenced Salah

He could replace Alexander-Arnold.

3

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 27, 2025

So far, names such as Jeremie Frimpong have been mentioned the most. The Bayer Leverkusen star would certainly replicate Alexander-Arnold’s attacking output, though question marks still remain over whether the Reds would simply be welcoming another defensive liability.

Away from right-back, meanwhile, Frimpong isn’t the only defensive target that the Premier League’s champions-elect have in mind. According to recent reports, Liverpool have also set their sights on signing Dean Huijsen, with FSG even making contact in pursuit of the defender who has a release clause worth just £50m at Bournemouth.

Once again, however, the Reds could be left cursing Real Madrid after Huijsen delivered his official verdict on a summer switch to the Bernabeu – claiming that it’s an “honour” to have such interest.

Having already seemingly lost their battle to keep Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool could now be forced to watch on as their defensive target joins their academy product in Madrid this summer.

"Phenomenal" Huijsen is not one to miss out on

Almost a year on from his departure, Juventus are paying the price for showing Huijsen the door. At just 19 years old, the defender has taken the Premier League by storm and looks destined to reach the top of European football once again this summer. Dubbed “phenomenal” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Liverpool should go all out for the Spaniard’s signature.

With Van Dijk currently heading towards the same free-agent status as Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool could even turn towards Huijsen to replace their defensive leader.

The young Spaniard would struggle to be the leader that the Dutchman is, but the stats show that he could be just as talented in the coming years. At this stage though, it seems as though it’s talent that Real Madrid are also well aware of ahead of the summer transfer window.

AC Milan and Atletico Madrid have reached agreement for the sale of Theo Hernandez after the player closed the door on a move to Saudi Arabia.

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• AC Milan and Atletico finalise terms
• Hernandez's final call was to join Simeone
• French defender returns to Metropolitano

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Milan hoped to cash-in on Hernandez by selling him to Al-Hilal but the move faltered after the French defender chose to continue his journey in Europe. He prioritised a move back to Madrid and, per , a deal is on the verge of being signed with the terms finalised and agreed upon by all the parties.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Diego Simeone's side ultimately benefited from Hernandez's final decision to remain in Europe and reject a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia. Although Milan were unimpressed by Atleti's initial offer, they were compelled to accept the lower bid given the time constraints. With the French defender's contract running until 2026, the Italian club opted to accept Los Colchoneros' offer rather than risk losing him for free.

• TELL ME MORE

  The clubs have agreed upon a transfer fee of €23 million (£19m/$26m) in addition to bonuses. Atleti has secured a favourable deal, reportedly paying €15m (£13m/$17m) less than Hernandez's €40m(£34m/$46m) market value. With this deal closed, the Spanish club has now successfully completed three transfers, the other two being the permanent signing of Clement Lenglet from Barcelona and Juan Musso from Atalanta.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO MADRID?

  Simeone's side have landed in Los Angeles as they prepare to kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Champions League winners PSG on 16 June.

Turning their attention towards the summer transfer window, Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race to sign a 15-goal striker who’s already had the seal of approval from Alan Shearer.

Newcastle join £63m striker race

For the first time in two transfer windows, the Magpies could be ready to splash the cash this summer. Fresh from their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool to end 70 years of hurt, the rumours have come thick and fast over just who Eddie Howe could welcome with open arms this summer.

Names such as Senne Lammens and Dean Huijsen have been just two names among those rumours, with the latter particularly attracting attention from across both Europe and the Premier League.

Newcastle monitoring "special" record-breaking wonderkid who idolises Neymar

He’s some talent.

By
Barney Lane

Mar 24, 2025

That attention should come as no surprise too. The Bournemouth defender has enjoyed a fantastic first season in the Premier League and has a release clause worth just £50m waiting to be triggered this summer. Whether Newcastle can jump ahead of the likes of Real Madrid in pursuit of his signature remains to be seen, however.

Meanwhile, Huijsen’s not the only target with a release clause that the Magpies could trigger when the summer arrives. According to TeamTalk, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Matheus Cunha, who will be allowed to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers for a hefty £63m in the coming months.

The Brazilian has dragged Wolves to safety at times this season and opted to stay put during the January transfer window in an attempt to finish the job. Given that the Midlands club now sit as many as eight points clear of the dropzone, it’s fair to say it is all but job well done for Cunha and his teammates.

Now, the forward’s attention could turn back towards a summer exit, which may yet end with a trip to St James’ Park.

"Magnificent" Cunha has been more clinical than Isak

Those in Tyneside are, of course, well aware of what a top striker can do to a side after watching on as Alexander Isak steals the headlines week in, week out. In just a few months time, however, they could get double the joy if Cunha arrives to form a deadly partnership with the Swede – potentially taking Howe’s side to a new level.

Cunha has already received the ultimate Newcastle seal of approval too, earning the praise of Alan Shearer who told the Rest Is Football podcast: “He was unbelievable again.

“The goal he scored, the one he bent in the top corner was an unbelievable finish. He was superb, Gary O’Neil had to talk about him again after the game, there’s no doubt he’s getting the best out of him. He’s been one of the players of the season up to now, he’s been magnificent as he was again (vs Fulham).”

What’s more, if there were any concerns that the Wolves man wouldn’t be able to match Isak’s standards then the stats should quickly put those to bed, with 15 goals in all competitions this season.

Overperforming his expected finishing rate in the top flight by over six goals, Cunha has been incredibly clinical and will no doubt find himself at the centre of a transfer saga this summer.

Manchester City are now reportedly seriously hopeful about signing a Premier League rival who would instantly replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne when the summer arrives.

De Bruyne announces departure

Bringing an end to what has been an incredible decade at Manchester City, in which he became an undeniable Premier League legend, De Bruyne took to social media to announce that he will be leaving the Etihad this summer. With his contract coming to an end, the Beglian will bow out a free agent and look towards the closing chapter of a sensational career.

Announcing the news, De Bruyne released a statement which read: Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.

Not just KDB: Man City could lose "incredible" ace as UCL club make contact

It’s set to be a busy summer at the Etihad…

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 5, 2025

“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first.

“Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This City. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won everything.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts. This will always be our HOME.

“We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.

“Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB.”

Whilst De Bruyne’s exit will be an emotional one, Manchester City have seemingly wasted no time before turning their attention towards signing the heir to his Etihad throne.

Man City hopeful about signing Morgan Rogers

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are now seriously hopeful about signing Morgan Rogers this summer in what would need to be a mammoth deal for the Aston Villa star. Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that the Sky Blues were swinging open the exit door for the midfielder to join Middlesbrough, only for that decision to become a major regret ever since.

A player that Pep Guardiola reportedly loves, Rogers could instantly replace De Bruyne and earn Manchester City redemption – achieving the dream he had as an academy product all those years ago in the process.

Outperforming De Bruyne when it comes to output – albeit whilst playing far more minutes – Rogers is only just getting started in the Premier League. With his performances this season dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, it may not be too long before the midfielder finds himself back on his way towards the Etihad.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says he is "very excited" about new signing Mathys Tel, while laying out his plan for the ex-Bayern Munich man.

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• Tel signs permanently for Tottenham
• Frank sworn in as new Spurs boss
• Issues verdict on £30m transfer deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 20-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan at Tottenham, and last weekend, the club confirmed he had joined on a permanent deal. Shortly after leaving Brentford for Spurs, the Dane has talked up the forward's quality, while pinpointing where he can improve.

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  WHAT FRANK SAID

  He said in a club interview: "Very, very excited about Mathys signing with a permanent deal. I think he's a very talented player that can play across the front four positions. He's a goalscorer that we can develop even further to be more consistent in his all-round game but also to more consistently land in the right positions in the box. So I'm looking forward to it."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tel made 20 appearances for Tottenham during his loan stint, scoring three goals along the way. The France Under-21 international, arguably, flattered to deceive in that time, and now Frank will be charged with getting the best out of the youngster. This is one of many big tasks the ex-Bees manager will have after sacking Ange Postecoglou earlier this month.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Tel, who joined Tottenham from Bayern for £30m ($40.3m) on a six-year deal after successfully negotiating down his £45m ($60.5m) price tag, will likely begin his pre-season training next month. For now, he is representing his country at the Under-21 Euros.

AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani has dismissed reports of Mike Maignan forcing his way out of the club, claiming the offers received for the goalkeeper to be uninteresting.

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• Milan CEO addresses Chelsea offer
• Club rejected 'not interesting' proposal
• Maignan still in Italian side's plan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea approached Milan to sign Maignan as the London club look for a long-term replacement for Roberto Sanchez, but the Italian club rejected the offer, considering it not aligned with the club's interest and citing low transfer fees.

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  Maignan's contract with Milan runs out in June 2026. The Blues, inspired by Tijjani Reijnders' steal deal by Manchester City, opted to strengthen their goalkeeping spot with Maignan. However, Furlani was not interested in the reportedly €15 million (£13m/$17m) offered for the French goalkeeper and rejected it.

• WHAT FURLANI SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Furlani said: "There was interest from an English club, it was not considered an interesting interest from the club's point of view. Mike was and is an important player for Milan, and his agent was also very correct. There was openness to this interest but at the same time there was an interest on their part, not a forcing or a push, to stay at Milan. Then in the medium-long term future, those who live will see."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MILAN?

  Milan want to bring Granit Xhaka to San Siro from Bayer Leverkusen; the Swiss international has greenlit the move, but the clubs have still not agreed on the transfer fee. This could lead to a double blow for Milan, as their bid for Valencia's midfielder Javi Guerra was also reportedly rejected, deeming it unsatisfactory. With these rejections, the club will have to intensify it's effort for a midfield revolution.

Barcelona are set to open talks with Manchester United over the signing of Marcus Rashford.

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• Barcelona to open Rashford talks
• Forward keen to leave Man Utd
• La Liga champions want a winger

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford has been a rumoured target all summer and wants to leave Manchester United, GOAL understands, with La Liga's champions ready to make their move. Barca are finally set to begin negotiations with United, according to.

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  Rashford can benefit from Nico Williams' rejection of Barca, the Spain forward deciding he could not risk being left unregistered by Hansi Flick's outfit. The club are now turning to other options, with Liverpool's Luis Diaz also said to be under consideration too.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The report states that Rashford is "determined" to make the move. He spoke recently of his desire to play with Lamine Yamal, saying, "everyone wants to play with the best".

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  For now, Rashford has made it clear he intends to play a "full part" in Manchester United pre-season, which begins on Monday.

The Spanish giants were played off the park in their Club World Cup semi-final, highlighting the gap between them and the European champions

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The world Fabian Ruiz used was “completeness.”

It was full time of PSG’s 4-0 beat down of Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, and he knew what his team had done. This was a comprehensive victory, the kind that seldom happens in any semi final – never mind in a major tournament against such a big club. But the Parisians were good value for every goal, entirely justified in the score line. There was no luck here, no points of controversy, no isolated situations that might have changed the flow, course or vibes of the game. PSG had absolutely battered Los Blancos.

The win served as a seminal moment in a year full of them. PSG have made fools of pretty much every other big club in Europe at this point. To them, Madrid is another scalp, another big team taken down. This doesn't even feel .

But the Madrid perspective is far more damning. This loss proved just how far off they are from the very best in Europe. Los Blancos so often talk about how they are the biggest club in the world. It's an assertion that they are usually able to back up with performances. But here, they looked like a shadow of a top class team, a work in progress trying to play with the global elite – and failing miserably.

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  What the Club World Cup meant

  There was a sense that this meant something bigger for Florentino Perez. They spent the season being ritually bloody nosed by Europe, comfortably second best to Barcelona in La Liga, and far off the pace in the Champions League. This tournament, silly to some, was a chance for Los Blancos to reassert themselves as the best team in club football.

  And there's certainly something to be said for that. The CWC can be mocked, disparaged, and cast aside as a Gianni Infantino vanity project. But at the end of the day, the winner is still a world champion that gets to lift a very heavy, very shiny trophy. That feels real.

  It's the kind of thing Madrid like. If times are hard, if results are bad, if vibes are poor, they can always point to a trophy cabinet that is absolutely packed. That, of course, comes with its faults. There is no such thing as being second best for them (third is unthinkable.) Every Blancos loss comes with an inquest, every win is almost criticized for not being perfect enough. Referees are blamed for losses. There is, more broadly, no correct way to secure three points – unless it's by remarkable, heroic circumstances, ideally over Manchester City in the Champions League.

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  A thorough battering

  This, then, was the ultimate psychological blow. Madrid weren't beaten here as much as blown away. They flirted with an equitable contest for all of five minutes. Kylian Mbappe did some nice things on the ball, Vinicius Jr looked awkward – but momentarily effective – on the right. They poked and prodded, but the Parisians didn't flinch.

  And then PSG turned it on. The first goal was due to some shambolic defending. Raul Asencio – brought in here in lieu of the suspended Dean Huijsen – fumbled too long on the ball in the box. Ousmane Dembele intercepted, fell, but rolled the ball into the path of Ruiz, who tucked into the bottom corner.

  Three minutes later, the Parisians were at it again. And this time Antonio Rudiger played culprit-in-chief, hesitating on the ball as Dembele charged him down. He glanced to his right, hoping to find an open Asencio. But Dembele was too rapid, and after cutting off the passing lane, nicked possession, ran through on goal, and finished past a stranded Courtois.

  The third was no fault of Madrid's. Sure, Mbappe might have reacted slightly quicker after losing the ball high up the pitch, but PSG charged immediately. Achraf Hakimi found Dembele, who swiveled and, without looking, pinged a ball into space for the Moroccan. Hakimi stretched his legs, outran the breathless Fran Garcia, and squared for Ruiz, who completed his brace. After 24 minutes, this was a mauling. The referee called for the first of four hydration breaks over the course of 90 minutes. Madrid looked relieved to have a second to breathe.

  Khvicha Kvaratskhelia might have made it four before the half time whistle – but fired wide. Madrid kept it mercifully comfortable in the second half, even as PSG decided to largely stop playing football. Still, there was one final blow. This time it was Goncalo Ramos, bought for nearly nine figures two years ago but now very much a backup. He took Bradley Barcola's feed, pivoted, evaded a sliding defender and tucked home from six yards. Massacre complete.

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  In front of their own fans

  Before the game, though, there was hope. MetLife Stadium was an optimistic sea of very hot white before kickoff. The train to the stadium was littered with pale Blancos jerseys, with PSG shirts sparse and awkward. "Hala Madrid" was heard as a catch phrase at ticket scanners and in the halls of tunnels between tracks. One Parisian tried to start a PSG chant, but received daggers from Madrid fans before he could be joined in any sort of vocal support. It was a gross, hot, humid and sticky day for football, but Madrid fans came into it with a sense of belief.

  And before the first whistle, you could feel it. Madrid players were cheered loudly in the still-comical individual intros. The boos outrang the applause as each PSG player walked in. This was always going to feel like something of a Madrid home game – such is the global appeal of their fan base. But the magnitude of the discrepancy in fans between the two sides was remarkable, a tiny pocket of Parisian dark blue behind one goal serving as the only real area of French camaraderie (although they were loud throughout).

  If there is one thing that Madrid fans must be applauded for, overall, though, is their sense of authenticity. Indeed, as soon as those in white started struggling, the boos rained down. Asencio was jeered. Rudiger was taunted. Even Mbappe, the guy Madrid fans have stuck with despite the controversy he has brought alongside his remarkable goalscoring production, was mocked as he toiled against his former club.

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  Not at the same level

  That all felt a bit unfair, though. It must be admitted that it is seldom right to feel sorry for Madrid. They can spend more than pretty much anyone else, and make a ritual of pinching the best players from every other big team in Europe. This is the Galactico model: sign the big names, disregard what everyone thinks.

  Still, as they were outran, outmuscled and outplayed by a superior team, it became clear just how significant the difference is between these two sides. It was like watching men playing boys, senior pros beating up on a U-12 side in a sick, twisted scrimmage. Madrid are a very, very good football team. They may be tactically awkward, and still a work in progress under a manager still tinkering with his tactics. But they are a sublime collection of remarkably skilled individuals. Against most teams, on most days, that is enough. This CWC has served as pretty compelling evidence for that.

  PSG are not most teams, though. Luis Enrique spent the final year of Kylian Mbappe's tenure beta-testing how to put together an effective side, and had no problems benching his soon-to-depart star. He remarked, certainly with a wink and a nudge, that when Mbappe left that he could finally work with a group of dedicated footballers. And what a magnificent job this has been. PSG are a finely balanced unit, dominant in midfield, devastating up front, and brave in their defensive positioning. They don't play with a recognized striker, and still scored 92 goals in 34 Ligue 1 games. That takes truly sublime coaching.

  They executed every principle with aplomb here. When they lost the ball, they simply won it back. When Madrid pressed, they passed through them. When Madrid went long, PSG caught them offside. By the end of it all, they had completed almost three times as many passes – and that was after they had removed Ruiz and his tempo-setting aplomb from the field.