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It will be fascinating to see what the future holds for Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish. It certainly seems like it will be away from the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola saying earlier in the summer that “I don’t know” if he will leave.

There have been links with a move away, of course. The most recent club to enquire about the 29-year-old was Everton. It was reported earlier this week that the Toffees were keen to accelerate a deal with City over a season-long loan for the England international, although it remains to be seen if a move will progress this summer.

Instead, City could use Grealish as part of a deal to sign a long-term target, who they are once again linked with, and could be the second coming of the England international.

Man City’s Grealish solution

It has recently been reported by Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola that City could look to use Grealish as a makeweight in a deal to sign West Ham United and Brazil attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer.

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That would see City’s number 10 move to the London Stadium, and they manage to knock money off the £50m package the Hammers have requested for Paqueta. A player plus cash deal is something the Citizens are ‘pushing’ to do this summer.

The former Lyon midfielder has been a long-term target for Guardiola, and the club have assessed a possible transfer for the last few summers.

In theory, this part-exchange deal is smart business from City, but Grealish would also need to be open to the move to the capital, or else it would fall through.

Why Paqueta would be a good signing

At 27 years of age, Paqueta is the talisman of this West Ham side, along with captain Jarrod Bowen. Last season, the versatile Brazilian was not at his best, but when at the top of his game, he is a “magical” player, according to Statman Dave.

Indeed, it was a quiet campaign for the former Flamengo midfielder. He failed to register an assist in any competition, playing 36 games in total. He did find the back of the net five times, with four of those strikes coming in the Premier League.

Generally speaking, though, the numbers that Paqueta has put up during his West Ham career have been strong. He’s played 120 games for the Hammers, scoring 18 times and assisting a further 14.

His most memorable assist in Claret and Blue came in the Europa Conference League final, where he teed up Bowen with a perfectly-weighted through ball for the winner.

In many ways, the 27-year-old would join City as the direct replacement for Grealish. The England international does seem like he will leave the club this summer, with West Ham now seeming like a possible destination amid their move for Paqueta.

In 157 appearances as a City player, Grealish found the back of the net 17 times and assisted 23. His best season came in the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, where he contributed 16 goal involvements.

There are similarities between both players, which could make Paqueta seem like the second coming of Grealish. Both were one of the best players at their previous, or in Paqueta’s case, current clubs. Indeed at Aston Villa, the Englishman “was the talisman and everything went through him”, as per Dave Woodhall, editor of Villa fanzine Heroes & Villains.

Their versatility is a key trait, too. Grealish has played on both wings, as a number 10, a number eight and even as a striker for City. Likewise, so has the West Ham star in East London, as well as playing as a number six.

Comparing the numbers on FBref of each player since Paqueta has been a Premier League player, it is easy to see the similarities.

For example, the Brazil star averaged 1.56 passes into the penalty box and 0.43 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, compared to Grealish’s 2.11 passes into the penalty area and 0.62 goal-creating actions each game.

Whatever way City decide to structure this deal, it seems like Paqueta could become the second coming of Grealish. There are plenty of similarities between the two, and Guardiola would love the 27-year-old to replicate the impact City’s number 10 has had at times.

For £50m, or exchanging Grealish and rescuing the fee, this is certainly an exciting deal for City fans.

Not Paqueta: Pep could land his new Iniesta at Man City in £52m “genius”

Manchester City target £52m-rated La Masia graduate dubbed the ‘Next Iniesta’

By
Will Miller

Aug 4, 2025

Luis Enrique may be enjoying success in Paris, but the pull of Barcelona remains strong. The Spanish coach, who guided Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League triumph last season, still dreams of returning to the Camp Nou one day. With two years left on his contract in France, though, a move may be far away.

• Enrique’s enduring Barcelona dream

  Enrique remains hopeful of one day managing Barcelona again. The Spaniard spent three years at the Camp Nou between 2014 and 2017, winning a historic treble in his first season and cementing his place as a club legend. Despite being contracted to PSG until 2027, he has made it clear within his close circle that a return to Catalunya would delight him, according to .

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  Glory in Paris but eyes on Catalonia

  Since taking over Les Parisiens in 2023, the Asturian has guided the French giants to remarkable success, including their first-ever Champions League title last season. While he is settled in Paris and continues to build on that legacy, his attachment to the Catalan giants has not faded. He often admits to missing life in the city, though he has publicly stressed his commitment to honouring contracts.

• Election year shifts the landscape

  Barcelona's looming presidential elections could open a potential pathway for Enrique’s return. Such changes often reshape the managerial landscape at Camp Nou, and the former Spain coach is well aware of this. Still, Hansi Flick’s strong start and a deal running until 2027 make any short-term comeback unlikely.

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  A reunion on the horizon

  The conversation may remain hypothetical for now, but the football calendar is about to serve up an emotional reunion. In less than two weeks, Barcelona will face PSG in the Champions League group stage, pitting Enrique against the club where he left his greatest mark as a coach.

Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry revealed a rare quality that Harry Kane brings to Vincent Kompany's side. The striker is proving unstoppable in Bavaria. The England captain struck yet another hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 4–1 demolition of Hoffenheim, his second treble of the Bundesliga campaign and ninth since landing in Germany.

• Ruthless Kane tormenting Bundesliga

  Against Hoffenheim, Kane’s goals came in typical ruthless fashion, breaking the deadlock just before the interval and then coolly dispatching two penalties in the second half. With 13 goals in just seven matches across all competitions, Kane has fired Bayern to a flawless start to the season and firmly established himself as the main man under Kompany.

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  Gnabry lifts lid on Kane’s secret weapon

  Gnabry has now given an insight into what makes Kane more than just a goal machine. Speaking to the winger insisted Kane brings a rare quality to Bayern’s set-up; a selfless edge.

  "Harry is incredibly important to our game," he admitted. "What he gives in the game, not just his goals, which speak for themselves. His numbers, but also how he commits to the team. That's very, very important, and you rarely have a player like that on your team, who plays like that and then contributes like that."

• No egos in Bayern’s frontline

  Gnabry also pointed out the chemistry within Bayern’s revamped forward line, which now includes Luis Díaz and Michael Olise alongside Kane. The former Arsenal man revealed that harmony in the dressing room has been just as vital as the quality on the pitch.

  "Playing with Luis is fun," he revealed. "But we also have a really good chemistry with Michael and Harry. There's no one there, which is very important, who has a huge ego, who wants to be the frontrunner. I think that helps a team immensely."

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  Eyes now on Bremen and Europe

  Kane’s next challenge comes this weekend against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga as Bayern look to continue their perfect domestic run. But the real test of his influence will come a few days later when the German champions jet off to Cyprus for a Champions League showdown with Pafos on October 1.

Manchester United are set to go all out in their pursuit of a midfield general and could now be set to raid one of Europe’s top-five leagues to land their man, according to a report.

Manchester United pull out of Carlos Baleba deal

In recent days, Carlos Baleba had become Manchester United’s main target as Ruben Amorim looks to find someone to set the tone in the engine room, but the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder would cost a club record fee and INEOS have since pulled out of a deal, as per David Ornstein.

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The Cameroon international has remained in training with the Seagulls throughout the short saga and his boss Fabian Hurzeler is ‘very confident’ he will stay on the South Coast, with Brighton’s lofty 9-digit valuation seemingly turning away United’s advances, at least for this summer.

While that pursuit looks to have faded away, Manchester United also have Sevilla star Lucien Agoume on their radar as they look to build a side worthy of competing against the Premier League elite.

To raise financial capital, sales may also be necessary at Old Trafford to generate funds to sanction incomings. In unusual fashion, there is even talk that Jadon Sancho could be used as a makeweight to land Baleba before the close of play.

Lessons appear to be learned from Manuel Ugarte’s frustrations since moving to the Red Devils. There is still a major appetite for arrivals at the club, but INEOS are adopting a policy of recruiting the best in class to help their mission.

Despite being some way below their former glories, Manchester United are a club that will always hold appeal to the world’s finest stars, and they could now be about to use that charm in their quest to bring in an all-action midfielder who could be an alternative to Baleba.

Manchester United turn attention to Mikel Jauregizar

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have identified Athletic Club midfielder Mikel Jauregizar as a target. The Spain international is valued due to his versatile nature and ability to cover ground, which led Ben Mattinson to label him “Mr Consistent” last season after a return of three goals and three assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.

Manchester United now in contact to sign £30m+ Adidas-sponsored defender

The Red Devils are ready to add to their backline…

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By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jul 25, 2025

Of course, he scored a stunner at Old Trafford as his side lost 7-1 on aggregate in the Europa League semi-final. However, his contribution to the tie will definitely be remembered by supporters.

Agoume is mentioned again, and so is long-term Manchester United target Javi Guerra, illustrating that INEOS are putting in the leg work to find an exciting midfield addition for Amorim.

After a dreadful campaign last term, exciting times are on the horizon at Old Trafford and there is plenty of anticipation over who could be set to sign on the dotted line.

Arsenal are believed to still be pursuing Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, despite recently adding Eberechi Eze to their ranks alongside fellow attacking stars Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

The north Londoners also agreed a new deal with Leandro Trossard, which includes a pay rise, so the Belgian won’t be going anywhere this summer with two years remaining on the contract (BBC).

Eze, while viewed as a central playmaker to fill the void left by Kai Havertz’s injury, can also play on the left-wing when required, so it would seem that Arteta has more than enough options on that side with Gabriel Martinelli too.

On the right, Arsenal also have Madueke and star man Bukayo Saka, so any move for Rodrygo at this very late stage of the window would be both a surprise and a real statement of intent from Andrea Berta.

Berta has been linked with a move for the Brazil international all summer, holding exploratory talks as far back as May, and that interest apparently remains.

The 24-year-old, who scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions last season, was left out of Brazil’s latest international squad by Carlo Ancelotti – which has cast further doubt on his future.

While Rodrygo started Los Blancos’ latest La Liga win over Real Oviedo, he was benched for their opening weekend win over Osasuna, and Xabi Alonso’s hesitancy to start the winger regularly appears to be having consequences.

What Real Madrid have told Rodrygo's agents with Arsenal deal on

As per journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, intermediaries are working on a potential Arsenal or Man City deal for Rodrygo behind-the-scenes.

What’s more, Real have sent a clear message to Rodrygo and his reps – that he’s free to leave before the deadline on September 1.

However, when it comes to the ‘right offer’, this still may be too high for Arsenal or City.

According to reliable media sources, the lowest bid Real could entertain for him as we approach deadline day is around £51.5 million, which is still a hefty sum considering Berta is also trying to sign Piero Hincapie to replace the potentially exit-bound Jakub Kiwior.

That being said, a player of Rodrygo’s quality and versatility would add even more dynamism to Arsenal’s attack, and amid serious competition from Liverpool, it could be something worth considering.

Jamie Carragher admits that Liverpool are missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Reds' class of 2025-26 yet to click into gear. Arne Slot spent heavily during the summer transfer window, with record-shattering deals being completed for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. They are yet to settle in new surroundings, with the Premier League title holders considered to be missing creative and attacking sparks.

• Faultless start ended after huge summer spending spree

  Slot’s side did open the 2025-26 season in faultless fashion, with a flurry of late goals allowing priceless points to be picked up at home and abroad. Liverpool were not entirely convincing, though, and they have now suffered back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray in domestic and Champions League competition.

  Dutch coach Slot has taken to getting creative with his selections at times, delivering a mixed bag of results and performances, with the Reds still ironing out flaws in a new-look side. German playmaker Wirtz, who cost £116 million ($156m), is waiting on his first goal contribution – with the talented 22-year-old yet to deliver on lofty expectations. He is being charged with the task of picking holes in opposition defences and making Liverpool more fluid when operating on the front foot.

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  How much do Liverpool miss Alexander-Arnold?

  Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold is proving to be a big miss in that process, with the Merseyside native having stepped out of his comfort zone when running his contract down and linking up with Real Madrid. Reds legend Carragher wrote in his column for : "It sounds odd to say it, but Wirtz was signed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold – a No 10 to provide the passing range and creativity of a unique full-back. He is yet to add what Liverpool are missing without Alexander-Arnold, while at the same time the team has lost the intensity which made them so difficult to play against. It means Slot has a dilemma as he tries to defend the title going through a transitional phase that might take longer than many thought. He must decide whether to regroup and temporarily revert to the strategy of last season, accommodating Wirtz in a different role or leaving him out entirely until he is up to speed with English football.

  "Or he might persist with his vision believing more short-term pain might be necessary until it clicks. The latter would be dangerous because even with all the credit in the bank from his title win, there is immense pressure to keep winning, especially when you have spent a combined £230m on two players who are supposed to be ready-made to take a championship-winning side to the next level. Slot excelled by moulding Klopp’s signings into a better team. Now he has to repeat the trick with his own recruits."

• Why Liverpool wobble is a good thing

  Carragher is not overly concerned about Liverpool’s recent wobble, with it important for them to come through some testing times in order to prove their worth as defending champions. He went on to say: "Part of me is worried by how Liverpool have played so far. Another part of me is excited and reassured. It is exciting because I am looking forward to seeing how Slot goes about making the necessary adjustments and improvements. It is reassuring because creating and maintaining a winning team has to require much more than signing huge cheques, otherwise the chasing pack might as well give up. You need to build connections, and dedicate hours on the training pitch to ensure everyone knows what is demanded with and without the ball so the balance is right.

  "Liverpool spent nearly £450m on new players over the summer, regardless of how much they recouped via sales. For the greater good of English football, it would have been disheartening had that level of investment led to instant brilliance. Just like Chelsea have discovered after spending £1.5bn over the past three years, there should be no shortcuts to success."

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  Liverpool fixtures: Chelsea test for the Reds

  Liverpool, who have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to two points by Arsenal, will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Chelsea. That contest will take them into the next international break, with the likes of Wirtz and Isak preparing to head off with their respective countries.

Barcelona have received a crucial boost ahead of the first Clasico of the season as star winger Lamine Yamal returns to training after a groin setback sustained against Paris Saint-Germain and missing Spain’s international fixtures. With Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo also sidelined, Yamal’s recovery is timely, offering coach Hansi Flick fresh attacking options for the challenging run of games leading to Real Madrid.

• Lamine Yamal is back in training for Barcelona

  Barcelona has received a much-needed lift with the return of the 18-year-old winger to training this week. Yamal made an early comeback after being sidelined for a couple of weeks, arriving just in time for the club's congested fixture list. The club confirmed the news with a video posted on their official social media. However, this positive development is tempered by new injuries to key players Torres and Olmo, who suffered injury setbacks during the recent World Cup qualifiers with Spain.

  Coach Flick has previously voiced his deep frustration with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), criticising their handling of the players' fitness. The cases of Yamal and Olmo are similar: both players reported discomfort upon joining the Spain camp for the qualifiers but were reportedly still pushed to train.

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  How Barcelona plans to reintegrate Yamal

  Yamal’s return to training marks a key step in Barcelona’s preparation. The plan is to gradually integrate him, starting with Wednesday sessions, and potentially featuring as a substitute against Girona this weekend. If all goes well, he could start in the Champions League clash against Olympiacos, setting him up to be fully available for the Bernabeu clash. This news is especially reassuring considering Barca's growing injury concerns, with many key players sidelined in recent weeks.

• Torres and Olmo injuries heightens pressure on Flick

  Torres has been ruled out of Spain’s match against Bulgaria with a muscle overload, while Olmo’s calf injury will likely keep him out for three to four weeks, almost certainly ruling him out of the Clasico. These setbacks pile pressure on the Barca coach to manage rotation and attacking options. Torres’ sharp form had been a highlight for Barcelona, while Olmo’s creativity and movement are missed. The team must adapt quickly to maintain attacking consistency ahead of the crucial fixtures.

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  All eyes set on El Clasico

  With Yamal back in training, Blaugrana now focus on managing their squad across a congested schedule: Girona in La Liga on October 18, Olympiacos in the Champions League on October 21, and finally El Clasico against Madrid on October 26. Flick must carefully navigate player fitness, tactical rotations and form recovery to ensure his team is competitive. Yamal’s reintegration offers a key attacking spark, providing optimism amid a challenging period and potentially tipping the scales in the Bernabeu showdown.

Manchester City have now received an offer for a £90k-a-week player, who Pep Guardiola has previously described as “exceptional”.

Pep questioned after deadline day Donnarumma signing

The emphatic 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers to kick the season off was arguably a false start for Man City, who have since been brought back down to earth with consecutive defeats, most recently suffering a late 2-1 loss away at Brighton.

As such, Guardiola has already made the big call to bring in a new goalkeeper, with City completing the deadline day signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is seemingly set to displace James Trafford in the starting XI.

There are some question marks over the signing of Donnarumma, given that the Italian isn’t regarded as a ‘Pep keeper’, as he is not well-known to be particularly impressive with the ball at his feet.

Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said: “Donnarumma had a really good season with PSG and was instrumental in PSG winning the Champions League. He is OK with his feet but he is not Ederson – no-one is Ederson.”

With Ederson departing to join Fenerbahce, City are back to having four goalkeepers on the books, with Marcus Bettinelli also arriving this summer, but they now have a decision to make about the future of Stefan Ortega.

That is because a report from Sporx (via Sport Witness) has revealed that Trabzonspor have made a bid for Ortega, with the Turkish Süper Lig side keen to bring in a new goalkeeper before their transfer window comes to a close.

Ortega is not the only option available to the Turkish side, however, with it being revealed they have also been offered the opportunity to sign Manchester United’s Andre Onana, who is seemingly being forced out following the arrival of Senne Lammens.

"Exceptional" Ortega should be allowed to move on

Following Donnarumma’s arrival, the £90k-a-week goalkeeper is unlikely to have any opportunities, with Trafford ahead of him in the pecking order, while Bettinelli is also on the books in the case of a real emergency.

Every Premier League Club's Net Spend in 25/26 Summer Transfer Window

Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice…

By
Ben Goodwin

Sep 2, 2025

As such, Man City should sanction the 32-year-old’s departure, despite the fact he has impressed at times in a City shirt, with Guardiola saying in the 2022/23 campaign: “The way he’s played in Carabao Cup and FA Cup so far. Even in the Champions League when he played against Dortmund.

“We were qualified but fighting for the first position. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Exceptional.”

The German has been at the Etihad Stadium for two Premier League title triumphs, and famously played a pivotal role in the 2023-24 campaign, producing a crucial save to deny Son Heung-min in the penultimate game of the season.

That said, Pep is now well-stocked in the goalkeeper department, so there is no reason to stand in Ortega’s way if more clubs come calling.

As Ruben Amorim will attest to, it’s not a great time to be the current Manchester United manager, with the Portuguese staring down the barrel after collecting just 31 points from 31 Premier League games in charge.

Whether it is comfort to him or not, it is also worth noting that it isn’t exactly ideal to be a former United boss either, with the past few weeks having seen numerous high-profile names depart their posts.

Indeed, Jose Mourinho’s failure to steer Fenerbahce into the Champions League saw him replaced last month, with the enigmatic coach now looking set to return to his homeland amid the chance to replace Bruno Lage at Benfica.

Elsewhere in Turkey, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s own European misfortunes ensured he was relieved of his role at Besiktas that same week, with the Norwegian’s first coaching position since leaving Old Trafford having lasted just over six months.

Perhaps the most brutal of the lot, however, was Erik ten Hag’s dismissal at Bayer Leverkusen, abruptly ending a tenure that lasted – checks notes – just two games in charge of the Bundesliga outfit. Ouch.

All of those men tried, and ultimately failed, to take the Red Devils back to the top of the European and English game, with Amorim, unfortunately, in danger of following suit.

Ranking every post-Ferguson manager at Man Utd

Only three managers in United’s entire history – Ernest Mangnall, Sir Matt Busby, and Sir Alex Ferguson – have won a league title while in charge of the club, with the latter of such esteemed figures leaving a legacy that continues to burden those in his wake.

David Moyes – or ‘The Chosen One’ – was first up in attempting to fill that void, although nine months into his six-year contract, the struggling Scotsman was sacked, even with United narrowly defeated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final.

In 51 games in all at Old Trafford, the current Everton boss won 27 games, as per Transfermarkt. For context, Amorim has won only 18 games from 47 games at the helm to date.

That pairing unsurprisingly rank lowly on this list, but bottom of the pile is the interim Ralf Rangnick. The German won 11 of 29 games in charge, but this short-term fit was ill-suited right from the off.

While his honesty in press conferences may have charmed some, the veteran coach did little to lift the toxic mood, arguably holding more focus on improving his own standing than actually improving matters on and off the pitch.

Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, endured his own turbulent, chaotic stint. A dismal recruitment record saw the likes of Angel Di Maria, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin – to name just a few – underwhelm, although the unique Dutchman did oversee the rise of a young Marcus Rashford, while claiming an FA Cup triumph to boot.

Sticking with the Netherlands, Ten Hag’s own success can be seen in his Carabao Cup and FA Cup heroics, as well as the nurturing of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, although few United managers have sunk to such lows – losing 7-0 at Anfield the obvious case in point.

Under Mourinho, the ‘poor man’s treble’ was claimed in 2016/17, while his 81-point tally the following season remains the best return post-Fergie. A winner undeniably, but Mourinho’s football was forgettable, with hardly a week passing without some kind of feud with Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and the like.

The Portuguese coach had left a dark cloud over Manchester upon his exit in December 2018, but Solskjaer – perhaps the best of the bunch – swiftly lifted it, winning 14 of his first 17 games in charge while famously seeing off Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.

A trophy may have alluded him, but second and third-place finishes marked signs of progress, with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo likely to remain a ‘what if’ moment amid the eventual collapse of his reign.

The treble winner wasn’t without fault, and nor was his football, but he was a steady pair of hands who revived the atmosphere at the club. Could a change this summer do the same?

Why Man Utd could turn to the next Solskjaer

The final days of ‘Ole at the wheel’ were dour, with defeats at home to Liverpool and Manchester City suggesting that time was up for the beloved coach in the Old Trafford dugout.

Departing without silverware, having agonisingly lost the 2021 Europa League final, Solskjaer’s stint may be looked back upon as a failure to some, yet as already noted, the progress pre-Ronaldo was clear to see.

Perhaps the Covid-era of football, and the lack of supporters, played a factor in United’s rise in those years, but the feel-good factor had undoubtedly returned, after the dark days of Jose. Even Solskjaer’s biggest critic would have been hard-pressed not to get teary-eyed at his emotional exit interview from the club.

At another time of crisis, there is a sense that United are again in need of someone to steady the ship. Someone to cultivate a positive environment again behind the scenes.

If recent suggestions are to be believed, one man who could be in line to do that job, should Amorim depart, is Sir Gareth Southgate, with the ex-England boss yet to return to the dugout after leaving the Three Lions last summer.

Of course, while Solskjaer’s return was met with glee among adoring supporters six years ago, there would be undeniable “scepticism” surrounding Southgate, as noted by Gary Neville last year, with the 55-year-old having been unable to get his country over the line in two European Championship finals.

A nearly man to some – having been described as like “Solskjaer in an international guise” by talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan – Southgate’s failure to claim silverware was ultimately his undoing. At international level, it can be seen as win or bust.

That summary of his time at the helm doesn’t tell the full story, however. Like Solskjaer, the ex-England international revived the spirit and atmosphere at a time when the national team was broken, following the Iceland debacle and Sam Allardyce’s brief tenure.

Described by Jude Bellingham as “one of the best coaches in the history of the national team but also an unbelievable human being”, Southgate is credited for England’s recent revival and for raising the level – a point notably made by Marcus Rashford:

A stoic figure and a leader on the touchline, it’s difficult to see Southgate shrinking in the United dugout. As Neville has claimed, “one thing Gareth would do is weed out the nonsense in that dressing room”.

Like Solskjaer’s time at United, the out-of-work coach had players wanting to play for him at international level. The football may not have been thrilling, but it was effective and efficient.

INEOS have gambled on Amorim, but so far that risk hasn’t paid off. A man to steady the ship – like Solskjaer not too long ago – could be just what is needed.

Who knows, in a similar vein to the Norwegian, Southgate could well surprise a few.

Amorim upgrade: INEOS eyeing "best young coach in the world" for Man Utd

INEOS could be about to land a new manager to replace Ruben Amorim in the coming weeks.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 16, 2025

The competitive La Liga fixture, to be held in Miami, comes after years of conflict over a possible match outside of Europe

Welcome to the footballing apocalypse. This is the thing that Europe was so, so afraid of. As a continent, they gatekeep their sport so expertly. Soccer is for them, not for the world – at least, in person. Or many in the European game, anyway, would have you believe.

So much for that. 

What started in 2019 – and had been in gestation since far before then – has become reality. A European league will play a competitive soccer match in the United States. After years of flirtation, months of talks, and weeks of complaints, we have the details. The match will be played in Miami, between Barcelona and Villarreal, on Dec. 20. La Liga have signed off. Other parties have reluctantly agreed. 

The logistics, then, are fairly simple. Two football teams who routinely play matches overseas every summer will do so again. In one sense, this isn't particularly new. Except for one enormous caveat: this game actually matters. Three points are on the line. For Barcelona, it could be a crucial result as they look to retain the La Liga title. For Villarreal, it will surely be pivotal as they push for European football. The teams currently sit second and third in the table.

And that's where the tension lies here. The problem is not that a game between two Spanish teams is being played on American soil. The issue is that it will count. It should also be noted that La Liga isn't alone – Serie A confirmed that a fixture between AC Milan and Como will be played in Perth, Australia in early 2026, another groundbreaking moment in the sport’s globalization.

Specific to the Miami match, there are two camps: those for an American-based game, and those against. Their disagreements are fundamental and unlikely to be resolved no matter what argument either party puts forth. This raises larger questions about the soul of the game that simply cannot be answered in one fixture or even one season.

But what is clear – and perhaps far more pivotal – is what comes next. December's fixture, it would seem, could open the floodgates to something that simply cannot be stopped. The thirst for soccer in America is real. And now the game can be transplanted anywhere.

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  The Premier League flirts

  The soccer world has been confronting this possibility for a while now. In 2008, the Premier League officially proposed playing a 39th fixture outside of England. The idea, then, was football as imperialism. Owners saw that there was a global appetite for the game, and suggested that 10 fixtures be played in a weekend in January, with staggered start times around the world. Proponents wanted individual cities to bid, and even earmarked the 2010-11 season as a potential start date. 

  That notion was quickly dismissed at all levels. The managers of Liverpool and Manchester United showed a rare moment of solidarity – they joined in their opposition. Supporters' Groups were outraged, and fought back. Even Sepp Blatter, then FIFA president, looked like a good guy, earning favor with fans for suggesting that not only was the idea misguided, it could also be detrimental in England's hopes to host the 2018 World Cup (a bid they lost, anyway). 

  Since then, it has simmered. The Premier League reportedly thought about it again in 2014, and chatter has remained constant about the possibility of a game being played in the U.S., especially given expanded American ownership in England's top flight.

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  La Liga gets serious

  The Premier League, then, cooled its interest. The reasons are myriad. Fan pushback was serious. Owner power took over. And certainly a bumper TV deal that brings billions of dollars – and millions of eyes – onto the league every week, made an "away" game less necessary for their wallets.

  But La Liga got serious. And that makes sense. This is, in many ways, a financial decision. It's supply and demand. The league and its teams know that foreign fans will pay a premium for tickets. Sell out a game at hiked-up prices in Miami, and a handsome payday will, in theory, be the result. La Liga's TV deal is tidy – every game is now carried on ESPN+ in the U.S. – but they are steps behind financially relative to the Premier League. 

  This has long been a gripe of league president Javier Tebas. He has railed again and again over the Premier League's apparently unchecked financial power. And he has a point. English football's revenues massively eclipse those of Spanish sides. Transfer fees in England are massive. Mid-table clubs outspend most of La Liga's elite. 

  No single game in Miami will amend that. But for La Liga, it seems a decent start. They originally tried to have a Barcelona-Girona game in Miami in 2019. Last year, they tried to play Barca-Atletico Madrid in the same city. Both of those attempts were brushed off. But the sentiment stayed alive. Tebas spoke often about wanting a game on foreign soil.  

  "This is strategic for us. It is very important for us to make sure that people understand that we as La Liga are willing to be bold, are willing to be innovative, are willing to try things in a different way, and we're gonna try," Nicolas Garcia Hemme, La Liga North America Managing Director, told GOAL this week.

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  The lawsuit

  But it all seemed a bit like flimsy attempts at manifestation. There were blockers. UEFA and FIFA's regulations around playing domestic competitions in foreign countries are pretty water-tight. And then there were the legal battles.

  Relevent Sports, a match promoter that had helped organize preseason friendlies for La Liga teams, sued both FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation, claiming that the two bodies had violated antitrust laws by conspiring to bar domestic leagues from playing games abroad. What followed was a complicated legal case, with suits being dismissed and then appealed, back and forth.

  But in April 2025, there was a significant breakthrough. Relevent Sports settled its antitrust lawsuit with the U.S. Soccer, a development that came a year after Relevent and FIFA reached their own settlement to drop FIFA as a co-defendant. The terms of that settlement were not disclosed, but FIFA said it would form a working group to analyze rules about how and where domestic fixtures could be played.

  And you could have seen what was coming next. One-by-one, the appropriate governing bodies submitted. UEFA, FIFA, USSF, and CONCACAF all had to sign off on a U.S. match. With pressure mounting, they did so – despite some rather public reluctance. The door was open. 

  Then, it was a simple question of logistics. Barca pulled out of the friendly in 2019, realizing where public sentiment was focused in the soccer hive mind. But with money on the table, and the Blaugrana still strapped for cash, they jumped in. Atletico and Real Madrid were both out. But Villarreal slotted in with glee.

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  Milan, Como, and Australia

  And they're not alone in this effort. America isn't the only country eager to host competitive fixtures within its borders. Australia, admittedly, has been a less lucrative market for foreign clubs in preseason tours. East Asian tends to be targeted. But going down under isn't as common as it used to be. 

  That hasn't stopped Serie A and Milan, though. They will face newly promoted Como in Perth in February, another fixture that UEFA admittedly reluctantly approved. Fans were admittedly furious, but Como outlined their reasoning: the league needs to do these things to stay alive: 

  "Sometimes sacrifice is essential, not for individual benefit but for the greater good, for growth, and above all, for the survival of the league itself," they said in a statement. They went one further, insisting that they might lose some – if not all – of their best players if the league doesn't take advantage of their opportunities.

  "We must ask ourselves honestly how we can retain our best players, build competitive teams, and attract the world's elite to Serie A if we do not adapt," the league said.