Crystal Palace are looking to source fresh reinforcements and could now be set to close in on their next signing after making a decisive move in recent days.

Crystal Palace prepare for FA Community Shield clash

After their historic FA Cup victory, Crystal Palace have the chance to claim another piece of silverware in the FA Community Shield against Liverpool at Wembley this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the tie, Oliver Glasner has confirmed the Eagles will go all out to win the trophy despite being up against the odds in light of the Reds’ status as Premier League champions.

“We are facing the champions. A team who invested £300m, buying high-quality players. It is a great challenge. We will be ready. I don’t expect they will be in the best possible shape, the same with us at the beginning of the season.

“We will go for winning the next trophy. When you have the chance to win a second trophy in three months, go for it.”

Eberechi Eze has been frequently linked with a move to Arsenal, which reports suggest could turn Crystal Palace in the direction of West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta should their star man move across London.

Tosin Adarabioyo is also on the Eagles’ radar and could become a statement addition if circumstances align, though it remains to be seen where Glasner will opt to strengthen with less than two weeks until the Premier League season kicks off.

Crystal Palace’s opening fixtures of the season

Liverpool

FA Community Shield

Chelsea (A)

Premier League

Nottingham Forest (H)

Premier League

Aston Villa (A)

Premier League

Sunderland (H)

Premier League

Now, the Eagles may be moving closer to announcing a new addition ahead of their return to competitive action, according to reports.

Crystal Palace make decisive move for Arnau Martinez

According to Tuttosport, Crystal Palace have made a decisive move to sign Girona full-back Arnau Martinez, who is also said to be a target for West Ham United and Juventus.

Said to be available between £8.7 million and £10.4 million, the Eagles have stepped up their efforts in a decisive manner and they hold the advantage of recently negotiating with Girona to sanction Odsonne Edouard’s potential move to the La Liga outfit.

As pictured, the former Celtic striker is still on the books and no deal has been sealed yet, but effectively carrying out two transfers between both entities would potentially be advantageous to Crystal Palace in terms of profit margins.

Martinez, who is predominantly a right-back, featured 39 times last season for Girona across all competitions, registering three goals and three assists.

Labelled “intelligent” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Spain Under-21 cap made 18 chances in La Liga last term and appears to fit Crystal Palace’s exciting style of play from full-back, though it remains to be seen whether they will win the race for his signature.

“If I can have even a minimum impact, it will be worth it, despite how much time I have till the Champions Trophy”

Mohammad Isam11-Nov-2024

Mohammad Salahuddin (L) has been involved with many teams in the Bangladesh domestic and BPL circuit•Bangladesh Cricket Board

Mohammad Salahuddin wants to leave his mark on Bangladesh cricket in what will be a short stint as the team’s senior assistant coach. The appointment – his second, he had served from 2006 to 2010 as assistant coach too – is till the Champions Trophy next year, but he comes with a big reputation, having built one of the most impressive coaching CVs in the domestic circuit.Salahuddin, who won the BPL four times with Comilla Victorians, has already started working with the Test cricketers in Dhaka while the team is in Sharjah for the ODIs against Afghanistan. He will travel for the Caribbean with the Test players on Monday.”I think this is the right time [to work in the Bangladesh team],” Salahuddin said. “I might not be in coaching for much longer, maybe another four or five years. It will be great to help more generations of cricketers in my long coaching career – it won’t be right if I just know everything but can’t light a lamp. If I can do this job properly, it will be helpful for the team. If I can have even a minimum impact, it will be worth it, despite how much time I have till the Champions Trophy. I may not be able to cause dramatic change, but if something I say can cause a change, I will be happy.”Salahuddin said that he hadn’t talked in detail with head coach Phil Simmons, who was appointed in mid-October on an interim basis after Chandika Hathurusinghe was sacked.”I might have a different role this time. I have to understand the philosophy of the head coach, how he wants to run the team,” Salahuddin said. “I have to help him. I just hope our boys get a bit more confident. I will also keep an eye on their communication with the foreign coaches.”Salahuddin was on the verge of being appointed as the team’s batting consultant in 2017 only for the BCB to call it off at the last minute. It soured relations between Salahuddin and the BCB for several years, and Salahuddin being one of the foremost critical voices in Bangladesh cricket didn’t help mend fences.When the country’s political regime changed in August, the BCB chose as president Faruque Ahmed, who committed to bringing in a Bangladeshi in the coaching setup.Salahuddin said that his long discussion with Faruque convinced him to wind down his coaching commitments elsewhere. “I asked for a bit of time. I was involved in a couple of places, so I needed a bit of time to leave those places. I have been speaking to Faruque for three months, so it gave me time to settle those commitments.”Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, among others, both benefitted from their association with Salahuddin when he was the assistant coach earlier. He has subsequently played a role in the development of several cricketers as a coach at the domestic level – the likes of Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam Ankon, who are new in the Bangladesh Test team, among them.”Please don’t be quick to label someone as a hero or a villain. When a player joins [the national team], they go through many processes and perform consistently to get into the team. They struggle a lot,” Salahuddin said in a message to the media. “In international matches, some players may take a few games to find success, while others succeed right away. At that time, you make them heroes, but if they don’t perform well in a couple of matches, you label them a villain.”

Everton are now reportedly prioritising a deal to sign a Premier League gem as part of The Friedkin Group’s impressive plan to splash as much as £150m this summer.

Friekdin planning £150m spending spree

The Toffees have already seen a glimpse of Friedkin’s spending when they secured deals for Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Carlos Alcaraz. But they may just be getting started.

As Everton enter a new era at The Hill Dickinson Stadium, the new owners are reportedly keen to make a statement with a spending spree that will hit the £150m-mark this summer and several targets have already entered their radar as a result.

After recently welcoming Barry and Travers, Everton have reportedly made their first offer to sign Douglas Luiz on loan with an obligation to buy from Juventus. The Brazilian endured a nightmare first season in Turin and now desperately needs a return to the Premier League just one year on from leaving Aston Villa.

It would be quite the move from Everton if they managed to win the race for the midfielder’s signature, especially after losing Abdoulaye Doucoure at the end of last season. Luiz, meanwhile, would undoubtedly be keen to get back to his best at long last.

Luiz isn’t the only name who’s threatened to steal the headlines as of late, however. The Toffees have also reportedly set their sights on West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.

Like Luiz, the latter needs a fresh start this summer if he is to get back to his best. But even as a serial winner at The Etihad, it’s actually Grealish’s City teammate who sits top of Everton’s shortlist of targets.

Everton now prioritising McAtee move

As reported by The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Everton are now prioritising a move to sign James McAtee as part of their £150m spending spree this summer. The midfielder was often left frustrated at Manchester City last summer, as Pep Guardiola opted for other options even as his side faced some of their worst form of his incredibly successful tenure.

Everton bang in the race to sign "terrific" star who Moyes personally wants

He’s on the move this summer.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 18, 2025

Now, in search of the game time that he requires, McAtee is likely to be on the move. And it’s not just Everton who are interested. The talented midfielder has also attracted the interest of Entracht Frankfurt and others from around European football, handing the Toffees a difficult battle to land his signature.

Previous reports have suggested that the 22-year-old will be available for just £25m, but whether competition for his arrival increases that price remains to be seen.

Praised for a “fantastic” start to 2025 by scout Jacek Kulig, McAtee could yet find himself in new surroundings by the time that the year comes to an end and the new season is well underway.

Rangpur Riders have appointed Mickey Arthur as their head coach. The 56-year-old will take charge of the franchise from the Global Super League, which begins on November 26. He will also be in charge of the Rangpur side during this season’s Bangladesh Premier League.Arthur has recently worked with the Dambulla Aura team in the Lanka Premier League. He is also currently Derbyshire’s director of cricket. Arthur has previously been the head coach of South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.”We have signed Mickey Arthur for the GSL and BPL this year,” Rangpur team director Shanian Taneem said. “It is a one-year deal. He will take care of us for these two tournaments this year. He is a great addition to our side. The local players are really excited to be coached by him. We have been in touch with Mickey for the last seven-eight days to build the squad for GSL and BPL. He is very active, always gladly helping us.”I think he is perfect for Rangpur Riders’ culture. He is a very friendly guy. He will be of great benefit for the Bangladeshi cricketers in particular. He has huge experience. He has already taken care of so many international sides like Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan.”Arthur has also coached in the BPL previously, with the Dhaka Dynamites side in 2015.

Cristiano Ronaldo was seen consoling an emotional Portugal mascot ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Armenia. One little boy, overwhelmed by the gravity of the occasion, broke into tears as he realised he was walking beside his idol.

• Ronaldo consoled emotional young mascot
• Went on to score against Armenia
• Goal extends his international scoring record

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo, visibly moved, leaned down to console the child, offering words of comfort and a reassuring touch. The clip went viral, hailed as another example of the Portuguese legend’s softer side.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Once the whistle blew, the emotional prelude gave way to business. Portugal tore into Armenia with ruthless efficiency, racing into a 3-0 lead inside the first half-hour. Ronaldo, of course, added his name to the scoresheet, extending his staggering international tally to 139 goals in 222 appearances. The Al-Nassr striker’s sharp finish reminded everyone that, even at 40 years old, he remains one of the deadliest forwards on the planet.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

  At 41 by the time next summer’s World Cup arrives, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner knows this could be his final bow on the grandest stage of all. The idea of one last tournament, and possibly facing Lionel Messi for a historic sixth World Cup appearance, adds yet another layer of intrigue to his enduring career. Should both icons play in 2026, they would become the first footballers in history to feature at six separate World Cups, a record that may never be matched.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca isn’t entirely satisfied with his squad just yet, despite having sealed deals for Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro for around £140 million already, with the tactician looking to strengthen one key area.

Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea "machine" set to leave permanently with Madueke

The west Londoners have parted company.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2025

UEFA are watching the west Londoners like a hawk right now, amid an agreement that Chelsea need to sell players and end the summer window with a positive balance sheet (Kaveh Solhekol).

The governing body fined Chelsea nearly £27 million last week for breaching FFP rules, and this could rise to north of £50 million if they fail to comply again over the next four years (BBC).

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

BlueCo will therefore need to be very careful when it comes to green-lighting more signings before deadline day on September 1, but they have made some headway with regard to player sales.

Chelsea sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys and Marcus Bettinelli for a total fee of around £19 million, with Noni Madueke also about to join Arsenal in a £50 million deal and Djordje Petrovic on his way to Bournemouth for £25 million (Fabrizio Romano).

These departures, all in all, will accumulate £94 million, including their already-confirmed sales – and that’s not even counting Mathis Amougou’s permanent switch to Strasbourg.

Chelsea are also in the Club World Cup final, which has banked them £80 million worth of prize money.

It seems that Chelsea are actually doing a solid job when it comes to balancing their books, so we cannot rule out the possibility of further incomings just yet, and there are a host of other players who seem likely to be sold in the coming weeks – including Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Chelsea not out of Mike Maignan race with AC Milan star keen to join

If Chelsea can make room on their balance sheet, it is believed that AC Milan number one Mike Maignan is still firmly on their radar, coming after negotiations over a move for the Frenchman broke down earlier in the window.

That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who told TBR Football that Chelsea could still sign Maignan this summer, and the 29-year-old remains keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge with Maresca wanting a new number one.

“Max Allegri has talked about Mike Maignan staying on as captain, but that has little impact on the situation as he’s yet to sign a new contract yet, meaning he has one year left on his current deal. Chelsea are keeping close tabs on the Maignan situation,” said Bailey.

“We understand that he would like to go to Chelsea. Robert Sanchez was told earlier in the summer that he can go and they offered him to West Ham as part of the Mohammed Kudus deal.

“Enzo Maresca has made it very clear that he wants a new number one. He doesn’t like any of the current options. So yeah, we haven’t heard the end of Mike Maignan to Chelsea this summer, that’s for sure.”

Maignan has been described an “elite” goalkeeper, and it’s hard to argue with that verdict. If Chelsea wish to become genuine title contenders, they need a reliable ever-present between the sticks, and Maignan could be that man.

Given his contractual situation, Milan also won’t be able to demand too high a fee for his services – giving Chelsea a golden opportunity to add both pedigree and experience to Maresca’s backline.

نجح عدي الدباغ، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، في رفع رصيده التهديفي بجدول ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري الممتاز، بعد تسجيله هدفا في مباراة فريقه مع الجونة.

والتقى فريق نادي الزمالك أمام الجونة، على أرضية استاد القاهرة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2025-2026، في لقاء انتهى بالتعادل 1-1.

طالع|فيديو | عدي الدباغ يسجل هدف الزمالك الأول أمام الجونة

بهذا الهدف استطاع عدي الدباغ رفع رصيده إلى هدفين في جدول ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري، ذلك بعد مرور 8 جولات.

وفي نفس الجولة، رفع لاعب النادي الأهلي، محمود حسن تريزيجيه، رصيده من الأهداف إلى 3 أهداف بعدما سجل هدف المارد الأحمر الثاني في مباراة فريقه التي أقيمت اليوم الثلاثاء ضد حرس الحدود، انتهت 3-2 لصالح المارد الأحمر.

ويتصدر ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري، حتي الآن، ثنائي النادي المصري، عبد الرحيم دغموم وصلاح محسن برصيد 4 أهداف. ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري

– عبد الرحيم دغموم – المصري – 4 أهداف.

– صلاح محسن – المصري – 4 أهداف.

– محمود حسن تريزيجيه – الأهلي – 3 أهداف.

– أحمد فاروق – وادي دجلة – 3 أهداف.

– عمر الساعي – المصري – 3 أهداف.

– عدي الدباغ – الزمالك – 2 أهداف.

– عمرو السولية – سيراميكا كليوباترا – هدفين.

– عبدالله السعيد- الزمالك- هدفين.

– أحمد سيد زيزو – الأهلي – هدفين.

– شيكو بانزا – الزمالك – هدفين.

– ناصر ماهر- الزمالك- هدفين.

– نيجك جراديشار – الأهلي – هدفين.

– وليد الكرتي – بيراميدز – هدفين.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري بشكل محدث باستمرار من هنا.

An ECB update at tea stated Stokes will not return to the field for NZ’s second innings

Vithushan Ehantharajah16-Dec-20240:48

Trescothick on Stokes injury: We didn’t see it coming

Ben Stokes was forced to leave the field during day three of England’s third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park after a recurrence of a left hamstring injury. He will undergo a scan this evening to understand the full extent of the injury.England’s captain pulled up after the second ball of the 56th over of New Zealand’s second innings – his 13th, and third of the day – on Monday afternoon, immediately feeling the back of his left thigh after delivering a bouncer that Rachin Ravindra pulled for four. It was the same hamstring he tore in August while batting for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals in the men’s Hundred, which kept him out for two months.Bowling from the City End, Stokes put his hand on his face and kept walking in the direction of the team dressing room away at the newly renamed Tim Southee End. New Zealand were leading by 409 at the time, as left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell finished the over.An ECB update at tea stated Stokes will not return to the field for New Zealand’s second innings while he receives treatment, with a further assessment to be made on whether he will bat. England finished the day 18 for 2, chasing a mammoth 658, though they have already secured the series after victories in the first two Tests.”It’s the same hamstring that he’s had before,” confirmed England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick. “He’s been going so well, he’s been bowling and playing the role that he does as an all-rounder and captain.”We didn’t see it coming, you don’t have any signs of these sort of things…generally they just happen.”Stokes’ 36.2 overs in Hamilton were the most he has bowled for in a Test since 40 at Trent Bridge in 2022 (also against New Zealand). On day one, his 23 overs were the most he has managed in a single day, split between spells of eight, eight and seven. It is worth noting England’s first innings capitulation for 143 meant their seamers only had 34.5 overs of rest after 97.1 between them for New Zealand’s opening effort. The hosts went further in their second innings, keeping England in the field for 101.4 overs, eventually finishing on 453.This series has brought Stokes seven dismissals at 36.85 from 66.1 overs – his most as captain – accompanied by a batting average of 52.66 across four innings. After struggling to effectively fulfill the allrounder role, this series had been a welcome return to the Stokes of old.It was only on the previous evening (Sunday) that assistant coach Paul Collingwood lauded Stokes’ return as a talismanic allrounder. Following today’s events, Trescothick stated Stokes might have to tailor his bowling loads going forward.”I still think he’s shown signs over the course of this series that getting back to fitness he is going to have that level. Maybe it’s a case that you manage his bowling loads and he doesn’t bowl the volume that he’s potentially bowled in this game.”Injuries happen, right? they’re always going to be part of the game. he works dramatically well with his fitness. to try and get into the shape he can be. He bowled 24 in the first innings, and he was bowling quite a few in this (second) innings [12.2 overs]. We’ll just have to look at how we manage it.”Stokes looked understandably crestfallen as he walked off, having only just overcome the physical and psychological toil from the initial hamstring tear which derailed his return to full fitness in the summer.Related

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Brendon McCullum: Jacob Bethell's emergence is 'a good problem to have'

Stokes on his workload: 'I ain't holding back'

Williamson ton has England staring down prospect of heavy defeat

Stokes urges England to stay in the now as Ashes year looms once more

Having arrived into the home summer following successful knee surgery in October 2023, he bowled 49 overs across three Tests against West Indies, with five wickets that took him past 200 career dismissals. The tear subsequently set him back, ruling him out of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at the end of the season, and the first Test of the Pakistan tour.Stokes returned for the final two matches of that series but England lost both, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat having won the first Test. He admitted his drive to regain full fitness led him to “physically drain and ruin himself”. When the squad gathered at Queenstown at the start of the series, Stokes apologised for the negative effect he had on the team environment.Prior to this final Test, Stokes was optimistic he was in a good place, with a better understanding of his body.”I have to work so much harder on the physical side of the job to allow me to go out and do my job but I got a good amount of overs in during the last two games and I am more confident about getting through a lot of spells in a day.”That is where I got to before I pulled my hamstring. I bowled nice in summer, had a setback but now feel out of that and worrying about anything else happening again. As you get older you think about your body a bit more but I work harder because I have to.”Now, the 33-year-old must undergo another period of rehabilitation. England’s next Test match is not until May 22, against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, but a lucrative £800,000 with MI Cape Town in the SA20, which begins on January 9, may have to be forgone. Having signed a two-year central contract in October, the ECB has the power to withdraw him outright from the tournament, even if he is able to regain fitness prior to the end of the group stages, with MI’s final match on February 2.This latest setback also complicates any prospective white-ball return for Stokes. The man himself has remained coy on whether he will make himself available for the upcoming Champions Trophy, with Test head coach Brendon McCullum assuming control of the limited-overs sides. Now, perhaps, the decision has been made for him.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique showed off a new shaved look ahead of Les Parisiens' Ligue 1 clash with Lens on Sunday. The Spaniard was seen with his arm in a sling after undergoing surgery for a broken clavicle he sustained in a bike accident during the international break. It had previously been reported the manager could miss the game as he recovers, but he said he is "ready".

• Luis Enrique's new look on return from injury

  The 55-year-old cut a resilient figure in his pre-game press conference with a shaved head and his arm in a sling. He arrived with PSG's sporting director Luis Campos and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

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• Resilient Luis Enrique determined to play part against Lens

  Despite fears the serious injury and subsequent surgery could have sidelined Luis Enrique for three games, he will be present for Sunday's fixture. Despite his ongoing rehabilitation, he insisted he is ready to lead his team against Lens and beyond. 

• What Luis Enrique said

  Luis Enrique said: "I’m doing very well. I’m happy to return home. After an international break, these matches are always tricky. We are ready and focused solely on the game against Lens.

  "I trained today, and I’ll be ready for the match tomorrow against Lens. Whenever something negative happens in my life, I try to find the positive side of it." 

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  A crucial week in PSG's season

  Les Parisiens are of course favourites to win the French title again, but they face pressure from a Lyon side that has yet to concede a goal. A victory over Lens, as well as a strong startin the Champions League against Atalanta, as well as a marquee matchup against Marseille on September 21 represents a tricky period in this young season. Having their treble-winning manager on the sideline will be crucial for the players and fans. 

Former Barcelona and France defender Eric Abidal has been forced to release a statement confirming he is "alive and well" after a cruel rumour of his death circulated on social media. The 46-year-old took to Instagram to slam the false reports, which exploited his real-life battle with liver cancer from 2011.

Abidal issues statement after false death rumour spreads online

Abidal has been forced to publicly deny false reports of his death after a cruel and baseless rumour circulated on social media on Monday. According to French outlet , several accounts on the platform X began spreading the claim that the 46-year-old had passed away due to complications from a second liver transplant, prompting the Champions League winner to release an official statement.

AdvertisementGetty'Respect is essential': What Abidal said in his statement

In response to the distressing online speculation, Abidal took to his Instagram story to reassure fans and condemn the rumour. 

"Some rumours should never exist," he wrote. "I'm here with my family, and everything is fine. Respect is essential. There is a family and my children behind this. To be clear, I'm fine, I'm alive and well. Thank you for your support and messages of concern. Let's focus on what really matters."

Rumour exploited former defender's real-life cancer battle

The false story preyed on Abidal's well-documented and inspirational battle with liver cancer. The defender was famously diagnosed with a tumour in his liver in 2011 while at the peak of his career with Barcelona. After initial surgery, he required a transplant a year later before making a remarkable and emotional return to the pitch in April 2013. He continued his playing career with Monaco and Olympiakos before finally retiring in 2014.

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AFPWhat next after Abidal quashes false report?

Having swiftly and publicly corrected the false information, Abidal has urged the public to move on and "focus on what really matters." The former defender, who also served as Barcelona's director of football after his retirement, will now look to put the upsetting incident behind him. His decisive statement has ended the speculation, allowing him and his family to move past the distressing online event.