Diomande agrees Real Madrid terms as PSG step away

Yan Diomande played in all four of Ivory Coast’s World Cup matches this summer

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid after Paris St-Germain withdrew their interest.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international was previously a target for Liverpool, who had an initial bid of £69m rejected in June, as well as PSG.

Liverpool then moved on to other targets, and PSG have now opted against entering a bidding war with Real.

PSG are said to have had a final £102.5m bid rejected for the teenager on Sunday.

Madrid have since agreed personal terms, said to be modelled on England midfielder Jude Bellingham’s contract as they are incentivised on performances and effectively improve year-on-year.

Real will pay more than £100m for Diomande, who joined Leipzig from Spanish club Leganes last summer on a five-year deal.

Sources close to Real say key negotiators Jose Angel and Juni Calafat have been scouting Diomande for about five years, but were not reactive to Diomande’s World Cup performances.

PSG had been frontrunners for the Ivorian until Real registered their interest, and they confirmed their withdrawal from the race on Sunday.

“The asking transfer fee and salary demands were completely disproportionate and distortive - and PSG will not break its principles of rational financial management and squad balance,” the French club said.

“As a two-time consecutive Champions League winner and the most successful club in recent years, PSG will also not engage in the inflationary and manipulative games of certain player agents - and will instead calmly and confidently continue its transfer planning.”

Leipzig have tried hard to keep the forward in Germany but regard the interest in Diomande as extraordinary, so have found it difficult to reject the interest - and potential record sale price - from Europe’s elite clubs.

Diomande was the Bundesliga’s young player of the season for 2025-26, having scored 12 goals and registered eight assists last term.

He moved from his native Ivory Coast to an academy in the United States in 2025 before joining Spanish side Leganes.

Real Madrid contract talks and Arsenal interest - what is Vinicius Jr's future?

There may be no more intriguing situation in the transfer landscape right now than Vinicius Jr’s future.

The Real Madrid forward is unquestionably one of the most high-profile footballers on the planet.

The Brazil international joined Real as an 18-year-old in 2018, winning 14 trophies and scoring 128 goals in 375 matches for the Spanish giants.

To think they have allowed him to enter the final year of his contract is perplexing - but that is where we are.

In normal circumstances, according to industry sources, Vinicius’ market value would exceed £200m.

On the pitch, that amount of money would get you a world class left-winger who is also adept at playing centrally, as well as a player who, aged 26, is reaching his peak years.

Off the pitch, you would be signing a global icon whose commercial value would be financially lucrative.

Real Madrid have tried to renew their attacker’s contract and opened further talks with him on Monday - but, as of yet, to no avail.

His potential availability has alerted Arsenal, who are among the clubs to have internally explored exploiting the contractual impasse. Teams in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring his situation closely.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants to sign proven talent - and Vinicius fits the bill.

Sources close to Arsenal insist he is just one of a number of options the club are exploring in their search for a left-sided attacker, after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

However, BBC Sport understands Arteta has become so smitten with the notion of signing Vinicius that he is viewed internally as the club’s number one target.

As Arsenal discovered with Rogers, there are no guarantees clubs attract their priority targets.

Indeed, Arsenal are realistic about their chances of landing Vinicius Jr. They know it is a long shot.

Similarly, there is a sense from those close to Vinicius Jr that any move to Arsenal would be difficult.

For most South American footballers, playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is a lifelong ambition. Leaving the Spanish capital - even for a club as illustrious at Arsenal - would be viewed as, at best, a sidewards step.

With Real being arguably the biggest club on the planet, there is a sense that leaving the Bernabeu would also impact the player’s commercial brand.

Talks over a new Real deal for Vinicius are expected to ramp up in the coming days.

It is claimed the forward is still very receptive to renewing at the Bernabeu but “wants to feel loved”. Recent reports have stated that new manager Jose Mourinho wants to keep all his big names at the club.

But there is serious jeopardy for Real if they keep Vinicius without renegotiating his contract. The scenario of the Brazilian leaving for nothing in 2027 would represent a financial catastrophe, even for a club as cash rich as them.

With that in mind, resolving the situation one way or another is understandably viewed as a priority for Real before the transfer deadline.

As it stands Vinicius can start speaking to rival clubs about a free transfer move away from Real at the turn of the year. Leaving on a free will be far more lucrative in terms of wages to the attacker than leaving this summer, when the buying club has to find a transfer fee.

Additionally, how much would Real demand for Vinicius?

Their move for Eden Hazard seven years ago may provide us with clues. The club signed the Belgian in 2019 in a deal worth up to £130m. He was 28 at the time and in the final year of his contract at Chelsea.

Vinicius is two years younger and has a commercial value that exceeds Hazard’s - and that is not to mention the seven-year cost of inflation.

It is clear that Arsenal would almost certainly need to obliterate the British transfer record of £125m, from Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer.

Then there are Vinicius’ wages to factor in. Reports suggest he earns in the region of £450,000 a week at Real Madrid, although sources indicate it is considerably more.

At Arsenal, that would immediately make him the club’s top earner by some distance, with Bukayo Saka currently earning up to £400,000-a-week.

But, with Vinicius a year away from his Real contract expiring, it is not simply a case of merely matching - or even slightly improving - his money if he was to leave this summer.

The nature of free transfers means Vinicius could conceivably double his money next year.

With that scenario now within reach, it is safe to assume the forward will almost certainly request a significant pay increase if he moves this summer.

Having to find what is likely to be a minimum £130m plus wages will be a hard push for any club, no matter how rich, in the era of financial regulation.

Arsenal, nevertheless, have analysed the numbers and believe they have the financial means to fund a move for Vinicius. It is understood the signing has widespread backing across the club.

In the past, Arsenal have offered players very generous image rights deals. This would be a key component of any agreement to take Vinicius to the Premier League.

The winger’s advisors at agency Roc Nation will be fully aware of these factors.

The fact Roc Nation also represent Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli - whose chances would be left severely limited by Vinicius’ arrival - also makes for an intriguing subplot.

It is understood that Martinelli, who has up to two years left on his contract, is happy at Arsenal and will only consider leaving for an opportunity that suits him.

Effectively, the leverage is almost entirely with Vinicius.

Arsenal are unquestionably one of the most attractive projects in European football. They will be one of the favourites to lift the Champions League next season, having lost on penalties in last season’s final. They are in a very strong financial position, too.

But a move to north London would require Vinicius to relinquish the sort of leverage that most players, even of his standing, do not have.

Perhaps most importantly of all, it would mean him giving up on being a Real Madrid footballer.

Is he prepared to do that? We should have the answer soon.

Gomez injury overshadows winning start for Iraola

Liverpool started life under Andoni Iraola with a 4-2 win over Sunderland thanks to goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas.

But the Iraola era had initially got off to the worst possible start when Joe Gomez, who started the game as centre-back and captain, went down injured and was taken off in the eighth minute.

“Probably the worst news has been straight away the injury of Joe. We were happy because we were going through training without losing any players and unluckily for us we’ve lost Joe straight away,” said Iraola, who was also without new signing Jeremy Jacquet - who plays centre-half - for the opening friendly of Liverpool’s tour of the USA.

“With Jeremy we decided to take it easy with him. He’s had a lot of months without playing and he’s been training very well but we’re going to take it easy with him,” Iraola added. “He will play probably in the last game of this tour and he will have time to have minutes.”

With Virgil van Dijk given extra time off following the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign, it meant that two teenage centre-backs held the line until the 68th minute.

Mor Talla N’diaye, 18, and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 18, made their debuts and both performed admirably given the situation but neither can be expected to feature regularly yet. Meanwhile, Giovanni Leoni, 19, is still undergoing individual training as he works his way back from a severe ACL tear.

Iraola said earlier in the week that his squad was “very thin” defensively. Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, was in Nashville for the game and if he wasn’t aware already, seeing Gomez trudge off must have underlined how they are desperately short when it comes to experience in the centre-back department.

Szoboszlai, who was among that group, certainly took some inspiration. Wearing the armband after coming on at half-time and picking up from exactly where he left off last season, the Hungarian scored a belter from outside the box to level the game at 2-2 after Sunderland had gone ahead through Timur Tutierov, having initially levelled through Enzo le Fee.

Seeing Harvey Elliott make a surging run on his first game back at the club, after his spell at Aston Villa, to assist Morrison for Liverpool’s opener was another positive. Morrison, 19, showed his quality with a lovely left-footed finish after cutting in from the right.

The 19-year-old Northern Ireland international was brilliant all evening and asked plenty of questions of the Sunderland backline. Liverpool still need a quality winger after losing Mohamed Salah but Morrison showed why he could be an option off the bench if he doesn’t go out on loan this summer.

Iraola was constantly out of his seat in the dugout and his side pressed well in phases but the manner in which they conceded both goals shows there is still plenty to be done. Le Fee was given the freedom of Nashville to fire his strike past Giorgi Mamardashvili and Liverpool were opened up far too easy for Tutierov’s goal.

For the 24,897 fans inside, who were primarily following Liverpool, it provided great joy to see fan favourite Chiesa make it 3-2, with a brilliant finish after a good ball from Calvin Ramsay, before Koumas capped off an impressive display with a goal to wrap up the game.

Earlier on in that move, Josh Abe played an important role carrying the ball up the pitch down the right flank. Abe only turned 16 last week and came on for his Liverpool debut in the second half. The England youth international is a highly rated prospect and there were glimpses here of why.

Iraola and co head back to their base in Chicago with a win under their belt but well aware that this is just the start. Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch have already arrived in the Windy City and start training on Sunday.

“It doesn’t matter the result but keep pushing, don’t relax, get used to not playing too comfortable. We still have a lot of things to improve,” the Liverpool head coach said.

His side are next in action against Wrexham in New York on Thursday (00.30 BST). Sunderland face Leeds at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey at the same time.

Millwall sign Peterborough winger Lisbie

Millwall have signed winger Kyrell Lisbie from Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old was previously under contract at Peterborough until 2030 having signed an extension in April but joins the Lions on a “long-term” deal, according to the Championship club.

Lisbie scored 14 goals in 51 games in all competitions last season after making the step up to League One from non-league Braintree Town in 2025.

Millwall director of football Steve Gallen said the club had tried to sign him during the January transfer window.

“Kyrell had a real breakout season last year at Peterborough, with an excellent goals and assists record that speaks for itself,” Gallen told the club website.

“He can play left or right-wing, he’s quick, direct, and he’s got a real hunger to score goals and create chances.”

Lisbie is the son of former Charlton Athletic, Ipswich Town and Leyton Orient striker Kevin Lisbie while his brother, Kyreece, joined Reading last month.

He is Millwall’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window so far.

Howe unsure over Guimaraes amid Arsenal interest

Bruno Guimaraes became Eddie Howe’s third signing at Newcastle United in 2022

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe says he has had positive discussions with Bruno Guimaraes but is unable to offer any guarantees on his captain’s future.

BBC Sport reported this week that Arsenal are set to make a £70m offer for the Brazil midfielder, but Newcastle do not want to lose their talisman.

“I’ve had some really good conversations with him before the World Cup, during the World Cup and after the World Cup,” Howe said after Newcastle’s 1-1 draw against Gateshead in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

“What we speak about has to remain private, but he’s just a great player, a great person.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bruno’s future. That’s for other people to speculate about. They are conversations that I’m not part of.”

Guimaraes has been on holiday with his family following Brazil’s last-16 exit from the World Cup at the hands of Norway this month.

He is due to return to Newcastle on Friday and fly out with the squad for a pre-season training camp in Spain.

Comparisons have been made with Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak last summer - the striker ultimately pushed to leave Newcastle - but Howe said there is “nothing to say Bruno won’t be back training with us”.

“You’ve got to look at it in its own right,” he said.

“Bruno is the captain of our football club. He’s been an unbelievable player and person all through the time we have worked together.

“I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone will want him to stay.”

Newcastle’s midfield has been weakened by the departure of Sandro Tonali, who joined Tottenham this month in a deal worth up to £100m.

Young midfielders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have since arrived from Ajax and Monaco respectively.

Although Saturday’s game came too soon for Bamba, whose move was announced on Friday, Steur played 90 minutes.

“He played really well today,” Howe said. “He can be really pleased with his performance and first showing in Newcastle colours.”

It is rare for an academy graduate to leave Ajax at 18, and for a fee worth up to £23m.

However, Newcastle have to take calculated risks before potential signings like Steur potentially explode in value and are out of reach.

Dutchman Steur clearly has promise.

Willem Weijs, who managed Steur at Jong Ajax - the club’s reserve side - has described him as “one of the highest-rated” players in their academy.

There were glimpses of Steur’s technical ability, composure and vision against National League side Gateshead.

But he will need time to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.

“He’s outstanding in his first touches and creating options when playing a possession game,” Weijs said.

“He’s good at scanning; really comfortable on the ball; really good in tight spaces.

“He’s a typical Dutch-type midfield player, but he should focus on his points to develop as well, which is for sure the defensive part.

“He should compete better in the duels, spending much more time in the gym. I know he’s working on that, but he can improve and he has to improve.”

Newcastle have shifted strategy this summer, targeting players aged 20 and under and based on the continent.

Steur, Bamba and fellow newcomers Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure will need patience.

It is one of the many reasons why Howe will desperately want to keep hold of Guimaraes, having lost Isak, Tonali and Anthony Gordon in the past year.

“We all need to be very supportive to the players that have come in,” Howe said.

“I don’t think we can put too much pressure on them. It’s part of my job to try and take the pressure off them and allow them to develop and to enjoy their time here.”