Fulham in advanced talks to appoint Arbeloa as Silva's replacement

Fulham are in advanced talks to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as a replacement for outgoing manager Marco Silva.

Silva spent five years in charge at Craven Cottage but has opted to leave for Portuguese giants Benfica after they lost Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid.

Arbeloa, 43, was in charge at Madrid at the end of last season on an interim basis, having replaced incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso midway through the campaign.

He is now the lead contender for the role in west London.

Talks are ongoing and, while a full agreement has not been reached, the club are working towards the expectation that Arbeloa will be their next boss.

Arbeloa spent his entire coaching career at Madrid, working his way up from the youth teams to the interim position last season.

As a player, he had two spells at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and also played in the Premier League for both Liverpool and West Ham.

The Cottagers are also known to have held talks with Kieran McKenna, but it would have cost £8m to release him from his contract at Ipswich Town. He has since departed the club, saying he wanted a break to spend time with his family.

Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season.

Cozier-Duberry hits crossroads at Brighton

Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry faces a crossroads in his career this summer after a successful loan spell at Bolton.

The 21-year-old was nominated for the EFL and PFA Player of the Season awards and was named in the team of the season as Bolton earned promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.

With two years remaining on his contract, discussions have already begun over his long-term future.

There is a possibility the former Arsenal player, who joined Brighton in 2024, could remain at the Amex Stadium on a new deal, stay under his current terms, or leave on a permanent transfer. However, it remains early in the process.

Brighton are expected to have more opportunities to offer minutes to players next season with Conference League involvement, which could allow him to take on a cup role and feature initially as an impact substitute in the Premier League.

Yet, there remains a chance he could leave permanently. His loan spell - in which he recorded nine goals and 13 assists in 37 League One appearances - has attracted interest from clubs in England and abroad.

There is much to resolve for Cozier-Duberry as he hits a crossroads in his development this summer. He is an ambitious player but one at a club that is always active in the transfer market.

Crystal Palace close to appointing Sage as manager

Pierre Sage won the Coupe de France with Lens last season.

Crystal Palace are close to finalising a deal for Lens manager Pierre Sage to become their new head coach.

BBC Sport previously reported that Palace were in talks with the 47-year-old Frenchman as they look to replace Oliver Glasner, who left the Premier League club at the end of last season.

Palace are now putting the finishing touches on a financial package that will accelerate his departure from the French club to take the reins in south London.

Sage joined Lens 12 months ago and led them to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and the club’s first Coupe de France triumph in their 120-year history.

Palace had been keen on a move for former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola but he signed a two-year deal with Liverpool earlier this month.

The Eagles also discussed Coventry manager Frank Lampard, former Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and ex-Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Everton head coach Sean Dyche as alternative options.

However, Sage’s style of football is likely to appeal to supporters and the Frenchman’s English is also understood to be at a good level which will not hinder him once he arrives at Selhurst Park.

Palace’s Uefa Conference League triumph means they will play Europa League football next season, but they face a tricky summer ahead.

The future of France forward Jean-Philippe Mateta yet to be resolved as he enters the final year of his contract and England midfielder Adam Wharton has linked with several other Premier League clubs.

Palace have also offered a new deal to midfielder Daichi Kamada with the Japan international’s deal expiring at the end of the last campaign.

Florentino joins Burnley permanently from Benfica

Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis has officially made his loan move to Burnley from Benfica permanent for an undisclosed fee.

Florentino had an obligation to make the switch permanent for a reported £20.8m when he moved to Turf Moor on transfer deadline day last summer, and this was triggered last season.

Florentino, 26, made his Clarets debut against Liverpool in September and registered the first of his two assists in the 2-0 home win over Leeds United in October.

He quickly established himself as a key part of former manager Scott Parker’s side in their unsuccessful fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League and made 33 appearances in total.

The Clarets will look to Florentino and his experience next season in the Championship, and he also had loan spells at Monaco in France’s Ligue 1 and Getafe in Spain’s La Liga.

He helped Benfica win Portugal’s Primeira Liga in 2019 and 2023, partnering Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, and their Taca da Liga in 2025.

Florentino has also played in the Champions League and has been capped by Portugal at every level from Under-15 to Under-21.

Weir's title regret as she confirms Real Madrid exit

Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir has confirmed her exit from Real Madrid without giving a hint of her next destination.

The 30-year-old says it was “a dream come true” to have played for the club and that her “only regret is that I could not give you a first title” in her four-year spell.

Weir, who had been given a guard of honour by team-mates in her final game for Real, exits having played 125 matches and scoring 63 goals, becoming the player with the most goals and assists in their history.

Real said it had been Weir’s decision to leave but expressed “gratitude and affection for everything she has contributed to our club and for her professionalism, commitment and hard work during these four seasons”.

Weir joined from Manchester City in 2022 but was sidelined for a year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while playing for Scotland against Belgium in September 2023.

“With your support and that of my team-mates, managers, staff, friends and family, I overcame my knee injury, the biggest setback in my career,” she said on Instagram.

“You also gave me the freedom to become the player and person I am today. For that, I will always be grateful.”

The news of her departure comes two days after she captained Scotland to top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, having scored seven goals in their final two victories over Israel.

Weir, who has netted 31 times in 121 appearances for her country, had won silverware with both City and Arsenal but trophies eluded her in Madrid amid Barcelona dominance, although she was twice voted club player of the season and was a Ballon d’Or Feminin nominee last year.

“The time has come for me to leave this special club,” she said. “I do so with a heart full of love, memories and gratitude.”

“My only regret is that I could not give you a first title. I therefore say goodbye with sadness but also excitement to watch from afar and see this club continue to grow.”