Xhaka set to stay at Sunderland despite Chelsea interest

Granit Xhaka scored one goal in 34 Premier League appearances last season

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is set to stay at the club this summer, despite interest from Chelsea.

The Switzerland midfielder, whose contract ends in 2028, was attracted by the prospect of reuniting with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, after playing under him at Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea had an £8m bid for Xhaka rejected by Sunderland last week and the Blues were expected to return with an improved offer.

However, sources at Sunderland have told BBC Sport that the 33-year-old is not for sale and, following discussions, Xhaka has reaffirmed his commitment to the Black Cats.

Chelsea have not given up hope of landing Xhaka, with sources at the club maintaining that the former Arsenal midfielder is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

It remains to be seen, though, whether the Blues will submit a further bid for the player.

Xhaka helped Sunderland qualify for Europe for the first time in 53 years last season following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

He made 34 Premier League appearances as the Black Cats finished seventh to qualify for the Conference League.

The Switzerland captain spent seven years at Arsenal, making 297 appearances, before joining Leverkusen in 2023 where he helped the German club win their first Bundesliga title under Alonso.

Xhaka is currently at the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada with Switzerland, where he has played every game in his country’s run to the last 16.

Bournemouth agree £25.7m deal for Elche striker Rodriguez

Rodriguez scored seven goals and made five assists in 34 La Liga matches last season for Elche

Bournemouth have agreed an initial fee of £21.4m rising to £25.7m with add-ons for Elche striker Alvaro Rodriguez.

The 21-year-old is set to complete his medical and sign a five-year deal at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.

Real Madrid will receive 50% of any transfer fee for the Uruguay youth international, who is also eligible to represent Spain, after selling him to their La Liga rivals last summer.

Bournemouth are looking to strengthen their squad after qualifying for the Europa League with a record Premier League finish under Andoni Iraola, who left to become Liverpool manager.

Former RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose has succeeded Iraola, with the Cherries targeting a striker and a left-sided centre-back this summer.

Any striker signing would provide competition and support for Evanilson, while the club are also open to selling Turkey forward Enes Unal for the right price.

Bournemouth are hoping for a more stable summer than last year, when three of the club’s first-choice back four and their starting goalkeeper departed.

Several clubs have expressed an interest in midfielder Alex Scott, who is reported to be valued at about £80m.

However, club sources insist he is not for sale despite enquiries from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Bournemouth hope Scott will sign a new contract on improved terms, potentially including an agreement that would allow him to leave in the future for a predetermined fee, similar to the arrangement that preceded Antoine Semenyo’s move to Manchester City for a fee in the region of £65m in January.

They have also finalised their pre-season tour in the last 24 hours, announcing games against St Pauli and Augsburg in Austria, along with Real Betis and Mainz away in an effort to get used to European trips, with Genoa also facing the Cherries at their training ground this summer.

Spurs sign Fernandes for club record £85m

Mateus Fernandes has made 72 Premier League starts over the past two seasons

Tottenham have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record fee of £85m.

Spurs have not confirmed the length of contract for the 21-year-old, who has played once for Portugal but is not part of their World Cup squad.

Fernandes has spent the past two seasons in the Premier League with Southampton and West Ham, although each club were relegated to the Championship.

“I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play,” said Spurs head coach Roberto de Zerbi.

“Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.

“Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments.

“I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development.”

Tottenham saw off competition from Manchester United, who were unwilling to match the fee agreed by Spurs - which is a guaranteed £85m without add-ons.

Fernandes was viewed as a primary target for the north London club after they had a bid for Sandro Tonali rejected by Newcastle.

However, Spurs have now agreed a £100m fee for the Italy midfielder.

They have made a fast start to the summer transfer window, with Fernandes their fifth signing already.

His arrival follows that of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka plus defenders Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke.

“I’m very excited for this next step,” Fernandes said. “Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join.

“When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same way - going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try to win every game.”

Uefa will not use red cards for players who cover mouth

Players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will not be shown red cards in Uefa competitions, it was confirmed on Thursday.

European football’s governing body will not take up the option to use the law in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.

The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches - three of which were suspended.

The law change for a red card was the brainchild of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who wanted something which would have “a deterrent effect” at the World Cup.

It was approved by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in April.

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was the first player to be sent off in his side’s World Cup group game against Turkey. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie then saw red in Ecuador’s last-16 exit to co-hosts Mexico.

Both players were dismissed following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

Despite the Prestianni incident happening in its own flagship competition, Uefa has decided against using Infantino’s opt-in.

Uefa said referees should asses situations individually and consider whether a yellow card should be shown if it is “an attempt to conceal communication as an act of unsporting behaviour”.

It added: “This is obviously without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation or proceedings that may follow as a consequence of, or in connection with, such behaviour.”

The law change has been controversial as it presents the presumption of guilt rather than innocence.

There have been concerns it could be used to get an opponent sent off when nothing abusive has been said.

It has also caused confusion, with England’s Jude Bellingham not sent off when covering his mouth in conversation with Ghana’s Jordan Ayew in their group game.

Uefa, though, will exercise the option of the VAR checking incorrect corners, with 22 reversed to a goal-kick so far at the World Cup.

But it will not issue red cards to players who leave the field in protest at a referee’s decision - another law brought in at the discretion of a competition organiser.

All done deals in July 2026

The transfer window for Premier League, English Football League, Scottish Premiership and Women’s Super League clubs - and their counterparts in Germany, France, Spain and Italy - re-opened on 15 June.

Take a look at all the confirmed deals for July, and read the latest rumours in Football Gossip.

Dan Neil [Sunderland - Rangers] Free

Women’s Super League

Amalie Vangsgaard [Juventus - Aston Villa] Undisclosed

English Football League

Akin Famewo [Hull - Bolton] Undisclosed

This page covers signings by Premier League, English Football League, Scottish Premiership and Women’s Super League clubs, along with selected deals from overseas.