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.”

Gillingham sign Oxford striker Goodwin

Gillingham have signed striker Will Goodwin following his release by Oxford United.

The 24-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the League Two side.

He spent last season on loan at Colchester United where he scored four goals in 30 games and also had a spell at Wigan.

He moved to Oxford in January 2024 from Cheltenham Town for an undisclosed fee, but struggled to break into the side, scoring one goal in 11 appearances.

“I am really excited to be here, it’s a great club,” he told the club website.

“After speaking to the manager, his philosophy and playing style suits me to a tee.”

Man City second offer worth £120m for Anderson rejected

Elliot Anderson helped Nottingham Forest to the Europa League semi-finals last season

Manchester City’s second offer worth £120m for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has been rejected.

City have intensified their pursuit of the 23-year-old England international, with an offer of an initial £106m plus add-ons.

Should they sign Anderson, it would eclipse the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023 as the record transfer for an English player.

City had an opening bid rejected by Forest earlier this month and Anderson’s preference is a move to Etihad Stadium over Manchester United, while personal terms are not an issue.

United are effectively out of the running, having not wanted to get into a bidding war and only wanting players eager to join them.

City have long been admirers of Newcastle academy graduate Anderson. The player is currently preparing for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but club-to-club talks can continue to take place.

He started England’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday - the final friendly for the Three Lions before their opening World Cup game against Croatia on 17 June.

Anderson was one of Forest’s star performers last season as they reached the Europa League semi-finals and avoided relegation from the Premier League, despite having four managers.

He arrived from Newcastle in 2024 for £35m and has made 92 appearances, scoring six goals.

Bernardo Silva’s exit from City at the end of his contract means they are looking to bolster their midfield and Anderson tops the list of potential targets.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is another player understood to be highly rated by City, with reports suggesting the Italy international has also been monitored as a long-term target.

Newcastle in talks to sign Spain winger Munoz

Victor Munoz scored on his Spain debut against Serbia in March

Newcastle United are in talks with Osasuna to sign Spain winger Victor Munoz.

The club are in a market for a replacement for Anthony Gordon, who joined Barcelona for £69.3m, and Munoz is a top target.

However, it is understood a deal has not been agreed yet for the rapid forward, who has a 40m Euros (£34.5m) release clause.

Newcastle are attempting to strike early this summer, having already landed promising goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims for £18.5m.

“You will find the best players that are available on the market won’t hang around for too long,” head coach Eddie Howe said in May.

“The speed at which the transfer market moves now is very quick. Teams are very efficient and we have to be there as one of those teams.”

Munoz, who was previously on the books of Real Madrid and Barcelona, is currently preparing for Spain’s opening game of the World Cup.

Luis de la Fuente’s side face Cape Verde in Atlanta on 15 June.

This already feels like a very different summer for Newcastle.

Whereas the Alexander Isak saga dragged on until Newcastle buckled and sold the Swede to Liverpool for £125m on deadline day, this time around, the club agreed to let Gordon go to Barcelona before the window even officially opened.

Similarly, whereas Newcastle spent £55m to make Anthony Elanga their first signing of last summer, this time around, the club have pivoted away from the Premier League proven market with their opening moves of the window.

Newcastle have always targeted players from the continent, as well as those with top-flight experience, but Jaouen’s arrival and the pursuit of Munoz have still signalled a shift in approach as the club look to learn lessons from last year’s bruising summer.

Newcastle have since widened their recruitment network.

They are attempting to sign younger players with the potential to grow with the club like Jaouen, who is 20, and Munoz, who is 22.

As BBC Sport previously reported, Newcastle are also bidding to make smarter use of data after sporting director Ross Wilson walked into a club whose operation was way behind what he left at Nottingham Forest in October 2025.

Yet, most noticeably, they are moving quickly.

After already signing Jaouen, Newcastle are looking to recruit Munoz, potentially even before he has the chance to catch the eye of other suitors with a cameo from the bench at the World Cup.

Real Madrid bring back Mourinho on three-year deal

Jose Mourinho first joined Real Madrid 16 years ago, after successful spells at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan

Real Madrid have confirmed the reappointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach.

The 63-year-old has agreed a three-year deal and will begin work when the squad return for pre-season training on 13 July.

Real Madrid have paid Benfica £13m (15m euros) in compensation to bring the Portuguese head coach back to the Bernabeu - some 13 years after his first stint at the club came to an end.

Florentino Perez had vowed to reappoint Mourinho as head coach if re-elected as club president earlier this month.

Perez, 79, who has been in office since 2009, beat challenger and renewable energy magnate Enrique Riquelme in the election by picking up 65% of the votes.

That cleared the way for the man who led Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League titles to rejoin a club who have won that competition a record 15 times.

Mourinho’s previous spell in Madrid, which began in 2010 and lasted three seasons, yielded a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup.

He has since taken charge of Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and had stints at Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica.

During the only season of what was his second stint at Benfica, Mourinho led the two-time European Cup winners to an unbeaten Liga Portugal campaign, though it was only enough to secure a third-place finish.

Earlier this week, Benfica agreed a deal to appoint former Fulham manager Marco Silva as Mourinho’s replacement.

Mourinho, meanwhile, heads back to Real Madrid with the club having failed to win a trophy in the past two seasons.

They parted ways with Xabi Alonso in January before Alvaro Arbeloa led them through to the end of the campaign.