Arsenal trio among six on player of the year shortlist

Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya have been nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association men’s player of the year award alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Earlier this month, Fernandes, 31, won the Football Writers’ Association’s men’s footballer of the year award.

That award is often an indicator of who is the frontrunner to be named the PFA player of the year.

The Portugal midfielder registered a record 21 Premier League assists to help United finish third.

Midfielder Rice, defender Gabriel and goalkeeper Raya were all key players for Arsenal, who won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Striker Haaland bagged 27 goals to win the league’s golden boot, while Cherki enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League.

Former Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah won the award last year after scoring 29 times to help the Reds win the Premier League.

The winners will be honoured on Tuesday, 25 August at the 53rd annual PFA Awards Ceremony in Manchester.

Cherki has also been nominated for the PFA young player of the year, alongside City team-mate and England international Nico O’Reilly, who was named as the Premier League’s young player of the season last week.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, another England international, is also among the nominees after playing a key role in Michael Carrick’s side.

Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi is another on the shortlist after he scored 13 goals in 33 matches in his debut Premier League campaign.

Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha, who have represented England at under-19 level, complete the list of nominees thanks to their performances for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

Perez promises biggest deal in Real Madrid's history

Florentino Perez has promised to make a club-record offer for an unnamed “great player” if re-elected as Real Madrid president on Sunday.

He said he would offer “about 150 million euros” (£130m) for an attacking player - but said it was not Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Michel Olise or Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku.

Perez, 79, also ruled out signing Erling Haaland - as was promised by election challenger Enrique Riquelme earlier this week.

Haaland’s club Manchester City have since stated there is “no chance” of such a transfer and are threatening legal action against Riquelme.

Real Madrid is owned entirely by members who decide its president. Each pay an annual fee of around £130 and nearly 100,000 of them will vote on Sunday.

Following his first election in 2000, Perez pursued a ‘Galacticos’ policy of signing expensive world-class players including Luis Figo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.

Real Madrid won two La Liga titles and a Champions League before Perez resigned in 2006 amid disappointing results.

In 2009, he successfully stood for the presidency again unopposed and has done so a further four times in his 17-year second term.

Trailing La Liga champions Barcelona by eight points, Real Madrid ended the 2025-26 season with no major trophies for the second season in a row.

As the season drew to a close, Perez called a news conference in which he railed against the club’s enemies and urged those unhappy with his leadership to run against him for president.

Renewable energy magnate Riquelme stepped forward, leaving Perez to compete with another candidate to retain his role for the first time in 20 years.

On Wednesday, Perez promised voters he would initiate a Galacticos-style transfer bid days after he hopes to be re-elected.

“I have some news for you,” he told Spanish TV show Horizonte.

“On Tuesday or so, I’m going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player. It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history.”

Perez was asked the identity of his target and the scale of the fee.

“Olise is a great player but it’s not Olise,” Perez said. “It’s not Doku either.

“We’re going to make a significant offer, at least around 150m.

“He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward. And it’s not Haaland.

“The player is not from the Premier League. And the first thing we’ll do is talk to the club.

“It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about, generating excitement.”

He also reminded voters his re-election would activate already-agreed deals for manager Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate, whose contract at Liverpool won’t be renewed.

Brighton expect second Spurs bid for Van Hecke

No outfield player in the Brighton squad played more Premier League minutes last season than Jan Paul van Hecke’s 3,211

Brighton are expecting Tottenham to return with another bid for defender Jan Paul van Hecke after rejecting their initial offer.

Van Hecke, who is part of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, has a year left on his contract and new Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi is keen to be reunited with the 25-year-old after working with him at Brighton.

Brighton signed Van Hecke from Eredivisie outfit NAC Breda in 2020 for a relatively modest sum.

He is reported to be valued now by Brighton at £70m.

After loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, the centre-back has gone on to make 131 appearances for Brighton, including 36 starts in the Premier League last term.

Chief executive Paul Barber was placed in charge of outgoing transfers by Brighton in the wake of the unexpected exit of sporting director Jason Ayto, which was confirmed on Wednesday.

Brighton are known for their hard-line bargaining stance having received fees in excess of £50m for Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro in recent years, and also their forward planning.

Given Van Hecke’s contract situation, it is likely Barber and owner Tony Bloom have a contingency in mind if a deal is eventually agreed.

Fans banned from taking water bottles into games

Fans will not be allowed to take reusable water bottles into World Cup stadiums due to safety concerns, Fifa said in a late policy change.

The official stadium code of conduct previously stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the stadium.”

But seven days before the tournament kicks off on 11 June, bottles - along with cups, jars and cans - have been prohibited, with Fifa saying it will lower the risk of injury caused by fans throwing missiles.

“Fifa is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” football’s world governing body said in a statement.

Fans will be able to buy water in the stadium and Fifa has promised not to charge above their usual venue prices.

The U-turn follows warnings by scientists that Fifa’s heat safety measures for the tournament are “inadequate”, with temperatures at 14 of the 16 host venues set to exceed dangerous levels.

“Fifa works closely with each host city committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans travelling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around the stadium footprint,” Fifa’s statement said.

“Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the Fifa World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”

The change in policy comes amid complaints that fans are being hit by “extortionate” ticket prices and inflated train fares.

Fans were also prevented from taking bottles into stadiums at the last World Cup in Qatar.

The Free Lions England fans’ group called the move a “strange, late change”.

In a statement posted on X, it added: “In all of our discussions, free water availability in stadiums was a key one and we were assured by Fifa that this would be the case and that fans will have the ability to bring their own water bottle.

“Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money-grab. For how hot the stadiums will be, many in open air, just let fans bring a bottle if they want to.

“We hope the water fountains in stadiums will still be free, hopefully you aren’t charged in the queue!”

Man City consider legal action after Haaland claim

Manchester City are contemplating taking legal action after a Real Madrid presidential candidate promised to sign their striker Erling Haaland.

Enrique Riquelme - a renewable energy magnate who is challenging current president Florentino Perez for the position - unveiled a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name while on television on Wednesday, saying: “He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid.”

A swift denial was issued in a joint statement by Haaland’s father and agent, before City rubbished the suggestion.

“The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,” the statement read. “There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.

“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”

Enrique also pledged to sign City midfielder Rodri, adding: “He is a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen.

“We have spoken to his agent. We have to respect his club, but if I’m president he will play for Madrid. I will do everything possible.”

Haaland’s father Alfe Inge and agent Rafaela Pimenta said in their joint statement: “All very entertaining but not true.

“We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”

Riquelme has challenged Perez in the election – the first time in 20 years Perez has not stood unopposed – following two seasons in which the club has won no major trophies.

The 37-year-old has run on a campaign of vast giveaways, including a promise to build a members’ city for fans of the club in the area surrounding the training base featuring swimming pools, padel courts and a basketball arena.

He has also suggested reducing the annual membership fee by up to 50% if the team does not win the Champions League next season.

Riquelme also opposes Perez’s decision to hire Jose Mourinho as the club’s manager. That appointment can only be formally confirmed if Perez wins the election.

The team behind Riquelme’s campaign has hinted that former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is their main target for the position.

“My coach is the one Real Madrid fans wants,” he said on Wednesday, without revealing a name.

When asked about Klopp in an interview with The Athletic last month, Riquelme said: “Naturally, I would love for profiles of that calibre, and others like them, to coach this club.”

The Perez campaign has sought to dismiss Riquelme’s strategy of immediately bringing in superstar names as unrealistic.

Rodri, 29, recently said he will resolve his future after the upcoming World Cup.

“When a player is approaching the final stage of his contract, it’s normal for names to be mentioned,” he added.

“I’m very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and I’ll tell you that perhaps if there hadn’t been a World Cup, things might be different now.”

Perez, meanwhile, has pledged to reinvigorate the squad with new signings of his own and to reduce the inter-team disputes which marred the second half of the season after Alvaro Arbeloa replaced the sacked Xabi Alonso as manager.

If he is confirmed as the election winner, the club will confirm the signings of former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and Inter full-back Denzel Dumfries, in deals which have already been agreed.

“I always say that in football you don’t always win,” Perez said on Wednesday.

“We haven’t achieved the expected results, but we’ve identified the problems. The team couldn’t have a pre-season due to the Club World Cup, and that hampered us all year.

“We had almost 30 injuries in the first half of the season and that was a decisive factor.

“We’re already working to face the challenges of the new season.”

The campaign has been characterised by repeated attempts from both sides to ridicule the opposition.

The team backing 79-year-old Perez purchased advertising space during Riquelme’s appearance on El Hormiguero - a long-running chat show featuring puppets and novelty variety acts - in which they announced Mourinho as the team’s new manager and called on members to back their candidate.

Real Madrid has been owned by its members throughout its history. The process of electing a president is seen as the most democratic way for its members to have a say in how the club is governed and how its strategy for the future should work.

Just under 100,000 members are eligible to vote in the election, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 7 June.

Each member pays an annual fee of around £130, generating around £10m in income for the club.

The vote was called early by Perez himself, in an attempt secure a renewed mandate following a period of on-field unrest and disapproval in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu. He is considered the overwhelming favourite to win.

Club legends have come out to support both candidates. Though the majority - including Karim Benzema, Casemiro, and Roberto Carlos - are backing Perez, former captains Iker Casillas and Fernando Hierro have pledged their support for Riquelme.

Perez first became president in 2000, having himself promised to usher in a new era of success by building a team of ‘Galacticos’ comprising new superstar signings.

His pledge to sign Barcelona’s Luis Figo played a crucial role in his victory over incumbent Lorenzo Sanz, who had twice overseen Champions League wins during his tenure, and was followed up by the signings of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Michael Owen in each of the following summers.

Perez resigned in 2006, amid diminishing results for the team, but returned in 2009 when he stood unopposed for the presidency.