Rangers are closing in on a deal to sign South Africa international centre-back Olwethu Makhanya from the Philadelphia Union, according to sources.

The Union will receive a fee north of $4.5 million and retain a significant sell-on clause.

Makhanya was one of the Major League Soccer’s best defenders in 2025.

The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Giovanni Malago has announced Roberto Mancini is set to become Italy’s new head coach.

Mancini returns for a second spell with the national team, having resigned from his post in controversial circumstances only three years ago.

A third midfielder, after the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, is on the agenda for Manchester United, with several options under consideration.

Lewis Hall of Newcastle remains a player of interest should United decide to go for a left-back.

United are also looking at the market for a striker to share the load with Benjamin Sesko.

In 2024 and 2025, they held talks over re-signing Danny Welbeck from Brighton, getting quite far in the process last year, but they have so far shown no indication of moving again for the 35-year-old, who is now the subject of discussions with Chelsea.

Real Madrid have announced world-record revenues for a football club for the third year running, as turnover increased for the fifth consecutive season in 2025-26.

In a release issued by the club on Tuesday, Madrid announced €1.221billion in top-line revenues, the first time any club has claimed to surpass €1.2bn, and a three per cent uplift on the Spanish club’s own figure from a season earlier.

🚨 Chelsea in process of finalising deal to sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion. Permission granted by #BHAFC for medical; if all goes to plan 35yo to do it by end of week & join #CFC in Hong Kong. 2yr contract agreed in principle

FIFA has announced plans to sell a large minority stake in a new company that will run its main events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, as part of a plan to triple the amount of development money it dishes out to its 211 member associations.

Under the proposals — which are subject to approval by a majority of those national associations and FIFA’s 37-member council — a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE) will take over all commercial operations, while FIFA remains the game’s global governing body and retains a majority stake in FFE.

Fulham are advancing in talks with Real Madrid over a move for attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios.

Palacios, 21, is the latest Madrid academy graduate Fulham have targeted since appointing Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach this summer.

The clubs are also in advanced talks over a proposed move for Gonzalo Garcia. Any deal for Garcia would be well above of €30million.

🚨 Mauricio Pochettino on course to agree new contract & extend reign as USA head coach through to 2030 World Cup. Barring unexpected change of heart 54yo Argentine boss set to remain in charge of #USMNT for next cycle

Jordan Henderson has left Brentford and is now a free agent after a mutual agreement was reached to terminate his contract.

Liverpool are set to table an opening bid for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.

The France international has emerged as Liverpool’s top target in the transfer market as they look to replace Mohamed Salah, who left the club at the end of last season.

Barcola, who has two years remaining on his current deal, is understood to be keen on moving to Anfield.

PSG have indicated that they value Barcola at around £145million but Liverpool have no intention of going that high to secure his services.

They will look to do a deal closer to £100m given that the player has made it clear he won’t sign a new contract at PSG and wants to embark on a new challenge on Merseyside.

Coventry City are closing in on a deal to sign goalkeeper Carl Rushworth for a club-record fee from Brighton.

Rushworth, who spent last season on loan at Coventry, is expected to join for an initial fee of £22.5million ($29.9m).

Roberto De Zerbi says he would like Lucas Bergvall to remain at Tottenham Hotspur, but he cannot guarantee him a starting role and doesn’t want to “convince anyone to stay”.

Bergvall informed the club of his desire to seek a new challenge in June, and Tottenham have fielded interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest for his signature.

Brentford are close to agreeing a deal to sign Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare.

A deal has not yet been finalised but Brentford are closing in on a move for the Mali international, with the transfer fee expected to exceed the package of £37million ($49.2m; €43.2m at current rates) plus £5m in add-ons they paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara last year.

Sangare, 24, would be viewed as a replacement for Jordan Henderson.

🚨Junior Kroupi expected to be out for 3/4 months with foot injury suffered in pre-season training. 20yo Bournemouth forward flew back from Austria tour & underwent successful surgery today. Departure this summer never countenanced by #AFCB

The Argentine Football Association, three of its players and a coach are being investigated by FIFA for altercations at the World Cup final and the parading of the Falklands banner.

The disciplinary arm of world football’s governing body has opened proceedings against Leandro Paredes for three counts of assault, Nahuel Molina for two counts of the same offence, and Argentina coach Roberto Ayala for one count.

Molina is also being investigated for one count of unsporting behaviour, while team-mate Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi face the same charge, FIFA said in a statement on Wednesday.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Howe set to leave Newcastle United. All parties initially chose to continue but 48yo has informed #NUFC of decision to take break & will depart after 5yrs as head coach. Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli lined up as replacement

Tottenham Hotspur are working on “another bomba” transfer, according to head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who says he is “like a shark” when he wants a player in the transfer market.

“At the end of last season, all parties agreed to continue together into the 2026-27 campaign. “As I understand it, Howe experienced a change of mind in recent weeks, and communicated to the club hierarchy that he wanted to take a break.”

David Ornstein on the news that Eddie Howe is set to leave Newcastle United, with Matthias Jaissle poised to replace him at St James' Park...

Fulham have agreed deals to sign Gonzalo Garcia for €40million and Cesar Palacios for €10m from Real Madrid.

The proposals include a 30 per cent sell-on clause for each player and, all being well, will see the pair follow head coach Alvaro Arbeloa to Craven Cottage from the Spanish capital.

Atletico Madrid have reported Barcelona to the Spanish football federation over their perceived improper pursuit of Julian Alvarez.

The complaint relates to an alleged breach of ethics between the clubs, and Barcelona are set to lodge an appeal.

European nations have agreed to boycott the World Cup over FIFA’s plans to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors.

The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of the 55 national associations which are members of UEFA, the European football confederation, on Thursday, according to sources with knowledge of the meeting.

The next World Cup in the calendar is the women’s edition in Brazil next summer, followed by the men’s tournament in Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030.