Manchester United are planning to trigger a one-year extension in Lisandro Martinez’s contract, according to Football Insider, with the Argentina defender’s current deal due to expire at the end of this season.

The 28-year-old could therefore remain at Old Trafford for at least another year beyond the end of the existing agreement. The reported option would allow Manchester United to retain Martinez while the club assesses whether to negotiate a longer-term arrangement.

Football Insider says Manchester United’s hierarchy is considering the extension because of Martinez’s performances when available. If the defender maintains his form and continues to produce strong displays, the club would be prepared to offer him a new contract.

The report does not indicate that a fresh long-term deal has been agreed. Instead, the immediate plan is understood to be the activation of the one-year clause, with Martinez’s future beyond that period potentially dependent on his continued performances.

Martinez joined Manchester United’s current-season campaign with his contract situation approaching a decision point. His existing agreement is scheduled to run out at the conclusion of the season, making the extension option significant for the club as it seeks to avoid losing control of the defender’s next contractual step.

The Argentina international has made two appearances in the English Premier League this season and has not recorded a goal or an assist in those matches.

Those appearances form the basis of his league record this season, while the reported view from Manchester United is that his overall level remains strong enough to justify keeping him at the club. A continuation of that form could lead to talks over a completely new agreement after the one-year option has been activated.

For now, the information remains a report rather than an official announcement from Manchester United or Martinez. The club’s immediate priority, according to Football Insider, is to use the extension provision in the defender’s current contract. Any decision on a longer relationship would come later and would be influenced by whether Martinez continues to perform at the expected standard.

The potential move would give Manchester United additional time to determine Martinez’s long-term position, while ensuring the club does not face the immediate prospect of his current deal expiring at the end of the season. It would also leave open the possibility of a further contract if the defender remains in strong form.

Dmitry Sennikov, the former Lokomotiv Moscow defender, believes Matvey Safonov is unlikely to be named goalkeeper of the year despite the Russian international’s success with Paris Saint-Germain last season.

“I doubt Safonov will become goalkeeper of the year,” Sennikov said while discussing the prospects of the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper in the race for the award.

The prize will be presented at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October. Safonov’s achievements with the Parisian club are central to the discussion surrounding his chances, after he helped Paris Saint-Germain win both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League last season.

However, Sennikov, who is now a football expert, remains unconvinced that those honours will be enough for Safonov to claim the individual award. His view is that, although the goalkeeper enjoyed a highly successful campaign with his club, he should not be regarded as the likely winner when the ceremony takes place.

Safonov’s club season included two of the most significant trophies available to Paris Saint-Germain. The French side finished as champions of Ligue 1 and also became winners of the UEFA Champions League, with Safonov part of the squad during that campaign.

Those team achievements provide the basis for considering the goalkeeper among the candidates for recognition, but Sennikov has questioned whether they will translate into the top individual prize. The former Lokomotiv Moscow player offered his assessment while focusing specifically on Safonov’s prospects in the goalkeeper of the year category.

The result will be announced at the Ballon d’Or event in London on 26 October. Until then, Safonov’s position in the race remains the subject of opinion, with Sennikov expressing doubt rather than predicting that the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper will receive the award.

For Safonov, the season ended with Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League winners’ medals alongside his Paris Saint-Germain team-mates. Sennikov’s comments nevertheless underline the distinction between winning major club competitions and being selected as the outstanding goalkeeper of the year.

The former Lokomotiv Moscow defender did not question the importance of Safonov’s achievements with Paris Saint-Germain. Instead, he gave a cautious assessment of the goalkeeper’s chances of adding an individual honour to the two major team trophies secured last season.

The award ceremony in London on 26 October will determine whether Safonov’s campaign earns him the recognition in question. For now, the public view offered by Sennikov is clear: “I doubt Safonov will become goalkeeper of the year.”

Newcastle United have joined the list of clubs monitoring Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to TEAMtalk.

The report says Newcastle could try to sign the 22-year-old in 2027, although any move would depend on Crystal Palace indicating that they are prepared to enter negotiations. A potential transfer could be worth about 87m euros.

Wharton has emerged as a player attracting interest from several leading clubs, with Newcastle now reported to be the latest side to consider a move for the England midfielder. TEAMtalk says the Magpies are ready to become more active if Crystal Palace make it clear that discussions over the player’s future would be possible.

There is no suggestion in the report that formal negotiations have begun or that a transfer has been agreed. Instead, Newcastle’s interest is described as part of a wider race for Wharton, with the club potentially looking towards a move in 2027.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have previously been linked with the midfielder. Atletico are also reported to have shown interest, alongside other unnamed clubs.

The growing list of suitors could strengthen Crystal Palace’s position should they decide to consider offers for Wharton. The possible 87m-euro valuation would make any deal a significant one, although the reported figure remains an estimate and there is no indication that an agreement has been reached.

Wharton has made four appearances for Crystal Palace in all competitions this season. He has not recorded a goal or an assist in those matches.

For now, the midfielder remains a Crystal Palace player, with Newcastle’s reported interest focused on the possibility of a future approach rather than an immediate transfer. Any decision by the Eagles to open talks would be central to whether the Magpies pursue the deal.

Wharton joined Crystal Palace’s senior set-up after developing into a highly regarded midfielder, and his name has continued to feature in reports linking him with clubs in England and abroad. The latest report adds Newcastle to that group and places a possible move in 2027, subject to Crystal Palace’s willingness to negotiate.

Rodri says he does not want to become involved in arguments over the Ballon d’Or after being named among the 30 candidates for the 2025-26 award.

The Barcelona midfielder commented on the prestigious individual prize after the shortlist was announced. Rodri is included in the 30-player group competing for this year’s honour.

“I don’t want to get drawn into Ballon d’Or debates,” Rodri said.

The Spain international is a former winner of the award. He received the Ballon d’Or before the current holder, Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, claimed the prize.

Dembele is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and is also among the players connected with this year’s award through the announcement of the 30 nominees. Rodri’s inclusion means the former winner remains part of the discussion surrounding the next recipient, although he has made clear that he does not want to engage in debate over the outcome.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on 26 October. The event will determine who succeeds Dembele as the latest winner, with Rodri’s name again included on the official list of candidates.

Rodri’s nomination comes after he previously collected the award, placing him among the players recognised in recent years as the leading individual performer in world football. Dembele is the player currently holding the trophy, while Rodri is the most recent winner before him.

The publication of the 30-name shortlist has therefore placed both players in the wider Ballon d’Or conversation. However, Rodri’s response focused on avoiding speculation and controversy rather than assessing his own chances or comparing himself with the other nominees.

For Barcelona, his presence on the list provides recognition for one of the club’s midfielders in the selection for the 2025-26 Ballon d’Or. For Rodri, the announcement has also revived the link with an award he has already won.

The final decision will be confirmed at the ceremony in London on 26 October. Until then, Rodri has indicated that he does not intend to take part in disputes or arguments about the Ballon d’Or.

Nigerian winger David Akintola has left Hull City after the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract so he could complete a move to Cypriot side Omonia FC.

The 30-year-old is returning to Omonia for a second spell, having previously played for the club in 2020. His first period in Cyprus was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still made seven appearances and scored twice.

Akintola joined Hull City from Turkish Super Lig club Caykur Rizespor in August 2025. He made 21 appearances for the Tigers during the 2025/26 season, scoring one goal and registering two assists.

His involvement was not limited to league football, as he also featured for Hull City in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The club confirmed his departure as he prepares to begin another chapter with Omonia FC.

The move brings an end to Akintola’s time at Hull City after one season. His contract has been ended by mutual agreement, allowing him to complete his transfer without remaining tied to the Championship club.

Akintola’s first spell with Omonia came during a period disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite those difficulties, he contributed two goals in seven appearances before moving on from the Cypriot club.

The winger has also built up experience across several leagues during his career. Before joining Hull City, he played in Turkey for Caykur Rizespor, Adana Demirspor and Hatayspor. He has additionally represented clubs in Norway and Cyprus.

Omonia will now provide Akintola with the opportunity to return to a familiar environment and attempt to make a further impact in Cyprus. The move also marks his latest transfer after his season with Hull City, where he supplied two assists and scored once in 21 outings.

Hull City’s announcement confirms that the club and player have formally reached an agreement over his departure. Akintola can now focus on his second spell with Omonia FC, having previously made seven appearances and scored two goals during his initial stay in 2020.

Former Zenit St Petersburg player Miguel Danny has assessed Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Danny’s comments focus on the qualities that could strengthen Kvaratskhelia’s claim for football’s most prestigious individual award. The Georgian has already received major recognition for his performances in Europe, having been named the best player of the most recent UEFA Champions League campaign.

That distinction gives Kvaratskhelia a significant platform as he looks towards the next Ballon d’Or ceremony. The award is due to be presented in London on 26 October 2026.

Kvaratskhelia joined Paris Saint-Germain and has continued to attract attention at the highest level of European football. His recognition as the outstanding player of the previous UEFA Champions League edition underlines the importance of his contribution during the competition.

The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the player judged to have produced the strongest individual performances over the relevant period. Kvaratskhelia’s status as the best player of the latest UEFA Champions League campaign places him among the leading names being considered for the 2026 prize.

Danny, who previously played for Zenit St Petersburg, has offered his view on whether the Paris Saint-Germain winger can turn that European achievement into success in the Ballon d’Or vote. His assessment highlights the qualities that have helped Kvaratskhelia establish himself among the leading players in the game.

The ceremony will take place in London on 26 October. The current holder of the award is Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, who is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner.

Kvaratskhelia’s candidacy will therefore be discussed against the backdrop of Dembele’s current status as the holder of the prize. His UEFA Champions League honour, however, provides a clear measure of the Georgian winger’s standing ahead of the next ceremony.

No result for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has yet been announced. The award ceremony in London will determine whether Kvaratskhelia’s performances are considered strong enough to take the title from Dembele and make him the next winner.

Nigerian centre-forward Chinedu Geoffrey has joined AEL Limassol from KS Samara on loan, completing a move to the Cyprus League club on 9 September 2026.

The 28-year-old, who was born in Lagos, has moved after starting the 2026-27 campaign in Russia. The loan is scheduled to run until 30 June 2027, when Geoffrey is due to return to KS Samara.

Geoffrey made two appearances in the Russian Premier Liga before leaving, playing 47 minutes in total. He also featured three times in the Russian Cup, scoring once and recording 102 minutes on the pitch.

The forward joined KS Samara from FC Astana in January 2026 in a €330,000 transfer. He made his move to the Russian club after spending part of the 2025-26 season with Astana, where he had previously arrived as a free agent from LN Tieren in July 2024.

His time with Astana included a Kazakh League Cup winners’ medal in the 2023-24 season. Geoffrey had joined LN Tieren from Radnicki 1923 in February 2024 for €150,000, before moving on to Kazakhstan later that year.

Geoffrey is 1.92m tall and prefers his right foot. His move to AEL adds a centre-forward with experience of football in Russia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Finland, Ukraine, Estonia, Albania and North Macedonia.

At AEL, he will be registered under a contract running until 31 May 2027, while the loan agreement records his return to KS Samara at the end of June 2027. The transfer gives Geoffrey a fresh opportunity to continue his career in Cyprus after a short spell with KS Samara.

The completed loan transfer was made on 9 September 2026, with Geoffrey leaving KS Samara for AEL Limassol until the end of the arrangement.

Nigeria midfielder Timipere Johnson Eboh has joined Cypriot club Nea Salamis from Greek side Kifisia on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder completed the move on 9 September 2026 and will remain with the Cyprus League club until 30 June 2027, when he is due to return to Kifisia. No transfer fee has been disclosed for the loan.

Eboh, who was born in Lagos, made the switch after spending the previous season with Kifisia in Greece’s Super League 1. He joined the Athens-based club from Asteras Aktor in July 2025 for €100,000 after previously spending the 2024-25 campaign there on loan from Kifisia.

His time with Kifisia began with a loan move from Asteras Aktor in July 2024. He helped the club win the Greek second tier during the 2024-25 season, earning a league championship medal before returning to Asteras Aktor when that loan ended.

Eboh began his senior career with Asteras Tripoli after arriving from the club’s under-19 side in 2021. He also spent loan spells with Episkopi, Panathinaikos B and Iraklis before establishing a permanent link with Kifisia.

The right-footed midfielder is 1.82m tall and has been used in a holding role in the centre of the pitch. He has made one appearance in the Kypello Elladas this season, playing 84 minutes, while he did not feature in Super League 1 before leaving Kifisia.

Nea Salamis have secured Eboh’s services as they begin the 2026-27 campaign, with the move taking him across the Mediterranean for the first time in his senior career. His recorded market value is €600,000, the highest figure listed during his career.

The transfer adds another chapter to a career shaped by a series of moves within Greek football, including temporary spells at four clubs. Eboh’s immediate future is now in Cyprus, where he will spend the remainder of the campaign with Nea Salamis before returning to Kifisia at the end of the loan.

Nigerian winger Samuel Akere has joined Wisla Plock from Widzew Lodz on loan in a move that keeps the 22-year-old in Poland’s Ekstraklasa until 30 June 2027.

Akere, who plays on the right wing and prefers his left foot, completed the switch on 9 September. The deal is a loan transfer, with the player scheduled to return to Widzew Lodz when it expires next summer.

The Ibadan-born forward has made one league appearance for Widzew this season, playing 19 minutes in the Ekstraklasa. He did not feature in the Polish Cup before moving to Wisla Plock.

Akere joined Widzew on a permanent transfer from Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv on 1 July 2025, with the move valued at €750,000. He spent part of the following campaign on loan at NK Osijek before returning to the Polish side on 30 June 2026.

His spell at Osijek followed an earlier loan move from Widzew in January 2026. Across those changes of club, Akere has remained in European domestic football after establishing himself at Botev Plovdiv, where he won the Bulgarian Cup in the 2023-24 season.

Akere moved to Botev Plovdiv from Nigerian club FDC Vista in May 2022 on a free transfer. He had previously been with G12 FC and began his senior club career in Nigeria before moving to Bulgaria.

The 1.78m attacker now joins a Wisla Plock side competing in the same division as Widzew Lodz. His contract with the club runs until 30 June 2027, matching the length of his loan spell.

Akere’s current market value is €1m, while his highest recorded value has been €1.2m. At 22, he arrives at Wisla Plock with experience of football in Nigeria, Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland, as well as a domestic cup winner’s medal from his time at Botev Plovdiv.

The completed loan takes Akere from Widzew Lodz to Wisla Plock for the 2026-27 season, with the Nigerian due to return to Widzew on 30 June 2027.

Nigeria winger Blessed Uwadiegwu has joined Romanian club A. Bals as a free agent, completing his move on 9 September 2026.

The 19-year-old right winger arrives after leaving NK Jesenice earlier in the summer. He became without a club on 1 July before agreeing his move to A. Bals, with no transfer fee disclosed for the deal.

Uwadiegwu’s arrival adds a left-footed attacking player to A. Bals’ squad. The 1.83m winger primarily operates on the right side of the attack and will begin the next stage of his career in Romania.

He made 11 appearances in the Druga Liga before switching clubs, playing 297 minutes during the 2026-27 campaign. The move to A. Bals came shortly after that spell and represents his latest change of club at the start of the season.

Born on 1 January 2007, Uwadiegwu is eligible to represent Nigeria and has been registered with Academica Bals at national-club level. His move also marks a return to club football after more than two months without a team following his departure from NK Jesenice.

A. Bals have secured Uwadiegwu’s services without paying a transfer fee, although no contract length has been announced. The club’s new signing can provide an option on the right flank, where his preferred left foot gives him the ability to operate from the wing.

Uwadiegwu’s previous club, NK Jesenice, was the last team he represented before his period as a free agent. He joined A. Bals after that break and is now part of the club’s squad for the 2026-27 season.

The transfer was completed on 9 September, with the Nigerian teenager becoming an A. Bals player after leaving NK Jesenice.

Cristian Volpato has escaped with a €450 fine after an incident in which cocaine was reportedly found in his blood while he was driving, bringing an end to a case that had threatened to cause serious problems for the Sassuolo and Australia footballer.

Volpato was fined 722 Australian dollars, equivalent to about €450, following the incident. The penalty represents a much less severe outcome than the consequences the player initially appeared to be facing after the substance was detected in his blood.

The case had centred on two elements: the alleged presence of cocaine and the fact that Volpato was behind the wheel of a car. Those circumstances had raised the prospect of significant difficulties for the 21-year-old, who plays for Sassuolo and represents Australia.

However, Volpato has consistently denied taking cocaine. He requested further testing in an effort to challenge the original finding, and the additional examination did not detect traces of the drug in his blood, according to derbyderbyderby.it.

That result formed a key part of the eventual resolution. Rather than facing a more serious sporting or legal outcome, Volpato’s case concluded with the financial penalty of 722 Australian dollars.

Sassuolo also carried out a series of checks of its own. Following those investigations, the club internally cleared Volpato and restored his access to club activities.

The Italian side’s decision means the player is once again able to take part in the club’s work after the scrutiny surrounding the incident. Sassuolo’s internal review reached the same practical conclusion as the additional examination: Volpato was not found to have traces of cocaine in his blood in that test.

The affair had been reported at the end of July, when the potential consequences for the player appeared considerably more serious. At that stage, the discovery of cocaine in his blood, combined with the fact that he had been driving, had placed the footballer in a difficult position.

Volpato’s firm denial and his decision to request a new analysis ultimately helped change the picture. The second test failed to identify any traces of the drug, while Sassuolo’s own checks led the club to reinstate him.

The final outcome is therefore a €450 fine rather than a heavier punishment. Volpato remains a Sassuolo player and has regained access to the club after the internal process was completed.

Cagliari will be without midfielder Mattia Felici for the rest of the season after he suffered a cruciate ligament tear against Torino in Serie A.

Felici spent only 13 minutes on the pitch during the match before sustaining the injury, which will now keep him out for an extended period. His recovery is expected to continue until next summer, meaning Cagliari have lost the player for the remainder of the current campaign.

The injury represents a significant setback for the Sardinian club, who will have to manage the rest of the season without one of their midfield options. Felici’s absence is expected to last well beyond the immediate weeks ahead because damage to the cruciate ligaments requires a lengthy rehabilitation programme.

Cagliari have not been given a short-term lay-off to plan around. Instead, the seriousness of the injury means Felici faces a rehabilitation period lasting through to the summer of next year. The club will therefore be without him for the full season rather than for only a limited run of fixtures.

The midfielder has been with Cagliari since 2024. His time at the club has now been interrupted by the injury suffered in the Serie A meeting with Torino, where he was able to play for just 13 minutes.

For Cagliari, the timing creates a long-term absence in midfield and removes Felici from their plans for the campaign. The club’s immediate concern is the player’s recovery, with the rehabilitation process set to continue for many months before he can be expected to return.

Felici’s next target will be to complete that process and recover from the cruciate ligament tear by next summer. Until then, Cagliari will have to continue without the midfielder who joined the Sardinian club in 2024.

Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli could be sidelined for about six months after medical examinations confirmed a serious meniscus injury sustained against Milan in Serie A.

The 28-year-old midfielder will require surgery, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, with the length of his rehabilitation expected to keep him out for a significant part of the season.

Initial assessments had suggested Locatelli might miss approximately three months. However, further examinations revealed that the damage to his meniscus was more serious than first feared, and the longer recovery period is now considered a possibility.

Locatelli suffered the injury during Juventus' recent Serie A match against Milan. The problem was serious enough to require specialist assessment, and the subsequent findings confirmed that an operation would be necessary.

A recovery lasting around six months would represent a major setback for both the player and Juventus. Locatelli is the club's captain and his absence would leave the team without an important midfield presence for an extended period.

The midfielder had been involved in three matches for Juventus this season and had recorded one assist. His projected lay-off would therefore interrupt his campaign after just three appearances.

The expected rehabilitation period remains an estimate, but the need for surgery means Locatelli is certain to spend a substantial amount of time away from competitive action. Juventus will now have to manage his absence while he begins treatment and works towards a return.

The latest diagnosis has overturned the earlier expectation that he would be unavailable for roughly three months. Instead, the club faces the prospect of being without its captain for twice as long, depending on how his recovery progresses after the operation.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the worst concerns over the injury had been confirmed. Locatelli's meniscus damage is considered a complicated problem, and surgery is now required before he can begin the rehabilitation process.

No shorter return timeline has been established in the information available, while the estimated six-month recovery underlines the seriousness of the injury. For now, Juventus must prepare for a lengthy period without their captain, who has contributed one assist in his three appearances this season.

Valentin Barco says he is ready to play in the Premier League after helping Chelsea beat Leeds United 6-3 in the English League Cup.

The Chelsea midfielder made his latest appearance for the London club in the emphatic victory, completing the full 90 minutes, scoring once and providing one assist.

“I am ready to play in the Premier League,” Barco said, according to the headline accompanying his comments after the match.

Chelsea produced a high-scoring performance against Leeds United, with the final score giving the Blues a three-goal margin of victory. Barco contributed directly to two of their six goals, finding the net himself and setting up another during his full outing.

The appearance continued the early stages of Barco’s career at Chelsea. He joined the club last summer and has since featured in three matches for the Blues. Across those games, he has recorded two goal involvements, with one goal and one assist.

His involvement in the English League Cup match represented a significant opportunity to make an impact. Barco played from start to finish and was among the Chelsea players to contribute to the result, while his performance added to his personal record since moving to the London club.

Barco’s opportunities in league football have so far been limited. The midfielder has played only eight minutes in the English championship, despite having already appeared three times for Chelsea in total.

That contrast means his showing against Leeds United was particularly notable within the small sample of matches he has played for the club. He was able to remain on the pitch for the entire contest and produce both a goal and an assist as Chelsea secured a 6-3 win.

Barco joined Chelsea during the previous summer transfer window and has now accumulated two points of attacking output for the club, made up of his goal and assist. The victory over Leeds United provided the latest occasion for him to add to that record.

For now, the match remains the clearest indication of his contribution in a Chelsea shirt: 90 minutes played, one goal scored and one assist delivered. His league involvement, however, remains restricted to eight minutes.

The Argentine midfielder’s comments came after a result in which Chelsea scored six times and advanced their cause in the English League Cup. While his playing time in the championship has been brief, Barco’s display against Leeds United gave him the chance to demonstrate his attacking influence over a full match.

His current Chelsea record stands at three appearances, with one goal and one assist. The next stage of his involvement will determine whether he receives further opportunities in the English championship after making his mark in the cup.

Barcelona could allow Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong to leave during the winter transfer window, with the club reportedly willing to consider offers worth €50m plus a further €15m in potential bonuses.

The information has been reported by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which says Barcelona are preparing for the possibility of selling the 29-year-old midfielder.

Barcelona sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta are understood to be looking for a new club for De Jong. The club hope that teams from the Premier League or Saudi Arabia will show interest in signing him and meet their valuation.

The proposed structure of the deal would see Barcelona receive an initial €50m, with another €15m available through bonuses. No potential buying club has been identified in the report, and there has been no indication that a transfer has been agreed.

De Jong has not played for Barcelona at all this season. He is continuing his recovery from an injury sustained during the 2026 World Cup, according to the report.

His absence means the midfielder has yet to make an appearance in the new campaign, while Barcelona are considering his future ahead of the next opportunity to make changes to their squad. Any move would depend on De Jong’s recovery, interest from other clubs and whether an offer matches Barcelona’s financial expectations.

The report places particular emphasis on the possibility of interest from the Premier League or clubs in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona are hoping one of those markets could provide a destination for the Netherlands international and allow them to secure the reported fee.

For now, De Jong remains a Barcelona player and continues to recover from the injury suffered at the World Cup. However, De Telegraaf’s report suggests the club are prepared to listen to offers during the winter window, with the combined value of the proposed package reaching €65m if all bonuses are paid.

Felix Wiedwald, the former goalkeeper of Eintracht and Werder Bremen, is planning a move into German politics and intends to join the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), currently Germany’s governing party.

Wiedwald ended his playing career in 2022 and has now decided to turn his attention to political life. The former German goalkeeper’s decision comes after the CDU’s heavy defeat in the most recent election in Saxony, although Wiedwald insists that his interest in entering politics began before that result.

He says he had already decided in 2025 that he wanted to pursue a political career. That means his plans, according to Wiedwald, were not formed solely as a reaction to the CDU’s performance in Saxony.

The former player is now set to seek membership of the Christian Democratic Union. The party is currently in government in Germany, giving Wiedwald’s decision a direct connection to the country’s national political landscape.

His move marks a significant change of direction after a career spent in professional football. Wiedwald represented both Eintracht and Werder Bremen during his playing days before bringing that career to an end in 2022. He is now preparing to enter a field far removed from the football pitch, with party membership forming the first step in that process.

The CDU’s showing in Saxony has nevertheless been identified as a possible influence on his decision. The party suffered a major setback in the election there, an outcome that may have made a strong impression on Wiedwald. However, the former goalkeeper has made clear that his political ambitions pre-date the vote.

For now, the key development is Wiedwald’s intention to join the CDU and begin a political career after football. His decision places him among former sports figures who have sought a new public role once their time in professional competition has ended.

Wiedwald retired in 2022, closing the chapter on his football career. Three years later, in 2025, he says he had already resolved to become involved in politics. His planned entry into the CDU now gives that ambition a formal direction.

Max Eberl has confirmed that Bayern Munich were interested in signing Bradley Barcola but decided the player’s price was unjustifiably high.

The head of Bayern’s sporting department said the German club had considered a move for the forward, but ultimately did not proceed because of the financial demands involved.

“We liked Barcola, but he was unjustifiably expensive,” Eberl said.

Barcola subsequently chose to move to English club Liverpool, bringing an end to Bayern’s interest in the player. Eberl’s comments provide the clearest explanation for why the German side did not pursue the deal despite holding the footballer in high regard.

The revelation is significant because it confirms that Bayern were among the clubs competing for Barcola’s services. The Munich club, described as a dominant force in German football, had identified the player as someone they wanted, but admiration for his ability was not enough to overcome concerns about the asking price.

Instead, Liverpool secured Barcola after the forward decided to continue his career in England. Bayern’s position was therefore shaped not by a lack of interest, but by the belief that the proposed cost did not represent acceptable value.

Eberl’s wording also makes clear that the decision was financial rather than sporting. Bayern liked the player, yet judged that the amount required to sign him was excessive. That assessment led the club to step away from the competition for his signature.

Barcola’s eventual move to Liverpool means the two clubs followed different conclusions from the same situation. Bayern Munich viewed the price as too high, while Liverpool agreed to bring the player to England.

No other details about the proposed transfer were given in Eberl’s comments. His statement nevertheless confirms three central points: Bayern Munich wanted Barcola, the club was deterred by the cost, and the player ultimately opted for Liverpool.

The episode underlines the limits even a major club can place on its recruitment plans. Bayern’s sporting leadership considered Barcola attractive as a potential addition, but maintained that the financial terms had to be justified. In this case, Eberl said they were not.

Barcola will therefore continue his career with Liverpool rather than Bayern Munich. For the German club, the outcome represents a missed opportunity to sign a player it admired; for Liverpool, it marks the completion of a move that Bayern chose not to match.

Dmitry Guberniev says Matvey Safonov should already be regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in world football as the Russia international prepares to be considered for France Football’s award for the goalkeeper of the year.

Guberniev, a well-known sports commentator, assessed Safonov’s prospects of receiving the prize, with the goalkeeper’s recent success at Paris Saint-Germain forming the central part of the discussion.

The award ceremony will take place in London on 26 October. Safonov is among the goalkeepers whose achievements are being considered for the honour, which is presented by France Football.

The Russia international enjoyed a highly successful season with Paris Saint-Germain. Together with the Paris club, Safonov became a French champion and also lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Those achievements provide the main context for Guberniev’s assessment of Safonov. The commentator believes the goalkeeper’s standing has risen to the point where he can be counted among the leading players in his position across world football.

Guberniev’s view is also reflected in the headline assessment of Safonov: “Safonov is already one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”

The award ceremony in London on 26 October will provide the setting for the final recognition of the goalkeeper of the year according to France Football. Safonov’s claim is linked to the honours he secured during the previous season with Paris Saint-Germain, including the French title and the UEFA Champions League.

For Safonov, the consideration is based on a campaign in which he was part of a Paris Saint-Germain side that achieved success both domestically and in European competition. The club’s French championship and UEFA Champions League triumphs are the two achievements highlighted in connection with his candidacy.

Guberniev’s comments therefore place Safonov’s individual reputation alongside the team honours achieved with Paris Saint-Germain. The commentator’s assessment is that the goalkeeper has already reached the level of the world’s leading players in his position, rather than merely being viewed as a contender for future recognition.

The ceremony’s location and date have been confirmed: London on 26 October. Until then, Safonov’s chances of receiving France Football’s goalkeeper-of-the-year award remain the subject of discussion, with Guberniev offering a strongly positive judgement of the Russia international’s position in the global game.

Safonov’s previous season with Paris Saint-Germain ended with two major trophies. He became champion of France with the club and was also a winner of the UEFA Champions League. Those successes underpin the view that he belongs among the best goalkeepers in the world, according to Guberniev.

Former footballer Emmanuel Petit has criticised Paris Saint-Germain winger Maghnes Akliouche despite the 24-year-old helping the club to a 6-1 victory over Slovan in the Champions League.

Petit said of Akliouche’s performance: “A lot of waste.”

Akliouche, who joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco during the summer in a €50m transfer, provided an assist as the French side secured a comprehensive win against Slovan. However, his contribution to the scoreline did not prevent Petit from questioning aspects of his display.

The winger is a new addition to the Paris Saint-Germain squad after making the move from Monaco. His transfer fee was €50m, underlining the club’s investment in the player, who is now 24.

His assist formed part of a dominant performance by Paris Saint-Germain, who scored six times in their Champions League match against Slovan and conceded once. The result was emphatic, but Petit’s assessment focused on what he viewed as Akliouche’s lack of precision.

The former footballer’s comments present a mixed verdict on the player’s showing. Akliouche had a direct role in one of Paris Saint-Germain’s goals, yet Petit felt there was too much waste in his overall play. The criticism therefore came despite the winger making a tangible contribution to the 6-1 result.

Akliouche’s move from Monaco means his performances are being assessed in the colours of a new club, with his Champions League involvement representing one of the early opportunities to make an impression for Paris Saint-Germain. In the match against Slovan, he did provide an assist, but Petit’s remarks made clear that this positive moment was not enough to satisfy his assessment of the winger’s display.

The main details of Akliouche’s performance are therefore divided between his statistical contribution and Petit’s criticism. Paris Saint-Germain’s six-goal victory gave the team a convincing result, while Akliouche’s assist showed his involvement in the attack. At the same time, Petit identified “a lot of waste” in the 24-year-old’s performance.

Akliouche joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco for €50m during the summer and is still described as a newcomer to the Parisian club. His appearance against Slovan, and the assist he recorded in the Champions League, provided an early indication of his contribution. Petit’s response, however, was notably critical of the quality of his play, focusing on the errors and waste he believed were present in the winger’s performance.

French journalist Yoann Riou has dismissed Karim Benzema’s assessment of his own place in football history, arguing that the former France striker does not even belong in the top 30 forwards of all time.

Riou believes the 38-year-old has overstated his importance to the world game. His comments follow a recent statement from Benzema in which the player placed himself among the three greatest forwards in history.

Benzema did, however, acknowledge that he ranks below Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario.

The debate comes as Benzema remains without a club following his departure from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. No new destination is mentioned in the source material, but his current status is clear: the 38-year-old is a free agent after leaving the club.

Riou’s view is sharply at odds with Benzema’s own self-assessment. The journalist’s conclusion is that the striker should not be considered among the 30 best forwards ever, while Benzema believes he belongs in the much smaller group of the three greatest.

The disagreement centres on Benzema’s place in the history of the position rather than on a specific current club or competition. Benzema’s own comments included a comparison with Ronaldo Nazario, with the Frenchman accepting that the Brazilian was superior to him.

That qualification did not alter Riou’s broader judgement. Instead, the journalist has questioned whether Benzema should be placed among the leading forwards in football history at all.

Benzema’s remarks were made recently, at a time when he is without a club after his exit from Al-Hilal. The uncertainty over his next move provides the immediate backdrop to the argument, although the central issue raised by Riou is the striker’s historical standing.

The former France international’s view can be summarised by his claim that he is one of the three greatest forwards ever, with Ronaldo Nazario ahead of him. Riou’s response is considerably less favourable: “Benzema is not even among the top 30 best forwards in history.”

The contrasting assessments underline the gap between how Benzema sees his own career and how Riou evaluates his contribution to world football. Benzema places himself close to the very top of the sport’s all-time hierarchy, while Riou rejects even a place in the top 30.

For now, the only confirmed development concerning Benzema’s career is that he is unattached after leaving Al-Hilal. His next club is not identified in the source article, while the debate surrounding his status has focused on whether his own description of his historical importance is justified.