MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYERS EVER | TOTAL COMBINED TRANSFER FEES

 

REAL MADRID SET TO SIGN ONE OF THE WORLD'S HOTTEST TALENT AFTER $195M BID

 

Photo: Getty Images

Real Madrid look set to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from negotiations, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Diomande is one of the hottest properties in this transfer window, having starred for Ivory Coast at the World Cup, following a breakout season where he scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in the Bundesliga.

Ornstein reports that Los Blancos had a bid rejected by Leipzig ‘around 10 days ago’ and returned with a new offer ‘worth €120million (A$195m, which includes a €100m (A$163m) fixed fee.’

The German outfit are reportedly yet to respond to that proposal, which is ‘expected to be turned down’, but the two clubs expect a deal will eventually be reached.

Meanwhile, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal has been reached for a fee ‘in excess of €100m’.

He reports that Diomande will fly to Madrid this week for medical tests and to sign a five-year deal.

Real Madrid expected to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. 1st bid rejected ~10 days ago, 2nd (€100m fixed, €120m package) set to be rejected but agreement likely soon. #PSG out; 19yo returns to #RBLeipzig on Mon with wish to join #RMFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/xc6EPzjCdr — David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 26, 2026

PSG were right in the mix to sign Diomande, who was said to be keen on joining the reigning Champions League winners, but were put off by the asking price and have now turned their attention to other options, amid reports Bradley Barcola is set to leave the club.

The Athletic report that Leipzig are ‘holding out for a fee closer to €130m (A$212m).

Should they achieve that, Diomande would become the eight most expensive player in football history, behind Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Alexander Isak, Morgan Rogers, Elliott Anderson and Philippe Coutinho, per Transfermarkt.

That would be quite extraordinary when you consider where the 19-year-old was just a few years ago.

It was barely 18 months ago that Diamonde was playing for DME Sports Academy in Florida, before joining LaLiga side Leganes, where he made three reserve team appearances before being called up to the first team.

Leipzig paid his €20m release clause to bring him to the Bundesliga, where he exploded immediately. They look set to make a huge profit on the winger.

He could become the most expensive Real Madrid player ever, surpassing the fee the Spanish giants paid to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, with the club set for an enormous transfer window having brought Jose Mourinho back as head coach.

They’ve already signed Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva, while reports suggest Madrid are also working on a deal to sign World Cup-winning Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City.

- JAKE ROSENGARTEN

GROUP STAGE TOP SCORERS | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

 

GREATEST WINGERS IN FOOTBALL

 

VINCENT KOMOANY FUMES AT 'RIDICULOUS' HANDBALL CALLS THAT LED TO BAYERN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

Imago/Ulmer/Teamforo

Vincent Kompany unleashed a blistering attack on the officiating after Bayern Munich’s Champions League dreams were ended by Paris Saint-Germain. The Belgian tactician watched his side fall to a 6-5 aggregate defeat at the Allianz Arena, but the post-match talk was dominated by two massive handball calls that went against the Bavarian giants.

AFP

Vitinha smashes ball against Neves' arm

Bayern Munich’s elimination from the Champions League semi-finals following a tense 1-1 draw on the night was overshadowed by a series of controversial decisions. With a spot in the final against Arsenal on the line, the tension boiled over as the German side felt they were denied clear advantages.

The most debated moment arrived when Vitinha’s attempted clearance struck the outstretched arm of teammate Joao Neves inside the PSG box. Despite the Bayern players surrounding referee Joao Pinheiro in protest, no penalty was awarded. The decision stood because the current Laws of the Game protect players from handball calls when the ball is struck onto them by a teammate from close range, provided no immediate goal is scored. It was a bitter pill for Bayern to swallow, especially given the soft penalty they conceded in the first leg.

Getty Images Sport

Kompany hits out at 'ridiculous' handball rule

The Bayern Munich manager did not hold back after seeing his side dumped out of the competition, questioning the "common sense" of the officials monitoring the high-stakes clash.

“We have to look at some of the phases that were decided by the officials across the two games which… it’s never an excuse for everything but it matters,” Kompany said in his post-match assessment. “If we look at both legs probably too much went against us. The guys gave everything and we tried against a fantastic PSG team. [Joao Neves’] hand is in the air, it hits it. Because it’s from his own teammate it’s not a penalty. But if you look at both [situations], a little bit of common sense and it’s just ridiculous. Whatever needs to happen but it’s ridiculous. It doesn’t tell the whole game but it’s a one-goal game in the end.”

Nuno Mendes escapes red card

Kompany’s frustration was heavily compounded by an earlier flashpoint involving PSG defender Nuno Mendes, when the Portuguese international appeared to handle the ball deliberately to stop a Bayern attack. Already on a yellow card, Mendes seemed destined to be sent off. Instead, the referee awarded a free-kick to the visitors for an earlier infringement.

It was a moment that left the home crowd incensed. Bayern were already chasing the game against 11 men after Ousmane Dembele had given PSG the lead after just 141 seconds, and they firmly believed they deserved a numerical advantage. Commenting on the incident, Kompany suggested the official bottled a monumental decision: “I felt he pulled out because he realised he already gave him a yellow and he didn’t want to send him off for that.”

- Muhammad Zaki

PSG INFLICT HUMILIATING DEFEAT ON REAL MADRID TO REAC CLUB WORLD CUP FINAL

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz (bottom) celebrates with defender Achraf Hakimi after Ruiz scored PSG's third goal of its Club World Cup semifinal win over Real Madrid on Wednesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. | AFP-JIJI

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – Fabian Ruiz scored twice as European champion Paris Saint-Germain turned on the style in its reunion with Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinals of the Club World Cup to set up a showdown with Chelsea.

Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele scored inside nine minutes to stun Real and silence the majority of the 77,542 crowd who were wearing white at MetLife Stadium outside New York.

The Spanish midfielder added another before halftime and Goncalo Ramos got a late fourth as Luis Enrique's side moved one game away from glory at FIFA's new mega-tournament.

Victory against Chelsea on Sunday would complete a campaign of unparalleled success for the Parisians, who won the French title and then the first UEFA Champions League in their history in May.

"We are in a special season, a special moment, and we deserved to win," Luis Enrique told broadcaster DAZN before looking ahead to the final.

"We are going to try, one more step against a good team like Chelsea. They did great, they performed the whole competition and now it is time for us to prepare for that ... we want to make history in our club, and then take some holidays."

After blowing away Inter Milan 5-0, the biggest victory in Champions League final history, PSG began their Club World Cup bid by putting four past Atletico Madrid and the ease with which they disposed of Real was striking.

PSG's fluidity contrasted starkly with Real Madrid, which is a work in progress under new coach Xabi Alonso.

"We were not good enough today," said Alonso. "We are not the first ones to lose to them but we have a lot of different things to improve."

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during his team's semifinal defeat at the hands of his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. | AFP-JIJI

Mbappe struggled to make any impact in his first start at the tournament and in his first game against PSG since leaving the French club last year.

The defeat is a real blow to Real as it hoped to win the first 32-team Club World Cup to add to its record tally of 15 European titles.

PSG was without imposing center-back Willian Pacho due to suspension following his sending-off against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, but that did not matter.

Lucas Beraldo slotted into the defense with ease, and the rest of PSG's first-choice lineup was there.

Real was missing central defender Dean Huijsen through suspension, while the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold was an added blow.

The return to the starting lineup of Mbappe, who missed the entire group stage due to illness, did not prevent young striker Gonzalo Garcia from keeping his place.

But the Spanish club's front line, completed by Vinicius Junior, made no real impact, such was the extent of PSG's domination.

Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made two superb saves inside the opening five minutes, the first to tip away a Ruiz shot, and the second to deny Nuno Mendes from point-blank range.

Yet Courtois could not prevent Paris from scoring in the sixth minute, as Dembele pounced on slack defending by Raul Asencio. The Real goalkeeper saved at the forward's feet but Ruiz converted the loose ball.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos (top, center) scores his team's fourth goal on Wednesday. | AFP-JIJI

Three minutes later and the contest was effectively over when Antonio Rudiger failed to control a simple pass from Jude Bellingham, allowing Dembele to run through before finishing low into the corner.

Like his friend Mbappe, Dembele was starting for the first time at the competition after dealing with an injury. That was a 35th club goal since August for a player who is a serious candidate for the Ballon d'Or.

It was turning into a humiliating afternoon for Real as PSG got its third midway through the first half.

A deflected shot by Mbappe was easily held by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and no Madrid player touched the ball again before they were picking it out of their net a minute later.

Dembele released Achraf Hakimi on the right and he squared for Ruiz, with the Spain star taking a touch to hold off Fede Valverde before finishing.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could have got a fourth before the interval, while Desire Doue had a goal disallowed early in the second half.

But Real was not coming back, and Alonso opted to take off Bellingham and Vinicius just after the hour mark in a clear sign of surrender.

PSG then got its fourth after 87 minutes when Ramos controlled a pass from fellow substitute Bradley Barcola, turned and fired in.

- ANDY SCOTT

SUNDERLAND AGREE JOBE BELLINGHAM TRANSFER FEE BORUSSIA DORTMUND AS BID DETAILS REVEALED

Jobe Bellingham pictured after Sunderland's Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Jobe Bellingham looks set to follow in the footsteps of his brother Jude by moving from the Premier League to Borussia Dortmund, with Sunderland having agreed a fee

Sunderland have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of midfielder Jobe Bellingham, a deal that could potentially reach nearly £32million.

The PA news agency reports that the Black Cats have brokered a club-record fee of 33m euros (£27.8m), with an additional 5m euros (£4.2million) in add-ons for the 19-year-old sibling of England international Jude Bellingham.

This initial sum would position him as the Bundesliga club's second priciest acquisition, trailing only Ousmane Dembele, while the add-ons would set a new record for Dortmund.

The agreement, which incorporates a 15 per cent sell-on clause for the Wearside team, will see Bellingham follow in his brother's footsteps, who spent three seasons at Dortmund before securing his dream transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.

He played a pivotal role in the club's Sky Bet Championship triumph last season, but his burgeoning talent has been under close scrutiny by numerous potential suitors – he has also held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig are known admirers – making his exit increasingly likely.

However, the Black Cats were resolute in their stance not to let him depart for less than their valuation, resulting in a significant increase from Dortmund's initial offer, understood to have been around £20m Euros (£16.8m).

Under the stewardship of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Sunderland have embraced a strategy of acquiring youthful talent and nurturing it – they have already transferred Tommy Watson, who netted the decisive goal in the play-off final against Sheffield United, to Brighton.

When asked about Jobe earlier this week, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris told RMC Sport: "Jobe is also a guy with an incredible personality; it's a wonderful encounter.

"The player is incredibly interesting; he's still very young, and he has enormous room for improvement.

"But his personality is also great - he's extremely competitive, extremely intense. It's a wonderful encounter."

- Joshua Smith

ARSENE WENGER AND OUSMANE DEMBELE REACT AFTER PSG SMASH INTER MILAN

 

DECLAN RICE WANTS THE SEE ARSENAL'S 'BIG BALLS"/' AGAINST PSG: 'BIGGEST NIGHT IN OUR HISTORY '

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tries to calm down his teammates

Declan Rice says Arsenal “need to have big balls” in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Mikel Arteta’s side must come from behind to reach the Champions League final after losing the first leg 1–0 at the Emirates last Tuesday.

Ousmane Dembele’s fourth-minute strike proved decisive, and Rice admitted PSG’s fast start “shocked us”, calling on his teammates to show their “big balls” in the French capital.

“The first 15 minutes, the early goal shocked us a little bit,” Arsenal midfielder Rice said in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.

“Ten minutes to go we had a little blip and they hit the bar. We’re really positive we can do something here.

“Once we worked out how we could beat them, obviously we missed a few chances, but in terms of how we were driving with the ball, giving our wingers one-vs-one opportunities, chances started to open up.

“I think tomorrow night we need to do the same. We need to have big balls and we need to go out there on the biggest stage and show that we’re ready to play at this level.

“Yeah I think you need to have full belief, we certainly have that as a group. If we are the best versions of ourselves we can do just that.

“We showed we can do it when we went to the Bernabeu. There was so much talk about coming back but we handled that extremely well but we’ve proven we can handle big situations.

“We rise to the big occasions and we’re ready to do it again!”

Rice and Arsenal will be boosted by the return of midfield lynchpin Thomas Partey, who missed the first leg through suspension.

On Partey, the England midfielder added: “Total calmness, the best thing about playing with Thomas is the calmness he brings to play with the team.

“Before I came to Arsenal there was so much talk about how good he is. He doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves.

“It will be the biggest night in our history if we can win.”

Club captain Martin Odegaard has been criticised for his recent performances, but Rice insists he is the right man to wear the armband.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else being our captain and the lads think the same,” he said.

“The way he plays, the way he speaks. He’s been so good for us. He plays every minute.”

A strong Arsenal side lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday as PSG rotated heavily and were beaten 2-1 by Strasbourg.

- Jason Soutar

FULL PSG SQUAD TO TAKE ON ARSENAL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE S MI-FINAL REVEALED

Senny Mayulu, Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire Emery walk on the pitch for a Paris Saint-Germain training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2024/25 semi final match at Emirates Stadium. (Image: Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)

The latest Arsenal news as the Gunners host PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium.

Paris Saint-Germain have revealed their full 22-man squad for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.

The Gunners host the French Champions at the Emirates Stadium tonight (Tuesday, 8pm kick-off) as both teams look to take an advantage into the second leg of the tie. A final in Munich, Germany against either Barcelona or Inter await the winners.

For Arsenal, they will be hoping for a repeat of the quarter-final against Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta ’s men took a 3-0 lead into the second leg, with the side completing the job at the Bernabeu with a 5-1 aggregate score.

Ahead of the game, PSG have been handed a clean bill of health in terms of injuries. There are no notable absentees for the squad selected by manager Luis Enrique.

Included in the 22-man list are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five forwards.

Here is a look at the full squad that has been selected by the club, along with the squad numbers they will be wearing for the game.

Full PSG squad vs Arsenal

1 Gianluigi Donnarumma

2 Achraf Hakimi

3 Presnel Kimpembe

5 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

8 Fabian Ruiz

9 Goncalo Ramos

10 Ousmane Dembele

14 Desire Doue

17 Vitinha

19 Lee Kang-In

21 Lucas Hernandez

24 Senny Mayulu

25 Nuno Mendes

29 Bradley Barcola

33 Warren Zaire-Emery

35 Lucas Beraldo

39 Matvey Safonov

49 Ibrahim Mbaye

51 Willian Pacho

80 Arnau Tenas

87 Joao Neves

- Amie Wilson

MBAPPÉ'S SCORES AS PSG OVERCOME LE HARVE DESPITE DONNARUMMA'S !

AP Photo 

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain had no problem beating Le Havre 2-0 to extend its lead at the top of the French league standings on Sunday despite playing for more than 80 minutes with 10 men after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent off for a reckless tackle.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vitinha ensured a seventh consecutive league win for Luis Enrique's team. PSG has a four-point cushion at the top after second-place Nice was handed its first loss this season on Saturday, a 1-0 defeat at Nantes.

Le Havre got off to a strong start with several good moves but lacked accuracy to inflict any damage. The hosts produced 22 shots, but only seven of them were on target.

Donnarumma was sent off following a reckless foul outside his box. The Italy goalkeeper came out of the area as he tried to clear a long ball with a very high tackle, but instead made contact with Le Havre forward Josue Casimir's face.

Referee Bastien Dechepy showed him a red card and Bradley Barcola made way for substitute goalie Arnau Tenas, who was happy to keep a clean sheet on his debut.

“It’s wonderful," he said. "I’d like to thank everyone for this opportunity, it’s an incredible day today. The team was strong for every minute played, and I was able to stop the opposition’s shots.”

PSG COACH ENRIQUE HOPING FOR SOLUTION FOR MBAPPÉ DISPUTE

AFP

Manager Luis Enrique said on Friday he hopes Paris Saint-Germain can find a solution to a dispute with Kylian Mbappe, noting the Ligue 1 club have prior experience in resolving contract issues with the French star.

Relations between Mbappe and PSG have been tense since the French forward said he would not renew his contract which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season, when he could leave Paris for free.

PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go on a free transfer after the club spent 180 million euros to sign him, with the forward reportedly having been frozen out of the Ligue 1 champions' main squad.

This is not the first time PSG and Mbappe have been involved in a contract standoff. Mbappe was also set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 season, but after PSG rejected a bid from Real Madrid he signed a contract extension.

Asked about Mbappe ahead of Saturday's season-opening home match against Lorient, Enrique told reporters: "It's a subject we've come across before and a solution was found between the club and the player.

PSG SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING BARCELONA’S €60 MILLION-RATED PLAYER

Getty

In what could be termed a big blow to Barcelona, a report from Diario AS has emerged that Paris Saint-Germain are seriously considering a move for Ousmane Dembele if they manage to sell Kylian Mbappe this summer.

PSG’s new coach, Luis Enrique has already given the green light to the operation, and from Barcelona’s point of view, it is believed that they are willing to negotiate, especially considering the fact that his release clause will be reverted to €100 million on August 1.

TOP 6 DRIBBLERS IN THE WORLD AT THE MOMENT

Twitter

Football dribbling is an essential component of the game, and football fans have always had a soft spot in their hearts for skilled dribblers.

Football requires dribbling for more than just moving the ball around; it also requires it to get past defenders and eliminate them from the play.

Skilled dribblers can frequently make a difference when teams sit deep inside their own halves to defend and look to hit the opposition on the break.

With their quick movements, agility, and burst of speed, they can get around obstacles and overcome such defences.

SEVILLA VS. BARCELONA REACTION: LIONEL MESSI & OUSMANE DEMBELE MADE IT LOOK EASY | HISLOP | ESPN FC

DEMBELE TO MANCHESTER UNITED | IN PROGRESS

Manchester United want Ousmane Dembele  from Barcelona...

BARCELONA FC: BARCA HAS AGREED A $142 MILLION DEAL FOR OUSMANE DEMBELE

Bacelona have agreed a $142 fee for the Borussia Dourtmund star Ousmane Dembele...

OUSMANE DEMBELE: MAGIC SKILLS FROM THE BOSSURIA DORTMUND AND FRENCH INTERNATIONAL WIZ KID