Abbie Meehan

Liverpool are considering four transfer developments before the new Premier League season: a renewed bid for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, a possible sale of Cody Gakpo to Tottenham, and potential exits for Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones. Barcola’s prospects have improved after PSG signed Mika Godts, while Gakpo is reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Tottenham but Liverpool wants a replacement first. Elliott could join Leeds or RB Leipzig, with Leipzig viewed as the favorite, and Liverpool has reduced Jones’s valuation from £34 million to £30 million to encourage interest from Inter Milan.

Mohamed Salah is reported to have agreed a two-year move to Trabzonspor after ending his nine-year Liverpool career. The article speculates that he could help the Turkish club recruit five former Liverpool teammates: Darwin Núñez, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajčetić, Federico Chiesa and Kostas Tsimikas. Each is presented as having a reason to consider leaving, including limited playing time, injuries, contract situations or being out of favour at their current clubs.

Liverpool are preparing an approach for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola after Mohamed Salah’s departure. The move would continue a history of transfers between the clubs, including David Ngog, Nicolas Anelka and Mamadou Sakho. Ngog scored 19 goals in 94 appearances but did not fulfill his early potential, Anelka made a short-term impact during a loan spell, and Sakho made 80 appearances before joining Crystal Palace permanently in 2017.

Jack Grealish’s strong 2025–26 loan spell at Everton, during which he recorded six assists in 22 appearances, has revived interest in his future. A return to boyhood club Aston Villa was reportedly his dream, but Villa’s move for Alejandro Garnacho could reduce his opportunities there. With Grealish still facing uncertainty at Manchester City and recovering from a foot stress fracture, Everton may try to bring him back, a prospect manager David Moyes would welcome.

A fan’s humorous heckle on the 18th green at Royal Birkdale made Tommy Fleetwood and the surrounding crowd laugh during his third round at The Open Championship. Fleetwood remained a crowd favourite but slipped down the leaderboard after late bogeys, leaving Sam Burns well ahead. He acknowledged his slim title chances but hoped to finish strongly, praising the support from local fans and the atmosphere around the course.

Nicolas Anelka’s expulsion from France’s 2010 World Cup squad followed a heated halftime altercation with manager Raymond Domenech, triggering a team strike and contributing to France’s early exit. Anelka refused to apologise and received an 18‑match ban from the French Football Federation, while new manager Laurent Blanc suspended the entire squad for their protest. Anelka never played for France again and retired in 2016.

Jordan Pickford’s surname was changed from Pigford by his father to protect future children from bullying, revealed alongside reflections on his rise from Sunderland to becoming England’s long‑serving first‑choice goalkeeper. Family comments highlight pride in his career, while Pickford praises Thomas Tuchel for instilling belief in the national squad as they pursue their first major title in six decades.

Liverpool are likely to miss out on Yan Diomande after the RB Leipzig winger reached a verbal agreement with Paris Saint‑Germain, prompting the club to explore alternative wide forwards to replace Mohamed Salah. Options include Cologne’s Said El Mala, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, Bournemouth’s Rayan, PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Lille’s Matias Fernandez‑Pardo, each varying in cost, availability and competition from other Premier League clubs. The club is now expected to shift focus quickly as it works to secure a new attacker for the upcoming season.