Jochen Tittmar

Joane Gadou has made a strong early impression after joining Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg for about €20 million. The 19-year-old centre-back has played extensively in preseason, standing out for his physicality, pace, defensive strength and progressive passing. His starting position is helped by long-term injuries to Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can, although he still needs to improve his decision-making in possession and positional discipline. The Franz Beckenbauer Supercup match against Bayern Munich will provide his first significant test against elite opposition, including Luis Diaz and Harry Kane.

A new Spanish football protocol requires referees to explain controversial decisions via stadium and television announcements, but it is not being implemented at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid’s tightly restricted access for television crews reportedly prevents the necessary live links, yet the club faces no sanctions. The issue reflects broader tensions between Real Madrid, LaLiga and the RFEF over marketing, power and league organization. The transparency initiative is expected to expand across Spain’s top division from the 10th matchday.

Jorge Domínguez became Atlético Madrid’s youngest-ever debutant at 16 years, eight months and two days, breaking José Luis Martínez’s record from 1984. Starting against Málaga, the defender completed all 13 of his passes and produced three progressive dribbles during the first half, although he won only three of nine duels and committed four fouls. Diego Simeone substituted him at half-time, while Lee Kang-In and Álex Baena later scored in Atlético’s 2-0 victory. Domínguez described the debut as a dream and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

Corinthians have extended Memphis Depay’s contract until July 31, 2028, reversing their earlier decision not to renew the Dutch forward’s deal. The relationship had deteriorated after Depay accused the club of breaking an agreement and Brazilian reports claimed Corinthians owed him about $8 million. Intensive negotiations resolved the financial dispute, with club president Osmar Stabile welcoming the extension. Depay joined Corinthians in September 2024, scoring 20 goals in 79 competitive appearances and helping the club win three trophies.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly close to signing 16-year-old Italy Under-17 international Roberto Scaglione from CFC Genoa for around €1 million. The attacking midfielder is expected to join the club’s U19 or U23 teams initially, but Dortmund view him as a potential first-team player. The transfer is awaiting FIFA approval under regulations governing international moves for minors. Dortmund reportedly beat Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter Milan by offering Scaglione a clearer path to senior football, and the move may signal a greater focus on signing elite international talents at a young age.

Juventus paid €80.6 million for Arthur Melo in 2020 but has failed to establish him in the team, with his last appearance coming in May 2022. Four subsequent loans—to Liverpool, Fiorentina, Girona and Grêmio—have not produced a permanent transfer, despite productive spells in Florence and Porto Alegre. Juventus's reluctance to accept Grêmio's reported €8–10 million valuation gap has left the club carrying Melo's wages and amortisation costs while seeking another solution. The episode is presented as a major failure of Juventus's squad planning and financial management, compounded by Melo's injuries and declining market value.

Borussia Dortmund withdrew from negotiations to sign Cologne winger Said El Mala after Cologne demanded a fee exceeding €50 million including bonuses. One assessment supports the decision, arguing that the 19-year-old has only one professional season and that the transfer fee would have been financially irresponsible and placed excessive pressure on him. The saved budget can instead address several squad needs, including a defensive midfielder and right-back. The opposing view argues that Dortmund missed a rare opportunity to acquire a player with world-class potential and substantial resale value, particularly as El Mala is expected to remain a key starter at Cologne and already attracts interest from English clubs.อด

Borussia Dortmund abandoned negotiations for FC Köln winger Said El Mala after weeks of talks and rejected offers, reportedly refusing to pay more than €50 million including bonuses for the 19-year-old. The decision is defended as financially responsible because El Mala has only one strong professional season and Dortmund need squad reinforcements at several positions, particularly defensive midfield and right-back. Critics argue Dortmund have nevertheless missed a rare chance to sign a future world-class player at a comparatively low price and potentially resell him for a fee comparable to those generated by Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland or Jude Bellingham.

The latest Tuttosport Golden Boy ranking places Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi first, followed by Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande. Bayern Munich have only one player in the top 100, Lennart Karl at eighth, while Borussia Dortmund have four representatives: Konstantinos Karetsas, Luca Reggiani, Joane Gadou and Samuele Inacio. Dortmund could match or surpass Porto’s European-leading total by signing Cologne winger Said El Mala, ranked 17th. Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 also have players on the list, which will be reduced to 20 finalists in October before an expert jury selects the successor to Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue.

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac and sporting director Lars Ricken praised Konstantinos Karetsas after the 18-year-old scored on his debut in a 3–2 preseason win over Arsenal. They also highlighted strong performances from young players Joane Gadou, Filippo Mane and Kaua Prates. Dortmund declined to discuss their pursuit of 1. FC Cologne winger Said El Mala, although reports claim the club has a backup transfer plan if the deal fails. Kovac said the team still wants a fast one-on-one dribbler and emphasized continued development ahead of the new season.

Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone says the club intends to keep Julián Alvarez and help him continue developing, despite the striker’s reported desire to join Barcelona. Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has accused Barcelona of disrespectful behavior, while reports say Barcelona sporting director Deco is working with Alvarez’s representatives to push through a transfer. Atlético has rejected Barcelona’s €100 million offer and Real Madrid’s €150 million bid, insisting that Alvarez’s €500 million release clause must be met.

Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone says the club has decided to keep Julian Alvarez and intends to help him continue developing. Atlético has rejected reported offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, worth €100 million and €150 million respectively, and insists that Alvarez can leave only if his €500 million release clause is paid. Barcelona is reportedly working with Alvarez’s representatives to pursue the transfer, while Alvarez is expected to discuss his desire to join the Catalan club with Simeone after his holiday.

Sebastian Hoeneß has again urged VfB Stuttgart to strengthen their squad, saying the club needs to add quality ahead of its Champions League campaign and that little time remains in the transfer window. Stuttgart have signed Leo Sauer, Tim van der Leij, Marius Funk and Grischa Prömel, but Hoeneß believes more attacking options are needed. The club is pursuing Dzenan Pejcinovic from VfL Wolfsburg, although negotiations over the transfer fee are difficult. Hoeneß’s public pressure echoes his criticism from the previous summer, when Nick Woltemade’s departure to Newcastle United exposed what he viewed as shortcomings in squad planning.

An anonymous entrepreneur funded 107 TSV 1860 Munich season tickets worth €34,243 for 71 families after some supporters lost money when bank-transfer payments were not refunded following the club’s licence withdrawal. The donor reviewed applications, while a law firm handled the payments, with many beneficiaries being disabled fans particularly affected by doubled ticket costs. The initiative was applauded during 1860 Munich’s sold-out home opener against FC Augsburg II.

An anonymous entrepreneur funded 107 season tickets worth €34,243 for 71 families supporting TSV 1860 Munich after a technical issue caused some fans to pay twice and bank-transfer payments became unrecoverable following the club’s licence withdrawal. Applications were reviewed by the donor, with a law firm handling the payments, and the initiative was applauded during the club’s sold-out home opener against FC Augsburg II.

Alexander Nübel has made an outstanding start to his Beşiktaş career, making 13 saves in a 1-0 Europa League qualifying win over Hradec Králové. Turkish media praised him as a goalkeeper phenomenon after he recorded his third consecutive clean sheet, while coach Vincenzo Italiano credited the team’s defensive discipline. Nübel joined Beşiktaş on a contract through 2029 after making only four competitive appearances for Bayern Munich during six years under contract, following a three-year loan at VfB Stuttgart.

Alexander Nübel made 13 saves in Besiktas’ 1–0 Europa League qualifying victory over Hradec Kralove, earning widespread praise from the Turkish press. The goalkeeper has kept three consecutive clean sheets in his first competitive matches for Besiktas, helping the club build an advantage ahead of the second leg. After spending six years under contract at Bayern Munich but making only four appearances, including a three-year loan at VfB Stuttgart, Nübel joined Besiktas on a contract running until 2029.

Real Madrid have signed 19-year-old Ivorian forward Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig on a seven-year contract running until 2033. The deal includes a €125 million fixed fee that could rise to €140 million with bonuses, making Diomande Leipzig's most expensive departure and one of the Bundesliga's largest sales. Although he is leaving the German club, Diomande will remain associated with Red Bull as a brand athlete for three years, with the parent company retaining his global marketing rights.

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offer Vinicius Junior a record salary to lure him from Real Madrid, where his contract situation remains unresolved despite the club’s desire to retain him. Arsenal view the Brazilian winger as the final addition needed to challenge for major European honours, having recently lost the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain. The proposed move would represent a shift from the club’s earlier policy of reducing its wage bill, while Real Madrid could face the risk of losing a player valued at around €140 million if a new agreement is not reached.

Paolo Maldini is reportedly considering resigning as Italy's technical director only two weeks after taking the job. The crisis centers on the federation's resistance to his preferred appointment of Andrea Pirlo as national head coach, despite assurances from president Giovanni Malagò that Maldini would have full authority over the decision. Concerns about Pirlo's links to Russian betting company Fonbet and United FC president Sergey Lomakin may be a formal justification for the opposition, while a separate debate over potential conflicts involving the sons of Pirlo and Maldini has added pressure. If Pirlo's appointment collapses, Maldini could leave the FIGC almost immediately.

Paolo Maldini is reportedly considering resigning as Italy’s technical director after the federation resisted his preferred choice of Andrea Pirlo as national team head coach. Maldini was allegedly promised full autonomy by federation president Giovanni Malago, but concerns over Pirlo’s links to Russian betting company Fonbet and United FC president Sergey Lomakin have complicated the appointment. Questions about potential conflicts of interest involving the sons of Pirlo and Maldini have added to the dispute, though the central issue remains the broader power struggle between Maldini and the federation leadership.

Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix for McLaren, holding off Max Verstappen while championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished third and extended his advantage over Lewis Hamilton to 50 points. Oscar Piastri retired late with a technical problem after leading early, while Hamilton received a five-second pit-lane speeding penalty. Nico Hülkenberg scored his first points for Audi in ninth. The FIA also announced that Malaysia will return to the calendar in October, replacing the cancelled Bahrain race.

A friendly between FC Metz and Fortuna Sittard was overshadowed by a mass confrontation in the 39th minute after a foul on Fortuna forward Lequincio Zeefuik. Referee Mathilde Demoncay fell while trying to restore order and suffered a mild concussion, forcing an assistant referee to take charge in the second half and an amateur referee from the crowd to serve as an assistant. Metz won 3-1, with both clubs preparing for their upcoming domestic seasons.

1. FC Cologne immediately rejected Borussia Dortmund’s offer for Said El Mala, reportedly angered not only by the financial terms but also by Dortmund’s alleged attempt to influence the player. Reported bid structures ranged from €26 million plus up to €16 million in bonuses to €34 million plus €6 million, both below Cologne’s €50 million valuation. Cologne may now seek to keep the forward for the season, while RB Leipzig remains a possible suitor only if it raises funds through Yan Diomande’s sale. El Mala strengthened his case with a goal in Cologne’s 8-0 pre-season victory over Bergisch Gladbach.

Roma have reportedly contacted RB Leipzig about a possible transfer for 21-year-old Norwegian winger Antonio Nusa after missing out on Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville. Leipzig are said to want €50 million to €60 million for Nusa, whose contract runs until 2029, prompting Roma to consider alternatives including Andreas Schjelderup and Said El Mala. Newcastle United, Arsenal, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich have also been linked with the player. Nusa joined Leipzig from Club Brugge for €21 million in 2024 and recorded five goals and four assists in 35 competitive appearances last season.

AS Roma have reportedly contacted RB Leipzig about signing Norwegian winger Antonio Nusa after missing out on Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville. Leipzig are seeking between €50 million and €60 million for the 21-year-old, whose contract runs until 2029, prompting Roma to consider alternatives including Andreas Schjelderup and Said El Mala. Newcastle United, Arsenal, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich have also been linked with Nusa, although Bayern’s interest is considered unlikely after the signing of Ismael Saibari.

Loris Karius has described suffering severe mental health problems after his difficult performance in Liverpool’s 2018 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid, during which he conceded two goals and was later found to have suffered a concussion. His subsequent loan spell at Beşiktaş left him feeling empty, isolated and sometimes unable to face training or work, leading him to consider ending his career. Karius said financial success and professional support initially did little to ease his distress, but he gradually fought his way out of the crisis before continuing his career with Union Berlin, Newcastle United and Schalke 04.