Peter Mcvitie

Quincy Promes rose from a troubled Ajax youth prospect to a star for Spartak Moscow, Ajax and the Netherlands, but his career collapsed after convictions for stabbing his cousin and helping smuggle more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine. He initially avoided imprisonment by remaining in Russia, which refused to extradite him, but was arrested in Dubai after fleeing a traffic accident and was eventually returned to the Netherlands. Promes is serving a combined sentence of seven and a half years while appealing both convictions; prosecutors are also seeking to seize €8 million in alleged criminal proceeds, and his lawyers say his finances and mental health have deteriorated.

Nineteen-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna has joined Brighton from AIK for €28 million, becoming the most expensive sale in Swedish football history. Discovered by AIK in Africa, Yohanna made a rapid impact in Sweden with five goals and four assists in 18 appearances, earning comparisons to Lamine Yamal for his dribbling, close control and one-on-one ability. Brighton beat reported interest from Chelsea and Newcastle United and view him as a long-term development project, though he must improve his decision-making, defensive discipline and adaptation to the Premier League. Yohanna made his Brighton debut as a substitute in a friendly against Roma and hopes to progress to international football and the Champions League.

Eighteen-year-old Dutch midfielder Sean Steur has joined Newcastle United from Ajax for £23 million after contract negotiations with Ajax broke down. Despite having made only 23 senior appearances, he impressed during his breakthrough season with his first touch, passing, composure and ability to drive play forward. Ajax figures and Dutch pundits also identified weaknesses in his defensive work and limited goalscoring, while Wim Kieft warned that the Premier League move came too soon. With Eddie Howe gone, Sandro Tonali sold and Bruno Guimaraes expected to leave, Steur faces a demanding adaptation period under new manager Matthias Jaissle, but remains confident he can develop into a major player.

France exited the World Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Spain marked by poor individual performances and costly defensive errors. A first-half penalty conceded by Lucas Digne and a second goal allowed through defensive misjudgment left France unable to respond, with key attackers Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele largely neutralized. Spain controlled the match with effective pressing and attacking combinations, earning a deserved place in the final as Didier Deschamps’ tenure ended on a disappointing note.