Sports
Man Utd Now Planning Major Change to £2bn Stadium Design
Manchester United have reportedly been studying alternative designs for their new Old Trafford stadium that could keep rival fans quiet. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, co-owners of the Premier League club, are planning to build a £2 billion stadium, which is touted as “the greatest” in the world.
The club officially announced its plans to replace Old Trafford with a 100,000-seater arena, planned for completion by the 2030-31 season. It would surpass Wembley as the biggest stadium in the UK and become one of the very largest in world football.
Its size is a problem, though, and has sent the club back to the drawing board regarding its design, which garnered mixed reviews from fans. Some were happy with the umbrella vision of architect Sir Norman Foster, but other supporters mocked it as a ‘circus’.
Man Utd New Stadium Plans Remove Canopy From Design
Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic reports that issues with purchasing required land have led the club to explore alternatives regarding the design that was presented back in March. This includes removing Foster’s “vast umbrella” because of the space it would take up with images showing pillars reaching far away from the stadium itself.
United have been in talks with Freightliner, who own most of the area on the west side of their current ground, Old Trafford. This area was proposed as “part of the new stadium footprint and some 17,000 homes”. The Rail freight transport company are thought to be demanding around £400 million to sell the land, while the club had reportedly projected a price in the region of £50 million.
The canopy was the main takeaway from images released by Foster + Partners in March of the proposals for the Red Devils’ new stadium. It was expected to cost between £300 million – £400 million in construction and placement.
Whitwell noted that the umbrella-esque feature was just “mainly aesthetic” rather than covering people during bad weather. It was a bold take on re-imagining the Theatre of Dreams, and the three prongs in homage to the club crest were particularly praised by critics.
Images of plans, including the canopy, weren’t always set in stone, and the Reds asserted that while they “remain excited by the vision set out by Foster + Partners”, those pictures were “conceptual.” The new designs are said to have a more traditional stadium appearance. However, Foster and Ratcliffe’s initial thought was that the stadium would become a tourist attraction akin to London’s Eiffel Tower.
Which Stadium Have Man Utd Studied For New Old Trafford?
Once images of the ‘New’ Old Trafford stadium were released, there were comparisons made with Morocco’s Hassan II Stadium, which is another ground in the works ahead of the 2030 World Cup. This was mainly due to the tent-like structures and towering masts that had been included in both proposals.
United used trips to the United States in recent pre-seasons for inspiration, reportedly studying SoFi Stadium in Hollywood Park, Los Angeles, per The Telegraph. This is one of the stadiums that will host matches at next summer’s 2026 World Cup and can expand to a capacity of 100,000 for special events.
It was thought to have cost £4.1 billion ($5.5 billion) to build, which is significantly more than the £2 billion that Ratcliffe and INEOS are willing to fork out for the new Theatre of Dreams. This also makes it the most expensive stadium in the world, hosting the LA Rams and the LA Chargers.
If United’s new designs are focused on SoFi, it could result in a more bowl-like aesthetic, but a sleek roof gives it a clean appeal. This could serve as a template for the club to work from, given the space issues that using a canopy has created.
Sports
Man Utd Show Aggressive Interest in Signing Gilberto Mora
Manchester United are among the clubs showing a strong interest in Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora after his performances at the World Cup, according to TEAMtalk.
The Red Devils are keen to add to their midfield this summer after losing Casemiro at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been brought in for a combined fee of £85m, but the club are now pushing for a third midfielder to complete the rebuild.
A number of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the club have now emerged as one of the teams taking a close look at the supremely talented teenager.
Man Utd Eyeing Gilberto Mora
Mora, who has been described as ‘fearless’ and compared to Barcelona star Pedri, shone for Mexico during the World Cup this summer despite being just 17, and has now attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.
Man Utd are understood to have shown an aggressive early interest in a deal for the Tijuana central midfielder, but they have got strong competition for his signature.
Liverpool have made direct contact over a deal, while the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, PSG, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Mora is understood to prefer a move to Real Madrid as his dream scenario, but he is not pushing to leave the Mexican side, who value him at around £25m due to the growing interest around him.
It’s also stated that Tijuana have a structured release clause as part of his contract which is designed to protect their interests, while his current deal runs until 2029, meaning they are under no pressure to sell this summer.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Mora is a Superstar in Waiting
Man Utd are in the market to strengthen their midfield options, but they are looking for players who can walk straight into the first-team and make an immediate impact.
While Mora is undoubtedly a superstar in the making, whether he could walk into the Premier League aged 17 and be someone who can affect games the way United need him to is a major question mark.
Should the club decide to proceed with a move for the teenager, it would likely be an extra deal, rather than the final midfield signing of the window. But they would have to put together a major pitch to convince him to join them over all the other interested clubs, which makes this a situation to watch in the coming weeks.
Sports
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record to Sign Bradley Barcola
Liverpool are now ready to smash the British transfer record again to sign a ‘world-class’ star for Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool chiefs are working overtime to strengthen Iraola’s squad ahead of the new season, with the only brand-new arrival so far this summer being Victor Munoz.
In a summer where the Reds have lost some key voices from the dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, and off the back of a disappointing season, that is clearly not enough.
A freshen up of the squad is needed and one of the big priorities is bringing in a replacement for Salah, who has been such a key player for the Merseyside outfit for a number of years in terms of his quality and extraordinary record of goals and assists.
As well as needing a response in the Premier League after a miserable defence of their crown, Iraola will also want to perform better than they did last term in the Champions League too.
While the Reds have decent depth on the left flank in Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, that depth is lacking on the opposite side, with Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong two of the main options available there.
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record for Bradley Barcola
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ready to ‘demolish’ their transfer record to sign Barcola this summer, after holding positive talks over a deal with the player’s representatives.
The Reds are now ready to make their move for the France international, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing that their first bid is in the offing.
TEAMtalk report that the Merseyside outfit have been given fresh encouragement from the ‘world-class’ PSG winger’s camp over a move to Anfield, and while there is no agreement on personal terms yet, they aren’t expected to be an obstacle in any potential deal.
Liverpool are said to have made it clear they are willing to break the British transfer record again to bring the 23-year-old to the club, less than 12 months after they paid £125m to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
PSG value Barcola at around £145m, but that asking price seemingly hasn’t deterred the Reds, who believe that he is the ‘closest fit’ to Salah available anywhere in Europe.
Liverpool Make £85m Barcola Alternative ‘Dream’ Signing
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, reporting for talkSPORT, Liverpool have identified exciting Bournemouth winger Rayan as their ‘dream’ target should they fail to make progress on a move to prise Barcola away from the Parc des Princes.
The Brazilian teenager only joined the Cherries in January, but he made a big impression in the second-half of the 2025-26 campaign with five goals in 15 Premier League appearances, striking up a strong partnership with Eli Junior Kroupi to help the south coast outfit qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
It’s unclear how much Bournemouth would demand to sell Rayan this summer, with a £85m release clause for clubs incoming for 2027 for a player who looks to have a huge future ahead of him.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Sports
Arsenal Want to Complete Deal to Sign Bruno Guimaraes by Sunday
Arsenal believe that they can tie up a deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United by the end of this week. That’s according to ESPN Brasil reporter Bruno Andrade.
The Gunners have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, with winger Christos Tzolis their one big signing so far, arriving from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £34million.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also come in, arriving on a free transfer from Leeds United, with Jakub Kiwior completing a permanent move away after a season-long loan deal with Porto and Leandro Trossard leaving for Besiktas.
Vinicius Junior move signalled Arsenal’s intent in the transfer window
Arsenal remain in the hunt for a new midfielder and another forward, with Mikel Arteta keen to make a statement signing as the Gunners look to defend their Premier League crown in 2026/27.
They have been linked with a sensational move for Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, although it has now been reported that the Brazilian will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, they are still in talks over a move to sign Guimaraes, one of Vinicius’ teammates from the World Cup, with a move seemingly edging ever closer to completion.
Arsenal had an initial £55million bid rejected by Newcastle, who have already lost Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, with the Magpies holding out for £80million if they are to sell their ‘world-class’ player – something they are reluctant to do.
It seems the Gunners are closing in on a fee that could reach £75million all in, which they believe will convince Newcastle to sell.
Guimaraes to Arsenal could be completed by Sunday
Speaking on ESPN Brasil, Nadrade said: “Arsenal have raised the offer for Bruno Guimares, now they are offering £75million, £70million fixed plus £5million in objectives, totalling £75million.
“Two or three weeks ago the first offer of £55million was rejected so an agreement is starting to take shape. Newcastle are still waiting for an £80million offer, but given that Arsenal have already reached £75million it is very likely negotiations will progress positively this week since Bruno Guimaraes is in Brazil and returns to England on Friday and needs to report back [to Newcastle for training] on Monday.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
“The idea is that this won’t even be necessary, that the deal with Arsenal will be closed. He has already sent a positive message to Arsenal that he is open to it, that he wants to negotiate. He hasn’t forced an exit but has already signalled, communicated his desire to be transferred, to take this step in the Premier League.”
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