Football is bracing for a fresh confrontation at the very top, with European nations reportedly weighing up an extraordinary act of defiance against FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid growing unrest over the direction he is taking the sport in.

According to Sky News, UEFA nations are set to hold an emergency virtual meeting this week to discuss opposition to FIFA’s plan to sell off a stake in the organisation to private investors, with the prospect of boycotting the World Cup said to be on the table if Infantino refuses to back down and reconsider his approach.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino via REUTERS/Gareth Bumstead

FIFA has confirmed plans to launch a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, reportedly worth $20bn, and sell more than 20% of it to external investors in a bid to raise $4.2 billion. The English FA is understood to have been kept in the dark before FIFA’s announcement, having heard nothing of the strategy during meetings in New York on the eve of the World Cup final.

UEFA responded furiously, stating:

Trump Family Links add to the Controversy as Andy Burnham gets Involved

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

The row is the latest in a string of clashes between Infantino and UEFA, whose president Aleksander Ceferin previously forced FIFA to abandon plans for a biennial World Cup by threatening a European boycott. Suspicion has also been raised over FIFA’s proposed lead investor, Thrive Eternal, whose CEO Josh Kushner is the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared.

Infantino has defended the plans, insisting they would more than double funding available to member associations for grassroots development between 2027 and 2030. He said the move was about “the democratisation of football worldwide.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on X, football “belongs to the fans” and not investors, adding:

UEFA’s opposition may be undermined by FIFA needing only a majority of its 211 member associations, many of whom depend on funding from the global body, rather than European backing. But with Spain reigning as both men’s and women’s world champions, FIFA’s reliance on European talent gives UEFA real leverage should the dispute escalate further.

Leeds United have had a big summer transfer window so far, but Daniel Farke and the 49ers are pushing to make even more additions before the campaign begins.

The Whites have brought in Harry Wilson from Fulham on a free transfer, and Tarik Muharemovic in a £34m deal from Sassuolo, while they have agreed terms to sign Man City goalkeeper James Trafford in a club-record deal worth in excess of £40m.

But after avoiding relegation last season, the club are keen to ensure that they are able to improve even more this summer, and they have identified a Serie A champion as a potential target.

Leeds Ready to Pay £34m for Sucic

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Leeds have a strong interest in a deal to sign Inter Milan star Petar Sucic this summer.

Sucic, who has been described as the fastest player in the Croatia squad following his performances at the World Cup this summer, was a key player as Inter won the Serie A title ahead of Napoli, making 34 appearances in the process.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, and Leeds are understood to be willing to pay up to around €40m (£34m) to get a deal done to bring the 22-year-old to Elland Road.

However, Inter have absolutely no interest in a deal to let the Croatian leave this summer, with manager Christian Chivu viewing him as a key member of his starting lineup in central midfield.

Chivu believes the player can continue to improve and develop at the San Siro, and is adamant that a sale isn’t considered by the board unless the club receives a ‘monstrous’ or ‘irresistible’ offer. £34m wouldn’t scratch the surface in that sense, and a move to Leeds looks highly unlikely at this stage.

Sucic Would Be Leeds’ Best Midfielder

Leeds have got great strength and depth in their midfield with Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Sean Longstaff and Ilia Gruev, but if they were able to pull off a deal for Sucic then there’s no doubting he would be their best midfielder.

He’s the complete midfielder, capable of playing on the ball but also winning possession back, and he would fit in seamlessly at Leeds, but also in the Premier League.

It’s therefore no surprise at all that Inter want to keep him, and it’s fair to say that moving from the Italian champions to Leeds at this stage would be a backwards step. Unless something crazy happens, then this deal won’t go through, but Leeds are showing great ambition to bolster the squad and become a Premier League side for the foreseeable future.

Arsenal have received ‘information’ from Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior’s ‘inner circle’ as they launch an ambitious move to bring the Brazilian to the Emirates.

Having failed to land number one attacking target Morgan Rogers this summer, Arsenal have turned their attentions to alternative targets, such as Yan Diomande and Vini Jr.

The Gunners made a call regarding Diomande’s situation after a move for Rogers was hijacked by Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano, but it was made clear that the winger’s preference was to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Now, it appears as though he could be on his way to Real Madrid instead, which could potentially open the door to an exit for Vinicius Junior, given both often operate from the left flank.

There is no doubt that the north London outfit prising the Brazil international away from the Bernabeu this summer would be an enormous statement of intent, and send shockwaves across Europe.

But it is the type of signing a club who has just won the Premier League and reached the final of a Champions League should be looking to make, as they look to reach the next level.

Arsenal face a big battle to get a deal over the line however.

What Vini Jr is Telling ‘Good Friends’ About Real Madrid Exit

Kim Price/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters

New ‘information’ has now emerged from reliable Spanish journalist Tomas Rancero about Vini Jr’s stance on a move away from Real Madrid this summer, with contract talks between the parties still at a standstill.

The 26-year-old has allegedly made it clear to his friends how he feels about potentially leaving Real Madrid on a free transfer, with his contract due to expire next summer.

Speaking on Diario AS’s YouTube channel, Rancero said:

“Take note of this. This is information from his inner circle, because Vinicius has good friends in Madrid and what he’s been saying in recent weeks is that he doesn’t want to leave without leaving a single Euro in Real Madrid’s coffers.

“In other words, when people bring it up, and especially among friends, where conversations are natural and you have trust, they ask: ‘Are you leaving for free next year?’ He says: ‘No, I can’t leave Real Madrid for free because Real Madrid took me in when I was 16’.”

Arsenal to Accelerate Talks to Sign Another South American

via Reuters

According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, Arsenal are also set to accelerate talks to sign another South American star this week.

The Gunners are keen to land another Brazilian in Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, but they are yet to launch a formal offer to the Magpies for his services, with the Tyneside outfit continuing to deny any contact at all from the north Londoners over a potential deal, despite all the talk in the media.

Arsenal already have a buy-in from Newcastle’s captain over a switch to the Emirates, but finding an agreement on an appropriate fee will be the most difficult part of negotiations.

The Gunners are said to be willing to stretch beyond £70m for the 28-year-old, with Newcastle likely to reject an offer worth that for such a key player.