Sports
Kylian Mbappe Tipped to Sign For Club His Mum Loves, Liverpool
Beyond most notably Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the domestic season is now over for Real Madrid and most other major European teams. As such, the transfer rumour mill has already started to pick up.
From the Premier League, one big topic is Anthony Gordon’s potential move to Barcelona, which could net Newcastle United around £70m. While one high-profile forward could be heading to La Liga, another could be departing.
Indeed, after two seasons without a league or Champions League title, Kylian Mbappe has been linked with an exit from Madrid this summer. Already, a number of Premier League clubs appear to be in the running for his signature, with few clubs in the world likely to turn down a chance to land the 2026 Ballon d’Or contender.
Not Man Utd: Scott McTominay Tipped For Stunning £65m Premier League Return
The Scottish star could be back in England this summer.
Mbappe Tipped for England Move Amid Issues at Madrid
In May, it was reported that Mbappe is becoming ‘increasingly isolated’ at Real Madrid and many of his teammates are ‘frustrated’ with his behaviour. The Frenchman is said to have shown an extremely ‘self-centred’ attitude both on and off the pitch, allegedly disrespected a member of staff during training and once arrived 40 minutes late for a team lunch.
He wasn’t punished for the incidents, which may explain why he reportedly has lost support within the dressing room. It’s claimed he is now only close with Real Madrid’s French players: Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
With rumours of his discontent making plenty of headlines, French journalist Julien Laurens – who is also the author of a definitive biography of Mbappe – has suggested that Liverpool could be an ideal eventual destination for the Frenchman, as his mother loves the Anfield outfit.
Speaking on TalkSport, he said: “I think Real Madrid was always the dream and he’s got long-term contract. He’s 27 going on 28. He will be 28 in December. I think I can see him staying there for a long time but then I don’t think it’s impossible to see him [leave] at some point.
“We know that Liverpool is the club that his mum loves. They were the team and the club that they watched the most and they were really loving.
“It’s funny because all those of English teams tried to sign him when he was 12, 14, 15, 17. Some went all the way to Nice and parked the private jet at the airport just waiting in case he was not staying in Monaco and decided to leave.
“They were all there ready to make him an offer. So, maybe one day, I think he would be great in the Premier League. “I think he’s got the game for it and he watches it all.”
Mbappe Has Admitted His Mum ‘Loves’ Liverpool
That the player has actually already been linked with a move to Anfield this summer will only add fuel to the speculation. What’s more, Mbappe has previously gone on the record about how his mother, who also works as his agent, is such a big fan of the Premier League giants. Explaining how he considered a move to Liverpool in 2017, he recalled:
“We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit.
“I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum. My mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club.”
It remains to be seen if any move is a realistic option to even consider this summer for Mbappe, Madrid and Liverpool. However, the Reds will likely look to the transfer market to help deal with the high-profile exit of Mohamed Salah.
Real Madrid have undergone a dramatic culture shift behind the scenes, with new manager Jose Mourinho tearing up the old rulebook covering everything from nutrition and discipline to injury recovery.
Players who previously enjoyed near-total freedom over how they organised their days are now operating under a far stricter regime, one designed to stamp the new coach’s identity on every corner of the club.
The changes for Los Blancos cover far more than what happens on the training pitch, touching on almost every aspect of a player’s daily life at the club’s training complex, as they embark on a season where winning trophies is essential, after two years without one.
Jose Mourinho Overhauls Rules at Real Madrid
Mourinho studied the setup at Valdebebas upon arrival before concluding the system needed tighter control, according to Spanish outlet AS. It appears Mourinho isn’t applying these rules for the sake of being strict and to challenge the larger-than-life personalities among the Madrid ranks. Instead, they’re being enforced with rigour and conviction, with team spirit sitting at the heart of his project.
The club underlined that point by sharing a photo of every player and staff member eating together, a scene rarely noticed before.
Sources inside the club said:
“He wants to strengthen team spirit and unity, and it is going in a way that is generating excitement,” while others described the current atmosphere as “very good.”
Indeed, the players are said to have met the changes with satisfaction and positivity.
Real Madrid’s New Nutrition and Discipline Rules Explained
The three changes are based on nutrition, discipline, and recovery.
Nutrition has also changed significantly. The club nutritionist no longer simply offers advice but now prepares mandatory, pre-set menus for breakfast and snacks, with every meal built around athletic performance rather than personal taste. Despite the shift, it’s been reported that there is no unrest in the dressing room, with players said to have welcomed the changes.
Discipline follows a similar pattern. Rather than fines, sanctions now involve individual gym sessions away from the group, while every player must arrive at Valdebebas a full hour before training, with no exceptions for lateness.
Recovery has been centralised too, with all programmes, including those involving personal trainers, now carried out under club supervision. External treatment is no longer permitted, marking a clear break from the freedom players had grown used to before Mourinho’s arrival.
For some time now, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been making negative headlines. He drew criticism for the way he cosied up to Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and has only made himself more unpopular since then.
His biggest mistake, however, appears to have been the plan to privatise the World Cup. The idea of selling off shares in FIFA’s biggest competition sparked outrage, with many now turning on the football administrator. Notably, UEFA have led the calls for Infantino to step down from his role.
The 56-year-old actually used to work for UEFA, joining in 2000 and leaving 16 years later to take on his current role with FIFA. During that time, it’s now been reported that he had an ‘alleged mistress.’
UEFA Reportedly Paid Off Infantino’s Alleged Mistress
As per The Telegraph, UEFA reportedly paid off an alleged mistress of Infantino while he was working as general secretary. It’s said that the woman, a junior employee, received a six-figure sum after the alleged relationship with Infantino – who is married and has four children – while he was a leading official at European football’s governing body.
What’s more, she is alleged to have been promoted by the now-FIFA president during their relationship. After she left, the football organisation reportedly paid for her to do an MBA at a business school which charged fees of about £45,000 a year.
The woman was reportedly in an administrative position when their relationship began, but was subsequently promoted to a more lucrative managerial role. When she left, Infantino is alleged to have used then his connections to get her a new lucrative job, and later diverted UEFA funds to secure her pay-off.
In a statement, UEFA admitted that a payment had been made and that it was aware of the allegations that the woman was in a relationship with Infantino. The European footballing body said they have since “tightened” their regulations to “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation.”
FIFA Statement on Infantino Allegations
A FIFA spokesman has said that there had never been any complaints by employees about Infantino’s behaviour. In a statement, the spokesman also confirmed that the organisation’s president denies the claims:
“FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.
“No employee at Uefa and Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations.”
The Telegraph went on to claim, via sources, that Infantino was challenged over the alleged affair by Michel Platini, UEFA’s then president, and it was agreed that she would leave with a six-figure pay-off.
Manchester City have made contact over a surprise deal to sign Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister as a replacement for Rodri, according to reports.
The Cityzens have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window so far, breaking their club-record to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, while also bringing in teenager Jeremy Monga and young goalkeeper Pierce Charles for new manager Enzo Maresca.
But the club are facing a battle to hold on to their star midfielder after he won the World Cup, and plans are underway for City to find a replacement ahead of the new season beginning.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
City have accumulated a shortlist of options to replace the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner after it emerged that he is keen to return to Spain, amid strong interest from Barcelona. Mac Allister is one of the players on that list, although it is unclear if he would be open to the move or if Liverpool would be open to selling the Argentina international.
Rodri Says Yes to Barcelona in Huge Transfer Twist
Mac Allister has been a regular for Liverpool since signing from Brighton in 2023, winning the Premier League and EFL Cup in his three seasons at Anfield. He has made 150 appearances, scoring 19 goals in that time, and earned the praise of some top stars.
One such star was Paul Scholes, who listed him as the fourth-best midfielder in world football last year, behind only Vitinha, Rodri and Pedri.
“Mac Allister, again, I thought he was brilliant last year for Liverpool. I saw him close up in the game at Old Trafford, as I mentioned before, he was brilliant, controlled everything. I don’t think he’s had a great start to this season.
“So I’ll have Mac Allister at number four.”
| Rodri World Cup 2026 Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 8 |
| Minutes | 726 |
| Key Passes (per 90) | 1.4 |
| Average Passes (per 90) | 101.4 |
| Pass Success % | 93.2 |
| Long Balls (per 90) | 4.6 |
Man City Reject Barcelona Bid as Rodri Agrees to Move
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Man City have already rejected an opening bid from Barcelona for Rodri.
The Catalan giants tabled an offer worth an initial €45m (£38.5m), but City have rejected it out of hand as they are looking for around €75m (£64.2m) to let the 30-year-old leave, despite him being in the final year of his contract.
Rodri has already agreed terms with Hansi Flick’s side over a move, having picked them over rivals Real Madrid, who have now exited the race for his signature. Barcelona are now planning to make a fresh offer, and remain confident of finding an agreement with City in the coming weeks.
The Spain international was key to the World Cup win this summer, but is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery for a back issue following the tournament.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 07/08/2026.
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