Sports
Man Utd Close In On £65m Transfer
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, according to Football Insider.
United have been in the market for at least two central midfielders so far this summer, with Ederson the first to arrive at Old Trafford after a £38million deal was struck with Serie A side Atalanta.
The transfer has not yet been confirmed, but will go through once the player’s involvement with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup is complete.
There has always been a plan in place for United to make two signings in the central midfield department, however, as Michael Carrick looks to add strength in depth. And with the club willing to listen to offers for Manuel Ugarte too, a third midfielder could even arrive.
Manchester United are making progress on transfer
Fernandes has just suffered his second relegation in a row, with West Ham slipping through the Premier League trapdoor, like Southampton the year before, with Fernandes having made a £38million move from St Mary’s to London Stadium last summer.
Analytics United on West Ham’s official website described Fernandes as “clearly a special talent” and despite those relegations on his CV, Fernandes is hot property, with Tottenham also in the market to sign the 21-year-old this summer.
But it appears United have stolen a march on the Portuguese star, with Football insider reporting that the Red Devils are “making progress towards a full transfer agreement”.
The report also states that United have already agreed personal terms with the player and therefore, once a fee is agreed with the Hammers, a transfer should be concluded reasonably quickly.
All of the midfielders on Manchester United’s shortlist this summer come with a hefty price tag, with many likely to cost up to £100million.
West Ham could accept lower fee for Fernandes
West Ham were holding out for a fee in the region of £80million to allow Fernandes to leave, but Football Insider suggest a transfer could be completed for less than that figure. They report that United are “hoping to conclude a deal worth £65million plus add ons”.
West Ham made it clear they were looking to sell the 21-year-old for double what they paid for him, with the £38million plus £4million in add-ons taking any potential sale over the £80million mark.
If they can secure a deal worth £65million up front, with their own add-ons taking the total package to the £80million, they may feel like they have got a good deal.
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Sports
Tuchel Has Already Made Feelings Clear
Thomas Tuchel already made his feelings clear about England supporters’ chants directed at Keir Starmer, after expletive-ridden songs rang out in the Three Lions’ win over Andorra in September 2025. Politics, once more, found their way onto the terraces.
Ahead of the World Cup qualifier, some fans were even spotted selling “stop the boats” flags, while the UK Prime Minister became the subject of further abuse from sections of the Holte End amid debates over the current immigration policies. To the tune of The White Stripes’ 2003 hit Seven Nation Army, large sections of the crowd could be heard chanting: “Keir Starmer is a w*****.”
The chants were heard again during England’s World Cup win against Croatia, despite FIFA warning there could be punishments for doing so. That didn’t stop those who seemed more intent on shifting the focus away from football altogether – and onto the government.
Thomas Tuchel on Anti-Keir Starmer Chants
Similar foul-mouthed chants could be heard as England defeated Andorra in the reverse fixture back in June last year. To the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band’s hit Give It Up, they could be heard singing: “Na-na, na-na, na-na, na-na-na-na now, Starmer is a ****, is a ****, Starmer is a ****.”
Supporters at RCDE Stadium, Espanyol’s stadium that became Andorra’s temporary home venue due to its more modern facilities, also chanted: “Keir Starmer is a w****r, is a w****r.” Listen to some England supporters’ chants in a previous game below:
After the game back in June, Tuchel said he did not hear any of the songs in question, but made it very clear what he thought about the matter. As per the Daily Mail, he told reporters:
“If it happened, it’s not acceptable. But I didn’t hear any offensive songs or chants.”
The Three Lions have made a strong start to their World Cup campaign after an opening-day victory against old foes Croatia. They head into games against Ghana and Panama needing just three points to ensure their passage into the knockout rounds.
Starmer, a keen football fan, might have some more time on his hands to cheer on his country. The Prime Minister is expected to resign from his post.
Sports
Fabio Capello Named 4 Players in Football History Who Are a Level Above Cristiano Ronaldo

Fabio Capello has seen some of the greatest players to ever play football up close and personal across his years in the game. Whether he was lacing up his boots to play against the game’s greats or managing them from the dugout, the Italian veteran has seen it all.
The former England manager didn’t hesitate at all when asked to name the greatest players in football history, as he gave four names instantly. He even brushed off Cristiano Ronaldo – who is considered the GOAT by some – as not being on the same level as his favourites.
Selecting two players who had already hung up their boots well before the 21st century came around and another pair who will be more familiar to the younger generation of fans, it’s hard to argue with the selections Capello made.
Pele
The first name out of his mouth was that of Brazil’s greatest-ever player, Pele. The man who won three World Cups can’t really be argued with. Capello even played against the wonderfully talented goalscorer. Whenever the conversation surrounding the best players to pull on a pair of boots comes up, the third-highest scorer in history (762 goals) is never far away.
“Pele. I played against him once.”
Diego Maradona
Where Pele goes, Diego Maradona follows. Before the early 2000s, no one could claim to compare to the two superstars who revolutionised the sport and transcended football in many ways. The Argentine wasn’t only capable of doing magical things with a ball at his feet, but he was a larger-than-life personality who will never be forgotten.
Capello named Maradona as part of the most talented trio he’s ever witnessed take to a football pitch. He was a coach in the Italian top-flight when Maradona was at the top of his game at Napoli, so he will have seen his brilliance up close.
Lionel Messi
The other player Capello considers in the top category of footballers is, of course, Lionel Messi. The number of people denying that the former Barcelona superstar is the most talented player of all time is dwindling and there are very few left. Capello was full of praise for the trio he named as the best he’d witnessed: “These three players, they have extra imagination. They make something that you cannot understand.”
It’s not the first time he’s waxed lyrical about the immensely talented triumvirate, either, as he previously put them in a category of their own in a 2019 interview. Capello labelled them all ‘geniuses’, while hammering home his point that Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t on the same level:
“There are three geniuses in football: Pele, Maradona and Messi. Period. [Cristiano] Ronaldo is very strong as he lets you win everything, but Messi is a genius and something else.”
Ronaldo Nazario
A player Capello managed during his long and storied career in the dugout, Ronaldo Nazario, is the man he claimed is just a level below Pele, Maradona and Messi. Admitting there’s not much in it, the 80-year-old put R9 in his own bracket, while again playing down his namesake’s status alongside the true greats:
“Ronaldo is just behind but just a little. Brazilian Ronaldo. Not Cristiano. Cristiano is a good player, but not this level.”
Sports
Celtic Plot Move For ‘Brilliant’ World Cup Star
Now they have sorted out who will be leading the team on a permanent basis, Celtic can start to make plans for the summer transfer window.
Having sacked Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy during the 2025/26 campaign, the Bhoys turned to familiar face Martin O’Neill to guide them in the final few months of the Scottish Premiership season.
And the Northern Irishman did a stunning job, turning Celtic‘s fortunes around and winning the title in dramatic style on the final day of the season with victory over Hearts, who had led the way for much of the season.
O’Neill eyes move for New Zealand star
It was only supposed to be an interim spell, but O’Neill has been handed the reins at Parkhead on a permanent basis once more and he will now be looking at what business he can do in the summer transfer window.
One player who has been linked with a move to the Glasgow giants is Elijah Just, who came to the fore at the World Cup, showing anyone who has not watched a lot of Scottish football just what he is capable of with a brace in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran in the opening Group G encounter.
Speaking after that game, Just said: “It’s difficult to put into words, I was just buzzing to score the first and then I got the opportunity in the second half and I saw it in the back of the net, it was an incredible feeling.
“Running over and seeing my team-mates and how happy they were – that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
You scored
out of 20
Just plays his football with Motherwell, where he scored seven goals and laid on eight assists in the 2025/26 campaign, averaging a goal involvement in every other game he played.
Celtic have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old Kiwi and according to Football Insider they are preparing to accelerate their interest in the winger once his involvement in the World Cup comes to an end.
Just could be a player in demand this summer
Celtic are likely to face competition from a number of other clubs in his signature, but Just is high on O’Neill’s wishlist when it comes to new signings this summer as he looks to strengthen in forward areas.
Just arrived in Scotland last summer from the Danish league, having also played in the Austrian league since making the move over to Europe from New Zealand.
And he made Motherwell captain Paul McGinnn eat his words.
McGinn said: “I looked at him and thought, ‘Scottish football, you could be in bother here’. When you look at a player like that, a guy who is diminutive and left-footed, you think he’s a flair player. But he’s not. He’s a grafter, he works his socks off, he’s been absolutely brilliant.”
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