Liverpool are interested in signing Australian centre-back Lucas Herrington, but are expected to face competition from the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United for the World Cup star’s signature, according to TEAMtalk.

Herrington impressed for the Socceroos at the international tournament, catching the eye despite missing a decisive penalty in his nation’s last-16 shootout against Egypt. The defender currently plies his trade in the MLS with the Colorado Rapids, but could be set for a significant step-up, with his World Cup form sparking interest from several top clubs.

Liverpool are in the market for a new central defender after losing Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid on a free transfer earlier this summer.

Jeremy Jacquet has arrived from Rennes for £60 million, but another option in this area of the pitch is needed in Andoni Iraola’s squad, and Herrington has been identified as a candidate to fill this role.

Liverpool to Battle Top Clubs for Lucas Herrington

Despite only turning 18 last September, Herrington was entrusted to start for Australia at the World Cup, and this decision may have changed the trajectory of his career.

The ‘top, top level’ teenager has made just 17 senior appearances for the Colorado Rapids, but is now the subject of interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

TEAMtalk report that Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester United are considering making a move for the youngster. On top of this, the outlet suggests as many as seven Premier League sides are monitoring Herrington’s situation, as well as a number of clubs on the continent.

The volume of potential suitors means Colorado find themselves in a strong position, and the MLS outfit are reportedly keen to make their own demands in any prospective deal.

The American club would welcome an arrangement that allows Herrington to remain on loan in Denver for another year before moving to Europe permanently.

Several of the interested parties are said to be on board with this idea, although it’s not specified whether Liverpool are among these clubs willing to accept this temporary deal.

The Reds are in dire need of immediate defensive reinforcements, and thus, may need to keep Herrington from the outset if they are to sign him.

Liverpool Should Focus Attention Elsewhere

At the moment, Iraola is set to rely on an ageing Virgil van Dijk, 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet and injury-prone Joe Gomez at the heart of his defence. 19-year-old Giovani Leoni is still fighting his way back from an ACL injury.

It’s clear that the Merseysiders are short on reliable centre-backs heading into next season, and Herrington wouldn’t fix this immediate issue.

While acquiring the Australian might be a sensible piece of long-term squad planning, it’s evident that the prodigy defender won’t be capable of making an instant impact at Anfield and may even have to spend a year developing elsewhere.

Thus, Iraola and the Liverpool hierarchy should turn their attention elsewhere. Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio has been linked with a switch to the north-west, and the Reds should certainly focus their energy on securing a player of the Portuguese’s calibre.

Arsenal have already reached an agreement in principle with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes over personal terms, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners are eager to sign Guimaraes, who is said to be valued by the Magpies at around £90 million. Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are intent on landing the Brazilian for a reduced fee, with initial rejected approaches understood to be worth £55 million and £65 million.

Guimaraes enjoyed an exceptional 2025/26 campaign despite Newcastle’s struggles, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists across all competitions, and he now feels ready to make the step up to a side regularly competing for major honours.

While there is plenty of work to do on the club-to-club side, Romano has revealed that there are no concerns on the player’s side.

Arsenal Have Agreed Personal Terms with Bruno Guimaraes

via Reuters

Reports emerged on Wednesday evening suggesting that Guimaraes has informed Newcastle of his desire to join Arsenal, although the playmaker is supposedly unwilling to agitate for a move, as he looks to keep his relationship with the north-east club civil.

Further reports then surfaced on Thursday indicating that the two parties have reached a consensus on a five-year deal.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer guru Romano verified these reports, claiming that personal terms were never likely to be an issue, and that it’s now up to the two clubs to reach an agreement on the fee.

“We have to follow the situation of Bruno Guimaraes,” Romano said.

“Many of you are asking me [about Guimaraes]. It’s true that there is an agreement already in principle, on personal terms, between Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal.

“I told you already in two, three videos, personal terms are never going to be a problem. Bruno Guimaraes doesn’t go to Newcastle and say, ‘Let me go to Arsenal’, without having an agreement with Arsenal.

“So, I don’t think that’s part of the story. It’s absolutely obvious that Bruno Guimaraes would agree personal terms with Arsenal. The contract is not the problem. The salary is not the problem. The desire of the player is to live in London. The desire of the player is to work with Mikel Arteta. The desire of the player is to play Champions League football.

“The player wants to go to Arsenal because of the ambitions and the opportunity to win trophies.”

Arsenal Need to Accelerate Bruno Guimaraes Deal

With Brazil out of the World Cup, there is no reason why a deal cannot materialise quickly. While Arsenal will look to negotiate and will hold their nerve, there should be a sense of urgency with how Berta operates on this specific deal.

The Gunners’ pre-season commences at the start of August, and thus far they’ve only added Leeds goalkeeper Ilan Meslier to their squad. They need to start assembling the pieces they plan to put together for the new campaign; otherwise, Arteta’s side will start the new term dysfunctionally.

Reports suggest that Declan Rice could be given an extended rest after the World Cup, allowing the England international to properly recover from his ongoing niggles.

If that is indeed the case, then the Gunners need Guimaraes ready to hit the ground running, to cover for the short-term loss of their midfield talisman.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has issued a strong verdict on the performance of referee Francois Letexier during Argentina’s controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt.

Argentina came from 2-0 down to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals thanks to goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez.

However, Egypt were furious after two major refereeing decisions went against them. They had a goal controversially disallowed in the 58th minute for a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the opposite end of the pitch at the start of the move.

The Pharaohs were also convinced a late penalty should have been awarded following an alleged foul by Julian Alvarez on Mohamed Salah. Fernandez scored Argentina’s winning goal moments later following a swift counter-attack.

Egypt’s emotional players and coaching staff suggested the tournament is “rigged” in favour of Argentina after the match, claims vehemently denied by FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina.

“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said. “Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.”

Luis de la Fuente Gives His View on Letexier’s Performance

Reuters/Dale Zanine

France boss Didier Deschamps disagreed with the negative reaction towards his compatriot Letexier and praised the match official’s performance ahead of Les Bleus’ quarter-final against Morocco on Thursday.

Now Spain’s Luis de la Fuente has followed suit before his side face Belgium on Friday.

In an interview with DAZN, via Sportskeeda, De la Fuente said: “I honestly don’t understand why you ask me about the controversy surrounding the referee in the Argentina vs. Egypt match. Where did that even come from?

It’s currently unclear whether Letexier is currently in contention to referee the 2026 World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

The FIFA and UEFA elite category match official, 37, is now among the four referees involved in the quarter-finals and will not take charge of either semi-final. The referees for the final and third-place play-off are yet to be assigned.

However, Letexier’s compatriot Clement Turpin will take charge of Saturday’s quarter-final between Norway and England in Miami.