Those of a certain generation will remember Alan Shearer as a relentless goalscorer in his pomp. Although these days he is best-known for his punditry, the Newcastle United legend still holds the record for the most Premier League goals scored (260).

He also bagged 30 goals for England in 63 caps, a fine record which leaves him joint-seventh on the list of all-time men’s goalscorers for the Three Lions. Having done so well for his country, it’s interesting to learn that his daughter has just married another international sportsman.

Indeed, Hollie tied the knot with her new husband this week. However, he is known for playing a different sport.

Hollie Shearer Marries England Sports Star

Shearer was on co-commentary duties as Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey last Sunday, but quickly rushed back to England to watch his daughter Hollie marry Joe Marchant. Rugby fans will be familiar with that name, as he has represented England 28 times in the sport.

Marchant currently also plays as a centre for PREM Rugby club Sale Sharks, having left Stade Francais earlier in 2026. Born in Winchester, the 30-year-old made his debut for England in 2019, having played for his country at U18 and U20 level.

Shearer’s daughter confirmed her romance with the former Harlequins star back in April 2022, as she later moved to France with him. They then got engaged in 2024, before getting married this summer in Winchester.

They took to social media to share photos outside local pub The Royal Oak, which has stood, in part, for more than a thousand years after being built in 1002.

How Shearer Feels About Joe Marchant

Shearer has already given an indication of how he feels about the marriage, and the good news is that he seems delighted for his daughter. After Hollie announced her engagement on social media, he reacted with a series of heart-eyes and clapping hand emojis. Adding to this, he also later joked:

Shearer appears to have a good relationship with his new son-in-law, having also had a laugh at his expense in another past social media post. When the couple vacationed on Naxos Island in Greece in 2023, one photo showed Marchant in particularly revealing swimwear, prompting Shearer to comment: “WTF are the smugglers you have on?”

Shearer isn’t the only football pundit to see his child marry and England star of late. Indeed, Taylor Harwood-Bellis married Roy Keane’s daughter Leah this year. The Southampton star – with one cap for the Three Lions – explained what it’s like to have the Manchester United legend in his life, saying:

“He’s one of the people, barring my immediate family, who I know for a fact has only my interests in mind The advice he gives me, I know he’s got my full interests at heart, so he has helped me with decisions. He shows me lots of support and he doesn’t say well done too often, unless I’ve done something special.

“Maybe if we [Southampton] beat [Man] City, I might get a well done.”

Fabrizio Romano has dropped important news regarding Arsenal‘s pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

The Gunners have been eyeing Guimaraes, and the Brazilian has been open to a move to the Emirates after the Magpies’ failure to qualify for Europe. He is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wishlist, and the Spaniard wants him to become his latest big-name midfield arrival.

It feels as though Arteta wants a top midfield signing each summer after signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £60 million. Mikel Merino arrived from the Spanish club for £27.4 million a year before, and Declan Rice became their club record signing in a £105 million deal in July 2023.

‘Contract is Done’ – Guimaraes Agrees Arsenal Move

via Reuters

Arsenal have already made a concrete move for Guimaraes, but Newcastle have been blocking a potential transfer. The Tyneside giants want to keep their captain, who has been hugely important for Eddie Howe since arriving from Lyon for £40 million.

Romano has delved into the situation and confirmed that the 28-year-old has agreed on a move to the Emirates. He said on his YouTube channel:

“Arsenal are ready to send a new bid for Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal ready. Arsenal want to go for Bruno. Arsenal have full agreement in place with Bruno Guimaraes on personal terms. So the contract is ready. The contract is done. Bruno said yes to Arsenal. Bruno wants to be respectful with Newcastle, so he doesn’t want to break the relationship. But Bruno wants to go. Bruno made clear to Newcastle that his desire is to go.”

Guimaraes had been linked with Arsenal before moving to Newcastle back in January 2022. He has since been a revelation at St James’ Park, thriving with performances that have seen him labelled ‘world-class.’

While Romano doesn’t mention how much the Gunners are looking to bid, previous reports suggest a £70 million offer is expected to be made. Given Guimaraes’ clear desire to make the move, it feels as though this is a transfer that gets done despite the Magpies’ reluctance to sell.

Arsenal’s Midfield Will be Scary

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Guimaraes gets into pretty much any Premier League team’s midfield, and the possibility of seeing him line up alongside Declan Rice will frighten Arsenal’s rivals. His all-round game is second to none, and he will only help Arteta try to successfully retain the title.

Whether the Brazilian’s potential exit could have repercussions for other midfielders at the Emirates is unclear. A report earlier this week claimed that Martin Odegaard’s future could be in doubt if the Newcastle skipper arrives.

Guimaraes is at his peak and his personality could be a perfect fit for this Gunners team. After just falling short at the final hurdle in last season’s Champions League, this addition could be the catalyst for a first European trophy.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba is not dead in the water, according to a report by Dylan McBennett.

The Red Devils have already completed the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to bolster their midfield, as they move ahead with a major rebuild following the departure of Casemiro and the injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte.

But the club are yet to make a final decision on who the third midfield signing will be, with INEOS adamant they will not overpay in an expensive market. A number of names have been linked to Old Trafford, and Baleba remains a long-term target, which means no deal is dead at this stage.

Baleba Could Push for Man Utd Transfer

Baleba, who has been described as ‘world-class’, was a target for the Reds last summer, but Brighton’s £100m valuation put them off proceeding at the time.

The Cameroon international went on to have a difficult season, with many suggesting that the interest from Old Trafford had turned his head. It’s now understood that Brighton are open to a sale in this window if they get the right offer, with their asking price believed to have dropped to around £80m.

But United don’t value him at that price, and as a result have been looking at alternative options. However, it has now emerged that they have not made a final decision yet, and a move for Baleba is still considered to be a ‘very real possibility’.

In fact, the 22-year-old has even been tipped to potentially push for a move to go through, having already agreed personal terms with the club last year, and with fresh talks being opened earlier this week.

With no final decision made yet, United remain open to the possibility of signing Baleba in this window, and the situation remains one to keep a close eye on in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Baleba the Perfect Midfield Addition

via Reuters

Man Utd are looking to have more control of games in the coming season, and that means better ball retention in midfield. It also means they need to win the ball back quicker when they’re out of possession, and Baleba helps with all of that.

His attributes are exactly what the club are understood to be targeting, and he is at the perfect age to make the step up and continue to develop and improve. He also fits in perfectly alongside all of the current midfield options.

Brighton are known to be stern negotiators, but sometimes as the buying club you have to just pay the money to sign the player that your team needs, and this feels like one of those situations for Man Utd.