Matsima had been identified as the club’s top target, with personal terms already agreed between club and player, but a deal now will not be happening after a fresh development on Wednesday (29 July).
Palace Move for Matsima Collapses
Manon Cruz via Action Images/Reuters
According to Plettenberg, Crystal Palace had been close to a breakthrough on a transfer agreement for the 24-year-old a few days ago, but negotiations have not progressed.
It has now emerged that the final details of the deal, including payment structure and bonuses, could not be agreed between Palace and Augsburg, and Crystal Palace simply refused to compromise on their terms.
In one of the biggest stories coming out of football this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has unveiled a plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. United States president Donald Trump has a direct link to the scheme, and his involvement has prompted a notable reaction from UEFA vice-president Gabriele Gravina.
FIFA intend to form a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), which will take responsibility for its major international competitions, including the World Cup. While retaining a majority stake of 51 per cent, they will then sell the remaining individual stakes to private investors.
UEFA are among those to have firmly come out against Infantino’s plan, with all 55 member nations agreeing that they will boycott the World Cup if they have to. A statement noted: “UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
Gabriele Gravina Questions FIFA Plan To Privatise World Cup
He began: “At the World Cup, we witnessed something unacceptable. I’m referring to a series of behaviours. I’ve long denounced the political interference Infantino accepted.” He added:
“Then there was Trump’s intervention at the World Cup. Now we discover that they want to sell a part of the company that holds the helm of football to the brother of the son-in-law of the President of the United States.”
Infantino has claimed that the bidding process would encourage “a pool of diverse international investors”, although FIFA named Kushner’s Thrive Capital investment firm as the frontrunner.
FIFA Warned Against Trump Involvement
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
House of Representatives Judiciary Committee in Washington and ranking Democrat member Jamie Raskin has already warned of Trump’s involvement. As per the Guardian, Raskin told Politico that FIFA was “going directly into business with the Trump family”, before making reference to the peace prize Infantino awarded the president in December and FIFA’s use of office space in Trump Tower, New York.
He added: “Apparently the fake Peace Prize and giant lease with Trump Tower weren’t enough – now Infantino performs a kickback hat-trick by pursuing a multibillion-dollar deal with Jared Kushner’s brother to sell ownership stakes in the World Cup to private investors.”
The report notes that Jared and Joshua’s father, Charles Kushner, has been convicted of tax evasion, witness tampering, illegal campaign contributions and sentenced to two years in prison. Even so, he is Trump’s ambassador to France, though he speaks no French.
Everton’s search for a new right-back will continue into the final month of the transfer window after so far failing to address the problem position.
The Toffees have been in desperate need of a natural right-back in recent seasons due to Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson’s limited game time through injury.
With Coleman bringing the curtain down on his Everton career this summer and with Patterson expected to move on permanently, the need for a right-back has only intensified as David Moyes’ side look to kick on in the Premier League.
Jake O’Brien has been a regular in the position for the manager but the 25-year-old is naturally a centre-back and is limited in the final third when it comes to Everton attacking down the right flank.
Everton supporters are desperate for a new right-back to come in and solve the issue ahead of their league opener against Crystal Palace next month.
The 27-year-old has been a hit at Celtic Park since joining from CF Montreal in 2023, scoring seven goals and assisting 24 times in 122 appearances for the Bhoys.
Johnston also recently appeared for Canada at the World Cup as he started all five of their games as they reached the Round of 16.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
The Herald report that while Celtic would prefer to keep their player in Glasgow, they are bracing themselves for a bid in excess of £10m for Johnston with Everton preparing to firm up their interest.
The right-back, who is on a shortlist of right-back options for Everton, also has Champions League experience to his name after making 16 appearances for Celtic in the competition in recent seasons.
What Johnston can offer Everton
United States forward Christian Pulisic and Canada defender Alistair Johnston battle for the ball during the first half in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier match Nissan Stadium Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.Credit: George Walker IV / The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Johnston has excelled at right-back since Ange Postecoglou lured him to Celtic in 2023.
A firm favourite with his managers, Brendan Rodgers waxed lyrical about the Canadian in September 2024, offering an insight to Everton fans if the defender is to move to Merseyside before the end of the summer transfer window.
“And he now totally understands how I want him to work, so he is now able to release himself, and can march, he can go forward and test the mentality of his marker.
“And you see him now, he’s scoring goals and creating goals. But, ultimately, he can defend well.
“He has that hunger to defend, and he’s a really good guy, so I really enjoy working with him, and he will still only get better.
“When you think of his journey back home, and then in the MLS, and then to here and being an international player, so he’s only going to improve and I can see that in him in my time here.”
Wrexham AFC has released its new home and away kits for this year’s Championship campaign as they eye promotion in a bright and fresh jersey.
The Welsh club has risen to prominence in the last few years following the takeover of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and narrowly missed out on the playoffs, finishing in seventh place.
One of the United Kingdom’s oldest and historic clubs is in a fantastically promising position to chart a course to the Premier League, something which seemed impossible when they were languishing in the National League for over a decade before the ownership change.
The new home and away kits speak to its rich history, Welsh heritage and current modern standing. Here is everything you need to know about the new Red Dragons kits, from design details to prices.
Wrexham 2026/27 Home Kit
Macron
Bold, the bright red kit brings an instant identity that speaks to its Welsh heritage with the front-of-shirt sponsor Firefox marking the new modern commercial era. However, beyond that and the familiar club crest, the detailing provides plenty of thoughtful features.
A standout feature is the subtle pattern across the front, which is said to be inspired by the safety barriers that once lined the old Kop terrace at the Racecourse Ground. In addition, a nod to the street location is across the front of the jersey while six flagpoles on the nape spell out ‘CAE RAS’ (Welsh for Racecourse) alongside the club’s founding year, 1864.
Another intimate detail is the in the lower hem, as the shirt remembers the 266 victims of the 1934 Gresford Colliery Disaster that also includes an internal silicone tape which reads ‘Our Ground, Our Spirit.’
It’s worth noting that the reveal of the kit was certainly a blockbuster event: it was unveiled in New York, tied to a Nasdaq bell-ringing ceremony. And Wrexham fans will be hoping for a Hollywood-style season as they eye promotion.
Wrexham 2026/27 Away Kit
Wrexham AFC 26/27 Away Kit
Debuting at the pre-season friendly Wisla Kraków, the away kit offers a strong contrast to the home strip. A dark anthracite grey base is coupled with a mandarin collar and graphic red lines running through it.
The design speaks to the slate quarries of North Wales, further referencing history in terms of the region’s industrial heritage. Wrexham’s crest and Macron Hero logo are both silicone-printed in a striking red.
Firefox debuts with Nex debuting on the sleeve. In terms of manufacturing, it is made primarily from Macron’s Eco 3D Knit Matrix. It also carries ‘Y Ddraig Goch’—the Red Dragon — on the nape.
Plus, it pairs with the wording ‘Wrexham is the Name’ with Macron’s ‘Designed in Bologna’, marking ten years of the partnership.
UK buyers can secure standard authentic shirts at a retail price of around the £60. There are additional add-ons such as the competition sleeve badges and name-and-number personalisation, costing around £6 for the former and £18 for the latter.
US buyers are best served by visiting the Macron US store, where the authentic home shirt is priced at $74 for the short-sleeve, with Macron’s international store listing the long-sleeve home match jersey at $130. Name-and-number personalisation is an additional $21, with competition sleeve badges at $7 each.
