Everton are closing in on the signing of Celtic star Alistair Johnston after tabling a formal bid, according to Record Sport.

The Toffees have had a strong summer transfer window so far, bringing in Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, while they also made Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George’s loan moves permanent. The club have also worked this weekend to agree a deal with Arsenal for Christian Norgaard, and have shown a strong interest in both Man Utd striker Ethan Wheatley, and Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz.

But the club are also keen to strengthen their defensive options after seeing Seamus Coleman depart at the end of his contract, and the Canadian has emerged as a top target.

Everton Table Bid for Johnston

Johnston, who has been described as ‘sensational’, has been a regular for Celtic in recent seasons, making 122 appearances over the last four seasons. He struggled with injury in the 2025/26 season, however, restricting him to just 11 appearances, but he still went to the World Cup and helped Canada reach the knockout stages.

Now Everton have identified the 27-year-old as a top target to come into the club to solve their right-back issues, and the Merseyside club have tabled an offer worth around £12m plus add-ons.

It’s believed that Celtic want more than that, but a deal is expected to be closed for around £15m. Johnston is understood to be very keen on making the move to the Premier League, and has told Celtic, and negotiations are ongoing between the clubs.

Everton are looking to strengthen in the full-back position after moving Coleman on, while there is also an expectation that Nathan Patterson will be allowed to leave the club.

Jake O’Brien has been the first-choice right-back during Moyes’ time at the club so far, but he is naturally a centre-back, and he could move back into the middle to compete with James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Jarrad Branthwaite for a starting spot.

Martin O’Neill Confirms Johnston Talks

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Reports of Everton’s interest in Johnston emerged over the weekend, and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that talks have been held between the clubs over a deal.

“In fairness, David Moyes did call me last week and say that there would be contact. But I don’t know how far that has progressed, if it has at all,” he said, speaking on Friday.

“Everton have been in contact. I’m not sure whether there’s been a bid in there for that one, but they’ve been in contact saying that they would be. But yeah, that would be disappointing obviously. But I suppose it’s to be expected, you know, players who have done well.”

Vince McMahon has made a career of being controversial. The 80-year-old has been in the spotlight over the last few years, and some serious allegations have been made against him.

Of course, some allegations are a lot more serious than others, but one WWE Superstar in question once accused the former chairman of suspending him via a text message, and then firing him on his wedding day!

When you think of the phrase “You’re fired!”, you don’t think of Alan Sugar or the President of the United States, Donald Trump, you think of Vince McMahon. It’s become one of his catchphrases.

Several WWE Superstars have been fired by the former boss of WWE. This includes Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Eric Bishoff, Shawn Michaels, and Mick Foley to name just a few.

However, not many have been suspended via a text message, and then fired on their actual wedding day. One person that has, however, is none other than CM Punk.

Vince McMahon Fires Superstar on Wedding Day

In a podcast with Colt Cabana, WWE Superstar CM Punk, real name Phillip Brooks, confirmed that the WWE founder fired him on his real-life wedding day, which also came after he was initially suspended via text message.

CM Punk said: “The day of my wedding, I got a FedEx in the mail. It was my termination papers. I was fired. I was fired on my wedding day. Very calculated, very deliberate. As much as I chuckled at it and didn’t let it affect my day, I was like, once again, you pushed too f****** far. You pushed the wrong guy.”

Vince McMahon, however, had a different view of the situation when discussing it himself. When he was a guest on the Stone Cold podcast back in 2014 to give his version of the events, he said: “I would like to apologise. Sometimes, in a big corporation, the legal people don’t know what the talent is doing, and conversely, Punk got his severance papers, moreover, on the day he got married.”

Vince also added: “That was a coincidence. So, I want to personally apologise for that.”

CM Punk’s Career After Leaving WWE & His Return

After leaving WWE, CM Punk tried his hand at MMA with the UFC, competing twice before eventually returning to professional wrestling in 2021, when he joined AEW.

Nine years after leaving WWE, in 2023, he returned. His return during Survivor Series was greeted with huge excitement, but also huge shock, given the way the two-time WWE Champion left the company, making fans unsure if a comeback would ever be possible.

Punk’s second WWE tenure has been one of the company’s defining stories. After injury derailed his original WrestleMania XL plans, he settled scores with Drew McIntyre before finally capturing his first WWE world title in over a decade at SummerSlam 2025 by defeating Gunther.

His triumph lasted only minutes, however, as Seth Rollins cashed in Money in the Bank. Punk rebounded later that year, though, reclaiming the World Heavyweight Championship and enjoying a lengthy reign before losing to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42.

Refusing to fade, he rebuilt his momentum, eventually moving to SmackDown and winning the Undisputed WWE Championship. By SummerSlam 2026, Punk had cemented himself as WWE’s top champion, successfully retaining the title against Cody Rhodes in a marquee match-up.

Sir Alex Ferguson made his feelings very clear about FIFA president Gianni Infantino after getting to know him ‘very well’, and it looks interesting now.

The Swiss leader of football’s governing body has come under intense scrutiny recently, starting with his decision to award US President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in 2025. However, things have only got worse for Infantino since.

His close relationship with Trump reared its head again as USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s red card was suspended following a chat between the pair during the 2026 World Cup. He then proposed a plan that would see stakes in football’s biggest competition sold to private investors.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Interesting Opinion of Gianni Infantino

His scheme was quickly met with strong backlash, which included UEFA nations threatening to boycott future World Cups if Infantino didn’t back down. After more confederations followed suit by opposing his plans, the 56-year-old scrapped the idea.

Despite caving to public demands to back down, Infantino is still a long way from being safe as FIFA president. Wales and England have already withdrawn their support for him, while others are expected to follow suit.

With all the negativity leading the FIFA boss currently, it’s interesting to look back on what legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex thought about him. Speaking about the prospect of Infantino becoming FIFA president in 2016, the iconic Scot said (per Sky Sports):

A lot can happen in a decade and it would be interesting to see if Ferguson’s opinion has changed at all. However, the glowing praise of Infantino, who Fergie claimed to know ‘very well’, shows why he got the job in the first place.

Infantino Thanked Ferguson For His Support

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Infantino showed his gratitude for the kind words from the 13-time Premier League winner. “I’m grateful to Sir Alex for his support. It means a lot to me coming from one of football’s most respected and accomplished managers,” he said.

His next comments hammer home just how much has changed in the 10 years he’s been in the role. Infantino continued: