Sports
Everton Close to Signing Celtic Star Alistair Johnston
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.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Martin O’Neill Confirms Johnston Talks
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.”
Sports
Liverpool Open Talks to Sign Bradley Barcola
Liverpool have opened club-to-club talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal to sign Bradley Barcola, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Reds are desperate to bolster their forward options this summer after losing legendary star Mohamed Salah at the end of last season, while there are question marks over the futures of Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliott, and Federico Chiesa.
France international Barcola has emerged as the club’s top target to be a new marquee option in attack, and an update on their pursuit of the winger has now emerged.
Liverpool and PSG Set for Barcola Talks
Barcola, who has been described as ‘phenomenal’ by Gianluigi Donnarumma, has emerged as a prime candidate to depart the back-to-back European champions as he looks to play more regular football, with talks over a new contract having failed.
Liverpool have made him their top target, and PSG’s valuation is understood to be around £145m. But Liverpool want to lower that price to bring him in, and have intimated that they would be willing to go above €100m (£87m) to get a deal done.
Talks are ongoing between the clubs now, and a deal is on, with Barcola very keen to make the move to Anfield.
Romano has revealed in his latest YouTube video that more talks are planned for this week to find an agreement.
“Next week, new contacts prepared between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola,” he said.
“It’s not a surprise if you follow the channel, one of the biggest exclusive of the summer, when all people say that Barcola was untouchable for Paris Saint-Germain. I was coming here and telling you, Liverpool are there for Barcola. Liverpool will try for Barcola. Now it’s time to make it happen on club side, because the player Barcola wants to go to Liverpool.
“Barcola is more than open to joining Liverpool project. Now it’s on club to club. The conversations will continue next week.
“My feeling: this is not going to be something imminent, so I don’t expect that he will go on Monday or on Tuesday. There is still work to do between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, so there is a possibility this is going to be a saga in this summer transfer window.
“But this depends on Liverpool on how much they want to spend. Paris Saint-Germain are open to negotiating, but their conditions are expensive. So negotiations are going to take place for Barcola, but don’t forget that the player wants to go to Liverpool, and that Liverpool consider Barcola their top, top target.”
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Barcola Saga Only Just Starting
After a stellar World Cup in which Barcola reached the semi-finals with France, scoring three goals and registering one assist in eight games, it’s no surprise that Liverpool have stepped up their interest in the 23-year-old.
While he is a constant threat with his speed, creativity and skill, Barcola has also been praised by Luis Enrique as being ‘the best passer in Ligue 1’, which shows how he could fit into Andoni Iraola’s attack alongside Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
PSG are right to be demanding a huge fee for the winger, especially considering some of the fees we have seen in the market already, but Liverpool will be confident of getting a more realistic number, and this would be a huge coup for the club if they can get it over the line.
Sports
Romano Shares Update on Man Utd Move to Sign Francisco Conceicao
Manchester United are in the market to strengthen their forward options this summer, and a winger is understood to be being considered.
The Red Devils have prioritised a midfield rebuild during this window, bringing in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined fee of £83m, while veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow and young winger Tynan Thompson have also joined Michael Carrick’s squad.
However, with question marks over Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee’s futures at Old Trafford, a new forward is reportedly being considered if the right opportunity arises.
Romano Drops Update on Man Utd Move for Conceicao
One player the club have been strongly linked with is Juventus star Francisco Conceicao, with reports that United have held talks with his agent Jorge Mendes about getting a deal done.
Juventus are reportedly ready to move the Portugal international on after completing a deal for Bosnia star Kerim Alajbegovic, and Conceicao is understood to be attracting interest from the Premier League.
But while speaking on his latest YouTube video, Romano addressed the rumours and revealed that to his knowledge there is no interest from the Premier League giants at this stage.
“We have received many questions in recent days on one player, Francisco Conceicao,” he said. “Why? Because someone has been talking about Manchester United regarding Conceicao.
“Guys, I have absolutely no confirmation of that, not even a single phone call. And not because Conceicao isn’t a Manchester United calibre player, quite the contrary, but because Manchester United is arguably better positioned in that role than anywhere else on the team.
“There is Mbeumo, who is doing very well. Last year, he was an exceptional signing. There is Amad Diallo, who is a very important player for Utd, and that position is absolutely perfect for him.
“As of today, I don’t see Manchester United working on Francisco Conceicao. There are denials from everyone, the player’s entourage, Utd, Juve and, so, I don’t know where this story about Conceicao and Manchester United came from.”
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Man Utd Must Get Active in the Market
After appointing Michael Carrick as the permanent manager for the next two seasons, United need to be quick in the transfer market to give him a squad capable of competing.
Conceicao, who has been described as a ‘diamond’, would have been a shrewd addition to the squad as he is capable of playing on both wings, but it does make sense that the club aren’t pursuing a deal currently since it seems as though Rashford will be staying.
But with just three weeks to go before the start of the Premier League season, Man Utd are still short in several areas across their squad, and the board need to step up their interest in new signings if they want to get off to a good start.
Sports
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City Sign Son of His Former England Teammate
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City have signed the son of one of his former England teammates as they prepare for life in the Premier League.
Coventry will play in the Premier League in the 2026/27 season after winning the Championship. They will compete in England’s top tier for the first time since the 2000/01 campaign.
Making the step up from the Championship is a very hard task. Newly promoted sides need to splash the cash if they are to be competitive. If they don’t get their recruitment right, then they go straight back down.
Coventry have been fairly active in the summer transfer market so far. They have signed Loum Tchaouna from Burnley, Aurèle Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt and Frank Onyeka from Brentford. They are also set to break their transfer record to sign Carl Rushworth following a successful loan spell.
Coventry Sign Son of Lampard’s Former England Teammate
The Premier League newcomers have also signed the 18-year-old son of one of Lampard’s former England teammates.
Jack Ruddy, son of John, completed a move to the club this summer. Jack was on the books at Norwich City but will turn out for Coventry’s under 21 side in the 2026/27 campaign.
His mother, Laura, took to social media to express how proud she was of him following the move. She wrote:
“So proud of Jack for signing with Coventry City. The last five years haven’t always been easy, but you’ve never stopped working hard or believing in yourself. Seeing you smiling and enjoying your football again means everything.”
Jack is a goalkeeper, like his father. He has represented Wales at youth level, playing twice for their under 16 side.
Lampard and John played alongside each other for England on just one occasion. That came in August 2012, when the Three Lions beat Italy 2-1 in a friendly at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, Switzerland.
Ruddy is without a club after leaving Newcastle United this summer. The 39-year-old began his career at Cambridge United and has also played for Everton, Norwich, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City. It is currently unknown whether he will play on or retire from the sport.
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Coventry Weigh Up Mykhailo Mudryk Move
Coventry are also weighing up a move for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk. Lampard managed Mudryk during his short stint as caretaker in 2023 and are interested in signing him on loan, according to the Sun.
The 25-year-old has not played football since 2024, when he was provisionally suspended by the FA after testing positive for doping. He was later given a four-year ban.
Mudryk appealed the decision and all charges were dropped against him in July, allowing him to resume his football career. He wrote on Instagram:
“After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect.
“I am grateful that this process has reached a conclusion, that I have been cleared to return to football and that I can now look ahead to my future. This has been the most difficult period of my career.
“As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance. My commitment to competing fairly and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity has always been important to me.
“My focus now is on returning to football, working hard every day, and making a positive contribution on the pitch. Thank you to everyone who continued to believe in me. I look forward to the next chapter of my career.”
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