Real Madrid's shift in transfer strategy under Jose
Jose Mourinho has made a fast start in the transfer window at Real Madrid despite the World Cup being under way with the free transfer of Bernardo Silva following hot on the heels of Marc Cucurella's 51.8m signing from Chelsea.
Real Madrid's newly re-elected president Florentino Perez has also lined up the 17m signing of right-back Denzel Dumfries from Inter and the free transfer of centre-back Ibrahima Konate who is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the month.
The signings of Silva, 31, Cucurella, 27, Dumfries, 30, and Konate, 27, show there has been a clear change of transfer strategy at Real Madrid. The focus has shifted from young players with promise to experienced players who are ready to be thrown straight in.
Cucurella, for instance, is the first signing over 25 to have arrived at Real Madrid for a transfer fee of more than 2m since the summer of 2019, when Eden Hazard was signed from Chelsea in a deal worth well in excess of 100m.
Real Madrid have brought in experienced players in the intervening period but only on free transfers. Silva and Konate are just the latest following on from Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Last summer the average age of Real Madrid's signings - Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono and Trent Alexander-Arnold - was just over 21 years old compared to nearly 29 years old in this window so far.
Mourinho has often relied more on tried-and-tested players during his career, but because of the pressure everyone at Real Madrid is under after failing to win LaLiga or the Champions League for the past two seasons, experience is required more than ever.
Real Madrid's business is expected to continue beyond the four signings already secured. Perez made big promises during his re-election campaign about making a mega-signing this summer, and none of the players they have signed match that description.
Rangers appoint Hearts boss McInnes
Rangers have appointed Derek McInnes as their new manager on a three-year deal.
McInnes, who spent five years at Ibrox as a player, joins from Hearts.
The 54-year-old guided the Jambos to second in the Scottish Premiership last season - his sole year in charge - and only missed out on the title after a late final-day defeat at champions Celtic.
McInnes replaces Danny Rohl, who joined RB Salzburg earlier on Wednesday.
Man City considering Tonali move - alongside Anderson pursuit
Manchester City are weighing up a move for Tottenham target Sandro Tonali as well as continuing their pursuit of Elliot Anderson.
Spurs want the Newcastle midfielder to be their marquee signing this summer, but they could face competition from City, who are working to rebuild their midfield for incoming boss Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola decided to step down.
Tonali, who has a contract until 2029, is expected to command a huge fee, with Newcastle unwilling to sell the Italy international.
City remain in talks with Nottingham Forest for Anderson for a transfer that is set to cost more than 100m.
Tonali has been a long-term target for City, but it was initially unclear if they would consider moving for him and Anderson in the same window.
However, Your Site News understands City are interested in the possibility of doing deals for both players, with Bernardo Silva leaving as a free agent to join Real Madrid.
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Stockport appoint new coaches
Stockport have made three additions to their coaching staff.
Jason Taylor, Matty Done and John Shannon have joined the club from Rochdale, where Jimmy McNulty worked last year before becoming County's new head coach.
Taylor, 39, played for the club between 2006 and 2009 and made over 100 appearances.
Ronan joins Aberdeen
Aberdeen have signed Connor Ronan from MLS side Colorado Rapids.
The midfielder has signed an initial two-year deal with the option of a further year.
Ronan, who is Aberdeens sixth signing of the summer, is a former Republic of Ireland U21 international, coming through the academy at Wolverhampton Wanderers, before spells across England, Slovakia and Switzerland for the likes of Portsmouth, Blackpool and Grasshopper Club Zurich.
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Van Bronckhorst returns to Feyenoord
Feyenoord have confirmed the return of Giovanni van Bronckhurst as head coach
The 51-year-old succeeds Robin van Persie who was sacked earlier this month.
It will be his first managerial role since he was sacked by Turkish side Besiktas in November 2024 and his last job since being sacked by Liverpool two weeks after Arne Slots departure.
The former Rangers manager came through Feyenoords youth ranks before playing for their first team between 1993 and 1998 and ending his career there from 2007 to 2010.
He then served as Feyenoord boss from 2015 to 2019.
Jones joins Sheff Utd coaching staff
Former Man Utd defender Phil Jones has joined Sheffield United's coaching staff.
The 34-year-old - who retired in 2023 - had been working at former club Blackburn as first team coach under Michael O'Neill.
"Phil (Jones) is a young coach who has played under some of the very best and is now forging his own pathway in coaching," Blades boss Chris Wilder told the club's official website.
"He's coming in tasked with helping throughout the team and he's already gained some great experience coaching in the academy at Manchester United and with the first team at Blackburn last season. He is highly thought of at both clubs."
Meanwhile assistant Alan Knill and first-team coach Guilherme Ramos have departed Bramall Lane. Micky Collins will replace Knill as Wilder's second in command.
Tottenham's Vuskovic dilemma after Van Hecke deal agreed
Tottenham have a dilemma on their hands with Luka Vuskovic after rejecting two offers from Brighton for the teenage centre-back.
