Manchester City Sign Enzo Fernández for Premier League Record-Equaling Fee

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Enzo Fernández is heading to Manchester City.

The Manchester, England team has signed the 25-year-old Argentine World Cup winner from Chelsea for a Premier League record-equaling £125 million ($169m) fee.

City said Tuesday that the midfielder had signed a five-year deal with the club after sources told ESPN that the two clubs had settled on a fee that matches the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle to sign Alexander Isak last summer.

Fernández was part of the Argentina team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 before finishing runners-up to Spain in North America this summer.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are,” Fernández said in Man City’s announcement.

“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.”

Chelsea initially set a deadline of August 14 for any interested parties to formalize their interest in a bid to close the issue before the start of the Premier League season.

Sources say the Blues had set an asking price of £120m and communicated this to all parties in late May.

However, that deadline passed without any activity, but Fernández has been firm in his insistence he wanted to leave the club.

City stepped up talks in the last 48 hours in an effort to secure a deal and that agreement has now been reached with Chelsea effectively receiving £5m over their asking price.

The club was determined to secure a profit on a player they signed from Benfica for £107m in February 2023.

Fernandez was booed by supporters at Stamford Bridge during both their final preseason friendly against Real Sociedad and in their Premier League opener against Fulham.

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso then left him out of their midweek Carabao Cup win against Luton, claiming the pair had decided “it was better [for him] not to be part of the squad.”

Fernández repeatedly questioned his future during last season — telling ESPN Argentina in the immediate aftermath of their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain that he didn’t know if he would be at the club next season.

Former head coach Liam Rosenior then dropped Fernández for two matches following an interview in which he expressed his fondness for the city of Madrid amid speculation linking him to Real.

Chelsea were attempting to secure a replacement but after agreeing a €55 million ($64m / £47m) deal with AS Monaco for midfielder Lamine Camara, the French club reneged on the deal, sources told ESPN.

Lionel Messi Retires from International Soccer

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is bidding adios to international soccer.

In an Instagram post showing a handwritten notebook entry in Spanish, the 39-year-old Argentine soccer star announced he’s retiring from Argentina‘s national team.

And in a footnote at the end, Messi added: “*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, died on August 8 at a hospital in the central Argentina city of Rosario. He was 68.

Messi, who played in six FIFA World Cups, won the tournament in Qatar in 2022 and led Argentina to the final in 2026 losing to Spain.

The social media post said: “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team…

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad — especially the bad).

“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey — so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

“Let’s go, Argentina!

“*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

The Argentina captain is his country’s all-time leading goal scorer and most capped player. Messi has scored 125 goals in 207 games for the national team.

He’s the highest-scoring man in South American soccer history.

When he led Argentina to the World Cup win in 2022, it was the country’s first in 36 years and its third overall.

Before that, Messi played an essential role in ending Argentina’s 28-year trophy drought by winning the 2021 Copa América and then winning it again in 2024.

He previously announced his international retirement in 2016, having captained Argentina in three consecutive finals and failing to win any of them.

Messi reversed the decision not long after to eventually lead the country to those twin Copa América triumphs and the World Cup victory.

The retirement announcement sparked a wave of reactions.

Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, paid tribute to her husband with an emotional post on Instagram.

“I saw you keep going when things didn’t work out and always try again. And after so many years, I was also lucky enough to see you fulfill your dreams and live some of the happiest days of our lives. You deserved this story and so much more. We love you infinitely”, she wrote in Spanish.

Argentina president Javier Milei wrote on Instagram in Spanish, with the part after the comma in all caps: “Thank you very much, impossible man.”

In a bilingual post, FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised Messi “for an extraordinary international career that has inspired millions of people and redefined our sport. Your magical talent and humility will be remembered forever.”

The Argentine Football Association wrote on its Spanish and English social media pages: “Thank you for everything, Leo. Thank you for representing Argentina. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for turning so many dreams into reality. The legend is yours, forever.”

Rodrigo De Paul, an Argentina and Inter Miami teammate, highlighted on social media, originally in Spanish, “your unconditional love for our country, your internal battles to never give up, your strength in always enduring injustices, and your leadership and character in your dealings with every player.”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, who made his Argentina debut just two months before winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside Messi, saluted his former teammate in Spanish: “Thank you for the way you treated me, for everything you taught me, and for allowing me to share a part of your story. We’re going to miss you so much, captain.”

Eduardo Saverin Joins Consortium Looking to Buy Stake in Liverpool F.C.

Posted on August 10, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Eduardo Saverin is hoping to get in the game.

The 44-year-old Brazilian entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who co-founded Facebook and Jeff Bezos are set to become the latest tech giants entering the English football world.

Saverin and Bezos are part of a consortium that’s set to buy a stake in 20-time English league winners Liverpool, according to Sky News.

News of the deal first emerged last month, and Sky News business editor Mark Kleinman is now reporting that an agreement on a 30% stake is close to being announced by current owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which also owns the likes of the Boston Red Sox.

The consortium is led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. Bhatia was until recently a major shareholder and boardroom player at English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, but sold his shares on the same day in initial report about the Liverpool deal emerged.

Liverpool are one of English footballs’ best-supported teams, having won multiple top division titles, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, and six European Cups – more than anyone else in the UK. They most recently won the Premier League in 2024-25, but finished a disappointing fifth, 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Saverin now runs private equity company B Capital. He was previously part of a group that looked to take over Liverpool rivals Chelsea in 2022, but this would also represent a first move in the sports space. His wealth is estimated at over $30B.

Saverin left Facebook in 2005 when Mark Zuckerberg effectively diluted his shares and relieved him of active duty – a situation that played out in Aaron Sorkin’s movie The Social Network, with Andrew Garfield playing the Brazilian-born Saverin opposite Jesse Eisenberg’s Zuckerberg.

Sky News reported FSG plans to make an announcement on the deal in “coming days,” but that this could push into next week. It will value Liverpool at $6B, making it one of the biggest investments in football history.

The news comes at a very delicate time for world football, with European association UEFA effectively at war with world governing body FIFA, whose President Gianni Infantino has faced a barrage of criticism after announcing a plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup to the likes of Joshua Kushner, the brother of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The plan was scrapped after UEFA and several other bodies rejected the plan. Infantino has been urged to resign, but it appears he has the support to continue in the role, at least for now.

Aston Villa Make Bid for Alejandro Garnacho

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Garnacho may be switching sides soon…

Aston Villa have made a bid to sign the 22-year-old Argentine-Spanish football, who plays for Chelsea, on loan with a possible obligation to buy, per ESPN sources.

Garnacho has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge after a poor first season following his move from Manchester United, during which he failed to significantly impact the team’s fortunes, and it is understood the player is eager to depart.

He didn’t report for preseason training earlier in July with both parties having agreed it’s best he stays away from the training ground while his future gets resolved.

Chelsea reportedly want around £42.5 million ($56.9m) in any permanent deal for the winger.

Garnacho was told earlier in the summer that he’s not guaranteed a regular starting place at Stamford Bridge and it was subsequently decided that he could leave, with clubs in the Premier League, Italy and elsewhere in Europe having expressed interest, as well as Saudi Arabia.

It’s understood that a lack of playing time was the crucial factor and that relations remain positive between club and player.

It’s hoped internally that a deal can be reached as soon as possible for his departure.

Chelsea ThisClose to Deal for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Garnacho may be switching sides soon…

Chelsea is closing in on a deal for the 21-year-old Argentinean-Spanish professional footballer after stepping up talks with Manchester United over a £40 million ($54m) transfer for the Argentina forward, sources have told ESPN.

Garnacho, who has been told he can leave Manchester United this summer, has not featured in Ruben Amorim‘s team since the end of last season and was omitted from the preseason tour to the United States in order to train with fellow unwanted teammates Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony.

While Rashford completed a season-long loan move to Barcelona last month, United have been unable to offload any of their other outcasts and Garnacho rejected a move to Bayern Munich earlier this month after making it clear that he only wanted to leave Old Trafford for Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge club had expressed an interest in signing Garnacho during the January transfer window, but a deal failed to materialize.

Chelsea had been keen to sign Garnacho earlier this summer, but sources have said that Enzo Maresca‘s team were only prepared to pay £30 million ($40m) for Garnacho while United valued the player at £50 million ($67m).

Chelsea’s interest had stalled of late due to their attempts to advance outgoings in order to help comply with a UEFA sanction which has forced the club to balance books by offloading a number of players from last season’s Conference League-winning squad, most notably Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.

Talks have now resumed between United and Chelsea over a deal worth between £35 million and £40 million, however, and while sources have said that no agreement has yet been reached, negotiations are progressing and that a transfer could be finalized before next Monday’s 7 p.m. BST transfer deadline.

James Rodríguez Signs with Liga MX’s Leon Club

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

James Rodríguez is heading to Liga MX.

The 33-year-old Colombian professional footballer and Colombia has signed with Liga MX‘s León, the Mexican club has announced.

Recently a free agent after terminating his contract with Rayo Vallecano — who initially signed James in August — he will now join a León side that kicks off their 2025 Clausura run on January 18.

“Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Club Leon of Mexico have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez,” the Spanish club said in a statement.

They did not give any details of the deal.

“From the club, we wish James the best of luck in his new stage,” the club added.

Eight-times Mexican champions León posted several images of Rodriguez on their social media accounts, but also did not give any details of the deal.

In June, León will then take part in the Club World Cup, beginning with group stage matches against Chelsea, Esperance de Tunis and Flamengo.

Rodriguez’s move to Mexico marks his sixth team since 2021 after playing for Rayo Vallecano, São Paulo, Olympiacos, Al-Rayyan, and Everton in recent years.

Earlier in his career, the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup was noted for high-profile runs through the likes of European giants such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The midfielder has also played for Envigado, Banfield, Porto, and Monaco.

With Colombia, Rodriguez has amassed 29 goals across 112 caps, including a successful run at last summer’s Copa América where his team lost to Argentina in the final.

Catarina Macario Scores First Women’s Super League Goal in Chelsea Debut

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Catarina Macario has returned with a vengeance…

In her return from an ACL injury that had kept her out of the game since her former club team Lyon‘s final game of the 2021-22 campaign, the 24-year-old Brazilian soccer player scored a goal in her Chelsea debut.

Macario had originally hoped to be back sooner, but ended up missing more than 20 months, including the USWNT‘s participation in the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

But Macario, who plays internationally for the United States, wasn’t the only player to score her first Women’s Super League goals for Chelsea.

Nathalie Björn and Mayra Ramírez also netted goals for Chelsea as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday to go back to the top of the table, above Manchester City on goal difference.

Sweden defender Bjorn, who joined the Blues from Everton in January, broke the deadlock in the 38th minute after Leicester failed to clear a corner, hooking a shot back across the goal and over the head of keeper Lize Kop to make it 1-0.

Ramirez, another January arrival, added the second in the 44th minute with a brilliant solo effort, winning the ball in her own half and running half the length of the field before coolly rounding Kop and slotting the ball home.

Winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd added a third before the Brazil-born Macario came off the bench to round out the scoring.

Chelsea moved back to the summit on 37 points thanks to a three-goal cushion over Manchester City, who beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain Reportedly Reach Agreement to Sign Gabriel Moscardo from Corinthians

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel Moscardo is headed to The City of Light…

Paris Saint-Germain has reached an agreement to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian soccer phenom, a midfielder for Corinthians, per ESPN sources.

PSG sporting director Luís Campos traveled to Brazil earlier this month to watch Moscardo, and the club have now agreed to a €20 million deal for the midfielder.

ESPN reported last summer that Chelsea had a bid of $22m rejected.

Other teams in Europe, such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid, also made inquiries about the Corinthians player but did not make offers.

Sources have told ESPN that Moscardo recently visited Paris and will sign a five-year contract at the club.

Before Moscardo turned professional, Barcelona also showed interest in the player but talks did not go ahead.

Promoted to the first team this season, Moscardo has made 25 senior appearances for Corinthians, registering one goal and one assist.

Cesc Fabregas Named Temporary Manager of Italy’s Serie B Side Como

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cesc Fabregas is steppin’ in to lead…

The 36-year-old former Spain midfielder will take temporary charge of Italian Serie B side Como, the club confirmed on Monday.

Fabregas will replace Moreno Longo as manager, after the Italian won just 16 of his 45 games in charge.

The job will mark Fabregas’ senior managerial debut.

The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder retired from his playing career in July.

Fabregas played 17 games in Italy’s second-tier with Como last season before taking on the role of the club’s youth team coach.

Como are sixth in the standings and take on Feralpisalo at home on November 25.

Moisés Caicedo Breaks British-Record Transfer Fee in Move from Brighton to Chelsea

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Moisés Caicedo is breaking records…

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian professional footballer has completed a move from Brighton to Chelsea for a British-record transfer fee of £115 million ($146m), the club announced on Monday.

The move puts an end to a monthslong transfer saga, with Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino having labeled Caicedo as his No. 1 target this summer and the club’s opening bids being rejected by Brighton.

However, Chelsea faced competition for his signature. On Friday, Liverpool broke ground and agreed a £111m fee with Brighton — the first club to do so — only for the midfielder to reject a move to Anfield and instead indicate his desire to join Chelsea.

Chelsea upped their offer, with sources telling ESPN the club agreed a deal on Sunday that includes an initial £100m in guaranteed payments with a further £15m in add-ons. Around half of the add-ons are described as easily achievable with the other half considerably harder to trigger.

“I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club,” Caicedo said in a statement after signing an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”

Caicedo enjoyed a successful spell at Brighton after joining in February 2021 from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle. He spent the first half of the following season on loan with Belgian outfit Beerschot.

He went on to make 53 appearances in all competitions for Brighton and becomes the latest club personnel to go to Chelsea, following in the footsteps of Marc Cucurella and Robert Sánchez as well as former manager Graham Potter.

Chelsea’s coup in signing Caicedo means they have spent over $1 billion in player transfer fees since the new ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club in May 2022.

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