FC Barcelona Reaches Agreement to Sign Rodri

Posted on August 16, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Rodri is returning to his Spanish roots.

FC Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle to sign the 30-year-old Spanish professional soccer star and Manchester City midfielder, according to ESPN sources.

Barça had failed with two previous bids for Rodri but the Spanish champions returned with a third offer over the weekend with the total package worth €76.5 million (£65.3M).

Sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday that a deal had subsequently been brokered with Manchester City, with the two clubs exchanging paperwork and finalizing the agreement.

Rodri is expected to arrive in Barcelona in the coming days and could be presented before Wednesday’s Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou.

The agreement for the Ballon d’Or winner came shortly after sources told ESPN fullback João Cancelo is also set to return to Barça as a free agent.

Cancelo and Rodri are set to become Barça’s fourth and fifth signings of a busy summer following the arrivals of Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Jesse Bisiwu.

The club remain in the market for a striker, too, with Atlético Madrid‘s Julián Álvarez their top target following the exits of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

Rodri was not initially a priority signing at the start of the summer but the club jumped on the opportunity once he became available after winning the FIFA World Cup with Spain.

A long-term injury suffered by Frenkie de Jong had also forced Barça to explore the midfield market.

Real Madrid also tried to sign former Atlético Madrid player Rodri, but sources told ESPN last week he preferred a move to Barça.

Once an agreement was in place between Rodri and Barça, the Catalan club stepped up negotiations with Manchester City, who were prepared to sanction a deal for the right price given he had only one year remaining on his contract.

Sources at Barça view Rodri as a statement signing who can help take Hansi Flick‘s side — back-to-back champions in Spain — to the next level in the coming seasons.

After spells with Villarreal and Atlético Madrid, Rodri joined City in 2019 and has won almost everything there is to win in the game, both collectively and individually.

In addition to four Premier League titles and a Champions League with Manchester City, he has also won the European Championships and World Cup with Spain, being named player of the tournament at both championships.

Vinícius Júnior Agrees to New Deal with Real Madrid

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Vinícius Júnior isn’t switching sides anytime soon…

The 26-year-old Brazilian professional footballer has accepted Real Madrid‘s latest contract offer, ending months of speculation by agreeing to a new deal at the club until 2032, the Spanish giants confirmed on Thursday.

It came a day after the star forward’s representatives held talks with club executives in a meeting that left his camp feeling optimistic about reaching an agreement, after Real Madrid offered improved terms.

Negotiations had previously been deadlocked for over a year, with doubts growing over the Brazil international’s future, and his deal due to expire in June 2027.

“Real Madrid and Vinícius Jr have agreed to extend our player’s contract, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2032,” the club said in a statement.

“Vinícius joined Real Madrid in July 2018, at the age of 18. In his eight seasons with us, he has played 375 matches, scoring 128 goals and winning 14 trophies: two Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Supercopas.

“His contribution to all these titles has been crucial thanks to his play, assists, and goals… Vinicius has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history.”

ESPN had reported that Real Madrid were open to a departure this summer if no agreement was reached on an extension, with interest from Premier League champions Arsenal.

Vinícius returned to training at Valdebebas on Monday, after a break following Brazil’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup.

A meeting then took place Wednesday, with the player’s agent, Frederico Pena, and adviser, Tata Soares, both present, along with Real Madrid’s director general José Ángel Sánchez and chief scout Juni Calafat.

Sources told ESPN that discussions had been positive after Madrid proposed a new, improved contract beyond their previous offer, which had been worth around €22 million ($25.3m) a year.

Vinicius was earning around €17.5 million ($20.2m) a year in the final year of his previous deal and had previously been asking for a new package worth around €30 million ($34.6m) a year.

Vinícius joined Madrid as a teenager in 2018 and has been one of their most influential players in the years since, scoring in two Champions League finals.

He finished runner-up in the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or and was named FIFA‘s The Best Men’s Player that same year.

Gonzalo García Traded From Real Madrid to Fulham

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Gonzalo García is headed to the Premier League.

Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Fulham for the 22-year-old Spanish soccer player to join the club, sources have told ESPN, and are close to another which will see midfielder César Palacios make the same move.

García, who plays forward, made his Spain debut this year and is one of LaLiga‘s most promising young forwards, having first impressed with Madrid at last summer’s Club World Cup, while central midfielder Palacios, 21, is a Spain youth international.

Both are highly rated by Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who took charge at Craven Cottage this summer after half a season as first-team coach at the Bernabéu.

Fulham will pay a €40 million (£34m/$46m) fee for García, sources said.

Later on Thursday, Real Madrid announced the signing of Levante forward Carlos Espí, 21, as a replacement for García.

The club had previously tracked Espí at youth level.

García scored six goals in 952 LaLiga minutes last season, with opportunities in the team limited due to the form of Kylian Mbappé, after netting four times at the 2025 Club World Cup.

Arbeloa also coached both García and Palacios when in charge of Madrid’s youth team, Real Madrid Castilla.

Johnny Cardoso Officially Revealed Atlético Madrid Player

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Johnny Cardoso is taking his career to the next level…

The 23-year-old Brazilian American professional soccer player and United States men’s national team midfielder is ready to “evolve and learn” from coach Diego Simeone as he was unveiled as an Atlético Madrid player on Wednesday, backing his new team to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona for trophies.

Atlético confirmed the signing of Cardoso, 23, from Real Betis earlier this month, with the player signing a five-year contract.

The LaLiga side have been busy in this summer’s transfer market, bringing in Cardoso, playmakers Álex Baena and Thiago Almada, and defenders Dávid Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri and Marc Pubill.

“It’s a dream come true being here, experiencing this with my family,” Cardoso said during his presentation at Atlético’s Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday. “It’s a huge club which has the same ambition as I do.

“It’s a privilege to be with all the staff and especially [Simeone]. He played in my position, and I’m ready to evolve and learn from him.”

Cardoso was born in New Jersey to Brazilian parents, and also holds an Italian passport, meaning he doesn’t occupy a non-European Union slot in Simeone’s squad.

He will wear the No. 5 shirt at Atlético recently vacated by Rodrigo De Paul, who has left for Inter Miami.

“I have a lot of confidence in the project, with what the club has said to me,” Cardoso said. “We have the same hopes, to keep growing and to win trophies.

“It’s a team that has brought in a lot of players, a lot of young players, to blend with experience. We play in a lot of competitions, and we have total conviction of being able to fight for all of them.”

Atletico are looking to improve on a 2024-25 campaign which saw them finish third in LaLiga and eliminated in the Copa del Rey semifinals and the Champions League last 16.

This summer they were knocked out of the Club World Cup at the group stage, after being thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in their opening game.

Cardoso said he believed his new team — who began preseason training last week — now have a squad capable of competing with giants Madrid and Barça.

“We’re all at the same level,” he said. “Atleti are a very big team… Simeone has been showing me things from the start, I’m learning a lot. It’s going to be a special season.”

Cardoso made his senior debut for the United States in a match against Wales in 2020. He has 22 caps, winning the Concacaf Nations League in 2023 and 2024.

Cardoso had to withdraw from Mauricio Pochettino‘s Concacaf Nations League squad in March due to a muscle injury.

Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas to Join Liga MX’s Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Keylor Navas is switching sides…

The 38-year-old Costa Rican professional soccer play, a goalkeeper for Costa Rica’s international team, has reached a deal to join Liga MX club Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentine club announced on Monday.

Newell’s said in a statement that Pumas was paying a fee of $2 million to bring Navas to Liga MX.

The three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid signed a one-year deal and could debut as early as this Friday’s league match against Querétaro.

He is also expected to join the club in Leagues Cup play next week when coach Efraín Juárez‘s side will face Atlanta United, Orlando City and Inter Miami CF in the group stage.

Navas spent just six months with Newell’s. He is one of the most successful players in Concacaf history, turning in a strong performance for Costa Rica in this summer’s Gold Cup.

“Keylor Navas is no longer part of the squad and will continue his career with Pumas of México,” Newell’s said in a statement. “This decision was made based on the conviction of prioritizing our team. The commitment, professionalism, and respect for our club’s values remain as non-negotiable pillars. We firmly believe that to achieve our goals it is essential that each member of our club pushes in the same direction, always prioritizing the team over the individual.

“Our path is clear: unity, effort, and belonging. Under these values, we will continue working every day to honor our colors and the feelings of our fans.”

In addition to his Champions League titles, Navas also won LaLiga, the Club World Cup and Super Cup titles during his time with Real Madrid. He went on to win three Ligue 1 titles at Paris Saint-Germain.

Navas joined Newell’s as a free agent in January and made 16 appearances.

Pumas were looking for a replacement for goalkeeper Álex Padilla, who left earlier this month to rejoin parent club Athletic Club.

Navas was reportedly keen to move to Pumas to play in the Liga MX and be closer to his native Costa Rica.

Lamine Yamal Granted Iconic Barcelona No. 10 Shirt Previously Worn by Lionel Messi

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Lamine Yamal is celebrating a perfect 10…

The 18-year-old Spanish professional footballer has been given the iconic Barcelona No. 10 shirt previously worn by Lionel Messi, the Catalan club has confirmed.

Yamal, who celebrated turning 18 on Sunday, inherits the number next season from Ansu Fati, who completed a season-long loan move to AS Monaco earlier this month.

The confirmation of Yamal’s new number was made at an event with the winger and his family to celebrate his new contract, which was agreed on last month and runs until 2031.

Messi wore the No. 10 jersey at Barcelona from 2008 until his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. The Argentina great became a legend at Camp Nou, helping Barcelona win 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues while becoming Barça‘s all-time leading scorer.

“When I was a child, my dream was to debut for Barça, to grow up and play with the No. 10,” Yamal said Wednesday. “Every kid born in Barcelona dreams of that. Messi has made his way, and I’m going to make mine.”

Fati succeeded Messi as the No. 10 in 2021, but a series of injuries saw him struggle to maintain his place with the team.

In the meantime, Yamal has emerged as one of the standout players for both Barça and Spain.

The teenager, who has already made 106 appearances for Barça and scored 25 goals, will take on one of the most significant shirt numbers in the club’s history. In addition to Messi, the number has also previously been worn by Barça greats including Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romário and Diego Maradona.

Yamal had hinted at the change in recent weeks as he posted photographs of Argentina legend Maradona, Ronaldinho and Messi on social media, the former two while they were wearing the Barça No.10 shirt.

It’ll be the fourth number Yamal has worn with Barça. He had No. 41 when he made his debut in 2022-23, No. 27 the following season and then last year No. 19, the same number Messi wore before taking No. 10.

Yamal has won two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa with Barça. He helped Spain win the European Championship last summer.

“I haven’t won the Champions League and the World Cup,” he said. “These are my goals now.”

The announcement comes as Yamal faces an investigation from the Spanish government into possible breaches of disability laws following allegations that individuals with dwarfism were hired as entertainers at his 18th birthday party.

Yamal sidestepped the controversy on Wednesday.

“In the end I work for Barça, but when I’m away from the club’s training center, I enjoy my life and that’s it,” Yamal said. “I’m indifferent to both criticism and praise if they don’t come from my family or people close to me.”

Real Madrid Signs Álvaro Carreras

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Álvaro Carreras is switching sides…

Real Madrid has signed the 22-year-old Spanish professional footballer, a Benfica left-back, the Spanish club announced on Monday.

Carreras spent three years at Real Madrid’s academy before moving to Manchester United in 2020.

The defender is Real Madrid’s latest defensive recruit — the club already confirmed the arrival of centre-back Dean Huijsen and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold — as they look to build a new-look back line ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup in which they lost in the semifinal to Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid ended the season without a major trophy for the first time since 2021, after finishing as runners-up to Barcelona in LaLiga, losing the Copa del Rey final and being eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Carreras was Real Madrid’s preferred candidate to strengthen at left-back, where neither Ferland Mendy, who has frequently suffered from injuries, nor Fran García have convinced last season.

He was a teammate of another Real Madrid youngster, Raúl Asencio, in his time at the club’s academy, before opting to join Manchester United.

After four years in Manchester, including loans at Preston North End and Granada, he joined Benfica on an initial loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

The Spain under-21 international had an outstanding 2024-25 season, making 32 appearances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, as well as playing 10 times in the Champions League.

Santi Cazorla Returning to LaLiga for First Time in 24 Years with Real Oviedo Signing

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Santi Cazorla isn’t ready to retire yet.

The 40-year-old Spanish futbolista will return to LaLiga next season after signing a new contract with Real Oviedo.

Cazorla, whose previous deal expired this summer, has signed a one-year extension, the team has announced.

That means Cazorla will be part of the Real Oviedo squad as the club returns to Spain’s top division for the first time in 24 years.

The former Arsenal and Villarreal midfielder was a key part of the Real Oviedo team that secured promotion, scoring one of the goals to help his hometown club win their promotion playoff against Mirandes last month.

The former Spain international last played in LaLiga in 2020.

Cazorla spent seven years in Oviedo’s youth team but then left for Villarreal to start his professional career as Oviedo sunk deep into a financial crisis.

After three years in Qatar with Al Sadd, Cazorla returned to Real Oviedo in 2023.

In an illustrious career, Cazorla won 81 caps for Spain and was part of the squad that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Inter Miami Star Lionel Messi Extends MLS Record for Multi-Goal Games vs. Nashville SC

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi continues making Major League Soccer history…

The 38-year-old Argentine professional footballer has extended his MLS-record streak of multi-goal games as he scored twice in Inter Miami‘s 2-1 win over Nashville SC.

Messi claimed the record last week when he became the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four straight league games.

And he took that streak to five Saturday, with a goal in each half to help Miami to a fifth consecutive MLS victory. Miami moved to fifth in the Supporters’ Shield standings as it aims to win the title for the second straight season.

Messi is also tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge for the MLS goal lead this season with 16 goals in just 16 games.

“There are not many words,” Miami manager Javier Mascherano said.

“It is incredible what he continues to do, breaking records every three days … it is what I have said a thousand times in this room he is the flag of our team, the one who shows us the way how to compete, he is the leader the one who obviously encourages his teammates, shows them how we have to continue and above all maintain at this moment the tone that we have been having and well.

“The reality is that it is a blessing to be able to accompany him at this stage of his career.”

The Argentina great opened the scoring in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a perfectly placed free kick in the 17th minute. Messi beat the Nashville wall and goalkeeper Joe Willis with a low left-footed shot that found the bottom corner of the net.

It was Messi’s 69th goal from a direct free kick and his sixth with Miami. It also gave him a goal in a sixth straight MLS game, one behind his best such streak in MLS set last year.

His record-extending second goal came in the 62nd minute. Messi intercepted an errant pass from Willis then nonchalantly took the ball around the Nashville keeper before coolly depositing it into the net.

It’s the first time Messi has had five straight multigoal league games since a run of six with Barcelona in LaLiga in 2012.

In between Messi’s strikes, Hany Mukhtar scored off a delightful cross from Andy Nájar to level the score for Nashville, which had won five straight entering the match.

Nashville jumped to third in the Supporters’ Shield standings during its unbeaten streak that went back to mid-April across all competitions. It was also the longest active unbeaten streak in MLS and Nashville’s best stretch in its six-season club history.

Miami closed the gap on Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati to five points, while still having three games left because of its participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Arsenal Complete Signing of Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Posted on July 6, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Martín Zubimendi is upgrading his arsenal…

Arsenal have completed the signing of the 26-year-old highly rated Spanish midfielder from Real Sociedad, the club have announced.

The north London club beat opposition from top European outfits after triggering Zubimendi’s €60 million ($67m) release clause.

His contract at Real Sociedad was due to expire in June 2027.

A source told ESPN that Real Madrid tried to sign Zubimendi when Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti in May, but a deal with Arsenal had already been struck in March.

Zubimendi had the chance to move to the Premier League a year ago having been Liverpool‘s top choice in defensive midfield.

However, he turned down the transfer, opting instead to remain atReal Sociedad for the 2024-25 season, a decision he later said was “the right one.

A Sociedad youth product, Zubimendi spent five years with the first team, making over 170 appearances across all competitions.

The San Sebastián-born player had reportedly attracted interest from Real Madrid this summer after strong performances in LaLiga, and with Spain at Euro 2024.

In the final against England, he came on in place of injured Rodri at half-time and shone in the deep-lying midfield role as Spain went on to win 2-1.

Manchester City also tracked Zubimendi after Rodri sustained a serious knee injury in September.

It’s believed Mikel Arteta played a key role in talks with Zubimendi to convince the player to join Arsenal this summer.

Zubimendi will join his former Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino, who signed for the club last summer.

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