Michael Oppong

Newcastle spending £18m on a goalkeeper from Reims is a serious statement of intent for their project. Jaouen is not a marquee name yet but French football has produced some elite keepers in recent years and Newcastle clearly see something others have missed. Pope is their number one but having real competition for that spot can only push standards higher. Is Newcastle quietly building one of the best squads outside the top four? 🔥👀

🚨⚪️⚫️ Newcastle will complete formal steps for Ewen Jaouen deal this week after the agreement sealed with Reims last week. The new goalkeeper is coming soon to #NUFC for £18m fee.

👀🇧🇷🔛 #THFC

Giroud still signing contracts at 39 is proof that professionalism and longevity go hand in hand. Davide Ancelotti keeping him at Lille shows the young coach values experience in the dressing room as much as quality on the pitch. Most strikers at that age are done but Giroud keeps finding clubs that genuinely want him. Is Giroud the most underrated striker of his generation when you look at the full career? 🔥👀

🚨🇫🇷 Olivier Giroud has signed a new one year deal to stay at Lille until June 2027. Davide Ancelotti will have Giroud as part of his 2026/27 team.

🌎🔃 Rafa Leão wants Premier League or La Liga, Juve want Sørloth soon, Çalhanoglu and Dybala to stay. @Time2playItalia time2play.com/blog/fabrizio-…

Leão wanting out of Serie A is the biggest storyline buried in this update. A player of his ability choosing between the Premier League and La Liga means the biggest clubs in Europe are watching. Juventus moving for Sørloth quickly suggests they already know Leão is gone and are planning around it. Which league suits Leão's style more and which club actually pulls the trigger on him this summer? 🔥👀

Origi retiring is the end of one of the most unique careers in modern football. He was never a regular starter anywhere yet he scored some of the most important goals in Liverpool's history including that Champions League final goal against Tottenham in 2019. A super sub who delivered when it mattered most is a rare breed. Which Origi goal lives in your memory the most? 🔥👀

🚨 Divock Origi has retired from professional football.

Agents saying nobody has contacted us is the oldest deflection in football. It usually means talks are either too early to confirm or happening through back channels that bypass the agent entirely. Alvarez at Real Madrid under Mourinho would be a terrifying fit given how hard he presses and how much ground he covers. Is this a genuine denial or just the opening move in a very long transfer saga? 🔥👀

🚨 Fernando Hidalgo, Julián Álvarez’s agent: “Julián to Real Madrid? Nobody has contacted us.”

Glasner turning down Feyenoord to wait on AC Milan tells you everything about how serious this is. A 6 hour meeting is not a casual conversation that is a manager and a club going through every detail of a project together. Milan clearly have a real vision and Glasner believes in it enough to leave another offer on the table. Does Glasner have the profile to take Milan back to the top of Serie A? 🔥👀

🚨🇦🇹 Despite links with Feyenoord job, Oliver Glasner gives priority to AC Milan. He wants to wait for AC Milan decision after 6 hours meeting with the club last week as revealed. 🎥 youtu.be/aAGo7OLBuyo

Mancini coming back to Italy is a gamble that only works if the federation gives him full control this time. He won Euro 2020 with that squad but left under a cloud over the Saudi money move and trust was broken. Italy need a rebuild not a reunion tour. Is bringing back Mancini the right call or does Italy need a completely fresh voice before the next World Cup? 🔥👀

🚨🇮🇹 Roberto Mancini opened doors to a return to the Italian national team since May and remains the leading candidate for the job. Mancini, waiting for Federation’s green light. 🎥 youtu.be/aAGo7OLBuyo

Mancini coming back to Italy is a gamble that only works if the federation gives him full control this time. He won Euro 2020 with that squad but left under a cloud over the Saudi money move and trust was broken. Italy need a rebuild not a reunion tour. Is bringing back Mancini the right call or does Italy need a completely fresh voice before the next World Cup? 🔥👀

@pretty_airnb @FabrizioRomano Pep will use him as a box to box midfielder. Anderson covers ground and carries the ball well which fits City's press and transition style perfectly.

@FabrizioRomano @_michaeloppong but which position will this Guy play while at man City??

🚨🔵 Manchester City are preparing a new official bid to be sent soon to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. #MCFC confident to get the deal done after leading the race for months, since March. Man United still keen but City ahead & optimistic. 🎥 youtu.be/0SIw034-B4A

Mourinho bringing Pepe into his coaching staff at Real Madrid would be the most on brand move possible. That partnership was built on intensity and winning mentality and those traits do not disappear when you retire. Pepe knows the Bernabeu inside out and the players would respect him instantly. Does Pepe as a coach under Mourinho make Real Madrid's dressing room more dangerous or more combustible? 🔥👀

🚨 CONFIRMED: Pepe and José Mourinho have spoken about the possibility of making him part of the coaching staff. Pepe is currently CONSIDERING. @FabrizioRomano

Negotiations ongoing since March and Manchester City are now preparing an official bid for Elliot Anderson. Forest will demand top price with United also circling but City have been ahead in this race the longest. If Pep wants him this badly there is clearly a plan for him in the system. Is Anderson the kind of player who thrives under Pep or does he need more freedom to show his best? @FabrizioRomano @ManCity @ElliottAnderson 🔥👀

City being this patient on a deal since March tells you they see Anderson as a serious long term piece not just a squad filler. Nottingham Forest will hold out for top money but City leading the race for months with an official bid coming means this is close. United being interested only makes Forest's asking price higher. Does Anderson have what it takes to start for a Pep era City or is he a rotation signing? 🔥👀

Ronaldo offering to give up his own salary to keep Pepe at Real Madrid is the loyalty you never hear about publicly. That dressing room bond was clearly deeper than any contract. It explains why that Madrid side was so hard to break mentally in big games. How many players in today's game would give up their own money for a teammate? 🔥👀

🗣️ Pepe: “Cristiano asked to me stay at Real Madrid when I was leaving. He told me: ‘If it’s about money, man, I’ll give up some of my money and give it to you!’ It wasn’t about that, I wanted something new.”