Football Articles | Mail Online

• Man United's left-back dilemma: Why they wanted to wait a year before revamping defence, the three targets on radar in last-minute push to challenge Luke Shaw and the steep asking price that's put Lewis Hall out of reach... for now31 August 2026, 4:05 pm
  CHRIS WHEELER: Luke Shaw has had a bumpy start to the new campaign. On Sunday, he was left trailing in Abdul Fatawu's wake as the Ipswich winger set up the opening goal for Leif Davis.
  
• Cody Gakpo exit in doubt as Palace rebuff Liverpool's latest offer for Sarr, Newcastle close in on Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Chelsea in talks to sign Manu Kone as Spurs explore late move for Tosin Adarabioyo: WINDOW WATCH31 August 2026, 4:05 pm
  The transfer window closes tomorrow and it's sure to be a busy last few hours as several clubs look to make big signings before 11pm. Here are today's latest developments...
  
• Glasgow and Edinburgh finally have a team on the T20 cricket circuit - just don't expect to see them playing in Scotland!31 August 2026, 4:00 pm
  The first Scottish inter-city cricket derby for more than a century took place this week although even dedicated fans of the sport could be forgiven if it passed them by.
  
• Lionel Messi retires from Argentina duty: 39-year-old bows out after defeat in World Cup final to Spain - just a few weeks after his father passed away31 August 2026, 3:57 pm
  Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football following Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final to Spain last month.
  
• Newcastle agree £51.4m deal for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo... paving the way for Nick Woltemade to join Juventus for £3.5m loan fee31 August 2026, 3:46 pm
  The 21-year-old forward is scheduled to arrive on Tyneside on Monday evening to finalise his move after a fee was agreed with the Ligue 1 club.
  
• Female athletes voice concerns as transgender player wins top Australian women's soccer award31 August 2026, 3:38 pm
  Football Victoria is under fire after a transgender player won a women's goalscoring award, sparking fairness and safety concerns
  
• European football legend, 38, has lucrative Saudi contract worth £85m ripped up31 August 2026, 3:31 pm
  The veteran forward had joined on a free transfer from fellow Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, who he had signed for from Real Madrid back in 2023.
  
• Football League hit out at UEFA's 'unwillingness to co-operate' after being forced into 'disappointing' changes to Liverpool v Spurs in the Carabao Cup - as well as Everton and Wolves ties31 August 2026, 1:39 pm
  Teams playing in Europe enter the Carabao Cup in round three and as such the draw was altered to ensure those teams were not able to face each other.
  
• Liverpool complete £123m Bradley Barcola deal: Reds finally get their man as French star joins from PSG after window-long pursuit31 August 2026, 1:13 pm
  Liverpool have confirmed the £123million signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
  
• OLIVER HOLT: How Chelsea turned themselves from laughing stock to title contenders - and why it's now their rivals who look fools in the transfer market31 August 2026, 12:53 pm
  The most unsettling thing about all the worst decisions of the summer transfer window that is about to come to a close is that Chelsea have not made any of them. In fact, the opposite is true.
  
• Harry Maguire issues challenge to Marcus Rashford - and reveals what he must do to be the 'great asset' Man United are crying out for31 August 2026, 12:52 pm
  NATHAN SALT: Barcelona turned the chance to make Rashford's loan permanent this summer and he returned to Manchester with questions swirling about whether he could be reintegrated.
  
• Everton owners have eroded trust over Harrison Armstrong and Iliman Ndiaye sagas - now they must win back the fans... and manager David Moyes, writes LEWIS STEELE31 August 2026, 12:21 pm
  When The Friedkin Group were handed the keys to Everton in December 2024, they could have walked into any nearby pub and had a queue of thousands trying to buy them a pint.
  
• Man United open talks with Bruno Fernandes over new deal - with star man's £220,000-a-week contract set to expire next summer31 August 2026, 11:55 am
  The 31-year-old again underlined his importance on Sunday by scoring a hat-trick and adding an assist in the 5-2 win over Ipswich.
  
• Premier League clubs have been embarrassing in the transfer window this summer, why Liverpool would be crazy to sell Cody Gakpo and Kobbie Mainoo must silence critics: IAN LADYMAN on My Football Weekend31 August 2026, 11:39 am
  Jackson didn't do overly well at Bayern, where he didn't play much. Delap bombed at Chelsea where he scored once in the league. Yet Chelsea have moved both players on at significant profit.
  
• The three reasons why Ezri Konsa is the perfect fit for Arsenal - from the duel monster and precision passing to the problem he solves that has haunted Mikel Arteta31 August 2026, 11:03 am
  The arrival of Konsa isn't the blockbuster signing Arsenal fans craved. Yet it serves a crucial aim in north London: preserving a formidable backline, which is Arsenal's greatest strength.