Transfer talk: Saudi’s make first big summer move with Diaby’s €60m signing
July 31 – It has been a quiet week for the major European leagues as Saudi player investment takes centre stage in the transfer market once again.
Finance
Asset sales sees Textor boost OL revenue to $399m
July 30 – Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais, owned by controversial US investor John Textor, has reported record revenue of €368.3 million ($399 million) for the 2023-24 financial year, marking a 27% increase from the previous year’s €289.7 million.
Transfer talk: PSG tipped for Sancho; Williams has picked his big club move
July 29 – Paris Saint Germain are leading the race to sign out of favour Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. A PSG player could move in the other direction to ease Manchester United’s £50 million asking price for the 24-year-old.
Real Madrid bust €1bn mark with promise of more to come
July 26 – Real Madrid has reported a 27% rise in operating income for the 2023/24 financial year to €1.073 billion, an increase of €230 million and making it the first football club to break the €1 billion mark.
With no white knight to save them, France’s Girondins Bordeaux file for bankruptcy
July 26 – Girondins Bordeaux, one of France’s most historic and iconic clubs, have filed for bankruptcy and dropped their pro team status just days after they were relegated to the third tier of French football and the owners of Liverpool withdrew from takeover talks.
Transfer talk: Olmo will be going somewhere but Barca bid rejected, Pep says De Bryne is going nowhere
Friday 26 – Manchester City have reportedly made an offer to RB Leipzig for 26-year-old Spain midfielder Dani Olmo. The player was a standout performer of Euro 2024 and could be available for a fee of around £60 million.
Big deals done: Yoro to Man Utd, Onana to Villa. Transfer market heats up
July 23 – Centre half Leny Yoro (pictured) has joined Manchester United on a £62 million five-year deal, the most expensive deal done this week in the summer transfer window.
Loose-lipped Textor threatened with defamation by PSG over Qatar comments
July 22 – Already facing potential defamation charges for comments he made regarding match-fixing in Brazil, Eagle Football Holdings group principle John Textor has incurred the wrath of French champions PSG.
Friedkin pulls out of Everton acquisition over debt concerns
July 22 – Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is looking for another buyer for the club after the Friedkin Group pulled out of a £400 million deal agreed in principle in June.
Transfer talk: Kante to return to PL? Spurs target McTominay, Gunners defensive targets shot down
July 19 – West Ham United are plotting a move for 33-year-old France midfielder N’Golo Kante. The former Chelsea man who put on an impressive display at Euro 2024, has spent the past season in Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad.
Bay and Iger close Angel City deal valuing club at world record £250m
July 18 – Angel City have agreed terms for the sale of a ‘majority’ stake in the LA-based NWSL club to Willow Bay and Bob Iger, giving the club a $250 million valuation, the highest of any women’s team in professional sport worldwide.
Real Madrid is world’s top ranked club brand, even topping Google, Ferarri, Coke and Rolex
July 18 – Real Madrid is the world’s most valuable football club brand, according to the latest report by brand evaluation consultancy Brand Finance.
Liverpool owner FSG pulls out of Girondins de Bordeaux takeover talks
July 17 – Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has got cold feet in France and pulled out of negotiations to buy Girondins de Bordeaux.
Transfer talk: Liverpool push for Guehi, Olmo to Man City, Aubameyang off to Saudi
July 6 – Marc Guehi has been strongly linked to Liverpool, who have entered into negotiations with Crystal Palace for the 24-year-old England international.
Lokomotiv Sofia to get new firepower after ownership change
July 15 – Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Sofia has changed its ownership following the withdrawal of Ivan Vasilev who has handed his shares, free of charge, to another local businessman, Veselin Stoyanov (pictured).