Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada, ahead of Ghana’s World Cup clash with Panama next Wednesday. The 33-year-old is currently accused of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in England.

Revelations about the case made the headlines last summer as Partey’s Arsenal contract expired, and a shortly after he arrived in Spain, Partey appeared in court denying all charges against him. A further charge of rape and sexual assault were added to the ongoing cases this year, and he is currently due to stand trial next year in London.

Partey denied entry into Canada for World Cup

As reported by The Athletic, Partey has been denied entry into Canada, with Ghana set to take on Panama in Toronto at midnight on Wednesday UK time, in the first game of the tournament for the Black Stars. A spokesperson for Ghana confirmed that Partey had been denied a visa to enter Canada, although they did not explain why. As has been the case with referees, staff, fans and journalists, FIFA explained they had no responsibility for it.

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government. FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”

Partey expected to feature in remaining two games

Partey has not been denied entry to the United States however, and they have set up camp in the USA. Their remaining two group games come against England in Boston on the 23rd of June, and then against Croatia in Philadelphia.

This season has been a disappointing one for Partey in La Liga, failing to earn a starting spot at Villarreal, and receiving public criticism from manager Marcelino Garcia Toral. It is not yet clear whether they will exercise their option to extend his deal for a further year. At the time, Villarreal defended his signing by saying that he is innocent until proven guilty.

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Former Spain captain Alvaro Morata has revealed the details of his call with Luis de la Fuente, where the manager told him that he was not going to the World Cup. The veteran forward was a key part of their Euro 2024-winning squad, but was not included for their trip to the United States.

Morata was spoken of highly by his teammates during and after the Euros, and was a starter throughout. Yet over the past 18 months has drifted out of the picture, following indifferent form with AC Milan, Galatasaray and this season Como. When he was left out of the Spain squad, there was little expectation that he would be included, even if there was some national disappointment that he, like another key component of the Euros contingent Dani Carvajal, would not be there.

Morata reveals details of World Cup call

Speaking in an interview of Diario AS, Morata has revealed details of his conversation with de la Fuente, explaining that he had expected it to be the case.

“Luis (De la Fuente) called me, and I told him, ‘Mister, obviously I knew. I’m not stupid.’ A couple of years ago, I would have been devastated, but now I understand that this is how it is. That I didn’t deserve to be in the World Cup squad. Obviously, you know it’s your last chance to play in a World Cup, and you know Spain can definitely win it. But hey, that’s life; it’s not a bed of roses. And I know I’ve improved in terms of handling things with maturity and experience.”

“Obviously, I’d like to go. I’ll be cheering them on. I’ve had some really tough times with the national team, but at the same time, it’s what I love most about football. I’m sad to have missed out on Fernando (Torres) by just one goal. The national team is a reward for when you’re enjoying yourself and when you excel at your club. I have to start enjoying myself again; hopefully, one day I can return to the national team.”

Morata on Mourinho

Morata made his senior debut for Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, who has now returned to the Santiago Bernabeu, with doubts about his chances of success. The 33-year-old only had positives to say about the Portuguese manager though.

“He’s a phenomenon. Nobody can imagine how funny he is in person, up close. Every time I see him, I have a good laugh with him. He has a fantastic balance between being an incredible motivator and a great team manager. Wherever he’s been, he’s always won or come close. And at Real Madrid, where they always need to win, I think he’s going to do very well.”

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David Ornstein has reported that Arsenal are exploring a potential €40m transfer move for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis.

On top of that, Ornstein claims this deal would not impact Arsenal’s interest in bringing in Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers or another attacking target.

As reported in the Athletic, Ornstein claims that Arsenal are looking into this deal, with Tzolis also previously attracting interest from Crystal Palace.

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The Greece international scored 13 goals from out wide for Brugge in the season just gone, also contributing one assist, so it looks like he could be a useful addition to Mikel Arteta’s side.

With our story earlier that Leandro Trossard is advancing in talks to join Besiktas, it makes sense that Arsenal are exploring options to replace the Belgian on that side of their front three.

Christos Tzolis could be joined by Morgan Rogers at Arsenal

Tzolis is still only 24 and has shown a lot of potential, but in many ways Arsenal fans will be more excited about Ornstein’s other update.

Rogers has long been linked with the Gunners, but if a reliable reporter like this is confirming the club’s interest then it really will be a serious story to watch.

It seems other players are also being considered by Arsenal, though these have not yet been named.

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Tzolis makes sense as one signing to add depth, but AFC supporters will be desperate for more of a star name to come in and really raise the level of Arteta’s squad.

Arsenal won the Premier League title in 2025/26 and came so close to lifting their first Champions League as well, so one or two major signings could be enough to take them even further next term.

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Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has admitted that he deliberately missed games for his club in order to make it to the World Cup 2026 this summer.

The Brazil international is part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the tournament, and you can follow here for live World Cup updates as the five-time winners kick off their campaign against Morocco on Saturday.

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Alisson has shone for Liverpool and could be a key player for Brazil in this summer’s tournament, but Reds fans might not be cheering him on too much after hearing that he intentionally sat out games for his club in order to prioritise this World Cup.

Alisson on missing Liverpool games to prioritise the World Cup

Discussing his fitness, Alisson said he doesn’t have any injury problems at the moment, as he only missed Liverpool games to focus on Brazil.

“I’m 100%. Missing games for Liverpool was part of the plan to make sure I was ready for the World Cup,” he said to Estadao, as quoted and translated by Sport Witness.

It’s unclear if these quotes perhaps translate poorly, which can happen, but it certainly sounds like Alisson is admitting to missing LFC games despite not actually being injured.

The Merseyside giants had a decent backup option in Giorgi Mamardashvili, so it wasn’t the worst thing in the world for them, but it just doesn’t paint a great picture of the environment at Anfield in what ended up being such a disappointing season.

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Alisson on his World Cup aims

Alisson is only human of course, and who wouldn’t be absolutely determined to play at the World Cup, especially when it could be the final opportunity to do so?

Discussing his ambitions for the tournament, he said: “My focus is on this World Cup. I will face it as if it were the last opportunity. I have learned this in life, to live each day. My focus is on this time. It is a huge opportunity to live another World Cup.

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“I feel honoured to reach this mark of goalkeepers who were in three World Cups.

“I want to enter the other group. I want to be among the World Cup champions. With the other 25 called-up players. That is my focus and the most important thing at the moment.”

The post “Part of the plan” – Liverpool star reveals he missed club games in order to make World Cup 2026 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

What next for Elliot Anderson and the Manchester City transfer saga after reports of a failed bid for the Nottingham Forest midfielder, and how will it impact other midfielder deals?

CaughtOffside writers are frequently in contact with sources in the industry and also work with top tier transfer news journalists like Fabrizio Romano and Christian Falk to uncover what’s going on behind the scenes.

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Even with the World Cup news coming thick and fast, there are some major stories emerging as Man City work on signing Anderson in what could end up being one of the most expensive and high-profile deals of the summer.

However, the latest from BBC Sport and others is that Forest are really playing hardball over Anderson, turning down two offers from City, the second of which was worth a total of £120m.

From Elliot Anderson to Mateus Fernandes for Manchester United

Manchester United had also been linked with Anderson, but for that kind of money it’s not surprising that they walked away from the deal, with the Times now claiming they’re leading the race to sign West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes for £80m.

This follows an agreement already being in place to sign Ederson from Atalanta, as per BBC Sport, so it’s a strong start to the summer from the Red Devils, while other clubs still haven’t got their midfielder signings done.

This is despite plenty of clubs seemingly being in the market for signings in that position, and plenty of recent speculation about the likes of Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, and Alex Scott.

What next for Sandro Tonali?

For full transparency, we were recently informed that City would try again for Anderson, which has since transpired, however, things did not go entirely as expected with regards to Tonali and Fernandes.

Last week, it looked more like United were most likely to pursue Tonali. Of course, there’s no confirmation yet on the Fernandes deal, so although things are now pointing more in that direction, it could change again.

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We’ve been told Arsenal have an interest in Tonali, but interestingly, so do City, and it may be that we’ll see this story hot up now that Anderson is proving so expensive.

“Anderson is City’s priority, they want to get this deal done, and he wants the move,” one source close to the situation told CaughtOffside today. “But City have other options and would be prepared to walk away if Forest won’t relax their stance.”

Other midfielders to watch: Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, and Carlos Baleba

There has also been a lot of talk in recent months about other top midfielders such as Wharton, Scott, and Baleba. It may also be that Enzo Fernandez’s situation will become important.

For now, our understanding is that there have not been any bids made or talks held over any of the above players this summer, though Baleba still has a valid agreement on personal terms with Man Utd from last year.

It would appear that Baleba’s dip in form has led United to end their interest, however, as it’s hard to imagine a third signing in that position if they do indeed complete deals for Ederson and Fernandes.

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We’ve previously been informed of Tottenham’s interest in Baleba, but this has yet to advance meaningfully, though this could change with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi now at the helm.

Wharton has admirers at Liverpool, though in the last few weeks Scott’s stock has risen a lot and he’s been discussed internally at at least five leading Premier League clubs.

Enzo Fernandez and Real Madrid

One to watch will be the future of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. He’s made noises about wanting to leave Stamford Bridge, and we’ve been informed of Real Madrid’s interest.

The Spanish giants’ plans are still being formalised while work has been done on completing the move for new manager Jose Mourinho, but if a big bid lands in Chelsea’s inbox, that could significantly impact the market for midfielders.

For now, Chelsea don’t plan to make changes in midfield, with the Blues’ aim being to keep Fernandez, but they would undoubtedly need a replacement for the Argentina international, and what’s where Tonali, Wharton, and Scott could work their way up the west Londoners’ list of priorities.

The post Elliot Anderson bid rejected, Mateus Fernandes to Man United – mapping the midfielder transfer market appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a new contract for manager Mikel Arteta after significant progress in talks.

That’s according to the latest from TEAMtalk‘s Graeme Bailey, who says the Spanish tactician is getting closer to a new deal that will see him become the Premier League’s highest-paid coach.

Arteta has been a revelation as Arsenal manager, having first taken over back in 2019 when he’d never managed before, and with the north London club slumped down in mid-table.

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There has been steady progress since then, however, with Arsenal becoming serious title contenders in the last few years, finishing 2nd three years in a row before finally winning the title in 2025/26.

Mikel Arteta’s new contract is a huge boost for Arsenal

Arsenal fans will be relieved to hear that Arteta is close to committing his future, as the 44-year-old’s latest contract had just one year left to run.

It now looks like Gunners supporters can expect an official update on this soon after good progress in talks, which could potentially see Arteta’s salary almost double.

TEAMtalk claim that Arteta currently makes £10m a year, but his new terms would move him close to the £20m a year Pep Guardiola was making at Manchester City.

There’s no doubt that Arteta is worth every penny, with the former Arsenal and Everton midfielder becoming a truly world class coach who is surely only just getting started.

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Arsenal and Arteta can dominate

It’s also vital that AFC get this deal done now after the news of Guardiola’s exit from Man City, while the other big six clubs have also all made managerial changes recently.

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Arteta staying on would give Arsenal that stability to build on the success they’ve already had, while City will surely struggle to replace a legendary figure like Guardiola.

This could see them going into something of a transition period, similarly to Liverpool and Chelsea, who have also just appointed new managers, while Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi are also new to their jobs at Manchester United and Tottenham, respectively.

The post Significant progress made: Arsenal close in on most important deal they’ll get done this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard is in advanced talks over a transfer to Besiktas, I can confirm after consulting multiple well-connected sources.

Figures with ties to the agents industry, who have asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, have reliably informed me that Trossard has almost agreed terms on a contract with Besiktas, with club-to-club negotiations also scheduled to begin imminently.

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I was recently informed of Besiktas’ interest in Trossard, and it now looks like this deal is advancing, with other interested clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Juventus cooling their interest.

It seems Trossard’s priority is Besiktas, and though a deal has not been fully agreed yet, it’s getting advanced after positive talks between the player’s representatives and the Turkish club.

Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for €20m

There have been reports of Besiktas preparing to offer Arsenal €20m for Trossard, and my understanding is that that fee is accurate.

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It is not yet entirely clear how that deal will be structured, with a decent chunk of it possibly coming in add-ons and bonuses.

Arsenal, however, will surely view that as good business for an ageing player in the final year of his contract, even if there’ll be many fans who’d also ideally like to see Trossard staying at the Emirates Stadium for a bit longer.

Trossard has not been pushing to leave Arsenal after a positive experience with the north London club, including their 2025/26 Premier League title triumph and run to the Champions League final.

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However, sales at AFC were always likely this summer after some big spending last year, and the 31-year-old makes sense as someone to cash in on as Mikel Arteta could make changes to his front three.

The futures of other first-team players such as Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Christian Norgaard are also in some doubt, while loaned-out players like Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira are also available.

The post New: Arsenal star now in “advanced” talks over €20m transfer, club-to-club negotiations scheduled appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal and Liverpool could be given a serious transfer opportunity this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly willing to allow Bradley Barcola to leave if the right deal arrives.

According to L’Équipe, the 23-year-old France international is no longer untouchable at PSG.

That is a major shift considering he remains under contract until 2028 and has been viewed as one of the most exciting young wide players in Europe.

The situation has changed because of competition for places. Barcola is strongest on the left, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has become almost impossible to leave out in the biggest matches.

PSG have just retained the Champions League after beating Arsenal on penalties, so Luis Enrique is not short of attacking options.

Arsenal may see a perfect market chance

From Arsenal’s point of view, this is exactly the type of situation worth watching.

Mikel Arteta’s side need more attacking depth, especially out wide, and Barcola would bring pace, direct running and one-v-one quality.

The Gunners already have Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, but adding another explosive winger would give Arteta more flexibility across a long season.

After coming so close in Europe, Arsenal may feel they need one more elite wide option to turn narrow margins into trophies.

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Liverpool interest is still alive in the Frenchman

Liverpool have also been long-term admirers, although their transfer priorities may depend on other targets.

The Reds are still trying to understand the conditions of a potential deal, particularly if their pursuit of another winger becomes difficult.

The key issue will be price. PSG do not need to sell cheaply, and Barcola’s age, contract length and reputation mean any deal would likely be expensive.

Still, this is one to watch closely. If PSG truly open the door, Arsenal and Liverpool both have strong reasons to move quickly.

Latest: Arsenal given shock opportunity to sign World Cup 2026 midfielder for €40m-€50m 

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Bayern Munich are reportedly taking a serious look at a summer move for Marcus Rashford as Manchester United continue to search for a permanent solution to the forward’s future.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Bayern have been assessing their attacking options and could turn to Rashford after missing out on Anthony Gordon, who has since joined Barcelona.

The German champions are looking for more depth on the left side and also want another forward capable of providing cover for Harry Kane.

That is where Rashford becomes an interesting option. He can play off the left, attack space in transition and also operate through the middle when needed.

For Vincent Kompany, that kind of flexibility could be valuable across a long season.

Wage issue could decide everything

The biggest obstacle, however, is money. Reports from Bavarian Football Works claim Bayern like the player, but his salary is a major concern.

That could become the key issue in any negotiation.

Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona, however, ESPN has reported that Barcelona are unlikely to trigger their option to make the move permanent.

That leaves United with another complicated decision. They do not appear desperate to reintegrate him, but finding a club willing to cover the transfer fee and wages will not be easy.

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Man United exit would suit all the parties involved

From Bayern’s point of view, Rashford would be a smart footballing gamble if the financial package is right.

Nicolas Jackson has returned to Chelsea after his loan spell, with talkSPORT reporting that his permanent move was not completed, so Bayern still need attacking cover.

For United, a sale would finally bring clarity. For Rashford, it could be a fresh start at an elite club where he would not need to carry the entire attack.

The talent is still there. The real question is whether Bayern can make the numbers work.

Manchester United poised to beat Arsenal to “very talented” star in £80m deal

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Manchester United are reportedly looking set to beat Arsenal to the transfer of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The talented young Portugal international really caught the eye with West Ham in the season just gone, despite their relegation from the Premier League.

Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo has previously been quoted as praising Fernandes highly, saying to Maisfutebol: “He’s (Fernandes) having a fantastic season, he works hard, and he’s very talented and disciplined.”

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It now looks like Man Utd are going to beat Arsenal to this deal, with the Times reporting that the Red Devils are the favourites to land the 21-year-old for £80m.

Mateus Fernandes to become Man United’s second midfield signing of the summer

If this proves accurate, then United have made a superb start to the summer by already securing two major midfield deals.

A deal has also been agreed for MUFC to sign Ederson from Atalanta, as reported by BBC Sport and others, and Fernandes now looks set to follow.

With Casemiro leaving at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte performing poorly in his time in Manchester, this looks like just the kind of business United needed to get done nice and early in this window.

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Mateus Fernandes for £80m – good value or not?

Fernandes costing £80m looks like a lot, but the fact is the market has changed, with smaller clubs now empowered to ask for huge money for their best players.

With Nottingham Forest asking for as much as £120m for Elliot Anderson, according to BBC Sport, then signing another top talent like Fernandes for £40m less actually looks like pretty reasonable business.

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The former Southampton youngster is still pretty inexperienced, though, having only played two seasons in the Premier League, which both ended in relegation for his respective clubs.

It will be interesting to see which other targets, if any, Arsenal move onto after missing out on Fernandes, with our previous information being that the Gunners had explored a move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.

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