The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday’s newspapers…
PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Italy right back Marco Palestra in the next 24 hours and could sell Malo Gusto to Manchester City to make room for the youngster – The Times
Aston Villa are in talks to sign Flamengo full-back Emerson Royal – The Athletic
Arsenal have ruled out a summer move for Julian Alvarez after learning the Atletico Madrid star only wants a move to Barcelona – The Metro
Tottenham have held positive talks with West Ham over the prospective £85m signing of Mateus Fernandes, as they aim to beat Manchester United to the Portuguese midfielder’s signature – The Independent
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The best of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the Premier League 2025/26 season.
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to sanction Aurelien Tchouameni’s departure as Manchester United remain linked with a swoop for the France international – Daily Mirror
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has been told not to sign any players from his former club Bournemouth – Daily Mirror
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Jamie Carragher discusses Yan Diomande’s potential big-money move to Liverpool from RB Leipzig and whether the Ivorian winger will be worth the fee.
WORLD CUP
French national team coach Didier Deschamps is flying back to France to attend his mother’s funeral and will miss the team’s final World Cup Group I match against Norway, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday – The Independent
FIFA wants to change the rules on penalty shoot-outs for the knockout rounds at this World Cup so that there is only one coin toss, with teams choosing either to take the first spot kick or to take them in front of their own fans – The Times
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino gave his take on World Cup hydration breaks, claiming that FIFA ‘don’t make one dollar more’ from them.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the hydration breaks being used at the World Cup, calling them “purely a sporting matter” and insisting world soccer’s governing body gains “absolutely nothing” from them financially – The Athletic
Jude Bellingham was accused of an X-rated outburst by Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz following England’s disappointing 0-0 draw with his side in Boston – Daily Mail
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Jude Bellingham reacts to their draw against Ghana in the World Cup – which marks the fourth time in a row that England have drawn their second group stage match.
Declan Rice left the Boston Stadium with heavy strapping on his left calf and is now a fitness concern ahead of England’s game against Panama on Saturday – Daily Mail
SCOTLAND
Steve Clarke has revealed Scotland have planned for the possibility of a sizable weather delay in the World Cup showdown with Brazil – The Scottish Sun
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Former Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert is confident they will qualify from the group stages at the World Cup for the first time – they face Brazil on Wednesday.
Rangers are reportedly closing in on Ross McCrorie – The Scottish Sun
Daizen Maeda has offered Celtic fans fresh hope of staying in Glasgow – The Scottish Sun
WORLD FOOTBALL
Ex-Lyon and Saint-Etienne footballer Kenzo Kies, 21, has been declared as brain dead following an incident in the Rhone River – Daily Star
