Everton's €43m Move for Abde Blocked by Betis Clause

Everton tried to pull off a late coup in the summer window, but Real Betis slammed the door shut.

According to reports in Spain, Betis received a €43m proposal from Everton for Abde Ezzalzouli, structured as €35m guaranteed with the rest in bonuses. It was serious money, especially this late in the market. Betis didn’t blink.

The Spanish club pointed straight to the release clause: €60m or nothing. With no sign of compromise, the deal never got close to the finish line and Abde stayed put in Seville.

For Everton, it was an ambitious swing. For Betis, it was a firm reminder that their best assets won’t leave on the cheap.

United’s three-year blueprint targets defensive rebuild in 2026

Manchester United’s hierarchy have drawn up a long-term plan – and the defence will be the final, decisive piece.

Under the new structure led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United have mapped out a three-year strategy aimed at turning the squad into a Premier League title contender by 2028. The approach is split into three clear phases.

• This summer’s focus: midfield.
• The 2025 window: attack.
• Then, in 12 months’ time, attention is set to swing fully to the backline.

The message is clear. United don’t just want a patch-up job. They want a staged rebuild, and the defence will be rebuilt last, when the rest of the side is already in place.

Martinelli set for Arsenal record sale as Al Hilal move nears completion

Gabriel Martinelli is on the verge of closing one chapter and opening a very lucrative new one.

The Brazilian forward has completed his medical ahead of a €70m transfer from Arsenal to Al Hilal after arriving in Riyadh earlier this week. All that remains is the official announcement.

When it lands, it will be historic for Arsenal. Martinelli will become the club’s record sale at around £60m, smashing the previous mark set in 2017 when Liverpool paid £35m for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

For Arsenal, it’s a major cash injection. For Al Hilal, another headline signing in a rapidly expanding collection of star names.

Enzo Fernandez twists the knife as he hails “club as big as City”

Enzo Fernandez did not leave Chelsea quietly.

The Argentina midfielder completed a British record-equalling £125m move to Manchester City late on deadline day, walking away from Stamford Bridge for the Premier League champions and immediately raising eyebrows with his first words.

“I’m really happy to be here. I always dreamed of being at a club as big as City,” he said after signing. The line cut straight through to his former employers.

He spoke of an “emotional moment” for himself and his family, stressing how long he had dreamed of taking this step at 25. He added that in just a few hours at the club he could already see “how big it is” and promised City fans they would “enjoy ourselves and win lots of things together.”

Chelsea lose a marquee name. City gain another elite midfielder who arrives talking like he expects to add more silverware in a hurry.

United’s Chido Obi heads to Willem II for crucial Eredivisie minutes

One Manchester United striker is heading out to find regular football.

Chido Obi is set to join Eredivisie side Willem II on loan, subject to registration, after a season that stalled at senior level. The Denmark Under-21 international made eight first-team appearances under Ruben Amorim in the 2024-25 campaign, but last season he did not feature at all and only made the bench once.

He kept his rhythm with United’s Under-21s instead, playing a central role in their run to the FA Youth Cup final. Across 37 games in all competitions, he scored 20 goals – numbers that underline why United want him playing proper first-team football.

Now he heads to the Netherlands, chasing the kind of minutes that could decide whether he returns to Old Trafford as a genuine contender or just another academy footnote.