Category Sports News

Wrexham are close to signing Wales international Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town in a deal which could eventually be worth £10m.

While the initial fee is likely to be some way short of that figure, Broadhead’s arrival will shatter Wrexham’s current transfer record.

The versatile forward, 27, is in the final year of his contract at Portman Road.

Wrexham have broken their transfer record on numerous occasions since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took control of the club in 2021.

The current high mark is believed to be in excess of £3m, which Wrexham paid to sign midfielder Lewis O’Brien from Nottingham Forest last month.

He will follow in the footsteps of fellow Wales internationals Danny Ward and Kieffer Moore in making the switch to the Stok Cae Ras.

Forwards Josh Windass and Ryan Hardie, defenders Conor Coady and Liberato Cacace and midfielders George Thomason and O’Brien have also moved to the north Wales side this summer.

Bangor-born Broadhead – who was in Wrexham’s academy as a boy – started his professional career with Everton but joined Ipswich permanently in 2023 following loan spells with Burton Albion, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic.

He made two first-team appearances for the Toffees but swiftly became a prominent figure at Ipswich, helping them secure successive promotions from League One to the Premier League.

Broadhead scored two goals in 18 top-flight appearances under Kieran McKenna last season.

He has netted twice in 14 senior outings for Wales, with his first goal coming on debut against Croatia in 2023.

A banner which read “Stop killing children – Stop killing civilians” was displayed by Uefa before the Super Cup final between Tottenham and Paris St-Germain on Wednesday.

The sign was shown on the pitch in front of the players as they lined up before kick-off at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.

Two refugee children from Gaza were involved in the medal ceremony.

European football’s governing body said they were a 12-year-old Palestinian girl called Tala and nine-year-old boy Mohamed, who have both relocated to Milan for medical treatment.

Nine children who are refugees in Italy from areas of conflict including Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria and Ukraine took part in the pre-match display.

On Saturday, Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah was critical of Uefa posting a tribute to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid on social media which failed to refer to the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said Obeid, 41, who was known as the “Pele of Palestinian football”, was killed in an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip the previous day.

After Uefa paid tribute to Al-Obeid in a post on X, Salah responded “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”

On Tuesday, the Uefa Foundation for Children announced it had expanded its humanitarian efforts to help children in Gaza, partnering with three charities providing humanitarian aid.

According to Uefa’s own rules, political, ideological, and religious messages are prohibited in stadiums before, during or after matches.

Tala, who joined Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin for the medal ceremony after PSG beat Spurs on penalties, was described as a young girl “with fragile health”, who had been transferred to Milan to receive appropriate medical care, with equipment lacking in Gaza since the start of the war.

She was joined on the podium by Mohamed who lost both his parents during the war and was “severely injured following an air strike”.

Israel began its military offensive in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

The BBC Sport website will feature highlights of every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season.

These will be available on the BBC Sport app, website and iPlayer on Saturdays and Sundays – ordinarily from 8pm.

If there is an evening match, highlights from all matches that day will be available 30 minutes after the final game of the day finishes.

On television, Match of the Day enters a new era with a new presenting team.

Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman will front Match of the Day’s Saturday and Sunday programmes (now unified under one name) on rotation, as well as Match of the Day: Champions League.

Fan favourites and returning stars forming the guest line-up include Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Williams, Danny Murphy, Dion Dublin, Ellen White, Joe Hart, Martin Keown, Nedum Onuoha, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Steph Houghton and Theo Walcott.

Champions League highlights will continue to be available on BBC Sport from 10pm on a Wednesday.

For the FA Cup, BBC Sport will continue to provide highlights and digital clips from every stage of the competition across the BBC Sport website, app and social media.

There will be digital highlights for every Women’s Super League match, as well as 21 live matches on the BBC.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.

We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Michael ‘Venom’ Page says the pressure and expectation that comes with fighting in the UFC is unlike anything else he has ever felt in his career.

London’s Page – nicknamed MVP – signed with the UFC in 2023 after nine years with Bellator, where he built a reputation as one of the promotion’s most dangerous and exciting fighters.

The 38-year-old won 16 of 18 fights in Bellator with a number of highlight-reel knockouts.

Despite triumphing in two of his three bouts since joining the UFC, Page says the move has “carried a weight”.

“Usually I go in there and I’m comfortable to fight but I’ve realised UFC carries a massive weight because of its reputation, its history and the credibility you carry from winning these fights,” said Page.

“It’s the biggest weight I’ve felt from any organisation.”

Since Bellator was acquired by the PFL in 2023, Page is one of a number of fighters who left to continue their careers in the UFC.

Former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull has looked unconvincing, recording one win and one defeat.

Ex-Bellator bantamweight title holder Patchy Mix, meanwhile, was outclassed by Mario Bautista on his UFC debut in June.

In the co-main event at UFC 319 in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, Britain’s Lerone Murphy faces Aaron Pico – another former Bellator fighter – in a featherweight contest.

Page, who faces American middleweight Jared Cannonier on the undercard, says he empathises with the former Bellator athletes who have struggled.

“I’m starting to see it more and more that the Bellator fighters are not performing the way I know they can,” said Page.

“Pitbull has had a couple of fights and he hasn’t looked like the Pitbull I’ve seen in Bellator – he was unbelievable.

The fight with 41-year-old Cannonier represents Page’s second successive bout at middleweight after he ended Magomedov’s undefeated reign in February.

After spending the majority of his 13-year career at welterweight, Page says he has chosen to move up because he was struggling to secure fights in the lower weight class.

“Nobody at welterweight seems to like action – it’s a slow division,” said Page.

“I think there’s a lot of people in the latter stage of their careers, so for them every fight means something a bit more.

“They don’t want to take a risky fight, and I feel I represent a lot of risk because of the style I bring.”

Page’s only title fight during his career was against American Logan Storley for the interim welterweight belt in 2022, where he suffered a split decision defeat.

Page says competing in fights that “turn heads” is his main goal during the twilight of his career, but he has not given up on becoming a world champion.

The middleweight belt will be on the line in the main event at Chicago’s United Centre as South African champion Dricus du Plessis faces Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev.

“With someone so experienced and dangerous, I can’t look past Jared,” said Cannonier.

“But my goal is to get a title fight in my last run. For me I feel like this is my last lap in MMA, and I want to retire from MMA before MMA retires me,” said Page.

Here we go again.

The annual act of folly and crystal ball-gazing that brings about my Premier League predictions.

I may still be living down the ill-fated belief that Leicester City would be relegated in the season they won the title, but it is time to have a crack at predicting how the forthcoming top-flight campaign might pan out.

Last season: Champions

It’s hard to see past Liverpool as this season’s Premier League champions.

This is a team that won the title at a 10-point canter last term and has been strengthened by a remarkable summer spending spree. The transition is still a work in progress, as the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace proved, but this a prediction made with complete confidence.

What should have been a summer of joy has lived under the shadow of the tragic death of beloved striker Diogo Jota – killed in a car crash – as well as the incident that left supporters injured at the title trophy parade.

The season will start without the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, but Florian Wirtz was a statement signing – one of Europe’s most coveted forwards – at £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, along with full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. New striker Hugo Ekitike, signed for an initial £69m from Eintracht Frankfurt, showed his class with a goal in the Community Shield.

Last season: Second

This is the acid test for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. No more talk of process and progress. It is time for actual silverware after five years without a trophy.

This time, Arteta has been given all the required tools to do the job – an already talented squad bolstered by the class of Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi and – at long last and at least 12 months too late – a recognised striker in Viktor Gyokeres.

This is a team with enough to mount a meaningful title pursuit and challenge for the biggest prizes.

Last season: Third

It’s a hazardous business going against Manchester City as prospective champions but I feel there may be too much ground for Pep Guardiola and his team to make up.

Never rule out a squad containing such quality, although they will desperately hope the lingering clouds over the fitness of Rodri – their most important player, who missed nearly all of last season – roll away.

Erling Haaland remains a magnificent spearhead while Omar Marmoush looked a high-class attacking reinforcement last season.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is another fine addition, while France forward Rayan Cherki comes with rave notices. There are also high hopes for Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders after his £46.5m arrival from AC Milan.

And this will hopefully be the season when Phil Foden returns to his best – a game-changer.

Last season: Fourth

It’s sometimes hard to keep track of events at Chelsea, but what we do know is they are the World Club champions and Conference League holders, and finally seem to be on the right track under Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea have added the quality of Joao Pedro from Brighton in attack as well as the youthful promise of Liam Delap. Jamie Gittens is another intriguing addition while the brilliance of Cole Palmer makes him the talisman.

And the progress of 18-year-old Brazilian wonder boy Estevao Willian will be followed keenly.

Last season: Sixth

They missed out on Champions League football on the final day of last season but I fully expect them to be at the sharp end of the Premier League once more under the outstanding guidance of Unai Emery.

Much will depend on the remainder of the transfer window, with Morgan Rogers a key figure. All overtures made towards him will be resisted by Villa, though there has also been speculation surrounding England striker Ollie Watkins. Local boy Jacob Ramsey may yet leave for Newcastle United – offering Emery funds for other incomings.

Last season: Fifth

It’s been a thoroughly miserable summer on Tyneside after the elation of winning the Carabao Cup – a first domestic trophy since 1955 – then securing Champions League qualification on the last day of the season.

The list of potential transfer targets that have ended up elsewhere has been long and embarrassing, with the final insult the toxic stand-off with their brilliant striker, match-winner and main goalscorer Alexander Isak, who has set his heart on a move to Liverpool.

So why such an optimistic prediction given this evidence?

Simply because manager Eddie Howe engineered last season’s success superbly after a summer of turbulence behind the scenes.

Newcastle have a fine side when everyone is fit.

It seems impossible, at this stage, that fences can be mended with Isak, but new ones can be built with the arrival of Germany defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and a move for Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey.

Last season: 15th

This prediction may raise eyebrows even among some fervent Manchester United fans, but it is based on Ruben Amorim having had an entire summer to get his entrenched three-man central-defensive system firmly fixed in his players’ minds and also because of some serious strengthening in attack.

Amorim has spent in the region of £200m on Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford, and the capture of RB Leipzig’s prized striker Benjamim Sesko in a deal that could be worth £74m. This will, or at least should, carry some serious threat.

They surely cannot be as bad again. Can they?

Last season: 17th

A seismic summer at Spurs as Ange Postecoglou was sacked after winning the Europa League – their first trophy in 17 years – and replaced by Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

It also featured the departure of one of the club’s modern-day greats as Son Heung-Min joined Los Angeles FC – so there is very much a sense of (another) fresh start at Spurs.

Frank is a big, charismatic personality who will relish the task after doing a magnificent job at Brentford, though there will also be greater scrutiny on his work, and not just from hard-to-please chairman Daniel Levy.

Still, expect this to be a season of improvement in the Premier League. It could not get worse than last season – or Spurs would find themselves in the Championship – and they should again be contenders for a cup.

The collapsed move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was a setback, while the long-term injury to James Maddison hits hard, but Joao Palhinha – signed on loan from Bayern Munich – proved his Premier League quality at Fulham and Mohammed Kudus could provide a new ‘X-factor’ in attack.

Last season: 12th

Palace’s fortunes, and consequently their league placing, will inevitably be shaped by the fortunes of two of their most influential figures.

And that means whether they keep hold of prized assets Marc Guehi – their captain – and FA Cup final match-winner Eberechi Eze.

There is serious doubt surrounding Guehi’s future – with Liverpool trying to close a deal – while Eze has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Spurs.

Irrespective of their final destinations, this is a Palace side with quality running right through it under the leadership of a top-class manager in Oliver Glasner – although he has sounded frustrated that more has not been done to build on last season’s historic success.

They have already shown what they are about with the Community Shield win over Liverpool, with keeper Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton (surely a contender for an England start) influential – plus an attack which has Jean-Philippe Mateta as its focal point with Eze and Ismaila Sarr serious threats.

Last season: Seventh

It was a stellar season last time out for Nottingham Forest, who were serious Champions League contenders until late nerves set in. I’m not expecting as much this season but European football is back at the City Ground and no-one can question the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Morgan Gibbs-White looked gone to Spurs one minute then signed a new contract the next – a huge boost after the departure of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle.

Forest still have the bedrock of goalkeeper Matz Sels with powerful defensive duo Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic in front of him, and adding Brazil striker Igor Jesus and Switzerland winger Dan Ndoye has provided extra threat.

Last season: Eighth

This superbly run club continue to be a presence in the upper reaches of the Premier League, although the loss of Joao Pedro to Chelsea will leave a big hole.

Fabian Hurzeler enjoyed a very good first season at the Amex, and Brighton have been working the markets in their usual fashion, with smart acquisitions of young, developing players.

Lots of eyes will be on 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas – the highly rated Greek striker signed from Olympiakos – while 21-year-old Italy defender Diego Coppola – signed from Hellas Verona – looks a typically smart Brighton signing.

Last season: 13th

Everton enter a new era at a magnificent stadium under owners the Friedkin Group and with returning manager David Moyes hoping to build on the revival he inspired in the second half of last term.

And a summer of transfer frustration finally brought the big reward of the potentially game-changing acquisition of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s arrival from Leicester City.

Grealish has plenty to prove and a World Cup to aim for. Have Everton pulled off a masterstroke?

It was also a statement of intent that defender Jarrad Branthwaite was given a new, long-term contract. He will be vital, as he was last season, along with defensive partner James Tarkowski and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Last season: 14th

It was an underwhelming first few months for West Ham under Graham Potter, but it must be remembered he is a builder as opposed to a quick-fix manager.

Additions looks sensible, with more to come.

Kyle Walker-Peters and El-Hadji Malick Diouf – from Southampton and Slavia Prague respectively – have strengthened defence.

Callum Wilson – signed on a free transfer from Newcastle – will be a bustling threat in attack if he can stay fit, while Mads Hermansen adds real depth and quality in the goalkeeping department after coming in from Leicester City.

And, of course, West Ham still have the outstanding Jarrod Bowen.

Last season: 11th

It’s been a very quiet summer at Fulham so far, though full-back Kenny Tete’s decision to reject Everton to stay at Craven Cottage is a big plus.

Fulham are confident there is no need for a big overhaul of Marco Silva’s squad, with plenty of talent such as defender Anthonee Robinson, along with midfield players of the quality of Andreas Pereira and others. Harry Wilson can always be relied upon for an important contribution.

As with their summer, this will be another season of stability for Fulham under the tactically astute Silva. Mid-table perhaps – but with the capacity to do more and always trouble teams higher up the table.

Last season: Ninth

What to make of the Cherries now the defence that served them so well has been ransacked?

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – on loan from Chelsea last season – has gone to Arsenal, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Illia Zabarnyi to Paris St-Germain.

As with clubs like Brentford and Brighton, Bournemouth’s structure is sound so they will prepare for such eventualities, but that is a tough rebuild, even for a manager as talented as Andoni Iraola.

He cannot afford any more key departures and at least there has been strengthening, with much resting on keeper Djordje Petrovic – signed from Chelsea – and highly rated France left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes. Bafode Diakite will be expected to fill one of the central-defensive berths after his £34.6m capture from Lille.

Last season: 10th

For the first time in a long time, I genuinely fear for Brentford, who have been a superb Premier League presence with Thomas Frank – now departed for Spurs – at the helm.

I seriously believe their season could go to the wire, with new manager Keith Andrews untested at Premier League level, and with key departures such as main striker Bryan Mbuemo to Manchester United and vastly underrated midfielder Christian Norgaard to Arsenal, with gifted forward Yoane Wissa clearly casting longing glances towards Newcastle United.

They have, however, signed a proven high-class goalkeeper in Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool, while 35-year-old England midfielder Jordan Henderson will provide leadership, vast experience and an example.

The big question is whether Henderson can still cut it in the Premier League at this late stage of his career.

Last season: Championship winners

Someone has got to buck the growing trend of ‘three up, three straight back down’ from the Championship’s promoted sides, so I am going to say Leeds United will break that glass ceiling.

A club of huge stature, Elland Road will be a bearpit this season and will be a difficult environment for any visiting side. This will hold the key to their survival hopes.

Daniel Farke has a new keeper in Lyon’s Lucas Perri – signed for £15.6m. It may finally be the time Illan Meslier pays the price for too many high-profile errors.

In Dominic Calvert-Lewin – close to signing on a free transfer after leaving Everton – Leeds are acquiring a striker who has proven Premier League pedigree but has been troubled by long injury absences in recent years.

If he can stay fit, Leeds will have a very valuable asset.

Sean Longstaff provides experience and a competitive edge after arriving from Newcastle United, while additions elsewhere have come in the shape of left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille, centre-back Jaka Bijol from Udinese, and centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw and forward Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg.

Last season: 16th

This prediction is made with a heavy heart and hint of surprise given how the charismatic Vitor Pereira revived Wolves last season, but there have been some damaging departures and not enough quality incomings.

The class of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha was integral to Wolves last season and that is a heavy double loss to Manchester City and Manchester United respectively.

Jhon Arias – the Colombian signed from Fluminense for £15m – takes Cunha’s number 10 shirt but will he have the same impact?

Fer Lopez – signed from Celta Vigo – is a youngster of promise.

Last season: Fourth in Championship (promoted via play-offs)

No-one could accuse Sunderland of not having a go at staying up – bringing in enough players for a new XI to build on their promotion last season.

There have been 11 new signings at the last count as manager Regis le Bris receives strong backing in the battle to stay in the Premier League.

Granit Xhaka’s seven years of Premier League experience with Arsenal, as well as his success with Bayer Leverkusen, will be vital, while the arrival of Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra from Strasbourg in a club record £30m deal was another notable signing. The Black Cats also paid Brighton £21m for winger Simon Adingra to add more Premier League experience.

Other arrivals include former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku, Enzo le Fee, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Robin Roefs and Marc Guiu.

Last season: Second in Championship

Burnley, like Sunderland, have been making it clear they have no intention of suffering the joyless, timid, instant return to the Championship they experienced under Vincent Kompany, after Scott Parker brought them back up last season.

The Clarets have been busy bringing new faces to Turf Moor, although the departure of James Trafford to Manchester City after keeping 29 clean sheets in the Championship last season will be felt. He has been replaced by the experienced Martin Dubravka from Newcastle United.

Parker will look to veteran England defender Kyle Walker to give his team top-flight know-how, while all fingers will be crossed that injury plagued but unquestionably talented striker Armando Broja can stay fit after his £20m arrival from Chelsea. Much will depend on him.

Burnley also believe they have pulled off a coup with the signing of another Chelsea player – French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. The 21-year-old has joined in a £20m deal.

Tottenham have said they are “disgusted” by the racial abuse received by forward Mathys Tel following their defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup.

The club, who lost 4-3 on penalties after letting slip a two-goal lead, said people who had sent abusive messages to Tel on social media were “nothing but cowards”.

Tel, 20, came on as a substitute in the 79th minute and was one of two Spurs players who failed to convert from the spot in the penalty shootout.

“Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards – hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views,” Tottenham said.

“We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.

“We stand with you, Mathys.”

Spurs’ statement comes after England defender Jess Carter revealed she had been the target of racist abuse during Euro 2025 last month.

As a result, the Lionesses stopped the anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before matches as they argued it was “clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism”.

On Tuesday, Carter said she feared her England team-mate Lauren James would suffer “astronomical” racist abuse if she had been the only player to have missed a penalty in their Euro quarter-final shootout against Sweden.

In June, tennis players – including Britain’s Katie Boulter – demanded more action from social media companies to stop “dangerous” online abuse after Boulter said receiving abusive content and death threats had become “the norm” for athletes.

Europa League winners Tottenham led 2-0 after 84 minutes and were minutes away from claiming their second trophy in three months before PSG fought back, levelling the match when Goncalo Ramos headed in a 94th-minute equaliser.

Spurs defender Micky van de Ven saw his spot-kick saved before Frenchman Tel sent his shot wide. Nuno Mendes held his nerve to convert the winning penalty for PSG.

Tottenham signed Tel on a permanent deal, worth around £30m, in June after he joined the club on loan in January.