Bayer Leverkusen have sacked head coach Erik ten Hag after just three matches in charge. Ten Hag who replaced Xabi Alonso in May, and signed a two-year-contract. But Ten Hag’s stay at Leverkusen has been brief after a poor start to the 2025-26 season. Leverkusen lost their season opener against TSG Hoffenhiem at home and then drew 3-3 with Werder Bremen at the weekend. They won their DFB-Pokal first round tie against fourth-tier SG Sonnenhof but since that match on Aug. 15, ex-Man United manager Ten Hag’s tenure turned sour at the 2024 Bundesliga champions. The decision was made by the shareholders’ committee at the club and on the recommendation of Bayer’s management. It has been a summer of upheaval at Leverkusen with several of the stars who led them to the Bundesliga title in 2024 leaving the club. Ten Hag took charge as Jeremy Frimpong, Florian Witz, Amine Adli, Odilon Kossounou, Granit Xhaka, Lukas Hradecky and Jonathan Tah all left the club. In response, Leverkusen spent in the region of €170 million to rebuild the squad with Malik Tillman, Jarell Quansah, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Loic Bade, Ibrahim Masa, Mark Flekken and Ernest Poku all arriving. “This decision was not an easy one for us. Nobody wanted to take this step,” Simon Rolfes, Bayer’s managing director for sport, said. “However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this setup is not feasible. We firmly believe in the quality of our team and will now do everything we can to take the next steps in our development with a new setup.” Ten Hag, who managed ManUnited from 2022 to 2024, replaced Alonso, who joined Real Madrid in the summer. Under Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen won the 2024 title while they were runners-up last season. But while Alonso played attacking football, Ten Hag’s conservative style did not marry with the players. A source has told ESPN Bayer Leverkusen were keen to make this change sooner rather than later. Things were clearly in a dismal state after the clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday. They surrendered a two-goal lead and afterwards, captain Robert Andrich was clearly frustrated. “Everyone played for themselves, everyone ran around the pitch on their own. We have too many players who are preoccupied with other things or only with themselves. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that at Bayer,” he said. “The disastrous final phase [of the draw] was a symbol of our current situation. This has nothing to do with any unrest, player transfers or legal proceedings.” Bayer CEO Fernando Carro added: A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary,” Bayer CEO Fernando Carro said. “We remain committed to achieving our goals for the season – and to do that, we need the best possible conditions at all levels and across the entire first team. Now it’s a matter of fully implementing and utilising these conditions again.” Source: ESPN

Liverpool formally announced that star forward Gakpo has signed a new long-term contract and extended his stay at Anfield. The official statement from the club read: “Cody Gakpo has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool FC. The forward ensured he will extend his two-and-a-half-year association with the Reds into the future by putting pen to paper on the deal at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday.” After putting pen to paper on the new deal, Gakpo told the club’s official website: “It feels amazing to extend the contract here at this beautiful club. I’m very grateful and hopefully I can give back many more beautiful moments. I feel at home, my family feels at home and that’s also a big decision always. They feel good. I’m very happy at the club, a good group, good teammates, so the life around the football itself is very good and I enjoy every moment of it. I’m very grateful that I can extend.” Since moving to Merseyside from PSV Eindhoven two-and-a-half years back, Gakpo has made 131 appearances across all competitions, where he scored 42 goals and provided 16 assists. He won the Carabao Cup in the 2023-24 campaign and was also an integral part of Slot’s side that won their record-equallising 20th top-flight title last season. Source: yahoosports

Chelsea have made an official move for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, submitting a written proposal worth €40m, according to Fabrizio Romano. The offer was sent shortly after the London club’s match earlier today. The Premier League side are now awaiting Barcelona’s response, but reports in Spain suggest the La Liga giants value the 22-year-old much higher. Barcelona are said to be holding out for at least €60m, with some outlets indicating the price tag could rise as high as €90m. Chelsea’s interest has been persistent throughout the summer, with head coach Enzo Maresca viewing Lopez as a key target. Negotiations between the two clubs are expected to continue in the coming days. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, however, remains confident that Lopez will stay at Camp Nou. “I think he’ll stay,” Flick said recently, noting the player’s improved focus and attitude after their conversations. Source: tribuna

AC Milan have completed the signing of Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea in a deal worth €42 million (£36.2 million). The 27-year-old forward has signed a five-year contract until 2030 and will wear the number 18 shirt at San Siro. The agreement also includes a sell-on clause for Chelsea. Nkunku leaves Stamford Bridge after two seasons in which he made 62 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing five assists. Last term he featured 43 times in all competitions, netting 14 goals, and appeared in six of Chelsea’s seven Club World Cup fixtures. His time in England was hindered by injuries, including a serious knee issue that disrupted his first year following a £52 million move from RB Leipzig in 2023. He was restricted to 11 Premier League appearances in that campaign and struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. Milan had been searching for attacking reinforcements throughout the summer and considered moves for Victor Boniface and Conrad Harder before turning decisively to Nkunku. The French international was also a target for Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, but Milan advanced talks quickly and secured an agreement. Eighth in Serie A last season, Milan are aiming to return to the Champions League and strengthen their forward line after inconsistent attacking displays. They began the new campaign with a 2-0 victory over Lecce and Nkunku is expected to make his debut after the international break, with Bologna visiting San Siro on 14 September. Speaking after his move was confirmed, Nkunku described Milan as the right step to relaunch his career. The club said they were ‘delighted’ to welcome him and highlighted his technical quality, versatility and proven scoring record across Europe. Nkunku becomes Milan’s fifth senior addition of the summer as they continue to reshape their squad under head coach Paulo Fonseca. Source: Yahoosports

In a dramatic turn of events, Chelsea FC has pulled out of a proposed loan deal that would have seen striker Nicolas Jackson join Bayern Munich for the 2025-26 season. The decision comes after an injury to Chelsea’s new signing, Liam Delap, during a match against Fulham on Saturday, prompting head coach Enzo Maresca and the club’s leadership to reconsider their transfer strategy. The 24-year-old Senegal international was set to move to the Bundesliga giants for a record-breaking loan fee of £13 million, with an option for Bayern to purchase him permanently for £56.2 million next summer. The deal also included a sell-on clause, reflecting Chelsea’s confidence in Jackson’s long-term value. However, Delap’s hamstring injury, which Maresca described as requiring “weeks” of recovery, forced Chelsea to halt the transfer. Jackson, who was already on his way to Munich, will now return to London and reintegrate into the squad. Jackson’s potential exit had been fueled by his reduced role at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s acquisition of strikers Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town this summer. The former Villarreal forward, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for £32 million, has scored an impressive 30 goals and provided 12 assists in 81 appearances for the Blues, including a goal in their UEFA Conference League final victory over Real Betis last season. Despite his solid record, Jackson’s opportunities were limited, with his last appearance being a substitute role in Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final win over Fluminense in July. Chelsea’s decision to retain Jackson is a pragmatic one, as the club now faces a shortage of fit strikers. Maresca, speaking after the Fulham match, emphasized the need for depth, stating, “When you have two strikers, it’s enough.” With Delap sidelined and Joao Pedro shouldering much of the attacking load, Jackson’s return to the first-team fold provides a vital boost. The striker, who signed a contract extension until 2033 in September 2024, remains a polarizing figure among fans due to his inconsistent finishing but is valued for his relentless off-ball movement and ability to create high-value scoring chances. The collapse of the Bayern move also coincides with Chelsea’s active transfer window, which saw Christopher Nkunku complete a £36 million permanent transfer to AC Milan on the same day. The Blues have raised approximately £309 million from player sales this summer, offsetting their £277 million spent on new signings. Source: Skysports

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Napoli to sign striker Rasmus Højlund on loan until the end of the season. They Serie A side are set to pay an initial loan fee of €6m with an obligation to make the Denmark international’s move permanent for €44m if they qualify for the Champions League. Højlund’s medical is pencilled in to take place on Sunday. United are waiting to be told if the player has agreed personal terms with Napoli before giving the transfer the final green light. The 22-year-old has not been involved in any of United’s first four games of the season and last featured as a substitute in the final game of the preseason tour of the U.S. against Everton in Atlanta. Højlund said during the trip to the U.S. that he was determined to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford this season. However, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig and his continued omission from the squad under Ruben Amorim has forced a change of heart. Højlund, who has experience in Italy with Atalanta, is keen to play as much as possible ahead of the World Cup next summer. If he agrees to join Napoli, he will link up with former United teammate Scott McTominay, who moved to Italy 12 months ago. Source: ESPN

Antony’s proposed move from Real Betis to Manchester United has stalled after the LaLiga club said they had withdrawn their offer for the winger, despite talks that the bid had been accepted. The two clubs had negotiated a permanent deal worth up to £25 million but there was a fresh twist to the saga on Friday when Betis released a statement that read: “There is no agreement for Antony, and we have withdrawn the offer. “We can’t afford the fee and the amounts that Manchester United must instead pay the player before the transfer.” Antony had been given permission to discuss personal terms with Betis, where he spent a successful loan spell last season. If the deal does eventually get the final green light, it will bring to an end Antony’s torrid three-year spell at Old Trafford. He arrived from Ajax under former boss Erik ten Hag in 2022 but struggled to make a significant impact. His transfer fee of £86 million makes him the second most expensive signing in United’s history behind Paul Pogba. Antony impressed on loan at Betis last season, scoring nine goals in 26 games, following his move in January. On his return to United this summer, he was omitted from the squad for the preseason tour of the U.S. and ordered to train away from the senior squad with other players surplus to requirements, including Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho. Source: ESPN

Arsenal have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign defender Piero Hincapie on loan with an option to buy for 52m euros. With Monday’s 19:00 BST transfer deadline looming, Arsenal wanted to add left-sided defender Hincapie to their squad. BBC Sport previously reported that an agreement was close for Arsenal to sign the Ecuador international. He has made 166 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen since joining in 2021 and was part of the squad that won the Bundesliga and German Cup in 2023-24. The 23-year-old is set to be the Gunners’ eighth signing of the summer, after Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Eberechi Eze. However, Arsenal are mindful of complying with Uefa’s squad cost ratio regulations and want to sell players. The Gunners are in talks with Porto over an exit for Jakub Kiwior, with Hincapie seen as a direct replacement for the Poland defender in Mikel Arteta’s squad. Source: bbc

Villarreal have pulled off a significant signing in the final days of the transfer window, securing Olympique Lyonnais’ star striker Georges Mikautadze for a €30 million fee. The 24-year-old Georgian international, who dazzled at Euro 2024, is set to travel to Spain on Saturday for his medical on Sunday, marking a major coup for the Yellow Submarine as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League. The transfer, finalized after a day of intense negotiations in Monaco during the European competition draw, sees Villarreal address their need for a top-tier striker following the departures of Alex Baena, Thierno Barry, and Yeremy Pino, the latter of whom joined Crystal Palace for over €30 million. Lyon, under pressure to raise €40 million to meet DNCG and UEFA financial requirements, reluctantly agreed to part with Mikautadze, their most marketable asset after Malick Fofana rejected a move to Everton. The deal includes a 10% sell-on clause, ensuring Lyon benefits from any future transfer, with the total package potentially reaching €35 million with add-ons. Mikautadze, who scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 49 appearances for Lyon last season, including 11 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches, brings versatility and firepower to Villarreal’s attack. Capable of playing as a striker or on the left wing, he shone for Georgia at Euro 2024 alongside PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, making him a dynamic addition to Marcelino’s 4-4-2 system. He will compete with Ayoze Perez, Tani Oluwayesi, and the injury-prone Gerard Moreno for a starting spot, with Marcelino’s emphasis on form likely giving Mikautadze a strong chance to shine. The move comes after a competitive race, with Aston Villa reportedly agreeing personal terms with Mikautadze and Brentford, Burnley, Everton, and Saudi Arabia’s Neom SC also in contention. Villarreal’s Champions League participation, with matches against Manchester City and Juventus on the horizon, and a long-term contract until 2030 with a higher salary than Lyon’s offer, swayed the Georgian star. His decision to join Villarreal, despite his emotional ties to Lyon where he came through the academy, underscores the allure of the Spanish club’s project. For Lyon, the sale is a bitter blow, especially with a crucial Olympico clash against Marseille looming on Sunday, where Mikautadze will be absent. Manager Paulo Fonseca, who had hoped to retain both Mikautadze and Fofana, now faces the challenge of finding two new strikers in the window’s final days, with Lens’ Martin Satriano a leading target. Villarreal’s hot start to the La Liga season, with seven goals scored and none conceded in wins over Girona (5-0) and Real Oviedo (2-0), is bolstered by this signing, alongside recent additions like Tajon Buchanan, Arnau Tenas, and Renato Veiga. The Yellow Submarine, currently leading La Liga on goal difference, now have a proven goalscorer to complement their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions. As Mikautadze prepares to don Villarreal’s yellow, the stage is set for him to make an immediate impact in a squad primed for success.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have sealed a major transfer coup, agreeing a deal in principle to sign KRC Genk’s prolific striker Tolu Arokodare for a €27 million fee. The 24-year-old Nigerian international, who topped the Belgian Jupiler Pro League scoring charts last season, is set to undergo a medical on Saturday, with Wolves aiming to finalize the transfer before the September 1 deadline. The move marks a significant step in Vitor Pereira’s squad rebuild following a challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. The deal, which includes a €20 million base fee plus add-ons, follows Wolves’ rejection of two bids from Newcastle United for Jorgen Strand Larsen, valued at £50m and £55m, with chairman Jeff Shi insisting the Norwegian striker remains integral to the squad. Arokodare, standing at 6’6”, brings a towering presence and clinical finishing, having scored 23 goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances for Genk last season, including 17 league goals to share the Jupiler Pro League golden boot. His aerial dominance, with 25% of his career goals coming from headers, and his ability to create space in the box make him a perfect fit for Pereira’s system, which emphasizes physicality and crossing opportunities. DataMB highlighted Arokodare’s dominance, noting he led all U24 strikers globally in non-penalty xG (24.46), shots, and touches in the box last season. The transfer comes after Wolves’ pursuit of Getafe’s Christantus Uche stalled due to disagreements over personal terms, prompting a swift pivot to Arokodare, who had also attracted interest from Napoli, AC Milan, and Fulham. Genk’s openness to the deal was evident when manager Thorsten Fink omitted Arokodare from their Europa League play-off squad against Lech Poznan on Thursday, citing ongoing negotiations. Fink told Het Laatste Nieuws, “Negotiations are underway. It was too risky for both parties to play,” confirming the advanced stage of talks. Wolves’ strategy is to pair Arokodare with Strand Larsen, not replace him, despite Newcastle’s persistent interest. Vitor Pereira emphasized Larsen’s importance after his brace in a 3-2 Carabao Cup win over West Ham, stating, “If it’s my decision, of course [he stays]. He’s a player with character.” The addition of Arokodare, alongside recent signings Jhon Arias, Fer Lopez, and centre-back Ladislav Krejci (€30m from Sparta Prague), signals Wolves’ ambition to climb the Premier League table after back-to-back opening defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Manchester City. Personal terms for a potential five-year contract have already been agreed, per Sacha Tavolieri, with Wolves’ initial €20 million offer rising to meet Genk’s €25 million valuation, including bonuses. As Wolves prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday, the impending arrival of Arokodare offers hope of a revitalized attack.