The Premier League team of the year, as voted for by the players, was dominated by champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal. Salah, Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch were included from Arne Slot’s side while Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel made up the Arsenal contingent. Nottingham Forest duo Matz Sels and Chris Wood were selected for the first time with Isak and left-back Kerkez completing the XI. Goalkeeper: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest) Defenders: William Saliba (Arsenal) Gabriel (Arsenal) Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth, now Liverpool) Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) Declan Rice (Arsenal) Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Alexander Isak (Newcastle) Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) Source: BBC

Mohammed Salah has become the first three-time winner of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year award with the Liverpool forward eclipsing two-time winners Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale by claiming the 2025 award. Salah, who was previously voted the Player of the Year in 2018 and 2022, emerged as the winner from a six-player shortlist including Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers was voted as the PFA Young Player of the Year — Villa’s first winner since James Milner in 2010 — ahead of fellow nominees Liam Delap (Ipswich / Chelsea), Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri (both Arsenal), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth / Liverpool) and Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth / Real Madrid). Salah received the PFA trophy at a gala presentation in Manchester on Tuesday, with the Egypt international winning the award, as voted by his fellow players, after scoring 29 goals in Liverpool’s Premier League title winning campaign last season. “I look at myself now, a guy coming from Egypt and making it to the top level, making history today, it’s something that makes me so proud,” Salah said as he was presented with the award at a ceremony in Manchester. The 33-year-old’s goal in Liverpool’s 4-2 win against Bournemouth in the opening game of the 2025-26 league season last Friday took him to 187 Premier League goals, moving him into joint fourth position in the all-time standings alongside former Newcastle and Manchester United forward Andy Cole. After a busy summer of transfers at Anfield but also the tragic death of Diogo Jota, Salah was asked if this season’s team is even stronger than last year’s. “No,” Salah said with a smile. “You can’t say yes or no, it’s tricky. You’re signing very good talent and also we let some great players leave and you also know what happened with one our teammates. “So you need to give your experience to the new players because they’ve never played for Liverpool and playing for Liverpool is not easy at all, with all the media and everything at the club. It’s a huge pressure for the young players. “Virgil van Dijk, me and all the guys in the team try to give them the experience to help them.” Salah had previously been one of seven players to have won the PFA Player of the Year award on two occasions. Source: ESPN

Nigeria bowed out of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a morale-boosting 2–0 win over Congo in Dar es Salaam, but it was not enough to rescue their campaign as Sudan and Senegal progressed from Group D. The result, sealed by goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi, restored some pride for the Super Eagles after back-to-back defeats had condemned them to an early elimination. Congo, who needed a win to keep their own hopes alive, were left devastated, finishing bottom of the pool. Meanwhile, in the simultaneous fixture in Kampala, Sudan and Senegal drew 0-0, a result that saw both nations reach the quarter-finals with five points each. Sudan topped the group on goal difference, while Nigeria’s victory lifted them to three points, one short of qualification. Pre-match narratives were dominated by Congo’s desperation and Nigeria’s desire for redemption. Congo coach Barthelemy Ngatsono had insisted “there is no alternative to victory,” while Nigeria boss Eric Chelle sought a first goal of the campaign after his side conceded five without reply in their opening two outings. The first half reflected the stakes: a cagey, physical affair with few clear chances. Congo went closest when Japhet Mankou and Dechan Moussavou both spurned headed opportunities, while Nigeria’s Olamilekan Adedayo tested goalkeeper Ulrich Samba from close range. Tempers flared before the break when Nigerian defender Steven Manyo saw his yellow card upgraded to red by VAR for a reckless challenge, only for confusion to reign and the referee ultimately allowing play to continue after consultation. Goalless at half-time, both teams knew the second half would define their fate. The breakthrough came in the 56th minute. A swift Nigerian move saw Alimi rise highest to nod down into the path of Anas Yusuf, who finished clinically from close range to register Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament. Relief was palpable for Chelle’s men, who had carried the weight of criticism for blunt attacking displays in previous matches. Congo, by contrast, looked shaken. Despite substitutions aimed at adding energy, their attacks were blunted by poor decision-making and resilient Nigerian defending. Wilfrid Nkaya and Carly Ekongo both tried from distance, but neither effort troubled Nigeria keeper Victor Sochima. The contest exploded into life in stoppage time. Congo’s Charles Atipo was initially booked for a rash foul but, after VAR review, his punishment was upgraded to a straight red, leaving the Red Devils to finish with 10 men. From the ensuing free-kick, substitute Sodiq Ismail delivered a pin-point cross that Alimi powered home with a header to double Nigeria’s lead in the 93rd minute. That strike ended any lingering Congolese hopes and allowed Nigeria to celebrate a hard-fought first win of the tournament. Even as the Super Eagles secured victory, their fate depended on events in the group’s other game. A tense stalemate between Sudan and Senegal meant both sides finished level on five points, but Sudan claimed top spot thanks to their superior goal difference (+4 to Senegal’s +1). Nigeria’s three points consigned them to third, ahead of Congo who exited bottom with two. For Chelle’s men, the failure to collect points earlier proved costly. Coach Chelle admitted before the game that “mistakes have haunted us,” and while the win offered respite, it also underlined what could have been. A side stripped of eight key players before the tournament due to overseas transfers was always under pressure to rebuild on the fly. Congo, meanwhile, will rue their missed opportunities across the group stage. Just two goals scored in three matches tell the story of a side that struggled to turn endeavour into cutting edge. Sudan and Senegal now march on to the quarter-finals, where their defensive discipline will be sternly tested. Nigeria head home with pride partially restored, but also with urgent questions about depth, preparation, and execution at this level. Source: CAFONLINE Image : The Standard Kenya

Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho has turned down an approach from Bayern Munich. Alejandro Garnacho, a 21-year-old Manchester United star, has rejected an approach from Bayern Munich, favoring a move to Chelsea. Despite being valued at £50 million, Chelsea are reluctant to meet United’s asking price. Garnacho, once a key player, has fallen out of favor with manager Ruben Amorim, with tensions rising after being benched in the Europa League final. He was also dropped for United’s final 2024-25 Premier League match. Garnacho prefers to stay in the Premier League over a move to the Bundesliga, despite his 150 appearances and had 35 goals involvements (22 goals and 14 assists).

Napoli have held talks with Genk for Tosin Arokodare as a possible replacement for Romelu Lukaku who has been ruled out injured for 3 months. Napoli is looking for a physically strong first striker who can make up for the absence of the Belgian striker. This is a first necessity now for the blue club. Lukaku will be out for at least three months and there is a need for a new graft. He must be a striker who must resemble the former Inter player in terms of characteristics. Yesterday Pinamonti and Hojlund were contacted. Today, however, Genk striker Tolu Arokodare was contacted. He is 24 years old and has a cost between 20 and 25 million euros. He had also been proposed to Milan but in the last few hours Napoli has begun to take information about him seriously. Source: Matteo Moretto via Fabrizio Romano Youtube Channel

Bayern Munich are locked in negotiations with Chelsea for forward Christopher Nkunku, but the deal faces significant hurdles as the clubs remain divided over the transfer structure, while Bayern prefer a loan with an option to buy, Chelsea are adamant about a permanent sale, reportedly demanding around €35-40 million for the 27-year-old Frenchman, who has already agreed to personal terms with the Bavarians, Nkunku, left out of Chelsea’s Premier League opener, is keen on the move to reignite his career after a limited role under Enzo Maresca, but Chelsea’s stance could scupper the deal unless Bayern compromise. With the transfer window closing soon, Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl is pushing for a breakthrough, but the club has also explored other targets like Nick Woltemade, who remains unavailable. For Chelsea, offloading Nkunku is crucial to fund their pursuit of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, adding further urgency to the talks. While recent reports suggest Bayern are growing increasingly optimistic, the deal remains fragile, and Nkunku could stay at Stamford Bridge if no agreement is reached in the coming days. Sources: The Athletic, BILD, Fabrizio Romano, Sky Sport.

Atalanta have secured the signing of Nicola Zalewski from Inter Milan in a €17 million deal, marking a swift turnaround for the Polish wingback who only joined Inter permanently from Roma in June for €7 million, the 23-year-old, who impressed during his brief stint at Inter including a standout performance in the Club World Cup will bolster Atalanta’s left flank, replacing Robin Gosens after Fiorentina rebuffed their approach for the German defender. Zalewski, who contributed 3 goals and 1 assist in 34 appearances last season, is set to sign a long-term contract until 2030, with medicals scheduled for Monday. The deal nets Inter a €10 million profit within months of signing Zalewski, as the club continues to streamline its squad amid interest in players like Ademola Lookman though the Zalewski transfer is unrelated to those negotiations. Atalanta, meanwhile, prioritized Zalewski for his versatility and attacking prowess, with manager Ivan Jurić viewing him as a key piece for their Serie A and European campaigns. The move leaves Inter to focus on offloading Benjamin Pavard and integrating new defensive targets, while Zalewski’s departure underscores the volatile nature of the summer transfer market. Sources: Gazzetta dello Sport, OneFootball, Football Italia.

Leeds United are on the verge of completing a €20 million (£17m) deal for AC Milan forward Noah Okafor, with the Swiss international having already agreed to personal terms on a contract until 2029 (with an option until 2030). The 25-year-old, who can play across the frontline as a winger or central striker, has been a long-term target for Leeds, with negotiations accelerating after the club submitted an improved bid this week, Milan, who initially rejected a €15m loan-to-buy offer from Bologna earlier this summer, are now considering Leeds’ proposal, though the final green light hinges on the player’s approval, Okafor’s versatility and experience in top European leagues including a Serie A title with Napoli last season make him a key addition for Daniel Farke’s squad as they prepare for their Premier League return. The deal, described as electric by analysts, would provide Leeds with much-needed depth alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, especially given the latter’s injury history. Okafor, who scored back-to-back braces in Milan’s pre-season but struggled for minutes under Massimiliano Allegri, is eager for regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup, while Leeds missed out on targets like Igor Paixão and Ben Doak, Okafor’s pressing ability and technical quality align perfectly with Farke’s high-intensity style. An official announcement could come imminently, though Okafor will miss Leeds’ opener against Everton due to pending paperwork. Sources: Fabrizio Romano, The Athletic, GiveMeSport.

AS Roma are on the verge of completing a deal for Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, with negotiations advancing for a €4 million loan fee and a €16 million option to buy, the 28-year-old Jamaican international, who has fallen down the pecking order at Villa Park, was excluded from Unai Emery’s squad for their recent match, with the manager confirming Bailey is in contact with another club and likely to leave. Roma view Bailey as a key reinforcement for their attack under Gian Piero Gasperini, valuing his versatility to play on either flank and his experience in top European leagues. The deal, which could be finalized today, would mark Roma’s seventh summer signing as they aim to strengthen ahead of the new Serie A season. While Roma lead the race, Bailey had also attracted interest from Besiktas and Saudi Pro League clubs, but the player appears set on a move to Italy, His arrival would follow Brighton’s Evan Ferguson on loan, adding depth to Roma’s attack alongside potential targets like Jadon Sancho. Bailey, who joined Villa for €32 million in 2021, has struggled with form and injuries recently but previously played a key role in their Champions League qualification, with personal terms nearing agreement and agents already in Italy, an official announcement could come imminently, giving Bailey a chance to revive his career in Serie A. Sources: The Hard Tackle, Tribuna, Goal, The Athletic, SportsCafe.