All posts by n8rngtd.top

Jude Bellingham's girlfriend was spotted alongside his mum Denise as they watched England's 1-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Bellingham supported by girlfriend and mum
• Ashlyn Castro is Instagram model and influencer
• England secured dull 1-0 win

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bellingham's girlfriend was spotted alongside the Real Madrid star's mum Denise as the pair watched England struggle to a 1-0 win over Andorra on Saturday. The pair have been dating publicly since January, according to The Sun, though Castro recently took a four-month break from Instagram following a string of rumours that were posted online about her.

Advertisement

• THE GOSSIP

  Castro has over 530,000 followers on Instagram but took a break from the platform after being the victim of online trolling that alleged she had previously been part of the escort website 'DynastySeries.com'. She denied any connection and was more recently seen partying alongside Bellingham in Ibiza at the end of May.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mum Denise is often in attendance for her son's matches, regularly being spotted cheering on Real Madrid in Spain, and was present again at the RCDE Stadium, the home of Espanyol, in Catalonia.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

  England received plenty of criticism for their lacklustre performance against Andorra but did at least continue head coach Thomas Tuchel's winning start in charge. Their next game is a friendly against Senegal on Tuesday night.

Nottingham Forest are considering making a move to sign a “skilful” £20 million star in the summer, according to a new report.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

The Reds have nine games to go in the Premier League to fulfil their dream and secure a place in next season’s Champions League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been outstanding all campaign, with midfielder and captain Morgan Gibbs-White at the heart of that.

Nottingham Forest join battle to sign "monster" Gibbs-White replacement

He’s one of Europe’s most impressive young talents.

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 16, 2025

His performances have caught the attention of some of the big teams in the Premier League, but according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Forest will “do everything they can” to keep hold of the Englishman this summer. O’Rourke goes on to add that securing Champions League qualification will put the Reds in a stronger position to retain their best players.

As they look to keep hold of Gibbs-White, according to TEAMtalk, Forest are keeping a close eye on Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham ahead of the summer.

Forest are among the Premier League teams keeping a watchful eye on the Black Cats midfielder and could be ready to pounce should Sunderland fail to seal promotion. However, the Championship side are not looking to sell or negotiate with any team, meaning a big offer may have to arrive for them to be tempted.

Nottingham Forest considering move to sign £20m+ star

It is not only a new midfielder the Midlands side want, as according to reports from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move to sign defender Fikayo Tomori from Italian giants AC Milan.

The report claims that there is a concrete possibility that Milan look to sell the English defender this summer as long as they receive a €25 million transfer fee, which is roughly £21 million. Forest are keeping an eye on his situation, but they are not alone, as Newcastle United are also weighing up whether to make a move or not.

However, they may hold a small advantage, as Tomori already knows two Forest players in Ola Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as he played with the pair at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Tottenham could also be potentially interested in a deal for Tomori after they looked to sign the centre-back during the January transfer window. The Italian giants already have in mind replacements for Tomori should he leave the San Siro.

The 27-year-old has been with Milan since July 2021, and while he was an instant regular in the team, this season he has lost his place, playing just 14 times in Serie A. Despite the disappointment of this season, Tomori has been largely successful in Italy, with him being described as a “skilful” defender by Franco Baresi.

He previously told The Daily Mail: “He is young and has played well so far when he’s had the chance. He is skilful and has great physical attributes. He is still adapting to the Italian league, and I think he can only grow as a defender and help us out.”

The arrivals of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri are just what the striker needs to fire Pep Guardiola's side to world domination

Erling Haaland spent the first part of his summer eating lobster while away on holiday. Then he munched Norway's World Cup qualifying opponents, scoring in the huge win over Italy before grabbing the only strike against Estonia to put his country well on track to qualify for their first global tournament since 1998.

Now, the striker will be licking his lips for another feast of goals at the Club World Cup, especially after Manchester City have assembled a deadly new attack around him by signing Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri amid a £110 million ($149m) spending spree.

Haaland's two main passions are eating and scoring, but on the pitch he was made to go hungry towards the end of last season. He missed six weeks of action for City after suffering an ankle injury in late March, and when he returned in May, he seemed to lack his usual sharpness and, most worryingly, his appetite for finding the net.

Haaland failed to score in his first three games back and turned down the chance to take a penalty in the FA Cup final, leaving Wayne Rooney to suggest: "Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him."

The striker was back on spot-kick duty in the final game of the season at Fulham as he helped clinch City's place in next season's Champions League. However, finishing third in the Premier League did not salvage what was "a catastrophic season", in Haaland's own words. But now he has got his appetite back at international level, the Club World Cup offers him and City the perfect platform to put things right.

• Getty
  

  'Not good enough'

  Haaland had a massively disappointing season on both a collective and individual level. Having won the treble in his first season at City, retained the Premier League title in his second while collecting a second-successive Golden Boot, he ended his third season without any trophies at all while finishing third in the league's top-scorer rankings behind Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak. His tally of 22 league goals was the joint-lowest of his career, and although 31 strikes in all competitions is a tally most strikers would be pleased with, Haaland could not hide his dissatisfaction with his achievements, as well as those of his team.

  "I haven’t been good enough. I haven't helped the team enough," he told. "In the end, we haven’t been good enough. Every single one of us hasn't been good enough and we haven't been at our best, so when you are not at your best you aren't going to win games in this country because it's so hard. This season has been tough. It is not nice to lose so many games. It is boring and not fun. The club has set the standards so the bar is so high that this season is a catastrophic season."

  It was just not the results that frustrated the striker, as Haaland also pointed at a lack of desire across the squad, saying that held City back more than they should have done while refusing to blame the many injuries they suffered; "You can find excuses. Injuries, many injuries at bad times, but in the end we haven't been performing well enough. We haven't had fully the hunger inside of us. Sometimes you just need to run. We haven’t run enough this season."

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Supporting cast vanished

  Even with his injury problems and his reduced goal count, Haaland was still one of City's best players last season. The problem was that the other usual suspects did not turn up. Phil Foden experienced a huge drop off from the form which made him the PFA Player of the Season in 2023-24, as he scored just seven Premier League goals and provided two assists compared to his 19 goals and 11 assists the previous year.

  Kevin De Bruyne's final campaign with City was handicapped by injuries as the man who used to be Haaland's biggest provider of goals endured his second-least productive season of his 10 at City. The Belgian set up just one goal for the Norwegian all season, and given that he set up four goals for Haaland in one game at Luton Town the previous campaign, it is no wonder Haaland failed to fire at his usual terrifying rate.

  Bernardo Silva's Premier League goal contributions dropped from 15 in 2023-24 to just eight while Julian Alvarez's 20 goal contributions left with him to Atletico Madrid. His replacement, Omar Marmoush, only arrived in late January, and although his seven goals were welcome, he didn't register a single assist. Rodri, responsible for 17 goals and assists in 2023-24 on his way to winning the Ballon d'Or, missed almost the entire season with a serious knee injury.

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• Manchester City FC
  

  Cherki ready to thrill

  The cavalry has now arrived in the form of new signings, and if Haaland found last season "boring", he has a lot to be excited about in regards to what's coming next. City have been swift and decisive in the transfer market and snapped up three players who know how to create goals for others while also scoring a healthy amount themselves.

  Cherki is the standout new arrival when it comes to supporting Haaland as he is the defacto replacement for De Bruyne. City fans might be understandably disappointed to have missed out on Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz, but Cherki is a thrilling prospect.

  The France international first came to wider attention at the age of 16 when he became Lyon's youngest-ever scorer, and at one point was compared to Lionel Messi while being linked to Real Madrid. But after a couple of underwhelming seasons and failing to get on with certain coaches, he exploded into life last term, contributing to 31 goals in all competitions. Cherki scored eight times and set up another 11 in Ligue 1 despite a hugely disappointing season for his club, while he was even more impressive in the Europa League, contributing to 12 goals in his side's run to the quarter-finals before their agonising defeat to Manchester United, against whom he netted in both legs.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Manchester City FC
  

  Adding energy and goals

  If Cherki is the rough diamond brought in to fill the boots of De Bruyne as City's primary playmaker, then Reijnders feels like the heir to Ilkay Gundogan. The German might have had an underwhelming second stint at the Etihad Stadium – which should not really have been surprising given the 34-year-old's age – but his feats from the previous years will never be forgotten.

  Reijnders, by contrast, is in the prime of his career. He was named the Best Midfielder in Serie A last term as well as being included in the league's Team of the Season. He scored 15 times in all competitions while adding four assists for a struggling AC Milan side, and has worked hard on improving his productivity. That's good news for City as they look to ease the goal-scoring burden on Haaland, who scored triple the amount of league goals of his nearest challengers, Marmoush and Foden, this past season.

  "I like to help the attackers, create chances and try to score a goal by myself sometimes. As a midfielder, it’s important to score goals as well," Reijnders explained. "Two years ago, I didn’t score that many goals and I worked on it that summer and seeing what I needed to do better in front of the goal. This season, it worked out and I got on the scoresheet more."

  A self-described 'box-to-box' midfielder, Reijnders should help City recover the intensity they lost last year. In the words of City's new director of football, Hugo Viana: "Tijjani adds extra energy, composure and creativity to our midfield, and working with Pep and our coaches will only see him go from strength to strength."

Pep Guardiola has seemingly confirmed Jack Grealish is set to leave Manchester City, as he insists the winger "has to play".

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Grealish left out of Club World Cup squad
• Has struggled for minutes
• Linked with summer exit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Grealish has struggled for minutes across the last year, being limited to just seven Premier League starts. Now, with several reports claiming he could move on this summer, Guardiola has opened the door for him to do just that, suggesting he must leave City for the good of his career.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Grealish, who has lost his place in the England team as a result of his lack of minutes, is not short on options, with Napoli among a clutch of suitors alongsideNewcastle and Everton. Guardiola has now suggested that the winger, who was signed for £100 million ($134.5m), must find a way to get the "butterflies in his stomach" back.

  Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream now

• WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola told reporters at the Club World Cup, after leaving Grealish out of his squad, via ESPN: "He had a conversation between him and the club and they decided it was best [to stay behind. Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn't play last season is of course my decisions. We decide that he has to play. The club was honest, he was honest.

  "We decide the best is to stay [behind] and have a place that he can feel like he can come back to be the player like he was in the year of the treble or all his career in Aston Villa. The fact is in the last two seasons he didn't play much minutes. He has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days, every three days and show again the quality he has."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Grealish will be aiming to find a way out of the Etihad this summer. If he can, he will hope to force his way back into Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

AC Milan are preparing to make their first offer for Club Brugge midfielder Ardon Jashari with the player ready to reject a move to Manchester United.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Milan ready an offer of €30m for Jashari
• Dortmund dropped out of the race
• Jashari rejected United earlier

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Milan’s bid is of €30 million (£25m/$34m) including bonuses but Brugge are holding firm on their asking price of €40m (£34m/$46m), according to Belgian outlet .

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  German giants Borussia Dortmund were interested in the Swiss midfielder but dropped out after seeing Brugge's demands. Jashari had concrete interest from United and Fulham, but he is not convinced by their sporting project.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Milan previously engaged in negotiations with Brugge for Charles De Ketelaere in 2022, only to sell him to Atalanta two years later. The Rossoneri will be hoping they can land another promising player from the Belgian side in Jashari, who just won the Belgian Pro League Player of the Year and Belgian Young Player of the Year.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR JASHARI AND MILAN ?

  New Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has been wanting to rebuild the midfield since his arrival at the club and director Igli Tare has prioritised Jashari. With Milan’s pursuit of Granit Xhaka and Javi Guerra in danger, Jashari could become a perfect point to start the rebuild. For Jashari who has harbored dreams of playing at the San Siro, a move to Milan could be a dream come true.

Lionel Messi is reportedly set to bypass old clubs Barcelona and Newell's Old Boys as a decision over his Inter Miami contract approaches.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Messi set to stay at Inter Miami
• Emotional returns to Barca or Newell's were rumoured
• MLS project may not be over

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  have issued an update regarding an update on the future of Messi, whose contract with Miami runs out at the end of 2025. The belief is that the great Argentine will sign a new deal with the MLS club, to the disappointment of those who had hoped for an emotional return to one of his first clubs, Newell's Old Boys in his native Rosario, Argentina, or to his second home of Barcelona. Sources claim that Messi may decide to stick around in Miami to help the club's 'new project' grow instead.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  argue in the report that a return to Newell's would provide an even less competitive environment than that which he currently experiences at Inter Miami. While Argentine football culture is as strong and passionate as ever, Newell's have not won a trophy since 2013 and languished in 25th in the Primera Division standings in 2024. Despite his close ties to the club, it is believed that this would not be a compatible environment with Messi at this point in time.

  As for Barcelona, Messi is said not to trust club president Joan Laporta, and the Catalan club remain in an undesirable financial situation regardless. There may not be any better options than to remain in Miami for at least a year longer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi has scored 50 goals in 63 appearances for Inter Miami, netting his half-century for the club with a stunning free-kick against Porto in the Club World Cup last month. It remains unconfirmed whether the 38-year-old intends to compete in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina. If he doesn't, then a 4-0 last 16 defeat to former club PSG with his current employers may have been his final game on the global stage.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Messi has a few short months to decide what the next chapter in his illustrious career should be. The MLS club will have departed from the Club World Cup with their head held high despite defeat against the Parisians, as the Florida outfit exceeded expectations to reach the knock-out rounds and out-did the MLS's other participants – arguably justifying their controversial inclusion in the tournament.

Lyon’s rising star Malick Fofana has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in European football, with the French club setting a minimum asking price of £51.5 million (€60m/$71m) for the talented 20-year-old as several Premier League heavyweights, including Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea, scramble for his signature. The English sides are not alone in the chase, with Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Napoli also engaged in talks.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Fofana's stock continues to rise
• PL heavyweights battling for his signature
• Lyon put their demands on the table

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to given the high demand for Fofana, Lyon are hoping an auction-style scenario emerges, allowing them to maximise the value of the player’s sale. His meteoric rise stems from a breakthrough season at the club, during which he registered 11 goals across 41 appearances.

Advertisement

• GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Fofana earned a maiden call-up to the senior Belgian national team last year. Though predominantly utilised on the wings, his ability to operate anywhere across the attacking line has added to his appeal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Lyon’s willingness to cash in on their emerging star is partly rooted in financial necessity. The club is currently grappling with economic issues that have led to their controversial demotion from Ligue 1, a ruling they are currently appealing. Regardless of the outcome, the need to balance the books remains a pressing concern. Their Europa League spot is now under review, a consequence of their off-field troubles. This situation may prompt the club to accelerate player sales, with Fofana at the forefront of that list.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  For clubs monitoring Fofana, Lyon’s predicament offers a potential opening. While the French side will try to drive the price up, looking for at least £51.5m, they may also be pressured to reach a deal sooner rather than later. It remains to be seen whether he lands in the Premier League or elsewhere in Europe. But given the clock ticking and interest surging, a resolution might not be far off.

Barcelona received approval for the modification of an important license, but will need the green light on another license for the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Barca receive key license approval for Joan Gamper Trophy
• Club awaiting green light on one more license
• Stadium to allow only 25,000-30,000 spectators

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Barcelona have taken a crucial step toward returning to Spotify Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como on August 10. On Thursday, the Barcelona City Council's Approvals Plenary Session officially approved the modification of the stadium’s Activity and Construction Licenses, a key milestone ahead of the stadium’s partial reopening.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With the essential construction phase expected to finish by late July, the club now awaits a First Occupancy License. Although originally targeting a 60,000 capacity, Barca will settle for 25,000–35,000 spectators due to safety regulations, with either the north or south ends remaining closed. The club continues to coordinate with city and fire officials to finalise access logistics. A full operational drill with internal staff is set for July 28th to ensure all systems, locker rooms, media areas, and security, are ready, even as some construction, like the Lateral footbridge, remains ongoing.

  Laia Bonet, the Deputy Mayor, stated that the reopening will be conducted in multiple phases and explained why the Catalans have not been granted the First Occupancy License just yet. "One for 62,000 spectators and another for 105,000," she said while speaking about the two phases. "The club is currently working on the works for the first phase, which includes the basement, the first and second tiers, and therefore, we have done everything we needed to do with this necessary but not sufficient previous step. The next step is the First Occupancy License, which allows the stadium to be occupied on any day and the works that make up the basement, the first and second tiers must be completed. The club is working on them and they are not finished yet, so we cannot yet grant the First Occupancy License."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Images showcasing the ongoing transformation of Spotify Camp Nou have surfaced across social media, with the club periodically sharing official updates. Recent progress includes the installation of new seating and the laying of fresh turf on the pitch, marking significant milestones in the renovation process. However, despite these visible advancements, the complete redevelopment of the stadium is not expected to be finalized until 2026.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  The players will return to pre-season duty next week, with the club set to tour South Korea and Japan to play their pre-season games. They will play their first game of the 2025-26 season on August 16, away at Mallorca.

Galatasaray are expanding their search for a new goalkeeper, with Wolves' Jose Sa on their radar as they await clarity on Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

• Galatasaray scouting Premier League for goalkeeper option
• Eyeing Wolves' Jose Sa as alternative
• Turkish club is still have Ter Stegen preferred signing

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Turkish giants are reportedly keeping close tabs on the Wolves' goalkeeper as a potential reinforcement this summer. The Super Lig champions are still keeping Ter Stegen their top priority, but with the German still standing firm on his contract with Barcelona, they are preparing a Plan B. Sa, who joined Wolves in 2021, made 30 appearances last season and has still two years left on his contract.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The situation between Ter Stegen and Barcelona remains tense since he has been informed that he will no longer be the first-choice goalkeeper next season. Upon returning to pre-season training, the German reportedly trained alone in the gym, away from the rest of the squad. Despite Barca's clear stance, Ter Stegen is adamant about staying with the Spanish champions and competing for his place with the new signing Joan Garcia.

  Meanwhile, Galatasaray, who are entering a new era following Fernando Muslera's departure after 14 years, are ready to table a four-year contract offer for Ter Stegen, including a salary hike on the condition that he is released on a free transfer. The club are maintaining open communication with the 33-year-old’s camp in case his stance softens in the coming weeks, but are keeping other options open.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ter Stegen has won 19 trophies with Barcelona since his arrival at the club in 2014. These include six La Liga titles, five Copas del Rey, three Supercopa de Espana, and one apiece of the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. However, he missed long spells in two of the last three campaigns, including a knee injury that kept him sidelined for eight months.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR TER STEGEN AND GALATASARAY?

  The Barcelona captain is likely to make a final decision on his future in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Galatasaray, who are also actively working to sign striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli, will be closely watching the situation. If Ter Stegen chooses to stay at Barca, the Turkish giants are likely to open negotiations with Wolves.

Bruno Fernandes threw a pitch at Rate Field while attending the Chicago White Sox' MLB game against local rivals Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The Manchester United captain enjoyed a break from pre-season preparations as he took some of his colleagues to watch the Baseball action. Fernandes was also able to meet White Sox stars such as Miguel Vargas.

• Bruno threw first pitch for White Sox
• United stars attended MLB game
• Amorim granted players day off

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to the , Manchester United ambassador Wes Brown was supposed to throw the first pitch and had even practiced throwing. However, once Fernandes managed to gather a bunch of current United stars to visit Rate Field, the pitching duties were immediately handed over to the Red Devils skipper.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Fernandes was also gifted a customised No.8 shirt of the White Sox and met the franchise's second basemen and left fielder Miguel Vargas. The United midfielder was joined ay the game by team-mates Joshua Zirkzee and Bryan Mbeumo, with the squad having been granted some time off following their friendly win over West Ham in their first match of their U.S. tour at MetLife Stadium last week.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  The White Sox shared a clip of Fernandes pitching and some photographs from the United star's visit on Instagram with the caption: "Thanks for kickin’ it with us, @brunofernandes8 & @manchesterunited!"

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim's side will play their second pre-season friendly of their U.S. tour on Thursday as they take on Bournemouth at Soldier Field in Chicago.