Author: Rowan Clarke

Rangers have acknowledged that one of their most sought-after players could leave the club, with Aston Villa among the sides credited with an interest in the midfielder. The Glasgow club’s management has publicly admitted that an exit for the player appears increasingly likely as the transfer window progresses and external interest continues to mount. Scottish Premiership clubs have long faced the challenge of retaining top talent when English Premier League sides come calling with financially superior offers. Rangers will be aware that resisting a move becomes significantly harder when a player’s ambitions align with the interest being shown by clubs…

English football is set to trial a new measure aimed at eliminating the controversial practice of goalkeepers feigning injury to create tactical timeouts. The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women’s Super League have all agreed on the trial, with permission granted by the International Football Association Board (Ifab). Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, held discussions with the leagues to determine the best way to tackle the issue before settling on the current approach. Under the new rule, if a referee signals for the physio to treat a goalkeeper, the team’s coach…

Aston Villa are preparing for a significant summer of transfer activity as Unai Emery looks to reshape his squad ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Spanish manager has built Villa into a genuine force in English football since taking charge, consistently pushing the club into European competition. Emery has always demanded high standards from his players, and the coming transfer window is expected to reflect his ambition for continued progress at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers has emerged as a key figure in Emery’s plans, with the young English midfielder continuing to develop into one of the most exciting talents in…

Aston Villa have secured the future of defender Maritz after the player put pen to paper on a new deal at the club. The news will be welcomed by Villa supporters, who have seen their side compete in the Women’s Super League with growing ambition in recent seasons. Maritz has established herself as a key figure in the Villa defensive setup, earning recognition as one of the more reliable performers in her position in the league. Retaining players of her quality is a significant statement of intent from the club as they look to build a competitive squad capable of…

VAR’s reach in Scottish football is set to grow significantly ahead of the new season, following ratification of updated laws approved at the IFAB annual general meeting in Wales. The expanded protocol will see VAR introduced as a tool for reviewing second yellow cards and incorrectly awarded corners, marking a notable shift in how the technology is used. One of the most significant changes allows VAR to intervene when a second yellow card has been factually and incorrectly awarded during the course of a match. Similarly, the protocol now covers situations where a yellow card has been issued to the…

The January 2026 transfer window continues to generate significant headlines, with Arsenal and Liverpool both linked to high-profile moves that could reshape the Premier League title race. Arsenal have been connected with a stunning move for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, a development that has sent shockwaves through European football circles this week. The Brazilian winger has long been regarded as one of the finest attackers in world football, and any suggestion of a move to the Emirates Stadium would represent a seismic shift in the transfer market. Real Madrid have historically been reluctant to sell their most prized assets,…

Alejandro Garnacho has completed his move to Aston Villa, and the Argentine winger has wasted little time in taking a dig at Chelsea in the process. The former Manchester United forward had been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge before his transfer to Villa Park was confirmed, making his comments all the more pointed. Garnacho had been one of the most talked-about players in the January transfer window, with Chelsea appearing to be frontrunners for his signature at various stages of the pursuit. The Blues ultimately failed to land the winger, and Garnacho made clear his feelings about…

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid after Paris St-Germain pulled out of the running for his signature. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international had attracted significant interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs heading into the summer window. Liverpool were among the first to make a serious move, having an initial bid of £69m rejected back in June before moving on to alternative targets. PSG also pursued Diomande aggressively but are said to have had a final offer of £102.5m rejected on Sunday before opting against entering a bidding war with Real Madrid. With PSG…

Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on a major defensive signing, with the Spanish giants said to have agreed a deal worth £85 million for Diomande. The move would represent a significant investment by the La Liga club as they continue to reshape their squad ahead of the coming season. Diomande has been among the most sought-after defenders in European football, attracting attention from several top clubs before Real Madrid moved decisively. Landing a player of his profile for £85 million would underline Real Madrid’s continued ambition to strengthen at the back despite already possessing world-class talent throughout their squad.…

Aston Villa are facing a potentially significant blow, with reports suggesting that goalkeeper Emi Martinez is keen to seek a move away from the club. The Argentine shot-stopper has been one of Villa’s most important players since joining from Arsenal back in 2020, helping transform the club’s fortunes. Martinez played a central role in Villa’s impressive Premier League campaigns in recent seasons, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world football. His performances for both club and country have drawn consistent admiration, with the two-time World Cup winner regarded as among the elite in his position globally. However,…