Rugby Confidential: Inside the minefield facing free agents this summer, Bath bolter lined up for England call and Saracens star signs new deal
This was the Care's retirement day. There was sorrow about the departure of a club legend but he bowed out on his own terms and the mood felt more like a celebration.
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The Guardian
6 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Barcelona ditch Marc-André ter Stegen as captain over medical dispute
Barcelona stripped Marc-André ter Stegen of the captaincy on Thursday as a feud escalated between the Germany goalkeeper and the club over his injury status amid attempts to register signings. The defending La Liga champions signed the 24-year-old goalkeeper Joan García from cross-city rivals Espanyol last month, with the club probably expecting to sell Ter Stegen, 33, to make space in their wage bill for García and the Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford. However, Ter Stegen needed more surgery to finish repairing a multiple knee ligament tear sustained last season, stopping him from leaving in the summer transfer window and forcing Barcelona to try a different approach. The club asked Ter Stegen to sign a long-term medical leave that would allow them to clear 80% of his wages until mid-season, and comply with La Liga's financial fair play rules. But Ter Stegen's announcement on social media that he would be sidelined for three months irked the management because the competition rules require a player to remain out of action for at least four months to be considered a long-term injury. 'FC Barcelona announces that, following the disciplinary proceedings opened against player Marc-André ter Stegen, and until this matter is definitively resolved, the club, in agreement with the sports management and the technical staff, has decided to temporarily remove him as captain of the first team,' a statement said. 'During this period, the duties of first-team captain will be assumed by the current vice-captain, Ronald Araújo.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion The controversy highlights Barcelona's financial struggles as they have battled to register signings for several years running. The club begin their La Liga title defence on 16 August at Mallorca.
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Hiding from Eddie Howe, Benjamin? Sesko arrives in Manchester for Man United medical ahead of £74m transfer from RB Leipzig - as new details of Red Devils' big-money deal are revealed
Benjamin Sesko tried to evade the cameras as he arrived in Manchester to complete his medical ahead of a £74million transfer to the Red Devils. It follows reports on Thursday that the striker agreed to 'waive' part of his salary to complete the move to Old Trafford, despite being offered more money by Newcastle. Sesko has been on United's radar for the past six years but he now finally looks set to make the move to Old Trafford after being given permission to travel to Manchester for a medical. Daily Mail Sport understands United have agreed a deal worth an initial £66.4m, with a further £7.4m in add-ons. Newcastle United offered more to RB Leipzig but the player's preference to join Manchester United was decisive in finding a quick resolution to the situation this week. According to Sky Germany, the Magpies' grandiose proposal did not only extend to the Bundesliga club, in fact, Newcastle offered the player better terms, which he has forgone in order to move to Old Trafford. The outlet claim that the 22-year-old has agreed to 'waive' a portion of his wage at United in order to help make the move possible. It has not been stated how much he is set to earn with the Red Devils. The report also claimed that Sesko's agency, led by Elvis Basanovic, have waived some of their commission from the deal in order to get the transfer over the line. United's deal for the Slovenian striker also includes a future friendly match between Leipzig and the Red Devils at the German club's Red Bull Arena. On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano posted an image of the striker, who has scored 39 goals and added eight assists in 87 games since moving to Germany from Red Bull Salzburg, alongside his agent as travelled to Manchester to undergo his medical. Additionally, he claimed that Sekso, who landed on in the North West on Thursday night, will be unveiled as a United player on Saturday. The attacker will arrive to complete a total overhaul of Ruben Amorim's attack for the upcoming season, with Matheus Cunha arriving from Wolves for £62.5m and Bryan Mbeumo joining from Brentford in a deal worth £71m. Sesko is viewed internally at United as having superstar potential and he will look to kick on after scoring 21 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season. United have stayed tight-lipped throughout the pursuit of the Slovenia international, who has been capped 41 times by his country, allowing Newcastle to dictate the early stages of the bidding process. His decision to move to Old Trafford comes as major blow to Newcastle, who made two attempts to strike a deal for the 22-year-old before Manchester United officially entered the bidding on Tuesday. The North East side had identified Sesko as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who is focused on joining Liverpool this summer. The Merseysiders have already had a £110m bid for Isak rejected and are unlikely to return with a better offer until Newcastle have a new striker in place. Manchester United, meanwhile, have been keen to sign a centre-forward this summer after seeing original No.1 target Liam Delap opt for Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres go to Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
The Sun
6 minutes ago
- The Sun
Benjamin Sesko touches down in private jet at Manchester Airport before being whisked away to seal £74m Man Utd transfer
BENJAMIN SESKO has touched down in the UK ahead of his medical with Manchester United. The Slovenia international is on the verge of completing a sensational transfer from RB Leipzig to the Red Devils. 5 5 United have been battling Prem rivals Newcastle for the striker's signature and stole a march on the Magpies on Thursday by agreeing a £74million deal for the 22-year-old with Leipzig. The deal, however, will see United pay an initial £66.5m and an additional £7.3m in add-ons. Following the agreement, Leipzig gave their star striker permission to travel to the UK to undergo a medical at United's Carrington training ground. And Sesko touched down at Manchester Airport this evening to move a step closer to completing a huge move. Sesko was on the radar of United's long-time league rivals Arsenal earlier this summer. But the Gunners ended their interest in the Slovenian to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Newcastle moved for Sesko last week in a bid to replace wantaway striker Alexander Isak, who wants to join Prem champions Liverpool. Last season's Carabao Cup winners tabled a £71m bid for Sesko's services. 5 But Sesko has snubbed a move to St James' Park in favour of a switch to Old Trafford. SunSport understands he preferred the prospect of playing at the Theatre of Dreams when both options became a possibility. Sesko joined Leipzig from the German outfit's sister club RB Salzburg in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £20m. He's flourished for the Bundesliga club since his move to the Red Bull Arena, scoring 27 goals and racking up 7 assists in 64 appearances. Twenty-one of those goals, including four in the Champions League, came last season.
