Latest news with #freetransfer
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Real Madrid shortlist three free agent defenders for 2026
Real Madrid are already planning ahead for the 2026 summer transfer window, with their eyes firmly set on the free agent market. In fact, according to Real Madrid Confidencial, the club has identified three defensive targets whose contracts are set to expire in 2026, namely, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, and Marc Guehi. These players have been on Madrid's radar for some time, and the club are closely monitoring their development. If none of them sign renewals with their current clubs, Los Blancos could move swiftly to secure one of them on a free transfer. Konate leads the list Among the three, Konate is currently seen as the strongest candidate. The French international, who has impressed both under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot at Liverpool, has built a reputation as a rock-solid centre-back. With a market value of €60 million, the 26-year-old would bring physicality, pace, and experience to Madrid's backline. Ibrahima Konate is Real Madrid's preferred choice. (Photo by) Guehi, meanwhile, continues to raise eyebrows with his performances at Crystal Palace and for the England national team. The 25-year-old has become a regular starter for Gareth Southgate and is admired in Madrid for his calmness and positioning. He is viewed as a smart long-term investment who could thrive under Alonso's guidance. Upamecano still under review Lastly, Upamecano is the third name on the list, but he is not as favoured by the Real Madrid board or the fans. Since joining Bayern Munich in 2021, his form has dipped, with inconsistent performances raising doubts. Still, the potential he showed during his time at RB Leipzig remains a factor. At 26, Alonso may believe he can reignite Upamecano's best version in a more stable system. With all three players entering the final stages of their contracts in 2026, Madrid are keeping their options open. If no renewals are signed, they could face serious competition in the market and the board knows precision will be key if they want to land one of these defenders without paying a transfer fee.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brentford secure Premier League return for Jordan Henderson on free transfer
Jordan Henderson is set to complete a return to the Premier League with Brentford on a free transfer. The 35-year-old midfielder recently left Ajax by mutual consent and has reached a verbal agreement with Brentford over a two-year deal that runs until 2027. Advertisement Although Henderson had interest from clubs across Europe, a move back to England was always his priority. Brentford moved swiftly to secure his signature and are now preparing for his medical, with formalities expected to be finalised in the coming days. An official announcement is not expected until next week, as a mark of respect to the family of Diogo Jota, following the tragic passing of the former Liverpool forward. This marks the latest chapter in a busy and transformative summer at Brentford. They are undergoing significant change following the departure of Thomas Frank and several senior players. Advertisement Henderson was identified early as a replacement for Christian Norgaard, who joined Arsenal earlier this month. Brentford view the England international as an ideal fit both on and off the pitch, with his leadership qualities and experience making him a valuable addition during this period of transition. The veteran midfielder remains part of the England set-up, recently earning his 84th cap. He hopes to stay in contention for the 2026 World Cup under new manager Thomas Tuchel. He arrives at Brentford with a decorated CV, having made 492 appearances for Liverpool during a 12-year spell at Anfield. Advertisement He won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup before leaving in 2023. Brentford have already welcomed Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool this summer, adding to a growing group of former Reds alongside Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg. New manager Keith Andrews, who succeeded Frank in June, will now lean on Henderson to help steady the squad amid further uncertainty. Bryan Mbeumo is pushing to join Manchester United, and Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen. Ben Mee was released at the end of his contract. Henderson is expected to slot into the midfield alongside Vitaly Janelt or Yehor Yarmoliuk and support Mikkel Damsgaard in a creative role. Advertisement His presence is a mentoring opportunity for Turkey Under-21 international Yunus Emre Konak. As Brentford reshape their identity, Henderson brings a wealth of experience to a dressing room that has lost some of its most trusted voices.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jose Mourinho 'wants to battle Liverpool and Arsenal' for free transfer
-Credit:Liverpool is already on the wrong end of one free transfer this summer, losing Trent Alexander-Arnold for nothing (although Real Madrid may yet pay a nominal fee). It could try to turn the tables and sign a star who is set to be out of contract, but Jose Mourinho is providing competition. While pundits acting as though Liverpool should thank Alexander-Arnold for his service on bended knee have badly missed the point, it is also true that the club knows free transfers are part and parcel of the game. Joel Matip will go down as a greater club legend than Alexander-Arnold, for example, and he only arrived at Anfield thanks to the expiry of his deal with Schalke. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement James Milner is another success story, joining for free from Manchester City. But recent examples are thin on the ground, with Adrian and Andy Lonergan the last senior players to arrive for no fee, in the summer of 2019. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Milos Kerkez twist, Jeremie Frimpong bid, Trent Alexander-Arnold exit READ MORE: Robbie Fowler urges Arne Slot to sign star who 'doesn't really fit Liverpool model' Six years later, perhaps it is time for Liverpool to revive the habit. Money is unlikely to be a major issue in this window, but free transfers can still be an astute way of leaving room for more business, and there are one or two intriguing names on the market. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement One of those is Jonathan David. Linked with the club in the past, the 25-year-old is set to leave Lille on a free transfer this summer. The fact that his contract is set to run out is no slight on his continued performance levels. He has notched 16 goals and five assists in Ligue 1 this season; he hit 19 and 24 in the two previous campaigns, but the division has shrunk from 20 to 18 teams, and there are also two games left of the current season for him to further improve his tally. With such consistent output (and indeed availability) over a sustained period, the chance to sign David on a free transfer is bound to at least intrigue a number of top clubs. Sure enough, Arsenal and Liverpool are both said to be monitoring the situation. Lille and Canada striker Jonathan David. -Credit:A little more surprisingly, however, Mourinho is also potentially lining up a big play for the Canadian striker. And curiously, he might have the upper hand. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Currently at Fenerbahce, the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager has the advantage of significant financial backing. David's wage demands could put off Premier League sides, who would likely see the striker as no more than a squad player, but the Super Lig has long been willing to oblige players with significant contracts. Prominent status under Mourinho may also be a pull for David. Even with Liverpool and Arsenal both searching for strikers, he would struggle for game time guarantees at the sharp end of the Premier League. For its part, Liverpool would raise eyebrows if it signed David for nothing and considered its attacking recruitment complete. And even if that were the case, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz would still provide stiff competition. Ultimately, there is a question over whether David is that one tier below elite, or whether his output would scale up further at a better team. Any top Premier League club bringing him in explicitly to lead the line would be rolling the dice. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement By contrast, Mourinho can legitimately make a pitch to David to come and be the star of the show. He would be taking over from a 39-year-old Edin Dzeko. In the end, however, the most likely scenario may be that Liverpool, Arsenal and Mourinho are all thwarted. Inter Milan is thought to be actively pursuing a deal. One of Mourinho's old clubs, David could reasonably expect to be an important figure there, and might have his wage demands met (although that is a potential sticking point). A Champions League semi-finalist, it would be a more prestige destination than the Turkish top flight. The one certainty is that David won't be short of options this summer. He will need to decide where his priorities lie — but if Liverpool could get a deal done on reasonable wages, it would be an astute addition to the roster.
