Wednesday news
Posted: 04 Feb 2026, 10:23
BBC
Liverpool could rival Manchester United and Real Madrid for the £80m signing of Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, in the summer. (Mirror), external
Manchester United could make a move for long-term striker target Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, in the summer after the Frenchman's proposed deadline-day transfer from Crystal Palace to AC Milan fell through. (Mirror), external
AC Milan, Chelsea and Newcastle are all interested in Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic, 26, on a summer free transfer, even though he has recently returned to Juventus to complete his rehabilitation from an abductor injury. (Football Italia), external
Manchester United are also looking to bolster their midfield and Newcastle's Italy international Sandro Tonali, 25, is of interest. (Metro), external
Everton will be open to new offers for English winger Dwight McNeil, 26, after his deadline-day move to Crystal Palace collapsed. (Football Insider), external
Newcastle will resurrect a move for highly rated Reims' Ivorian midfielder Patrick Zabi, 19, in the coming months. (The i - subscription required), external
Leeds United's French goalkeeper Illan Meslier, 25, could be set for a move away from Elland Road, with Turkish club Besiktas holding talks. (Teamtalk), external
Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka, 30, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich in the summer, could be on his way to Arsenal on a free transfer. (Bayern Insider), external
West Ham can dismiss head coach Nuno Espirito Santo without paying compensation if they are relegated to the Championship. (Athletic - subscription required)
Sky Paper Talk
FOOTBALL
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly considering leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in the summer, with a return to Europe or a move to the MLS considered potential options - Daily Mail
Two failed Spurs bidders are joining forces to try to buy Daniel Levy's stake in Tottenham - The Sun
Football's lawmakers will vote later this month on whether to bring in countdowns to prevent timewasting and on the introduction of a 10-second substitute rule - Daily Mail
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has spoken candidly about his relationship with head coach Arne Slot - and is "absolutely convinced" that their big-money signings will pay off - Daily Mirror
Liverpool won a race against Chelsea to secure the £60m signing of Jeremy Jacquet on Deadline Day, but the deal has failed to impress former France international Christophe Dugarry who has accused the Reds of "losing their minds" - Daily Mail
The FA has proposed significant and controversial changes to the Women's FA Cup, such as keeping the Women's Super League top four apart until the semi-finals and removing the draw after the round of 32 - The Times
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
Manager Jim Goodwin has slammed the decision to boot out both of Dundee United's red-card appeals - Scottish Sun
CRICKET
Brendon McCullum has defended Harry Brook by insisting his England white-ball captain is a smart tactician who is misunderstood, even though he is a "work in progress" off the field - The Times
Liverpool could rival Manchester United and Real Madrid for the £80m signing of Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, in the summer. (Mirror), external
Manchester United could make a move for long-term striker target Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, in the summer after the Frenchman's proposed deadline-day transfer from Crystal Palace to AC Milan fell through. (Mirror), external
AC Milan, Chelsea and Newcastle are all interested in Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic, 26, on a summer free transfer, even though he has recently returned to Juventus to complete his rehabilitation from an abductor injury. (Football Italia), external
Manchester United are also looking to bolster their midfield and Newcastle's Italy international Sandro Tonali, 25, is of interest. (Metro), external
Everton will be open to new offers for English winger Dwight McNeil, 26, after his deadline-day move to Crystal Palace collapsed. (Football Insider), external
Newcastle will resurrect a move for highly rated Reims' Ivorian midfielder Patrick Zabi, 19, in the coming months. (The i - subscription required), external
Leeds United's French goalkeeper Illan Meslier, 25, could be set for a move away from Elland Road, with Turkish club Besiktas holding talks. (Teamtalk), external
Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka, 30, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich in the summer, could be on his way to Arsenal on a free transfer. (Bayern Insider), external
West Ham can dismiss head coach Nuno Espirito Santo without paying compensation if they are relegated to the Championship. (Athletic - subscription required)
Sky Paper Talk
FOOTBALL
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly considering leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in the summer, with a return to Europe or a move to the MLS considered potential options - Daily Mail
Two failed Spurs bidders are joining forces to try to buy Daniel Levy's stake in Tottenham - The Sun
Football's lawmakers will vote later this month on whether to bring in countdowns to prevent timewasting and on the introduction of a 10-second substitute rule - Daily Mail
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has spoken candidly about his relationship with head coach Arne Slot - and is "absolutely convinced" that their big-money signings will pay off - Daily Mirror
Liverpool won a race against Chelsea to secure the £60m signing of Jeremy Jacquet on Deadline Day, but the deal has failed to impress former France international Christophe Dugarry who has accused the Reds of "losing their minds" - Daily Mail
The FA has proposed significant and controversial changes to the Women's FA Cup, such as keeping the Women's Super League top four apart until the semi-finals and removing the draw after the round of 32 - The Times
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL
Manager Jim Goodwin has slammed the decision to boot out both of Dundee United's red-card appeals - Scottish Sun
CRICKET
Brendon McCullum has defended Harry Brook by insisting his England white-ball captain is a smart tactician who is misunderstood, even though he is a "work in progress" off the field - The Times