Papers: Barca to challenge Man Utd for Everton’s Onana

The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday’s newspapers…

DAILY MAIL

Barcelona are reportedly set to lock horns with Manchester United in the race for Amadou Onana’s signature.

Chelsea have discussed a potential deal involving striker Armando Broja in their offer for Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Everton and West Ham have also been among the clubs to ask about Hull centre-back Jacob Greaves along with Ipswich Town.

Jake Wightman faces missing out on Olympic selection in the 1,500m after he withdrew from this weekend’s British trials with a calf injury.

Joselu will not be returning to Real Madrid next season with the striker having agreed a two-year deal to move to Qatar with Al-Gharafa.

Carl Lewis is backing Britain’s Louie Hinchliffe to become one of the country’s greatest-ever sprinters after answering the 21-year-old’s call to help train him.

THE SUN

Neymar has gone on record listing the four Premier League clubs he’d play for after being backed to join Arsenal.

Manchester City are closing in on making Oliver Reiss their new U18s manager.

Derby County are expected to beat off competition from Championship rivals Blackburn, QPR and Stoke to sign Swansea’s Jerry Yates on loan.

The Spanish FA will not consider Valencia’s unfinished Nou Mestalla, which has laid abandoned since the club hit financial problems 15 years ago, as a potential 2030 World Cup venue.

DAILY MIRROR

Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia says he will decide on his future after Euro 2024 because he is fully focused on Georgia’s knockout game against Spain.

Emile Smith Rowe is set to tell Arsenal he wants to leave the club.

Emile Smith Rowe rues a missed chance against Nottingham Forest

Arsenal’s initial approach for Jules Kounde has been shut down by Barcelona.

Arsenal will receive a boost to their summer transfer funds once Ipswich complete a deal to sign former scholar Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea thanks to a valuable sell-on clause.

THE GUARDIAN

Wolves are refusing to budge on their £45m valuation of Max Kilman, forcing West Ham to start thinking about moving on to other defensive targets.

Reading have requested to withdraw from the Women’s Championship, after an 11th-hour bid to take over the women’s arm of the club fell through, and the entire women’s and girls’ programme could soon be closed down.

Wimbledon is facing calls to drop Barclays as a sponsor over the bank’s ties to fossil fuels and defence companies supplying Israel.

The river Seine is still failing water quality tests one month before the Paris Olympics when it is scheduled to host the open-water swimming competition and the swimming leg of the triathlon, results revealed on Friday.

Kevin Sinfield has been granted compassionate leave from England’s tour of New Zealand to fly home and attend his friend Rob Burrow’s funeral next weekend.

West Ham could turn to Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka if they are unable to secure deals for either Max Kilman or Kyle Walker-Peters.

British Grand Prix managing director Stuart Pringle has hit back at Lewis Hamilton’s criticism of Silverstone ticket prices and emphasised that all income is ploughed back into the circuit and British motorsport.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Emma Raducanu is eyeing up a future as a University of Oxford student, according to her friend and fellow tennis professional Fran Jones, who recently spent a day touring Oxford’s colleges with her.

Emma Raducanu (PA Images)

Max Verstappen’s father Jos has reignited his feud with Christian Horner by accusing the Red Bull team principal of forcing him out of a legends parade at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Cole Palmer has thanked former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino for believing in him during his time at Stamford Bridge and doesn’t believe he would be in England’s Euro 2024 squad without his backing.

Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was involved in a “bar fight” in Munich before his country’s elimination from Euro 2024 according to reports in his homeland.

THE I

Brighton are set to advance their interest in Newcastle United winger Yankuba Minteh with the Magpies forced to broker sales before the so-called Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) deadline at the end of the month.

THE ATHLETIC

Manchester United are seriously considering a move to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

Mattijs De Ligt

DAILY EXPRESS

Georgia’s players have been offered millions of pounds by the country’s former Prime Minister – billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili – if they are able to continue their Euro 2024 dream by beating Spain on Sunday.

DAILY RECORD

Celtic target Dominik Livakovic won’t be leaving Fenerbahce this summer after a representative of the Croatian stopper came out to deny any talk of a departure.

Rising Hacken star Pontus Dahbo is reportedly on Celtic’s wanted list with the 18-year-old being watched by a clutch of European big-hitters.

SCOTTISH SUN

Gio Van Bronckhorst is reportedly set to do business with Rangers this summer and reunite with one of his former players at Besiktas.

Rangers boss Philippe Clement’s summer recruitment drive has extended into his dugout by appointing Andries Ulderlink to his backroom team.

Former Hearts boss Ian Cathro is set to be appointed as the new manager of Portuguese outfit Estoril.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Arsenal express interest in Barcelona’s Walsh

Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing England and Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh.

Walsh joined Barcelona from Manchester City in 2022 in a then world-record deal reported to be worth £400,000.

The 27-year-old, who won the quadruple with Barcelona this season, has a year left on her contract in Spain.

Walsh is the latest Lioness to be targeted by Arsenal after they signed Alessia Russo on a free transfer last summer following the expiry of her deal at Manchester United.

Arsenal finished five points adrift of champions Chelsea last season in the Women’s Super League, and the addition of a world-class midfielder like Walsh would boost their chances of closing the gap.

Keira Walsh celebrates at full-time
Image:
Keira Walsh has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona

The Gunners already have Lia Walti in that deep-lying role that Walsh plays in for England and Barcelona, while Katie McCabe and Kyra Cooney-Cross can also fill in there.

Walsh, twice included in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, started her career at Blackburn Rovers before signing for Man City in 2014.

She won the WSL title, three FA Cups and four Conti Cups across eight years at the club.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Barcelona appoint Flick as new head coach

Hansi Flick has been appointed the new Barcelona head coach.

The former Bayern Munich and Germany boss has signed a two-year deal at the Nou Camp.

Flick replaces Xavi, who was sacked a month after Barcelona had persuaded him to stay on as manager, after he initially planned to leave at the end of this campaign. The 44-year-old took the Catalans to the Champions League quarter-finals where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

“FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first-team football coach until 30 June 2026,” a club statement read.

Flick was dismissed by Germany in September following a 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan on the back of a group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He served as assistant coach to Joachim Low when his country won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, before clinching back-to-back Bundesliga titles and the 2020 Champions League during a two-season stay with Bayern.

Speaking in a video posted by Barca on X, Flick said: “First of all I would like to say thank you to everyone (involved). It’s a big honour and also a dream for me to sign my contract here in Barcelona, to work for this amazing club, and I’m happy to start.

“The club is unbelievable. The hours I’m here in Barcelona, it’s amazing because everyone here in the club loves this club and tries to give their best so they have success.

“The philosophy they have is similar to mine – ball possession and really attacking football, these are the things I love.

“I won some titles with Bayern Munich and my hunger is really big for titles. I would like to stay on this path with Barcelona and I think we can achieve a lot together.”

The 59-year-old succeeds a predecessor who was appointed in November 2021 to manage the club where he won 25 major trophies as a player.

Xavi steered the team from ninth place in LaLiga to the runners-up spot following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.

Xavi’s turbulent 2024 with Barcelona

  • January 27, 2024 – Xavi announces he will walk away from Barcelona, describing the role as “cruel and unpleasant”.
  • April 24, 2024 – Barcelona announce Xavi has reversed his decision and will take the team into next season.
  • May 24, 2024 – Xavi is sacked as Barcelona manager.

Barca were crowned champions in his first full season in charge, but they subsequently failed to mount a serious challenge this time round, surrendering their title to rivals Real Madrid.

Xavi: Next Barca boss will ‘suffer’

Xavi will leave his role as Barcelona head coach at the end of the season
Image:
Departing Barca boss Xavi had a warning for his successor

Earlier this week, Xavi warned his successor to be prepared to “suffer” in the job.

“To the new manager, I tell you: You will suffer. This is a very complicated place to be,” Xavi said after his final match in charge, a 2-1 win over Sevilla.

“This is a difficult job and you have to be patient.”

Xavi does not have another job lined up and is prepared to wait for the right offer.

He said: “Nothing is closed. I’m a professional, let’s see what happens in the future. Of course I’m open (to a new job), but I think 100 per cent I need to rest a little bit.

“It’s so difficult to coach Barcelona. It’s been tough last week, but I have my conscience very clear. I’m proud and happy.

“When we got here we knew it was a difficult time for the club and I think we can be proud of the work we have done.”

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 – the same day that Euro 2024 starts.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Barcelona topple Lyon in Women’s Champions League final to seal quadruple

Barcelona retained the Women’s Champions League as goals from Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas secured a 2-0 win over Lyon in Bilbao.

Sonia Bompastor – who is expected to replace Emma Hayes as Chelsea manager – failed to clinch the send-off she had hoped for as Lyon, the record eight-time European champions, suffered defeat in a Champions League final for the first time in their history.

Barcelona took the lead on 63 minutes courtesy of Bonmati’s clever run and finish and, after substitute Ada Hegerberg missed a glorious chance to send the game into extra-time, Putellas sealed victory from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

The result caps an unprecedented quadruple for Barcelona having already secured Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona had met Lyon four times previously in the Women’s Champions League with the French side coming out on top each time.

Player ratings

Barcelona: Coll (7), Bronze (8), Paredes (7), Engen (6), Rolfo (7), Bonmati (7), Walsh (7), Guijarro (6), Hansen (8), Paralluelo (6), Caldentey (7).

Subs used: Pina (n/a), Putellas (n/a), Batlle (6), Brugts (6).

Lyon: Endler (7), Carpenter (6), Renard (5), Gilles (6), Bacha (6), Horan (7), Egurrola (6), van de Donk (5), Diani (7), Dumornay (6), Cascarino (5).

Subs used: Majri (6), Hegerberg (5), Becho (6).

Player of the match: Caroline Hansen.

Changing of the guard in European football?

Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women's Champions League final
Image:
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati celebrates opening the scoring

Big occasions call for big players. Lyon were crestfallen in a bouncing Bilbao as Barcelona celebrated their third Women’s Champions League. How fitting that it was goals from Bonmati and Putellas that secured this crown for a second straight season.

Is this the changing of the guard in Europe in women’s football? Lyon beat the Catalans in the final in 2019 and 2022, as well as winning both quarter-final legs in 2018, but they ran into a different beast this time.

Caroline Graham Hansen passes under pressure from Selma Bacha
Image:
Caroline Graham Hansen under pressure from Selma Bacha

This could well be the moment when Barcelona – who ended Chelsea’s hopes in the last four – truly believe they can catch Lyon’s eight titles.

Bompastor’s side beat French rivals Paris Saint-Germain to reach the final, but they were flat for large spells, drowned out and outnumbered by their counterparts in northern Spain.

In front of a record crowd of 50,827, the victory adds to Barcelona’s recent dominance in the women’s game. They were playing in their fourth consecutive Women’s Champions League final, having won it last year and in 2021.

Mariona Caldentey fights for the ball with Wendie Renard
Image:
Mariona Caldentey fights for the ball with Wendie Renard

The women’s triumph comes amid continued turmoil in the men’s team, and it is a success which comes swiftly on the heels of Spain’s national triumphs last year in the Women’s World Cup and the inaugural Women’s Nations League.

Barcelona survived an early scare when Lucy Bronze almost steered the ball into her own net in the 14th minute, but instead it struck the woodwork and bounced harmlessly away.

At the other end, Lyon’s Vanessa Gilles had to clear the ball off the line when a Mariona Caldentey shot that had been saved ricocheted goalwards and Caroline Graham Hansen also went close to scoring as the first half finished 0-0.

Barcelona goalkeeper Catalina Coll dives to divert a Lyon shot in the Women's Champions League final
Image:
Catalina Coll dives to divert a Lyon shot off target

Barca gradually got more of a grip on the game and Bonmati, who won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Women’s Player award for 2023, broke the deadlock just after the hour-mark with a shot from a tight angle which deflected off Lyon’s Gilles past goalkeeper Christiane Endler.

Lyon sent on Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg but the competition’s record goalscorer, who has been troubled by injury for much of the season, was unable to find the net despite a couple of decent chances.

Instead, Putellas, who had been struggling with a persistent knee problem, came off the bench and netted a stoppage-time goal to seal Barcelona’s win.

Giraldez: One of best days of my life

Barcelona are only the fourth side to retain the title
Image:
Barcelona are only the fourth side to retain the title

Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez told DAZN:

“It was an incredible game. I am really happy, it’s one of the best days of my life for sure.

“We did an amazing job. I am very proud of all of them. When I decided in December to leave the team at the end of the season, people criticised the decision that maybe the performance of the team is going down. We showed today the amazing performance we have and deserved the victory.”

On Alexia Putellas’ goal: “Everyone did an amazing job. Alexia only played five or six minutes but there are other players as well. This is a special moment for them.”

On if he will miss the Women’s Champions League when he moves to Washington Spirit: “It was the best thing that could happen today with me, my family, almost 40 people coming from Galicia. It is a special moment and I will enjoy it.”

Bronze: Putellas is the Queen of Barcelona

Barcelona's team captain Alexia Putellas lifts the trophy after winning the women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Barcelona won 2-0. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Image:
Barcelona’s team captain Putellas lifts the trophy

Barcelona’s Lucy Bronze told DAZN:

“We knew that that’s what we needed, to be a club to make history. It’s not easy, it’s hard to win it once. To win it back to back, Lyon showed how difficult it is and this team has finally done that. We go down in history as one of the best teams in Europe.”

Caroline Graham Hansen and Selma Bacha compete for the ball
Image:
Caroline Graham Hansen and Selma Bacha compete

On Alexia Putellas: “She’s the captain of the team, she’s the Queen of Barcelona for a reason. She’s always so confident in the team and showed today why she is a back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.

“She’s got the quality to do that in the last minute of the Champions League final when we were up against it at the end and just sealed the win for us. It was amazing.”

On the celebrations: “All of our family will be staying around. The hundreds of friends and family will be celebrating tonight. We’ve won it all so we’ve got a lot to celebrate.”

Van de Donk: Nobody likes to lose a final

Lyon suffered a maiden Champions League final loss
Image:
Lyon suffered a maiden Champions League final loss

Lyon’s Danielle van de Donk told DAZN:

“I’m very emotional. Nobody likes to lose a final and we were here to win it. It’s a shame we didn’t create enough. Barcelona deserved the win but I’m proud of my team, we gave it our all.”

On her and Lindsey Horan’s reduced chances: “I play more as a 10 and Linsey as bit more as a six. We were a bit low in the midfield so couldn’t get the press right and that is usually our strength.

“Credit to Barcelona, they did amazing. I wish we could have pressed them a bit more, I think that could have made a difference.”

Putellas brings unbridled joy to Barcelona

Alexia Putellas came off the bench to seal the victory
Image:
Alexia Putellas came off the bench to seal the victory

While Hayes had hoped to conclude her 12 years at Chelsea with victory in this final – the one trophy that eluded the new United States manager – before her move across the pond, nobody could begrudge Putellas putting the seal on Barcelona’s success.

Two years ago, she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and missed out on Euro 2022, but was part of the Spain squad that lifted the World Cup last summer, and four days ago signed a new deal that will keep the enormously popular player in the Catalonian capital for two more years.

It was a rousing ovation that greeted the 30-year-old when she stepped out onto the pitch in the third minute of stoppage time, a sound quickly upgraded to a roar when she found the back of the net three minutes later to cap off the victory.

Lyon will reflect on how they ought to have taken the lead when captain Wendie Renard could not put the finishing touch on Lindsey Horan’s clever flicked delivery after the restart.

But with England midfielder Keira Walsh and a particularly in-form Bronze pulling the strings, this maiden quadruple for the Catalans was richly deserved.

What’s next?

The 2023/24 season has reached its conclusion but planning has already started for the new campaign.

Several Premier League sides have confirmed pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2024/25 term, which kicks off on the weekend of August 17/18, while others have given fresh kits an early airing.

The domestic season starts the previous weekend and marks the launch of Sky Sports +, giving more choice to sports fans via live streams and a new dedicated channel, at no extra cost. In a broadcasting first, every game in the Championship, League One and League Two will be streamed live on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 EFL season.

Stand by for another busy summer in the transfer window – clubs can do business from June 14 until August 30 and the Sky Sports Transfer Centre will keep you posted with all the latest news and rumours.

Euro 2024 is just weeks away, too. Keep track of England’s Euro fixtures, check out the full tournament schedule in Germany and join us on skysports.com