Bernardo Silva talks stall as Barça hold firm
Barcelona are refusing to raise their contract offer to Bernardo Silva, leaving the free transfer hanging in the balance (1). Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are circling, and the club have made it clear they won't match competing bids (5) (11). Silva's agent Jorge Mendes is pushing, but sporting director Deco and the board are sticking to their financial limits, even with Lewandowski and Flick both keen on the Portuguese midfielder joining.
Rashford buy option set to lapse by Monday
Barcelona are unlikely to activate the €30m permanent option for Marcus Rashford before Monday's deadline (3). Coach Hansi Flick has the final say, but the club would prefer to renegotiate a lower fee or bring him back on loan for a second season. Manchester United currently have no appetite to drop their demands.
Gordon seizes the spotlight for England
Anthony Gordon delivered for England on Wednesday night in a 3–0 friendly win over Costa Rica, scoring a penalty and adding an assist (4) (6). Harry Kane had already been subbed off when the penalty was awarded, and Gordon was blunt about it afterward: "I was buzzing Kane was off. I was looking round to find him. When I knew he was off, I wanted to take it. I love penalties and I love the pressure" (6). A glimpse of the mentality your new signing brings.
Dani Olmo attracts fresh Premier League interest
Another Premier League club has joined Chelsea and Arsenal in the race for Dani Olmo (7). The identity of this third suitor hasn't been confirmed, but the queue is growing, and Barça may face a summer decision on the Spanish international.
Quick hits
Barcelona have officially signed Egyptian striker Hamza from Al Ahly for €1.5m plus add-ons (3). Meanwhile, free-agent center-back Marcos Senesi has joined Tottenham, ending any Barça hopes of a zero-cost defensive addition (3). And the club has submitted its formal bid to host the 2029 Champions League final at the renovated Camp Nou (3).
Fan reactions
The Rashford buy-option story has supporters on both sides of the deal talking. United fans seem resigned to losing him one way or another, while Barça fans are split, some see him as useful depth at the right price, others want the club to move on and prioritize younger options. Read the discussion here.
