Doku v Rodri in World Cup quarters
Your two biggest stars on a collision course. Belgium beat the USA and Spain took out Portugal, setting up Jeremy Doku against Rodri in the World Cup quarter-finals (4). Doku has been electric on the left for Belgium all tournament. Rodri, as ever, is the engine Spain cannot function without. One of them goes home.
Watzke: Haaland loves Real Madrid
BVB president Hans-Joachim Watzke has told Spanish journalist Jose Felix Diaz that Erling Haaland loves Real Madrid and will play there one day (2). The quote came during Real Madrid's election period, according to Diaz. Alf-Inge Haaland was also named in the report. It is the kind of noise that follows your number nine everywhere now.
Real Madrid sniffed around Dias, City said no
Real Madrid came asking about Ruben Dias. City shut it down (3). No surprise. He is your defensive bedrock and remains off the market.
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Kovacic likely heading for the exit
Sam Lee reports Mateo Kovacic is likely to leave this summer as part of a midfield rebuild (5). He arrived from Chelsea and has been a squad player, never quite an undisputed starter. With Maresca reshaping things, his name is on the shortlist of departures.
Arsenal circling academy kid Parker
Arsenal are one of several clubs tracking Xavier Parker, a teenager in the City academy (1). Losing a top prospect to a direct rival stings, even at youth level. No decision yet, but the interest is real.
Fan reactions
Supporters are split between World Cup pride and transfer anxiety. One post celebrates "our stars" campaign with Doku and Rodri both still alive in the tournament link. Another thread notes Bernardo Silva nearly changed the game for Portugal off the bench at 83 minutes link. A newcomer to the sub is picking up club football after years of World Cup-only viewing, which sums up the mid-summer mood link.
