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Aston Villa have lofty ambitions for next season, despite missing out on the Champions League.

Unai Emery’s project is still very much ongoing, and the next step is for him to lead the club to their first major trophy in nearly 30 years.

The Europa League might be their best shot, especially as winning it will secure a spot in the 2026/27 Champions League.

In order to do this, he will have to sign a few high-profile players while also complying with PSR regulations in the process.

With this in mind, it looks as though the club are chasing a move for a current Barcelona player.

Aston Villa chasing swoop for Barcelona sensation

While it might be slightly more difficult to lure the type of players Emery wants at the club this summer, it isn’t stopping the Spaniard from trying.

Reports in Spain (as per Sport Witness) claim that Villa are battling it out with Chelsea and PSG to sign Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez.

The report goes on to state that Villa and the French giants have made contact with Lopez and are showing the most interest.

Chelsea could be set to make an offer worth €75m (£63m) in the near future to secure his signature, meaning Emery will have to act swiftly to get his man.

Why Aston Villa must sign Lopez

There are so many talented players at the La Liga side now. Lopez joins a list which includes Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí and, of course, Lamine Yamal.

Well, of those players, it is Yamal he is most similar to. When compared with positionally similar players in LaLiga this term, FBref suggest that the generational wonderkid and Ballon d’Or contender is the fourth most similar player to Lopez.

While the latter might play a more central role compared to Yamal, who operates on the right wing, the duo have shared similar statistics in La Liga last season.

According to FBref, the duo recorded similar metrics, including shot-creating actions (4.10 vs 5.92) per 90, goal-creating actions (0.50 vs 0.91), successful take-on percentage (45.5% vs 50.9%) and shots on target percentage (36.6% vs 31.9%) per 90 in La Liga for Barcelona.

On that evidence, they are both creative players who love to get at their marker/

Metric

La Liga

Champions League

Goals

6

1

Assists

5

3

Big chances created

8

3

Shots per game

1.5

1.5

Key passes per game

1

0.5

His former manager at the Catalan club described Lopez as having the “whole package” and judging by his statistics and performances last term, this assessment is bang on the money.

Alongside his 11 goal contributions, Lopez also created eight big chances in the top flight, along with averaging one key pass per game.

Considering he started just 12 league games, averaging only 45 minutes per match, these are impressive statistics indeed.

Should he make the move to Villa, he would certainly secure more gametime in the starting XI than he was afforded under Hansi Flick last season.

Will he want to drop and play in the Europa League, however? Or is the long-term project at Villa enough to entice the youngster?

The next few weeks could be interesting indeed, and given he offered similar statistics to those of Yamal last season, he would make for an excellent signing.

"Sensational" GK emerges as Aston Villa's top target to replace Martinez

The Villans have identified a 25-year-old goalkeeper as their first-choice option to replace Emiliano Martinez this summer.

ByDominic Lund Jun 9, 2025

Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market over the past several weeks. Well, the transfer window hasn’t actually opened yet, but that’s a credit to Richard Hughes’ savvy negotiating.

Arne Slot created something special this season, but the Dutch coach is no fool, and knows the importance of strengthening whilst ahead. Liverpool have been crowned Premier League champions, and are now ringing the changes.

There’s been a concerted focus on strengthening the flanks, over these past weeks: Jeremie Frimpong has completed his medical, while discussions with Bournemouth for left-back Milos Kerkez are ongoing, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool enquire about new defender

Improving the defence is very much the order of the day for Slot and Co this summer but their efforts may not stop with the full-backs.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool have made initial enquiries to RB Leipzig as they consider a move for Castello Lukeba, with the left-footed defender earning Slot’s nod of approval.

Though Lukeba, 22, has a €90m (£74m) release clause in his contract, FSG would be hoping to bag him for a cheaper fee. However, while Slot is personally keen on a move, Real Madrid and Manchester United are both known admirers too.

Liverpool have already made it known they would be open to signing a centre-half this summer, having failed in their bid to sign Madrid-bound Dean Huijsen, but in Lukeba, they could score the perfect fallback.

Why Liverpool want Castello Lukeba

A defensive hybrid, Lukeba is a naturally central defender, though bears an athleticism and energy that has seen him weave out onto the left flank, which is an interesting proposition for Slot to chew on.

He’s powerful, yes, but not overbearing in the backline, playing his role consummately. Lukeba missed three months of the campaign with muscular difficulties, but featured prominently across the latter phase of the year.

Liverpool will be frustrated they missed out on Huijsen, who has been regarded as a “world-class” player in the making by analysts, but in Lukeba, the dream alternative has been identified.

Leipzig have fostered Lukeba, pulled him to the fore, but now he should take the next step in his career and join the Liverpool fold. After all, he’s got the balanced skill set to make Slot forget all about Huijsen.

Matches (starts)

32 (26)

23 (18)

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Touches*

63.9

65.4

Pass completion

84%

87%

Key passes*

0.5

0.2

Dribbles*

0.1

0.9

Ball recoveries*

3.3

3.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.7

2.0

Clearances*

6.1

3.0

Duels (won)*

3.6 (56%)

4.0 (65%)

He might not be quite as attack-minded or silky on the ball as Huijsen, but Lukeba is still crisp and collected. Moreover, he’s a veritable machine when it comes to defensive duties, so commanding in the duel.

And that’s not to say Lukeba isn’t good on the ball. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 13% of centre-backs across Europe this season for passes attempted and the top 20% for progressive passes per 90.

With only four of his 23 Bundesliga outings coming from the flank, it’s clear he could play the role envisaged for Huijsen, especially given both are left-footers.

Analyst Ben Mattinson hailed the Frenchman’s “freak profile,” drawing positive awareness to the dynamic and powerful set of skills. He even went on to say that transferring to Anfield would be a “perfect move” for Lukeba, and given that Huijsen is now out of bounds, Slot must throw the kitchen sink at getting it done.

He's the new Coutinho: Liverpool set to sign "generational" star very soon

Liverpool are moving quickly to make new signings for Arne Slot’s side.

ByAngus Sinclair May 27, 2025

With Matheus Cunha possibly heading for the exit door this summer, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly set their sights on signing an Atletico Madrid star who’s actually been compared to Nelson Semedo.

Cunha could leave Wolves with Premier League giants keen

By signing a new contract and staying put in January, some may have believed that Cunha had put any talk of an exit to bed once and for all. However, it quickly emerged that his new deal included a release clause worth around £63m which is reportedly likely to be triggered this summer.

The Brazilian is certainly not short on suitors, either, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both in the race for his signature. Alas, as things stand, it seems as though it’s Manchester United who are leading the race to secure his signature having reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Wolves star.

He'd make Larsen unplayable: Wolves targeting move for "sensational" PL ace

Wolves could make a move for a Premier League midfielder this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 2, 2025

Before the arrival of Vitor Pereira, the thought of Cunha’s exit would have sent most Wolves fans into overdrive. However, even in the absence of their star man thanks to suspension a few weeks ago, the Midlands club began to put together a vital winning run and dominantly ended their relegation fears. It was then Cunha’s return to the side which helped stretch that run to six games before Manchester City stopped it there on Friday.

Speaking with great pride about his side’s run even after it came to an end against Man City, Pereira said: “Yes, but in the end, this is football. I am still proud of my team.

“I told them that we can lose a game, but we cannot lose our identity, our courage, our ambition, our commitment, our team spirit. Today, I saw everything in my team, everything except the result. “

Wolves eye move for Atletico Madrid's Samuel Lino

Still needing to replace Cunha despite recent results, those in the Midlands have reportedly set their sights on a new target. According to South American journalist Juan Arrien, relayed by Give Me Sport, Wolves are now eyeing a move to sign Samuel Lino from Atletico Madrid in an attempt to replace Cunha this summer.

A player who has been compared to Nelson Semedo by Football Transfers, Lino mainly operates as a left-winger but can also feature on the opposite flank to offer Pereira key versatility. Having scored four goals and created a further six in all competitions this season, the Brazilian’s output has far from matched Cunha’s, but a move to the Premier League could be exactly what he needs.

Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that Cunha was struggling at Atletico Madrid before starring at Wolves. Once dubbed “incredible” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Lino can now follow that same path by swapping Madrid for Molineux in the coming months.

Nine special moments from an enthralling Test match between India and England

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2024India and England played out four days of riveting Test cricket as the hosts levelled the series in Visakhapatnam. We’ve picked out the best moments and this is your chance to pick your favourites. Over to you to rank them.

“I took it right down to the bare bones of it and drilled a lot yesterday to try and be able to turn up today and make it as natural as possible,” says Brunt

Valkerie Baynes24-Mar-2022About time. That was the overriding sentiment for Katherine Brunt and Danni Wyatt as they each played a key role in putting England into the World Cup top four with a commanding victory over Pakistan that largely followed the defending champions’ script.Brunt had taken just one wicket in five matches at this World Cup before her 3 for 17 from eight overs helped restrict Pakistan to 105 all out. Wyatt’s unbeaten 76 off 68 balls then saw England home by nine wickets in the magic number of 19.2 overs, knowing that they needed to chase down 106 in 19.3 overs to edge ahead of India on net run rate and into fourth on the table.Related

• Shrubsole: 2017 glory will have 'zero bearing' on Eng's WC approach

• WWC qualification scenarios: Big win boosts England's chances

• Brunt, Wyatt find form to lift England to big win against Pakistan

Brunt, who turns 37 in July, set England off right when she had Nahida Khan caught at slip by Heather Knight off the first ball of the match, an expression of sheer relief spreading over her face as she looked to the sky, arms outstretched as if to say: “Yes! Finally!”It was like a penny-dropping moment after some hard graft fixing “bad habits” she had slipped into during what will be three months on the road by the end of the World Cup.Before the tournament, Brunt had been joint leading wicket-taker in the Ashes with 11 strikes, despite playing two fewer matches than Australia’s Tahlia McGrath while managing a niggle she picked up during the series. But Brunt’s form had deserted her in New Zealand.Fortunately for Brunt and England, she was able to pinpoint the problem and felt she had gone a long way towards resolving it on the eve of their latest match, although she didn’t want to divulge the technicalities.”I’ve been struggling for a bit of form,” Brunt said. “We’ve been on tour a long time, gaining 11 weeks away from home, and this is something I don’t think any cricketer, female cricketer certainly, will ever have done and probably won’t do in their career. So, you’re figuring out how best to work things.Katherine Brunt dismissed three of the top five batters•Getty Images”Normally after a tour, you go home, you go back to the nets, you fix things. You have that bit of time before you go back on tour and we haven’t had that. I got into bad habits and although I won’t point out specifically what that technical thing was, I have spotted it – thankfully – there is something wrong.”I worked really hard on it yesterday in the nets, I took it right down to the bare bones of it and drilled a lot yesterday to try and be able to turn up today and make it as natural as possible. So, I’m certainly going in the right direction.”The result was devastating for Pakistan, who – aside from Sidra Ameen’s 32 – never really recovered, despite an impressive six-over spell from Diana Baig in which she took 1 for 14 and threatened briefly to derail England’s pursuit of their run-rate target.”It’s been a while – longer than I’d like – for it to have gone on for but that’s sport, in and out of form,” Brunt said. “We’ve been away a long time, things can creep up on you that you don’t necessarily intend to happen and it’s just about training, working hard, putting things right, going out and doing it again. I’m just really happy to have contributed today.”I’m a really competitive person and I want so badly to contribute to every game in any way… so when you’re not, it genuinely feels rubbish. I do feel great about this day. It’s a long, too long a time coming.

“That’s our most complete performance. Nice to not have a nervy one for a change. Obviously, we went in to win but the secondary goal was to up our run rate a little bit, so I’m really pleased with how we’ve done today.”Heather Knight

“We have played on some brilliant backing tracks. It’s been hard to not overly criticise myself in this situation. I’m sure a lot of the seam bowlers in this tournament will have done that.”Wyatt, meanwhile, had only reached double figures three times in eight ODI innings this year before this match, her 33 batting at No. 7 against West Indies – her best during that time and coming before she was promoted to replace opener Lauren Winfield-Hill.Upon scoring her first half-century at a World Cup in 17 innings, Wyatt’s sentiments were similar to Brunt’s. “It’s about time really,” Wyatt told the host broadcaster as she accepted her Player-of-the-Match award.”I’m really pleased with how it went today, but credit to the bowlers,” Wyatt added. “Katherine Brunt, big shout out to her, she’s come back and bowled her heart out today, so I’m really pleased for Brunty, and hopefully, we can get another win against Bangladesh.”If England beat Bangladesh on Sunday, they will qualify regardless of other results, but whether they finish third or fourth will depend on the result – and margin – of India’s match against South Africa. However, if Bangladesh upset England and if India beat South Africa, then England will be knocked out.Knight, England’s captain, felt her side was heading in the right direction after losing their first three games and overcoming some tense moments in wins against India and, particularly, New Zealand.”That’s our most complete performance,” Knight said. “Nice to not have a nervy one for a change. Obviously, we went in to win but the secondary goal was to up our run rate a little bit, so I’m really pleased with how we’ve done today.”Katherine, I was so pleased for her because she’s had a little bit of a tough tournament so far but to see her come back to her best was brilliant.”

Cal Raleigh is on the brink of greatness, but the Rockies aren't interested in helping him achieve it.

Raleigh hit his 60th home run of the season on Wednesday night, and now just needs two more to tie Aaron Judge for the American League record. He came up to the plate in a big spot during the Mariners' clash against Colorado on Thursday, but the Rockies chose to give him first base without even pitching to him, rather than risk letting him go yard.

Fans at Seattle's T-Mobile Park were fuming with the cowardly decision from the Rockies, and they let the team hear it as Raleigh took first base. Boos were cascading across the stadium from disgruntled fans who felt robbed of their chance to witness a piece of history.

Raleigh didn't look too thrilled either, remaining straight faced as he walked to first base.

Colorado was already trailing 5–0 at the time, and they weren't willing to let Raleigh make it an 8–0 game with one thunderous swing of the bat.

If the superstar catcher isn't able to leave the yard on Thursday, he'll only have three more chances to catch Judge's home run record. Seattle is hosting the Dodgers for a season-concluding three-game series starting on Friday.

Gary Kirsten has been appointed consultant for the men’s national teams of Namibia and will work with Craig Williams, the former Namibian cricketer who is the head coach of the men’s national team in the build-up to the next T20 World Cup, to be played in India and Sri Lanka in February-March 2026.”It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment,” Kirsten said in a Cricket Namibia statement. “Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world. Their senior men’s national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year.”Namibia, a team on the rise in men’s T20 cricket, qualified for each of the last three T20 World Cups, in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and are in the mix for the upcoming one too, and will also be one of the three hosts for the 2027 edition, with South Africa and Zimbabwe.”Kirsten’s appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia’s commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure,” a statement from the board said. “His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles [men’s national team] setup.”Kirsten, one of South Africa’s best batters from 1993 to 2004, turned to coaching after retiring. He was first part of the team that founded a cricket academy in Cape Town and took up roles at various levels in South Africa before becoming India’s head coach in 2007. Under him, India won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He was subsequently appointed head coach of the South Africa national team and has also held positions with a number of teams across the world in T20 franchise leagues. Most recently, he served in an aborted stint as head coach of the Pakistan men’s team in 2024.

Liverpool are keen to see an upturn in performances under Arne Slot, and they could be set to target a free agent manager familiar to supporters if they fail to improve over the coming weeks.

Arne Slot looks to revive Liverpool's Premier League season

Credit in the bank goes a long way, and the Anfield hierarchy won’t forget Slot’s exploits last season as he took the Reds to a second title of the Premier League era. However, they have failed to claim the desired results in recent times, causing anxiety among their support.

Regardless, the Dutchman has vowed to fight for his future at Liverpool and appears uncompromising in his vision to help the club rediscover their form, claiming that his side will find the answers to their problems before too long.

He said before his side took on West Ham United: “We’ve had the same conversations we’ve had since I am here. We fight on. We will try to improve. You try to find the answers of what is needed to win a game of football but in the end it is about doing what this club is about.

“We have to keep fighting, fight together. But it would also be nice if we rewarded ourselves in the moments we play well. People are focused correctly on the parts where we don’t play well.”

However, Liverpool appear to be in the process of profiling potential alternatives to Slot, with Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique high on FSG’s radar should they eventually decide to make a change.

Nevertheless, the Reds could be about to go in a totally different direction, one that will surprise supporters if recent developments do indeed come to fruition.

Liverpool cast attention to Brendan Rodgers and Andoni Iraola

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool could replace Slot with former boss Brendan Rodgers or Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, as the Dutchman’s future on Merseyside becomes increasingly unclear.

A return for Rodgers would be remarkable considering he previously served as manager of the English giants between 2012 and 2014, coming incredibly close to delivering their first Premier League title before leaving the season after. Described as “world-class” by Gabriel Agbonlahor, he has since won multiple league titles with Celtic.

Matches – 312

Matches – 89

Wins – 139

Wins – 33

Draws – 71

Draws – 24

Losses – 102

Losses – 32

Points per game – 1.56

Points per game – 1.38

Meanwhile, Iraola’s stint at Bournemouth has won plenty of plaudits across the nation, and both coaches are willing to listen to Liverpool should they be approached over taking on the potential vacancy.

He'd unlock Wirtz: Liverpool considering Klopp 2.0 who's “best coach in PL”

Arne Slot is under intense pressure after Liverpool lost a ninth time from 12 matches.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 28, 2025

FSG aren’t in a rush to make a decision, suggesting Slot will be given time to revive the Reds’ fortunes as they look towards a heavy period of festive fixtures.

Either way, there is pressure on the Dutchman, and it may be a telling sign that they already have replacements in their eyeline should their patchy form continue.

Lionel Messi is preparing for his first MLS Cup final as Inter Miami face the Western Conference champions, Vancouver Whitecaps. Reflecting on the matchup, Messi said he was excited to face Thomas Müller, whose arrival in Vancouver has added a new layer of intrigue to the league and the final.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Messi on Müller, Vancouver and the stakes of the final

  Messi said he was pleased Muller had joined MLS and that the German’s presence raises the profile and competitive level of the final. He noted Miami and Vancouver know each other well after recent meetings and acknowledged Vancouver’s consistency this season, adding that the addition of Muller only strengthens a side that has pushed to the very end of multiple competitions. Messi warned that the match would be extremely tough and said Inter Miami must be ready for a high-quality opponent.

  “First of all, it is very nice that Muller has come to play in MLS and the repercussion that this represents,” Messi said ahead of the final. “It’s good that this final came to be and that we can face each other again. We have already faced Vancouver, and we know what kind of team they are.

  “In fact, they eliminated us in [the CONCACAF Champions Cup]. It was also a very consistent team throughout the year that finished among the top teams and competed in all competitions until the end, just as we did. And well, we know it's going to be a very, very tough game. And the addition of Muller coming to that team, makes them much better still. It brings more awareness to the game, to the team, and it will be a very, very special final, in which we hope it will be in our favor."

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Messi on Alba and Busquets retiring with a title

  With Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets potentially ending their careers with an MLS Cup, Messi said the prospect would be hugely meaningful for the players and the club. A title, he noted, would be a perfect way for two long-time teammates to step away, and a moment shared by everyone in the locker room and in the stands.

  “Well, it would be very nice for me, for them, for everyone, wouldn’t it?” Messi said. “May they finish their careers with a title and in the best possible way. I think it would be very positive and a very nice memory for them – to retire with one more joy in their great careers, after all the titles they both won.

  “And well, to add one more and retire with a good taste in their mouth and say goodbye to the United States with a title… it would be something very special.”

• (C)Getty Images
  

  Final pits star power against collective depth

  The final brings together two distinct profiles: Inter Miami’s core of global stars led by Messi and former Barcelona teammates, and a Vancouver team whose experienced recruitment now includes Müller. Vancouver have leaned on depth and cohesion throughout the season, while Miami have often depended on decisive contributions from their biggest names in tight matches.

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• AFP
  

  Anticipation builds for a landmark final

  With the MLS Cup final approaching, Messi said the match is significant for the team and the league. Inter Miami will face Vancouver, a matchup that includes high-profile players such as Messi and Müller. Both clubs arrive with experienced squads and a title on the line this Saturday. 

Turkey is facing one of the most explosive scandals in its footballing history, with more than 1,000 players, 149 referees and even a top-flight club chairman suspended amid a sweeping illegal betting investigation. What began as an audit has spiralled into a multi-layered crackdown touching coaches, commentators, club executives and foreign betting networks while exposing a deeper crisis in Turkish football and society.

Gambling scandal jolts Turkish football

What began as an internal probe by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has now morphed into a far-reaching crisis. The initial revelation that 149 referees and assistants were suspected of betting on matches was shocking enough, but the numbers kept growing until the scandal exploded into the public sphere. Authorities have already suspended 1,024 players from all domestic leagues, shuttered the second and third divisions for two weeks, and arrested eight individuals, including the chairman of a top-tier club. The shock escalated when it emerged that 27 players from the Super Lig which included footballers from giants like Galatasaray, Besiktas and Trabzonspor were among those named. With nearly every club in the top 10 pulled into the inquiry except Fenerbahce, the title race has been thrown into disarray.

Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek made it clear this was only the beginning. He said new operations could be launched at any time and openly acknowledged that coaches, club executives and even commentators may be pulled into the widening net. Turkish prosecutors are now working with UEFA, Interpol and foreign betting regulators in Montenegro, Cyprus and Georgia to track the international networks used to place illegal wagers.

"Whoever was involved in cheating, we are chasing them. There will be club chairmen and club executives in the probes … There may be ties between chairmen and referees, coaches and commentators. We are investigating everything," said Gurlek.

AdvertisementAFPAudit finds 371 professional referees hold active betting accounts

The magnitude of the scandal has left the country stunned. In Istanbul’s traditional hubs of football gossip fans admit they have been left speechless by the scale of wrongdoing. The TFF's own audit uncovered that 371 out of 571 professional referees held active betting accounts, including one official who had placed more than 18,000 wagers alone.

Sociologists and commentators argue the crisis mirrors wider issues within Turkey. The scandal broke at a time when Turkey is already grappling with politically charged anti-corruption probes, and many citizens believe football is simply reflecting the country’s broader problems. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has insisted that the crackdown proves no one is untouchable under Turkish law, yet critics argue that suspicions and political tensions have clouded the investigation’s integrity.

Meanwhile, pay levels and financial pressures, once assumed to be the cause, appear to be only part of the story. Some referees were even encouraged to join betting platforms linked to influential business groups, raising uncomfortable questions about oversight, conflicts of interest and how deeply embedded gambling culture had become within the sport.

Players deny accusations as Turkish football comes under strain

Several high-profile players, including national team defenders, denied ever betting and were later cleared. FIFA-certified referee Zorbay Kucuk filed a criminal complaint to assert his innocence, insisting he had never placed a single wager.

Turkey’s refereeing community, already historically targeted by fans, coaches and club owners, now faces public distrust like never before. Past incidents, from physical attacks on referees to public accusations from managers like José Mourinho, have only amplified the sense that the entire officiating system is fragile and vulnerable.

Turkey’s top clubs have publicly backed the crackdown, calling it a chance to “clean” the sport. Yet among supporters, scepticism runs deep. With Turkey ranked high on global organised crime indexes, many fear the investigation might end with a few high-profile arrests while the core problems remain untouched.

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AFPTurkish federation's fight to rebuild trust on the global stage

The scandal arrives at a time when Turkish football should have been enjoying renewed optimism. The national team’s Euro 2024 run, co-hosting duties for Euro 2032, and a surge of big-money transfers had created a sense of revival. Instead, the sport is now grappling with a crisis that threatens its integrity at the most fundamental level.

The TFF has quietly asked FIFA for an emergency transfer window to help clubs cope with mass suspensions, signalling just how disruptive the fallout has been. Meanwhile, UEFA is monitoring the situation closely, wary of the integrity risks posed to European competitions. As the legal dust settles, the investigation could reshape Turkish football for years to come, determining which clubs face relegation, which officials receive lifetime bans, and which executives are prosecuted.