Borussia Dortmund see Chelsea defender Renato Veiga and ex-Manchester United player Victor Lindelof as potential solutions to their defensive crisis.

• Dortmund targeting new defender amid injury issues
• Sule, Schlotterbeck, and Can all sidelined
• Kovac wants experienced signing to strengthen his team

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dortmund are exploring the transfer market for defensive reinforcements, with Veiga and Lindelof, available on a free transfer, on their list of targets as manager Kovac contends with a major injury crisis, according to a report from . The urgency has increased following a torn calf muscle for Niklas Sule, which will sideline the German international for approximately two months.

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  The injury to Sule has compounded BVB's defensive problems, with Nico Schlotterbeck not expected to return from a meniscus tear until late September and Emre Can also unavailable. The situation leaves Waldemar Anton as the only fully fit senior centre-back at Kovac's disposal. The shortage forced full-back Julian Ryerson to play centrally in the recent friendly against Juventus and saw 20-year-old Filippo Mane promoted from the reserves.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  While Kovac has praised youth defender Mane, the manager is known for preferring experienced players rather than developing young talent. According to , this tendency is a key factor behind Dortmund's decision to pursue an established defender in the transfer market rather than relying solely on the 20-year-old.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DORTMUND?

  Dortmund are expected to accelerate their transfer plans to sign a new defender before the window closes. The club's hierarchy reportedly sees an opportunity to make a "smart move" by signing a player who can provide immediate cover and become a long-term option, especially with the contracts of both Sule and Can expiring next summer. In the short term, Kovac faces a selection puzzle for the start of the Bundesliga season.

حقق منتخب الأرجنتين فوزاً كبيراً على حساب منتخب فنزويلا بثلاثية نظيفة خلال اللقاء الذي جمع بينهما على ملعب المونيمنتال في الجولة قبل الأخيرة من تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

وجاءت اهداف منتخب الأرجنتين بثنائية عن طريق ليونيل ميسي في الدقائق 39 و80، وسجل لاوتارو مارتينيز هدفاً في الدقيقة 76.

وارتفع رصيد منتخب الأرجنتين بعد الفوز ضد منتخب فنزويلا للنقطة 38 في صدارة التصفيات، بينما تجمد رصيد فنزويلا عند النقطة 18 في المركز السابع.

وكان ليونيل سكالوني مدرب منتخب الأرجنتين قد دخل اللقاء بتشكيل مكون: مارتينيز ، مولينا ، روميرو ، نيكولاس أوتاميندي ، تاجليافيكيو ، رودريجو دي باول ، باريديس ، فرانكو ماستانتونو ، تياجو ألمادا ، ليونيل ميسي ، جوليان ألفاريز.

أقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | هولندا تسقط في فخ التعادل أمام بولندا في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وفي الشوط الثاني أجرى سكالوني عدة تغييرات بدخول إزكويل بالاسيوس و نيكولاس جونزاليس وجوليانو سيميوني ونيكو باز ولاوتارو مارتينيز.

وحملت مباراة الأرجنتين ضد فنزويلا العديد من المشاعر العاطفية بين ليونيل ميسي والجماهير، بعد أن صرح بأنها ستكون الأخيرة له في مشواره مع المنتخب الأرجنتيني في التصفيات.

وجاء الهدف الأول عن طريق ليونيل ميسي في الدقيقة 39 بصناعة من زميله جوليان ألفاريز والذي كان يملك فرصة كبيرة لافتتاح التسجيل بانفراد ولكنه فضل تمرير الكرة لقائد المنتخب ليضعها لوب في شباك فنزويلا.

وفي الدقيقة 76 أضاف لاوتارو مارتينيز مهاجم إنتر ميلان الهدف الثاني بعرضية متقنة من البديل نيكولاس جونزاليس في لعبة بدأها ليونيل ميسي، وفي الدقيقة 80 عزز ميسي ثنائيته والهدف الثالث للأرجنتين بهدية أخرى تلقاها من ألمادا ليضعها بسهولة في شباك المنتخب الضيف.

Everton boss David Moyes did not name Jack Grealish in his starting lineup for the club's 2025-26 Premier League season opener against Leeds United on Monday. Grealish has been named in the matchday squad and has made it to the Toffees bench and could make his Everton debut later in the match at Elland Road. The Manchester City outcast completed a loan move to the Merseyside club last week.

• Grealish left out of Everton's starting XI
• Travelled with the squad to Elland Road
• Dewsbury-Hall makes Toffees debut 

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Grealish will have to wait for his Everton debut after David Moyes kept the England international on the Everton bench in their season opener against Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday. Among the new signings this summer, former Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made it to Moyes' starting lineup.  

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  After falling out of favour at Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola last season, Grealish was being linked with a move away from City. His departure became imminent after he was left out of the club's travelling squad to the USA for the Club World Cup earlier in the summer. The English winger finally ended his nightmare with the Cityzens and completed a loan move to the Toffees last week. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  After completing his move to Everton, it was revealed that Grealish has inherited the iconic No.18 shirt, which was previously worn by club legend and England icon Wayne Rooney. 

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH?

  Grealish will hope to get some minutes on the pitch and make his debut for the club on Monday in the latter stages of the game. 

Bournemouth forward Antonine Semenyo said "football showed its best side" in response to the racist abuse directed his way at Anfield.

Semenyo praises response to racismBournemouth star abused by Liverpool fanScoring felt like "the only language that matters"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Semenyo was subjected to abuse from an individual fan in the Anfield crowd, who was identified and ejected following a pause in the game. The Bournemouth star was grateful to how the incident was handled. He praised his team-mates, the Liverpool players and the rest of the fans inside the stadium, as well as league officials.

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After the incident, and with Bournemouth 2-0 down, Semenyo went on to score twice, what he described as "the only language that truly matters on the pitch". The 25-year-old said everything that followed, the overwhelming support, served to "remind" him why he loves football.

AFPWHAT SEMENYO SAID

"Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever – not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together. To my Bournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally – thank you," Semenyo said in an X post.

"Football showed its best side when it mattered most. Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch. This is why I play – for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be. The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together."

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WHAT NEXT?

Merseyside Police have confirmed that a man was ejected from Anfield following the reports of racist abuse. A police investigation is already underway, while the Premier League will also investigate the incident and offer support to both clubs.

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma das boas opções de ataque do Nova Iguaçu no Campeonato Carioca, o lateral-direito Léo Fernandes vem se destacando também no aspecto defensivo. Nas oito partidas em que atuou, o atleta de 26 anos obteve 39 desarmes, uma média de quase cinco por jogo. O defensor fala sobre a importância de sua evolução.

– Sempre me destaquei mais ofensivamente, mas passei a aprimorar as minhas características como homem de defesa. Meu objetivo é ser cada vez mais versátil, até porque minha posição exige isso. Creio que nesse Carioca estou conseguindo por em prática o que venho treinando há algum tempo – afirmou.

Léo jogou os 90 minutos de todas as partidas que disputou na competição estadual. Líder do grupo, é peça importante dentro e fora de campo na equipe. Ele e seus companheiros só voltarão a campo pelo Carioca dia 25, quando receberão o Resende. Léo ainda acredita nas chances do time da Baixada se classificar ao menos para a Taça Rio.

– Disputaremos nove pontos e não jogaremos mais contra os “grandes”. É o momento de tentarmos engatar uma boa sequência e terminarmos bem a primeira fase – encerrou.

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Tottenham have reportedly increased their offer for Como star Nico Paz after missing out on top target Eberechi Eze.

Tottenham eye Como's PazSpurs increase offer to €50mComes after missing out on EzeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Shortly after missing out on Eze, who swapped Crystal Palace for Arsenal this weekend, states that after Tottenham's initial bid of €40 million (£34.6m) for Paz was rejected, they have returned with an improved €50m (£43m) offer.

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Following James Maddison's long-term injury, Tottenham are on the lookout for a quality playmaker, and it seems Paz fits the bill. But the report states that Como value the 20-year-old at around €70m (£60.5m), and so far, there has been no approval of a Spurs transfer from the attacking midfielder or the Italian team.

DID YOU KNOW?

Argentina international Paz, whose Como contract runs until 2028 after signing from Real Madrid a year ago for just €6m, scored six goals and added nine assists in 35 appearances for the Serie A team last season. 

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Thomas Frank's Tottenham may have their work cut out to sign the youngster, as the report adds that he may plan to stay in Serie A for another season, before 'playing his cards' next year in a bid to return to Madrid.

Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly open to leaving Manchester United this month after struggling for game time under Ruben Amorim.

• Mainoo yet to feature this season
• Open to Man Utd departure
• Teams interested in midfielder

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Mainoo is "ready to leave United on loan this month" and he is yet to receive a new contract offer. The Red Devils are said to be open to a permanent exit but he still believes he could have an Old Trafford future.

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  Mainoo is yet to play for United this season and, with just two years left on his contract, the Red Devils risk losing him in the not-so-distant future. But as head coach Amorim pointed out, he has to fight for his spot in the team to get minutes.

  After the 1-1 draw with Fulham, the Portuguese said on the 20-year-old: "He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno, and I change two midfielders. I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal, and when I changed, I felt the team need to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno. So he (Mainoo) just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as [it] should be at Manchester United. [Sometimes] he’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Since Amorim arrived at United last November, England international Mainoo has struggled for regular game time. He managed one start in their run to the Europa League final, two in the FA Cup and 15 in the Premier League last season.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Alarm bells may start ringing for versatile midfielder Mainoo, who was previously a target of Chelsea, if he does not start against League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday in round two of the Carabao Cup.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a janela de transferências nacional tendo o seu fechamento programado para o dia 4 de abril, o Palmeiras tem adotado uma nova postura no mercado. Se no início de ano imperava a cautela na busca por reforços, tanto que o clube ainda não anunciou atleta algum, a partir de agora a ideia palmeirense é ser mais ‘agressivo’.

E essa iniciativa já pôde ser notada na movimentação que o Palestra tem feito para contratar o volante Allan, do Atlético-MG. Já foram duas propostas apresentadas: 9 e 11 milhões de euros (R$ 46,7 a 57,1 mi, na cotação atual), ambas recusadas pelo Galo, que não deseja reforçar um rival brasileiro. Ainda assim, os valores ofertados pelo Verdão são superiores ao oferecidos para outros atletas da posição.

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+Vai ter gol de bike do Rony? Web faz memes após convocação da Seleção Brasileira

A proximidade cada vez maior do encerramento do prazo para contratações explica a mudança na forma com que o Palmeiras está se posicionando no mercado. Em um mês, o Verdão terá pela frente a Libertadores, e os responsáveis pelo futebol palmeirense sabem que é necessário se reforçar pelo menos para recompor as lacunas deixadas com as saídas de Danilo e Gustavo Scarpa, negociados com o Nottingham Forest, da Inglaterra.

PRIORIDADE

O Palmeiras está na busca por um meio-campista defensivo desde que vendeu Danilo, em janeiro. A princípio, a equipe alviverde chegou a trabalhar em cima de três nomes para reposição: Matheus Henrique, do Sassuolo (ITA), Wallace, da Udinese (ITA), e Jean Lucas, do Mônaco (FRA). Em todos os casos, o máximo sinalizado pelos palestrinos foi o pagamento de 6 milhões de euros (R$ 31,1, na cotação atual), pouco menos que metade da última proposta entregue pelos palmeirenses ao Atlético-MG por Allan.

O jogador atleticano é o favorito da comissão técnica do Verdão para reforçar o meio-campo. E a ideia de abrir os cofres para contar com o atleta é justamente pela confiança que eles têm que a contratação desse jogador seria um ‘tiro certeiro’.

Ainda não se sabe se o Palmeiras fará uma nova investida pelo meio-campista do Galo ou se o valor de 11 milhões de euros (R$ 57,1, na cotação atual) é o máximo que o Palmeiras chegará pelo volante. Nos bastidores atleticanos, estima-se que somente uma proposta de 15 milhões de euros (R$ 77,9 mi, na cotação atual) será o suficiente para fazer com que o Atlético-MG cogite liberar o seu camisa 29 para um adversário no Brasil.

QUEM MAIS PODE CHEGAR?

E não é só um volante que o Palmeiras busca. Com a saída de Gustavo Scarpa, no fim do ano passado, para o mesmo Nottingham Forest, da Inglaterra, que recebeu Danilo, o clube palestrino busca uma alternativa de meio-campista/atacante que atue pelos lados do campo. A bola da vez é Artur, do Red Bull Bragantino.

+ Confira TODAS as movimentações do mercado da bola no vaivém do LANCE!

A direção palmeirense tem usado a boa relação que possui com os dirigentes do Massa Bruta para tentar chegar a uma condição que possibilite abrir negociações. Inicialmente, uma consulta foi feita e nela os representantes do Braga sinalizaram que só liberariam o atacante por 15 milhões de euros (R$ 77,9 mi, na cotação atual), valor considerado alto pelo Verdão, principalmente porque Artur foi cria palmeirense e vendido ao próprio Red Bull Bragantino, em 2020, por 6 milhões de euros (R$ 27 mi, à época).

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Em um segundo momento, o Palmeiras chegou a tentar envolver o meio-campista Matheus Fernandes para facilitar que o negócio acontecesse, mas isso também não prosseguiu. O volante, que pertence ao Verdão e está emprestado ao Braga até o fim do ano, terá 60% dos direitos econômicos comprados pela equipe do interior paulista por 1,8 milhões de euros (R$ 9,3 mi, na cotação atual), mas a diretoria do Toro Loko rechaçou qualquer possibilidade que o negócio pudesse envolver uma possível venda de Artur.

Nos bastidores, trabalha-se com a hipótese do Massa Bruta liberar Artur ao Palestra por uma proposta de 10 milhões de euros (R$ 51,9 mi, na cotação atual).

Antes de ‘apostar’ em Artur, o Palmeiras buscou dois outros nomes para o ataque: Michael, ex-Flamengo, que está no Al Hilal, da Arábia Saudita, e Luiz Araújo, cria do São Paulo, e que atualmente defende o Atlante United, dos Estados Unidos.

+ Veja a tabela do Paulistão e simule os jogos das quartas de final da competição

No caso de Michael, o Verdão fez duas propostas para tirá-lo da equipe saudita, mas ambas foram recusadas. Na primeira, a oferta foi por um empréstimo, já na segunda os palmeirenses acenaram pagar 5 milhões de dólares (R$ 26 mi, na cotação atual) pelo jogador.

Porém, o Al Hilal vive um momento delicado, banido pela Fifa de contratar novos atletas. Assim, caso libere algum jogador, o clube não conseguiria repor. A equipe trabalha para resolver essa situação até o fim da temporada local, no meio do ano. Caso isso aconteça, é possível que Michael seja liberado para retornar ao Brasil no segundo semestre. O próprio jogador deseja voltar ao seu país. Se a situação acontecer, não é descartada uma nova investida palmeirense na próxima janela de transferências.

Sem sucesso na tentativa de contratar Michael já para esse início de temporada, o Palmeiras chegou a abrir conversas com o estafe do Luiz Araújo, mas também esbarrou nos valores, tanto para compra, quanto de salários.

O ex-são-paulino foi contratado pelo Atlanta por 12 milhões de dólares (R$ 62,3 mi, na cotação atual), no segundo semestre de 2021, e a equipe que disputa a MLS não aceitaria vender o atleta por um valor menor. Além disso, os vencimentos de Luiz nos Estados Unidos giravam em torno de R$ 1,5 milhão por mês, algo considerado surreal pela cúpula palmeirense.

Fiorentina have made an approach for Real Madrid defender David Alaba, with the Serie A side pushing to sign the Austrian after his injury setbacks.

Fiorentina open talks with Madrid for AlabaLos Blancos ready to let him leave on a free transferAustrian has struggled with injuries in recent seasonsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Madrid have received an approach from Fiorentina for Alaba, who has fallen out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu after two injury-hit seasons. The 33-year-old Austrian defender has featured sparingly since suffering a serious knee injury, playing just 599 minutes in nearly 18 months. With Los Blancos well-stocked in defence thanks to Dean Huijsen Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Raul Asencio, the club are open to letting the veteran depart, even on a free transfer, to ease their wage bill.

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Alaba, once a key figure in Madrid’s defence after his move from Bayern Munich, has been hampered by repeated fitness problems. Earning €22.5 million (£19m/$26m) annually, his wages are a strain for the Whites, who are focusing on younger defensive options. Fiorentina are looking to strengthen their backline, particularly with Pietro Comuzzo expected to move to Saudi Arabia. The Serie A side see Alaba’s experience as crucial, though they are also linked with former Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof.

TELL ME MORE…

Saudi Pro League clubs such as Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli have previously been linked with Alaba, but none made formal offers. According to reports, La Viola are putting together a two-year contract proposal, hoping to lure the defender with the promise of regular football something he craves ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ALABA?

Alaba’s entourage had maintained he would stay at Madrid, but Fiorentina’s concrete approach could change the situation quickly. If terms are agreed, the Serie A club will move fast to close the deal before the window shuts.

The USMNT midfielder has opened up about his surprising return to MLS, detailing how conversations with both clubs helped make his decision

• Aaronson admitted he hadn't anticipated returning to MLS 
• Cited conversations with Frankfurt about his future as catalyst for move
• Colorado's vision for developing aspects of his game a selling point

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  WHAT HAPPENED

  U.S. international Paxten Aaronson opened up about the whirlwind of events leading to his move to the Colorado Rapids. The 21-year-old midfielder said he hoped to carve out a similar role at Eintracht Frankfurt after his loan at FC Utrecht and pushed to make it work with the Bundesliga side during preseason.

  “After my season at Utrecht, I was feeling great after that season. And I knew that the next step, with the World Cup coming in, and all of what had happened last year, I knew I needed to go to a club where I could do exactly what I did last year," Aaronson said on the CBS Sports podcast.

  Aaronson mentioned he, his agent, and Frankfurt discussed various options, including a return to Utrecht, but his club insisted that the American should stay with the club during preseason to see if he could earn more minutes with the Bundesliga team.

  “I was open to it because a club like Frankfurt, if I can go in and impress and play there, then yeah, it's like the pinnacle. It's a Champions League club, a top-five league, so I was going to try to go there and make the best of it," he said.

  However, with pre-season not working out to his expectations, the midfielder revealed that both parties agreed to explore options that would maximize Aaronson's development and playing time with the World Cup approaching. He confessed that a move back to the MLS wasn’t even on the cards for him, but an offer from the Colorado Rapids changed the situation.

  “I think as the preseason went on, me and the club mutually agreed that they probably couldn't give me the minutes [I expected], especially after the season I had last season," he explained. "So it was kind of mutual to start looking for other clubs, and yeah, probably find a solution, and my agents did a great job.

  “But yeah. I wasn't even expecting to kind of come back to MLS. It wasn't in my mind till my agent called me and said, ‘Yeah, Colorado are interested, they have an open [Designated Player] spot.'"

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• WHAT PAXTEN AARONSON SAID

  Aaronson revealed that a phone call with Colorado's technical staff – including head coach Chris Armas – ultimately convinced him that the Rapids represented the ideal move for him right now.

  “They came back with some serious interest," he said. "What really kind of turned my head is when I had the phone call with the Colorado staff and Chris [Armas] and kind of the idea that they proposed to me. I think was something unique where I don't even think a lot of European clubs can offer what they offered me in terms of coming to a new challenge, wearing the No. 10 [role], coming into a team where I can influence."

  For the former Philadelphia academy player, the chance to continue developing his game in his return to MLS was a big sellng point.

  “And I think for me, that's a different aspect of my game where I haven't been able to kind of work on and I think it'll bring out different sides of me that I think I know we'll get the best out of me, kind of freedom on the field, free flowing and kind of giving the green light to chai stuff and I think that's what really intrigued me.

  The 21-year-old midfielder also confirmed that U.S. Men's National Team manager Mauricio Pochettino's demonstrated willingness to call up MLS-based players removed a potential barrier that might have previously discouraged him from returning to the domestic league.

  “Yeah, definitely,” Aaronson added when asked whether Pochettino’s views on the MLS changed things. “Like you said, I knew I couldn't go somewhere where I wasn't gonna play. And yeah, of course, nothing's ever guaranteed in life, or in soccer.

  “But I knew coming up with the World Cup, and like you said, especially how Pochettino speaks about the MLS, and just when you look at the rosters, he selects, I know that MLS, you don't have a big red X next to your name. So yeah, that was definitely a part of it.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Aaronson's perspective reflects a significant shift in the USMNT ecosystem under Pochettino's leadership. Previous national team regimes often prioritized European-based players regardless of playing time, creating implicit pressure for American talents to remain abroad even in suboptimal situations.

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• WHAT’S NEXT?

  Aaronson has already made two appearances for the Colorado Rapids and will likely be a part of their next game, after the international break, against the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 14.