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Columbus Crew Acquire Free Agent Defender Eric Bailly Columbus Crew have officially signed free agent defender Eric Bailly, marking a significant addition to their roster for the 2026 season. The 32-year-old Ivorian, who most recently played for Real Oviedo in Spain, will join the club following the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. His contract is guaranteed through June 2027, with club options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 MLS campaigns. Bailly will occupy an international roster slot, further strengthening the Crew’s defensive depth. Crew General Manager Issa Tall expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting Bailly’s experience and leadership qualities. “His experience at the highest levels of the game, combined with his defensive quality, leadership, and composure, will strengthen our backline and have an impact on our roster,” Tall said. “Eric brings a winning mentality and valuable experience that will benefit our group both on and off the field.” The Crew aim to integrate Bailly into their squad as they push toward their goals in the second half of the 2026 season. Bailly’s professional career has spanned multiple top-tier leagues, including La Liga, the English Premier League, and Ligue 1. He joined Real Oviedo in 2025 after stints with RCD Espanyol (2014-15), Villarreal CF (2015-16 and 2023-25), Manchester United FC (2016-23), Olympique de Marseille (2022-23), and Beşiktaş (2023). His most notable achievements include winning the UEFA Europa League, EFL Cup, and FA Community Shield with Manchester United during the 2016-17 season. Bailly’s time at Manchester United was marked by consistent performances. Over seven seasons, he made 113 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist.#manchester_united #columbus_crew #real_oviedo #eric_bailly #issa_tall

Manchester United Secure £50m Transfer for Brazilian Midfielder Andrey Santos Manchester United have finalized a £50 million deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea, marking a significant move in their summer transfer strategy. The agreement, which includes an initial payment of £48 million and potential add-ons totaling £2 million, was reached swiftly after United expressed interest in Santos over the weekend. Chelsea has also secured a 10% sell-on clause, ensuring a financial benefit from any future transfer. Santos, who has been cleared for a medical, is set to join United ahead of their pre-season preparations, with fellow Brazilian Ederson also scheduled to undergo a medical before completing his £35 million move from Atalanta. The acquisition of Santos comes as United address a pressing need in their midfield following the departure of Casemiro, whose contract expired after a decade at the club. The veteran midfielder’s exit left a void in the squad, prompting United to prioritize central midfield reinforcements. Manuel Ugarte, initially earmarked for sale, was ruled out for an extended period due to a cruciate knee ligament injury, further complicating their options. Despite efforts to secure Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, the deal collapsed when it became clear the cost would exceed £110 million. United’s pursuit of West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes also faltered after Tottenham offered a guaranteed £85 million for the Brazilian, leading to his move to north London. Santos’ arrival is expected to bolster United’s midfield depth, particularly as Kobbie Mainoo remains with England at the World Cup. The club’s pre-season campaign will begin on Thursday, with Michael Carrick’s squad facing Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July.#manchester_united #chelsea #atalanta #andrey_santos #ederson

Manchester United Target Andrey Santos but Chelsea Value Midfielder at £50m Manchester United are pursuing the services of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who is reportedly valued at around £50 million. While formal talks between the clubs have not yet begun, United are expected to make an offer in the coming weeks. Santos, a 22-year-old Brazilian, has been linked with the club after missing out on other targets such as Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. The Red Devils are seeking to strengthen their midfield under manager Michael Carrick, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott also under consideration. Santos, who joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023 for £18 million, has struggled to secure regular first-team minutes due to competition from Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. His path to regular play has been further complicated by Caicedo’s recent contract extension. Chelsea, meanwhile, are in need of funds to support the ambitions of new head coach Xabi Alonso, who has been tasked with rebuilding the squad. The club’s financial situation has prompted interest in experienced players such as Granit Xhaka, though Sunderland have so far rejected the offer. Newcastle United are also monitoring Santos’ situation, as they seek a replacement for Sandro Tonali, who will join Tottenham. The Magpies’ interest highlights the growing competition for the Brazilian’s services. United, who will return to the Champions League this season, have identified midfield as a priority area for investment. An agreement is already in place to sign Éderson from Atalanta for £35 million, though the transfer has been delayed by the player’s late World Cup call-up. The club faces a depth crisis in midfield following the departure of Casemiro and the knee ligament injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte during Uruguay’s defeat by Spain.#manchester_united #chelsea #newcastle_united #xabi_alonso #andrey_santos

Manchester United's Ederson Transfer Faces Uncertainty Amid World Cup Call-Up and Medical Delays Manchester United's attempt to secure Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Serie A club Atalanta has encountered significant hurdles, casting doubt over the £35m deal that was initially agreed on 2 June. The transfer, which had aimed to finalize a medical examination by early July to ensure completion before pre-season training, now appears stalled due to unforeseen circumstances. The 27-year-old player’s late inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad for the 2022 tournament disrupted the timeline, forcing the club to reassess the transfer’s viability. The original plan had been for Ederson to undergo a medical once Brazil’s World Cup campaign concluded, with United sources privately confirming this arrangement when initial reports of the transfer’s potential collapse emerged last weekend. However, Brazil’s early exit from the tournament—eliminated by Norway in the Round of 16—did not resolve the issue. Despite Chelsea’s Andrey Santos and former Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow making progress in their own transfers, no official updates have been released regarding Ederson’s status. Sources have indicated that medical tests conducted by United have raised concerns, with one insider telling BBC Sport that the deal is effectively off. Yet, both clubs have denied this, stating that no final decision has been made and that the transfer remains under consideration. Ederson is reportedly still in the United States, with his future hanging in the balance. If the transfer falls through, it would mark another setback for United during a challenging summer, following a series of failed attempts to bolster their squad.#manchester_united #atalanta #carlo_ancelotti #brazil #ederson

Manchester United Eyes Andrey Santos as Midfield Reinforcement Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who is nearing a £48 million transfer from Chelsea. The deal, which could be finalized before the September 1 transfer window deadline, would mark a significant step in the club’s efforts to reshape its midfield for the 2026-27 season. Santos, who has spent the past two seasons with Chelsea, is seen as a potential solution to address gaps in United’s midfield structure and provide long-term value amid a competitive transfer market. Santos has established himself as a reliable and intelligent midfielder during his time at Chelsea, where he has made 43 appearances across the 2025-26 campaign under three different head coaches. His role has primarily been as a defensive midfielder, offering stability and balance to a squad dominated by attacking threats like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Known for his composure and tactical awareness, Santos has been a key player in Chelsea’s midfield, often acting as a link between defense and attack. His ability to read the game and distribute the ball efficiently has made him a valuable asset, particularly in situations where Chelsea needed to transition from defense to attack. One of Santos’ standout qualities is his calm, methodical approach to the game. He excels at making quick, accurate passes in tight spaces and is adept at creating opportunities for teammates through intelligent movement. His one-touch passing and ability to remain composed under pressure have been highlighted as key strengths, particularly in scenarios where Chelsea’s defense is under threat. Santos’ role has often involved setting up play for Caicedo, allowing the forward to exploit spaces in the opposition’s defense.#manchester_united #chelsea #michael_carrick #enzo_fernandez #andrey_santos

Chicharito Hernández Denies Alleged Racist Statement Toward Argentine Journalist The controversy surrounding Javier "Chicharito" Hernández escalated after Argentine journalist Hugo Balassone claimed the Mexican football analyst had insulted Argentines during a match between Argentina and Egipto. Hernández, now a FOX Sports analyst, publicly clarified the situation, asserting that his remarks were misinterpreted and directed at a specific individual rather than the entire country. The incident reportedly occurred during the broadcast of the Argentina-Egipto game, where Hernández and Balassone were positioned near each other in the stadium’s commentary zone. Balassone alleged that Hernández had criticized Argentines in general, sparking widespread debate on social media. Fans in both Mexico and Argentina reacted strongly, with many accusing Hernández of xenophobia. However, Hernández denied the claim, emphasizing that his words were not a generalization. In a social media post, Hernández addressed the controversy directly. He stated, "I never said [that]. I only said in singular toward that 'mal-educated journalist.' Nothing was against Argentina, but about the behavior of that person. They want to invent that I hate Argentines. The same people who invented terrible things about their team for years. I have great affection for Argentina and many friends there." Hernández clarified that his frustration was limited to the journalist’s conduct during the event, not the country or its supporters. He highlighted his longstanding relationship with Argentina, citing colleagues, coaches, and friends in the football world. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player also criticized those who spread the alleged statement, calling it a distortion of the truth.#manchester_united #argentina #fox_sports #javier_chicharito_hernandez #hugo_balassone

Manchester United Eyes Third Midfielder as INEOS Greenlights £50m Kone Deal Manchester United are set to finalize a £50m move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, marking their third major signing of the summer transfer window. The deal, which has received the green light from INEOS, comes after the club confirmed agreements for Ederson (from Atalanta) and Andrey Santos (from Chelsea), with the combined fee for the two players totaling around £85m. Kone, a 25-year-old defensive midfielder, has emerged as a serious target following Roma’s willingness to sell him at the specified price. Kone, who joined Roma from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 for under £20m, has become a key asset for the Serie A side. Despite securing Champions League qualification, Roma faces financial pressures from UEFA regulations, making Kone their most valuable saleable player. The club has already engaged intermediaries to discuss potential destinations, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool all shown interest. Kone, who played 37 matches for Roma last season and contributed two goals and three assists, has expressed enthusiasm for a move to England if the right opportunity arises. United’s pursuit of Kone follows the collapse of their bid for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. Despite initial hopes, Mourinho confirmed that Tchouameni would remain at Real Madrid, with the club offering him a new contract through to 2031. This development forced United to explore alternatives, leading to Kone’s rise on their shortlist. The club’s recruitment team has also considered other options, including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, but inflated valuations for Premier League players have hindered progress. The £50m fee for Kone aligns with United’s financial flexibility.#manchester_united #real_madrid #ineos #romas #manu_kone