Manchester United Advances Midfield Recruitment Amid High-Profile Targets and Coaching Stability

Fans gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup can now secure England’s iconic 1990 third shirt at a fraction of its original price. The retro strip, famously featured in the "World in Motion" video by New Order, has dropped from £49.99 to just £35 at Sports Direct. However, savvy shoppers can lower the price even further by signing up for a free TopCashback account, bringing the cost down to £18.25 after applying a £15 welcome bonus and cashback rewards.

This offer, exclusive to new TopCashback members, represents a total discount of approximately 63%, with existing members able to purchase the shirt for £33.25 after cashback. It’s important to note that Sports Direct charges £4.99 for standard delivery, which should be taken into account when calculating the final cost.

Alternatively, Kitbag provides a 20% discount on the England Retro collection when customers use the code RETRO20, reducing the 1990 shirt price from £40 to £32. This promotion ends on June 11. For supporters interested in the latest kits, England’s official 2026 World Cup shirt is available starting at £64.99 for children and £89.99 for adults from the England Official Store and other retailers.

The 1990 third shirt, designed for Italia ’90 but never actually worn during the tournament, features a distinctive blue base with a subtle geometric pattern, stripe detailing on the collar and sleeves, and the England crest embroidered on the chest. It has been recognized as the second-best England kit of all time by FourFourTwo magazine, second only to the famed 1966 away strip worn during England’s World Cup victory.

To obtain the 1990 shirt at the £18.25 price, shoppers must:

• Register for a free TopCashback account.
• Search for Sports Direct on TopCashback and select 'Get Cashback Now'.
• Complete the purchase on Sports Direct as usual; cashback will be tracked and credited within seven working days.
• Withdraw the cashback after it becomes payable, effectively reducing the price.

Liverpool’s transfer window activity has intensified with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande emerging as a primary target following the arrival of new manager Andoni Iraola. Talks between the clubs have reportedly started, with Diomande sending a positive message while representing Ivory Coast in a friendly against France.

At the same time, Liverpool faces key contract negotiations with crucial squad members. Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who stood out as Liverpool’s top performer in the 2025/26 season, could leave next summer if talks on his contract extension fail. His current deal runs until 2028, but Liverpool seeks to avoid losing him on a free transfer as they previously did with other important players.

Meanwhile, Juventus’ pursuit of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson appears to have stalled. After failing to secure the Brazilian’s signing this summer, the Italian club has shifted focus to other targets. Liverpool now aims to negotiate a new contract with Alisson, whose current deal expires next year.

The club continues to monitor potential squad reinforcements beyond Diomande, with links to players like Bradley Barcola and Kennet Eichhorn. Simultaneously, Liverpool may offload some promising talents, including Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, to balance the squad and finances under the new managerial regime.

Madame Tussauds London introduced a milestone in its sporting collection by unveiling the inaugural figure of England Men’s Football captain Harry Kane MBE. The figure, meticulously crafted over six months, reflects the striker’s exact appearance and was unveiled as fans prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Harry Kane personally approved the waxwork, noting the incredible attention to detail, from the realistic eyes to the tape on his wedding finger—a symbolic touch he uses to celebrate goals. The figure is decked out in the official England Men’s FIFA World Cup 2026 home kit and sports the new Skechers SKX_2 Elite World Cup boots, mirroring the exact outfit Kane will wear in the tournament.

The unveiling took place in London, Kane’s lifelong home, underscoring the city’s significance in his career. The ceremony was made memorable by the presence of Kane’s wife and four children. In a nod to his roots, young players from Ridgeway Rovers, the North London club where Kane began playing at age six, were invited to celebrate alongside the figure, symbolizing the journey from grassroots football to international stardom.

Created in close collaboration with Madame Tussauds’ expert sculptors, the figure represents not only Kane’s physical likeness but also aims to inspire the next generation of football fans. Kane hopes that visitors, especially children, will find motivation in seeing the waxwork and be encouraged to believe in their ambitions and enjoy their own football journeys.

Southampton have completed the permanent transfer of Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz from Bayern Munich, agreeing on a four-year contract that ties the 25-year-old to the club until 2030. The transfer followed a noteworthy loan period at St Mary’s Stadium, where Peretz demonstrated his abilities across 26 appearances.

During his loan, Peretz amassed 78 saves and kept nine clean sheets, playing a key role in Southampton’s journey to the Championship Play-Off Final. Despite the team’s later expulsion from the playoffs amid a spying scandal, the goalkeeper’s performances, including his contribution to the club’s advancement to the FA Cup semi-finals, highlighted his value to the squad.

Despite the fallout from the espionage case that led to a points deduction at the start of the new season, Peretz expressed optimism and commitment to Southampton’s future ambitions. He emphasized his strong bond with the club and confidence in their potential to secure promotion, prioritizing the chance to progress with the Saints over other opportunities.

Southampton’s Group Technical Director, Johannes Spors, praised Peretz’s influence, noting how his confidence uplifts the entire team. Spors confirmed that discussions following the season showed Peretz’s desire to remain with the club, signaling trust in both the player’s quality and the organization’s direction despite recent challenges.

The 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London produced hundreds of striking photographs that portray the skill, passion, and drama of the event. Amid thousands of images from Copper Box Arena and OVO Arena Wembley, three photographers selected their most memorable shots that highlight the diversity and intensity of the competition.

Michael Loveder’s selections focus on determination and technical prowess. His favorites include Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, celebrated as Africa’s top player, showcasing power and perseverance. Loveder also highlights Japan’s Hina Hayata, fully absorbed in competition, and New Zealand’s 14-year-old Eli Ho demonstrating advanced techniques. Other portraits show Korea’s Kim Nayeong battling through physical effort and Flavien Coton captured just before a powerful backhand, illustrating precision and focus.

Alan Man chose images that capture high stakes and heartfelt moments. Among his picks is Italy’s Nicole Arlia shedding tears after securing a key victory against Croatia, reflecting the emotional toll of elite sport. Other images include Hana Goda’s intense concentration, Adriana Diaz’s reaction to defeat, Ella Pashley leading support for England, and Miwa Harimoto celebrating a winning streak. Shunsuke Togami’s aerial leap before a lost final adds dynamic movement to Man’s portfolio.

Sam Mellish favors shots that tell stories and celebrate home nations. He commemorates Wales’ Charlotte Carey celebrating a crucial win at Copper Box, and English player Sam Walker’s impressive leap during a group stage match. Mellish experiments with creative techniques such as multiple exposures featuring Marcos Madrid’s serve. His collection also captures joyous celebrations, like Sweden’s Anton Kallberg triumphing over China, and highlights standout athletes such as Brazil’s Hugo Calderano stepping into the spotlight despite visual clutter in the frame.

These photographers’ choices offer a vivid window into the event, showcasing moments behind the scenes and in the heat of competition. The full range of images from London 2026 is available through the official Flickr collection, providing a comprehensive visual story of the championships.