Football

What we know so far

Wales' most capped and highest scoring men's international, Bale was initially linked with a takeover at Plymouth Argyle.

With owner Simon Hallet looking for fresh investment, Bale was said to be the face of a USA-based private equity group that had entered early talks over a deal.

Some sources at Plymouth played down those reports with no public utterance from Bale or the unnamed other members of the consortium.

That changed, though, when it emerged the group had written to Cardiff owner Tan making it clear they would be keen on taking control at the club recently relegated from the Championship.

There was no formal bid but the proposal did make clear what the group would be looking to pay for a shareholding.

Cardiff's board became aware of the approach but only after it had been dismissed pretty swiftly by Tan. As a result, there was no boardroom discussion or invitation for further talks.

BBC Sport Wales has been told a second approach was made to Tan but was met with the same short shrift.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by police in the United Kingdom. The Ghana international is expected in Court on Tuesday the fifth of August.

Partey, 32, is accused of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault that are believed to have taken place in 2021 and 2022, report the BBC. The incidents involved three separate women, two of which allegedly suffered the former five charges, with the third suffering an alleged sexual assault

Cristiano Ronaldo "It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace

Some very interesting stories here.

Really upsetting. He recently got married this week.

Had forgotten about this move.... Great.

So will need 2 attacking reinforcements now atleast. Between him, Fer Lopez, Bamba, Aspas' age, Claudio's willingness to rotate and the added games this season .....

And I won't be shocked if swedberg left or Borjas signing fails.

Oh meanwhile como are looking at starfelt too.

I could see Grady diangana being signed as a winger, a sad sad situation that would be.

Carlos Vicente felt like a more intruiging option but alaves' sporting director said they aren't gonna sell.

I suspect the Gonzalo Garcia links are untrue but what a spectacular player he is! That would be the dream signing. Would take Victor Munoz too tbh.

Bryan Zaragoza is linked but isn't he linked to every laliga midtable team.

Juan Cruz of leganes looks unappealing having seen em be toothless last year and the money leganes want.

My dream incomings:

Pena, need a starting keeper. Guaita is gone and radu is such a disappointing transfer.

Cesar Azpi, get the move done, high level technical and experienced player in the team, desperately needed. Wages an issue tho.

Borja, again a key player this season, betis want a fee for him. Tough for celta to afford. I'm shocked his wages are possible honestly.

Gonzalo Garcia + Victor Munoz. Impossible but getting the duo that has incredible chemistry would be very valuable. Munoz less important of the two.

Manquillo and Jailson leave behind 25 games or so too so may need one more body in defence.

Any other signing depends on outgoings.

Terrible losses this year. But still a promising project.

[Igor Tudor] "10 Juventus players asked to be substituted," he said. "The exhaustion was incredible. There's the tension of this match, which burns your energy. Then there's this heat, which really gets to you, and the third thing that completes the conditions is playing in this humidity."

Man City and Inter Milan are knocked out.

Mac Allister "When we played PSG, Dembélé was flying. The ball was up for grabs, I went with my foot open and he nutmegged me. He came to me and said: 'Bro, don't come so fast next time.' And I told him, 'Don't worry, next time I'll hit you in the knee.' The thing is, I never managed to catch him."

3 defensive outgoings.

Ruggeri arriving likely. Amazing

Will need one cb signing too. Players ive seen linked are, Romero (too expensive), Theate (al nassr interested too), laporte, otamendi, demiral and the only good option hincapie.

Ideally a rb too to unleash llorente at RM or CM. Unlikely tho considering baena and cardoso have been signed. Maybe Ratiu or Areso or someone.

Reinaldo goes to Sunderland.

Azpi to Celta Vigo is likely.

Defensive overhaul was well needed and long overdue.

Witsel not yet in advanced talks anywhere.