The Independent Football

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Ezri Konsa makes Villa Park return as Gunners seek successive wins

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  The Gunners won their league opener against Coventry and can keep up the pace at the top of the table with victory tonight

• Lionel Messi retires from international football

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Messi has called time on his Argentina career after defeat to Spain in July’s World Cup final

• Bradley Barcola’s Liverpool number revealed – and the reason behind it

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Barcola will wear No 29 at Anfield - the number he picked before joining PSG because of Alex Hunter from Fifa’s ‘The Journey’

• Liverpool complete statement signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  The France forward has joined the Premier League club for a fee of more than £100m

• Liverpool agree deal for new goalkeeper – but he won’t arrive just yet

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Lucca Brughmans will be loaned back to Genk for the rest of this season

• Manchester City complete signing of £32m winger as spending spree continues

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Allan may yet be joined by another winger before the end of the transfer window as City reshape their attack

• Virgil van Dijk offers hint over international future ahead of talks with new Netherlands boss Xavi

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Van Dijk is four short of a century of caps for his country

• How a reinvented Kobbie Mainoo could yet prove Manchester United’s midfield answer

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  A huge transfer outlay has seen Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos signed this summer – but, Richard Jolly argues, Mainoo could...

• Harry Maguire delighted with Marcus Rashford’s return after ‘rough ride’ at Manchester United

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Rashford made his first start for the club in nearly two years in the 5-2 win over Ipswich

• Everton open talks over Folarin Balogun in last-ditch attacking overhaul

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Richarlison and Jack Grealish could also arrive in a busy end to the window for Everton

• Transfer news LIVE: Alvarez to Arsenal latest, Gakpo set for City after Barcola’s Liverpool move

  31-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  A hectic end to the transfer window could be in store with just two days left

• Luke Shaw names Man Utd star who should have won player of the match against Ipswich - and it’s not Bruno Fernandes

  30-8-2026 Football The Independent Football

  Left back makes alternative pick for standout performer in 5-2 win against Ipswich at Old Trafford