BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Having parted ways with Lewandowski, Barcelona continues to search for a striker. Julian Álvarez remains their dream, but the Blaugrana are a coveted destination for several players. According to “Sport,” Victor Osimhen has been offered to Barça by several intermediaries. However, this is likely to remain a transfer possibility because, while recognizing the former Napoli player’s value, currently at Galatasaray, he isn’t the striker Deco is targeting.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Roberto De Zerbi has received a highly experienced signing. Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced the signing of Andy Robertson, “a leader on and off the pitch, the decorated captain of the Scottish national team, who will join the club on July 1st, when his contract with Liverpool expires.” These are the words with which Spurs announced the arrival of the full-back, who left Anfield after nine years.

“Andy is a player I have admired for years, and he will bring exceptional technical ability, experience, leadership, and mentality to our team,” said Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi. “He is a proven winner at the highest level for a long time and can be a key element for us, both on and off the pitch. I can’t wait to start working with him and see the positive impact he will have on everyone around him.”

He won everything with Liverpool, and now he’s preparing to captain Scotland at the World Cup, before embarking on a new adventure with Tottenham. In the past there had also been talk of Juventus’ interest in the defender, born in 1994.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – While one candidate continues to promise the arrivals of Haaland and Rodri despite repeated denials, the other avoids naming names but raises the stakes. Taking a slightly different approach from rival Enrique Riquelme, veteran Florentino Pérez is confident of being re-elected as Real Madrid president on Sunday.

“On Tuesday, I will submit an offer to a Champions League club. I will put forward the highest transfer fee ever paid by Real Madrid for a player. It will be at least €150 million,” said the club’s current president.

Pérez ruled out four potential targets, although one of them, according to Madrid-based newspaper As, should not be completely dismissed.

“It is not Olise, who is a great player, but it is not him. It is not Doku, it is not Haaland, it is not Kane, and he does not play in the Premier League. We are talking about a true Galáctico.”

According to As, the mystery signing could be one of three players: Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain, or João Neves, also of PSG. The latter two are Portuguese, like José Mourinho.

The other Madrid daily, Marca, rules out Olise and believes the shortlist consists solely of Vitinha and João Neves.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s debt burden is expected to return to levels last seen three decades ago within the next four years, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said.

Speaking at a news conference marking Malta’s exit from the European Union’s excessive deficit procedure, Caruana said strong government revenues are projected to continue despite external economic challenges.

He said the healthy revenue outlook would enable further reductions in both the deficit and debt-to-GDP ratios.

“I expect that, over the next four years, the debt burden will go back to what it was 30 years ago,” Caruana said.

The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it was closing the excessive deficit procedure against Malta after the country reduced its deficit to 2.2% of GDP, below the EU threshold of 3%.

Malta had been placed under the procedure in 2024 when its deficit stood at 4.9% of GDP.

Caruana noted that Malta was the only EU member state removed from the procedure this week, while the Commission expects 14 countries to remain under it next year.

“The trends also show that while deficits in Europe will worsen, the European Commission’s forecasts are different for Malta,” he said.

Prime Minister Robert Abela attributed Malta’s fiscal performance to progressive economic policies and a rejection of austerity measures.

He argued that austerity would have led to weaker economic growth, lower consumption and greater pressure on families and businesses.

Abela said Malta’s economic strategy had helped shield the country from external shocks, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as energy and logistics disruptions.

He also cited recent Eurostat figures showing Malta recorded the lowest inflation rate in the eurozone, describing it as evidence of policies designed to protect households and businesses from global challenges.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LIVERPOOL (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Andoni Iraola has been appointed as Liverpool’s new head coach.

The Premier League club has officially confirmed the signing of the 43-year-old Basque manager, who arrives after a three-year spell at Bournemouth and succeeds the dismissed Arne Slot. Liverpool did not disclose the length of the contract, although British media reports suggest it is a two-year deal.

“I’m really excited,” Iraola said in his first comments as Liverpool manager. “The atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the opportunity to coach world-class footballers and compete for trophies — it’s hard to find anything more attractive. I can’t wait to get started.”

Iraola faced Liverpool seven times during his tenure at Bournemouth and recalled in particular a match from last season, won 4-2 by the Reds thanks to a late goal from Federico Chiesa.

“It was 2-2 and we thought we could take something from the game,” he said. “Then he scored and the stadium exploded. It was incredible. Now I want to experience those emotions from the other side.”

He added: “Liverpool gives me the chance to coach great players, and great players give you the chance to compete for and win titles. When you arrive at a new club, you can’t promise everything, but I fully understand where I am and what the expectations are.”

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ISTANBUL (TURKEY) (ITALPRESS) – Juventus face competition from Turkey in their pursuit of Randal Kolo Muani.

After parting ways with Dusan Vlahovic, the Bianconeri are keen to bring the French striker back to Turin. Kolo Muani is owned by Paris Saint-Germain but spent the last season on loan at Tottenham. However, Galatasaray have also reportedly set their sights on the forward.

The Turkish club, having lost Mauro Icardi and seeking a backup for Victor Osimhen, are in the market for attacking reinforcements. According to local media, Galatasaray could offer Kolo Muani the opportunity to play in the Champions League, an advantage over Juventus.

As for the transfer fee, PSG are said to have set their asking price at between €25 million and €30 million.

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Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Keep working calmly and know that we are waiting for you; in 2028, this bench could be yours.” In essence, this may have been the message that Barcelona conveyed to Cesc Fàbregas, the Como manager who has just celebrated a historic qualification for the Champions League on the shores of Lake Como.

According to reports from Catalunya Ràdio, both Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco hold the Spanish coach in very high regard. Fàbregas wore the Blaugrana shirt as a player from 2011 to 2014.

Hansi Flick is currently in charge of the Catalan club, and both his relationship with the club and his results have been excellent. However, it is believed that the two parties could part ways when his contract expires. Should that happen, Fàbregas would be the leading candidate on Barcelona’s shortlist of potential successors, and the Como coach is reportedly already aware of Barça’s intentions.

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Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries were sworn in this morning as Malta’s new Cabinet formally began its work under Prime Minister Robert Abela’s second mandate.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s Hall of the Palace in Valletta and was presided over by President Myriam Spiteri Debono.

The new Cabinet is made up of Prime Minister Robert Abela, 21 Ministers and two Parliamentary Secretaries. Under Malta’s Constitution, the Cabinet is responsible for the general direction and control of the Government and is collectively accountable to Parliament.

All five elected women MPs have been appointed to the Cabinet, serving as four ministers and one parliamentary secretary.

Among the key changes, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has been assigned the Health portfolio, while Deo Debattista returns to Cabinet as Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing. Chris Fearne returned to Cabinet as Minister for Foreign and European Affairs.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the Cabinet combines experience with renewed energy, with several ministers retaining existing responsibilities while taking on new duties. Former parliamentary secretaries have also been promoted to ministerial roles.

The Government said the allocation of portfolios reflects priorities including digital transformation, housing, mobility and community regeneration across Malta and Gozo.

It added that the new Cabinet is focused on implementing the electoral manifesto, strengthening economic growth and improving quality of life. The Government said it remains committed to measures aimed at making people’s lives easier, better and more fulfilling.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Members of the European Parliament have rejected calls for EU intervention in Malta’s fireworks industry following last week’s explosion at a fireworks factory in Magħtab.

European Parliament Vice President Nicu Ștefănuță urged lawmakers to examine the safety and environmental risks linked to fireworks manufacturing, describing repeated factory explosions as a persistent threat to human life, property and the environment.

In a letter to fellow MEPs, the Romanian Green politician called for an assessment of whether Maltese and EU regulations are sufficient and suggested Malta could be required to ban fireworks production and large-scale storage if safety cannot be guaranteed.

Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that fireworks form an essential part of Malta’s cultural heritage and that the sector does not fall within EU competence.

He said fireworks production is strictly regulated under Maltese law and described accidents as rare incidents rather than a recurring norm.

Nationalist MEP Peter Agius also rejected calls for a ban, highlighting the role of fireworks in Malta’s religious feasts and cultural identity.

He pointed to existing regulations governing the manufacture, storage, transport and use of fireworks, as well as licensing and safety requirements for pyrotechnicians.

Agius noted that a magistrate’s inquiry into the Magħtab explosion is ongoing and said authorities should first determine what caused the incident before considering further action.

The exchange follows Monday’s explosion at a fireworks manufacturing facility in Magħtab, which reignited debate over the safety of the industry. While fireworks remain a central feature of village feasts, factory accidents have periodically resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.

Ștefănuță argued that the recurring nature of such incidents raises questions about whether current oversight measures are sufficient and called for discussion on possible EU-level responses.

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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – “I don’t know if the deal is already done, but if so, Denzel deserves it. I would certainly have preferred to see him at Barça,” said Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman from the Dutch national team’s training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A former Barcelona player and coach, the Dutch coach confirmed Denzel Dumfries’ transfer to Real Madrid.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews