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Premier League Clubs Smash Summer Transfer Spending Record

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 19, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 19, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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Premier League Clubs Smash Summer Transfer Spending Record

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 19, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 19, 2026 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

The Premier League has smashed its summer spending record for a second successive season, with outlay by England's top-flight clubs reaching around £3.46 billion ($4.67 billion).

The spending spree continued right up to the final hours of the transfer window on Tuesday, with several more big-money deals completed before the 11 p.m. deadline.

Manchester City capped their spending by signing Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a reported British record-equaling £125 million on Tuesday. They also signed Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for a reported £65 million.

Last ‌summer, the combined ‌spending of the league's 20 clubs breached the £3 billion ‌barrier ⁠for the first ⁠time. Five years ago, the total stood at £1.13 billion.

In addition to Fernandez, three other transfers breached the £100 million mark during the window.

City signed midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, Morgan Rogers switched from Aston Villa to Chelsea for £117 million and Liverpool agreed to pay an initial £107 million to Paris St Germain for France forward Bradley Barcola with that deal likely to rise to £123 million.

Tottenham Hotspur also ⁠broke their club transfer record to sign Sandro Tonali from ‌Newcastle United in a deal that could ‌reach £100 million.

Of the 11 most expensive signings in Premier League history, four -- Fernandez, Anderson, Rogers ‌and Barcola -- have arrived this summer.

Aston Villa also announced their 11th signing ‌of the window with the £47 million purchase of Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG, while Newcastle paid £51.4 million to bring in forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.

The trend for clubs to buy from English top-flight rivals continues to rise with around 38% of deals made ‌between Premier League clubs -- up from 30% last summer.

City led the way with £458 million in spending as new manager ⁠Enzo Maresca assembled ⁠his first squad, while Chelsea also spent heavily, shelling out £349 million to back new boss Xabi Alonso.

Tottenham splashed out £303 million as they rebuild after two successive seasons close to being relegated.

According to website Transfermarkt, promoted trio Ipswich, Coventry City and Hull City spent more than a combined £400 million to prepare themselves for life in the top flight.

Sunderland landed highly rated Belgian winger Malick Fofana, 21, from Olympique Lyonnais in a reported £30 million deal after beating Crystal Palace to his signature.

Some deals failed to go through on deadline day.

British media reported that Everton's move for Folarin Balogun collapsed after the US striker decided against proceeding with the transfer, while Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara remained at Monaco after his reported £47.1 million move to Chelsea fell through.

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Messi Departure Leaves Argentina Facing Rebuild After Golden Era

A commuter walks past a mural of Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi, on the day he announced his retirement from the national team, at the Villa del Parque train station, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 31, 2026. (Reuters)
A commuter walks past a mural of Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi, on the day he announced his retirement from the national team, at the Villa del Parque train station, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 31, 2026. (Reuters)
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Messi Departure Leaves Argentina Facing Rebuild After Golden Era

A commuter walks past a mural of Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi, on the day he announced his retirement from the national team, at the Villa del Parque train station, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 31, 2026. (Reuters)
A commuter walks past a mural of Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi, on the day he announced his retirement from the national team, at the Villa del Parque train station, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 31, 2026. (Reuters)

Argentina face a testing transition period as they attempt to move on from Lionel Messi's international retirement, with question marks also hanging over the futures of coach Lionel Scaloni and several ageing players.

Messi vacated the famous number 10 shirt on Monday, after 21 years of carrying Argentinian hopes on his shoulders.

It was a burden that weighed heavily initially, before a golden era late in his career during which the South American giants won three major titles, including the 2022 World Cup.

The 39-year-old's last competitive match for Argentina was the 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final in July.

Of the 17 players who featured in that match for Scaloni's side, only two will be under the age of 30 when the next World Cup kicks off in South America in 2030.

Veteran center-back Nicolas Otamendi, 38, retired from international duty in the wake of the loss to Spain in New Jersey, when Argentina were thoroughly outplayed by younger, more vibrant opponents.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has since suggested he may follow suit, as has 32-year-old midfield enforcer Leandro Paredes, who was slapped with a 10-match ban by FIFA for attacking Spain players after the final whistle.

"If he (Messi) isn't there, it will be hard for everything to keep working the way it used to," Paredes told Argentinian TV channel TN.

Rodrigo De Paul's international career has also been heavily linked with his Inter Miami teammate's.

The biggest question marks surround the future of coach Scaloni, who has overseen the most successful spell for the Albiceleste since the days of Diego Maradona.

The 48-year-old, whose team are known as the "Scaloneta" at home, was appointed in 2018 and ended Argentina's 28-year wait for a major trophy with victory in the 2021 Copa America.

The former Deportivo La Coruna right-back's current deal runs out in December.

Scaloni had reportedly agreed a contract extension until 2030 before the World Cup, but he cast doubt on his future after the poor performance in the final.

"I already have an idea of what I want to do," Scaloni said after the loss.

"I'm going to honor my contract, and then we'll see. I need to think, because I don't know if it's possible to achieve something as great as this."

The next World Cup will be largely held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, but Argentina will be one of three South American nations hosting one match, thus gaining automatic qualification.

First, though, they will be targeting a third consecutive Copa America crown in 2028.

Despite Messi's retirement, there will likely still be plenty of familiar faces in a squad who will remain title favorites.

Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero have established themselves as the first-choice center-half pairing.

Enzo Fernandez, who moved to Manchester City from Chelsea on Monday for a fee that equaled the British transfer record, and Alexis Mac Allister have made the central midfield positions their own, while Messi's departure could give Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez more space to shine up front.

Alvarez in particular will be expected to improve significantly on his ratio of 15 goals in 59 caps.

- 'Great young players' -

Messi himself believes the long-term future is bright for his country.

"I've given it my all. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance," he said when announcing his retirement.

Exciting Como youngster Nico Paz made two appearances at the World Cup and could become a more regular starter, while 23-year-old Giuliano Simeone -- son of former Argentina stalwart Diego Simeone -- impressed as a substitute in the semi-final win over England.

Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono did not make the World Cup squad but has already won four international caps at the age of 19.

Argentina's next generation impressed at last year's Under-20 World Cup in Chile, reaching the final for the first time since 2007 before losing to Morocco.

Argentina currently have no fixtures scheduled for the international break later this month, but the Argentinian football association is reportedly planning a possible farewell match for Messi, the country's record goalscorer and record appearance maker with 125 goals in 207 games.

He leaves a huge hole -- but a new generation will endeavor to fill it.

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Paredes Says Suspension, Messi Retirement Make Argentina Future Uncertain

Argentina's midfielder #05 Leandro Paredes waves to supporters during a friendly football match between Argentina and Zambia at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
Argentina's midfielder #05 Leandro Paredes waves to supporters during a friendly football match between Argentina and Zambia at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
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Paredes Says Suspension, Messi Retirement Make Argentina Future Uncertain

Argentina's midfielder #05 Leandro Paredes waves to supporters during a friendly football match between Argentina and Zambia at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
Argentina's midfielder #05 Leandro Paredes waves to supporters during a friendly football match between Argentina and Zambia at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires on March 31, 2026. (AFP)

Midfielder Leandro Paredes ‌said it will be difficult to carry on playing for Argentina after receiving a 10-match suspension for his role in a brawl following the World Cup final defeat by Spain.

The 32-year-old also said Lionel Messi's international retirement was another reason he would have to weigh up his future with the national team.

Paredes received the suspension in August, weeks ‌after an ‌altercation erupted at the final ‌whistle ⁠when he shoved ⁠Spain midfielder Gavi to the ground as the champions' substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate.

Paredes faced three assault charges, while teammate Nahuel Molina faced two. Both players were also fined $90,000.

"It's going to be difficult for ⁠me to stay with the ‌national team," Paredes told ‌Argentine media on Tuesday.

"Because of the suspension as ‌well, because of Leo's decision ... It's going ‌to be difficult for everything to carry on as before.

"I haven't discussed it with the coach (Lionel Scaloni) yet, but we'll talk about it and ‌see what decision I make."

Paredes said Messi's absence from the national ⁠team would ⁠be keenly felt.

"Leo's legacy will live on forever because of what he achieved, for never giving up and for showing that dreams are hard-won, pursued and, in the end, fulfilled...," Paredes added.

"We'd spoken in the final days of the World Cup about how the final would surely be his last match, but even so, we weren't prepared for that because of what he means to us."

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Top-Seeded Zverev Rallies Just in Time to Avoid a First-Round Exit at the US Open

US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning his first round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. (Reuters)
US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning his first round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. (Reuters)
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Top-Seeded Zverev Rallies Just in Time to Avoid a First-Round Exit at the US Open

US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning his first round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. (Reuters)
US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning his first round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. (Reuters)

Alexander Zverev rallied just in time to avoid becoming the first men's No. 1 seed to lose in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament since 2003, edging Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4 in a US Open match that ended Wednesday morning.

Zverev couldn't cash in on repeated chances to break Sonego's serve for much of the night and was in danger of becoming the first top-seeded man to fall in his first match in a major since Ivo Karlovic beat Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon in 2003.

It hasn't happened at the US Open since Stefan Edberg lost to Alexander Volkov in 1990. Zverev finally broke through against Sonego's serve late to pull out the match in 4 hours, 52 minutes.

“Nearly five hours for a first round, I think this is the longest first-round match I’ve ever played in my life,” Zverev said. “So, credit to him. He played amazing tennis today, would have beaten a lot of players for sure, but I’m happy to be through.”

Zverev won his first major title at the French Open, lost to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final, then became the No. 1 seed in a major for the first time when Sinner had to withdraw from the US Open with a right knee injury.

Zverev is 7-0 against Sonego, an Italian who came in 1-9 against top-10 men in Grand Slams. But Sonego's speed around the court allowed him to track down balls that on other nights would have been winners, and he came up with enough clutch serves to make Zverev just 5 for 22 on break points for the match.

The German broke when Sonego served for the third set at 5-4 and seemed to be in good shape in the tiebreaker when he hit consecutive serves of 133 mph and 141 mph to take a 7-6 lead. Sonego won the next two points to take the lead and Zverev then double-faulted to end the set.

Zverev then broke for a 3-2 lead in the fourth set, but Sonego raced from corner to corner of the court in the next game to break right back. Sonego then got within two points from winning the match with a 5-4 lead, but Zverev held serve and then broke to go ahead 6-5.

Sonego had his hand or wrist checked before the start of the final set. He appeared OK afterward, but Zverev got the break he needed to grab a 3-2 lead and stayed ahead from there.

Zverev advanced to face Quentin Halys in the second round, and the 2020 US Open runner-up wasn't disappointed that he needed to work so hard to get there.

"Actually, I’m happy that I won this kind of battle because this is exactly the match that I needed," he said. “I struggled the last two tournaments, I didn’t play well and sometimes good things happen after you fight through one of these matches. So I’m hoping that will be the case for me at this tournament.”