Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says the club must find a "new Rodri" after the departure of the influential midfielder to Barcelona this week.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said striker Julian Alvarez would return to the squad for Sunday's La Liga clash against Villarreal.

Regular football followers may feel a little estranged from the game this season. Fans, admirers and even rivals are bound to miss one familiar figure from the dugouts of the past two decades -- Pep Guardiola.

Eight of the 10 deals involve Premier League clubs, either as buyers or sellers, underlining the English top flight's central role in driving the market. Four of the five biggest transfers are also Premier League deals.

So many clubs have changed ahead of the season, while others have changed just enough to become something different. The blueprints are ready, the ambitions are enormous, but reality will have the final say.

Barcelona have signed defender Joao Cancelo on a free transfer, the Spanish champions said Thursday.

Barcelona are seeking a replacement for Robert Lewandowski and believe Alvarez is the right man.

Bernardo Silva said playing for Real Madrid "is not for everyone" after the Portugal midfielder was presented by the 15-time European champions on Wednesday.

Atletico Madrid will be without striker Julian Alvarez for their LaLiga opener against Malaga, coach Diego Simeone said on Tuesday as the Argentine remains embroiled in a transfer tug-of-war with Barcelona.

Manchester City have identified Ayyoub Bouaddi as their leading option to replace Rodri, with the club in advanced talks with Lille over a move for the highly rated Morocco midfielder, according to the BBC.

Alaves beat 10-man visitors Getafe 3-0 on Saturday and Sevilla snatched a late 2-1 win against Rayo Vallecano as LaLiga's 2026/27 season kicked off.

The decision was made because players whose national teams reached the World Cup semi-finals would not have enough time for mandatory rest and pre-season preparation before the original start of the LaLiga season.

Spain's top flight kicks off the 2026/27 season on Saturday with Alaves hosting Getafe, although defending champions Barcelona and Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are not in action yet.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said "anything can happen" amid reports La Liga champions Barcelona have bid to sign World Cup winner Rodri.

Liverpool have signed Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo from Spanish champions Barcelona on a season-long loan, the Premier League club announced on Monday, as they moved to strengthen an injury-ravaged defence.

The continent’s top five leagues are set to return one after another, with La Liga leading the way on August 15.

Real Madrid's Argentine playmaker Franco Mastantuono has joined Fiorentina on loan, the Serie A outfit announced on Friday.

Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s opening offer of £38.5m for Spanish midfielder Rodri on Friday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Monday the Spanish champions must reinforce their attack after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford, and with question marks over Ferran Torres's future.

Barcelona signed teenage winger Jesse Bisiwu on Friday from Club Brugge for a reported 8.5 million euros ($10 million).