Football gossip: Spence, Zirkzee, Mbaye, Mudryk, Elias, Diatta, Catamo - BBC Sport

• Several official transfers were completed across Europe’s top five leagues on July 29, as reported by FootballTransfers. • Enzo Maresca's side signed an unnamed England midfielder from Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee of €135m.

• Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports is expanding its influence in the European football transfer market, currently representing over 100 players. • High-profile athletes such as Vinícius Júnior and Yan Diomande are among the agency's top clients.

• Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe has expanded its athletics portfolio by securing the broadcasting rights for the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026. • The event will be broadcast across 45 European markets via WBD's extensive network, including Eurosport, TNT Sports, Max, and discovery+.

• Europe's top football clubs are entering a high-intensity period as the 2026 summer transfer window approaches its final deadline. • Major transfer sagas are currently unfolding, with high-profile players such as Diomande and Vinicius among the primary targets for blockbuster deals.

• Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement to sign defender Ronald Araujo, while Manchester United have officially announced a new deal. • Newcastle United are monitoring a 19-year-old full-back, though they view him as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate starter.

• Real Madrid announced the signing of new right winger Yan Diomandé on August 6. • The club also reached an agreement to extend the contract of star player Vinícius Júnior through 2032.

• The "Hong Kong Football Festival 2026" has launched at the Kai Tak Main Stadium, featuring top European clubs including Manchester City, Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Juventus. • The event aims to reignite football passion in the city following previous fan disappointment when star player Lionel Messi failed to play during a prior visit.

• Gianni Infantino has retained his position as FIFA president following a high-stakes crisis meeting held on August 6, 2026. • The decision comes amid a period of administrative power struggles and significant tactical evolutions across major European football leagues.

• Leeds United is actively monitoring several transfer targets, including a potential deal for Harvey Elliott and interest in Max Aarons. • The club is reportedly tracking forward Igor Paixao, though a "twist" involving an £8 million valuation has emerged.

• Manchester City is exploring potential replacements for midfielder Rodri as the summer transfer window enters its final 25 days. • Reports indicate ongoing talks to sign 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.

• South African captain Faf Du Plessis is leading the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket (MLC), serving as a key case study for the growth of global sports business in the U.S. • During a match against the Seattle Orcas on July 5, 2025, at Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, the focus shifted to the leadership skills required to sustain the sport.