Signing - Soccer Wiretap

Liverpool have secured the long-term future of 15-year-old winger Josh Abe, who has signed scholarship terms and a pre-contract for a three-year professional deal beginning in July 2027, rejecting advances from several Premier League clubs.

Negotiations were led by Fenway Sports Group technical director Julian Ward over several months. Sources close to the process, speaking on condition of anonymity, said rival clubs offered Abe professional terms of up to $63,000 per week to leave Liverpool.

Abe and his family ultimately determined that Liverpool's pathway to the first team best served his long-term interests. Manchester City and Chelsea were among the clubs pursuing the Kirkby academy product.

A productive youth campaign was cut short by a knee injury sustained while representing England Under-16s in a tournament in Turkey in February. He is expected to be fit for pre-season and will join the senior squad for a summer tour of the United States, with friendlies scheduled in Nashville, New York and Chicago. He will also receive a first-team squad number for 2026-27.

A native of Warrington, roughly 20 miles east of Liverpool, Abe joined the club's pre-academy at age four after being identified by scouts at a junior club in his hometown. He has since risen through the ranks at Kirkby and is regarded by coaches as the standout talent in his age group.

In February, he made his UEFA Youth League debut against MSK Zilina and scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Leeds United at Under-18 level. Abe trained with Arne Slot's first-team squad on multiple occasions last season. His development is expected to continue under incoming head coach Andoni Iraola, who has reached a verbal agreement to take charge at Anfield.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping the 40-year-old at the club through June 30, 2027. Backup goalkeeper Sven Ulreich signed matching terms on Friday, with both previously set to depart this summer.

Neuer enters his 16th season at Bayern having made 597 appearances since joining from Schalke in 2011. He has started 21 Bundesliga matches and 11 Champions League games this season, including both legs of Bayern's semifinal loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Neuer told the club's official website. "It took me a while to make up my mind -- I just wanted to take my time with this because it's a very important decision, first and foremost for me, but of course also for the club and for our team. Now I'm convinced it's the right decision."

Bayern board member Max Eberl framed the extensions around the development of 22-year-old Jonas Urbig, whom coach Vincent Kompany has started in each of the past four Bundesliga matches.

"Manuel and Sven will continue to support Jonas on his path to becoming the future of FC Bayern," Eberl said.

Neuer, capped 124 times by Germany between 2009 and 2024, retired from international duty after Euro 2024. He is reportedly in discussions with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann about a potential return for this summer's World Cup.

Kompany declined to weigh in on the national team conversation but offered a pointed endorsement of his goalkeeper.

"FC Bayern are German champions and we have the best German goalkeeper," Kompany said. "That says it all."

Bayern clinched their 13th Bundesliga title in 15 seasons with four matches remaining. Neuer is set to collect the trophy Saturday against Cologne at the Allianz Arena but will begin the match on the bench.

Phil Foden has agreed in principle to a new four-year contract with Manchester City, keeping the England midfielder at Etihad Stadium through 2030 with an option for an additional year.

The 25-year-old's previous deal was set to expire next summer. The agreement signals mutual commitment despite Foden's difficult recent stretch, during which he has not scored since December 14.

Foden entered as a substitute in Monday's six-goal draw at Everton, a result that leaves City five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, though with a game in hand.

His immediate focus extends beyond club football. Foden is pushing to earn a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for this summer's World Cup, though Tuchel has stated publicly that selection is not guaranteed, even after Foden started both matches in England's final pre-tournament camp.

Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United and England captain, made a direct case for Foden's regular inclusion in City's lineup.

"I think you have to put him in the team," Rooney said on the BBC's Wayne Rooney Show. "I love watching him play, I love his little movements, how he gets into the pockets of space. It's not nice watching him sitting on the bench."

"I think he was doing well [this season]. He's had bad moments, but when you have a bad moment and you're taken out and put on the sidelines for weeks on end, I just think a player of that quality, you have to just keep playing him."

Foden has made 365 appearances for City since earning his debut under Pep Guardiola at age 17. He has collected six Premier League titles, one Champions League, and two FA Cups during that run.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo officially signed a contract extension through 2031 on Wednesday, ending months of uncertainty over the 21-year-old academy product's future at Old Trafford. The deal places him among the club's top earners.

Mainoo had been earning approximately $31,000 per week under his previous contract, well below his standing in the squad. His reluctance to sign an extension intensified after former head coach Ruben Amorim repeatedly left him out of the starting lineup.

The turnaround began with Amorim's dismissal in January. Under replacement manager Michael Carrick, Mainoo has started 12 of 13 Premier League matches, missing only the home defeat to Leeds United on April 13 through injury.

Mainoo had formally requested a loan departure in December before the club blocked any exit. His brother drew widespread attention during United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth that same month, appearing in the stands wearing a shirt reading "Free Kobbie Mainoo."

Recalled to Thomas Tuchel's England squad last month, Mainoo played 21 minutes as a substitute against Uruguay and started against Japan four days later, appearing for 71 minutes. The camp served as Tuchel's final selection window before naming his provisional World Cup squad.

A product of United's academy, Mainoo made his first-team debut in January 2023 and quickly established himself under Erik ten Hag. He earned his senior England debut in March 2024 and featured prominently during Euro 2024. He has now made 98 senior appearances for the club across all competitions.

United's new contract structure carries performance-based incentives, a feature central to the negotiations. Securing Mainoo long-term represents a significant win for the club heading into a pivotal summer.

Forward Denis Bouanga and LAFC have signed a multiyear designated player contract extension through 2028, with an option covering the 2029-30 MLS season. The club announced the deal Wednesday, ending reported pursuit from Brazilian club Fluminense.

Bouanga, 31, became LAFC's all-time leading scorer last season and has posted 101 goals and 42 assists across 152 appearances since arriving from Ligue 1's St-Etienne in August 2022.

The Gabon international made history last season by becoming the first MLS player to record 20 or more goals in three straight seasons, finishing as runner-up for the Golden Boot with a career-best 24 regular season goals.

"Denis has delivered at an elite level with historic consistency since the day he arrived, and he has helped us win multiple trophies," LAFC general manager John Thorrington said. "This new contract reflects that."

Bouanga has formed a formidable attacking partnership with designated player Son Heung-Min. The duo combined for 25 goals and eight assists during their brief stretch together, including 18 consecutive LAFC goals over nearly two months.

"I'm grateful to LAFC for the trust they've shown in me," Bouanga said. "I believe in what we are building here, and I'm motivated to keep improving, winning more trophies, and helping this club reach even higher."

Bouanga is off to a strong start in 2026, recording a hat trick in CONCACAF Champions Cup play in Honduras before adding a goal and an assist in LAFC's 3-0 season-opening victory over defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF.

United States midfielder Weston McKennie is close to signing a contract extension with Juventus through 2030, according to ESPN sources. The deal would keep the 27-year-old in Turin beyond his current agreement, which expires at the end of this season.

Clubs from Italy, Spain, England and the United States had been tracking McKennie's availability, sources told ESPN. Despite the outside attention, McKennie is determined to remain with the Serie A club.

McKennie has become a central figure under manager Luciano Spalletti, who took charge in October. His versatility has proven valuable, with appearances at fullback, wing, central midfield and as an emergency forward against Galatasaray.

The Texas native joined Juventus in 2021 and spent a brief loan spell at Leeds United in 2023. His future at the club was uncertain earlier this season under previous manager Igor Tudor, but his standing shifted considerably once Spalletti arrived.

McKennie now ranks among the first names in Spalletti's starting lineup. He has earned 62 caps for the U.S. men's national team and is expected to play a prominent role in the USMNT's home World Cup campaign this summer.

According to TransferMarkt, McKennie has a valuation of €22 million which ranks sixth amongst USMNT players behind Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Chris Richards.

Bukayo Saka has committed his future to Arsenal, signing a five-year contract extension through 2031 that will make him the club's highest-paid player at wages exceeding £300,000 per week, sources told BBC Sport. The 24-year-old had verbally agreed to the deal in January following nearly a year of discussions.

The agreement extends Saka's previous contract, which was set to expire in 2027, securing his prime years at the club. When the new deal concludes in 2031, Saka will have spent 13 years as a professional at Arsenal.

The signing reinforces Arsenal's broader strategy of retaining their core squad on long-term arrangements. William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all signed extended deals last summer.

Saka has recorded seven goals across 33 appearances this season. Saka ranks seventh in the Premier League in WhoScored rating this season. Since making his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2018, the academy product has accumulated 217 Premier League appearances and 57 goals for the Gunners.

Arsenal currently lead the Premier League by four points and remain active across four competitions. The club faces Manchester City in the EFL Cup final in March, have reached the Champions League knockout rounds, and advanced to the FA Cup fifth round.

Saka has also registered 14 goals in 48 caps for England and is expected to feature prominently in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the World Cup beginning in June.

His 217 Premier League appearances leave him 116 short of Ray Parlour's club record of 333.

United States forward Trinity Rodman signed a record three-year contract with the Washington Spirit to remain with the club through 2028, ending months of uncertainty over the star's future. The deal is worth over $2 million annually including bonuses, making her the highest-paid player in league history and the highest-paid female player worldwide, according to her agent Mike Senkowski.

Barcelona's three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati was previously reported to be the world's highest-paid women's player. Portland Thorns forward Sophia Wilson recently became the first NWSL player with a $1 million annual contract when she exercised her player option for 2026.

Spirit owner Michele Kang, president of soccer operations Haley Carter and CEO Kim Stone joined Rodman for Thursday's announcement at BMO Field in Los Angeles. The forward is currently training with the USWNT near the venue.

"It feels amazing, I'm very happy, I'm very blessed," Rodman said after signing her contract. "I think it's a monumental and game-changing moment right now. I can't even describe in words what it feels like.

"I've always had a vision of kind of an idea of what I want my legacy to be and continue to be," Rodman added. "For me, we're doing that, with help obviously, and I'm so grateful for that. And it's perfect timing with the World Cup happening in the U.S., too."

Rodman's future had been the source of widespread speculation for months. She hasn't had a contract since her previous deal expired December 31 amid a chaotic series of league events.

Sources previously told ESPN that Rodman had offers abroad, especially in England, that the Spirit could not match under NWSL salary cap constraints. The salary cap was $3.5 million per team in 2025 and is expected to reach approximately $3.7 million in 2026.

Washington and Rodman reached a creative agreement in late November to backload a four-year contract averaging over $1 million annually. Commissioner Jessica Berman rejected the deal, citing violation of the "spirit" of league rules and accusing Rodman of preemptive salary cap circumvention.

The NWSLPA filed a grievance against the league on Rodman's behalf. The union called the intervention on a legal contract offer a "flagrant violation" of the player's free agency and a breach of at least five CBA sections.

In December, the NWSL's board of governors approved the new High Impact Player rule. The rule allows teams to spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on star players meeting certain criteria.

"Trin's contract has benefited from the implementation of the HIP rule," Carter said.

Losing Rodman to Europe would have been the largest blow yet to the NWSL after fellow USWNT stars Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma departed to Chelsea last year. The Portland Thorns' transfer of midfielder Sam Coffey to Manchester City was also confirmed last week.

Rodman began her career at Washington as a 19-year-old out of high school. She was drafted second by the Spirit in the 2021 NWSL draft and helped lead the team to its first championship that year as a rookie.

Arsenal have agreed the framework of a new long-term contract with Bukayo Saka, sources told ESPN. Both parties have been confident for months the 24-year-old would commit his future to the club, with negotiations nearing a positive conclusion.

An agreement has not been finalized and Arsenal declined to comment when contacted by ESPN. Sources indicated Saka is expected to sign a five-year deal making him one of the club's highest earners, if not the highest-paid player.

Kai Havertz is widely regarded as Arsenal's best-paid player on $375,300 per week. Saka's new deal would place him alongside or above Havertz in the salary structure.

Arsenal have prioritized securing leading talent on long-term deals. William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all received improved terms last year.

Saka came through Arsenal's Hale End academy and has become one of the club's most influential players. He has captained the side on multiple occasions and amassed seven goals and six assists in 27 appearances this season.

Manager Mikel Arteta addressed Saka's contract situation in September, expressing his desire for a new deal.

"I would love that [if he signed a new deal]," Arteta said. "From everything that I know, again he's a player that is extremely happy and proud to be [here] and to have the role that he has in the football club. He's been developing in a natural way like they always do. Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it."

Arsenal are expected to turn their attention next to Declan Rice, who has two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal with the option of an additional 12 months.

Luis Suarez will re-sign with Inter Miami on a contract for the 2026 season. Suarez will turn 39 in January.

Suárez scored 17 goals and had 17 assists in 50 appearances (4,046 minutes) across all competitions.

Suarez joined Miami ahead of the 2025 season where he reunited with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Serious Busquets.