Backheel Breakfast: Barcelona don’t care about their transfer ban

Barcelona can’t register new players this summer, but they’ve gone and signed Sevilla’s Aleix Vidal anyway. Vidal is a versatile player who can play as a winger or fullback, and he’ll likely get converted to right back permanently by the Blaugrana. The problem is, he can’t actually play for them to start next season.

So what do Barcelona do? They’ll likely loan Vidal somewhere for six months while trying to get through half a season with a rotating cast of Martin Montoya, Douglas and Marc Bartra at right back. It’ll kind of stink, but probably not be a disaster. Then when their transfer ban expires, Vidal will return from his loan, register, and then try to blend in with a new team after signing in January.

It’s not ideal, but it’s better than waiting around to sign a Dani Alves replacement this winter. The transfer ban will likely prevent Barcelona from competing for another multi-trophy season, but they’re doing a good job of planning ahead.

Sepp Blatter reportedly knew about the $10 million Jack Warner bribe. (Telegraph)

Liverpool have agreed to sign Danny Ings. (LFC)

After his Champions League final loss, Gigi Buffon says he wants to play three more seasons. (ESPN FC)

Dries Mertens somehow emerged unscathed from this near-leg-breaking tackle. (/r/soccer)

Sol Campbell is going to run for mayor of London. (Guardian)

Borussia Dortmund have signed young defensive midfielder Julian Weigl. (BVB.de)

Kevin de Bruyne’s fellow pros named him Bundesliga player of the season. (Bundesliga)

Stunningly, Barcelona intend to keep the coach that just won a treble. (AS)

Ben Stanley interviewed Gedion Zelalem and Tab Ramos about the USMNT midfielder’s decision and future. (Vice)

Kevin Brown on FIFA subjecting female athletes to gender testing. (Soccer Gods)

Dustin Ward tries to group every European club attack into family trees. (Stats Bomb)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, it will probably be bigger than the actual news section.

David De Gea has told Manchester United to negotiate with Real Madrid. (AS)

Bayern Munich are interested in signing a couple of Torino players. (Football Italia)

Manchester United and Chelsea are fighting it out over Felipe Anderson. (Star)

Manchester City could pay £40m for Kevin de Bruyne. (Mirror)

They’re also going to bid for Raheem Sterling. (Manchester Evening News)

Barcelona beat Juventus in the Champions League final, locking up a treble.

Canada barely scraped by China in the World Cup opener.

Netherlands’ first ever World Cup game ended in a win over New Zealand.

Ada Hegerberg lived up to the hype in Norway’s World Cup win.

Germany crushed Ivory Coast, 10-0, which was short of their own record margin of victory.

Brazil had no problem with Mexico’s B-squad.

Ireland and England did almost nothing for 90 minutes.

You can catch highlights of all this weekend’s MLS games here. (MLS)

Sweden vs. Nigeria (4 p.m.) - A virtual must-win for Sweden if they want to have a chance to top the group.

Cameroon vs. Ecuador (7 p.m.) - An absolute must-win for both sides to have a chance to advance. A draw probably eliminates both.

USA vs. Australia (7:30 p.m.) - The Matildas have never beaten the USWNT, but this is probably their best squad ever.

Japan vs. Switzerland (10 p.m.) - Possibly the best match of the day. Debutantes Switzerland have the talent to push the World Cup holders.