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Manchester United and others scramble as transfer dominoes fall
Now things get really fun.
The transfer market had been a bit slow for a couple of weeks until Wednesday, when three big deals went down. Pedro signed for Chelsea, Nicolas Otamendi joined Manchester City and Juventus picked up Alex Sandro. They were likely the first choice forward, center back and left back, respectably, for a number of teams. Now everyone has to move onto their second choices, so teams have to move fast and the rumor mill is churning hard.
But there’s good news for teams like Manchester United, who still need to make some big signings: there are 11 days left in the window. Plenty of time!
In the news
Southampton have confirmed Manchester United contacted them about Sadio Mane. (BBC)
Your goal of the day comes from Giovanni Moreno in the Chinese Super League. (r/soccer)
Malmo’s goalkeeper said Celtic’s players behaved like “pigs and children’ on Wednesday. (Guardian)
Tim Howard and DaMarcus Beasley will make the USMNT squad for the Confederations Cup playoff. (ESPN FC)
Stevan Jovetic clearly didn’t get along with Roberto Mancini. (Football Italia)
You should be reading
Raj Bains on how your favorite pro soccer social media accounts operate. (Vice)
Ian King on fans’ continued fight for Blackpool FC. (Two Hundred Percent)
Sid Lowe on the return of La Liga. (Guardian)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.
Chelsea have made a big bid for Anthony Martial. (AS)
And they look willing to sell Willian. (Metro)
Liverpool might be interested in Henrikh Mkhitaryan. (Mirror)
One person thinks Real Madrid have already accepted a bid by Arsenal for Karim Benzema. (Telegraph)
Sampdoria are trying to sign Dimitar Berbatov. (Football Italia)
Wednesday’s games
The USWNT thrashed Costa Rica after a lighting delay. (Stars and Stripes FC)
What to watch on Thursday (click for listings, all times ET)
Europa League: 22 games (from 12 p.m.) - You’re mostly digging around in the dark parts of the internet to watch these.
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