A hundred million for an eighteen-year-old, and Balde dropped from the squad list: the week loyalty came cheaper than a transfer

A hundred million euros for an eighteen-year-old: City bought Bouaddi from Lille

Manchester City has agreed to pay Lille 95 million euros plus five million in bonuses for Ayyoub Bouaddi - a footballer who is not yet twenty. The contract runs five years, with an option for a sixth. Lille wanted to keep him one more season, but when a hundred million lands on the table, a club's wishes change quickly. City is looking for Rodri's successor and is betting that a boy who until recently played as a holding midfielder will fill the hole left by a Ballon d'Or winner. That is not a transfer, it is a bet with an enormous stake. And if it fails, none of the people who approved it will be handing the cheque back.

Balde turned down offers to stay, then Flick left him out of the squad

Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde turned down offers this summer because he wanted to stay at Camp Nou. The reward for that loyalty: Hansi Flick publicly questioned his concentration, an academy player played in his position at the final training session before the La Liga opener, and Balde did not even make the squad list for the match against Elche - which Barcelona won 5:0. After the game the coach confirmed he had told him to clear his head. The Catalans are now looking for buyers for five players worth around 175 million euros before the transfer window closes. When a club has a hole in the budget, a player's loyalty suddenly becomes a line in the "revenue" column.

Mateta takes Crystal Palace to FIFA: the contract was invalid

French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta claims Crystal Palace had no right in 2024 to trigger the twelve-month extension option - which would mean he should have been a free agent this summer. The case first went through an independent tribunal under Premier League rules, then landed at FIFA, which decided this week that it has no jurisdiction to annul an existing contract. So the contract stands, and Mateta stays. Aston Villa had already enquired and been turned down. Players increasingly attack the clauses they signed themselves - and increasingly lose. Who reads the small print to a footballer before he signs?

Stole Dimitrievski beaten in the 82nd minute, Valencia still without a goal

Macedonia international goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski started again at Mestalla, again made two clean saves - and again the team came away with nothing. García scored in the 82nd minute to give Betis a 0:1 win, the first goal Valencia have conceded this season after around 170 minutes without one. The problem for the Bats is not the back of the pitch. After two rounds in La Liga they have neither a win nor a goal scored. For Betis this is a second win after opening against Real Sociedad. Stole is doing his job; it is hard to defend a result that never existed at the other end.

Elmas in Bergamo: "It was easy for me to come"

Elif Elmas was officially presented at Atalanta at a press conference, though he had already played his first minutes in the black and blue shirt. The Macedonia international arrives on a season-long loan, with the option of a permanent deal from next year. His explanation is entirely practical: he knows the manager, he knows the director, he knows the style - attacking football with a lot of possession. "It really was easy for me to come here," Elmas said. Atalanta is a club that has spent years making players worth more than they cost on arrival, and that is exactly what a career that stalled at Leipzig needs. A loan with an option is still a way for the club to risk nothing. If Elmas plays, the deal will turn permanent on its own.