The Market Has Gone Mad: Bezos Eyes Liverpool, Al-Hilal Throws 55 Million, and Shkendija Hunts a European Miracle in Ljubljana

Foden tied himself to City until 2030 - the club is betting on a man who hasn't played like before for two years

Manchester City has settled the biggest question mark in its squad. Phil Foden has signed a new long-term contract that ties him to the club until 2030, with an option for another season. The old contract expired in the summer of 2027, so the talk of the future had been spinning for months - now it is gone. The academy graduate who has been at City his whole life (he came as a child) played 50 matches last season, but stepped in and out of the first eleven too many times, and Thomas Tuchel did not even call him up for the World Cup. „Tying my future to City means everything to me,” said the 26-year-old. The club openly admits the last two years were not his best - but pays as if it is sure the best is yet to come. A bet on the past, or on the future?

Bezos knocks on Liverpool's door - the fourth-richest man in the world wants a slice

When the founder of Amazon takes an interest in your club, that already tells you what league is being played. Jeff Bezos, with a fortune of around 257 billion dollars and fourth place on the planet's richest list, is in talks to join a consortium seeking a minority stake in Liverpool. The group is led by Amit Bhatia, a former co-owner of QPR and son-in-law of the industrial magnate Lakshmi Mittal. So far Bezos has only flirted with the NFL (Seattle and Washington), but has never entered the Premier League. Liverpool has been owned by the American Fenway Sports Group since 2010, which won two titles and the Champions League, but decided to sell only small parts - last year Dynasty Equity bought a stake for around 150 million pounds. Football long ago stopped being just a game; it is a portfolio. And the fans? They are left with the same song, only the owners change.

Al-Hilal took Summerville for 55 million - Saudi Arabia again outbids Europe

The scenario repeats like a broken record. Al-Hilal reached a deal with West Ham for the Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville - 55 million pounds plus five million in bonuses. The 24-year-old, who came from Leeds in 2024 and played 56 matches for the „Hammers”, spent last season with seven goals and five assists despite relegation to the Championship. After the World Cup, where he debuted for the Netherlands and scored two goals, the interest soared: Roma offered around 46 million euros, United and Aston Villa were circling - but the Saudis do not negotiate for long, they simply pay more. West Ham has already sold Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for 85 million, so the till is not a problem. The question no one asks out loud: how long will Europe keep pretending this is a normal market?

Shkendija in Ljubljana for a step further in Europe - Pollozhani believes, but the Conference League forgives no mistakes

The only real Macedonian European argument this week plays away from home. Shkendija tonight (23 July, 20:45) is away at NK Bravo at „Stožice” in Ljubljana, in the second qualifying round of the Conference League. The Tetovo side arrived after knocking out Europe in the first round, while Bravo starts from this round. Coach Artim Pollozhani is counting on two winter-summer signings, Marko Gjorgjievski and Jovan Manev, and does not hide his optimism: „We have quality players and real experience in European matches. If we combine all that with the desire to win, I believe we will achieve a positive result.” The match is broadcast on MRT 2. Every round is harder than the last - Shkendija knows that by heart, but that is exactly why every mistake in Slovenia will cost dearly.

The visitors from Riga smashed up the Arena dressing room after the win over Vardar - now comes a bill from UEFA

There are ways to celebrate a victory, and there is vandalism - and the line between them was trampled tonight in Skopje. After the triumph over Vardar at „Todor Proeski”, in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, the footballers of Riga left the away dressing room in chaos: two broken massage tables and several damaged lockers. Vardar announced it will report the case to UEFA and seek compensation for the damage, after which the European body will decide whether further measures follow. The question is whether Riga will pay voluntarily or whether everything will be settled through official procedure. A win on the pitch is one thing - but who pays for the smashed dressing room when the guests have gone? The host, as usual, is left with the wreckage and the paperwork.