Rodri is on the table, and Real and Barcelona are gambling with the balance in Spain

Rodri is open to leaving Manchester City, and Real Madrid have been chasing him for a while. The problem for Madrid is that Barcelona have now entered the race, after Frenkie de Jong picked up a long-term injury and opened a hole the size of a doorway in midfield. Real want the Spanish Ballon d'Or winner because since Toni Kroos left there's nobody to dictate the game from deep. Barcelona want him because Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó aren't at that level. One transfer, two entirely different desperations. And here's the real story: Barcelona have won three titles in the last four seasons, so if they now take Rodri off Real as well, the La Liga race is practically closed years in advance.

Real paid 120 million pounds for a nineteen-year-old who cost 20 a year ago

Real Madrid completed the transfer of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a figure of up to 120 million pounds (140 million euros), on a deal running up to seven years. Do the maths: Leipzig bought the teenager from Leganés last year for just 20 million euros. One season of 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 matches, the Bundesliga's best newcomer award and a good World Cup showing - and the price inflates sevenfold. That isn't a market, that's speculation in human capital, and everyone takes part voluntarily. PSG had already agreed personal terms, Liverpool, Arsenal and City were watching, but Florentino Pérez opened the chequebook again. Now José Mourinho, back on the Real bench, has to fit him on the right wing alongside Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham. There's room for everyone, but there's only one ball.

Infantino is offering the World Cup final in exchange for support - and it's not a joke

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has privately promised officials in Morocco that the 2030 World Cup final will be played at the new 115,000-seat "Hassan II" stadium in Casablanca, not at the "Santiago Bernabéu". The favour in return? Political support while his chair is on fire. Infantino has based himself in Rabat since criticism of his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors got out of hand. Luís Figo is publicly demanding his resignation. Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan accuses him of blackmail - that he was told support for a fourth term would improve FIFA's willingness to settle unpaid obligations to Jordan. And Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 World Cup and his closest ally for years, is silent. When even the one who gained most from you goes quiet, it's no longer a crisis - it's the end.

Shkendija fell in the 96th minute in Edinburgh, but the return leg at the Arena isn't lost

Macedonian runners-up Shkendija lost 2:1 to Hibernian at Easter Road in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the Conference League. And they lost it in the most painful way possible. The Tetovo side played a mature match, closed the spaces and for a long time allowed nothing serious. Hibernian went ahead in the 73rd minute through Elding, and just three minutes later substitute Marko Gjorgjievski, assisted by Zejnullai, equalised. Then came stoppage time, one corner, a scramble in the box and O'Hora for 2:1. There's consolation: Shkendija lost by exactly the same score in Slovenia to Bravo, then eliminated them at the "Todor Proeski". The return leg is on 13 August at 8pm in Skopje. The winner of the tie faces the better of Gothenburg and Gent.

The Vardar - Shkendija derby is scheduled for 5pm in the middle of a heatwave

Vardar released tickets for Sunday's derby against Shkendija at 200 denars, which for Macedonia's biggest fixture is a perfectly decent price. Stojanche Trpchevski will referee, the match is designated high-risk and there will be a heavy police presence. Only, kick-off is 5pm. On a Sunday. In August. At a stadium with some of the most modern floodlights in the country, one that could comfortably host an evening match. For comparison: Bregalnica of Shtip requested and received permission from the football federation to play their match against Arsimi at 7pm. Why Vardar didn't file the same request isn't known. Both teams come in with a win from the opening round - Vardar 2:0 against Bregalnica, Shkendija 3:0 against Skopje. The derby follows a two-week break, because the previous weekend had no domestic football on the pretext that police were tied up with the Ilinden celebrations. So there weren't enough officers for five matches, but there are for one high-risk derby. The logic is in there somewhere.