Samwise European Soccer Newsletter
Friday, May 29, 2026
Arsenal Meet Holders PSG in Champions League Final With Both Sides Near Full Strength
Arsenal face holders Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s Champions League final in Budapest, chasing the club’s first European Cup and only its second appearance in the final. Manager Mikel Arteta said his side, who this month won a first Premier League title in 22 years, are travelling to take the trophy rather than accept a favourite’s tag for the opponents. Arteta confirmed Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke are fit to start, with Ben White the only major absentee. Luis Enrique reported Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes available and Ousmane Dembele fit. Arsenal kept nine clean sheets in 14 games en route, conceding six goals to PSG’s 22.
Sources: Sky Sports · ESPN
Arteta Faces Striker Decision Between Gyokeres and Havertz for Final
Mikel Arteta must choose between Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz to lead Arsenal’s attack against Paris Saint-Germain, Sky Sports reported. Both forwards were benched for Arsenal’s dead-rubber trip to Crystal Palace, with Gabriel Jesus given a rare start, leaving PSG uncertain about who will spearhead the line in Budapest. Gyokeres, signed as the centre-forward to deliver major trophies, is Arsenal’s top scorer across all competitions with 21 goals this season. Havertz scored a Champions League final-winning goal for Chelsea in 2021 and netted the winner against Burnley before Arsenal’s title was confirmed. Arteta named only five nailed-on starters beyond the striker question.
Sources: Sky Sports
Barcelona Agree Fee With Newcastle for Anthony Gordon
Barcelona have reached an agreement with Newcastle to sign England winger Anthony Gordon, Sky Sports News reported. The fee is £69.3m (€80m) inclusive of add-ons, and the 25-year-old travelled to Barcelona on Thursday to undergo a medical ahead of a long-term contract. Gordon finished the season as Newcastle’s top scorer with 18 goals, though he was an unused substitute in the club’s final four matches as the club protected him for an expected summer move. He had signed a long-term extension at St James’ Park in October 2024 and had four years remaining on that deal.
Sources: Sky Sports
Allegri Agrees Two-Year Deal to Become Napoli Head Coach
Massimiliano Allegri has reached an agreement on a two-year contract to become Napoli’s new head coach, Football Italia reported, citing Gianluca Di Marzio. Negotiations accelerated over the previous 24 hours, leaving president Aurelio De Laurentiis with a full verbal agreement with the former Milan and Juventus manager. Allegri emerged ahead of Vincenzo Italiano and is expected to lead the club into the post-Antonio Conte era, with Conte having left at the end of the season. One obstacle remains: Allegri must resolve his existing contract situation with Milan, who dismissed him this week, before the appointment can be made official. He has won league titles at both clubs.
Sources: Football Italia
Bologna Confirm Vincenzo Italiano Departure by Mutual Consent
Bologna have confirmed that head coach Vincenzo Italiano has left the club by mutual consent after two seasons, Football Italia reported. The Rossoblu said in a statement on Thursday that Italiano had informed them he considered his project at the club complete following strong results. Italiano was hired in 2024 and led Bologna to the Coppa Italia in the 2024-25 campaign, a triumph the club described as making history. Bologna finished the 2025-26 Serie A season in eighth place, outside the European places. The 48-year-old has emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant Napoli job alongside Massimiliano Allegri.
Sources: Football Italia
Inter Edge Closer to Liverpool Midfielder Curtis Jones
Inter and Liverpool are moving closer to an agreement over England midfielder Curtis Jones, Football Italia reported, citing La Gazzetta dello Sport. Representatives of the two clubs met in Monte Carlo on Wednesday without reaching a deal, though the outlet described positive signals. Liverpool are said to want around €30m, potentially €35m, while Inter are willing to pay roughly €22m, rising to €25m with bonuses. The size of a sell-on clause remains a sticking point. Jones, 25, has made 228 appearances for Liverpool, including 153 in the Premier League, and is entering the final year of his contract. Inter completed a domestic double.
Sources: Football Italia
UEFA Knockout Stage
Top Leagues
Premier League: Arsenal — champions, first title in 22 years
Serie A: Inter — champions, domestic double
European Competitions
Champions League final: Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal — Saturday, Budapest, to play
Conference League final: Crystal Palace 1–0 Rayo Vallecano — Palace win first European trophy
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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