Transfer news live updates: Latest on Salah, Mane, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and more

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic is holding talks with Roma over joining the Italian side on a free transfer, The Athletic understands.

If completed, the move would see Matic reunited with Roma manager Jose Mourinho for a third time.

Roma are proposing an initial one-year deal, with the 33-year-old triggering an extension if he makes a certain number of appearances.

He will replace Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the Roma squad, who is on the verge of signing with Inter Milan as a free agent.

Matic left Old Trafford this summer after a five year spell in Manchester, having joined United from Chelsea for £40 million. Mourinho signed him on both occasions.

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Wales have reached their first World Cup in 64 years after a 1-0 win over a spirited Ukraine in the play-off final.

They will join England, the United States, and Iran in Group B after Andriy Yarmolenko’s first-half own-goal in Cardiff’s raucous noise settled the tie.

Wales will be the United States’ first opponents at the World Cup, with the sides meeting at the Al Rayyan Stadium on November 21. England will then face Wales on November 29 in both teams’ final game.

The match was momentous for both Wales and Ukraine. Wales were trying to qualify for the first time since 1958, while Ukraine were seeking to overcome the turmoil of the Russian invasion, and reach the tournament for only the second time as an independent nation.

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Grimsby Town have been promoted to the Football League after winning the National League play-off final against Solihull Moors.

Paul Hurst’s side triumphed 2-1 at the London Stadium, having trailed 1-0 after a first-half strike from Solihull’s Kyle Hudlin.

However, an excellent goal from John McAtee sent the match to extra-time, before the Lincolnshire club were sent into ecstasy by Jordan Maguire-Drew’s scrappy 111th minute winner.

It was the third extra-time victory in their play-off run.

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Gareth Bale’s freekick is headed into his own net by Andriy Yarmolenko!

(Photo: Getty Images)

Follow live updates with Rob Smyth here.

Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Football Association (UFA), has said the country’s domestic leagues will restart in August.

However, he is unsure exactly how the matches will be staged due to Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The 2021-22 season was suspended in April after Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24. Shakhtar Donetsk, who have not played in their home city since 2014, had been leading the championship.

Pavelko was speaking before Ukraine’s World Cup play-off final against Wales on Sunday afternoon.

Six players in the starting XI that defeated Scotland on Wednesday evening play in the domestic league.

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Which of Grimsby Town and Solihull Moors will make it to the Football League?

Danny Ward dropped for Wayne Hennessey.

Tottenham Hotspur’s purchase of 33-year-old Ivan Perisic is particularly interesting in terms of the familiar debate about youth versus experience. Tottenham generally invest in emerging talent, whereas Antonio Conte demands players who can succeed immediately. It seems Conte has got his way.

But more interesting than Tottenham signing a 33-year-old is Tottenham signing a 33-year-old they will use at wing-back.

Michael Cox analyzes whether the move will pay off.

They play Cyprus tonight. Leicester City’s Jonny Evans starts.

Getting to the Championship play-off final can be a double-edged sword for teams whether they win promotion or not.

Lose and rival clubs, or those in the Premier League, are bound to start sniffing around your best players in the summer transfer window. Go up and the price on your star loan player rises sharply — if you’re even able to sign him at all.

So what lies ahead for the stars of this season’s EFL showpiece between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town which saw a handful of players rise to the occasion after strong seasons for their clubs? Winners Forest will have more financial clout this summer, but that does not guarantee easy business, while Huddersfield will try to cling on to their top players.

The Athletic takes a look at the immediate futures of each of the five standout performers from the Championship play-off final — Sorba Thomas, Lewis O’Brien, Djed Spence, James Garner and Levi Colwill — and why they are in demand.

Gareth Southgate insisted afterwards that England were aware of the threat Hungary could pose but as his side drifted to defeat on Saturday, they looked unprepared.

Hungary away, behind nominally “closed doors” at the Puskas Arena was not meant to be the moment when England’s third Nations League campaign came off the rails. They still have Germany and Italy home and away — trips to Munich next week and Milan in September — that should stretch Gareth Southgate’s team far more than this.

But right now, it is difficult to see how England will be in contention to finish top of Group A3. The prospect of them returning to the next Nations League finals, scheduled for June 2023, feels extremely remote.

Jack Pitt-Brooke reports.

We’ve got a dedicated live blog here.

With the news William Saliba is returning to the club, how is Arsenal’s defense looking?

We asked The Athletic’s Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas: “Saliba will join a contingent of centre-backs that also includes White, Gabriel and Rob Holding. Arsenal are also exploring the possibility of adding a left-footed centre-back to the group to replace Pablo Mari.

“At right-back, Arsenal are content with their options. Takehiro Tomiyasu is the established first choice, and the coaching staff value the work of Cedric as his understudy. Upgrading in this position is not a priority. Hector Bellerin returns to the club after his loan with Real Betis, but his preference is to pursue a new challenge elsewhere.

“Left-back is more interesting. The club have discussed the possibility of sending Nuno Tavares out on loan to aid his development. That could create a vacancy but a move for a replacement could be delayed until January: the Europa League group stage could also provide a great platform for the young defender to improve.

“Ahead of Tavares, Kieran Tierney remains the clear first choice. He is hoping to be fit in time to join with Arsenal’s pre-season training.”

Leuven finished 11th in the Belgian League last season.

Arsenal defender William Saliba — currently on loan at Marseille — has confirmed he will return to north London to fight for a place in Mikel Arteta’s side.

The 21-year-old has not made an appearance for the senior side since joining from Saint-Etienne for £27 million in 2019.

He starred for Marseille this season, winning Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, helping the club to second in the league, and winning his first caps for France.

Speaking about his future at the Emirates, Saliba told Telefoot: “I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left.

“I will be back with Arsenal. I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club.

“But it doesn’t just depend on me. In any case, to leave like this, it would be a shame.”

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Kick-off against Wales is at 17.00.

The winner goes to the World Cup.

Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate has received his first senior France call-up after replacing injured Manchester United defender Raphael Varane in Didier Deschamps’ squad.

Varane had to be substituted in the 61st minute of France’s eventual 2-1 defeat by Denmark in the Nations League on Friday evening after sustaining a thigh injury.

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