MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 10: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Minjae Kim of FC Bayern München poses during the Bundesliga Media Day on August 10, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga via Getty Images) | Bundesliga via Getty Images
Aston Villa wants Kim, too, per report (Tz)
Aston Villa has been linked to Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha, but it turns out that the English club also wants center-back Kim Min-jae:
Aston Villa is not only interested in Bayern Munich’s potential sale candidate Joao Palhinha. As the tz has learned, the Premier League club has also been pursuing Minjae Kim for several weeks.
Even during the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, the club’s management made informal inquiries with the player’s representatives. However, his full focus at that time was on the South Korean national team. Last week, England tried their luck again.
After the (last week’s Bayern Munich friendly) match, Aston Villa contacted the player’s representatives again. The big question: Will Kim move to England this summer?
That’s unlikely. According to Absolut Fußball, there was also a tentative inquiry from Nottingham Forest recently. Former Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner is now in charge there. Kim quickly declined.
Kim has been steadfast — he does not want to leave Bayern Munich…not for Aston Villa and not for Nottingham Forest. Kim’s role in Bavaria could be limited, but it is possible (fingers crossed) that head coach Vincent Kompany will rotate more. If so, maybe Kim’s gamble will pay off.
Bayern won’t pursue Porro (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Despite some oddball rumors, Bayern Munich will not be attempting to get Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro:
There are always rumours around Pedro Porro. We’ve often talked about him, but also in the past there was no secret meeting with the player or the agent. They are aware of the player; he has quality, and perhaps he could be an idea for the future. So it’s not a bad suggestion from Valérien Ismaël, but there isn’t a place in the squad for Porro at the moment.
Some fans are yearning for the Bavarians to add another right-back to the mix, but right now, the team has Konrad Laimer, Josip Stanišić, and Sacha Boey. For there to be any chance to add a right-back, Boey will need to be sold as soon as possible, but even then, it still seems unlikely.
NUFC takes Hall off the market (ESPN)
After a summer full of rumors, Newcastle United has taken left-back Lewis Hall off the market:
Newcastle United have told Manchester United that Lewis Hall is not available for transfer this summer, Sky Sports reports. The Red Devils are claimed to have made an inquiry for the left-back, but the Magpies are determined to keep hold of the defender after losing the likes of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães this summer. Manchester United remain on the lookout for a left-sided defender, with Luke Shaw the only natural option there, with Patrick Dorgu expected to play a more advanced role.
Hall was briefly linked to Bayern Munich earlier this summer, but those rumors were loose (at best) and came before the Bavarians added Nathaniel Brown.
Chelsea could loan Mudryk out (Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano)
Mykhailo Mudryk has returned to Chelsea after his suspension, but could be on the move, and the Premier League club would like to loan him out for the season in hopes of giving him a chance to play regularly:
🚨🇺🇦 Chelsea are open to considering loan proposals for Mykhaylo Mudryk to let him play regularly after return.
Italian clubs as well as RC Strasbourg are options but understand Mudryk’s preference would be a loan to a Premier League club.
ICYMI: Grillitsch to SC Braga (Transfermarkt)
Former Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch has made the move to SC Braga:
2/3 pic.twitter.com/YRhUsKthVo
— Transfermarkt (@Transfermarkt) August 12, 2026
Vlahović to get deal thru 2029 (Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano)
As previously reported, it looks like Dušan Vlahović has finally settled on Beşiktaş:
🚨⚪️⚫️ Dusan Vlahović to Besiktas, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for the Serbian striker. Contract until June 2029, three year deal with medical to follow as Besiktas plan for his travel today. pic.twitter.com/wghnUqjViS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2026
Vlahović was linked to Bayern Munich for a time, but there was not a clear fit with Harry Kane on the roster. At Beşiktaş, he will likely retain a salary similar to what he earned at Juventus.
Roma talking to Martinelli (ESPN)
AS Roma is keeping an eye on Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli:
AS Roma have held initial talks with the representatives of Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, the Daily Mirror reports. With the Brazil international entering the final year of his contract with Arsenal, a transfer remains a distinct possibility this month. Turkish giants Galatasaray are also monitoring Martinelli, who is viewed as an attractive alternative to long-term target Rafael Leão. One potential stumbling block for Roma may well be the player’s wage demands, which they’d struggle to meet.
This is kinda wild (Sweeper Pod)
The nation of Kiribati is seeking to attempt to qualify for the next World Cup because the nation fears that it could be at risk of not existing much longer due to rising sea levels:
🇰🇮 Few, if any, countries in the world (excluding Nauru, who have never played a game) have waited longer to play a senior men's international than Kiribati, who were last in action back in 2011. Currently an OFC Associate Member, Kiribati – the only country that spans all four… pic.twitter.com/sECAby2ane
— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) August 10, 2026
🇰🇮 Few, if any, countries in the world (excluding Nauru, who have never played a game) have waited longer to play a senior men’s international than Kiribati, who were last in action back in 2011.
Currently an OFC Associate Member, Kiribati – the only country that spans all f...