GM football fans. It’s Friday, July. 25 - Manchester United is considering charging fans for the right to purchase a season ticket, major changes are in the pipeline for the MLS, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
TOP TALKING POINTS
‘Right to Buy’ Season Ticket Scheme
Manchester United are considering charging fans up to £4,000 ($5,400) for the right to buy a season ticket at their planned new stadium (see concept images). The system, known as a ‘Personal Seat License’ (PSL), is commonplace in the United States, but has never been used in the Premier League. The primary function of a PSL is to help finance the construction of a new stadium.
Under the system, a fan pays for the right to exclusively purchase season tickets for a specific seat for a defined period, typically around 30 years. They are guaranteed the opportunity to renew their season ticket. However, they’re obligated to purchase the season ticket each year, and would automatically lose the licence if they don’t renew.
An adult season ticket for the upcoming campaign will cost United fans between £608 and £1,121, representing a 5% increase. See the price of all Premier League season tickets here.
MLS 3.0 Incoming
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber says the league continues to explore shifting to a fall-to-spring season as part of what he branded “MLS 3.0.” The aim of aligning with the European schedule would be to make MLS teams more competitive in the transfer market while also freeing up players for national team duty during the summer. A source told The Athletic (paywalled) that an unofficial straw poll indicated as many as 27 of 30 MLS owners are in favour of the change.
Garber also hinted that the league is reviewing its roster strategy. Several club owners have expressed frustration over the league’s strict roster restrictions, claiming the rules hinder competitiveness. MLS’s current roster strategy, such as restricting the number of non-domestic players a team can have, was implemented to limit costs as the league developed. It was thought that it would give owners security to invest during its growth phase.
Thirdly, MLS is evaluating potential changes to its competition format. Garber said the league aims to “be more aligned with the rest of the world in terms of how they play their competition.” When asked if the league would consider adopting a two-tournament season, like the Liga MX Clausura and Apertura format (read more on this topic), Garber said it was too early to discuss the specifics.
Isak Wants Out
Alexander Isak has reportedly informed Newcastle United that he wants to leave the club this summer. Early reports suggested that the Swedish striker didn’t travel with the squad for their pre-season friendlies in Asia due to a minor thigh problem, but now inside sources claim he was omitted due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Another source has told BBC Sport that Liverpool are still interested in signing Isak, despite having bought striker Hugo Ekitike for £79m this week. The Reds, who previously communicated a deal in the region of £120m for Isak, have already spent nearly £300m on transfers this summer–see all the club’s ins and outs here.
It is thought that Isak is seeking a new deal worth £300,000 a week, which would create a problem for Newcastle with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The Magpies are only prepared to offer Isak around £200,000 a week.
POLL
Are MLS’s proposed changes (calendar shift, changes to roster strategy, format changes) enough to make it a competitive league?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> The 2025 Women’s Euro final between England and Spain takes place on Sunday (27 July) at 17:00 BST / 12:00 ET (Match Preview) | Aitana Bonmati credited her match-winning goal to prior analysis of Germany's Ann-Katrin Berger, explaining she anticipated the goalkeeper would leave space at the near post (More)
> Crystal Palace have confirmed that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has purchased a 43% stake in the club for £190m ($254m) (More)
> Alcohol will be allowed in the stands at seven Women’s Super League clubs next season following successful trials (More)
> John Duran scored the first two goals for Fenerbahce in a 4-0 win over Al Ittihad (More)
Americas
> MLS All-Stars beat Liga MX All-Stars 3-1 despite the absence of Lionel Messi (More) | See all upcoming MLS fixtures (More)
> The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has fined Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez after he posted social media videos that they believe "promote sexist stereotypes" (More)
> An NWSL investigation has found that the San Diego Wave front office “could have done more” to address a sexual assault allegation from a member of the club’s staff (More)
> The final round of the USL Cup group stage takes place this weekend; explore the six games to watch (More); see the full schedule (More)
Rest of the World
> Barcelona have cancelled Sunday's pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, Japan, because of "serious contractual breaches" by the promoter (More)
> Roberto Firmino joins Qatari club Al Sadd after winning the AFC Champions League Elite with Al Ahli (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Do you think the Premier League overspends compared to other European leagues?
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 😬 Overspend (78%)
🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🙅♂️ Don't overspend (21%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (1%)
Your punditry takes:
😬 J.M: “Massively! Some clubs (Chelsea and Man U especially) seem to just pay whatever other clubs are asking with little to no negotiation, which then drives up the prices for every other player because selling clubs can point to those deals and say, ‘Well if they bought player X for this much, then our player is worth at least the same, if not more!’”
😬 S.B: “The Premier League teams must ‘overspend’ for three reasons: the drop to the Championship is financially steep, the prizes in the top half of the league are massive (European football), and every other team from the league is bidding on the same players for the two reasons just mentioned.”
🙅♂️ J.P: “The Premier League doesn’t overspend, they spend the same as the other big teams in Europe, such as Madrid, Barca, Bayern, and PSG. The difference is that there are more teams in the Premier League with the ability to match their spending power.”
🙅♂️ J.V: “It’s not overspending, it’s spending what is necessary to compete at the highest levels. The market will decide the price tag on a player, so while it may be more than other leagues, it’s not overspending.”
EXTRA TIME
The myth behind a goal’s net size revealed.
Every transfer in Europe’s top five leagues. (live tracker)
How can promoted Premier League sides stay up?
The most valuable footballers in the world.
Neymar celebrates a goal that didn’t happen.
… and the transcript from his heated exchange with a fan. (video/explicit)
How will Liverpool fare following their spending spree? (analysis)
GAME FACE ON
Name the missing team in these players’ career path (excluding loans):
Rosario Central (2005), Benfica (2007), Real Madrid (2010), Man Utd (2014), _______ , Juventus (2022), Benfica (2023), Rosario Central (2025).
Lille (2007), _______ , Real Madrid (2019).
Barcelona B (1999), Rangers (2002), Real Sociedad (2004), Everton (2005), _______.
Scroll below for the answer.
Answer
Angel Di Maria - Paris Saint-Germain. Eden Hazard - Chelsea. Mikel Arteta - Arsenal.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
This is one of the biggest clubs in the world – we want to behave like one.
