Villa

Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka on a season-long loan deal.

The deal for the DR Congo right-back includes a “conditional obligation to buy”.

The exact terms are not known, with the Hammers having previously asked interested clubs to pay a £25m fee.

The 28-year-old missed Championship club West Ham’s first two matches of the season during negotiations for a return to the Premier League.

Wan-Bissaka joined West Ham United on a seven‑year contract from Manchester United in 2024. He has made 65 appearances across his two seasons at the club, including 25 last season when the Hammers were relegated to the Championship.

He previously played 190 times for Manchester United, winning the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

More recently, Wan‑Bissaka started all four of DR Congo’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, helping them progress to the round of 32.

The new signing may feature in Villa’s first game of the Premier League at Brighton on Sunday (14:00 BST) and will also compete in the Champions League after the Villans finished fourth and won the Europa League under Unai Emery last season.

Aston Villa have agreed a deal sign West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The DR Congo right-back will join on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Wan-Bissaka has been given permission to travel for a medical in the Midlands but the exact terms are not known, with the Hammers having previously asked interested clubs to pay a £25m fee.

The 28-year-old has missed Championship club West Ham’s first two matches of the season during negotiations.

West Ham have sold Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for £85m and Crysencio Summerville for £60m this summer, but captain Jarrod Bowen has signed a new contract.

Villa, meanwhile, have also had a busy summer in the transfer market, most notably selling Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117m.

They currently have the lowest net spend in the Premier League, at about £110m after sales are taken into account.

Despite that, Villa have signed midfielders Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes, as well as Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho on a loan deal with an obligation to buy. They have also added highly rated young centre-back Modou Keba Cisse.

Villa begin their Premier League campaign at Brighton on Sunday (14:00 BST) and will also compete in the Champions League after finishing fourth and winning the Europa League under Unai Emery last season.

Villa had fought since the start of the year to register the 6ft 4in Madjo following his £10m arrival from Metz.

Under-18 players cannot complete international transfers, but the club argued that since Madjo was born in London he should be exempt – despite having three caps for Luxembourg in friendlies.

Since those games, he accepted an England Under-17 call up last year and has four goals in nine appearances, scoring on his debut against Venezuela.

With England searching for their next No9 once Harry Kane eventually retires, Madjo could force himself into the conversation in the coming years.

Fifa does allow some exemptions for minor players to make moves, including if a 16 or 17-year-old transfers within the European Union – something the UK is no longer part of.

The battle was finally won just eight days ago – after Villa took their case to CAS in July – and Madjo was added to the travelling party for Salzburg, having not been included in the initial squad.

With Ollie Watkins rested after World Cup duty and Tammy Abraham left on the bench, the youngster was given the responsibility up front by Emery having scored four pre-season goals.

His strike at the Red Bull Arena, holding off Ecuador international Willian Pacho to volley in John McGinn’s cross, was arguably the hardest chance of the trio he had in a first half full of promise.

It cancelled out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opener for PSG, only for Desire Doue to hit a second-half winner after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Before his goal, the hulking Madjo had earlier planted a free header over from three yards and shot wide, but was a constant nuisance for 11-time Ligue 1 winner and Brazilian centre-back and captain Marquinhos.

“He played because he was showing us his capacity to work and be demanding,” said boss Emery. “It is not just about scoring goals, it’s about defending and how he has the commitment and discipline tactically. He was doing that.

“I wanted to play with young players and watch their progression. Brian started scoring goals [in pre-season] against Walsall and Real Sociedad.

“Now the reality is we have shown their capacity, but they have to keep being consistent, demanding and keep performing at the level they were.”

Villa have been looking to sign a new striker – Chelsea‘s Nicolas Jackson has been a summer target – but Madjo’s availability now gives Emery a different option and dilemma before the Premier League season opener at Brighton on 23 August.

“You’ve got a young player coming, especially on a stage like this one, against PSG, getting in those scoring positions and not allowing that disappointment to stay with you,” former Villa striker Dion Dublin told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I saw Brian Madjo, he had his hands on his head for a couple of seconds and then he got into another scoring position.

“He was brave enough to get back into that scoring position and if he keeps missing it’s not frightening him. He’s happy to have that pressure on his shoulders. I’ve been there, you need to be able to deal with it. At 17, he seems to be doing it easily.”

Madjo – and fellow teenage forward George Hemmings – were given their chance against PSG with Emery insisting he would not rush Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa back for the game.

The trio are due to return next week after being given a month off following the World Cup, with Martinez losing the final with Argentina and Watkins and Konsa helping England to third place.

Madjo expertly deputised for Watkins, despite missing his earlier first-half chances, until he was replaced by Abraham with 18 minutes left.

Whether Konsa will still be a Villa player for the league opener against Brighton remains open to debate with Arsenal expected to step up their pursuit of the defender.

Villa have already sold Morgan Rogers in a record £117m deal to Chelsea and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, and Konsa’s departure would be a another bitter blow after winning the Europa League last season and qualifying for the Champions League.

Keeper Martinez will stay, despite interest from Juventus this summer.

Emery added: “We decided to play this match with the players who were ready to play, were fit and trying to avoid some risk with some players. It is very important how we are going to manage the players.

“I am trying to use my experience to avoid some mistakes which i can understand can happen.

“I can feel free with my decision and proud of the players.”

Aston Villa are in talks over a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.

The Portugal international, 31, became a target for Villa after Amadou Onana suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee while playing for Belgium at the World Cup.

Sources close to Palhinha say he has yet to make a decision but is open to a move to Villa Park, which is regarded as among his best options.

Bayern are willing to let him leave two years after signing him for £47.4m from Fulham.

Palhinha was on loan at Tottenham last season but the north London club opted against triggering their £26m option to buy.

It is understood manager Roberto de Zerbi was keen to sign Palhinha because of his role in helping Spurs avoid relegation, but the club were unable to reach an agreement with Bayern.

“Joao Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans,” Villa director of football Damian Vidagany told German outlet Bild on Friday.

“We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something were to happen, it would always be based on the great respect we have for Bayern.”

The comments after Villa lost 2-1 to Bayern in a pre-season friendly, in which Palhinha featured as a substitute, in Hong Kong over the weekend.

It has been a busy summer for Unai Emery’s Europa League-winning side, with the high-profile departures of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and Lucas Digne to Paris St-Germain leaving Villa in need of replacements.

They have also signed Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea, Joao Gomes from Wolves, Johan Manzambi from Freiburg and Moudou Keba Cisse from LASK Linz.

EXPLAINER

As the winners of the Champions League and Europa League face off, here is everything to know on the venue, history, quotes from the coaches and more.

The UEFA Super Cup is the annual game between the winners of European football’s top two competitions – the Champions League and the Europa League – and is seen as a curtain-raiser to the new season in Europe.

This year the French champions and Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on English Premier League side Aston Villa, who are Europa League champions.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

When is the game being held?

The match kicks off at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, August 12.

Where is the UEFA Super Cup being played?

Salzburg’s Red Bull Arena in Austria will host the final.

The 30,000-capacity stadium, which is referred to as Stadion Salzburg during UEFA matches, is usually home to Austrian Bundesliga team RB Salzburg.

How did PSG reach the UEFA Super Cup?

Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve in a cagey Champions League ⁠final in May to retain the title by beating ⁠Arsenal 4-3 on penalties as a tense showdown ended 1-1 after extra time, cementing the French side’s status among Europe’s modern greats.

Arsenal defender Gabriel blasted his spot kick over the bar at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, his miss confirming PSG as the first club to retain the trophy since Real Madrid completed their ⁠three-year reign from 2016 to 2018.

How did Aston Villa reach the UEFA Super Cup?

Aston Villa ended their 30-year trophy drought in style as spectacular goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia inspired a 3-0 win over Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul in May.

Unai Emery’s side took the lead late in the first half through Tielemans’ thunderous volley, before Buendia increased Villa’s advantage with a sublime curler seconds from the half-time whistle.

Morgan Rogers’ second-half goal finished off the outclassed Germans, sealing Villa’s first silverware since the 1996 League Cup and their first major European prize for 44 years.

Who is predicted to win the match?

According to Polymarket, PSG are the clear favourites with a 55-percent chance of winning in regulation time, with the likelihood of a draw at full time estimated at 25 percent and an Aston Villa win at 22 percent.

What is the history of the UEFA Super Cup?

It was officially introduced in 1973, with the European Cup/Champions League winners playing the Cup Winners Cup champions.

After the Cup Winners Cup was abolished in 1999, the winners of the UEFA Cup (subsequently rebranded as the Europa League) played the Champions League winners.

Who are the previous winners of the UEFA Super Cup?

Real Madrid are the most successful side in the fixture, having won six Super Cups. Barcelona and AC Milan have won five, while Liverpool have won four.

PSG are the reigning Super Cup holders after they beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in last season’s tie.

Last 10 winners:

• 2025 – Paris St-Germain
• 2024 – Real Madrid
• 2023 – Manchester City
• 2022 – Real Madrid
• 2021 – Chelsea
• 2020 – Bayern Munich
• 2019 – Liverpool
• 2018 – Atletico Madrid
• 2017 – Real Madrid
• 2016 – Real Madrid

How to watch the UEFA Super Cup?

In the United Kingdom, the game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

In the United States, the game will be shown on CBC Sports.

The full list of global broadcasters can be found here.

What happens if the game ends in a draw?

If the scores are level after regulation time, the match will go straight to a penalty shootout with no extra time to be played.

Who is the referee?

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was controversially denied entry to the US for the FIFA World Cup, will officiate the Super Cup.

PSG vs Aston Villa: Head-to-head

The two clubs have met twice in recent years, both in the 2024-25 Champions League quarterfinals.

PSG won the first leg 3-1 at Parc des Princes on April 9, 2025, while Aston Villa won the second leg 3-2 at home a week later – with PSG progressing 5-4 on aggregate.

What have the coaches said about the Super Cup?

PSG coach Luis Enrique:

“There are no doubts in my mind that it’s [the Super Cup] a really important trophy and Villa will be really competitive. If we look at the Premier League, there are five or maybe six Spanish coaches at the best teams.

“I think that Spanish football is at the top of world football in every regard, be it players, coaches or directors. Our game stands for a fun way of playing football, in that we seek out the ball, having it is our priority, and we adapt through possession to being solid defensively. I think it’s a great moment for Spanish football in a worldwide context and we should be proud of that.”

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery:

“We’re trying to be successful through, firstly, [building] a winning team, and then aiming for the positive consequences after it: winning trophies.

“To play the UEFA Super Cup is another opportunity to be there, the opportunity to win a trophy, to play against Paris Saint-Germain – the [best] team in the world now and another team we can compare [ourselves] with.”

LOVE Island winners Julia Majchrzak and Lorenzo Alessi have kissed and made up on a night out with their fellow villa friends.

The ITV2 dating show winners came to blows after he was clocked fawning over other female’s sexy pics on social media.

The champions were joined on a night out at London’s 100 Shoreditch.

Former Casa bombshell Julia looked stunning in an all-black dress made up of mesh and lace panelling.

With her hair slicked back, she looked every inch a TV star as she smooched her man.

Lorenzo looked slick in an open shirt with a blazer and slacks.

swiped off

Love Island’s Lorenzo FINALLY deletes dating app & Julia says she’s ‘humiliated’

INSTA SHAM

Love Island’s Julia accuses Lorenzo of ’embarrassing her’ by liking girls’ pics

Joining them for the reunion night were ex islanders Ellie Chadwick and Finley Maddock.

Ellie looked summer ready in a short yellow outfit with a feather bottom as she held hands with her fella.

It comes after the couple were grilled about the online drama on Capital XTRA.

Julia, 26, admitted she found his online wandering eye ‘not funny’ and was ’embarrassed’ by his behaviour.

She told the hosts: “Guys, this is not funny. He’s already embarrassed me online.

“He had no time to arrange a date in five days, but was sat in bed liking other girls’ Instagram pictures.”

It comes after a clip of the couple’s appearance on This Morning went viral last week, with fans left unconvinced by their relationship.

Joining Josie Gibson and Paddy McGuinness in the studio, Lorenzo and Julia were quizzed about their future plans.

But an unimpressed Julia grilled Lorenzo over why he had failed to organise a date and had barely seen her since they won Love Island together.

Viewers also claimed Lorenzo appeared distracted by former flame Jasmine, who was sitting just inches away with Kavan.

The 2026 matchmaking show champ, who scooped his share of a £50K cash prize during the final, has finally removed his profile from Hinge.

Also at the event were Priya and Aidan – who were dumped from the villa days before the final.

The reunion saw familiar faces return including pretty-in-pink Lola Deal and Seán Fitzgerald, Mica Harris and Samraj Toor, and hand-holding singletons Charleen Murphy and Martha Rothwell.

Julia and Lorenzo beat runners-up Jasmine Muller and Kavan Murphy, and third place stars Angelista Gunda and Simba Kudyiwa.

BROOKLYN Beckham and wife Nicola Peltz enjoyed a luxury stay at his godfather Elton John’s £15m Nice villa after narrowly avoiding an awkward run-in with estranged parents David and Victoria.

Sir Elton, 79, and husband David Furnish, 63, invited the couple over to stay and the vibe looked relaxed from pictures shared to the couple’s Instagram pages.

In one Brooklyn, 27, looks carefree as he lays on the grass while in another he smiles beside Nicola, 31, who beamed with her arm wrapped around Elton.

Furnish commented: “So lovely having you both to stay with us……”

He also wrote on Nicola’s collection of snaps: “Such a lovely time we all spent together.”

The American actress could be seen admiring a lily pond and outdoor tennis courts.

READ MORE ON BROOKLYN BECKHAM

tat’s it!

Brooklyn Beckham’s wife Nicola reveals new tattoo tribute on her leg

COLD SHOULDER

Brooklyn Beckham didn’t speak to his parents for 3 months BEFORE 2022 wedding

Before the villa stay, the couple lived it up on Elton’s super yacht off the shore of St Tropez.

David, 51, and Victoria, 52, had the same idea and spent time relaxing on their own vessel at the lavish location on the French Riviera.

The two warring factions were photographed minutes apart when they ventured onto dry land for a spot of shopping and a bite to eat.

Despite numerous olive branches, Brooklyn is still refusing to speak to his parents, who he accused of “hijacking” his wedding to Nicola in 2022 and caring more about Brand Beckham than family members themselves.

He also alleged the fashion designer Victoria pulled out of making Nicola’s dress at the eleventh hour. 

Brooklyn has since served his parents with a legal notice telling them they should only contact him through his lawyers. 

Meanwhile, it has been claimed by the Daily Mail that things between them were tense before he and Nicola tied the knot. 

A source told the publication: “Indeed, relations had become so fraught between Brooklyn and his parents – because of tensions with his fiancee Nicola – that I can reveal that they weren’t actually on speaking terms for some three months before the young couple married in Palm Beach, in April 2022.”

The summer sun has set on “Love Island USA” fan favorites Olandria and Nic Vansteenberghe‘s romance, a year after their time on the hit series.

People, citing an unnamed source, reported on Wednesday that the pair of reality TV stars — known among fans as “Nicolandria” — agreed to go their separate ways. The outlet reported that the amicable split comes as “the distance between them and their busy schedules made it challenging to maintain their connection.” The “Love Island USA” Season 7 stars remain friends and “will always support one another.”

Neither of the stars have publicly addressed their separation on social media.

Olandria and Vansteenberghe entered the “Love Island USA” villa in Fiji in June 2025 and officially coupled up weeks into the production. “Love Island USA,” the American version of the U.K. series, streams on Peacock and follows a cast of singles as they search for love and test their connections. Olandria and Vansteenberghe were among a handful of day-one contestants who advanced to the competition’s final episode.

The pair were runners-up to winners Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales.

Since leaving the villa together, “Nicolandria” have taken their relationship into the real world, to Glamour Magazine and to numerous brand deals. Olandria has become a staple at red carpet events including the VMAs, CFDA Fashion Awards and the Golden Globes.

Amid their post-”Love Island USA” fame, Olandria and Vansteenberghe spoke candidly to Glamour about handling the newfound deluge of popularity, demand and fan love — and how they support each other through it.

“It’s so draining. We always have check-ins, like, ‘How’s your mental? How are you today? I’m always here,’” Olandria recalled to the magazine. “I wish we didn’t have to do that as much as we had to. Thank God we’ve got each other, because I don’t know what we would do without each other, literally, when it comes to that.”

Vansteenberghe said elsewhere in the interview: “Everything that came from [“Love Island USA”] is so beautiful and amazing. I feel like that’s why we did well. We enjoyed ourselves and had fun with it.”

“Love Island USA” crowned its latest winning couple earlier this month. Fan favorites and day-one contestants Bryce and Trinity were declared winners and won the $100,000 grand prize, after a season rocked by racial-slur scandals and with local roots in a surf and coffee shop in Mar Vista.

The 23-year-old Rogers, established as one of the Premier League’s top attacking talents, has signed a contract with the London team until 2033.

The England World Cup forward Morgan Rogers has completed his British transfer record move from Aston Villa to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

No fee was officially disclosed, but media reports on Tuesday said it is worth 117 million pounds ($156.5m), which surpasses England teammate Elliot Anderson’s 116 million pounds ($155m) switch from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City earlier this month.

The all-time record Premier League transfer is still Sweden striker Alexander Isak’s 125 million pounds ($167m) move from Newcastle to Liverpool last year.

The 23-year-old Rogers, established as one of the Premier League’s top attacking talents, has signed a contract with the London team until 2033.

“I’m so excited,” he told the club’s website. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.

“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading. That’s why I’m here, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Rogers is the third major off-season signing by new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, following wing backs Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda.

Rogers was part of the England team that finished third, beating France, at the World Cup last week. They had lost to Argentina 2-1 in their semifinal.

He scored 21 goals in 85 Premier League appearances for Villa, and last season helped guide the club to a top-four finish and to the Europa League title.

Rogers joined Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for a reported fee of 8 million pounds (about $10.5m).

He made his England debut in November 2024 and has now won 22 caps for his country.

Chelsea’s previous record signing was Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion for 115 million pounds (about $150m) in 2023.

Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season, begin their ‌league campaign away to Fulham on August 24.

Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese giants will be the seventh club of Duran’s career at the age of just 22, following recent stints with Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg.

Benfica will pay a £5.19m (6.1m euros) loan fee for the Colombia international with the option to make the move permanent for £25.5m (30m euros) at the end of the 2026-27 season.

“I am happy! I continue to say that it is the biggest club in Portugal. I am very grateful to be here,” said Duran.

“I have very high expectations of being here. I want to play well, give my all and become champion.”

Duran began his professional career with Colombian side Envigado in 2019 before earning a move to MLS team Chicago Fire in 2022.

He was on the move again in January 2023 when he joined Aston Villa for £14m and quickly became a fan favourite.

A move to West Ham fell through in the summer of 2024, but after scoring a famous winner for Villa against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Duran was sold to Al-Nassr for £71m in January 2025.

Despite scoring eight goals in 13 games for the Saudi Arabian side, he stayed for only half a season before moving to Fenerbahce on loan.

But manager Jose Mourinho was sacked less than a month after Duran made his debut and the loan was cancelled in February 2026 so he could join Zenit.

After bagging three goals in nine games in Russia, Duran now has the chance to make a home at Benfica, his seventh club in the seventh country of his young career.

Aston Villa have completed the £38m signing of midfielder Joao Gomes from Wolves.

The Brazil international joins for an initial £34m with £4m in add-ons.

Villa completed a club record deal worth more than £50m for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi on Friday, beating Newcastle to the Switzerland international.

Atletico Madrid had also been keen on Gomes, but the 25-year-old left Wolves’ training camp in Portugal on Thursday to have a medical and finalise his move to Villa Park.

Villa midfielder Amadou Onana is out until next year after suffering a serious knee injury with Belgium at the World Cup.

Villa have also sold Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35m, while fellow midfielder Morgan Rogers is set to leave after a £117m deal was agreed with Chelsea.

Gomes made 41 appearances for Wolves last season and was named Player of the Year as they finished bottom of the Premier League.

He played 130 times for the club, scoring seven goals, after joining from Flamengo in 2023.

Wolves technical director Matt Jackson said: “Joao deserves everything he gets from the game. He’s a model professional, a lovely young man and a great family man.

“He’s the type of professional coaches love and players love, so he will go on to be the outstanding player that we know he is.

“We’re obviously sorry to see him go, but we have to take responsible decisions for the football club, and then we build to be stronger collectively.

“It’s a very natural part of football – the best run football clubs who don’t have unlimited resources have to work this way.

“The model is something that we have to adopt, and our fans have always been hugely understanding of that.”

Love Island’s Ellie Chadwick has spoken out after quitting the show shortly after a series of explosive scenes played out on the dating series following her doomed romance with Finley Maddock

Love Island’s Ellie Chadwick has spoken out after dramatically quitting the show. The real estate videographer, 24, had been taking part in the hit ITV2 reality dating series and was enjoying a blossoming romance with Finley Maddock, but it all started to go wrong when he fell for a bombshell who entered the villa.

In explosive scenes that aired on Thursday night, Ellie stormed out of the villa for good, having decided to leave when Finley was voted out by the other Islanders, and has now insisted that everything stated to kick off after bombshell Elicia set her sights on Finley during a recoupling.

She said: “When Elicia chose Fin at the recoupling, all hell broke loose. I was angry. As all the girls were saying, I just lost my cool. There had already been a little bit of back and forth. I more or less knew what was coming, but it had been back and forth and I just lost it. I had too much emotion in me to let out. I’d laid my cards out.

“I couldn’t do any more. I was just hurt. It wasn’t like she had done anything wrong. She had a job to do,she was a Bombshell. I was just feeling a type of way about it, and that was okay. Everyone in that situation was feeling a type of way, mine just came out in a louder way than everyone else’s.”

The reality star then admitted that she had hoped to remain in a couple with Finley and then accused of him of dealing with the situation in such a “poor” way to begin with, but ultimately thinks she has grown from her experience on the dating programme.

She said: “Obviously, seeing Finley up there was hard because it was a recent event and he hadn’t been in the bottom before. Then, when we got told about the second dumping and that we had to choose, I already kind of knew in my gut that it wasn’t going to go the way I was hoping, which was for me and Finley to stay there and continue to grow. There were no ifs, buts or maybes, or what ifs, or how could this play out.

“Finley knows fine well that I feel like he navigated it very poorly. I made that very vocal and I will stand on that. I always will. I think the communication was poor.

“A lot of the things that happened were not relayed to me in a proper way, which I would have appreciated. I’m big enough to take the truth on the chest.

“I’m happy with that. I’m a very direct, upfront person. I just think the communication was poor and the way he handled it wasn’t great. I understand he was confused. I was understanding the whole time, but there was only so much understanding I could do.

“There are definitely ways it could have been better, but we live and we learn. That’s what Love Island is. It’s about living and learning. I’ve learned a lot about myself there and I’ve got to give him grace on that.

“It doesn’t mean the grafting boots are off because we’re out now, those boots are still on. I believed in the connection we had so much. I just knew in my heart that it was going to work, regardless of what was going on.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

Manchester United have completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa on a five-year deal.

United have met a release clause of £35m for the 29-year-old midfielder, who has just helped Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Tielemans has spent the past three seasons with Villa, having initially moved to the Premier League to join Leicester City in 2019.

“It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United,” he said. “Signing for such a special club feels incredible.

“It is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.”

Tielemans will wear the number 18 shirt vacated by fellow midfielder Casemiro, who left Old Trafford when his contract expired at the end of the season.

A former team-mate of United’s current first-team coach Jonny Evans, Tielemans is noted for scoring Leicester’s winner against Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final and for Aston Villa in their Europa League final triumph over Freiburg in May.

He made his senior debut for Anderlecht aged 16 years and 82 days, and left for Monaco in 2017, just after his 20th birthday.

Despite still being in his 20s, Tielemans has already played 668 games for club and country, scoring 79 from 578 club appearances.

United’s director of football Jason Wilcox said: “Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years.

“He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United.

“Youri’s consistency is exceptional, and he will add further composure, creativity and leadership to our squad.”

Last season, Tielemans suffered separate calf and ankle problems that restricted him to 35 appearances in all competitions for Villa, the lowest number in a campaign during his time in England.

He scored a memorable 89th-minute equaliser at the World Cup for Belgium against Senegal, and then converted an extra-time winner from the penalty spot for his 15th goal from 90 caps as they won 3-2.

But his tournament came to a premature end when he was injured in the warm-up before Belgium’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Spain.

Tielemans’ signing follows that of fellow midfielder Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been put on hold.

This is a painful case of deja vu for Newcastle.

It was just a few weeks ago that the club lost out on another top target, Victor Munoz, who opted to join Liverpool.

Talent identification is clearly not the issue.

Newcastle have targeted Manzambi, Munoz, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and James Trafford in the last 12 months.

But losing out to Aston Villa for a top target would be another real setback in the transfer market for Newcastle.

If Newcastle miss out, the big question is can the club discreetly pivot to another promising target, as they did with Bazoumana Toure after Munoz went elsewhere?

On one hand, there is plenty of time left in the window to do just that and strengthen other areas of the side.

On the other, there is a lot of work to do and little margin for any further knockbacks.

The sight of those players not involved at the World Cup returning for pre-season training on Monday was a timely reminder of that.

MAYA Jama sent her fans wild in a tight leather dress as she swapped the Love Island villa for America.

The popular presenter, 31, is currently over in the States and has been sharing her trip to New York, where she is appearing on US TV shows.

Love Island host Maya is known for her sexy looks, and her latest one in the Big Apple didn’t disappoint.

Taking to her latest Instagram Stories, the stunning star showed off her tight leather dress in a mirror selfie video.

The racy outfit clung to her tiny figure, and she completed the daring look with knee high boots.

In the next clip, Maya told fans that she felt she looked “very Matrix”.

STATESIDE STAR

Maya Jama stuns in snakeskin co-ord as she explains Love Island absence

HUNGRY EYES?

Newly-single Maya Jama cuddles up to hunky chef outside his London restaurant

In the final slide, the excited star could be heard singing Alicia Keys’ song, New York, in the back of a car, as she headed into Times Square.

The newly single star, who recently split from Ruben Dias, 29, is in New York to appear on US chat shows.

Yesterday, Maya was on Good Morning America for her first ever television interview stateside.

Once again, she pulled out all the stops in a leather mini-skirt and top co-ord, paired with high heels.

Maya used the TV appearance to reveal why she has been seen much less in the Majorcan villa during the current series of the ITV2 show.

It came after fans noticed the host had been in the ITV2 villa much less this series, so the GMA hosts quizzed her on it.

Explaining her absence, she said: “It’s not up to me, it’s up to the producers that you need to speak to!

“I think this series has just had so much drama that they didn’t need me to intervene, it’s been so entertaining, so wild – as usual.”

It comes after Maya responded to fans asking where she had been, as one joked she was on a “zero hour contract”.

She said on Instagram: “Jokes aside it’s not up to me how often I enter the villa.

“I wasn’t even on a break, I love it over there.”

During her US TV appearance, Maya was also quizzed on Celebrity Traitors, which she filmed recently.

Although she couldn’t give too much away ahead, she said: “This is the first time I’ve ever been a contestant and not a host. And I can’t say much, because it’s Traitors – you’re not allowed to say anything.

“But I’m excited! We’ll see how I act. It’s the biggest, one of the biggest shows in the UK, and in America also.

“It’s so much fun, whether you’re a traitor or a faithful, what an experience to get to do that. So, yeah, fingers crossed it goes well.”

MAYA Jama looked stunning in a snakeskin co-ord on Tuesday as she arrived in New York to appear on US television.

The Love Island presenter, 31, used the TV appearance to reveal why she has been seen much less in the Majorcan villa during the current series of the ITV2 show.

The star donned a mini-skirt and top co-ord for the appearance, paired with black court heels, as she left her brunette tresses sleek.

She appeared on Good Morning America for her first ever television interview stateside, and divulged on the current season of Love Island on the show.

After Love Island fans noticed Maya has been in the ITV2 villa less this series, the GMA hosts quizzed her on it.

Explaining why she has been seen less, she said: “It’s not up to me, it’s up to the producers that you need to speak to!

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“I think this series has just had so much drama that they didn’t need me to intervene, it’s been so entertaining, so wild – as usual.”

It comes after Maya responded to fans asking where she had been, as one joked she was on a “zero hour contract”.

She said on Instagram: “Jokes aside it’s not up to me how often I enter the villa.

“I wasn’t even on a break, I love it over there.”

During her US TV appearance, Maya also touched on her recent stint filming Celebrity Traitors.

While she couldn’t give much away ahead of the show airing, she did say: “This is the first time I’ve ever been a contestant and not a host. And I can’t say much, because it’s Traitors – you’re not allowed to say anything.

“But I’m excited! We’ll see how I act. It’s the biggest, one of the biggest shows in the UK, and in America also.

“It’s so much fun, whether you’re a traitor or a faithful, what an experience to get to do that. So, yeah, fingers crossed it goes well.”

Ahead of the interview, Maya took to Instagram to share some snaps to her Stories.

“Going on live American TV for the first time, ABC and Good Morning America. Wish me luck,” she wrote over a mirror selfie in her hotel.

It seems “Love Island USA” producers pulled one bombshell aside for a chat, one that has led to her firing from the hit reality dating series.

Contestant Alannah Keyser’s time in Fiji has officially come to an end as she faces backlash for apparently using a racial slur in a video and social media comments that recently resurfaced on social media. “Love Island USA” streamer Peacock confirmed to The Times on Friday that Keyser, a film student at USC from Miami, will no longer appear on the series. She is the second contestant Peacock dismissed this season over a racial slur scandal.

Keyser made her “Love Island USA” debut last week as one of the six women hopeful to strike up a connection with the male contestants in Casa Amor, testing the men’s relationship with their partners back in the villa. Keyser appeared to pair up with contestant Zach Georgiou. In her debut episode, she informed Georgiou she had a brief romance with his older brother Charlie, a previous “Love Island USA” contestant.

“Love Island USA” parted ways with contestant Alannah Keyser after she used a racial slur in social media comments and posts.

(Ben Symons / Peacock)

She faced allegations of racism amid her first “Love Island USA” episode when a social media user surfaced screenshots of Keyser allegedly using the N-word on Snapchat and Instagram. A user on X (formerly Twitter) also published video of Keyser seemingly saying the slur as she sings along to Roddy Ricch’s “The Box” at a party. Some viewers — and other contestants on the series — also observed that Keyser interacted less with the Black men on the series in her debut episode.

A source familiar with “Love Island USA” production said the controversial video and posts only became public on social media after Keyser’s first episode and that the posts were not viewable during the series’ vetting process. Peacock confirmed Kesyer’s firing hours after the U.S. Sun reported her exit and minimized screen time. “Producers were disappointed and embarrassed that this has become another mishap,” a source told the outlet.

Keyser did not immediately respond to a request for comment via social media.

Keyser is the fourth “Love Island USA” contestant in two years to face scrutiny for her past use of racial slurs. Earlier this month, Peacock pulled beauty technician Vasana Montgomery from its Season 8 lineup before the season started. Last year, contestant Cierra Ortega prematurely left the villa as she faced criticism for her past social media posts that included a slur for Chinese (and, more generally, Asian) people. A month before that, contestant Yulissa Escobar was dismissed by the season’s second episode amid social media outcry over her use of the N-word.

Those three contestants have since publicly apologized for their posts.

The “Love Island USA” production team is mourning the loss of executive producer James Barker, who died last week while on set in Fiji.

“Love Island USA” producers ITV America and Peacock confirmed Barker’s death in a media release shared with The Times on Monday. The announcement said that Barker died after “an unexpected medical emergency” but did not provide additional details, including the day of his death and a cause of death. Barker was 40.

“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock,” the television companies said in a joint statement. “He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ family, friends and colleagues.”

Barker began his tenure on “Love Island USA” in 2020, first working as a story producer. He has worked as an executive producer on the series for the last three seasons and was also a member of the producing team on “Love Island” companion series “Love Island Games” and “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.”

Barker, according to Monday’s statement, also oversaw the hit series’ pop soundtrack. For an interview with Rolling Stone in 2025, Barker recalled watching the original British “Love Island” series and how pop music supplemented the on-screen romances and heartbreak: “I think that is where my brain immediately said, ‘One, this is amazing, and more shows should be like this.’ And two, ‘How do I work on “Love Island”?’”

Barker also noted in the interview that he drew inspiration for the “Love Island USA” villa sound from his pre-TV career as a nightlife DJ and spoke about the process of hand-selecting music from established pop acts and up-and-coming artists.

“In the past, there was such a stigma about reality shows that a lot of artists didn’t want their music associated with reality shows. And that’s starting to turn around now,” Barker told the outlet. “[Artists are] more and more seeing, well, one, the financial aspect of having your music synced in these kind of shows, and also just the wide reach of viewers.”

Before “Love Island USA,” Barker was a producer on reality series “Pawn Stars,” “Counting Cars” and “Forged in Fire.” He later served as a story producer on “Queer Eye,” “Cosmic Love” and “Are You My First?” Outside of his TV work, Barker often performed as DJ Chaotic at gay bar C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn.

“Love Island USA,” which began its eighth season earlier this month, will pay tribute to Barker in Tuesday’s episode.

He is survived by his mother Malinda.

CELEBRITIES are turning up in droves for Jake Hall‘s funeral this afternoon.

Boxer Derek Chisora is among the celebrities arriving at Grade-I church St Mary the Virgin, in Wanstead, London, for the service.

Cops found the 35-year-old former reality show star in a pool of blood after he ran through a single-glazed glass door.

He was found dead at a Spanish holiday villa with head injuries after a night out partying on May 6.

Officers were called to the rented house in Santa Margalida in the north of the holiday island at around 7.30am.

Police quizzed four men and two women staying at the house.

They reportedly told officers that they had been out in the evening and continued partying after returning to the property in the early hours.

Authorities have not released the nationalities of the others who were at the property.

The Guardia Civil confirmed there was no “criminal activity”.

Hours before he died, he shared a last post on Instagram vowing to “remember the good things”.

Set to the Rolling Stones’ classic Beast of Burden, it showed him enjoying painting, Spanish scenery and fashion.

It was captioned: “Life is bollocks sometimes but I’m gonna try remember the good things – ️ looking through things – I’m just making art – in many forms.”

Footballer and model Jake leaves behind the mother of his child, Misse Beqiri, who he had an on-off relationship with since 2016.

The couple share a daughter, River, who was born in November 2017.

Misse posted an emotional tribute, writing: “There was no way you were ever supposed to go. My heart is shattered, and so is our daughter’s.

“You lit up every room you walked into – your smile, your charm, your energy filled the air.”

She then paid tribute to his love of music and creativity, as well as how many people really loved him.

Chloe Lewis also posted a tribute to her “first love” at the time of his death,

Chloe, who began a 10 year relationship with Jake when she was 16, shared a collection of photos on Instagram from their time together and wrote heartbreaking words that moved celeb pals including Michelle Keegan and Ferne McCann.

“My first love, my childhood sweetheart,” began Chloe. “A love that taught me so much about life and myself, and even more so now your presence is no longer here.”

In their early 20s Towie turned them into stars, but fame had a detrimental impact on their relationship.

Chloe said neither of them wanted to be in the public eye and the pressures of the show put a strain on their romance.

Leading tributes to the star at the time of his death was legendary DJ Fat Tony, who shared an image of the star and captioned it: “Devastating news we Love you such an awful loss to the world you beautiful man x.”

Blue’s Antony Costa wrote: “So sad, what a lovely bloke you were mate R.I.P.”

Love Island’s Jack Fincham wrote on a picture of the pair posted on Instagram: “Cannot believe what I have just read. Condolences to Jake’s family a very sad day. Rest in perfect peace mate.”

Jake first shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015, where he famously dated Chloe Lewis before quitting the show in 2024.

Love Island viewers were gripped as tension spread throughout the villa as the bombshells made moves and a fiery challenge divided the group

Love Island viewers were left fuming after an islander branded another a “liar”. Ope suggested his former villa partner, Angelista, was a “liar” as the pair argued over her terrace antics.

Despite moving slowly with Ope, she wasted no time in kissing bombshell Simba. But while Ope was less than impressed, viewers at home were quick to call him out.

One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “So Ope’s calling Angelista a liar and saying she didn’t care about his feelings when HE was the one who lied to her about being ok with the slow place and HE was the one who was rude about her on the dates. She had every right to get with Simba.”

Another added: “Ope said Angelista is a liar, does he not know what he has been doing in the villa?” And a third said: “Ope talks fast and breathes heavily, like a liar.”

Despite online users calling him out, Shakira came to his defence in Love Island: The Debrief. She said the moment was “humiliating” for Ope.

After Ope and Simba came to blows over Angelista, Priya received a text that sent shockwaves through the group. They were told that a challenge was ready to “test the waters” in a game of It’s Not That Deep.

The challenge saw the Islanders take on a slippery mini-slide, and after landing in a pool, they must grab a drink and uncover a juicy secret about one of their fellow Islanders of the opposite sex.

When they made their pick, they must swill the islander they believed the comment was about. With revelations like This boy has slept with 11 girls but can only recall 3 of their names, and ‘This boy’s friends would describe him as having a wandering eye, tension is quick to enter the villa.

And the spicy comments also come back as the boys learn more about the girls in the villa. Some of the boys become frustrated by some of the girls’ commentary around their guesses, with some calling out the “hypocrisy” on show.

Aidan was quick to pick up on the tension and told the group the atmosphere was frosty. And his thoughts were correct as the rift between the boys and the girls became increasingly apparent.

“The girls have no idea,” Sam said before Aidan said they were simply trying to “brush it off”. The group tried to put a block on the issue, but when Ope referred to some of the girls’ comments during the challenge, he said: “I feel like there’s some things that people said that don’t align with what we thought you aligned with.”

Aidan agreed, calling out the wandering eye comment. With tension rising, Yasmin and Jasmine decide to walk away from the conversation.

Love Island continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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LOVE Island viewers have been left baffled after spotting Ellie Chadwick is rarely seen without her iconic £2,000 Prada bag.

Despite engaging in some tense chats in the villa, fans of the hit ITV show have been left distracted by her trusty wicker basket bag never being far from sight.

And it turns out there is a key reason why real estate videographer Ellie, 24, is always carrying her beloved accessory around the villa.

Amy Bannerman, eBay‘s Pre-Loved Style Director, told The Sun that bags were added into the Love Island pad for the first season of Love Island All Stars in January 2025.

She explained: “I wanted a way to add more eBay to the Islanders’ non-swimwear looks and give us an opportunity to talk about eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee (AG) offering. 

“The Love Island All Stars cast all really veer towards premium brands too, so it felt like the perfect place to introduce it.

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“There isn’t more of a focus on bags this season, but they have got more airtime from Ellie’s iconic Prada moment, which is great.”

Viewers have been left in fits of giggles after spotting Ellie’s bag habit and have taken to social media to discuss it further.

One wrote: “Ellie is the first girl I’ve seen carry a bag around the villa, she’s so real go find those designer bags girly show us the villa collection.”

This person replied: “And the only thing in there is probably her phone and some lip gloss.”

This person asked: “Can tell you right now that there’s nothing in Ellie’s bag,” while someone else echoed: “Why is Ellie the only person in love island to ever carry a handbag?”

Someone shared a picture of Teletubbies character Tinky Winky and their famous red handbag, while another posted a picture of Mr Tumble and his yellow spotted bag.

This viewer shared: “Ellie walking around the villa with a handbag, quite possibly is the first time I’ve seen that happen on that show, since I began watching it, all those years ago. Definitely not on my bingo card.”

Another added: “It’s really making me laugh that Ellie carries a handbag, like girl why do you need a handbag in the villa?”

And some fans have even suggested: “If she stays long enough, she’s going to have some bag deals.”

Amy clarified that there is no quota for how many eBay items Islanders have to use, but they have the option to choose from their “incredible choice of brands and styles.”

Amy explained: “They pick pieces from a shared wardrobe that includes everything from Versace and Gucci to vintage Topshop and Marks & Spencer. 

“Last season, unbranded vintage was the most-worn category, which was very exciting for us!”

The eBay staff member said they also added men’s bags as the “boys all seemed keen to join the girls in carrying AG bags.”

She added: “We have also added luxury AG men’s sliders too, so they’re wearing more eBay around the pool during daytime moments.”

The love triangle between Scottish lass Ellie and brothers Aidan and Kavan reared an ugly head on Sunday’s episode of Love Island, with Ellie branding Aidan as a ‘p****’.

Since Kavan entered the villa as a surprise bombshell he caught Ellie’s eye, despite her previously being coupled up with his brother.

The blonde beauty continued to express interest in both of the lads for a while until Sunday when everything came crashing down.

Ellie and Aidan were sitting on a sofa together talking about how Aidan kissed someone else when she was briefly booted from the villa.

Ellie left for around 12 hours alongside Samraj after bombshells Yasmin and George were tasked by host Maya Jama to axe a lad and a lady from the show.

However they weren’t really dumped from the programme, and instead went on secret dates with bombshells Priya and Kavan.

Ellie then returned to the villa and discovered that Aidan hadn’t been faithful.

She brought it up with Aidan tonight saying she can’t get past it and needed to “draw a line” under things.

An unconvinced Aidan didn’t take her seriously, saying he thinks she “still likes him”.

But Ellie then shut the romance down well and good, saying that the difference between Aidan and his brother Kavan is that Kavan “is not a p****”.