FORTUNE

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, has announced a significant shift in strategy, declaring that he will be scaling back political donations to focus more intensively on his core business ventures. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, Musk stated he will be doing “a lot less” political spending, citing that he had “done enough” in the political arena—an apparent retreat from his aggressive financial support for Republican causes, including former President Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign. ‎ ‎' Elon Musk. ' ‎Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images ‎ ‎This announcement follows a year in which Musk contributed over $250 million to Trump’s campaign and conservative efforts, including a controversial $25 million spent on a failed bid to influence the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. That political gamble backfired, casting doubts on Musk’s effectiveness as a political influencer and even prompting concern among GOP strategists about his growing invol...

‎Real Madrid have identified Arsenal defender William Saliba as their top transfer target to anchor a summer defensive overhaul, according to a report from Spanish outlet Marca. The 23-year-old French international is said to be the club’s preferred solution to reinforce a backline that has struggled in key moments this season, particularly during their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal. ‎ Real Madrid plot Summer rebuild with Arsenal's William Saliba at the centre. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Los Blancos were eliminated from Europe’s elite competition after conceding five goals across two legs against the North London side. That performance reportedly intensified internal discussions over the need to rejuvenate a once-impervious defence. Saliba, who has grown into one of the world’s premier centre-backs under Mikel Arteta, has long been admired by Real’s chief scout Juni Calafat, who views him as an ideal long-term leader in defence. ‎ ‎Despite Saliba sig...

‎Manchester United are confident that they have sealed a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The Swedish international has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, and club insiders now believe that the move is effectively a “done deal.” ‎ ‎' Viktor Gyokeres. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎United, under manager Rúben Amorim, are seeking to overhaul their attacking options following a disappointing Premier League campaign. Current centre-forwards Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to deliver consistent performances, prompting a strategic focus on bolstering the front line. ‎ ‎Gyokeres, who has enjoyed a sensational debut season with Sporting CP, fits the profile United are after. In Liga Portugal alone, the former Coventry City striker has netted 34 goals and provided 7 assists across 29 appearances. His performances in the Champions League have also been impressive, with 6 goals...

‎Chelsea are reportedly keen on bringing young forward Jamie Gittens back to English football, as the club targets a move for the Borussia Dortmund star. The England Under-21 international, who is under contract at Signal Iduna Park until 2028, has been making waves in the Bundesliga, but recent developments suggest that his future may lie elsewhere. Gittens’ growing dissatisfaction with his reduced role under Dortmund's coach Niko Kovac has led to speculation about a potential transfer, with several top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham, also monitoring the situation. ‎ Chelsea eye Jamie Gittens' return to English Football with impressive salary offer amid discontent at Dortmund. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎According to a report from Sky Sport Germany, Chelsea have officially shown interest in Gittens, who has accumulated 12 goals across all competitions this season. However, despite his strong performances, the 20-year-old has not start...

Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to consider a surprising yet potentially shrewd financial move—investing in English League Two side Cheltenham Town. The recommendation comes from leading football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson, who believes the Al-Nassr forward could make a transformative impact on the lower-tier club, mirroring the sensational success story of Wrexham under Hollywood ownership. ‎ ‎' C. Ronaldo. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Since 2021, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have dramatically reshaped the narrative at Wrexham AFC. Their investment not only propelled the Welsh side to three consecutive promotions, but also captured global attention through the acclaimed Welcome to Wrexham documentary series. This meteoric rise has sparked a new wave of interest in lower-league football investments, prompting experts to highlight similarly undervalued opportunities. ‎ ‎' Ryan Reynolds ' and ' Rob McElhenney. ' ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎Speaking t...

‎Jose Mourinho reportedly came within touching distance of signing Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014, with personal terms agreed and a staggering £50 million annual salary on offer. But despite the West London club’s readiness to activate the €250 million release clause in Messi’s Barcelona contract, the transfer never materialised—blocked by a surprise revelation from a Premier League player that alerted Messi’s father and ultimately brought the negotiations to a halt. ‎ ‎ Jose Mourinho almost signed Lionel Messi for Chelsea in 2014 before deal collapsed over player revelation. ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎At the time, Mourinho had just returned for his second spell at Chelsea, eager to reinforce his legacy after two Premier League title wins during his first tenure. Always one to think big, the Portuguese manager set his sights on Lionel Messi, arguably the most coveted player in world football. ‎ ‎According to Gianluca Di Marzio’s 2014 book Grand Hotel Calciomercato, the ground...

‎Football pundit Gary Lineker has suggested that former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is exactly what the struggling Premier League side is currently lacking. The Match of the Day host highlighted McTominay’s combative nature and knack for scoring goals, stating that the Scotland international would thrive under United’s current coach Ruben Amorim. ‎ ‎Scott McTominay is the missing piece at Manchester United amid Napoli brilliance — Gary Lineker. ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎Speaking on his podcast The Rest Is Football, Lineker praised McTominay's latest performances for Napoli, where he has quickly become a pivotal figure in their Serie A title race. "Scott McTominay, scored two more goals, one of them a beauty, for Napoli at the beginning of the week," Lineker said. "He's exactly the player I would say that would work in an Amorim system. He's what they need." ‎ ‎McTominay left Old Trafford in a £25 million ($34m) move last summer, a...

‎Manchester City are positioning themselves at the front of the pack to sign Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, with the Premier League champions identifying the midfielder as a potential successor to Kevin De Bruyne. ‎ ‎ Manchester City target Morgan Gibbs-White as De Bruyne successor amid growing transfer race. ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎De Bruyne, who has played a pivotal role in City’s dominance over the past nine years, is expected to depart the Etihad this summer, prompting Pep Guardiola and the club’s recruitment team to search for a creative midfielder capable of filling the Belgian's sizable boots. ‎ ‎While Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has long been on City's radar, The Daily Mail reports that attention has now turned more decisively toward Gibbs-White, whose performances under Nuno Espirito Santo have caught the eye across Europe. ‎ ‎The 24-year-old England international has been central to Nottingham Forest’s surprise push for Champions League qualific...

‎The Premier League headlines this week are dominated by Mohamed Salah, as the Liverpool icon officially signed a contract extension with the club—dashing rumors of a summer departure. But while fans rejoiced over the Egyptian king’s decision to remain at Anfield, it was his wristwear, not just his pen, that made waves across social media. ‎ ‎' M. Salah. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The 32-year-old forward, who has been a cornerstone of Liverpool since his arrival in 2017, has amassed an extraordinary 243 goals and 109 assists in 393 appearances. Despite persistent rumors linking him with a move away and the looming departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, Salah’s renewed commitment offers a glimmer of stability amid uncertainty—particularly as doubts linger over the futures of Virgil van Dijk and other senior players. ‎ ‎Contract Details: No Pay Cut, Massive Potential Earnings ‎ ‎Sources close to SPORTING confirm that Salah’s new deal is as lucrative as his previo...

‎Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has paid heartfelt tribute to Kevin De Bruyne following the Belgian midfielder’s announcement that he will leave the club this summer. The news marks the end of a glittering era at the Etihad for De Bruyne, who has been a cornerstone of City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. ‎ ‎' Jack Grealish ' Ft. ' Manchester City. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎De Bruyne, 33, confirmed his impending departure earlier this week via a personal message to supporters. The midfielder has been integral to Manchester City's recent success, amassing 15 major trophies—including six Premier League titles in the last seven seasons. ‎ ‎Tributes from across the football world have poured in, and among the most poignant was Grealish’s Instagram post, where the England international shared a collage of photos featuring the pair on and off the pitch. At the center of the post, Grealish wrote: "One of the reasons I joined City was to play alongside you b...

Victor Osimhen has reportedly turned down an approach from Juventus, with the Nigerian forward prioritizing a move to one of Europe's elite clubs, ideally in the Premier League, during the summer transfer window. Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray for the 2024-25 season, is contracted to Serie A side Napoli but intends to secure a permanent transfer to a new club this summer. ‎ ‎' Victor Osimhen. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎According to JuveFC, as relayed by Football Italia, Juventus made their intentions clear in recent discussions with the 26-year-old, presenting their vision for the club ahead of the 2025-26 season. Despite acknowledging their interest, Osimhen reportedly expressed gratitude but made it clear that his preference lies in joining a Premier League club, which he sees as a more fitting step in his career. ‎ ‎Osimhen’s €75 million release clause will become active next summer, which has only heightened interest in his services. Juventus, in p...

‎Simon Jordan has issued a cautionary warning to Aston Villa regarding the potential permanent signing of Marcus Rashford this summer. Despite the England forward’s impressive performance during his loan spell from Manchester United, Jordan believes Villa will be reluctant to meet the financial demands associated with the deal. ‎ ' Marcus Rashford. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Rashford has made a strong impact since his loan move to Villa Park, scoring two goals and providing four assists in just 10 appearances. His standout performance came over the weekend when he netted twice in a commanding 3-0 victory over Preston North End, propelling Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals. ‎ ‎However, Jordan, speaking on talkSPORT, expressed skepticism about Villa's willingness to commit to the reported £300,000-per-week wages Rashford currently commands at United. Despite Villa reportedly holding an option to make the move permanent for £40 million ($52 million), the financial package ...

‎Lille striker Jonathan David is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the upcoming summer transfer window, with his contract expiring at the season’s end. However, his high wage demands could complicate interest from major Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool. ‎ ‎ ' Jonathan David. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The Canadian international has made it clear he will not be renewing his deal with the Ligue 1 side, making him available for a free transfer in the summer. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, as reported by Get French Football News, David's demands could deter several suitors. Specifically, Premier League giants, such as Manchester United and Liverpool, may reconsider their pursuit due to his substantial financial requirements. ‎ ‎Earlier reports, including from The Daily Mail, highlighted that up to seven Premier League clubs had shown interest in David, including Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham, Newcastle, and Tottenham...

‎Bruno Fernandes, a key player for Manchester United, has emerged as a prime summer transfer target for Real Madrid, according to a recent report. As per the Daily Star, the Spanish giants have been keeping a close eye on Fernandes throughout the current season, with scouts attending United's matches at Old Trafford to assess the Portuguese midfielder's capabilities ahead of a potential move. ‎ ‎' Bruno Fernandes. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Real Madrid sees Fernandes as a long-term successor to Luka Modric, whose future at the club remains uncertain. United, however, are likely to demand a club-record fee to part ways with their star player, with reports suggesting that the asking price could exceed £90 million ($116 million), surpassing the £80 million Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. ‎ ‎Despite the interest from Madrid, Manchester United remains determined to retain Fernandes. However, the club's financial position, influenced by concerns over P...

‎Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing Sporting CP's highly-rated defender, Goncalo Inacio, with a summer move on the horizon. According to A Bola, Inacio has long been a target for the Red Devils, who have tracked his progress over the past few years. Although United initially focused on Leny Yoro, speculation around Inacio remains, leaving room for a potential future approach. ‎ ‎' Goncalo Inacio. ' ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎Sporting CP have set a firm price tag of €45 million (£38 million / $49 million) for the 22-year-old, signaling their reluctance to part ways with the defender for anything less. United’s recent transfer strategy has focused on younger talents with long-term potential, and Inacio fits perfectly into this model. Known for his composure on the ball, ability to play out from the back, and experience at both the club and international levels, Inacio represents a promising addition to United’s defense. ‎ ‎A defensive overhaul at Old Tra...

Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu has openly admitted that his use of cocaine during his career cost him the chance to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, a title he believes was well within his grasp. ‎ ' Adrian Mutu. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Mutu’s time at Chelsea was both brief and tumultuous. After joining the club from Parma, the Romanian forward initially showed promise. However, his tenure quickly spiraled following a falling-out with manager José Mourinho and struggles with personal issues. Mutu’s career in the Premier League came to an abrupt end when he was banned for eight months after testing positive for cocaine. This incident led to his dismissal from Chelsea, marking a disgraceful end to his time in London. ‎ ‎In a candid interview with The Telegraph, Mutu reflected on his decisions and the impact they had on his career. "Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made," he confessed. "I was alone and s...

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has come under pressure to make a bold decision ahead of the 2026 World Cup – replacing Cristiano Ronaldo with a younger forward to give his team the best chance of success. ‎ ‎' Cristiano Ronaldo. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Cristiano Ronaldo, who has led Portugal to victory in both the European Championship and Nations League, has yet to capture the elusive World Cup. However, as the Al-Nassr forward turns 40, questions are being raised about his ability to compete at the highest level. His physical decline and reduced influence on the pitch are becoming increasingly apparent. ‎ ‎Several former players and pundits, including ex-Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann, have voiced concerns over Ronaldo's place in the national team. Speaking to CardPlayer.com, Hamann noted, “Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact at the last European Championship was limited, and considering he will be another year older by the 2026 World Cup, his influence will likely dec...

‎Manchester United has received a potential cash boost amid ongoing transfer speculation surrounding former academy graduate Mason Greenwood. Following a productive loan spell at Getafe in La Liga, the Red Devils agreed to part ways with the forward in the summer of 2024. Greenwood secured a £27 million ($35 million) transfer to French club Olympique de Marseille, where he has enjoyed a solid debut season at the Stade Vélodrome, netting 15 goals in Ligue 1. ‎ ‎' Mason Greenwood. ' ‎Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎However, despite his impressive performance on the field, Greenwood’s attitude has reportedly come under scrutiny by Marseille's manager Roberto De Zerbi, which has led to speculation about a possible departure. Recent rumors suggest that a move elsewhere may be on the horizon. ‎ ‎As the winter transfer window approaches, Ruben Amorim, Marseille’s manager, could potentially benefit from additional funds to strengthen his squad. Nonetheless, transfer expert Fabriz...

AC Milan’s ongoing search for a new sporting director has created uncertainty surrounding Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at the club, which could have wider implications for Arsenal. According to reports from Italy, the iconic striker’s current role at Milan may be at risk as the club’s leadership undergoes a shift. ' Zlatan Ibrahimovic. ' Getty Images Sport ‎ ‎Ibrahimovic, who has taken on an executive position at AC Milan as an advisor to the club’s RedBird ownership, has been a prominent figure in key footballing decisions. His influence extended to hiring coaches such as Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao, and even interviewing candidates for the sporting director role. However, his position appears to be evolving, with Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani now tasked with overseeing sporting matters after discussions with RedBird’s Gerry Cardinale. ‎ ‎The 2025-26 season could mark a turning point for Ibrahimovic’s involvement at Milan, especially as his presence has been nota...