1. PSG FINAL EVE BOOST AS DEMBELE AND HAKIMI RETURN TO FULL TRAINING
Paris Saint-Germain have received a major boost on the eve of the Champions League final as both Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi returned to full training in Budapest. Hakimi had suffered a thigh injury in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich, while Dembele damaged his right calf in a Ligue 1 fixture against Paris FC on May 17. There had been serious doubt over both players' availability.
Hakimi told reporters he feels 100 per cent fit and ready to start. Dembele's involvement is less certain but he is expected to be available at the Puskas Arena when PSG face Arsenal on Saturday evening at 18:00 CET. The return of both players significantly strengthens Luis Enrique's options against a defence that has conceded just seven goals in the competition this season.
Arsenal go into the match unbeaten in 14 UCL games this campaign with 11 wins and three draws. Jurrien Timber is also reportedly close to returning from a two-month injury absence and could feature from the bench.
2. ARTETA AND LUIS ENRIQUE TRADE BARBS AT BUDAPEST PRESS CONFERENCE
Both managers faced the media in Budapest on Thursday ahead of Saturday's final. PSG head coach Luis Enrique described Arsenal as the best team in the world without the ball, adding that Mikel Arteta has instilled a winning mentality that makes his side difficult to break down and capable of scoring in transition.
Arteta responded by praising Luis Enrique's coaching record and leadership qualities, crediting his former manager for the influence he had on his development. Behind the mutual respect, however, there was an edge. Arteta pointedly noted Arsenal's ambition to finish a historic double, while Luis Enrique insisted his PSG side know exactly how to handle the pressure of defending a title.
PSG are bidding to become only the second club in the Champions League era to successfully retain the trophy after Real Madrid's three-in-a-row between 2016 and 2018. Arsenal are chasing their first European Cup since 1970-71, having lost the 2006 final to Barcelona.
3. RUBEN DIAS TELLS AGENT TO FIND NEW CLUB AFTER GUARDIOLA EXIT
Ruben Dias has instructed his agent Jorge Mendes to explore options for a summer transfer away from Manchester City, according to multiple reports. The Portugal captain's desire to leave is directly linked to Pep Guardiola's departure, with Dias reportedly unsettled by the change in management and questioning whether he still wants to be part of the rebuild.
Dias signed a new four-year contract at the Etihad as recently as August 2025, but City are believed to be open to a sale at around €60m. Mendes has already offered the defender to Real Madrid, who have identified him as a potential long-term replacement for David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger. Bayern Munich and PSG are also monitoring the situation.
The 28-year-old has been one of City's most consistent performers since joining from Benfica in 2020, winning four Premier League titles among his honours. His exit would mark a significant moment in the post-Guardiola transition at the Etihad.
4. MOURINHO REAL MADRID ANNOUNCEMENT DELAYED AS BENFICA CLAUSE JUMPS TO 15 MILLION
Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid has hit a new complication after the discounted release clause in his Benfica contract expired on May 26. The original window allowed Madrid to trigger his exit for a flat fee of €7m, but the delay caused by Florentino Perez's presidential election battle against challenger Enrique Riquelme meant the deadline passed without the paperwork being formalised.
Benfica can now demand up to €15m for their coach, doubling the original cost. Some reports suggest Real Madrid triggered a separate €3m termination provision as far back as May 18, which would have pre-empted the clause expiry, but official confirmation is still pending. Mourinho is understood to have agreed a two-year deal with an automatic extension if he wins La Liga.
An official announcement remains on hold until Perez secures re-election as club president. Until that process concludes, the managerial situation at the Bernabeu stays unresolved.
5. GHANA NAME 28-MAN WORLD CUP SQUAD; KUDUS IN RACE TO BE FIT
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 28-man provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the Black Stars already in camp in Cardiff ahead of a June 2 friendly against Wales. The squad selection was the product of a structured scouting campaign covering over 170 live matches and 200 player videos.
Key returnees include defender Baba Abdul Rahman, back for the first time since September 2023 following a consistent run at PAOK, and Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah, who missed close to a year after suffering an ACL injury. Mohammed Kudus, who underwent surgery earlier this month, remains in a race against time to be fit for the opening Group L fixture against Panama in Toronto on June 17. The Ghana FA is monitoring his recovery closely.
Defender Gideon Mensah spoke ambitiously, stating the Black Stars should aim to reach the final. Ghana also face England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27 in the group stage.
