Sports

Phil Foden reaches agreement in principle over new Manchester City contract

Published

3 months ago

May 5, 2026

Phil Foden is set to commit his future to Manchester City after reaching an agreement in principle with the club over a new long-term contract.

Foden’s existing terms are scheduled to expire in June 2027 and a fresh four-year deal will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030, plus an option to extend by a further 12 months.

Although formalities still need to be completed before the 25-year-old attacking midfielder puts pen to paper, both parties’ desire to continue together means the extension should be finalised in due course.

Foden turned to the leading agent Rafaela Pimenta to help guide this important next stage of his career and the Brazilian intermediary has handled all negotiations with the Premier League side.

The England international joined City in their under-nine’s side and has made 365 senior appearances since breaking into the first team as a 17-year-old, registering 110 goals and 66 assists. In that time he has won six Premier League titles, one Champions League and two FA Cups.

This season he has scored ten goals and five assists over 46 games for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Foden played in England’s November World Cup qualifiers and both of the March friendlies, which marked Thomas Tuchel’s final squad before this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

‘Another show of City’s faith in Foden’

Analysis by Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee

City have secured the future of their star academy player, whose contract was set to expire at the end of next season, and that seems like pretty good news.

Foden does find himself in a slightly curious situation, though, and it is tempting to wonder if other players would have got a contract — right now — in the same circumstances.

Foden has endured off-field struggles that have held back his performances for the majority of the past two seasons, and City have always been incredibly supportive in his attempts to put things right. The decision to extend the contract is another show of their faith in somebody who is truly important to the club, not just for what he can do on the pitch but for what he represents.

With his contract expiring in a year’s time, though, they have had to try to predict that Foden will get back to his sparkling best. Years ago, during John Stones’ struggles, the club were willing to wait until the final season of his contract to decide on how to handle his future, after a couple of difficult seasons. He shone and earned himself a new deal that had not seemed possible a year earlier.

City clearly have full belief that Foden will be a key player for the team in the years to come and have backed that up with a new deal, but there seems to be plenty of work to be done for that to become reality.

Sports

Aryna Sabalenka falls to Ekaterina Alexandrova in biggest upset of Canadian Open

Published

16 seconds ago

August 9, 2026

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TORONTO — Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 on the WTA Tour, was eliminated Saturday at the Canadian Open, in the biggest upset of the tournament. She exited in three sets 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 to Ekaterina Alexandrova, the world No. 19, in 2 hours and 29 minutes. It was a frustrating performance for Sabalenka, defined by uncharacteristic unforced errors and underwhelming serving.

The match started on track for Sabalenka. She broke Alexandrova’s serve and consolidated to go up 2-0. But Alexandrova won four straight games to go up 4-2. The cracks in Sabalenka’s game were appearing, and when she made mistakes, she became visibly frustrated. She served at a disappointing 46.2 percent in the first set and recorded five double faults. Sabalenka won just nine points on her second serve, succumbing to the power of Alexandrova’s return. Even in the tiebreak, where Sabalenka is often reliable, her lack of precision allowed Alexandrova to take advantage and win the opening set.

The shot that arguably exemplified Sabalenka’s match occurred in the second set. At 1-1,0-15, Sabalenka looked to break serve. Alexandrova gave Sabalenka a high ball, pulled off the court, presenting the opportunity for an overhead smash winner. Only Sabalenka dumped the shot in the net. The crowd gasped and Sabalenka looked dazed. Alexandrova would eventually hold serve, a missed chance for Sabalenka to seize back control of the match.

An opening came at the end of the second set. After saving three break points, Sabalenka broke Alexandrova’s serve once. The one break was the difference as Sabalenka captured the second set, the crowd cheering her on.

Any hopes for a Sabalenka comeback ran out in the third set. She continued to commit errors, and her frustration remained evident. Alexandrova broke her serve three more times for a total of seven breaks in the match, including the final game. Sabalenka double-faulted on match point, also her seventh of the day, putting an exclamation point on an irritating evening for the top seed.

Alexandrova will face the winner of Saturday night’s match between Elina Svitolina and Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka remains at three singles titles in 2026 as she prepares to defend her 2025 U.S. Open championship.

This story will be updated.

Sports

Cristian Romero open to joining Arsenal but Tottenham adamant their defender will not cross the north London divide – Paper Talk | Football News

Published

7 minutes ago

August 9, 2026

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The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday’s newspapers…

Premier League

Cristian Romero is open to joining Arsenal this summer – but Tottenham are adamant their defender will not be crossing the north London divide – Sunday Mirror

Everton and Crystal Palace are in discussions over a potential swap deal between Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson – Mail on Sunday

Barcelona are confident they can reach a compromise agreement with Manchester City for £68m-rated Rodri as they prepare a revised bid – Mail on Sunday

Arsenal are once again eyeing up a move for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz after seeing their ambitious bid to lure Vinicius Junior to the Premier League fall flat – Sunday Mirror

Enzo Maresca will choose his own Manchester City captain rather than put the decision to a team election and wants to inject some English influence into his leadership group – Mail on Sunday

Non-League

Andy Carroll was sent off with a straight red card in Dagenham & Redbridge’s first game of the season after an off-the-ball incident – The Sun

Scottish Football

Rangers have tabled an improved offer for PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech – The Scottish Sun

Greg Taylor would reportedly be OPEN to a stunning Celtic return this summer – just one year after leaving Parkhead for PAOK – The Scottish Sun