Sydney FC could be set to cash in on one of Australia’s brightest young talents, with 17-year-old Akol Akon reportedly the subject of MLS interest. Plus, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are eyeing another superstar, while fresh details have emerged surrounding Mo Salah’s future.
All that and more in the latest edition ofFootball Daily.
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SYDNEY FC STARLET ATTRACTING MLS INTEREST
Sydney FC teenager Akol Akon could be the next Australian talent to head overseas, with the Sky Blues reportedly in negotiations over a move to Major League Soccer.
According to transfer journalist Rudy Galetti, discussions are ongoing between Sydney FC and an unnamed MLS club over a deal worth around US$2 million (A$2.8 million) for the highly-rated 17-year-old.
Galetti reports negotiations are continuing for one of Australia’s brightest young prospects, although he described the proposed transfer fee as “very low” given Akon’s potential.
The midfielder, born in 2009, is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting emerging talents and has already attracted significant interest for his performances at youth level.
Should the deal be completed, it would continue the growing trend of young Australian players making the move abroad at an early age.
Galetti also suggested the purchasing club could be following a similar blueprint to the one reportedly used in the pursuit of Australian defender Lucas Herrington—acquiring one of the country’s top teenage talents before looking to significantly increase his value through development and an eventual transfer to Europe.
Pressure grows on Infantino and FIFA | 00:52
DE BRUYNE SET FOR BLOCKBUSTER MESSI PARTNERSHIP
American Major League Soccer powerhouse Inter Miami has Belgium and Manchester City great Kevin De Bruyne in its sights.
According to reports, the David Beckham-owned club, which first attempted to lure the 35-year old to Florida after his departure from Manchester in 2025, has made his signature a top priority.
Regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders, De Bruyne ended his time at City with 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles.
However, he endured a frustrating season after switching to Serie A giants Napoli, struggling with a thigh injury and a fractious relationship with former manager Antonio Conte.
He is reportedly far more interested in a move to America this time around, having met with both Miami and San Diego FC.
Napoli
Crucially, Miami hold De Bruyne’s MLS Discovery Rights, a system that allows the club first access to negotiations with the veteran.
Should they secure his signature, the Belgian would unite with Argentina champion Messi and former Uruguay, Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez.
De Bruyne bowed out of international football after Belgium’s loss to eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in July.
CHELSEA SIGN WORLD CUP VILLAIN
Chelsea have continued their signing spree under Xabi Alonso by securing Argentina international Valentin Barco on an undisclosed fee.
Barco made his World Cup debut in La Albiceleste’s 3-1 group stage win over Jordan, but spent the majority of the tournament as an unused substitution.
The signing, reportedly for seven years, continues Chelsea’s close relationship with French Ligue 1 sister club Strasbourg.
It will be his second stint in the Premier League, having featured six times for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023/24.
Barco is expected to feature in Chelsea’s upcoming tour of Australia and Hong Kong.
The club confirmed their eighth signing of the transfer window on social media on Monday.
Barco joins veteran striker Danny Welbeck, Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix and Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers as the Blues look to rebound from a disastrous 10th-placed finish in the 2025/26 Premier League.
They are also in negotiations with former England captain Jordan Henderson, whose contract was terminated in a mutual agreement with Brentford.
The 22-year old attracted headlines during Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, after a testy exchange with England star Jude Bellingham during their semi-final win.
As an unused substitute, Barco was slapped by Bellingham following full time after he had run onto the pitch to celebrate Enzo Fernandez’s equalising goal in the faces of England players.
RONALDO DETAIL IN SAUDI BID FOR SALAH
Former Liverpool champion Mo Salah’s club future is still up in the air, with two Turkish giants and a Saudi powerhouse among the contenders jockeying to secure his signature.
Footmercato have reported that Trabzonspor are close to a £21 million deal with the 34-year old, who departed the Reds after a celebrated nine-year following a falling out with manager Arne Slot.
Fellow Turkish club Besiktas reached a verbal agreement with Salah, only for talks to stall, allowing Trabzonspor to pounce – though club president Ertuğrul Doğan strongly denied that any agreement has been reached.
“As for plans to bring him to Trabzon, there is no such plan; there is nothing to it,” Doğan told Turkey’s A Spor.
“If there were such a plan, information would be provided from our side, the press would be informed, and so on. There is no such thing.”
An alternative report from Turkish outlet Sabah claims the Egyptian will actually be moving to Al-Ittihad – provided his contract demands are met.
Among them, according to WinWin, is that he must receive at least a quarter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s whopping $240 million per season fee at Al-Nassr, and more than former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane at the same club.