The Briefing: Transfer and injury latest, Ronaldo's World Cup farewell and more

Newcastle close to Steur signing

Newcastle United are on the verge of making another signing, with multiple reports indicating that Sean Steur is set to join the club.

The 18-year-old Ajax central midfielder was one of the standout teenagers in the Dutch Eredivisie last season. Capable with both feet, he is considered the brightest young player to graduate from Ajax’s academy since Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Steur only made his debut in December, but his phenomenal all-round game saw him become a regular starter. In 24 appearances, he created 15 chances, carried the ball 231 times and won 56.8 per cent of duels – topping each category for players aged 18 and under in the Dutch top flight last season.

According to Opta, he also ranked second for most passes, tackles, possession won and passing accuracy.

BBC Sport, Sky Sports and The Athletic report a deal is close, only two days after the club signed winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim.

Newcastle are reinvesting some of the money from Sandro Tonali’s move to Tottenham Hotspur, which the club described as the second-highest fee they had ever received.

Steur will likely compete with Lewis Miley for a central midfield spot in manager Eddie Howe’s side.

Onana injury blow for Aston Villa

Aston Villa have been dealt a major blow after Amadou Onana injured his knee in Belgium’s last-16 win against the United States and is set for a spell on the sidelines.

The midfielder tried to play on after colliding with Christian Pulisic, the former Chelsea forward, but was forced off in the 21st minute. During the post-match celebrations on the pitch, he wore a brace on his right knee and required crutches.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia described it as a “serious injury” and the “one dark cloud” over the 4-1 victory that secured a quarter-final against Spain on Friday.

The news will concern Villa head coach Unai Emery, who views Onana as a key central midfield option alongside Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans.

Onana played 38 times last season, scoring twice as Villa lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy and finished fourth in the Premier League. With UEFA Champions League football this season, Villa will need a deeper squad to compete on multiple fronts.

Depending on the length of Onana’s layoff, it could force Villa into the transfer market to buy a replacement.

Central midfielders have dominated the start of the transfer window, with Man City agreeing to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest before Tonali joined Spurs.

Ronaldo plays final World Cup match

Premier League legend Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after playing his last World Cup game.

Ahead of facing Spain in the last 32, the 41-year-old announced it was his last chance to lift the World Cup trophy with Portugal.

Spain edged a tight game when Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench to score the winner in stoppage time. Merino has a knack for important goals: since January 2023, 10 of his 11 Arsenal goals have secured either draws or wins for the team.

Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in six silverware-filled seasons at Manchester United, scored three goals at this tournament, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.

But he was unable to breach Spain – who set a record of their own by keeping a sixth consecutive World Cup clean sheet.

Reece James in fitness race

Medical staff are doing everything possible to make Reece James available for England’s quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

The Chelsea defender is Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice right-back but, after starting the first two group games, a persistent niggling hamstring issue kept him out of England’s last three matches.

Right-back has been a major problem for England at this FIFA World Cup after back-up Tino Livramento withdrew from the tournament with a calf injury.

In James’s absence, Jarell Quansah – who plays as a centre-back for Bayer Leverkusen – started the third group game, Spurs full-back Djed Spence started against DR Congo in the round of 32, before Quansah was given the nod for the Mexico match. To make matters worse, Quansah was sent off and is suspended for the quarter-final.

James was fit enough to sit on the bench in England’s last match and it is hoped he will be able to play some part against Norway – possibly from the start.

On the other flank, Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly has played in every match. He believes England will be unstoppable if they can maintain the same grit and resilience shown when defending staunchly with 10 men for most of the second half against Mexico.

“We were outnumbered, stuff was going against us and we dug in to the very, very end,” O’Reilly said. “And I think if we continue to have this character, no one can stop us.”

Haaland likes Majin Buu comparisons

Fans first started comparing Erling Haaland to Majin Buu during his Borussia Dortmund days, but the memes have exploded during the World Cup.

In countless side-by-side images of the Manchester City striker and the pink Dragon Ball Z villain, the similarities are striking – and it turns out Haaland sees it, too.

When streetwear brand Hidden.Ny posted a series of images of the pair on Instagram, noting that Majin Buu is known for his regeneration and immense strength, Haaland liked the post and replied: “I mean I don’t disagree.”

Haaland frequently uses social media to engage with fans’ jokes, bridging the gap between elite athlete and supporter culture.

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