Manchester City are on the cusp of the summer transfer window with plenty of question marks surrounding their next steps

In his final transfer window as Manchester City head coach, Pep Guardiola made some significant signings. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo’s arrivals from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth respectively were statements of intent.

They automatically made City stronger and future proofed them. Both should be key players for the foreseeable and, particularly in Guehi’s case, ticked off summer transfer priorities early. That makes this window intriguing. While City will always want to work quickly to secure signings, the focus could be on convincing players to stay, rather than join the cause.

With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at what a dream summer transfer window could look like for the Blues.

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Elliot Anderson signs

Yes, the focus could be on retaining players but City still need to replace Bernardo Silva this summer. The long term target to fill his boots is Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has been top of the Blues’ wishlist and the feeling is he would prefer a move to the Etihad Stadium.

City will be wary of overpaying for the 23-year-old but a deal is there to be done. Forest know they will likely need to sell one of their best players this summer after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign and Anderson is the man in demand. If City can get this deal over the line, they will have secured another piece in their puzzle for next season.

Rodri timeline set

In one of City’s wildest dreams, Rodri would sign a contract extension and eventually retire with the Blues. But a more realistic, yet still positive outcome for City, would be for Rodri to commit to one final year at the Etihad Stadium before moving on.

This would allow City a full 12 months to plot their replacement for the Spaniard and offer him a fitting send off at the end of next season. For Rodri, a full season under his belt could also be beneficial, especially after his recent injury issues. Ending the speculation and setting a timeline on his departure would be beneficial for all concerned.

James Trafford stays

If Rodri was to commit to one more year, the next dream agreement would be for Trafford to stay too. The 23-year-old was the strongest second choice goalkeeper in the Premier League last season.

City benefitted from the luxury of having Trafford as their cup goalkeeper last season and undoubtedly he played a massive role as the Blues won the FA and Carabao Cups. Unfortunately, having a player of his quality as a back-up is rarely plausible long term.

But should Trafford decide to stick it out at City and provide competition to Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Blues would have one of the strongest goalkeeping departments in world football. That would only strengthen their push next season.

Savinho leaves

City always know when it is the right time for a player to leave and, in Savinho’s case, that moment may have come. It would be disappointing for the City Football Group to see a player depart having funnelled him through their feeder clubs.

However, he has been at City for two years and has struggled to make an impact. Like Oscar Bobb before him, Savinho has struggled to become a serious alternative to the Blues’ vast array of attacking talent.

It seems the Brazilian is also open to moving too with Tottenham keen. Should a deal of £50m plus be agreed, as well as a healthy sell-on clause, all parties will be pleased.

Over the last decade, podcasts have become big business, with more than a fifth of UK adults listening to podcasts each week. The format particularly resonates with men, who are more likely than women to identify as podcast fans. Men are also overrepresented as podcast hosts.

In a society where the political divide between men and women is deepening, this influential form of media is shaping expectations and experiences of gender. There is a perception among some that podcasts aimed at men are hosted strictly by “alpha males” presenting anti-feminist rhetoric and rigid ideas of masculinity.

But the world of podcasts contains both traditional and shifting ideas of masculinity. Some podcasts, including pro-feminist podcasts and those focused on men’s mental health, communicate inclusive and flexible ideas of masculinity.

In a recent study, we examined what men gain from listening to a men’s mental health podcast. Research suggests that podcasts can offer men a low-barrier option to engage with their mental health. This is important considering the current high rates of mental distress and suicide among men.

We interviewed listeners of a podcast produced by a UK-based men’s mental health support service. The service has around 300 users who engage with online content, some of whom also attend in-person support. The podcast’s long-form episodes feature conversations between men who have some connection to the service, as well as the podcast host. They discuss their personal experiences of helping others, breaking taboos around mental health and offering exposure to emotive conversations between men. They openly discuss topics such as bereavement, interpersonal relationships, anger, substance misuse and suicide.

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We found that this type of content encouraged listeners to reflect on, and challenge, rigid ideas around masculinity. Several of the men we interviewed described how the podcast demonstrated a culture of positive masculinity. One man said that the kindness between men, communicated through the podcast, led him to feel that the version of masculinity he had previously internalised had not been helpful.

The men we interviewed reported feeling more understood and less isolated. The podcasts provided a catalyst for discussing difficult issues, as well as exposing them to emotional vulnerability.

Men’s mental health can be affected by deeply-ingrained, gendered values, attitudes and expectations placed upon boys from a young age. Self-sufficiency and stoicism, for example, are qualities that young boys in particular are encouraged to possess.

These constraints can act as barriers to men accessing traditional mental health support services such as counselling and psychotherapy. For men who do not feel ready to attend more traditional forms of help-seeking, mental health podcasts can provide a point of entry to informational support.

It is clear from our study that podcasts wield a power that can affect their audience. When it comes to issues like masculinity, this power must be used in a responsible manner.

The regressive side of men’s podcasts

Podcasts can also be a vessel for the normalisation and mainstreaming of ideas which are popular with the manosphere. This is an ecosystem of online communities united by anti-feminist values and the promotion of men’s dominance over women. This type of content is often appealing to men who are navigating social isolation and personal challenges.

Many podcasts targeting a male audience discuss themes of status, physical appeal and romantic connection, often in a problematic way. They may offer self-improvement “hacks” for men, attracting younger listeners who are lacking in confidence and searching for role models. Self-improvement to boost one’s “sexual market value” is a recurring theme in the manosphere. This can lead to young men having a reductive view of themselves, and of women.

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From ‘market value’ to levelling up, the manosphere is shaped by a financial mindset

While not the overtly offensive content created by some manosphere figures, similar, underlying tropes can be weaved into reasonable conversations through popular, mainstream, podcasts. Humour and irony can make regressive ideas seem palatable to audiences – subtly reinforcing sexism while framing it as “banter”.

Often, these conversations are underpinned by justifications of biological essentialism. This is the idea that men’s power over women is a natural and fixed social order based on biological sex differences.

This was behind a recent controversy around an episode of Steven Bartlett’s popular podcast, The Diary of a CEO. In it, Bartlett interviews psychiatrist Dr Alok Kanojia. The pair discuss declining birth rates and male loneliness.

Bartlett asks if there should be systemic intervention to ensure lonely men can reproduce with women. Critics argued that this framing gave the suggestion that men are the victims of a political injustice – and that that “injustice” is women’s bodily autonomy.

Amid major social media backlash to the episode, a spokesperson for the podcast rejected claims that the podcast promotes manosphere ideologies. They noted that “Steven Bartlett does not adopt the opinions of his guests, nor is the format intended to pass judgment on personal viewpoints.”

Our research shows how podcasts can lead to positive conversations around masculinity. For example, by sharing vulnerable discussions of how men experience the weight of traditional masculinity and changing societal roles.

Podcasts can encourage men to challenge restrictive beliefs about gender, help them improve interpersonal relationships and even encourage them to seek further help.

In our research, we recommend tactics for podcast creators who want to make content which supports men’s mental health. They must first ask how their content helps men reflect on versions of masculinity that don’t rely on the subordination of others. This approach can offer a counter-narrative to soft-manosphere content: critical self-awareness, vulnerability instead of irony, and avoiding a narrative of blame.

Police were called to a house on Hummersknott Avenue just after 7am on March 18 following reports that a woman in her 70s had been attacked.

Colin Finch was arrested and later charged with attempted murder.

The 78-year-old was due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (Monday, June 8) but the case was put off until Wednesday.

The victim, Laura Finch, was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment.

Judge Francis Laird KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, remanded the pensioner in custody after he delayed sentencing until later this week.

The court heard how a pre-sentence report and psychiatric reports had been carried out in preparation of the pensioner’s sentencing.

Pictures taken at the scene in March showed a police van stationed outside a detached home as officers carried out enquiries.

Paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) also attended the incident.

After the year she’s had on Coronation Street, Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) is due some good news. Trouble is, her mum DS Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) might not see it that way…

Poor Betsy has been through enough drama to make the most seasoned resident of the Cobbles balk, and she’s not even twenty yet.

First she suffered the tragic death of her mother Betsy Swain, and then caught entangled with She blackmailed future step-mum, Carla Connor (Alison King) and later found herself deeply entangled with creepy acid-throwing stalker Joel Deering (Calum Lill).

After her boyfriend Mason Radcliffe (Luca Toolan) was stabbed to death by his brother, she caught a stray bullet from her own mum during a terrifying stand-off with escaped killer Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis).

Then came the reunion with her supposedly dead mum Becky Swain (Amy Cudden). Unfortunately, Becky turned out to be a certified bunny boiler on an absolute bonkers mission to give Carla Connor-Swain(Alison King) the old cuckoo in the nest treatment so she could be with Lisa, culminating in poor Besty being trapped in a deadly car chase before the raving loon was finally brought to justice.

Even then, the drama wasn’t over for Betsy. On the night of Lisa and Carla’s wedding, Betsy was horrified to discover the body of abuser Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), murdered by a mystery attacker.

It’s been a harrowing ordeal for Betsy, so much so that Lisa and Carla agreed to postpone their honeymoon just so they could properly look after their daughter.

Now for the first time in a while, Betsy’s future looks bright as she’s loved up with Sean Tully’s (Antony Cotton) tearaway son Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) for a sweet coming of age story in which her mum Lisa will be ‘massively involved’.

Upcoming scenes of Coronation Street will see Betsy becoming a bit of a tearaway herself, as she, Dylan and Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey)  get refused service by Sean in the Rovers. so head to the precinct with some cans instead.

However, just when you think Betsy’s future is all getting a bit Shameless, she gets some news that may change her life forever.

Betsy confides in Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) that she’s been offered a place at the London College of Fashion. But she’s worried about leaving Dylan. How will he react to the news?

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Surprisingly, Dylan tells Betsy he’s really proud and will visit regularly. But while Dylan takes it well, Lisa might be another story as Betsy admits she’s yet to break the news to her Mum.

Summoning up the courage, Betsy breaks the news to Lisa and Carla that she’s been offered a place at the London College of Fashion. Carla’s delighted.

But after everything Betsy has been through, will Lisa have the courage to let her go?

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Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, has been dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry to the United States.

Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year, was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.

No reason for Artan’s repatriation has been issued by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.

After speaking to the US authorities, world governing body Fifa said Artan will miss the tournament.

“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” read a statement.

“Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.

“In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

A senior adviser to Somalia’s ministry of youth and sports confirmed the denial of entry to the BBC and said Artan had been travelling with valid documents.

A Somali embassy official in Nairobi told the BBC that Artan’s diplomatic passport had been issued specifically to ease his travel after earlier visa difficulties.

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has contacted Fifa seeking urgent clarification.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”

Artan was among the 52 referees announced by Fifa to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.

An official in the Somali national football league championships, Artan became a Fifa referee in 2018 and has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The BBC’s North America Editor Sarah Smith spoke with President Donald Trump in a brief phone call on Monday about his conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading up to strikes on Iran.

When asked if Netanyahu defied him by firing at Iran on Sunday, Trump said the missiles were “already on their way” when he spoke with the Israeli prime minister. He added, “if I tell him to do something, he does it.” The call lasted just under a minute.

“Our success is down to being local to homes, businesses and schools and to making great tasting pizzas with plenty of extra toppings”

Apache Pizza has announced it will open three new stores in Northern Ireland.

Celebrating 30 years in business and the business expansion across the island, they are giving away free pizza slices from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday to mark the occasion.

A total of 30 new jobs will be created when the three new stores open – joining the 33 which are already operating in Northern Ireland.

The Irish pizza chain opened its first store in Dublin on June 9 1996 and has christened the date ‘Apache Day’.

Derek Mulligan, CEO of Apache Pizza said: “We are thrilled to turn 30 today and to celebrate ‘Apache Day’ with the many thousands of customers who continue to make Apache Pizza such an incredible Irish success story.

“We are giving away free pizza slices at all our stores from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today and everyone is welcome to join the party.

“Apache Pizza is exceptionally proud to be the largest and most popular pizza brand in Ireland, and to continue growing with 12 new stores and 120 new jobs this year.

“Our success is down to being local to homes, businesses and schools and to making great tasting pizzas with plenty of extra toppings.

“Our franchise model has been another key driver in our success. We enable people from all backgrounds to join the business and to grow within it. We provide all the tools and support they need to succeed, covering everything from the art of making great pizza to managing multiple stores.”

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Ruben Amorim was very complimentary of Manchester United’s latest transfer target

Former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was previously full of praise for Everton star Iliman Ndiaye. The Manchester Evening News understands United have added the forward to their transfer shortlist in their plans to acquire a left-winger in the summer transfer window.

Ndiaye, 26, has established himself as the Toffees’ key player in his two seasons at the club and garnered special mention from Amorim prior to the two sides meeting in November last year at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese manager earmarked the Senegal international as one of two players that could cause chaos among the United backline. Amorim said: “I think [Jack] Grealish is doing really well. He can push that team, can give weight to that team. [Iliman] Ndiaye is an amazing player.

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“So, all these things, [it] is a more complete team, and David Moyes is doing an amazing job. It’s going to be really, really tough to win the game.” Moyes’ side went on to claim a stunning 1-0 victory despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men after the sending off of Idrissa Gana Gueye for slapping ex-United ace Michael Keane.

Ndiaye scored six league goals and contributed three assists this season with United aiming to bolster their forward line upon their return to the Champions League. The versatile attacker – who can play on both wings and as a No.10 0 – is likely to feature for Senegal this week as they face Saudi Arabia in a friendly game on Wednesday.

Should Ndiaye perform well at the competition, it could increase the price for his services. He has three years left on his Everton contract and could be the cheaper option for United who have registered an interest in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with Aston Villa talisman Morgan Rogers also a player of interest.

The Ivory Coast international is a key target for Liverpool who are leading the race for his signature with Leipzig having placed a staggering £86million valuation on the 19-year-old. Rogers’ future at Villa is uncertain with some of the Premier League’s best monitoring his situation as the Europa League champions could look to cash in on the England ace with reports suggesting they’ve placed an £80m valuation on him.

United are edging towards their first transfer of the summer with a deal having been agreed with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson. The 26-year-old is set to move to Old Trafford for an initial £35million as he fills the gap left by Casemiro’s absence last month, although his recent call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad means United are now working on a new timeline to complete the transfer.

The club remain in the market for at least one more midfielder as they also prepare for the likely departure of Manuel Ugarte after a disappointing two-year spell in Manchester.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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This campsite is the largest in the UK, and its position on a peninsula within a national park means you can enjoy unspoilt natural coastline that stretches on for miles

With warmer weather on the way, and the kids to entertain over the summer, you might be tempted to dust off your tent and enjoy the great outdoors.

Luckily, the UK has some incredible campsites, and the largest one can be found in Wales, specifically on a peninsula within Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). Found on a tidal island in Gwynedd, visitors will need to check timings before they leave, as it can sometimes be cut off by the sea.

Shell Island has over 800 pitches covering over 380 acres of camping ground, and a variety of tents and motorhomes pitch-up here. The site also has two beachfront chalets, and three holiday flats for those who prefer not to sleep under canvas. On-site, you’ll also find a supermarket, bar, coffee shop, and games room.

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But perhaps one of the main reasons people book Shell Beach is its proximity to some of the areas most beautiful stretches of sand. Shell Island was crowned the regional winner among The Times’ UK’s 50 best beaches for 2025, with the publication writing: “At the northern end, around the harbour, the shore is rocky — turning to flat, sugar-soft sand as you head south. The beachcombing is astonishing: perfect scallops, fragile tusks and razors, unblemished turitellas and, most prized by conchologists, tiny cowries.”

Many visitors come to enjoy fishing, crabbing, and rockpooling, while other activities on this unique peninsula include bird and wildlife watching among Shell Island’s stunning dunes and marshland.

Campers can enjoy access to three beaches. South beach is six miles in length, and is popular for swimming, coastal walks, or just relaxing on the soft sands. To the north there’s also the area known as Dinghy Beach, thanks to its popularity with small boat enthusiasts, and the secluded Central Beach hidden in a rocky cove for peace and privacy.

However, you don’t need to stay on the campsite to enjoy these stunning beaches. If you’re in the area, you can visit between 8am and 8pm, with a £10 per car charge for day visitors. In peak season, the island can sometimes close at 1pm, so its worth arriving early during the summer months.

Visit the nearby coastal village of Llandanwg, a charming spot with stone cottages, country lanes, and cosy cafés. A short drive away you’ll also find the Llanfair Slate Caverns, a set of vast caves that can be explored, with spectacular views across Cardigan Bay at the end.

The medieval fortress of Castell Harlech is also worth a visit for history buffs, as it was the site of the longest siege in British history during the Wars of the Roses. The castle is set on a steep, rocky crag, offering incredible views of Tremadog Bay and Eryri from its towers.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

What has happened

A truck has rolled over on the A1086 Thorpe Road at Andrews Lane, partially blocking the roundabout and causing congestion in the area, AA traffic maps show.

The incident is understood to have happened in the early afternoon, with delays building on approaches to the junction and impacting the area throughout the day.

Durham police said officers are currently assisting National Highways following an overturned artic lorry on the southbound exit slip road of the A19 at Little Thorpe, near Easington.

The driver is not thought to be injured, but the slip road is expected to remain closed while recovery work and clear‑up operations are carried out.

Police and traffic advice

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “Officers are currently assisting National Highways following an overturned arctic lorry on the southbound exit slip road of the A19 at Little Thorpe near Easington.

“The driver is not thought to be injured but the road is expected to be closed while recovery is arranged.

“Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Thank you for your patience; we will update you when we can.”

Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes while the vehicle is recovered.

Police have thanked drivers for their patience and say further updates will be issued once the scene has been made safe and the road can be reopened.

Image from the scene

An image from the scene, seen by The Northern Echo, shows the lorry lying on its side on the roundabout, with the blue cab and white trailer sprawled across the carriageway.

Several responders can be seen standing next to the overturned vehicle, with damaged bodywork visible on the trailer as they assess the situation and prepare for recovery.