Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to August 2012, when Arsenal captain Robin van Persie crossed a divide that had defined a Premier League era…

So why was van Persie determined to swap the Emirates for Old Trafford - and did the move ultimately prove to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s final masterstroke at Manchester United?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: David Ornstein, Amy Lawrence, Oli Kay & Andy Mitten

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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It’s still only June but Liverpool have already been busy in the transfer market, having signed both Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong and closing in on a deal for Milos Kerez.

Today, we break down Arne Slot’s summer rebuild and ask is there even more to come?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: David Ornstein and James Pearce

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

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Barcelona have agreed terms to sign Nico Williams - but with their ongoing financial troubles, how can they realistically afford the Athletic Bilbao winger?

We also take a look at the other names on their summer wishlist, and the financial levers Barca may need to pull to make those deals happen.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Pol Ballus, Phil Hay and Conor O'Neill

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson

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Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to January 2011 when Chelsea broke the British transfer record to sign Liverpool’s No.9, Fernando Torres.

So why was Torres’ move from Liverpool to Chelsea so controversial and was he a success at Stamford Bridge?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Simon Hughes and Dom Fifield

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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Nico Williams has attracted attention from all over Europe but now looks likely to end up at either Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

Matt Davies Adams is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein and Seb Stafford-Bloor to discuss the latest on Williams, the futures of Xavi Simons and Hugo Ekitike and find out why nobody in the Premier League seems to want Victor Osimhen.

Host: Matt Davies-Adams

Guests: David Ornstein, Seb Stafford-Bloor

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City are back on the big stage this week, at the Club World Cup in the USA. 

And, with a revamped squad and no trophies to show from last season, can Pep Guardiola’s side make a statement in the States?

Host: Matt Davies-Adams

Guests: Adam Crafton, Jordan Campbell, Thom Harris

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, is world football's most powerful man.

His presidency has been marked by the controversial men's World Cups in Russia and Qatar, as well as the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. But it is the newly-expanded Club World Cup that he hopes to leave as his legacy.

So, who is Gianni Infantino, where did he come from, where is he taking the game, and has he fulfilled his promises?

Join Adam Leventhal as he tracks Infantino's journey from son of migrants to rubbing shoulders with the world's leaders.

Featuring footage from: FIFA, Sky News, ABC News, AFP, iShowSpeed, Eurosport, Channel Four, Reuters, China Global Television Network

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What happens when the best clubs in world football collide? We're about to find out in as the Club World Cup kicks off in the USA.

Big names like Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich will all be there. But what about the teams you don't know so well?

The Athletic was granted Access All Areas to South Africa's super club: Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the four African teams taking part in the tournament.

Winners of the last eight Premierships, 15 in all, Sundowns are unstoppable.

So what makes up this club, what are their values and who are the names to look out for?

Listen as The Athletic head to South Africa to meet the Sundowns...

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There’s been a lot of noise around Arsenal’s pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, but the North London club regard the deal as done.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by David Ornstein and Duncan Alexander to discuss Arsenal's summer business including the potential arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga and their ongoing hunt for a striker.

Plus, David reveals the latest on Manchester United and Liverpool's recruitment after the mini transfer window came to a close on Tuesday night.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

Guests: David Ornstein, Duncan Alexander

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked the manager who delivered a first trophy in 17 years.

So, why have they sacked Ange Postecoglou and why do they want Thomas Frank to replace him?

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Jay Harris and Seb Stafford-Bloor

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After signing Wolves’ Matheus Cunha for £62.5million, Manchester United have made an opening bid of £55m to sign Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford.

So, with no European football, how are United still drawing the big names - and are they at risk of breaching PSR after their lowest top flight league finish since 1974?

Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Carl Anka, Mark Critchley, Conor O'Neill

Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Guy Clarke

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transfer window is open and Liverpool are after one European football’s brightest talents as they look to complete a deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.

And it’s not just the champions who are active, Man City are making moves of their own with a fee agreed for AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders is on his way, who will be next?

Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: David Ornstein, Phil Hay and James Pearce

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PSG have finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy after beating Inter 5-0 in the final in Munich on Saturday night.

So, how did they do it and are they set to dominate European football?

Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: James Horncastle, Adam Crafton and Liam Tharme

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, PSG will face Inter in the 24/25 Champions League final in Munich. 

It will be the meeting of the oldest versus the youngest team from the knockout stage, will experience or youthful exuberance prevail?

The Athletic’s Italian football correspondent James Horncastle and French football specialist Tom Williams join Ayo Akinwolere to preview the game.

Can Luis Enrique’s decision to ditch the ‘superstars’ and change the culture at PSG be validated with the clubs first Champions League trophy or will Inter and Inzaghi achieve the respect they have perhaps deserved more of over the last few years? 

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

Guests: James Horncastle, Tom Williams

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea have won a trophy and have Champions League football next season.

So, has Enzo Maresca proven the doubters wrong?

Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Simon Johnson and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunderland are back in the Premier League after eight years away.

So how did a club who were in League One three years ago make their way back to the top table?

And crucially, can they stay there?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Phil Hay, Chris Weatherspoon, Leo Pearlman

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers

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Napoli won a second Scudetto in three years as a dramatic Serie A title race went down to the final day.

So how did Antonio Conte’s side get the better of Champions League finalists Inter, despite losing their two best players?

And what part did former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay play in the title triumph? 

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: James Horncastle

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aston Villa narrowly missed out on a crucial top-five finish in the Premier League—falling short after a moment of controversy at Old Trafford.

So, why couldn’t Unai Emery’s side get over the line this season? And what does failing to qualify for the Champions League mean for Villa’s summer transfer ambitions?

Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell and Villa expert Dan Bardell to unpack the highs, lows, and looming decisions facing the club this summer.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

Guests: Jacob Tanswell, Dan Bardell

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Nick Thomson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 25 May 2025, Liverpool will receive their 20th top flight crown, equaling the record set by Manchester United.

This season's victory will be defined by Mohamed Salah's goals, Arne Slot's career-defining debut, and the measured manner with which the Reds marched on.

But five years ago, when Liverpool last won English football's most prestigious trophy for the first time in 30 years, this was not the scene.

Simon Hughes has spoken to families in Liverpool to find out how this title sits five years on from the Covid-19 pandemic. You'll hear the story of the content creator who feels a disconnect with Anfield now. The former steward who never got to savour a title win. And the Hillsborough survivor for whom the Atletico match was his last.

Please note this episode includes strong language, and content some listeners may find upsetting

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Welcome to The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, for the 2024-25 season. A time to celebrate the best of the best across the Premier League, WSL and Europe.

The Athletic's Data & Tactic’s Editor Duncan Alexander, Women’s Football Writer Megan Feringa & Football Writer Jacob Whitehead join Adam Leventhal to name our Player, Young Player, Manager and team of the season in our respective categories.  

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Duncan Alexander, Megan Feringa, Jacob Whitehead

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.