Rugby League May 30, 2026

Challenge Cup Finals LIVE! Updates, scores, commentary from Wembley with Wigan Warriors, Hull KR, St Helens women and Wigan Warriors women in action

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Challenge Cup Finals LIVE! Updates, scores, commentary from Wembley with Wigan Warriors, Hull KR, St Helens women and Wigan Warriors women in action

Livingston name Whelan as new boss

Scottish Championship side Livingston have named Glen Whelan as their new head coach.

The former Republic of Ireland and Stoke midfielder, who had a brief playing spell in Scotland with Hearts in 2019/2020, takes over following the club's relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

Whelan said: "I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity as head coach of Livingston, something I'm incredibly proud of, and I will give my all for the club moving forward.

"I'm eager to grasp this opportunity and help build a successful team that the fans can be truly proud of and get right behind. I'm grateful to the board for their belief in me, and the hard work has already begun.

"I can't wait to get started and look forward to the journey ahead."

Kroenke hints at big summer in transfer market

Gunners to go big? In an in-depth interview, Josh Kroenke spoke about Arsenal's plans to strengthen this summer as they aim to build on their Premier League success.

Papers: Man Utd have 250m to spend - but Leao to turn down summer PL move

ICYMI: Wolves agree deal to sign Trippier

Konate's Liverpool exit an unwanted complication ahead of crucial window

Why Rogers should pick Arsenal over Man Utd | Transfer Talk Podcast

Why Chelsea shouldn't even consider selling Cole Palmer | Transfer Talk Podcast

Gordon shows off Spanish skills at unveiling! | 'As a kid I believed I would play for Barca'

How could Barca afford Gordon signing?

Analysis by Your Site News' Lyall Thomas: 

The 69.3m signing of Anthony Gordon and the big-money pursuit of Julian Alvarez have raised questions about how Barcelona can afford such expenditure.

The Spanish giants were unable to register new signings until the last minute a year ago,  but now they seem to have an abundance of cash for three key positions: striker, winger, and centre-back.

The financial rules around how much clubs can spend in Spain works slightly differently to the UK; yes, it is based on revenue and a squad-cost ratio, but they are set by LaLiga on a bespoke basis.

The key to Barcelonas ability to spend now is a return to what is called the 1:1 rule; every Euro Barcelona save can be reinvested directly back into the squad on either transfer fees or wages. It was not the case before, when just a fraction of anything saved could be re-spent.

Another crucial change is that Robert Lewandowski has left the club and so they are now saving around 40m a year in wages, while they are also currently not having to factor in covering any of Marcus Rashfords wages next season.

That might change, but Barcelona are also looking to sell some players, too, which will free up more finances. They offered Ferran Torres, for example, informally to Atletico as they seek a solution to signing Alvarez.

But it is not just the vacation of previously allotted funds that has changed things it is also increased revenue due from the growth of the Spotify Nou Camp. The stadium has been renovated and will soon reach a new capacity of 80,000 while the final capacity is expected to be more than 100,000.

That projected future revenue, as well as the sponsorship from Spotify, as well as winning LaLiga again, is all factored in when the budget for Barcelonas spending is set by the league and means they have money to throw at some exciting players this summer.

Gordon explains why he speaks Spanish

Anthony Gordon speaking at his Barcelona unveiling:

"I wanted to speak Spanish because, as I kid, I believed I would play for Barca, believe it or not.

"I have a physio in Newcastle and we spoke every day and I told him that one day I would play for Barca, so I wanted to learn Spanish."

Tags:

rugby-league live-blog

Share this article

Related Posts

South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow retires after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease

South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow retires after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease

South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow has announced his retirement from rugby league after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The 30-...

Hull KR 62-4 Wigan Warriors: Mikey Lewis scores hat-trick as Robins run riot against young Warriors ahead of Challenge Cup clash

Hull KR 62-4 Wigan Warriors: Mikey Lewis scores hat-trick as Robins run riot against young Warriors ahead of Challenge Cup clash

Mikey Lewis scored an 18-minute hat-trick as Hull KR ran riot in a 62-4 victory over an under-strength Wigan Warriors side in a dress rehearsal for ne...

Jim Lenihan: New Huddersfield Giants head coach setting 'clean slate' as he builds identity to be proud of

Jim Lenihan: New Huddersfield Giants head coach setting 'clean slate' as he builds identity to be proud of

New Huddersfield Giants head coach Jim Lenihan is well aware of the task he has on his hands as he looks to try and turn the club's fortunes around.Th...

Bradford Bulls 16-14 Hull FC: Zak Hardaker's dramatic conversion miss allows Bradford to end five-game Super League losing streak

Bradford Bulls 16-14 Hull FC: Zak Hardaker's dramatic conversion miss allows Bradford to end five-game Super League losing streak

Bradford ended a run of five successive Super League defeats by holding on to beat Hull FC 16-14 after a tense finish at Odsal.The visitors, who had Y...

Super League in Las Vegas 2027: Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards confirmed as two clubs in 'Sin City' alongside NRL contests

Super League in Las Vegas 2027: Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards confirmed as two clubs in 'Sin City' alongside NRL contests

Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards will be the two Super League clubs to face off in Las Vegas in 2027 when rugby league once again descends on 'Sin Ci...

Super League: 'Disappointed' Leeds Rhinos announce departure of Brodie Croft at end of 2026 season

Super League: 'Disappointed' Leeds Rhinos announce departure of Brodie Croft at end of 2026 season

Leeds Rhinos have announced star stand off Brodie Croft will leave after his contract expires at the end of this season.Croft's management had informe...