A landmark moment in football?

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( August 25, 2023 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( An utterly jaw-dropping moment and the calm before the storm as all big clubs eye business Rubiales Right up to the [moments before Luis Rubiales went on stage](, virtually everyone in the room - according to one source - expected the president of the Spanish FA to resign. What happened next was not just utterly jaw-dropping, as he repeatedly asserted he would be doing nothing of the sort. It could end up a landmark moment in football. It is certainly already going down as one of the most incredible moments in Spain's often controversial football history, which says enough. In the immediate aftermath, nobody other than those supporting Rubiales could say nothing at all. The word is that everyone was in shock, from those in Spanish government to the top levels of football. The game seemed almost paralysed, especially as Uefa - where Rubiales remains vice-president - have not even uttered an official comment. Gradually, though, there have been developments. Spanish football legend Iker Casillas and Liga president Javier Tebas have spoken out. Real Betis forward Borja Iglesias withdrew his availability for the national team. Spanish deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz described it as "unacceptable". And that is where any paralysis may end. At the least, as shocking as this was, there was already a process for what next.[The Spanish sports council will send the four official complaints against Rubiales]( to the Administrative Court for Sports, and he can be suspended in the meantime. Spanish and European football is certainly in a state of shock. The timing is also interesting - Thursday is Uefa's kick-off party for the new season in Monaco, when the Champions League draw will be held, and every European federation president will be in attendance. One individual who will be going described it as "a nightmare for Uefa". All of England's want to spend in final week of window With some sizeable bids going in, but no real sensations, those in the football industry are describing this period in [the transfer window](as “the calm before the storm”. Everyone is trying to hold their nerve, not give themselves away in prospective negotiations. It is still expected to be extremely busy. As an example from the very top, this is a rare window when all of England’s wealthiest clubs still want a player going into the last few days of the market. [Arsenal are looking for a defender](, preferably a right-back than play across. Manchester City want another wide player, and could go strong for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Manchester United want a midfielder, primarily Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, who they may face competition on from Liverpool.[Jurgen Klopp is still looking at that area](. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are both looking for number-nines - and, as reported here previously - want Ivan Toney, with the latter also looking at a full-back. There could be so much to come. A game-changer for a league shifting the game Officials from [the Saudi Pro League will of course be looking to go]( even further with deals until the very last minute and they may well be helped by a deal seen as the most significant so far. Gabri Veiga may not the biggest name, or even gone for the biggest fee, but he is the first player whose career was on the up and consequently - who a Saudi club has beaten most of Europe to. [Everyone from City]( to Real Madrid to Liverpool and Napoli had been looking it at the midfielder. The young Spanish international has instead changed the view of the Saudi Pro League by becoming the first player of his profile to make that leap. There was genuine shock in the game, especially as it had been expected he would go to Napoli, a move that seemed perfect for him. It has left many in football - not least Toni Kroos - questioning his career decisions and drive. More eyes on Toney and all eyes on Chelsea While we’re not at the point where Uefa are looking if the rules should be changed, more and more people in football are wondering whether a core element of financial rules needs to be redrawn, since clubs are essentially incentivised to sell on academy products and bring in expensive replacements. It has happened with Chelsea and Mason Mount. It is happening with [Manchester United]( Scott McTominay. Selling an academy product is worth more, which basically clubs are incentivised to try and offload those who should be club icons. One prominent source described it as an "unintended consequence" of Financial Fair Play regulations that wasn't properly seen for some time but is now obvious. McTominay United's main attraction On that, many scouts were in attendance for United’s recent friendlies against Burnley and Everton, as the Old Trafford hierarchy seek to make sales. It was really only McTominay that impressed, although the price is currently quite high for clubs looking. Summing up the previous point, United would seek to use the money to bring in Amrabat. West Ham United retain an interest in McTominay, as they continue to negotiate on Ajax’s Muhammad Kudus. The situation reflects the ongoing uncertainty over the sale of United as a whole. The latest information is that the Glazers are trying to get Qatar to go up to £7bn, something that had long been thought. There nevertheless remains a reticence to go quite so high. Ineos remain confident that they can buy the club if the Glazers do actually sell… which are of course words that have been written repeatedly over the last few months.   Top stories [Spurs face transfer talks deadlock over £40m Brennan Johnson move]( [Meet Manchester City’s new roadrunner who took Kylian Mbappe’s breath away](     Miguel's Dispatches I’m returning to the Premier League bubble from Australia this week although even my time there during the[Women’s World Cup](makes it hard not to wonder whether that bubble has now expanded to take in the whole globe. Even aside from the huge success of the Sam Kerr-led national team, football’s footprint is now so visible - above all the massive boots of the Premier League. Games were being shown in a lot of bars… although of course at unusual times given the difference. That only reflects how committed the interest is. Such are the times - huge games at 1am, 3.30am or 5am - that it is asking a lot to be a Premier League fan in Australia. And yet, like in USA, India and other countries that historically haven’t seen football as a major sport, the immense interest is so visible.       QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Embarrassing." Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos on Gabri Veiga’s surprising move from Celta Vigo to Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League, when most of Europe wanted the midfielder   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz A total of 10 foreign clubs have broken the British transfer record, all buying a player off an English or Scottish club. Name the 10. Bonus praise for the players and four clubs who did it twice or more. ([You can find out the answers here](. 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