Sarah Akande
Sarah covers the Premier League's Big Six and the transfer market for FootballBoard — the day-to-day file, the matchweek preview, the deadline-day deal. She came up through the football media internship circuit and writes in the present tense the way newsroom reporters do, comfortable with names, fees, agents and the noises out of training-ground briefings.
By Sarah
30 articlesHow settled is the Premier League table after five games?
Just five matches in and the Premier League table is already telling a story — history suggests it is more reliable than most fans might expect.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueHow settled is the Premier League table after five games?
Five games in and the Premier League table is already telling us more than you might expect — history says most clubs end up close to where they sit right now.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueDeclan Rice Close to Signing New Long-Term Arsenal Contract
Declan Rice is on the verge of agreeing a new long-term deal at Arsenal that would see his wages rise to around £350,000 a week, sources tell BBC Sport.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueDeclan Rice Close to Signing New Long-Term Arsenal Contract
Declan Rice is on the verge of agreeing a new long-term deal at Arsenal, with talks now at an advanced stage, BBC Sport sources have revealed.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueArteta signs new Arsenal contract until 2030 after title triumph
Mikel Arteta has committed his future to Arsenal until 2030, insisting the Premier League champions' success is 'only the beginning' of what the club can achieve.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueArteta signs new Arsenal deal until 2030 after title glory
Mikel Arteta has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a new contract through to 2030, declaring the club's recent success is 'only the beginning'.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Champions LeagueMan City Could Play in Champions League Even If Relegated, Senior Figures Warn
Senior football figures are alarmed that Manchester City may qualify for next season's Champions League even if they are relegated following their financial regulations verdict.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026InternationalsRonaldo reveals eight points he says Jorge Jesus agreed to make
Cristiano Ronaldo has published a lengthy statement detailing the eight points he claims Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus agreed to deliver at a press conference.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueKyle Walker: Man City glory 'cannot be taken away' despite guilty verdict
Former City captain Kyle Walker says the memories of 12 major domestic honours remain untouchable, even as the club appeals against its guilty verdict on all financial charges.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Women's FootballCan Man City handle WSL title defence and Champions League?
Manchester City are unbeaten in both the WSL and Women's Champions League, but history suggests the dual challenge will test Andree Jeglertz's squad to its limits.
By Sarah Akande · 7 Oct 2026Premier LeagueRival Clubs Demand Retrospective and Future Punishments for Man City
Premier League rivals want Manchester City stripped of titles and hit with multi-season sanctions if their appeal against financial rule-breaking fails.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026Women's FootballAre Arsenal Women Too Nice to Win the WSL Title?
Arsenal sit 10 points adrift of the Women's Super League leaders after a 4-2 defeat at Manchester City, prompting a 'big review' and questions about their mentality.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026TransfersMadueke, Kounde, Kane: Tuesday's Transfer Gossip Roundup
Atletico Madrid and Juventus target Arsenal's Noni Madueke, five Premier League clubs chase Jules Kounde, and Harry Kane nears a new Bayern Munich deal.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026Women's FootballManchester City Stay Unbeaten as Arsenal's WSL Woes Deepen
Manchester City beat Arsenal to remain unbeaten in the WSL, while Reneé Slegers's side languish in 10th place and pressure on the manager grows.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026TransfersHow Midtjylland's English lessons fuel a £170m transfer machine
The Danish club's mandatory language classes and holistic player development have powered a record-breaking summer window, with Darío Osorio heading to Crystal Palace.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026OpinionNext Generation 2026: The Young Talents Set to Define Football
From a midfielder dubbed the new Toni Kroos to America's Cavan Sullivan, the class of 2009 is already turning heads across world football.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026InternationalsUEFA Open Probe After Israel Player Allegedly Spat at Ireland Coach
UEFA has launched a disciplinary investigation after match officials reported an alleged spitting incident in the tunnel during Sunday's Nations League clash between Israel and Ireland.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026Women's FootballMary Fowler Misses Matildas Friendlies Due to Personal Circumstances
Manchester City attacker Mary Fowler has been ruled out of Australia's October friendlies against Germany and Haiti, with Charlton's Leah Davidson called up.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026Premier LeagueBBC Sport's Daily Football Quizzes: Can You Guess PL Star No 78?
BBC Sport's popular Who Am I? series returns with Premier League puzzle No 78, alongside Five in Five and the Brainteaser — here's how to play.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026TransfersAston Villa Keep Tabs on Rangers' Nicolas Raskin Ahead of January
Aston Villa are still keen on Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, with those in his circle convinced the Premier League is his next destination.
By Sarah Akande · 6 Oct 2026Premier LeagueMan City's Financial Scandal: Did the Cheating Even Pay Off?
As Manchester City await their appeal against financial regulation breaches, fans and pundits are asking whether the rule-breaking even delivered the rewards City's owners sought.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026Premier LeagueBBC Sport Daily Football Quizzes: Who Am I? No 77 and More
BBC Sport's daily football quiz trio returns with Who Am I? No 77, Five in Five and the Brainteaser — here's how to play and sharpen your Premier League knowledge.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026InternationalsEngland Thrash Croatia 7-0 in Stunning Nations League Rout
England produced a dominant display to hammer Croatia 7-0, with the Football Weekly panel reacting to one of the Three Lions' most emphatic wins in recent memory.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026Premier League£800m In, £800m Out: Man City Ruling Puts Man Utd Debt in Focus
As Manchester City face punishment for inflating revenues, United's accounts reveal £852m in cumulative interest payments since the Glazer takeover in 2005.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026Premier League£800m In, £800m Out: Man City Ruling Spotlights Man Utd Debt
As Manchester City's owners are found guilty of inflating income by over £830m, United fans count the cost of two decades of Glazer interest payments.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026Premier LeagueNext Generation 2026: The Best Young Talents at Premier League Clubs
The Premier League's first-year scholars born between September 2009 and August 2010 are drawing serious attention — here is why this crop could be special.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026Women's FootballMan City Beat Arsenal 4-2 in WSL Thriller to Pile Pressure on Slegers
Manchester City twice came from behind to defeat Arsenal 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium in the WSL, deepening the crisis around Gunners boss Renée Slegers.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026Premier LeagueBBC Sport's Daily Football Quizzes: Test Your Premier League Knowledge
BBC Sport's trio of daily football quizzes — Who Am I?, Five in Five and Brainteaser — are back, with Premier League star No 77 the latest identity to crack.
By Sarah Akande · 5 Oct 2026TransfersAzpilicueta Retires: Chelsea Legend Ready for Life After Football
Cesar Azpilicueta has stepped away from professional football after a 20-year career, saying he needs a break and wants to focus on family and his growing education portfolio.
By Sarah Akande · 4 Oct 2026Women's FootballMan City beat Arsenal 4-2 to stretch WSL lead to 10 points
Manchester City came from behind twice at the Etihad to beat Arsenal 4-2 and maintain a perfect Women's Super League record after five rounds.
By Sarah Akande · 4 Oct 2026
