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Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) are the betting favorites for the 2025-26 NFL MVP award. Allen won the MVP in 2024-25, throwing 40 touchdowns with a career-low 6 interceptions, showcasing elite dual-threat ability and ranking third in EPA/play. Despite potential benefits from a second year with his offensive coordinator and a strong supporting cast, his path to a repeat win is challenging due to historical voter reluctance. Lamar Jackson finished second in the 2024 MVP voting despite leading the league in passer rating, QBR, yards per attempt, and deep-ball efficiency. He threw 41 touchdowns versus only 4 interceptions, averaged 6.6 yards per rush, and ranked second in adjusted EPA/play. With key offensive weapons returning and Baltimore having strong Super Bowl odds, Jackson is well-positioned to contend for his third MVP if he maintains his performance level. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) is a long shot (+1800) for MVP. He had the most efficient season of his career in 2024, posting the second-lowest interception rate (0.6%) in NFL history for a 500-attempt passer and ranking fifth in on-target rate. While receiver drops hurt his raw stats, Herbert excelled throwing deep, leading the NFL in deep-ball touchdowns. Paired with new head coach Jim Harbaugh and a revamped backfield, Herbert has the arm talent and potential narrative to rise in MVP contention if the Chargers win and his receivers improve.
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The Kansas City Chiefs signed franchise-tagged guard Trey Smith to a four-year, $94 million contract extension before the deadline, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. This replaces the $23.4 million franchise tag salary he would have played under. The contract guarantees Smith $46.75 million over the next two seasons. For the upcoming season, he receives a $10 million base salary and a $17 million signing bonus. His 2026 base salary of $19.75 million is also fully guaranteed. His salary cap charges are set at $14.25 million for 2025 and $24.25 million for 2026. Smith's $23.25 million base salary for 2027 is guaranteed for injury and becomes fully guaranteed early in the 2026 league year. He can also earn $250,000 workout bonuses each offseason for the next three years, potentially securing $70.5 million over that period. For 2028, the final year, no salary is guaranteed; he would earn a $23.25 million base salary and another potential $250,000 workout bonus. Completing the contract would make him a free agent in 2029. His cap charges for 2027 and 2028 are scheduled at $27.75 million each. While the contract structure follows the expected pattern of two fully guaranteed seasons and a third vesting early, the Chiefs frontloaded the cap impact more than anticipated. They used a lower signing bonus and a higher first-year base salary. This significantly reduced his 2025 cap charge from $23.4 million, though it could have been lowered further to under $7 million. The deal's structure raises questions about its impact on the Chiefs' already uncertain 2026 salary cap situation. It also prompts speculation about whether General Manager Brett Veach has further moves planned, such as an extension for cornerback Trent McDuffie. With this contract, the Chiefs are estimated to be approximately $20.6 million under the 2025 salary cap just before training camp begins.
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The NFL is experiencing a shift in contract negotiations, with second-round rookies now seeking fully guaranteed deals—previously reserved for first-round picks. Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins have already secured such contracts, breaking this barrier. Other unsigned second-round selections face training camp deadlines to finalize agreements, as they cannot participate without contracts. This trend intensified when Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris (55th overall pick) held out of camp to demand guaranteed money, signaling potential challenges for teams negotiating with remaining unsigned players. Baltimore Ravens edge defender Mike Green (59th pick) is among those without a deal as training camp approaches. Despite possessing first-round talent—evidenced by his nation-leading 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss at Marshall—Green's contract talks are complicated by off-field issues. He faces two pending sexual assault charges, which led to his dismissal from Virginia's football program in 2022 and caused his draft slide. Although the Ravens conducted thorough investigations and selected him based on confidence in his character, these allegations create unique negotiation hurdles. With Ravens rookies reporting July 15, Green risks missing critical camp time if unsigned. Green's absence would detrimentally impact both his adjustment to the NFL and the Ravens' defensive plans. The team struggled with inconsistent and non-explosive pass rushes in 2024, and Green's skill set directly addresses these weaknesses. While Baltimore has depth in pass rushers, his participation in camp is vital for integration. The precedent set by Schwesinger, Higgins, and Harris's demands increases pressure on the Ravens to resolve negotiations before camp begins, balancing talent evaluation against off-field concerns.
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FC Barcelona's sporting department is actively seeking to sign a winger to strengthen their attack for the upcoming season. Following Nico Williams' renewal with Athletic Club, their main targets are Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford. Acquiring Diaz would require a significantly higher financial investment compared to Rashford, who could potentially join Barcelona on a loan deal. However, Barcelona face competition for Rashford. Liverpool is also considering signing the Manchester United forward as they search for a new striker. While Newcastle United's Alexander Isak is Liverpool's top priority, the club's refusal to sell has led them to explore alternatives, including Rashford, though no progress has been made on that front yet. Marcus Rashford is not part of Manchester United's plans for the future, and the club is actively looking to find a way for him to leave in the coming weeks. After spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, Rashford could depart Old Trafford on another loan deal for the new campaign.
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Newcastle United fans expressed early injury concerns during the club's pre-season camp in Austria after observing a player with a heavily strapped knee. This comes as the team prepares for a busy pre-season schedule ahead of the Premier League opener against Aston Villa, including the inaugural Adidas Trophy match against Celtic this Saturday (potentially featuring Anthony Elanga's debut) and subsequent tours to Singapore and South Korea, before concluding with the Sela Cup against Atletico Madrid. The player identified with the strapping was defender Sven Botman. This caused particular worry due to Botman's significant recent injury history; he missed 10 months of the 2023/24 season after tearing his ACL and required further knee surgery in January, though less severe than the initial injury. Fans voiced their concerns on social media (platform X), noting Botman appeared to have a limp and commenting on his injury-prone status. Reactions included fears he wouldn't be injury-free, hopes it was merely precautionary, calls to sign a new centre-back urgently, questions about the bandage, and worries that his season start might be delayed until January. However, the reports clarify that there is no new injury. The strapping on Botman's knee is a precautionary measure, and he is expected to wear it throughout much of the upcoming 2025/26 season as part of his management plan.
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Italian reports indicate that Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli is prepared to meet Juventus's asking price for winger Nico Gonzalez. Juventus is open to selling the player after just one season in Turin, following a relatively underwhelming debut campaign where he contributed three goals and two assists in 26 Serie A appearances. Tactical reasons also factor into his potential departure, as manager Igor Tudor's preferred 3-4-2-1 system reportedly doesn't consistently maximize the Argentine international's abilities. Juventus sees Francisco Conceicao as the preferred option for the wing position next season if they can secure his return. Juventus initially acquired Gonzalez on loan for the 2024-25 season for €8 million, with an obligation to buy for a further €25 million (excluding bonuses). Recent reports suggested Juventus would accept around €25 million to sell him this summer. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Al-Ahli is ready to offer approximately €30 million to sign the 27-year-old this summer. Furthermore, Al-Ahli would be able to offer Gonzalez a significant salary increase, exceeding his current net earnings of €3.6 million per season at Juventus.
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Analyst Steve Palazzolo suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers could utilize defensive back Jalen Ramsey as a "secret weapon" against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, specifically proposing a hybrid nickel linebacker role. Palazzolo praised Ramsey's exceptional ability in "away from the ball" play, highlighting his skills in blowing up screens and making impactful plays even when not targeted, citing his statistics of 19 tackles for loss and 50 passes defensed over the past four seasons. The Steelers recognize a significant challenge in facing the Ravens, admitting they had "a Baltimore problem" last year after being dominated, particularly in the playoffs. While historically competitive against Jackson, their effectiveness has diminished. Palazzolo argued that Ramsey's toolkit, especially his tackling ability from the cornerback position – an area where the Steelers could improve – would be extremely valuable in slowing down Jackson and the Ravens' offense. This need is underscored by Jackson's efficient performances against Pittsburgh last season, including throwing five touchdown passes across two games (regular season and playoffs) with minimal pass attempts. However, the Steelers' actual plans for deploying Ramsey remain unclear. It is unknown if they currently have a defined role for him, with the expectation that head coach Mike Tomlin will emphasize flexibility based on Ramsey's play. The article notes that acquiring Ramsey represents an unusual move for the Steelers, driven by the critical need to beat the Ravens to win the AFC North, but also expresses hope that this pressure hasn't led to moves without a clear vision.
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Ravens rookies report to the Under Armour Performance Center for training camp today, marking the start of the regular season. While the team has few roster holes, competition exists at several key positions. A breakout season from an under-the-radar player could be crucial for a Super Bowl run, with high expectations bolstered by the addition of elite talent across Zach Orr's defense. The Ravens added 11 players through the 2025 NFL Draft, highlighted by selecting safety Malaki Starks near the end of the first round. General Manager Eric DeCosta focused on draft value and acquiring prospects capable of developing into starters, regardless of their draft round. Following the draft, Baltimore signed 17 undrafted free agents, announcing these signings during the second day of rookie minicamp at their facility. The article profiles three specific players: Linebacker Jay Higgins (Iowa), an All-American and All-Big 10 selection, led his team with 124 tackles (53 solo), 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 9 PDs, and 4 INTs in his final season. Safety Franky Jackson (Illinois State), an FCS All-American, recorded 225 tackles (116 solo), 14 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 5 INTs (2 TDs), and 13 PDs over 45 games. Defensive lineman Myles Anthony Rucker (North Carolina) had 14.5 sacks and 23 TFLs over his final two seasons, including 6 sacks and 8 TFLs in only 8 injury-affected games last year. Rucker (6-1, 254 lbs, 32 5/8" arms) is noted as an intriguing pass rusher who opted out of most athletic testing but completed 27 bench press reps. Regarding Starks, he is described as a "positional twin" to versatile defensive back Kyle Hamilton. ESPN Research notes Starks was the only FBS player over the last three seasons to play at least 1,500 snaps at safety and 500 snaps at slot cornerback.
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The Dallas Cowboys face potential contract negotiations with star player Micah Parsons. While Parsons has participated in offseason activities and maintained a positive relationship with new coach Brian Schottenheimer, unlike previous holdouts involving Ezekiel Elliott, Zack Martin, and CeeDee Lamb, complex negotiations remain. Parsons' new contract is expected to average over $40 million annually with significant guaranteed money exceeding $100 million. Whether this results in a holdout or a smoother resolution is uncertain. Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter, a unique two-way player drafted second overall, presents a challenge for coach Liam Coen regarding time allocation between offense and defense. The Jaguars plan to prioritize building his offensive foundation first, aligning with Coen's offensive background and GM James Gladstone's receiver-focused history. This approach contrasts with Hunter's college experience at Colorado, where he primarily focused on defense. Training camp will be crucial to understanding how Hunter's practice time is divided, offering insight into his regular-season role, as mastering NFL defense requires significant weekly preparation time. The Cleveland Browns face a demanding start to their season, with their first six games including five against 2023 playoff teams (Baltimore, Green Bay, Detroit, Minnesota, Pittsburgh) and an opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, a recent Super Bowl contender. This challenging early schedule raises questions about how the team will strategically deploy its quarterbacks.
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Tottenham Hotspur's return to the Champions League after a two-year absence will see them face at least two major European teams in the new league phase format. They are one of six English clubs in the competition, alongside Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle United. The league phase draw, scheduled for August 18th, uses UEFA coefficients to determine pots. Pot 1 contains the eight highest-ranked teams plus the previous season's winner. UEFA rules prevent teams from the same country playing each other in the league phase and restrict facing more than two opponents from the same association. Since Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea occupy Pot 1, Tottenham (as an English club) cannot face them. Therefore, Spurs are guaranteed to play two teams from the following Pot 1 clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona. This setup means Tottenham could potentially face PSG twice soon, including in the upcoming UEFA Super Cup. Tottenham is currently slated for Pot 3 but could move up to Pot 2 if either Club Brugge or Benfica fail to qualify. Pot 2 currently includes Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, and Eintracht Frankfurt, with Benfica, Club Brugge, Rangers, and Shakhtar Donetsk as potential additions. This pot structure creates the possibility of a North London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal occurring in the Champions League knockout stages.
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Barcelona's search for a new left winger continues to generate numerous transfer rumors, with Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford previously linked. El Chiringuito reports that Barcelona have enquired about signing Bryan Zaragoza, who has also been linked with Celta Vigo. Zaragoza is considered a cheaper alternative to targets like Rashford or Diaz. Another name reportedly under consideration is Antonio Nusa. An exclusive report from Sempre Barca claims Barcelona hope to "accelerate talks with RB Leipzig soon" for the player. The report suggests Barcelona could sign Nusa for less than €40 million and views him as another "great market opportunity". Overall, the rumor mill is expected to keep producing potential targets as Barcelona's hunt for a left-sided winger persists.
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Pewter Report is unveiling its Top 50 All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers list to commemorate the team's upcoming 50th season. Author Scott Reynolds is releasing his personal rankings over two weeks in ten articles, each featuring five players. His list includes 25 Super Bowl champions from the 2002 or 2020 teams and nine members of the 2025 team. The current article focuses on players ranked 21-25. The series began with ranks 46-50 and will conclude with the top 5. The article highlights running back James Wilder as a key figure from the 1980s era, predating stars like Mike Evans, Mike Alstott, and Warrick Dunn, and even the team's competitive period. Wilder, drafted in 1981, played nine seasons for Tampa Bay. He remains the franchise's all-time leading rusher 30 years after retirement, with 5,957 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. He also accumulated 3,492 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns, totaling nearly 10,000 yards from scrimmage, making him one of the franchise's most potent offensive weapons.
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Manchester City is planning to trim its oversized squad before the 2025-26 season, with midfielder Ilkay Gundogan emerging as a prime candidate for departure. Esteemed Kompany sources report that Gundogan has agreed personal terms with Turkish club Galatasaray, which is his preferred destination should he leave. The proposed deal includes a one-year contract with an option for a further year, though Galatasaray insists on acquiring him via free transfer rather than paying a fee, creating uncertainty about Manchester City's approval. Gundogan's potential exit stems from multiple factors: his age, Manchester City's ongoing squad rebuild, and increased competition for midfield spots following the signing of Tijjani Reijnders. Younger players like Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis also require development opportunities, necessitating a senior midfielder's departure to create space in Pep Guardiola's lineup. Although Gundogan previously expressed a desire to remain at Manchester City, a move to Galatasaray now appears mutually beneficial. It would allow the player to conclude his career in Turkey while enabling City to streamline their squad for the upcoming season.
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Juventus and Porto are nearing completion of a permanent transfer deal for Francisco Conceição. Reports from Giovanni Albanese (La Gazzetta dello Sport) and Mirko Di Natale (TuttoJuve) indicate an agreement is close, with Albanese suggesting it's essentially done and Di Natale describing it as very advanced. The total value of the deal is expected to reach up to €27 million, structured as a €22 million fee plus €5 million in bonuses, many of which are reportedly easy for Porto to achieve. A significant factor facilitating the deal, according to Di Natale, is that Conceição has waived a 20% rights fee that could have complicated negotiations. As a result, Conceição is expected to receive a slightly higher salary than he did during his loan spell at Juventus in the 2024-25 season. This outcome marks a shift from earlier speculation when Igor Tudor first became interim manager, which suggested Conceição would not remain at Juventus. His limited playing time under Tudor initially fueled rumors of a departure. However, Conceição's role increased over the following months, particularly during the Club World Cup, contributing to the change in plans. Securing Conceição does not appear to preclude Juventus from pursuing other attacking targets. Reports indicate that the club's interest in Jadon Sancho remains active, with Juventus reportedly having submitted an opening bid to Manchester United for the player recently. Attention is expected to turn more fully to the Sancho pursuit once the Conceição deal is finalized. The situation regarding Francisco Conceição's future at Juventus is therefore becoming clear, pointing towards him staying in Turin and making more appearances for the club.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr, committing to a third season in the Saudi Pro League despite previous rumors linking him with a move to a Club World Cup team. His goal is to win the league title with the club. Al-Nassr has appointed Jorge Jesus as their new head coach for the 2025-26 season to help achieve that objective. Jesus, who previously managed rivals Al-Hilal, won the Saudi Pro League in 2023-24 and the 2024 Saudi Super Cup, notably defeating Al-Nassr 4-1 in the final. Ronaldo reacted briefly to the announcement on social media. Ronaldo was reportedly a significant influence in Jesus's appointment, with Jesus stating he wouldn't be at the club without the player. The two Portuguese figures now aim to combine forces to win trophies for Al-Nassr, with the club expected to make significant new signings to strengthen the squad.
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WNBA star Aliyah Boston is purchasing an undisclosed stake in the NWSL's Boston Legacy FC, the team announced on Monday. The announcement coincided with her Indiana Fever team playing the Connecticut Sun in Boston, only the second WNBA game ever held at TD Garden. The Boston Legacy FC's primary ownership is an all-women group led by Jennifer Epstein, founder of Juno Equity. The investment group also includes three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, actress Elizabeth Banks, and Boston Celtics GM Brad Stevens and his wife, Tracy. July 15th was declared Aliyah Boston Day in the city. In a statement, Boston expressed pride in joining the ownership group, citing Boston's role in raising her and shaping who she is. She emphasized her excitement about investing in a franchise building something special for players, the city, and women's sports overall. The three-time All-Star grew up in Massachusetts, played high school basketball at Worcester Academy (where she was a three-time Gatorade Player of the Year, won two state championships, and had her jersey retired), and feels a strong connection to the city. Jennifer Epstein stated that Boston's investment demonstrates the strength of women's sports as both the WNBA and NWSL continue to grow. Boston joins other current and former WNBA players who have become owners, such as Sabrina Ionescu (investor in Bay FC), Angel Reese (investor in DC Power FC), Candace Parker, and Sue Bird. Notably, Boston's Fever teammate, Caitlin Clark, was part of an unsuccessful bid to bring an NWSL team to Cincinnati. Boston Legacy FC will play its inaugural season at Gillette Stadium following a legal battle, before moving to its permanent home, White Stadium, in 2027. The club named Filipa Patão as its first head coach in June, with player signings planned for later this summer.
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Chelsea is expected to offload several players before the September transfer deadline, with Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, and Ben Chilwell among those listed as unwanted. While Felix is reportedly open to rejoining Benfica, no deal has been agreed upon with Chelsea yet. In contrast to potential departures, defender Benoit Badiashile appears certain to stay at Chelsea. Despite making only five Premier League appearances last season due to injuries and being behind Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana in the pecking order, new manager Enzo Maresca has explicitly stated that the 24-year-old Frenchman remains part of his plans for the upcoming season. Previous links to signing new centre-backs, such as Jorrel Hato, have quieted down. This decision means Badiashile will stay and compete with Colwill, Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Tosin Adarabioyo for a starting position. Maresca has communicated his desire for Badiashile to remain, and the player himself confirmed his intention to stay. Badiashile directly stated to Foot Mercato: "Yes, I will still be at Chelsea next season. The club, the coach, and all the staff give me a lot of confidence and believe in me. I will do everything to give back to them on the pitch. I love the club, the city, and the supporters." Although Chelsea signed him from AS Monaco for £35m in 2023 and his lack of playing time might make it difficult to sell him for a profit in the future, Badiashile is set to remain at Stamford Bridge for the immediate future.
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Arsenal are nearing an agreement with Sporting for striker Viktor Gyokeres, though reports indicate a stand-off over add-ons. Noni Madueke is close to joining Arsenal from Chelsea, while the Gunners also target Eberechi Eze and Cristhian Mosquera. Defender Mosquera flew to London, with Arsenal finalizing a deal with Valencia worth approximately £13m upfront plus £3.5m in add-ons. Arsenal Women completed the signing of German goalkeeper Anneke Borbe on a free transfer following her Wolfsburg contract expiry. Borbe will provide competition for first-choice keeper Daphne van Domselaar. Chelsea, newly crowned world champions, are interested in Alejandro Garnacho and Gianluigi Donnarumma. They may offload Nicolas Jackson as part of a squad clear-out. Manchester United are linked with Nicolas Jackson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin while finalizing the signing of Bryan Mbeumo. Tottenham, having signed Mohammed Kudus last week, remain confident of acquiring Morgan Gibbs-White despite Nottingham Forest considering legal action over their pursuit. Marcus Rashford is a target for Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.
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Newcastle United are negotiating a potential deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike for approximately €75 million. While an agreement has not been reached yet, talks between the clubs are ongoing. This fee would surpass Newcastle's current record transfer, the €71.2 million paid for Alexander Isak in 2022. Newcastle previously attempted to sign Ekitike in January 2022 for over £20 million, but the deadline day move collapsed. Despite this, the club maintained interest in the 23-year-old player. Ekitike joined Frankfurt permanently in summer 2024 for €17.5 million after a loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain. In the 2024-25 season, he scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists for Frankfurt. Ekitike, currently contracted to Frankfurt until 2029, has been pursued by Newcastle before. In January 2022, while at Reims, he hesitated about a late move to Newcastle despite a framework agreement between the clubs, eventually joining PSG on loan that summer before the move was made permanent. Should he leave Frankfurt now, it would be the club's third major attacker sale in two years, following Omar Marmoush's €70-75m move to Manchester City and Randal Kolo Muani's €95m transfer to PSG. Ekitike's 15 Bundesliga goals in 2024-25 tied him with former teammate Marmoush for the season. He played a key role in Frankfurt securing a third-place finish in the Bundesliga, qualifying the club for the Champions League for only the second time in their history via league position. He also scored in their Europa League semi-final aggregate defeat (2-1) to eventual champions Tottenham Hotspur. Other clubs have shown interest in Ekitike this summer, with Manchester United enquiring about his availability and Chelsea being interested before signing other forwards.
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Arsenal are finalizing a deal with Valencia for 21-year-old centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. Following advanced talks over the weekend, Mosquera has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and is expected to undergo a medical this week. The clubs are finalizing the details of a £13 million transfer fee, which includes additional bonus payments. Arsenal sought a defender to compete with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, and Mosquera will fill the squad gap left by Takehiro Tomiyasu's departure. Mosquera, who can play both centre-back and right-back, is a Spain Under-21 international. He has made 90 appearances for Valencia and was a consistent starter last season, playing the full match in 37 of their 38 La Liga games. Separately, Arsenal are also finalizing details with Sporting Lisbon for the transfer of Victor Gyokeres.
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The summer period typically marks new kit launches for Premier League clubs, a lucrative annual event. Clubs often debut next season's kit in the final match of the previous season to extend the merchandising window. Liverpool's situation is unique this summer due to a transition from Nike to Adidas. However, the club remains contractually bound to Nike until the end of July. Consequently, Liverpool will wear last season's kit during their three pre-season friendlies, including matches in Hong Kong and Japan against AC Milan and Yokohama Marinos. Both online and physical retail operations with Nike will continue until July 31st. The official Adidas partnership commences on August 1st, just three days before a friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. While sneak peeks of the new Adidas kit have emerged, an official release is not expected before the August 1st launch date, as the club aims to honour its agreement with Nike. The Adidas kit launch will coincide with the unveiling of a larger, refurbished LFC store at Anfield. Shirt designs were finalized with Adidas well in advance, and mass production of Adidas/LFC merchandise has been underway targeting the August 1st launch. Given the rarity of a kit supplier change, the early weeks of August are anticipated to be exceptionally busy for Liverpool's global retail operations, which include 19 standalone stores worldwide.
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Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New York. PSG, the Champions League winners and strong favorites, suffered a shock loss. Tempers flared towards the end of the match. PSG finished with 10 men after João Neves was sent off for pulling the hair of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella. Further scuffles broke out after the final whistle, involving personnel from both benches. The most notable incident involved Chelsea forward João Pedro and PSG coach Luis Enrique. Pedro ended up on the ground following an altercation with Enrique. Pedro stated that PSG "lost their heads" due to frustration over the defeat but declined to elaborate further, preferring to focus on Chelsea's victory. Conversely, Enrique claimed he was attempting to separate players and prevent the situation from escalating. The confrontation reportedly involved Pedro, PSG players Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi before Enrique intervened. During the melee, Enrique appeared to raise an arm, and Pedro fell to the ground.
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The Los Angeles Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, reached the postseason but suffered a decisive 32-12 Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans. Herbert had a poor performance in that game, completing only 43.8% of his passes for 242 yards and one touchdown, while throwing four interceptions and being sacked four times. Former Chargers teammate and current Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy criticized Herbert, suggesting he needs to do more to connect with his teammates beyond attending team dinners. Van Noy acknowledged Herbert's strong work ethic but believes his perfectionism is an issue, advising him to relax, rely more on instincts, and potentially reassess his preparation balance. Despite the criticism and playoff disappointment, Herbert had a strong regular season statistically, throwing for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns. New head coach Jim Harbaugh, hired ahead of the 2024 season, guided the team to the playoffs and is determined to maximize Herbert's potential, aiming for eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame recognition. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Herbert and Harbaugh enter their second year together. Key offensive developments include the emergence of rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (1,149 yards, 7 TDs) and significant veteran additions to bolster the unit: offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, center Andre James, tight end Tyler Conklin, wide receiver Mike Williams, and running back Najee Harris. These additions aim to support Herbert and open up the offense. The Chargers, competing in a tough AFC West, aim to build on their playoff appearance and make a deeper postseason run in 2025.
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President Donald Trump revealed that FIFA officials presented him with the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy, which is currently displayed in the Oval Office. Trump explained that during FIFA President Gianni Infantino's visit to the White House in March, officials asked him to hold the trophy temporarily. However, they later informed him they would not retrieve it and were making a new trophy instead, allowing the original to remain in the Oval Office "forever". This situation meant that Chelsea FC, despite winning the inaugural competition's final against Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, received only a replica trophy for their victory. During an interview with broadcaster DAZN before the final, Trump also joked about the possibility of issuing an executive order to change the name of "soccer" to "football" in the US, stating "I think I could do that." Trump's appearance at the final generated significant attention. He and First Lady Melania Trump were jeered by fans when shown on the stadium screens and again when he walked onto the pitch alongside Infantino to present medals to the players. Infantino had recently confirmed FIFA opened a new office in New York City's Trump Tower. Further confusion occurred online when Trump remained on stage celebrating with the Chelsea players after presenting the replica trophy to captain Reece James.
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Former NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith agreed to organize a youth football camp in New Orleans this summer to honor the wishes of Emily London-Jones, the mother of his late friend and former Baltimore Ravens teammate, Jacoby Jones. Smith restarted the camp after a 10-year absence, fulfilling London-Jones's desire to continue the Jacoby Jones Foundation's tradition, which ran from 2009 to 2015 to support Jones's hometown community. Jacoby Jones, a New Orleans native who won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens and set an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return, died of a heart attack one year prior at age 40. On a Saturday in late May, Smith coached 317 children aged 8-14 at Pontchartrain Park, where Jones himself played youth football and which is near the Caesars Superdome where he achieved NFL success. Following afternoon drills, Smith gathered the children, putting his arm around London-Jones, who had spent the day caring for attendees by overseeing meals and distributing free shoes and camp T-shirts. Smith emotionally reminded the group that the camp existed because London-Jones "birthed a legend," highlighting her efforts. The session concluded with the energetic kids breaking the huddle chanting "1-2-3, Jacoby!" The event served as a memorial for Jones, with loved ones recalling his vibrant, energetic personality as if he were present. Friends and family traveled to participate, including former Ravens teammates Ray Rice and Bryan Hall who helped coach, alongside Smith. Greg Fassitt, Jones's high school friend and fellow Super Bowl winner, attended for the first time, describing the experience as "bittersweet" but meaningful for carrying on Jones's legacy and inspiring local children. Attendees paid tribute through attire, with Jones's cousin Cantrelle Larkins Jr. wearing a replica of Jones's Marion Abramson High School jersey. Many wore Ravens gear, and camp organizers distributed No. 12 bandanas to the children, referencing Jones's signature playing days look.
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The NFL is experiencing a shift in contract norms, with second-round draft picks now seeking fully guaranteed deals—previously reserved for first-round selections. Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins have already secured such contracts, setting a new precedent for their draft class. As training camp approaches, the remaining 30 unsigned second-round rookies face contract uncertainties. Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris initiated a holdout for guaranteed money, potentially triggering similar actions across the league. Baltimore Ravens edge defender Mike Green (59th overall pick) is among those likely to follow, despite complicating factors in his negotiations. Green, a first-round talent who recorded 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his final college season at Marshall, fell to the second round due to two pending sexual assault charges that led to his dismissal from Virginia's football program in 2022. While the Ravens conducted thorough investigations and express confidence in his character, these allegations create additional hurdles in contract discussions. Baltimore rookies report to camp by July 15, creating urgency for a resolution. Green's potential absence would impact the Ravens' defense significantly, as he addresses their 2024 shortcomings in pass-rush consistency and explosiveness. His leverage stems from projected stardom, yet the organization must weigh the risks of offering guarantees amid unresolved legal concerns.
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Marco Asensio has declined a significant financial offer from Turkish club Fenerbahce. The player is now expected to evaluate his future options in the near future, with Italian clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan, as well as Spanish side Villarreal, all expressing interest in signing him.
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