The OKC Thunder has three picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, which will be from June 23-24.OKC owns picks No. 12 (via the Los Angeles Clippers), No. 17 (via the Philadelphia 76ers) and No. 37 (via the Dallas Mavericks). It's looking to add to a roster that reached the Western Conference finals this past season.There's a chance that the Thunder doesn't use all three picks since roster spots are limited. It could package some to move up in the draft or trade for future picks.But in this article, we'll look at five prospects OKC could select with pick No. 37:More: 2026 NBA Draft workout tracker: Who have OKC Thunder targeted?Who should Thunder select with No. 37 pick in 2026 NBA Draft?Joshua Jefferson, Iowa StateAdmittedly, there's a good chance Jefferson won't be on the board this late in the draft. He projects to be selected in the first round, likely in the late 20s. But that isn't too far off from pick No. 37, and Jefferson is still worth discussing because of just how much he brings to the table. The 6-9 forward has two-way impact as someone with good playmaking skills at his size, solid overall scoring and defensive versatility. Maybe his inconsistent 3-point shot and the fact that he's will make him slip into the second round. And if that happens, he'd provide great value.Alex Karaban, UConnKaraban contributes to winning, as seen by his four seasons at UConn. The Huskies went a combined 126-28 (81.8%) during that time, and the 6-8 forward started in all but one game. Despite not being the most athletic prospect, Karaban is a great connecting piece who does a bit of everything. He provides good floor spacing, moves well without the ball and makes the right passes. Defensive limitations and age will weigh Karaban, 23, down on draft boards. But he's still a good basketball player, which is sometimes all you're looking for in the second round.Emanuel Sharp, HoustonSharp is another older prospect at 22, having spent all five seasons with Houston. And he's another guy who contributed to winning on a powerhouse program. Sharp is a confident 3-point shooter who went 37.6% from deep throughout his career, and he's also impactful on the other end. He's a tenacious on-ball defender who stays glued to his target, using his strength to fight through screens and his good understanding of positional angles to not get blown past. A winning player who can shoot and defend sounds exactly like someone OKC would be interested in.More: Five biggest questions for OKC Thunder entering 2026 NBA offseasonIzaiyah Nelson, South FloridaAfter spending his first three seasons at Arkansas State, Nelson transferred to South Florida and put up strong numbers. The 6-10 forward averaged 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks on 56.1% shooting from the field. Nelson is a defensive menace who uses his size and length to block shots and deflect passes, and he's also a relentless rebounder. Floor spacing is a work in progress for the big man, who shot 15.3% from 3 throughout college. But his energy on defense and the glass makes him worthy of second-round consideration.Zuby Ejiofor, St. John'sEjiofor is even more of an undersized big man than Nelson. And while that'll likely keep the 6-9 forward out of the first round, it shouldn't keep him from going in the second. Ejiofor has the strength to stand his ground defensively against larger opponents, but he also has the speed and smarts to switch onto smaller ones. That helped him average 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals as a senior last season. Ejiofor's elite motor makes him a constant presence on the boards as well, and he even has some good playmaking abilities on offense. There's a lot to like about his game.More: Here's what OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti said during end-of-season news conferenceJustin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who should OKC Thunder select with No. 37 pick in 2026 NBA Draft?

The FSU Seminoles have the quarterback of their 2027 recruiting class in Logan Flaherty, and now they are looking for one in the 2028 recruiting cycle.One of their newest targets is Brayden Tillman, an unranked prospect from Traverse City, Missouri, who they offered on Friday. He hasn't visited FSU yet as his recruitment is still developing, but that will be changing soon. According to Chris Nee of Noles247, Tillman will be attending FSU's Elite Camp on June 21. The camp serves as a chance for FSU's coaching staff to host key targets in the next recruiting cycle in a competitive situation. The Seminoles were the first power conference school to offer Tillman, who has since received an offer from the Wisconsin Badgers. He now has eight scholarship offers.He played in 10 games as a sophomore at Traverse City West High School, with them going 5-5. He completed 54.4% of his passes for 880 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also carried the ball 45 times for 277 yards and two more touchdowns. FSU's quarterback board is still taking shape in the 2028 cycle, with Tillman being the 18th player they have offered. While there is plenty of time left, teams are trying to get their quarterback committed as early as possible to help recruit the rest of the class.Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Football: Quarterback target Brayden Tillman to visit

A Nebraska pitcher won another major honor for his play this past season. Carson Jasa was named a third-team All-American by ABCA/Rawlings on Friday morning.The right-handed pitcher went 10-2 with a 3.59 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 87.2 innings while holding opponents to a .210 batting average. He's the first Husker to win ten games in a season since Johnny Dorn went 10-3 in 2007.The Thornton, Colorado native also made first-team All-Big Ten, the third Nebraska starting pitcher to make the team since 2021. Jasa and shortstop Dylan Carey won All-Central Region honors from ABCA/Rawlings last Tuesday.Jasa is the sixth All-American under head coach Will Bolt. The Husker ace joins Spencer Schwellenbach (2021), Max Anderson (2023), Brice Matthews (2023), Brett Sears (2024) and Dylan Carey (2026) in earning an All-American honor.Third-team honors for CJ-39. Carson Jasa has been named a Third-Team All American by the ABCA/Rawlings. pic.twitter.com/QsOnsmL2oD— Nebraska Baseball (@HuskerBaseball) June 12, 2026Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska baseball pitcher Carson Jasa named third-team All-American

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Following three days of minicamp practices, let's put together a revised projection of what the Jacksonville Jaguars' depth chart looks like for the offense.As we stated in our recent 53-man roster prediction, what takes place in minicamp won't solely determine playing time and final roster decisions. Ultimatley, training camp and the preseason will carry the most weight.That said, minicamp is a piece of that puzzle, and during these practices, there are players who stand out. The foundation for the start of training camp is laid during the offseason programs.So with that in mind, here is an early guess on where things stand on offense.QuarterbacksTrevor LawerenceNick MullensCarter BradleyJoey AguilarFrom the sounds of it, this wasn't the best showing for Mullens, but his NFL experience over Bradley and Aguilar still lands him at QB2 on the depth chart.Running backsBhayshul TutenChris RodriguezLeQuint AllenDeeJay DallasAmeer AbdullahJ'Mari TaylorWith Rodriguez sidelined during OTAs and minicamp, Tuten holds the RB1 title heading into training camp. Taylor is in that sixth spot, given that Dallas and Abdullah have far more NFL experience in the early going, but he's a name to watch in training camp.Wide receiversBrian Thomas Jr.Parker WashingtonJakobi MeyersTravis HunterCJ WilliamsJosh CameronTim JonesAustin TrammellTrebor PenaChandler BrayboyBrady BoydMichael WorthamBen PattersonWe know who sits at the top of this depth chart, but during minicamp, both Williams and Cameron were able to stand out in big ways. Jones and Trammell are both experienced special teams contributors, while Pena -- a UDFA -- is a name we heard a few times over the last week.Tight endBrenton StrangeNate BoerkircherQuintin MorrisTanner KoziolHunter LongPatrick HerbertEthan ConnerBoerkircher has jumped Morris, in my opinion, and is someone who appears on his way to seeing significant playing time. Koziol will remain behind Morris for the time being, given Morris' skill set as a blocker. That said, Koziol could make the jump to TE3 during training camp. Long may be on the outside looking in.Offensive lineCole Van LanenEzra ClevelandRobert HainseyPatrick MekariAnton HarrisonWalker LittleWyatt MilumJonah MonheimChuma EdogaEmmanuel PregnonRicky LeeJerome CarvinKillian ZiererJimto ObidegwuGarrett DiGiorgioThe first five players make up the Jaguars' projected starting offensive line configuration. I would guess that Little will be the first tackle off the bench, Milum the first guard, and Monheim the backup center. Edoga can play both tackle and guard, while we need to see more from Pregnon yet.This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars roster: Revised depth chart on offense after minicamp takeaways

Image: Real Madrid’s third kit design for 2026-27 season leakedWhile the world’s gaze is heavily fixated on the ongoing FIFA World Cup, Real Madrid is working hard to ensure they have a solid foundation for the next club season. After two unlucky trophy-less seasons, they are after all looking to bounce back.Their kit sponsor, Adidas, have meanwhile been concurrently working on the team’s kits for the 2026-27 campaign. A few designs have been leaked, but none have been confirmed.In another recent update, Footy Headlines bring to light the leaked design of the team’s third kit for the 2026-27 season, and it is safe to say that it has a special and unique touch to it.Going back to pinkIndeed, the 2026-27 third kit features a bold dark pink base, bringing the colour back to the lineup after six seasons. It is heavily inspired by geometric shapes and Latin American artistry.Courtesy: Footy HeadlinesThe pattern in itself is an intricate combination of circles and diamonds that interlock with each other and are made of fine dotted lines. That design continues as the background for both the front and back of the kit.An ivory colour, meanwhile, provides all the required highlights and contrast including the V-neck collar, the thick shoulder cuffs and the three stripes running down the shoulders.The Adidas logo, club crest and sponsor details, meanwhile, feature in a monochromatic white colour. Meanwhile, the back of the shirt has an elegant ‘RMCF’ printed at the top.Third time in historyReal Madrid’s rumoured third kit for 2026/27 season. (Picture credit: Footy Headlines)The first time Real Madrid featured a pink colour jersey was back in the 2014-15 season when the famous trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale headed the attack. It came across as an unconventional colour back then, but earned critical acclaim as well.In the 2020-21 season, the club repeated the idea with a lighter shade of pink. That year, however, they did not win a single trophy and eventually saw Zinedine Zidane depart as the manager.Now taking on the pink colour again, Los Blancos will hope to undo that curse for they cannot afford a third straight trophyless season. The pink, on this occasion, must harbour luck.

College World Series bracket 2026: Full schedule, scores, TV channels, live streams for NCAA baseball CWS originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Expect the unexpected at the 2026 College World Series. Chaos has been the rule in this year's NCAA baseball tournament, with the top two national seeds failing to survive the first weekend and only five of those 16 teams that hosted regionals making it through to Omaha. That should make for a wide-open CWS as the final eight teams standing play for a national championship. The top remaining seed is No. 3 Georgia, which is making its first appearance in Omaha since 2008 and seeking a trophy to sit alongside the one it brought home in 1990. Texas is making a record 39th CWS appearance and looking to add to its six national titles, third-most behind USC (12) and LSU (eight). The only other team remaining with multiple championships is Oklahoma with two, the most recent in 2022.On the flip side, West Virginia and Troy are making their first trips to the CWS and will try to carry the banner forward for the new era of parity in college baseball. Who will take home the trophy? Here's all you need to know to watch every game. College World Series bracket 2026Here are the initial brackets for the CWS. See the full game schedule below. Bracket 1No. 16 West VirginiaTroyNo. 5 North CarolinaOle MissBracket 2No. 7 AlabamaOklahomaNo. 3 GeorgiaNo. 6 TexasWhere to watch College World Series gamesTV channel: ESPN, ABCLive stream: fubo, ESPN appCollege World Series games will be broadcast by ESPN with the exception of Game 2 of the final series, which will be on ABC.Fans can stream every game live via the ESPN app or fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)College World Series schedule 2026Friday, June 12GameTime (ET)WatchGame 1: West Virginia 7, Troy 5——Game 2: North Carolina 6, Ole Miss 2——Saturday, June 13GameTime (ET)WatchGame 3: Oklahoma 9, Alabama 0——Game 4: Georgia 7, Texas 1——Sunday, June 14GameTime (ET)WatchGame 5: Ole Miss vs. Troy2 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appGame 6: North Carolina vs. West Virginia7 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appMonday, June 15GameTime (ET)WatchGame 7: Texas vs. Alabama2 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appGame 8: Georgia vs. Oklahoma7 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appTuesday, June 16GameTime (ET)WatchGame 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser2 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appGame 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 loser8 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appWednesday, June 17GameTime (ET)WatchGame 11: Game 6 winner vs. Game 9 winner2 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appGame 12: game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner7 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appThursday, June 18GameTime (ET)WatchBracket 1: Game 11 rematch*TBDESPN, fubo, ESPN appBracket 2: Game 12 rematch*TBDESPN, fubo, ESPN app* If necessaryCollege World Series finals schedule 2026DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., June 20Game 18 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN appSun., June 21Game 22:30 p.m.ABC, fubo, ESPN appMon., June 22Game 3*7 p.m.ESPN, fubo, ESPN app* If necessaryCollege World Series champions listHere are the last 10 College World Series winners and runners-up. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID-19.YearChampionRunner-up2025LSUCoastal Carolina2024TennesseeTexas A&M2023LSUFlorida2022Ole MissOklahoma2021Mississippi StateVanderbilt2019VanderbiltMichigan2018Oregon StateArkansas2017FloridaLSU2016Coastal CarolinaArizona2015VirginiaVanderbilt

NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir could not hide his admiration as KL Rahul produced a moment of sheer class in the first ODI against Afghanistan, with his animated reaction from the dugout quickly becoming a talking point during the seven-wicket victory in Dharamsala on Saturday.A video shared by the BCCI captured Gambhir's mouth and eyes wide open after Rahul launched Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi for a breathtaking six over extra cover in the 22nd over of the chase. The stunning stroke left the former India opener visibly stunned as India closed in on victory.The maximum came on the final ball of the over when Rahul leaned into a pitched-up delivery outside off stump and produced an exquisite lofted cover drive that sailed over the ropes. The shot capped off a 20-run over and took India to 182/3, virtually sealing the contest. Rahul wrapped up the chase five deliveries later with a boundary.WATCH: Gambhir's reaction to Rahul's six— BCCI (@BCCI) Gill and Rahul complete comfortable chaseChasing 195 in the rain-reduced 25-overs-a-side encounter, India recovered from the run-out of Rohit Sharma to ease home in 22.5 overs.Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls, carrying his superb form across formats into the ODI series opener. Ishan Kishan marked his return to the format with a fluent 34, while Rahul finished unbeaten on 39 from just 19 deliveries.Gill and Rahul added an unbroken partnership that ensured there were no further hiccups after Rashid Khan had dismissed Kishan with a trademark googly.Debutants shine despite Gurbaz hundredEarlier, Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a sensational knock of 102 off just 51 balls to rescue his side from 26/3 after India had opted to bowl first.The aggressive right-hander smashed eight fours and eight sixes and looked set to take the game away from the hosts before India's bowlers fought back strongly.Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey made impressive starts to their international careers, claiming three wickets apiece. Brar's pace and movement with the new ball troubled the Afghan batters, while left-arm spinner Dubey recovered from an expensive start to finish with figures of 3/47.Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs.India's all-round performance gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. 131718313

Grêmio hits six months without a main sponsorGrêmio has reached an uncomfortable milestone behind the scenes of its commercial operations: the club has now gone six months without a master sponsor to occupy the prime spot on its jersey.The last time the Tricolor Gaúcho filled the front space was on December 8, at the end of last year’s Brasileirão, through a one-off two-match deal with the Energia Bet brand.Since then, the club has remained without a fixed partner and is dealing with a considerable financial loss.Amid this uncertain scenario, ge detailed the current financial situation and the search for partners.Check it out below!Estimated loss: According to projections based on the previous contract with Alfa Bet, Grêmio has failed to collect at least R$ 24.9 million over this six-month period. The previous deal provided for annual payments of R$ 50 million (around R$ 4.16 million per month).The termination with Alfa Bet: The contract with the former partner had been announced in February 2025, in a joint partnership with Internacional. However, Grêmio requested the termination in December due to late payments that had been occurring since September.Ignored agreement: In March of this year, the club from Rio Grande do Sul had reached a debt acknowledgment agreement with Alfa Bet to receive R$ 12 million in eight installments starting in April. However, the company has not paid any of the installments so far.History of problems: Last year, Grêmio had already faced issues with sponsors when it ended its deal with the company Pix das Estrelas. At the time, the brand sparked controversy by proposing a kind of “Pix task force” among fans to fund the signing of a reinforcement during the transfer window, which ultimately did not materialize.The Search for New Partners in the MarketThe process of finding a new main sponsor is being led by the club’s CEO, Alex Leitão. Grêmio has opened talks with at least five companies — two betting firms and three from various sectors — but no proposal has moved forward to signing. The internal expectation is that negotiations will gain momentum after the end of the FIFA World Cup.Despite the lack of a master sponsor, the CEO highlighted that the club managed to generate around R$ 150 million in the first half of the year through nine new commercial contracts, four of them for the kit.Currently, the tricolor jersey features the Havan brand on the shoulders (announced in February) and Tintas Coral on the upper front area (deal renewed in January). Leitão recently took part in meetings in New York with the CBF to discuss business models and the creation of a single football league.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Lewis Hall: Major update on Man United’s pursuit of Newcastle starManchester United have stepped up their pursuit of Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall as they look to reinforce the left-back position before the start of the new season. The Red Devils are in the market for a new full-back after parting ways with Tyrell Malacia, who departs as a free agent. Luke Shaw is the preferred choice for the left-back position at Old Trafford, but his contract expires at the end of next season. The Englishman, meanwhile, will turn 31 next month and the Premier League giants have to consider succession plans. United are expected to put all their efforts into upgrading their midfield before the start of the new season. INEOS have reportedly secured the signature of Atalanta’s Ederson, although further additions are expected before the end of the summer.However, the left-back situation could also tempt the Red Devils to allocate some resources to strengthen the position. A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person has suggested that Hall has been identified as an answer to United’s woes. A long-term replacement for ShawShaw is coming off an impressive campaign, during which he started every Premier League game. He initially operated as the left-sided centre-back under former head coach Ruben Amorim before being reinstated in the left-back position by Michael Carrick. However, with United set to fight on four fronts next season after qualifying for the Champions League, the Englishman’s position has now come under scrutiny. Hall is proven in the Premier League and fits the age profile recently targeted by INEOS. The 21 year old registered one goal and two assists in 47 appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 season and is under contract until 2029. Lewis Hall Stats: 2025/26 SeasonSource: Transfermarkt.Hall spent part of his formative years operating as a midfielder and is extremely comfortable on the ball. He is blessed with pace and attacking eagerness, but does not shy away from defensive responsibilities. A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person states that Jason Wilcox is a fan of the Englishman, who is open to a move to the Theatre of Dreams. An update on the situation has now arrived from acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. United in talks for HallSpeaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said that United have been in contact with Hall’s representatives in the past two to three days. He said: “Over the last two-three days, Man Utd have maintained active contact with those close to Lewis Hall.”“They have a genuine interest in the player. Left-back remains a position they want to cover, and Hall is a player they really, really love at United.”However, the Italian journalist warned that prising the Englishman away from St James’ Park will not be easy, especially if Sandro Tonali also ends up leaving. He added: “Then this depends on Newcastle’s stance on Sandro Tonali. Selling Hall after already selling Gordon and Tonali could be too much, so it could become a difficult deal to make.”The Red Devils have previously been linked with a move for Tonali, although it appears that the Italian could be on his way to the Etihad. Final ThoughtsHall is a generational talent who will only get better with age and experience. He has all the attributes to solve United’s left-back crisis, and INEOS should look to secure his signature this summer. Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Rochester secured a 3-2, 10-inning win over Worcester on Saturday night at ESL Ballpark, ending the game on a sacrifice bunt that led to a throwing error.Trey Lipscomb laid down a bunt with Robert Hassell III on second base to start the bottom of the 10th inning. Worcester pitcher Wyatt Olds' throwing error allowed Hassell to score the winning run.The game was a back-and-forth affair early. Hassell singled with two outs in the second inning, stole second base and scored on Lipscomb's single to right field.Worcester responded in the third inning with a solo home run by Matt Lloyd. The Red Wings took the lead in the fourth when Phillip Glasser doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Seaver King's single.Worcester tied the game in the fifth inning. Lloyd doubled to left field, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Max Ferguson's sacrifice fly to center.The victory was Rochester's fourth straight, improving its record to 42-25. The Red Wings remain in first place in the International League East, 5.5 games ahead of Jacksonville in the first-half standings.The Red Wings' pitching staff was effective. The combined effort of Jack Sinclair, Seth Shuman, Eddy Yean and Zak Kent kept Worcester off the scoreboard in the later innings. Kent was credited with the win.Information gathered from milb.com.This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Red Wings beat WooSox in 10 on error

Real Madrid no longer likely to sign star midfielder this summerReal Madrid have already been very busy in the transfer market, with the signings of Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries wrapped up. Further additions are being sought, although one player that had been close to a Bernabeu return is now no longer expected to arrive in 2026.For months, it has been reported that Real Madrid will re-sign Nico Paz when the summer transfer window re-opens. The Argentina international has been a revelation in Serie A since he signed for Como in 2024, and with Los Blancos having a very favourable buy-back clause at their disposal, it was taken for granted that it would be activated.But this is no longer the case. According to Alberto Pereiro, Paz will not return to Real Madrid this summer. It was previously reported that new head coach Jose Mourinho would have the final say on whether the buy-back clause would be activated, but it appears that he does not see the 21-year-old’s return with good eyes.Why are Real Madrid not re-signing Paz now?Image via Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesIn the event that Paz does not return to Real Madrid this summer, it means they would only have one more opportunity to re-sign him before their buy-back clause expires – that would be in 2027 when he can return for €10m. The decision not to re-sign him now will undoubtedly be questioned by the club’s supporters, but it could have something to do with him not having a clear route into the starting line-up under Mourinho – which would especially be the case when the expected arrival of Bernardo Silva is confirmed in the coming weeks.In a sense, it is smart for Paz to remain at Como for another season. The Serie A side will play in next season’s Champions League, and the Argentine will have the opportunity to keep developing as a player before an inevitable return in 2027.

Injured Arsenal international set for World Cup start after returning to trainingArsenal and France fans received good news on Saturday, as William Saliba finally returned to training with his national team ahead of their World Cup campaign.Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesAmid his ongoing back issues and a couple of training absences this week, William Saliba returned to training with France on Saturday.L’Equipe report that Saliba trained normally on Saturday, adding that his half-time substitution in France’s final friendly against Northern Ireland on Monday was pre-planned.The French outlet add that Saliba is expected to start France’s first match against Senegal, despite his recent injury concerns. His back problem is not expected to prevent him from playing, even if it is limiting his ability to train regularly.Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesDidier Deschamps‘ squad held training sessions on Thursday and Friday as well, and Saliba didn’t take part on either occasion. Saliba was present to do laps of the pitch alongside Adrien Rabiot, but he didn’t participate in the group session with the rest of the squad.Previous reports had confirmed that the defender has been struggling with a back injury in recent weeks, and he needs to be managed carefully. The centre-back reportedly may require an operation after the tournament.The exact nature of the operation has never been specified, but Arsenal are apparently aware that Saliba may miss the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesSaliba previously missed around three months of football in 2022/23 with a back problem, his longest absence since joining Arsenal.The defender made 50 appearances as Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the finals of the Champions League and League Cup this season, and the Gunners have often run into difficulties without him.The fans will now be sweating on Saliba’s involvement at the World Cup and the outcome of his potential post-season operation.

Japan went unbeaten against European opposition at the last World Cup, beating Germany and Spain in the group stage and drawing with Croatia (1-1) in the round of 16 before being eliminated on penalties. [Getty Images]There is always at least one team that defies the odds and emerges as the surprise package of a World Cup.Just ask Morocco, Russia, and Costa Rica, three nations who have all produced memorable runs deep into the knockout stages in recent years despite the modest expectations heading into the tournament.With the World Cup having expanded from 32 to 48 teams this time around, there appears to be more potential dark horses than ever before.But few nations look better equipped for a deep and unexpected run than Japan, whose blend of individual quality, recent form and all-round experience makes them one of the most intriguing outsiders in the competition. In 2022, the Samurai Blue defeated both Germany and Spain to top Group E and advance to the first knockout round.But it wasn't to be. Instead, Japan suffered familiar heartbreak as they were eliminated at the round-of-16 stage for the fourth time after a penalty shoot-out defeat by Croatia.Now, four years on, as they prepare for their opening game against the Netherlands on Sunday night (21:00 BST), there is a growing belief that this could the most successful of Japan's eight World Cup appearances.Sweden and Tunisia are the other teams in Group F, and Japan are currently unbeaten in their past nine matches against European opposition.Former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida believes the 26-man squad selected by manager Hajime Moriyasu is capable of reaching unprecedented territory in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Yoshida, 37, who captained Japan in 2022, has travelled with the squad to this tournament as a non-playing "support player" to provide leadership behind the sce"For me, reaching the quarter-finals - a stage we've never reached or even experienced before - is the main goal," Yoshida told BBC Sport. "Anything beyond that would be a bonus."'My goal is for the team to be one of the best of the best'It is not only Yoshida who has set the bar high for Japan.Earlier this year, Moriyasu said he had his sights set on leading Japan to World Cup glory this summer."My goal is for the team to be one of the best of the best," Moriyasu told World Soccer Magazine before the tournament. "We have raised our level little by little through our national team activity. "For me the task is to bring out the best in the players. We do have a lot of injuries but we have also proven that we have the squad to produce our best regardless of who plays"It is little surprise the 57-year-old is so confident in the players at his disposal, which includes Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace and Ao Tanaka of Leeds United. They helped Japan become the first non-host nation to secure their spot at this summer's finals after an almost perfect qualifying campaign."Nineteen of the 26 players in Qatar were at their first World Cup," added Moriyasu. "They become the core of our team for the Asian qualifiers this time around - and they have aimed high from the start."They have had winning the World Cup in their sights all of this time, and also maintained the mentality to keep improving towards that goal."But it is not only in Asia qualifying that Japan have impressed. Since their elimination at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they have defeated two of Europe's highest-ranked teams - England and Germany - as well as Brazil. Yoshida believes Japan's ability to compete with some of Fifa's top-ranked nations is driven by the increasing number of players featuring regularly in Europe's top five leagues."Of course, now more players play in Europe, especially high level European competitions," said Yoshida, who was capped 127 times."At the beginning, I was at VVV Venlo, a bottom Dutch league team, which was very good for me to have a first step, but time has changed now. Japanese players' reputation is much higher. "So now, [on a] daily basis or weekly basis, every player plays with or against World Cup level players. "That experience is a huge difference. That's the main thing for me. But shouldn't forget that that road started by the older players like [Shunsuke] Nakamura, [Hidetoshi] Nakata, Shinji Ono. "These guys are opening the door and our generation start to go and now the door is even wider."Who else could be a dark horse at the World Cup?Japan are not the only team capable of springing a surprise at this summer's World Cup.Alongside the Samurai Blue, Mexico, Ecuador, Turkey and South Korea have all been tipped as outsiders to watch over the next five weeks."I am not sure Ecuador will score enough goals with 36-year-old Enner Valencia leading their line but they are one of my picks, along with Japan," former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport."I became a bit of a celebrity in Japan when I correctly backed them to beat Germany at the last World Cup, or at least I appeared on TV over there to talk about it anyway. "They have got some excellent technical players and will be dangerous, whoever they play."Former Scotland international Rachel Corsie also highlighted Turkey as a team to watch. "Turkey could be tricky for some, and I don't know if this is really a surprise but I think Japan could go beyond where their world ranking of 18 suggests," she said.Former England and Manchester City defender Stephen Houghton backed Moriyasu's side a emerge as one of the competition's dark horses."I really liked the way they played at Wembley," she said.Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gameWorld Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Pedro Porro of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images There’s so much football happening at the World Cup that you’d be forgiven if you forgot about Tottenham Hotspur for a while. I’m here to remind you that good things are still happening outside of North America — and case in point, Fabrizio Romano is now stating that Pedro Porro has officially signed his new contract extension with Spurs, one that will keep him in North London until at least 2031.We already talked about how Porro was likely to end up one of the club’s top wage earners, and that appears to have been borne out. More importantly, this contract locks him down as a Spurs player until 2031, the year he turns 31, with an option to extend for an additional year. This is a deal that speaks volumes, both about Porro’s importance to this side, his quality, and Roberto De Zerbi’s opinions of his play. Say what you want about Pedro — the offensively-minded wing-back we brought in specifically to play for Antonio Conte has vastly improved his defense over the past few years and has become a coveted all-around player. He’s even playing for World Cup title favorites Spain!This is a contract that instead establishes Pedro Porro as a leader on De Zerbi’s new-look Tottenham team, and a key player in how he wants to structure his tactics. It’s a good signing. I was skeptical about him at first too, but he’s changed my opinion over the years, for sure. Congratulations, Pedro — I expect the official announcement will be coming in due course, probably on Monday.

Foreign press sneers at Brazil after World Cup debutThe 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco at MetLife Stadium (USA) made a strong impact across the world’s leading sports media outlets.The performance of Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the first round of the FIFA World Cup group stage set off alarm bells abroad, with analyses questioning the Seleção’s true status as tournament favorites.So, do you agree with the gringos?🇪🇸 Spain (Marca, AS and Mundo Deportivo)The Spanish newspapers focused their headlines on Vini Jr.’s performance. The No. 7 was Brazil’s main bright spot, rescuing the team by scoring the equalizer in the 31st minute of the first half.🇵🇹 Portugal (A Bola)The Portuguese outlet delivered harsh criticism of the Seleção’s 90 minutes, highlighting the lack of tactical cohesion and the inability to impose themselves against the African side.🇦🇷 Argentina (Olé)The Argentine daily splashed the Seleção’s frustration across its pages, pointing out that the football shown in the opener moves Brazil away from the group of top title favorites.🇮🇹 Italy (Gazzetta dello Sport)The Italian outlet also gave negative coverage to the stumble in the opening round, stressing that the below-average display takes the shine off Brazil’s favoritism.🏴 England (The Guardian)The British newspaper highlighted the Seleção’s struggle and reinforced that the uninspired opening performance drastically lowers international expectations surrounding the team at the World Cup.🇩🇪 Germany (Bild)The German daily noted that Morocco made life difficult for Brazil from the very first minute and detailed the beauty that opened the scoring in the 21st minute: Brahim Díaz played a spectacular through ball to Ismael Saibari, who, from the edge of the box, lofted it over goalkeeper Alisson.Bild also noted that Bayern Munich already have a fully agreed contract with the PSV Eindhoven forward, and now only the clubs need to agree on the final transfer fee.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Despite the disappointing loss to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, one in which the Spurs very much showed their youth and inexperience at that stage, there is a silver lining for San Antonio in that the team is quite young (and talented), led by a superstar 22-year-old in Victor Wembanyama.Some eventual NBA champions had to pay their dues before being ready to bring home titles, as is very much expected to be the case with this San Antonio squad. The team has a strong foundation not just in Wembanyama, already one of the most impactful two-way players in league history, but also in its talented, even younger, backcourt, featuring Stephon Castle (21) and Dylan Harper (20). Wembanyama is already seemingly on a potential GOAT trajectory, while Castle and Harper look like future multi-time All-Stars with All-NBA potential.But, of course, what we're here to remind everyone is that nothing is guaranteed in the NBA. In league history, there has been no shortage of NBA finalists who thought the best was yet to come, before the door shockingly shut on them forever. (At least for those specific renditions of those teams.)Today, with the Spurs officially falling short of winning a title in 2026, we're here to break down five NBA teams that thought they had bright futures but never returned to the Finals with that group.1976-77 Portland Trail BlazersA little-known fact is that the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers are the youngest team in league history, by weighted average age, taking into account minutes played, to not only reach an NBA Finals, but win a championship outright, edging out this year's Spurs and last season's Oklahoma City Thunder (via X):They accomplished that magnificent feat thanks to the efforts primarily of Bill Walton, who was on a historic pace early on in his career before injuries cut his peak as a player short. From '76 through '78, Walton's second season through his fourth, the UCLA legend averaged 17.5 points, 13.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 blocks on 50.3 percent shooting, earning one 1st Team All-NBA and one 2nd Team All-NBA in that stretch, while winning MVP in '78 and finishing second in the vote to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in '77.That's the level of player Walton was before turning 26.That Blazers group was loaded outside of Walton, however, as five-time All-Star Maurice Lucas actually led the team in scoring in '77, the year they won the title, averaging 20.2 points and 11.4 rebounds that campaign, his age-24 season. Portland also had Lionel Hollins as its starting point guard. Hollins is best remembered for his time spent as an NBA head coach, but he was a very effective two-way lead guard as a player, too, earning two All-Defensive Team nods in his career, including one as a 1st Teamer in 1977-78. The year the Blazers won that 1976-77 championship, Hollins was just in his age-23 season.So why was that team never able to reach that championship level again?The primary cause of that was Walton's body failing him. The season after winning the '77 championship, Walton suffered a broken foot in the regular season, still won MVP, returned for the playoffs, only to get hurt in Game 2 of the opening-round series, forcing him to miss the rest of the postseason, as Portland would fall in the first round without its star big man.To make matters worse, Walton would demand a trade that summer, due to being unhappy with the Blazers' front office and its treatment of player injuries. Walton's trade demand would be ignored, and the big man would sit out the entire '79 season before finally leaving the team and joining the San Diego Clippers for the 1979-80 season. Foot injuries would continue to plague Walton, and he'd never reach that MVP level again.Lucas would also leave Portland, via trade in his case, just a couple of seasons after the team's championship, as would Hollins. Even so, it was primarily Walton's health issues that caused the Portland team to not reach another championship series until the Clyde Drexler days over a decade later.Who would have thought that possible after the team, led by three players younger than 25, won a championship in '77?That Blazers team is a cautionary reminder to never count your chickens before they hatch when it comes to the NBA and predicting future success for very young squads.And this next example will be even fresher in the minds of most current NBA fans.2011-12 Oklahoma City ThunderWhen the 2011-12 Thunder made their magical run to the Finals, taking down Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the first round in a sweep, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the second round and Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals in six games, before falling short to the Miami Heat in the championship series, many thought that was just the beginning for that Thunder squad.And how could anyone be blamed for thinking that?Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook finished second and 12th in the MVP vote that year, respectively, while Durant was 1st Team All-NBA and Westbrook was 2nd Team. And they both accomplished that in their age-23 seasons, no less. Meanwhile, the team also had a 22-year-old James Harden, who won Sixth Man of the Year that season, too, as well as a 22-year-old Serge Ibaka, a shot-blocking, floor-spacing menace, who finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year vote that campaign.The team looked primed for multiple championship runs with a roster loaded top to bottom. And yet, the Durant-era Thunder never even made it back to the Finals, despite coming close in 2015-16. Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets following the 2012 Finals run, after the two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension. Hindsight is always 20/20, but Sam Presti and Co. probably should have at least let Harden finish out his contract and figured out his contract situation afterwards, because it made no sense to break the team up after making a Finals run. The very next season, as a member of the Rockets, Harden would break out, earning All-Star honors for the first time and becoming a 3rd Team All-NBAer.Even after the botched Harden situation, Oklahoma City remained elite, going 60-22 in 2012-13 and getting to the second round of the playoffs, and then going 59-23 in 2013-14, getting to Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals before falling to the eventual champion Spurs. 2014-15 would be a down year, as Durant would only suit up for 27 games due to injury, but OKC bounced back in 2015-16, going 55-27 in the regular season and taking a 3-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals before falling in seven games.And it would be that series that ended that edition of Thunder basketball, as Durant would shock the world and join the Warriors in free agency the following summer, eventually winning two championships and two Finals MVPs with his new team.If a team like the Thunder, with three eventual Hall-of-Famers, including two players who will go down among the Top 30 all-time, can only make one trip to the Finals, that goes to show there are no guarantees for future success when young teams make surprising runs at the NBA's championship series. The Thunder are the prime example of that.1994-95 Orlando MagicThe 1994-95 Eastern Conference Finals looked like a potential changing of the guard in the East, as a third-year Shaqulle O'Neal not only capped the regular season with a second-place finish in the MVP vote, a 2nd Team All-NBA nod, an All-Star appearance and averaging a league-leading 29.3 points per game, to go with 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks on 58.3 percent shooting, but he also led his team, the Orlando Magic, all the way to the NBA Finals.As if that wasn't impressive enough, O'Neal helped Orlando take down a recently returned from baseball Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals that year. O'Neal looked unstoppable against Jordan's Bulls, averaging 24.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in the six-game series victory. That wasn't a solo effort by O'Neal, either, as his running mate out of the backcourt, Penny Hardaway, looked like a future superstar that season, averaging 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.7 steals on 51.2 percent shooting from the floor. The most impressive and promising part of all that is that O'Neal was 22 years old at the time and Hardaway was 23, leaving the impression that the East was about to belong to that super duo in Orlando, even if the Magic were humbled in the Finals by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets, who would sweep Orlando in the championship series. Even after getting swept, it looked like Orlando could dominate the East for the second half of the '90s based mostly on its superstar big-guard tandem.As we all know by now, that would not turn out to be the case, as the Magic would get swept in the Eastern Conference Finals the following year by the same Bulls, and the offseason after that, O'Neal would depart in free agency. The Magic thought they might still have a franchise cornerstone with Hardaway, but injuries would cut his prime short, and by 1999-00, he would also be on a different team.From looking like the next dynasty in the Eastern Conference to having to start from scratch just three years later, the 1994-95 Magic are another cautionary tale against putting huge expectations on young teams.2023-24 Dallas MavericksLike some of the other young teams on this list, the 2023-24 Dallas Mavericks' run to the Finals was downright shocking, as the team went 50-32 in the regular and boasted a mediocre plus-2.1 net rating in the regular season, the No. 15 mark in the NBA. Then, the playoffs rolled around and Luka Doncic went nuclear, averaging 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists in the postseason, and carrying the Mavericks to shocking series victories over the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1 (in six games), over the Thunder in Round 2 (in six games) and over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals (in five games). Making that feat even more impressive is the fact that the Thunder would win the title the very next season, so Doncic and Dallas' accomplishment was that much more impressive in hindsight.So, obviously, led by their then-24-year-old superstar, many thought the Mavericks had figured out the recipe to contending and were set for the future under Doncic's magnificent play, throwing lobs to the likes of Daniel Gafford and Luka Doncic, and playing alongside another backcourt magician, Kyrie Irving. So what did Dallas do? Nothing besides trade Doncic to the Lakers half a season later, seemingly botching their future in the process. Saving the Mavericks (when they did not deserve to be saved after making such a terrible decision in trading Doncic) was winning the lottery the following offseason and drafting a potentially generational talent in Cooper Flagg. So with Irving still around and a Year-2 Flagg loading, we can't even rule out Dallas becoming a force in the West again sometime relatively soon. But they won't be winning a title with Doncic leading the way, which is the point we're trying to make in this exercise, proving once again that you can't just expect future success out of young teams that make surprising, early Finals runs.1975-76 Phoenix SunsThe '76 Phoenix Suns were an interesting story, as they went from missing the playoffs five years in a row, and six out of the first seven years of existence, to making a shocking run to the Finals in 1976, led by star point guard Paul Westphal, an eventual three-time 1st Team All-NBAer, and the fantastic play of two rookies: Alvan Adams, the Rookie of the Year, and John Shumate, who finished fifth in the vote. Phoenix would fall in the Finals that season to the Boston Celtics in six games, a series defeat that featured an absolutely gut-wrenching Game 5 triple-overtime 128-126 loss that could have swung the series had the Suns found a way to win. For the younger NBA fans reading this, that was arguably the craziest Finals contest in league history, featuring ridiculous late-game shot-making and much more:Even so, with a rookie Adams on the roster (the former No. 4th overall pick was named an All-Star in his first season, he was that good upon getting to the league), as well as the promising Shumate, and led by Westphal's elite play at lead guard, many thought the Suns would be making multiple trips to the Finals with that core.But as it turns out, Adams peaked as a rookie, never earning another accolade in his career, and the Suns wouldn't reach the Finals again until nearly two decades later, far after the days of Westphal and Adams. In fairness, Phoenix did come close to reaching the Finals again in 1979, losing in seven games in the Western Conference Finals that year to the eventual champion Seattle SuperSonics. Not only did the Suns lose to the eventual champs in seven, no shame in that, but they did so in painful fashion, blowing a 3-2 series lead. Phoenix lost Game 6 at home by a single point, 106-105, and then fell in Game 7 on the road by four points, 114-110. That's how tight things can get at the highest level of basketball, as just five points separated that Phoenix group from potentially winning a championship, considering Seattle made light work of the Washington Bullets in the '79 Finals. Instead, we remember the mid- to late-70s Suns as a talented young team that should have enjoyed more success together.Will this San Antonio group join these ranks? We don't think so, but if we learned anything in this exercise, it's that championship opportunities should not be taken for granted, and future success cannot just be assumed, no matter how young and talented Finals participants are. This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Young NBA teams with bright futures that never returned to the Finals

Josko Gvardiol expected to sign bumper Man City contract extension to reject Real Madrid moveGvardiol expected to sign a new Man City contract until at least 2032 before the new seasonThe update from Croatia represents the strongest signal yet that a renewal is imminentCity have offered the Croatian improved salary terms as part of a long-term deal Josko Gvardiol is expected to sign a new Manchester City contract running until at least 2032 before the start of the new season, as per reports from Croatia.The update from the same Croatian outlet that triggered the initial exit speculation weeks ago represents perhaps the most concrete signal yet that one of the summer’s most closely watched contract sagas is heading towards a positive conclusion for Manchester City before pre-season gets underway next month.The development builds on a series of updates this week pointing firmly in City’s favour, with Fabrizio Romano having reported the club are optimistic of receiving Gvardiol’s personal green light on improved contract terms and Sam Lee of The Athletic indicating the defender is settled in Manchester and at the club.Third club emerges in race for Manchester City’s Josko GvardiolReport: Gvardiol set to commit future to City before new seasonAs per Sportske Novosti and relayed by The Croatian on X, Gvardiol is expected to sign a new Manchester City contract until at least 2032 before the start of the new season, bringing to a close a saga that has dominated much of the club’s summer since Pep Guardiola‘s departure from the Etihad Stadium last month.The report from Croatia is notable given its source – the outlet whose claims earlier this summer that Gvardiol wanted to leave had generated significant attention and prompted a series of responses from City’s hierarchy.That the same publication is now reporting an imminent renewal reflects how dramatically the situation has shifted since those initial stories emerged.Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg had previously stated that City’s offer runs to 2031 with improved salary terms, making the new update a slight extension on that figure.Director of football Hugo Viana has made Gvardiol’s renewal his most pressing defensive priority all summer, with the 24-year-old viewed as the cornerstone around which incoming manager Enzo Maresca will build his backline in the years ahead.Real Madrid and Barcelona both retain contingent interest should talks collapse, though Sportske Novosti’s update suggests that scenario is now looking increasingly unlikely before the window opens in full.Real Madrid and Barcelona stance on Josko Gvardiol as Man City table lucrative contract offerWhat is the wider context for Gvardiol’s renewal?A contract until at least 2032 would represent a significant long-term commitment from both parties, extending Gvardiol’s stay at the Etihad Stadium by four years beyond his current deal and removing him from the market entirely for the foreseeable future.With Ruben Dias also understood to be mulling over his club future and Marc Guehi having established himself as a reliable presence since his January arrival, City’s defensive core under Maresca is beginning to take shape in encouraging fashion.Gvardiol himself told Croatian media last week that he was happy at City and would assess his future after the FIFA World Cup with Croatia, with the tournament now approaching its knockout rounds and a resolution on his club future appearing closer than ever.

President Donald Trump praised the New York Knicks for clinching their first NBA Championship win in over 50 years.Trump congratulated owner Jim Dolan and the newly minted NBA champions after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, capping a cinematic 4-1 series."What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four - Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, June 14.New York's last NBA Finals win came in 1973, three years after its first championship in 1970. Best known before his White House turns as a New York businessman, Trump is a longtime fan of the city's more popular NBA franchise. Knicks win first NBA championship since 1973, ending decades of heartbreakIn his Truth Social post, Trump congratulated point guard Jalen Brunson, who scored a whopping game-high 45 points, as well as other Knicks players."Also, tonight, a superstar was born," Trump said. "His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"Trump attended Game 3 of the Finals, the only Knicks loss of the series, in New York as the guest of franchise owner James Dolan.Trump himself made history as the first sitting president to watch an NBA Finals game in person. The president's appearance was booed by attendees in the stands as the national anthem played, though Trump later told reporters that “I think it was mostly cheers. It was loud. And it was enthusiastic."Trump, who turn 80 on June 14, has centered sports during his second term. He will host a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House during his birthday, a faceoff titled UFC Freedom 250 much anticipated by conservatives and panned by liberal critics. Trump has also said the United States and Iran may ink a deal on his birthday to end the four-month war that has caused gas prices to soar across the country. Contributing: Kristie Ackert and Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump praises New York Knicks win

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Daniel Hill (4) rushes during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Alabama was bad at running the ball in 2025. It’s been one of the main talking points for the last 8 months across both local and national sports conversations. The committee kept moving the Tide around in their rankings based on a lack of 100-yard rushing games. And then once the season ended in disappointment, the coaches have fielded questions about the run game in every press conference, and every national preview article or power ranking mention the Tide’s lack of run game in 2025. The optimistic Alabama fans have looked at the coaching changes, OL changes, and incoming running backs as reasons for hope, while the negative fans have looked no further than retaining offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as a reason for doubt. But rather than thinking about Alabama specifically, I wanted to take a look back at the last 10 years of college football to see if there have been any other teams to wind up in Alabama’s shoes – and if so, what happened the next year?Now, for every statistical exercise, you have to make cutoffs. So, for the rules of the road, as well as full transparency, here are the conditions:The team had to finish in the bottom 20 in the country in rushing PPA, excluding garbage time. The team finished the season ranked in the top 25 (using ESPN’s standings tab)PPA is a metric from CollegeFootballData.com. It essentially measures the predicted points added per play for the team throughout the year. Check out this post if you want a more in-depth explanation. To put things bluntly, there haven’t been too many examples of teams having good records while rushing the ball as poorly as Alabama did last year. Interestingly, both Alabama AND Oklahoma did just that in 2025, and both made the playoffs. The question I wanted to answer is this: Is there any precedent in the recent era of a good team that couldn’t rush the ball turning around and having a good season the next year?To start going backwards, there’s only team that’s found themselves in a similar boat in the post-Covid era: The Iowa Hawkeyes. In 2021, Iowa had the 11th worst rushing offense in the country while going 10-4. Now, they also were terrible passing the ball and got away with a bunch of ugly wins with a great defense. The following year, they fell to 8-5. Interestingly, the Hawkeyes then did it again in 2023, having the country’s #1 worst rushing attack while going 10-4. And again, they went 8-5 the following year. Before that, we have 2020. It was a weird year that has a lot of statistical outliers due to shortened seasons. USC and Indiana were both terrible rushing teams that finished the season ranked, but both then followed that up with losing seasons in 2021. Then we get a three-year break before we finally get a couple of contenders again in 2016. The Florida Gators had a patchwork offense with QBs Austin Appleby and Luke Del Rio that was the 107th ranked scoring offense in the country, but, like Iowa in the 2020s, wound up with a good overall record due to an exceptional defense. They followed that up with a losing season the following year. The other team in 2016 to pull this off was, surprisingly enough, the National Championship-stealing winning Clemson Tigers. The Tigers had an amazingly powerful passing game with DeShaun Watson at QB, and while running back Wayne Gallman did have over 1000 yards, it was a generally inefficient rushing attack on a per-play basis that mostly got yards due to sheer volume of plays (an absurd 82 plays per game… That is something I really don’t miss about the 2010s). The Tigers won the Natty (allegedly), then in 2017 they turned around and got right back into the 2017 playoffs, this time with a much more respectable rushing attack. Finally, in 2015, the Oklahoma State Cowboys had the country’s 10th worst rushing attack, but went 10-3 with Mike Gundy’s high-volume passing offense. They followed that up with another 10-3 season in 2016, but with a more league-average rushing attack as well. So, there’s a mixed bag here. Throwing out the 2020 year, we basically only have Iowa as a data point in the current era of football – and I don’t think that looking at Iowa is going to be very translatable to Alabama or Oklahoma in terms of the level or type of program. Before that we have the 2015-2016 teams. The Florida Gators were in dire straights with their QBs for years during this time period, which, for all of Alabama’s woes, QB hasn’t been one of them. Oklahoma State is more interesting comparison. QB Mason Rudolph (a future NFL QB who some might say shares some similarities with Ty Simpson) had 3700 yards, 21 TDs, and 9 picks, while none of their running backs (including future NFL pro bowler Chris Carson) had over 550 yards. The Cowboys followed up that season with a much better rushing attack, with a freshman sensation Justice Hill coming in and rushing for 1200 yards on 5.5 yards per carry, while Carson dropped to 2nd team role, but wound up with 50 more yards than his prior season, but with an exceptional 6.8 yards per carry. The Cowboys finished 2016 ranked 11th in the country. The other interesting comp is Clemson’s 2016 team. At first glance, it may seem a bit… Over optimistic… To use them as a comp for Alabama’s 2025 season. However, check out this comparison of each team’s PPA metrics:TeamOverall offense PPAPassing PPARushing PPADefense overall PPADef passing PPADef rushing PPAAlabama 20250.20.350.020.080.110.1Clemson 20160.210.370.040.020.06-0.01Again, you have to factor in the different eras of rulesets and the fact that Clemson ran 20 more plays per game in 2016 than what Alabama did in 2025. But DeShaun Watson and Ty Simpson are, interestingly, I think a similar player comp in terms of size, athleticism, and arm. Watson was WWAAAAYYY better at improvising, but both wound up drafted in almost the same spot in the NFL Draft: 12th for Watson, 13th for Simpson. The following season, the Tigers had to break in a new QB (Kelly Bryant), but the RB room saw a freshman Travis Etienne step onto the scene and average 7.2(!) yards per carry, while 2016 reserve running back Tavien Feaster averaged 6.3 ypc. And they made the playoffs before losing a defensive slugfest to Alabama because Bryant couldn’t pass the ball. If you like being optimistic, I think that Keelon Russell (or Austin Mack) can be much, much more effective than Bryant was that season. So, all hope is not lost, Bama fans. Sure, there’s a chance that the Tide could go the way of 2020s Iowa or 2010s Florida, but both of those programs were in no-man’s-land with their QB situations. On the other hand, I think that both Oklahoma State and Clemson offer us very real hope that a good team with a 1-year ineffective rushing attack has historical precedent of making major strides the next year. And you know what both of them had in common? A freshman RB bursting onto the scene. No pressure on EJ Crowell or Trae’Shawn Brown, or anything.

The reality of "voluntary" offseason workouts in the NFL is that they're only voluntary for the established players. The majority of the players on the 90-man offseason roster are just trying to impress the team enough to make the 53-man regular-season roster, and they attend all the offseason workouts because they know they're going to get cut if they don't do everything in their power to make a good impression.But when those veteran, established players with guaranteed contracts who know they won't get cut choose to participate in voluntary offseason work, that can be a good sign for the culture the team is building. And that's what Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams says is happening in Seattle's offseason program.Williams said that there's no sign of complacency on the defending Super Bowl champions, and the players who have already proven they belong are the ones showing the young guys what hard work in the offseason is all about."I feel like it's been great," Williams said, via ESPN. "It's been great attendance from the leaders, from the older guys. Young guys have been working hard, trying to be sponges of the game and learn as much as possible. To me, I really just see our culture elevate to another level. I feel like last year we started putting the mix together, all the ingredients and all that type of stuff. This year, you really see it boiling and becoming more just of a foundation. To me, the culture is the biggest thing that we need here. Guys are going to come and go . . . I feel like if we have a culture and foundation like that, we'll always be a winning team."That's the kind of commitment needed in Seattle, where Williams has said there's a little extra motivation for the defending champions, knowing the division rival Rams are considered the favorites this season. The Seahawks are eager to put in the work it takes to repeat.

Purdue Pete is at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on October 5, 2024. (Photo by Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Jordan Cree*Note: Name links to official Purdue Bio.BioPosition: Defensive TackleHeight: 6’1”Weight: 300Hometown: Remington, IndianaHigh School: Rensselaer Central High SchoolRecruiting Class: 2023Former Team: WabashEligibility Remaining: 1 SeasonHigh School Recruiting Rankings: Not RankedHigh SchoolSenior Season Stats – Tackles: 89 – Sacks: 8 Earned letters in football (4), wrestling (4), and track and field (4)All-Hoosier Conference (x3)All-State (x2)Journal and Courier Defensive Player of the YearWrestling state qualifier (x2)Sectional Champion discus (x3)Sectional Champion discusState qualifier for shot and discusHigh School HighlightsView LinkCollege Career2023 Season – WabashAppeared in 10 gamesTackles: 41 – Tackles for Loss: 5 – Sacks: 22024 Season – WabashAppeared in 11 gamesTackles: 43 – Tackles for Loss: 12 – Sacks: 62025 Season – PurdueAppeared in 6 games35 snaps on kick return2026 – Season OutlookDefensive Tackle Reserve / Special TeamsThoughtsCree is another example of found money on the roster. The former Rensselaer Central High School multi-sport star has always been a big fish in a small pond throughout his athletic career; Rensselaer has an enrollment of 453 students, and Wabash is an all-male Division 3 school.After two productive seasons at Wabash, Cree decided to try his luck as a small fish in the ocean that is Big 10 football. He appeared in 6 games on special teams last season, a far cry from his starring role at Wabash, but helpful for Purdue nonetheless.Cree is another student-first, athlete-second player who will go pro in something other than football, with a Purdue diploma on the wall. That’s not a bad start to the “real world”. Stranger things have happened, but odds are, he’ll reprise his 2025 role as a special teams contributor in 2026.

Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn ImagesThe New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973, and they fittingly made it happen with another wild, late comeback in Game 5.After a mind-blowing, historic comeback victory in Game 4, the Knicks erased a 16-point deficit on the road to take down the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday night. Jalen Brunson led the way with a legendary effort, scoring 45 points and leading the way with big plays down the stretch en route to the NBA Finals MVP.Mike Breen, who’s also the voice of the Knicks for MSG Network, had the ESPN on ABC television play-by-play call alongside Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler.Here was Breen’s call of the final sequence in the Knicks’ title-clinching Game 5 win:Mike Breen: “IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! KNICK FANS, THIS IS NOT A DREAM! YOUR LONG, LONG WAIT HAS ENDED! GO AHEAD AND CRY! AFTER 53 YEARS, THE KNICKS ARE FINALLY NBA CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN!” pic.twitter.com/gQnLVkEZVF— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 14, 2026Breen: “IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER! KNICK FANS, THIS IS NOT A DREAM! YOUR LONG, LONG WAIT HAS ENDED! GO AHEAD AND CRY! AFTER 53 YEARS, THE KNICKS ARE FINALLY NBA CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN!”After the game, Jalen Brunson was shown embracing the moment with his father and Knicks assistant coach, Rick Brunson. Breen delivered a beautiful line:Mike Breen: “You know, life is not perfect, but there are perfect moments. And there’s one right there.” pic.twitter.com/iydffjFQiAhttps://t.co/PTwtzcxHaY— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 14, 2026Breen: “You know, life is not perfect, but there are perfect moments. And there’s one right there.”Tyler Murray is the radio voice for the Knicks, and here’s how it looked and sounded with his play-by-play commentary alongside Monica McNutt in the final moments of Game 5:The Knicks radio announcers reacting to the final moments of Game 5, as Dylan Harper misses both free throws, OG Anunoby splits the clutch free throws, and the New York Knicks win a championship for the first time in 53 years pic.twitter.com/IiGdlUNXKG— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) June 14, 2026Murray: “IT’S HAPPENING, KNICKS FANS! IT’S HAPPENING! IT’S BEEN 53 YEARS! BUT FOR THIS MOMENT, IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT! A PLAYOFF RUN THAT WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY, AND A TEAM THAT WILL LIVE FOREVER! NEXT STOP, THE CANYON OF HEROES! THE NEW YORK KNICKS ARE NBA CHAMPIONS!”Marc Kestecher had the national play-by-play call for ESPN Radio alongside P. J. Carlesimo (who called out Spurs players for not staying on the court) and Doris Burke:THE NEW YORK KNICKS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 53 YEARS!!! @marckestecher | @heydbpic.twitter.com/zeiIERo8m5— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) June 14, 2026Kestecher: “It’s OVER! AT LONG LAST, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 53 YARDS, THE NEW YORK KNICKS ARE THE WORLD CHAMPS! 53 SEASONS! A GENERATIONAL DROUGHT IS OVER! AND JALEN BRUNSON LEADS ‘EM, WITH 45 POINTS, EMBRACING HIS ASSISTANT COACH RICK IN TEARS! KNICKS 94, SAN ANTONIO 90! THE KNICKS ARE THE 2026 NBA CHAMPIONS!”The post Listen to Mike Breen’s call and radio calls of Knicks winning NBA title appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Jun 11, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) celebrates with teammates after winning game five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Lenovo Center. © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesThe stage is set for a dramatic Stanley Cup Final clash between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes.After a huge 4-2 win in Game 5, Carolina now holds a 3-2 lead in the series and is just one victory away from winning the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, Vegas is facing elimination and must win its next two games to keep its championship hopes alive.As the series heads back to Vegas for Game 6, one NHL insider believes the numbers strongly favor the Hurricanes.Crucial Stat Backs Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup ChancesNHL insider Jason Gregor pointed out a remarkable statistic.“Vegas needs to beat Carolina two games in a row to win the Stanley Cup. Carolina hasn’t lost two games in a row since January 12th and 13th, in Detroit and St. Louis. In their 100 regular season/playoff games, Carolina has lost two in a row only five times,” Gregor said.That statistic highlights just how steady the Hurricanes have been throughout the season. No matter the situation, Carolina has consistently found ways to bounce back and avoid extended losing streaks.Now holding a 3-2 lead in the Stanley Cup Final, the Hurricanes are just one victory away from winning the championship. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have no margin for error and must win both Game 6 and Game 7 to keep their title hopes alive.Carolina’s success this season has been driven by a strong defensive system and disciplined team play.The Hurricanes finished first in the Eastern Conference with 113 points during the regular season. They carried that momentum into the playoffs, sweeping the Ottawa Senators in the opening round before earning another four-game sweep over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round.The Montreal Canadiens proved to be Carolina’s toughest challenge in the Eastern Conference Final. Montreal won Game 1 by a 6-2 score. But the Hurricanes responded by winning the next four games. Carolina outscored Montreal 13-3 over the final three games to secure a 4-1 series victory and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.The championship series against the Vegas Golden Knights has been tightly contested. Vegas opened the Final with a 5-4 victory in Game 1, but Carolina answered with a 4-3 win in Game 2.The Golden Knights regained the series lead with another 5-4 victory in Game 3. Facing the possibility of falling behind 3-1, Carolina delivered a crucial 5-3 road win in Game 4 to tie the series again. Back home in Raleigh for Game 5, the Hurricanes put together one of their strongest performances of the Final, defeating Vegas 4-2 to take a 3-2 series lead.ALSO READ:‘Sick Of His Arrogance and Trump-Like Condescension’: Insider Lashes Out at Golden Knights HC John TortorellaWith Game 6 shifting back to Vegas, the Golden Knights are fighting for survival. But history and the math are firmly on the Hurricanes’ side.

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Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesFabrizio Romano has just provided an injury update on three Argentina stars at the World Cup, including Lionel Messi.The tournament kicked off last Thursday, but Argentina’s first group stage match is not until Tuesday night.The defending champions are set to face Group J opponents Algeria at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.Argentina will feel confident of beating the African nation after the latest update on Messi and two other key players.What Fabrizio Romano said about Lionel Messi’s fitness situationEven though Lionel Messi is now 38 years old and plays for Inter Miami, he remains one of the best players in the world.His only weakness is his body, as it is not as robust as it was when Argentina won the World Cup four years ago.Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty ImagesHead coach Lionel Scaloni will need to manage Messi’s playing time this summer to ensure that he does not get injured.This will be especially important following his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for several weeks.Messi is fully fit for Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria, although he will probably not play 90 minutes.Meanwhile, both Cristian Romero and Emiliano Martinez are reportedly ready to play against Algeria on Tuesday.“Good news for Argentina ahead of the World Cup as three crucial players are feeling better and are ready to arrive in the best [shape],” Romano said.“[Emiliano] Martinez is improving his condition, while his future is still open, with seven clubs interested in the goalkeeper.“Keep an eye on the situation around his physical condition, but Argentina are optimistic about having him 100 per cent ready for the start of the World Cup.“Also, Cristian Romero, the centre-back and fantastic World Cup winner, is now improving after the injury he suffered close to the end of the season with Tottenham. He’s getting better, and he will arrive ready for the World Cup.“Then, Lionel Messi is back to training and available to play for Argentina after the injury he suffered with Inter Miami was not that serious. Lionel Messi will be absolutely ready for the start of the World Cup.”Argentina will benefit from having Martinez, Romero and Messi available now, but Scaloni must also consider the latter stages.All three will need to stay fit for the entire tournament for Argentina to defend their World Cup title.Read more:USMNT star Tyler Adams reacts as New York Knicks win first NBA Championship in 53 yearsHow to Watch Sunday’s World Cup Fixtures in the UK, Including Germany vs CuracaoWorld Cup 2026 Group H guide: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay fixtures, key players and prediction

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 03: Head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 03, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s kind of pointless to talk about bracketology in June, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun, and CBS’s latest effort should make Duke fans feel pretty good. In the first 76-team field, Duke gets the #1 seed in the East. Also projected from the ACC: Virginia as the #3 seed in the West, Louisville as the #5 seed in the East, Miami as the #6 team in the Midwest, UNC as the #7 team in the South, Clemson as the #8 team in the Midwest, NC State as the #10 seed in the West, and Virginia Tech as the 12 seed in the South, That would be a pretty solid year if it comes to pass. As for the other #1 seeds, UConn gets the honor in the Midwest, Florida in the South, and Houston in the West. It’s all pointless speculation, as noted, but given Duke’s depth and talent, it’s shaping up to be another fun season. Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

Mark Schiefelbein/APPresident Donald Trump congratulated the New York Knicks on winning an NBA championship Saturday — and even delivered a special shout-out to one of the team’s role players. In a post to Truth Social moments after the Knicks wrapped up their first championship season since 1973, the president praised the squad — including team owner James Dolan, a longtime friend of Trump’s. “Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump wrote. “What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball.”The president went on to salute several of the players, including NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. And Trump included some special recognition for backup center Mitchell Robinson — who hinted at being a supporter of the president’s in a comment to a viral TikTok reel last week. “Tonight, a superstar was born,” Trump said. “His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP”Though Trump has publicly supported the Knicks, the feeling does not seem to be mutual for many of the team’s fans. On Monday, Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York — where he was booed heavily when shown on the big screen in the arena. That night, the Knicks suffered their only loss in their last 16 games of the season, and many fans accused the president of jinxing the team. ——The post Trump Congratulates Knicks on NBA Title Run — Shouts Out ‘Great Patriot’ on Team first appeared on Mediaite.

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers warms up prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Red Sox 6, Rangers 3And the “get back to .500” curse strikes again.A nice start from Jacob deGrom goes for naught. Six innings, five Ks, no walks. Just six hits allowed, but four of them came in the third inning, when the Red Sox strung together four singles to get two runs in.The person I really feel bad for is Cole Winn.Brought into a tie game, who strikes out two batters, and allows two very weak rollers down the third base line that end up going for infield singles. He is then lifted for Robby Ahlstrom, who walks Andruw Monasterio to load the bases, then leaves a 1-2 curveball up too high in the zone, allowing Ceddanne Rafaela to send it into left field for a two run single.Peyton Gray gave up a two run homer in the eighth just to rub some salt in the wound.The offense had plenty of opportunities, but repeatedly failed to cash in, ultimately stranding 10 runners in the game.Having the bases loaded and not doing enough with the opportunity was a recurring theme.The Rangers loaded the bases with no one out in the fourth, on singles by Josh Jung and Ezequiel Duran, followed by a Jake Burger walk. They actually got a run in that inning, to tie the game, on a Michael Helman sac fly. But just one.Bases loaded and one out in the fifth ended with failure, as Duran and Burger struck out to end the inning.Jake Burger did homer later in the game, but no one was on, of course, because that’s how this game went.And to top it off, Michael Helman is headed to the injured list due to “multiple fractures” in his right hand, suffered when he was hit by a pitch.Those of you who wanted Alejandro Osuna in the majors? You’re getting your wish…Jacob deGrom touched 99.6 mph with his fastball, averaging 97.7 mph. Cole Winn hit 96.8 mph with his fastball. Robby Ahlstrom maxed out at 96.7 mph with his fastball. Peyton Gray’s fastball topped out at 93.7 mph.Jake Burger’s homer was 107.3 mph. Elias Diaz had a 105.1 mph single. Wyatt Langford had a 102.3 mph single. Justin Foscue had a 101.2 mph groundout. Ezequiel Duran had a 100.2 mph single.Okay, let’s avoid the sweep and get back home.

Real Madrid’s latest Mateus Fernandes stance as Man United step up chase Manchester United have been left with a clear pathway to complete a deal for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes following Real Madrid’s latest position on the player.Fernandes pursuitUnited are believed to be stepping up their hunt to secure Fernandes’ signature as part of the club’s effort to overhaul their midfield.The Red Devils have already wrapped up a deal with Atalanta for Ederson, who will officially join the club after Brazil’s involvement in the World Cup. At the moment, all attention appears to have shifted to Fernandes.The Portugal international enjoyed a brilliant individual season despite West Ham’s relegation to the Championship. He caught the eye with his impressive performances in the middle of the park. It’s inevitable that he will be sold, with the Hammers in desperate need to raise funds. Fernandes stands out as their biggest asset.A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United are set to table an opening bid for the player, who is open to an Old Trafford switch. West Ham value Fernandes at £80m but they’re not in a strong position due to their relegation and turmoil surrounding the club, amidst David Sullivan’s resignation as chairman following allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.There have been suggestions that a deal could be done quickly, as early as before the end of this month.Alongside United, Real Madrid have also been mentioned as admirers of Fernandes. New Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is said to rate Fernandes and wants to add him to his ranks at the Bernabeu.However, according to Samuel Luckhurst of The Sun, Madrid expect Fernandes to sign for United.Fernandes updateLuckhurst writes, “Arsenal have cooled their interest in Fernandes, who has also been linked with Madrid following the return of Jose Mourinho as coach.”“But Madrid are not expected to make a formal approach for Fernandes as United’s interest is already advanced.”Luckhurst explains that United are hopeful of striking a compromise with West Ham over their £80m valuation of the 21-year-old. The move is being driven by United’s director of football Jason Wilcox.Fernandes contributed three goals and four assists in the 36 Premier League appearances he racked up in 2025/26.Featured image Clive Rose via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social