Directory

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto is a concrete option for Al-HilalChelsea winger Pedro Neto is a concrete option for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this summer, according to Gianluigi Longari.The Blues are seemingly done with additions and must now focus on streamlining their bloated squad. Neto might be one of the players to leave Stamford Bridge.Chelsea have Estevao Willian at right wing and added young phenom Geovany Quenda, meaning they can afford to let the 26-year-old star go.Neto endured an underwhelming 2025/26 season. His penchant for poor decision-making in the final third frustrated fans.The Portuguese international (30 caps) still managed to deliver 10 goals and 10 assists while operating seamlessly on both flanks. He has also had stints as a false nine.Since signing for the club in 2024, the 26-year-old has been a reliable operator, playing a key role as Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup and Europa Conference League.There were worries about his injury record before he joined the West London outfit, but he has stayed impressively fit.According to the same journalist, his agent, Jorge Mendes, offered him to Al-Hilal, and he is now a concrete target following Malcolm’s departure.Chelsea should cash in on NetoWhile he is a solid player, Chelsea should cash in on Neto. They already have the right wing covered with Estevao and Quenda.Estevao is a world-class talent while Quenda has impressed in pre-season. They are ready to take the mantle if Neto leaves. Cole Palmer can also step in there if required.The Blues need to start selling to balance their books after another summer of heavy spending to bolster their squad.They need to decide which of their many strikers to keep and which to sell or loan.The defence is also clogged with too many names, and they have to start looking for new clubs.

“It’s true” – Insider confirms €50m ‘Monster’ is wanted at Man UtdManchester United are still keeping tabs on Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, who has been on their shortlist for quite some time now.This summer, INEOS have been occupied with their midfield revamp, at least before turning their attention to the left-back role.Several sources have also tipped the Premier League giants to sign a new attacker before the end of the summer. On the contrary, there has been little to no development on the centre-back front.Man Utd continue to monitor Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jaeWhile signing a new defender isn’t a priority for Man Utd this summer, a few names have been occasionally mentioned, including Kim Min-jae.The 29-year-old is a South Korean international who made a name for himself on the Asian scene, earning the moniker of the ‘Korean Monster’ before arriving in Europe in 2021 through the gates of Fenerbahce.Following a successful year in Istanbul, the defender joined Napoli in the summer of 2022, and in his solitary campaign in Italian football, he helped the club win their first Serie A title since Diego Armando Maradona’s golden era. He was named the Best Defender in the league.Kim’s exploits in Southern Italy prompted Bayern to trigger his €50 million release clause in 2023. However, the Korean has been playing second fiddle at the Allianz Arena, with Vincent Kompany favouring Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.Therefore, Kim has been constantly linked with an exit, and top German journalist Christian Falk confirms Man Utd’s interest in his services.“ It is true: There is some truth to reports around Manchester United’s interest in Min-jae Kim,” wrote Falk in his most recent column for CF Bayern Insider.“As I’ve mentioned with Bayern Insider previously, the South Korean international is on the list at United. They’re always looking at his situation at Bayern Munich.”Nevertheless, the trusted journalist expects Kim to stay in Bavaria, as he has come to accept his secondary role at Kompany’s court.“That said, Min-jae Kim is very clear at the moment that he wants to stay at Bayern and he’s fine with his current role at the club. He’s not in the starting XI at the moment, but he has a chance to get there if he’s playing well and, of course, if injuries strike. “Remember, succeeding in Europe is a big target for Bayern Munich. The target is winning the competition. I can’t remember this aim ever being so clearly formalised by the head coach as Kompany did. So, you see, they need a really good squad and they need high-quality options like Min-jae Kim. So, whatever way you look at it, it’s a good thing that he’s staying.”Do Man United need another defender this season?After offloading the often-forgotten Tyler Fredricson, United are about to start their campaign with five centre-backs vying for two starting roles.In theory, this should be more than enough, especially when considering the shortage of options in some of the other departments, like the middle of the park and the left-back role.Nevertheless, some fans and observers would argue that reinforcement is still required at the back, pointing to Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt’s constant injury struggles, while arguing that Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven remain too green for a club that wants to go far in the Champions League and compete for the Premier League title.That being said, the winds of change can wait for another year, as Harry Maguire and MUFC could decide to bring an end to their collaboration at the end of the season, and in this case, Kim could be the perfect like-for-like replacement thanks to his imposing physical presence and ability to play on either side of the pitch.Therefore, the South Korean’s move to Old Trafford could be more plausible next summer, especially when he’ll have one year left on his Bayern contract.Leave a ReplyCancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name *Email *Notify me of follow-up comments by email.Notify me of new posts by email.

Explained: Why FSG have agreed to sell Liverpool stake to 1892 Holdings as Bezos role clarifiedOn Friday, Liverpool FC owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed the sale of a minority stake in the club to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led and managed by Amit Bhatia and including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.A statement on liverpoolfc.com affirmed that FSG will continue to retain majority ownership and operational control of the club and didn’t disclose any details about the size or value of the stake, but according to sources with knowledge of the investment, it’s expected to be approximately 30% (The Athletic).The proposed transaction has prompted LFC fan group Spirit of Shankly to seek transparent answers to multiple questions about the process, such as whether due diligence has been undertaken on the investors and whether this is part of plans for a future sale of the club as whole.FSG to retain day-to-day control over Liverpool FCA report from The Athletic clarified that FSG have agreed on the partnership with 1892 Holdings because they could see the benefit to their global operations, with Bhatia’s involvement expected to ‘open doors in Asia’ and Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin set to ‘assist in growing the club’s already strong brand’.FSG will retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool FC, continuing to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the club, and the Boston-based firm are ‘incredibly selective when it comes to giving up any of their control’Should the investment go through, Bhatia will assume the role of vice-chairman and be joined on the club’s board by Elaine Saverin (wife of Eduardo) and Bryan Baum of K5 Sports. Sources with knowledge of the situation have indicated that Bezos won’t have a seat on the board.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool fans have raised legitimate concernsSome may argue that this proposed transaction is perfect for Liverpool, as FSG will retain operational control while the investment would theorertically make the club even stronger financially and open up highly lucrative sponsorship avenues.However, many Reds supporters have legitimate concerns about the involvement of Bezos in particular (he’s been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump’s U.S. presidency) and what decisions the consortium might take going forward.LFC might have even greater financial muscle if 1892 Holdings ultimately take primary control of the club, but will their motives align with the deeply-held values of the fan base? Is there a legitimate worry that match-going fans could be priced out by capitalism-driven cost increases?It’s no secret that FSG have been open to outside investment in Liverpool FC in recent years, and selling now would yield John Henry and co a mammoth profit on the £300m for which they purchased the club in 2010.While the current owners have been far from perfect, at least the growth of LFC on their watch has been undeniable and they’ve taken fans’ opinions on board by reversing some unpopular decisions. For as long as they retain majority control at Anfield, we can rest assured that there are steady hands at the wheel.

As India prepare to play their landmark 600th Test, the setting could hardly be more fitting. The first Test against Sri Lanka, beginning on Saturday, coincides with India’s 80th Independence Day and will be played at Galle International Stadium, itself celebrating a milestone by hosting its 50th Test. Nestled beside the Indian Ocean and overlooked by the iconic 17th-century Portuguese fort, Galle has long been Sri Lanka’s spin fortress.India, meanwhile, arrive seeking not just a series win but a revival of their fading Test fortunes after an inconsistent year under coach Gautam Gambhir. Leading India in the historic Test is skipper Shubman Gill, who described the occasion as a “huge honour”.“Leading my country in our 600th Test is a big honour and privilege for me and doing that on Independence Day is even more special,” Gill said on Friday.Only England (1,097) and Australia (883) have played more Tests than India. Since beginning their Test journey at Lord’s in 1932, India have won 186 matches, lost 188 and drawn 224, with one famous tie.The significance of the occasion, however, is matched by the challenge facing Gill’s men. India have slipped to fifth in the World Test Championship standings after losing 10 of their 20 Tests under Gambhir.With only nine Tests remaining before the next WTC final cycle concludes, Gill knows there is little room for error.“The main goal is to play the WTC final next year. We probably need to win six or seven of our remaining Tests to have a good chance,” the Indian captain said.Selection remains one of the key talking points. Going by Gill’s comments on Friday, Prasidh Krishna appears set to partner Mohammed Siraj with the new ball ahead of rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar. While Gill praised Gurnoor’s ability to extract bounce and make an impact with the old ball, he hinted that Prasidh’s recent form may have given him the edge.On a pitch expected to aid spin as the game progresses, India are likely to field a three-pronged left-arm spin attack comprising Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar.

How to Watch Pirates vs. Red Sox Tonight: Channel, Live Stream & Start Time for Saturday MLB Game originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Pirates will try to extend their winning streak to three games when they meet the Red Sox at PNC Park on Saturday night.After a rough stretch earlier this month, Pittsburgh's offense has exploded, scoring 21 total runs in back-to-back wins over Miami and Boston. In Friday's series opener against the Red Sox, the Pirates finished with nine hits and eight runs, and Brandon Lowe and Rafael Flores Jr. smacked home runs to right field.Pittsburgh's lineup will face a difficult challenge on Saturday, as AL Cy Young candidate Sonny Gray will take the mound for Boston. The Pirates, meanwhile, will send out Jared Jones.Here is everything you need to know about Pirates vs. Red Sox, including TV and streaming options for the game.How to watch Pirates vs. Red Sox tonight: TV channel, live streamTV channel: FoxLive stream:fuboThe game between the Pirates and Red Sox will air on Fox. The game will also be available to stream on fubo.Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)Pirates vs. Red Sox start timeDate: Saturday, Aug. 15Time: 7:15 p.m. ETPirates vs. Red Sox is scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 15. The game will be played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.Pittsburgh Pirates schedule 2026Here is the Pirates' upcoming schedule:DateOpponentTime (ET)Aug. 15vs. Red Sox7:15 p.m.Aug. 16vs. Red Sox1:35 p.m.Aug. 17vs. Tigers7:05 p.m.Aug. 18vs. Tigers6:40 p.m.Aug. 19vs. Tigers12:35 p.m.Boston Red Sox schedule 2026Here is the Red Sox's upcoming schedule:DateOpponentTime (ET)Aug. 15at Pirates7:15 p.m.Aug. 16at Pirates1:35 p.m.Aug. 17vs. Diamondbacks7:10 p.m.Aug. 18vs. Diamondbacks7:10 p.m.Aug. 19vs. Diamondbacks4:10 p.m.More PiratesLatest Pirates news2026 Pirates schedule2026 Pirates rosterComplete history of Pirates championships

Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion react after the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton and Hove, England, on May 9, 2026. (Photo by David Watts/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Newcastle United’s midfield rebuild could take an ambitious turn after Matthias Jaissle identified a Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder as a potential target.The player would be 22-year-old Cameroon international Carlos Baleba, who is considered someone the new Magpies manager admires. According to Transfermarkt, Baleba has an estimated market value of €55 million.Newcastle remain desperately short of established options following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, and Wednesday’s 3-1 preseason defeat to Everton offered another reminder of how much work remains before the Premier League opener against Liverpool.According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Baleba is among the midfielders Newcastle is considering as Jaissle pushes for further reinforcements, even though he’s more of the young variety than an established veteran.“We understand that Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is among those the manager admires, and the club have him on their list of targets,” Hope reported. “Baleba would be an ambitious move, but Newcastle need to be just that if they are to give their new boss a squad that is able to compete in the top-flight this term. For right now, you would forecast a season-long struggle at the wrong end of the table.”A move is not currently in any advanced stage, however, with the midfielder sidelined by an ankle injury. Hope nevertheless indicated that Newcastle’s interest could develop before the Sept. 1 deadline.“It is not an active transfer – the 22-year-old currently has an ankle injury – but our sources say it is one to keep an eye on as the window progresses,” Hope reported.Jaissle acknowledged those shortcomings after the Everton defeat without publicly identifying his transfer targets.“I think you all see the matches. You’re also smart enough to see the needs in the squad,” Jaissle said. “We handle these things internally. We are aware of what we need. There’s still some time.”Baleba would represent a considerably more ambitious addition than some of the experienced midfielders recently linked with Newcastle, including Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who rejected a move to St. James’ Park, and although young, he’d come with Premier League experience after playing 112 games for Brighton throughout his time there, including 92 total EPL games.Whether Newcastle turns admiration into an actual approach remains unclear, but Jaissle has now seemingly added one of the Premier League’s most highly regarded young midfielders to his rebuilding shortlist.Would Baleba be worth a major investment, or would you rather try and land a more established, veteran midfielder? Share your thoughts below.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account at Coming Home Newcastle and get:Create community posts on The Feed for everyone to readComment on all articles and community postsRec comments and community postsEnjoy a new, improved notifications systemFewer ads

Islam Makhachev (2nd-L) poses for a picture with his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov (2nd-R) and Russian social media star Hasbulla Magomedov (R) after defeating Charles Oliveira in the lightweight championship at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 22, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Islam Makhachev has a chance to make history at UFC 330.Later tonight (Sat., Aug. 14, 2026), Makhachev attempts to break his shared record with Anderson Silva by extending his current win streak to 17. If he’s able to dispatch Ian Machado Garry, he’ll also score his first Welterweight title defense to accompany the record-setting four defenses he accomplished in the Lightweight division.Already, Makhachev is more credentialed than his friend and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired at the top of his game as an undefeated champion. Makhachev has more UFC wins and more title wins already, yet to some extent, he still lives in the shadow of his longtime training partner. Naturally, when fight fans compared the resume and legacy of the two Russian greats, it’s a lively debate about which man was the superior fighter.Also known as: who would win?UFC analyst and fellow American Kickboxing Academy trainee, Daniel Cormier, has more insight into their respective skills than most. When asked about a potential head-to-head, prime vs. prime contest between the two, Cormier couldn’t help but favor Nurmagomedov.I've waited YEARS for Daniel Cormier to answer this question on the record. pic.twitter.com/nXGkN3cwX7— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) August 14, 2026“I’ve seen those guys spar, and it was always so fun,” Cormier began on the UFC 330 weigh-in show. “And sparring’s different, but I’m telling you, bro, Khabib had something different. He fought Justin Gaethje and just kind of walked him down, beat him up. Dustin Poirier had him in a guillotine — I never for a second thought he would tap. Then, when he got him in the rear naked, Dustin’s neck was the size of a toothpick. He was going to break his neck with the rear naked choke. He had something that was just different, that you can’t teach. I’m telling you, I don’t know who would have beaten him. Khabib Nurmagomedov would still be the UFC lightweight champion today if he stayed in fighting. That’s how good he was.”Seeing as no fight between Khabib vs. Islam will ever happen — let alone in some mystical prime vs. prime setting — knowledge from an insider like “DC” is the best we’ll ever get. On the bright side, Khabib and Islam will share the cage in a fashion tonight as a united front opposite Garry, who should provide some interesting challenges to the new Welterweight king.

The rises of Antoine Semenyo and Eberechi Eze shows the value of EFL development [Getty Images]When Manchester City paid £12.5m to sign Jeremy Monga from Leicester City last month, they were not alone in wanting one of English football's most highly rated teenagers.Arsenal also coveted the 17-year-old winger, but City won the battle for a player who joined Leicester aged eight and has already broken records in senior football.Monga became Leicester's second-youngest Premier League player in April 2025, aged 15 years and 271 days, before becoming their youngest league starter and surpassing Jude Bellingham as the Championship's youngest goalscorer.He represents the more established end of a wider battle for young domestic talent.Premier League clubs are increasingly looking to EFL and Scottish academies for players who can be brought into their development structures, sometimes before they have established themselves in senior football.The appeal is easy to understand. Antoine Semenyo was rejected by several academies before Bristol City spotted him playing college football. After loans at Newport County and Sunderland, he established himself in the Championship before joining Bournemouth for about £10m, then Manchester City in a £64m move. Ollie Watkins came through at Exeter City, Adam Wharton at Blackburn Rovers and Eberechi Eze - after being released by Arsenal - rebuilt his career at Millwall and QPR.For recruitment departments, finding the next player capable of following a similar route can be enormously valuable.Man City sign Monga - how good is the 17-year-old?Clubs trying to 'jump the queue'BBC Sport research has identified 14 players recruited from EFL or Scottish Premiership academies for Premier League development squads so far this summer.That matches the 14 such transfers made across the whole of 2025-26. There were eight in 2024-25, 18 in 2023-24 and seven in 2022-23.More striking is the profile of this summer's recruits. Of the 14 identified, 11 are 18 years old. Last season only five of the 14 players in the equivalent sample were 18.League One has also become fertile ground, providing seven of this summer's 14 recruits, compared with just two last season.Among the youngsters to have moved so far this summer are Blade Earley from Cambridge United to Aston Villa, Valentin Joseph from Blackburn Rovers to Brighton, George Munday from Cambridge United to Brighton, Harrison Bettoni from Wigan Athletic to Chelsea and Maxwell Adedeji from Leicester City to Tottenham.Monga is not part of BBC Sport's 14-player sample because he had already broken into Leicester's first team. His fee, however, illustrates how quickly the equation can change once a teenager proves himself at senior level.The 18-year-old sweet spot?At 18, players have already received years of professional coaching but remain young enough to spend time in an under-21 or B-team environment before decisions are made over loans or first-team opportunities.The financial outlay can also be relatively small. Nine of the 14 moves identified this summer are listed as free transfers, with the other five for undisclosed fees. Eight of last season's 14 were also listed as free transfers.For clubs accustomed to paying tens of millions for established first-team players, spreading comparatively modest sums across several promising teenagers offers obvious appeal. Only one needs to develop into a Premier League regular for the strategy to potentially generate significant value.The economics of academy recruitment have also become a wider issue. The Premier League has approached the EFL over potentially capping compensation paid when young players move between academies.Clubs losing youngsters can receive training compensation alongside future appearance-related payments and sell-on entitlements, while unresolved cases can be referred to the Professional Football Compensation Committee.A market reshaped by BrexitAnother factor is Brexit.Before freedom of movement ended, English clubs could scout a vast European market without having to consider whether EU players were eligible to work in the UK.Analytics FC estimated in a 2022 report with immigration specialists Fragomen that about 60,000 professional players in Europe had potentially been available to British clubs before Brexit.Under the Governing Body Endorsement system it estimated only about 5,000 would be likely to qualify for a permit - a reduction of roughly 92%.The restrictions are especially relevant to younger players.Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe is a good example. The 18-year-old centre-back joined from Austria Vienna and impressed during pre-season but cannot play competitive matches for the Reds because he does not qualify for a work permit. A loan abroad is expected to help him build the experience required to become eligible.A teenager already progressing through an English academy presents no equivalent immigration obstacle.Brexit has also affected players moving the other way. Analytics FC found Premier League 2 produced more British transfers to EU clubs than any other English division before Brexit, but those moves had halved by 2021-22.That does not prove Brexit directly caused Premier League clubs to target EFL academies, but it changed the environment in which young players are recruited and developed.No single Premier League modelThere is no uniform approach to youth development among Premier League clubs.International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) figures for 2025-26 show club-trained players accounted for 16.2% of Manchester City's Premier League minutes, followed by Chelsea on 15.5% and Brighton on 12.5%.CIES defines a club-trained player as someone registered with their current club for at least three full seasons, or 36 months, between the ages of 15 and 21. That means an 18-year-old recruited from an EFL academy can still go on to qualify as club-trained if he spends the next three seasons with his new Premier League club.At the other end of the scale, Tottenham's club-trained players accounted for just 0.1% of league minutes, while Bournemouth, Brentford and Burnley were all at zero.Recruiting from EFL and Scottish academies therefore offers another way of building that development pipeline.Rather than relying solely on players who have been with a club since childhood, a Premier League side can identify somebody developed elsewhere, bring them into their under-21 structure at 17, 18 or 19 and take responsibility for the final stages of their development.The numbers do not yet show a relentless increase. There were 18 such moves in 2023-24, meaning this summer's 14 cannot be described as unprecedented.But the concentration of 18-year-olds and League One players suggests clubs are becoming increasingly precise about the market they are targeting.For EFL clubs, that raises questions over how long their best youngsters can realistically be retained.For Premier League clubs, the calculation is different. The next Watkins, Eze, Wharton or Semenyo may already be somewhere further down the pyramid. The challenge is finding them before everybody else does.Meet Liverpool's rising star who can only play friendliesGet news, insight and fan views on your Premier League teamAll your football quizzes in one place

Romero reflects on ‘imperfect’ Spurs spell ahead of Atletico moveCristian Romero has admitted he “wasn’t perfect” during his five years at Tottenham but says he leaves the club with no regrets over his commitment to the shirt.The Argentina international is set to join Atletico Madrid after the Spanish club agreed a £34.2 million deal with Tottenham for the 28-year-old defender.Romero reflected on his time in north London in an emotional message to supporters, acknowledging his shortcomings while insisting he always gave everything for the club.“I know I wasn’t perfect,” Romero wrote on X. “But one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart.”Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021 and went on to make 156 appearances for the club. His spell included the most significant trophy in Spurs’ recent history, as he helped them beat Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final to end a 17-year wait for silverware.Romero bids emotional farewell to Tottenham ahead of Atletico move“When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club’s history,” Romero said.“I knew the only way was through hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it.”His final appearance came against Sunderland in April, when he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the Premier League campaign.Romero’s time at Tottenham was also marked by occasional controversy, including criticism after he planned to return to Argentina for Spurs’ final league game last season while they remained involved in a relegation battle.Despite those moments, the defender leaves with a lasting connection to the club and its supporters.“I’m leaving the club, but a part of my heart will always remain here,” Romero added. “Once I was one of you. Today, I leave as one of you forever.”Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Surreal scenes in Argentina, tensions high and the day's 5️⃣ storiesxxxx⏳ There’s a deadline in the Rodri dealAll the journalists covering Rodri’s possible move to FC Barcelona agree that the deal could be resolved in the coming days.Matteo Moretto says Barça will close it with City for more than €70 million, while Sport talks about the player wearing blaugrana at the Gamper.🇦🇷 Cuti Romero, new Atleti playerAtleti have started Saturday in style: by announcing the signing of the centre-back they wanted to complete their defense. Romero arrives to impose his quality and authority in the league after establishing himself in the Premier League and thriving with Argentina.🥳 Hipertensiones is back todayWelcome back to the madhouse. Today a new Hypermotion season gets underway, and any Spanish fan knows that today marks the start of the enjoyment, the uncertainty, and the loss of years off your life from following one of the most evenly matched competitions in Europe.Pachetoons sum it up perfectly with their song.😳 Surreal scenes in RosarioRosario Central accuse the Corinthians fans of “racist, discriminatory and provocative acts” during the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16.According to Rosario, the racist acts were: waving banknotes at them from the stands and showing them the Spain shirt. You have to see it to believe it.📺 What matches are on today?15:30 Bayern-Leipzig (friendly)16:45 Manchester United-RB Leipzig (friendly)17:30 Borussia Dortmund-Milan (friendly)19:30 Inter-Betis (friendly)19:30 Alavés-Getafe21:30 Sevilla-Rayo Vallecano21:45 Estudiantes-Gimnasia21:30 Fluminense-PalmeirasThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Aug 14, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (27) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Highest📊Players with the highest conversion rates in LaLiga last season including blocked shots (50+ shots):◉ 23.19% – Ferran Torres ◉ 22.22% – Robert Lewandowski◉ 20% – Georges Mikautadze ◉ 20% – Raphinha◉ 19.83% – Vedat Muriqi https://t.co/GlaEPfM69Cpic.twitter.com/P5ScMHNlkQ— Squawka (@Squawka) August 14, 2026FirstJeff Bezos is now a part-owner of Liverpool Football Club, a team in the English Premier League. It marks the first time Bezos has invested in a sports team.https://t.co/RrQApamJfzpic.twitter.com/2353j5xHHb— Variety (@Variety) August 14, 2026Cutting backMarvel Studios will be cutting back on live-action Disney+ shows• Returning shows like ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ are not affected• Potential miniseries under the ‘Marvel Presents’ and ‘Marvel Spotlight’ banners are still safe(via @Collider) pic.twitter.com/DXQEX8meMf— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) August 14, 2026

Report: Man City set to receive third bid from Barcelona for RodriRodri to Barcelona latest as Manchester City stand firm on £70m valuationManchester City’s summer midfield plans appear to be reaching a decisive point, with TheIndependent reporting that Barcelona remain short of the asking price for Rodri. The Spanish champions are said to be preparing a third offer, worth around £60m, but that still leaves them £10m below City’s valuation of the midfielder.From City’s perspective, the stance is clear. Rodri is a player of elite status, a Ballon d’Or winner, and a central figure in the modern success of the club. The report states that City are open to letting him leave this summer, especially given a desire to allow a “long-serving club legend” to fulfil “a personal aspiration of playing in Spain again after this summer’s World Cup win”. Even so, they are not prepared to accept a discount.Rodri transfer talks leave City frustratedThe most striking detail is the tone surrounding negotiations. City have reportedly been left “baffled and frustrated” by the approaches of both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Neither Spanish giant has managed to get close enough to the £70m figure, and one Barcelona proposal was viewed as “derisory”. For a player of Rodri’s calibre and experience, that language says plenty about how City regard the offers landing on the table.There is, however, movement elsewhere. Rodri has “opt for Camp Nou over the Bernabeu”, according to the report, which narrows the conversation and gives Barcelona a degree of encouragement. Whether that translates into a fee City will accept is another matter entirely.Enzo Fernandez move linked to Rodri decisionThe wider importance of the Rodri situation lies in what comes next. City are planning to reshape their midfield, and any sale would directly affect a potential move for Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea are holding out for £120m, while the report adds that “sufficient progress has been made in talks”.Photo: IMAGOThere is also a timing issue. Chelsea had set a deadline and City are described as unwilling to fully push ahead until Rodri’s future is resolved. That means the Rodri transfer and Enzo Fernandez negotiations are closely connected, with one likely to dictate the pace of the other.Our ViewAs a worried Manchester City supporter, this report raises more concerns than excitement. Rodri has been the player who gives the whole side balance, control and calm. If the club are truly willing to let him go, then the replacement has to be perfect, not merely expensive. Seeing Barcelona still £10m short and one bid described as “derisory” is frustrating because it creates uncertainty without delivering the value City clearly believe he commands.There is also the bigger fear that City could end up in an awkward middle ground. If Rodri wants the move and City are prepared to respect that, the club still need to protect their position. Selling a Ballon d’Or winner for less than £70m would feel light in this market. At the same time, going into the season with a distracted Rodri or a drawn-out saga around Enzo Fernandez would be far from ideal.Supporters will understand evolution, and midfield refreshes are part of elite squad building. But Rodri is not an ordinary player. He has been the reference point. If he leaves, the next step must be swift, decisive and unquestionably right. Otherwise, there is every reason for City fans to feel uneasy about how this window is unfolding.

2026-08-15T07:13:25Z An Israeli airstrike killed seven people in Lebanon on Saturday, one of the deadliest since a shaky truce between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on June 20.Meanwhile, two vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.Here’s a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East. Full coverage can be found here.Israeli strike kills 7 in southern Lebanon Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the strike early Saturday hit a home on the edge of Ansar village, killing seven people and wounding three others.The death toll from the airstrike makes it one of the deadliest since the Lebanese government and Israel announced a “framework agreement” on June 26, laying out a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.Hezbollah refused direct talks and was not part of the agreement.Israel’s army didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Two vessels attacked in the Strait of HormuzA tanker owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil and gas company ADNOC was attacked while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati state-run WAM news agency said Saturday.The attack happened Friday evening, and there were no injuries, the agency reported. This is the third such attack on vessels operated by ADNOC in the critical waterway in the last week. The UAE has previously accused Iran of the attacks but did not immediately comment on Friday’s incident. Read More Separately, on Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull.Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the Iran war started on Feb, 28. Before the war, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passed through the waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.