newcastle united Juventus’ Jonathan David has been added to their list for the summer.

After spending five years at Lille, the striker joined the Serie A team on a free transfer in July 2025, scoring 109 goals and 31 assists in 232 appearances.

In his first season in Italy, David scored eight goals and provided five assists in 46 matches. This includes only one goal for Juventus since 1 February.

He still managed to attract interest from the Premier League, where Newcastle United are in the picture.

On March 9, we Covered claims from Italy That Aston Villa are interested in signing him. Last month, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United emerged as his options. the source said The Old Lady is requesting between €25-30m.

Two weeks ago, Sports Witness broadcast news The Europa League winners remain in the hunt for the Canada international.

Newcastle United joins the transfer chase

Eddie Howe’s side have become the latest English club to set their sights on the 26-year-old.

is according to all juveWho said Newcastle United are pursuing Jonathan David after his difficult season.

Despite his 13 G/A contribution, the outlet says the Canada international failed to live up to expectations and was labeled a ‘season flop’.

The Magpies are ‘ready to take advantage’ of his situation at the Turin club to bring him to St James’ Park. They value the frontman’s profile and qualities and are optimistic that he can achieve his best form in the Premier League.

Therefore, Newcastle United are taking steps to explore the finances of a potential operation.

Tutto Juve, who clarified that this is his own report, mentions the ‘astonishing quote’ in the headline but does not support it in the report. It’s possible an offer from an English club is on the way.

Juventus will not close the door to his exit as long as there is a sufficient offer. However, there is no mention of their demand in the report.

Contract, price and agent information

Jonathan David’s contract expires in 2030, and transfer market He is worth €35 million.

Axia Sports Management, an agency owned by agent Nick Mavromaras, is representing the Canadian.

Inter Milan attempted to sign of liverpool Curtis Jones in January. Although a deal fell through, they are still keen on the midfielder.

sports witness Covered how his exit from Anfield in the winter was dependent on renewals at the club. The Reds were offering him this but the midfielder refused, denying himself the chance to join the future Italian champions.

Since then, Jones has been a regular for Liverpool. He has started each of the last five games, being left on the bench only once since the end of January.

Inter depends on player efforts

Today’s Tuttosport – Go fcinternewsAccording to the report, Liverpool player Manu Kone is Inter’s option. While both players have different profiles, Christian Chivu is a big fan of the England player.

It is believed that Jones has had a ‘fall out with Slott’ and is still refusing to renew his deal at Anfield. The current contract expires in 2027, which could force the Reds to sell him this summer.

The Nerazzurri want to find out Liverpool’s asking price. This will help them evaluate the transfer in the best possible way, especially if a deal cannot be reached for Kone.

Willingness to leave is seen as positive

corriere dello sport Walk on the same path today.

He also believes Jones wants to leave the Merseyside club. This would help Inter get a better deal, as Liverpool would be forced to sell him.

The newspaper says that Cone and Jones are very different midfielders. This may cause confusion but Chivu remains a big admirer of the 25-year-old and that is what is driving Inter’s interest.

It is very difficult to see both midfielders coming in the summer. As a result, if Jones really wants to end up at San Siro, he may have to formally ask for an exit.

Our Opinion: Getting out of slots can be important

TuttoSport’s stance on the matter seems interesting. He feels Jones has a specific issue with the slot, indicating that the Dutchman’s exit could change things.

He is playing regularly and other than the manager he can have no other reason for leaving.

This suggests that Liverpool may still keep Jones. If the slot goes, the next manager will have to convince the Englishman of an important role in the project.

Since ancient times, undue importance has been given to low-sized prospects. Look no further than Cole Caufield, the 5-foot-7 Montreal Canadiens 50-goal scorer who fell to 15th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Despite scoring 72 goals during the season, the previous US development team record (Auston Matthews, 55) was demolished.

The New Jersey Devils could take advantage of that bias towards smaller players by selecting Viggo Bjork if he is still available with their 12th overall pick in the first round on June 26.

Björk Caulfield is not small either. He stands at 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, and watching his style of play in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) or the recent IIHF World Championship should put most size concerns to rest. He has drawn comparisons to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point.

However, we have seen it time and again. Many scouts are stubborn and stale in their analysis of less skilled players, even if those players continue to prove them wrong.

The Athletic draft expert Corey Pronman has Bjork headed to the Devils at #12 in his mock draft. Trading the pick might be in the Devils’ best interest. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about general manager Sunny Mehta, it’s that he’s not afraid to do what he feels is right, even if it’s unpopular.

Thus, if nothing comes of the Devils’ time, using the pick on Bjork could still be an incredible option. Based on skill and talent alone, he is in the top five.

Playing against NHL talent at the World Championship, he didn’t look out of place in any way. Take it from the great Sidney Crosby himself:

“It’s not easy [being that young at Worlds] … You know, he’s very balanced and you can tell he’s competitive. He’s not the biggest guy but he sees the ice well, makes good shots, does everything well. The way he competed, he was really tenacious with the puck.”

Sweden has equalized against Canada in the power play.

Viggo Björk (#2026NHLDraft) wins the faceoff against Ryan O’Reilly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson finds Lucas Raymond who makes no mistakes, just sneaks past him to tie the game!

– Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) 15 May 2026

Björk has two points (1G, 1A) in three games, as well as a disallowed goal, and despite his youth he has not shied away from participating in (and winning) puck battles. Both his playing ability and general hockey IQ seem well ahead of his age.

“They doubt [related to size] “Should fade out early,” said Ivan Ortiz of SMAHT scouting. “He is a well-rounded, intelligent player who is already managing the physical demands of professional hockey. Bjork plays with consistent energy and awareness, constantly scanning the ice and staying engaged in all three zones.

If the Devils retain Nico Hischier – which they should – the 1-2-3 punch of Hughes, Hischier and Bjork could be absolutely lethal on the road.

Bjork can also excel on the right wing, which could be a better option if he becomes a perennial 50+ point producer.

Viggo Bjork preventing Canadian defenders from pressuring a shot is something that won’t show up on the stat sheet or that people who aren’t looking for it won’t notice.

What you do is equally important #NYR pic.twitter.com/ZF2cJu6v12

– NYLOUIE TM️ (@NYLOuie) 15 May 2026

There is no guarantee that Björk will still be on the board at pick No. 12. But if he is, which wouldn’t be a surprise given his drafting history, the Devils shouldn’t think too much about it.

History with Mehta says he probably won’t think too much about it; They had Jesper Bratt, who was drafted #172 in 2016, ranked as the third best player in the entire draft via their draft model.

As GM, Mehta is clearly in a much more influential position than he was a decade ago. Fans should have full faith in Mehta and company. Decide to pursue.

Daniel is the New Jersey Devils beat reporter for SportsNut. He graduated from Montclair State University in 2025… More about Daniel Amoia

At this point, Shane van Gisbergen’s dominance on the road course seems inevitable. Watkins Glen was the latest example of this. The Trackhouse Racing driver entered the field late in the race, passed more than 20 cars in the final stages and then pulled away from the pack and won by more than seven seconds. The scary thing for the rest of the garage is that two NASCAR veterans believe their biggest advantage still can’t be copied by the rest of the drivers.

Following SVG’s latest masterclass, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick break down why the former Supercars champion is operating on a completely different level when the series turns left and right.

For Dell Jr., it starts with technology. Speaking on the Dale Jr. Download Podcast, Earnhardt explained that Van Gisbergen’s use of the clutch during the braking zone is something that most Cup drivers do not grow up learning.

“He (SVG) is braking with his right foot. And his foot is on the clutch,” Dale Jr. explained. “And so when it starts to sense that the rear tires are trying to gain time, such as engine braking, trying to drag the rear tire or even induce wheel hop, it will modulate the clutch a little bit to reduce the load on the drivetrain.”

Earnhardt said this technology also helps Shane Van Gisbergen get the car deeper into the corners without damaging the rear tires. “He’ll release the clutch a little bit or use the clutch pedal to help pitch the car and turn.”

This may seem trivial on paper, but it’s actually not something drivers can easily learn halfway through their careers.

“It’s a technique you have to have from the day you start driving a race car,” he said. “There’s no chance in hell, no fuck’s way. There’s only one driver in the NASCAR Cup field today who can implement and adopt this technology and do it well.”

Kevin Harvick thinks Shane van Gisbergen’s biggest advantage may actually be mental

While Dale Jr. focused on the technical side, Kevin Harvick turned to something else entirely. Experience. Patience. And knowing how much there is to reveal.

On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the 2014 Cup champion explained why Shane van Gisbergen is far more dangerous than the typical road-course specialist NASCAR used to see years ago.

According to Harvick, many “ringers” have struggled in the past because they never fully adapted to the weekly rhythm of NASCAR racing.

“He’s also really good at communicating with his car and with his team,” Harvick said. “He has the maturity to know how to play the game off the racetrack, what to say, what not to say, keeping his cards pretty close to his vest.”

Harvick believes his calm approach gives Van Gisbergen another advantage over the field as competitors still do not fully know everything he is capable of.

“He’s got a great poker face, he’s a showman,” Harvick said. “He’s really good at making sure he’ll help you, but I don’t think he’ll show you everything he has because no one else can do that.”

At this point, SVG is no longer just the exotic road-course guy who occasionally comes in and steals a win. Drivers now know they understand NASCAR strategy, tire management, restarts and race flow at an even higher level. And as Harvick pointed out, he’s still learning.

Which raises a very uncomfortable question for the rest of the field: what happens when Shane van Gisbergen becomes as dangerous on the Oval as he already is on the road?

My love for motorsports began as a child watching races with my family in Tunisia. Fast forward to today… more about Farah Ben Gamra

liverpool Juventus are interested in bringing Pierre Kalulu to the Premier League in the summer.

On 26 March, Game Witness Covered claims from Italy Liverpool and Manchester United sent scouts to keep a close eye on him.

The 25-year-old initially joined the Serie A team on loan from AC Milan in August 2024 and Juve made his stay permanent a year later for €14m.

His preferred role is as a centre-back and Luciano Spalletti mainly used him in this position and as a right-back.

The France international has made a significant move to the Turin club, attracting interest from Liverpool and other clubs.

Liverpool wants to snatch player from Juve

all juve Report on the Merseyside club’s interest and Juventus’ stance on him.

Arne Slott’s side are said to have made Pierre Kalulu their top priority to improve the defence. They have been following him for a long time and see him as the best prospect among the options available in the market.

Therefore, Liverpool appear ‘ready to take concrete steps’ to snatch him from the Turin club.

The 25-year-old is an important part of Luciano Spalletti’s squad and an important part of Juve’s playing plans. However, his sale could see the club significantly improve its finances, which is necessary to further strengthen the squad in the next window.

In short, the Kalulu case at Juventus is ‘delicate’. The Old Lady must decide whether to sell or resist a potential attack from the Premier League as other English clubs are also pursuing the Frenchman.

The Reds want to snatch him from Juventus and could do so by taking advantage of his delicate situation at their club.

Contract, price and agent information

Two months ago, we broadcast news Juventus plan to offer Pierre Kalulu a new contract worth €3.5m per year until 2030. However, no concrete progress has been made since then.

He has a contract until 2029 and the defender’s value, according to transfer marketIs €32m.

British agency CAA is representing the stellar former AC Milan man.

crystal Palace And brighton and hove albion Atletico Nacional are keen on youngster Jose Escorcia.

On 27 April, Game Witness Covered claims from South America That the 16-year-old has attracted the interest of a Premier League pair.

The same source said other unnamed clubs could challenge Crystal Palace and Brighton.

Two days later, we broadcast news The Seagulls are ahead of the Eagles and others in the transfer race. Fabian Herzeler’s side are working hard to get closer to the winger’s camp.

Latest updates on Crystal Palace and Brighton

rcn sports Now let us tell you that Jose Escorcia’s future could be in the Premier League where Crystal Palace and Brighton are both keen.

The Colombia U17 international’s potential development so far may have convinced the two London clubs.

He represented his country at the U17 World Cup last November and starred at the U17 South American Championship in April.

Colombia won by defeating Argentina in the final. Escorcia performed brilliantly in the tournament, scoring four goals and providing two assists, including a goal and an assist in the final.

Brighton have already set their sights on the attacker and would be close to sending in an offer. Crystal Palace are also in the mix.

Both clubs will submit a bid of $3 million, which is around €2.5 million. For now, that’s the expectation from Brighton and Oliver Glassner.

A move to Selhurst Park will see the Colombian meet his compatriots, Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma. The pair could help Escorsia if he joins Crystal Palace. This will give them an edge over The Amex Club.

Why should clubs wait?

Jose Escorcia will turn 18 in July 2027 and cannot move to the UK until then.

Therefore, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion cannot bring him to England in the next window.

However, these clubs could agree to a deal with Atlético Nacional for the future transfer of the young player. Once he turns 18, the Colombian will need to obtain a work permit to play in the UK.

napoli has put brighton and hove albion Striker Ivan Ferguson is at the top of their wish list as they look for a replacement for Rasmus Hjolund.

courier del mezzogiorno The report adds that sporting director Giovanni Manna is already active in the transfer market for next season to find a replacement for the Danish forward.

Brighton striker tops this list

The newspaper reports that Romelu Lukaku is in the squad, but is expected to leave this summer. The Belgian has been left out of the Serie A squad after staying in Belgium for injury treatment against the club’s wishes.

This has strained his relationship with them And now options are being explored. Manna is working on multiple profiles while trying to save the bank from collapse.

According to the newspaper, Ivan Ferguson of Brighton is ‘at the top’ of current thinking. He has spent a season on loan at Roma, but it has not been good. They’re not buying him out at the end of the season.

It could give Napoli the chance to ‘take advantage of the opportunity’ for a striker they have ‘always admired’ for his physical strength. However, there is no mention of how much Napoli would be willing to spend.

However, Corriere makes it clear that Manna has to be careful with finances and needs to ‘cut costs’ at the club overall. This shows that they will not come and offer Brighton a big sum.

Loan deal looks likely

Transfermarket currently values ​​the 21-year-old at €25m. This is a significantly lower fee than his value of €65m in 2023. However, there is little chance of Napoli spending that kind of money on him at this point.

Instead, this interest is very likely to develop into a loan bid. That’s what they did with Rasmus Hjolund this season.

He paid a €6m loan fee to Manchester United for the season. They’ll make it permanent this summer. A similar deal for Ivan Ferguson could make sense and would be in line with the need to cut costs.

For now, it looks like Manna is simply preparing his list of options, but the Brighton striker is at the top of it.

napoli has put brighton and hove albion Striker Ivan Ferguson is at the top of their wish list as they look for a replacement for Rasmus Hjolund.

courier del mezzogiorno The report adds that sporting director Giovanni Manna is already active in the transfer market for next season to find a replacement for the Danish forward.

Brighton striker tops this list

The newspaper reports that Romelu Lukaku is in the squad, but is expected to leave this summer. The Belgian has been left out of the Serie A squad after staying in Belgium for injury treatment against the club’s wishes.

This has strained his relationship with them And now options are being explored. Manna is working on multiple profiles while trying to save the bank from collapse.

According to the newspaper, Ivan Ferguson of Brighton is ‘at the top’ of current thinking. He has spent a season on loan at Roma, but it has not been good. They’re not buying him out at the end of the season.

It could give Napoli the chance to ‘take advantage of the opportunity’ for a striker they have ‘always admired’ for his physical strength. However, there is no mention of how much Napoli would be willing to spend.

However, Corriere makes it clear that Manna has to be careful with finances and needs to ‘cut costs’ at the club overall. This shows that they will not come and offer Brighton a big sum.

Loan deal looks likely

Transfermarket currently values ​​the 21-year-old at €25m. This is a significantly lower fee than his value of €65m in 2023. However, there is little chance of Napoli spending that kind of money on him at this point.

Instead, this interest is very likely to develop into a loan bid. That’s what they did with Rasmus Hjolund this season.

He paid a €6m loan fee to Manchester United for the season. They’ll make it permanent this summer. A similar deal for Ivan Ferguson could make sense and would be in line with the need to cut costs.

For now, it looks like Manna is simply preparing his list of options, but the Brighton striker is at the top of it.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Saturday.

montreal canadiens news

Tampa Bay’s strategy of rushing players, harassing goaltenders and punching opponents in every scrimmage is backfiring spectacularly. In fact, in addition to the series lead, the Canadiens have actually had more hits than their opponents through three games. [Tampa Bay’s Strategy Is Backfiring In Series Versus Canadiens]

The discrepancy in high-danger shots in the series is hard to ignore. In fact, after three games, the Canadiens have accounted for 75% of high-danger scoring opportunities at 5v5, the highest mark of all teams in the NHL playoffs.

For fun, here are the HDCF% of the various teams in the playoffs after three games. It reflects the share of high-danger scoring chances a team generates.

#GoHabsGo Leading the league by a huge margin with 75%. https://t.co/vtaVVh8y3G pic.twitter.com/1XZdiqMTul

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 25 April 2026

Apart from the physical battle, which the Habs are winning, there are several other reasons why the Canadiens have managed to take the lead in the series, including the excellent play of the third pair of Arbor Czekaj and Jayden Struble. [Top 3 Reasons The Canadiens Have A Series Lead]

Believe it or not, Shekaz leads the entire NHL in expected goal share with an impressive 83.8%. [NST]

Kirby Dach discusses support from head coach Martin Saint-Louis as he overcomes an endless list of injuries in recent seasons.

Kirby Dach on receiving a vote of confidence from Habs coach Marty St. Louis yesterday:

“I think as a competitor, you want a chance to respond. You want to be able to go out there and prove your worth. This game is tough, there are a lot of mistakes, it’s not… pic.twitter.com/uYFCvEuOqz

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 25 April 2026

This is clearly trolling, but comparatively speaking, it is quality trolling. Additionally, given that Brady Tkachuk appears to be one of the worst leaders in the league, perhaps it is time to examine his position in the Senators organization. Or maybe he is a great leader who never seems to have luck when it comes to leadership. Difficult to say.

Arbor Zekaj has more points than Brady Tkachuk in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/t1j569ZKzS

– Alex (@ivandemigoal) 25 April 2026

The clip embedded below has nothing to do with the Habs, but when a dirtbag like Ridley Gregg starts punching a player who’s being pinned down, it’s hard not to roll your eyes. That is pure cowardice.

Will this despicable act by Ridley Gregg be sanctioned by the NHL?🤔 pic.twitter.com/drSzZb6KrY

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) 25 April 2026

Sportsknot Network

Sunny Mehta already has the option to pick up the phone and negotiate a potential New Jersey Devils trade and improve his top six. After failing to make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, the Detroit Red Wings are now the longest-serving team to miss the postseason after the Buffalo Sabers punched their ticket this spring. [New Jersey Devils]

Maybe it’s the rivalry factor. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers have a history of controversial meetings, and this includes their ongoing first-round games. Or maybe it’s a chance to see the Penguins’ big three players — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang — back in the playoffs after a three-year absence. Perhaps it’s the continuation of interest in hockey in the United States after the Winter Olympics and the American gold medal. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Just a week ago, the Senators were filled with hope as they entered the first round of their series against the Hurricanes. Flash forward to Saturday, and the Senators are the first team in the NHL to be eliminated, losing their first-round series 4-0. [Ottawa Senators]

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

liverpool They face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

Last week, Liverpool lost 2-0 to PSG in the first leg at the Parc des Princes.

L’Equipe was critical Arne Slot’s tactics and the performance of Reds trio Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Milos Kerkez against PSG.

The Premier League team faces a tough challenge to recover from the 2-0 defeat and secure a place in the last four of the competition.

Ahead of the big clash, Bafoudé Diakhaby’s move to Ligue 1 side Liverpool has been tipped in France.

Why did the coach leave PSG for Liverpool?

Team There is a report on Bafode Diakhaby, titled ‘Hidden transfer’ between Liverpool and the Paris club.

He finished his playing career with Paris FC in 2015 and worked with them for two years as a youth coach and scout.

The 37-year-old left Paris FC for PSG in 2017 and was part of their academy. Earlier this year, he left the Ligue 1 winners to join Liverpool’s academy.

At the Merseyside club, he is coaching their U12s to U16s, which is a hybrid role for the first six months.

The newspaper says that his exit from PSG has been discussed internally. Some see his departure as a ‘turning point’ in the way the French club’s academy is managed.

Diakhaby loves his former club but did not agree with the academy’s new approach. As a result, his relationship with youth team director Yohan Cabaye deteriorated.

At that time, Liverpool showed interest and the coach took advantage of this and moved to England with his family. The French took this step to experience something new.

PSG, for their part, wanted to keep him, and therefore, did not readily accept his move to Anfield.

Players trained under Liverpool’s youth coach

During his time at PSG, Bafodé Diakhaby worked with a number of youngsters, many of whom have enjoyed success.

Some of them are Warren Zaire-Emery, Seny Mayulu, Ibrahim Mbaye, Quentin Ndzontou, Ethan Mbappe, Tanguy Kouassi, Edouard Michaut and Timothy Pembele.

Galatasaray have added burnley Defender Maxime Esteve has been included in their list of potential targets should he leave the Premier League.

sok newspaper report The 23-year-old wants to leave Turf Moor this summer and Galatasaray have added him to their list.

The newspaper states that Galatasaray currently only have one left-footed central defender in their squad, Abdulkerim Bardaki.

They consider it a short-term problem and want to fix it in the coming months.

Burnley defenders in the list

Galatasaray have added Burnley defender Maxim Esteve as the latest name on their list of potential options.

Unless there is a late change, something that would require a miracle at this point, the Clarets will be back in the Championship next season.

This has opened the door for contenders like Galatasaray. The 23-year-old also wants to leave Turf Moor this summer. He is currently valued at €25m, and Galatasaray could make an official offer.

However, whether the Turkish side will offer that amount is unclear. Sok Gazetesi says any proposal would depend on other options on their list. Esteve is also rated at €25m by Transfermarkt.

Selling Esteve at that price would earn Burnley more than double the €12m they paid in July 2024.

But there is no pressure to sell. He is currently tied to a deal until 2030 after signing a new contract last summer.

summer escape wanted

Should Esteve leave this summer, his stance could force Burnley to agree a deal regardless of the contract. It seems he’s ready to move on and see what elsewhere has to offer.

There has been interest in the Premier League in the pastHowever that never developed into anything concrete. However, this could change if he makes clear his desire to move on.

Currently, Galatasaray are eyeing him.

Like most Turkish sides, they are not averse to sniffing around soon-to-be-relegated clubs for potential bargains. And it seems that’s what has taken him to Burnley and Esteve this time.

armory Travel to Lisbon with a clear idea of ​​what kind of game awaits them. Sporting CP is a side with structure, repetition and very defined strengths, which makes this tie feel tight.

That expectation becomes even stronger when we look at a specific area. As we covered earlierBoth teams are among the most effective teams in Europe when it comes to set pieces.

Arsenal have built a large portion of their offensive output this season around dead-ball situations. He has scored 19 set-piece goals in the Premier League, accounting for over 30% of his total league goals in those situations.

Sporting profile is also not behind. He has scored 15 set-piece goals in Liga Portugal, the most in the competition. Those goals represent about 22% of their total.

Sporting CP will be without key players for Arsenal

However, that balance is affected by team news. The Portuguese press confirmed that Sporting will be missing several players, and the most important absence is obvious: Morten Hjulmand will not play due to suspension.

The captain’s absence is significant on many levels. He is the organizer in midfield, the player who sets the pace and protects the defensive line. He is one of the first references when it comes to positioning in defensive set pieces.

It also has a broader context. Hjulmand has been linked with Arsenal In recent weeks, that adds an extra layer to supporters watching this tie. He is exactly the type of midfielder the Gunners have been linked with – and not just because his infamous tattoo.

Without him, Sporting loses structure, leadership and control. They also lose a vital defensive presence in the same area that Arsenal look to exploit.

🇵🇹Sporting vs Arsenal

➡️ Battle of set pieces
🪨 Rock meets immovable object
➡️ Sporting and Arsenal are both set piece specialistshttps://t.co/JOzU03kkFk #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 7 April 2026

Other deprivations and what they carry

Hjulmand is not the only one of concern. Left-back Nuno Santos is out, and this removes one of Sporting’s main sources of width and crossing. His delivery has consistently been an offensive weapon, especially from the left side.

Forward Fotis Ionidis is also not available. He provides physical presence, hold-up play and penalty-box movement. His absence limits Sporting’s ability to play more directly or attack crosses with the same force.

Furthermore, Luis Guilherme is another name missing. As a rotational option, the former West Ham player provides energy and flexibility to the attacking line, especially late in games.

Overall, these absences reduce sporting diversity. They are still dangerous, but the scope of solutions has narrowed.

The quality of the attack is still there

Despite those setbacks, Arsenal cannot expect an opponent to be weak in attack. portuguese outlet game Chelsea-owned Giovani Quenda is pushing for a re-joining after returning to training. He may start on the bench, but his presence provides pace and unpredictability when needed.

More importantly, the main offensive line remains intact. Jenny Catamo, Francisco Trincao and Pedro Gonçalves form a forward line that is technically strong and comfortable between the lines.

Up front, Colombian striker Luis Suarez is expected to start and is having a season worth noting. His output has been strong, to such an extent that comparisons with Victor Gyökeres’ final campaign before leaving Sporting naturally arise.

Suarez has scored 24 goals in 25 league games this season and has scored 5 goals in 10 Champions League appearances so far. Add to this seven assists spread across both competitions. This makes him much more than just a finisher. He gives Sporting a focal point who can occupy defenders and bring others into the game.

For Arsenal, this means dealing with in-form strikers rather than vulnerable attacks.

Potential Sporting CP XI for Arsenal

Keeping all that in mind, game Hopefully the local side will line up like this: Rui Silva in target, ivan fresneda And maxi araujo As a full back, osman diomande And goncalo inacio In central defence. a double axis of xeno debast And hidemasa morita between. at the forefront, Ginny Catamo, Francisco Trincao, pedro goncalves playing behind Luis Suarez.

DeBast’s inclusion in the midfield is particularly telling. Being a natural defender, he brings added physicality and awareness to defensive situations, especially set pieces. This seems to be a direct response to Arsenal’s main strength.

expectations are finely balanced

Arsenal will face a Sporting team that is without its captain and several useful attacking options. This should tilt certain aspects of the game in their favour, particularly midfield control.

At the same time, the Sporting retains enough quality to compete. Their attacking line remains dangerous, their strikers are in form and their understanding of set pieces matches Arsenal’s.

This leaves a game that looks to be tight, tactical and potentially decided by a good margin. And given the profile of both teams, there is a strong possibility that that moment comes from the dead ball.

armory An attempt has been made to bring Barcelona’s Dani Olmo to the Premier League.

Manchester City kept an eye on him last summer as Pep Guardiola is a fan of the 27-year-old.

At that time, Olmo’s Agent Andy Barra said He is not thinking about leaving Barcelona right now “You never know what the future will bring”.

Arsenal and some other clubs have come forward to try to sign the attacking midfielder.

He returned to the Camp Nou from RB Leipzig in a €60m deal in August 2024 and has scored 20 goals and 15 assists in 78 appearances, eight of which have come this season.

His La Liga statistics this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 25
• Start: 18
• Total minutes: 1,605
• Target: 7
• Assists: 7
• Big chances created: 9
• Big chances missed: 6

Arsenal and Saudi efforts

A ‘confidential’ report of game Covers interest from Mikel Arteta and other clubs.

The newspaper mainly focuses on Al-Qadsiya FC’s concerted efforts to bring Dani Olmo to Saudi Arabia.

A month and a half ago, Brendan Rodgers’ side made an attractive offer that was almost impossible to refuse.

The offer included a four-year deal worth €9.5m net per year and the Middle Eastern club were also prepared to offer Barcelona €60m.

However, the deal could not take shape simply because the Spain international refused to leave the Camp Nou.

Sport say it is not just a matter of Saudi Arabia, as the player has also turned down Arsenal and other clubs.

When Olmo was not enjoying regular minutes under Hansi Flick the Gunners tried to secure his services.

Sport say it happened ‘recently’, without specifically mentioning the timeline of when Arsenal tried to take advantage of their situation at Barcelona.

Either way, it won’t matter as the player has rejected offers from the north London club and other advances as he is only thinking about succeeding at Barcelona.

Contract, price and agent information

Dani Olmo is under contract until 2030, and transfer market He is worth €60m. It remains the same since his return to Barcelona in 2024.

Madrid-based agency Niagara Sports Company, led by Andy Barra, represents the Barcelona star.

Arsenal or any other club may only be able to sign him in the summer if the La Liga winners force Olmo out.

🇧🇷 Exclusive: Arsenal tracking Lucca Marques

⭐️ 18-year-old’s rapid growth draws attention
⚽️ Youngest player to score in Copa Libertadores in Sao Paulo history
🇩🇪 Borussia Dortmund also interested
➡️The Gunners can make a formal offer in the summerhttps://t.co/u7LuPMgUyJ #afc #bvb

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 3 April 2026

The San Antonio Spurs barely broke a sweat in their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at the FedExForum as they ran away with a lopsided 123-98 victory.

The Spurs demonstrated their strength from the beginning, defeating the Grizzlies 38-19. From there it was just a formality. San Antonio won its seventh consecutive game and improved to 55–18.

The Spurs also secured homecourt advantage in the first round, returning to the playoffs after a six-year absence.

San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged this significant gainBut as Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reported, he also remained quiet about it.

Johnson said, “I would expect it to be loud with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. But it’s still a little bit away, so hopefully we can keep getting better and make some improvements in a lot of areas.”

mitch johnson on #spurs Gaining home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs:

“I would expect it to be louder, with a lot more excitement, enthusiasm. But it’s still a little bit away, so hopefully we can keep getting better and make some improvements in a lot of areas.”

– Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) 26 March 2026

The 39-year-old Johnson is in his first full season with the Spurs after taking over from Gregg Popovich. He has big shoes to fill, but clearly, he’s up for the challenge.

He has molded the team into a two-way force. They have guys like Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Cassel, De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell playing comfortably, while finding the right role for Keldon Johnson and utilizing Dylan Harper off the bench.

The last time the Spurs were in the playoffs in 2020, Johnson was still an unknown deputy to Popovich. But the seeds were being sown, and because of his deep knowledge of the game and inherent leadership, it was only a matter of time until he was tapped to have a shot.

Now, Johnson and the Spurs are on their way to success.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s next offer for Koln star Said El Mala will be their last as they look to secure a deal during this international break.

sportbild report That there have been several phone calls recently between Brighton and Koln’s new squad planner, Tim Steadten.

The Seagulls are increasing pressure on El-Mala for final negotiations.

Koln is taking his time

However, the German club is taking its time. They have recently changed manager and that means he has not yet established a clear position at El Mala. This will be resolved during the international break.

Sports director Thomas Kessler and Steidten want to take their time and define the ‘exact minimum acceptable value’.

They also want to determine when is the right time to negotiate and which club should be contacted first.

brighton benefits

Brighton aren’t alone in moving forward. Said El Mala and his brother Malek recently parted ways with their agent, instead leaving their parents in charge of their future. Chelsea are among those interested.

But Brighton have the advantage. He has already got the green signal to talk to the player’s mother Sabrina El Mala. She is now handling his representation.

Furthermore, Brighton have made solid offers for both sons. This puts them ahead of the competition as brothers would love to be together. The other suitors are only interested in Saeed at this time.

long term seagulls efforts

Brighton have been actively pursuing the family for nine months and have already submitted several offers. They are the only ones who want both the brothers.

Now their aim is to finalize the transfer as soon as possible. They would like to schedule a personal meeting with Köln’s management during this international holiday.

Hopefully his next proposal will be his final proposal. And they are not expected to spend more than €35m on the 19-year-old. Bonus will also be added to that.

They have to meet with Colon and make an agreement.

For now, the Bundesliga club is on hold. They look to finalize their stance and price this international break before entering into any negotiations with Brighton or other suitors.

🇧🇷 Special: Alvaro Montoro ‼️

➡️Brighton interest texter meets financial crisis
➡️ #BHAFC The official saw them against Gremio
➡️ Traveled to Porto Alegre especially for Montoro
➡️ Pedro Reinert explains the situation in Brazil…https://t.co/jLvcE1ZoHR

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026

Nottingham Forest have already joined John Textor’s multi-club network for Igor Jesus and Jair, but fresh details from the Brazilian now raise wider questions about how those moves were structured.

The Premier League side signed both players after they were initially involved in a complex operation between Botafogo and Lyon, two clubs under Textor’s Eagle Football umbrella. report from Earth Outline a system that helped with liquidity in Brazil but required the French side to incur significant debts.

Therefore, Nottingham Forest’s role sits at the end of the series rather than the beginning of it. However, now the price and timing of both deals look more remarkable.

How Igor Jesus’ path led to the forest

Igor Jesus was first sold by Botafogo to Lyon for €35m (£30.2m). This figure never directly reflected transfers – in fact, he never signed or even played for a French side.

Instead, Botafogo hoped for future payment through a financial fund, from which it would receive €31.4m upfront (£27.1m). Of that, €18.4 million (£15.9 million) was redirected to Lyon to support their cash flow.

However, Lyon “failed to fulfill part of its obligation”. A payment of €14.3 million (£12.3 million) due to the fund in November 2025 remains unpaid, prompting recent legal action in England.

Then Nottingham Forest entered the picture. They signed Igor Jesus for €19m (£16.4m), a fee €16m less than the initial Lyon valuation.

From a sporting perspective, the Brazilian forward performed well at Botafogo. He scored regularly in 2025 and offered physical presence and mobility in the front line.

Nevertheless, the decline in valuation suggests that the earlier €35m figure was driven more by financial engineering than market demand.

Jair deal follows similar pattern

Jair’s situation closely mirrors that structure. The centre-back was sold by Botafogo to Lyon for €20.9m (£18.0m), as part of a joint deal that also included midfielder Savarino.

Again, Botafogo expected payment, receiving €21.8m (£18.8m) in advance and sending €12.5m (£10.8m) to Lyon. Jair was never close to joining the French club.

Later, Nottingham Forest secured the defender for €11m (£9.5m). This is approximately €10m less than the earlier internal valuation.

Jair was developing into a reliable defender in Brazil. In the 2025 season, he combined strong aerial numbers with consistent defensive actions, including clearances and duels won.

His profile fits the bill physically in the Premier League, which perhaps explains Forest’s interest despite the unusual financial path behind him.

New layer added to Nottingham Forest payment details

Additional details from the latest report help explain how Nottingham Forest’s involvement fits into the broader picture.

The report states that Botafogo received €23m (£19.9m) from Forest on June 4, 2025. The very next day, Lyon were loaned €25.5m (£22.0m).

The payment from Forest was not tied to any one deal. Instead, it involved several operations. Of the €23 million, €19 million belonged to Igor Jesus, €3 million to Jair, and €1 million to Quibano.

However, those figures do not exactly match the final transfer prices. Igor Jesus was eventually sold for €19m (£16.4m), while Jair’s deal reached €11m (£9.5m). The move to Quibano was valued at €4m (£3.4m).

Additionally, the €23m package also helped to balance other Botafogo operations. This includes the arrival of Danilo and the departure of goalkeeper John.

Another key detail emerges. When this transaction took place, John Textor was no longer in charge at Lyon. In theory, the shared cash model was already dead. Nevertheless, money continued to flow between clubs.

Botafogo still claims to be owed a significant sum by the French side, which adds further uncertainty to the overall structure.

What does this mean for nottingham forest

Nottingham Forest’s involvement does not appear to have been part of the original financial structure. instead, Evangelos Marinakis only took advantage of opportunities Once the internal Eagle transaction had already taken place.

Still, the contradiction in assessment is striking. Both Igor Jesus and Jair arrived in England for a fee significantly lower than their previous “paper” prices.

This could work in Forrest’s favour. The low entry costs reduce the risk, especially for players learning from Brazilian football. At the same time, the background to these deals highlights the complexity of operating within the multi-club ownership model.

🇮🇹Lorenzo Lucca | “No one could face him”

➡️ Italian criticism going to extremes
✂️ The Nottingham Forest loanee has also been targeted for using a different hairdresser to other players…https://t.co/tOTVIKCm5p #nffc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 10 March 2026

Brighton & Hove Albion could have a double advantage over Borussia Dortmund in the race for Saeed Al-Mala this summer.

At least that’s what BILD’s latest report is anything to go by. The German newspaper reports that Dortmund are again interested in the 19-year-old, but with a caveat.

According to their information, Dortmund have been keeping a close eye on the FC Cologne star for months. A possible summer transfer is being discussed internally. They’ll get a chance to see him up close and personal when the two sides meet this weekend.

A summer transfer looks likely for the youngster, who looks set to make a move after establishing himself at Cologne.

€50m asking price

The Bundesliga side, for their part, are now demanding €50m plus bonuses for their man. The January transfer window had already seen him reject a €30 million offer from Brighton.

The Seagulls are long-time fans and it appears they are determined to sign El-Mala before anyone else. Sport Witness covered a report last month that said Taking the initiative to get a deal done.

Now Dortmund are in the mix, but the odds are stacked against them. Chief among them is the fact that they can only afford El-Mala if they sell star players like Kareem Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha.

Coach Niko Kovach will also have to change his system. And there is also the fact that Dortmund had rejected a deal for El-Mala in the past. He had a medical scheduled at the club, but they refused to sign his older brother Malek, so the deal fell through.

brighton benefits

This is where Brighton could benefit. Not only are they more financially secure than Dortmund, and perhaps willing and able to pay €50m, but they have also shown a willingness to sign his brother.

In fact, A report on 17 February^th He revealed that his offer to him in January also included a deal to sign his brother. Seagal appears to have no problem with that particular demand. Thus, they may have an advantage over Dortmund.

However, it makes sense to move towards the German side. This would allow El-Mala to play in the Champions League, develop at the highest level and triple his wages overnight. Otherwise, Brighton will need to convince him otherwise.