標籤: contract

of liverpool The goalkeeping situation has generated much speculation in recent months, with Juventus making a serious attempt to lure Alisson Becker to Turin and Giorgi Mamardashvili waiting in the wings at Anfield.

Italian report Throughout the spring Juventus suggested that Alisson was seen as a cornerstone for a new era. The Serie A giants were attracted by his experience, pedigree and perceived availability as Liverpool prepared to make a final move to Mamardashvili.

The hope in Italy was that Liverpool’s succession planning could make a start.

Instead, Ellison has chosen continuity.

alison lives

according to espn brazilJuventus contacted the Brazilian in April and made a three-year contract offer.

The report added that Alisson was receptive to the sporting project outlined by the Italian side and was open to the possibility of a move at that level. However, he has now reached a final decision on his future.

The goalkeeper has decided to remain at Liverpool and see out his current contract, which runs until 2027.

Importantly, ESPN said the decision is unrelated to Arne Slot’s departure from Liverpool. Even before the manager left the club, discussions had begun over Alisson’s future and his desire to stay.

This detail is important because it shows that the goalkeeper’s commitment was not dependent on who would occupy the dugout the following season.

another year in liverpool

The report further suggests that Alisson intends to complete the final year of his contract before re-evaluating his situation.

This means he will spend the 2026/27 campaign at Anfield and then decide whether to extend his stay or leave as a free agent in the summer of 2027.

For Liverpool, it provides clarity on what had become one of the most interesting contract situations at the club.

Mamardashvili remains part of the long-term picture, but Alisson isn’t stepping aside just yet.

Despite injury problems during the recent campaign, the Brazilian still managed to make 35 appearances, which is the same number as his total from last season. He also recorded 13 clean sheets and remained one of the most reliable goalkeepers in world football when available.

As a result, it appears that Richard Hughes and Liverpool have been left with a potentially difficult decision this summer.

Juventus probably believed an opportunity was emerging. Instead, Alisson’s plan for now is to stay where he is and make the most of his final contracted season at Anfield before considering the next step in his career.

fulhamRaul Jimenez can either extend his stay or join wolverhampton wanderers in this summer.

The Mexico international spent five years at Wolves and left them for Fulham in July 2023.

He signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year and Fulham activated it in May 2025.

The striker’s contract expires in June, and the possibility of signing him for free makes him an attractive option in the market.

Jiménez has spent six years in Club América’s academy and is talked about his wish To return to his former club at some point. Due to his contract situation, the Mexican club is hoping to sign him for free.

Last month, Mexican media asked him specifically about joining Club América in the next window.

That time, He said: : “I don’t know yet… We’re still working on everything. There’s still time, and we’ll see what happens in the next few games.”

“It largely depends on what Fulham decide, on negotiations, on any offer. Then we will analyze what is best.”

Fulham player’s priority is European migration

Mark There are reports again in Mexico that Club America are keen to sign Raul Jimenez, while Federico Vinas is also on their agenda. The latter spent four years with them and left for Club Lyon in 2023.

If Mexican club Fulham miss out on the player they could consider Vinas. This is likely to happen as Jimenez’s priority is to remain in Europe.

It seems that he is in favor of extending his stay in England. The report adds that the 35-year-old can either renew his contract with Marco Silva’s team or return to Wolves, who will play in the Championship next season.

The Fulham man will have no shortage of options

The frontman’s immediate focus will be on the World Cup, which will be hosted by both his country and the United States.

Should he leave Fulham, Raul Jimenez could join Wolves or Everton, who also shown Interest.

Jiménez scored 10 goals and three assists in 43 appearances for Fulham and nine goals and three assists in the Premier League. transfer market He is worth €4m.

Ibrahima Konate’s decision to leave liverpool This summer came after ‘internal disagreements’ at Anfield.

report team The defender’s surprise move in contract talks is a result of a chaotic end to the season at Liverpool.

liverpool disagreement

The newspaper has today covered the impending departure of Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, who was seen by very few in recent weeks.

The French defender is set to become a free agent, reports emerged of a surprise move in England on Thursday evening.

The defender revealed just over a month ago that he was set to sign a new deal at Anfield. It was on the verge of taking its final shape.

He told on April 20, “We are close to an agreement. There is a good chance that I will be here next year. This is what I have always wanted.”^th.

Now, the situation has changed. And L’Equipe reports that the reversal ‘stems from internal disagreements’ at Liverpool.

Despite finishing fifth and securing Champions League football, Arne Slott’s team’s disappointing end to the season slowed contract negotiations. This also led to disagreements over the options to be allocated and finance.

liverpool went back

In other words, it appears that Liverpool have changed their mind on how much to pay Konate. Previous reports have suggested he has been offered a five-year deal, possibly with a pay rise. Now they’ve gone back to it.

Meanwhile, other clubs, who were circling last month, have held concrete talks with the Frenchman. This has further muddied the waters and presented him with alternatives.

He now looks set for a move elsewhere, leaving Liverpool with options to choose from in defence. With Virgil van Dijk also yet to sign a new deal, they face the prospect of losing both centre-backs this summer.

Jeremy Jacquet is due to arrive and fit up, and Joe Gomez remains at Anfield, while Giovani Leoni is struggling with a long-term injury. But beyond that, there are very few options for the Konate Chief elsewhere.

Liverpool may need to enter the market now, already missed one opportunity To bring back Jarel Kwansa from Bayer Leverkusen.

west ham united Nicklas Fulkrug may consider letting him leave on a free transfer this summer as his wages would be unviable in the Championship.

BILD reports on the 33-year-old today. He faces an interesting summer after missing out on the World Cup following an unsuccessful loan spell at AC Milan.

west ham comeback

The striker was expected to be part of the team to travel to the United States, Canada and Mexico. He has even been in regular touch with Julian Nagelsmann for the past few months. Nagelsmann has consistently stressed the importance of the West Ham striker to the team.

When selected, he performed consistently well for Germany. But his form for West Ham and Milan over the last two years has been very disappointing. Several long-term injuries didn’t help.

Now he is out of the picture and needs to use the summer to decide on his future. It is a question of staying abroad or returning to Germany.

For now, he will return to West Ham after his loan spell at Milan. But BILD says it is ‘virtually impossible’ that it will remain there.

The striker would be very expensive for the Championship, with an estimated net salary of €4.5m. West Ham are therefore willing to let him go in order to free him from the ‘minimum transfer fee’ or wage bill.

werder bremen prospects

This presents a huge opportunity for his former club Werder Bremen. They wanted to sign him in January and Niklas Fulkrug was open to the idea. However, the deal was not economically feasible at the time.

That could change if Fulkrug receives a ‘substantial severance package’ to leave West Ham early. In that scenario, financial considerations would be secondary.

He wants to be needed, to showcase his talents and to enjoy playing football. And he wants to live near his birthplace: Hanover. Bremen is just an hour away, so their case will be strong. VfL Wolfsburg is another option.

The United States is also an option, but it does not want that. And there is interest in Italy, but his inclination is more towards Germany. Firstly, it will depend on what West Ham do, with free transfers not off the table.

Tottenham Hotspur Star Pedro Porro has insisted he is not considering a move away from the club as they have struggled to stay in the Premier League.

sports world report on the 26-year-old’s comments today. He is speaking to Onda Cerro Extremadura after being called up by Spain for the World Cup.

tottenham festival

It’s been a week of double celebration for the Tottenham fullback after helping Spurs stay in the Premier League at the weekend.

A 1–0 win over Everton ensured that West Ham, not Spurs, lost on the final day of the season. This marked a remarkable turnaround for Roberto De Zerbi’s team, which had seemed destined for collapse not long before.

After this, Spain called Poro in its team for the World Cup on Monday. So it’s set to be a busy summer for the full-back.

Tottenham are expected to completely overhaul their team after the second 17 consecutive matches^th Finished last in the Premier League. Poro is one of those linked to a possible exit. However, he insists he hasn’t even thought about it.

“I have a contract with Tottenham,” he said.

“I don’t even have time to glance. We’re concentrating until the last minute. I don’t want to listen to anything; I want to switch off and enjoy.”

world cup focus

The defender is now focused on the World Cup, where he will be able to bounce back from the disappointment of two years ago.

The Tottenham man was expected to be a part of the squad for Euro 2024. Instead, Spain decided to leave him at home and go with Dani Carvajal and Jesus Navas.

This was a huge disappointment for them, even more so when Spain won the tournament. Now he is excited to get his chance in the World Cup.

“It’s been very exciting,” he said.

“I’m very happy; I’ve been working for a long time to make something like this happen. I had a strong desire to do this; it’s a dream come true to play in the World Cup for my country.”

“The manager has known me since my time in the youth teams and I have always had his trust.”

Stefon Diggs hit NFL free agency this offseason before settling his off-field issues, resulting in quiet months with minimal interest. Now that he’s been acquitted, it won’t be long before he finds a new home.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer addressed Diggs’ situation last week, naming the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons as possible landing spots.

Commanders and Chiefs are known in the market for their pass-catching help. While Washington hopes both Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey stay healthy in 2026, its only significant contributor in the receiving room was third-round pick Antonio Williams.

As far as Kansas City is concerned, they are looking for more depth behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton. Given that Thornton was only used as a deep threat last year and Worthy hasn’t lived up to expectations of being a first-round pick, Diggs may have a chance to become the No. 2 receiver in Kansas City next season.

Breyer believes whichever team signs him, it will likely be a one-year contract in the range of $10 million for the upcoming season. While the cap hit on a one-year deal would be less than $10 million, this ballpark figure would make Diggs approximately the 38th highest-paid receiver in the NFL.

The oddest fit of the above teams would seem to be the Rams. Los Angeles already has two established wide receivers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who attracted 46.9 percent of Matthew Stafford’s pass attempts in 2025. The Rams may not be able to give Diggs the role he wants.

Diggs may wait until closer to NFL training camp to ultimately sign, but his production last year demonstrated he is still a starting-caliber player. Our guess is he’ll sign with either the Chiefs or Commanders.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

There’s a lot of pressure on Sunny Mehta to get it right this upcoming offseason with the New Jersey Devils.

Part of this will be re-signing not only pending free agents, but also those eligible to sign extensions. So what will those contracts look like?

More on that in the link.

Plus, the Devils at the World Championship, and breaking bias in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: In the latest contract projections, is Nico Hischier going to cost the Devils more than $11 million per year? That and all the other major contract projections inside.

Speaking of Hischier, he and Timo Meier helped dominate Germany as Switzerland continued their dominant run at the World Championships.

And while we’re on the subject of dominant performances, Lenny Haminaho had a performance of his own yesterday when Finland thwarted the USA.

Well, looking ahead, there is a player in the 2026 NHL Draft who – if he were a little taller – could be selected in the top 3. His name is Viggo Bjork, and Daniel Amoia advocates that the Devils should consider him at 12th overall if he falls that far.

📺 devil’s rink report:Sunny Mehta has a lot to do this summer. One of those things involves addressing the elephant in the room with Dougie Hamilton, as I mentioned in the last clip on the Devils Rink Report.

Here’s what else he needs to do:

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Chicago hockey now: Ilya Mikheyev is a pending free agent. However, after several attempts by the Chicago Blackhawks to re-sign the veteran forward, it seems they are ready to move on as they are shopping his rights.

Montreal hockey now: Alex Newhook called the game for the Montreal Canadiens when he scored in overtime to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 7 vs. the Buffalo Sabers last night.

Athletic ($): There is already interest in Craig Berube, who was released by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Apparently, he may remain north for his next interview with the Edmonton Oilers.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

While everyone was expecting the New Orleans Saints to be one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2025, first-year head coach Kellen Moore had much better results than analysts expected. A year after winning only five games, Moore led the Saints to six wins, putting them within two games of claiming the NFC South.

Last year, the Saints made several roster changes, most notably moving quarterback Derek Carr to rookie second-round pick Tyler Shaw. This offseason, the Saints came close to moving on from a franchise icon. But they may not be ready to say goodbye yet.

Recently, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis addressed a pair of still-unsigned free agents, Taysom Hill and Cameron Jordan. Loomis revealed that the team has not offered the 36-year-old Hill a contract any time soon. However, they soon extended another contract offer to 37-year-old Jordan.

It remains to be seen whether things change between Hill and the Saints. For now, it appears that Hill has played his last snap as a member of the Saints. Of course, injuries could eventually change that mindset. Otherwise, perhaps his old head coach Sean Payton would have had some interest in adding Hill to the Denver Broncos. But the fact that Hill hasn’t landed in Denver yet could indicate that Peyton isn’t interested in the aging vet either.

As far as Jordan is concerned, it’s easy to see how the Saints would want the one-time All-Pro back. The eight-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season in which he recorded 10.5 sacks. The only thing is, if the Saints are truly interested in Jordan’s return, they might want to act quickly, as other suitors certainly have their eyes on Jordan as well.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Is Nico Hischier going to cost the New Jersey Devils more than $11 million per season for the next eight years?

The latest AFP Analytics offseason contract projections indicate that may very well be the case.

The Devils have a lot of answers to answer under new general manager, Sunny Mehta.

And although they are heading into the summer with $11,875,000 in cap space, it seems like that money could be eaten up very quickly, with no real room to improve without making cuts elsewhere.

The NHL officially announced 12 days ago that the 2026-27 salary cap will be $104 million.

Here’s a quick look at the Devils’ projections:

updated cap outlook

Per Pakpedia projections for 2026–27:

• Salary Cap: $104,000,000
• Projected cap hit: $92,125,000
• Cap Space: $11,875,000
• Cap floor: $76.9 million

Although the Devils are comfortably on top despite the $1.25 million bonus paid in overtime, Mehta will have little time to work with due to some key extensions.

Here’s where the following major contracts are projected to land:

Pending Free Agent (2026 UFA/RFA)

• Arseny Gritsyuk:
  • Long-term: four years at $5.890 million AAV
  • Short term: two years at $3.046 million AAV
• Simon German:
  • Long term: seven years at $8.061 million AAV
  • Short term: two years at $4.473 million AAV
• Paul Couture: Three years at $2.325 million AAV
• Nico Dawes: $892,500 for one year

Extension-Eligible (July 1, 2026 – FA July 1, 2027)

These players can be given extensions starting July 1, but have one year left on their contracts and won’t hit free agency until 2027:

• Nico Hischier: $11.459 million AAV at eight years.
• Dawson Mercer:
  • Long-term: six years at $7.839 million AAV
  • Short: Two years at $5.762 million AAV
• Cody Glass: Three years at $4.302 million AAV
• Brandon Dillon: $3.814 million, one year
• Stefan Noesen: $1,122 million in one year
• Seamus Casey: $940,500 for one year

Looking towards 2027-28

Let’s assume the salary cap is projected to be $113,500,000 in 2027-28. At that time, the Devils are projected to have $47,125,000 in cap space (based on current commitments). Thus, if the Devils sign all of the above extensions – applying long-term deals to those with long-term projections – New Jersey will have only $1,370,500 in cap space on July 1, 2027.

What does it mean for devils

With $11.875 million in projected cap space for 2026-27, the Devils have ample room to pursue most or all of the major free agents and extension eligible players without drastic roster surgery. Of course, this doesn’t mean players who are probably going to walk like Denis Cholovsky and Evgeni Dadonov.

The big commitments – Hischier (up $11.459 million), Nemec (up $8.061 million), Gritsyuk (up $5.89 million), and Mercer (up $7.839 million) – will consume a large portion of that space.

This situation perfectly reflects the rapid inflation in the NHL salary cap. This cap is projected to increase from $104 million in 2026–27 to $113.5 million in 2027–28, resulting in a large jump in available dollars. Through 2027-28, the Devils are currently projected to have approximately $47.125 million in cap space – more than four times the room they will have this upcoming summer.

That said, it is not realistic to retain every pending free agent and extension-eligible player. The Devils will have to make choices – allowing some depth players to walk or move while prioritizing key pieces. Even with strong cap inflation, the money can disappear quickly after an extension is signed. Expect Mehta to be selective this summer and possibly look for ways to shed salary from existing contracts to create more breathing room.

Overall, the projections are encouraging for New Jersey. However, if the Devils are looking for outside help, Mehta will have to find ways to shed some of the burden.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The Los Angeles Lakers face two important offseason decisions this summer with LeBron James and Austin Reaves. While it’s uncertain how much it would cost if the Hall of Famer is retained in the future, there is more information on the rate at which Reeves is paired with Luka Doncic.

NBA executives who spoke to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Dan Wolke said Reaves could get a multi-year extension in the range of more than $40 million per season.

RELATED: Executive details potential win-win contract for Lakers, LeBron

Reaves, age 27, is hitting NBA free agency at exactly the right time. The 6-foot-5 guard is coming off a season where he set career highs in scoring, free-throws and rebounds per game.

• Austin Reeves Stats (2025-26): 23.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.1 spg, 2.3 3pts per game, 36% 3pts

He’s also hitting the open market right this summer. LeBron will have a very limited number of suitors, and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is a restricted free agent. This makes Reaves the most coveted player available in NBA free agency this offseason.

Currently, the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls stand as the two guard-needy teams with the cap space to afford Reaves. There is also expected to be interest from the Utah Jazz.

In all likelihood, a bidding war would lead the Lakers to pay more than $40 million per season to retain Reaves. A deal would mean Los Angeles is committing more than $90 million per season to Reaves and Doncic together for the foreseeable future.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

You shouldn’t put anything past Bill Guerin. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that he’s attempted to poach the youngest Hughes brother from the New Jersey Devils.

If you haven’t heard of it, visit the link below.

Yesterday was a good day for New Jersey Hockey Now. We’ve acquired Daniel Amoia who is joining me on Devil’s Beat.

NJHN is your go-to Devils source for all your New Jersey hockey needs, and we’re taking it to another level with Daniel.

You can find his author page here.

Daniel made his first publication yesterday which is also below, but stay tuned for more to come.

Elsewhere, Quinn on the Future in Minnesota, Heavily Fined on Torts, and More!

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: interesting. So, Bill Guerin has as much interest in bringing all of the Hughes brothers to Minnesota as the Devils have in employing all of them in New Jersey. evidence? Guerin called Tom Fitzgerald about a possible trade for Luke Hughes.

So, given the fact that Guerin feels the need to give himself an advantage when it comes to the Hughes brothers, what does this mean for how he feels about his chances of retaining Quinn Hughes? Daniel Amoia breaks it down in his first appearance with New Jersey Hockey Now.

📺 devil’s rink report: It has been reported that Auston Matthews’ future in Toronto is uncertain. Well, some people have drawn attention to New Jersey in a potential franchise changing trade. In the latest video on Devils Rink Report, I break down the deal that’s received a lot of backlash online and weigh in on whether it makes sense.

Last week, we went live with immediate reaction after the draft lottery. The full episode can be found here 👇🏼

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sign up for new jersey hockey now Newsletter for daily Devils intel straight to your inbox.

NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Athletic ($): I mean, what else was he going to say? He loses all his leverage in contract negotiations by saying otherwise. At the Minnesota Wild exit meetings, Quinn Hughes was asked and stated that he was interested in remaining in Minnesota.

As many have already pointed out, Zach Parise said the same thing before leaving the Devils… for the Wild!

We will see what happens.

Forever Blueshirts: John Tortorella always finds a way back into the spotlight. New York Rangers fans know his fiery passion, and now the Vegas Golden Knights do too. And man, is the NHL attacking Torts with a big hammer. Tortorella has been heavily fined, and Vegas is being forced to forfeit a high draft pick for refusing to hold a media availability after eliminating the Anaheim Ducks.

pittsburgh hockey now: What’s next for Ricard Raquel who has definitely been pushed back from 2024-25? The decision here is definitely in the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose Hockey Now: Okay, no big deal. This is his second year in the league and Maclin Celebrini was fourth in league scoring with 104 points. Well, on July 1st, he is eligible to extend with the San Jose Sharks. What will that look like?

Philly hockey now: Here’s how the Philadelphia Flyers are becoming a destination players want to visit.

Montreal hockey now: It may not be as sustainable as it has been for them, but the Montreal Canadiens are succeeding in their adversity.

Toronto Hockey Now: What does Auston Matthews’ future hold with the Toronto Maple Leafs? Here’s the latest update from inside.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

A rival executive sabotaged the new contract the Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to give LeBron James, and it looks like it’s a win-win deal for both parties.

On Monday, the Lakers saw a disappointing end to their 2025-26 campaign as the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a stunning four-game sweep of the NBA Playoffs semifinals. Following their 115–110 loss at home, speculation immediately began regarding James’ future.

Over the next few weeks, the 22-time All-Star will have to decide if he wants to play another season in the NBA. If he returns for a 24th season, while other teams like the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers would be interested, a return to the Lakers makes the most sense.

“It’s hard to fit him anywhere,” a West scout told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on Friday. But James won’t come cheap, and the prospect of them trading a veteran to capture a title doesn’t make business sense for them. An East team strategist also told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, “According to our metrics, he remains a top-25 player in the league, and if it weren’t for his age, we probably would have rated him at the max player level.”

Should the LA Lakers give LeBron James a one-year deal with a no-trade clause?

So what type of deal should the Lakers offer that makes sense for them in the short and long term, but doesn’t offend one of the greatest players of all-time, who is still playing at an All-Star level at age 41? An executive from an Eastern Conference team has an idea.

James earned more than $52 million this season. Still, with the team willing to give Austin Reeves a big pay raise in a new long-term deal this summer, it doesn’t make sense to pay him that amount again. Would the four-time MVP be willing to consider a contract in the $35 to $40 million range? Perhaps.

One-year James deal makes long-term sense for LA Lakers

While he wants to chase championships, James is a smart businessman and won’t waste his value to benefit a billion-dollar NBA club. The Lakers are one of the few competitive teams that can offer him the money he’s worth.

Additionally, LA showed over the final two months of the season that they can be a threat in the West if James, Reaves and Luka Doncic are healthy. If the front office can better complement the roster around him, James has a chance to chase a title in the city he wants to live in, and closer to market value.

For the Lakers, it makes sense to keep James for another season. As mentioned, they will be a very good team again. And if this is his final year, the club could pocket a hefty sum from a pseudo-retirement tour. But at the same time, re-signing him and waiting for the summer of 2027 makes long-term sense.

Big stars like Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kyrie Irving could be available next summer.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Bayern Munich are increasingly confident they will sign Anthony Gordon newcastle united in this summer.

Evening newspaper Munich report The Newcastle winger is firmly in Bayern’s plans, and a recent board meeting has given the go-ahead to a possible transfer.

bayern meeting on gordon

The newspaper reports that FC Bayern’s supervisory board met on Monday. This led to agreement on an important issue; Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is set to be the ‘marquee signing’ of the summer transfer window.

The German giants are hoping to pull off another Premier League ‘coup’ to strengthen their attack following the signings of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz in recent years. Each of them have done a great job.

Bayern wants to continue this ‘successful tradition’. This is despite the admission that signing Gordon from Newcastle this summer would be an expensive venture. According to English reports he is worth €90 million. Bayern will not pay that much.

Instead, talks between the two clubs over a potential deal are likely to intensify in the coming weeks. Bayern Munich considers itself a pioneer.

Gordon is leaning towards Munich

Anthony Gordon himself is headed to Bayern. According to AZ information, a five-year contract is being discussed. The deal is being considered ‘understandable’ for Bayern.

They need top-class options, which they sorely lacked in the recent Champions League semi-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. Jamal Musiala is also far from his best form and Serge Gnabry will be out for a long time.

The Newcastle forward is the preferred candidate at the moment. It seems Bayern are also talking about spending big on him this summer. But all signs point to them pushing for a deal this summer.

It appears the bigger issue is Newcastle’s asking price. But if Gordon tries hard enough, this is unlikely to be a major hurdle for the German champions.

A new report of the opinions of executives around the NFL suggests that the Baltimore Ravens should prepare for more Lamar Jackson contract drama if he continues to perform at his current level over the next two seasons.

After being the last pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson has been better than the Ravens imagined. After showing his potential in six starts during his rookie season, he would emerge as one of the best players at the game’s most important position in the years to come.

Since 2019, Jackson has earned Pro Bowl honors four times, is a three-time All-Pro, and is a two-time NFL MVP. The dual-threat QB is already the best signal caller in Ravens history, and that’s why he got a massive five-year, $260 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. Still, to get that deal done, it was a complete struggle.

Jackson represented himself in negotiations and demanded to receive a fully guaranteed deal and be unable to place his franchise tag on the Ravens in the future. When discussions reached an impasse, he demanded a trade in March 2023. However, after continued difficult negotiations, an agreement was eventually reached.

NFL executive expects another dramatic Ravens and Lamar Jackson contract battle in 2028

This period when the Ravens are happy is in the rear view. However, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, some around the NFL believe the team and superstar QB can do it all again in 2028.

An NFC executive told Fowler, “Last time it looked like negotiations were going nowhere and then suddenly a deal appeared.” “It has a chance to be really interesting again, especially if he has a big year and his leverage goes up.”

While he has eight seasons under his belt, Jackson will only be 31 in 2028. So he should still have two or three more prime years left in him. Elite QBs are the biggest assets in the NFL, and all teams will pay big bucks to get them. It wouldn’t be surprising if Jackson decided to bet on himself and hit the market in two years.

However, that’s a problem down the stretch, and the Ravens should be in title contention again this year thanks to the two-time MVP.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal has been ruled out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow. While this is a major blow to the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, it appears it won’t get in the way of a record-setting contract.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel spoke with the league’s agents, executives and scouts, who estimated that Skubal would receive a contract worth approximately $357 million over seven years.

Typically, Skubal’s surgery occurs with a recovery timeline of two to three months. This would put the All-Star pitcher on track to return in late July, right after the MLB All-Star break.

However, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, there is “optimism in the Tigers clubhouse” that Skubal will be able to return to the mound in June. In a best-case scenario, some even think the reigning Cy Young Award winner could be a part of Detroit’s rotation by early June.

Examining Tarik Skubal’s Future Earning Power

Prior to the 2026 MLB season, Skubal had made 31 starts in consecutive years with over 190 innings pitched. He had demonstrated a track record of being a workhorse starter and was poised to do so again in 2026 before experiencing some pain in his pitching elbow.

Skubal’s success on the mound guarantees he will become the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. Los Angeles Dodgers starter pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has the most lucrative contract among pitchers at $325 million over 12 years, while Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler has the highest average annual salary among pitchers ($42 million).

Based on Skubal’s projected contracts, he will break both records. He would be the first pitcher in MLB history to have a contract AAV of over $50 million and the total value of the contract (over $350 million) would easily surpass the Yamamoto contract covering even fewer years.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Jaden Reed to a three-year contract extension in April, ensuring that another key part of their offense will be around for years to come. With summer practice approaching, we may see contract extensions for some other Packers players.

Let’s take a look at what contract extensions could look like for Tucker Craft, Lucas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and Christian Watson.

tucker craft

If Tucker Craft doesn’t suffer an ACL injury in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, there’s a good chance he could have received some second-team All-Pro votes in 2025. Green Bay’s standout tight end totaled 489 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns in eight games. Among tight ends with more than 40 targets, he led his teammates in yards per reception (15.3) and yards per route run (2.56). Although there is some additional risk to Kraft due to his torn ACL, it makes sense to sign him to a long-term deal now rather than waiting until his contract expires. Given that Kyle Pitts recently signed the franchise tag at $15.045 million, the cost of an extension would likely be high. We think a four-year deal that makes Kraft one of the three highest-paid tight ends in the NFL can be accomplished, with Green Bay working in bonus structures depending on Kraft’s health.

• Prediction: 4 years, $68 million ($17 million AAV) and $40 million total guaranteed

Connected: Green Bay Packers players who may be out in 2026

devonte wyatt

Selected by Green Bay with the 28th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt has taken some time to really establish himself. He was on pace to record more than five sacks in a season for the third consecutive year before suffering a fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle. Assuming he makes a full recovery, Green Bay will have an interior pass-rushing specialist who is still a bargain at his fifth-year option salary of $13.922 million. The rate of pass-rushing interior tackles has increased in recent years, demonstrated by the fact that 13 defensive tackles now have deals worth more than $20 million per season. Realistically, should Wyatt beat out the Javon Kinlow deal ($45 million over three years) by a wide margin, Zack Siler ($21.333 million AAV) could potentially be a high-end target for a deal.

• Prediction: 3 years, $62 million ($20.6 million AAV)

RELATED: Green Bay Packers who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

Christian Watson

It’s fair to say the Packers wish they had signed Christian Watson to a contract extension before Alec Pierce re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Watson has durability issues working against him, but he has also put up 1,231 receiving yards in his last 25 games over the past two seasons and averaged 19.2 yards per reception. He is entering a contract year and the fact that Green Bay did not use any draft capital on a receiver suggests that Brian Gutekunst has long-term plans for Watson in Matt LaFleur’s offense. We believe a deal could be reached this summer, but it would cost much more than some estimates.

• Prediction: 3 years, $85.5 million, with $65 million total guaranteed

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Packers land

lucas van ness

Lucas Van Ness hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations the Packers front office had for him when he was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In 43 career games, he has only managed 34 pressures, 23 QB hits, 17 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. However, Green Bay exercised its option for the 2027 season with $13.8 million fully guaranteed. It certainly shows that the coaching staff still has a lot of confidence in him, especially after new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon took over. We think something similar could be done with Jordan Love in 2023, when he was signed to a one-year extension.

• Prediction: 1-year, $15 million extension

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

brentford Now know that it is becoming a very real race for Issa Doumbia. And Sporting aren’t really hiding their intentions anymore.

The Venezia midfielder has had a huge season in Italy. The 22-year-old has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances. He has helped Venezia gain promotion back to Serie A. So it is natural that he has made himself one of the most talked about midfielders in the country.

That rise has attracted the attention of many clubs across Europe. However, The Brentford name will continue As one of the English sides was seriously interested in the position.

The problem for them is that sporting is moving fast.

Sporting is working hard for Doumbia

according to to ballThe Portuguese side have already moved beyond simple interest and made a concrete contract offer to the player.

Now the financial details have also come out. The newspaper reports that Sporting are offering Doumbia a five-year contract worth €100,000 (£85,600) a month after tax until 2031.

Liverpool will need more than €40m if they want to sign Assane Ouedraogo from RB Leipzig this summer.

BILD laughs off potential interest in Leipzig The midfielder spoke today following reports that Liverpool could be interested in the 19-year-old.

€40m is not enough

The newspaper reports that Leipzig aim to ensure their qualification for the Champions League with a win over St. Pauli this weekend.

This is an important piece of the puzzle for the German club, especially when it comes to retaining coveted talents within the squad. Assan Ouédraogo is one of those talents.

Despite two knee injuries, he has enjoyed a strong campaign, repeatedly offering glimpses of his ‘immense potential’. Same is the case with Leipzig and the German national team.

Europe’s top clubs have taken notice. Bayern Munich have already been linked with a move. Now reports out of Germany suggest that Liverpool have added him to their list. Reportedly, they are ready to make a bid in the region of €40m.

The Reds first pursued Assane Ouedraogo three years ago when Jurgen Klopp was in charge. Now they have to convince him to sell. He had seen him last year also.

liverpool and leipzig talks

But BILD made it clear it has ‘absolutely no interest’ in letting Assane Ouedraogo leave. And ‘definitely not for €40m.’

RB Leipzig intend for their ‘prize gem’ to take the next step in his development with him next season. Ideally this will also happen in the Champions League. His contract, which runs until 2029, does not contain a release clause.

Thus, there will be talks between Liverpool and Leipzig. There is a good working relationship between them. Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai have swapped Leipzig for Anfield since 2018.

The chances of Ouedraogo following that path are slim at the moment. Leipzig have no intention of selling and certainly not for the €40 million that Liverpool are reportedly willing to spend this summer. It seems it will take a lot more than that figure to get them to change their minds.

tottenham’s A few months ago the decision on Manor Solomon seemed relatively straightforward.

The winger was barely involved in north London, so his loan transfer to Fiorentina in January was significant for everyone involved. Spurs needed him to play regularly again. Meanwhile, Solomon needed to prove that he could still be an effective attacking option at a higher level.

For a while the plan seemed to be working perfectly.

Solomon soon settled in Florence and there was growing confidence that Fiorentina would trigger his purchase option at the end of the season.

However, now the situation has become much more complex. And Spurs are watching closely as they probably don’t see Solomon returning as part of their plans next season.

Plans are changing in Italy

The 26-year-old enters the final weeks of the campaign effectively putting his future on hold with the Italian outlet florence viola Explaining that Fiorentina are no longer completely sure about making the move permanent.

Solomon made a great start in Italy. He brought direct running, creativity and intensity in wide areas, while also helping to cover for Albert Gudmundsson’s inconsistent form. At one point it felt as if he had overtaken the Iceland international in the pecking order.

The Tottenham player contributed with two goals and one assist and looked like a natural fit for Fiorentina’s attack. then came another blow blow.

The shock of injury changed the picture

According to Firenze Viola, Solomon’s Thigh injury against Jagiellonia in February Kept him out for almost two months. However, that absence has changed the mood internally at Fiorentina.

The Italian side is now expected to take a step back before taking a final decision. Part of that depends on who becomes the club’s next manager, while there are also fresh concerns about Solomon’s fitness record after another stop-start campaign.

That uncertainty isn’t ideal for Tottenham either. Mostly because it feels like Spurs will secure a permanent transfer this summer. They would prefer this option rather than re-inducting him into the team.

Fiorentina currently have a purchase option worth around £8.5m (€10m). earlier this year, that seemed like a fair price Gave the influence of Solomon. Now, however, the deal suddenly seems much less certain.

Tottenham probably need to sell

Manor Solomon is reportedly keen to stay at Florence and will use the final matches of the campaign to try to change minds internally. Report says he will do so “Play for his contract”. He is expected to start against Genoa this weekend in what could turn out to be one of the biggest games of his season.

Spurs are expected to revamp parts of their attack this summer, and Solomon currently does not look like someone in De Zerbi’s plans if he is being lined up for a new opportunity.

If Fiorentina moves away from this stream, Tottenham may suddenly need to find another buyer in a market where the club will already be keeping a close eye on his injury history.

Right now, the feeling in Italy is that Solomon’s future in Florence hangs in the balance – and Tottenham probably need to make it happen.

The New York Jets appear to be committed to keeping Geno Smith as their starting quarterback for the start of the 2026 NFL season. Still, the front office has invested in other players, including spending a fourth-round choice on Clemson QB Cade Klubnik.

The other options, Brady Cook and Bailey Zappé, are not starting material. However, Jets general manager Darren Maugy has recently attempted to strengthen the Jets’ QB room by bringing in another starting-caliber arm.

According to free agent QB Russell Wilson, the Jets recently offered him a contract when they brought the 37-year-old in for a private workout.

While Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion, appreciated the offer, he says he’s still considering what to do next. Some possible options include becoming an NFL analyst, discussing your favorite sport on TV.

Still, Wilson also suggests that he “knows I can play ball at a high level.”

“It was great,” Wilson said, via Ryan Dunleavy New York Post. “They offered me, and I’m trying to figure out what’s the next best thing for me. I still know I can play ball at a high level, but I also have a chance to work in TV, so we’ll see what happens.”

Those comments lead us to believe that instead of making good money talking about football on TV, Wilson will, at some point during the 2026 NFL season, be joining an NFL roster. He can talk about football until he’s blue in the face, but he’ll only get more chances to actually get on the field. In fact, this could be one of the Jets’ last chances to compete.

RELATED: 4 potential Brandon Sorsby landing spots in the NFL supplemental draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Arne Slott’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has hinted that there will be ‘a lot of changes’ liverpool After admitting that signing the deal with the Reds this summer was the biggest moment of his career.

ESPN Netherlands has an interview Today with the Brazilian agent. She discusses a variety of topics including the slot situation at Liverpool.

liverpool summer changes

The Dutch coach is facing an interesting summer, with a large portion of Liverpool fans wanting to see him replaced at the helm.

It has been a difficult year for the Liverpool manager, with Liverpool currently 18 points behind leaders Arsenal after offering a non-existent defense of the title last season.

This comes despite a massive summer in which the Reds spent a record amount of money to reshape the squad with major additions. However, reports from England have indicated that Slott retains the confidence of the club hierarchy. Unless there is a major change, he will remain at Anfield.

This is despite connecting to Ajax. Recent reports have indicated that the Dutch giants have made an offer to the Liverpool manager.

Pimenta would not comment on that. But he hinted that ‘there will definitely be a lot of changes’ at Liverpool and Ajax.

“Ajax is an important club, although it is certainly not a big club like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.” He said.

“But for Brazil, Ajax is a very important club because it is a buying club. And we (Brazil) are an exporting country.”

Arne Slott contract negotiations

Instead, Pimenta preferred to focus on Arne Slot’s initial move to Liverpool in the summer of 2024. According to him, this move was the biggest and most important step in his career so far.

“It was really incredible,” He added.

“Imagine: I grew up in Brazil, where I followed Liverpool from a distance, during a season when you thought: Wow, look at Liverpool! And suddenly you’re sitting there negotiating the manager’s contract. I think it was one of the most influential moments of my career, yes.”

The focus now is on whether further contract negotiations are to take place. With only one year left on his deal, Slott finds himself in a precarious situation.

Whether he gets an extension or not will certainly depend on how next season goes. At the moment, there certainly aren’t many Liverpool fans who would hand it over.

The Atlanta Braves struck gold with the selection of catcher Drake Baldwin with the 96th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. As he emerges as an All-Star and one of the new faces of the franchise, a historic contract extension could be next for the reigning NL Rookie of the Year.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that although the Braves have not “seriously begun talks” with Baldwin to discuss a potential contract extension, an eventual deal could reset the market for catchers.

• Drake Baldwin Stats 2026 (ESPN): 9 home runs, 30 RBI, .313/.392/.532, .922 triple-slash line in 147 at-bats this season

Baldwin, 25, is proving that his breakout season last year was no fluke. Atlanta’s budding All-Star has increased his walk rate (8.5% to 9.6%) and his isolated power (.195 to .218) so far. He’s clearly one of the best catchers in baseball, and his offensive production has been vital for a club that has also faced early struggles from Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr.

Cal Raleigh is currently the highest paid catcher in MLB at an average annual value of $17.5 million. Notably, Raleigh and Los Angeles Dodgers star Will Smith is the only catcher to sign a contract worth $100 million or more. Realistically, if Baldwin signs a long-term deal he will reach that area.

There’s certainly no reason for Atlanta to rush into negotiations with Murphy. He is also not arbitration-eligible for the first time until after the 2027 MLB season. He still has additional team control remaining, so he will not be eligible for MLB free agency until 2030.

Rosenthal explained why the record for the highest AAV ever for a catcher, $23.1 million, is a figure Baldwin could surpass with his next deal. If that’s the case, Atlanta could consider a five-plus-year contract extension totaling around $120 million.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Max Holloway has addressed the growing speculation about being linked to a rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, admitting that he has been appealed by the fight for personal reasons, while confirming that he has yet to receive a formal offer from the UFC.

McGregor plans to return to action for the first time in five years after suffering a broken foot in his trilogy against Dustin Poirier in 2021, with UFC 329 emerging as the most likely destination during International Fight Week. Holloway, who lost to McGregor in 2013, has been widely discussed as a potential opponent for that comeback, and he explained in an interview with Paramount that the idea of ​​settling unfinished business is attractive.

“I mean, we have the history,” Holloway said. “We fought a long time ago. I told you guys, if someone attacked me, I’d bring him back. I’d love to bring him back. There’s so much talk about him coming back, and everybody’s talking about how serious he really is. It seems like he’s been training and taking and really wants to come back to fight. It’s exciting.

He said, “He looks hungry. He looks extremely hungry. He did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it was great to see him. I would just like to get one back. It’s a huge fight.” “Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with that guy, it would be nice to be able to get someone back. I’ve got to get my payback on one of the guys. If I can continue to move down the list, that would be great.”

Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor contract has not been proposed yet

Holloway’s most recent outing included a lopsided decision loss to Charles Oliveira that cost him the BMF title, and he was honest about his motivation to erase that performance from the conversation as quickly as possible.

He said, “You’re only as good as your last fight, and we’re going to make everyone forget about that last fight as quickly as we can.”

Despite mutual interest, Holloway confirmed that no contract has yet been offered.

“Maybe, we’ll see what happens,” he said when asked about UFC 329.

Aston Villa On his agenda for the summer is Udinese’s Thomas Christensen.

The centre-back joined the Serie A team from Danish club AGF in September 2023 and has been a regular since then.

His performances have attracted the attention of Premier League teams including Aston Villa.

On 1 April, Khel Sakshi Covered claims from Italy There was interest from the Villans, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest last summer. Juventus and AC Milan have now joined the chase.

Therefore, Udinese are pushing to renew the Denmark international’s contract. At the moment, he has not committed his long-term future to the Italian club.

Aston Villa chasing defender

Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s side have secured the return of the 24-year-old.

is according to TuttoMercatoWebAnd their headline states that Aston Villa are ‘interested’ ahead of the summer.

AC Milan have watched Thomas Christensen repeatedly recently, and a number of Premier League sides are keeping a close eye. Only Aston Villa is directly mentioned.

Thomas Christensen’s contract expires in 2028, and the next window could be his last big chance to earn a good fee. Therefore, Udinese are considering the possibility of his departure and have set a price tag of €25m. This may not be an issue for the Villa Park club.

Defender aims to join Europe-qualifying club

Thomas Christensen recently told campo The Italian club had offered a renewal. He has not made a final decision yet as he aims to join a European club.

“Yes, I can confirm that [Udinese wants to extend]. This is not the first time this has happened. He came already after one and a half year. He said.

“The situation is that when I came our plan was that I would play for a period, so that I can make the jump from there again. So, it is clear that it is in our plan that the step forward should be made.

“When that happens, we’ll have to see. But yes, there have been some contract extension talks and some offers, yes.

“In the short term, it’s quite likely that the next step will be to a bigger club, perhaps playing in Europe. I wouldn’t rule it out.”

“Things are open, so it’s hard to say, but in any case, moving to a bigger club is obviously the move I see myself taking.”

Aston Villa fits the bill

The Udinese star’s desire to join a club playing in the UEFA competition would come as a boost for the Premier League side.

Aston Villa are fifth in the table, six points ahead of sixth-placed AFC Bournemouth, and in a comfortable position to qualify for the Champions League.

In short, the defender can accomplish his goal if he joins the Villans after this season. He has made 28 appearances this season transfer market He is worth €12 million.

WWE is back with this week’s edition of WWE Raw on Netflix.

Monday’s episode will take place at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska and begins at 8:00 p.m. ET. On tonight’s show, there will be two contract signings ahead of Saturday’s Backlash PLE.

Below, you can check out all the results and highlights from WWE Raw.

Quick WWE Raw Results (May 4, 2026)

• Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu sign contracts for WWE Backlash
• Oba Femi Open Challenge continues
• Jevon Evans and Penta vs. Rusev and Ethan Page
• JD McDonagh vs Finn Balor
• Asuka and IYO SKY will “sit down” ahead of their match at WWE Backlash.
• Sol Ruka signs a contract with Raw

wwe raw highlights

The Houston Rockets are suffering a first round exit in the NBA playoffs, extending their streak to six seasons without a semifinal appearance. While the Rockets’ young core didn’t take a step forward this season, it appears as if one of them is going to be rewarded with a big deal.

According to Sam Amick and William Guillory of The Athletic, the Rockets are expected to sign Amen Thompson to a contract extension this offseason that will be worth more than $250 million over five years.

Thompson, age 23, earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors last season. Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, many around the league have been high on the 6-foot-7 wing for his length and excellent defensive ability. In each of the last two seasons, he has been viewed as a player who could make the leap to superstardom and Houston has been unwilling to include him in any trade proposal to bring in an established superstar.

When Thompson signs a five-year contract extension worth more than $250 million, his average annual salary of more than $50 million will make him one of the six highest-paid shooting guards in the NBA. He will be paid similar to Donovan Mitchell and slightly ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards ($48.924 million average annual value).

Importantly, according to The Athletic, Rockets ownership is giving the front office clearance to spend more on the roster next season and it looks to keep the young core together. However, that could be a problem for Houston once the contract extension takes effect.

Why the Rockets might regret Amen Thompson contract extension?

Entering the offseason, the Rockets payroll for the 2026-27 season is already $184.925 million, according to Basketball Reference. Alperen Sengun is now making more than $35 million per year, Jabari Smith Jr.’s extension also kicks in next season and nearly doubles his salary to $23.643 million. In addition to adding more than $50 million for Thompson, the Rockets will commit $200 million to key players who have not gone to the Western Conference Semifinals together.

There were also some real signs of the limitations of Thompson’s game this season. While he averaged 19.2 points per game in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, this came in 44 minutes per game and 14.3 shot attempts per contest.

In his third NBA season, Thompson did not consistently demonstrate the ability to be a primary scorer who could get his shot and take over games during the playoffs. However, a $250 million contract extension is paying him to perform at that level.

All the money owed on the current core, in addition to the team’s desires to bring in another star this summer, could complicate the ability to retain Terry Eason. Even if Eason returns, it will be one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA and has no postseason success to show for it.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Romelu Lukaku has been accused of showing a lack of gratitude towards Antonio Conte as relations soured at Napoli.

Journalist Massimo Brambati, Via tutto napoli, Not impressed with the Belgian striker’s behavior over the past few weeks. He believes Lukaku should be grateful to Conte for landing him an “important contract” chelsea.

An exit from Napoli looks likely

It appears that Romelu Lukaku is destined to leave Napoli at some point this summer after a major falling out with the club’s hierarchy.

He was the star as they won the Serie A title last season but injury problems have limited his appearances on the field this season.

The striker then suffered a major shock last month when he decided to remain in Belgium to follow a personal rehabilitation plan. This was against Napoli’s wishes. The Italian champions had ordered the Belgian to return to them for treatment.

Lukaku has now been ruled out of the Napoli squad until the end of the season. He is certain to be sold in the summer transfer window if Napoli can find a buyer. Brambatti is not impressed, saying Lukaku has shown a lack of gratitude towards Antonio Conte.

He added, “Is his relationship with Conte ruined? There is no gratitude in football.”

“Lukaku is very grateful to Conte. After a fluctuating season at Roma he wanted him at Napoli, but above all, he relaunched him at Inter, allowing him to secure an important contract at Chelsea.

“At Inter, he told me that Lukaku was not always impeccable in managing his diet, so Conte was important for his development.”

what happens next?

It will certainly be interesting what happens with Romelu Lukaku this summer. At the age of 32, his career is not over yet.

But at least it can be said that the Belgian player has a long injury history. And getting kicked out of clubs has now become a specialty for him.

The issue is the latest for Napoli, having caused problems at most of his previous clubs, including Chelsea. Would any club really want to take a risk on him? The answer, probably, will be no.

And now his relationship with Antonio Conte has also deteriorated, he can’t even trust the Italian to save him. His agent has also ruled out a return to Everton. It looks like the future will be tough for the striker.

Undrafted free agent quarterback Diego Pavia has a new home in the NFL. Pavia has signed a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2026 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The 24-year-old quarterback was the runner-up for the 2025 Heisman Trophy behind Fernando Mendoza.

Pavia, who became the first Heisman Trophy runner-up to go undrafted since Brad Banks in 2003, joins a stacked quarterback room with Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Earlier on Tuesday, the Ravens also signed undrafted quarterback Joe Fagnano to a three-year contract.

Pavia went undrafted due to concerns about his size and playing style transitioning to the NFL level. Despite throwing for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions, the 24-year-old quarterback did not receive much interest in the draft. Pavia also did not receive an immediate contract as an undrafted free agent.

This gives Pavia a chance to secure a spot on Baltimore’s 53-man roster for the 2026–27 NFL season. This also means the former Vanderbilt Commodore quarterback will likely battle Fagnano for the QB3 role behind Jackson and Huntley during the summer.

Although this contract does not guarantee Pavia a spot on the 53-man roster, it is a great result after going undrafted. The Ravens were initially going to bring Pavia to their rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, but the team already signed him.

If Pavia does not find a role behind Jackson and Huntley, he could join the practice squad to begin the 2026–27 NFL season. Either way, Pavia is likely to get a significant amount of reps with Fagnano during the 2026 NFL preseason.

Pavia has a home in the NFL, but what happens next in Baltimore depends on his performance this summer.

READ MORE: Multiple NFL teams seeking to sign Diego Pavia after going undrafted

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Over the past few months, Francisco Conceicao has been linked with a move to Juventus liverpool. The winger’s brother has now spoken openly about his future.

The Portugal international has performed brilliantly this season. He performed well against AC Milan on Sunday, even though Juve could not find the back of the net.

So far this campaign, he has contributed to eight goals in all competitions, the last time he scored in February.

Despite this, the conversation about Liverpool continues to persist. in March, sports witness Covered information that the Reds made first contact considering him as a replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Now, the attacker’s brother has spoken out about the 23-year-old’s future.

The player wants to take the next step

Francisco Conceição’s brother – Sergio Conceição Jr., plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus. he talked tuttosport About his own career, his younger siblings and how things are going for him at the Old Lady.

He explained that young Conceicao is winning over Juve manager Luciano Spalletti and wants to take the next step.

“They have a very good relationship, Spalletti has shown great confidence in Chico. He also feels a sense of responsibility.”

Making it clear that the winger wants to take the next step, he said: “He’s fine, he’s happy, and now he wants to take the final, decisive step in his development.“

He immediately rejected the idea of ​​exit, saying,I think they can compete for the title next year. Juve must always fight for the highest level, and with Spalletti they are starting from an excellent foundation.

Furthermore, Conceição was also indirectly asked if his brother could potentially leave Juve for a club like Liverpool.

He replied firmly: “Of course, he has a contract, right?“

Our Opinion: The deal would be a big gamble

Francisco Conceição has shown his potential in Turin, he is always eager to take on defenders, beat them and has a good work ethic.

However many times his last ball is missed. This also became clear against Milan on Sunday. He created some chances but missed when he could have contributed to the goals.

This inconsistency has been a problem for him throughout the campaign.

Liverpool should ideally look at someone more consistent. Conceicao can’t fire straight into Merseyside and will likely take some time to settle.

Tyler Reddick has been the best driver in NASCAR this season, becoming the first driver since Dale Earnhardt three decades ago to win five of the first nine races on the schedule. This all comes at the perfect time as the driver of the No. 45 car is in a contract year.

Appearing on Fox Sports this Sunday, Reddick revealed on the broadcast that he has signed a contract extension to remain with 23XI Racing through the 2027 season.

• tyler reddick stats: 5 wins, 6 top-five finishes, 7 top-10 finishes, 6.1 average starting position, 5.0 average finishing position in nine races

This shouldn’t be much of a surprise. 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said on his podcast in March that an extension with Redick would be done “soon.” The reports emerged after a few weeks of changes. This came a month after NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi said there were expectations around the garage that a deal would be signed during the season.

It’s already been a memorable year for Redick. In February, he became the first driver in 23XI history to win the Daytona 500. He got it off to a historic start, becoming the first Cup Series driver to win the first three races of the season.

Along the way, Reddick broke 23XI’s previous single-season record for wins. He is also a favorite to win the regular season points championship, which would be his second title in the last three seasons.

It has been a remarkable turnaround after a challenging 2025 season. He failed to win a race last year and was eliminated at the Round of 12, just a year after reaching Championship 4. All this happened at a time when he and his wife’s newborn baby were hospitalized due to a chest tumor that had affected his heart. Fast forward to 2026, his son is better and Redick has now signed a long-term deal with 23XI.

Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, reports last week indicated that the new contract will make Reddick one of the highest-paid drivers in NASCAR. 23XI Racing’s future also appears to be in jeopardy from contract extensions, with Reddick driving the No. 45 car, Bubba Wallace driving the No. 23 and top prospect Corey Heim expected to replace Riley Herbst in the No. 35 car next season.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The San Jose Sharks have one of the best players in the NHL at the moment in 19-year-old Maclin Celebrini. Coming off a record-breaking season where he almost led the team to the playoffs, it appears the phenom will be rewarded with a new deal this summer.

On the latest episode of Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts, insider Elliotte Friedman said San Jose will be proactive regarding extension talks with Celebrini once he becomes eligible. He does not expect Celebrini’s camp to come up with a long-term deal for seven to eight years, but a four-year deal is also unlikely.

“I think they work hard on it. For me, it’s not a question of numbers, but of words. I can’t see them or their representatives… I can’t see them wanting to go for eight years or seven years.:

Elliotte Friedman on Maclin Celebrini contract extension talks for the San Jose Sharks

RELATED: Agents reveal potential cost of Macklin Celebrini contract extension

• Macklin Celebrini Contract (Puckpedia): $975,000 cap hit (2026-27), RFA in 2027

Friedman further said the extension could be for three or five years. The three-year extension will serve as the final year before Celebrini becomes an unrestricted free agent. Alternatively, a five-year contract would effectively buy out the first year he would be eligible for NHL free agency as an unrestricted free agent.

Both sides will have to figure out how to strike the right balance between giving Celebrini a salary that reflects his value to the franchise, while also keeping it at a point that allows the front office to build a great team around the franchise.

RELATED: Why Macklin Deserves the Celebrini Hart Trophy

• Macklin Celebrini Statistics (2025–26): 115 points (70 assists, 45 goals), 8 power-play goals, 25 power-play assists

Based on informed speculation from agents who spoke to The Athletic, a three-year extension could come in at anywhere in the ballpark of $10 million to $12 million per season. If both parties can agree on a five-year deal, the average annual value of the said deal could be closer to $14 million to $15 million.

At the very least, a contract extension is likely sometime this summer after Celebrini becomes eligible for the first time on July 1. Once this matter is resolved, the Sharks will have a much clearer picture of their long-term financial flexibility and how they can strengthen their defense in the years to come.

RELATED: Love the San Jose Sharks? Watch San Jose Hockey Now

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

San Jose Sharks phenom Maclin Celebrini capped off a season at age 19 where he broke the franchise’s single-season points record and reached milestones that were only achieved by the all-time greats. With this he can break some new records with his next contract.

In a poll of NHL agents conducted by The Athletic, Celebrini received the second-most votes to select who will be the highest-paid player in hockey by the start of the 2028–29 season.

RELATED: Why Macklin Deserves the Celebrini Hart Trophy

“Why shouldn’t Celebrini make $20 million a year? I mean, that’s a lot, but look at that kid. I guess my thing with Celebrini is I know it’s not apples to apples because Kaprizov could have become a UFA, but if you’re that, why wouldn’t I say, Kaprizov is getting it, why shouldn’t I make more than Kaprizov?”

NHL agent on Macklin Celebrini potentially getting $20M/year contract

Another survey asked agents about the future contracts of both Celebrini and fellow No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard. While the Chicago Blackhawks star received considerable praise, the general consensus was that Celebrini is on a “very different level” than Bedard.

An agent suggested that Celebrini’s eventual extension with San Jose would be in the range of $10 to $17 million per season. If the 19-year-old were to sign a short-term deal, it would most likely be somewhere between $10-12 million. If he wants long-term security and a long-term commitment to the club, that figure could reach more than $17 million.

RELATED: Love the San Jose Sharks? Watch San Jose Hockey Now

“He’s going to get a big deal, and they’re going to have to pay him. What Celebrini is doing in San Jose is incredible. It’s happening at a slower pace with other contracts being so big. This is going to take him to another level, which will reshape the way teams squeeze in their high-level guys.”

Undisclosed NHL agent on potential Macklin Celebrini contract extension (via The Athletic)

Celebrini is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Sharks on July 1. During his record-breaking season, in which he set multiple single-season franchise marks and joined the record books of legends like Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby, the team was relatively quiet on a potential long-term deal.

However, Sharks general manager Mike Grier joked with reporters when asked about the matter earlier this season, saying “We probably wouldn’t try to sign him.”

For now, according to PuckPedia.com, Celebrini is under contract for next season with an $877,500 base salary with a $975,000 cap hit and performance bonuses of up to $3.5 million. While he is eligible for restricted free agency as a 21-year-old after the 2026-27 season, he will likely have a new deal with San Jose before 2027.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

After 23XI Racing effectively won its lawsuit against NASCAR, securing a permanent charter and a large financial settlement, the team’s focus turned to re-signing Tyler Reddick. With contract negotiations stretching into the season, the new asking price could be staggering.

Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern reported this week that industry executives have estimated that Reddick’s demands in the NASCAR Fool’s Season could push his contract demand to as much as $7 million per season.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings after Bristol, see where Tyler Reddick lands

It’s not hard to see why there could be an intense bidding war for Redick. Not only is 23XI Racing looking to bring him back to the No. 45 car long-term, but Hendrick Motorsports is also likely to have the No. 48 car available.

Bowman’s contract year has been derailed by vertigo, which has kept him out of four races, effectively leaving him with no realistic shot at making The Chase. He was already viewed as the hot seat entering the season, Hendrick wanted to find a driver who could give him another Cup Series championship contender.

RELATED: Denny Hamlin Addresses Tyler Reddick’s Future With 23XI

With the two teams making the most money, Reddick could use 23XI and Hendricks against each other to generate bigger offers. He’s also ready to hit the open market at just the right time in his Cup Series career.

It certainly would have been cheaper for 23XI to sign Redick to an extension before the season. He was coming off a winless season, seemingly taking a step back from winning the team’s first regular season cup title. Fast forward to now, he has made more team history.

Reddick became the first 23XI driver to win the Daytona 500 and the first driver to win three consecutive Cup Series races. Even before April hit, he broke the team’s single-season wins record with four trips to Victory Lane.

Realistically, 23XI will sign Redick to a new contract before the summer ends, and that could be followed by an announcement later this year that top prospect Corey Haim will replace Riley Herbst in the No. 35 car next season. In all likelihood, 23XI will have a three-driver team of Reddick, Hamm and Bubba Wallace in the near future.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Guglielmo Vicario has struggled tottenham Discussion has now intensified regarding his future throughout the season and transfer.

sports witness Inter Milan’s interest in the Italian has been covered, as they are about to lose Yann Sommer. Vicario is believed to be keen on the move and has already agreed personal terms with the Nerazzurri.

Claims regarding Tottenham’s asking price have varied. But it has become clear that Inter Sporting director Piero Ausilio has met with Vicario’s agent, and watched the player in the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.

With time ticking towards the end of the season, Inter are now highly focused on bringing the goalkeeper back to Italy.

Tottenham player discussed during transfer meeting

calciomarket Pasquale GuaroJoe, an authority on Inter, reports that there is a positive mood at the Nerazzurri right now. They defeated rivals Roma and have a shot at the Serie A title.

As a result, they want to make plans for their youth setup and summer transfers. Oaktree ownership held a series of meetings with several sections of the club to discuss some priority areas. A transfer meeting was held yesterday and Tottenham’s Vicario was a topic.

He is currently Inter’s priority target to replace Sommer. The aim is to further the discussion regarding the 29-year-old and reach a consensus regarding a move for him.

Vicario appears to be ‘the only name on the table’ at the moment, which shows how important the goalkeeping role is for Cristian Chivu’s side.

TeaOttenham should be prepared for the approach

Inter Milan wants Vicario, that much is clear. They also tried to sign him before Tottenham bought him from Empoli, where he impressed between the sticks.

Now, he has a very good relationship with his agent, Gabriele Giuffrida. This would help with summer transfers, as Vicario’s contract expires in 2028. This makes 2026 the best time for him to leave Tottenham.

This will be beneficial for Intermediate also. The Italy international’s standard has dropped, giving Chivu’s side the chance to negotiate a good discount. They are not going to spend much on the market, so it could all depend on how much Spurs want for their stopper.

It seems as if Inter are slowly tightening their grip on the deal. With personal terms agreed, they can now put pressure on Vicario to make a move to Tottenham.

chelseaThe pursuit of Valentin Barko has been on the rise in recent weeks, and the latest update suggests the club are now at the finish line.

after Failing to land a midfielder in JanuaryThe Blues kept pressing. Reports earlier this month indicated they were making progress in talks with Strasbourg, and confidence is growing over a summer move.

However, precautions were still taken. Sources close to the situation stressed that a final agreement has not yet been reached.

That gap may have closed now.

Agreement reached as Chelsea make decisive move

spanish journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos There are now reports that Valentin Barco will play for Chelsea with full agreement.

According to him, the 21-year-old has agreed to a six-year contract with the Blues. argentina outlet gazetteHowever, report slightly different terms – they claim the midfielder is set to sign a five-year contract running until June 2031.

Transfer fee details are unclear at this stage. Still, it is expected to be significantly higher than the fee of around £8m (€9.4m) paid by Strasbourg to Brighton last summer.

Either way, the deal follows a strong transfer push from Chelsea after the international break, building on the groundwork already laid in the process.

Liam Rosenior’s influence has again been central. The Chelsea manager is said to have worked closely with Barco at Strasbourg played a decisive role In convincing the player to accept the move.

Chelsea have also presented a clear game plan. Barco has reportedly been assured that he will be a key part of the project, being seen as a potentially key figure in the team moving forward.

That promise appears to have made a difference.

From advanced negotiations to full agreement

This latest development marks a change from the previous update.

Argentina’s earlier claims Told that the talks are going well, but have not been completed yet. Despite Chelsea’s clear advantage due to the BLUCO structure linking the two clubs, there was discussion about the details still needing to be sorted out.

Now the tone has changed. The move is being presented as full consent rather than just termination.

Chelsea have been in a strong position throughout. His ownership relationship with Strasbourg has simplified negotiations, while Rosenior’s relationship with the player has added a personal layer to the deal.

what happens next

Valentin Barco is expected to join Chelsea in June after the end of the season.

If confirmed, it would complete a transfer story that has developed in clear stages. Initial interest turned into a failed attempt in January, followed by renewed efforts and now, apparently, a full agreement has been reached.

The final step is official confirmation. Until then, Chelsea’s pursuit of Barco appears to be almost complete.

🇵🇹 Exclusive: Maxi Araújo

⏩Tottenham and Chelsea are in contact
➡️ Source gave information @UllalIBT
➡️There is also further Premier League interesthttps://t.co/K17lRpjlUG #thfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

Lucas Anderson has found his first club after Queens Park Rangers and moved to BG Pathum United FC.

The attacking midfielder has been without a club since QPR released him at the end of last season.

After terminating his contract with AAB Fodbold, he joined the championship team in February 2024. The move saw him reunite with manager Martí Cifuentes, who had previously trained him at the Danish club.

Anderson played 2,126 minutes in 51 matches in all competitions for QPR, scoring three goals and providing four assists. This includes 33 appearances from the previous season.

Cifuentes left the club last year when QPR decided not to extend the 29-year-old’s stay. He failed to find a new club, Sport Witness, last summer and in October Covered claims from Denmark Many parties are making proposals.

He also had offers from unnamed Saudi clubs and even Cypriot side Olympiacos Nicosia and turned them all down. A month later, the player said he had to accept Consequences of rejecting these clubs.

There were suggestions that he might end his playing career but as of March 6, he is not has not retired.

Light at the end of the tunnel after QPR exit

The wait for Lucas Anderson is now over. He has moved to BG Pathum United FC, who play in the Thai League 1, Thailand’s top division league.

It received coverage in Thursday’s edition of the Danish newspaper jyllands-posten.

Thai Club official page is live xWhat was formerly known as Twitter has also broadcast comments made by the player after securing a new club.

On visiting Asia he said: “I am very honored by this opportunity. I am looking forward to getting started at this fantastic club. I am eager to get on the pitch and look forward to achieving great things for the club.”

Why won’t DEN display immediately?

BG Pathum United FC mentioned in their statement that Lucas Anderson’s contract is for the 2026/27 season. The current season, which is the 2025/26 season, will end on May 10.

Therefore, he will have to wait a few months for his first competitive appearance after leaving QPR.

The Baltimore Orioles have moved on from one of their young starting pitchers after Opening Day. The Orioles and starting pitcher Shane Baz are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. The Falcons were acquired by Baltimore in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays during the MLB offseason.

The 26-year-old starting pitcher is getting a contract extension before taking the field for the Orioles in a regular season game. In 2025, Baz posted a 4.87 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 31 games for the Rays. The extension comes with risk, as Baz has a history of serious right elbow injuries in Tampa.

Baz underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery to remove the loose body in March 2022. The former Tampa Bay pitcher later entered the injured list with an elbow sprain in July 2022 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in September. Baz missed the entire 2023 MLB season, but returned to action in 2024, splitting time between the minors and MLB.

The 2025 MLB season was his first season at full health; However, the Rays’ temporary home at Steinbrenner Field affected their pitching. The Falcons had a 5.90 ERA at home compared to a 3.86 ERA on the road. This is an unbalanced value which is not indicative of their actual performance in 2025.

Baltimore was encouraged to offer an extension after trading four prospects and the No. 33 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft to the Falcons during the winter. The new contract will cover three arbitration seasons and buy out two free agent years. The Orioles are confident in his ability to be a frontline starter for the next five years.

Baltimore will now have the Falcons and their electric pitching arsenal at Camden Yards during the 2030 MLB season.

READ MORE: MLB Insider reveals the Baltimore Orioles will extend Gunnar Henderson

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, the Boston Celtics are signing center Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract as the team moves to meet the NBA’s minimum roster requirement.

Himmelsbach reported the move on Wednesday at X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Celtics are signing forward Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract today, according to a league source.”

Bassey’s initial 10-day contract expired overnight, leaving Boston with 13 players on standard deals. The Celtics had already reached the league’s 28-day limit on carrying fewer than 14 players, making an immediate roster transfer necessary to comply with NBA rules before Thursday.

The 25-year-old center has seen limited action during his tenure with Boston. He has appeared in two games, most recently in a 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. In that contest, Bassey recorded two points, one rebound and one steal in two minutes.

Celtics sign Charles Bassey to second 10-day contract to meet roster minimum

Originally selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, Bassey has spent time with several teams during his career. He played his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers and also had a stint with the San Antonio Spurs before joining Boston.

During the 2025–26 season, Basi has averaged 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field in five appearances. He has logged 7.8 minutes per game in a limited role.

The Celtics enter Wednesday night with a 47-24 record and are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-15) at 7:30 pm ET. Boston is currently tied with the New York Knicks (48-25) in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, who are on a seven-game winning streak.

The NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard is still ongoing. The Clippers reportedly attempted to circumvent the NBA salary cap by paying money to Leonard through a bankrupt company called Aspiration. No verdict has been reached on the scam; However, the Clippers may lose Leonard.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix joins Rachel Nichols on Open Floor to discuss the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers. Although nothing has been disclosed by the NBA, there is a possibility that Leonard’s contract could be voided.

“It is relevant as [Kawhi Leonard]contract,” Mannix said. “If [the NBA] Decides that ‘Hey, we can void Kawhi’s contract because we deem it invalid because of how this all came together.’ There’s a lot – I mean, there’s as much discussion about anything in the NBA right now. Anything. “Every field I go to, I hear about it, every conversation I have with league and team officials, this comes up.”

This would not be the first time that the NBA has canceled a contract. In 2000, the NBA voided Joe Smith’s contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after circumventing the salary cap. There is precedent for a voided contract, and the Clippers could face similar penalties with Leonard.

Other possible penalties for Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

There are other potential penalties for Leonard and the Clippers. If the NBA gets things wrong with Los Angeles, the organization could be stripped of multiple first-round selections, fined a large amount of money, and face a suspension or worse in the basketball personnel department.

With Minnesota, the NBA stripped the organization of five first-round selections, fined the organization $3.5 million, and suspended Timberwolves executives Kevin McHale and Glenn Taylor. The Clippers could face a similar punishment that would cripple the organization’s future.

As far as Leonard is concerned, the biggest penalty would be to cancel the contract with the Clippers, but suspension or fine cannot be ruled out. It all depends on what the NBA finds in its investigation. If the NBA voids the superstar’s contract, it would likely spark a bidding war in free agency, if not his future in jeopardy.

It’s unclear when the NBA will reveal its findings and potential penalties, but the Clippers may be on the verge of a watershed moment in team history. If the NBA decides to give up, it will have a huge impact on Los Angeles’ future and set the organization back for a long time.

It would start with Leonard’s contract being voided, which would shock the NBA.

READ MORE: Rumor opens door to Spurs and Kawhi Leonard reuniting this summer

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

Fenerbahçe have set their sights on Everton striker Beto and are planning to use his contract situation to secure a deal for him this summer.

turkish outlet sok report The Everton striker is on Fenerbahçe’s transfer list, and his performance against Chelsea has brought him back into the spotlight.

Chelsea’s performance rekindles interest

According to his information, the striker has scored two goals and assisted against Chelsea ‘Hunger increased again’ Yellowish blue.

Fenerbahçe parted ways with several strikers during the January transfer window and have since been searching for a new centre-forward. After trying to get him in January, Beto is a name on their list.

January transfer drama

In fact, he was a part of it A classic January transfer drama of that time. It saw his agent traveling to Istanbul, negotiating, and then dropping everything within a few days.

This was all eventually stopped by Everton, who were unwilling to let Beto leave on loan without ensuring a replacement. Thus, Fenerbahçe retreated.

Contract status offers hope

But his interest has not completely ended. And the Turkish side will be watching closely as Beto shines against Chelsea this weekend. His two goals and one assist have reportedly ‘rekindled’ their interest in a deal.

And that interest is being encouraged by his contract situation. Beto’s current deal runs until June 2027, meaning he will enter the final year this summer.

According to SOK, Everton has already moved to resolve this. They have offered Beto a contract, but it has been rejected.

Everton face a summer dilemma

That rejection has encouraged Fenerbahçe to return in the summer. They know that if Everton do not sell in the summer, they risk losing Beto for free after next season. With a market value of €20 million, this is a risk the Toffees would hardly want to take.

Whether Fenerbahçe would pay that much has not been mentioned. But they need a new striker and Beto is on their list. The plan, clearly, is to take advantage of the contract situation to their advantage.

Moyes needs a decision

Meanwhile, Everton have a decision to make. Beto doesn’t need to be a regular goalscorer, but the performance against Chelsea nailed the situation. The 28-year-old has, time and again, hinted at being the solution under David Moyes.

Thierry Barrie is also back on the bench and after the defeat to Arsenal with some fans wanting him to be sold, Everton may not be keen to sell. But he may be forced to leave if Beto won’t sign a new deal, which appears to be the case at the moment.

The price of Puka Nakua skyrocketed. And the Los Angeles Rams know it.

The wide receiver market has received a new reset, with the Seahawks cashing in on WR Jackson Smith-Njigba’s historic extension. And now? Beautiful is sitting as the next person in line to get Nakua paid. The Rams are looking at a loaded extension class heading into Year 4 – Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Kobe Turner, and Byron Young – all worthy of locking in the bag long-term. But let’s be real, puka is major. He’s a WR1, Matthew Stafford’s security blanket, and a straight-up chain mover with YAC juice.

From a front office perspective, this is where you either strike early or risk seeing the price rise even higher. Shut him down now, otherwise you’re talking another terrible season. And that number? Yes, it’s only going up. However, for now, things are all quiet on the Nakua front. No leaks, no discussion, no urgency. But with a new market agreement on board, the clock is officially ticking in LA.

RELATED: Los Angeles Rams ‘interested’ in 34-year-old QB

Puka Nakua contract talks just got real

Smith-Njigba blew the WR market wide open on Monday morning. Four years, $168.6 million, and now the ripple effect is hitting LA. As soon as the deal fell through, all eyes were on Nekua. Same draft class, same production tier, same OPOY crap. But don’t expect the Rams to move at Seattle’s pace.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, this is not a copy-paste situation. Garafolo said, “Puka Nacua… was neck-and-neck with JSN last year in terms of production and his candidacy for Offensive Player of the Year. But based on my conversations, I expect the situation will be different with Puka and the Rams.” good morning football On 23 March.

Let’s call it what it is: It was always going to be a two-man race for WR1 money between JSN and Puka. Seattle blinked first and quickly got their man; Smart cap play, long term savings. Meanwhile, Ram? Maybe they added a few extra million per year to Puka’s future deal.

JSN set the level at $42.15M per year with $120M guaranteed. That’s no longer the ceiling, that’s starting line.

Now LA’s front office has two options. Either they try to thread the needle between Jammer Chase and JSN Money. Or they rip off the band-aid and make Nacua the highest-paid WR in football. And honestly? Nekua’s got a case.

Over the past two seasons, he has been the WR1 production-wise, finishing second in catches and yards; Right behind JSON. This guy has been a volume monster, a YAC monster, and Stafford’s favorite in the clutch spot. Yes, there has been some turbulence along the way. But when it comes to contract negotiations, production speaks louder than anything else.

The market has just reset, the floor is just higher, and if the Rams want to keep their alpha WR… they better come right with the bag.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft after the first wave of free agency

The Boston Celtics have made a contract decision involving one of their two-way players. Luckily for rookie Max Shulga, he was the player who got his first standard contract.

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, Shulga signed a two-year contract with the Celtics on Saturday. Boston got the young guard in the second round of the 2025 draft, acquiring him from the Orlando Magic.

“The Boston Celtics are signing two-way forward Max Shulga to a standard two-year contract. The Ukrainian guard went to Boston with the No. 57 pick in last June’s NBA draft and has spent the season with Maine in the G League,” Charania wrote, sources told ESPN.

Shulga has made cameos in his rookie season, appearing in three games in which he played 1.7 minutes per contest. He attempted only one shot in that limited time and committed two fouls.

The Boston Celtics are signing two-way forward Max Shulga to a standard two-year contract, sources tell ESPN. The Ukrainian guard went to Boston with the No. 57 pick in last June’s NBA draft and has spent the season with Maine in the G League. pic.twitter.com/5eMzxLS8VO

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 15 March 2026

What’s next for the Celtics after the latest signing?

This is great news for Max Shulga signing his first non-two-way contract as he now earns a higher salary with the Celtics. This allows him to gain a roster spot because it now paves the way for another player to take the open two-way spot.

Shulga played five seasons throughout his collegiate career, representing Utah State and VCU. He enjoyed his best years in his later years, transforming into an elite sharpshooter as he helped the Rams reach the NCAA Tournament in his final season. He averaged 15 points, 5.9 rebounds and four assists on 38.7% shooting from deep in the 2024–25 NCAA season.

Boston compiled a 44–23 record on the season and finished second in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.

After Saturday’s win over the Washington Wizards, the Celtics will look forward to their next matchup. They will be at home when they host the Phoenix Suns on March 16 at 7:30 pm ET.

The Golden State Warriors have agreed to sign center Omar Yurtseven to a 10-day contract, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Charania reported the move on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, citing Yurtseven representatives.

“The Golden State Warriors are signing former Heat and Jazz center Omar Yurtseven to a 10-day contract. Yurtseven, who spent the season in the EuroLeague before joining the G League last week, posted 36 points and 12 rebounds on Friday night,” agents Keith Glass and Luke Glass told ESPN.

The 27-year-old Yurtsev most recently played in the NBA with the Utah Jazz during the 2023-24 season. In that campaign, the 7-foot center averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field in 48 appearances, which included 12 starts. He also attempted perimeter shots, connecting on 20.8% of his three-point attempts while logging 11.4 minutes per game.

Prior to his time at Utah, Yurtsev spent two seasons with the Miami Heat, where he drew attention for his rebounding ability and interior scoring. During his tenure in Miami, he played a rotational role and showed flashes of productivity when given extended minutes.

Warriors add frontcourt depth as Omar Yurtseven returns from stint overseas

Yurtseven recently began the current season playing in the EuroLeague abroad before returning to the United States. He joined the G League last week and made an immediate impact, putting up a dominant performance with 36 points and 12 rebounds on Friday night.

The Warriors are expected to use the 10-day contract as an opportunity to evaluate Yurtseven’s fit within the roster while adding depth to their frontcourt rotation. Golden State has dealt with injuries and lineup adjustments throughout the season, creating a need for additional size and interior presence.

Golden State enters the midst of a challenging stretch of the schedule. The Warriors currently have a 32-34 record and are attempting to stop a four-game losing streak as they struggle to remain competitive in the Western Conference playoff picture.

The team would like to bounce back in its next match against the New York Knicks (43-25). The matchup is scheduled for 5:00 pm PT and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Nottingham Forest’s break with Edu Gaspar is still going on behind the scenes. And the situation may take longer than before to resolve.

Edu is contractually linked to Evangelos Marinakis’ football group, which oversees Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave. There are still four years left to run on that agreement.

Now, espn brazil Explain that negotiations are ongoing regarding possible termination. However, Edu is not expected to walk away from such a long-term deal easily.

Contract status may delay next move

Edu’s current contract is reportedly for the next four seasons. As a result, any exit requires a financial settlement.

The expectation on Edu’s part is that it will accept termination only if it receives approximately half of the remaining value of the agreement. Practically, this would mean compensation equivalent to two years’ salary. He will waive off the remaining two years.

Until that situation is resolved, his freedom to negotiate with other clubs will remain uncertain. this is something We covered earlier this month.

This also explains why the process appears to be slow. The role of Edu in the structure of Marinakis has recently diminished. However, the contractual framework binding him to the group is still important.

Priority remains Europe

Even if the move to Nottingham Forest and a wider group separation is completed, a return to Brazil is not currently Edu’s preferred next step.

The former Brazil international still sees his career focused on European football. Having worked for years in the continent’s recruitment and playing structures, particularly during his time at Arsenal, he believes his strongest opportunities remain there.

There are also some personal reasons for keeping him closely associated with Europe. Edu has a base in London, where it has an office. Additionally, his youngest son currently plays in Portugal for the youth academy of Portimonense.

Those ties mean he often divides his time between England and Portugal.

Because of this, people familiar with the situation believe it would be surprising for Brazil to return unless circumstances change significantly.

So as things stand, Edu’s future hinges on when and how his exit from Nottingham Forest’s ownership structure is finalized – and whether the next opportunity comes in Europe or elsewhere.

The New Orleans Pelicans face the Houston Rockets on Friday. Meanwhile, Zion Williamson is Despite this, they are securing their future with the franchise. early trade rumors And injuries.

Before tip-off, Williamson A rapid increase was seen In his contract, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. As a result of playing in 51 games, Williamson’s guaranteed salary will increase from $16.9 million to $25.3 million.

Additionally, his salary before the start of the season was $42.2 million for next season, with no money for security.

This year, Williamson is averaging 21.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are 22-45 and have won seven of their last ten games.

Williamson has been with the Pelicans since being selected as the No. 1 pick out of Duke in 2019. Since then, he became an NBA All-Star twice in 2021 and 2023. In 2020, he made the All-Rookie team.

However, Williamson’s NBA career has largely been covered in bruises, criticism of their weightAs well as off-court issues such as 2025 sexual harassment allegation.

At the beginning of the season, it was reported that Williamson would be one of the players to be traded. However, the Pelicans are clearly doing everything possible to ensure that Williamson remains in the Big Easy for the long term.

On Monday, the Pelicans return home for four games. First up, they will take on the Dallas Mavericks. Then, they will play back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and Thursday. On Saturday, March 21, the Pelicans will conclude the week by playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The NFL’s free agency frenzy is barely a week old and Yahoo Sports insider Caroline Fenton already has a team she believes is going to look really, really bad in about 24 months.

Fenton joined the Sportsknot Interview Podcast this week and he wasted no time getting involved. The Raiders, the Colts, DJ Moore in Buffalo – he had it all under his belt. Some of them may surprise you.

The Raiders Aggression, Max Crosby Trade Fiasco

Start with the Max Crosby mess. Everyone saw the Ravens back out of that trade when the market for Trey Hendrickson softened. Fenton noticed something most people didn’t notice: the specific words used by Las Vegas when it announced it was parting ways.

“They didn’t say Max Crosby failed a physical,” he said. “They said the Ravens backed out of the trade. I thought that was telling.”

His theory? Baltimore went into free agency assuming it would cost them Myles Garrett money for Hendrickson – in the neighborhood of $40 million per year. too rich. So he turned to the Crosby trade. Then Hendrickson just…sat there. And the price fell. Suddenly Eric DeCosta is doing the math in his head and realizing he can get a comparable pass rusher and retain both first-round picks.

“This is shady business,” Fenton said. “But let’s not act like this is the first questionable business that’s been done in the National Football League.”

She thinks both teams had a good finish. Specifically for the Raiders, Crosby staying puts a proven veteran next to a quarterback who has never taken an NFL snap. That matters. So is the signing of Tyler Linderbaum, which he said is exactly what a rebuilding team with a young QB should do.

“Bad franchises fail young quarterbacks far more than bad organizations do,” Fenton said.

What are the Indianapolis Colts doing?

This brings us to Indianapolis, which apparently didn’t get that memo.

The Colts re-signed Alec Pierce to the largest free-agent receiver contract in NFL history. They guaranteed Daniel Jones $50 million. Fenton is not affected by any moves as part of the NFL free agency frenzy.

He said, “Just because you pay a guy like he’s elite, doesn’t make him elite.” Specifically on Jones, he reiterated that an Achilles injury after a good half-season does not rewrite four years of bad football in New York. “This is not a $50 million changed perspective.”

Chris Ballard’s seat should be warm, he said. Under his watch, the AFC South has been won multiple times by the Texans, Titans and Jaguars. Still waiting for Indy.

In other NFL free agency moves, Fenton liked the signing of DJ Moore and said it would have a big impact on Buffalo and Trent McDuffie in LA, which angered him. She went to Moore without hesitation, and the reason was less about Moore himself and more about the Bills’ offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.

“I like what Joe Brady does with receivers,” Fenton said. He covered his 2019 LSU offense and even talked to Justin Jefferson about it at the Super Bowl, Fenton said. The short version: Brady unlocks the passing game in ways that don’t show up on the depth chart.

Moore is not elite. Fenton said this clearly. But he’s an upgrade, he fits the scheme, and he’s paired with Josh Allen, who he calls “Superman,” the extent of that offense becomes even greater.

The second-round pick had to give up a lot. He accepted this. Then, they moved forward immediately. You are in a window. spend.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1…More about Scott Gulbransen

Josh Minott is attempting to carve out a consistent role during his fourth NBA season. The former Boston Celtics forward is making a strong case for an extended opportunity following a trade for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.

Minot had the best performance of his career during Brooklyn’s 108-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The 6-foot-8 wing kept the Nets, who were down more than half their rotation, competitive for most of the game. He made a post A career-high 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from three and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line with three steals and three blocks in 24 minutes.

When Minot was asked what led to the best inning of his career, he said, “I would just say my teammates.” “They were finding me at their cuts when I was open. I mean, I basically owe them everything. I didn’t really do anything that didn’t involve them finding me… I’m coming into a situation in the middle of the season. So I have to make a crazy mental shift. So for them to really help speed things up and help me understand who we are as a team — just our game, values, how we play — I mean, I would say that.” That’s everything. They definitely help guide me, and I’m looking forward to what else they have to teach me.”

https://t.co/fqqnByahKa pic.twitter.com/x6GBVVDoBo

– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) 13 March 2026

Minot joined the Nets at the trade deadline from the Boston Celtics, who dropped his minimum salary below the luxury tax. The 23-year-old has performed well for Boston earlier this season.

Josh Minott’s heads turned during the Nets’ rebuilding audition

Minot averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances this season. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during the stretch.

The 6-foot-8 Memphis product, with a seven-foot wingspan and above-average athleticism, has impressed as a defensive playmaker. His promising three-point shooting and drive length at the rim offer an interesting two-way upside for the Nets team that acquired him at no cost.

Minot’s four made threes and six steals (steals + blocks) on Thursday were both career highs.

“I was looking forward to it,” he said of his performance. “But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t call it futile, but there is a goal. So overall, I don’t want to say I’m satisfied, but I’m quite happy with my performance… I’m just trying to keep that momentum going. I understand that they had a momentum before me, and I’m not trying to ruin that. I’m just trying to find a way to come in and impact the game. Just keep the team up, elevate the team and its values.” “I’m trying.”

Minot should have ample opportunity to prove his worth as the Nets increase their offensive aggression to close out the season. Brooklyn recently shut down Igor Demin and Deron Sharp for the season. Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (rest) and Zaire Williams (illness) also were ruled out against Atlanta.

The Nets have a $2.58 million team option on Minot for next season.

Alisson’s contract at Liverpool expires in 2027, raising doubts about his future at Anfield.

The goalkeeper is currently injured but remains an important part of the team. He has played 32 times in all competitions and is clearly ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili in the pecking order between the sticks.

His profile is attracting attention in Italy sports witness Covering interest from Inter Milan and Juventus. Both teams are looking for a new goalkeeper amid growing doubts over Yann Sommer and Michel Di Gregorio.

It now looks like both clubs may have to wait, with the 33-year-old now keen to stay at Liverpool in the summer.

Alisson wants Liverpool to stay

corriere dello sport Today report that the Brazilian is Inter Milan’s ideal choice for the goalkeeper position, with Sommer’s contract expiring in the summer.

Due to Alisson’s experience playing in Italy, he is seen as someone who could be promoted to the position.

The problem lies in the player’s own intentions, as he is keen to stay at Liverpool in the summer. His contract expires in 2027 but it is considering him staying till the end of the contract.

This would allow him to receive wages closer to his current salary of €6m per season and potentially remain in the Premier League.

The goalkeeper’s stance could prove to be a problem for Inter who need an immediate solution, with Guglielmo Vicario also a target. Even if they aimed to land Alisson for free in 2027, they would already have a first-choice goalkeeper by then.

Our opinion on Alisson’s Liverpool situation

The experienced player’s stay at Anfield will only be positive for Liverpool. This will also allow Mamardashvili to settle in better and gradually become first choice. He is getting some minutes in Alisson’s absence but throwing him into the mix as first choice could be a risk next season.

Considering his legend status at the club, the Brazil international’s presence could prove useful.

Mohamed Salah could depart in the summer and Liverpool will not want to lose another experienced player in the squad at the same time. That’s why keeping Allison out for a season could help him make changes gradually rather than starting the process dramatically.

NFL free agency has a tendency to shatter expectations. Talented players hit the open market, and teams with needs are eager to fill them, no matter the cost.

The Las Vegas Raiders are beginning a new era with a first-year head coach in Clint Kubiak. Soon, they are expected to make Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, they are giving their offense a huge boost.

according to athleticDiana Russini, signing the Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum. The 25-year-old was a strong candidate to be re-signed by the Ravens, but the three-time Pro Bowler was highly coveted, with the Browns and Commanders also registering interest.

However, it was the Raiders who landed one of the NFL’s top free agents by signing Linderbaum to a record-setting contract for a center. He is being signed to a three-year, $81 million contract. The NFL’s second-highest paid center is now two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler Creed Humphrey, who is averaging $18 million per season.

Still, the Raiders are getting an excellent player in Linderbaum who may still have more room for development. Center is also an extremely important position in Coach Kubiak’s attack.

Center is an extremely important position in Clint Kubiak’s offense, and Tyler Linderbaum fits his scheme in almost every way. Depending on how the system works, having Linderbaum be (potentially) huge for Fernando Mendoza.

That’s a lot of money. But a logical overpayment. https://t.co/oJOcl5x2sp

– Albert Breyer (@albertbreyer) 9 March 2026

Linderbaum is not only effective, but he’s also durable, having missed just two games since becoming the 25th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now he will be a big part of the Raiders’ future, and help create a pocket for Mendoza for years to come.

RELATED: Why the Raiders were right to trade Max Crosby for two first-round picks

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

In the January transfer window, Napoli’s interest in Wolves star Joao Gomes was quite clear.

The Italian side reached an agreement on personal terms with the player and his entourage. it was covered extensively sports witnessA summer move is being considered by the Partenopei.

Any deal in winter was always going to be complicated. Wolves had given up hope of remaining in the Premier League and had limited time to find a replacement.

It is believed that Rob Edwards’ side will need €40m to convince a summer sale. Napoli were not going to give up that amount of money in the middle of the season and saw him as a summer target.

More background on the potential deal is now emerging. Today’s Il Matino takes a closer look at Brazil.

Gomes’ Wolves contract is causing concern

Naples-based newspaper – via arianapoliExplain that Antonio Conte was desperate for the midfielder in January. Napoli faced a midfield injury crisis and looked to the 25-year-old as a solution to the problem.

The Italian giants’ interest in the player remains ‘very strong’ even on a summer deal. The midfielder is being closely monitored by Napoli, with sporting director Giovanni Manna showing a keen interest.

Gomes’ contract at Wolves is likely to present a challenge. It will run until 2030, which could lead to increased demand from AdWords for a potential sale in the summer. It could also attract other suitors and dash Napoli’s hopes.

Furthermore, Gomes would enjoy non-EU status in the current Napoli team. They signed two Brazilians in Alison Santos and Gioven in January.

Our take on Wolves’ Joao Gomes to Napoli

Signing the midfielder would be a classic Napoli deal. The Partenopei have sniffed out opportunistic Premier League deals for the likes of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, David Gilmour and Scott McTominay over the past few seasons. All of them have performed well.

Gomes could be similar and Wolves’ potential demotion could also help.

In such a situation, competition from other clubs could be harmful for Napoli. When it came to Zambo Anguilla, Gilmour and McTominay, the line up of contenders was much less frightening. It would be no surprise if Gomes is of interest to Atletico Madrid and Manchester United in the summer, as there have already been links.

Financially, Napoli will struggle to compete with those two clubs.

Chelsea may consider renewing Estevao’s contract after the World Cup as they consider him an important part of their current and future plans.

This is according to AS, which covers youth aged 18 today. The Spanish newspaper reports that Chelsea consider the winger to be key to everything in their plans.

The Brazilian was named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards this week. This was confirmation of Estevao’s rising status at Stamford Bridge, where he has ‘stole the hearts’ of Chelsea fans.

The club’s hierarchy is similarly charmed. They consider him an important player for the present and future of the club. In fact, he is one of the few ‘untouchables’ on the team.

Key players for Chelsea

The Blues see him as a unique player. He is someone who has talent, quality and magnetism in equal measure. According to AS, this makes him a truly unique player.

She is his ‘biggest sensation’, However fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro Can also claim that status. His first season in England is certainly going to be excellent.

However, his contributions go beyond the pitch. He is also a ‘commercial goldmine’ for Chelsea. There is a belief that he can bring about a revolution that has not been seen since the successful era of Eden Hazard.

Chelsea cherishes her and values ​​her ‘like the great diamond’ that she is. There is also talk that the contract renewal will be sorted out as soon as possible.

This would mean a lot, especially after the World Cup where he will be a key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.

already impressive record

For now, the focus is on finishing the season strong before that. With seven goals and two assists in 31 games in all competitions this season, Estevao is already impressing in numbers.

He is already Chelsea’s youngest player with an assist, their youngest Champions League scorer and the youngest Brazilian to score a Premier League winner.

He is only the third teenager in history to score in his first three Champions League matches. The others are Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

The least we can say is that this is a reputable company and it seems Chelsea are planning to make him a superstar like him before long.

Ryan Gravenberch’s new Liverpool contract is worth over €100m and comes after several weeks of lengthy talks with his agent Jose Fortes Rodriguez.

That’s according to journalist Mike Verweij And Wire. The Dutch pair report that Gravenberch’s new deal is a money-maker for the 23-year-old.

According to their information, the new contract announced by Liverpool until 2032 is worth more than €100m for the midfielder.

Liverpool finalized and announced the deal today after several weeks of negotiations with Gravenbirch’s agent, Jose Fortes Rodriguez. Talks ended positively and he extended his stay at Anfield for six years.

€90m transfer price

The deal represents a clear sign of the Premier League champions’ confidence in the midfielder. Gravenberch initially struggled under Jurgen Klopp before establishing himself as a key player under Arne Slot last season.

The Dutchman’s arrival at Anfield last season saw him move from a rotation option to Liverpool’s first-choice number six.

This has seen his market value rise significantly, with Transfermarkt recently valuing him at around €90m. That is double the €40m paid by Liverpool to sign him from Bayern Munich in 2023.

The €100 million figure presumably refers to salaries and potential bonus payments. But on salaries alone, this would work out to around €16.6m a year.

Broken down, this is approximately €320,000 per week. At current exchange rates, this would work out to Gravenberch at around £277,000 a week.

Liverpool’s top earners

This will be a significant increase in their salary packet. Before this extension it was reported that Gravenberch was earning around £150,000 per week.

Plus, it would put Gravenbirch firmly among Anfield’s top earners. he is currently Mohamed Salah tops the list on around £400,000 a week.

Van Dijk and Alexander Isak reportedly follow at £350,000 per week and £280,000 per week. This would make him the highest-paid midfielder at the club, surpassing summer signing Florian Wirtz.

If that’s the case, and Verweij and De Telegraaf’s €100m figure suggests it is, then it’s a huge sign of Liverpool’s confidence in the midfielder. Now he will have to repay for this on the pitch.

The Washington Wizards have gone full force in their tanking efforts this season, with trade acquisitions Trae Young and Anthony Davis both out of the lineup due to apparent injuries. Young was brought to the team by the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, with the hope that he, Davis and a blue-chip prospect from the 2026 NBA Draft vault would put Washington into contention next year.

Recently, NBA insider Marc Stein provided the latest information on when Young could potentially return from injury, as well as the status of his contract extension with the Wizards.

“Washington has said Young is moving toward making his Wizards debut at some point before the regular season ends, but there remains doubt in various corners of the league as to whether it will actually happen this season,” Stein reported on his Substack.

Stein also reported that “I have been repeatedly advised that Young and the Wizards agree to a contract extension this summer, which has been widely speculated to be a three-year deal.”

A big reason for the Hawks trading Young was believed to be around Atlanta’s reluctance to sign the star to a contract extension last offseason, a decision that reportedly alienated Young from the franchise that traded for him on draft night in 2018.

Young has only played a handful of games for the Hawks this year, missing significant time with an MCL sprain and has yet to make his debut for the Wizards this season.

The Wizards are one of several teams with their eyes on the 2026 NBA Draft class, and playing with Young this season could potentially hurt their chances of landing one of the top picks.

In any case, the Wizards are set to take the field on Monday evening for a home game against the Houston Rockets.

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s been a career year for Gui Santos, and the Golden State Warriors have rewarded him in that way.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, Santos and the Warriors agreed to a contract extension, the team announced Saturday morning — a three-year, $15 million deal with a player option for 2028-29. Santos was set to become a restricted free agent this summer, but the Warriors signed him to a deal that will benefit both parties.

With Golden State troubled by injuries and absences this season, Santos emerged as a key rotational component in Steve Kerr’s system. A 2022 second-round draft pick out of Brazil, the third-year forward has transitioned from the Warriors’ G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz to now being a guy Kerr and the Dubs rely on in tightly contested games.

Since Kerr joined Santos as a starter about a month ago Averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 28.8 minutes in 12 games.

In that span, Santos has come up with two game-winning buckets – a fastbreak layup to take the lead against the Phoenix Suns and a chaotic layup in traffic at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.

“He’s taken another step forward this year, Gui,” Kerr told reporters after a win in Memphis earlier this week. “Last year, he was a very important role player for us. Number one on the team in plus-minus and then [Jimmy Butler] Business, he really strengthened that role. But now, he has become more active as a creator [and] A post-up boy. The step-by-step moves you saw were incredible.

“He has the ability to play point guard when the other team is putting pressure on us. He’s a really versatile player and someone we really value.”

Santos’ journey to the NBA

For Santos, the journey to this point in his career has required patience. After the team’s practice Thursday afternoon, Santos reflected on what he needs to do to become a guy capable of staying in the NBA.

“I think the key word for this is patience,” Santos said.

“Patience, because when I got here, I was a point guard playing in Brazil. I was playing as a point guard, with the ball in my hands, and I spent the whole year in the G-League just learning how to fit into the system here, because my goal was always to play in the NBA, play for the Warriors. And I asked [Kerr]What am I supposed to do? And he was like, okay, I’ll show you the way, like, you have to work hard on defense. You have to crash the boards all the time, and you just have to find Steph.

It’s safe to say that Santos did all of those things, which is why Kerr felt comfortable increasing his minutes this season after not seeing much action the past two seasons.

But ultimately, what stands out about Santos is his relentless positivity and upbeat personality. You’ll rarely find Santos without a big smile on his face, whether he’s on the podium, at practice, or talking with teammates. That’s why even now, he’s grateful for the opportunity and support given to him by the Warriors.

“The coaches here, the staff and the organization, they’ve always been good to me,” Santos said. “They always help me with anything I need, and because of what’s happened right now they’re giving me a chance to show a little more.”

Gui Santos reflected on his journey up to this point, now a key figure for the Dubs:

“The key word for it is patience. Because when I came here, I was a point guard playing in Brazil… and I spent the whole year in the G-League just learning how to fit into the system here.” pic.twitter.com/Q2tyVmjhEQ

– Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) 27 February 2026

The Memphis Grizzlies have a track record of finding diamonds in the second round. One of his latest discoveries is increasingly making the case that his value far exceeds current wages. With an All-Rookie year on his resume and another productive season underway, Jaylen Wells should consider pushing for a contract extension worth approximately $15 million annually this summer.

Selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Wells has outperformed his draft slot in ways that typically command top dollar on the open market. The Grizzlies aren’t going to let Wells hit free agency any time soon. According to Tuomas Isalo, EVP Zach Kleiman knows the value of the early caliber two-way wing and why Wells is the best fit for Beale Street.

“Jaylen is extremely solid. (Wells) fits into a variety of lineups because he doesn’t need the ball to have a positive impact on the game,” Isalo explained. “He’s hitting open shots and he’s also improved his mid-range scoring, which is higher efficiency for him. Defensively, he gets into different matchups. He’s always been an on-ball specialist for us. Now, for the second year, his off-ball defense, his awareness, his disruptions have really gotten better.”

That last sentence is statistical logic in simple language. Wells is producing 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 three-pointers and 0.9 steals in 26.7 minutes per game in his sophomore season. Those are cool numbers. There were even louder noises when Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were out. Wells averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 boards and 2.0 assists while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc in December. That three-point accuracy is up to 45.3% in February.

Wells has had three 20-point games in a five-game span and posted four steal games twice. After the NBA All-Star break he went 10-13 from the field for 25 points against the Miami Heat. It’s not just the scoring, but the efficiency that separates this race from the usual production. Committing almost one turnover per game despite the huge increase in usage rate (20.8) is acceptable in this part of the process. Thankfully for the Grizzlies, the 10-year rolling comparison of the CBA cap and second-round picks provides a great framework for a team-friendly deal.

Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies on the clock

Herb Jones, the 35th pick in 2021 by New Orleans, signed a four-year, $54 million extension ($13.5 million AAV) after two seasons of averaging 10 points and strong defense. Andrew Nembhard, selected 31st overall in 2022 by Indiana, signed a three-year, $59 million ($19.7 million AAV) deal after a sophomore year of 9.5 points and 4.5 assists. Ayo Dosunmu, the 38th pick in 2021 by Chicago, earned a three-year, $21 million ($7 million AAV) contract after similar 3-and-D production.

Isaiah Joe (49th, 2020) signed a three-year, $30 million ($10 million AAV) deal with Oklahoma City; Aaron Wiggins (55th, 2021) agreed to a five-year, $47 million ($9.4 million AAV) extension. Wales should seek a number near the top end of that scale. If his February surge (51.6% FG, 44.9% 3PT) continues into the offseason, the $15 million target may prove conservative.

For the Grizzlies, Wells’ extension now aligns with building cost-controlled talent amid salary cap constraints. This is a contract that will have immediate first-round value. For Wells, pushing for a $15 million AAV could take advantage of his speed before injuries or roster changes alter his leverage. Unrestricted free agency is still a long way off, and the NBA would be a big gamble for such a small return under the CBA’s projected average player salary structure.

However, there is no telling where the organization will be a year from now, nor can anyone assure that the 22-year-old (birthday in August) has any significant role in it. Therefore, first lock the middle money. Negotiate player options by Labor Day. Either way, this must be done before training camp opens. There must be some protection in place to cover the prime years before Wales are at risk of another sudden injury.