標籤: huge

newcastle united Real Betis will face a number of challenges to sign Abed Ezalzouli this summer.

Last week, the Magpies sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for around €70m. While his departure has created a void, his financial condition has also improved.

Newcastle United have set their vision Real Betis are on the star and sent their scouts to follow him closely in May itself.

Last Thursday, Sports Witness broadcast news The La Liga side risked losing the attacker and Nathan in favor of Eddie Howe.

At the weekend, we Covered claims from Spain That it would be difficult for Abede to turn down the Tyneside club. This is unlikely to happen as of Tuesday’s edition abc sevilla.

Abede not keen on Newcastle United

There is a report in the newspaper on the situation of Abed Izzalzouli on a move and why Andalusian clubs are quiet.

A number of unnamed clubs have asked about the former Barcelona man, who has a €60m release clause.

Real Betis are in no rush to sell the Morocco international as his wages are manageable. If he impresses in the World Cup, his value may also increase.

He believes a price of €60m is fair, also considering that Barça will retain 20% of his rights.

The attacker, for his part, feels comfortable at the club and is not thinking about leaving, despite being in the process of changing agents.

Los Verdiblancos know he prefers to play in the Champions League with Real Betis next season rather than join a club that can pay him more.

ABC Sevilla was quick to mention Newcastle United, who failed to qualify for Europe after finishing 12th. The player’s current preference means the Magpies are ‘out of the running’ to sign him.

If he left, the newspaper says: ‘Abde has limited his options to really powerful clubs that can meet his buyout clause or offer a similar amount and provide him with big sporting challenges such as winning national and international titles. And there aren’t that many people at that level.

Deal more complicated for Magpies

The stance of Real Betis and Abed Ezalzouli makes it more complicated for the English club.

Newcastle United will have to make a huge effort to soften the position of both Real Betis and the attacker. To do this, a major effort is required, especially to convince Moroccans.

Abed scored 15 goals and 13 assists this season transfer market He is worth €30 million.

Real Betis’ Abed Ezalzouli and Natan could be on the move newcastle united in this summer.

On April 30, Khel Witness broadcast news Newcastle United, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth are keen on Naton, who is worth €30m.

Earlier this month, we Covered claims from Spain The Magpies sent a scout to keep an eye on Abede and Kucho Hernandez.

The La Liga side expect the Morocco international to leave and they are looking for a winger.

Anthony Gordon operated primarily on the left wing this season. The Magpies are close to selling him to Barcelona for €80 million. His impending exit will leave a void and also improve the financial position of the Premier League team.

Newcastle United keen on Real Betis pair

Journalist Manu took away the mattress xEddie Howe’s side are ‘very interested’ in Abde Ezalzouli, formerly known as Twitter, to report.

He insists Anthony Gordon’s exit could force Newcastle United to take action to sign the 24-year-old.

Sports stadium Contains the latest information on Barcelona’s progress for the England international. This means that Real Betis no longer have to worry about losing their left winger to the Camp Nou team.

Finally, the newspaper warns Manuel Pellegrini’s side about the ‘Newcastle threat’.

The Tyneside club is one of the main supporters of the 25-year-old defender. The sale of Gordon would improve their financial situation and also force the Magpies to look for a new winger.

Newcastle United are keen on Natan and Abedi, so they are not ruling out signing the Real Betis pair in the summer.

The attacker has a release clause of €60m and the Spanish club are demanding €45m for the defender. Real Betis believe the English club should have no problems meeting his request.

Newcastle United may also consider reducing the price on first thought claims stated Real Betis want €40m for Abed and €30m for Natan.

The Magpies must persuade the pair

There is no mention of Abde Ezalzouli or Natan’s stance on visiting St James’s Park.

Before moving forward with Real Betis, Newcastle United first need to convince two players. If not, the deal for both or one of them will become complicated.

fulham Marcos is making a big effort to keep Silva, with Portuguese television now calling the coming days decisive for the manager’s future.

Silva’s situation has become one of the biggest talking points in Portugal due to interest from Benfica and uncertainty over Jose Mourinho. Now that Ruben Amorim is completely out of the pictureMarco Silva himself is in the headlines.

Latest discussion continues cnn portugal Gave a clear picture of the pressure building behind the scenes at Craven Cottage.

Fulham looking to make Silva one of PL’s top earners

Presenter Rita Rodriguez said Silva is expected to meet with Fulham officials in the coming days before making a final decision on whether to accept the renewal offer. He revealed the manager has an offer worth around €14m (£11.8m) per year.

“Fulham’s offer is close to €14m per year for Marco Silva. In total, it would be around €7m,He explained this by openly questioning whether Benfica could realistically compete with those numbers.

Portuguese pundit Nuno Farinha insists Silva is effectively nabbing one of the biggest managerial offers in English football outside the elite clubs.

“Marco Silva has an offer in hand right now which, if he accepts, would make him one of the four or five highest-paid managers in the Premier League.” He said.

In recent weeks, portuguese report He has consistently described the London club as desperate to avoid losing Silva after five years in charge. Now the financial side of that effort is becoming clear.

The main thing is that Silva still has not accepted.

Farinha repeatedly pointed out during the discussion that negotiations with Fulham are still not well underway and no final answer has yet been given by the Portuguese coach.

“Perhaps Marco Silva feels his cycle at Fulham has come to an end. There is a time for everything,” Flour explained.

He suggested that Silva may feel that he has reached the limits of what Fulham can offer him competitively. In that scenario, the next logical step would be either a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs or a completely different challenge elsewhere.

This is where Benfica again enters the picture.

Benfica is offering emotions instead of money

CNN Portugal One of the strongest topics of discussion was the idea that Benfica cannot compete financially with Fulham.

Instead the Portuguese club will need to convince Silva emotionally, culturally and professionally.

Farinha described this as potentially being “passion over rationality”, especially because most Portuguese coaches spend their careers trying to reach England, not leave it.

This comparison became even stronger when Ruben Amorim entered the conversation.

According to the panel, Amorim effectively chose the rational path by prioritizing England and the Premier League, while Silva can now consider the opposite decision of leaving one of football’s richest leagues and returning to Portugal.

From Benfica’s point of view, the pitch is clear. Silva has already spent nine years coaching in England with Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham. They already have financial stability, Premier League prestige and long-term security.

What Benfica can offer instead is emotional pull, pressure, titles and the chance to become a central figure at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs – something he has not had the chance to do so far in his career.

Former player and pundit Dani Carvalho argued that Benfica’s biggest selling point may actually be the football itself.

“He’s not a defensive coach. He’s a manager who always tries to win, who wants his teams to find goals and strive for wins,” Carvalho explained. “It means he has ‘Benfica DNA’.”

“He can lead Benfica back towards a strong European level, which the club has been lacking for a long time.” Carvalho added.

The panel also highlighted how competitive Silva’s Fulham teams have become under him. Even without elite levels of resources, in Portugal they are seen as teams capable of going anywhere in the Premier League and trying to win matches rather than merely survive.

Mario Branco is seen as Silva’s comfort point

Another major discussion topic is Silva’s relationship with Benfica director general Mario Branco.

The pair previously worked together at Estoril and now many pundits believe the relationship could be decisive if Benfica formally make a move for the Fulham manager.

Farinha described Branco as a source of comfort for Silva at a time when Benfica was considered internally unstable and politically tense.

“We know that Benfica is going through a period of uncertainty and instability,” He said.

Former footballer Diogo Luis argued that strong personalities such as Silva, Mourinho and Amorim can create discomfort inside club structures because they are demanding coaches who challenge people internally and demand high standards publicly.

According to him, some people inside Benfica would prefer to work with less confrontational personalities than managers who demand constant accountability and investment.

This is clearly opinion rather than direct information, but it shows how heated the managerial debate has become around Benfica in Portugal.

Diogo Luis also suggested that Silva could see Benfica as a club where immediate improvement is possible despite the current problems.

“I think Marco Silva is looking at the glass half full,” That said, the coach could argue that Benfica’s current struggles actually create an opportunity to rapidly improve results and compete strongly domestically and in Europe.

The pundit also stressed that Benfica will remain a club capable of fighting for immediate trophies, including the Europa League, in the right circumstances.

Now the decision is expected in a few days

The expectation in Portugal is that Silva’s decisive meeting with Fulham will take place immediately before or after Sunday’s final Premier League game. After that, the football calendar effectively stops for several weeks.

This urgency explains why Fulham are moving so aggressively now.

From the outside, the message from the London club is that they are finally ready for Give Marco Silva a financial package and competitive guarantees He has wanted to for a while. The question now is whether this will be enough.

Because where Fulham may offer the money and stability of the Premier League, Benfica are trying to offer something a bit more difficult to achieve. Status, emotional pull, pressure, titles and the chance to reshape one of Portugal’s biggest clubs in his own image.

According to Fightful Select, Jessie Jayne is influencing creative changes on WWE SmackDown.

Several people involved in the creative process have begun rearranging plans in the women’s division to feature Jane more prominently, inspired by crowd reactions to Fatal Influence since her arrival to the group’s main roster last month.

Fatal Influence made her SmackDown debut on April 24, interrupting the match of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Later that night, Jayne faced WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, losing by disqualification after stablemates Fallon Henley and Lanny Reed attacked Ripley during the match.

The group has wasted no time in establishing themselves at the top of the SmackDown women’s division, with Jayne’s history giving WWE a lot to work with. She is a two-time former NXT Women’s Champion, having won the title for the first time by defeating Stephanie Wacker in May 2025 and holding it for 151 days before losing it to Tatum Paxley at NXT Halloween Havoc. She regained the title at Gold Rush in November 2025 and held it for the next 137 days before dropping it to Lola Vice at NXT Stand & Deliver in a triple threat also involving Kendall Grey.

Jayne also has the honor of being the first wrestler to hold championships in both WWE and TNA simultaneously. She won the TNA Knockouts World Championship in a winner-take-all match against Masha Slamovich at TNA Slammiversary in July 2025 while still NXT Women’s Champion, although she lost the TNA title 36 days later at NXT Heatwave.

A new rumor is great news for the Miami Heat’s planned exploration of a blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Heat found themselves playing in the NBA Play-in Tournament. However, unlike the previous three times, Miami was unable to advance in the mini-tournament and the streak of six playoff appearances this spring ended.

Although they made it to the NBA Finals after an incredible performance a few years ago, the Heat have only had 50-plus wins in one season in the last decade. A case can be made that Miami should consider a major roster overhaul and rebuild. Still, it seems very unlikely for this proud franchise, and they will definitely be out star hunting this summer. Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo is sure to be at the top of his wish list.

Unlike February, a trade seems highly likely, especially since Bucks management has publicly claimed that they will not confirm that the two-time MVP will return next season. Furthermore, the number of teams interested and the trade packages offered will be even better this summer than in the winter. So there will be a lot of competition in Miami in terms of business.

The Heat should emerge as the favorites for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer

They may submit a strong offer, but a new report on Friday night made their chances of winning the bid even stronger. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo will definitely “put his foot on the scale” and “push toward the team he wants to play for, and that part is also going to be a big factor.”

While many teams will be interested in the 10-time All-Star, there are also some cities he wants to visit. He surprisingly dismissed the city of Los Angeles last month as “superficial.” The Golden State Warriors will have a chance because of the reputation of the brand and talent on the roster.

New York is reportedly his favorite place. However, if this team reaches the NBA Finals and wins the championship, it is likely that the management will not break up this group.

That means Miami could emerge as the favorite in the trade sweepstakes. Especially if it entails moving to a specific city. Few NBA stars would give up the chance to live in South Beach.

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

newcastle united The latest Premier League club was Publicly linked with wonderkid Gabriel Meek. Gremio’s stance on the teenager has now been directly addressed by a senior figure at the Brazilian club.

The 18-year-old was one of the standout performers in Grêmio’s 3-0 win over Deportivo Riestra in the Copa Sudamericana. Meck recorded an assist and played with a confidence that continues to attract European attention.

That performance added to the growing clamor over his future.

chelsea Despite previous talks and recent inquiries for the make, it is still firmly in the race. The Blues have come close to striking a deal in the past and have been heavily linked with the Brazilian.

Brentford and nottingham forest The picture has also changed in recent months as interest in the Premier League among teenagers has been increasing.

liverpoolMeanwhile, he was credited with already having strong interest in the process and was even reported in Brazil to have internally compared Make’s attacking style to that of Vinicius Junior.

Gremio have currently ruled out formal bids

After the match in Buenos Aires, Grêmio vice-president Antonio Dutra Júnior was asked directly about the player’s situation amid growing transfer interest.

“There is currently no official offer for Gabriel Make,” he explained to the Brazilian outlet zero hour. “He is a Grêmio player and we trust him. When the offers come, Grêmio will analyze them, both for Gabriel and for any other player.”

The comments are important because they lend some credence to the idea that conversations have already progressed behind the scenes. Also they don’t close the door at all.

In fact, Dutra’s words strongly suggest that Grêmio are preparing for that moment to finally come.

Newcastle’s latest club in pictures

As we recently coveredNewcastle are among the clubs most linked with the attacking midfielder.

The Magpies have become increasingly active in South America and continue to keep an eye on emerging attacking talents from the region.

Meck fits the profile of a high-upside signing with room for development, especially after his recent increase in first-team involvement at Grêmio.

Additionally, he has recently turned 18, so the final bar to moving to Europe has been lifted. At the same time, Grêmio is dealing with pressure from its long-term contract situation and growing expectations of major sales in the future.

“A great value”

Dutra also clarified that Grêmio expects to receive a large sum of money if Meck ultimately leaves.

“I think he’s a player whose value will be huge,” The Vice President said. “He is a player who has just started his career and has immense potential. I am sure he will have a great career.”

Those comments align with the market picture already forming around the player.

Gremio have previously been linked with a valuation between €15m (£12.9m) and €20m (£17.2m), while Chelsea have been mentioned in reports with figures as high as €24m (£20.6m).

There may not be formal bids yet, but Grêmio already sees Make as a player capable of making a big transfer in the near future.

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 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

fulham With Danilo now firmly in the picture, the midfielder has once again become the talk of the town for the Premier League club.

The 24-year-old has rebuilt his reputation at Botafogo since returning from Nottingham Forest, and his current form is making headlines in several markets. He is producing at a level that makes him one of Brazil’s most effective midfielders at the moment.

In all competitions in 2026, Danilo has 10 goals and 3 assists in 23 games. In the league alone, he has scored 7 goals in 10 games, which is an excellent return for a central midfielder. He is scoring once every 3.14 shots and is averaging 2.22 shots per 90 minutes.

Its impact goes beyond the goals. He completes approximately 45 passes per match with an 86.58% accuracy rate, while also making 1.72 key passes per game, regularly creating chances for teammates.

All this has put him firmly in Brazil’s plans. He is now seen as almost a sure name in the squad for the upcoming World Cup, which only increases his visibility and market value. This sets the scene for the latest developments.

Fulham ready to move forward with serious offer

according to globo esporte In Brazil, Fulham have already indicated a willingness to invest around €30m (£26m) for Danilo. This is not the first time The cottagers make a move on him.

The structure will include €22m (£19m) guaranteed and €8m (£7m) in bonuses, bringing them on par with Zenit, who are moving forward with a similar package. Brazilian side Palmeiras also remain interested, but a domestic move is believed to be more complicated.

That price point puts Fulham in a strong position, especially given Botafogo’s financial situation, making a sale in the summer window increasingly likely.

Reference: Instability in Botafogo

Danilo’s rise in 2026 explains why Fulham are making the move now. Beyond statistics, he has also become a key figure behind the scenes at the club. The dressing room in particular is facing uncertainty regarding finances and ownership.

And it explains why Fulham’s timing is not random. Botafogo is dealing with financial issues, and Danilo is internally viewed as one of the club’s most valuable assets. Selling it is seen as a way to raise money.

There has been tension since the beginning of this year. His camp also threatened to terminate his contract Delay in Image Rights Payment. Although the situation was later resolved, it led to instability around the club.

As we covered earlierThere was also an unsuccessful attempt to send Danilo back to Nottingham Forest in January. The deal, which also involved Alvaro Montoro, Blocked after legal intervention Prevented John Textor from completing the transfer without the approval of the club’s social arm.

The texter has recently been banned from the club. And in practical terms, this means that their loans will be viewed more seriously and carefully. So they need to generate income for the summer.

Fulham could benefit from timing

All this creates an openness. Danilo had previously decided to stay at Botafogo until the World Cup, believing that a January exit would not benefit his career. Now, with his value rising and interest growing, the summer window looks like the natural moment for a move.

From Fulham’s point of view, it is A player entering his primeWith Premier League experience, strong current form and a clear desire to return to Europe.

And importantly, this time the move will take place under very different circumstances compared to his forest spell.

Fulham are putting themselves in a position to act.

The National Football League has made headlines in recent months for going back to its broadcast partners with staggering demands for future rights to games. This seems to be influencing what it would cost to run a 30-second ad in Super Bowl LXI.

According to Brian Steinberg of Variety.com, Disney has informed advertisers that they must pay $10 million for a 30-second ad block during next year’s Super Bowl LXI. However, advertisers are reportedly putting pressure on the price.

RELATED: NBC May Lose Rights to Sunday Night Football

Worth noting is that Disney doesn’t seem to be as effective as Fox and NBC at selling Super Bowl ad spots this time of year, according to Steinberg. Previously, other networks had sold 40 to 60 percent of their 30-second spots by May before the Super Bowl; Disney has reportedly “not made the same progress” in said efforts.

All this comes as Disney joins Fox, NBC and CBS in negotiating new TV rights contracts with the NFL due to increased interest from Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Google’s YouTube. The talks between the two sides have not been good.

CNBC’s Alexander Sherman previously reported that networks are “more comfortable” paying a rights fee increase of about 25 percent over the current deal. However, the NFL is working hard for a 100 percent increase.

As all this is going on, the Justice Department has begun investigating the NFL and whether it is using “anti-competitive tactics” to harm consumers and make games less accessible and affordable to watch.

It certainly seems like advertisers are taking the same approach in negotiations with Disney as the company is in contract negotiations with the NFL. If history is any guide, deals will be made with costs passed on to consumers.

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

Borussia Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken has quieted rumors of a move to sign Jadon Sancho or Nick Voldemort from Manchester United. newcastle united in this summer.

Sportbild had a big interview with the Dortmund chief today In which the newspaper directly handed over the rumors of transfer of both the players to them.

Dortmund hope to undertake some rebuilding this summer, with high-profile departures planned in several areas.

Newcastle United striker not on transfer agenda

Chief among those exiting will be Serhou Guirassi. There is a release clause in his contract and he is reportedly looking to depart for new pastures, perhaps in England.

Reports have already linked Tottenham with an interest in the striker. A report in March said they had sent an officer and negotiations were ongoing.

His departure will leave a void, and a recent report has linked Newcastle United striker Nick Voltemed with a move. Some sources, despite outright denials, have believed he could be considering leaving St James’ Park this summer.

Reports immediately named Dortmund as potential suitors, but Ricken poured cold water on that idea.

“This is the first I’m hearing about it. Cold trail. The following applies here too: We have this profile in two versions,” he said of the Newcastle striker.

This response follows a similar reply to the idea of ​​signing Fisnik Aslani this summer.

“We have Serhou Guerresi and Fabio Silva in this position. I think we are in an excellent position here,” he said.

In other words, Dortmund would need to let go of one player before looking for another. Thus, the Newcastle United striker is not on the radar yet.

A different story with Sancho

However, a move for Jadon Sancho is a different story. The 26-year-old will leave Manchester United when his contract expires this summer.

A return to Borussia Dortmund for a third spell has been gathering momentum for months. In fact, Reports in Germany suggest Dortmund are open to the idea.

Riken did not confirm this directly. Instead, he said the club was still assessing options behind the scenes.

“At the moment we are working with a number of players and screening them. We will check if you can make us better and we will do the same with Jadon,” he said.

What this means for Dortmund’s summer

Lars Ricken’s comments paint a clear picture of Dortmund refusing to rush into anything.

Jadon Sancho is on their list because he is leaving Manchester United, that’s clear. But right now they are assessing it. Meanwhile, Nick Voltmead is not the target.

Dortmund are happy to quash rumors regarding the Newcastle United striker for the time being. In fact, it looks like they want to pour cold water over it.

The German side clearly wants to hold its cards and has sent RIKEN in to pour cold water on any potential fires for the time being.

The Major League Baseball Players Association made headlines earlier this week when it was announced that the union has net assets of approximately $519 million. Now it’s worth comparing this to the situation MLB owners are in before a potential lockout in 2026.

According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, MLB owners have $2 billion in war reserves stashed away ahead of a possible lockout in December. This comes as the league and the MLBPA have reportedly not participated in preliminary discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement after this season.

The Athletic’s Evan Dreilich previously reported that the MLBPA came into the year with $519.3 million in net worth, which represents a 47 percent increase from its net worth at the end of the 2024 season. While the players union is preparing its members for the league to be all out when the CBA expires Dec. 1, Dreilich said MLB owners have set aside $75 million per club in case regular season games are missed.

Not all MLB owners will have that much if necessary. According to Dreilich, the league has an investment fund (Baseball Endowment LP) that it can use to provide even more money to owners and clubs if the lockout lasts longer.

During the previous lockout, which delayed the start of the 2022 MLB season, all 162 regular season games were played. The last time regular season games were wiped out due to MLB’s work stoppage was during the 1994 strike, when the final third of the season and the World Series were canceled.

It has been widely reported that MLB owners are going to make an unprecedented effort for a salary cap in the next CBA, which the MLBPA has repeatedly strongly opposed. As we saw in 1994, players were willing to sit out games when owners pushed for the MLB salary cap.

Unfortunately, it is increasingly likely that there will be an MLB lockout in December 2026 that will immediately impact free agency and possibly wipe out a portion of the 2027 regular season. While both sides have taken a stand and prepared themselves financially for a work stoppage, the biggest loss could be fans and stadium workers, as well as the entirety of Minor League Baseball.

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

Branyan Gruda’s loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion to RB Leipzig in the January transfer window was made with the World Cup in mind.

The 21-year-old also admitted, stating back in february The summer tournament was firmly in his thinking.

That plan now sounds like a masterstroke. In seven games so far for Leipzig, Gruda has scored three goals and two assists.

Gruda produced his best performance for Leipzig on Friday night, scoring twice and providing an assist in a 5–0 demolition of Hoffenheim. And this was enough to convince Didi Hamann that Gruda should be in Julian Nagelsmann’s plans.

“Gruda is definitely someone you should think about. I believe he will win the World Cup.” he told Sky Germany.

“He’s technically talented, two-footed and he has pace. I think Gruda is a player we don’t have. I’m a big fan of his.”

leipzig responsibility

The former Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder believes the move to Leipzig is largely responsible for Bjarna Gruda’s improved performances.

He had struggled to settle at Brighton, particularly under Fabian Herzeler. For example, this season, he made 18 appearances in the Premier League but only 896 minutes.

That is not the case under Ole Werner at Leipzig. Instead he immediately installed Gruda as the results starter and was rewarded for his faith. Hamann also believes that the atmosphere at his loan club is good for him.

“When I heard he was leaving Brighton my first thought was that he might still be able to make the World Cup squad,” He added.

“It seems that the atmosphere in Leipzig is being good for him.”

nagelsman unaffiliated

However, Julian Nagelsmann is not convinced. He has recently criticized the 21-year-old’s development and wants to see more from him.

“Ultimately, it’s about him scoring more goals and providing more assists. For his quality, it’s still not enough,” He said. The Germany coach was not impressed with the Brighton man in his last call-up before Euro 2024.

At that moment he realized “He didn’t fully realize he had a chance to be a part of the domestic European Championships.”.

Therefore, Gruda remains in the U21 national team. But after his performance against Hoffenheim, he is confident about his chances. “With good performance, all doors are open,” He said.

There will be more demonstrations like that and perhaps he and Haman will be proven right.

🇧🇷 Special: Alvaro Montoro ‼️

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

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026

Chelsea want to bring AC Milan’s Strahinja Pavlovic to the Premier League in the summer.

The centre-back’s development has caught Chelsea’s attention, and the Blues are ready to make a concerted effort.

Pavlović graduated from Partizan Belgrade’s youth system and made his first-team debut in 2019.

He spent one year there and moved to AS Monaco in 2020 before leaving them for Red Bull Austria in 2022. The Austrian side then sold him to Milan for €18m in August 2024.

The Serbia international played 1,864 minutes in 24 league matches for the Serie A team last season. His status has improved this season as he has played 2,150 minutes in 26 matches, scoring four goals and one assist.

To give an idea, below are the defender’s league statistics per game this season.

The 24-year-old’s performances for the Rossoneri have caught the attention of Chelsea calciomercato.it Now cover the latest.

Chelsea ready for solid progress

Earlier in the season, Sport Witness Covered claims from Italy Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona are monitoring him. The source indicated that Milan’s asking price could be around €60-70m.

Fast forward to March and calciomercato.it now covers Liam Rosenior’s keen interest in the central defender.

After a mixed debut season at the San Siro under Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao, the player has established himself as a key player for Massimiliano Allegri this season.
This comes at a cost as Milan have to be wary of the interest of Club World Cup winners.

calciomercato.it report ‘a big offer from Chelsea’ as they are willing to pay around €40m for the former Monaco man.

The quoted fee allows Allegri’s side to make ‘significant capital gains’ in the summer, but they appear unwilling to sell him. Therefore, the west London club will have to convince Milan to give them the chance to obtain the signature of Strahinja Pavlovic.

Serbian contract, price and agent information

The Rossoneri gave him a contract until 2028 with the option of a further year. He is now valued at €28m transfer marketHighest so far in his career. Such valuations are often below real value, and AC Milan are likely to demand more.

Serbian agent Zvonimir Vucic’s company, Football Agency 10, looks after his future.

The agency has two clients and Mihajlo Petrovic, 20, of Pelister Bitola, is another client.

🇵🇹 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

Manchester United’s interest in Bruno Guimaraes is not new, but the situation around the Newcastle United midfielder is beginning to develop ahead of the summer window.

The Brazilian remains one of Newcastle’s most influential players. He played a major role in last season’s Carabao Cup success and continues to carry the momentum into the 2025-26 campaign.

Their numbers support that position. according to FBrefGuimaraes ranks among Newcastle’s top players for progressive passes, passes into the final third and ball recovery. He offers a mix of defensive intensity and control in possession, which explains why top clubs continue to keep an eye on him. Nevertheless, his future is still open.

Guimaraes has already decided that he will not engage in serious talks until after the 2026 World Cup. His contract runs until June 2028, with a possible extension to 2029 requiring agreement from both parties. Newcastle have contacted their camp discuss renewalBut those talks are stalled.

At the same time, the club has a Clear stance on any possible transfer. Newcastle would be more open to talks with clubs outside England such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona.

However, they are expected to take a stronger position if a Premier League rival makes a move. This context is important in view of the latest developments.

Manchester United’s interest is becoming more concrete

Manchester United have been linked with Bruno Guimarães for months, but the situation now looks more clear.

information from espn brazil indicates Newcastle will demand between €75m and €80m (£65m-£69m) to consider a sale. The figure is in line with the offer made by Barcelona in 2023-24, which the player rejected to stay at St James’ Park.

There has still been no formal offer from Old Trafford. Furthermore, Guimaraes is part of a wider shortlist, meaning United are not solely focused on him.

However, now a new internal factor has emerged.

Casemiro moving forward behind the scenes

Casemiro, who is expected to leave Manchester United, is actively supporting a move for his Brazil teammate.

He has reportedly recommended Bruno Guimarães as his ideal successor in midfield. His voice carries weight inside the club, both because of his experience and his position in the dressing room.

That support changes the dynamics of the situation. United’s interest is no longer limited to recruitment plans. Now it has support from within the team itself.

Now the Red Devils are pushing for Champions League qualification, while Newcastle could miss out on European football this season.

For now, Guimaraes is quiet and focused on his recovery and the World Cup. He is not pushing for a move and his relationship with Newcastle remains strong.

Yet, with the stark valuation, internal pressure on Manchester United and Newcastle’s reluctance to strengthen their domestic rivals, it is a situation that could become more complicated come the summer.

Our belief: not a natural replacement

Bruno Guimaraes would be an excellent addition to an already strong Manchester United squad. He brings control, pace and progression, all of which will lift the team’s midfield. However, he is not an equal replacement for Casemiro.

Both work in very different ways. Casemiro is primarily a defensive midfielder. Their game is based on positioning, duels, interceptions and defending the back line. It supports the structure.

Guimaraes, on the other hand, plays with more freedom. He contributes defensively, but his main impact comes in possession. He moves the ball forward, connects phases and sets the tempo.

In this sense, the profiles are almost complementary rather than identical.

Manchester United will undoubtedly improve by signing Guimaraes. Nevertheless, replacing Casemiro with him would require a tactical adjustment or an additional midfielder to balance the system.

It is an upgrade in some aspects, but not a direct replacement.

🇩🇰 FC Midtjylland | Manchester United and Liverpool got there last night, with several possibilities on offer…https://t.co/wocwF5gneh #free #lfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 20 March 2026

Tottenham Hotspur could get a big boost in the summer as Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu moves closer to his long-desired Premier League move.

The 23-year-old has made no secret of his ambition, openly admitting he is ‘in love’ with the idea of ​​a move to England.

According to BILDAtubolu is seriously considering leaving Freiburg at the end of the season. Sources close to the club are suggesting he is ready to take the next big step in his career.

Tottenham’s summer goalkeeper opportunity emerges

With his contract running until 2027 and his market value already rising by more than €20 million, this summer could be Freiburg’s best chance to cash in.

Atubolu has developed rapidly. He has established himself as Freiburg’s No. 1, earning his first Germany call-up under Julian Nagelsmann in October, and is now seen as a realistic contender for the 2026 World Cup.

Moving to the Premier League has been his ambition for a long time. Atubolu openly admitted this last summer.

“I’ve been a big fan of the Premier League since childhood. It’s the best league in the world. I watched a lot of Chelsea games growing up,” He said.

Spurs are in a good position in the transfer race

That praise, which had been going on for a long time, had not gone unnoticed. Tottenham and West Ham have tracked him in recent windows. AC Milan, Inter and Napoli have also registered their interest.

A report at the end of February Explained that Tottenham had attracted a lot of attention to him.

The fact that Atubolu’s preferred destination is England gives him an edge over the competition.

Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that Atubolu changed agents in January and joined epic games. They are the agency that orchestrated Kevin Shade’s €25m move from Freiburg to Brentford.

Thus, the opportunity for Tottenham is clear. A young, Bundesliga-proven, Germany international who actively wants a move to the Premier League.

One thing is clear: the summer is going to be a hot one for Freiburg and their goalkeeper and Tottenham are fully prepared to take advantage.

🇩🇪 Fisnik Aslani | Tottenham and Chelsea call Kosovo a ‘shooting star’

📈 23 year old on the rise
🧠Have shown mental flexibility
🇽🇰Choose Kosovo instead of Germany https://t.co/gzoRT3yDup #thfc #Happiness #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 March 2026

At one point, the New York Knicks’ game against the Utah Jazz was not looking good, as they found themselves in a big loss that almost kept superfan Ben Stiller from watching, before Jalen Brunson’s heroics saved the team.

At the beginning of the game, Stiller took to Twitter to discuss his discomfort in watching the Knicks lose early against the Jazz, writing, “Couldn’t watch for 10 minutes – feels like we finally remembered we’re the NY Knicks.”

Ultimately, New York came out on top, and a lot of that can be attributed to Brunson’s performance. Thanks to Brunson’s performance, they won by 17 points, which initially seemed impossible. He scored 28 points and had four rebounds and eight assists.

Stiller didn’t let his heroics go unnoticed, giving the point guard a shout-out, writing, “Brunson really stepped up [in the] Second half],” after the game.

Jalen Brunson leads Knicks comeback against Jazz

After the first quarter of the Knicks’ game against the Jazz on March 11, New York was down by 15 points, and lost 41 points. Even at the half, they were down 65–56.

Fortunately, they turned things around in the second half, outscoring the Jazz 40–29 in the third and 38–23 in the fourth. It was a much-needed win on the road for the Knicks, who are just 19-16 on the road this year.

Brunson made the biggest splash, but he wasn’t the only impact player. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points and was extremely efficient, making eight of his 13 shots. OG Anunoby also scored 22 points while making 70% of his shots from the floor and all five of his free throws.

Jordan Clarkson also scored 27 points off the bench. In 26 minutes, Clarkson made 10 of his 15 shots with four free throws. Clarkson is averaging only 8.9 points per game this year, so this was a phenomenal performance for the guard.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinski will ‘rarely’ rejoin the Premier League side this season.

This is according to the Czech Republic gameWho sees his future at Tottenham after this season.

Igor Tudor played the stopper in Tottenham’s 5-2 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but was replaced after 17 minutes.

This clearly did not please the Czech Republic internationals and their country’s media.

On Wednesday, Sports Witness check claims covered The 22-year-old has been urged to leave Spurs after a disappointing Champions League debut.

Tottenham banned from January exit

Prior to his appearance against the La Liga team, Kinski had made two appearances for Tottenham this season and both were in the EFL Cup. Guglielmo Vicario has been number 1 for the last few years.

Kinski’s restricted role led to several clubs attempting to sign him in the winter market. West Ham United had him on their target list, while there were claims of interest from Lille and unnamed German clubs.

However, the north London club decided not to sanction his exit. This clearly has not worked out for the player and therefore, a loan move has been considered. ‘much more likely’ In summer.

Specific clauses in Kinski’s contract

Antonin Kinski could take advantage of a clause in his contract to move away from the Tudor side. This will come into effect if he does not make a certain number of appearances this season.

Sources have told iSport about the clause, without mentioning details of the terms. If he fails to meet these conditions, Tottenham will have to release him on loan in the next window.

Since the check is unlikely to be involved again, this segment is likely to be active. People close to Kinski suggest it is best for him to leave the English capital club on a temporary deal.

Stopper contract and price

transfer market Kinski is valued at €13m and his contract expires in 2029. However, the Premier League side have Confirmed He has signed a deal till 2031.

He arrived at the north London club from Slavia Prague in January 2025, after Vicario was sidelined with injury.

Kinski has played 1,127 minutes in 13 matches so far, kept four clean sheets and conceded 22 goals.

It will be interesting to see where he plays next season. Cech needs to join a club on loan that can ensure him regular playing time.

🇨🇿 Antonin Kinski | From the Czech Republic: ‘No other option’

⏩Tottenham player told what to do and when to do it
❌ There is no Spurs future so an exit is needed
🇮🇹 Loris Karius is constantly mentioned, but perhaps Miles Swiller would be a better comparison…👇https://t.co/XOTez2jcgV #joyce

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 11 March 2026

The Washington Capitals (32-27-7) scoring problems continued on Wednesday night. They were not able to generate much offense as they lost 4–1 to the Philadelphia Flyers (30–23–11).

The Capitals got things going, at least in the first period. Ryan Leonard took an early 1–0 lead with a power-play goal.

However, things turned sour after that. The Capitals made things more complicated and let Philadelphia take over the rest of the way.

Travis Konecny ​​and Trevor Zegras each scored to give the Flyers a 2–1 lead in the middle frame. As far as this rivalry is concerned, players from both the teams also got involved in it.

The Capitals tried to swing the momentum back in their favor but failed. Jamie Drysdale and Owen Tippett added two more points in the third for Philadelphia.

Next, the Capitals continue their road set of back-to-backs by heading to Buffalo on Thursday.

capitals analysis

The Capitals started the power play early in the game, but Tom Wilson was tired from his previous innings. Luckily, that’s when Leonard came into the top PP unit.

Leonard drove into the slot and hit a quick shot past Samuel Ersson about 10 minutes into the opening period. The 21-year-old now has 13 goals this season and extended his point streak to four games. Additionally, Leonard has 34 points, fourth-most among rookies in the NHL this season.

The Capitals went 1-for-3 on the man advantage on Wednesday night as they now have goals in three of their last four games.

Unfortunately, the second period is where things fell apart for the Capitals. A number of mistakes resulted in Philadelphia taking advantage.

First, a wide open Konecny ​​shot a pass from Logan Thompson in the right circle to tie the score at 1-1. Then, Zegras and Tippett went 2-on-0, as Zegras scored to make it 2–1 Philadelphia.

Things got extra playful as usual with these two arch rivals. Brandon Duhaime got into it with Nikita Grebenkin, while Wilson traded blows with Konecny. Afterwards, a frustrated Rasmus Sandin threw Tippett onto the ice.

Spencer Carberry once again changed the lines in hopes of better chemistry. However, as much as the Capitals tried to rally, they relied too heavily on passing rather than shooting the puck.

Down 3-1, the Capitals added an extra attacker in hopes of a miracle comeback. However, Tippett sealed it with an empty-net.

capitals report card

Team: C-

The first period was strong for the Capitals, but that was it. The team once again struggled to find the net and relied heavily on passing the puck.

Ryan Leonard: A

Leonard came on the power play in the first period. The rookie now has 13 goals and 34 points on the season.

Timothy Liljegren: B

Liljegren was solid in his Capitals debut after being acquired from San Jose. The Swedish blueliner showed off his two-way game and helped keep Philadelphia’s forwards out of the crease. He finished the night with a team-leading three blocks.

Jacob Chykrun 😀

It was one of the weaker nights for the Capitals’ best blueliner this season. Chykrun finished with a plus/minus of minus-4 and received a bounty.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

Tyrese Maxey has emerged as a legitimate superstar in the NBA, as the Philadelphia 76ers’ injury problems over the past few years have paved the way for him to take the reigns as the team’s best player. Maxey is trying his best to steady the boat for the 76ers, especially with Joel Embiid and Paul George currently out of action, and at this point, it’s not his fault Philly couldn’t compete on a few nights — including a blowout against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

Whatever the case, Maxi has earned himself millions of fans with the way he carries a heavy workload every night and remains as productive as ever despite facing all the defensive attention around the world. And it can’t happen a big fan star compared to former 76ers guard and head coach Doug Collins.

“Tyreese Maxey is my favorite player in the NBA. I hope these Philadelphia fans know they have a star of stars. His personality, his performance, his smile, the joy he plays the game with. I think it’s a huge thing for this city of Philadelphia and they’ve got a great sidekick now in VJ Edgecombe,” Collins said during Tuesday’s game against the Spurs, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. Said before the 76ers game.

“Tyrese Maxey is my favorite player in the NBA.”

Doug Collins has high praise for the Sixers’ point guard pic.twitter.com/WZoT8dASj2

– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) 4 March 2026

76 people are stuck in two timelines

The 76ers worked hard to keep the selection that ultimately became VJ Edgecombe, and now, they have a skilled backcourt to build the team around. The problem, however, is that there remains a lot of uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s health, and George’s drug-related suspension has cast another cloud over the team.

Be that as it may, if Embiid and George are ultimately completely gone, the 76ers can at least have an easier time rebuilding around Maxey and Edgecombe.

As most of the spotlight focuses on 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to win the first three Cup Series races of the season, teammate Bubba Wallace is off to the best start of his career. This is, in part, thanks to their improvements on road routes.

Coming off the Circuit of the Americas, where Wallace finished 11th and was in the top 10 in points earned, driver and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin recently praised Wallace for his road-course improvements on the latest episode of Action Detrimental.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings after COTA, see where Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin landed

“He should be very proud of his development on the road course. He downplays it quite a bit, you know, ‘I struggle.’ The 10 has a solid, back half now on the road to get the pace and his craft going.

Denny Hamlin on Bubba Wallace’s improvements at road courses

This is coming from the Duramax Texas Grand Prix, where Wallace scored a career-best finish at COTA with an 11th-place result after starting the day 24th. Most impressively, this happened when the No. 23 team played for points in Stage 2 (5 points) and then had to start the final stage after pitting near the back of the field.

Wallace was 24th at one point in the final stages before a restart following a caution with 17 laps remaining. He moved up to 16th with 15 laps to go, 12th with 11 laps to go, and in the final laps he passed William Byron to move up to 11th, just behind Hamlin.

RELATED: Denny Hamlin predicts how Tyler Reddick finishes in the regular season

He has now finished top 15 or better in his last three races on the road course, including an eighth-place finish at Watkins Glen last August. Over the past two years, spanning from the COTA race on March 24, 2024, to March 1, 2026, Wallace’s average finishing position is 16.16.

Keep in mind this also includes the Chicago Street Race last summer where he was 6th with 6 laps to go before getting into it with Alex Bowman and eventually spinning out. Ultimately he finished 28th.

Wallace has become the caliber of driver that Hamlin envisioned when he brought him to 23XI Racing. It shows this season, with Wallace’s improvement on road courses and the fact that he is currently second in points with the third-highest average finishing position (9.7) and second-most laps led (86) in the Cup Series. Redick and Wallace have become 23XI’s top drivers, and the team’s future could be even brighter next season, with top prospect Corey Heim expected to join the team full-time as a replacement for Riley Herbst.

READ MORE: 23XI Racing driver Riley Herbst an option for another Cup team in 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

The Atlanta Hawks experienced a sharp increase in ticket prices after announcing their upcoming “Magic City Night” promotion in collaboration with Magic City.

According to Yahoo Sports, the average list price for the Hawks’ March 16 home game increased nearly 300 percent after the team announced the partnership on social media.

Yahoo Sports shared on X, formerly known as Twitter:

“The Hawks and Magic City are teaming up for the ultimate collaboration

Average list price increased 300% after team’s social media announcement”

The promotion, called “Magic City Night”, is scheduled for the time when Atlanta hosts the Orlando Magic. The franchise also unveiled co-branded merchandise, including a hoodie with the Hawks’ logo emblazoned with the Magic City name on the chest. The collaboration quickly generated national buzz and was widely discussed on social media platforms.

The Hawks and Magic City are teaming up for the ultimate collaboration

Average list price increased 300% after team’s social media announcement pic.twitter.com/Xr6xxOdkit

– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) 27 February 2026

Former Hawks guard Lou Williams – widely known by his nickname “Lemon Pepper Lou” – publicly expressed his support for the partnership during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back. Williams, who previously played in Atlanta and has a long association with the Magic City, called the collaboration an authentic reflection of the city’s culture.

His association with the venue dates back to 2020, when his “Lemon Pepper Lou” nickname was popularized due to a visit to the Magic City during the NBA’s Orlando Bubble due to quarantine protocols and referencing the club’s signature wings. Williams later adopted this nickname as part of his personal brand.

Atlanta (30-31) is currently ninth in the Eastern Conference standings and entering the promotion with a three-game winning streak. Whether driven by curiosity, cultural significance or social media momentum, the Hawks’ announcement has translated into immediate market impact, with ticket demand soaring in the wake of the Magic City collaboration.

Some interesting posts on Friday on

Over the past two weeks there has been a lot of speculation about what is in the boxes on Raw and SmackDown. A popular choice among fans is AEW alumni Danhausen. A guy who was reportedly set to become a free agent in the coming months. Well, some of his posts today might suggest that he is free from all the shackles of aristocracy. Both can be found below.

The deficit is mounting while Ja Morant watches from the sidelines. Sure, the team’s 2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds are improving, but it would be easy for FedEx Forum’s most loyal fans to mentally check out for the rest of the season. They shouldn’t do it, for the same reasons Tuomas Isalo can’t. The Memphis Grizzlies have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, but there is still a lot at stake heading into the last few weeks of the season.

Although the expectations of the NBA playoffs have almost faded, this round is certainly the most important evaluation period of the Zack Kleiman era. The front office needs answers before committing significant financial capital to its young core, and the court is currently loaded with players auditioning for their NBA future.

GG Jackson is getting paid

GG Jackson has been one of the most compelling players in the league, let alone the roster. After all he is still one of the youngest players in the NBA. Now operating without Jaren Jackson Jr., the former South Carolina standout is averaging 17.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals/blocks while shooting 47.8% from beyond the arc. The 21-year-old has been one of the few bright spots of February, essentially starring in a new version of the Desmond Bain-Jarren Jackson Jr. role.

Heavy usage, varied shot creation and increased defensive responsibility are expected for the remainder of the season. Jackson will not replace Ja Morant; No one can do that in Memphis, but the Grizzlies really need to determine what that will be. The front office is facing an important financial decision regarding Jackson’s second contract.

Their current performance suggests a valuation north of $10 million annually, which moves them out of the mid-tier exception zone and into a long-term commitment. These final games are an audition for a big payday.

pin a point

Putting the Ja Morant trade drama aside, Tuomas Isalo also needs clarity at the backup point guard spot. Neither Cam Spencer nor Scottie Pippen Jr. made this an easy decision; Jevon Smalls and Walter Clayton Jr. still need developmental reps. Ty Jerome seems more suited to an off-ball role. The Grizzlies are effectively sitting at six point guard options and absolutely zero certainty.

Pippen Jr. brings toughness, fight and an obvious appreciation for the city. He’s exactly the kind of player a rebuilding team wants in the locker room. The problem is one of uniformity. He just hasn’t demonstrated it enough yet. Economics also make the decision feel urgent. Only $350,000 of Pippen Jr.’s $2.4 million contract for next season is guaranteed. That leverage clearly puts Memphis out there, but it also means these final weeks are effectively an effort.

Spencer has shown that he can be one of the best shooters on the planet, although he continues to struggle defensively and handle actual point guard duties for extended stretches. If he can’t run the show, maintain elite shooting efficiency, and become a little more solid as an offensive guard, Spencer’s minutes will dry up once the roster is healthy. Putting in some work won’t be enough to demand a second contract next summer, especially if Darius Acuff or Kingston Flemings is drafted by Memphis.

Ty Jerome is struggling with emotions

Ty Jerome didn’t sign up for a full-scale rebuild. The wily 28-year-old veteran took a deal expecting a competitive team around him, and instead, he’s headed to a season that has lost most of its expected key pieces. Jerome suffered most of the season due to an off-season injury, but nobody got the better of him. No buyer’s remorse yet, but the Grizzlies and the rest of the NBA need something before the summer arrives.

Hopefully Isalo will provide a lot of opportunities. Maximizing the value of Jerome’s expiring $9.2 million deal before the NBA Draft would help everyone going into blank-slate situations. A strong finish alleviates those lingering injury concerns and potentially turns a lousy contract into a long-term asset over time.

tough times for taylor hendricks

The Grizzlies have had their big men hit for too long, and the problems continue. Even incomplete minutes could help the front office determine whether Hendricks fits in with the oft-injured Zach Eddy. Unfortunately, according to Isalo, the Grizzlies did not find the right circumstances to make the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade piece a profitable situation.

“I mean, with every player, whether it’s a steady situation, most of the time for a player like Taylor, it’s going to come down to the puck. It’s getting ahead of your own man, then making good decisions, and developing the skill set of finishing at the rim or finding those open shooters. He was in a tough situation (against the Golden State Warriors). Kyle Anderson started late for the game, and Taylor was a starter after being with the team for a very short time. “Got into the new situation. I thought he did a great job there without even practicing it. Obviously, that’s the big situation (with Jack Eddy).”

expandable evaluation

The Grizzlies are considering a series of roster decisions that will define the franchise’s financial outlook. Hendricks, Jackson and Jaylen Wells are all extension-eligible, meaning their future roles need to align with the salary cap investment. This creates a natural hierarchy with Ty Jerome and Cedric Coward slotting into the wing/off-ball rotation.

Kleiman’s front office can’t afford to enter into extension talks by guessing. Memphis needs data. Players need representatives. They need to know who will fit in with who when the core finally returns.

Losses may dominate the box score, but the evaluation season is not meaningless. For the Grizzlies, the next few weeks will decide everything from the backup point guard job to future contracts. The future of the franchise is essentially being decided on stage every night. For fans who care about what happens next, there’s a lot to see.

Kamaru Usman revealed this week that his quest to win another UFC title at welterweight has hit a wall named Hunter Campbell.

At 38, the former welterweight king knows he doesn’t have much time left at the highest level of the sport. That’s why he’s done everything he can over the past eight months to get himself a championship fight with new welterweight champion and friend Islam Makhachev.

After picking up his first win in nearly four years over Joaquin Buckley in June, he doesn’t have the strongest case for a title shot. However, he has tried to take advantage of his friendship with the Russian and his name as one of the greatest welterweights of all-time to work his way into the fight. However, this doesn’t seem to be working.

During a new edition of their pound 4 pound In a podcast with fellow veteran Henry Cejudo, Usman revealed that he has told the company why he thinks the fight with Makhachev makes the most sense. However, despite the discussions, the former champion claims that UFC CBO Hunter Campbell “feels differently” and has no interest in the matchup.

The comments seem to support recent rumors that Campbell has taken on a larger day-to-day role for the UFC, including fight contracts, than CEO Dana White.

Kamaru Usman offered fight against Dricus du Plessis

Along with the update on the lack of progress towards a fight for the welterweight strap, Usman also offered that Campbell and the UFC approached his pitch with the idea of ​​a different fight and in a different weight class. Usman revealed that he was offered a matchup with former middleweight champion Darius du Plessis.

Although Usman is not against a fight at 185 pounds, he claims he is only interested in “meaningful” fights followed by a title opportunity. The UFC may be unwilling to guarantee a championship match following a win over DDP.

Usman scheduled a short-notice fight at middleweight against defending champion Khamzat Makhachev in October 2023. He lost the match by majority decision.

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

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is one of the league’s most electric stars, but he’s getting negative feedback from many NBA forecasters. Often during games, when Luka thinks he has received a foul call or when he feels he has been touched by a defensive player, he is seen arguing and pantomiming the referee. This has angered many media personalities and now ESPN’s Tim McMahon has come into the fray.

in the comments on espn RiseMcMahon went to Doncic to complain to the referee.

“Luka has had two glaring flaws in conditioning and crying throughout his career. The conditioning where he has made major progress, he is crying as much as he has ever seen before… I can tell you that Luka expresses his frustrations at the referees. So the more frustrated he is, the more he is crying, he is crying and he is, sometimes, more concerned about the three guys in the gray jersey and the five guys in the opposite jersey. And look, he is even though There will be defensive problems. It’s hard to play defense if you never cross half court because you’re worried about the call you didn’t get.

McMahon isn’t the only media member who has complained about Doncic’s approach. In a recent edition of his podcast in collaboration with sports agent Rich Paul Game overMax Kellerman ridiculously proposed that if Luka Doncic got a statue, it would be a pose of him arguing with the officials.

“And you know how [Pat] Riley has his idol? Do you know what a statue of Luka Doncic outside of crypto would be like, if he ever gets one? This is what is going to happen. This is the statue of Luca. With your arms outstretched, like this… every single trip, you’re complaining to the ref? Luca. Every trip below the destination? Even when he hits the shot? No, you will not get and-1. It is not possible that the referee will overrule every call of Luka Doncic.

Bill Simmons recently talked about what he sees as Doncic’s foul play bill simmons show podcast.

“The foul play is the worst it’s been in a while. It’s on the edge of not being worth watching. It’s every single play. Now it’s back to where it was, it was at its worst in Dallas when it got so bad that the Mavs finally had to call him out publicly. Yeah. It’s so bad that even LeBron is like, wow. Wow, what is this guy? This guy is really giving up on calls.

In recent episodes of FanDuel TV play it backLou Williams also criticized Doncic, saying that his complaining on fouls caused the Lakers to lose “inches of a game” of basketball.

“Basketball is a game of inches. You lose by one point because you give up possession after possession worrying the referees.”

On paper, Luka is having a great season. He currently ranks first in the league in points, averaging 32.5 per game, and has also added 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists. But Tuesday evening’s loss to the Orlando Magic in clutch time has increased criticism of the team and, in particular, of Luka’s behavior in these moments.

The Lakers look to snap their two-game losing streak against the Suns on Thursday at 9 p.m.

In the January transfer window, sports witness Aston Villa’s interest in Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has been covered. Now, Fulham have emerged as contenders to potentially take the Italian back to the Premier League.

Keane has clearly moved on from his failures at Everton. He scored 19 times in Serie A last season and again became a key part of the Italian national team. He made a slow start to the current campaign but managed to score eight times in the league.

The 25-year-old has scored once in each of the last three matches, and played a role in pulling Fiorentina out of the relegation zone.

His impressive performances are now again attracting the attention of the Italian press. Fulham have been mentioned as a contender, with other clubs also in the running.

Fulham asked to pay release clause

today’s gazzetta dello sport Looks at the striker’s position in detail.

Fulham ‘expressed interest’ in January. Al-Hilal were also interested and so was Paris FC. At that time the player was not keen on going out but now things may change in the summer.

The Italy international has a release clause of €62m, an increase of €10m since the summer. This will be applicable between July 1 and July 15 this year. There is talk of interest from AC Milan but Italian clubs are unlikely to pay that much.

This may provide an opportunity to clubs like Fulham, who may find it a little easier to complete the assessment. Keane rejected the chance to join Al-Qadsiah last summer and this could indicate a desire to remain in Europe.

Why wouldn’t it be easy regardless of money

Gazzetta is confident that several non-Italian clubs would be willing to pay Keane’s release clause. He currently earns just €4m per season, which would be too affordable for Fulham, Al-Hilal and other European clubs.

This may all depend on whether the player actually wants to move or not. Fabio Paratici’s arrival at Fiorentina could influence his decision, with La Viola trying to build a shiny new project under the Italian. If Keane’s team remains in Serie A, these plans could indeed go ahead next season.

The former Toffee may be more ready for the Premier League than earlier in his career. He has transformed into a striker who has developed physically and is capable of making consistent runs in behind.

QPR’s Nicolas Madsen has praised Julian Steffen for his improvement in his overall game.

talking to dan bold On the huge impact it had on the manager’s QPR career.

He joined the London club from KVC Westerlo in August 2024, when Martí Cifuentes was in charge at Loftus Road. That time, the midfielder said The QPR move was a step up for him.

Madsen’s preferred position is in the middle of the pitch, while he can also operate as both a defensive and attacking midfielder.

Change of position at QPR

Cifuentes primarily used him as an attacking midfielder, scoring three goals and providing three assists in 34 matches in all competitions in his first season.

QPR parted ways with Sifuentes and appointed Stephen as his successor in June 2025. The Frenchman has used him in his preferred role this season and it has helped improve his form.

The midfielder has scored three goals and provided six assists [three more than last season] Out of 33 matches so far this season. It is indicative of the progress they have made under the current QPR boss.

“With the new coach, I play in a slightly different position than last season. That’s also helped me perform better. I really think since the beginning of the season, things have gotten better and better. And I’ve really grown into the role that I have now.” He said.

“Last season, I played 10, which probably didn’t quite suit me. But now I’ve played a mix between 6 and 8. I’m a little freer at center to play according to my instincts. It’s made me feel a little more comfortable and where I’m able to put myself in situations where I can perform at my best.”

Stephen’s huge influence

The QPR player gives huge credit to Stephen for reviving his QPR career.

“Yes, we’ve got a new coach, who has done a lot for me personally. I’ve generally gained more confidence and have taken advantage of the opportunities at the start of the season, which has meant I’ve been given a much bigger role this season.” Madsen explained.

The Golden State Warriors were back on the court Thursday night following the NBA All-Star break. They hosted the Boston Celtics in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals. While Stephen Curry is out with a knee injury, the Warriors finally got a new star in the lineup.

Kristaps Porzingis made his Golden State debut on Thursday.

Upon checking in on the game and being announced on PA, Porzingis received praise From the crowd of domestic warriors.

Kristaps Porzingis checks in with the Warriors for the first time

(via @kenzofuku) pic.twitter.com/7QVLufl6Ym

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 20 February 2026

The Warriors traded with the Atlanta Hawks for Porzingis before the NBA trade deadline. It was an interesting move, especially given Golden State’s position in the Western Conference. Curry’s subsequent knee injury has certainly made his stride a bit worse.

Nevertheless, the Latvian big man will certainly make a positive impact.

On Thursday night, the Warriors hosted the Celtics team with whom Porzingis won his only championship. Boston won the NBA title two seasons ago, with Porzingis making a big impact despite missing time due to injury.

Injuries have wreaked havoc throughout his career. The 10-year veteran has only played 18 games this season, missing time for a variety of reasons. He has missed 16 to 39 games in each of the last nine seasons of his career.

But Warriors coach Steve Kerr is highly optimistic that Porzingis will be able to make solid contributions the rest of the season. Unfortunately for the Dubs, the Celtics are getting the best of Golden State.

At the time of this writing, Boston led by 23 points at halftime. Porzingis has five points in seven minutes played.

On Sunday evening, the NBA All-Star weekend concluded with the big game, which was actually four smaller games as part of a round robin tournament between three teams. The United States youth team swept the field, with Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards taking All-Star Game MVP honors.

The NBA has been tinkering with the All-Star Game format for the past few years in hopes of appeasing fans’ ongoing complaints, and if Sunday’s ratings are any indication, the league may have found its new solution moving forward.

x, former ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel on Twitter reported, “Regardless of what the audience looked like in the arena at times, the 2026 NBA All-Star Game delivered the largest TV audience since 2011, averaging 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and Telemundo.”

“The 2026 All-Star Game topped last year’s viewership with 87% (4.7 million views),” he said.

This weekend, there was a lot of discussion about the perceived lack of effort from players in the past few All-Star games, with fans wondering if the new USA vs. World format would be enough to motivate the stars to try a little harder.

San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama set the tone early with his competitive play and other stars seemed to follow suit, losing three out of four games at the event.

It remains to be seen if the NBA will pursue this exact format, as at one point, the old USA roster played three straight games, at the end of which they appeared a bit tired.

However, for a league that is in its final stages, NBA officials have to be happy with the game’s ratings results.

The NBA regular season is scheduled to resume on Thursday.

Osasuna sporting director Braulio Vazquez has insisted he did not even listen to Sunderland’s attempts to sign Victor Munoz in January.

Diario de Navarra covered Vazquez’s comments today. He was speaking at a press conference recently, in which he was asked about Sunderland and Munoz.

The Black Cats moved for the 22-year-old at the end of the January transfer window. Sport Witness has covered it sinceExplaining how they fielded multiple bids for the winger. They reportedly made an initial €20m bid before raising it to €25m.

Osasuna were not interested, even with Eliezer Mayenda included as part of the deal. He turned down Sunderland, while Munoz was reportedly unwilling to leave the Spanish team in the middle of the season.

Sunderland need €40m

Part of Osasuna’s reasoning was that they would have to pay Real Madrid 50%. Therefore, the Spanish side would like to see Munoz depart for at least €40m. This is the value of the release clause in his current deal.

Now Vazquez has doubled down on his stance. He explained why he had no interest in what Sunderland or anyone else could offer.

He said, “We didn’t even listen to them; we stuck to the stream.”

“It is also true, and I want to emphasize this, that he is very grateful to the club. We brought him from Primera RFEF (Real Madrid first division), where he had only played 40 minutes in La Liga, and we paid €5m.

“I told him he’s going to experience personal and professional growth because it’s the right environment, and he’s very grateful. To this day, we’re not considering him leaving, and neither is he.”

Tottenham are also interested

The question is how long Osasuna can keep their star man. Sunderland are not the only ones to have shown an interest.

Sport Witness covered a report in late January It added that Tottenham were also in the mix for him. It shows that his performances are definitely being recognised, especially in the Premier League.

With English clubs easily able to pay it if they wanted, it’s clear that’s what Vazquez is hoping will happen at some point.