of manchester city When it comes to midfielder Pedro Vaite the extensive scouting operation appears to be going beyond simple monitoring.

Latest reports suggest that discussions are already taking place over where the Ecuadorian international will fit into the City football group setup.

The 24-year-old has quickly become one of the standout names linked to the group following recent scouting activity in Mexico.

As covered earlierRepresentatives from City Football Group traveled to the country earlier this month to watch matches and meet with local contacts. At the time, no one publicly attached specific names to the voyage. However, this has changed very rapidly.

as of now TUDN MexicoCity Football Group are still pushing to sign Pedro Vitae ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

And interestingly, the conversation already seems to be moving beyond whether they want him.

Discussion is already on the way

The latest claims suggest that internal talks are now taking place over where exactly Pedro Vitae will play within the City Football Group structure if the move goes ahead.

Verona, New York City FC, Troyes and Palermo have all been mentioned as possible landing spots. However, the report also leaves the door slightly open to the possibility of something bigger.

Manchester City themselves are not completely out of the picture.

This still seems like the least likely route, and it is important to emphasize that most of the reporting has focused on the wider CFG network rather than Pep Guardiola’s immediate plans. Still, the noteworthy thing is that this possibility is also being mentioned internally.

Usually, when these stories first come out, the discussion is simply about scouting or interest. It already seems a little further down the road.

Why does white matter to CFG?

Pedro Witte joined Pumas UNAM from Vancouver Whitecaps in July 2025 and quickly rose to Liga MX status.

The Ecuador international has become one of the Pumas’ most important creative players. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder. However, he is comfortable moving into more central areas to dictate the game.

Technically fast, left-footed and agile in tight spaces, he fits the profile that groups regularly target in many leagues.

The reported valuation is currently around €14m (£12m), which would become a record sale for Pumas UNAM.

the sooner the better

According to reports, City Football Group wants to move ahead before the World Cup. This is because they expect Pedro Vitesse’s value to increase if Ecuador has a strong tournament and performs well.

This has become a familiar tactic for multi-club groups and elite sides alike. Their goal is to complete the deal before the global headlines push the price higher.

At this stage, there is still no confirmation of formal negotiations or a final decision as to which club will acquire him.

Still, the tone is changing toward this early stage of a deal.

liverpool Interest in Alan Elias is nothing new. However, Brazilian reports now suggest the situation is heating up again ahead of the summer window.

As covered earlierNewcastle United have been ranked as favorites at various stages. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been exploring ways to structure a deal. they have even Secure priority for future steps.

The 22-year-old has continued to be a key figure for Palmeiras, with 4 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this year. This helps explain why the club continues to protest.

However, the expectation in Brazil is that pressure will increase significantly in the coming weeks. And Liverpool is the only English club still being mentioned.

The market is heating up before the window

latest comments ESPN Brazilian journalist Andre Hernán There are indications that with the opening of the transfer market, Allan has once again become the subject of fresh inquiries.

He indicated that the clubs are already moving to understand the situation and assess whether Palmeiras could be ready for talks in the next window.

The journalist clarified that Liverpool’s interest remains active.

He said: “It is nothing new that Liverpool want Allan. The market is starting to open up and there are already inquiries and approaches regarding the player.”

Hernan said this new movement is just the beginning. This is expected to be a busy period.

he explained: “Palmeiras will have to be very strong, because clubs will work hard for him. He is a player that the European market wants very much.”

Palmeiras was ready for a wave of bids

Despite this, Palmeiras continues to “work hard” in negotiations. Hernán stressed that the club has consistently resisted those approaches, whether they come directly from the clubs or through player representatives. In fact, Liverpool have already made contact Also the player’s representative.

He said: “Palmeiras works hard in every sense, whether through contact with clubs or through player representatives.”

This stance has already been demonstrated with previous rejections in the €30m to €35m (£25.7m-£30m) range. However, the expectation is that the volume and intensity of offers will increase.

According to Hernán, the final decision will ultimately rest with the club’s leadership.

he adds: “This will be a decision for the presidency and the board, as the market will be strong and Allen will receive offers and a lot of interest in this window.”

Liverpool and Napoli among the main contenders

Hernan also explained how the market is shaping up geographically. For them, the race is clearly focused on Europe’s top leagues.

He said: “For me, Alan’s market is the top European market – the Premier League or the big clubs in Italy.”

Liverpool remains the dominant name of the Premier League, while Napoli are again monitoring the situation.

However, As mentioned earlier, Game Witness Understand Previous claims regarding specific bids from Napoli are not accurate. Nevertheless, the Italian club has been linked.

Arias factor adds internal dynamics

There is also an internal layer to Palmeiras’ thinking that can influence the situation.

brazilian side Wolves signed attacker Arias in February As one of their major additions. However, so far he has been used far from his preferred role. And that’s largely because Alan Elias is in that position. He remains an undisputed starter.

The sale of Allan would not only fetch a significant fee, but would also allow Palmeiras to restore Arias to his natural role.

This possibility does not overshadow the club’s current stance, but it does provide a sporting solution if a bigger offer eventually comes through.

With Allen’s performances, interest growing and internal options already in place, the coming window is shaping up to be a defining moment. Not just for Liverpool, but for Palmeiras’ entire strategy around one of their most valuable players.

When you need a clutch goal, rely on defensemen. A strange reality, but the Carolina Hurricanes have survived two games in a row.

The Hurricanes did not score a single natural goal during the entire match. Nonetheless, in a unique game full of individual achievements and accomplishments, they still defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4–3 in overtime.

One of those milestones hit the moment Taylor Hall stepped onto the ice. This was his 100th game as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, after being traded in the old three-team Mikko Rantanen deal.

Dakota Joshua scored in the first period to put the Leafs up one, but that was all he wrote for the opening twenty minutes as both teams went back and forth with the puck.

The game came alive in the second period

Early in the second frame, Andrei Svechnikov and ex-Hurricane Max Domi collided at the Leafs’ blue line. Svechnikov, who was shaken up, was briefly attended to by head athletic trainer Doug Bennett before going to the bench and later to the locker room. However, he was able to return near the halfway point.

In the inning following Svechnikov’s injury, Eric Robinson took a high-stick to the face from Brandon Carlo – drawing some blood for a double minor. In the final seconds of a four-minute power play, Jordan Staal once again proved to be one of the best things to happen to Carolina this season, as he tipped in a shot by Seth Jarvis.

Afterwards, Robinson once again performed for his team and drew a hooking penalty from Troy Stecher on a breakaway. He was given a penalty shot opportunity – the first attempt in his NHL career – and proceeded to slip a nice short wrister past Josef Woll to give Carolina its first lead of the night.

However, that lead was short-lived. Just 72 seconds later, John Tavares made his way behind Brandon Bussey’s net and put the puck in through the five-hole.

In the final minutes of the second frame, Sean Walker was fouled in the penalty box for fouling Matthew Neese. However, Walker’s defensive partner was not satisfied with simply killing a penalty, and instead, took the puck down the ice for the first shorthanded goal of his NHL career.

It was the second consecutive game for Shorty to score for the Hurricanes.

The third period arrived, and with just a few minutes remaining, William Nylander scored a goal to force overtime.

three-on-three action

When overtime began, the game-winner came off the stick of a first-time player: Alexander Nikishin. The rookie defenseman had just come on the ice in place of Jakob Slavin because Jarvis had sent him off, but he didn’t have it for long. Skating quickly to the right face-off circle, he wasted no time – launching it through an accidental Leafs screen and past the Vols after just 41 seconds of play. It was not only the first overtime goal of Nikishin’s NHL career, but also his first game-winning goal. For the second consecutive game, the Hurricanes’ overtime game winner came from a defenseman.

The game marked an unusual pattern to victory, as all four of the Hurricanes’ goals did not come on five-on-fives. Instead, they were on the power play, in the form of penalty shots, shorthanded and three-on-three in overtime.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

West Brom have a way of bringing Carlos Corberán back to the club, if they can wait for him.

At least that’s the case if the latest news from Tribuna Deportiva is to be believed. The Spanish outlet covers the Valencia boss today and what his future holds at Valencia ‘Uncertain for next year’.

They point out that controversy over Corberán’s future continues, even though Valencia has escaped the relegation zone after wins against Getafe, Espanyol and Levante.

This improvement in the standings has not resulted in a clear improvement in the team’s performance. This has proved disappointing despite reinforcements signed in the January transfer window.

Why are there doubts in Valencia?

Corberon’s record has been inconsistent, to say the least. The club has reiterated its support CEO Ron Gourley insisted they were not considering his dismissal.

However, behind the scenes, doubts are beginning to emerge at various levels at the club over his continuity beyond this season. This comes after a disagreement over signatures in January. This led to the feeling that Corberan was not the person to ‘lead the project’.

However, any dismissal will not come cheap. Valencia does not have a clause that allows them to terminate his contract without cost.

The Spanish club will have to pay at least his salary for next season unless they can reach an agreement.

Presents an opportunity for West Brom

This could give West Brom a chance to bring Corberran back. If they decide to split in the summer they could offer money to satisfy both parties.

The Baggies are back on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Eric Ramsey after just 44 days. In fact, things have gotten much worse since Corberon left in December 2024. And he hardly had a fun time in Valencia either.

Now the Spanish side are considering parting ways in the summer, with the Baggies being given the chance to reunite if they are willing to wait.

As NBA All-Star festivities continue at the Intuit Dome, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama acknowledged the influence of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James on his understanding of what it means to be the face of the league.

Wembanyama spoke during the NBA’s All-Star media day on Saturday, reflecting on James’ two-decade tenure at the center of the sport’s spotlight.

“He’s very intelligent in the areas in which he’s obviously the face of the league. And in two decades, very few mistakes like very few PR mistakes, so I think there’s definitely some intelligence required. I think there’s a lot of things to learn from him. I’ve never had a chance to spend time with him to have a full discussion and I would love to talk to him… I don’t know how many millions of basketball players there are on Earth and they could all learn something from LeBron.”

The comments come as Wembanyama heads into his third NBA season. The 22-year-old is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and one steal per game, while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range in 40 games.

“She’s very intelligent… Very few mistakes are made in PR. I think it definitely requires some intelligence… I would love to do that [talk to him about that]…They could all learn something from LeBron.

Victor Wembanyama on the impact of LeBron James as the face of the NBA.pic.twitter.com/o94wUlNMdy

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 14 February 2026

LeBron James’ blueprint shapes Victor Wembanyama’s rise as the next face of the NBA

San Antonio entered the All-Star break with a 38–16 record, good for second place in the Western Conference, and are on a six-game winning streak. Spurs’ progress has fueled growing conversation about Wembanyama’s place among the league’s elite.

Earlier this week on NBA Today, former center Kendrick Perkins declared Wembanyama the new face of the NBA, citing his production, global appeal and willingness to be in the spotlight. The buzz has heated up as Spurs position themselves as contenders in the West.

For Vembanyama, the blueprint is clear. James, now in his 22nd season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has risen to stardom by consistently excelling on the court. From performance to professionalism, Vembanayama looks to the four-time champions as a model for longevity and leadership.

As the league looks toward its next era, the intersection between James’ legacy and the rise of Wembanyama is shaping the narrative around the future of the NBA.