southampton Bayern Munich are on the verge of buying goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.

The Israel international joined the Bundesliga winners in 2024 and has not enjoyed regular game time.

The previous summer, he joined Hamburg SV on loan but his situation did not improve. Therefore, Bayern Munich cut the stopper’s stay short and sent him on loan to Southampton in the winter market.

The 25-year-old has excelled under Tonda Eckert, keeping nine clean sheets and conceding 24 goals in 26 matches. He played a role in helping the Saints finish fourth and qualify for the Championship playoffs.

However, the English club was expelled due to the spying scandal and would play in the second division the following season.

Two weeks ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from Germany That the spy gate will have an impact on the goalkeeper’s future. it came months later Peretz said He would be happy to extend his stay with Eckert.

Spy gate has no impact on Southampton move

Sky Deutschland taken now xFormerly known as Twitter, to refute Germany’s recent claim.

Sky claim it is their exclusive case that Southampton reached a ‘complete agreement’ with Bayern Munich to buy Daniel Peretz.

The goalkeeper’s excellent relationship with manager Tonda Eckert appears to have been a key factor in his decision.

Vincent Kompany’s side will earn around €7.5-8m from his sale to Southampton. There is no clarity on whether this is the total fee or just the fixed fee.

The parties are now sorting out the minor details and this is the only deal left. There should be no delay as the report states that an official announcement is ‘expected soon’.

With this, the Saints secured their first-choice goalkeeper for the next season. Sky has made no mention of the details of its contract or individual terms.

Deal beneficial to all parties

Daniel Peretz’s permanent transfer from Bayern Munich to Southampton is a win-win for all parties.

The move helps Saints secure their number 1 and allow him to enjoy regular games at St Mary’s. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, will collect €7.5-8m for a player who had no future at the Allianz Arena.

newcastle united There is a reported suitor for Udinese’s Arthur Atta and a deal looks to be moving ahead.

earlier this month, sports witness Covered how the arbitrators are trying to make a move for the midfielder. He had spoken to Udinese about a possible exit, especially as Atta had attracted interest from several clubs.

That’s when Newcastle United first emerged as a candidate, with Udinese very likely to execute a summer sale.

His stature increased during the final campaign after contributing ten goals in all competitions. While Italian clubs have also been keen on him for several months, England is now becoming the more preferred destination for Atta.

Magpies going ahead with deal

Morning Look at 23-year-olds and they mainly talk about English interests. This is causing a bit of trepidation at Napoli, who are also interested in Atta, especially as Andre-Frank Zambo Anguilla could end his tenure with the Serie A team this summer. I

The newspaper reveals Newcastle United have been linked with Udinese ‘in the last few hours’, with Brighton also currently in the running.

The Friulian club are demanding a €40m fee but the Magpies are not opposed to paying it. His financial capabilities suggest that the price appears affordable for Eddie Howe.

This seems to be a development in recent times and Newcastle United could be in their stride.

Udinese possibly pushing for exit

Italian media are convinced that Atta has played his last season at Udinese. And since intermediaries are already operating, it is no surprise that many clubs are being linked to them.

This gives Newcastle United the opportunity to seal a deal quickly. Udinese’s record sale is €35m, which is what Atletico Madrid paid for Rodrigo De Paul a few years ago. The Argentine has been a consistently good player for many seasons, but that was not the case with Atta.

That’s why there could still be a possibility for a waiver from Eddie Howe. Udinese would obviously like to make a sale to the Englishman to maximize their profits, but in all likelihood they will settle for less than €40m in the summer. Involvement of middlemen will definitely help.

Queens Park Rangers Dinamo have made progress in their attempts to sign goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic this summer.

Navistik kept five clean sheets and conceded 20 goals in 18 matches this season. His performances and profile may have convinced QPR to attempt to sign him.

The Croatian started the season as number 1, but lost his place to Dominik Livakovic, who arrived on loan from Fenerbahçe in January.

There is no clarity on whether Livakovic will extend his stay at Dinamo Zagreb or not. Earlier this month, Sport Witness broadcast news Crystal Palace interested in Fenerbahçe man.

QPR want to complete the signing quickly

However, Ivan Nevstic could be on the move, and a championship could be his next destination.

is according to 24 SATAWhich suggests QPR are serious about the goalkeeper, who could move to Loftus Road ‘very soon’.

Dinamo Zagreb would have no problem with an exit and are waiting for a formal offer.

sports news support this claim and provide their own update on QPR’s efforts to secure their services.

Julian Steffen’s side assured the stopper that he would be their new No. 1 when presenting his plan to them.

This allowed the player to reach an agreement on personal terms, a three- or four-year contract. The London club must agree terms with his club. Early next week, QPR officials will arrive in Zagreb with the intention of completing the signing.

Dinamo Zagreb will facilitate his exit and the report states that the operation should be carried out for a fee of between €500k and €1m.

At the moment, QPR are the ‘most realistic option’, even if unnamed German and Polish clubs lurk in the background.

Goalkeeper priority for QPR

QPR finished 15th this season, conceding 73 goals. This was the second worst defensive record after [89 goals] Sheffield Wednesday are bottom.

Julian Stephen had Joe Walsh, Paul Nardi and Ben Hamer as his three stoppers and the latter two have since left the club.

This has made signing a new stopper a priority for the English club. FC Juarez goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado has been on their agendaBut Ivan Nevstic is likely to join QPR.

The Croatian’s contract expires in 2028 and his value, accordingly transfer marketIs €500k.

A new report suggests the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Clippers could take a risk with their top 10 selection in June and go after a star from national champion Michigan. But this is not Yaxel Lendeborg.

Over the weekend, both the Kings and Clippers found out where they will select in next month’s NBA Draft. The results were very different for the pair of California teams. Despite having strong chances to make the top four, Sacramento finished seventh overall. LA got a rare run of luck and won with the fifth overall pick.

The Clippers reached such a critical spot despite being playoff contenders this spring because of the bold trade they made that sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a top-four protected pick. When Indy finished with the fifth overall pick, the selection went to LA.

In the days since, various draft speculations have linked the Kings and Clippers to star prospects such as Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler. However, according to CBS Sports draft expert Adam Finkelstein, both teams could go in surprising directions with their picks at five and seven, respectively.

Finkelstein claims that after looking impressive at the NBA Draft Combine this week, Michigan big man Ade Mara is rapidly moving up draft boards, and the Clippers and Kings have the most obvious need for a center in which the Spaniard has “incredible size, rim protection, deceptive mobility, passing and touch.”

“It remains to be seen whether someone will pull the trigger at 5 or 7, but it is no longer viewed as unlikely, especially in that latter scenario,” Finklestein noted about the player who was originally projected to go much later in Round 1.

If any Michigan star advanced to the event, most basketball fans would assume it would be top star Yaxel Lendeborg. The senior was first or second to the national champions in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

But Mara is a beast at 7-foot-3 and 259 pounds. Its wingspan is 7 feet 6 feet and height is 9 feet 9 inches. Mara is a shot-blocking specialist who led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks last season.

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

NASCAR driver Caden Honeycutt is coming off one of the best weekends in racing this season, winning four races including his first Truck Series win. Although he is dominating in trucks at the moment, it won’t be long before he moves up to the Cup Series.

In the latest episode of The Teardown, The Athletic’s NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi said he expects Honeycutt to make it to the Cup Series by 2028.

“It’s turning heads right now and he’s got some ways to go. But the path he’s on, he’s someone I would expect to be in the Cup Series in 2028.”

The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi on when Caden Honeycutt could reach the Cup Series

Honeycutt, who turns 23 in June, entered the season ranked sixth among the top NASCAR prospects in 2026 by Fox Sports’ Bob Pokrass. With Jesse Love and Corey Haim both potentially getting full-time Cup Series rides for the 2027 season, Honeycutt could be one of the next in line and be even higher ranked a year from now.

He has proved that he can win anywhere. Honeycutt’s first Truck Series win came over the weekend when he won four races, including two CARS races and a win in the ARCA Menards Series.

That’s why Honeycutt was chosen to replace Ham in the No. 11 truck with the Tricon garage. Although he has not repeated the historic results delivered by Hamm last season, he leads the Truck Series in points (312) with the most top-fives (five) and fourth-most laps (68) among full-time truck drivers.

Winning four different races with four different teams speaks volumes about Honeycutt’s talent behind the wheel. The Truck Series championship means a lot to him this season and if all goes well, it’s fair to think he’ll become a 24-year-old Cup driver in 2028.

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

Manu Kone has been exceptional for Roma this season but the chances of him moving are increasing newcastle united.

The 24-year-old has not played in Serie A since mid-March due to a hamstring injury. His absence has been felt in Roma.

They are currently out of the Champions League spots and clearly miss the midfield presence that sets the pace for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.

The Frenchman has played 34 times in all competitions. He impresses with his ability to beat press in midfield and carry the ball forward.

A few months ago, sports witness Manchester United’s interest in Kone was covered. There was a growing feeling that the France international would leave Roma, having faced an approach from Inter Milan last summer.

Now, it is Newcastle United who are in the race to sign him.

FFP concerns could drive sales

messenger Today’s report states that Kone is a possible candidate to leave Roma due to his ongoing FFP concerns. The Giallorossi must make capital gains of €80m by June 30.

The 24-year-old is currently valued at €45m and his exit will give Roma a capital gain of €35m.

Inter are keen but Newcastle United could also meet a €45m valuation in the summer. If an offer for that amount comes in, Roma will be forced to sit down and evaluate it. The player will also consider a transfer, regardless of whether the Magpies advance to the World Cup before or after.

Roma would ideally like to wait to see how he performs in the tournament later this year. This could increase his value, however, FFP reasons mean he will have no option if the club comes knocking on June 30.

Our take: There’s a deal to be had

It seems as if Roma, on a weekly basis, are making it clear that they need money. A few weeks ago, the future of Ivan Ndika was also talked about in the same tone and that he too could leave in the summer.

Because of this, Newcastle United should keep an eye on Kone and take every chance they can to sign him. Inter generally prefer an initial loan but the Magpies are likely to have greater financial strength in the race.

They could lose a midfielder in the summer and the money earned from him could be used to bring in Kone. He is at the right age, his profile is dynamic and he can still get better.

The long-awaited Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight is closer than ever after years of failed attempts. Negotiations have now reached the final stages, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, who confirmed on IFL TV that both sides are working out the final details of a two-fight agreement.

The deal will see Anthony Joshua return to the ring in July and face Tyson Fury later in the year. This update marks a major change after more than a decade of missed opportunities. The contracts have not yet been signed, but the structure of the deal is now clear. For fans, a Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight is no longer a distant dream. Now it’s close to being official.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight plans take shape

The Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight plan involves two fights under one agreement. Hearn confirmed that Joshua will take part in a warm-up fight in July before facing Fury, with November expected to be the target date for the main event.

“We will have a contract, and we haven’t signed a contract yet, but we are negotiating the final points in an agreement to get back in the ring in July and [then] “Fight Tyson Fury.”

The timeline follows the recent activity of both fighters. Fury returned on 11 April after a 16-month absence, defeating Arslanbek Makhmudov in Manchester. After the win, Fury called out Joshua.

Joshua has been active. He stopped Jake Paul shortly before a personal tragedy in Nigeria in December. Despite that condition, he quickly returned to training and has been preparing for his next fight ever since.

Hearn also talked about the risks surrounding the July fight. “The good news is: If we take a [warm-up] Fight like this, we’ve signed on to fight Tyson Fury, and all you have to do is bite your nails for 36 minutes or less in July, and you’ll get the fight, if not the fight of the century – of all time.

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight backed by Saudi deal

The Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight is expected to be funded by Saudi boxing consultant Turki Alalshikh. Once the agreement is signed, control of the event will pass to Saudi organisers.

“Once we sign up for that deal, it is handed over to Saudi consultant Turki Alalshaikh for staging. We will promote for July; I think the November fight or whatever, will be promoted by the Saudi company Cela.”

“AJ and I, Tyson Fury, we will have a contract [Alalshikh] Basically financing the fight. It depends on where he is.”

There is still hope that the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight could take place in the United Kingdom. Hearn said the goal was to present a major event to the fans and suggested the venue would match the scale of the fight.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight affected by Usyk talks

The Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight has also been shaped with input from Oleksandr Usyk. Hearn confirmed that Usyk was involved in discussions regarding Joshua’s next steps.

“I’m sure he won’t mind me saying that, [a lot of this has come from Oleksandr Usyk]. He was part of these conversations, and the conversations were exactly like this: ‘He’s fighting back.'”

Usyk’s role helped define the plan for Joshua to take the fight in July before facing Fury. The timing also falls in line with Fury’s recent return and the current activity in the division.

Fury has not fought regularly in recent years and has talked about retirement. Meanwhile, Joshua continues to train and prepare for a comeback that could lead directly to the biggest fight of his career.

The Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight is unsigned, but negotiations are now in the final stages. If the contracts have been completed, the schedule is already in place. July will see Joshua’s return and November could finally deliver the heavyweight bout that has been talked about for years.

Dogley Wilberforce is a boxing writer for SportsNaught, covering fight news, fighter reactions and major bouts in the sport… More about Dogley Wilberforce

One notable NFL Draft expert believes the New York Giants could make a very questionable decision with their first pick in tonight’s event.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the first draft of the John Harbaugh era for the Giants. With the No. 5 pick heading into this week’s event, the team has several directions it can go. In various mock drafts since the season ended, Big Blue has been linked to a boatload of five players, including Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love.

However, Thursday night got even more exciting for Giants fans last week when the team somehow managed to acquire the 10th overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for disgruntled three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence. The G-Men now have two picks in the top 10, and there is new speculation over who they might take with that second selection.

One name that has come up frequently in recent conversations is Arizona State wide receiver, Jordan Tyson. A player who impressed in his open workout last week. Still, while some believe he could be the best receiver in this year’s class, he was projected to fall out of the top 15 for a few weeks due to injury concerns and declining issues last season.

Could the New York Giants use the No. 5 pick on Jordan Tyson?

But taking him 10th overall could still be a smart risk because of his high upside. However, during an appearance rich eisen show This week, ESPN draft expert Matt Miller suggested the Giants could use their pick five on Tyson when asked about a potential surprise in Round 1.

Miller said, “I think it would be surprising. Where the Giants get on the clock, and whether it’s you guys, or you know, Mel Kiper and those guys talking about it, and you’re running through all the options of these defensive players, and they call out Jordan Tyson.”

Tyson is a very talented player, but there are good reasons to be concerned about his durability at the next level. Selecting him at age 10 may be a reach, but a worthwhile risk. There’s no point in taking a player originally expected to go in the top five at pick 15 when Harbaugh and the front office have the luxury of picking again at 10.

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

A new NBA rumor reopens the door for the New York Knicks to go back to the blockbuster trade idea from a few years ago if they don’t reach the NBA Finals this spring.

There is a lot of pressure on Knicks head coach Mike Brown and his top stars heading into Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. In the eyes of the team management, this is a team that should compete for the NBA championship in a few weeks.

Apart from this, their fans yearning for championship also have high expectations from this expensive roster. However, it will not be easy to overtake the East’s elite, and there is a very real possibility that they fall short of their goal in these playoffs. If they don’t at least reach the NBA Finals, changes are coming to New York.

There will certainly be changes to the roster, and many NBA experts expect the team to continue pursuing Milwaukee Bucks veteran Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. However, a different effective option may be available.

Is the door open for the New York Knicks to trade Donovan Mitchell this offseason?

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is eligible for an extension this summer, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. However, if he does not sign, “the organization will discuss the possibility of moving him, league sources said.”

Before Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers four years ago, the Knicks were seen as a heavy favorite to acquire the New York native. The expectation was that he would be paired with big free agent Jalen Brunson. That was before the Knicks guard emerged as one of the game’s best. Having Brunson and Mitchell together in the backcourt could be a big problem for teams throughout the league.

Team president Leon Rose – if he keeps his job – cannot rule out going back to that original plan after their current failure. The big question is, does New York have the assets that would interest the Cavaliers in a potential trade?

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

RB Leipzig sensation Yann Diomande has detailed his battle to reach the top, as he eyes a move to Liverpool in the future.

Sportbild had a big interview with the 19-year-old todayIn which he has given details of his struggle to reach where he is today.

Diomande left his family for football

Yann Diomande has become one of the Bundesliga’s breakout stars since joining Leipzig in a €20m deal last summer. Since then, he has scored 11 goals and eight assists in 29 games in all competitions.

It’s rapid progress for a young player who was playing for the U.S. team DME Academy four years ago. He joined CD Leganés in Spain in January 2025 and then moved to Germany last summer.

He is now being linked with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with Leipzig valuing him at €100m. Diomande also admitted at the beginning of the year He wants to play for Liverpool somedayint.

Diomande could not have been more blunt, saying: “I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big Liverpool fan. My dad dreams of seeing me play at Anfield!”

However, for now he is being patient. “I still have big goals. Everything comes in its time,” He said.

childhood struggle

Diomande grew up in harsh conditions in Abidjan. His father moved to France, leaving the family in a cramped house with very little money. Football became his escape.

“I left my family and went to a village where I could play,” he explained. “This was my passion and a chance to achieve something.”

However, football was not easy at that time. The pitches were scorched and most of the children were playing wearing sandals. Diomande did the same, until an academy coach gave him his first real shoes. He even slept at the coach’s house because home life was very difficult.

Despite his struggles, his talent blossomed and he was soon offered admission to Yulee High School in Florida. But his family could only afford one ticket, meaning he went alone. That came with its own challenges.

“I was far away from my family, friends and my country. It was very difficult in the beginning. Of course, everything in America was different from Africa.

“Plus, there was a huge time difference, so we weren’t able to talk to each other very often. I arrived there and couldn’t speak a word of English. But I learned the language on my own within a few months using the Duolingo app.”

“In America, people mainly like football and basketball. But when I played on the football team there, more and more spectators came. They wanted to watch me and my friends and have liked football ever since. It made me proud.”

Europe’s stance

In early 2025, Spanish side Leganés offered him a contract. Yann Diomande did not hesitate.

“When you come from Africa, it’s a big opportunity for you and your whole family. You know, as a child, I always told them at home that I would be a professional footballer. I kept my word. It makes me incredibly proud that I can support my family at such a young age.”

Not long ago, he was making his debut against Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe. “I was so excited that I didn’t think about it before or after.

“I couldn’t sleep, I was promoted to the first team just two days before the game, and I never dreamed they would include me in the squad against Real Madrid. When they told me, I was extremely happy and immediately called my mother.”

Liverpool in the future?

Now the focus is on the future. Whether he will remain at RB Leipzig after the summer is uncertain.

A report in late March emphasized that Liverpool ready to make move to sign him As a replacement for Mohamed Salah. Either way Diomande has big ambitions.

“My brother once told me that I should win everything there is to win. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do: I want to win every title someday. And I know I can do it.”

🇪🇸 Jules Conde | Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea front page transfer controversy

➡️ The Reds are rumored to have an offer of €80 million potentially acceptable
🔁 Kounde joins PL clubs every year… a traditionhttps://t.co/UIX8fZLvHX #lfc #mcfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026

We’ve reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, with March Madness largely anticipated as three of the No. 1-seeded teams have advanced to this round. We will now get real matchups between the best college basketball teams in 2026, creating high stakes and a lot of excitement this weekend.

Let’s take a look at our Elite Eight predictions for the weekend matchups in the men’s NCAA Tournament.

(3) Illinois Fighting Illini vs. (9) Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are the lowest-seeded team in the NCAA Tournament and are coming off a stretch that includes a last-second win over the defending national champion Florida Gators. The three-ball has been a key factor in the Hawkeyes’ success during this journey to the Elite Eight, with the team scoring a combined 20 runs in the last two games. The Illinois Fighting Illini are favored to punch their ticket to the Final Four, but it’s worth noting that the program allowed 8.4 three-pointers to be made per game (275th in the NCAA) during the season. That said, Illinois has played strong defensive play throughout the tournament and its scoring ability is nearly unmatched. We’re calling for upsets, with Iowa dictating the pace of the game and dropping three wickets in a thrilling win.

• Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes – 74, Illinois Fighting Illini – 71

RELATED: Saturday’s Elite Eight schedule

(1) Arizona Wildcats vs. (2) Purdue Boilermakers

The Arizona Wildcats are in a tough position to advance to the Elite Eight, with their last loss coming on February 14 against Texas Tech. During this winning streak, the program picked up two top-10 wins over Houston and Iowa State, and then it handed coach John Calipari his most lopsided defeat ever in the NCAA Tournament. The Purdue Boilermakers’ resume may not be as impressive, especially after a narrow win over No. 11-ranked Texas in the Sweet Sixteen. However, Purdue has its own wave of momentum in this matchup with Braden Smith and Trey Coffman-Renn looking unstoppable. Against any other opponent, we might be inclined to pick Purdue. However, this draw favors Arizona to win comfortably.

• Prediction: Arizona Wildcats – 80, Purdue Boilermakers – 71

RELATED: Arizona Wildcats HC forward tied to UNC Tar Heels

(6) Tennessee Volunteers vs. (1) Michigan Wolverines

If you’re a fan of watching defense, this Elite Eight matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and Michigan Wolverines is the one for you. Rick Barnes has taken Tennessee to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season, a run most notable considering the amount of roster turnover during the offseason. Tennessee is coming off two impressive wins over Virginia (79-72) and Iowa State (76-62), but this looks like a matchup where the story ends. Michigan’s suffocating defense and ability to score efficiently should lead the Wolverines to a win and a berth in the Final Four.

• Prediction: Michigan Wolverines 73, Tennessee Volunteers 68

(2) UConn Huskies vs. (1) Duke Blue Devils

The Duke Blue Devils haven’t exactly looked like one of the best college basketball teams during the NCAA Tournament. They took on Siena lightly in the first round, narrowly escaping with a six-point win, then narrowly lost to St. John’s in the Sweet Sixteen. Still, All-American freshman forward Cameron Boozer is capable of taking over a game, and we just saw Caleb Foster score 11 points in the second half less than a month after suffering a broken foot. Duke has proven itself comfortable in tough games. Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies, on the other hand, have handled their business against the likes of UCLA and Michigan State, but have struggled against top competition. We think talent won out in this one, Duke is back in the Final Four.

• Prediction: Duke Blue Devils – 77, UConn Huskies – 71

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

Fulham are close to signing Ricardo Pepi, with a long-promised move from PSV Eindhoven now nearing completion.

Multiple Dutch sources, D including telegraphReport that PSV Eindhoven has reached a verbal framework agreement with Fulham. It would be one of the Dutch club’s biggest outgoing deals in years.

Transfer fee and contract details

The deal is valued at €36m, with performance-related bonuses potentially taking the total cost to €40m. PSV has also secured a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.

For PSV, the sale represents a major financial boost ahead of the summer window and underlines Pepi’s rapid development since arriving in Eindhoven.

Fulham’s long-running pursuit

Fulham have been interested in Pepi for several months. During the January transfer window, Fulham submitted an offer Which PSV seriously considered.

However, they ultimately decided to delay Pepi’s departure, as they were unable to secure a replacement before the deadline. However, even then, the expectation was clear; Fulham will return in the summer offering similar terms. That has now become true.

The deal for Pepi is now moving forward. Pepi is expected to travel to London in the coming days to complete his medical and agree personal terms.

If completed, the move would make Pepi one of the most expensive American players in soccer history. For PSV, the timing is ideal. The club can now plan the summer window with clarity, knowing that a major sale is quickly assured.

A big step forward for the club and the player

Pepi’s development in Eindhoven has been closely watched throughout Europe. He has impressed with his finishing, off-the-ball movement and mentality. His record of 39 goals and eight assists in 95 appearances highlights his consistency at club level.

The Premier League represents an important step forward, and Some observers have questioned how quickly Pepi will adapt.

But Fulham clearly believe the 23-year-old has the potential to progress in England’s top flight.

After months of negotiations and a near-miss in January, the move now appears to be complete with all parties coming together.

Not long ago, the Detroit Pistons were looked down upon by the rest of the NBA. Cade Cunningham led his team to only 54 combined games in his first three seasons in the league, and the organization was not even close to being a threat in the East.

Even other teams were mocking the Pistons, with Kyle Kuzma famously saying that no one “wants to be that team” after the Pistons lost their 28th consecutive game during the 2023–24 season, which remains the longest losing streak in NBA history. That was the lowest level for this organization, but times have changed a lot.

Now in his fifth season, Cunningham has led the Pistons to new heights, and the team is currently on pace to not only surpass the 54-win mark in the young star’s first three years in the NBA, but also win at least 60 games for only the third time in franchise history.

The Pistons made the Eastern Conference Finals both times they won at least 60 games in a season, the most recent being 20 years ago in 2006. Although Detroit fell just short of reaching the NBA Finals that season, they did win a championship during the 1988–89 season, a season in which they went 63–19 overall.

This season, the Pistons are following in the footsteps of their past, as they currently hold a strong hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings and have earned the right to call themselves the team to beat en route to the NBA Finals when the playoffs begin.

Although there is still a lot of basketball left to be played and many factors can change not only the standings, but every team’s chances of capturing a championship, one thing has remained consistent throughout the season with this Pistons team only growing and getting stronger.

When it comes to playing the best of the best, the Pistons have established themselves as the best in the NBA.

Pistons are dominating specific teams

There is always more than meets the eye when it comes to a team’s record. Often, fans will only look at wins and losses to determine how good certain organizations are over the course of the year, and while this can obviously hold some significance, what each win or each loss means and to whom it paints a clear picture of which teams are championship contenders and which are not.

Well, the Pistons are clearly title contenders this season, and it’s not just because they have won more than 75 percent of their games this season and remain on top of the East standings. It’s not even because of their recent wins over the New York Knicks or San Antonio Spurs.

When you really dive into the numbers and break down each of the Pistons’ wins this season, it becomes clear that they have battled against the best teams in the NBA and found success against each of them.

The Pistons have gone 19–7 against teams with winning records this season, the best record against teams over .500 in the NBA. For context, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 19-11 overall, and the Spurs are 21-11 against teams above .500 this year.

In fact, Detroit has wins over seven of the other top 10 NBA teams so far this year. The only teams in the top 10 that the Pistons have not yet defeated are the Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who Detroit has yet to face.

In terms of the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama and his crew recently pulled off a hard-fought 114-103 win in Detroit, proving they are just as good as the Pistons and potentially seeing them on the road in June with everything on the line. Before we even think about it, these two teams will meet again in a highly anticipated clash on March 5 in San Antonio.

As far as the Pistons’ record is concerned, winning 73 percent of their games against teams with winning records speaks volumes. After all, it’s not like they’re beating the worst teams in the league.

This young team has been challenged and tested, yet they have overcome almost every obstacle thrown at them during the 2025-26 season. The Pistons are a resilient group that understands what it takes to overcome adversity, and most importantly, they embrace each trial and tribulation that comes their way.

Aside from only losing back-to-back games twice this entire year, the Pistons always look forward to marquee matchups like the one on their schedule right now. After games against the Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pistons now look forward to two games against Cleveland, a tough road game against Orlando and then the final regular season matchup in San Antonio.

Although their first game against the Spurs did not go as Cunningham and the Pistons expected, this team is willing to accept and overcome adversity.

“We’ve had a week full of smoke,” Cunningham said, via the Detroit Free Press, after Monday’s loss to the Spurs. “It’s great. We get to see where we are, see where the league is, learn a lot in these three games, five games, even the last few games we’ve played have all been good challenges for us. There’s been a lot to learn from all these games. I think we’ll come out of all of this better and more prepared for the playoffs and everything.”

“It’s good, it’s healthy for us.”

Being a championship-contending team doesn’t necessarily mean you have one of the best records in your conference or league at large. A team is defined by the quality of its wins, and the Pistons have clearly proven that they have what it takes to beat the best of the best.

Fool them once, but not twice

Aside from consistent success against the top teams in the league with all of their wins and some of their losses, the Pistons have something unique this season.

Only one team in the league has beaten the Pistons twice this season, and it’s a team they won’t see again until the 2026-27 season, as they face them twice a year. The LA Clippers defeated Detroit both home and away this year, holding the Pistons to under 100 points in both contests.

It is worth noting that the Pistons were without Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart and almost all of their veteran contributors in the second meeting between these teams on January 10, a game Detroit lost 98–92.

No other team in the league can say that they haven’t lost at least two games to multiple opponents this year, which is another reason why the Pistons are so unique. What all this means is that JB Bickerstaff has a young, hungry team that has grown together over the last few years, and they are finally putting the pieces of the puzzle together on their way to success.

Regardless of what happens on their schedule, the Pistons play every game like it is Game 1 of a playoff series, which is why this chip on their shoulders will only lead to success in the future.

“Our guys respect everybody and want everybody to do their best,” Bickerstaff said recently. “No matter who the opponent is, our people always look forward to those challenges.”

Cade Cunningham’s MVP-like season

A team’s record matters. Their success against some of the other great teams in the league matters. But at the end of the day, every Championship organization always has a player they can refer to Man.

For piston, that Boy Cade Cunningham is here, and he has taken a huge step forward in his career to become one of the best guards in basketball. Honestly, just saying that doesn’t give Cunningham enough credit, as he has become one of the best players in the entire NBA, which is why he currently sits atop the MVP rankings alongside Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and others.

At this rate, it’s not hard to believe that Cunningham can surpass these other stars and win the 2025-26 NBA MVP award.

Believe it or not, the Pistons technically own the best record in the league with a 75.4 winning percentage, and Cunningham’s MVP resume will only grow if that comes true and Detroit remains on top of the standings.

As far as his production goes, Cunningham’s numbers and his impact on wins speak for themselves.

Cunningham recorded four consecutive double-doubles during his 42-point, 13-assist night as the Pistons defeated the New York Knicks 126-111 at Madison Square Garden. After this special performance, Bickerstaff made it clear that his star deserves the most respect in the MVP race.

Bickerstaff said, “I don’t think you pick an MVP based on just one game or one statement. He’s been that way for the entire season.” “He dominated at both ends of the field and influenced the win in a big way.

“Credit to him, credit to his work, credit to his conditioning, his will to win, his ability to be a great teammate and lead. He’s been like that all season long.”

The Pistons have beaten the best, and the scary thing for every other team in the league is that Detroit is better now than they were in the first game of the season.

By the time the playoffs begin, the Pistons will be ready for the challenges ahead of them, and if any team in the East has the best chance to win 12 playoff games to reach the NBA Finals, it is the Pistons.

Interest from Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea in Patrick Mercado forced Sevilla to make a swift deal for the youngster this week.

This is according to El Pespunte. The Spanish outlet today covered the 22-year-old and how Sevilla knew there was ‘no time to lose’ following the arrival of the Premier League pair.

They were only carrying out ‘strategic scouting’ of the young midfielder, but as soon as Chelsea played their hand, it ‘quickly turned into a race against time’.

The Blues’ growing interest in Mercado forced Sevilla to act quickly and secure the signing of the midfielder from Independiente del Valle.

They were keen to avoid a bidding war, knowing that they could not win economically.

The objective was clear. Close the deal before Chelsea’s ‘machine’ gets into full gear. The Blues have been watching Mercado for some time.

Chelsea have long been interested

sports witness A report covered in October Saying that Chelsea were interested. They Re-nominated in December One report said that the wolves were advancing. Seville was aware of this.

Thus, they knew that when Chelsea started to take the lead, they needed to move quickly. Thus, they secured a deal worth close to €6m for the 22-year-old.

Interest wasn’t the only problem. There was also a last-minute attempt by Brighton to overtake their Spanish counterparts. However, Mercado remained steadfast in his commitment to Sevilla.

announcement within 24 hours

An official announcement is expected in the next 24 hours. However, he is unlikely to be officially included until after the World Cup.

He would be a perfect fit for Sevilla, with Sport Witness covering a report today on how they need to find a place in their squad before registering him. This potentially gave Chelsea a chance to steal.

But it seems that in Spain they are confident that a compromise will be reached. Sevilla surged ahead of Chelsea and Brighton after last-minute efforts.

Bournemouth’s Luis Sinisterra faces even more uncertainty over his future, with reports coming from Brazil indicating that Cruzeiro does not intend to invoke a buyout clause in his loan deal.

According to a Brazilian journalist Thiago FernandesCruzeiro have no plans to sign the winger permanently.

The Colombian has not met the appearance-related targets that would trigger a mandatory buyout, and the Brazilian club are unwilling to pay €3.5m (£3m) for a full transfer.

Meanwhile, a recent detailed report globo esporte This explains why the deal is stalled.

Why did the injury record derail Cruzeiro’s plans?

Sinisterra joined Cruzeiro on loan from AFC Bournemouth last August, with the Brazilian side paying around €2.9m (£2.5m) for the temporary transfer. The idea was clear. He will regain rhythm, build fitness and strive to return to the Colombia national team before the 2026 World Cup. However, the gamble has not yet paid off.

In six months at Cruzeiro, Sinisterra suffered four different injuries and played only three matches. His latest setback came against Mirasol, when he was diagnosed with right thigh inflammation and was ruled out again.

The pattern is familiar. At Bournemouth, after transferring from Leeds United, he also struggled with muscle problems. Brazilian reports remind that he suffered three muscle injuries in England and missed more than 30 matches.

Cruzeiro implemented a Personal Strength and Balance Program From day one. Yet, the issues returned. He suffered a right thigh strain in September, then a left thigh muscle injury in October. Later in the season he managed seven matches, including two starts. another muscle problem Make it smaller.

In January, he even gave up part of his holiday to continue treatment and started pre-season early. He returned slowly, playing 30 minutes in the derby against America-MG and 54 minutes against Mirasol. breaking again.

What does this mean for Bournemouth

The loan runs until the middle of the year. Since mandatory purchase targets have not been met, Cruzeiro is not expected to proceed with the €3.5m (£3m) deal. From Bournemouth’s point of view, this creates a new decision point this summer.

Sinisterra is 26 years old and still under contract on the south coast. However, recurring muscle injuries continue to affect his market value and limit consistency. Without consistent minutes, it becomes difficult to structure a permanent exit.

Unless there is a drastic change in the coming months, the current direction points towards a return to Bournemouth and another reassessment of his future.

For the seventh time in Olympic women’s hockey history, the United States and Canada will play for gold on Thursday at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The United States and Canada have faced off in only one gold medal game since the addition of women’s hockey to the Olympics in 1998. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the rivals meet once again on the big stage.

Canada leads all nations in women’s Olympic ice hockey with five gold medals. The Americans have won twice, most recently at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

The United States advanced to the final with a 5-0 win over Sweden on Monday, improving to 6-0-0-0 in Olympic play. The Americans outscored opponents 36–1 in six games; They have not allowed a goal since their opener against Latvia on February 5.

Kayla Barnes became the 15th different American to record a goal in these Games. She was one of five different USA skaters to find the back of the net in the semifinals, joining Kendall Coyne Scofield and Hayley Scamurra, who scored her third goal of the tournament.

Canada maintained its full presence in the gold medal game, albeit less effectively than its American counterparts. Captain Marie-Philippe Poulin scored two goals as Canada registered a 2-1 win over Switzerland on Monday.

The Canadians outscored opponents 21–8 and were 5–0–0–1 heading into the finals – with the only loss coming a 5–0 loss at the hands of the United States. Canada defeated the Swiss 4–0 in its Olympic opener, but found the going tough to win in the semi-finals. A goal by Rachel Enzler at 4:53 of the third period allowed the Canadians to maintain a one-goal lead for the remainder of regulation, despite a 46–8 shots advantage.

The United States are the favorites to go to the final – and it’s not hard to see why. In addition to their complete dominance over opponents in these games, the Americans have won their last seven international meetings against Canada, dating back to the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia. Yet Canada’s struggles could be easily forgotten with a win Thursday, when they face Team USA for the gold medal at 1:10 p.m. Eastern time.

5 things to know before the match between USA and Canada in the Olympic final

clash of styles

You don’t have to look too hard to see where these two teams differ.

The United States’ strength comes from their dynamic lineup balance, allowing coach John Wrobleski to roll four forward lines and three defensive pairings with relative ease. This is largely thanks to the massive influx of pro-ready NCAA talent – ​​like Caroline Harvey, Layla Edwards, Abby Murphy and Joey Dunn, to name a few. Harvey, a senior at the University of Wisconsin, leads all Olympic skaters with nine points and a plus-14 rating.

Contrast that with Canada, which doesn’t feature any collegiate talent on its roster. Its youngest skater is 24-year-old Jen Gardiner, who is already in the middle of her second PWHL season.

Ten different American skaters scored at least five points in six games. The other nine nations combined have nine skaters; There are three in Canada.

In a tough semi-final match against Switzerland, Canadian coach Troy Ryan relied heavily on his top forward line of Poulin, Sarah Fillier and Daryl Watts. Fillier led everyone with 20:01 TOI, and Poulin scored all of Canada’s goals on Monday. He’ll likely get a similar ice time Thursday with Olympic glory.

That doesn’t mean Poulin, Fillier and Watts, along with some other notable contributors like Julia Gosling and Emily Clark, aren’t able to keep the Canadian attack in games, but it will be an uphill battle against an American team that has made depth its biggest asset.

no asterisk this time

As Canada prepares for another showdown against the Americans, last Tuesday’s crushing defeat is fresh in the mind. Of course, Canadians might argue that a 5-0 final – the largest margin of victory between Canada and the United States at the Olympic level, men’s or women’s – requires an asterisk.

Canada’s lineup did not include Poulin, who missed two games with a lower-body injury after taking an illegal hit from Czechia’s Kristina Kaltunkova. As far as influence goes, there is no player more important to Canada’s success than “Captain Clutch”.

Both teams hope to stay healthy for the gold medal game on Thursday. No asterisks this time – just best-at-the-best hockey.

History is watching you

Palin registered her name in the history books on Monday. After tying Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser for the all-time Olympic goals lead in Canada’s 5-1 win over Germany on Saturday, Poulin solidified her status as the all-time Olympic women’s hockey goal leader by scoring twice. Palin now has 20 goals in 26 Olympic games – the first female player to break the 20-goal mark.

Now the focus turns to Team USA captain Hillary Knight.

Knight scored the 14th Olympic goal of her career in the opener against Latvia, moving her into a three-way tie with Natalie Darwitz and Katherine King on the all-time American leaderboard. The Knights announced ahead of the 2025–26 PWHL season that this year’s winter games would be their last. It’s only fitting that the 36-year-old could end her historic Olympic career with the ultimate goal of taking sole possession of the record books for the USA.

Poulin and Knight have a history of showing up when games matter most. The stage is set for a storybook ending in what could be the final Olympic contest for both rival captains.

All-Star Goalkeeper Battle

The two front-runners face off in the gold medal game for 2025-26 PWHL Goaltender of the Year. Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Rene Desbiens is the favorite heading into the first half with a 9-4-0 record with a league-best 1.15 goals-against average (GAA) and .954 save percentage. Behind her is Erin Frankel, who led the Boston Fleet to first place in the PWHL standings with a 9-2-2 record, 1.35 GAA and .946 save percentage.

There was an advantage in Milan-Cortina. Frankel allowed only one goal on 67 shots in five games for the Americans; He leads all Olympic goalkeepers with an absurd 0.25 GAA and .985 save percentage. The 26-year-old is the anchor of an American goaltending group that has not allowed a single goal in 16 periods, and sets an Olympic ice hockey record with an active shutout streak of 331:23.

Desbiens has a respectable 1.81 GAA and .901 save percentage in four games for Canada, but he is at a disadvantage against a powerful American attack that scored five points against him last week. The red-hot Frankel doesn’t leave much room for error in the opposing net.

brace for impact

Even a 5-0 lead didn’t stop Murphy from crashing into Swedish goalkeeper Emma Soderberg in Monday’s second period. Murphy received a minor two-minute penalty for goalkeeper interference, however, it was denied by Sweden defender Jessica Adolfsson’s counter-attack.

It’s a prime example of the gritty, sometimes controversial edge that makes Murphy such a nuisance on the ice.

It’s apt to compare the 23-year-old’s self-indulgence to that of Florida Panthers agitator Brad Marchand. Murphy isn’t just a supreme talent and physical presence on the ice – he’s an elite destroyer who loves to get under the opponent’s skin. That was on display last week, when Murphy drew four of Canada’s five penalties in a lopsided victory over the United States.

In the gold medal game against rival Canada, Murphy won’t need much motivation to meet this moment. You can expect a tense, physical game and Murphy should be right at the center of it.

In January, sports witness Leeds United’s offer for Como’s Martin Baturina covered.

The Whites offered more than €30 million in bonuses for the attacker, who joined the Italian side in the summer. The bid was rejected by Como, who had beaten off competition from Daniel Farke’s side to acquire him from Dinamo Zagreb a few months earlier.

In January, Como manager Cesc Fàbregas was also asked about Leeds United’s interest in the Croatian. He also rejected the idea, even though Baturina was not playing regularly for the Ligurian team at the time.

Now, things are changing and the winger is gaining hero status at the lakeside club.

Baturina is reaching new levels after Leeds offer

tuttomerkatoweb A closer look at Baturina’s situation after putting in an impressive performance for Como in their Coppa Italia win over Napoli at the weekend.

He scored once, capping off an impressive display of the last few weeks for Fabregas’s team.

He has three goals and three assists in 2026. His best performance came against Lazio, scoring and assisting in Como’s impressive 3–0 win. This all came as Baturina struggled for game time at the start of the campaign.

The belief is that regular minutes are ‘really exploding’ him after a barren run on the pitch.

The outlet says Nico Paz’s back-up role would have been too restrictive for the Croatia international. This was its initial use after the arrival of summer.

Now, he has turned things around by justifying why Leeds United and even Fiorentina tried to sign him.

The player could be out of reach of Leeds United

The way things are going for Baturina, his value is rapidly rising beyond his signing.

He has started each of Como’s last five Serie A games, which again shows that Fabregas trusts him more than ever. Given their recent reputation for developing young players, the winger could soon be out of Leeds United’s reach.

It is also important to take into account Como’s potential European qualification. If they finish inside the European places, Baturina could stay at Giuseppe Sinigaglia for at least the next season.