標籤: selling

tottenham Alejo has finally parted ways with Veliz, and new details from Brazil suggest the transfer wasn’t straightforward behind the scenes at all.

For months, the expectation was that the deal would make perfect sense for everyone involved.

Bahia, acting as of manchester city City, a satellite club in Brazil within the Futbol Group structure, wanted a young striker with resale value.

Tottenham had a player who never established himself in North London. However, the reality proved to be far more complex.

tottenham wanted to wait

according to globo esporteOne of the biggest obstacles was Tottenham themselves.

The report claimed that Spurs had no intention of selling Veliz during the January window. Instead, their preference was to wait for the European summer market, when demand is usually higher and clubs believe they can extract better value.

This is especially interesting, considering how the situation ultimately unfolded. Tottenham accepted €9m (£7.6m)Despite earlier reports in this saga citing figures of between €10m and €20m depending on the structure of the deal.

Bahia feared that waiting would make the operation more expensive. There were also concerns that more European clubs might join the race and further complicate matters. As a result, City Football Group proceeded with negotiations rather than delaying them.

Citigroup gives priority to Veliz

The report also gives a glimpse of how highly the striker is rated by Bahia and CFG.

Football director Cadú Santoro personally presented the project to Veliz. Meanwhile, a member of the scouting department traveled to Argentina to meet the players and their representatives face-to-face.

Bahia see the 22-year-old as more than a short-term signing. Internally, the club saw him as a strategic fit for the wider City Football Group model and a player who could form part of a medium and long-term project.

Rosario Central resistance changed almost everything

Tottenham were not the only obstacle. Bahia also tried to negotiate an early release from Rosario Central and discussed compensation. The Argentine side refused to budge, determined to keep the striker for their Libertadores campaign.

Veliz himself could make life more difficult. Instead, he took the opposite approach.

The striker wanted the move and he liked the project presented by Bahia – she is happy now. However, he also made it clear that he would not force his way out of the club where he came through the academy and made his name.

That decision ultimately shaped the outcome. Rosario kept him until the end of the loanTottenham got their permanent sale, and Bahia secured the player they had identified as a priority target months earlier.

If we look at this saga, the most surprising detail may be that the transfer took place at all. Tottenham wanted to wait, Rosario wanted to keep him, and Veliz refused to create conflict.

Yet CFG kept trying and eventually got their man.

coventry city are already moving forward like a club that knows survival in the Premier League will depend on smart recruitment, and Botafogo winger Matthias Martins has now emerged as a name on their radar ahead of the summer window.

According to Brazilian outlet globo esporteNewly promoted team Feyenoord is one of several European clubs keeping an eye on the 22-year-old, along with Celta de Vigo and Krasnodar.

Coventry’s interest has grown as the club prepares for its first Premier League campaign in 25 years under Frank Lampard.

Botafogo are now ready to sell the winger for around €8m (£6.7m). The figure is significantly less than the €10m (£8.4m) paid to Udinese in 2024.

The Brazilian side are under financial pressure and reportedly see Matheus Martins as one of the assets capable of generating immediate wealth.

Newcomers to the Premier League often have difficulty finding attackers with top-flight experience at affordable prices. Matthias Martins already knows English football His spell at Watfordwhere he played 49 matches, scoring six goals and adding three assists in the championship, before returning to Brazil.

Coventry City sees opportunity in the market

Matthias Martins hasn’t exactly burst onto the scene at Botafogo, but there are signs why clubs remain interested.

Since arriving, he has played 81 matches, scoring nine goals and providing two assists. Those numbers are modest on paper, yet his speed, ability to attack defenders one-on-one and experience in different systems still make him an attractive developmental option.

Lampard’s team is expected to recruit aggressively this summer, particularly in wide areas, and Matthias Martins fits the profile of a player with reviving ability, Premier League athleticism and previous adaptation to English football.

Financial pressure could help Coventry

There is another important detail behind Botafogo’s stance.

The Brazilian club still owes Udinese part of the original transfer fee and the matter has been escalated to FIFA. Reports from Brazil estimate the outstanding debt at around €6m (£5m). It appears that financial pressures are affecting the club’s willingness to negotiate below the original purchase price.

In practical terms, this could give Coventry an opening.

The €8m (£6.7m) deal is relatively manageable by Premier League standards, especially for a player who is still only 22 and already has experience in Italy’s network system through Brazil, Udinese and English football.

Mattheus Martins is currently recovering from a muscle injury, but Botafogo are hopeful he will return soon. His situation now looks increasingly likely to become one of the club’s main transfer stories of the summer.

Manchester United He may not be the frontrunner for Richard Rios just yet, but Benfica are now openly laying the groundwork for a potential sale – and that changes the picture around the Colombian midfielder.

Messages have been coming from Portugal for several weeks remained relatively firm. Benfica did not want to be sold cheaply, the player was happy in Lisbon and the club saw the 2026 World Cup as a prime opportunity to further increase his value.

That stance has not completely ended. However, a recent report to ball Suggests that reality is now catching up to ambition.

Benfica need money – and Rios is one of the obvious candidates

The Portuguese side are preparing for a summer rebuild after a disappointing season. There is a real possibility that they will miss out on Champions League football, which would deal a significant financial blow.

Because of this, Benfica’s board are now considering sales that they would ideally have avoided.

According to A Bola, Richard Rios is one of the main names being discussed internally as a possible major exit. Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis have also been mentioned, but the Colombian midfielder has been described as the leading candidate in midfield.

This is a notable change in tone compared to earlier reports. Because previously, Benfica had only been described as willing to listen to “unique” proposals. Now the language has become soft. The report states that the club would be willing to analyze offers upwards of €30m (£26m).

Of course, this is still a large fee. But it is also a far cry from the €100m (£87m) release clause in his contract.

Manchester United still remain interested

Keeping an eye on the situation, Manchester United has once again been named among the English clubs.

The report does not go as far as claiming formal negotiations or bids. However, the Premier League team continues to feature in Portuguese reporting about the player.

Napoli are said to be particularly alert, while English clubs are also monitoring developments.

But for United, the interest still makes logical sense. Since the beginning of 2025, Richard Ríos has played 90 matches for club and country. That workload alone speaks volumes about his physical toughness.

Also, his production has also improved this season. The 25-year-old has already registered six goals and six assists, making this the most productive campaign of his career so far.

If Michael Carrick’s side are looking to improve the midfield, he could certainly be one of the strong contenders for a place in the team.

Benfica is balancing evaluation and urgency

The interesting thing here is the paradox that Benfica is now trying to manage.

On the one hand, they still believe that the World Cup can significantly increase the market value of Richard Rios. The Colombian is expected to be part of his national team’s plans in 2026, and Benfica know that a strong tournament could greatly increase his price.

On the other hand, they may not be in a financial position to comfortably wait.

An Bola repeatedly formulated the club’s summer strategy around the need for liquidity before reinvesting in the team. This explains why the tone around Rios has become more lenient.

So while Benfica aren’t actually putting the “for sale” sign on the midfielder, there is now a very clear sense that they are ‘open to offers’ – especially if the Premier League club decide to seriously make a move.

Federico Gatti is close to a Juventus exit and it could be positive for him everton And Aston Villa.

In the last few months, sports witness The defender’s situation has been monitored closely. There has been increased interest from the English side, especially as Luciano Spalletti does not see him as a key player.

Despite returning from injury in December, he has started just once in Serie A this year. In the last three league games, the centre-back has been on the field for just four minutes in total.

Now, Gattis is determined to get game time and has made a big decision about his future.

confident about player selection

gazzetta dello sport It appears that Gatty wants to leave the Old Lady.

He is one of the most loved players in the current team, but the player does not want to waste his best years on the bench. The Italian feels he can offer more and is now looking for a new destination.

Türkiye is interested in this but it does not seem to be its priority.

English clubs remain in the picture

tuttosport Provide more details today. There are mentions of interest from Aston Villa and Everton, with Juventus keen to part ways with the 27-year-old.

They are not considered suitable for spalletti and are viewed as capital gains that can be used to sign upgrades. That’s why it would be better to ‘sell him for €25m’.

Gatti will be a reliable squad player

Even if the centre-back wants regular football, he may not have the technical ability to play every game in the Premier League.

Both Aston Villa and Everton could use him as a valuable team player.

Gatti can also play on either flank at centre-back. Under Igor Tudor, he was also a regular in the wide centre-back role.

A fee of €25m is unlikely to be a problem for Aston Villa or Everton. Unai Emery and David Moyes are both considered pragmatic, who will play to Gatti’s strengths.

Nearly six months after pleading not guilty, former NBA player and coach Damon Jones is poised to become the first defendant to plead guilty in a sweeping federal gambling investigation that has shaken fan confidence in the league.

A change of plea hearing for Jones in the sports betting case is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn federal court, according to a court filing Thursday. Prosecutors have until the end of next week to file statements on the exact charges he will plead guilty to.

In short, things are about to heat up. His attorney confirmed the change but emphasized that Jones is not cooperating with authorities. Which is a strange admission.

Jones initially pleaded not guilty in November 2025 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering charges in connection with an alleged scheme to provide sports bettors with non-public injury and availability information on NBA stars – specifically LeBron James and Anthony Davis – while he had privileged access to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022–23 season.

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling scandal that led to the arrest of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball personalities. https://t.co/Z2zY5QCuZm

– ESPN (@espn) 16 April 2026

Interestingly, Jones’ change in plea comes just months after the league launched an independent investigation in which officials requested cell phones and documents from multiple teams. Among those receiving the request were Lakers employees Mike Mancias (LeBron James’ longtime assistant coach) and Randy Mims (executive administrator and another James associate), who voluntarily surrendered their phones and records.

It is important to note that James is not believed to be involved in any way. Mancias and Mims were reportedly under investigation for their relationship with Jones.

Jones allegedly sent a text message to a co-conspirator before the Lakers-Bucks game in Milwaukee on February 9, 2023. At the time, James was not yet listed on the official injury report.

“Bet big on Milwaukee tonight before info comes out,” he reportedly wrote.

James ultimately exited the contest with a lower body injury and the Lakers lost 115–106.

Jones is also alleged to have been paid $2,500 for a tip on Davis in January 2024, which suggests the Lakers star will have limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury. The lead was denied, Davis played normal minutes and was effective enough to lead Los Angeles to a 112–105 win. The sports bettor who paid Jones for the tip and then placed a $100,000 bet on the Lakers was not happy.

From LeBron’s trusted shooting partner to federal guilty plea: The shocking fall of Damon Jones

According to ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, Jones and James’ history stretches back to the mid-2000s. They were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008. After Jones’ playing career ended, the two maintained an on-and-off friendship. Jones later worked informally as a shooting consultant for James, including during the Cavs’ 2016 championship run under Tyronn Lue.

That bond gave Jones unusual access after years with the Lakers. The fact that he would betray a team that trusted him and befriended LeBron to sell insider betting tips is astonishing.

James and Jones had already fallen out of touch by the time charges were filed following an alleged altercation.

Jones faces a separate but related indictment involving alleged participation in a Mafia-linked, rigged poker game that defrauded high-rollers out of millions. Yes, that is correct. The mafia reportedly had a hold on NBA players. He also pleaded not guilty to those charges in November.

The sweeping investigation, which led to more than 30 arrests, has also ensnared people like Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.

Jones’ expected guilty plea marks a significant development in the case. He would be the first person to plead guilty in this high-profile gambling scandal, potentially opening the door to sentencing negotiations for other players mentioned.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

noah okafor shines leeds united Scored two goals against Manchester United on Monday.

Victory at Old Trafford would be of huge importance for the Whites, who are now six points ahead of 18th-placed Tottenham. They will soon take over a struggling London side, but for now they still have some breathing room.

The Swiss attacker, who was brought from AC Milan £18m, now six goals in the campaign. While he has struggled for consistency, Okafor has now scored against Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea, showing how he is a player for the big occasions.

However, this was not entirely true at the Rossoneri. He played 54 times in all competitions for them, scoring seven times. On loan at Napoli, he could never really convince Antonio Conte.

sports witness His move to Elland Road was extensively covered, as Milan showed little hesitation in selling him.

His brace this week is raising eyebrows in Italy, leading many to wonder whether his sale to Leeds United was worth it.

No regrets about the deal

milanlive Note that Noah Okafor has not had a great season. He may have scored big goals against Manchester United, but he feels he has only found his form in recent weeks.

Milan’s instability last season probably affected the Switzerland international. They had two managers in charge in the 2024/25 campaign as they missed out on the Champions League spots.

Despite this, Okafor has no regrets about his sale to Leeds United, and it is believed that a good deal was negotiated.

They explore the argument that the 25-year-old could have contributed more than Christopher Nkunku. But the idea has been shelved as Milan are happy with how much they made from Okafor’s exit by signing him. €14m.

Our Opinion: Milan’s instability affects Okafor

The 2024/25 campaign was quite a strange one for Milan. Almost every player struggled, as both Sergio Conceição and Paulo Fonseca brought out the best in the team.

As a result, the Swiss forward was never able to find his best footing with the Rossoneri. This was in contrast to the 2023/24 campaign, when he was much better under Stefano Pioli.

Milan have struggled in attack this season. Almost all of their attackers have struggled in 2026. Considering this and how they have been a bit more stable under Max Allegri, Okafor could have been quite a useful option.

Leeds United should have no complaints as Daniel Farke is getting a tune-up from the versatile forward.

Whenever something happens with Raiders ownership, the Internet loses its focus. Last week was no different.

When ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. broke the news that NFL owners were about to vote on a succession plan that would give Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban the option to buy a majority stake in the team from Mark Davis ESPN, the Hot Take practically wrote itself. He is withdrawing money. The Davis era is over. Here comes private equity.

Pump the brakes.

Sources close to Davis were clear to ESPN: “Mark has no intention of selling his majority stake in the team. This sets up a seamless succession plan.”

Now, yes – the fact that the sentiment came from an unknown source rather than Davis is a little strange. But the underlying message is not complicated, even if the structure of the deal is complex.

Why is Mark Davis succession planning with the Raiders?

What’s really happening here is that Mark Davis, who will turn 71 in May and has no children, is doing something responsible. He is making sure there is a clear, pre-approved path for the franchise if control ever needs to change hands. That’s not a red flag. This is the estate plan with the NFL rule book attached.

There are no outside intruders in Durban. He purchased a 7.5% stake in the Raiders in December 2024, the same window that brought Tom Brady into minority ownership. Those partners will help the organization on the business side, Davis said at the time. Giving Durban a pre-approved route to majority ownership – contingent on Davis actually deciding to sell – is a logical extension of that existing relationship, not a fire sale in disguise.

Other details worth noting: Davis recently inherited shares in the franchise after his late mother, Carol Davis, passed away in October 2025. He has more of this team now than he did six months ago. It doesn’t seem as if a man is preparing to go out.

Attackers controlling ownership won’t change anytime soon

Look, reasonable people can question Mark Davis’s decisions over the years. Stadium moves, the coaching carousel, front office churn — there’s a long list. But mixing succession planning with the intention to sell is a fundamental misreading of what we have in front of us. Every major owner with no direct heir will eventually have to answer the question of what happens next. Davis is answering it on his own terms, in advance, with a partner he’s already vetted.

The vote at the league’s annual spring meeting, which begins March 29 in Phoenix, does not indicate any imminent changes. It signals the opposite: stability. A guarantee that if the worst happens, the league will not have to struggle and the franchise will not get into any messy legal disputes.

The Davis family has been associated with this franchise for more than 60 years. Whatever happened last week didn’t change that. Mark Davis is still the owner, still making the decisions, and still overseeing the rebuild under GMs Jon Spytek and Tom Brady, in whom he clearly has confidence. That’s not the end of succession planning. It’s more than just Mark Davis’ preparation that he is usually given credit for.

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

The Atlanta Hawks have officially begun selling their Magic City-inspired merchandise following a viral announcement that garnered national attention earlier this week.

After unveiling a surprise collaboration with the Magic City on Thursday, the Hawks listed their “Forever 404 Magic City Peachtree Hoodie” for sale on the team’s official website. The hoodie is priced at $125 and is currently available for pre-order, with two days left in the pre-sale window. The organization has also placed a limit of two hoodies per order.

The partnership was announced with the introduction of “Magic City Night”, a themed promotion tied to Atlanta’s March 16 home game against the Orlando Magic. The revelation spread quickly online on social media and caused a significant increase in demand for tickets, with reports indicating that average list prices increased immediately after the news broke.

Former Hawks guard Lou Williams publicly expressed his support for the collaboration during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back on Friday. Williams, widely known by his nickname “Lemon Pepper Lou”, praised the franchise for embracing Atlanta culture and expressed approval of the partnership. His comments came after Thursday’s official announcement and heightened trading interest as the weekend pre-sale approaches.

The Atlanta Hawks are now selling the “Magic City Monday” hoodie for $125.

Wild times. pic.twitter.com/6vs5mr8nJ2

– Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) 28 February 2026

Hawks-Magic City collaboration brings a surge of merchandise

The collaboration has placed the Hawks at the center of a broader cultural conversation, encompassing basketball and one of Atlanta’s most recognizable nightlife institutions. The co-branded hoodie features the Hawks’ logo along with the Magic City name across the chest, aligning with the team’s “Forever 404” branding tied to the city’s area code.

On the court, Atlanta (30-31) is ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks picked up their third consecutive win on Thursday with a 126-96 win over the Washington Wizards and will host the Portland Trail Blazers (29-31) on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

With merchandise now available for purchase and demand for tickets growing, the Hawks collaboration is building momentum beyond social media. The pre-sale launch Saturday marks the latest step in a rollout that grew from Thursday’s announcement to Friday’s player support and weekend merchandise push, as Atlanta prepares for its upcoming home expansion.