標籤: surprise

armory Star Victor Gyckeres has played down any injury or fitness concerns after playing in Sweden’s 2-2 draw with Greece on Thursday.

football scandal report comments More from his surprise appearance in the game today, considering he played in the Champions League final only a week ago.

from arsenal to sweden

Given the Gunners’ run to the Champions League final, the Arsenal forward was expected to miss Sweden’s friendly matches ahead of the World Cup. At least, he wasn’t expected to start.

Instead, he started the game and scored after playing 63 minutes before being replaced by Graham Potter.

This came with its own risks as he was involved in a nerve-wracking moment when he was cut from behind in a scenario that could have had serious consequences. Luckily, he is fine and insists that everything is fine fitness-wise too.

“It’s fun to come back and play with the guys again,” he said.

“It feels good in my body, and I feel in good physical shape. So I thought it was good to get some match minutes in my legs. There’s some time in the World Cup premiere. So, it might be needed.”

world cup plans

Luckily for Sweden, the striker was in good form as he scored one of their two goals in a 2–2 draw. However, surprisingly his famous celebration was nowhere to be seen.

He admits it was a conscious decision. He’s saving his trademark for the big World Cup games.

“I’m saving it for the World Cup,” he said.

“I haven’t done this whenever we’ve lost. It’s happened before that I didn’t do it then. And it was a friendly match too. But I can do it later in the hotel.”

arsenal fest

The 28-year-old goes into the tournament on the back of a successful first season with Arsenal following his move from Sporting Club de Portugal last summer.

Although the goals may not have flowed as freely as they did in Portugal, he still finished the campaign with 21 in all competitions. And, crucially, also a Premier League title. For him, celebration is something he wants to experience again.

He concluded, “We didn’t get many hours of sleep as we drove back to London. After the parade I was a little tired. But it was super fun to experience it.”

“I got a tremendous amount of energy from all the fans. It was a special experience that I would love to do again.”

Tottenham Hotspur AC Milan emerged as a surprise candidate to sign Santiago Jimenez in the summer.

The Mexico international has not performed well since joining the Serie A side from Feyenoord in January 2025. He rejected Nottingham Forest to move to San Siro.

Tottenham could offer the striker an escape route after a disastrous spell in Italy. In the second half of last season he scored six goals and three assists in 19 matches.

However, the 25-year-old has failed to impress this season as he has failed to find the back of the net in the league. he finished with a goal [in Coppa Italia against US Lecce in September] And three assists in 18 matches.

Jiménez suffered an ankle injury last November and only returned to action in March. However, he continued to struggle when given minutes in recent months.

Last month, Sports Witness Covered claims from Italy That his injury prevented his move to Sunderland in January. there are black cats reportedly looking at On to the next window.

Tottenham keen on frontman

Mexican you can Report that ‘Santiago Jimenez could leave AC Milan for Tottenham.’

He is focused on representing his country and El Tri at the World Cup to be hosted by the United States.

TUDN analyst David Feitelson highlights an update on the Spurs shared by the channel’s reporter Tito Villa.

After the tournament, the frontman does not rule out making a major change in his career. According to Villa, the former Feyenoord man is ‘thinking of leaving’ San Siro and could head to England.

Jimenez is attracting interest from the Premier League and Spurs in particular. The move to the north London club would ‘represent a significant change’ in his career.

Both the player and Roberto De Zerbi had a very poor season. He struggled with injury and poor form, while Tottenham managed to avoid relegation. So, it is surprising that Spurs are looking at him.

Loan deal likely for Spurs

There is no mention of whether Santiago Jimenez wants to go on loan or a permanent transfer.

AC Milan know it will be difficult to recoup a large part of the €32m fee invested to buy him.

The Italian club may grant a loan with an option to buy, in order to improve its value.

transfer market The Mexican is valued at €20m, with a contract until 2029.

newcastle united Juventus’ Jonathan David has been added to their list for the summer.

After spending five years at Lille, the striker joined the Serie A team on a free transfer in July 2025, scoring 109 goals and 31 assists in 232 appearances.

In his first season in Italy, David scored eight goals and provided five assists in 46 matches. This includes only one goal for Juventus since 1 February.

He still managed to attract interest from the Premier League, where Newcastle United are in the picture.

On March 9, we Covered claims from Italy That Aston Villa are interested in signing him. Last month, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United emerged as his options. the source said The Old Lady is requesting between €25-30m.

Two weeks ago, Sports Witness broadcast news The Europa League winners remain in the hunt for the Canada international.

Newcastle United joins the transfer chase

Eddie Howe’s side have become the latest English club to set their sights on the 26-year-old.

is according to all juveWho said Newcastle United are pursuing Jonathan David after his difficult season.

Despite his 13 G/A contribution, the outlet says the Canada international failed to live up to expectations and was labeled a ‘season flop’.

The Magpies are ‘ready to take advantage’ of his situation at the Turin club to bring him to St James’ Park. They value the frontman’s profile and qualities and are optimistic that he can achieve his best form in the Premier League.

Therefore, Newcastle United are taking steps to explore the finances of a potential operation.

Tutto Juve, who clarified that this is his own report, mentions the ‘astonishing quote’ in the headline but does not support it in the report. It’s possible an offer from an English club is on the way.

Juventus will not close the door to his exit as long as there is a sufficient offer. However, there is no mention of their demand in the report.

Contract, price and agent information

Jonathan David’s contract expires in 2030, and transfer market He is worth €35 million.

Axia Sports Management, an agency owned by agent Nick Mavromaras, is representing the Canadian.

chelsea has expressed interest in signing of manchester city When Bernardo Silva leaves the Etihad this summer.

brand report When Chelsea are preparing themselves for a surprise move for the Portuguese midfielder He becomes a free agent at the end of the season..

Chelsea expressed interest

The newspaper reports that Atlético de Madrid are in the race for the Portuguese midfielder, along with Barcelona, ​​AC Milan, Juventus and now Chelsea.

Atletico see Bernardo Silva as a replacement for Antoine Griezmann, and someone who can raise their competitive level next season.

The 31-year-old will be a free agent this summer and the Spanish side want to be contenders for his signature. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is working on various options for his client after leaving Manchester City.

There has been no suggestion of a move elsewhere in the Premier League yet, but Marca now report that Chelsea have ‘already expressed’ their interest in him. There is no mention yet of the extent of that contact.

George Mendes connection

Mendes has clients at Stamford Bridge. He also represents Pedro Neto, while Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco is also part of their roster. The Argentine is expected to move to London this summer.

He is one of several Strasbourg players on his client list. This would suggest a working relationship with Chelsea’s owners Bluco. Maybe this is how contact happened.

Either way, it appears that Chelsea have put themselves in the mix for the Manchester City star. A move to Stamford Bridge would certainly be unexpected given the interest across Europe.

But Chelsea have been called upon to add experience to their squad to help their young stars develop. Bernardo Silva, with his experience at Manchester City, would certainly fit that profile.

However, the question remains whether he wants to stay in England, or continue his career elsewhere after his long stay at the Etihad.

The Minnesota Wild need to improve after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After blowing a 3–0 lead in Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche swept Minnesota in five games. This was a disappointing conclusion; However, the Wild should be back on the trade market this summer. In fact, Minnesota has been linked to a surprise NHL superstar.

The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Joe Smith listed Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews as a player Minnesota should trade this summer. Matthews, who was captain of the United States at the Winter Olympics, could be on the move this offseason.

So, what does Minnesota need to see to make Matthews a realistic trade target?

Auston Matthews should request a trade with the Minnesota Wild as a destination

New Toronto general manager John Chayka will have to prove to Matthews that he can build a roster capable of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Like Quinn Hughes, Matthews is also scheduled to become a free agent in two seasons prior to the 2025-26 NHL season. Therefore, the 28-year-old center has a significant advantage.

If the Maple Leafs do not convince Matthews that they can be a competitive team, he can request a trade this summer or during the 2026–27 NHL season. In this scenario, Minnesota would be one of the destinations Matthews is willing to play for moving forward.

Matthews has a no-activity clause in his contract, so he must clear a trade out of Toronto. The NHL superstar has ties to Minnesota, as Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber all played with them on the Olympic team and during the Four Nations. It would not be surprising if organization was one of their main priorities.

It’s unclear where Minnesota would have the assets to acquire Matthews after trading for Hughes in December 2025. The best scenario for the Wild would be for Matthews to request “Minnesota and only Minnesota” to play with his Olympic teammates. Either way, a trade could be a real possibility this summer.

If Matthews wants out of Toronto, the Wild should call whenever that happens.

READ MORE: NHL insider makes bold prediction on Quinn Hughes extension with Minnesota Wild

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

The Florida Panthers are considering making the necessary moves to make the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After winning the Stanley Cup Finals the previous two seasons, Florida missed the playoffs due to excessive injuries. Now, the Panthers have time to rest, and they could be a destination for one of the NHL’s best defensemen.

ESPN personality John Buccigross could see John Karlsson join the Panthers for the 2026-27 NHL season on Frankly Hockey. Karlsson joined the Washington Capitals during the 2009–2010 NHL season and spent 17 years with the organization before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks.

Now, Karlsson is set to become a free agent, so what does Florida have to do to get him this summer?

What the Florida Panthers need to do to sign John Carlson

Karlsson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 NHL offseason, and should be in demand. The 36-year-old defenseman is a top-5 free agent this offseason with $8 million in earnings. So, what will Carlson demand from Florida this summer?

Signing Karlsson to a two- or three-year contract worth $8-10 million per season would likely be necessary. According to Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have approximately $15 million in cap space this offseason. This doesn’t include Florida’s need for two goaltenders, including Sergei Bobrovsky.

Carlson would be an excellent fit with the Panthers, giving the team reliable star power on defense. The 36-year-old defenseman will fuel Florida’s offense in another run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Ultimately, Carlson fits the timeline for Florida, as the organization looks for another championship.

Although a return to Washington may not be a possibility, Karlsson could return to Anaheim if the team gets a chance to acquire him. The Ducks are a young and rising organization, but the Panthers may be a better fit over the next two to three years.

Carlson should make around $10 million, but it remains to be seen if Florida can add him to the payroll.

READ MORE: 5 bold moves that could reshape the Florida Panthers this 2026 offseason

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

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ new braintrust of John Chayka and Mats Sundin have yet to have their mano-a-mano conversation with captain Auston Matthews. But when they do, they hope to find out what his intentions are. Does he want to stay in Toronto for the remaining two years of his contract? Or does he want out after the club’s tire fire last season?

If Matthews wants to go out, he’ll likely indicate his favorite destinations. Or at least he will be asked. But if the Leafs were to get the best return from their rookie, insider Jeff Marek proposed on DFO Rundown that the Utah Mammoth would be ‘at the front of the line’ to make a deal.

If Toronto has to make a decision on Auston Matthews, we’ll all wonder about Los Angeles. But he does not have property. You know who does? Utah. Utah is uniquely positioned. If that happens (Matthews is asking), you could potentially move Utah closer to, if not the front of the line..

If you’re going to be a team (like the Leafs) that wants to rebuild, and rebuild quickly? Utah has some prime candidates and some excellent young players they can look to.

Marek’s compatriot, DFO Rundown host Jason Gregor, said Mammoth would like to add some size along with skill to his mix. He didn’t mention Matthews, but the 6’3″, 215-pounder is exactly that. His two-way game would be a tremendous headliner for the top of their growing lineup.

Matthews has great connections to the Mammoth staff.

Sportsnet insider Nick Kyprios is another who sees a clear connection between the former Phoenix-based team (home of Matthews) and the Leafs’ $13.25 million man.

“There is speculation in my inner circle that the Utah Mammoth are looking at this situation, as they have some close friends of Matthews’ on their roster, including Clayton Keller.”

Matthews and Keller played together with the USHL Under-18 team in 2014–15. The Leafs captain grew up in Scottsdale and went to Arizona Coyotes games as a young player. Yotes legend Shane Donn was one of Matthews’ heroes growing up. Reuniting with that organization, even if in a new location, will likely be attractive to him.

The Mammoths appear to be a team on the rise, with a number of exciting young players. He took a big step forward this season, leading Utah to the playoffs for the first time with a wild card berth.

The Leafs made a big move today and fired head coach Craig Berube prior to any negotiations with Matthews. We will see how this affects the captain’s thoughts later on.

A new report has lent credence to recent speculation that the New York Giants are actually planning to use first-round pick Arvel Reese as an inside linebacker and not an edge rusher.

Many were surprised that the Ohio State edge was not selected with the No. 2 pick by the New York Jets in last month’s NFL Draft. What is even more surprising is that he was not even picked in the next two selections. Arguably, the most talented pass rusher in this year’s class was allowed to fall to the Giants at fifth overall.

When Big Blue used its pick at No. 5 on Reese, it established a 2026 linebacker corps that could be terrible. But it also created a log jam for the outside linebacker spot with Brian Burns, 2025 No. 1 pick Abdul Carter and 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux. However, soon after being drafted, Reese and the team suggested he could play inside linebacker.

Most assumed this was something they would only try on occasion and that Reese would not have a permanent spot as he showed a lot of potential by posting 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for OSU last season. However, according to NFL insider James Palmer, the Giants are serious, and so far, Reese is looking good at that position.

New York Giants fall in love with Arvel Reese’s versatility

Palmer said that during mini-camp, coach John Harbaugh and the staff were impressed with how light Reese was on his feet and good in coverage. Additionally, he liked how he did not miss any assignments and confirmed the high football IQ he felt he had during the draft process.

The NFL insider also noted that if Reese is on the sideline, offenses can play away from him. If he is standing in the middle they can’t do anything. This way, he can still be used in the middle of the attack, but because he is so smart and athletic, he can also make an impact in the run game and coverage.

The summer will really tell the story of where Reese ends up playing for the Giants. But so far, it looks like the team has plans to field most of its talented linebackers at the same time in 2026.

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

You just knew that after the New Jersey Devils got their man and disposed of the Toronto Maple Leafs, causing chaos, the results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery would turn out exactly the way they did.

It is not decided! but man. This is incredible luck for John Chayka and Mats Sundin.

If you’re unfamiliar with what happened, New Jersey Hockey Now has a link below with the surprise results of last night’s draft lottery.

Also included are links to Toronto’s fortunes, what this means for them, the Blueshirts’ retreat and much more.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Back then, you just had to know that the top of the draft was going to be interesting. And it definitely happened. However, despite some surprising jumps, the Devils remain undrafted following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

More details on what exactly they should do with that selection later today.

📺 devil’s rink report: Last night, we went live on the Devils Rink Report YouTube channel to quickly react to the draft lottery results, analyze what’s next, and break down who the Devils might select with the 12th overall pick.

Full episode here 👇🏼

Please like and subscribe our Youtube channel And turn on those notifications when we go live every Friday!

For podcast listeners, we have officially launched on multiple platforms. Listen to Devil’s Rink Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Too! Devil’s Rink Report is now on TikTok – follow us here.

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

NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Forever Blueshirts: Not only did the New York Rangers miss out on moving up in the draft by a slim margin, they actually fell backwards.

pittsburgh hockey now: Where were the successes and where were the shortcomings? Dan Kingerski provides the final Pittsburgh Penguins report card on what this season means in 2025-26.

Boston hockey now: Here’s how the Boston Bruins lost as a result of the draft lottery.

San Jose Hockey Now: Would Mike Grier trade the second overall pick? The San Jose Sharks GM discusses that and more. (+)

Philly hockey now: With Auston Matthews’ future uncertain, has the Philadelphia Flyers’ dream acquisition become a possible reality?

Montreal hockey now: Heading into Game 1 vs. the Buffalo Sabres, here’s how the Montreal Canadiens and the Swords stand head-to-head.

Athletic ($): Well yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery and will pick first overall. However, here’s why they’re on time with Auston Matthews.

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

The New Jersey Devils will have the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Tuesday’s lottery showed no movement for New Jersey, which entered with the 12th-worst record among non-playoff teams.

His slim chances of climbing into the top ten never materialised.

Instead, chaos reigned at the top of the board. The Toronto Maple Leafs, with only 8.5% odds and the fifth-worst record, moved from outside the top tier to first overall.

The San Jose Sharks moved up to second place, about a 5% difference from mid-lottery position (ninth-worst). Both jumps were highly improbable and expectations for the 2026 NHL Draft class were reshuffled.

For the Devils, it’s another year of lottery neutrality. Like 2024, they’re stuck in a spot that reflects their season: competitive enough to miss the playoffs but not lottery-friendly. That year he landed a big shot at Russian defenceman, Anton Silayev.

The top-tier talent headlined by prospects like Gavin McKenna now looks to Toronto and San Jose as teams looking to capitalize on long-term fortunes.

Yet 12th overall remains valuable.

What the Devils do with their first round pick remains to be seen. New GM Sunny Mehta reported that he believes New Jersey is on the verge of becoming a perennial playoff performer.

Thus, it’s fair to wonder if Mehta will settle for his core needs and package a first-round pick for more immediate help.

Otherwise, the Devils lack chances going forward. The 2026 NHL Draft is loaded with forward talent, and New Jersey will certainly look to improve their crop of forwards in the pipeline.

The 2026 NHL Draft is just less than two months away. Thus, Mehta and his team will have ample time to assess the best course of action with the 12 overall selections on June 26.

However, if the new regime is truly something that is going to change the culture in New Jersey, their first round pick should – without question – be used as a trade chip to eventually make Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt a proper left winger.

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

It was highly anticipated that the New York Giants would take the Ohio State Buckeye with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But few expected it to be linebacker Arvel Reese.

Many were expecting Reese to be taken second or third overall, but when he slipped and was still on the board with the Giants, the team did not hesitate to draft him.

The 6’4 243-pound linebacker had 69 tackles and six and a half sacks in his final season at Ohio State in 2025, and was a unanimous All-American. The selection comes as a surprise as the team already has Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. But he played inside linebacker before 2025. It will ultimately be up to defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to find ways to utilize Reese’s potential to ensure he has a successful rookie season.

Following Reese’s selection, the team took right tackle Francis Mauigoa of the University of Miami with pick 10.^th Overall selection. Mauigoa appeared in 42 games in his three years at Miami. Although the 6’5 329-pound All-American tackle was viewed by many as the best tackle in the league, it was also a bit of a surprise. The team re-signed right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year, $39 million contract this offseason, and Mauigoa is nursing a herniated disc.

But the team clearly isn’t worried about his injury history, and they would like to move him or Eluemunor inside to play the guard role. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds during training camp.

What we learned from the giants in Round 1

For several months, New York was primed for Caleb Downs and could potentially take him with the first pick, or with the 10.^th Which they acquired by trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. But it appeared to be a blurry screen as the team passed him twice.

Downs will try to show that New York made a mistake by leaving him, as he will play with them twice a year since the Dallas Cowboys took him with the 11 pick.^th Overall selection.

With the selection of Reese it is clear that Kayvon Thibodeaux’s time in New York is coming to an end. He is entering the final year of his contract, and his role with Burns and Carter on the roster was already in question. Now with another premier pass rusher on the team, expect the team to move on from the 25-year-old edge rusher.

The Giants currently do not have a third-round pick and could try to trade Thibodaux on the second day of the draft to acquire one. New York’s next pick will be 37th overall, where they can take either a wide receiver or defensive tackle.

RELATED: 2026 New York Giants mock draft, Nos. 5 to 193

A surprising report claims an unlikely Western Conference team is the “preferred destination” of Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While the NBA world is focused on the playoffs that began last week, we are also just a few weeks away from the start of the offseason. And there will be no bigger story this summer than Antetokounmpo’s future.

After hearing offers before February’s NBA trade deadline, the Bucks are expected to more seriously consider trade packages with better offers and more teams involved in the offseason. However, the 10-time All-Star is expected to play a major role wherever he ends up. So, finding out her favorite places is equally a big story.

Antetokounmpo’s interest in the New York Knicks is well-founded as Gotham is a beloved stop in the offseason. The Golden State Warriors were one of the teams that pursued him most aggressively over the winter, and the Miami Heat are also expected to pursue the two-time NBA MVP. Those teams are viewed as favorites because of their location and their ability to compete with Antetokounmpo next year.

However, this week, a completely unexpected contender emerged. According to PHNX Sports NBA insider Flex from Jersey, the Phoenix Suns are a “preferred destination” for the future Hall of Famer.

Giannis wants to go to the Phoenix Suns?

“Giannis definitely wants to live in Phoenix and it is a preferred destination,” he wrote in a post on X. “That’s because of Matt Ishbia, Devin Booker and what they’re building!”

However, the podcast co-host and contributor added a surprising element to the left-field claim. “I can’t believe the Sun would suddenly destroy things,” he wrote. “Got to understand! They love the situation they’re in.”

After being one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA last season, the Suns have let go of head coach Mike Budenholzer, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The changes worked, and under new head coach Jordan Ott they went from winning 36 games in 2024–25 to 45 this season. His defense has improved, and he has upside.

Booker and Antetokounmpo could be a bad pairing if the Suns had assets the Bucks were interested in, and the NBA superstar really wanted to go to the desert.

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

Bayern Munich are monitoring the progress of Anthony Gordon newcastle united Closely, confident that there are lots of benefits to a deal.

BILD journalist Christian Falk reports Bayern see the Newcastle star as a star who can cover them in many areas.

Bayern values ​​Gordon’s versatility

Bayern have been named as surprise candidates for Anthony Gordon this summer in a report this week. The Champions League semi-finalists are reportedly eyeing a £55million deal for the 25-year-old.

This has certainly raised eyebrows given the talent in Bayern’s forward line at present. Vincent Kompany’s side have already scored 105 goals in the Bundesliga, breaking the record held since the 1971–72 season.

At least it can be said that Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz are in tremendous form. Real Madrid found this out in the Champions League this week. Where Gordon, who has 17 goals and five assists in 46 games this season, will fit in is unclear.

But Falk argues that Bayern see huge benefits from the deal, as the Englishman can play in multiple positions.

“They’re looking for a backup for Luis Diaz,” He said.

“I have made inquiries within the club, and the strategy has been explained to me: Yes, Bayern are interested and he is on their shortlist.

“Because he’s capable of playing so many different positions, he won’t just be a pure backup.

“He can play behind Diaz, he is being considered a backup to Kane, and he can also play on the right flank. And you have to admit that getting two or three positional options for the price of one makes perfect sense.”

Newcastle United want £80 million

The bigger problem may be Newcastle United’s asking price. According to Christian Falk, they would like £80 million to sell Gordon that summer.

Bayern may hesitate at that price, as Luiz Diaz is priced at €67.5m, and he has scored 24 goals and registered 18 assists in 42 games this season. In comparison, Anthony Gordon would be worth around €92m at the current asking price.

Falk admits Bayern do not want to trade with Newcastle for those figures.

“I have now heard a specific figure, He added.

“Newcastle are looking to demand £80m, which equates to €92m. I’ve heard that Bayern, on the other hand, envision a fee of €60m. I believe the discrepancy could be a dealbreaker.”

FFP could help Bayern’s cause

However, Bayern may have an ace up its sleeve. Newcastle United are likely to need a sale this summer to finance their business and balance their books. And Falk suggests Bayern are aware of this.

“The Financial Fair Play rules are also directly in Bayern’s hands. Newcastle have to strike some balance in this regard,” He concluded.

“They have completed some deals recently to make sure they remain in compliance. And that’s probably another reason why they need to sell players.

“The Telegraph now reports that Anthony Gordon would be open to a move this summer. It seems like an opportunity.”

The 2026 NFL Draft is exactly one week away, and the picture is starting to come into focus ahead of the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round selection. Expectations are the Las Vegas Raiders will take quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. The New York Jets will select a pass-rusher, possibly Texas Tech’s David Bailey or Ohio State’s freak linebacker/edge rusher Arvel Reese.

But what about the Cardinals at No. 3? This remains the biggest mystery. While NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that a trade down for Arizona is “very much in play”, others suggest the Cardinals have a surprise selection in mind.

Recently, SNY’s Connor Hughes reported that we “shouldn’t be surprised” if the Cardinals select Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love with the third overall selection in the first round.

The Cardinals’ selection of Love came as a shock when they brought back James Conner and signed Tyler Allger to a $12.5 million contract this offseason. Of course, Love has a higher ceiling than either of these two, but Arizona also has other, more pressing needs such as an offensive tackle or even a pass-rusher.

Still, if the Cardinals are sticking to the best player available mantra, it’s hard to argue against the selection of Love. Many consider him the best overall player in the draft class, and Arizona could inject talent on both sides of the ball.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

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

Manchester CityRyan Cherky has enjoyed an excellent debut season in the Premier League.

The attacking midfielder is a product of Lyon’s youth system and has spent six years with their first team.

During his time with the Ligue 1 team, the Manchester City star scored 29 goals and 46 assists in 189 appearances.

Their performance convinced Citizens to invest approximately €36.5m in June 2025 and the decision has paid off so far.

Last November, Sports Witness Covered claims from France Paris Saint-Germain failed to sign him in the past.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will be delighted that the 22-year-old is now at the Etihad. He has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in 43 matches so far this season.

His Premier League statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 26
• Start: 15
• Total minutes: 1,392
• Minutes per game: 54
• Target: 3
• Assist: 10

Not a normal Guardiola player

Ryan Cherky played alongside Nicolas Tagliafico in his final three years at Lyon.

The left-back has given an interview to SashaJRR bolvaip Have released their comments on the Manchester City man. The 33-year-old Argentinian has full praise for his former teammate.

“He has a lot of quality. I don’t know if there are players like him these days. Wingers today are more dangerous with pace in one-on-one situations, but he is very skilled with both feet, he likes to dribble everywhere, but he is disorganized,” He said.

When further analyzing the attacker’s play, the fullback admitted that Cherky is not the type of player who would adapt to Pep Guardiola’s system.

Tagliafico explained: “I don’t know how Guardiola is coping with him, because he is more structured.

“It’s all very good when you are going forward, you have to attack, and it’s good that he is disorganized, but you lose the ball and it creates chaos. Despite everything, he is very good, he is also strong, he has a lot of talent. And he is still just a kid, he is 22 years old.”

Our opinion: Manchester City’s star will continue to shine

Ryan Cherky has already impressed in his first season at Manchester City. To put it into context, the Frenchman became the first player since Dimitri Payet [for West Ham United] To register 10 Premier League assists in his debut season.

They still have a long future ahead of them and are likely to get even better in the years to come.

Pep Guardiola’s side would be delighted to get a star, and that too at a reasonable price in the current market.

The Detroit Tigers have made a surprise shutout of a rising star in MLB. The Tigers and infielder Kevin McGonigal have finalized an eight-year, $150 million contract extension, the team announced. McGonigle, who made his MLB debut in March, could make up to $160 million with a contract escalator for the final three seasons.

The 21-year-old infielder’s contract covers the 2027 to 2034 MLB seasons. This covers McGonigal’s five seasons of club control and his first three years of free agency. The new contract essentially guarantees McGonigle an additional season of service. This will take him until his 30th birthday.

The lifespan of a baseball player usually ranges from 26 to 29 years.

Details of Kevin McGonigal’s contract with the Detroit Tigers

To start the 2026 MLB season, McGonagle is batting .311 with one home run and eight runs batted in in 17 games. The 21-year-old also has a .908 on-base percentage with eight strikeouts and 11 walks. McGonigle was known for his elite plate discipline in the minor leagues, and this has translated to MLB.

This is a shocking development for Detroit. Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris shut down McGonigal before he began producing consistently at the elite level. Entering the 2026 MLB season, McGonagall was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in baseball, behind Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Connor Griffin.

McGonigal will make $1 million in 2027, $7 million in 2028, $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031, and $23 million from 2032 to 2034. Escalators could increase his 2032 salary by $25 million, his 2033 salary by $26 million and his 2034 salary by $26 million. $28 million.

The Tigers knew McGonigal’s potential, and they stepped up. Now, Detroit has locked up McGonigle during his prime years in MLB.

READ MORE: Why Kevin McGonigle is the Detroit Tigers’ X-factor after historic MLB debut

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

The Los Angeles Chargers are in a tough position in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Joe Hortiz took the No. 22 pick late in the first round, when almost everything becomes unpredictable. Although the Chargers front office has a solid idea of ​​which players could be first-round draft prospects, there is no way to know what the teams picking ahead of them will do when the time comes.

Additionally, the Chargers only have five overall selections in the three-day event starting on April 23. Still, the Chargers are assembling their draft board, and some players who meet specific requirements will certainly stand out on draft day. But who could it be?

Recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports predicted that two players who could become “surprise” selections by the Chargers at age 22 are offensive guards Emmanuel Pregnan and Chase Bissontis. Both are viewed as potential second-round picks, but as mentioned, the Chargers’ needs could push either prospect late into the first round.

“After Ioane, Emmanuel Pregnon and Chase Bissontis are neck-and-neck to finish as OG2, and both could fall in the bottom of the first round,” Pauline wrote. “The landing spot for both players is between the 26th and 38th selections, unless the Los Angeles Chargers surprise with the 22nd selection.”

The Chargers have already put Pregnon through an individual workout, and Poulin called him “definitely a Harbaugh-type blocker.” He added that the Chargers are also “taking a close look at Bisontis.”

After No. 22, the Chargers do not have any other draft selections until the 55th overall pick, when both Pregnon and Bisontis are expected to come off the board. Thus, if the Chargers really want to emerge from the draft with one of those two guards, they will have to reach up a bit, or possibly trade down a bit, to get more picks while still landing one of their top targets.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

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

Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has been in the news. The Maple Leafs missed the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, and the direction of the franchise will ultimately decide whether Matthews requests a trade or stays. If this goes the wrong direction, the Toronto star has been linked to a surprise NHL organization.

The insider said on the barn burner, Sportsnet’s Darren Dreger believes the Utah Mammoth will be a big player with Matthews moving forward. Dreger also said the San Jose Sharks would make some sense, but he wouldn’t call the organization a front-runner to acquire Matthews in the future.

Since relocating from Arizona to Utah, the organization has progressed every year. In fact, the Mammoth made a big move at the deadline, acquiring defenseman McKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. Now, Utah has a very strong chance of making the Stanley Cup playoffs as the first wild card team in the Western Conference.

The Mammoth were linked to several big-name players during the NHL trade deadline, such as St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas. Utah has the assets to make a big trade this offseason, making it one of several organizations that could be in the market for Matthews.

However, that would require Matthews to make a decision and request a trade from Toronto. For now, the Maple Leafs will likely attempt to get the organization back to the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. After all, it’s hard to waste a talent like Matthews, William Nylander and Matthew Nease.

Utah is looking to make a major breakthrough in the Stanley Cup playoffs and don’t expect them to fall apart anytime soon. In fact, if everything goes in the right direction for them the Mammoth could end up with Matthews.

READ MORE: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews undergoes surgery

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

The Arizona Cardinals are one of the most interesting teams with the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, holding the third overall selection with pressing needs at key positions. However, efforts are reportedly being made inside the front office to make some surprise picks.

on the latest episode of The McShay ShowNFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said, “Someone in the Cardinals building is working really, really hard” for the team to select running back the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with the third overall pick.

RELATED: 2026 Positional Dynasty Rankings, See Where Jeremiah Likes to Land

Note, according to McShay, this is someone who has some hold on the Cardinals organization and has some influence on what will be done with the No. 3 pick. However, Arizona is still keeping their options open, and that includes the possibility of trading up to multiple spots and then selecting Love.

Why wouldn’t the Cardinals possibly draft Jeremiah Love?

Drafting Love with the third overall pick would be a bit of an odd decision considering the Cardinals’ offseason moves. Arizona signed running back Tyler Allger to a two-year, $12.25 million deal, re-signed Bam Knight, and worked out a deal to retain James Conner.

There’s one more thing to keep in mind that will make selecting Love with the third overall pick a little difficult. Under the NFL’s rookie salary scale, drafting Love with a top-three pick would lock him into a contract that would effectively make him one of the 10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL.

On the other hand, selecting an edge rusher or offensive tackle at No. 3 overall would mean they would have to sign a rookie-scale contract that is valued outside the top 20 at the position. This shows how much more valuable offensive tackles and edge rushers are than running backs.

Of course, many NFL teams view Love as the best prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Arizona doesn’t take him third overall, the Tennessee Titans (fourth overall pick), New York Giants (fifth overall pick), and Washington Commanders (seventh overall pick) are viable options for him as landing spots.

Ultimately, given the investment already made this offseason and the team’s obvious needs at both an edge rusher and right tackle, we would be surprised if the Cardinals end up using their top selection on Love.

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

Carmelo Hayes has spoken out about WWE NXT fans, saying that the crowd that helped make him one of the brand’s top stars is ultimately loyal to no one.

Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Hayes reflected on his time in NXT from 2021 to 2024 and gave an unfiltered perspective on the nature of that audience and what it takes to survive in that environment.

“That crowd is still the same today,” Hayes said. “They’re never yours. They’re hot right now, and I knew it and I understood it and it was one of those things where I even did a promo with Trick Williams where it’s like they love you and then when the next guy’s turn comes, they’ll switch on you, and it’s true. That crowd, they’ll build you up but they’ll also break you down.”

During his NXT run, Hayes built one of the most decorated resumes in the recent history of the brand. He won the NXT Breakout Tournament in 2021, captured the NXT Cruiserweight Championship – becoming the last holder of that title – and held the NXT North American Championship twice before winning the NXT Championship. Despite that level of success, Hayes was clear-eyed about crowd loyalty throughout.

The reference to Trick Williams is particularly notable and will be remembered by longtime NXT fans. Hayes and Williams were closely associated during their NXT run, with their partnership and eventual rivalry becoming one of the brand’s best storylines. Hayes saw firsthand how the NXT crowd changed their love, which gave him an understanding of how quickly audiences can move on.

Hayes has been on the main roster as a member of the SmackDown brand since April 2024. He recently completed a run as United States champion. As for Williams, he has been a bright spot on the SmackDown roster and will challenge Sami Zayn for the US Title at WrestleMania.

约翰·塞纳 (John Cena) 将以新身份重返 WWE。这位 17 届 WWE 冠军正式宣布，他将担任 WrestleMania 42 的主持人，结束了人们对他退役后与公司的关系的猜测。塞纳在社交媒体上宣布了这一消息，并写道：“自从退休以来，我的道路看起来有点不同，但现在我可以正式地说我要去摔角狂热了。拉斯维加斯见！”

本月早些时候，塞纳在奥兰多举行的 MegaCon 大会上发表了上述言论，他暗示自己可能已经找到了退休后为 WWE 做出贡献的新方式。这些言论引发了关于他可能以何种形式回归的讨论，而主持角色现在为不久的将来提供了明确的答案。

去年12月，塞纳在周六晚上的主赛事中输给冈瑟后从WWE退役，结束了他在世界各地与公司进行最后一次告别之旅。在他职业生涯的决定性时刻之一发生几个月后，他退休了，当时他在摔角狂热 41 比赛中击败科迪·罗兹 (Cody Rhodes)，夺得创纪录的第 17 个 WWE 冠军。

WrestleMania 42 将于 4 月 18 日至 19 日在拉斯维加斯忠实体育场举行，这是该赛事连续第二年在该场地举办。当前的卡片包含 WWE 近期记忆中一些最引人注目的比赛。 CM Punk 对阵罗曼·雷恩斯 (Roman Reigns)，卫冕世界重量级冠军，而科迪·罗兹 (Cody Rhodes) 则与兰迪·奥顿 (Randy Orton) 争夺无可争议的 WWE 冠军。

斯蒂芬妮·瓦克尔 (Stephanie Vaquer) 对阵丽芙·摩根 (Liv Morgan) 卫冕女子世界冠军，杰德·卡吉尔 (Jade Cargill) 对阵雷亚·里普利 (Rhea Ripley) 争夺 WWE 女子冠军。 AJ Lee 对阵贝基·林奇 (Becky Lynch)，卫冕女子洲际锦标赛冠军；萨米·扎恩 (Sami Zayn) 对阵特里克·威廉姆斯 (Trick Williams)，争夺美国锦标赛冠军。布洛克·莱斯纳 (Brock Lesnar) 对阵奥巴·费米 (Oba Femi) 以及雅各布·法图 (Jacob Fatu) 对阵德鲁·麦金泰尔 (Drew McIntyre) 的比赛也已公布。

約翰·希南 (John Cena) 將以新身份重返 WWE。這位 17 屆 WWE 冠軍正式宣布，他將擔任 WrestleMania 42 的主持人，結束了人們對他退休後與公司的關係的猜測。塞納在社交媒體上宣布了這一消息，並寫道：“自從退休以來，我的道路看起來有點不同，但現在我可以正式地說我要去摔角狂熱了。拉斯維加斯見！”

本月早些時候，塞納在奧蘭多舉行的 MegaCon 大會上發表了上述言論，他暗示自己可能已經找到了退休後為 WWE 做出貢獻的新方式。這些言論引發了關於他可能以何種形式回歸的討論，而主持角色現在為不久的將來提供了明確的答案。

去年12月，塞納在周六晚上的主賽事中輸給岡瑟後從WWE退役，結束了他在世界各地與公司進行最後一次告別之旅。在他職業生涯的決定性時刻之一發生幾個月後，他退休了，當時他在摔角狂熱 41 比賽中擊敗科迪·羅茲 (Cody Rhodes)，奪得創紀錄的第 17 個 WWE 冠軍。

WrestleMania 42 將於 4 月 18 日至 19 日在拉斯維加斯忠實體育場舉行，這是該賽事連續第二年在該場地舉辦。目前的卡片包含 WWE 近期記憶中一些最引人注目的比賽。 CM Punk 對上羅曼·雷恩斯 (Roman Reigns)，衛冕世界重量級冠軍，而 Cody Rhodes 則與 Randy Orton 爭奪無可爭議的 WWE 冠軍。

史蒂芬妮·瓦克爾 (Stephanie Vaquer) 對陣麗芙·摩根 (Liv Morgan) 衛冕女子世界冠軍，傑德·卡吉爾 (Jade Cargill) 對陣雷亞·里普利 (Rhea Ripley) 爭奪 WWE 女子冠軍。 AJ Lee 對陣貝基·林奇 (Becky Lynch)，衛冕女子洲際錦標賽冠軍；薩米·扎恩 (Sami Zayn) 對陣特里克·威廉姆斯 (Trick Williams)，爭奪美國錦標賽冠軍。布洛克·萊斯納 (Brock Lesnar) 對陣奧巴·費米 (Oba Femi) 以及雅各布·法圖 (Jacob Fatu) 對陣德魯·麥金泰爾 (Drew McIntyre) 的比賽也已公佈。

Manchester City defender Vitor Reis has received his first senior Brazil call-up after establishing himself as a key man during his loan spell at Verona.

The 20-year-old will join Carlo Ancelotti’s side for a friendly against Croatia in Orlando on Tuesday and arrive in the United States on Friday.

The timing is not a coincidence. Vitor Reis has become one of Verona’s most reliable players this seasonBecoming a regular starter in LaLiga.

espn brazil Say he is currently the Brazilian player with the most minutes played in the competition, which underlines both his consistency and importance within the team.

That prominence reflects the success of Manchester City’s growth plan. Since arriving in Spain, the defender has acquired a central role and rarely leaves the pitch.

He has played 27 league matches, starting 26 of them, and logged over 2,300 minutes. In those appearances, he has recorded 163 clearances and 77 recoveries, while only being dribbled seven times.

In possession, he has completed 1,277 passes with 90.8% accuracy, showing clear alignment Pep Guardiola’s demands.

sudden call in the early morning

The Brazil call-up came unexpectedly. according to espn brazilVitor Reis was sleeping when he received a call from national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano at around 3 a.m. local time.

He woke up to the news that he needed to go to Orlando immediately to join the team. Neither the players nor their entourage, owned by Manchester City, expected a call at this stage.

After the conversation, Vitor Reis immediately informed his family and representatives. He then made arrangements to travel to the United States within a few hours. The sudden nature of the call highlights how quickly his rise is being recognized internationally.

This is his first senior call-up, but his excellent form has already attracted attention in Brazil. As we recently coveredThe Palmeiras (his former club) academy director, who worked with Vitor Reis at youth level, said “He will be Brazil’s centre-back for the next three or four World Cups”.

Reward for breakout season

Vitor Reis has got this opportunity after months of consistent performances in Spain. Verona have relied heavily on him throughout the campaign, with the Brazilian becoming a pillar in their defensive structure.

The loan move was designed to provide minutes and continuity. It has done exactly that. In addition to his defensive work, he has scored one goal, one assist and created eight chances. His increasing influence in possession has also come to the fore, with regular involvement in Verona’s build-up play.

From Manchester City’s point of view, the signs are very positive. The defender is gaining experience in a system that shares similarities with Guardiola’s approach, which should ease his transition upon returning to England.

what happens next

Vitor Reyes is Hope to return to Manchester City after his loan spell ends this summer. This first senior Brazilian call-up strengthens his case ahead of that move.

The coming months will be important for both club and country. If he maintains his current level, he could reach the Etihad with real pace.

For now, Manchester City will see this recognition as proof that their long-term investment is moving in the right direction.

In a surprise move ahead of Opening Day 2026, the New York Mets made an additional replacement that sounds like a failsafe in case Luis Robert Jr. or rookie Carson Benz disappoints early in the new season.

NY Mets fans are feeling very optimistic about the start of the new season on Thursday. Despite a disastrous collapse at the end of the 2025 campaign and losing fan favorites Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency, the club’s offseason changes have produced a roster with genuine World Series potential.

Two notable adjustments this season have been in the outfield. One of the team’s most notable offseason moves was the addition of extremely talented but disappointing one-time All-Star Luis Robert, Jr. as their new center fielder. They will also start highly touted prospect Carson Benz in right field on Opening Day.

Still, both come with risks. After looking like a future superstar after the 2023 season, Robert Jr. has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons. And when he’s on the field, he looks like the same offensive player he was three years ago. As for Benz, he looked good in spring training and has serious talent, translating minor league success to the big leagues is never a sure thing.

New York Mets sign Tommy Pham

Perhaps that’s why the NY Mets made an unexpected move on Thursday. Before the start of their season, reports surfaced that they had signed 12-year veteran Tommy Pham to a minor-league deal.

Pham turns 38 this month and is far from his prime. However, he had 10 homers, 52 RBI and 44 runs batted in with a .245/.330/.370/.700 slashline in 120 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. Their addition seems like a “just in case” move if Benz and/or Robert Jr. struggle in the first month of the season.

Although he is not an everyday player, he can still contribute as part of a platoon, especially with youngsters. NY Mets fans will be hoping they don’t see Pham in Queens this year because that means Robert Jr. and Benz were supposed to be difference makers in 2026.

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

Christian Romero has become a pivotal figure at Tottenham Hotspur over the last few months. Now the chances of him leaving the club in the summer are increasing.

The Argentine has also contributed negatively for Spurs in recent months. Against Nottingham Forest, he was criticized for a costly error which cost the opposition a second goal. This happened during and at a crucial point in an important match.

This has become a pattern of the season for the defender and his teammates. Romero is one of those who have served various suspensions throughout the campaign.

His boisterousness has also come under the microscope, even though his ability has never really been in question.

sports witness has covered discussions of a possible transfer to Atletico Madrid, a claim that has been made for over a year. Now, the idea of ​​a return to Serie A is also gaining momentum.

Roma, Napoli and Inter are interested

Journalist Armando Areniello has now reported on Cristian Romero’s future at Tottenham. He clarified that Inter Milan, AS Roma and Napoli are all interested in the Argentina international.

Areniello believes- in the worst case scenario arianapoli – That ‘Tottenham value him at €50-60m’, especially given that his contract expires in 2029.

The deal is likely to be complex for Italian sides, who do not always have the financial resources. Romero has played at Genoa and Atalanta (on loan from Juventus) but his value could be much higher than the Serie A clubs right now.

Spain appears to be the more likely destination

Furthermore, it appears that the journalist is underestimating Tottenham’s value. Since Romero has a long-term contract and is the club captain, it is unlikely that they will let him leave cheaply.

Even if they are demoted, they will still be able to command higher fees. There will be pressure, especially players having to take pay cuts, but Spurs will apply more pressure.

That’s why Italian sides must be on the periphery for his signature. The player has already impressed in Serie A, having also impressed in the Champions League at Atalanta.

Atletico Madrid are used to spending big money on players, with the defender also expressing a desire to move to Spain. All this should make Los Rojiblancos the favorites to sign the 27-year-old.

The club has a good record of signing Argentinian international players. Diego Simeone is also in attendance. Therefore, should Cristian Romero leave Tottenham in the summer it is difficult to see Serie A as a possible destination.

💣Mauricio Pochettino The manager misses English football

➡️ Says Tottenham tried to bring him back from PSG
💬 “I love the country, its culture, the football culture”
💬 “For any competitor…this is the ideal location”https://t.co/HmPyXI6FOF #thfc #joyce

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 24 March 2026

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not lacking in depth as they defend their title this season. Nevertheless, general manager Sam Presti managed to add another impact bench piece in Jared McCann at the trade deadline.

Stepping into a reserve role following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, McCann has made an immediate impact. The 22-year-old had his best performance of the season during Wednesday’s 121-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets, scoring a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 from three.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said, “He’s definitely integrated well. He’s learning his teammates. He’s learning our system and the fundamentals that we emphasize.” “I thought in the first half, especially, he had some really good defensive possessions, which has been really encouraging. He’s done a really good job of committing to our fundamentals and the things we need to do on the defensive end of the field. Obviously, he’s a very powerful offensive player, but he gives up some size and needs to be really fundamental and powerful, and he’s done that, especially lately. So we’re happy with the progress he’s made there.” And he continues to be a fan favorite in the locker room just the way he approaches things since he was traded here.”

After a stellar rookie campaign, McCann struggled early this season with the 76ers while returning from a thumb injury to his shooting hand. Philadelphia sent him to the G League in January before dealing him to the Houston Rockets for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-round picks at the deadline.

Jared McCann is making an immediate impact in the Thunder’s rotation after trade

McCann has quickly found his groove in the Thunder’s battle-tested rotation. The former Duke star is averaging 11.9 points on .475/.444/.885 shooting splits in 18.8 minutes per game in 18 appearances with the team. Oklahoma City posted a 109.3 defensive rating during his minutes, which would rank second in the league for the entire season.

McCann credited the Thunder’s coaching staff for easing his transition after the surprise deadline deal.

McCann said, “When you first get traded, you don’t know anything about what’s going to happen, especially when you find out you’re being traded to a championship team. So I didn’t have high expectations for myself.” “Just coming in and trying to learn as much as possible, which is hard because you don’t know what’s going on. But once you go out there with these guys, they give me confidence. It’s really simple. The coaching staff helped me right away. Not giving me too much information, just letting me play, letting me play my game.

“They’re champions already, so it’s just being able to fit in somehow. I think Sam Presti did a great job knowing how I would fit in. But this offense is amazing. Being able to move the ball and play with shooters, playing with guys that are specialized in the pick and roll is huge. It makes it a lot easier to come in and fit in, especially with the way I play.”

The Thunder hold a three-game lead over the NBA’s top-seeded San Antonio Spurs with 12 games remaining. McCain will compete for playoff minutes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Ajay Mitchell in the backcourt rotation.

McCain said, “It’s great to be on a team that is the number one seed. It’s one thing to just have playoff hopes, and then it’s really cool to be the number one seed and try to defend it.” “Especially with them [defending] Champion. I’m just trying to come in and play every role I can to help make this team a champion again. “I’m really confident going to any game with these guys.”

There is no doubt that the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a different feel next season following the resignation of Mike Tomlin. But this is Mike McCarthy’s team now and there are more changes coming.

The Steelers have been selective in finding roster upgrades this offseason, even if it means getting creative by trading for proven players like Michael Pittman Jr. On defense, Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made upgrades to the secondary.

While the Steelers will certainly still add more in free agency, speculation is growing as to what the Steelers’ potential plans are with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could they target the future defensive leader?

Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline believes Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen could be a “surprise” pick in Pittsburgh. Georgia’s Pro Day had just taken place, and Allen reportedly “looked good” in positional drills.

“Linebacker C.J. Allen looked good in position drills. He was comfortable and covered a lot of area on the field. Allen is unlikely to fall out of the first round, and his range is expected to be anywhere between 15 and 32 picks. The Tampa Bay Bucs love linebackers, and he is a perfect fit for their system. The Pittsburgh Steelers could surprise Allen with the 21st pick.”

Allen is widely projected to land, as Pauline said, somewhere between the middle and end of the first round. After a positive workout at his pro day, Allen may have solidified his spot in the first round. Whether the Steelers want to pair him with Patrick Queen under center remains to be seen, but he could be a good fit.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame legend urges team to release Aaron Rodgers

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

The New England Patriots have made a surprise move in NFL free agency. New England is signing free-agent safety Kevin Byard to a one-year, $9 million contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Byrd was the 2025 NFL interception leader with seven takeaways. Six players tied for second with five interceptions.

The 2025 All-Pro safety spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears; However, he spent six years with the Tennessee Titans, playing under Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Byard had the best campaign by an NFL safety during the 2025-26 season, even though he is 32 years old.

New England left a hole in their secondary with Jaylin Hawkins entering free agency. Rather than re-sign Hawkins, the Patriots will pair Byrd with Craig Woodson for the upcoming season. Barring any injuries or other moves, New England’s secondary is set. Woodson and Byrd will start at safety, while Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones will man the cornerback positions.

Byard leads the NFL with 36 interceptions since being drafted in 2016. The 32-year-old safety is a big-time impact player who should help lead the defense with his experience. Byrd’s reliability is top-notch, having never missed a game due to injuries in his 10-year NFL career.

The former Bear joins linebacker Dre’Mont Jones as New England’s key additions on the defensive side of the football. The Patriots have also agreed to terms with wide receiver Romeo Doubs, left guard Elijah Vera-Tucker, fullback Reggie Gilliam and linebacker KJ Britt.

New England looks to add new players to its football team as the pursuit of Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown continues after signing Dobbs. The Patriots will have a tough schedule next season; However, the team is much improving and the addition of Byrd to the secondary makes the defense even more dangerous.

READ MORE: NFL Insider gives major update on AJ Brown, New England Patriots trade rumors

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

FC Porto winger Oscar Pietuszewski has been tipped with a move to Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City in the future.. A Polish football legend suggests the teenager has the talent to reach the Premier League giants.

Speaking about the 17-year-old, former Poland international and former Polish FA president Zbigniew Boniek said he would not be surprised to see Pietuszewski playing for one of those English clubs one day.

Just yesterday, We covered reports from the Portuguese press Linking him with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. So, Bonniek’s words are timely.

The comments come as the young winger’s profile continues to rise in Portugal. Pietuszewski has impressed since joining Porto in the winter window. Furthermore, his performances have already sparked discussion in Poland about a possible senior national team call-up.

Stop first call-up

Boniuk, who previously starred for Juventus and Roma, made it clear that he did not want to interfere in Poland manager Jan Urban’s decisions.

Nevertheless, he openly praised the Porto player and questioned the idea that talented youngsters should always wait before stepping into bigger roles.

“I am not the one who will select the players for January,” Bonniek said, referring to the national team manager. “I want to thank him because he called me on my birthday. We talked about the team, the players, Pietuszewski. But this is a matter between Jan and me, so to speak.”

“I wouldn’t be the next person to tell the manager who he should call and who he shouldn’t. However, I want to say something interesting: If someone is good, he’s good.”

Bonniek also rejected the common belief that young players should always be given a long time to mature before being trusted at the highest level.

“There is a general opinion among us, which is sometimes unfortunately developed by journalists, that a player needs time, needs to mature, needs to adapt to a different style of training and play,” He said.

Mention of Premier League legends

Bonniek went further, discussing Pietuszewski’s long-term potential. He suggested that the winger has the potential to reach some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

“His muscle structure, his looks, the way he moves and his trajectory all position him to have a really huge career,” said the former Poland star.

“I don’t want to spoil it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Pietuszewski went to Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

These comments add another layer to Porto’s growing interest in the young player. In recent weeks, reports from Portugal have already linked the winger with Premier League interest. This follows his strong start to life at the club.

rapid growth in portugal

Pietuszewski arrived at Porto in the winter transfer window from Jagiellonia on a deal worth €8m (£6.9m), with an additional €2m (£1.7m) in bonuses.

Despite his age, he has quickly earned opportunities in the first team. The winger has been used regularly in recent matches and has produced a number of attractive performances.

His development has also helped Porto cope with Samu’s absence in attack. The teenager has stepped into a more prominent role during recent league fixtures.

For now, Porto sees the Polish talent as a long-term project with immense potential. However, with figures such as Boniuk already predicting a move to clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City, the spotlight around Pietuszewski is likely to increase.

Michael Porter Jr. is getting the night off during an important tank matchup following the Brooklyn Nets’ unexpected win over the Detroit Pistons. Porter was ruled out of Monday’s game with the Memphis Grizzlies for rest.

The night of rest comes after the Nets lost in a tightly contested tank race following a 23-point comeback in the second half against the Pistons on Saturday. Porter scored a game-high 30 points with 13 rebounds in the impressive win. He played 39 minutes, his most in any game this season.

The win, which snapped a 10-game losing streak, moved the Nets into a tie with the Washington Wizards for third place in the draft lottery standings. They are 1.5 games behind the second-place Indiana Pacers and two games behind the first-place Sacramento Kings.

Can the Nets pick up their second straight win on Monday against the depleted Grizzlies?

Even with Porter and Egor Demin sidelined, the Nets will have a good chance to pick up their second straight win on Monday. The Grizzlies’ eight highest-paid players are on the injury report along with other players.

Memphis will be without Ja Morant, Zach Eddy, Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke and Taj Gibson on Monday. Meanwhile, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Taylor Hendricks are questionable.

If all of the above names are ruled out, the Grizzlies will have only eight available players against the Nets: Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Javon Small, Ryan Rupert and Jahmai Meshach. All of those players are on rookie contracts, minimum or two-way deals. There is no center among the group.

Meanwhile, both of Brooklyn’s centers, Nick Claxton and De’Ron Sharp, are available.

The Chicago Bulls face a tough challenge against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday in their first of a five-game road trip. How could they win without Matas Buzzellis and Josh Giddy in the lineup due to ankle sprains?

Well, they put on their shoes and got the job done. The Bulls won 105–103. Overall, they won by taking advantage of each other’s strengths. As a result, everyone stepped forward and played a role.

Later, Colin Sexton pointed to the strategy without Bouzelis and Giddy.

“This game meant a lot because we knew we had to be the first one to throw a punch and be the more physical team,” Sexton said.

“We all had the mentality of being the next man up. Josh and Matus, they were out. So we had to be ready. We had big shoes to fill and everyone had to step up.”

Additionally, he noted some of the actions of his teammates that led to the Bulls victory. Overall, Sexton credited Nick Richards, Isaac Okoro, Yuki Kawamura, Leonard Miller, Trey Jones and Gershon Yabusele.

“Nick played really well,” Sexton said. “Isaac played really good defense. Yuki came in and gave us big minutes. Leonard came in. Trey, he had a big-time play. Yabu had big threes. Everybody had a part in this win, and everybody was ready when their name was called.”

Talk to them, Young Bull 🐂 https://t.co/RVQLQRIpoz pic.twitter.com/yAvbeC7gTo

– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) 6 March 2026

Sexton finished with a game-high 30 points and five assists. In the end, the Bulls won their second match out of the last three. This February is coming without a win.

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to take on the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in what should be a competitive matchup between the two Western Conference teams. It’s also Luka Doncic’s birthday, and he’s preparing to continue his birthday streak.

During Doncic’s eight-year career, Saturday’s game will mark the sixth time he has played on his birthday. The now 27-year-old guard has recorded 30 or more points in the last three games played on his birthday. He scored 39 points in 2023, 30 points in 2024 and 31 points in 2025.

birthday luca 🤝 luca magic

Dončić on this day in the last 3 years:
▪️ 39 PTS (2023)
▪️ 30 PTS (2024)
▪️ 31 PTS (2025)

What does he have in store for his 27th night in the Bay today? 👀

Red/GSW | 8:30pm ET on ABC pic.twitter.com/igXpLif6hs

– NBA (@NBA) 28 February 2026

Luka Doncic should have a great chance to score at least 30 points against the Warriors. Especially considering he’s averaging a league-high 32.7 points per game. This is the third time in his career so far that he is averaging more than 30 points per game. The six-time All-Star is averaging 7.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.4 steals per contest, while shooting 47.0% from the floor and 35.7% from beyond the three-point line.

They will also have a chance to break the Lakers’ three-game losing streak. It’s been a tough stretch for Los Angeles lately, as the last two losses have been by three points or less. The Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns both beat LA thanks to some clutch shots and leads in the final seconds of those games.

The Lakers and Warriors are set to tip off at 8:30 PM EST. It will be in Golden State, making it the second consecutive road game for Luka Doncic and the Lakers.

On Saturday night, WWE makes its final stop on the road to WrestleMania 42 with the 2026 edition of Elimination Chamber. This year’s event, of course, includes men’s and women’s Chamber matches to pit opponents for WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at April’s mega-event.

However, Becky Lynch will also put her Intercontinental belt on the line against her arch rival AJ Lee and CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Title against Finn Balor. There will definitely be a surprise or two in the company’s latest premium live event. With that in mind, we offer five predictions for potential surprises in the Elimination Chamber.

Dominic Mysterio defeated Finn Balor and CM Punk

Trouble has been going on inside Judgment Day for months. However, despite the ups and downs and injuries the group has remained united. However, it looks like a break is on the way and it is likely that Baylor will be out.

He is certain to lose his title rematch with Punk on Saturday. But will he lose clean for the second time in a row? It wouldn’t do the Irishman any favors if the company wanted to change his status and set up a special match at WrestleMania. Don’t be surprised if it costs his brother, Dom Mysterio, their match this weekend at Judgment Day, and it may not be due to an “accident.”

Raquel Rodriguez won the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match

Talking about Judgment Day, the bond between Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez was broken at the Royal Rumble when Liv Morgan eliminated the latter. Hopefully WWE will delve deeper into those issues and create a big controversy at Judgment Day on the road to WrestleMania.

Rodriguez is not a favorite to win the Women’s Chamber match on Saturday. But if he did, it would be interesting to have two members of the faction competing for championship gold at ‘Mania. Especially if one wins and the other doesn’t. Furthermore, Rodriguez deserves a major match at this event after some very good work over the past six months

LA Knight won the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match

Heading into Elimination Chamber 2026, reports suggest that Cody Rhodes will win the Men’s Chamber match. However, WWE fans don’t seem thrilled with the months-long feud between Rhodes and McIntyre continuing into April. And lower-than-expected ticket sales for WrestleMania may confirm that opinion. This match needs an unexpected winner.

This is why WWE could go in a completely unexpected direction and make fans happy by giving LA Knight a win in the Men’s Chamber match. This would add new excitement to ‘Mania and give Knight the push many fans have been wanting for the last year. It also allows the company to take Rhodes on unexpected paths to events.

Danhausen is Inside the Elimination Chamber Mystery Box

An outside-the-ring incident at Elimination Chamber reveals what is in the mystery box that cannot be opened until Saturday night. There has been much speculation about what or who might be inside, including a returning Chris Jericho.

However, reports claiming that “Y2J” is still under AEW contract make this unlikely. That’s why a different AEW alum may emerge, and that would be the very good and very bad guy known as Danhausen. Given that something has been inside the box for two weeks, it makes more sense for it to have a strange supernatural character. Not a living, breathing person.

AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Title

Since AJ Lee has been getting the better of Becky Lynch in their months-long rivalry, most expect the champion to successfully defend her title on Saturday night. However, we think the company is going in a different direction.

With Elimination Chamber taking place in Lee’s hometown of Chicago, it is more likely that he will get the win. A rematch would then be arranged at WrestleMania, where Lynch would seek revenge in the final match of their feud.

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

Marvin Bagley’s idea came up in the discourse surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ trade return for Anthony Davis. However, the former No. 2 pick has impressed the Mavericks during his first game since the blockbuster deal.

Bagley had his most efficient performance of the season during Tuesday’s 123-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-10 big man posted a team-high 22 points and five rebounds on 10 of 13 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.

Jason Kidd said of Bagley’s performance, “He’s a really good player.” Talking to him revealed that he has grown up and understands the NBA game a little. Sometimes it takes time. We all want it to happen overnight. But I think the coaching staff, the media, everybody that’s been on this road trip with him has made him comfortable, and you can see how he’s playing. If it’s not in the post, it’s an offensive rebound, and then playing defense for us. So everyone’s confidence is high, and he’s brand new, and it just shows how talented he is.”

Bagley has not been able to find a home in the NBA since being selected No. 2 by the Sacramento Kings in 2018, ahead of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young.

Mavericks’ Bagley makes headlines during first game with Mavs after Anthony Davis trade

The former Duke star changed teams six times during his eight-year NBA career. After spending his first three seasons with the Kings, he saw stints with the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards before landing in Dallas at this year’s trade deadline.

While Bagley has had a disappointing career, he is making the most of his new opportunity with the rebuilding Mavericks. With Derek Lively sidelined, the 26-year-old is averaging 13.0 points and 8.2 rebounds on 64.3 percent shooting in five appearances with the team.

“Just keep building,” Bagley said of his mindset after Tuesday’s win. “It’s just continuing to learn each other, at least for me and the new guys. Just continuing to gel with the guys that are here, learning the system, and just doing my best every day and giving it my all. That’s my mentality, and it seems like everyone else here has the same mentality. I love being a part of it, and I’m glad I have teammates like that.”

Bagley’s minimum contract is expiring and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Javi Gracia could return to work immediately after leaving Watford, with Mallorca preparing a deal for him.

This is according to the football of Majorca. The Spanish outlet reports that Garcia has emerged as a ‘surprise candidate’ for the Mallorca job.

Mallorca are looking for their next manager after sacking Jagoba Arrasate on Monday. He is currently 18 years old^th in La Liga after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Celta Viga. This was their third consecutive defeat, leaving them one point short of a safe place.

The search is already underway but now ‘everything is pointing towards Garcia’. He is currently a free agent after resigning as Watford head coach on 1 February^{scheduled tribe}.

How Watford’s exit throws away Spanish opportunity

Gracia was at Vicarage Road for only four months after starting his second stint at the club. Reports indicate that amid frustration over the lack of activity in the January transfer window, he felt he no longer had the motivation for the job.

It is unclear whether this will be a factor if Mallorca make a move for him. But he has a relationship with his sporting director Pablo Ortales. The pair know each other well from their time at Villarreal.

This seems to be opening the door to a reunion in Mallorca. Futbol Desde Mallorca report that the 55-year-old is intent on leaving at the moment.

However, they say the move is not concrete and things are subject to change. The former Watford coach is currently the frontrunner.

Mallorca will be the seventh Spanish team

If Garcia makes the move, it would be the seventh Spanish team he has ever been in charge of.

He began his career at Villarreal, before moving to Pontevedra, Cadiz, Almería, Osasuna, Málaga and Valencia.

This has seen them enjoy varying levels of success, particularly in La Liga. It now seems that Mallorca have set their sights on him to keep them at the Spanish top flight.

After Watford, some Spanish island sun can be quite tempting.

The Orlando Magic (30-26) once again listed Jalen Suggs as questionable ahead of their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers (34-22), but the nature of his injury designation changed into a development that could impact his availability.

According to the team’s latest injury report, Suggs’ condition changed from back spasm to a back strain. While the guard remains questionable, the updated diagnosis represents a more defined injury classification as Orlando prepares to kick off its four-game road trip following the All-Star break.

Suggs has missed the Magic’s last two games due to being ruled out shortly before tip-off in each contest. Orlando pushed the Phoenix Suns to double overtime without him before responding with a narrow 111–109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The team has managed to hang on during his absence, but his two-way presence remains a key component of the rotation.

The 24-year-old guard has averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 assists, four rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game in 34 appearances this season. Suggs, a former All-Defensive Second Team selection, is shooting 44.2% from the field and 32.8% from 3-point range, while logging 26.5 minutes per contest.

Jalen Suggs injury update adds uncertainty to Magic-Lakers showdown

The designation of a back strain typically indicates a more structured recovery timeline than a strain, although the Magic have not provided additional details regarding severity. The team continues to evaluate Suggs on a game-to-game basis, and his availability against the Lakers will likely depend on pregame warmups.

Orlando enters Tuesday’s contest looking to carry over the momentum gained from its win over the Clippers. The matchup marks the final stop of the Magic’s four-game Western Conference swing before returning home.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers improved to 34-22 and remain firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture. With both teams dealing with injuries late in the season, roster availability could play a significant role in determining the outcome.

As for the Orlando Magic, the update to Jalen Suggs’ injury designation does not change his official status. However, a change in tension from the Cramps adds further uncertainty as the team attempts to finish their road trip on a strong note.

River Plate’s loan deal for Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez includes a ‘surprise clause’ in the Argentine side’s favour.

This is according to El Intransigente, Who today relayed information regarding the deal to journalist Renzo Pentich.

Páez joined the Argentine giants on loan from Chelsea at the end of the January transfer window. The club hopes the 18-year-old will stay until next summer.

He was at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg after coming to Europe last summer. The Blues had previously signed him up as a youth player but had to wait to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Strasbourg struggles

However, he struggled in France, with only one assist in 21 games and 718 minutes of action. Chelsea then changed tactics and brought him back before sending him to River Plate. Sport Witness covered the action late in the window.

Now Pantich has come back with a little more information on the deal. He explained that the agreement with Chelsea included a ‘surprise clause’ in favor of River Plate.

According to his knowledge, while the loan does not include an option to buy, it does include a clause preventing Chelsea from being given ‘free rein’ to bring him back whenever they want.

“Kendri Paez’s buy-back option is only activated if he does not play 50% of the matches for River Plate,” he said.

Chelsea will have to wait

El Intransigente says this means Páez will remain at River until December if he plays the minimum required minutes. This is an ‘important’ factor for the club and their plans for the second half of the year.

Manager Marcelo Gallardo has already started using him. Far from stopping him, he is giving him time to play. His intention is clear; Gaining rhythm, adapting and becoming a valuable asset to the youth.

That knowledge further helps the plan, as Chelsea cannot drag him back to Stamford Bridge whenever they want.