標籤: surprised

armory Atletico Madrid are among the clubs pursuing Julian Alvarez ahead of the summer.

Over the past few weeks, the Spanish and French media regularly covered Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain as contenders for the striker.

On 13 April, Game Witness Covered claims from France Arsenal made an offer for the 26-year-old, without mentioning details.

A week later, we news broadcast from spain That Mikel Arteta’s team and PSG are tempting him. However, the Argentina international would love to move to Barcelona after this season.

The Gunners may keep a close eye on him in the Champions League semi-final against Los Rojiblancos. The first leg will take place in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

There were doubts over the participation of the World Cup winners. However, this is no longer the case and he Will be available to face Arsenal.

Simeone responds to Arsenal link

Atletico manager Diego Simeone and Koke spoke at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of tomorrow’s clash. El Chiringuito took xFormerly known as Twitter, to broadcast the coach’s comments.

Asked about claims of interest from Premier League sides, Simeone has also talked about PSG and Barcelona.

“It is normal that a player like Julian is wanted by Arsenal, PSG and Barça,” He said.

In short, the north London club wants to sign a player of Julian Alvarez’s level, which does not surprise Simeone. The Gunners or any other club will have to spend big to secure this impressive signing in the next window.

Contracts, prices, statistics and agent information

Julian Alvarez has enjoyed regular minutes and impressed for the La Liga team since joining from Manchester City in August 2024.

To put this into context, he scored 48 goals and provided 17 assists in 102 appearances for Atlético Madrid. This includes 19 goals and nine assists in 47 matches this season.

His La Liga statistics this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Start: 22
• Total minutes: 1,902
• Minutes per game: 66
• Target: 8
• Assist: 4

With the contract expiring in 2030, transfer market He is worth €90m and agent Fernando Hidalgo represents the attacker.

Famalicão defender Ibrahima Ba’s agent Aliouane Seck has responded to transfer interest from other clubs including Aston Villa.

The centre-back joined the Portuguese club on a permanent move in July 2024 and spent his first season with their reserve team. Therefore, he had to wait until the end of that season to make his first-team debut.

Ba has been with the Famalicão’s first team this season and his form has attracted the attention of Aston Villa and others.

The Senegalese has made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Primeira Liga side this season.

His per game statistics in the league are as follows:

• Interception: 1.6
• Tackle: 1.0
• Recovered balls: 3.4
• Dribbled past: 0.06
• Clearance: 4.3
• Blocked Shots: 0.8
• Duel won: 3.9
• Errors in reaching target: 0

Earlier this week, Sport Witness broadcast news Unai Emery’s side and Stade Rennais have both expressed interest in the defender. The same source said FC Porto, Sporting, SC Braga, Benfica and Vitória Guimarães are also interested.

Two days earlier, the Portuguese club rewarded him with a new contract until 2030.

Agent on renewal and future plans

Africa Foot spoke with Ibrahima Ba’s agent Aliyoun Seck to discuss his latest renewal and other topics.

Asked what convinced Ba to sign an extension with Famalicão, he said: “Ibrahima Ba’s contract extension is primarily motivated by a desire for stability and progress. Famalicão offers him an ideal environment to continue developing, with a clear sporting project and real trust of the staff. Ibrahima feels at home here. He gets playing time and responsibilities, which is necessary at this stage of his career.

The outlet reports that Benfica Lisbon, Sporting CP, FC Porto, Vitoria Guimaraes, Aston Villa and Stade Rennais are all ready to sign the 20-year-old.

The agent is not surprised that these clubs are showing interest and will not close the door on a summer exit.

“It’s normal that a player attracts the attention of big clubs with his ability and performances. This shows that he is on the right track. Of course, we are keeping a close eye on the market, but there is no rush. He will finish the season and we will see what happens after that.” Sec explained.

This makes it quite clear that they are almost expecting a transfer in the summer window, or at least making serious efforts towards it.

Our View: Aston Villa Sports Project Key

Despite the renewal, the Premier League team can still snatch Ibrahima Ba from Famalicão in the summer.

To do this, Aston Villa must propose a solid project where the defender can progress and continue his development under Unai Emery.

The manager now has Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres as his four centre-backs at Villa Park. However, the Villans are unlikely to make a move for Ba unless one of the current centre-backs leaves after this season.

🇸🇪Lucas Bergvall | Sweden’s big claim

📰 Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported today that Aston Villa and Chelsea were willing to pay £40million in January.
➡️Tottenham are likely to be contacted again…especially if relegatedhttps://t.co/afpNRuChnV #avfc #cfc #thfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026

Count De’Aaron Fox among those who are surprised by the fact that the San Antonio Spurs are in second place in the Western Conference standings and have already secured home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Well, sort of.

“I saw the potential in it. I don’t know if I’d say I thought it would happen so quickly,” the Spurs star admitted when his team clinched a postseason berth.

Fox quickly added a warning, however.

“I was out the first eight games. Then we won five games in a row. I said, ‘We could be really good.’ I got back in the lineup and obviously that momentum continued.

That 5–0 start was the first in the history of the prestigious Spurs franchise. Thanks to several impressive wins, including three big wins against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that started the season 24–1, San Antonio finished 2025 at 24–9. They have won 23 0f 25 games between 11–0 February and the end of March, virtually guaranteeing the franchise the second seed in the West. at the very least.

Fox added, “Throughout the season, when we’re playing good teams or when we’re playing bad teams, I feel like we always give ourselves a chance to win, even when we’re not playing well because of what we’re able to do defensively.” “And obviously, a lot of it has to do with Vic [Victor Wembanyama]. And that’s why we have so much confidence in ourselves, because we have a lot of guys that can put the ball in the basket. And even when we’re not making shots – and it’s not every day that nobody on our team is making shots – we give ourselves a chance to win because of the way we defend.

“I saw the potential. I don’t know if I would say I thought it would happen so quickly…
I was out the first eight games…we won five games in a row, I thought, ‘We could be really good.'”

-De’Aaron Fox on #spurs19-2 in last 21, Superior Tax Service reports https://t.co/riXwx24cXf pic.twitter.com/SsRUOvGg1k

– Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) 19 March 2026

De’Aaron Fox talks about Spurs’ unselfishness

A career scorer of 21.2 points per game, who has averaged at least 25 in three recent seasons, Fox is averaging 18.9 points per contest in his first full year in the Alamo City. A big reason is that he’s okay with that dip?

“We have guys that can put the ball in the basket by themselves, but we enjoy playing together,” the 29-year-old guard shared. “We enjoy seeing each other succeed.”

Fox shares the Spurs backcourt with reigning Rookie of the Year Stephen Cassel, 2026 second overall draft pick Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell, who scored 19.5 points per night as Wembanyama’s sidekick in Fox’s rookie year.

“It makes it a lot easier to share the ball, because, obviously, Vic might be different, I might be different. Steph, Dylan, we have a group of guys that can just go out there and get it, but we don’t play that way,” Fox said. “And we know that during the game, there are times when we just have to be able to go out and get buckets. But, we continue to move the ball and, like I said, just try to make our offense that’s already good, try to make it easier for ourselves. Being able to move the ball makes that happen.”

Following the Boston Celtics’ 119-109 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs are just two losses behind the defending NBA champions. San Antonio has nine games remaining in the regular season and a tie-breaker against OKC.

While fans have seen Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCann play some great basketball in his second season, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse isn’t surprised by it. To most NBA fans, the somewhat crowded backcourt resulted in McCann’s departure, leading 76ers fans to question Nurse’s approach amid a difficult season.

McCain working his way back from two injuries slowly gaining momentum With the 76ers before his trade to the Thunder, Nurse explained, according to PHLY Sixers.

The nurse said, “Coming up on 7-for-11 night. He was still dragging the knee brace around for a long time and recovering from an arm injury. I think he was affected by it physically for a long time, but I thought he was coming out of it.” “I was hoping he would start getting back to his big, crazy nights where he can really step up and score a lot.”

With a season-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep, McCann helped lead the Thunder to a 121–92 victory against the Brooklyn Nets before the defending champions extended their winning streak to 11. The Thunder defeated the Washington Wizards 132-111 on Saturday.

McCann has shot a combined 14-30 from beyond the 3-point arc in his last four contests, hitting four threes en route to 18 points in the Thunder’s win against the Wizards.

Jared McCann on the 76ers’ approach versus the Thunder

Following the recent second-year guard’s election offense, fans questioned 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey over Jared McCann’s trade to the Thunder. One of the few similarities McCann mentioned about the Thunder is how 76ers head coach Nick Nurse uses Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to guide his offense.

For McCain, he sees equal two-man game According to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, he said, between himself and Thunder All-Stars Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.

“It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, Joel used to do this with Tyrese, and I was like, ‘Dang, it’s really cool out there,'” McCain said. “So it’s really fun to be able to be a part of it. Playing with Hart, J-Will and Chet, they’re all elite legends. I’m excited to play with them.”

Jared McCain asked if he had played with a big man who could make the screening a major play, like Isaiah Hartenstein:

“It’s crazy. When I was in Philly, I used to do this with Joel Tyrese and I was like ‘Dang, it’s really cool there.’ So to be able to be a part of it… pic.twitter.com/vTsyiC1P4u

– Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) 17 March 2026

The 76ers will try to snap the Thunder’s 11-game winning streak on Monday.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat are attempting to reach the playoffs in a tight Eastern Conference standings, with the first game of the season’s final 13 at home against the Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James. With the Heat facing tough games ahead, head coach Erik Spoelstra explained how James is standing the test of time.

James is 41 years old, in his 23rd season in the NBA, and it’s barely noticeable that he’s lost a step, adding another level to his already legendary status as one of the top players in NBA history. In addition to demonstrating that James was a key part in bringing two championships to Miami along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh during the “Big 3” era.

Spoelstra was apparently the head coach of those teams, as he described how James was “giving Father Time hell.” In addition to watching closely from his time in Miami, Spoestra also watched as Team USA’s assistant coach as James and Co. earned a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“You just have to have total respect for his level of competitiveness,” Spoelstra said before the Heat played the Lakers on Thursday night. “You know, he’s not only competing against the entire league, but he’s competing against Father Time, and he’s giving Father Time hell, he really is. And you have to respect that.”

“This doesn’t happen by accident,” Spoelstra continued. “I obviously saw a lot of his habits 14 years ago, but then at the USA weeks, you could see how dedicated he was to all the different things, shooting, player development, but also lifting and mobility and everything to keep his body right. It was impressive. He’s doing a lot of impressive things.”

Erik Spoelstra on LeBron James: #HeatNation

“He’s competing against Father Time and he’s making Father Time hell…” pic.twitter.com/4zxIixr6PP

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 19 March 2026

LeBron James warming up before tonight’s game against the Heat: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/WN642MMDsd

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 19, 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra says LeBron James could play another decade

This is not the first time that the Heat’s head coach in Spoelstra has praised James, it is a common occurrence every time the star has returned to Miami to take on his former team. Even if the sports world wonders when James will retire, Spoelstra believes he can play basketball for the next “decade” if he wants to.

“Size, strength and IQ. What he can do with his body and the way he takes care of himself,” Spoelstra said on December 4, 2024. United, but at this size, and if he wants to slow the game down and just play, you know, away from his brain and IQ, he can do that for another decade, I doubt he’ll find the interest in it, but he can.

Talking more about Erik Spoelstra and more about LeBron James and how he still excels at this age. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/jJ1OUGRaas

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4th December 2024

At any rate, who knows if Thursday night at the Cascade Center will be the last time James plays in Miami, but it can’t be denied that fans will remember the superstar who led the team to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011-2014. Additionally, Spoelstra is trying to defeat James, the Lakers and any other team that stands in the way of the Heat as they sit 38-31, seventh in the East, entering Thursday’s game against Los Angeles.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins has admitted that reports linking him to Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City have taken him by surprise.

BILD has the 22-year-old’s comments today. He discusses being surprised to read reports about the Premier League’s interest in him.

Collins has been earning fans from England this season thanks to his performances for Frankfurt so far. He has impressed under new coach Albert Riera, who has made him a regular starter again.

This has led to speculation of a major money transfer this summer. The report credits Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City with interest.

Agent should be changed before summer

In fact, Sport Witness covered a report last week Which suggested that Nnamdi Collins’ recent change of agent could make his move to Anfield easier.

Collins, like everyone else, has been keeping up to date with the rumors. But it seems he is surprised by his sudden appearance.

“Everything I’ve read about it on the internet is new to me,” He said.

“That’s why I’m quite surprised by some of it. But it’s football, we all know its business. There are rumors here and there, but I’m very happy to be here at Eintracht.”

liverpool makes sense

Of those three contenders named, Liverpool is undoubtedly the one that makes the most sense given the crisis they have faced in central defense this season.

With Ibrahima Konate still on his way out this summer, the Reds will need to bring in a replacement.

Of course they have already signed Jeremy Jacquet, but his shoulder injury and subsequent surgery has already put their pre-season in doubt.Tea.

Joe Gomez cannot provide a reliable long-term option Same with Virgil van Dijk. As a result, Collins was rated €15m transfer market-Can be a smart choice.

The fact that Liverpool have recently scouted him may indicate that they feel the same way.

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have finally calmed down. After a spectacular 11-game winning streak, the Spurs faltered on Sunday as their run came to a halt with a 114-89 loss to Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Losses have become rare for the Spurs in Wembanyama’s third season in the NBA, but Sunday’s setback wasn’t an eye-opener for San Antonio’s franchise player. However, he was still surprised by how it went down.

“They’re a good basketball team, but they’re not the worst team,” Wembanyama told reporters after the game.

“They’re not an ugly team to look at, but they’ve made our game ugly.”

The Spurs shot poorly against New York, making only 42 percent of their attempts from the floor. New York was also not efficient on their shots, as the Knicks shot only 44 percent from the field, but they had 20 more attempts than San Antonio, committing 22 turnovers compared to only 14 by New York.

Wembanyama finished the Knicks game with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting, 13 boards and four blocks in 34 minutes, but he had seven turnovers, making it difficult for San Antonio to overcome New York.

Meanwhile, the Knicks got 25 points from Bridges and 24 points from Jalen Brunson.

Despite the loss, the Spurs are still in great shape and will carry a 43-17 record heading into the final stop of their five-game road trip on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

John Heitinga was expected to get the Tottenham Hotspur job on an interim basis following the dismissal of Thomas Frank.

This is according to journalist Valentin Driessen, Via Football News. He explained that Igor Tudor’s appointment took him by surprise.

Heitinga left his role as Tottenham assistant manager on 16 February.^thJust 33 days after joining the club. Tottenham brought him in to support Thomas Frank as the pressure on him increased.

He previously worked as assistant manager at West Ham and Liverpool, the last season they won the title.

short tottenham spell

The hope was that he could help turn things around at Tottenham with his expertise. Instead, Spurs remained without a win in five Premier League games during his time on the touchline.

Despite this, according to Driessen, he was expected to take the job on an interim basis when Frank was eventually dismissed. Instead, he turned to Tudor and went to Dutchman.

He said, “If you read the statement: He could have stayed, and certainly he would have still been there.”

“That manager had been fired last week, and John could have stayed, but he was expected to be interim manager for the rest of the season. Then he heard Igor Tudor was coming.

“Then they sat down together, and he thought: ‘I don’t see any future here, because next season there will be a completely new staff and a new manager. He will bring his own people with him.’

“And he probably didn’t want to work under that Tudor, after which he said: ‘I’m closing the door behind me.'”

What does tottenham follow?

The question now is what’s next for Heitinga. A return to Liverpool could make sense, but with Arne Slott now in his place is Giovani Van Bronckhorst.

On the other side of Merseyside there’s always David Moyes. He originally brought him to West Ham as his assistant and also worked with him as a player. However, his team in Hill Dickinson looks ready.

Or perhaps there is a bigger job somewhere to allow the 42-year-old to finally establish himself.