Blog

  • The summer transfer window reopens for business, with many deals still to be concluded by Premier League clubs | Football News

    The summer transfer window reopens for business, with many deals still to be concluded by Premier League clubs | Football News

    The second part of the summer transfer window has reopened again – and there is still more business to be done before it closes on September 1.

    Few knew what to expect from the special window brought in ahead of the Club World Cup – but it delivered 10 days of transfer drama and has now set the tone for what promises to be a fascinating summer.

    Manchester City were the big spenders after doing their business early by bringing in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli – taking their outlay to £116.2m.

    Despite three of City’s signings being announced on the first window’s Deadline Day, it was Chelsea, the other Premier League team at the Club World Cup, that were centre of attention once again as they chased potential late deals for Jamie Gittens and Mike Maignan.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Sky Sports’ James Savundra explains why Chelsea’s moves for Jamie Gittens and Mike Maignan failed

    Chelsea ended their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Maignan and ran out of time to conclude a deal for Dortmund forward Gittens.

    Chelsea were happy to wait as they do not want to overpay for Gittens and plan to revisit the deal further down the line. Gittens, who wants to move to Chelsea, appeared frustrated as he left Dortmund’s training ground as Deadline Day drew to a close.

    Dortmund were able to get an incoming deal over the line ahead of the tournament as they signed Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland in a club-record sale for the newly promoted Premier League club, who are receiving an initial £27.8m for the 19-year-old.

    Other deals were announced in between windows, with Mathys Tel completing a £30m permanent move to Spurs and Leeds signing Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg on an initial two-year deal.

    First summer window in numbers

    Sky Sports Data Editor Adam Smith:

    Premier League clubs splashed nearly £500m after only 10 days of the first summer window, which is already close to half the amount spent during the entire 2021/22 summer window.

    City were the most spendthrift club as Pep Guardiola’s side looked to rebuild after a disappointing campaign, having spent a table-topping £116.3m so far.

    At the other end of the scale, Wolves are nearly £100m in profit after selling star players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait Nouri.

    Burnley and Chelsea lead the way for total incomings, with both sides signing four players on permanent deals. Only seven sides have yet to secure a signing.

    Arsenal offloaded 17 players, while Wolves (13), Burnley and Spurs (both 10) also trimmed their squads considerably.

    Cunha’s £62.5m switch to United has been the most expensive deal in the window so far, followed by Tijjani Reijnders (£46.3m), Rayan Ait Nouri (£36m), Jean-Clair Todibo (£35m) and Rayan Cherki (£34m).

    In terms of outgoings, Bournemouth cashed in £50m from selling Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, while Sunderland sold Jobe Bellingham to Dortmund for £32m and City also sold Yan Couto to the Bundesliga club for £25m.

    Chelsea sign a striker – but Arsenal still searching for one

    Chelsea bolstered their frontline ahead of the Club World Cup with the £30m arrival of Liam Delap from Ipswich.

    The 22-year-old was one of three signings along with Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo, who have been recruited in time to play in the US. Estevao Willian will join from Palmeiras after the tournament – and he could face Chelsea there while turning out for the Brazilian side.

    Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko emerged as an option for Saudi Pro-League club Al Hilal as they scrambled to make a marquee signing in time for the Club World Cup, but the RB Leipzig striker’s preference to play for a top club in Europe amid talks with Arsenal appeared to stop Al Hilal from taking their interest any further on Deadline Day.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    European football expert Andy Brassell discusses whether Viktor Gyokeres is the answer for Manchester United and if Arsenal are chasing the wrong striker in Benjamin Sesko

    Sesko will be one of the names to watch for the rest of the summer, with Arsenal seemingly prioritising a move for the 22-year-old ahead of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres in their hunt for a striker. Adding a left winger is another priority, with Real’s Rodrygo among the list of targets. At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal are progressing with a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and are expected to trigger the Spaniard’s £5m release clause.

    Liverpool agree club-record signing, with more arrivals on the way

    The Gunners have taken a backseat in the early running of the window, though, with Premier League champions Liverpool now agreeing a British-record transfer fee of £116.5m to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen after the Germany playmaker turned down a move to Bayern Munich.

    The Reds have, though, lost key player Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real for £10m and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford in an £18m deal.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Watch Trent Alexander-Arnold stun former Real Madrid players and fans by speaking fluent Spanish at his unveiling at Real Madrid.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Trent Alexander-Arnold shares more on his move to Real Madrid from Liverpool and reveals how long he’d been learning Spanish!

    But Liverpool, who have goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joining from Valencia, have already signed a right-sided player following Alexander-Arnold’s exit, with the £29.5m arrival of Jeremie Frimpong.

    At left-back, Liverpool have made initial contact for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.

    Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Andy Robertson.

    Luis Diaz raised doubts about his future when he revealed he was in talks with other clubs while away with Colombia after the Merseyside club rejected an approach from Barcelona.

    Diaz is one of two targets Barca have for the forward position, along with United’s Marcus Rashford, whose future appears certain to be away from Old Trafford. Interest is expected in the 27-year-old, who will cost £40m this summer.

    Man Utd make most expensive signing so far

    United were unusually quick out of the blocks with their business after signing Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m – the most expensive signing of the summer so far.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Matheus Cunha explains why it is dream come true to sign for Manchester United.

    Ruben Amorim’s side are already eyeing their second summer signing with an approach for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo. The Bees have turned down their opening £55m bid, though talks are continuing and United are expected to return with an improved offer for the Cameroon forward, valued at more than £60m.

    However, Tottenham have now held initial discussions with Brentford about a deal for Mbeumo, who is more intrigued in a Spurs move now that Thomas Frank has been appointed head coach, although the player is still understood to be leaning towards United, who are expected to go back in with a fresh offer for the for the 25-year-old.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Henry Winter and Mark Ogden discuss whether Spurs could lure Bryan Mbeumo away from a move to Manchester United and whether the deal makes sense.

    Once that pursuit has concluded, the plan is to try and sign a striker. Gyokeres is one of their targets up front and approaches have been made for the Sporting frontman through intermediaries, although recent reports in Portugal claim the player would prefer a move to Arsenal.

    United have also entered the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike – who is also interesting Liverpool and Chelsea – according to Sky in Germany. However, it will likely take a few sales to facilitate any further signings after the potential arrival of Mbeumo.

    Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

    Take a look at all of Hugo Ekitike’s goals and assists from the 2024/25 season as Chelsea show interest in signing the French striker from Eintracht Frankfurt.

    Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony are among those who could go with plenty of interest anticipated. Rasmus Hojlund is a target for Inter Milan, but has said he expects to remain at United despite the club being linked to other strikers.

    United’s Europa League final conquerors, Tottenham, are yet to make a fresh addition to their squad having appointed Thomas Frank to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. But Spurs have stepped up their interest in Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, valued at £70m by the south-coast club.

    Expect things to really ramp up when the transfer window re-opens for business on Monday, before slamming shut on September 1 at 7pm.

    Fonte

  • Former Bills OT Stew Barber dies at 86

    Former Bills offensive tackle Stew Barber died June 11, the team announced Sunday. He was three days shy of his 87th birthday.

    Barber played on the Bills’ AFL title teams in 1964 and 1965 and was a five-time AFL all-star in his nine seasons.

    After earning All-America honors at Penn State as a two-way tackle, Barber was a fourth-round pick of the Bills in the 1961 AFL draft. The Cowboys selected him in the third round of the NFL draft.

    He signed with the Bills.

    Barber played outside linebacker as a rookie and intercepted three passes, with one returned for a touchdown. He moved to offensive tackle after the season, serving as Jack Kemp’s blindside protector.

    Barber was All-AFL first team in 1963 and 1964 and second team in 1966. He also was named to the second-team AFL All-Time Team.

    He missed only one game in his career, which ended after the 1969 season.

    After his playing career, Barber transitioned to college scouting serving in Buffalo’s personnel department. He rose through the ranks to assistant General Manager and vice president. Barber’s front office time with the Bills ended in 1983.

    Barber retired to South Carolina.



    Fonte

  • Christian Rasmussen’s car catches fire on pit lane exiting pit stop

    Christian Rasmussen’s car caught on fire after his pit stop on lap 51.

    Fonte

  • Turk denies England as Slovenia keep their slim Euro Under-21 hopes alive | European Under-21 Championship

    England Under-21s missed the chance to secure their place in the knockout stage of the European Championship after being held to a goalless draw by Slovenia. Lee Carsley’s side were frustrated in the first half against a Slovenia team who threatened at times, but Ethan Nwaneri and Harvey Elliott spurned golden opportunities. James Beadle, the England goalkeeper, played his part in keeping them level with decent saves to deny Svit Seslar.

    England will have to wait to secure their qualification against Germany, needing a draw to be sure when they meet in Nitra on Wednesday, while Slovenia kept their slim hopes of progressing alive. Germany beat the Czech Republic 4-2 in the later game, clinching qualification with two wins from two and eliminating their opponents.

    Carsley told Uefa.com: “It was a very tough game. We definitely didn’t underestimate Slovenia, who are a good, well-organised team. I definitely think we had enough chances to win, though, so the frustration is that we didn’t take those opportunities.

    “I expect us to be better against Germany. I think we’ll need to freshen the team up. It’s important to take into consideration their age and the amount they’ve played, so we’ll make sure we utilise the squad.”

    Slovenia started brightly and came close when Seslar’s whipped free-kick deflected inches wide of the target. Beadle was then called into action for the first time to stop Seslar’s drilled effort with his legs.

    England’s first chance came in the 20th minute. James McAtee, the captain, dragged his close-range effort harmlessly wide. England should have been ahead just before the half-hour when Jonathan Rowe showed great feet to get past his marker and put the ball on a plate for Nwaneri but, with the goal at his mercy, he somehow missed an easy tap-in.

    England will be back playing with a backdrop of Nitra’s castle on Wednesday when they face Germany. Photograph: Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters

    Slovenia started to threat again, with Seslar proving a menace as he let rip with a ferocious effort from outside the box which Beadle did well to tip over the crossbar. England again came close to an opener before the break, Elliot Anderson superbly picking out the run of Elliott. He lifted his effort over Martin Turk, the Slovenia goalkeeper, only to see the ball bounce off the upright and away from danger. Another glorious chance went begging when Tino Livramento hooked the ball into the six-yard area and McAtee directed a shot on goal but Turk was in the right place to save.

    Slovenia almost made England pay for those missed opportunities as another chance fell to Seslar, but he saw a curling strike saved by Beadle. The England keeper said: “There are no easy games in this tournament and Slovenia have real quality. If you can’t win the game don’t lose it, and we move on. I’m satisfied with my personal performance, but obviously disappointed we didn’t win.”

    Omari Hutchinson, on as a substitute, injected some pace into England’s attack and his cross found Elliott, but he could not direct his header on target.

    England were denied in stoppage time as Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s pinpoint cross found Jack Hinshelwood. He directed a powerful header on target but Turk tipped the ball behind and secured an important point.

    McAtee said: “I’m a bit annoyed at myself for the chances I missed, but the same goes for the rest of the lads. We’re disappointed with the result, but it’s a point and we’ve got another game coming up soon, so we’ll focus on that.

    “With my first chance I thought I was offside and for the second the lads said it was a good save, but I should have finished it. There will be some fresh legs out there against Germany, so hopefully we can get the three points and top the group, because that’s our aim.”

    Fonte

  • Rafael Devers traded to Giants: Red Sox superstar headed to San Francisco in stunning MLB blockbuster

    The San Francisco Giants are acquiring All-Star DH/infielder Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox, CBS Sports has confirmed. The Red Sox will receive right-hander Jordan Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, outfield/infield prospect James Tibbs, and minor-league right-hander Jose Bello, according to the Boston Globe.

    Devers, 28, is batting .272/.401/.504 with 15 home runs in 73 games for Boston this season. He’s in the second year of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract that will run through the 2033 season. The Giants will be picking up the entire remaining obligation. That contract extension did not include a no-trade clause, and Devers had yet to qualify for 10-and-5 rights, which means he had no capacity to block the trade. 

    A highly productive hitter for much of his career, Devers across parts of nine MLB seasons has an OPS+ of 128 with 214 home runs and a WAR of 24.8. He’s a three-time All-Star, and he won a Silver Slugger award in 2021.

    Rafael Devers trade: Winners and losers, including the present-day Giants, the future Red Sox and Gerrit Cole

    Mike Axisa

    On the Red Sox’s side, Hicks is a big arm who has been a passable and occasional presence in the rotation since he signed with the Giants. He’s 28 and signed through 2027. The 23-year-old Harrison owns an ERA+ of 88 across 35 MLB starts and four relief appearances over three seasons. He figures to join the Boston rotation. Tibbs was the No. 13 overall pick in last year’s draft out of Florida State. He has a slash line of .244/.351/.433 in 82 minor-league games. Bello, 20, has pitched to a 2.97 ERA and 5.83 K/BB ratio in 15 starts and 10 relief appearances. He’s pitched in rookie ball this season. In addition to shedding the remainder of Devers’ salary commitments and adding the above talents, the Red Sox also clear some theoretical space for all the young hitters who have trickled into Boston this season. 

    The backstory to what at first blush seems like a stunning trade on the Red Sox’s side is the controversy surrounding Devers’ defensive assignments this season. Leading up to and after Boston’s free-agent signing of Alex Bregman this past winter, Devers balked at the idea of moving off third base, the position he had manned for his entire career up until that point. Eventually, though, Devers relented and agreed to become the Red Sox’s full-time DH. 

    Then, however, the saga took another turn when Boston first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury in early May. Soon after the loss of Casas, the manager Alex Cora downplayed the idea of moving Devers to first base. Devers, though, said club chief baseball officer Craig Breslow did indeed approach him about picking up a glove again. 

    “I’m not certain what (issue) he has with me,” Devers said through an interpreter of Breslow, according to the Boston Globe. “He played ball, and I would like to think that he knows that changing positions like that isn’t easy. I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In (spring) training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove, that I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH. Right now, I just feel like it’s not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position.”

    It took a one-on-one meeting with Red Sox owner John Henry to put out the flames, but by that point mutual disaffection may have set in. That mutual disaffection prompted Sunday’s shocker of a trade. As the Globe’s Peter Abraham reported: “The team’s feeling was that a $313.5M contract comes with responsibilities to do what is right for the team and that Devers did not live up to those responsibilities. They had enough and they traded him.”

    Devers indeed remained in the DH role and, after a slow start to 2025, began putting together what thus far has been one of the most productive campaigns of his career. Now it’s the second-place Giants who will benefit from his high-level production as they attempt to fend off the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks in the hotly competitive National League West. The Red Sox, meantime, may be positioned to retool, even coming off a sweep of the rival New York Yankees. Boston stands at 37-36 and in fourth place in the AL East. 

    With the Giants, Devers could immediately slide into the DH role or perhaps transition to first base. Whatever the specifics, he’ll give the Giants a much-needed injection of power and on-base skills. While the Giants are very much in contention, they’re winning despite an offense that ranks 15th in MLB in runs scored and 23rd in OPS. Devers and his star-caliber bat address those deficiencies in a major way, both now and for years to come.

    In a compelling coincidence, Devers and the Giants will host the Red Sox for a three-game interleague series that begins on June 20. 



    Fonte