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Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid eye Spurs star Van de Ven

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Transfer rumors, news: Real Madrid eye Spurs star Van de Ven


Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is of interest to Real Madrid, while Barcelona‘s Eric García is a target for Paris Saint-Germain. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

Real Madrid hold a “genuine interest” in Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, according to TEAMtalk. Spurs have no intention of losing the 24-year-old leave — who hit the headlines this week for his stunning solo goal against FC Copenhagen — but the door could be opened if they fail to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, with Paris Saint-Germain also closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Footmercato reports that Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano is Real Madrid’s priority for the summer and already has a verbal agreement to join Los Blancos as a free agent. The report adds that the 27-year-old has a contract extension offer from Bayern and is being closely monitored by Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konaté still wants to join Real Madrid, is also being monitored by PSG and has an offer to extend his contract at Anfield past the summer but is no longer Los Blancos‘ priority.

– Paris Saint-Germain are focusing on Barcelona‘s Eric García as they look to sign a versatile defender, as reported by L’Equipe, with this coming amid injury concerns for Les Parisiens after Achraf Hakimi became the latest player to be forced out of action. García’s contract expires in the summer, but if a deal progresses smoothly the Ligue 1 club could look to negotiate a fee for a winter transfer rather than waiting for the 24-year-old to become a free agent in the summer.

– Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea would all be interested in signing Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz if the opportunity arises, according to TEAMtalk, although they add that the Bianconeri expect him to stay. There could be a chance that the 20-year-old moves as his current wage equates to around £25,000 per week and he is looking for a pay rise that could quadruple that figure. Even so, Yildiz is keen to stay and negotiations will continue when Juventus have appointed a new sporting director.

– Liverpool and Bayern Munich are the frontrunners to sign Crystal Palace‘s Marc Guéhi as a free agent next summer, according to Diario AS. England international Guéhi wants to move to Anfield after his summer transfer fell through, but Bayern are determined to at least try to sign him. Real Madrid have also been linked with the England international, but AS reports that the 25-year-old’s wage and signing bonus demands are too high.

Napoli are assessing various options to strengthen their midfield in January, reports Calciomercato, who suggest that they could reignite an interest in Manchester United‘s Kobbie Mainoo and Juventus’ Fabio Miretti after looking at both in the summer. Outside of that, they have have been linked with Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini with his contract expiring at the end of the season, while they could also move for Internazionale‘s Davide Frattesi and Atalanta‘s Éderson having held a long-term interest in both of them.

EXPERT TAKE

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What went wrong for Real Madrid against Liverpool?

Ale Moreno discusses Xabi Alonso’s tactical decisions in Real Madrid’s 0-1 defeat to Liverpool.

OTHER RUMORS

– Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are keeping an eye on Cologne winger Said El Mala. (Football Insider)

– Bayern Munich will face stiff competition from the Premier League for Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read. (TEAMtalk)

– Manchester City are open to January offers for Nathan Aké worth around £25m amid interest from Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham. (TEAMtalk)

– Everton will look to re-sign Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison rather than moving for Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney. (Football Insider)

– AC Milan are monitoring Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli and continue to look at Roma’s Artem Dovbyk as they consider signing a striker. (Corriere dello Sport)

– AC Milan have joined Internazionale and other top European clubs in showing an interest in Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. The Rossoneri also see Cagliari’s Elia Caprile and Toulouse’s Guillaume Restes as candidates but Parma’s Zion Suzuki is losing ground. (Calciomercato)

– Juventus and the City Football Group have contacted Houston Dynamo about United States youth midfielder Brooklyn Raines. The 20-year-old could also make a move within MLS. (The Athletic)

– Bayer Leverkusen will trigger the €5m-€6m re-sign clause to bring Kerim Alajbegovic back from RB Salzburg. (Sport Bild)

– VfB Stuttgart are interested in West Ham United striker Niclas Füllkrug if loan terms can be agreed. (TEAMtalk)

– RB Leipzig are willing to let Timo Werner, Lukas Klostermann, Amadou Haidara and Kevin Kampl leave in January without any major negotiations around the fee, as they have a combined salary of around €30m-per-year. (Philipp Hinze)

– A club from LaLiga is preparing a €10m offer for 21-year-old Boca Juniors centre-back Lautaro Di Lollo. (Ekrem Konur)

– Juventus are planning to extend 18-year-old midfielder Nicolo Milia‘s contract until 2029. (Nicolò Schira)



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WNBA mock draft 2026: UConn’s Azzi Fudd is projected No. 1

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WNBA mock draft 2026: UConn’s Azzi Fudd is projected No. 1


In an ordinary year, most of the major moves in WNBA free agency likely would be made by now, and there would be more certainty around team needs. But things have been far from ordinary this entire offseason as the WNBA and the players’ association continue negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

Because of that, most players not under rookie contracts are free agents, plus there are two expansion teams that don’t have any players yet. So, much like our last mock draft in November, we are projecting draft selections without important context about the players they will be joining.

What we do have now that we didn’t then, though, is much of the season’s data on which to judge the current college seniors who are eligible for the draft. (We are not including any potential draft-eligible juniors in this mock).

The No. 1 pick in ESPN’s WNBA mock draft remains the same: UConn guard Azzi Fudd, who could be on her way to joining former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, with the Dallas Wings.

Champ Week and the NCAA tournament can have an impact on draft position, as we have seen players help their stock with March Madness success. So that’s something to watch between now and our next mock draft.

UConn | shooting guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

UConn is seeking the seventh perfect season in program history, and Fudd has much to do with why the 26-0 Huskies have been unbeatable so far. She is averaging 17.5 PPG and shooting 45.5% (76-of-167) from behind the arc. Fudd’s ability to stretch defenses will be of great value in the WNBA, and she is also a reliable defensive player. Plus, the UConn pedigree goes a long way in a league that has seen so many outstanding former Huskies.


Spain | center | 6-foot-4

Fam, who is averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds for Valencia in Spain, is just 19 with a ton of potential. And what better coach to work with than the most experienced one in the WNBA: Cheryl Reeve. Despite playing professionally overseas, Fam will have a learning curve in the WNBA. It’s uncertain when Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier, who had ankle surgery in January, will be back at full strength. Perhaps a young post player such as Fam might get more time right away for Minnesota.


TCU | point guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

Miles, the former Notre Dame standout playing at TCU for her senior season, leads the Horned Frogs in points (20.5), assists (6.6) and steals (1.9). She is also averaging 6.8 rebounds. She had one of her most impressive games Thursday, scoring a career-high 40 points and making 10 3-pointers as the Frogs beat Baylor. She could have gone to the WNBA in the 2025 draft but thought one more year of college would help her game and her confidence.


UCLA | center | 6-foot-7 | senior

Betts had some ups and downs in the early part of the season, but she has been consistent since then. She is averaging 16.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Bruins, who are 24-1 and lead the Big Ten at 14-0. There will be a lot of discussion about how well true centers still fit in the WNBA, but there seem to be enough positives about Betts to make her one of the lottery picks.


LSU | shooting guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

Johnson’s scoring average is down from last season (13.8 PPG compared with 18.6), but a lot of that has to do with LSU having so much strong guard play and spreading around the offense. One key stat is up this season for Johnson: She is shooting a career-best 43.9% from behind the arc. Her energy and effectiveness on defense are big positives as well.

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Flau’jae Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of crunch matchup vs. South Carolina

Flau’jae Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of crunch matchup vs. LSU Flau’jae Johnson discusses her leadership and playing alongside MiLaysia Fulwiley before LSU’s showdown vs. South Carolina.


Ole Miss | small forward | 6-foot | senior

McMahon knows she will need to play more on the perimeter in the WNBA at her size and improve her 3-point shooting. That’s part of why she thought Ole Miss would be a good place to finish her college career after three seasons at Ohio State. McMahon spoke with Andscape’s Ari Chambers in January about better understanding her diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome and how it has affected her. She said that has helped her this season: She is averaging a career-high 19.9 PPG.

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Cotie McMahon drops in the smooth basket

Cotie McMahon drops in the smooth basket


France | small forward | 5-foot-11

Angloma, who plays for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA) in France, currently is having a very good season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. She doesn’t turn 20 until June and likely can play at the small forward or shooting guard spots in the WNBA.


Spain | point guard | 5-foot-8

Martin, who just turned 20 last month, was part of the Spanish team that advanced to the EuroBasket championship game last summer. She is currently averaging 14.8 PPG and 4.6 APG for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain. In 2023, she was MVP of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.


UCLA | shooting guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Kneepkens is part of the UCLA guard attack that has kept the Bruins unbeatable in the Big Ten. She’s well-known for her long-range shooting, which she brought to UCLA this season from Utah. For her college career, Kneepkens has shot 43.7% from behind the arc. This season, she’s at 45.9%. Her scoring average of 13.1 PPG is down from a career-best of 19.3 last season, but she’s surrounded by a lot more talent now with the Big Ten-leading Bruins.


South Carolina | center | 6-foot-6 | senior

Okot didn’t start playing basketball until her midteens but has been a quick learner. After competing collegiately in her native Kenya, she was with Mississippi State last season, then transferred to South Carolina this season. There is a possibility the Gamecocks could petition to get her another season of college eligibility. But if she enters the draft this year, she has big potential, averaging 13.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG.

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Madina Okot goes coast to coast with a steal and layup

Madina Okot gets in the passing lane and scores a fast-break basket for the Gamecocks.


Duke | shooting guard | 6-foot | senior

Jackson has been a stalwart for Duke’s strong defense her entire career. And she is also a good 3-point shooter; she has made 212 treys for the Blue Devils, 50 this season. She also is averaging a career-best 4.6 assists as a senior.

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Ashlon Jackson sinks clutch triple for Duke

Ashlon Jackson is left wide open and drains a 3-pointer, extending Duke’s late lead over Louisville.


UCLA | point guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Rice has saved her best for her final season with the Bruins. She is averaging 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 50.8% from the field overall and 42.1% from 3-point range. All of those are career highs. She also is averaging 4.6 assists and knows how to make the big play when needed.


South Carolina | shooting guard | 5-foot-8 | senior

Latson wanted to play for a higher-profile program, so she left Florida State after averaging a Division I-leading 25.2 PPG last season. Her draft stock might have dropped a bit as her numbers have, plus she also has been dealing with a leg injury. Still, she is averaging 15.5 PPG and is one of those prospects who might go back up the draft board during the postseason.


TCU | small forward | 6-foot-3 | senior

A native of Oviedo, Spain, Suarez is at her third college program after playing two seasons at Tennessee and two at Cal. But the move to TCU for her last season might be what helps her draft stock the most, as she has become a better 3-point shooter (52-of-144, 36.1%) and more versatile scorer at her size. She turns 24 in May, so she is a little older than most draftees, but her college experience seems to have paid off.

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Marta Suarez sinks a 3 for TCU

Olivia Miles finds Marta Suarez, who sinks a 3-pointer for TCU.


UCLA | shooting guard | 6-foot-0 | senior

Jaquez is the fourth Bruin we have going in the first round. Plus, guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and forward Angela Dugali also are almost sure to be drafted from UCLA. Jaquez is averaging 14.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 2.0 APG. Like teammates Kneepkens and Rice, she is shooting better than 40% from 3-point range (43.4).



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With a broken body, Federica Brignone’s Olympic message: Just show up.

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After a gruesome crash in April, just competing in the Games was a miracle for the 35-year-old Italian skier. Then she won two gold medals.



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T20 World Cup: Pakistan lose Usman Khan, India remain in control – SUCH TV

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T20 World Cup: Pakistan lose Usman Khan, India remain in control – SUCH TV



Early wickets put Pakistan on the back foot as they begin their 176-run chase in the high-stakes ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounter at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.

Hardik Pandya provided India an early breakthrough by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan and bowled a tight maiden over to put Pakistan under immediate pressure.

Jasprit Bumrah followed up with a double strike, removing Saim Ayub and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha in quick succession.

Pakistan’s top-order struggles continued as Axar Patel accounted for Babar Azam, who was dismissed for just five runs.

Earlier, Pakistan spinners held India in check, limiting them to 175/7.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first did not prove beneficial for the Green Shirts as the Men in Blue accumulated 175/7 in their 20 overs.

India got off to a dismal start to their innings as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to open the attack gave them a massive breakthrough in the form of top-ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma, who fell for a four-ball duck.

Following the early stutter, opener Kishan forced an astounding recovery by putting together a one-sided second-wicket partnership with Tilak Varma.

The partnership frustrated Pakistan’s bowling unit and yielded 87 runs off 45 deliveries before Saim Ayub gave the Green Shirts a much-needed breakthrough by getting rid of set batter Kishan, who remained the top-scorer with a 40-ball 77, comprising 10 fours and three sixes.

Kishan’s dismissal forced the new pair of Varma and Suryakumar Yadav to rework the innings as they batted cautiously to add 38 runs for the third-wicket stand before Saim pulled things back by dismissing the left-handed batter and Hardik Pandya (zero) in successive deliveries.

Varma made a cautious 25 off 24 deliveries with the help of two fours and a six.

With the scoreboard reading 126/4 in 14.3 overs, Shivam Dube joined skipper Yadav in the middle, and the duo retained India’s momentum by knitting a 33-run stand, which culminated with the latter’s dismissal in the penultimate over off Usman Tariq.

The Indian captain remained a notable run-getter with a 29-ball 32, laced with three boundaries.

Dube followed suit and perished on the penultimate delivery of the innings after scoring 27 off 17 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six.

Saim Ayub was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking three wickets for 25 runs in his four overs, while Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Tariq made one scalp apiece.



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