Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Man United push for Baleba, look at Wharton
Manchester United will make a real concerted effort to sign either Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba or Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton, while Ibrahima Konaté could leave Liverpool before the window closes. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester United will push forward with their move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, according to The Independent. United want to get the deal over the line in the current transfer window, while the Seagulls are demanding an offer worth £120 million to part ways with the 21-year-old. The Red Devils are expected to pivot to Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who is also linked with Real Madrid, as their second option if they feel securing an agreement for Baleba looks out of reach.
– Liverpool believe that contact between Ibrahima Konaté and Real Madrid is “a reality” and there may already be an informal agreement for the defender to join Madrid next summer when his contract expires, Marca reports. The Premier League club are urgently trying to get Konaté to sign a new deal to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation, the newspaper says. Madrid are going to leave a spot free in their first-team squad for this season, just in case there’s any movement before the transfer window closes. Liverpool are planning to offer the 26-year-old a new contract in the coming days, and if he doesn’t agree then they will then consider offers.
– Manchester City are interested in Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, says Florian Plettenberg. City have added the 23-year-old to their shortlist as manager Pep Guardiola looks to reinforce his forward line, and Akliouche is seen as a potential alternative to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. He directly contributed to 19 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season, and has also recently been linked with Internazionale.
– Initial talks between Internazionale and Chelsea over a move for forward Christopher Nkunku have begun, reports Florian Plettenberg. The Serie A club have expressed their interest in the 27-year-old, who they have identified as a potential alternative to Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman. Nkunku is expected to be moved on from Stamford Bridge before the end of the window, but the Nerazzurri could face competition from the Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig also looking at him.
– An offer is being prepared by Newcastle for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, according to Football Insider. The Liga Portugal side are “braced” for an approach from the Magpies, as manager Eddie Howe continues his search to find a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, who wants out amid a failed bid from Liverpool. Porto have previously been looking for an offer worth up to £80 million for the 21-year-old, which was seen as a potential stumbling block for interested teams across Europe. Aghehowa kicked off the new season with a brace in the 3-0 win over Guimaraes on Monday.
EXPERT TAKE
1:22
McManaman: Guéhi should be the priority for Liverpool over Isak
Steve McManaman assesses Liverpool’s transfer plans ahead of the start of the Premier League season.
OTHER RUMORS
– Manchester City are “contemplating” a move for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. City are reportedly weighing up options as Savinho and James McAtee are among the latest linked with a switch away from the club, and they could now challenge Chelsea for the 22-year-old. (talkSPORT)
– Juventus are considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who could be signed for around €40 million. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is set to complete a move to Al Nassr. (Fabrizio Romano)
– AS Roma are interested in Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey. (The Athletic)
– Bayern Munich are struggling to make progress in their pursuit of VfB Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade. (Dennis Bayer)
– Talks are continuing between Everton and Southampton over a move for winger Tyler Dibling. The Saints are looking for an offer between €55 million and €65 million. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Besiktas are interested in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. (TEAMtalk)
– AC Milan are looking at Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens. (Foot Mercato)
– Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley is interested in a switch to Juventus. The Bianconeri have added him as one of three names on their shortlist. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Paris FC are keen to sign Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Nice are pushing forward with an approach to sign Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard. (Foot Mercato)
– Talks are ongoing between Roma and forward Paulo Dybala regarding a contract extension at the Stadio Olimpico. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Clubs in MLS and the Bundesliga are keeping tabs on Brighton midfielder Andrew Moran. (Football Insider)
– Barcelona are looking to reach an agreement over a new contract with defender Eric Garcia. (Diario Sport)
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Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was hospitalized on Friday, TMZ reported.
The New York Giants legend suffered a medical emergency in New Jersey, warranting the visit, the outlet said.
Taylor’s status is unclear at this time, but TMZ said that it does not appear to be serious, citing “those close to” him.
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Former New York Giant Lawrence Taylor attends a game between the Giants and the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Taylor’s former Giants did not immediately respond to an email.
L.T. is widely regarded as the greatest linebacker to ever play. He was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, including in his rookie season.
He won two Super Bowls, made 10 straight Pro Bowls and was named the MVP of the 1986 season. He also remains the franchise’s all-time sacks leader, which includes his 9½ sacks from his rookie season, before sacks became a stat.
New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor enters the field before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 8, 2024. (John Jones/Imagn Images)
This came despite a lavish lifestyle off the field, which resulted in legal troubles after his playing days. Drug problems have also resulted in health problems later in life.
Taylor showed his support for President Donald Trump in 2024, appearing at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey.
“I grew up a Democrat, and I’ve always been a Democrat, until I met this man right here,” Taylor said to cheers. “Nobody in my family ever will vote for a Democrat again.”
President Donald Trump and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor attend an executive order signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 31, 2025. The order formally reestablishes the Presidential Fitness Test, creating school-based programs that reward excellence in physical education. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg)
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Taylor made Giants headlines last year when he quickly turned down Abdul Carter’s request to wear his No. 56 that has been retired by the organization since 1994, just one season after he retired.
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KARACHI: Islamabad United on Friday handed Hyderabad Kingsmen a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the 36th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the National Bank Stadium.
The victory, which marked United’s fifth in the ongoing eight-team tournament, propelled the three-time champions into the playoffs, joining leaders Peshawar Zalmi and 2021 champions Multan Sultans.
Set to chase a modest 81-run target, the United comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just two wickets and 80 balls to spare.
The 2024 champions, however, had a contrasting start to the pursuit as they lost left-handed opener Devon Conway (zero) on the second delivery of the innings.
But Sameer Minhas and Mohsin Riaz batted sensibly to put United within touching distance as they put together 79 runs for the second wicket until Ali struck again, dismissing Riaz, who top-scored with 42 off just 18 deliveries, studded with six fours and two sixes.
Minhas, on the other hand, remained unbeaten with 27 off 20 deliveries, featuring three fours and a six, while skipper Shadab hit the winning runs in the same over with a boundary on the first delivery he faced.
For the Kingsmen, Mohammad Ali remained the solitary wicket-taker in the gruelling defeat with two scalps.
United captain Shadab Khan’s decision to field first paid dividends as his team’s bowling unit booked the new entrants for 80 in 15.5 overs.
Kingsmen got off to the worst possible start to their innings as Gleeson dismissed Maaz Sadaqat (zero) on the first delivery of the innings.
The right-arm pacer swept through their top order by getting rid of Marnus Labuschagne (five) and Saim Ayub (12) in his next two overs and brought the total down to 24/3.
Following Gleeson’s early blitz was backed by the experienced spin duo of captain Shadab and Imad Wasim as they dismantled Kingsmen’s middle and lower orders by taking three wickets each despite last match centurion Usman Khan’s grit.
The wicketkeeper batter waged a lone battle for the Kingsmen with an unbeaten 25 off 35 deliveries, during which he struck only one boundary.
Besides Usman and Saim, only Kusal Perera and Asif Mehmood, 12 each, could amass double figures against a ruthless United bowling attack.
For United, Gleeson, Imad and Shadab bagged three wickets each, while left-arm pacer Salman Mirza chipped in with one scalp.
Playing XIs
Hyderabad Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (c), Saim Ayub, Kusal Perera, Usman Khan (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali and Asif Mehmood.
Islamabad United: Devon Conway (wk), Sameer Minhas, Mark Chapman, Mohsin Riaz, Shadab Khan (c), Haider Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Chris Green, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson and Salman Mirza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the 2026 Fifa World Cup but he added the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“Nothing from the US has told them they can’t come,” Rubio told reporters.
President Donald Trump also said his administration “would not want to affect the athletes” in comments he made at the White House.
The 2026 soccer World Cup is set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Paolo Zampolli, a Trump envoy who has no official connection with the World Cup, had earlier suggested that Italy should replace Iran at the tournament.
“The problem with Iran would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC. We may not be able to let them in but not the athletes themselves,” Rubio said.
“They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers,” Rubio added. Washington has designated the IRGC as a “foreign terrorist organisation.”
Currently there is no suggestion Iran will withdraw or be banned from the tournament that Italy missed out on.
After the start of the Iran war, Iran requested that Fifa move the team’s three group matches from the US to Mexico, which was rejected.
The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf states with US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war began over two weeks ago.
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