Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Pulisic will wait until signing new Milan contract
AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic is waiting to see how the club fare this season before signing a new contract, while Barcelona are looking for reinforcements at left back, right back and on the wing. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic has yet to sign a new contract and is keen to wait until the club have sealed qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League before he commits, according to Calciomercato. Pulisic, 27, has a deal which expires in 2027 (with an option to extend by a year) and the United States international has been linked with a return to the Premier League (after his spell with Chelsea) at either Manchester United or Aston Villa.
– Barcelona are considering signing Bayer Leverkusen‘s Alejandro Grimaldo in the summer as they look to strengthen at left back, reports Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona academy star Alejandro Balde, 22, has impressed, but Gerard Martín and Jofre Torrents haven’t made the leap required to challenge him for a starting spot. The Blaugrana could also look at a right back, with Internazionale‘s Denzel Dumfries, Al Hilal‘s João Cancelo and Crystal Palace‘s Daniel Muñoz all linked. Meanwhile, Sport claims that FC Cologne winger Said El Mala is on their radar at around €30 million after he recorded four goals and two assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances this season.
– Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown is on Manchester City‘s shortlist, says Bild. Brown, 22, made his senior debut for the Germany national team in October and has impressed in the Bundesliga this season after joining the club from FC Nürnberg in 2024. City are looking for competition for Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Aït-Nouri on the left side of defense.
– Roma want to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee on loan, but the Red Devils want to include a clause to make the deal permanent for €30 million, reports Corriere dello Sport. AC Milan would also be interested in a deal for the 24-year-old Netherlands international and if they get involved then Roma could turn their attention to Nottingham Forest‘s Arnaud Kalimuendo, Colgone’s Said El Mala, or could activate the €7m release clause for Racing Santander’s Jeremy Arevalo.
– Juventus have joined Manchester City and Real Madrid in the race to sign Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, as reported by Tuttosport, which describes him as “the emerging midfielder of Spanish football.” Mendoza, 29, has been scouted by City and Madrid for some time, with a possible alternative for Juve coming in the form of Lille‘s Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, especially as the two clubs have a positive relationship.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent Sam Marsden on their transfer plans.
It is no secret within the club that Barcelona sporting director Deco has been monitoring the full back market for some time. On the right, Jules Koundé and Eric García have both been converted from center backs to play there, while on the left the options are mostly in-house products in Baldé, Martín and Torrents (Martín signed from local club Cornellà in 2023).
There have been times when Koundé and Baldé have both been best in class, but as Barça have toiled defensively this season, neither has excelled. That has once again forced Deco to consider Barça’s options, with sources explaining to ESPN that the club do not necessarily want to replace either player, but feel there is at the very least the need to create some internal competition.
On the left, Grimaldo is an obvious candidate given his links to Barça in the past. The Spain international will move into the final year of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen next summer, which should make him an affordable option — which is always an important factor when assessing Barça’s potential targets. That said, it will still depend on where the club prioritise spending next year as they also eye improvements in the middle of the back four and in attack.
And with no natural right back at the club — although Koundé is pretty established there now — it would not be a surprise if Barça move for two full backs next year, if the right options are available. In addition to the aforementioned Dumfries, Cancelo and Muñoz, ESPN has also previously revealed that Deco is a long-term fan of Monaco’s Vanderson, although he is currently injured.
OTHER RUMORS
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Laurens: Losing Gabriel Magalhães is the last thing Arsenal want
Julien Laurens gives an update on Gabriel Magalhães’ fitness as the Arsenal defender was taken off during Brazil’s game vs. Senegal.
– Liverpool could move for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo to help replace Mohamed Salah while he is at the Africa Cup of Nations for Egypt in December and January. (Liverpool Echo)
– Juventus’ contract talks with Kenan Yildiz have stalled amid interest from Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea. (Ekrem Konur)
– Lazio are considering Torino’s Ivan Ilic, Tromso’s Jens Hjerto-Dahl and a loan for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo as they aim to bring in a midfielder in January. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Tottenham Hotspur could miss out on Ademola Lookman with Atalanta keen to keep the forward now that Ivan Juric has departed. (TEAMtalk)
– David Alaba has received offers from the Middle East but maintains hope that Real Madrid will opt to renew his contract for another year. (AS)
– Leeds United are showing an interest in AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, 22, who scored a hat trick against Hungary in the 96th minute to take the Republic of Ireland to the World Cup playoff. (TEAMtalk)
– Juventus are monitoring 20-year-old AS Monaco center back Christian Mawissa. (Nicolo Schira)
– Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have joined Newcastle United in trying to sign midfielder James Garner, whose contract with Everton expires in the summer. (Football Insider)
– Aston Villa are looking at Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of January and feel that he could replace Emiliano Martinez. (Football Insider)
– Manchester United are working on a potential January move for Tyrell Malacia, who has interest from Saudi Arabia, Spain and Italy. (Rudy Galetti)
– Eintracht Frankfurt have a concrete interest in 18-year-old Werder Bremen center back Karim Coulibaly, who has also been the topic of enquiries from “all major German clubs.” (Florian Plettenberg)
– West Ham United striker Niklas Fullkrug isn’t interested in joining another Premier League club with Fulham having been linked. Wolfsburg and Hamburg are leading options but there is also interest from Italy. (TEAMtalk)
– Brentford have shown an interest in 20-year-old Lecce center back Tiago Gabriel. (Nicolo Schira)
– Manchester City are considering terminating Claudio Echeverri’s loan with Bayer Leverkusen. (Kicker)
– Juventus are considering letting goalkeeper Mattia Perin leave without replacing him, with Genoa thinking about making a move. (Tuttosport)
– Giuliano Simeone is one step away from renewing his Atletico Madrid contract until 2030. (Nicolo Schira)
– Sporting CP want Al Nassr winger Wesley and the Saudi Arabian club are open to a deal worth between €10 million-€15 million. (Ekrem Konur)
Sports
Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers enter offseason of uncertainty
After lopsided home playoff loss to the Texans, Pittsburgh’s quarterback and coach face questions about what’s next.
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Sports
Salman Ali Agha sets new record in third T20I against Sri Lanka – SUCH TV
Although the third T20I match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dambulla proved to be a disappointment for the national team, captain Salman Ali Agha’s brilliant and aggressive batting won the hearts of cricket fans and also broke the record of former West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard.
Salman Ali Agha played an incredible innings of 45 runs in just 12 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes.
His strike rate was 375.0, which is the highest strike rate by any captain in the history of T20Is (against full-member teams, with the condition of playing at least 10 balls).
With this feat, he broke the record of former West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard.
Previously, this honor was held by Kieron Pollard, who scored 38 runs off 11 balls against Sri Lanka in 2021 at a strike rate of 345.5.
The list also includes big names like Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma and Darren Sammy, but Salman Ali Agha left everyone behind.
Sports
‘Swarm City’: Texans’ petty post at Steelers tops NFL wild-card trolls
The NFL postseason brings elevated play on the field with the stakes higher — and one team even upped its pettiness.
The Houston Texans dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to clinch the final divisional round spot. The Steelers’ 24-point loss is their worst in a home playoff game in franchise history and third worst in any playoff game, according to ESPN Research.
Houston’s defense allowed just 175 total yards and forced two turnovers — both of which were returned for scores. Pittsburgh forced three turnovers, but those resulted in only six points. The Steelers became the first team to score six or fewer points in a playoff game despite having at least three takeaways since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 146 passing yards, while Texans signal-caller C.J. Stroud had 250 passing yards.
Houston made sure to poke fun at Pittsburgh after its victory. The Texans edited a “Welcome To Pittsburgh” sign by spray-painting the final score and “Swarm City” on it — a spin on Steel City. They also included the character from the Fallout video game series with the 713 Houston area code on the bottom.
First side quest complete. pic.twitter.com/J8Y6SliC88
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 13, 2026
Here are the top trolls from the NFL wild-card round.
The San Francisco 49ers upset the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The 49ers closed as a 5.5-point underdog — according to DraftKings Sportsbook — their third-largest upset win in a postseason game in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Research.
With 43 seconds left, Philadelphia faced a fourth-and-11 at San Francisco’s 21-yard-line with a chance to take the lead. But Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ pass was incomplete, clinching a 49ers win. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Hurts had 168 passing yards and a touchdown.
The 49ers followed their massive victory by trolling the Eagles. They poked fun at Philadelphia’s “Fly Eagles Fly” chant, including spelling out “Eagles.” San Francisco instead spelled out “Niners” in its caption. It also wouldn’t be a troll without referencing a Philly cheesesteak, which the 49ers posted to emphasize that they are “still hungry for more.”
The Buffalo Bills held off the Jacksonville Jaguars for their first playoff road win since the 1992 AFC Championship Game, according to ESPN Research.
The fourth quarter included touchdowns on each of Jacksonville’s and Buffalo’s first two drives — both teams had only one touchdown apiece before the final quarter. The Bills capped a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing score from quarterback Josh Allen. The Jaguars had a chance to answer with just over a minute left, but quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s pass was picked off, sending Buffalo to the next round.
After Jacksonville clinched the AFC South in Week 18, teammate and cornerback Jarrian Jones gave Lawrence a grill in the locker room. The moment was inspired by an AI photo someone posted on social media of Lawrence wearing a grill and a giant chain around his neck.
The Bills’ postgame graphic included what resembles a grill — with “Bills Win” written on it — buried in the sand at a beach. They also shared a photo of Allen rocking shades and a chain from a July 2024 video and resurfaced a Jaguars’ post from Friday.
😁😁😁 pic.twitter.com/HRs9BVedXC
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 11, 2026
Joshua. Patrick. Allen. pic.twitter.com/OJnkr8Crqc
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 11, 2026
Right here. Right now. 😉 https://t.co/ldXBMZX32G
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 11, 2026
The Los Angeles Rams outlasted the Carolina Panthers in a wild opening playoff matchup.
Los Angeles and Carolina threw haymakers in the fourth, each scoring 14 points. There were four lead changes, tied for the most in a playoff game in NFL history. But the Rams had the go-ahead score when quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with tight end Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard touchdown with 38 seconds left. The Panthers turned it over on downs on their ensuing possession, clinching the Rams’ victory.
A huge win came with multiple clever trolls.
Los Angeles first posted a graphic of a hook with a string holding a football as a panther looked up with the caption referencing the sound commonly used to lure cats. The Rams then referenced a famous scene from the 1994 film “The Lion King,” when Rafiki presents a young Simba to the other animals as the future king. This time, Rafiki held the Panthers logo then tossed it.
ESPN Research contributed to this report.
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