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Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Rasmus Kristensen.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Italian journalist revealed that, following reports of Jesse Marsch’s interest in a move for the Red Bull Salzburg right-back this summer, Victor Orta has now prepared an opening offer for the 24-year-old.

The transfer insider goes on to state that negotiations between the Premier League side and Austrian champions are currently ongoing concerning a fee for the defender, while personal terms with the Denmark international are not thought to be an issue.

In his tweet, Romano said: “Leeds have an opening bid ready for Rasmus Kristensen. Talks ongoing with RB Salzburg, negotiations are concrete. Personal terms not an issue – Leeds want Kristensen after Aaronson deal completed with RB Salzburg.”

Supporters will love Romano’s claim

Considering how exciting a talent Kristensen evidently is, in addition to the fact that both Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas are both facing lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury, Romano’s suggestion that Leeds have already made a move to sign the Salzburg right-back is sure to be an update the Elland Road faithful will love.

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Indeed, over his 29 Austrian Bundesliga fixtures this season, the £13.5m-rated Dane proved just how much of an attacking threat he can be on the right of a backline, bagging seven goals, providing four assists and creating seven big chances, in addition to taking an average of 1.4 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 1.3 dribbles per game.

The £14k-per-week full-back also returned impressive defensive metrics, helping Matthias Jaissle’s side keep 13 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 1.4 clearances and winning 5.7 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per appearance.

These returns saw the 24-year-old average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.31, not only ranking him as his club’s second-best player in the division but also as the fourth-best in the Bundesliga as a whole.

As such, should Orta manage to get a deal over the line for Kristensen in the coming weeks, it would very much appear as if the sporting director will have secured a considerable upgrade on Ayling – who scored two goals, registered two assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of just 6.61 over 26 Premier League appearances this season – ahead of the Whites’ 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news: Leeds now plotting bid for “unbelievable” £15m target, he “could be the real deal”…

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino will be ‘dropped’ for the Reds’ Premier League clash against Wolves this afternoon, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The Lowdown: Liverpool face huge day

Jurgen Klopp’s side go into the final day of the league season knowing they must beat Bruno Lage’s visitors in order to realistically have any chance of winning the title.

Liverpool will also be relying on Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa doing them a huge favour, as they make the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face league leaders Manchester City.

Firmino started in Tuesday’s 2-1 win away to Southampton as Klopp rang the changes, but the 30-year-old could struggle to keep his place against Wolves.

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The Latest: Firmino backed to be dropped

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson claimed that the Brazilian would make way for others in the starting lineup for Liverpool today. The ex-Leeds goalkeeper stated:

“Firmino played against Southampton to give the others a rest. I think Salah, Mane and Diaz will come back in against Wolves.

“There is a squad for a reason. Yes, Firmino came in and did well and helped them get a massive three points but that is what was expected of him. That is what the manager wants and that is why he is part of the squad.

“It is a massive game at the weekend so I think Klopp will go full strength and Firmino is not part of Liverpool’s best XI anymore.

“We are in an era of football where you can put in a 10/10 performance on the weekend and be dropped a few days later. That is the way it is. Firmino will be part of the rotation.”

The Verdict: Firmino likely to be benched

Firmino has been a wonderful servant for Liverpool, scoring 98 goals in 325 appearances, leading the line in superb fashion for many years and being hailed as ‘world-class’ by Klopp.

The 30-year-old is no longer a guaranteed starter, though, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t make way for Sadio Mane this afternoon, with the Senegal star thriving in a new central role.

Firmino could still be a key figure from the substitutes’ bench, affecting the game in a positive manner in the second half if needed, but it feels as though he has made his last start of the season, especially with him not long back from a foot injury.

In other news, Liverpool are demanding £17million for one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a potential injury boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Norwich City on Sunday.

What’s the latest?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Tottenham Hostpur account shared images of Antonio Conte’s first-team squad in training ahead of this weekend’s trip to Norwich City, in which left-back Sergio Reguilon – who the Italian manager had tentatively ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury – features.

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Conte will be buzzing

With Spurs needing to get some kind of result at Carrow Road on Sunday in order to secure a top-four this season, should Reguilon be back in contention for the trip to Norwich, it would undoubtedly be a development that will have left Conte buzzing.

Indeed, over his 25 Premier League outings this season, the £25.2m-rated left-back has been a solid option for the 52-year-old at left wing-back, having bagged two goals, registered three assists and created five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.8 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

The £53k-per-week Spain international has also helped his side keep six clean sheets, in addition to making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 1.6 clearances and winning 4.6 duels – at a success rate of 52% – per fixture.

These returns have seen the 25-year-old average a decent SofaScore match rating of 6.91, ranking him as Spurs’ 12th-best player in the English top flight.

As such, while it would appear unlikely that Reguilon will usurp Ryan Sessegnon from his starting berth against the Canaries, having the option of the Spaniard on the bench would undoubtedly come as a huge boost to Conte and his side – particularly considering the magnitude of the final day of the season clash against the bottom of the table side.

AND in other news: Bid made: Paratici in talks for “underrated” £51m signing, he’d be “unreal” for Spurs

Wolves are battling Arsenal for the signature of Marquinhos from Sao Paulo, according to journalist Jorge Nicola (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Marquinhos is a 19-year-old right winger who’s also comfortable operating on the left. He’s made four appearances in national-level competition so far this season, and 11 at state level.

Marquinhos signed a five-year contract in 2019, and Transfermarkt value him at £6.3million.

However, FIFA regulations require that a player’s first professional deal lasts a maximum of three years, contrary to Brazilian law.

And so there’s a fear that Marquinhos could look to take the matter to football’s governing body in a bid to get his contract cancelled.

Wolves are set to allow one of their existing right-wing options, Francisco Trincao, to leave at the end of the season when his loan move from Barcelona reaches its end.

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The latest

Nicola reports that both Wolves and Arsenal are intent upon landing Marquinhos.

It was Bruno Lage’s side, he says, who first expressed an interest, but that then alerted Arsenal, who established contact with Sau Paulo themselves.

The Gunners are now the favourites but, while they’re aware of the demands, they’ve yet to make an official offer. As such, there’s still time for Wolves to nip in.

Marquinhos possesses a €50million (£42.6million) release clause, but it’s ‘obvious’ that Sao Paulo will be willing to sell him for less.

The verdict

The key thing to stress is that Marquinhos is still a very raw talent, but there’s promise there.

In his first 39 appearances for Sao Paulo, he’s managed a respectable seven goals/assists (scored four, set up three), including one in the 2021 Copa Libertadores Round of 16 against Racing.

And tellingly, he’s won international recognition, with three caps for Brazil at Under-17 level.

Arsenal may seem him as the next Gabriel Martinelli, whom they signed from Brazil as an 18-year-old in 2019.

Both interested clubs will surely be keeping a close eye on the contractual dispute that may be brewing, and they could soon look to pounce.

In other news, a Spanish source drops a big Wolves transfer claim. 

And how many players have made 199 and a duck in the same Test?

Steven Lynch24-May-2022I know Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul’s stand of 210 is an IPL record. But was it the best in all T20 cricket? And how about 50 overs? asked Lalith Ahluwalia from India
That unbroken opening stand of 210 by Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul for Lucknow Super Giants in what turned out to be a nerve-shredding match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Navi Mumbai last week broke the previous record for the highest first-wicket partnership in the IPL, the 185 of Jonny Bairstow and David Warner for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad in 2019; only two second-wicket stands between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers for RCB lie ahead on the overall IPL list.There have been four higher opening partnerships in all senior T20 matches, the highest being 236 by Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani for Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in 2018-19. The List A first-wicket record remains an unbroken stand of 367, by Morne van Wyk and Cameron Delport for the Dolphins against the Knights in South Africa’s One-Day Cup in Bloemfontein in 2014-15.Angelo Mathews was out for 199 and then a duck in the recent Test in Bangladesh. Has anyone completed this particular double before? asked Ajit Silva from Sri Lanka
In the first innings of the first Test in Chattogram last week, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the 12th man to be dismissed for 199 in a Test. However, his second-innings duck made him the first to do this particular double.Six men have made 99 and 0 in the same Test: India’s Pankaj Roy (vs Australia in Delhi in 1959-60), Geoff Boycott (England vs Australia in Perth in 1979-80, Andrew Hall of South Africa (vs England at Headingley in 2003, and the Pakistan trio of Mushtaq Mohammad (vs England in Karachi in 1972-73), Misbah-ul-Haq (vs West Indies in Bridgetown in 2017), and Babar Azam (vs Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2018-19). Boycott and Hall both made 99 not out.Mohammed Shami played in all of Gujarat Titans’ games in the IPL round-robin, but didn’t bat – has anyone else managed this? asked Sheik Nazeeb via Facebook
It’s true that Mohammed Shami played in all 14 of Gujarat Titans’ matches in the league phase of this season’s IPL, without being required to bat. In doing so he reprised the feat of fellow seamers Mustafizur Rahman and Mohit Sharma. The “Fizz” played 16 matches for Sunrisers in 2016 – 14 of them in the group stage – without batting at all, while Mohit appeared in all 14 of Chennai Super Kings’ league games in 2014 without batting, but finally got to the crease in one of the playoffs.Dirk Nannes (2009), Ishwar Pandey (2014) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2016) all played 13 matches in an IPL season without batting.Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja have 20 dismissals together in the IPL, the most for a bowler-fielder combo•BCCISurrey totalled 671 last week, with no one making a century. Was this a record? asked Brian Norton from England
The highest score in Surrey’s 671 for 9 against Kent in Beckenham last week was Ollie Pope’s 96; Ben Foakes and Jamie Overton were also out in the nineties. It was indeed the highest first-class total without an individual century, surpassing Namibia’s 609 against Uganda in Windhoek in 2010-11, when the highest score was Ewald Steenkamp’s 87.Madhya Pradesh made 605 against Haryana in Rajnandgaon in 1998-99, with Jai Prakash Yadav scoring 90, while the previous County Championship record was also set by Surrey, in amassing 603 against Gloucestershire in Bristol in 2005; Azhar Mahmood hit 89 and Harbhajan Singh 84.In the recent Surrey innings everyone reached double figures, with seven of them reaching 50. This was the 26th instance of seven half-centuries in a first-class innings – but there has been one case of eight, by the 1893 Australian tourists against Cambridge University Past & Present in Portsmouth. The Australians’ total of 843 was the highest in first-class cricket at the time, being achieved against what Wisden called “a team so far from representative that over a dozen cricketers might be mentioned, any one of whom had better qualifications than those who took the field against the Colonials”. Alec Bannerman, Billy Bruce and Hugh Trumble all scored centuries; Bannerman, a noted stonewaller, batted for more than six hours for 133, with Wisden observing that he showed “a steadiness of defence which might, perhaps, have been necessary had the bowling been that of first-class professionals instead of moderate amateurs”.Which bowler/fielder and bowler/wicketkeeper combinations have recorded most dismissals together in IPL? asked Aniket Chiniwalla from India
There’s a tie at the top here between these two categories. There have been 20 instances of batters being caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off Kagiso Rabada for the Delhi team, while in the field there have also been 20 cases of caught Ravindra Jadeja bowled Dwayne Bravo for Chennai Super Kings. Bravo is the leading wicket-taker overall in the IPL, while Rabada is currently just one short of becoming the 19th bowler to take 100 wickets.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Between breakout performances and returning stars making noise, the U.S. leave November camp with momentum – and something close to genuine belief. GOAL’s writers unpack the key storylines that emerged.

Right, then – we’ve got some results. And they’re good ones, too. The USMNT have taken plenty of heat – and rightly so – for leaning too much on the good-vibes narrative. The message has long been that winning doesn’t matter all that much. That may or may not be true, but this is America, and American fans like it when their teams win.

And how about two of them? Including one emphatic battering of a top-tier team? The U.S. played two, won two, scored seven, and conceded two. They brought some old faces back into the fray and got some real promise out of new ones, too. And perhaps most importantly, there's real hope where there was once total apathy. Suddenly, we're all allowed to be excited, and that's a good thing.

But zoom out for a second, and what are the takeaways here? Sure, Gio Reyna impressed, but what does that actually mean? Is Alex Freeman good enough to, you know, be any good long term? And, on the slightly negative side, who showed that they might not be good enough for the big time? GOAL U.S. writers break it all down in another edition of… . 

GettyBiggest takeaway from the thrashing of Uruguay?

Tom Hindle: That Sebastian Berhalter can BALL. There will be a lot of chat about the depth of the player pool – and rightfully so. But the center midfield options are plentiful here, and Berhalter turned in a fine audition for a spot.   

Ryan Tolmich: The player pool is deeper than many would think. After the game, Pochettino was upset by the idea of “regular” players, and he’s right; this team is much more than a few names now. There are now so many players who will believe that they won’t just make the World Cup, but make a difference once there, and that’s a pretty damn good thing considering where this team was just a few months ago.

AdvertisementImagnIs this Mauricio Pochettino's best result?

TH: By a country mile, with the minute caveat that Uruguay were really rather bad on the day. 

RT: Certainly, and not just because of the scoreline. This was a team playing in perfect harmony with fight, energy and intention. Despite making wholesale changes, the standards didn’t drop at all. It’s a testament to the work the staff has put in to get everyone humming and on the same page.

GettyWho stood out over the course of the camp?

TH: Gio Reyna. Cooked from the start against Paraguay, balled in the second half against Uruguay. A proper player.

RT: Alex Freeman is the easy answer, and he’s also the right answer. He’s become so much more confident over the last few months, and that confidence resulted in two goals. That won’t be the norm, but it shows how dangerous he is as an attacking weapon. He's gotten much better defensively, too, so the sky seems to be the limit.

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AFPWho missed their shot to impress?

TH: Brenden Aaronson. He's clearly a talented footballer, and could really do with showing a bit more when he puts his national team kit on. This was another near miss. 

RT: No one really? If you’re nitpicking, you could say that Ricardo Pepi will really wish he buried that shot against Paraguay to put some pressure on Balogun, but at the moment, he just isn’t fully fit. Generally, though, everyone performed well enough to keep themselves in the mix.

Aroldis Chapman is returning to the American League East division.

Chapman, who spent seven seasons with the New York Yankees, on Tuesday agreed to a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox worth $10.75 million, according to multiple reports. Chris Cotillo of MassLive was first to report news.

Chapman, a seven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, found the best way to confirm the news to MLB fans. Donning a Red Sox cap, posed for a photo next to his dog in what appeared to be his home gym, posting the picture onto his account on X (formerly Twitter).

It's hard to think of a better way to confirm news. It's also hard to think of many better free agent destinations than Boston for Chapman.

Incumbent closer Kenley Jansen is a free agent—and unlikely to return—and fellow relief pitcher Chris Martin is also ticketed for free agency.

In Chapman, Boston adds a flamethrowing southpaw who is familiar with handling the pressures of the ninth-inning role. The 36-year-old ranks third on MLB's active career saves list with 335 in 15 years. He has not operated as a closer since 2021, though he could do so with the Red Sox, who also have three-time All Star Liam Hendriks on their roster.

In 61 2/3 innings pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024, Chapman posted a 3.79 ERA with 98 strikeouts and 39 walks.

Levante striker Etta Eyong has taken La Liga by storm, scoring freely and drawing attention from Europe’s biggest clubs. But even a €30 million bid from CSKA Moscow couldn’t lure him away. With Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid circling, Levante are holding firm and are determined to keep the Cameroonian forward as coach Julian Cavero aims for La Liga survival this season.

Etta Eyong becomes Europe's new obsession

At just 22, Eyong has become one of the most sought-after young forwards in Europe. His explosive pace, power, and finishing have made him a sensation in Spain’s top flight, where he’s already scored six goals and registered three assists in 12 matches, placing him among the division’s top scorers behind Kylian Mbappe, Julian Alvarez and Robert Lewandowski.

His performances have triggered a flurry of interest from elite clubs. CSKA Moscow tested the waters first, reportedly offering €30 million, but both Levante and the player turned it down. According to , the striker had no interest in moving to Russia despite a lucrative salary proposal.

Meanwhile, Barcelona and Chelsea have entered the conversation, impressed by his rise in form since joining Levante this year. Madrid, Arsenal, and Manchester United are also keeping tabs, making Eyong one of the most monitored forwards in Europe this season.

However, Levante have clarified their stance: Eyong is untouchable this season. Club owner Jose Danvila reaffirmed this stance, saying: “We receive offers for him every day. But the player isn’t going to be sold. Our priority is staying up, not cashing out.”

AdvertisementGetty Images SportEtta Eyong's contract puzzle with Villarreal

Behind Eyong’s transfer saga lies a complex web of clauses stemming from his 2024 move to Villarreal. The Cameroonian initially signed a three-year deal with Villarreal, earning around €520,000 per season. But after struggling for game time, he switched to Levante in September 2025 on a four-year contract worth €1 million annually and a €30m release clause.

Villarreal, however, made sure they would benefit from any future sale. Their contract includes a multi-tiered sell-on clause: For transfers under €7.5m- Villarreal receive 80% of the fee, between €7.5m-€15m the profits are split 50/50, and anything above €15m gives Levante 80% of proceeds, with Villarreal taking 20%.

If Levante reject any offer above €15m, they must still compensate Villarreal for the profit they would’ve earned, a clause designed to ensure Villarreal profits even from failed sales. They also retain a right of first refusal, allowing them to match future bids.

This intricate structure means that Villarreal remain financially invested in Eyong’s future, while Levante must weigh sporting priorities against contractual obligations.

From Cadiz to Levante: the making of a La Liga sensation

Eyong has spoken openly about the hardships he has faced on his journey to success. With six goals this season, Eyong said it's all because of his hard work and the mentality to keep striving.

"I came here to play regularly and to help keep Levante in La Liga. The key to my scoring streak this season is simply hard work," Eyong said in a post-match interview.  

Eyong’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. He began his professional journey in Spain’s lower divisions with Cadiz B, making sporadic first-team appearances before moving to Villarreal in August 2024.

He debuted in La Liga in April 2025 and scored his first top-flight goal just weeks later, showcasing the instinctive finishing that would soon define his game. When Levante signed him for €3m, few expected such an immediate impact, but Eyong quickly became a starter, netting six goals in matches so far this season. Eyong’s blend of athletic power and technical maturity has drawn comparisons to Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, two strikers he idolised growing up.

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Getty Images SportLevante hold firm amid survival battle

Despite mounting pressure, Levante have no intention of selling Eyong, especially mid-season. The club sit 19th in La Liga with just nine points from 12 games, making survival their top priority. CEO Danvila confirmed that “it doesn’t make sense to sell your best player while fighting to stay in the top flight.”

Head coach Julian Calero shares that conviction. He’s been vocal about Eyong’s importance, calling him “a vital part of our offensive structure and the kind of player who can change the course of a match.” Calero believes that if Eyong maintains his form, Levante can secure a mid-table finish, turning a survival campaign into a success story.

The manager has also praised Eyong’s attitude and adaptability. “He’s still adjusting, but his impact is undeniable. He gives us belief,” Calero noted. Even as Eyong prepares to join Cameroon for World Cup qualifiers, his role at Levante remains central to the team’s ambitions.

Birmingham Phoenix battle back after posting 111 for 9, but hosts do enough to seal second spot

ECB Media27-Aug-2025Trent Rockets 113 for 7 (Rehan 37) beat Birmingham Phoenix 111 for 9 (Rehan 3-15) by three wicketsTrent Rockets geared up for their Eliminator showdown with Northern Superchargers by sneaking past Birmingham Phoenix with one ball to spare after a memorable debut in The Hundred for Ben Cox and an eye-catching all-round display from Rehan Ahmed.The Rockets confirmed their second-place finish in the group, behind Oval Invincibles on net run rate, and will go into Saturday evening’s contest at the Kia Oval full of confidence after claiming their sixth win in eight.Spin was the key for the Rockets, with their slow bowlers producing combined figures of 6 for 35 from 50 deliveries after Ben Duckett (20 from 15) and Will Smeed (23 from 12) had made a promising start.Rockets skipper David Willey may have been questioning his decision to insert the opposition when the Phoenix raced to 36 for 0 from 21 deliveries, but the innings stalled when Duckett scuffed a short delivery from Lockie Ferguson to Rehan at midwicket.Joe Clarke soon followed, slog-sweeping southpaw spinner George Linde to deep midwicket, and from there the wickets tumbled. The irrepressible Rehan (3 for 15) induced a chop-on from Smeed and snared Jacob Bethell for a duck three deliveries later before Linde (2 for 12) claimed his second when Liam Livingstone’s ugly heave met thin air.Rehan grabbed his third – and 10th in the competition overall – when Benny Howell picked out Max Holden on the boundary and Joe Root, whose 15 deliveries cost just eight runs, got in on the action when Liam Patterson-White’s edge was brilliantly held by Cox, who only received a call-up to join the Rockets yesterday following an injury to Adam Hose.Dan Mousley (26 from 25) gave the score some respectability but 111-9 looked well under par, even on a spin-friendly surface.The chase was far from easy though. After the early loss of Tom Banton for 1, caught at mid-on off Boult, Rehan sparkled once more, racing to 37 in 23 balls before an audacious slog sweep was caught in the deep off Livingstone. Root continued his good recent form in the tournament with a run-a-ball 25 that came to an end when he was bowled by Patterson-White and the left-arm spinner struck again five deliveries later, castling Willey with a devilish delivery that spun back sharply between bat and pad.Linde was run-out after a mix-up and Marcus Stoinis got a leading edge to cover off Bethell as the Rockets slipped to 89-6, and the left-arm spinner struck again when Sam Hain holed out to leave six required from five.Bethell was entrusted with the final set and conceded just three runs from his first three deliveries but Cox kept a cool head and swept the fourth to the boundary to finish unbeaten on 17 from 12 balls.Named Meerkat Match Hero after his three wickets and quickfire knock, Rehan said: “Coxy was always going to do it, I had full trust in him. There was a lot of assistance for spinners on this pitch. We train on similar surfaces so it was about going out there and doing the same thing. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I’ve been given and hopefully I can do it in the next couple of games.”