Newcastle United have opened talks with Freiburg to sign Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi as they rebuild their squad following several high-profile departures.
The Magpies are understood to be the frontrunners for the signature of the highly-rated international.
Discussions have already taken place with the player’s representatives regarding a move to St James’ Park.
Formal club-to-club negotiations with the Bundesliga side are expected to commence in the coming days.
Midfield rebuild continues
The pursuit of the Swiss standout follows a period of significant transition on Tyneside.
Newcastle recently generated £170m from the combined sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
In response to those exits, the Premier League side have already agreed a deal for Ajax prospect Seun Steur.
Further additions during this transfer window include the arrivals of Even Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure.
World Cup performances attract interest
Manzambi has attracted attention from a host of top European clubs following his impressive displays on the international stage.
The central midfielder was widely praised for his commanding performances during the recent World Cup.
Securing his services would provide a significant boost to Newcastle’s ambitions of returning to the Champions League.
Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will lead Egypt into their historic World Cup last-16 tie against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Atlanta.
The 34-year-old is currently a free agent after his nine-year, trophy-laden spell at Anfield came to an emotional conclusion in May.
Despite uncertainty surrounding his club future, the prolific attacker has guided his nation into uncharted territory at the 2026 tournament.
The Pharaohs advanced from Group G before securing their first-ever World Cup knockout victory via a dramatic penalty shootout against Australia in the round of 32.
Historic clash awaits in Atlanta
They now face a formidable challenge against the reigning world champions.
The encounter pits the Egyptian icon directly against his long-time contemporary Messi on the global stage.
It represents a pinnacle moment in a rollercoaster year for the forward affectionately known by supporters as the Egyptian King.
Life after Anfield
Away from international duty, speculation continues to mount regarding the star’s next domestic destination.
His departure from Merseyside marked the end of an era that began when he originally arrived from Roma for £34.3m in 2017.
Subsequent contract extensions alongside lucrative endorsements have reportedly amassed him a net worth of £105m.
Dedication to physical conditioning
Much of that unprecedented success has been attributed to the player’s relentless commitment to his physical wellbeing.
His family residence in Cheshire’s affluent golden triangle features extensive recovery facilities, including hyperbaric chambers and cryotherapy units.
The setup is so thorough that the former Roma man previously admitted his wife Magi joked it resembles a medical facility.
“I am constantly looking to improve my physical condition.”
This meticulous approach to fitness will be thoroughly tested when Egypt attempt to produce a monumental upset against the South American giants.
Newcastle United have agreed a £20m deal to sign Ajax prospect Seun Steur to bolster Eddie Howe’s midfield options.
The impending transfer represents another major move for the Tyneside club during a remarkably busy summer window.
The Dutch sensation has frequently been highlighted by scouts and European football experts as a generational talent.
He is unbelievably special.
Midfield rebuild continues after high-profile exits
Steur’s arrival comes in the wake of several significant financial departures from St James’ Park this month.
The Magpies recently sanctioned the staggering £100m sale of Italian international Sandro Tonali to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
That blockbuster exit swiftly followed the £70m departure of winger Anthony Gordon to Spanish giants Barcelona.
Those lucrative outbound transfers have provided Howe with the vital capital required to completely reshape his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Further Tyneside arrivals expected
Steur is not the only fresh face joining the Newcastle ranks following this sudden influx of transfer funds.
The English club have already completed a deal to bring exciting attacker Bazoumana Toure to the North East.
Executives are also actively pursuing a move for World Cup standout Johan Manzambi to further reinforce the centre of the pitch alongside their newest Dutch recruit.
Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk has withdrawn from her Wimbledon women’s doubles match due to stomach issues, just hours after securing her first-ever singles quarter-final at the All England Club.
The withdrawal means number nine seeds Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs advance to the quarter-finals via a walkover.
Kostyuk was scheduled to partner Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse on No. 2 Court on Monday afternoon.
Historic singles breakthrough
The Ukrainian had earlier breezed past American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger 6-4 6-4 in the opening match of the day.
That victory secured her maiden appearance in the final eight of the prestigious grass-court tournament.
The 12th seed recovered from a break deficit in the second set, claiming the final four games to seal a straight-sets win.
However, the recent Roland Garros semi-finalist appeared to struggle physically following the triumph.
Illness forces doubles exit
She remained seated at her bench for several minutes after the match, visibly stretching and resting before her on-court interview.
Tournament organisers initially delayed the doubles fixture, moving it down the order of play.
Confirmation of the Ukrainian-Romanian pairing’s withdrawal arrived shortly before the scheduled press conference.
The singles quarter-finalist later confirmed that a combination of nerves, heat, and physical discomfort prompted the decision.
“I did a little mistake and I had problems with my stomach.”
Marta Kostyuk
“I still experience some problems. Yeah, I think the heat.”
“It was pretty stressful match for me because I was the one coming into this match with kind of being a favourite, such good opportunity, playing for the first quarter-final here in Wimbledon.”
The withdrawal does not affect the singles competition, leaving the talented baseliner free to rest ahead of her quarter-final tie.
British wildcard Arthur Fery has stunned former world number three Grigor Dimitrov in a five-set Centre Court thriller to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old fought back from a break down in the fourth set to secure a famous 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 (10-7) victory.
His triumph provided a much-needed boost for the home crowd following a bleak opening week where only four of 19 domestic singles players advanced past the first round.
From Challenger injuries to Centre Court history
Fery is the first wildcard player outside the top 100 to reach the men’s singles last eight since Australian Nick Kyrgios achieved the feat in 2014.
Only once has a wildcard competitor gone on to lift the trophy at the All England Club, a milestone famously achieved by Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.
The Stanford University scholar has enjoyed a miraculous turnaround in fortunes this year.
Just 26 weeks ago, the London-raised hopeful retired injured while attempting to qualify for a low-tier Challenger tournament in Canberra.
Wildcard cherishes unforgettable experience
“What I experienced today, I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life,” Fery said.
“Who knows, maybe I will never get to experience that ever again.”
“It’s the first time I’m playing on this stage, and that might be the first and last time – but hopefully not.”
Sporting pedigree fuels dramatic comebacks
The young Briton has spent his entire campaign mounting thrilling fightbacks, having dropped the opening set in his first two matches before overturning a deficit against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the third round.
Such resilience is perhaps unsurprising given his deep-rooted sporting background.
His mother, Olivia, is a former French Fed Cup player, while his father, Loic, previously owned Ligue 1 football club Lorient.
Dimitrov buckles as Rusedski praises resilience
Despite Dimitrov boasting 61 Grand Slam appearances compared to a mere eight for his opponent, the Bulgarian ultimately faltered under the intense pressure.
“If you look at the two players’ careers, Dimitrov has always buckled at the big moments,” former British number one Greg Rusedski told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
“Fery stood tall, took advantage and said ‘I’m going to find a way, I’m going to find a solution’.”
Italian test awaits on milestone weekend
The unseeded star will now face Italian ninth seed Flavio Cobolli in Wednesday’s quarter-final showdown.
Whatever the outcome of that daunting clash, there will be plenty of cause for celebration this weekend.
The history-making wildcard will turn 24 on Sunday, and he will undoubtedly hope to mark the occasion with an improbable semi-final appearance.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has delayed signing a new contract with the Denver Nuggets until 2027 in order to maximise a potential record-breaking deal.
The Serbian centre reaffirmed his commitment to the franchise following a FIBA World Cup qualifying game on Monday.
He insists he wants to spend his entire NBA career playing in Colorado.
“My idea and desire is to stay in Denver, I’ll probably sign next year. My desire is to play the rest of my life in Denver.”
Nikola Jokic
Financial motivations behind the delay
The franchise cornerstone is currently under contract for two more seasons, with the final year operating as a player option.
He has been eligible to negotiate a four-year extension worth $278m since the middle of June.
However, by waiting until the 2027 offseason, the former second-round draft pick will become eligible to sign a five-year, $359.5m contract as a free agent.
Such an agreement would become the largest in NBA history and push his career on-court earnings to an unprecedented $724m.
Recent struggles and roster changes
Despite individual brilliance, it has been a frustrating recent period for the 2023 NBA champions.
Denver suffered a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
They have failed to advance past the second round of the postseason since claiming their maiden championship.
On a personal level, the dominant big man finished as runner-up in the MVP voting to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This came despite him averaging a remarkable triple-double for the second time in his career, posting 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game.
It has also been a quiet free agency period for the Western Conference side, who recently lost Tim Hardaway Jr to the Miami Heat.
Denver have bolstered their ranks by signing guard Tyus Jones and centre Marvin Bagley Jr, but remain locked in negotiations with restricted free agents Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones.
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has become a free agent after clearing waivers on Monday following his arrest on felony charges in Florida.
The 23-year-old was released by Detroit last week after facing allegations of armed robbery and kidnapping.
Despite his ongoing legal issues, he is expected to visit several NFL teams who have reportedly expressed interest in securing his services.
Bail conditions and restrictions
The defensive back was released from custody last Tuesday after posting a $1m (£790,000) bond set by Hillsborough County Judge Christopher Sabella.
Under the stringent conditions of his release, the former Alabama standout is strictly prohibited from contacting six co-defendants or any witnesses involved in the case.
He has also been ordered to remain confined to his residence in Tallahassee, Florida, and was forced to surrender his passport.
However, court exemptions have been granted allowing him to travel for professional football activities, including playing, training, and visiting prospective franchises.
Abduction allegations detailed
Authorities accuse the American of orchestrating the abduction and severe assault of three men.
Prosecutors allege the victims were targeted because the player wrongly suspected them of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury items from an Airbnb rental in Tampa.
According to court details, six associates carried out the crimes by holding and pistol-whipping the victims.
Officials have noted that the athlete was not physically present during the violent attack.
Impact on Detroit’s defence
Detroit selected the highly-rated prospect in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to heavily bolster their secondary.
His sudden departure leaves a significant void in the Lions’ defensive lineup, as he was slated to start on the outside opposite veteran D.J. Reed.
The rookie had two years and $4.8m remaining on his initial professional contract before his sudden release.
Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur is planning a temporary break from the sport after suffering a straight-sets defeat to Italy’s Flavio Cobolli at Wimbledon.
The 27-year-old was eliminated 7-5 7-6 6-3 by Cobolli during a frustrating evening on Court One.
His fiancee, British number one Katie Boulter, watched from the stands wearing an England football shirt.
Despite the disappointing loss, he firmly dismissed any immediate thoughts of permanent retirement.
Grand Slam frustrations continue
The defeat leaves the Sydney-born player still searching for a major breakthrough.
He has won 11 career ATP Tour titles but has never progressed past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament.
His best run at SW19 came in 2024, when a hip injury forced him to withdraw from a highly anticipated quarter-final against Novak Djokovic.
Reflecting on his latest exit, the Australian admitted his ultimate career ambitions feel increasingly distant.
“I won’t play a tournament for a while,” De Minaur said.
“The goals, the beliefs, the dreams that you have, they kind of start fading away or they feel a little bit further away than when they once were.”
Shifting focus away from the court
The world number nine acknowledged the mental toll of the sport but vowed to eventually return to the ATP tour.
“I’m finding it harder, that’s the reality of it,” he added.
“It hurts like hell now, but I’ll get back up because I’m a competitor through and through.”
He is scheduled to defend his Washington Open title at the end of July.
However, the timing of his return remains uncertain as he prepares to marry Boulter later this summer.
The former US Open quarter-finalist intends to use his upcoming wedding as a positive distraction from his struggles on the grass.
“I’ve got some pretty big things happening soon, so some stuff that I’m very excited for,” he explained.
“I think my best way forward is to channel my focus into that, into something positive.”
Meanwhile, Cobolli progresses to the next round after delivering a dominant performance.
“I think I played one of the best matches ever, especially on this surface that is always tough to play,” the Italian remarked.