Chelsea have registered an interest in signing Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka as incoming manager Xabi Alonso seeks a reunion with the Swiss midfielder.
The west London club are evaluating a move for the 33-year-old, who is reportedly keen on a potential transfer to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Black Cats insist their skipper is not for sale and confirm no official club-to-club approach has yet been made.
Alonso drives push for veteran leadership
The transfer pursuit is being directly driven by new Blues boss Alonso, who officially begins his managerial role next week.
The Spaniard previously managed the veteran midfielder during Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning campaign in 2024.
Chelsea’s current valuation of the player is lower than recent speculation suggests, factoring in his age and his remaining two-year contract on Wearside.
A shift in Stamford Bridge strategy
A successful swoop for the former Arsenal star would represent a significant departure from Chelsea’s recent recruitment policy.
Since the BlueCo consortium’s takeover in 2022, the club has almost exclusively targeted young prospects rather than established veterans.
Internal discussions at Stamford Bridge throughout the recent campaign highlighted a pressing need for greater Premier League experience within the engine room.
Sunderland’s European success
The Switzerland international has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance since returning to English football.
His immense influence helped guide newly-promoted Sunderland to a highly impressive seventh-place league finish this season.
That unexpected position secured Europa League qualification for the North East outfit against all odds.
World number one Jannik Sinner has dismissed further questions regarding a player media boycott over prize money and welfare at Wimbledon after fractures emerged among leading competitors.
Several top professionals, including the Italian and Aryna Sabalenka, are pressuring Grand Slam organisers for increased financial compensation and a greater voice in tournament decision-making.
The group initiated their direct action at last month’s French Open by restricting pre-event media duties to just 15 minutes.
This specific time limit was chosen to symbolise the 15 per cent of tournament revenue that athletes estimate is broadly distributed as prize money.
Wimbledon response triggers escalation
The All England Club responded to player concerns by increasing their overall remuneration package by 20 per cent for this year’s grass-court championships.
Despite this significant financial boost, organisers were reportedly frustrated to learn that the media blackout would escalate during the opening week.
Campaigners are now demanding that 22 per cent of total tournament revenue is allocated directly to the players’ prize pot.
Protesting competitors intend to limit their post-match obligations to a brief press conference and two broadcast interviews lasting no longer than a quarter of an hour.
Sinner and Sabalenka stand firm
The reigning Australian Open champion restricted his English-speaking media duties to just six questions before shutting down the topic entirely.
He subsequently refused to explain why competitors had rejected Wimbledon’s proposal to establish a dedicated player council for welfare issues.
“I think it’s getting better, even though we are not at the point where we are 100 per cent happy.”
“It’s not about the money – not only about the money. It’s the whole scenario we take into consideration with welfare and everything else.”
While total tournament prize funds have more than doubled over the past decade, athletes maintain that these increases have failed to keep pace with soaring global revenues.
Two-time major winner Sabalenka described the recent financial adjustments as a positive starting point but urged organisers to reach a conclusive agreement.
“I really hope we can finally get to the table and really get it done, come to a conclusion that everyone is going to be happy with. I hope we’re not going to get to this boycotting again.”
Divisions emerge within player ranks
Advocates of the ongoing protest insist their primary motivation is to secure structural changes that will benefit lower-ranked professionals who struggle with gruelling tour expenses.
However, targeting the London major immediately following its proactive prize money hike has caused noticeable division within the locker room.
Australian number one Alex de Minaur and Germany’s Alexander Zverev are among the high-profile stars who have opted out of the Wimbledon action.
The Australian stated that while there was widespread unity among the playing group at Roland Garros, the current approach in London lacks unanimous support.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij have announced the heartbreaking death of their unborn baby boy, Elijah.
The Dutch international and his girlfriend originally shared the news that they were expecting their second child together in May.
However, Van der Bij revealed through a series of social media posts on Saturday that the couple had suffered a miscarriage.
‘Devastating news’
A joint statement released by the couple expressed their deep sorrow following the family tragedy.
With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy.
Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.
Finding comfort
The former PSV Eindhoven attacker and his partner detailed how they sought solace by visiting a local church to light a candle.
While visiting the church playground with their firstborn son Samuel, they encountered only one other child, who remarkably shared the name Elijah.
There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away.
The 25-year-old has been a prominent figure for the Merseyside club since his arrival in English football, but family remains his clear priority during this incredibly difficult time.
Enzo Maresca has commenced work at Manchester City’s training facility as the club finalises his appointment to replace Pep Guardiola.
The Italian strategist has spent the week acclimatising to his new surroundings at the Etihad Campus despite awaiting a formal announcement.
Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is currently negotiating a compensation package with Chelsea, who dismissed their former head coach in January.
However, the incoming boss has wasted no time in preparing for the monumental task of succeeding one of football’s most decorated managers.
Preparing for the post-Guardiola era
The tactical overseer has already begun meticulously analysing performance data to formulate his pre-season training schedule.
These preparations are crucial as the squad will return in staggered phases next month due to international commitments at the North American World Cup.
He is understood to have agreed a three-year contract and will meet senior hierarchy figures next week to outline definitive expectations.
His predecessor stepped down this summer after a decade of unprecedented dominance that yielded 20 major trophies, including a historic Treble in 2023.
Record signings and notable departures
The new era in Manchester has received an immediate boost following a monumental transfer agreement.
The Premier League champions will acquire England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for an initial £116m, potentially rising to £130m.
Despite this British record investment, the squad will feature a distinctly different dynamic following the departure of several key stalwarts.
Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva has departed for Real Madrid upon the expiry of his contract, while defensive linchpin John Stones has also left the club.
Rio Ferdinand has publicly urged Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to join Manchester United amid growing speculation over a blockbuster move to Old Trafford.
The French international has reportedly been a long-term target for the Premier League giants as they look to strengthen their midfield.
Recent transfer developments in the Spanish capital could potentially open the door for a lucrative switch to England.
Reports suggest the reigning European champions are monitoring Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, which may create space for a departure in their current squad.
Ferdinand sends direct plea
Despite the potential obstacle of a reported £210,000-a-week wage packet, Ferdinand insists his former employers must act decisively.
Speaking on his podcast, the former England defender made a direct appeal to the highly-rated anchor man.
“If Tchouameni has half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man United have to be the first team at their door knocking and make sure he can’t even talk to anybody else,” Ferdinand stated.
“Get him signed, sealed, delivered; behind these shades, there is only one club for you man.”
The six-time Premier League winner added that Old Trafford should be the definitive destination if a departure from the Bernabeu materialises.
Midfield overhaul at Old Trafford
Any potential move would see the defensive specialist follow the exact path of former team-mate Casemiro.
The Brazilian veteran made an identical journey to Manchester, securing two domestic trophies during his ongoing spell in England.
However, the French World Cup finalist is not the only midfield reinforcement currently being evaluated by the Manchester hierarchy.
Atalanta standout Ederson has been heavily linked with an initial £35m switch to the English top flight, with performance-related bonuses included.
Valued at approximately £60m, securing the Champions League winner’s signature would represent a massive statement of intent for the 20-time English champions.
New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after finishing at the bottom of their respective groups during the opening phase of the expanded 48-team tournament.
The biggest edition of football’s premier global competition guarantees that 47 competing nations will ultimately fall short of ultimate glory.
Grading these early departures reveals vastly different levels of underachievement across the initial group stages.
All Whites extend winless drought
The Oceanian representatives finished last in Group G following a heavy defeat against a star-studded Belgium side.
Despite showing genuine promise by taking the lead in their fixtures against Iran and Egypt, the team ultimately surrendered both advantages.
That inability to close out matches means the frustrating wait for a maiden victory on the global stage continues.
Entering the competition as heavy underdogs, the squad was always expected to struggle against higher-calibre international opposition.
Green Falcons fall flat
Meanwhile, the Middle Eastern powerhouse suffered a dismal exit after finishing at the foot of Group H.
Needing a victory against a nation boasting a population of just over half a million people to advance to the round of 32, they could only manage a scoreless draw.
The squad was thoroughly outplayed in their decisive fixture and struggled desperately to create meaningful attacking opportunities.
Registering a mere 17 total shots before their elimination, the side recorded one of the lowest attacking outputs of the entire competition.
Emma Raducanu has raised serious doubts over her Wimbledon participation after cutting short a practice session and cancelling her scheduled media duties.
The 23-year-old British number one ended a practice set against Anna Kalinskaya prematurely on Saturday after falling 4-0 behind.
She left Court 3 approximately 10 minutes ahead of schedule with her right ankle heavily strapped.
Following her abrupt departure, the former US Open champion postponed a planned afternoon press conference at the All England Club.
Ankle concerns disrupt preparations
Fears regarding her physical condition had already surfaced earlier in the week when she was reportedly seen wearing a protective boot.
Saturday marked her first on-site training sessions in five days, having initially practised at Aorangi Park before the curtailed set.
The 30th seed was accompanied by her coaching team, including returning coach Andrew Richardson and physiotherapist Emma Stewart.
Recent workload takes a toll
The Grand Slam winner is believed to be nursing a minor injury sustained during her recent run to the final at Queen’s Club.
Rain delays at that tournament forced her to play three competitive matches within a gruelling 28-hour window.
This sudden spike in physical exertion followed a two-month absence from the tour earlier this year due to a post-viral illness.
Consequently, she withdrew from subsequent grass-court events in Nottingham and Eastbourne to prioritise her recovery.
Challenging opening week awaits
If passed fit, the home favourite is scheduled to open Monday’s play on Court 1 against world number 60 Antonia Ruzic.
Progressing past the first round would likely set up a daunting clash with 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Beyond that, world number one Aryna Sabalenka looms as a potential third-round opponent in SW19.
American second seed Madison Keys has secured her third Eastbourne International title with a hard-fought 7-5 6-4 straight-set victory over Germany’s Tatjana Maria.
The 31-year-old’s triumph places her alongside tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova as the only women to win the prestigious grass-court tournament three or more times.
Having previously lifted the trophy in 2014 and 2023, the reigning Australian Open champion did not drop a single set throughout her dominant week on the south coast.
“I won my first title here many, many years ago, so to win for a third time means the world to me.” Madison Keys
Powerful serving overcomes resilient defence
The world number 112 initially struggled against her American opponent’s formidable service game and frequent aggressive approaches to the net.
Despite squandering two set points with consecutive double faults, Keys quickly regained composure to break the 38-year-old’s defence and seal the opening set.
Maria, who recently claimed the Queen’s Club Championships title, effectively utilised her trademark sliced groundstrokes to fend off early break points in the second set.
However, a decisive breakthrough in the seventh game allowed the five-time consecutive tour finalist to serve out the match at the earliest opportunity.
“To do it in front of such amazing fans is the icing on the cake.” Madison Keys
Muchova triumphs as injured Osaka withdraws
In other WTA action, Karolina Muchova captured the Bad Homburg title following Naomi Osaka’s unfortunate withdrawal during their grass-court final.
The four-time Grand Slam champion received medical treatment for an ankle issue after losing the opening set 6-1, but was forced to retire just one game into the second.
This victory marks a second trophy of the year for the Czech player, propelling her back into the world’s top 10 rankings ahead of the next major.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who came to the match and I want to apologise for not being able to finish.” Naomi Osaka
Wimbledon preparations in sharp focus
Attention now turns rapidly to the All England Club as the grass-court season reaches its highly anticipated pinnacle.
The newly crowned Eastbourne champion will begin her Wimbledon campaign against compatriot Kayla Day, while 2022 semi-finalist Maria faces Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.
Osaka is currently scheduled to play France’s Elsa Jacquemot in her first-round match on Monday, pending a swift recovery from her ankle injury.