Midfielder Jack Grealish has decided against returning to Manchester City this summer while Pep Guardiola remains manager, instead seeking a permanent transfer to Everton.
The 30-year-old has spent the current campaign away from the Etihad Stadium after being frozen out by his Spanish boss towards the end of last season.
His relationship with his parent club deteriorated further when he was omitted from the squad for the recent Club World Cup in America.
Focus firmly on Merseyside future
The former Aston Villa playmaker subsequently sought a fresh challenge at Goodison Park, where he managed to rediscover his best form before suffering a cruel injury setback.
A stress fracture of the foot sustained against his boyhood club in January required surgery, abruptly ending his domestic season and ruling him out of the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Despite his loan agreement expiring in June, the England international has no intention of reporting back for pre-season training in Manchester the following month.
He hopes a permanent switch to Merseyside can be negotiated, with City currently valuing him at around £50m.
Valuation and contract complications
The Manchester outfit may be forced to accept a reduced fee given the attacker is entering the final 12 months of his contract.
Should a permanent transfer fail to materialise, the creative midfielder would prefer another temporary departure ahead of becoming a free agent in 2027.
Meanwhile, the injured star insists his rehabilitation is proceeding exactly to plan ahead of the new campaign.
Perfect rehabilitation progress
“I feel really good in myself now. I had a 10-week Zoom call with the surgeon, who said it couldn’t be looking any better at this stage.”
“So for me, it’s happy days and so good to hear news like that.”
The experienced forward also expressed deep gratitude towards his current employers for their unwavering support during his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“I can’t thank Everton enough for the way they’ve been with me since I’ve been injured.”
“They’ve been brilliant. From the staff, to the players, to the manager.”
The Atlanta Dream have traded for forward Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky ahead of the new season as they look to build on recent progress and challenge for the WNBA title.
The Georgia-based franchise sent two future first-round picks to secure the services of the former seventh overall draft pick.
Her arrival coincides with the organisation re-signing a strong veteran core, including Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada, to multi-year contracts.
A missing piece for championship ambitions
Head coach Karl Smesko is already integrating the new recruit into a fast-paced offensive system during early training camp sessions.
The talented rebounder expressed her delight at the move following a reportedly fractured relationship with her former team.
“I always wanted to come to Atlanta,” Reese said.
“When you think of championship culture, playing next to these players, it just made sense.”
Building on recent playoff progress
Last season marked significant progress for the Dream, culminating in a first-round postseason defeat to the Indiana Fever.
The front office is now banking on their revamped roster to close the gap on the league’s elite.
The former college national champion believes the presence of established perimeter shooters like Allisha Gray will grant her unprecedented freedom in the paint.
“I do believe that Angel is the missing piece that we need to take us over the top,” Gray added.
Fresh start in Georgia
This high-profile transfer concludes a turbulent chapter in Illinois for the dynamic post player.
Now surrounded by an experienced supporting cast, the forward has a prime opportunity to elevate her professional career.
With training camp intensifying, the squad’s focus shifts entirely to forging the chemistry required for a deep postseason run.
The Premier League is evaluating new IFAB regulations to combat fake goalkeeper injuries after Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez sparked outrage by forcing an unofficial timeout against Leeds United.
The controversial tactic drew intense scrutiny when the Spanish stopper sat on the Wembley turf requiring medical attention during the second half of their FA Cup tie.
While the 26-year-old received treatment, his Blues team-mates gathered at the touchline for tactical instructions, deeply frustrating the Yorkshire club’s players and supporters.
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu was visibly angered by the delay, attempting to disrupt the impromptu team talk as his side chased an equaliser.
Lawmakers propose stricter sanctions
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has now intervened, proposing revised regulations to eradicate the practice across the professional game.
Trials are scheduled for the 2026-27 campaign, with the Women’s Super League already volunteering to participate and top-flight English officials currently assessing their involvement.
One proposed measure would require any player needing treatment to leave the pitch for a full 60 seconds, doubling the existing half-minute mandate.
Crucially, if a goalkeeper requires medical attention, an outfield team-mate would be forced to temporarily vacate the field to ensure a numerical disadvantage.
Alternative trials and NWSL success
A stricter alternative being considered by the game’s lawmakers involves extending the mandatory sideline period to two minutes.
While proponents argue this would serve as a powerful deterrent against gamesmanship, critics fear it could compromise player welfare by discouraging legitimate treatment.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin was highly critical of the Wembley incident, urging referees to take greater responsibility.
“It’s pure gamesmanship. That’s a problem in the game. If you are the referee, you’ve got to make a decision. He’s not injured.”
A third trial option mirrors regulations already successfully implemented by the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States.
Under these North American rules, outfield players are strictly prohibited from approaching their technical area for coaching instructions while the match is halted.
Official findings from these upcoming trial phases will be thoroughly examined by IFAB at their annual meeting in March next year.
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a pivotal decision over the future of star forward Kawhi Leonard as the franchise prepares for a major off-season rebuild.
Trading longtime centre Ivica Zubac and guard James Harden at the deadline signalled a stark shift in the organisation’s priorities.
After years of tantalising potential followed by subsequent playoff disappointment, the Los Angeles franchise appears ready to reset.
Shift towards youth and financial flexibility
The Clippers missed the postseason for the first time since 2022, but they have quickly identified a blueprint for the future.
A strong 36-19 run after mid-December stemmed from prioritising emerging young players, including second-round rookie Kobe Sanders.
“We do have great hope and optimism with our future because as we build that bridge from competitive to contender, we’ve put ourselves in a very good position,” said Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations.
Recent roster moves show a clear strategy to prioritise financial flexibility and draft capital over the next two off-seasons.
Leonard’s uncertain future
The veteran forward will turn 35 this summer, but he remains eligible for a lucrative contract extension.
Publicly, the franchise maintains a desire to keep the two-time NBA Finals MVP and build a winning team around him.
However, if the organisation decides to fully pivot towards youth, the six-time All-Star could become the off-season’s biggest transfer target.
Despite his age, the California native is coming off an incredibly efficient campaign where he averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game.
Looming league investigation
Complicating any potential roster moves is an ongoing league investigation hanging over the franchise.
The Clippers have been accused of circumventing the NBA’s salary cap rules regarding previous payments to their superstar wing.
If found guilty, the organisation could face severe penalties including significant fines, suspensions of team executives, and the loss of crucial draft picks.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has opened up about his future, the GOAT debate and his recent injury return in a yearlong interview series during his historic 23rd NBA season.
The four-time NBA champion recently made his season debut after missing 14 matches with severe sciatica.
This painful lower-back issue sidelined him entirely throughout training camp.
Crucially, the injury delayed his on-court integration with Luka Doncic, who the Lakers acquired in a blockbuster midseason trade last year.
“Never in my life, since I started playing the game of basketball, have I ever not started the season.”
LeBron James
“It’s been a mind test, but I’m built for it,” the 39-year-old added regarding his recovery.
Playing on an expiring contract
The 2025-26 campaign marks a uniquely uncertain period for the future Hall of Famer.
For the first time since arriving in California in 2018, he is competing on an expiring deal.
The basketball icon opted into his $52.6m (£41.5m) player option in June rather than negotiating fresh terms.
This contractual backdrop adds significant weight to his public reflections on life after the sport.
Unbreakable records and the GOAT debate
As part of the chronicled discussions, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer examined his own legacy.
He addressed the endless comparisons with Michael Jordan and identified which of his own statistical milestones will never be beaten.
One primary topic was his record-breaking streak of consecutive games scoring at least 10 points.
That historic run reached 1,297 matches following a recent December defeat against the Phoenix Suns.
A close call with history
The Olympic gold medallist revealed his double-digit scoring streak was almost snapped in March 2021.
During a fixture against the Atlanta Hawks, opponent Solomon Hill crashed into his right leg while chasing a loose ball.
Despite crawling off the court in severe pain, the forward checked back into the game specifically to hit a corner three-pointer.
That crucial shot secured his 10th point before he immediately substituted out.
He subsequently missed the next 20 games, an absence that ultimately derailed a potential back-to-back championship run for Los Angeles.
The Dallas Cowboys’ acquisition of safety Caleb Downs has been ranked as the premier selection of the 2026 NFL Draft following a comprehensive review.
Evaluators analysed all 257 prospects selected over the three-day event to determine the top 100 acquisitions across the league.
The final rankings heavily factored in predraft value, scheme fit, addressed roster needs and the draft capital exchanged in trades.
A significant 40% of the top-rated moves came from Day 3 selections, highlighting the exceptional value found by franchises in the later rounds.
Cowboys secure defensive cornerstone
Downs was taken with the 11th overall pick in the first round but was widely regarded by scouts as a top-three draft talent.
The three-time All-American is expected to become an immediate playmaker within new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s revitalised system.
With his elite football intelligence and culture-setting abilities, the national champion is projected to develop into an All-Pro contributor during his rookie contract.
Raiders and Chiefs make aggressive moves
The Las Vegas Raiders secured what many consider the biggest steal of the weekend by drafting Jermod McCoy in the fourth round.
The highly rated cornerback originally fell to the 101st overall pick due to ongoing medical concerns surrounding a January 2025 anterior cruciate ligament tear.
However, the defensive back proved his fitness and explosive speed with a blistering 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his pre-draft workout.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs completed a decisive trade up from the ninth spot to select Mansoor Delane at number six overall.
It marked a rare top-10 selection for the reigning dynasty, who aggressively pursued the only available defensive back possessing a consensus first-round grade.
Tottenham Hotspur have verbally agreed to sign Andy Robertson if they avoid relegation from the Premier League, while talks to acquire Marcos Senesi remain ongoing.
The North London club are preparing for a major summer rebuild under manager Roberto De Zerbi, a plan heavily contingent on their top-flight survival.
Internal planning for next season is already well underway following a difficult campaign battling at the bottom of the table.
Robertson agrees conditional move
The experienced defender has verbally committed to joining the Tottenham project provided they maintain their Premier League status.
A formal contract remains unsigned as the Scottish international has no intention of dropping into Championship football.
He prioritised a move to the capital over several approaches from top Spanish and Italian sides who were monitoring his situation in January.
Advanced talks for Senesi
Meanwhile, negotiations to secure the services of Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi are progressing positively.
The Argentinian centre-back is set to become a free agent this summer and favours a move to London despite firm interest from Juventus.
However, reports of a completed verbal agreement are premature, with crucial details still needing to be finalised before any deal is struck.
Vicario and Romero could depart
The anticipated influx of new talent is likely to be funded by several high-profile departures.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is eager to return to Italy, with Inter Milan identifying the shot-stopper as a potential replacement for Yann Sommer.
Fellow international Cristian Romero is also attracting significant interest from elite European clubs and could be sold to balance the books.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the playing squad, De Zerbi remains completely committed to leading the club regardless of which division they find themselves in next season.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged the club to keep Alisson Becker at Anfield next season, describing the Brazilian as the best goalkeeper in the world amid uncertainty over his future.
The Merseyside club recently triggered a one-year contract extension for the 33-year-old shot-stopper.
However, head coach Arne Slot refused to guarantee last week that the veteran will remain with the Premier League side beyond the current campaign.
Italian giants Juventus are reportedly monitoring the former Roma player’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window.
A potential Anfield departure
Liverpool already have a succession plan in place following the acquisition of highly-rated Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
This summer could represent the final opportunity for the club hierarchy to secure a significant transfer fee for their long-serving number one.
The Dutch centre-back has played alongside the South American since 2018 and warned that his departure would be severely felt.
“It would definitely be a big blow and a miss but I don’t think it’s a good idea to think ahead about what could or could not happen.”
Leadership on and off the pitch
The international star is currently sidelined with an injury but remains a crucial presence within the dressing room.
“He’s very important for me as one of the leaders in the team and I think he is very important on the pitch because I think he is one of the best – in my opinion the best – goalkeeper in the world.”
The defensive stalwart noted that his colleague is pushing hard to return to fitness for the final four matches of the domestic season.
“Would I love him to stay? Of course, there’s no doubt about that.”
Curtis Jones contract uncertainty
Alongside the goalkeeping dilemma, the Netherlands captain also expressed his desire for the club to retain academy graduate Curtis Jones.
The English midfielder was linked with a move to Inter Milan during the January window and is approaching the final year of his current deal.
Acknowledging his limited influence over boardroom decisions, the skipper stated he simply hopes his teammate’s future lies on Merseyside.