Juventus have publicly denied holding transfer negotiations with Mohamed Salah as the Liverpool forward prepares to leave Anfield at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old is set to depart Merseyside on a free transfer this summer despite having an additional year remaining on his current contract.
Recent reports suggested the Serie A giants had opened exploratory talks to bring the Egyptian international to Turin.
However, Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini has firmly rejected those claims.
“What is being said about negotiations for Mohamed Salah is not true,” Ottolini said.
“At the moment, there is absolutely nothing regarding that.”
Agent insists future remains undecided
The prolific winger has also been heavily linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.
Despite mounting speculation, his representative Ramy Abbas Issa recently stated that no final decision has been reached regarding his next destination.
“We do not know where Mohamed will play next season,” Issa posted on social media last month.
“This also means that no one else knows.”
Anfield farewell looms for key figure
The former Roma attacker has a maximum of five matches remaining in a Liverpool shirt, with only three of those fixtures scheduled at Anfield.
He recently left his mark on the Merseyside derby by scoring a crucial goal, further cementing his legacy at the club.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the emotional weight of his impending departure but stressed the team’s immediate priorities.
“He is an outstanding teammate to have, obviously we have been through everything together; highs, lows,” Van Dijk said.
“He will still be important for the last five games that we have to play and then it will be emotional for him and his family, for sure.”
Champions League push continues
Arne Slot’s side are currently fighting to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
The Reds sit fifth in the Premier League table, trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by just three points.
The squad will be hoping their talisman is fully fit for this weekend’s crucial domestic clash against Crystal Palace.
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has promised US President Donald Trump a swift knockout victory when he defends his title against Justin Gaethje at the White House on 14 June.
The Georgian-Spanish fighter headlines the historic ‘Freedom 250’ event on the grounds of the presidential residence.
He faces the 37-year-old American interim champion in an eagerly anticipated unification bout.
Stepping up to lightweight
‘El Matador’ vacated his featherweight title last year to move up to the 155lb division.
The transition proved highly successful as he brutally stopped Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim two-division championship status.
This upcoming summer clash will mark his first defence of the lightweight crown.
Both competitors possess devastating striking power, making a five-round judge’s decision highly unlikely.
A message for the President
With the US President confirmed to be sitting cageside, the defending champion anticipates a brief, explosive contest.
“Don’t blink or start fixing your hair, because it’s going to be over quickly.”
The unbeaten titleholder acknowledges the immense threat posed by his veteran opponent but remains supremely confident.
“Based on his fighting style, how he comes out in every fight, I see it ending quickly, honestly.”
Gaethje seeks undisputed glory
The ‘Highlight’ enters the octagon following a gritty interim title victory over Paddy Pimblett in January.
He will be desperate to finally capture undisputed gold, having previously fallen short in title shots against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Oliveira.
However, the lightweight king believes engaging in a striking battle against his technical superiority will be a fatal mistake for the American challenger.
“I think he’s the kind of guy who offers a fight, and when you do that, I think you’re making a mistake.”
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has confirmed that forwards Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth could recover from injury in time for next Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal in Spain.
The Spanish side host the Gunners in the capital before travelling to north London for the decisive reverse fixture six days later.
There were initial fears that the La Liga outfit would be without two crucial attackers for the highly anticipated European tie.
Simeone offers positive medical update
Lookman was forced off with a reported adductor issue during Atletico’s recent Copa del Rey final defeat.
His Norwegian team-mate completed that same match but also emerged with a physical complaint.
Both attackers were subsequently placed on individualised training programmes away from the main first-team squad to manage their fitness.
We’ll monitor Sorloth and Lookman after their minor injuries and see if they can recover for Saturday, the doctors say it’s possible.
Diego Simeone
The Argentine coach will be hoping his medical staff are correct ahead of this weekend’s domestic clash with Athletic Club.
Crucial firepower returning for out-of-form hosts
Having both players available would represent a significant lift for a team struggling for consistency.
Sorloth has been remarkably efficient in Europe this season, netting six Champions League goals despite starting just five matches in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian international winger has been in excellent recent touch, scoring three times in his last five appearances.
That domestic form includes a crucial equaliser against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Semi-finalists desperate to find winning momentum
Neither club approaches this monumental knockout fixture in particularly impressive condition.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League challengers have recorded just a single victory across their previous six matches.
Their Spanish opponents have fared even worse, managing only one win in their last eight outings across all competitions.
However, the English side will draw massive confidence from their previous European meeting earlier this campaign.
The north Londoners emphatically dismantled their upcoming opponents with a 4-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium during the league phase.
Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed he feels unexpectedly grounded in his first Formula 1 world title fight, attributing his calm mindset to lessons learned during his childhood karting career.
The 28-year-old officially opened a new karting facility at Silverstone on Wednesday, bringing his two-decade motorsport journey full circle.
When the Briton joined the Silver Arrows in 2022, he anticipated an immediate championship battle alongside then team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
However, his promotion from Williams coincided with a significant dip in the team’s dominant form following their controversial 2021 campaign against Max Verstappen.
Focusing on the daily process
Now that the Brackley-based squad are finally back at the front of the grid, their lead driver insists his approach remains entirely unchanged.
“I was a bit surprised about that myself. I’m just going about my process day to day.” George Russell
“Every time I get in a race car, I don’t think about the big picture, which is winning the championship.”
Instead of fixating on the overall standings, the former junior champion prioritises extracting maximum performance during qualifying and executing flawless race starts.
He acknowledges the unique intensity of the current season but maintains that his psychological approach is entirely natural rather than a forced coping mechanism.
Childhood lessons endure
“It’s just the mentality I’ve always had since I was a kid. Probably what my father ingrained in me, fighting for karting championships as a 10-year-old.” George Russell
Having outperformed the seven-time world champion Hamilton in two of their three seasons together, the current title contender clearly thrives under intense pressure.
Although the sporting stakes in motorsport’s premier class are exponentially higher, the fundamental requirements to win remain identical to those early days on the kart track.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli has formally suggested to FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Italy should replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup amid ongoing military tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The unprecedented request arrives during a temporary ceasefire in the escalating conflict between the United States and the Middle Eastern nation.
While Infantino recently insisted there is no contingency plan to remove the Iranian national team, uncertainty continues to cloud their tournament participation.
Azzurri offered an unlikely lifeline
Zampolli confirmed his radical proposal to the Financial Times, advocating for the four-time world champions to take the vacant spot if one arises.
“As an Italian native, it would be a dream to see the Azzurri competing in a tournament hosted by the United States,” Zampolli stated.
“With four titles, they have the history and stature to warrant inclusion.”
The European heavyweights failed to qualify for the tournament after suffering a shock play-off defeat against Bosnia last month.
Gattuso departs following qualification failure
That devastating loss in the European qualifiers prompted head coach Gennaro Gattuso to immediately resign from his post.
“With pain in my heart, having failed to achieve the target we set ourselves, I am bringing an end to my experience as national team boss,” the former midfielder told fans.
Despite the high-profile American backing, Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi has dismissed the prospect of a late tournament entry as highly unlikely.
Diplomatic tensions overshadow Group G
The Iranian squad are currently scheduled to begin their campaign against New Zealand on 15 June.
Group G also features challenging fixtures against Belgium and Egypt for the Asian powerhouse.
Trump caused a diplomatic stir last month by urging the team to stay away from the North American tournament for their own safety.
Tehran responded defiantly to the American president, suggesting the co-hosts should withdraw from their own competition instead.
England have appointed former Leeds Rhinos boss Brian McDermott as their new men’s head coach ahead of the Rugby League World Cup.
The 56-year-old succeeds Shaun Wane, who stepped down from the national role in January.
He will balance international duties on a part-time basis alongside his current position as an assistant coach at Australian NRL club Gold Coast Titans.
Beating stiff competition
The Yorkshireman was selected by the Rugby Football League from a highly competitive five-man shortlist.
Warrington’s Sam Burgess, current Leeds manager Brad Arthur, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England coach Steve McNamara were all considered for the post.
Hull KR’s treble-winning chief Willie Peters had also previously expressed interest.
However, he ruled himself out of the running by accepting an offer to join the new Papua New Guinea Chiefs franchise at the end of the season.
A proven track record
The ex-marine brings tremendous pedigree to the international setup following a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Headingley.
During his tenure with the Rhinos, he secured four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, and a World Club Challenge.
Rugby league great Kevin Sinfield recently described the former Bradford forward as the best coach he had ever played under.
‘Building belief in the group’
The new international boss stated his immediate priority is establishing a winning culture within the squad.
“I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.”
“My focus now is on creating an environment where players can perform with confidence, represent the shirt with pride, and give themselves the best chance of going deep into the tournament.”
“I’ve always been hands-on and close to the detail, and that will be important in this role. My job now is to get the standards right, build belief in the group, and make sure we’re ready when it matters.”
World Cup campaign begins
The national side will travel to Australia this autumn to begin their latest quest for global silverware.
Their opening fixture takes place against Tonga in Perth on 17 October.
Subsequent group stage matches against France and Papua New Guinea will follow shortly after.
Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks have heavily criticised the officiating after the Phoenix Suns suffered a 120-107 play-off defeat against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
The loss leaves Phoenix trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven series against the reigning title holders.
Booker, an 11-year league veteran, was particularly angered by a technical foul he received in the third quarter.
The Phoenix star singled out crew chief James Williams by name, suggesting the integrity of the sport is at stake.
“It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as a WWE if they’re not held responsible.”
Devin Booker
Brooks questions physicality
Suns forward Brooks also expressed immense frustration after fouling out in the closing moments of the contest despite scoring 30 points.
The Canadian international directed his ire towards the whistle blown for his national team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning Most Valuable Player, scored a game-high 37 points and converted all nine of his free-throw attempts.
“He’s a little frail, and that’s what the refs are going to call. I got to be smarter about it, but this is the playoffs. It’s a man’s game.”
Dillon Brooks
The former Memphis Grizzlies defender pleaded for a return to the physical style of past play-off eras, questioning why flopping is tolerated.
Gilgeous-Alexander unfazed
Despite the verbal barbs, Gilgeous-Alexander refused to be drawn into a war of words with his summer international colleague.
The Oklahoma City standout had previously attempted 17 free throws in his team’s blowout victory in Game 1.
He insisted his sole focus remains on securing victories for his franchise as they look to defend their crown.
“I can’t control what Dillon or anybody else on the other side is going to complain about. All I can do is try to go out there and win basketball games for my team.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder guard concluded by praising the energy his opponent brought to the court, noting that he loves the competitive nature of their match-ups.
NFL franchises will make defining roster decisions on Thursday night as the highly anticipated three-day NFL Draft gets under way in Pittsburgh.
The annual selection event represents the culmination of a rigorous scouting period that began last August.
Hundreds of executives and coaches have spent thousands of hours analysing collegiate prospects in a desperate bid to predict future success.
The Seattle Seahawks currently sit at the pinnacle of the sport following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, and rival franchises are now eager to emulate their roster-building blueprint.
Excitement and pressure on draft day
The selection process provides a constant source of debate and contrasting predictions, fuelling the relentless popularity of America’s premier football competition.
Rick Spielman, currently a senior advisor with the New York Jets, believes the immense pressure of the event is unmatched across the sporting landscape.
“Besides maybe getting married to my wife, it’s the most exciting day of the year every year.”
Rick Spielman
The veteran executive has previously overseen life-changing decisions during his lengthy tenure as the Minnesota Vikings general manager.
He successfully drafted legendary running back Adrian Peterson with the seventh overall pick in 2007.
The former Minnesota shot-caller also seized the opportunity to select Justin Jefferson in 2020, with the dynamic playmaker now widely regarded as the finest wide receiver in the league.
The search for hidden gems
Front office executives constantly wrestle with the dilemma of whether to risk draft capital on potential superstars or accumulate solid contributors on cost-effective rookie contracts.
“The players get 17 games, but as a general manager, you only get one game and this is it.”
Rick Spielman
Comprehensive draft boards are finalised well before the event begins, leaving teams to meticulously run through countless strategic scenarios.
While the opening rounds dominate the global headlines, the latter stages on Saturday belong entirely to the regional scouting departments.
These final selections are where hidden gems are frequently unearthed, providing crucial foundational depth for teams harbouring genuine championship aspirations.