Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign 17-year-old Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez from Atletico Nacional on a five-year contract.
The Reds are advancing with the final documentation to secure the highly-rated teenager ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
They have reportedly outbid European rivals including Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund to capture the prospect’s signature.
Developing talent in South America
Following the completion of the deal, the promising South American will remain with his current club to continue his professional development.
Atletico Nacional have also negotiated a structural clause ensuring they retain a percentage of any future transfer fee.
Securing the youngster’s services represents a significant long-term investment for the Merseyside outfit.
Adding depth to Arne Slot’s squad
The upcoming transfer window is viewed as a vital period for manager Arne Slot after a challenging domestic campaign.
Bringing in emerging global talent signals the club’s intent to rebuild and strengthen their attacking options for the future.
On the international stage, the versatile midfielder has already made six appearances for the Colombia Under-17 national team.
While he has yet to register a goal for his country, his technical attributes have drawn widespread attention from top European scouts.
Novak Djokovic will look to capitalise on Carlos Alcaraz’s absence at the French Open to challenge Jannik Sinner for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
The 24-time major champion remains a significant threat at Roland Garros despite recent struggles with form and fitness.
Defending the sport’s recent youth movement currently falls solely on Sinner, with Alcaraz ruled out of the entire clay and grass-court seasons due to a troubling wrist injury.
Other rising stars, including Jack Draper and Holger Rune, are also missing from the Parisian dirt.
Physical doubts surround the Serbian veteran
The 38-year-old has endured an uninspiring preparation for the second major of the year.
He suffered a three-set defeat to qualifier Dino Prizmic in Rome during his only clay-court appearance of 2025 so far.
However, the former world number one has a proven track record of finding hidden physical reserves when competing over five sets.
Last season, he recovered from early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros.
A prime opportunity for a 25th major
Alcaraz’s untimely injury removes a significant psychological and physical barrier for the Belgrade native.
During the Australian Open in January, he expended immense energy defeating Sinner in a five-set semi-final before falling to the Spaniard in the final.
This summer, contenders will only need to overcome one half of the dominant pair who have claimed the last nine grand slam titles.
With the draw significantly altered, the pursuit of an unprecedented 25th major championship looks increasingly plausible for the sport’s most dogged competitor.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has drawn criticism for appearing to aim a set-piece dig at Arsenal following their first Premier League title victory in 22 years.
The Gunners secured the championship after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side will finally lift the trophy at Selhurst Park following their last match of the 2025-26 season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Slot’s set-piece claim
During a pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s fixture with Brentford, the Dutchman congratulated the newly crowned champions.
However, the former Feyenoord boss also highlighted their reliance on dead-ball situations to achieve domestic success.
“Winning it here in England is never easy and they have done a tremendous job.”
“Forty per cent of their goals have come from set-pieces. Football has changed and evolved.”
Statistics refute manager’s comments
The 47-year-old’s remarks quickly generated debate across social media platforms.
CBS Sports football correspondent James Benge publicly challenged the statistics provided by the Merseyside boss.
Benge pointed out that the North London club has actually scored just under 35% of their league goals from set-pieces.
The journalist also calculated that the outgoing champions themselves have scored 28% of their goals from similar scenarios across all competitions.
Arsenal fans react to Liverpool deficit
Supporters of the capital club were quick to express their frustration at the perceived slight online.
Many fans pointed out the significant gap between the two clubs in the current league standings.
The Reds currently trail the new champions by 23 points after failing to mount a successful title defence.
Slot had previously guided his team to the Premier League crown during his debut campaign at Anfield last season.
Everton manager David Moyes has confirmed the club will assess their future plans for Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish as the winger continues his rehabilitation from a long-term foot injury on Merseyside.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined since mid-January after suffering a broken bone in his foot.
Unusually for a loanee, the England international is completing his medical treatment with the Toffees rather than returning to his parent club.
Moyes explained that summer transfer plans are being formulated, although financial constraints will dictate any permanent move.
Unorthodox rehabilitation process
“We’ve got a few plans in place,” Moyes said.
“Finances will obviously play a big part in it so we will need to navigate round the best we can.”
The Scottish manager praised the former Aston Villa captain’s recovery progress following positive updates from his surgeon.
“Obviously we like Jack a lot, we’ve looked after Jack all the time since his injury,” Moyes added.
“Normally a player would go back to his parent club and be looked after from there, but we will continue doing our best for Jack.”
From treble winner to Merseyside favourite
The £100m attacker played an integral role in securing a historic treble for Pep Guardiola’s side during the 2022-23 campaign.
Following a subsequent loss of consistent form at the Etihad Stadium, the creative midfielder secured a loan switch to Everton last summer.
He quickly established himself as a fan favourite before his premature January setback.
International blow and defensive reinforcements
This extended spell on the treatment table ultimately cost the forward a place in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
The national team manager opted for Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, and Eberechi Eze as his left-sided attacking options.
Away from the attacking department, Moyes also confirmed that Everton are close to finalising a contract extension for Ukrainian left-back Vitalii Mykolenko.
New York Giants defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris is expected to miss the entire 2026 season after tearing his Achilles during an indoor practice session on Thursday.
The 32-year-old suffered the devastating injury while taking first-team repetitions at the team’s organised team activity (OTA) workout in East Rutherford.
He was forced to pull up and reach for the back of his right leg early in the session, which had been moved indoors due to rain.
A major blow to a rebuilding defensive line
The loss of the veteran creates a significant void in the interior of the New York defence.
The franchise was already heavily reshaping its front line after trading star tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals last month.
Entering his 10th professional campaign, the undrafted UTEP prospect had been expected to anchor the unit as a prominent starter.
He was entering the second and final season of a two-year contract worth $9.25m (£7.3m).
Giants bank on newly acquired reinforcements
Last season, the former Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars standout started 17 games, recording 35 tackles and six quarterback hits.
In an effort to mitigate recent departures, the Giants signed seasoned veterans DJ Reader, Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu following the NFL Draft.
They are also placing heavy expectations on second-year lineman Darius Alexander and recent sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis.
Speaking earlier this month about the reshaped defensive line, coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in their recruitment strategy.
“I felt like it was part of our process,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not that we wouldn’t have drafted a defensive tackle or signed one sooner if they had become available.”
“But as it went, I thought we did a good job of kind of responding to the situation as it unfolded, and now we feel really good about our group in there.”
“It looks good to me. I’m excited about it.”
The seasoned defender now faces a gruelling rehabilitation process, pausing a career that has yielded 246 tackles and 19 sacks across 134 appearances.
Conor Benn will challenge Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight world title in a highly anticipated Las Vegas showdown on 12 September.
The bout offers the British fighter his first opportunity to secure a world championship and forge a legacy independent of his famous father, Nigel Benn.
Garcia recently claimed the WBC welterweight crown following a convincing victory over Mario Barrios.
The American star is looking to solidify his status after a turbulent period that included a career-first defeat to Gervonta Davis and a recent anti-doping suspension.
Overcoming past controversies
Both men will enter the ring looking to definitively move past significant out-of-the-ring challenges.
The 27-year-old challenger previously tested positive for a banned substance and faced a lengthy battle to clear his name.
His suspension was subsequently lifted after an independent National Anti-Doping Panel ruled the offence was unproven by UK Anti-Doping.
In his recent return to the 147lb welterweight limit against Regis Prograis, observers noted a distinct lack of his trademark destructive power.
A tactical clash of styles
The Las Vegas main event promises an intriguing tactical battle between two distinctly different competitors.
The defending champion will likely look to utilise his rangy frame and signature sharp left hook.
Conversely, the British contender is expected to adopt his usual aggressive hunting style as he searches for a decisive knockout blow.
This marquee contest shares a date with another major boxing spectacle, as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez headlines a separate card in Saudi Arabia on the exact same evening.
Everton manager David Moyes hopes his side can defeat Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to secure a top-half finish and help former club West Ham United avoid Premier League relegation.
Spurs require just a single point on the final day of the season to guarantee their top-flight status.
Meanwhile, the east Londoners must secure a victory against Leeds United and rely on a favour from Merseyside to escape the drop.
Deep affection for former employers
The Scottish manager still holds a strong affinity for the Hammers following two managerial spells in the capital.
During his highly successful second tenure, he guided the club to Europa Conference League glory and secured a top-half domestic finish.
Many observers believe the London Stadium hierarchy erred in their decision to part ways with the 61-year-old tactician.
Subsequent league performances have steadily declined over the past two years, although the former Manchester United boss maintains he harbours no resentment.
Focus remains on Merseyside progression
Despite his lingering fondness for his old employers, the veteran coach remains entirely focused on concluding his own campaign successfully.
The Toffees have failed to achieve a top-half classification in the league for five consecutive seasons.
Only a victory in north London this weekend will be sufficient to end that barren run and match his previous achievements.
“I would love to keep West Ham in the league if I can do, but it is more important I get Everton that top-half finish.”
LeBron James could be forced to accept a reduced $30m (£23.7m) contract to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer due to a severe lack of salary cap space across the NBA.
The 41-year-old veteran forward is entering unrestricted free agency following a record-setting 23rd All-Star season.
However, the financial landscape of the league presents a significant hurdle for the all-time leading scorer.
Only three franchises – the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and the Lakers – currently project to have available cap space.
Constrained market limits lucrative moves
More than 60 players have signed rookie or veteran extensions over the past two seasons, severely evaporating spending power across the league.
Just 11 additional teams hold the $15m non-tax mid-level exception to offer prospective free agents.
Experts suggest the four-time NBA champion may need to compromise to stay in California, especially as the Lakers must also factor in a new deal for Austin Reaves.
A proposed one-year, $30m contract featuring a full no-trade clause would allow the franchise flexibility to bolster their wider roster.
Playoff impact remains undeniable
Despite his advancing years, the former Cleveland Cavaliers star proved his enduring value during the regular season and playoffs.
He averaged at least 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists per game for a third consecutive year.
The Western Conference outfit went 15-4 in games featuring their talisman after 1 March.
Furthermore, they made history in the postseason by beating the Houston Rockets without that season’s leading scorer, Luka Doncic.
The Ohio native stepped up during that first-round series, averaging 23.1 points to successfully guide his team forward.
Lakers eager to retain their star
The Los Angeles hierarchy remain steadfast in their desire to keep one of the sport’s greatest ever players.
“We probably haven’t seen a player that has honoured the game to the extent that he’s honoured the game. Any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster.”
Those were the words of Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations, who openly acknowledged the organisation’s profound desire to reward their star.
Alternative mechanisms, such as sign-and-trade deals, remain a viable option if a direct agreement cannot be reached.
But the overriding priority for the Lakers will be retaining their cornerstone piece without compromising their wider championship ambitions.