Liverpool have identified RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande as their primary target to replace Mohamed Salah at the end of the season.

The Merseyside club have already held concrete talks with the 19-year-old’s representatives ahead of the summer transfer window.

Anfield chiefs have unanimously approved a move for the Ivory Coast international, who carries a reported £87m valuation.

A steep asking price for the rising star

Diomande has enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Bundesliga, registering 13 goals and six assists across all competitions.

Finding a successor has become an urgent priority for manager Arne Slot after Salah confirmed his intention to leave on a free transfer.

French champions Paris St-Germain have also approached the teenage forward’s agents regarding a potential move to Ligue 1.

Player preference boosts Anfield hopes

Despite interest from elsewhere in Europe, the highly-rated attacker reportedly favours a transfer to the Premier League side.

However, negotiating with his current employers will prove difficult, as the German outfit are actively attempting to extend his contract.

Securing Champions League qualification will be crucial for the Reds to finance what would be a substantial premium for his signature.

The FIA has confirmed a package of immediate regulation changes to the 2026 Formula 1 season ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, designed to improve driver safety and encourage flat-out racing.

The agreement was reached on Monday following a meeting between the sport’s governing body, team principals, engine manufacturers and commercial rights holders.

Modifications to energy harvesting and deployment limits have been introduced for qualifying sessions to reduce the need for drivers to lift and coast.

Addressing safety and speed concerns

Similar capping of electrical boosts and power deployment limits in corners will be applied during races to mitigate recent safety fears.

The sweeping 2026 regulation overhaul introduced new power units featuring a direct 50-50 split between electrical energy and the internal combustion engine.

However, competitors adapting to this complex energy management system have faced significant and unpredictable challenges on the track.

A severe crash involving Haas driver Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix highlighted the acute dangers of sudden speed differentials between cars.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has also been highly critical of the racing spectacle produced by the new hybrid era.

Miami trials and schedule disruptions

Revised starting grid procedures will be trialled at the upcoming sprint weekend in Florida to prevent stalled cars from becoming hazardous obstacles.

Additional updates to wet-weather protocols have also been ratified to further protect the grid.

A spokesperson for the sport’s governing body explained that the refinements reflect data analysis from the opening three rounds of the championship.

“The final proposals presented during today’s meeting were the result of a series of consultations over the past few weeks between the FIA, technical representatives and extensive input from F1 drivers.”

Early assessments of the rules were always planned, but urgency increased following intense driver feedback and an unexpected break in the calendar.

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds due to conflict in the Middle East provided teams with an extended window to analyse early-season telemetary.

Marco Rose has agreed a three-year contract to become Bournemouth manager at the end of the season when Andoni Iraola departs the Premier League club.

The south coast side confirmed last Tuesday that their current 43-year-old Basque head coach would not be extending his stay at the Vitality Stadium.

The incoming 49-year-old German tactician emerged victorious from a three-man shortlist that also featured Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and Rayo Vallecano head coach Inigo Perez.

European pedigree heading to the south coast

The former Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach coach has been a free agent since his dismissal from RB Leipzig in March 2025.

This upcoming appointment marks his first managerial venture in English football following a trophy-laden career across Germany and Austria.

During his tenure at Red Bull Salzburg, he secured two Austrian Bundesliga titles alongside the Austrian Cup, before subsequently claiming the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup with Leipzig.

Cherries focused on securing European football

Tottenham Hotspur had previously considered the experienced coach as a candidate after they sacked Thomas Frank in February, but he has now committed his future to the Vitality Stadium.

“Everyone at AFC Bournemouth looks forward to welcoming Marco to Vitality Stadium as he begins his role as head coach in the summer.”

The club reiterated that their immediate priority is finishing the current campaign strongly, building upon an impressive 13-game unbeaten run under their outgoing manager.

The Dorset outfit are currently flying high in eighth place in the Premier League following a weekend victory at Newcastle United.

They trail sixth-placed Chelsea only by goal difference and are firmly in the hunt to qualify for a historic first European campaign next season.

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has revealed that he and his family have received death threats ahead of his Fenway Park debut against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

The Massachusetts native grew up supporting Boston in Walpole, located just 40 miles away from the iconic stadium.

However, his association with the Bronx Bombers has made him a target for severe online abuse from his former fanbase.

Speaking to the New York Post, the American admitted he has not yet felt the need to involve the police despite the severity of the messages.

“Most normal fans could care less, right? It’s just those diehards that just have nothing else in their lives other than baseball or sports that really care about this, and the fact that I play for the Yankees makes it worse for them,” he explained.

Preparing for a hostile reception

The visiting player anticipates a highly aggressive atmosphere when he finally takes the mound.

He suggested that hostile supporters might attempt to throw objects or physically reach him near the bullpen.

“It’s gonna be bad, it’s gonna be bad. I’m not nervous about it, but it’s gonna be loud,” he added.

“That’s kind of what I expect. So I know the guys are excited for it and I’m excited for it.”

A bitter postseason history

This vitriol is firmly rooted in last season’s American League Wild Card Series, where the dominant hurler eliminated his boyhood club.

He delivered a spectacular performance in Game 3, throwing eight scoreless innings and striking out 12 batters to end Boston’s campaign.

The standout talent has carried that exceptional form into the current season, boasting a 2-1 record alongside a stellar 1.95 earned run average.

Following that pivotal playoff victory last year, the Yankees star described the triumph as personal due to earlier familial harassment.

“There’s a line and I think they crossed it a little bit. I’m a competitor, and I’m gonna go out there and make sure I shut them down,” he remarked at the time.

“You know Boston fans, that’s just how it is. We’re aggressive back home and we’re gonna try to get under people’s skin.”

Fuelling the rivalry

The highly-rated pitcher acknowledged to The Athletic that his previous post-match comments had only served to escalate the tension.

“[You’d] think after last time, how much they were talking before, that they might be trying to quiet it down a little bit,” he noted.

Despite the intense pressure and ongoing abuse, the resilient athlete remains entirely unapologetic about the situation.

“If you’re going to dish it out, you’re going to have to take it,” he concluded.

Switzerland’s Marcel Hug has won his ninth Boston Marathon men’s wheelchair title with a dominant performance on a cold Monday morning in Massachusetts.

The Swiss athlete crossed the finish line in an unofficial time of one hour, 16 minutes and six seconds, aided by a helpful tailwind.

Despite the blistering pace, the phenomenal racer narrowly missed breaking his own course record by just 33 seconds.

Closing in on historical greatness

This latest triumph marks a fourth consecutive victory in the prestigious American event for the dominant wheelchair star.

He now sits second on the all-time list for men’s wheelchair victories in Boston, trailing only South African legend Ernst van Dyk, who claimed 10 titles between 2001 and 2014.

American competitor Daniel Romanchuk secured second place with a time of 1:22:44, while Jetze Plat of the Netherlands completed the podium positions.

In the women’s wheelchair division, Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper produced a superb performance to take the crown.

Early dominance sets up latest major victory

The serial champion established his authority immediately, building a 13-second advantage over British rival David Weir by the three-mile mark.

That commanding lead was relentlessly extended to 55 seconds by the time the elite field reached the halfway point of the 130th edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon.

Such dominance is customary for the Swiss racer, who has only lost one of seven World Marathon Major titles since his Berlin victory in 2022.

Freezing conditions challenge historic field

Competitors were greeted by frosty conditions in Hopkinton, with starting temperatures plunging into the low 40s.

It proved to be the coldest start to the event since 2018, providing a stark contrast to the mild 58-degree weather experienced last year.

Despite the freezing morning, ideal racing weather soon developed as defending champions Sharon Lokedi and John Korir led more than 30,000 runners onto the historic course.

West Ham United will continue their desperate fight for Premier League survival when they travel across London to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday evening.

The crucial top-flight fixture is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST on April 20.

Supporters in the United Kingdom can watch the capital clash live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Dedicated pre-match coverage will begin at 18:30 BST, with live streaming available to subscribers via the Sky Go application.

Survival hopes and team news

Nuno Espirito Santo takes his squad to south London sitting just one point above the dreaded relegation zone.

The Hammers are determined to secure a vital victory to distance themselves from the bottom three after capitalising on dropped points elsewhere.

They arrive in confident mood following a resounding 4-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their previous league outing.

The Portuguese manager boasts a fully fit squad to select from ahead of the short trip.

Palace balance domestic and European ambitions

Oliver Glasner’s side are currently balancing their domestic commitments with a deep run into the Uefa Conference League semi-finals.

The Eagles are expected to carefully manage the fitness of key personnel, including midfielder Adam Wharton and defender Maxence Lacroix.

However, the hosts will definitely be without Eddie Nketiah, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Cheick Doucoure remains unavailable as he builds match fitness, while Evann Guessand is ruled out with a knee problem.

Global broadcast details

Fans based in the United States can tune into the action on the USA Network from 15:00 ET.

Digital streaming options are also available across the Atlantic through Fubo TV and the NBC Sports app.

For those preferring audio commentary, talkSPORT will provide live national radio updates throughout the Monday night contest.

The south Londoners will be aiming to complete a league double, having secured a 2-1 away victory over their rivals back in September.

Cesena goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann has suffered a fractured neck and head laceration following a severe collision during a Serie B match against Palermo.

The 29-year-old was taken off the pitch by ambulance in the closing stages of the weekend fixture.

Following medical tests in hospital, the Italian club confirmed the American international sustained a fracture to his first cervical vertebra alongside a head contusion.

‘A long road to recovery’

“The road to recovery will be a long one.”

Those were the worrying words of his agent, Marco De Marchi, who provided an update to reporters following the incident.

Cesena manager Ashley Cole initially stated the shot-stopper was being assessed by medical staff after suffering a significant cut to the back of his head.

Impact on Cesena’s campaign

This serious injury means the Bianconeri will have to navigate the remainder of their season without their first-choice goalkeeper.

Cole’s side currently sit eighth in the Italian second tier with just three games left to play.

The former England and Chelsea defender only took charge last month and has recorded a single victory in his five matches at the helm.

Journey from MLS to Italy

The son of German football legend Jurgen Klinsmann arrived in Italy on a free transfer in 2024 after a two-year spell with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Since establishing himself in Europe, the former Hertha Berlin prospect has made 66 appearances across all competitions for his current employers.

His consistent club form earned him a maiden call-up to the senior United States national team squad last year under Mauricio Pochettino.

Barcelona’s £26m permanent signing of on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford could hinge on the potential departure of striker Robert Lewandowski.

The England international is currently spending the season at the Nou Camp.

A clause in his temporary contract allows the Spanish club to purchase the forward permanently.

However, the Catalan giants are reportedly struggling to meet the asking price due to strict La Liga financial regulations.

Lewandowski exit could provide funds

To facilitate a permanent switch, Barcelona are attempting to negotiate a lower fee or extend the loan arrangement.

Manchester United are understood to be firmly against another temporary deal for their academy graduate.

The impasse could be resolved by the uncertain future of veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

His current contract expires at the end of the season, and negotiations over a reduced-wage extension have yet to yield an agreement.

Juventus prepare for transfer talks

Italian side Juventus have emerged as a potential destination for the prolific goalscorer.

Representatives for the Serie A club are scheduled to hold a second meeting with Lewandowski’s agent in the coming days.

AC Milan are also closely monitoring the situation and could submit a rival offer if an opportunity arises.

If the veteran striker departs, it would drastically reduce Barcelona’s wage bill and free up crucial funds.

This newfound financial flexibility could empower the club to meet Manchester United’s valuation for their loanee.

Alternative targets explored

Despite earlier optimism, Barcelona have reportedly cooled their interest following a dip in the forward’s recent form.

The club hierarchy are now actively assessing alternative attacking options in the transfer market.

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is a primary target, although he would command a significantly higher transfer fee.

Former Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth is also being tracked by the La Liga heavyweights.

A final decision on the reshaping of the Barcelona attack is expected before the end of the month.