Inter Miami have completed the signing of former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro as a free agent on a deal running until the end of the 2027 Major League Soccer season.
The Brazilian international arrives in Florida after confirming earlier this year that he would leave Old Trafford following the expiration of his contract on 30 June.
His new agreement includes an option to extend his stay with the MLS club until June 2029.
‘Winning and continuing to grow’
What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow.
The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me.
Casemiro
Crucially for the South Florida franchise, their newly acquired midfield enforcer will not occupy a Designated Player slot.
Those premium roster spaces are currently held by club captain Lionel Messi, alongside Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame.
Tampering investigation launched
The move has not been without controversy, as Major League Soccer officials are currently reviewing tampering allegations against Inter Miami.
LA Galaxy also pursued the veteran midfielder in March and have subsequently filed a formal tampering claim with the league.
While Inter Miami successfully acquired the player’s discovery rights from their Californian rivals, the terms of that settlement remain undisclosed pending the investigation’s conclusion.
The former Real Madrid star joins his new domestic employers shortly after representing his country at the 2026 World Cup.
His international tournament ended in disappointment as Brazil suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16.
Jasper Philipsen secured his first victory of this year’s Tour de France by winning a reduced sprint on stage 17 in Voiron as Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey.
The Belgian rider had repeatedly fallen short during bunch sprints over the opening two weeks of the race.
However, he made it look effortless on Wednesday after a 35-strong breakaway arrived first into town.
Guided by a lead-out from team-mate Mathieu van der Poel, the 26-year-old finished several bike lengths ahead of Mauro Schmid and Olav Kooij.
This triumph marks his 11th career Tour victory, maintaining an impressive record of winning at least one stage in every edition since 2022.
‘I was like an angry bird’
“Definitely it’s special after such a roller coaster of emotions in this Tour de France,” Philipsen said.
“I had to wait until stage 17. I was prepared very, very well, I was in the shape of my life and the first 12 days were just horrible.”
“I was like an angry bird at the table. I was disappointed in myself, I was angry, I couldn’t take a stage win, I didn’t find my feeling and the team had to deal with that.”
Points classification battle intensifies
The crucial victory moves the rapid sprinter to within seven points of Mads Pedersen in the points classification.
This sudden shift puts the Danish rider under serious pressure in a competition he previously looked to be dominating.
Meanwhile, the main general classification contenders allowed the breakaway to escape midway through the 175km route from Chambery.
Overall leader Pogacar and his closest challenger Remco Evenepoel crossed the line eight minutes and 46 seconds behind the leading group.
Consequently, there is no change at the top of the overall standings, where the Slovenian sensation maintains a commanding four-minute and 32-second advantage.
Illness and anti-doping fallout
Despite safely defending his overall lead, Pogacar suffered a setback as key mountain domestique Adam Yates battled illness just to finish the stage.
Off the road, controversy continues to surround overnight anti-doping tests conducted over the weekend.
Two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard crashed out of the race on Sunday shortly after being woken for testing at 2am.
The defending champion has since undergone successful surgery on a fractured collarbone.
Rider union the Cyclistes Professionnels Associes heavily criticised the late-night testing, arguing it severely hinders athlete recovery during the demanding global event.
However, world governing body the UCI has since responded, publicly backing the targeted methods of the International Testing Agency.
The Miami Heat have sparked intense speculation about LeBron James’s future after inadvertently posting and then deleting a YouTube video this week preparing for the 41-year-old’s return to the franchise.
The basketball world was sent into a frenzy on Tuesday night when a scheduled live stream titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” briefly appeared on the team’s official channel.
Although the broadcast link for July 27 was swiftly removed, the gaffe has fueled rumours that the four-time NBA champion is poised to rejoin the organisation where he previously secured two titles.
A spokesperson for the Florida franchise clarified to ESPN that their social media department was simply preparing for the possibility of a signing and uploaded the placeholder by mistake.
Next destination remains unconfirmed
The former Los Angeles Lakers star is currently the most sought-after free agent of the NBA off-season following his departure from California last month.
Entering his 24th professional campaign, the veteran forward is reportedly weighing up offers from the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami.
Betting markets currently favour a return to South Beach, with bookmakers anticipating a formal announcement by July 24.
However, the player’s long-time agent, Rich Paul, insisted earlier this week that his client will take the necessary time to make the correct decision.
“We’re not going to be rushed. It’s his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he’ll make it.”
Family and happiness key factors
Addressing the mounting speculation on July 16, the league’s all-time leading scorer assured fans that a final verdict is imminent.
“I won’t hold you guys up too much longer,”
James explained, noting that his ultimate choice extends far beyond the basketball court.
“There’s so many other factors that I’m factoring in right now, on what best fits me as a player, what best fits me as a person and what best fits my happiness, and also my family as well.”
The Ohio native recently concluded an eight-year stint in Los Angeles, having guided the Lakers to a championship under challenging circumstances in 2020.
Paying tribute on social media, his former employers praised him as one of the greatest athletes in history and thanked him for breaking countless records in purple and gold.
Liverpool have made an initial approach to sign Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche as they look to beat Paris Saint-Germain to the France international’s signature.
The Premier League side have officially enquired about the potential availability of the 24-year-old.
However, they face stiff competition for the highly rated attacker from domestic rivals in France.
Paris Saint-Germain see bids rejected
Paris Saint-Germain have identified the versatile forward as a primary transfer target this summer.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions have already submitted multiple offers, which have all been turned down by Monaco.
Their most recent rejected bid for the French playmaker was reportedly in the region of £34m.
Versatility and international pedigree
The coveted attacker enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign last season, registering six goals and six assists across 31 league appearances.
He is capable of operating efficiently on the right flank or occupying a central attacking midfield role.
The talented creator was recently part of the French national squad, remaining an unused substitute during their 6-4 defeat to England in the World Cup third-place play-off.
Arsenal are exploring a potential swap deal involving striker Viktor Gyokeres to sign wantaway Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez this summer.
The Argentina international has reportedly made it clear he wishes to leave the Spanish capital.
While Real Madrid and Barcelona hold a strong interest, Atletico are deeply reluctant to sell to a domestic rival.
That stance has opened the door for Premier League suitors, with the Gunners currently leading the pursuit.
However, securing the World Cup winner’s signature could require a high-profile sacrifice.
Mixed fortunes in north London
According to talkSPORT, the north London club are weighing up offering Gyokeres as a makeweight in the proposed transfer.
The Sweden international arrived at Emirates Stadium just a year ago following a protracted saga with Sporting Lisbon.
He contributed 14 league goals to help Mikel Arteta’s side secure the Premier League title during his debut campaign.
Despite that respectable return, the 26-year-old has faced criticism regarding his overall impact outside the penalty area.
Arteta’s demands and dressing room trust
During his first season, the Spanish manager issued a stark warning regarding the intense expectations placed on the club’s number nine.
Arteta stressed that any leading striker must maintain their overall contribution even during barren spells in front of goal.
“The nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn’t score for six or eight games, he can handle that. If not, you have to go somewhere else.”
Further doubts were raised mid-season by former Arsenal playmaker Paul Merson, who suggested the forward lacked the confidence of his colleagues.
Speaking on a podcast, the pundit claimed teammates actively avoided passing to the Scandinavian attacker.
“I watch Gyokeres, Arsenal don’t trust him, the players. They never pass to him, you watch him, next time he comes short they go ‘no’.”
Merson noted a stark contrast in the team’s willingness to distribute the ball when Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus enters the pitch.
Spain’s narrow World Cup final victory over Argentina on Sunday attracted a record-breaking 63 million viewers across the United States.
The staggering television figures emphatically underline the rapidly growing appeal of football across the Atlantic.
La Roja secured their second global title at the New Jersey stadium following a tense 1-0 triumph.
An extra-time winner from Ferran Torres proved enough to dismantle the South American giants and lift the coveted trophy.
Audience figures dwarf previous tournaments
Fox’s English-language broadcast was responsible for 38.9 million of the total viewership.
Spanish-language coverage provided by Comcast’s Telemundo network and the Peacock streaming platform added a further 23.9 million to the landmark total.
This combined engagement significantly surpassed the 22.3 million American fans who tuned into the 2022 showpiece event held in Qatar.
Outperforming traditional American sports
Industry analysts have subsequently heralded the North American tournament as a resounding commercial success for participating broadcasters.
Earlier knockout fixtures, including a round of 16 clash between England and Mexico, attracted nearly 45 million viewers.
These numbers comfortably beat the 27 million who watched Major League Baseball’s deciding World Series game and the 25 million tuned into the NBA Finals.
While the overall final figures still trail the colossal 126 million audience for the NFL’s Super Bowl LX, they represent a historic milestone for a game traditionally overshadowed domestically.
Americanised elements and commercial boom
“Ratings have blown past internal forecasts for both networks, and it’s not close.”
Vicente Navarro, managing partner at sports marketing firm GotDigital, noted that a marquee 30-second advertising slot cost up to $1m during the latter stages.
Organisers introduced several highly commercialised elements to this edition, including an extended 27-minute halftime show drawing direct comparisons to the Super Bowl.
Fifa also broke with tradition by awarding championship rings to the victorious Spanish squad in a nod to US sporting culture.
However, future broadcasting dominance remains uncertain with the 2030 and 2034 tournaments scheduled in distant time zones across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has signed a new four-year contract extension, committing his future to the Premier League club until the summer of 2030.
The 26-year-old England international’s previous deal at the Etihad Stadium was due to expire next year.
Having made his debut in November 2017, the academy graduate has amassed 369 first-team appearances and scored 110 goals for his boyhood club.
‘Everything to me’
Foden expressed his immense pride at securing his long-term future in Manchester.
“Committing my future to City means everything to me.”
“Playing for this club is all I’ve ever wanted to do and it’s always an honour to wear the shirt.”
“It’s not lost on me that I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a historic period with so many titles won, but we’re always looking to the future and trying to win more.”
The extension provides a significant boost for newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Maresca reunion and a new era
Maresca returns to the club as manager, having previously worked alongside the first team during their historic Treble-winning season.
“I can’t wait to work with Enzo again,” the playmaker added.
“He was brilliant during the Treble season – someone all the players respected and loved working with. To have him back here is exciting.”
The reigning champions are undergoing a period of transition following the summer departures of key veterans.
Long-serving stalwarts Bernardo Silva and John Stones have both left the club, elevating the 26-year-old into a crucial leadership role within the dressing room.
A glittering trophy cabinet
Alongside those departed legends, the Stockport-born star is the joint-most decorated player in the club’s history with 20 major honours.
His remarkable haul includes six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the Champions League.
During the 2025-26 campaign, the versatile attacker registered 10 goals and seven assists across 50 appearances.
He will now be expected to play a central role as a new-look squad attempts to maintain their domestic and European dominance.
The San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz have emerged as the biggest winners of the NBA offseason following a flurry of high-profile trades and strategic contract extensions.
Most franchises have already finalised the major transactions that will shape the upcoming basketball campaign.
While the league awaits the next move of veteran superstar LeBron James, the busiest period of roster reconstruction is largely complete.
Success is currently being measured by how effectively front offices navigated the free agency market and strict salary cap constraints.
Wembanyama deal boosts Spurs
San Antonio secured their highest marks by negotiating a club-friendly contract extension for their French phenomenon.
Locking Victor Wembanyama into a 25% maximum extension rather than a supermax deal could save the Texan franchise upwards of $50m (£38.6m) over the next five years.
This financial flexibility will be crucial as the organisation builds a championship-calibre squad under the new collective bargaining rules.
Furthermore, the addition of veteran forward Tobias Harris on a two-year contract addresses significant depth issues that plagued the team previously.
Jazz capitalise on Kessler trade
Meanwhile in Salt Lake City, the front office engineered arguably the most lucrative exchange of the summer window.
By sending defensive anchor Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers, they acquired two unprotected first-round picks and a pair of pick swaps.
The departure of the elite rim protector does represent a short-term setback for their immediate playoff aspirations.
Head coach Will Hardy must now integrate newly acquired big men Jaren Jackson Jr, Jusuf Nurkic and Jaxson Hayes to fill the void in the paint.
Hawks bolster bench depth
The Atlanta Hawks also enjoyed a highly productive recruitment period despite not adding a guaranteed starter to their ranks.
Their immediate success will lean heavily on the continued development of rising star Jalen Johnson alongside newly re-signed veteran CJ McCollum.
However, the Eastern Conference outfit significantly raised their floor by acquiring Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Devin Carter through strategic salary dump trades.