Real Madrid to sell Vinicius – Wednesday’s gossip

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Next summer, Vinicius Jr. will be sold to Real Madrid, Rodrigo is wanted by Tottenham, and Manchester United is willing to let Jadon Sancho leave for free.

Vinicius Jr, 25, who was substituted against Barcelona, has been given a two-year deal by Real Madrid. (German) (Bild)

Real Madrid and Tottenham are interested in signing Brazilian forward Rodrigo, who wants to leave in January. (Fichajes – Spanish)

England winger Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa, will leave Manchester United for free the following summer. (Talksport)

In January, Roma are considering acquiring Netherlands international Joshua Zirkzee, 24, for a fee. (Calcio Mercato, Italian)

Germany defender Yann Bisseck, 24, is interested in moving to England, with West Ham and Tottenham potential matches. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)

In January, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Juventus will compete for Nathan Ake, a 30-year-old Netherlands defender, to join Manchester City. (Caught Offside)

England midfielder Elliot Anderson is “very interested” in moving to Old Trafford, according to Manchester United, who will increase their pursuit in January. (Teamtalk)

Due to interest from Barcelona, Arsenal are unable to let Norway’s 26-year-old midfielder Martin Odegaard leave the team. (Fichajes – Spanish)

Before the 34-year-old signed a new contract with Liverpool (AS-in Spanish), Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk discussed moving to Real Madrid.

Despite Manchester United interested in the 23-year-old, Everton won’t sell England defender Jarrad Branthwaite in January despite the club’s $70 million bid. (Teamtalk)

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Barton’s posts scared me, commentator Ward tells jury

PA Media Joey Barton has swept back greying brown hair. He wears sunglasses and had has a red, white and blue tricolour style scarf.PA Media

Lucy Ward, a TV football commentator, claimed Joey Barton’s social media posts made her “physically scared” and intimidated.

With messages on X about Ms Ward, fellow football pundit Eni Aluko, and broadcaster Jeremy Vine, former Manchester City player Mr. Barton is alleged to have “crossed the line between free speech and a crime.”

Mr. Barton, 43, is charged with 12 counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with the intent to cause distress or anxiety, which he denies. He is accused of having 2. 7 million followers on the platform.

Ms. Ward testified that she “knew he would get to me at one point” because, in addition to Mr. Barton’s general view, he did not like women making comments on men’s football.

When asked about the post, she responded, “Intimidated,” as per prosecutor Peter Wright KC. Being the subject of someone else’s abuse was very unpleasant.

I’m attempting to do my job. One of the few women who does it already overcomes many barriers. With that occurring, it’s challenging to do your job.

I couldn’t really figure out why I was being called that because Fred and Rose West tortured, sexually abused, and murdered children. It initially was extremely harsh, but it obviously kept going.

I was getting to the point where I was physically scared, really. It was constant harassment, or bullying, in my opinion.

PA Media Lucy Ward with blond bobbed hair arrives at Liverpool Crown Court wearing a dog tooth patterned jacket and black roll neck jumper.PA Media

Later, Widnes, Cheshire resident Mr. Barton superimposed her face and Ms. Aluko’s on to a picture of the Wests.

Before beginning her 20-year broadcasting career, Ms. Ward, who played women’s football for Leeds United before taking over as head of education and welfare, told the court, “I just thought this is going to explode in a really negative way.

You don’t want to be compared to someone who tortured, sexually abused, and killed children because I’m in the public eye, I’m always at games, and I’m one of them.

You can only offer your own expertise on the men’s game if you were in the men’s game, according to Simon Csoka KC, who is defending.

Not necessarily, Ms. Ward said. Football is a game.

If you know what you’re talking about, you don’t need to have done it.

There is a significant difference between the men’s and women’s games, according to Mr. Csoka.

The women win things, Ms. Ward said to cheers in the court.

You get what Mr. Csoka meant when he said, “You know what that means when you say that someone is murdering the commentary.”

Yes, it’s not very pleasant, said Ms. Ward.

You “understood what was being said,” Mr. Csoka said.

‘Horrific’

You understand what that analogy was, Mr. Csoka said, “Although the image of your face and Eni Aluko’s face are superimposed on Fred and Rose West’s image is undoubtedly unpleasant.”

“Unless you have been on the receiving end of it, I think,” Ms. Ward said. It is horrifying.

After the pair had previously exchanged “friendly, supportive” private messages, the court later learned that Ms. Aluko was “astounded” by Mr. Barton’s post, which compared her to the Wests.

Chelsea and Juventus international footballer, who played for England before, claimed that they exchanged messages between 2017 and 2020.

“I would have anticipated that if he had made a comment about my punditry, he might have messaged me and said it. However, she said, that he did that in front of as many people as possible to get as much attention as possible, all while promoting a podcast.

She claimed to the court that her comments about him had left her feeling “completely intimidated and depressed,” adding that she had been unable to leave my house for “about a week.”

The alleged crimes, which were reported to have occurred between January and March of last year, are denied by Mr. Barton.

More on this story.
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Arsenal’s Dowman becomes youngest Champions League player at 15

Images courtesy of Getty

Max Dowman, a substitute for Max in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague, has become the youngest player to play in a Champions League game.

The forward, who was 15 years and 308 days old, broke the record set by Youssoufa Moukoko when the German played for Borussia Dortmund against Zenit for 16 years and 18 days.

In the 72nd minute, Dowman replaced Leandro Trossard in the absence of Dowman, whose record-breaking league run-off was set in 1903, as Arsenal recorded its 10th win in a row and eighth clean sheet in a row.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised the team’s performance, saying: “Max, at 15, immediately looked on and won free kicks. It doesn’t get any harder than this competition.”

He plays in a way that makes people very eye contact. He masters precisely timing the ball’s movement. There is a significant player there.

Six days prior to Dowman becoming the youngest Arsenal player to start a game since winning the EFL Cup against Brighton, he made a landmark.

    • five days ago

Who is the teenage prodigy of Arsenal?

Since he was 14 years old, Dowman has joined the first team for a warm-weather camp in Dubai in January 2024. He has been training with Arsenal’s first-team squad.

In the second half of last year, Arteta lacked attacking options due to the injuries of several key players, and supporters were already calling for the Englishman to get a chance.

Dowman, who won the Under-17s European Championship with England in May, is no stranger to setting records.

He also became England Under-19s’ youngest goalscorer last month.

So it should come as no surprise that he has been included in Arteta’s plans this term as the Gunners battle for success on four fronts.

Arsenal has taken steps to ensure both his career advancement and safeguarding with a player with such high potential competing in senior football.

In addition to these, he is given opportunities to get changed, his education is strongly prioritized, and his team-mates give him good support in an adult team setting.

Arteta and the club have taken caution in guiding Dowman’s development.

Who are the other young Champions League players?

Celestine Babayaro in action for ChelseaAFP via Images courtesy of Getty

Moukoko broke the 26-year mark by becoming the youngest player in the world’s elite competition five years ago.

Celestine Babayaro, a former Chelsea full-back, was the youngest player at the age of 16 years and 86 days when he first competed for Anderlecht at Steaua Bucharest in November 1994.

Lamine Yamal started for Barcelona in September 2023, starting against Antwerp with a time of 16 years and 68 days, second on the list.

Champions League players’ youngest:

1. Max Dowman (Arsenal) – 15 years and 308 days, 4 November 2025

2 Youssoufa Moukoko – 16 years 18 days, 8 December 2020

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 16 years and 68 days, 19 Sept 2023

4. Celestine Babayaro (Anderlecht) – 16 years and 86 days, 23 Nov 1994

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  • Arsenal
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Football

More on this story.

  • Arsenal logo
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Arsenal’s Dowman becomes youngest Champions League player at 15

Images courtesy of Getty

Max Dowman, a substitute for Max in the 3-0 win over Slavia Prague, has become the youngest player to play in a Champions League game.

The forward, who was 15 years and 308 days old, broke the record set by Youssoufa Moukoko when the German played for Borussia Dortmund against Zenit for 16 years and 18 days.

In the 72nd minute, Dowman replaced Leandro Trossard in the absence of Dowman, whose record-breaking league run-off was set in 1903, as Arsenal recorded its 10th win in a row and eighth clean sheet in a row.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised the team’s performance, saying: “Max, at 15, immediately looked on and won free kicks. It doesn’t get any harder than this competition.”

He plays in a way that makes people very eye contact. He masters precisely timing the ball’s movement. There is a significant player there.

Six days prior to Dowman becoming the youngest Arsenal player to start a game since winning the EFL Cup against Brighton, he made a landmark.

    • five days ago

Who is the teenage prodigy of Arsenal?

Since he was 14 years old, Dowman has joined the first team for a warm-weather camp in Dubai in January 2024. He has been training with Arsenal’s first-team squad.

In the second half of last year, Arteta lacked attacking options due to the injuries of several key players, and supporters were already calling for the Englishman to get a chance.

Dowman, who won the Under-17s European Championship with England in May, is no stranger to setting records.

He also became England Under-19s’ youngest goalscorer last month.

So it should come as no surprise that he has been included in Arteta’s plans this term as the Gunners battle for success on four fronts.

Arsenal has taken steps to ensure both his career advancement and safeguarding with a player with such high potential competing in senior football.

In addition to these, he is given opportunities to get changed, his education is strongly prioritized, and his team-mates give him good support in an adult team setting.

Arteta and the club have taken caution in guiding Dowman’s development.

Who are the other young Champions League players?

Celestine Babayaro in action for ChelseaAFP via Images courtesy of Getty

Moukoko broke the 26-year mark by becoming the youngest player in the world’s elite competition five years ago.

Celestine Babayaro, a former Chelsea full-back, was the youngest player at the age of 16 years and 86 days when he first competed for Anderlecht at Steaua Bucharest in November 1994.

Lamine Yamal started for Barcelona in September 2023, starting against Antwerp with a time of 16 years and 68 days, second on the list.

Champions League players’ youngest:

1. Max Dowman (Arsenal) – 15 years and 308 days, 4 November 2025

2 Youssoufa Moukoko – 16 years 18 days, 8 December 2020

3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 16 years and 68 days, 19 Sept 2023

4. Celestine Babayaro (Anderlecht) – 16 years and 86 days, 23 Nov 1994

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  • Arsenal
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LIV Golf to change to 72-hole format

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 33 Comments

From 2026, LIV Golf events will be able to hold 72 holes, keeping them within the established LIV golf schedule.

The 54-hole events that were held on the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit in 2022 and the unconventional format of the competitions caused players to be denied official ranking points.

With the exception of a Wednesday start for LIV Golf Riyadh’s LIV Golf Riyadh, the majority of LIV events have been held on Friday through Sunday. However, they will now start on Thursday of the tournament week.

Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion who won his second straight LIV title in August, declared, “This is a win for the league and the players.

The former world number one remarked, “LIV Golf is a player’s league.” We want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and advance our craft because we are fierce competitors.

Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step in strengthening the competition, putting us to the test more, and providing more of what fans want, if the growing galleries from last season are any indication.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are crucial for gaining entry to golf’s four majors.

Rahm is currently ranked 71st in the world, while Dustin Johnson, a former world number one, is 604th. LIV Golf players are also currently ranked 71st.

Johnson remarked, “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing.” The four rounds grind has always always been my favorite.

Everyone wants to see the world’s best players competing against one another, especially in the majors, and we need a way forward, according to Bryson DeChambeau, who is also touring.

The individual competition will be decided over the course of 72 holes of stroke play for each regular season competition.

The team result will be determined by each team’s overall individual stroke play scores, which will continue to take place concurrently.

The expansion of LIV Golf to 72 holes is a crucial step in the development of our sport, says LIV Golf’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, and opens up more of the world’s elite golf, energy, innovation, and access that our global audience demands.

    • 8 December 2023
    • 26 April 2024

Why does the change raise LIV players’ high hopes?

Iain Carter, a golf correspondent for the BBC, analyzes the game.

This is LIV’s most significant change since Greg Norman’s appointment as the breakaway tour’s chief executive last year, when Scott O’Neil took over.

One of the main distinctions between LIV and the established professional tours is being voluntarily rejected.

Their players, many of whom have fought for this switch, are obviously pleased that they are adding an additional round. Jon Rahm stated to BBC Sport that he wanted to see the format grow from three to four rounds in his debut LIV season.

Rahm claimed at the time that a similar modification would bring the two games closer together. However, there is still a slim chance that it will cause the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded circuit to join forces.

The official golf rankings may be able to support LIV’s quest for recognition, but the OWGR is still likely to have concerns about the league’s team structure, which could compromise individual performances.

When LIV’s initial request for recognition was rejected, this was a major issue. Additionally, LIV made this week an additional step that could help players gain recognition for their tour’s expanded pathway, which they hope will enable them to do so.

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  • Golf

More on this story.

    • last 4 hours
    English golfer Marco Penge
    • two days ago
    Tom McKibbin

LIV Golf to change to 72-hole format

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 33 Comments

From 2026, LIV Golf events will be able to hold 72 holes, keeping them within the established LIV golf schedule.

The 54-hole events that were held on the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit in 2022 and the unconventional format of the competitions caused players to be denied official ranking points.

With the exception of a Wednesday start for LIV Golf Riyadh’s LIV Golf Riyadh, the majority of LIV events have been held on Friday through Sunday. However, they will now start on Thursday of the tournament week.

Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion who won his second straight LIV title in August, declared, “This is a win for the league and the players.

The former world number one remarked, “LIV Golf is a player’s league.” We want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and advance our craft because we are fierce competitors.

Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step in strengthening the competition, putting us to the test more, and providing more of what fans want, if the growing galleries from last season are any indication.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are crucial for gaining entry to golf’s four majors.

Rahm is currently ranked 71st in the world, while Dustin Johnson, a former world number one, is 604th. LIV Golf players are also currently ranked 71st.

Johnson remarked, “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing.” The four rounds grind has always always been my favorite.

Everyone wants to see the world’s best players competing against one another, especially in the majors, and we need a way forward, according to Bryson DeChambeau, who is also touring.

The individual competition will be decided over the course of 72 holes of stroke play for each regular season competition.

The team result will be determined by each team’s overall individual stroke play scores, which will continue to take place concurrently.

The expansion of LIV Golf to 72 holes is a crucial step in the development of our sport, says LIV Golf’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, and opens up more of the world’s elite golf, energy, innovation, and access that our global audience demands.

    • 8 December 2023
    • 26 April 2024

Why does the change raise LIV players’ high hopes?

Iain Carter, a golf correspondent for the BBC, analyzes the game.

This is LIV’s most significant change since Greg Norman’s appointment as the breakaway tour’s chief executive last year, when Scott O’Neil took over.

One of the main distinctions between LIV and the established professional tours is being voluntarily rejected.

Their players, many of whom have fought for this switch, are obviously pleased that they are adding an additional round. Jon Rahm stated to BBC Sport that he wanted to see the format grow from three to four rounds in his debut LIV season.

Rahm claimed at the time that a similar modification would bring the two games closer together. However, there is still a slim chance that it will cause the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded circuit to join forces.

The official golf rankings may be able to support LIV’s quest for recognition, but the OWGR is still likely to have concerns about the league’s team structure, which could compromise individual performances.

When LIV’s initial request for recognition was rejected, this was a major issue. Additionally, LIV made this week an additional step that could help players gain recognition for their tour’s expanded pathway, which they hope will enable them to do so.

related subjects

  • Golf

More on this story.

    • last 4 hours
    English golfer Marco Penge
    • two days ago
    Tom McKibbin