Category Sports News

Manchester United anticipated signings of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Florian Wirtz, but Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea considered moving for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

Bryan Mbeumo, a forward from Brentford, wants to join Manchester United, who are currently in talks to sign the 25-year-old Cameroon international. (Athletic – A subscription required)

Rasmus Hojlund, 22, is wanted on loan at Inter Milan this summer after being linked with Manchester United and Denmark. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has expressed interest in the 30-year-old Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who are also awaiting a decision from Manchester United regarding whether he wants to stay at the club or leave. (Sky Sports)

Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, from Crystal Palace, is also a striker shortlist for Manchester United, but they could face opposition from AC Milan and Juventus. (Teamtalk)

The Gunners are prepared to stifle rumors that England defender Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, has been linked with a new contract at Arsenal this summer. (Mail)

German international Florian Wirtz has a contract with class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Liverpool until 2030, but the Reds have yet to agree a fee, with class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Bayer Leverkusen holding out for 150 million euros (£127 million). (German) (Bild)

Luis Diaz, 28, is a 28-year-old Colombian who class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Barcelona have started talks with with Liverpool. Saudi Arabia is interested in the Colombian. (Florian Plettenberg)

Tottenham and Everton could compete with the Blues for Jarrad Branthwaite’s signature this summer, while Chelsea are considering a move for Everton and England’s 22-year-old. (Teamtalk)

Jamie Gittens, a 20-year-old English winger from Borussia Dortmund, is also on the radar at Chelsea, who could cost around £50 million. (Guardian)

In time for the Fifa Club World Cup, which begins on June 14 in the United States, Manchester City are close to agreeing a deal with AC Milan and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26. (Football Italia)

Al-Hilal is prepared to sell Serbia international Aleksandar Mitrovic, with West Ham, Everton, Manchester United, and West Ham interested in making the move. (Talksport)

Ollie Arblaster, 21, is a Sheffield United midfielder who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Brighton are monitoring his progress. (Teamtalk)

Forthill Cricket World Cup League 2: Scotland vs. Nepal

Scotland 296-7 (50 overs): Tear 80, McCreath 55, Dhakal 2-26

Nepal 297-9 (49.5 overs): Karan 65*, Bhurtel 53, McMullen 3-42

By one wicket, Nepal won.

In a tense World Cup League 2 one-day international in Dundee, Scotland was humiliated unexpectedly by Nepal in the last game.

With one ball remaining, Nepal’s final pair leveled the scores with a score of 296-7 against the home side.

And when Nepal’s left-hand spinner Mark Watt’s delivery down the leg side was declared a wide-to-hand victory, passionate Nepal fans swarmed in.

In a warm-up game on Thursday, Nepal, who is in the bottom eight-team qualifying bracket, lost to a second-string Scotland A side.

Finlay McCreath pitched in with 55, and opener Charlie Tear had given the visitors a good target when Scotland were asked to bat first.

After starting at nine, Nepal’s Khushal Bhurtel scored 55, all-arounder Karan KC, who came in at nine, did the damage with an unbeaten 65 from 41 balls, including four sixes.

After Karan had plucked 18 from the 49th, Nepal made it to the final over on 290-8, but George Munsey missed Sandeep Lamichhane off Watt’s first delivery.

However, Karan was forced to take the five deliveries needed for victory after a wide from Watt and a single from Rijan Dhakal’s last man, Rijan Dhakal.

Before Watt’s second wide of the over, Karan hit two two twos, making it unlikely to win.

The incident occurred as it appeared as though the fateful delivery may have come off Karan’s pad, but any protests were unfounded as Nepal won the match against a Scotland side who was fourth in the table and four places above the visitors in the world rankings.

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

Cameron Norrie’s encouraging French Open run was ended by Novak Djokovic’s straight-set triumph over the Briton, which put them into the quarter-finals.

Djokovic defeated Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in the quest for a stand-alone record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

After defeating 11th seed Daniil Medvedev in the opening round, Norrie, who is now playing in the last 16 at Roland Garros for the first time, was hoping to win another title in Paris.

However, the 81-year-old world champion never appeared to have the potential to upset the great, who is now 38.

It would have put more pressure on the Serb if Norrie had taken his chances, especially in a second set where he led by a break.

In some situations, I was “a little flat,” according to Norrie.

Novak continues to be unmissable when it comes to missing tennis balls, which is unfortunate.

Alexander Zverev, who defeated the German in the Australian Open semi-finals in January after suffering a hamstring injury, will face sixth seed Djokovic next.

Norrie described his level as comparable to that of the top ten player in 2022 when he claimed some of his best tennis before the French Open.

He proved to be correct when he raised some questions.

The stage was set for a memorable five-set victory over former world number one Medvedev, who was replaced by fellow Scot Jacob Fearnley and Argentine qualifier Federico Gomez.

It was entirely different to confront Djokovic.

The three-time French Open champion had lost all five of Norrie’s previous encounters, including a three-set defeat at the Geneva Open ten days earlier.

The British number three struggled to maintain an early break in the second set after Djokovic needed medical attention for foot blisters.

Crucially, Norrie was unable to create more chances, with Djokovic saving break points in lengthy service matches of 2-2 and 3-3.

The former world number one then won the final set before breaking early and reeling off five games in a row.

Norrie described it as “a really enjoyable” clay-court swing despite being unable to stop his miserable run against Djokovic.

After a difficult couple of years of battling form and fitness, he was on the verge of dropping out of the top 100.

However, when Norrie resumes his grass-court season in the UK, he will now move up to the top 60.

He said, “I played 20 clay-court matches, and I think that’s a lot.”

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Jack Draper was given a reality check as world number 62 Alexander Bublik produced a phenomenal fourth-round performance to end British interest in the French Open singles.

World number five Draper lost his way in a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 defeat by the maverick Kazakh.

The British number one was largely expected to continue his sharp rise on the clay and tee up a potential quarter-final against top seed Jannik Sinner, who plays his last-16 match later on Monday.

However, Bublik unleashed an array of spectacular shot-making – using the drop-shot to devastating effect in particular – on his way to a superb victory.

It is Draper’s worst defeat by ranking since his first-round exit at Roland Garros last year.

“It’s a really tough loss to take,” said Draper, who had never won a French Open match before this year.

“Even though I’ve come up quickly this year and I’ve got myself to a high ranking, it’s been a steep learning curve for me.

“I’ll learn from this. I’ll get better and I’ll use it to my advantage.”

A tense finish saw 27-year-old Bublik spurn one match point – and save five break points – before eventually getting over the line.

“Sometimes in life there is only one chance and today, I think it was mine,” said Bublik, who was ranked as high as 17th in 2024.

“I couldn’t let it slip. I think it is the best moment of my life.”

Suffering a shock loss in the Roland Garros last 16 is a mark of how far Draper has come in the past year.

Twelve months ago in Paris, the 23-year-old Englishman suffered a chastening first-round defeat to 176th-ranked Dutchman Jesper de Jong while still figuring out what his most effective game style was.

Realising he was trying to be too aggressive, Draper sought a better balance.

Winning his first ATP title just a few weeks later helped boost his confidence before he enjoyed a run to the US Open semi-finals.

Improved fitness has also been a key factor in his rise.

After winning the biggest title of his career on the Indian Wells hard courts in March, he quickly set about using his most potent tools – first serve and forehand – on the clay.

Reaching the Madrid Open final showed he had the ability to be succeed on the surface and the fifth seed played maturely in his first three matches in Paris, before being thrown off-kilter by Bublik.

There is no doubting Bublik’s talent, but plenty of questions have been raised about his application.

He was locked in from the start as neither player could create a break opportunity in an evenly matched opening set until Draper applied pressure in the 10th game.

Bublik buckled, with a double fault gifting Draper the chance to serve out the opening set – and the Briton took his opportunity.

But Draper was punished as soon as his level dropped in the second set, with Bublik coming back from an early break down to level the match.

The increasing use – and success – of the drop-shot allowed Bublik to forge a double-break lead in the third set, with Draper looking increasingly befuddled as he tried to find a solution.

Pep Guardiola’s men have positioned Rayan Ait-Nouri at the top of his list to solve his side’s problematic left-back spot.

Since Benjamin Mendy left, City have relied on a specialist left-back. In August 2021, he made his final appearance for the club.

Several players have had extended positions, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, and Josko Gvardiol.

At the end of last season, Nico O’Reilly, a youngster, took over the role, including Crystal Palace’ FA Cup final defeat.

Guardiola wants to address the problem this summer, but Ait-Nouri, the Wolves defender, is his choice.

The 23-year-old Algeria international has not reached an agreement yet, but sources have faith in it.

Ait-Nouri was chosen for Algeria’s friendly matches against Sweden and Rwanda on June 5 and 6.

Ait-Nouri’s goal involvements last term were higher than any other Premier League defender, demonstrating his versatility in joining attacks.

Leif Davis (61), Pedro Porro (57), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (53), along with Trent Alexander-Arnold (46), had the fewest chances to score against the former Angers man.

The only top-flight defender to complete more dribbles last term than Ait-Nouri (64) was Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

And his forward-moving, tight ball control and pace are comparable to Guardiola’s earlier strong players.

He will also be aware that Ait-Nouri has demonstrated his ability to quickly and effectively snuff out danger.

Edu Rubio, a former Wolves coach, collaborated with Ait-Nouri during the 2022-23 campaign.

He has the opportunity to fit perfectly into Pep Guardiola’s possession-based play thanks to his technical skill, ability, and ability to keep the ball close to his feet in tight areas.

He can also dribble quickly, which is what Manchester City currently needs: players who can break lines.

Since joining the Premier League, he has improved his defensive skills, and his one-on-one defending is very high. He is physically adaptable, versatile, and plays either as an inverted full-back or as a flanker in any position.

In a possession game that Pep enjoys, he needs to improve his decision-making. He can take too many touches at once and slow down the ball’s speed. Additionally, he needs to improve his final product.