Category Sports News

West Ham have rejected a £50m offer from Tottenham for Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghana international is open to a move away from the London Stadium and is prioritising a switch to a Champions League side.

Spurs fit that bill after qualifying for the competition by winning the Europa League.

Talks are ongoing, with West Ham open to letting the 24-year-old attacking player leave.

Kudus, who joined West Ham in a £38m deal from Ajax in 2023, has an £85m release clause but Tottenham are looking to secure a deal under that figure.

At least six top clubs have enquired about Kudus in recent weeks, according to well-placed sources.

Chelsea are among the clubs with an interest in Kudus.

West Ham may look to sell one of their top stars this summer with a view to reinvesting the recouped money into the squad ahead of manager Graham Potter’s first full season in charge.

Ireland interim head coach Paul O’Connell said he “loved” the “intent and hunger” his players showed in the 34-5 win over Georgia in Tbilisi.

An inexperienced Ireland squad which featured six debutants proved too strong for their hosts thanks to Tommy O’Brien’s early double and second-half tries from first-time captain Craig Casey and Nick Timoney.

O’Connell, who will also lead Ireland in next week’s match with Portugal in Lisbon while head coach Andy Farrell leads the British and Irish Lions, was buoyed by how his side adapted to the wet conditions.

The former Ireland captain said: “We prepared for certain conditions.

“Unfortunately, it ended up with different conditions and that’s what’s most most pleasing: our half-backs and the leadership in the team were able to flick a switch and change the plan and deliver a really accurate plan given the conditions we had.

“I loved the intent the players played with, I loved the hunger they played with, I loved how tough they were and how accurate they were. “

O’Brien was one of two Ireland debutants in the starting line-up, with Michael Milne, Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy earning their first caps off the bench.

“In terms of our new caps, it’s exciting because we actually haven’t had a massive amount of injuries in the past few years,” added O’Connell.

“Sometimes you need someone to have an injury to get a chance, so for the team to have done so well to allow so many players to go on the Lions tour and give these players an opportunity is brilliant for us.

“They all have a story to tell. Tommy O’Brien played against Georgia in 2018 as an Under-20 player, he’s been through a lot of stuff with injuries. Other guys have had to move province to try and get game time. They’ve been through a lot to get their opportunity. “

Casey, whose early second-half try dented Georgia’s hopes of launching a fightback, said captaining his country is “certainly up there” with the best moments of his career.

“Very nice feeling feeling in that dressing room afterwards,” said the Munster scrum-half, 26.

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet broke world records in spectacular style at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon.

Kipyegon stormed to victory the women’s 1500m with a time of three minutes 48. 68 seconds – breaking her own world record by 0. 36 seconds.

The achievement comes just over a week after the three-time Olympic 1500m champion, 31, failed in her bid to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four-minute mile.

Her compatriot Chebet set a new women’s 5,000m record with a time of 13:58. 06, shaving more than two seconds off the previous record set by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in Eugene two years ago.

Chebet, 25, now holds both world records and Olympic titles in the 5,000m and 10,000m.

“When I was coming here to Eugene, I was coming to prepare to run a world record,” she said. “I’m so happy. “

Matt Hudson-Smith was the highlight on a mixed evening for British athletes, posting a season’s best 44. 10 to win the men’s 400m ahead of American duo Christopher Bailey and Jacory Patterson.

British record holder Zharnel Hughes also ran a season’s best of 9. 91 to finish second in the men’s 100m, behind Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, who posted a time of 9. 85.

Jemma Reekie equalled her season’s best of 1:58. 66 to finish seventh in the women’s 800m. Paris gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson, whose return from a hamstring injury was delayed by a setback in April, did not compete.

Ethiopa’s Tsige Duguma, silver medallist behind Hodgkinson in Paris, won in a time of 1:57. 10.

Dina Asher-Smith finished seventh in the women’s 100m, with American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden surging to victory in 10. 75 and ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred.

Jake Wightman finished eighth and Neil Gourley 12th in the Bowerman Mile. The race was won in stunning fashion by Dutchman Niels Laros, who reeled in American Yared Nuguse in the final 10 metres and pipped him on the line by 0. 01 seconds.

Elsewhere, Sweden’s world record holder Armand Duplantis comfortably won the men’s pole vault with a height of 6. 00m.

Two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone equalled a season’s best 49. 43 to hold off fellow Americans Aaliyah Butler and Isabella Whittaker.

The Diamond League will move to Monaco next before the series visits the UK for a sold-out London Athletics Meet on 19 July.

Manchester United make a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Juventus could offer Douglas Luiz in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho and also want Yves Bissouma, and Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish could each leave for just £40m

Manchester United are making a move to sign English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 28, who is a free agent after leaving Everton at the end of his contract this week. (Sun)

Juventus are stepping up efforts to sign England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, from Manchester United and could offer a swap with Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, moving in the other direction. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian)

Juventus are also interested in signing 28-year-old Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma from Tottenham Hotspur this summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport – Italian)

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 27, and his fellow Englishman, 29-year-old Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish could be allowed to leave for £40m each this summer. (Manchester Evening News)

Barcelona, though, are set to hold talks with Manchester United in the coming days over a deal to sign Rashford on loan with an option to buy. (Footmercato – in French)

Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique says he has “no doubt” France winger Bradley Barcola will be staying at the club, despite Bayern Munich showing interest in the 22-year-old. (Goal)

Al-Nassr have held initial talks with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, 24, who has been a target for several Premier League clubs. (Sacha Tavolieri – in French)

Former Italy striker Mario Balotelli, 34, is attracting interest from Major League Soccer and Liga MX following his departure from Genoa. (Talksport)

Chelsea have told Manchester United they will have to pay £35m if they want to sign France forward Christopher Nkunku, 27. (Mirror)

South Korea forward Son Heung-min, 32, is set to turn down a move to Los Angeles FC despite being open to a move away from Tottenham this summer. (Sun)

Sunderland are in advanced talks with Club Brugge over a deal for 20-year-old winger Chemsdine Talbi, who was born in Belgium but has chosen to represent Morocco. (Sky Sports)

Burnley and Leeds are interested in United States and Norwich forward Josh Sargent, 25, while an offer from German club Wolfsburg was below his £16m valuation. (Pink Un)

Brazilian club Flamengo have made a £5m approach for West Brom and Republic of Ireland winger Mikey Johnston, 26. (Express and Star)

Sporting’s Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres, 27, has rejected interest from Saudi Arabia as he holds out for a move to Arsenal. (Record – in Portuguese)

Argentina: (0) 12

Tries: Matera, Rubiolo Cons: Carreras

England: (3) 35

Clinical England produced a second-half masterclass to see off Argentina 35-12 in the first Test at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata.

After holding off the toothless Pumas for 40 minutes to lead by three points at the break, England then took charge, Sale’s Tom Roebuck scoring twice and Freddie Steward of Leicester also finding a try in the space of nine minutes.

Argentina hit back with two scores of their own – but marshalled by the superb George Ford, earning his 100th cap, England showed composure and defensive fortitude to keep their hosts in check.

Ford added two penalties to stretch England’s lead before Harlequins wing Cadan Murley completed the job with a well-taken try five minutes from the end.

At one stage in the first half, England were down to 13 men with Alex Coles and Seb Atkinson in the sin-bin, but held firm in the face of relentless Argentina attacking.

It was while Coles was off the field that Ford, who became the eighth male centurion for England, provided the half’s only score with a drop goal.

After the break, Steve Borthwick’s side cut loose, Roebuck applying the finish to an excellent move, although Ford missed the conversion from the touchline.

Just five minutes later, Ford turned provider to tee up Steward to touch down between the posts before another superb passing move opened the door for Roebuck to notch his second.

The shellshocked Pumas hit back through a try from Pablo Matera, whose 109th cap levelled the record for most appearances for his country, and another fine score from Bristol lock Pedro Rubiolo trimmed the gap to 10 points.

It was not enough, though, as Ford added two composed penalties from distance to put the game out of reach before Murley added the gloss.

Argentina must be sick of the sight of Ford.

In September 2023, the fly-half kicked all 27 points as 14-man England beat the Pumas in the World Cup group stage before helping Steve Borthwick’s side to victory over Argentina again in the bronze medal match a month later.

Overlooked by the Lions this summer and supplanted by Marcus Smith in England’s first-choice XI, he seized his opportunity to impress.

In the face of Argentina’s dominance at the start, Ford – along with co-captain Jamie George – helped marshal an outstanding defensive effort.

Then, when presented with a rare opportunity in front of the posts, he showed his ruthless instinct, drilling home a vital three points when an under-numbered England looked in trouble.

After half-time, England acquired more possession and Ford assumed the role of conductor, having a hand in all three tries, albeit missing one conversion from the touchline.

When Argentina had hauled themselves back into the game, two fine Ford penalties from distance in the second half, as well as two excellent conversions, rendered any comeback impossible.

“We understand how difficult it is against Argentina so it is a great win for us,” Ford said afterwards. “We’ve got to back it up now – we know they’ll come back at us next week. “

His composure showed up Argentina. Opposing fly-half Santiago Carreras missed a penalty when the game was scoreless and his woeful conversion attempt damaged momentum after Matera had finally found a try for Argentina.

Rubiolo’s wonderful counter-attacking try with 20 minutes to go hinted at the Argentina form they had produced to beat New Zealand and world champions South Africa over the past 12 months.

England: Steward; Roebuck, Slade, S Atkinson, Muir; Ford, Spencer; Baxter, George, Heyes, Ewels, Coles, B Curry, Underhill, Willis.

Replacements: Dan, Rodd, Opoku-Fordjour, Cunningham-South, Pepper, Dombrandt, Van Poortvliet, Murley.

Argentina: Elizalde; Isgro, Cinti, Piccardo, Cordero, Carreras, Bertranou; Vicas, Montoya, Delgado, Paulos, Rubiolo, Matera, Gonzalez, Isa.

Replacements: Bernasconi, Gallo, Marchetti, Grondona, Moro, Cruz, Roger, Moroni.

Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

Assitant referees: Luc Ramos (Fra) and Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

Welshman Gerwyn Price evaded a Stephen Bunting fightback to seal the title with an 8-7 success in a thrilling final at the Polish Darts Masters.

Bunting found himself 7-5 down and looked to have missed the opportunity to keep his chances alive when he missed three darts at double 12 at 7-6, but he eventually pinned a double three after Price missed three match darts.

Price strayed into the single 17 with 91 left but hit a double-double finish on 34 and 40 to secure his fourth World Series triumph.

Price won matches against Rob Cross, Chris Dobey and Sebastian Bialecki to reach the final, while Bunting set aside defending champion Luke Littler as well as Krzystof Ratajski and Tytus Kanik.

Littler, who failed to defend his Polish Masters crown, was knocked out of the US Masters in the quarter-finals last week and lost in the last 16 at the World Cup of Darts alongside Luke Humphries.