Liverpool Agree To Sign Frankfurt Striker Ekitike

According to reports from Monday, Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike have agreed to a $ 69 million ($92 million) initial contract.

Following Newcastle’s refusal to sell Sweden international Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million by the Magpies, the Premier League champions switched their focus to Ekiti.

Ekitike may have attracted interest from Newcastle and Manchester United, but Liverpool may have a chance to capture one of Europe’s most hottest young stars.

The Reds are reportedly willing to pay an additional £10 million in addition to the 23-year-old Frenchman’s contract, whose total cost could reach £79 million.

Ekitike and Arne Slot’s side will team up for their pre-season tour of Asia once the deal is finalized.

READ ALSO: Arteta Supports Arsenal’s Partey Departure

Ekitike left Paris Saint-Germain to join the Bundesliga team last season and scored 22 goals in 48 games for Frankfurt overall.

In his side’s pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday, Ekitike’s departure was a “bitter loss,” according to Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller, who acknowledged the substitute’s absence as a substitute.

After Diogo Jota recently died in a car crash in Spain, Liverpool have a chance in their forward line.

Additionally, it is thought that the Reds are interested in selling Uruguay international Darwin Nunez, and Bayern Munich’s rejected bid for Colombia international Luis Diaz.

Since signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth, respectively, Liverpool have already spent £116 million on German international player Florian Wirtz.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, a goalkeeper from Georgia who left Valencia in 2024, has also made contact with Arne Slot’s side since the end of last season.

Arteta Backs Arsenal’s Handling Of Partey Departure

After Thomas Partey was detained on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defended the club’s approach on the matter on Monday.

At the end of last season, Arsenal did not renew his contract, and he was charged by British police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022.

Partey will have to show up in court on August 5 in London, according to the news source.

READ MORE: Fury fights third-round opponent Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion.

The player’s contract came to an end on June 30 according to an announcement made on July 4 the day of Partey’s arrest. The club is unable to comment on the case because ongoing legal proceedings are pending.

During the pre-season tour of Arsenal in Singapore, Arteta was questioned about whether Partey’s allegations were the decisive factor in his release.

The Spaniard added that the statement from the club was “very clear” and that he was “100 percent” certain that Arsenal had followed the correct procedure. I am unable to comment on any of the many complex legal issues that are currently being raised.

Partey left Atletico Madrid for £45 million in October 2020, and he did so.

Last season, he scored four goals in the Premier League and 12 times in the Champions League.

Venus Williams, 45, To End 16-Month Layoff In Washington

Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, announced her return from a 16-month hiatus at this week’s DC Open on Sunday, saying on Sunday that she is unsure of anything beyond that.

The 45-year-old American overcame a serious health issue last year and made the decision to accept a wildcard into the first hardcourt set-up for the US Open, the US Capital Tournament.

Williams said, “I believe I know what I want to do, but I don’t always want to discuss it.” “I’m just here for now,” I said. Who knows, then? There might be more. I keep my cards firmly in my hands, but I’m only focusing on this at the moment.

Peyton Stearns, a 23-year-old American who ranks 34th in the world, will play Williams in the opening game. Last year at Rabat, Stewarts won her only WTA title on clay.

Serena Williams of the USA returns to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic for their third-round women’s singles match of the 2022 US Open Tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 2, 2022. (COREY SIPKIN/AFP photo)

Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, hasn’t played since her first-round defeat in Miami last year, which is her older sister.

Venus Williams stated, “My personal goal is to enjoy myself right now and enjoy the moment,” not put too much pressure on myself.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to define success at this time by sticking to my process and believing in myself.” That’s challenging, especially after a layoff. Therefore, my objectives are those.

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Venus Williams, the champion of the 2000 Sydney Olympics singles, has won two US Open titles and five Wimbledon titles.

At the Western &amp, Southern Open, held on August 14 at Mason, Ohio’s Lindner Family Tennis Center, Venus Williams of the United States celebrates winning the match point against Veronika Kudermetova of Russia. AFP-Yonhap

At the Taiwan Open in 2019, she won the most recent of her 49 WTA titles. She played her final full-length tour in that year.

Williams stated, “I definitely believe I’ll play well.” “I’m the same player as ever.” I excel in everything. I made a big hit. My company is this.

It’s about going big and actually putting it in, they say. Therefore, I will work on this. In the court, place it. My main objective is to achieve that.

Tennis was by no means her top priority a year ago.

Yes, I was very afraid to get healthy. You see, she said, “This time, a year ago, I was getting ready for surgery.” I was just trying to get healthy, so I had no choice but to play tennis or compete in the US Open.

“To come back and be able to play and hopefully enjoy myself is a great opportunity to come back from this last year because I have been through a lot physically,” he said.

Fun of the challenge, really?

Williams’ recovery from a wildcard included some motivation, and a trip to Wimbledon provided her with it.

“I had been hitting the ball all the way up to the hard courts.” It’s the surface that I prefer to sleep on. Williams described her decision to play in Washington as “all those different factors”.

“I spent a day at Wimbledon this year, and it was so beautiful and exciting. I recall all the experiences I had, and of course the adrenaline and those that came with them.

“I believe it’s just the fun of the challenge, the fun of the victory,” he said. That is very exciting.

Naomi Osaka of Japan, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is among Williams’ seven Slam singles titles, which match the rest of the Washington field.

Germany’s Berger ‘Living Best Life’ After Euros Shootout Heroics

After defeating France in the semifinals of Women’s Euro 2025, Anne-Katrin Berger saved on Saturday, making it the top of the world.

After a grueling match that ended 1-1 after extra time, Berger saved Alice Sombath’s penalty to win the shootout 6-5 in Germany’s favor.

The 34-year-old also prevented France’s first penalty from Amel Majri and ensured that Janina Minge’s incredible stop in extra time prevented Germany from drawing an own goal.

Read more about the best of African women’s football as the 2018 World Cup begins.

“I’m glad I’m here and glad that I have the team I have, even though I don’t feel particularly emotional.” Berger told reporters, “Obviously, the time here just makes me proud to be here.”

“I look forward to what has happened in 2022, and I look forward to it.” I’m in the semi-finals and living my best life right now.

Fury Targets Third Fight Against Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Usyk

After Daniel Dubois was crushed by the Ukrainian, Tyson Fury claims to be the only fighter who can defeat him in the two-time undisputed heavyweight title match.

In the fifth round, Usyk won the IBF title against his British foe on Saturday, further cementing his position as one of boxing’s all-time greats.

Before being forced to resign from his IBF title, the undefeated 38-year-old added the title to his WBC, WBA, and WBO belts when he defeated Fury in Riyadh in May of last year by split decision.

Usyk
On July 19, 2025, Oleksandr Usyk and his team from Ukraine celebrate their undisputed world heavyweight title victory over British boxer Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo

The British boxer made a unanimous decision in December after falling to Usyk, who was once more in Saudi Arabia, but he already made it known that he wanted to fight once more in the ring earlier this month.

The “Gypsy King” has grittly questioned the two defeats and is confident in defeating Usyk.

Fury, 36, uploaded a video of himself to Instagram while on a run that was rife with expletives.

Oleksandr Usyk deserves a loud shout-out, he declared.

Congratulations to both men, but Oleksandr Usyk is aware that there is only one man who can beat him because he gave a fantastic performance tonight over Daniel Dubois, a talented, young game lad who came for a good tear-up.

The world is aware of it because I once did it. I accepted it as a man’s. ”

I won those fights, he continued, “No matter what anyone wants to say.” 100% guaranteed, guaranteed. One man is all there is. GK (Gypsy King) throughout the day and night. Get up, folks! ”

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren acknowledged that a third fight with Usyk would be “big,” but reaffirmed that Joseph Parker must take the WBO.

Tyson has made it very clear to me that he would love to compete at Wembley. And I’m confident that it will be a significant fight, Warren said.

I would like to watch the Joe Parker fight, as a fan. Joe deserves it because he is running on his own like Daniel, and that is the plan for the fight.

Barrios Draws With Pacquiao To Retain WBC Welterweight Crown

With a fight that was ruled a majority draw on Saturday, Miguel Barrios fought off a battling Manny Pacquiao to retain his WBC world welterweight title.

Barrio, 30, held onto his belt despite being dominated by Filipino icon Pacquiao, 46, for several rounds before making his first appearance in the ring after a four-year break.

One judge gave Barrios the fight 115-113, and the other two cards, 114-114, gave him the victory.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena crowd, who had roared on Pacquiao as he attempted to make a spectacular return to boxing, drew a subdued response from the outcome.

As he used all of his guile and experience to deceive Barrios, it seemed like Pacquiao was about to start a new chapter in his 30-year professional career.

On July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Manny Pacquiao (R) fights Mario Barrios in the 11th round of their WBC welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena. (Photo by Ethan Miller/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

However, Barrios rallied fiercely over the final three rounds, being declared the winner of each of those three cards, to do just enough to keep his title.

Pacquiao later said, “I thought I won the fight. It was a close fight, I mean. My adversary was very tough. But the fight was fantastic.

I was trying to finish the fight, but my opponent was so tough. It was difficult because he used defense and combined punches. ”

In the meantime, Barrio argued that the draw was sufficient for him.

On July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Manny Pacquiao (R) fights Mario Barrios in the first round of their WBC welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena. (Photo by Ethan Miller/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

Barrios remarked, “I thought I pulled it out.” But Manny is still in my top hat. He had a lot of experience and accomplishments in this sport, so it was a pleasure to share the ring with him. Nothing but love and respect was left in the ring, leaving us with nothing. ”

Barros acknowledged how incredible Pacquiao’s extraordinary reserves of energy and endurance were.

His strength, strength, and endurance are beyond reproach. His rhythm, timing, and everything else. He fought a lot to figure out, but he was still a very awkward fighter. ”