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The Buffalo Bills are considered strong contenders for the 2025 Super Bowl despite their recent elimination in the AFC Championship Game by the Kansas City Chiefs. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder proposes that the Bills should trade for New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, a former Chiefs Super Bowl winner. Holder notes that while Buffalo has a nearly complete roster, safety remains a positional weakness. The Bills only added depth this offseason with Darrick Forrest and Jordan Hancock instead of addressing the starting role. Holder suggests that if the rebuilding Saints make the 33-year-old Mathieu available, Bills GM Brandon Beane should pursue him. Mathieu would upgrade the position over Damar Hamlin, offering veteran reliability in both run support and pass coverage. His experience includes helping Kansas City win Super Bowl LIV in 2019, and he could immediately strengthen Buffalo's defense.
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Real Madrid suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in their Club World Cup semi-final last week. This loss marked Xabi Alonso's first defeat since becoming Real Madrid manager at the start of June and is considered a significant low point for the team. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on the playing dynamic between forwards Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Junior, with many believing they struggle to function effectively together in Real Madrid's ideal lineup. Against PSG, they started as wingers on opposite sides of Gonzalo Higuaín, with Mbappé on the left and Vinícius playing out of position on the right. However, reports (via Alberto Pereiro on Radio Estadio) reveal that Vinícius was originally slated to start on the bench for the PSG match. The initial plan was for Mbappé and Higuaín to form a two-man attack. A late change occurred when Trent Alexander-Arnold became unavailable due to injury. This prompted manager Alonso to switch formations from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3, leading to Vinícius being reinstated in the starting lineup. Despite starting the match, Vinícius's near-benching is seen as a potential sign of his future standing, especially amid reports that Mbappé is currently favored more by the club. Nevertheless, Alonso's stated desire is to find a tactical solution that allows both Vinícius and Mbappé to start together and perform at their best. Finding this solution remains a key challenge for Alonso, who has until the start of August and Real Madrid's shortened pre-season schedule to resolve the issue.
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Christian Pulisic has rejected a potential transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, turning down the opportunity to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo despite the league's lucrative tax-free contracts. The American winger is currently thriving at AC Milan, having contributed to 55 goals across his first 100 appearances for the Serie A side. Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reports Pulisic declined the move because he remains "very happy at Milan." The 25-year-old is negotiating a new contract extension through 2029 that would substantially increase his salary, though his current deal runs until June 2027. Despite Pulisic's strong individual performances, Milan endured a disappointing eighth-place Serie A finish last season, missing all European competitions. The club has responded by signing veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, who immediately declared "AC Milan can't be satisfied with mediocrity" and emphasized the need to compete for major trophies. Milan's renewed ambition is further evidenced by management changes: Igli Tare joined as sporting director while Massimiliano Allegri returned as head coach after 11 years away. Pulisic appears fully committed to this revitalized project as contract talks continue.
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Following their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs have prioritized retaining core players over aggressive external acquisitions this offseason. This approach mirrors their strategy after a 2021 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which preceded two championships. The team recently secured Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith with a $94 million contract extension. The Chiefs' next focus is extending All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, a defensive cornerstone. ESPN's Nate Taylor reported that Kansas City will shift attention to McDuffie following Sauce Gardner's new deal with the New York Jets, suggesting McDuffie has arguably been more productive. The organization aims to finalize an agreement before training camp or the regular season begins. McDuffie's value is immense despite unflashy stats, as Kansas City increasingly relies on defense. His 2023 season featured two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, 45 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, and a forced fumble across 16 games. Pro Football Focus awarded him an 83.1 defensive grade and ranks him among the NFL's top five players under 25, highlighting his multifaceted impact—a quality GM Brett Veach recognizes. The Chiefs have a history of making calculated financial decisions, having traded key contributors like Tyreek Hill and Joe Thuney after championship runs. Management trusts its foundational building process but acknowledges McDuffie's rapid emergence as a franchise pillar. This likely necessitates a significant contract extension to secure his long-term future with the team.
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Nico O'Reilly emerged as a success story for Manchester City during the latter stages of the 2024/25 season, impressing while playing out of position at left-back and demonstrating clear potential for a long and successful career. His strong form, talent, and potential have now attracted significant interest from multiple clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga, making it crucial for Manchester City to retain him this summer to avoid losing such a promising young player. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that O'Reilly is drawing strong interest from Bundesliga and Premier League clubs, with several prepared to offer him regular first-team football—a key priority for the young midfielder. Romano did not specify the names of the interested clubs, but the opportunity for consistent playing time is a central factor in the emerging transfer interest. O'Reilly, naturally an attacking midfielder, seized his chance during City's rebuild by making a seamless transition to left-back late last season, showcasing his adaptability and potential to develop into a top player. However, he requires regular playing opportunities to fulfill his potential, and while he might get minutes at left-back next season, his long-term development hinges on moving back to his preferred midfield role to leverage his talent, eye for goal, size, and athleticism. Integrating O'Reilly into Manchester City's crowded midfield presents a challenge, as the squad includes established players like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, Nico, Rodri, and Tijjani Reijnders. This intense competition for minutes under Pep Guardiola could prompt O'Reilly to seek opportunities elsewhere to secure playing time in midfield. Despite the midfield logjam, Manchester City cannot afford to let O'Reilly leave this summer, given his tantalizing talent and physical attributes. The club has seen other young players depart for more playing time in recent seasons, and retaining O'Reilly is vital to prevent adding him to that list.
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There appears to be a conflict between long-serving Inter Milan players Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu. Calhanoglu has been the subject of significant transfer speculation throughout the summer, particularly linked with interest from Turkish club Galatasaray. However, the reigning Super Lig champions have not yet reached an agreement with Inter on a transfer fee for the 31-year-old midfielder. Calhanoglu's reluctance to clarify his future reportedly provoked a strong reaction from Lautaro Martinez last month. Following Inter's 2-0 loss to Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup, captain Martinez stated in a post-match interview that "everyone who doesn’t want to stay should leave," a comment widely interpreted as being directed at Calhanoglu. With Calhanoglu now increasingly likely to remain at Inter, the club faces the challenge of repairing the relationship between the two players and easing tensions within the dressing room. According to a report by Luca Marchetti, the club believes that Martinez and Calhanoglu can reconcile and mend their relationship if Calhanoglu decides to stay, and there is confidence around San Siro that the pair can move past this rift.
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Jude Bellingham is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery in London on Wednesday, aiming to return to action for Real Madrid in October. The 22-year-old midfielder, who dislocated his left shoulder during a November 2023 La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, has managed the injury with strapping while playing consistently for club and country since then, missing only four initial matches. The Athletic reported in May that Bellingham would have the procedure after Real Madrid's Club World Cup campaign, with an expected recovery period of 10-12 weeks. His participation in the tournament—where Madrid exited after a 4-0 semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain—delayed the surgery until mid-July. Real Madrid faces a congested early-season schedule, opening their 2025-26 La Liga campaign against Osasuna on August 19. The club's request to postpone this match due to Club World Cup commitments was rejected by La Liga, meaning Madrid will play seven league fixtures between August and September, including a derby against Atletico Madrid on September 28. Meanwhile, England has World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September, followed by an October 9 friendly against Wales. Bellingham has been included in all squads since Thomas Tuchel became head coach in January. Since his €103 million move from Borussia Dortmund in June 2023, Bellingham has made 100 appearances for Madrid, contributing 38 goals and 28 assists.
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The New York Jets may reconsider their stance on roster additions after San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings demanded either a trade or a new contract, becoming available on the open market. This development could prompt the Jets to pursue Jennings as a potential solution for their WR2 position. Jennings presents an attractive opportunity as an affordable, high-upside addition who would immediately become New York's second receiver behind Garrett Wilson. His best football years likely lie ahead, and his 2023 performance—nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns—demonstrated significant potential despite being an outlier compared to earlier seasons. Known for clutch plays earning him the nickname "3rd and Jauan," Jennings excels as one of the league's best blocking receivers with versatility in alignment and reliable hands for difficult catches. These traits align with coach Aaron Glenn's team philosophy, making him a natural fit for the Jets' offensive scheme. Jennings would likely surpass current receivers Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard on the depth chart, though his acquisition could jeopardize roster spots for players like Malachi Corley. While his 2023 breakout occurred in a crowded 49ers receiver room that limited opportunities, he projects as a reliable WR2 in New York. Acquiring Jennings carries risk if he reverts to pre-2023 production levels, but his ceiling in the right offensive system makes him an enticing gamble for the Jets given the potential reward of securing a cost-effective starting receiver.
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The 2025 men's EAFF E-1 Football Championship final will be contested between South Korea and Japan on Tuesday, July 15th. South Korea aims to reclaim the title they lost to Japan in 2022 and secure a record sixth championship, while Japan seeks consecutive titles for the first time. The decisive match, referred to as the 'Han-Il Jeon', takes place at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, kicking off at 7:24 PM KST. This is the first competitive meeting between the rivals since the 2022 final. As hosts, South Korea faces pressure but may have a psychological edge following their 3-0 victory over Japan in 2022 and strong performances in their opening matches. South Korea enters the final in impressive form, having not conceded a single goal in the tournament. They secured a 3-0 win against China and followed it with a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong, despite fielding a heavily rotated starting lineup.
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes are preparing for the upcoming training camp, aiming to move past their Super Bowl loss as the 2025 NFL season approaches. Considered top contenders again, the team bolstered its roster during the offseason and successfully retained key talent. A major recent move was securing offensive lineman Trey Smith. As reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs signed Smith to a four-year, $94 million contract extension, following their earlier decision to franchise tag him. Retaining Smith was a clear priority for Kansas City due to his role as one of Mahomes' primary protectors on the offensive line. Mahomes publicly reacted to the contract news on social media by posting a smiling emoji (😁), clearly indicating his approval. Smith is viewed as crucial for the team's offensive success in the 2025 season. Originally a sixth-round pick (No. 226 overall) by the Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith has developed into an elite lineman under the team's guidance. At 26 years old, he is now a cornerstone player locked in long-term. Meanwhile, Mahomes, the 29-year-old quarterback, is driven to win another championship. He enters the season coming off a 2024 performance where he played 16 games, completing 67.5% of his passes for 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
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ESPN writer Bill Barnwell ranked the Seattle Seahawks' collective group of offensive playmakers (wide receivers, running backs, tight ends) 19th out of 32 NFL teams in his annual rankings. Barnwell stated this middle-of-the-pack placement reflects the uncertainty surrounding the team's new-look offense following an offseason overhaul, indicating the skill-position group features both potential upside and significant question marks. Barnwell described his view as "hopeful, but also skeptical," which aligns with the 19th-place ranking. A primary source of this mix of hope and skepticism is veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who signed with the Seahawks in March after they traded DK Metcalf. Kupp had a standout eight-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, amassing 7,776 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns, including a historic 1,947-yard season in 2021 (second-most in a single NFL season). However, injuries have significantly impacted Kupp over the past three seasons, limiting him to only 33 out of 51 games. While he averaged 90.2 receiving yards per game in 2022, his production dropped sharply to 61.4 yards per game in 2023 and 59.2 yards per game in 2024, marking two of the three lowest averages of his career. Barnwell noted that while Kupp was an elite, upper-echelon receiver as recently as two years ago, his recent injury history makes it difficult to assess his current level of play.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua expressed enthusiasm about improving alongside new teammate Davante Adams, following the team's offseason receiver changes. The Rams signed Adams in March three days before releasing Cooper Kupp, who joined the rival Seattle Seahawks, reshaping their passing unit to boost an offense that ranked 20th in scoring last season. Nacua, 24, described learning from Adams as feeling "like a kid in a candy store," noting his fortune in having mentors including Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, and Kupp. He highlighted Adams' immediate positive impact since arriving at the facility and expressed excitement about playing alongside him alongside returning speedster Tutu Atwell and young receivers. Adams joins after a 2024 season split between the Jets and Raiders where he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive year (with 85 catches and 8 touchdowns). Despite Nacua nearly matching Adams' production during his own breakout rookie season (105 catches, 1,486 yards), he emphasized wanting to study Adams' elite route-running techniques—specifically his pace variation, leverage wins, and suddenness at the line of scrimmage. The Rams envision Adams and Nacua as co-leaders ("1A and 1B") in their receiving corps, supported by Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Britain Covey, and rookie Konata Mumpfield. Their synergy will be crucial as Los Angeles aims to build on last season's NFC Divisional Round appearance. Nacua particularly anticipates seeing Stafford throw at training camp, which begins July 22, stating: "As soon as that first practice comes out... things will be well in the world."
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Santi Cazorla, aged 40, has signed a new one-year contract with his boyhood club, Real Oviedo, agreeing to earn the La Liga minimum wage. This marks his continued stay after making an emotional return to the club in 2023, where he played a pivotal role in securing their promotion back to the Spanish top flight for the first time in 24 years. His contributions included scoring a stunning free-kick in the La Liga 2 play-off semi-final against Almeria and converting a penalty in the extra-time second leg of the final against CD Mirandes. Despite offering to play for free upon his return to the club where he was in the academy from ages eight to 16, league regulations required him to accept the minimum wage of £77,000 per year (£1,480 per week). Following Oviedo's promotion, he has again signed for the minimum possible amount. However, as La Liga's minimum wage is higher at £168,000 per year (£3,230 per week), this represents a £90,000 pay rise for Cazorla. This salary means Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid will earn three times more in a single week than Cazorla earns in a year in the same league. Generously, Cazorla will donate 10% of his wage and shirt sales to Real Oviedo's academy. The club hailed his renewal, stating he is "a symbol and emblem of Oviedo" who embodies the club's values on and off the field, proving "dreams, when pursued with the heart, come true." Cazorla, who turns 41 in December, scored five goals and provided five assists in 35 games last season. The two-time European champion with Spain spent six years at Arsenal (180 appearances) before leaving in 2018. His career was nearly ended by a severe Achilles injury in October 2016, which required 11 operations. One operation led to gangrene, and doctors told him he should be satisfied just to walk again, let alone play professional football.
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MC Alger has secured Rhulani Mokwena as their new head coach, winning the race against reported interest from Orlando Pirates and clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Mokwena joins the reigning Algerian Ligue 1 champions and Super Cup winners as a free agent, replacing Khaled Ben Yahia who departed at the end of last season. He takes charge of the club while it is at the peak of domestic success. Having built his reputation at Mamelodi Sundowns, Mokwena aims to achieve further success with MC Alger. His new role guarantees him participation in the CAF Champions League next season. His appointment also sets up a touchline rivalry in Algeria with Sead Ramovic, his nemesis, who coaches CR Belouizdad. Following the confirmation of his appointment, the article notes that fan reactions are being examined.
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Cole Palmer delivered a standout performance for Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, scoring two goals and assisting another in a 3-0 victory. This display served as a reminder to his former club, Manchester City, of why they may have erred in letting him go in 2023. Palmer's success since leaving Manchester City is noted as a rare instance of a player flourishing after departing Pep Guardiola's team, prompting even City fans to admit he made the right decision. Multiple Manchester City supporters expressed their views online, with one stating they were glad he left, believing he would have remained a "bit-part player" at City instead of starring against teams like PSG. Another fan acknowledged Palmer went for a high fee but gained the opportunity to be the main player at Chelsea, something unlikely at City, expressing happiness for him. A third supporter suggested other young City players like Oscar Bobb and Nico Gonzalez should follow Palmer's example and leave if they don't get sufficient playing time next season, calling Palmer's departure "the BEST decision of his career." Other fan reactions included one admitting it was difficult but pleasing to see Palmer succeed elsewhere, another praising his mental sharpness and ability to perform in finals, and a sixth defending Palmer's talent by pointing out his lack of starting opportunities at City (only two Premier League starts in the 2022/2023 season) prevented him from building momentum, despite doing well when he played. The article concludes that Palmer's risk in leaving City has paid off, leading Chelsea to a surprise Club World Cup victory and earning praise from City fans. Statistics highlighted his excellent performance against PSG, including his brace, assist, two chances created, five touches in the opposition box, two passes into the final third, and three successful dribbles.
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Chelsea will receive over 10% of the $1 billion Club World Cup prize fund regardless of the final result against Paris St-Germain, a significant financial boost after their summer spending. The tournament offers more than just money for manager Enzo Maresca's team. It represents a chance to win a second trophy following their June Conference League victory, potentially silencing critics of the club's strategy of signing young players on long contracts. It also provides an opportunity to claim the title of world champions until the next tournament in 2029. Reaching the final involved significant effort amidst challenges. Chelsea had a shorter pre-season before the Premier League begins on August 16th and had to contend with potential injuries. Their non-international players had a 10-day break after the Conference League final, while others joined the squad just a week after international duty. Extensive travel across the United States was required: training at Cobham, a match in Atlanta, basing in Philadelphia for the group stage, moving to Miami, and finally settling in New York for the semi-final and final. The intense heat encountered everywhere impacted their training capabilities. Managing player happiness presented another challenge. Manager Maresca afforded players significant freedom to enjoy downtime in US cities while demanding professionalism. Crucially, players were allowed to meet friends and family, especially from the knockout stages, which helped maintain morale. The club also brought in Football Association staff to organize the camps, including arranging entertainment and accommodation for players' families.
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Luka Modrić is scheduled to undergo his medical tests and sign his contract with AC Milan on Monday, July 14. This follows the completion of his commitments with Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup after deciding to join Milan as a free agent upon the expiry of his Real Madrid contract. Meanwhile, AC Milan is actively working to reduce their midfield squad, which has become surplus to requirements, particularly after signing Samuele Ricci from Torino. Midfielders Ismael Bennacer and Yacine Adli, both returning from loans (to Olympique Marseille and Fiorentina respectively) where the options to buy were not activated, have received transfer proposals from the Saudi Pro League. It is uncertain if either or both players will accept these offers, as Adli is also attracting interest from Bologna.
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The Dallas Cowboys addressed their running back position in the offseason following the departure of leading rusher Rico Dowdle to Carolina. They signed veteran running backs Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams and drafted rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Despite adding these players, creating a committee of backs, a suggestion emerged that the Cowboys should pursue another running back via trade. Specifically, Cowboys Wire proposed trading with the New England Patriots for Antonio Gibson, a former Washington Commander who is now behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the Patriots' depth chart. The article highlights Gibson's physical attributes (6-foot, 228 pounds), his past 1000-yard season, breakaway speed, pass-catching ability, and elusiveness, suggesting he could add depth and playmaking, potentially serving as an upgrade to current options. However, the article presents counterarguments against making a trade. It notes the Cowboys already have Javonte Williams as a workhorse, Phil Mafah as a powerful runner ("wrecking ball"), and Jaydon Blue as a dynamic playmaker. While Mafah and Blue are unproven NFL rookies, they are more affordable and possess long-term upside. Therefore, trading for Gibson, who might be somewhat redundant with Blue's profile, doesn't make much sense at this stage. The conclusion is that while trading for Gibson is an intriguing idea, the better option for the Cowboys is to retain their draft capital and proceed with the group of running backs they have already assembled.
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The New England Patriots, needing a clear top wide receiver (WR1) after another offensive disappointment, found the 2025 free agent receiver class underwhelming. Despite missing out on other trade targets, they acquired Stefon Diggs, a move initially questioned by local media and fans due to his season-ending 2024 ACL injury and past issues leading to departures from previous teams. So far, Diggs' time with the Patriots has been mostly positive, aside from an earlier "boat incident" that made headlines. The new coaching staff has praised him, and Diggs himself has addressed his mindset publicly through a series of YouTube videos documenting his offseason. In one video filmed in Europe, he recounted his journey as a fifth-round draft pick who fought for his opportunity and emphasized his gratitude for this new chance with the Patriots. Diggs explicitly stated his determined mindset: "There is no second chances... You gotta take advantage of the right now," highlighting the strong competitive chip on his shoulder that aligns with the Patriots' appreciation for highly motivated players. He stressed taking advantage of the opportunity New England is giving him, which is encouraging for the team given he wasn't heavily pursued in free agency, likely because of his injury. Although unable to participate much in spring practices, Diggs' extensive off-site training has put him significantly ahead in his ACL rehabilitation, leading many to believe he could be ready for Week 1. While his Week 1 availability would be ideal for quarterback Drake Maye and the offense, the key takeaway is that Diggs is entering his Patriots tenure with the right motivated mindset, which the team hopes will dispel any lingering doubts.
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Everton are actively pursuing transfer targets as the new financial year begins. The club is interested in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz to fill the gap left by Orel Mangala and Abdoulaye Doucoure, though West Ham United are currently seen as frontrunners for his signature. Everton are also linked with a move for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, with manager Pep Guardiola reportedly open to selling him. Fans believe Grealish could elevate the team to European competition if he joins. A significant development is Everton opening talks to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko. The 22-year-old Belgian international, a left-footed right winger considered one of the best in the Netherlands, recorded 15 goal involvements last season, including a goal against Liverpool in the Champions League. However, they face competition from Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Bayer Leverkusen, and RB Leipzig for his signature, valued around £17m plus add-ons. Fans reacted enthusiastically on social media (X/Twitter) to the Bakayoko rumours, expressing excitement about the ambitious move, with comments like "Passports out the draw if we somehow pull this off," "That would be a great move," and "Love to sign him," though some expressed doubt about Everton's chances of securing him.
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Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal's primary target for a striker signing this summer, with the club actively seeking a prolific centre-forward. Reports indicate Gyokeres hopes to complete his move to Arsenal next week before the team departs for their Asia tour. Gyokeres has publicly expressed admiration for three Arsenal players. He named Bukayo Saka as particularly impressive to watch. Additionally, after facing them directly in a Champions League match last season while playing for Sporting CP, he highlighted defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as "very high-level" players. Although Gyokeres was in excellent form heading into that match against Arsenal, including scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City, Sporting CP lost 5-1 to Arsenal and he failed to score. Despite this, he gave Saliba and Gabriel a challenging time during the game, managing five shots on goal (two on target, three off target), including one shot that hit the post.
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The article previews the Philadelphia Eagles' interior defensive linemen heading into training camp, focusing primarily on Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Jalen Carter, despite lacking eye-popping statistics, was a dominant force on the interior defensive line throughout the season, constantly facing double teams. His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro honors. He made critical plays in the Divisional Round playoff game against the Rams, sacking Matthew Stafford on third down and forcing an off-target throw on fourth down to save the Eagles' season. Carter was also a major factor in the Eagles' defensive line overwhelming the Chiefs' offensive line in the Super Bowl, often occupying their two best linemen and creating favorable one-on-one matchups for teammates. Carter addressed conditioning concerns from his rookie season by playing the most snaps among all interior defensive linemen in the NFL during the 2024 season (1,068 snaps). His heavy workload and the constant attention he draws from opposing offenses make him indispensable to the Eagles' defense; the team is considered vulnerable if he gets injured. Carter is entering his third NFL season and will be eligible for a contract extension afterwards. The article states that if he continues his trajectory as a budding superstar, he will command a significant, well-deserved contract that will impact the Eagles' salary cap. Regarding Jordan Davis, the article notes that he played 445 snaps (including playoffs) during the 2024 season, averaging 21.2 snaps per game. This ranked him as the fourth-most utilized interior defensive lineman on the Eagles' roster for that season.
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Brock Bowers, a Las Vegas Raiders tight end and 2021 Napa High School graduate, was ranked 16th on CBS Sports' list of the top 25 NFL players aged 25 and under, published on June 25. The list aims to identify the best young talent in the league. The report highlighted Bowers' impressive rookie season, stating he justified his top-15 draft selection (first round, 2024, from the University of Georgia) by setting a rookie record with 112 catches for the Raiders. It suggested his touchdown production should increase now that he's set to catch passes from a more proven quarterback in Geno Smith. In June, Bowers attended Tight End University (TEU) in Nashville. TEU is a summer camp founded in 2021 by George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Greg Olsen to bring the tight end community together for three days of drills, technique exchange, mentorship, film study, and other activities, including learning from retired legends. The camp also focuses on charitable initiatives. Bowers' outstanding rookie season performance included 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. This earned him recognition on The Associated Press’ 2024 NFL All-Pro First Team and the 2024 Professional Football Writers of America's All-NFL and All-AFC team.
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The Las Vegas Raiders addressed their need at wide receiver in the draft by selecting Jack Bech (second round), Dont'e Thornton (fourth round), and Tommy Mellott (sixth round). While Bech and Thornton appear ready for significant roles, the team, operating in a win-now mode under head coach Pete Carroll, could still benefit from adding another proven pass catcher before the season starts. With limited appealing free-agent options available, the Raiders might explore the trade market or players cut by other teams. An article proposed one realistic trade for the Raiders: acquiring wide receiver Treylon Burks from the Tennessee Titans. Burks, a former first-round pick, has struggled with injuries throughout his career, playing only five games last season due to an ACL tear and missing significant time in his first two seasons. The Titans have reportedly moved him down the depth chart. The rationale for the Raiders trading for Burks is that he could contend for a starting or key depth role in their offense, potentially benefiting from playing with quarterback Geno Smith. The Titans might trade him to give younger receivers more playing time, likely settling for a late draft pick. However, Burks' health is a major concern; he likely won't be fully cleared for the start of training camp and his status for the season opener is uncertain. The proposed trade cost for Burks would be minimal, likely a conditional seventh-round pick dependent on him making the Raiders' 53-man roster. This low cost reflects his expected minimal impact, raising questions about whether acquiring him would be worthwhile for the Raiders, especially since they also want to develop their own young receivers during camp.
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Celtic have completed several signings during the summer transfer window, including Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmand, and the high-profile addition of Kieran Tierney. The club has also seen departures, with Scott Bain, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Jeffrey Schlupp, Greg Taylor, and the most recent exit Nicolas Kuhn leaving Parkhead. Kuhn has joined Italian Serie A side Como FC. Reports indicate that Como FC, the big-spending Serie A club, is now set to pursue a long-standing Celtic target: Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller. According to the Scottish Sun, Como are preparing a bid for Miller. Miller, who was named Scotland's young player of the year, is also a target for another Italian club, Udinese, whose previous bid was rejected in January. Interest extends beyond Italy, with Championship sides Southampton and Ipswich Town also monitoring his situation. Miller's father, former Scotland international Lee Miller, has suggested his son would favour a move abroad. Motherwell's new manager, Jens Berthel Askou, has acknowledged the heightened interest in the Scotland international midfielder and conceded that Miller is likely to leave the club this summer. While Miller's future destination remains uncertain, Celtic currently have multiple midfield options competing for places, including captain Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, and Luke McCowan.
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The Kansas City Chiefs' biggest challenge for the 2025 offseason is establishing stability on the offensive line, which was a critical weakness in their previous season-ending loss where Patrick Mahomes received inadequate protection against the Philadelphia Eagles. To address this, the key development is the signing of first-round draft pick Josh Simmons to a 4-year, $14.7 million contract. Although Simmons is currently sidelined by an injury, his acquisition already provides fans with optimism for improved line performance this season, particularly at the vital left tackle position protecting Mahomes' blindside. Simmons possesses experience facing NFL-level pass rushers, giving confidence that he will be prepared for the regular season. His addition, combined with the leadership of head coach Andy Reid, offers significant hope for stabilizing the offensive tackle position. While interior line concerns remain, Simmons' presence is expected to mitigate the protection issues that plagued Mahomes in the 2024 finale. Given Reid's coaching and Mahomes' health, the Chiefs' baseline expectation remains competing for the AFC Championship. Signing Simmons reinforces the belief that the team's dominance will continue into the 2025 season, upholding their history of impactful draft selections.
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Liverpool are actively seeking a new centre-back, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as their top target. However, Crystal Palace are demanding a high transfer fee, reported to be between £50 million and £65 million, despite Guehi entering the final year of his contract and risking leaving for free next summer. Liverpool are reluctant to meet that valuation. Should they fail to sign Guehi, Liverpool have identified two alternative targets who fit their profile for a young centre-back with potential for growth: Giovanni Leoni (18) from Parma and Konstantinos Koulierakis (21) from Wolfsburg. Both players have been watched by the club. Leoni, standing 6'4", broke through in Serie A last season and can also play right-back. Koulierakis is an established Greek international, played 38 games for Wolfsburg last season, and has occasionally featured at left-back. Their versatility appeals to manager Arne Slot. Liverpool's pursuit of this specific profile stems from uncertainty in their current defensive options. Ibrahima Konaté is entering the final year of his contract, Joe Gomez (28) has an injury history, and Virgil van Dijk is nearing the latter stages of his career. Guehi, who turns 25 soon, represents a more experienced, "plug-and-go" option entering his prime with over 230 senior appearances.
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