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Transfer rumors, news: Barcelona keen on Rashford deal
Barcelona are lining up a move for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford but face competition from AS Monaco, while Paris Saint-Germain are keen on Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
- Barcelona are preparing to make an offer for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, reports Sport. Club sporting director Deco has reportedly held talks with the 27-year-old's representatives recently, with the Blaugrana exploring a deal to sign him on loan until the end of the season. It is said that they would need to offload some talent first to help control their financial situation, with players such as Ronald Araújo, Eric García, and Ansu Fati expected to be made available for a possible transfer. Barça could face competition for Rashford from AS Monaco, according to The Telegraph, which reports that the Ligue 1 club are preparing to make a "realistic" offer to secure his signature.
- Paris Saint-Germain are keen on Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán, reports RMC Sport. It is believed that PSG have already contacted the 21-year-old's representatives over a switch to the Parc des Princes, though there could be some difficulty in agreeing on a transfer fee. As per Diario AS, the Premier League club view the Colombian forward as one of the best prospects in Europe, and they are expected to demand an offer worth 100 million before agreeing to part ways with him.
- Negotiations between Borussia Dortmund and Sporting CP are ongoing over a move for Portugal international centre-back Gonçalo Inacio, reports Sky Sports Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg. BVB are reported to be keen on the 23-year-old, but they are hopeful of persuading the Portuguese Primeira Liga side to lower their demands of 35m plus add-ons. Inacio, who has been a standout performer in the UEFA Champions League this season, has previously been linked with Liverpool.
- Talks among the Barcelona hierarchy are ongoing as they ponder a potential move for AC Milan winger Rafael Leão, reports Sport. The 25-year-old is reported to be on the LaLiga club's short list, but there are currently some disagreements with Blaugrana coaches believing that his profile is too similar to Lamine Yamal, which has raised concerns about having two players who contribute less than other options on the defensive side of the game.
- Contract talks between Bayern Munich and the representatives of left-back Alphonso Davies are set to continue until Jan. 16, according to Bild's Christian Falk. It is said that there is still no agreement between both sides over a salary, amid recent reports that Real Madrid have made a proposal to sign him on a deal worth a total of 20m per season. Davies has less than six months remaining on his contract at the Allianz Arena.
Kate Cross in Ashes fitness race after revealing disc bulge issue
"It's been a bit of a frustrating one and I'm the kind of person that's not used to having injuries," Cross told ESPNcricinfo when asked how her recovery was progressing, and whether she was on track to play the first ODI at North Sydney Oval.
"!t's been a bit of a tough period but it's just one of them. I've just got to take it day by day, taking each day as it comes really, and seeing what I can and can't do. But obviously the Ashes is such a huge series, I'm desperate to play a part in it, so just working really hard."
"I had another scan when I got back to the UK and there was a tiny, tiny, tiny little disc bulge in my back and a little bit of fluid in there," Cross said. "I had an epidural over the Christmas period to try and settle it all down. Back injuries can be a little bit unpredictable so I'm just working through it all each day.
"It's always frustrating to have an injury and especially an injury that that stops me doing my job. When it's something that physically keeps you from bowling, then that's what I've found a little bit more difficult.
"I'm still really lucky that we've got the best science and medicine team available and I'm out in Australia working really hard to try and get as fit as possible as quickly as possible. If I get to play some cricket, brilliant. If I don't, then I'm hopefully still able to contribute off the pitch as well and help what is quite a youngish bowling attack."
"I've not spoken to her but it was just so wet," Cross said. "I think it probably goes to show that we shouldn't have started in those conditions, especially so close to an Ashes series, starting on Sunday on the same ground.
"We were really aware that, every time it rained, the pitch for Sunday was getting wet. So I think it was the literal footing underneath her. I don't think it's anything to do with rhythm or her run-up or anything like that. I think it was just the conditions on the day. She's a bit like Mark Wood anyway, isn't she? She sometimes finds herself on the deck, so I'm sure she'll be absolutely fine."
Filer's raw pace surprised Australia at times on her international debut in the 2023 Ashes Test but, in the prevailing conditions, it was England's spinners who did all the damage this week.
Tamim Iqbal announces retirement from international cricket
"I have been away from international cricket for a long time," he wrote on Facebook. "That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over. I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I do not want to be the focus of anyone's attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus. Of course, I did not want this to happen before, too.
"Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team. There were discussions with the selection committee too. I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart."
"I removed myself from the BCB central contract a long time ago because I did not want to return to international cricket," he wrote. "Many have said that I have left the matter hanging. Why would anyone discuss a cricketer who is no longer in BCB's contracted list? I voluntarily stepped down more than a year ago.
"Even after that, there has been unnecessary discussion. The decision to retire or continue playing is the right of a cricketer or any professional sportsman. I have given myself time. Now I feel that the time has come."
Almost 18 months ago, Tamim announced his retirement at a press conference, breaking down a few times. After Tamim made the announcement, Hasina tracked him down, and requested him to come out of retirement the next day. Tamim obliged but then stepped down from ODI captaincy shortly afterwards. Tamim played two ODIs in September 2023 as the Minhajul Abedin-led national selectors were preparing him for the ODI World Cup.
"What happened before the 2023 World Cup was a big shock for me, as I did not leave the team due to cricketing reasons," Tamim said further in his post. "Even after that, many cricket fans told me that they want to see me back in the national team. I thought about their love.
"I also have a fan at home. My son has never told me this directly but he has repeatedly told his mother that he wants to see his father play in the national jersey again. I am sorry for disappointing the fans. I have told my son, 'The day you grow up, you will understand your father'."
James Anderson in talks to play for Lancashire in 2025 season
However, he showed he had unfinished business when he put himself forward for the IPL auction in December - where he went unsold - and has stayed fit during his role as England's Test bowling coach, with regular stints in the nets plus work with the team's strength and conditioning coaches.
Now, according to The Telegraph, he is ready to commit to at least one final season with Lancashire - the club that first signed him as a teenager almost a quarter of a century ago, and for whom he made his first-class debut in 2002.
He is expected to be available from the start of the 2025 season, including a return to Lord's to face Middlesex in Lancashire's opening match from April 4 to 7, and - assuming he continues his coaching role with England - he could feature in five matches before the Test summer begins with a one-off match against Zimbabwe in May.
Anderson's comeback would also have to be combined with his burgeoning media duties, while Lancashire would also have to pay his wages for the first time in more than a decade, now that he is no longer an ECB centrally contracted player.
Lancashire's first home match is against Northamptonshire at Old Trafford in the second round of the Championship, beginning on April 11.
Tim David smashes Thunder as Hurricanes extend streak
Hobart Hurricanes 165 for 4 (David 68*) beat Sydney Thunder 164 for 6 (Warner 88*) by six wickets
Hurricanes ran down Thunder's 164 for 6 at Ninja Stadium on Friday night with 19 balls to spare, with David finishing unbeaten on 68 from 38 balls.
The 28-year-old played an almost identical hand in Hurricanes' win over Adelaide Strikers in their previous match with an unbeaten 62 from 28 deliveries.
Hurricanes have won five matches in a row to stamp themselves as genuine title contenders with three games remaining before the finals. They have missed the finals in the past two seasons and are one of two teams yet to lift the BBL silverware.
Thunder didn't hit a boundary until the fifth over and grafted to 85 for 3 after 13. But they picked up the pace towards the back end, with Sam Billings contributing 28 from 15 balls.
Warner, who snapped his bat early on, looked more comfortable the longer he went and took the long handle to Ellis in a final over that went for 17 runs.
Young gun Sam Konstas failed to fire for Thunder after a whirlwind two Tests against India and was out for 4 from nine balls, gloving a short ball from Riley Meredith.
Openers Mitchell Owen and Matthew Wade got Hurricanes off to a flying start in the chase with the latter hitting George Garton out of the ground.
Hurricanes lost three wickets to keep Thunder somewhat in the hunt before David and Chris Jordan steered them home.
Henry and Co restrict SL to 290 despite Nissanka, Kusal fifties
Sri Lanka 290 for 8 (Nissanka 66, Kusal 54, Liyanage 53, Henry 4-55, Santner 2-55) vs New Zealand
Henry didn't strike with the new ball, but was the prime destroyer in the middle and late overs. In the 36th over, he had Kamindu, who was done in by the ball straightening off the seam while trying to run a ball to third. At the death, Henry had Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Liyanage caught at deep midwicket, and bowled Wanindu Hasaranga with a yorker. There were plenty of slower balls at a venue in which the batters were constantly trying to target the short boundaries.
It was just after the midddle of the innings, however, when New Zealand's bowlers imposed themselves. After 27 overs, Sri Lanka had been coasting on 155 for 1, though in addition to wicket that had fallen, they'd also lost Nissanka to what appeared to be a hamstring strain - the batter retiring hurt at the end of the 10th over, on 50 off 31. But New Zealand's spinners stemmed the flow of runs, and Santner and Bracewell struck in quick succession. Kusal first top edged a sweep against Santner, then Bracwell had Charith Asalanka caught at long-on by Henry, who went over the boundary briefly, but had thrown the ball in the air while out of bounds, before catching it again upon regaining the field.
Then in the 34th over, Henry came back into the attack and removed Kamindu, who'd made a laboured 46 off 71 balls. In the seven overs leading up to the end of the 34th, New Zealand had taken three wickets and conceded only 28. Nissanka came back at the loss of that wicket, but was hobbling between ends and could only hit to the leg side, such was the seriousness of his injury. He clobbered some boundaries, but Santner kept floating it up wide of off, and eventually he holed out to deep midwicket for 66 off 42 balls.
Liyanage was steady through the course of the innings, but Sri Lanka were desperate to conserve a few wickets at this stage, with little batting to come. They played the period leading up to the death overs conservatively. He was sharp with his running however, and kept Sri Lanka's innings from derailing completely.
Sri Lanka attacked through the last six overs, and scored 53 runs off those 36 balls. Liyanage got to fifty with a four pulled through backward square leg. Henry dismissed him in the last over but conceded a last-ball boundary to Maheesh Theekshana.
LSU's Lacy facing charges related to fatal crash
Louisiana State Police have issued an arrest warrant for former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy, who is accused of causing a crash that killed a 78-year-old man on Dec. 17 and then fleeing the scene without rendering aid or calling authorities.
Louisiana State Police said Friday that Lacy will be charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle.
Police said they have been in contact with Lacy and his attorney to turn himself in.
According to a news release from state police, Lacy was allegedly driving a 2023 Dodge Charger on Louisiana Highway 20 and "recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed by crossing the centerline and entering the northbound lane while in a designated no-passing zone."
"As Lacy was illegally passing the other vehicles, the driver of a northbound pickup truck abruptly braked and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision with the approaching Dodge," a Louisiana State Police news release said.
"Traveling behind the pickup was a 2017 Kia Cadenza whose driver swerved left to avoid the oncoming Dodge Charger. As the Kia Cadenza took evasive action to avoid impact with the Dodge, it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 2017 Kia Sorento."
Police alleged that Lacy, 24, drove around the crash scene and fled "without stopping to render aid, call emergency services, or report his involvement in the crash."
Herman Hall, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, who was a passenger in the Kia Sorento, later died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to state police. Hall was 78.
The drivers of the Cadenza and Sorento also sustained moderate injuries, according to police.
Lacy's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, said in a statement that his client is "fully cooperating with the authorities."
"We strongly believe that the facts will ultimately demonstrate the truth, but we respect the need for a full and thorough investigation," Arceneaux's statement said.
Lacy played two seasons at Louisiana before transferring to LSU in 2022. This past season, he had 58 catches for 866 yards with nine touchdowns and declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 19, two days after the crash.
Sawyer's scoop-and-score leads OSU to CFP final
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Quinshon Judkins ran for two touchdowns before Jack Sawyer forced a fumble by his former roommate that he returned 83 yards for a score with 2:13 left as Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday night to advance to a shot for its sixth national title.
The Buckeyes (13-2) got the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions in the debut of the College Football Playoff as a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the debut of the expanded 12-team field.
Ohio State plays Orange Bowl champion Notre Dame in Atlanta on Jan. 20. Ohio State opened as a 9.5-point favorite over the Irish, per ESPN BET.
Sawyer got to Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers on a fourth-and-goal from the 8, knocking the ball loose and scooping it up before lumbering all the way to the other end. It was the longest fumble return in CFP history.
Ewers and Sawyer were roommates in Columbus, Ohio, for the one semester the quarterback was there before transferring home to Texas and helping lead the Longhorns (13-3) to consecutive CFP semifinals. But next season will be their 20th since winning their last national title with Vince Young in 2005.
Texas had gotten to the 1, helped by two pass-interference penalties in the end zone before Quintrevion Wisner was stopped for a 7-yard loss.
Judkins had a 1-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead with 7:02 left. That score came four plays after quarterback Will Howard converted fourth-and-2 from the Texas 34 with a stumbling 18-yard run that was almost a score.
Howard was 24-of-33 passing for 289 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Ewers finished 23-of-39 for 283 yards with two TD passes to Jaydon Blue and an interception after getting the ball back one final time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Zion late for flight, suspended 1 game by Pels
The New Orleans Pelicans suspended Zion Williamson for one game for a violation of team policies, the team said Friday.
Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Williamson was late for Thursday's team flight to Philadelphia ahead of a game Friday night against the 76ers. The Pelicans' traveling party was waiting for a period of time for Williamson to arrive for the flight.
Speaking with reporters Friday night in Philadelphia, New Orleans coach Willie Green said Williamson's lateness to the flight wasn't an isolated incident.
"There were several occasions that led up to this, and that's how we got to this decision," Green said.
Williamson missed Friday night's 123-115 win against the 76ers and will rejoin the Pelicans on Saturday ahead of a game Sunday against the Celtics in Boston, the team said.
In a statement, Williamson acknowledged being late to "team activities" and apologized.
"I take full responsibility for this suspension," he said. "I've worked extremely hard in rehab to get healthy to deliver for this team. There is no excuse for being late to team activities. I have apologized to [Pelicans owner] Mrs. [Gayle] Benson and my teammates and coaches and I also owe an apology to the fans. I can and will be better as a teammate and member of this organization."
Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Williamson failed to meet "team standards."
"His dedication to this organization is of paramount significance to us and to him," Griffin said in a statement. "He has taken accountability for his actions and reaffirmed that commitment to the team today. I'm confident he will continue to evolve positively on and off the floor."
Williamson missed 27 games because of a left hamstring strain before returning Tuesday night and scoring 22 points in a little less than 28 minutes in a 104-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He was rested when the Pelicans played the Portland Trail Blazers the following night.
Banchero stars with 34 in return but Magic fall
Paolo Banchero missed 34 games, then came back and scored 34 points.
The Orlando forward -- back in the lineup for the first time after almost 2 months spent recovering from a torn oblique muscle -- gave his team a chance on Friday night, but the Magic fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 109-106.
"I didn't see that one coming, I can tell you that," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "But that's who he is. The kid's been working his tail off to get back in. And so, what he was able to do with poise, taking the right shots at the right time, defending, taking matchups on, this tells you how much he wants to go get it and get after it. That's who he is. He's a star for a reason."
Banchero was 11-for-21 from the field, plus added 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 27 minutes.
"I had a lot of fun," said Banchero, an All-Star for the first time last season. "I feel all right. Little sore. I think I performed pretty good."
He said the long recovery time following his Oct. 30 injury in a game against Chicago tested his patience, but he looked back to normal on Friday.
"I don't think I've been in bad spirits at all," Banchero said in an interview with The Associated Press regarding his return. "But it is frustrating. You know, I've never missed this much time since I started playing basketball. Going so long without playing, I mean, I was so ready for the season and then going down so early into it just makes you ask 'why?' sometimes."
"I didn't see that one coming, I can tell you that. But that's who he is. The kid's been working his tail off to get back in. And so, what he was able to do with poise, taking the right shots at the right time, defending, taking matchups on, this tells you how much he wants to go get it and get after it. That's who he is. He's a star for a reason." Magic coach Jamahl Mosley
He got hurt in the fifth game of the season. The Magic played their 40th on Friday, one shy of the season's midway point.
They did better than most probably expected during Banchero's absence.
The Magic -- who have been dealing with a slew of other injuries, Franz Wagner's torn oblique and Moritz Wagner's season-ending torn ACL among them -- entered Friday in the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference. They lost their first four without Banchero, then went 19-11 during the remainder of his absence. The Bucks leapfrogged the Magic for the No. 4 spot with Friday's win, sending Orlando to No. 5 in the East.
"There's a team-wide belief in each other that anyone can step up at any moment," Banchero said. "Guys put in the work just to be ready for the moment. And you've seen that with different guys stepping up every night. It was just really encouraging for me to see us respond like that. Guys getting this experience, coming through in tight games, close games against good teams, that's only going to make us better."
Banchero didn't take time away from the team with his injury. He sat in on coaches' meetings at times and was always on the bench with teammates for games, cheering at times and consoling at others.
"I had to try to find the positives," Banchero said. "I've been able to sit and watch and just learn the game through a different lens. But I, for sure, have a chip on my shoulder now. Feels like some stuff I had was taken from me for a little bit. And now that I'm back, I might have to make up for lost time."
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