PATASKALA, Ohio – Meyer Shank Racing has announced that Liberty Media, the owners of the Formula One Group, have made a minority equity investment in the Ohio-based team.

The investment will go towards the growth of Meyer Shank Racing’s motorsports operations, including the recently announced multi-year Acura DPi program as well as future expansion of the team’s IndyCar program.

After starting in Formula Atlantics, Meyer Shank Racing moved its focus to sports car competition, building a championship-winning organization that includes a full-time IndyCar program as well as a successful sports car team.

The team has won some of the biggest races in sports car competition and secured the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech team and driver championships in the GT Daytona division. After three partial seasons in the NTT INDYCAR Series, Meyer Shank Racing ran the full schedule for the first time in 2020.

The team will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship again in 2021, teaming with Acura for a move up to the top DPi class starting with the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January.

“We have worked to build our IMSA and IndyCar racing programs step by step and this is another big progression for our organization to have Liberty Media make an equity investment in MSR,” said team co-owner Mike Shank. “Everything that we do is built on the partnerships that we’ve developed, and this program is no different. The investment by Liberty Media will enable us to continue to build and develop our programs.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Flying Lizard Motorsports closed the Pirelli GT4 America SprintX season in victory lane Friday at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, taking the title in the process.

The final Pirelli GT4 America SprintX race of the 2020 season got underway under the early-morning sun, with Patrick Gallagher’s No. 33 NOTLAD Racing by RS1 bringing the field to the green flag.

COTA race two winner Andrew Davis and the No. 2 GMG Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 slipped past Pro-Am championship contender Robby Foley’s No. 21 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4 at turn one for second position overall and in class.

At the same time Jason Hart, the other Pro-Am championship contender in the No. 47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, moved up two positions to seventh overall, making it known the title fight would go down to the final lap.

Thursday’s race one winner, Roman De Angelis and the No. 51 Panoz Racing Avezzano GT4, led the Silver class with title contender Colin Mullan and the No. 36 Andretti Autosport Window World of Michigan McLaren 570S GT4 in second.

The other Silver contender, Harry Gottsacker in the No. 28 BMW M4 GT4, sat third in class.

With 12 minutes off the clock, the No. 26 Classic BMW M4 GT4 of Toby Grahovec and No. 69 BGB Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman of John Tecce collided at turn three, sending both cars into the sand trap and bringing out the first safety car of the day.

Gallagher remained in the overall and Pro-Am lead, De Angelis continued to lead in Silver, with the No. 46 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 of Russell Walker leading in Am and sitting 10th overall.

The race went back to green with 38 minutes remaining in the race, just before the pit window for required driver changes opened.

As the field approached turn one with 35 minutes remaining, Jan Heylen and the No. 37 RS1 Porsche Cayman CS MR, Thursday’s overall winner, dove to the inside of Robby Foley and grabbed third position overall and in class.

At the end of the lap teams began to hit pit lane.

As the pit window closed the No. 33 NOTLAD Racing by RS1 Aston Martin Vantage GT4, now with Joe Dalton driving, continued to lead overall and in Pro-Am. Jarrett Andretti, now behind the wheel of the No. 36 continued to lead in Silver, with David Walker in the No. 46 NOLASPORT entry leading in Am.

With 22 minutes remaining, the leading No. 33 machine of Dalton had a bobble at turn two, allowing Michael Dinan in the No. 21 Flying Lizard Motorsports entry to slip through to grab the overall and Pro-Am lead.

Bryan Putt, in the No. 15 Bsport Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4, would also get past Dalton for third overall and in class.

Matt Travis was now behind the wheel of the No. 47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and quickly moved past the NOTLAD Racing by RS1 and Bsport Racing Aston Martins to get into second position overall and in Pro-Am, meaning the championship contenders sat one-two with only 2.8 seconds between them and 18 minutes remaining.

Jarrett Andretti would continue to lead in Silver and work his way through the slower traffic, extending his lead over the No. 28 ST Racing BMW, now with Nick Wittmer driving, to just under four seconds.

As the clock ticked under 7 minutes, Dinan slightly increased his overall and Pro-Am lead to 3.8 seconds, but Travis would not give up, making a late race charge. Silver leader Andretti kept his Silver-class lead, but Wittmer would close to within 2.4 seconds.

When the checkered flag flew, Michael Dinan and the #21 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4 took the overall and Pro-Am win, also taking the championship over Matt Travis and the No. 47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, who finished second overall and in class.

“We knew it was all going to come down to today, so I just tried to put in clean laps! There’s no better way to win the championship then coming down to the last race. I’m so happy to do this with Robby today!” said Dinan.

“It’s great. There are a lot of talented drivers in the field, so to claim the championship is awesome. It was great to be paired with Michael and thanks to the team for giving us a great car all year long,” added Foley.

Jarett Andretti and the No. 36 Andretti Autosport McLaren 570S took the Silver-class win, finishing third overall, and also brought home the class championship ahead of the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 of Nick Wittmer.

“I don’t know how to put this into words. Putting my dad’s scheme on the car and his name over the door, it just means a lot to me and the guys. I’m so happy right now,” said Andretti.

“This team has been through so much this year and it’s so special, it’s just incredible. I’m so happy to bring home the championship for everyone,” added Mullan.

David Walker and the No. 46 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 won in Am, their second straight of the weekend.

“You know it’s just a beautiful day in the neighborhood today, I couldn’t be more proud of Russell and the team today!” said David Walker.

“It’s a great feeling to win again with my Dad. A huge thanks to NOLASPORT for giving us a great car this weekend!” said Russell Walker.

GRAY COURT, S.C. – After bouncing around between various race teams for the last few months, Chris Madden has announced he is relaunching his own Chris Madden Racing team.

The veteran dirt late model driver started the season driving for Scott Bloomquist Racing, but parted ways with that team in late June. He later picked up rides with Millwood Motorsports and Rum Runner Racing, picking up multiple victories while driving for the Millwood team.

In a statement posted to his official Facebook page, the 45-year-old Madden said is “very thankful” for the opportunities he has had this year, but has opted to go “back to his roots.” Madden has purchased a Rocket Chassis XR1 that he will drive in select events. He has not announced a schedule at this time.

Madden will make his first start as a driver/owner since 2017 when he joins the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C., tonight. Madden has more than 10 feature victories at Cherokee Speedway during his career.

The Gray Court, S.C., native also plans to join the World of Outlaws at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., on Saturday night.

MONTEREY, Calif. – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca officials have confirmed the major event schedule for the 2021 season.

Due to one significant date change in the lineup and an early season postponement, the final two races of 2020 will turn right around and start off our 2021 season in back-to-back events.

Moving from fall to spring is the IMSA Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship April 23-25. Kicking off the season in grand style, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship features the DPi, GTLM, GTD and LMP2 cars. Adding to the event’s excitement is the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, with its Grand Sport and TCR classes.

The following weekend is the Trans-Am SpeedFest, which will take place April 29-May 2. The production-based TA, Xtreme GT, SuperGT, GT classes will roar through the 11 turn, 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca circuit.

Rolling into the summer spotlight, the GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest will take center stage July 9-11. The 2021 event will feature additional events to please moto-enthusiasts like seven different classes of racing, the King of Baggers V-Twin Invitational, the Motorcycle Hill Climb, Motorcycle Show and the Motorcycle Swap Meet.

The Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion weekend is scheduled for Aug. 7-8. Approximately 300 historic race cars will bring the paddock and track to life to kick off the famed Monterey Car Week.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, a cornerstone event for Monterey Car Week, will take place Aug. 12-15. Featuring Historic Indy cars for the first time, the run groups will also include historic Formula One and historic Trans-Am as well as a pre-1920 exhibition race. In all, more than 450 authentic and period-correct race cars will be on track.

The IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey returns to the Monterey Peninsula Sept. 17-19. The NTT IndyCar Series race will wrap up the 2021 racing season for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and will be the final race and championship celebration for the NTT IndyCar Series.

There may be some strategic motorsport additions to the calendar that will be announced at a later date.

INDIANAPOLIS – Tristen Herbert took top honors overall and in the TCR class during a wild TC America race Friday morning on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

Mat Pombo won in TC, while Kevin Boehm scored the victory in TCA and clinched the division driver’s championship.

C.J. Moses and Victor Gonzalez Jr. finished second and third respectively in TCR, while Toby Grahovec and Johan Schwartz completed the top three in TC. Mark Pombo and P.J. Groenke finished second and third, respectively, in TCA.

From the pole, Scott Smithson led the combined 34-car field to the line to start the 40-minute contest. Almost immediately Smithson received a challenge from Tim Lewis Jr., who swept around the outside of turn one and into the lead.

Behind them drama ensued as contact between a number of competitors resulted in spins through turn one for TCR driver Roy Block and TCA driver Eric Powell. When the dust had cleared, Mat Pombo had weaved his way through the carnage and into the TC lead with Schwartz slotting into second, leaving the two TC championship protagonists, polesitter James Clay and Grahovec to duke it out in third and fourth.

At the end of a hectic lap one, Lewis led Smithson and Herbert, while Mat Pombo led Schwartz, and Clay. TCA Pole sitter Boehm led his field, with Mat Pombo’s brother Mark slotted into second and Groenke slotting into third.

By lap three Herbert had moved around Smithson and up to second and looked to hunt down Lewis. However, Smithson fought back and re-passed Herbert for position at the end of the long front straightway at the beginning of lap four.

A multi-lap battle then began between Lewis and Smithson, with each holding the lead at various stages. Herbert closely pursued in third. By lap seven, Mat Pombo had built an 8.7 second lead over Schwartz in TC, who was holding off Clay. In TCA, Boehm built his lead to six seconds over Mark Pombo.

TCA championship implications came to bear on lap 10 as Tomas Mejia, who sat second in the championship to Boehm coming into the race, came into the pits with a mechanical issue. That meant Boehm simply had to keep  his nose clean to seal the class championship.

Up front huge drama soon ensued as Smithson looking for a late braking maneuver through turn one cut down on leader Lewis. Both cars sustained race-ending damage in the ensuing incident and officials issued a full-course yellow to clean up the carnage. Both drivers walked away from the incident. The incident promoted Herbert, who at the time was still racing in third, into the lead.

On the lap 16 restart with less than nine minutes left, Herbert led the field to green and successfully launched down the long front straight and through turn one. Behind him Moses and Gonzalez slotted into second and third, while in TC Mat Pombo led Clay and Grahovec, who both had moved around Schwartz just before the incident between Smithson and Lewis. Boehm brought the TCA field to green and launched successfully over Mark Pombo and Groenke.

Looking to keep his TC division championship aspirations alive, Grahovec passed Clay for second.

By lap 19, Herbert led over Moses, while Olivia Askew passed Gonzalez for third and the two began a late race battle for the final podium spot in TCR.

Herbert then fended off a late race surge from Moses and crossed the line .280 seconds ahead Moses. Gonzalez moved back up into third and finished 2.3 seconds behind Moses.

Mat Pombo finished 3.3 seconds ahead of Grahovec, who kept his slim TC driver’s championship hopes alive heading into Saturday’s finale. Clay finished eighth on the day and unofficially holds a 20-point advantage over Grahovec heading into Saturday.

“To be able to come out here and show how well my Audi DSG machine is still competitive in the TCR class, it just goes to show you anyone can get into this car and win,” said Herbert. “I am by no means a professional full-time driver. Anyone can get in this car and anyone can win.”

“It was wild today,” said TC winner Mat Pombo. “At the start there was a bunch of checking up and I happened to time it perfectly and I got around everyone on the front straight.”

“Just to be here was a dream season,” said Boehm. “To start pulling out some wins and then podiums made it even better. And then to be able to pull it together to clinch it one race early. Honestly, it’s unreal. I’m an engineer, I took a ton of math classes, and still I almost don’t believe the math right now. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Christian Pulisic is in line to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury, Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has confirmed.

The 22-year-old has been missing since Aug. 1 after he limped off the pitch during Chelsea's FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal.

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Chelsea face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and although the USMNT international will not play the full 90 minutes, he will be named among the substitutes.

"Pulisic is in the squad for tomorrow," Lampard said. "He won't start the match because of the injury he has had. It has been a difficult injury. I'm very keen to get him back in there so it is great to have him back, for himself and for the boost he can give the team. He is an important player for us."

Hakim Ziyech is "getting closer" to making his debut following a £36 million move from Ajax but will miss out this weekend due to a knee injury, delaying the prospect of the Morocco international, Pulisic and the club's two most expensive summer signings, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, lining up together.

"I think they will all bring out the best in each other," Lampard said. "Of course, it is a huge miss for us not to have Christian and Hakim fit at this stage of the season. We are all excited to [see them] start.

"Christian has been here for a year so he doesn't have that bedding in process that was part of last year. Hakim is going to bring something completely different for us and I think they will help compliment, not just Kai and Timo, but the attacking players that we have because again we will need to be able to use different players throughout the course of a season. I'm very excited to have those players fit.

"Timo and Kai don't have necessarily favourite positions but I have a clear idea of where I want them to play. At the moment, injuries have not made that possible and you have to be adaptable in those difficult times."

New Barcelona signing Sergino Dest has said it was the "right decision" to turn down a move to European champions Bayern Munich in favour of the Catalan club.

Dest became the first USMNT international to join Barca, signing from Ajax on a five-year contract at the Camp Nou on Thursday.

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"I'm proud to be the first-ever American here," he told a news conference. "It's a dream come true and I can't wait to get started with my new teammates.

"Bayern are a great club and there was interest from them, but I followed what my heart told me to and for that I signed for Barca.

"I think it was the right decision. They are a club with so much history and I've always wanted to play here."

Dest came through the youth ranks at Ajax, making 23 league appearances, and attracted interest from a number of clubs across Europe.

His arrival means he will play under coach Ronald Koeman, who unsuccessfully attempted to convince the 19-year-old to represent Netherlands at international level while in his previous job.

"[Playing under] Koeman of course was an influence, because he's Dutch and it will be easier to communicate with him," he added.

Dest also said he is happy to play alongside Lionel Messi and cited former Barca full-back Dani Alves as a player he wants to emulate at the club.

"It's amazing to play with the best player in the world, I looked up to him [Messi]," he added. "I will run as much as I have to. I will run for everybody in the team.

"If I see him today, in the afternoon, it will be so exciting to meet the best player in the world.

"I think right-back or left-back, those are my best positions. I will keep it like that. I will try and be like Dani Alves, he's my role model, so I want to run forward and run backward all the time. If I have to do more training for that, I will."

Dest becomes the latest U.S. international to move to one of European football's biggest clubs after Weston McKennie joined Juventus on loan this summer.

Christian Pulisic has been a success at Chelsea while Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna continue to impress at Bundesliga clubs RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

Dest could make his debut in Sunday's La Liga clash at home to Sevilla.

Information from Reuters was also included in this report.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prepared to sell winger Daniel James to fund a late move for Jadon Sancho, sources have told ESPN, but is yet to convince the club's hierarchy to sanction a potential £25 million sale of the Wales international.

Solskjaer remains determined to test Borussia Dortmund's resolve over Sancho, despite the German club's insistence that he will not leave this year, but United have yet to come anywhere close to Dortmund's £108m valuation of the England winger.

- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+
- Insider Notebook: Utd's frantic chase: Sancho, Dembele, Ocampos

ESPN reported earlier this summer that Solskjaer was frustrated by the club's lack of progress over Sancho and plans to make an opening offer of £50m, but the Norwegian continues to hope that United will make a breakthrough before Monday's transfer deadline.

With finances tight at United because of the impact of the pandemic, however, player sales could help boost funds ahead of a late move for Sancho and James is attracting interest.

James, 22, has scored four goals in 47 appearances for United since completing an £18m move from Swansea during the 2019 summer transfer window.

But despite selecting the youngster in his starting line-up for United's opening game of this season against Crystal Palace, sources have told ESPN that Solskjaer and his backroom staff do not believe that James can become an established first-team player at Old Trafford.

United have already rejected an attempt by Leeds United to take James on a season-long loan to Elland Road and it is understood that Marcelo Bielsa's team are prepared to return with an offer to buy the player before Monday's transfer deadline.

But senior figures at United, led by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, are reluctant to sanction James' sale having signed him just over a year ago.

Sources have told ESPN that the United hierarchy believe it would send a negative message of the club's ability to develop players if they allow a young signing to leave the club so quickly, even though a £25m deal would represent a £7m profit on James.

But with the transfer window due to close at 11 p.m. BST (6 p.m. ET) on Monday, United's need to bolster their squad could yet lead to a change of heart in the boardroom over the merits of selling James.

Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho headlines this week's ESPN's Insider Notebook. Plus, the latest gossip from the grapevine ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday.

Jump to: Inside Barca's battle with Bayern for Dest | Barca avoid Messi situation with Fati | Mourinho's Sorloth smoke screen | City beat United to Dias | Atletico's push for Cavani | Johnson wants European stay ahead of MLS

Sancho saga takes twist as United consider Dembele, Ocampos

Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund has taken another twist as the club are now progressing with Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele as a Plan B, sources told ESPN, and talks between the two clubs are "going well."

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Dembele, who cost Barcelona an initial €105 million when he joined from Dortmund in 2017, was reluctant at first to leave the Catalan giants, but conversations with Paul Pogba have convinced him to join United, sources added. Pogba sold the idea of moving to United, and the fact that they would play together at Old Trafford, to his friend. Sources told ESPN Dembele is now on board and negotiations between the two clubs have accelerated.

Sources said United plan to pay around €50m to land Dembele, but Barcelona are holding out for more. There is, sources added, optimism on both sides that an agreement can be found before Monday night. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is pushing for a loan deal, but Barcelona want to sell, aware that Woodward and United are determined to sign a winger in the final days of the window.

Dembele is not the only name in the frame, though, if United cannot seal a deal for Sancho. Sources told ESPN that Sevilla forward Lucas Ocampos has emerged as another option as the clock ticks down to the window closing. Representatives from United have made extensive checks as to Ocampos' skill set, temperament and situation with Sevilla, whom he joined in July 2019 from Ligue 1 side Marseille. Sources told ESPN Sevilla are willing to part with Ocampos, who scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Europa League winners last season, for around €40m.

The 26-year-old Argentina international appears well-suited to the physical nature of the Premier League, standing at 6-foot-2, and sources told ESPN that United have noted his flexibility as he can play multiple roles across the forward line. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked at left-back Sergio Reguilon during Sevilla's run to Europa League glory while he was also alerted to Ocampos during the mini-tournament in Germany. United ruled out Reguilon due to Real Madrid insisting on a buy-back clause in the agreement, sources said, and the player eventually signed for Tottenham.

United have become frustrated at the pace of negotiations over Sancho, believing they have been slowed down because of Dortmund's insistence that talks are conducted through a third party. Despite the Bundesliga club's private claims that Sancho's rights will not be sold before Monday, United have not given up hope. Sources told ESPN Dortmund have never relayed that message directly to United, leading them to believe the door is still open for a move.

In a further example of how frantic United's transfer window will be as it comes to a close, Solskjaer is prepared to sell United winger Daniel James' rights to fund a late move for Sancho, sources told ESPN, but the Old Trafford manager has yet to convince the club's hierarchy of the merits of a potential £25m sale of the Wales international. -- Julien Laurens, Rob Dawson and Mark Ogden

How Barcelona beat Bayern in heated Dest transfer battle

Sergino Dest snubbed Bayern Munich for Barcelona as the move offers him the chance to follow in his idol Dani Alves' footsteps, sources close to the deal told ESPN, in a transfer battle that finally ended in the La Liga side's favour.

Champions League winners Bayern appeared to be favourites to sign USMNT star Dest two weeks ago, with the club locked in discussions with Ajax. But sources told ESPN they failed to match the asking price of €21m plus a potential €5m in add-ons.

Bayern were originally the only club in the race until Barcelona met Ajax's asking price, as they generated money from the sale of Nelson Semedo's rights to Wolves. Sources told ESPN the good relationship between Ajax director of football Marc Overmars and Barcelona helped speed up the deal -- Barcelona signed Frenkie de Jong from Ajax last summer -- and once Barcelona had firmed up their interest in Dest, the 19-year-old had his heart set on a move to Camp Nou.

The drama did not stop there, as once Barca agreed a deal, Bundesliga giants Bayern came back in with an improved offer to tempt Dest into joining. But he was impressed by Barcelona's commitment to the deal and did not want to let the opportunity pass him by.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is a long-standing admirer of Dest and tried to persuade him to declare for the Netherlands during Koemen's tenure as coach of the national team. Barca did make a move for Norwich's Max Aarons when the Dest deal was in the balance, as their former sporting director, Eric Abidal, had left glowing reports about him, but Dest was Koeman's No.1 choice to bolster Barcelona's right-back position.

The Koeman connection was important to Dest. Koeman knows the Ajax way, and his assistant at Barcelona is former Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder, who Dest knows well. The player also knows De Jong from their days at Ajax and Konrad de la Fuente from USMNT duties.

On Thursday, Dest met some of his new teammates who weren't involved in their trip to Celta Vigo, and then took in some of Barcelona's rich history as he had a quick tour of the Camp Nou with his father, Kenneth, and agent, Joes Blakborn.

Dest will wear the No. 2 shirt at Camp Nou -- the shirt worn by Alves, whom he has modelled much of his right-back play on. Sources told ESPN Dest originally wanted No. 28, the shirt he wore at Ajax, but rules in Spain prohibit first-team players wearing a number over No. 25 in the senior squad, so Dest opted for No. 2. -- Tom Hamilton

Barca to avoid Messi situation with Fati

Barcelona want to avoid another Lionel Messi situation with teenage star Ansu Fati by offering him another new deal, sources told ESPN.

Ansu, 17, is under contract until 2022, but Barca have already paid him a lump sum that enables them to extend his terms until 2024 whenever they deem fit.

The Spain international has been targeted by a number of clubs, including Manchester United, since breaking onto the scene last season, and speculation about his future has increased since Jorge Mendes became his agent in August.

There was confusion this week when several reports in Spain claimed Mendes would have the power to veto any extension to Ansu's contract, with the possibility of the player leaving for free in 2022. Parallels were drawn with Messi's push to leave the club this summer. Messi thought he could go for free, and it led to a battle over the interpretation of a clause in his contract. He eventually shied away from a legal battle and stayed.

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However, sources at Barca insist there will be no repeat with Ansu, who doesn't turn 18 until the end of the month and started the season with two goals in the win over Villarreal, before following that up with another strike in the victory at Celta Vigo on Thursday.

The contract, which Ansu signed in 2019 when he was still advised by Messi's brother, Rodrigo, makes clear the club are free to extend the contract, having already paid for that option. They have added similar clauses to other young players' deals in the past.

That said, sources add that another new deal for Ansu, whose release clause rose to €400m when he was officially promoted to the first team last week, is not far away, although there are no immediate plans to start talks with Mendes. -- Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens

Mourinho used Sorloth as a smoke screen for Vinicius

Managers often tire of news conference questions about potential transfer targets, but Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho welcomed the opportunity to stoke rumours of his interest in striker Alexander Sorloth, as it helped play a part in his pursuit of Benfica's Carlos Vinicius.

Spurs made little secret of their desire to find a backup to Harry Kane in the transfer window, and that admission led to the club being linked with more than 20 different forwards.

Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu fuelled rumours of Sorloth moving to north London by claiming "we are meeting with Red Bull Leipzig and Tottenham," and when those quotes were put to Mourinho, the Tottenham manager sensed an opportunity.

"If the president of Trabzonspor said that, I'm not going to say that it's not true," Mourinho said.

His response prompted some outlets to speculate Tottenham were actively chasing Sorloth, but sources told ESPN that Spurs never seriously considered an offer for the 24-year-old. Mourinho used the chance to create a smoke screen while he pursued other options.

Sorloth has since joined Leipzig and Spurs are closing in on the signing of Vinicius. Tottenham's pursuit of a striker has been a fraught process, but the Sorloth talk at least provided a few days of cover to look elsewhere.

Tottenham are set to complete a loan move for Vinicius, which will also include an option to make the deal permanent for around £36m, sources told ESPN. -- James Olley

City beat European heavyweights, including rivals United, to Dias

Manchester City were able to land Ruben Dias from Benfica after fending off competition from Manchester United, Juventus and Arsenal, sources told ESPN.

United and Juventus have both monitored Dias for more than a year, while sources told ESPN that Arsenal had a £60m bid turned down last summer.

Dias had a release clause in his contract set at £71m but City were able to sign the 23-year-old defender for £64.3m, with Nicolas Otamendi going the other way for £13.7m in a separate deal.

Sources told ESPN that City were also interested in Kalidou Koulibaly and Jose Gimenez before landing Dias but were put off by the price tags set by Napoli and Atletico Madrid, respectively. Aside from that, there were also concerns about Koulibaly's age -- he turned 29 in June -- and Gimenez's injury record. -- Rob Dawson

Atletico's hope for Cavani deal

Atletico Madrid haven't given up on a last-minute move to replace Diego Costa with Edinson Cavani, sources told ESPN.

Coach Diego Simeone is keen to add even more attacking firepower to his squad as he looks to mount a La Liga title challenge, having already brought in Luis Suarez from Barcelona.

Costa -- while still valued by teammates and coaching staff for the character he brings to the team -- has largely been a flop since returning to Madrid from Chelsea in 2018, scoring just 11 league goals in 2½ seasons. He's willing to go if the right destination can be found.

"I've heard they wanted to sell me, and I've said the club can decide my future," Costa said last Sunday, and agent Mendes has been looking for options.

Atletico would like to move on Costa to free up space on their wage bill to sign Cavani, who was close to joining from Paris Saint-Germain in January and has since been offered to them, as well as Real Madrid and Manchester United, as a free agent.

Time is running out, though, and the club believe it will be difficult to successfully negotiate both transfers, each depending on the other, before the window closes. -- Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez

Johnson not keen on MLS yet

Former U.S. international Fabian Johnson continues to explore opportunities in the Bundesliga and likely wouldn't consider an MLS offer until the winter, according to a source close to the player.

Johnson, 32, has yet to sign for a new club after his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach expired at the end of last season. There have been reports claiming interest from MLS sides, with FC Cincinnati among those mentioned. But at present, Johnson's preference is to remain in Europe. The source added that Johnson is open to opportunities with European clubs outside of Germany.

A versatile player capable of playing in midfield or defence, as well as on either wing, Johnson began his professional career with 1860 Munich in 2006 before joining Wolfsburg and later Hoffenheim. He had been with Gladbach since 2014, making over 140 league and cup appearances, scoring 15 goals.

After representing Germany at youth level, the Munich native switched to represent the U.S., making 57 appearances and scoring two goals.

He was also part of the U.S. squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He last appeared for the U.S. in a World Cup qualifying loss to Costa Rica in 2017. -- Jeff Carlisle

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With two wins and one comprehensive defeat each, the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Capitals have begun their IPL 2020 campaigns well enough to be among the top few teams. With every result causing big changes to the points table, though, only victories can ensure they remain in the top half of the table.

Both teams have earned their two victories primarily on the back of their bowling. Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada have hit their straps for the Knight Riders and the Capitals respectively, and both teams have bowling line-ups that more or less cancel each other out: for the Capitals' Anrich Nortje, there's the Knight Riders' Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti. Among the spinners, the combination of Axar Patel and Amit Mishra for the Capitals have made run-scoring as difficult as the Knight Riders pair of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy have

So, the way these teams will likely be separated is by who bats smarter. They are playing in Sharjah - where all four innings so far have crossed 200 - and both have their share of hard-hitters. Batting spots, therefore, could play an important role.

The cardinal sin at Sharjah would be if teams can't maximise their batting resources across 20 overs, and therefore it will be an interesting sub-plot to see if teams use their biggest hitters further up the order than usual. Even No. 4, where Rishabh Pant bats, and Shimron Hetmyer at No. 5 could be wasted that low at Sharjah for the Capitals, and in what order Narine, Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik bat could seal the deal for the Knight Riders.

This season, ten of the first 13 games have been won by teams batting first, but in Sharjah that stat is split down the middle with one win each for the batting and chasing side. It's also the first time both teams would be playing at this venue. Although the Capitals lost their last game - compared to the Knight Riders, who are seeking their third straight win - Shreyas Iyer's team enters the contest knowing they have won their last three meetings against Dinesh Karthik's men.

In the news

On the eve of the match, Capitals' bowling coach Ryan Harris confirmed that R Ashwin had had a full session at the nets and could be up for selection after recovering from a shoulder injury, sustained in their tournament opener. The final word on Ashwin's availability, however, remains with the medical team. The Knight Riders are injury-free.

Likely XIs

Delhi Capitals: 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 4 Rishabh Pant (wk), 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Amit Mishra

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Dinesh Karthik (capt, wk), 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Andre Russell, 7 Pat Cummins, 8 Kamlesh Nagarkoti, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Shivam Mavi, 11 Varun Chakravarthy

Strategy punts

• In Sharjah, batsmen are going to try to send even the best bowlers for plenty. Therefore, attacking up front may be the best ploy for the later overs. Teams should try to take as many wickets early and not save their best resources for the death. That means Rabada, for example, who almost always bowls two overs at the top, could be given a third over in the powerplay.

• If the first punt is successful, though, then the Capitals should hold back at least one over from Rabada because Russell has struggled against ultra-fast bowlers, especially if they can execute the yorkers and short balls. Russell would remember that Rabada had floored him before dismissing him in the Super Over in 2019, and teams also know that Russell struggles against particular deliveries. Russell has an average of 22 against the short ball, including six dismissals in his last 28 innings, while his strike rate is just 62.16 against the yorker. However, whoever bowls to him must also be accurate because if the yorker ends up as a full toss, he hits those deliveries at a strike rate of 225.92.

• The Knight Riders may not want to open with Narine, because dot-balls can hurt teams in Sharjah more than elsewhere. Sides have slowly begun to understand that the short ball, on a leg stump line, is the way to keep Narine quiet, and off the 26 deliveries he has faced in IPL 2020, 17 (including leg-byes and dismissals) have been dot balls. It's a dangerously high number.

• The Knight Riders may opt to leave out left-arm wristspinner Yadav. He has been the least successful of their three spinners, and the Capitals have four left-handers in their top seven, which poses a poor match-up for Yadav. They could play an extra batsman since, currently, their No. 7 is Cummins. There's no real difference in economies for spinners (10.6) and pacers (11.0) in Sharjah this season, and therefore, more depth in their batting might allow their top order to bat more freely. If they do want some spin overs, Nitish Rana can bowl handy offbreaks, although they may not want to use him at all, since pacers have taken 14 wickets at an average of 39.1 in Sharjah this season, compared to spinners taking six wickets at 52.0.

Stats that matter

• When Narine has taken at least one wicket against the Delhi franchise, the Knight Riders have won 80% of their matches. And among the Capitals' top seven that played their last game, no batsman has a particularly high strike rate in T20s against him. The strike rates of Dhawan (102), Iyer (100), Stoinis (86), Patel (73) and Hetmyer (64) are especially poor, while no one has topped 129.

• Since IPL 2018, of all his IPL opponents, Russell has scored the most runs (192) and has the second-highest strike rate (211) against the Delhi franchise. In all T20s since 2019, Russell also has the best ball-per-six ratio (6.1) and has struck the most sixes (142) too.

• The Capitals have a win percentage of 87.5% when Shaw scores 25 or more runs for them. The Capitals' average score boosts up to 184 when he gets at least 25 runs. Compare that to a win percentage of 45% and an average score of 155 when he doesn't get 25.

• If they play, it will be Mishra's 150th IPL game and Rana's 50th in the IPL and 100th overall in T20s. Cummins needs one wicket to 100 T20 strikes.