Despite the Boston Red Sox sitting at a perfectly average 19-19 as we approach the quarter-mark of the MLB season, third baseman Alex Bregman has been on an absolute tear. Through his first 37 games in a Red Sox uniform, the 31-year-old is hitting .327 with nine home runs, 30 RBI, and a 1.093 OPS.
That's why, with Wednesday night's game tied 3-3 in the seventh and with runners on second and third, WEEI radio announcers Will Fleming and Lenny DiNardo couldn't believe that Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was actually going to pitch to Bregman.
"I will tell you, it would be to me if they pitch to Bregman here," said Flemming on the call, with first base wide open and two outs on the board. "Wild."
And wild it was. Instead of walking the two-time World Series champion, the Rangers had lefty Robert Garcia throw to him, and Bregman made them pay. He lined a two-run single into left field and gave the Red Sox a 5-3 lead.
"Are other teams not paying attention to what's happening this season with Alex Bregman?!" asked DiNardo.
"Bruce Bochy is a first-ballot Hall of Famer," quipped Flemming. "He's won four championships. That is inexplicable."
Boston ultimately held on for a 6-4 win. They'll wrap up their series against the Rangers from Fenway Park on Thursday with a 1:35 p.m. EST first pitch.
The Colorado Rockies fired manager Bud Black shortly after the team beat the San Diego Padres 9–3 on Sunday. The Rockies players found out the news right after the game, and some players were emotional about the move.
Black had been manager of the Rockies since 2017, so he'd made strong bonds with the team's long-tenured players, including starting pitcher German Marquez who's been with the Rockies since his career began in '16.
Marquez was holding back tears in the locker room when talking about Black's firing. It's clear that the pitcher really valued his time with Black.
"It's kind of sad, I've been with Buddy since '17," Marquez said, via 's Patrick Saunders. "It's kind of hard, man. It's been a long time, a lot of years with that guy. A lot of byes, ups and downs. It is what it is, baseball's like this. And we have to keep moving forward."
Marquez picked up the win during Black's final game as the Rockies manager on Sunday. Marquez pitched seven innings tallying two strikeouts, three hits and one run to improve his season ERA to 8.27.
Martin O’Neill signed off his second spell with Celtic in style with a 1-0 win over Dundee at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.
The experienced interim won seven of his eight matches in charge of the club after Brendan Rodgers resigned at the end of October, and Wilfried Nancy will take on the role from Thursday.
Daizen Maeda scored the only goal of the game for O’Neill’s side as he bravely competed to head into the back of the net after Hyun-jun Yang’s effort was saved, which led to him wearing a bandage for the remainder of the night.
Ranking Celtic's best performers against Dundee
The Japan international was, of course, one of the top performers on the night for the Hoops because it was his goal that ultimately sealed all three points to send Celtic level on points with Hearts at the top of the table.
He was not the top performer on the night for the Scottish giants, though, as a couple of other players were ahead of him in that respect, because the striker also missed a ‘big chance’ and lost five of his six duels, per Sofascore.
Reo Hatate was one of those two players. The Japanese whiz created two ‘big chances’, including Yang’s initial shot before the goal, and won four of his seven duels, per Sofascore, in what was a masterful showing in the middle of the park.
Ranking Celtic’s top performers vs Dundee
Rank
Player
1
Colby Donovan
2
Reo Hatate
3
Daizen Maeda
4
Hyun-jun Yang
5
Kasper Schmeichel
As you can see in the table above, Yang and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who pulled off three saves and three run-outs to keep his clean sheet intact, were also among the top performers on the pitch.
However, we have ranked Colby Donovan as the best performer on the night for the Scottish giants, as he provided a reminder of his quality after a shaky game against Hibernian.
Why Colby Donovan is undroppable for Wilfried Nancy
On Sunday, the Scottish full-back lost two of his three ground duels, per Sofascore, and was subbed off at half-time after being booked for a late challenge on Jordan Obita.
After that disappointing showing at the weekend, Donovan may have known that he needed to respond with a big performance against Dundee to ensure that the new manager does not drop him for the game against Hearts on Sunday.
Now, the Scotland U21 international is surely the first completely undroppable player for Nancy at Parkhead, because he was the best performer in the last game before his first match in charge.
Donovan won three of his four ground duels and three of his three aerial duels, winning 87% of his total battles, per Sofascore, whilst Maeda, for example, lost five of his six duels and struggled on that side of the game after scoring his goal.
Vs Dundee
Donovan
Celtic rank
Sofascore rating
8.3
1st
Duels won
6
1st
Aerial duels won
3
1st
Aerial duel success rate
100%
1st
Tackles won
2
1st
Touches
91
4th
Successful crosses
3
1st
Key passes
2
2nd
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the academy graduate also added creativity in possession to go along with his outstanding defensive work, as only Reo Hatate (five) made more key passes on the night, whilst no one completed more crosses.
Donovan showed Nancy, who was unveiled before the game kicked off, that he is capable of delivering a quality performance at both ends of the pitch from the right-back position, which is why he should already be undroppable.
With Alistair Johnston still sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Scottish youngster should be the first name on the teamsheet ahead of the clash with Hearts on Sunday.
That is also influenced by Anthony Ralston’s disappointing form. Pundit Chris Sutton described his play as “really shaky” when he came off the bench against Hibernian, whilst he was also caught out twice by Mikel Gogorza in the Europa League clash with Midtjylland.
Given Ralston’s lack of form and Donovan’s impressive showing on Wednesday night, the 19-year-old defender will surely already be undroppable for Nancy in the short term.
Sunderland had to take the long route back to the Premier League after they were relegated from the division at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.
The Black Cats endured seasons in League One, a Championship play-off loss, and a midtable finish in the second tier before they eventually earned promotion back to the big time earlier this year under Regis Le Bris.
One of the most impactful signings made on their journey back to the Premier League, despite it not being in their promotion season, was the loan arrival of Amad Diallo.
Where Amad ranks among Speakman's pre-Premier League signings
Kristjaan Speakman brought a strategy of buying and loaning in talented young players with potential to improve with him to the sporting director role at the Stadium of Light, and has had plenty of success with it over the years.
In the seasons leading up to this summer’s recruitment, it is hard to argue against Jack Clarke being his best piece of business. The winger initially joined on loan in the 2021/22 campaign, signing permanently in 2022, and scored 28 goals in 114 matches, per Transfermarkt.
1
Jack Clarke
2
Amad Diallo
3
Ross Stewart
4
Daniel Ballard
5
Trai Hume
Ross Stewart also deserves to be up there for his 24-goal haul in the 2021/22 League One season, per Transfermarkt, whilst defender Dan Ballard and Trai Hume also rank highly as they have both played in the Championship and the Premier League.
Amad, though, ranks in second place, with his return of 14 goals and three assists in the second tier on loan from Manchester United in the 2022/23 campaign, per WhoScored.
The Ivorian talent fired the Black Cats to the play-offs, scoring four more goals than any other player in the squad, as an incredibly exciting player to watch on the right wing, and his impact was evident by the fact that Sunderland finished 16th the season after he left.
Now, Sunderland have found their most impactful signing since Amad Diallo by bringing Granit Xhaka to the club from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Why Xhaka is Sunderland's most impactful signing since Amad
As Amad was signed more recently than Clarke was, the former United loanee is the player to beat to be the most impactful signing since his arrival on Wearside.
Xhaka, signed from Leverkusen for £13m in the summer, has had a colossal impact on the side with his exceptional performances in the middle of the park for Le Bris.
The left-footed star arrived at the club as a proven Premier League performer, with 297 appearances for Arsenal (Transfermarkt) under his belt, and his performances have reflected that experience.
FotMob rating
7.42
1st
Assists
4
1st
Goals + assists
5
1st
Chances created
18
1st
Big chances created
5
1st
Passes made per 90
42.9
1st
xA
1.3
1st
Long passes made per 90
4.4
1st
As you can see in the table above, the Switzerland international tops the charts for the Black Cats in a host of key statistics, which highlights just how influential he has been on the pitch in the top-flight this term.
Last month, Wayne Rooney described him as “the signing of the season” and suggested that Xhaka, 33, is like a “father figure” to the rest of the players in what is a young squad, setting an example for his teammates.
Rooney’s point about him being a father figure is an interesting one. He was the oldest signing of the summer, per Transfermarkt, and is the oldest player in the squad to have made an appearance in the Premier League this season.
Whilst this is unquantifiable, someone like Rooney, a Manchester United legend, will know what kind of an impact that can have in a dressing room, and he feels that Xhaka is an important presence for this young Sunderland squad.
Couple that with his clear and quantifiable impact on the pitch in the Premier League, and it is hard to argue against him being the most impactful signing of the summer.
Xhaka has been a phenomenal addition to the squad, their best since Amad’s sublime loan spell, and Le Bris will be hoping that he continues to be a shining light in midfield for the rest of the season and beyond.
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The signing of the Swiss star has shown how important it is to have experienced players in key positions to be the backbone of the side, in order for the younger players to develop and thrive around them.
أفادت تقارير صحفية بريطانية أن محمد صلاح التقى مع قائد ليفربول السابق جوردان هندرسون، والذي لعب لصفوف أحد أندية الدوري السعودي للمحترفين أيضاً.
وكان آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول قد استبعد محمد صلاح من قائمة الريدز ضد إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعد تصريحاته المثيرة للجدل.
وكشفت ” ذا صن” البريطانية أن محمد صلاح كان هدفاً للانتقال لنادي الهلال السعودي، وأكد رئيس الدوري السعودي أن النجم المصري مرحب به في السعودية.
ويحيط الغموض بمستقبل النجم المصري صاحب ال250 هدفا، وستزداد التكهنات حول انتقاله إلى الشرق الأوسط بعد أن تم رصده يجلس في اجتماع مع هندرسون في حديث شيق.
أقرأ أيضاً.. موقف لاعبي ليفربول من دعم صلاح بعد تصريحاته النارية ضد النادي وسلوت
وقد تحدث صلاح صاحب الـ33 عاماً مع صديقه هندرسون والذي ارتدى قميص الاتفاق السعودي لمدة خمس أشهر، وتظهر صور المصري تركيزه الشديد حيث يستمع لقائده السابق في ليفربول والذي يلعب حالياً مع برينتفورد.
وكان هندرسون قد انضم من صفوف ليفربول إلى الاتفاق السعودي مقابل 12 مليون جنيه إسترليني في عام 2023، وقد تعرض لانتقادات من بعض الناشطين في مجال حقوق المثليين بسبب انتقاله للسعودية حيث تعتبر العلاقات الجنسية المثلية غير قانونية.
وحكى شهود عيان تفاصيل الغداء السري وحديث هندرسون صاحب الـ35 عاماً بحماس كبير وإجابته على الكثير من أسئلة صلاح، وحاول الثنائي التخفي أثناء دخولهما مطعم سكاليني الفاخر في تشيلسي أمس الأربعاء.
وذكر مصدر لصحيفة “ذا صن”: “لقد دخل الثنائي وهما يرتديان كمامات وقائية مثل الخاصة بكورونا، وقبعات تغطي وجوهما، حاولا البقاء بعيداً عن الأنظار، اندهشنا عندما رأينا أنهما صلاح وهندرسون، أول ما خطر ببالنا هو أن صلاح سيرحل للسعودية”.
وبقى صلاح وهندرسون في المطعم لمدة تسعين دقيقة، وتناولا أطباق المعكرونة الشهية مع القهوة والمياة الغازية.
وذكر أحد مشجعي أستون فيلا وكان حاضراً ويدعى بن: “ظهر صلاح سعيداً وهو يستمع ويستمتع بكل ما يجري، بقى يسأل جوردان ويستمع باهتمام بالغ لما يقال، لم أصدق ما رأيته”.
Liverpool are in uncharted waters, with these deep fathoms threatening not only the future of Arne Slot, who won the Premier League a matter of months ago, but that of Mohamed Salah, one of the greatest players in the club’s history, too.
Where is the respite? At the moment, Liverpool can’t catch a break, fumbling a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Leeds United on Saturday after previously drawing against well-worth-their-money Sunderland at Anfield. All told, the Reds have won only two of their past ten league fixtures, losing six.
But Liverpool have sculpted this disaster themselves. They have patented a startling ability to wreak havoc on their own progress, with tactical imbalances sparking crises of confidence, sparking mutiny.
Salah’s flaming interview at Elland Road will go down in the history books, and though FSG have since underlined their faith in Slot’s stewardship, the severity of this crossroads cannot be understated.
The latest on Slot's Liverpool future
Slot is in an unenviable position, with Salah’s outburst proving the latest and most damaging in a long line of mishaps since the summer.
While FSG retain the faith in the 47-year-old, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title last year after Jurgen Klopp stepped down, there’s an acceptance that results are needed quickly if something is to be salvaged from this campaign.
The fact of the matter is that Slot’s Liverpool started wobbling well before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and he now needs to show that he can sort out the defence and restore balance to the team. He needs to show that quickly.
Arne Slot at Liverpool (2024 vs 2025)
2024
#
2025
27
Games
52
23
Wins
26
3
Draws
10
1
Losses
16
2.66
PPG
1.69
73
Goals scored
91
27
Goals conceded
69
Data via Transfermarkt
Liverpool are in big bother, and though FSG have been steadfast in their backing of the Dutchman, their leniency will only stretch so far, especially when there is such an exciting successor for Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to consider.
Liverpool could hire Slot upgrade
Last week, it was reported that FSG have been considering Julian Nagelsmann as a candidate to replace Slot, should the Reds coach be sacked, though they will face a tough task in wrestling him away from the German national team, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming large.
Nagelsmann, 38, is among the world’s finest young coaches, having managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in his homeland.
Would he be willing to park his international ambitions? Probably not. That’s why it’s anticipated he could be lined up ahead of the start of next season, meaning Liverpool would need to find an interim boss if Slot is dismissed before the end of the term.
What Nagelsmann would offer Liverpool
Nagelsmann has been described as the “best young coach in Europe” by journalist Josh Bunting, and though he’s the junior of practically all of the game’s standout managers, he’s hardly inexperienced, with a keen tactical mind that could be the remedy to a Liverpool team who have fallen by the wayside.
Bayern's Julian Nagelsmann
This is a fluid and interchangeable tactician. Nagelsmann employed a counter-pressing system at Leipzig before changing to a more dominant playing style at the Allianz Arena. He recognises the quirks and whims of the players at his disposal, and he crafts a system that caters to his troops.
Journalist Kai Iliev has even named him a “world-class manager” for his ability to fix a range of flaws within Germany’s national set-up. Now they are contenders. Now they believe again.
Liverpool could do with a bit of that, right? The appointment of Nagelsmann might even play into keeping Salah at the club; with the Egyptian King’s relationship under Slot having broken down, something has to give.
Liverpool, of course, will now back Salah over Slot. To do the contrary would result in anarchy. But this latest splinter in an outfit splitting wide open is not the root cause. Slot’s system is in a tailspin, and if he cannot establish form and fluency quickly, he will find that he has exhausted all the credit in the bank, and Edwards and Hughes will be forced into making a tough call.
The German coach’s principal 4-2-3-1 set-up would accommodate new signing Florian Wirtz and allow Salah to arc inwards once more and find passages into the danger area. This season, the 33-year-old has only posted five goals and three assists across all competitions.
Who could have expected this when Liverpool lifted the Premier League title? Salah was not the main man but the author of his long-term outfit’s illustrious success.
It’s not controversial to suggest that many, many Liverpool supporters would be dejected if Salah were to leave this winter, and it would be sure to put more than just a dampener on Slot’s reign at the Anfield helm.
If results do not continue over the coming weeks – with Salah off to AFCON after Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this weekend – FSG will have to face the reality of theirt spiraling situation and make a change.
Could that prompt Salah to stay? Working under Nagelsmann on Merseyside, it just might, though whether the Reds are able to keep the African legend appeased and reach a decision that would see him remain at the club he has served so well over the past nine years remains to be seen.
In any case, this is a staggering, stomach-sinking situation, one that nobody could have foreseen, and Liverpool’s powers that be need to make sure an upswing is found – quickly.
Sell him before Salah & Konate: FSG must bin Liverpool's "major issue"
Liverpool have collapsed this season, and some tough decisions need to be made.
West Ham are now very eager to sell one surplus player at the earliest opportunity, alongside the likes of Niclas Füllkrug and James Ward-Prowse, who are both nailed on for the exit door.
Fullkrug and Ward-Prowse set to leave West Ham next month
The Hammers are bracing themselves for significant January departures, with both Fullkrug and Ward-Prowse appearing certain to leave the London Stadium when the transfer window reopens.
Fullkrug’s disastrous spell looks destined to conclude after barely 18 months, with the German international having managed just three goals across 29 appearances since his £27m arrival from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024 (GiveMeSport).
The 31-year-old striker has been given official permission to leave by West Ham, with his agency ROOF formally notified that he can seek a January move (Sky Sports Germany via Claret and Hugh).
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Fullkrug himself is keen to leave the club for pastures new with a decision already made, and Fabrizio Romano has backed up reports that the ex-Bundesliga star is poised for his final few weeks at the club.
Ward-Prowse has suffered an equally dramatic fall from grace under Nuno Espírito Santo, having been completely frozen out since the Portuguese manager’s September appointment.
The 30-year-old England international enjoyed an excellent debut season following his £30m transfer from Southampton in 2023, registering seven goals and eleven assists under David Moyes, but his form collapsed under subsequent managers Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
Nuno and West Ham have already instructed the midfielder and his agents to seek new clubs in January, with both Everton and Southampton reportedly expressing interest.
Former manager Moyes wants to reunite with Ward-Prowse at Everton, according to ExWHUemployee, as both the midfielder and Fullkrug prepare to pack their bags and leave Rush Green next month.
There are other candidates for the exit door too, including Guido Rodriguez.
West Ham 'determined' to sell Rodriguez 'as soon as possible'
According to reports from Spain this week, West Ham are preparing to cut their losses on Rodriguez, with three La Liga clubs expressing interest in the struggling Argentine midfielder.
Guido Rodriguez
Rodriguez has endured a lacklustre spell since arriving at the London Stadium following his impressive performances at Real Betis.
The 31-year-old has managed just four appearances across all competitions this season, failing to establish himself under Nuno, and his lack of playing time has made a January departure increasingly inevitable.
The Hammers are actively facilitating his exit, with West Ham ‘determined’ to offload Rodriguez ‘as soon as possible’.
The World Cup winner needs to improve his chances of featuring in Argentina’s 2026 squad for the USA tournament, making a return to familiar territory in Spain particularly attractive.
Real Sociedad have emerged as serious contenders for his signature, with Girona also monitoring the situation closely after making an inquiry.
Nottingham Forest's Nicolas Dominguez in action with West Ham United'sGuidoRodriguez
Villarreal are the third option, with Rodriguez viewed as an ideal addition to complement existing midfielders Dani Parejo and Santi Comesana.
West Ham face announcing record £100m losses in their December accounts, so Rodriguez’s departure would be very financially beneficial considering he’d count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR.
Manchester United are now seriously considering a move for a “lightning quick” Paris Saint-Germain star, with a surprise Marcus Rashford swap deal on the cards.
Rashford tearing it up on loan at Barcelona
Rashford has really managed to kick on since joining Barcelona on loan in the summer, amassing six goals and ten assists in all competitions, but it has recently emerged that the forward isn’t expected to make his stay at the Camp Nou permanent.
The Englishman is likely to have plenty of options to choose from next summer, however, with it being revealed Chelsea have held talks over a potential deal, while Tottenham Hotspur are determined to win the race for the 28-year-old’s signature and give him a leading role.
It is difficult to envisage a way back for the United academy graduate at Old Trafford, given his sour relationship with Ruben Amorim, and it has now been revealed the manager could get him off the books in a different way at the end of the season.
According to a report from Spain, Man United are now seriously considering signing PSG forward Bradley Barcola, and a surprise swap deal is possible, with Rashford potentially set to be sent in the opposite direction.
Barcola’s negotiations with the French club over a new contract have now stalled, which could open the door for a move to Old Trafford, although his current employers are very reluctant to sanction a departure.
With a market value of around €70m (£61m), a deal for the Frenchman would be on the expensive side, but there are indications he could be worth every penny…
"Lightning quick" Barcola impressing in Ligue 1 and Europe
Hailed as “lightning quick” by journalist Raj Chohan, the PSG star has put in some top performances in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season, regularly contributing with goals and assists.
Competition
Appearances
Goal contributions
Ligue 1
12
6
Champions League
5
2
The 23-year-old also played a major role in the French side winning the Champions League for the first time last season, chipping in with three goals and four assists in 17 appearances.
Man United appear to have recruited well in the summer, with new forward Matheus Cunha grabbing an assist in the 4-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, while Bryan Mbeumo already has six Premier League goals to his name.
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However, with the Red Devils looking to return to Europe next season, they may need more depth in attacking areas, and Barcola could be a brilliant addition to Amorim’s squad, so they should definitely try to negotiate a swap deal involving Rashford.
A KPMG, empresa contratada para auxiliar o Corinthians na renegociação de dívidas, alegou calote e moveu uma ação na justiça para cobrar R$ 1,5 milhão do clube paulista.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians
A dívida foi confessada por Duílio Monteiro Alves, ex-mandatário do Corinthians, em documento firmado no dia 30 de dezembro, antepenúltimo de sua gestão. À época, Duílio assegurou à empresa que o montante seria depositado até o dia 20 de janeiro, em uma única parcela, o que não se confirmou.
O acordo com a KPMG foi assinado em maio de 2021, no primeiro ano de gestão do agora ex-presidente. Na ocasião, o Corinthians vinha de um aumento exponencial em sua dívida, que beirava R$ 1 bilhão segundo o balanço financeiro da época.
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O objetivo da parceria entre as partes era trabalhar na renegociação das dívidas do clube, além de auxiliar na captação de novos recursos para complementar a renda. No entanto, a défice financeiro do clube cresceu drasticamente desde então e hoje ultrapassa o valor de R$ 2 bilhões.
Ao assumir a presidência do Corinthians, em janeiro de 2024, Augusto Melo encerrou o contrato com a empresa de consultoria e contratou a Ernst & Young para assumir a função.
Major names in line for lucrative deals after equity sale transforms Hundred finances
Matt Roller10-Dec-2025
Harry Brook is in line for a big payday in next year’s Hundred•ECB/Getty Images
Harry Brook is set to earn nearly £500,000 for playing in the Hundred next year as the tournament’s new investors scramble to secure their direct signings and retentions ahead of March’s auctions.Brook, who is in Noosa on England’s mid-Ashes break after their eight-wicket defeat to Australia at the Gabba, has captained Northern Superchargers for the last two editions of the Hundred and has agreed a deal worth around £470,000 to stay with the team in their new guise as Sunrisers Leeds, which could make him the tournament’s highest earner.Brook is serving a two-year ban from the IPL after withdrawing from a contract with Delhi Capitals, and said when he was named England’s white-ball captain last year that overseas franchise cricket would have to take “a step back”. But new investment in the Hundred ensures that he will still secure a hefty payday on top of his two-year England central contract.The eight Hundred teams were centrally run for the tournament’s first five seasons but operational control has now transferred to host counties and private investors, who will run the franchises as joint ventures. Sunrisers are the only exception, having bought out Yorkshire’s entire 51 percent stake earlier this year.The recruitment model has changed from a draft to an auction, and teams can only pre-sign a maximum of four players since the ECB are keen to maintain competitive balance. Of those, at least one must be a retention from last year’s squad; at most two can be overseas players; and at most two can have held a central contract in either 2024-25 or 2025-26.The retention window opened on November 27 and teams have been quick off the mark to make their signings as early as possible. The ECB have specified set deductions from team salary caps depending on the number of players pre-signed, but teams can split the money however they see fit within those constraints.Brook’s new deal means that top wages in the Hundred have nearly quadrupled in the space of two years. The highest salary band increased from £125,000 (2024) to £200,000 (2025) in the men’s competition, and from £50,000 (2024) to £65,000 (2025) in the women’s.Phil Salt has been a fixture at Manchester Originals but is set to sign for Welsh Fire•Nathan Stirk/ECB via Getty Images
Phil Salt is also in line for a substantial payday of around £450,000 after Welsh Fire won a three-way race for his services, beating London Spirit and Manchester Super Giants. Salt has been with Manchester Originals since inception and captained them for the last two seasons, but was born in North Wales and has been openly targeted by the franchise.ESPNcricinfo has learned Sunrisers have also signed Brydon Carse and Mitchell Marsh along with Brook, and may yet sign an overseas fast bowler before the auction. They will be coached by Daniel Vettori next year, after Andrew Flintoff quit citing a low-ball contract offer from the new owners.Fire are leaning on their sister franchise Washington Freedom, which is also run by new co-owner Sanjay Govil, with Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra both targets along with Salt. Mike Hussey will continue as coach, with Michael Klinger joining in a joint role as general manager and women’s coach.Manchester Super Giants are set to retain Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad and Heinrich Klaasen from their 2025 squad, with Tom Moody taking charge in his new global role as director of cricket and Justin Langer in line to replace Simon Katich as head coach.Trent Rockets, under Peter Moores (head coach) and Adam Voges (assistant), have lined up Joe Root and Ben Duckett, while Birmingham Phoenix are interested in signing Rehan Ahmed and Donovan Ferreira as well as retaining Jacob Bethell under new coach Shane Bond.MI London are expected to retain Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Rashid Khan, with either Nicholas Pooran or Trent Boult rounding out their overseas contingent. London Spirit, under Mo Bobat (director of cricket) and Andy Flower (head coach), have signed Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton, and are targeting Adam Zampa. They have also announced Dinesh Karthik as their batting coach and mentor.Jofra Archer is understood to have signed a lucrative deal to stay at Southern Brave under new owners GMR Group, who have also lined up Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Tristan Stubbs. Hemang Badani, the Delhi Capitals head coach, is the favourite to take over from Adi Birrell.Related
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In the women’s Hundred, Marizanne Kapp is expected to move across the Thames to London Spirit after five years with Oval Invincibles. Meg Lanning is understood to have signed for Manchester Super Giants, who have lined up Matthew Mott as their new women’s head coach.Lauren Bell has signed a lucrative new deal with Southern Brave despite significant interest elsewhere, while allrounder Freya Kemp is set to join Welsh Fire on a six-figure deal. Sunrisers, the defending champions, are expected to retain both Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland.The eight men’s and women’s teams must finalise their retentions by January 16, ahead of the inaugural auctions in March. The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16 next summer, sandwiched between England men’s series against India (five T20Is and three ODIs) and Pakistan (three Tests).Several prominent England players are hoping for paydays in next Tuesday’s IPL auction, with Livingstone expected to attract several bids after his release by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jonny Bairstow, Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith are also likely to win deals, while Josh Tongue is a notable name on the longlist after finishing last season as the Hundred’s leading wicket-taker.