AC Milan have announced a landmark five-year extension of their long-standing partnership with Emirates Airlines, worth €100 million. The renewed deal sees Luka Modric and Christian Pulisic front the campaign as Milan celebrate nearly two decades with the Dubai-based airline. The extension marks one of football’s most lucrative and enduring sponsorships.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is weighing in on the club’s January recruitment plans after a solid start to life at N17.
Tottenham put international break curse behind them after Leeds win
Before their latest victory at Leeds United, thanks largely to a Man of the Match display from in-form summer signing Mohammed Kudus, Spurs had suffered defeat in seven of their last seven matches prior to an international break.
Mohammed Kudus
8.4
Mathys Tel
7.8
Noah Okafor
7.0
Sean Longstaff
7.0
Jayden Bogle
6.8
via WhoScored
A run of two consecutive Premier League draws in the build up to Leeds, not to mention a disappointing share of the spoils away to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, perhaps told a sign that Frank’s side could’ve been on to extend that bizarre record.
However, a gritty, resilient display on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Yorkshire saw Frank’s side come away with all three points, despite Leeds battling to the very bitter end and ferociously knocking on Spurs’ door.
Tottenham not only put that international break voodoo behind them, but they also became the first side to beat Leeds at Elland Road for over a year in the league.
It took a couple of crucial saves from Guglielmo Vicario to thwart Leeds’ attempts to get on the scoresheet for a second time, and Frank can also give a special nod to Mathys Tel, who opened the scoring after being given the starting nod ahead of Richarlison.
Dominic Solanke’s niggling ankle problem, which required minor surgery, means that Richarlison has started up top in almost every game for Spurs so far, but there are doubts that the hot and cold Brazil international can be relied upon.
Spurs are hopeful Solanke could return just after the October international break, but fitness issues have been a real issue for the Englishman since his move from Bournemouth last year.
As such, the Lilywhites are being linked with a new striker, and it is believed that former Brentford star Ivan Toney is on their radar.
Frank worked with Toney during his peak years at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the 29-year-old bagging 20 Premier League goals in the 2022/2023 season.
Since moving to Al-Ahli in 2024, Toney has scored for fun, racking up 30 strikes in 44 appearances over his debut campaign and eight goals from 10 run outs already this season.
Thomas Frank contacts Ivan Toney over joining Tottenham in January
According to a report from Indy News, Spurs could now offer the £426,000-per-week talisman a chance to make a return to his homeland.
Indeed, it is believed that Frank has personally contacted Toney over joining Tottenham on loan in January, with Chelsea named as another suitor as both sides ponder bringing in a new centre-forward mid-season.
It is unclear whether Al-Ahli would sanction a temporary move away for the number nine who’s been their arguable star player since joining, but Frank has previously lavished praise on Toney as a “remarkable” striker, so it is clear why he’d be keen to reunite with him in North London.
Ruben Amorim said he could feel that his Manchester United players do not want him to get sacked after they beat Sunderland 2-0 to ease the pressure on the coach. Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko gave United a third win of the season and soothed the pain of last week's defeat at Brentford, which led to high profile figures such as Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney fiercely criticising Amorim.
Getty Images SportMount backs Amorim after win
Amorim went into the match with a dismal record of 34 points from 33 matches but the victory over Sunderland took his side up to eighth in the Premier League table and level with Manchester City, albeit having played one game more than their local rivals.
Mount put United in front in the eighth minute at Old Trafford and after the game he gave his boss a show of support when he told reporters: "We're 100% behind the gaffer. We've had some results that hurt us – the team, the staff and the fans – but that was important today."
The midfielder hopes the victory can be the start of a strong run of results. He added: "It needs to be – we thought after Chelsea it would be the start of something and then we go to Brentford and have a disappointing result. It starts today and we'll be working hard over the break. We want to get back-to-back wins, then three in a row and push on for the top four."
AdvertisementAFPAmorim felt players backing on the pitch
Amorim said that the players' resilient performance proved that they supported him and he was pleased with how the team stuck together even when their intensity levels dropped in the second half. "We didn’t play well during all the game but we had our moments but if you look at our performance, it was a team performance," he said. "There was focus, defending well, we were trying to kill the game in the second half. So I'm pleased with that and now we move forward to the next one."
The coach was asked about Mount's backing and he said he knows that the players do not want to keep changing coaches. Amorim is the sixth permanent coach United have employed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The United boss also explained what he wants to see from his players every week.
"I saw today and I know they want to do the best and I know they don’t want to change the coach all the time," he said. "But like I said during this week, to be with the manager is: 'I will kill myself to go in every transition'. We need to show with actions and sometimes when we look at our team I know for sure that when we see the games in the end they know that sometimes we can do better. So I feel that during the week but we need to show that on the pitch, not just at home but also away."
Getty Images SportLammens 'looked confident' in impressive United debut
Amorim praised debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who made his first appearance since switching to the Red Devils from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day. "He looks confident in the first game but the important thing is the team-mates helped Senne to have a good game because everyone is focused, there were not a lot of mistakes against a team that was really comfortable playing football, so we did well as a group effort."
He also explained why he had waited so long before giving the Belgian his first match while Altay Bayindir struggled. "When Senne arrived here, first of all Altay was playing and then he arrives and you can feel that he needs to adapt, new country, new training," he said.
"The pressure you guys put on the goalkeeper is massive, so it was a little preparation for him to be ready to start his first game. But it is just one game and he needs to work, he needs to be prepared that in our club things are really hard, but he did well and again he was comfortable during the game. That's a really good sign."
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Getty Images SportSesko scores again
Amorim was also impressed with his £74m striker Benjamin Sesko, who scored his first goal at Old Trafford and for the second game running after also finding the net against Brentford.
"He is here to score the goals, to give us a different type of profile inside the box, to use more crosses, he is going to improve the connection with this teammates," Amorim said of the Slovenian. "How many times did Senne kick the ball and he was there with the first touch? That is more important, especially in this league that we are thinking when there is a throw-in we have an extra guy who is big at the first post.
"All the characteristics of Ben, not just the goals, can help us to win games. We are happy with him, he puts a lot of pressure on himself that is not a bad thing but he has potential to do so much more."
The scheduling of the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy in two different countries has meant both teams that have qualified from Group B – Australia and South Africa* – will travel to the UAE this weekend.An ICC official said the decision had been taken to allow the side that plays the semi-final in Dubai on March 4 the maximum time to prepare for that contest. However, it does guarantee one side will find themselves in the sub-optimal position of leaving Pakistan for Dubai, only to have to return to Pakistan soon after. While the Lahore semi-final is one day later on March 5, the way in which this tournament has been scheduled means that one team will travel and train at a venue they do not need to be at for a day.Australia shifted to Dubai on Saturday, having qualified after their game against Afghanistan was abandoned in Lahore on Friday. South Africa, who sealed qualification on Saturday evening with a thumping win over England, will depart Karachi for Dubai at noon on Sunday.The actual match-ups and venues of the two semi-finals will only be confirmed after India and New Zealand play the final group game of this tournament on Sunday. India will play in Dubai regardless of their group position, which means the two teams of group B will find out where they play their semi-final only after India have played New Zealand.Related
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Such a scenario was all but inevitable given the necessity of India playing their games outside Pakistan, despite the country officially being the sole host of the tournament. The PCB spent several months trying to get India to visit Pakistan, at one stage proposing hosting all their games in Lahore. However, the BCCI said the Indian government did not grant the team permission to play cricket in Lahore. There is significant political tension between the two countries.The uncertainty concerning venues will extend right to the final as well. If India win their semi-final, the final will take place in Dubai. However, should they lose the semi-final, it will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.*
It was yet another humbling day to be a Tottenham supporter on Wednesday, after news emerged that their deal for Eberechi Eze is now off.
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After days of back and forth, including direct talks between Daniel Levy and Steve Parish (Fabrizio Romano), it was believed that Spurs reached a verbal agreement with Palace over all the finances involved to sign Eze.
The 27-year-old also agreed personal terms on a move to N17, so it looked merely a matter of time before Eze was hoisting a Lilywhites jersey aloft in front of the media as Tottenham’s third major signing of the window.
However, following a stunning mid-week twist, all hopes of Thomas Frank bringing in the world-class number 10 have been shattered.
Kai Havertz’s injury prompted north London rivals Arsenal to swiftly enter the race for Eze.
The Gunners hijacked Spurs’ advanced move for the England international by equalling Levy’s offer to Palace, with Eze ultimately choosing Arsenal as his preferred destination – largely due to his connection to them.
With a move for the ex-QPR star off the table, in what is a disastrous blow for Frank, Spurs are now forced to re-enter the market for a number 10.
This is Levy’s second public transfer humiliation of the window after also missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this summer, despite even booking a medical for the Nottingham Forest playmaker.
Savinho wants to join Tottenham amid Thomas Frank plan
Away from their nightmare mission to sign a James Maddison replacement – which has gone back to square one again – Tottenham haven’t given up on a deal for Man City winger Savinho, even if Pep Guardiola’s side are blocking the move right now.
As the Sky Blues demand £67 million to even consider letting him leave, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Savinho would like to go to Tottenham, as Frank wishes to make him one of the faces of his project down south.
The 21-year-old has been called an “elite ball carrier” by members of the media, and bagged 13 assists in all competitions for City last season after also being a key member of the Girona side who briefly challenged for a La Liga title in 23/24.
It would be a statement of intent for Levy to go all in on signing the Brazil international after misisng out on Eze, and with little over a week before the deadline, Spurs need to move quickly.
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Newcastle United are upping the ante in search of a new striker and could now be set to further their pursuit of one of Europe’s prolific forwards, according to a report.
Newcastle United searching for a new striker or two
Eddie Howe has endured a transfer window that has yielded some frustration along the way when it comes to pursuing key targets, though the former Bournemouth boss will be certain he can end the market period on a high.
Alexander Isak’s potential move to Liverpool has yielded plenty of discussion over who his potential replacement could be, if a transfer were to come to fruition, alongside finding Callum Wilson’s successor.
Delivering a strong statement on the Sweden international, Howe has reminded Isak of his responsibilities in public fashion, even if he has since excluded the star from pre-season training.
He stated: “The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad, and you have to act in the right way. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.”
Nicolas Jackson is one potential solution that Newcastle could utilise if he were to be offloaded by Chelsea. though it remains to be seen where he stands on the priority list.
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ByTom Cunningham Aug 7, 2025
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is also on the Geordies’ radar, as is Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, offering plenty of alternatives with Premier League experience that could step into the fold by the close of play.
Now, Newcastle could be set to add another option to that list who has caught attention across Europe this year due to his excellent goal return, according to David Ornstein.
Newcastle have Samu Aghehowa high on priority list
Taking to social media platform X, Ornstein confirmed Newcastle United are considering a move for Porto striker Samu Aghehowa as they probe the market to land a new number nine.
He stated: “Newcastle United considering move to sign Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto. 21yo FCPorto striker high among small number of options to bolster attack. No formal approach or guarantee it happens but Spain int’l liked by NUFC.”
Samu Aghehowa in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
45
Goals
27
Assists
3
Possessing the same strike rate as Isak last term, purely factoring in goals, Aghehowa has been labelled a “monster” by scout Jacek Kulig and is now appreciated in the corridors of power on Tyneside, even if no official approach has been made.
The Spain international outperformed his 14.07 Expected Goals total significantly last season, netting 19 times in the Portuguese top-flight, illustrating his ability to convert difficult chances.
With Isak looking set for the exit, Newcastle need someone who can replicate his impact, and Aghehowa may be a safe bet due to his recent exploits in a division that has a rich history of translating over to the Premier League.
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Muito criticado pela torcida do Palmeiras, principalmente após a eliminação do clube na semifinal da Libertadores do ano passado, para o Athletico-PR, o atacante Flaco López voltou a ter chances pelo clube alviverde e tem a agarrado com força. No último sábado (15), mesmo jogando fora da sua posição, o argentino marcou o gol da vitória palmeirense por 2 a 1 sobre o Cuiabá, pela primeira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
Foi o quarto gol de López em quatro partidas consecutivas, sendo todos eles marcados em torneios diferentes: Bolívar, pela Libertadores; Água Santa, na final do Paulistão; Tombense, pela Copa do Brasil, e, agora, contra o Dourado, pelo Brasileirão.
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+Flaco López brilha novamente em vitória do Palmeiras na estreia no Brasileirão
No duelo contra os cuiabanos, Flaco López ocupou, principalmente no primeiro tempo, o espaço de meio-campista, onde geralmente Raphael Veiga atua. O meia palmeirense se recupera de uma lesão na coxa esquerda e deve ficar, pelo menos, mais 20 dias em recuperação.
Atuando desta forma, Flaco foi responsável por iniciar a jogada do primeiro gol, logo aos quatro minutos de jogo, quando inverteu uma bola da direita para a esquerda e achou Dudu, que deu um lindo passe para Endrick completar para as redes. Já na segunda etapa, Flaco atuou mais próximo da área, como uma espécie de segundo atacante, por trás do centroavante. Foi jogando por ali que ele estava bem posicionado para aproveitar o rebote da zaga do Cuiabá, após um cruzamento de Vanderlan, e encher o pé para dar a vitória ao Palmeiras na estreia do Brasileirão.
– Nenhum jogador entra sem o consentimento claro. Depois analisamos o jogador e projetamos. Só o fato de se adaptar a esse gramado demora tempo. É diferente jogar no sintético e no natural. É trabalho. Ele falou no fim do jogo que trabalhamos muito, e é verdade. Jogou na posição do Veiga. Na primeira parte fazia o 10, na segunda encostou – disse o técnico Abel Ferreira em entrevista coletiva após a vitória palmeirense.
Flaco tem aparecido como alternativa em um momento que o Verdão tem sofrido por conta das ausências de atletas por problemas físicos. Entre o departamento médico e processo de transição, sete jogadores não ficaram à disposição contra o Cuiabá: Vinicius Silvestre, Mayke, Piquerez, Atuesta, Raphael Veiga, Bruno Tabata e Rony.
Essex batters Dean Elgar, Tom Westley and Matt Critchley filled their boots with a century apiece as Vitality County champions Surrey suffered a post-title-winning hangover at Chelmsford.The former South African captain, batting ostensibly on one leg, led the way by posting 182, the highest of his four centuries for Essex this season during a stay at the crease that began on Thursday morning and ended 102 overs later on Saturday evening – five sessions having been wiped out by the weather on days one and two.Elgar and Westley put on a record 253 in 59 overs to eclipse the 95-year-old best of 206 for the second wicket against Surrey. Elgar then piled on further agony by adding 168 for the third wicket with Critchley, who played freely for his 112 from 171 balls before Essex declared on 508 for 8. Earlier, Westley had been in such explosive form that 106 of his 135 runs came in boundaries (25 fours, one six).Essex require 17 points from the game to finish ahead of Somerset in third place on games won. They have already pocketed the maximum five for batting and now need to bowl Surrey out twice on the final day of the season. Surrey finished the penultimate day on 30 for the loss of captain Rory Burns, caught at point off Simon Harmer.Under sunny skies, in contrast to the rain of the first two days, the third morning was only nine balls old when Elgar tweaked his left calf and required four minutes’ worth of treatment. He hobbled on manfully, picking the right moment to amble through for easy singles and the odd two but not contemplating anything too sharp.With Elgar largely incapacitated, Westley farmed the bowling in the lead-up to his century, hitting eight boundaries to every part of Chelmsford against James Taylor and Yousef Majid in a ferocious 21-ball blitz. He raced through the nineties and on to three-figures from 141 deliveries with three fours in five balls off Taylor, including one off the backfoot that rocketed past point.Westley twice waltzed down the wicket in three balls to deposit former Essex team-mate Dan Lawrence over his head for a one-bounce four followed by a maximum. Elgar watched the Westley show before finally driving Majid through the covers for a boundary of his own and then reaching his century from 169 balls, 28 slower than his partner.Westley was finally out just after the partnership went past 250 when he picked out Tom Lawes on the long-leg boundary to give Yousef Majid a maiden first-class wicket. The 21-year-old spinner did not celebrate the milestone, however, echoing the subdued mood within the fielding ranks. That feeling of after the Lord Mayor’s Show continued into the afternoon with a series of misfields as Critchley was the latest batsmen to tuck into some ordinary fare served up by a below-par Surrey attack.Nowhere did the Elgar limp look more noticeable than the quick single to reach his 150 from 234 balls. He took Essex to 400 with his 19th four, an audacious uppercut off Lawes to the boundary backward of point, but fell when chipping Ryan Patel to short extra cover to spark a middle-order collapse.Patel claimed three wickets in seven balls – and finished with 3 for 41 from 12 overs – when Luc Benkenstein played all around a slower ball and Paul Walter scooped to mid-on as Essex slipped from 425 for 2 to 433 for 5. Majid claimed his second wicket on debut when he had Adam Rossington lbw, but not before Essex had claimed all five batting points.Critchley became the third centurion of the day when he pulled Ollie Sykes to square leg, but was the first of two late wickets for Taylor, holing out in the covers. Shane Snater was then bowled to bring about the declaration.
Leeds United have now submitted a £6m offer for a “fantastic goalkeeper”, who is being targeted by a whole host of Premier League clubs this summer, according to a report.
Leeds vying to sign new goalkeeper amid Meslier concerns
Illan Meslier has been the subject of heavy criticism throughout his career at Elland Road, having been unable to cut mistakes out of his game, while also performing poorly in terms of goals prevented in the Championship last season.
Former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has also insisted the 49ers should bring in a new goalkeeper, given Meslier’s poor decision-making, saying: “Next season in the Premier League, do you trust Meslier?
“I think you bring somebody in as an equal to him next year. Somebody who is able to play. It’s an area of the squad that they’re going to have to strengthen next year.”
As such, it should be no surprise that Daniel Farke wants to bring in a replacement this summer, and Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has emerged as a target, with talks recently being opened over a deal for the Serbian.
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However, with Serie A champions Napoli also in the race for Milinkovic-Savic, it could be difficult for a newly-promoted side to win the race for his signature, and there are a number of other potential options on the shortlist, including Lyon’s Lucas Perri.
According to a report from AS Marca on X, Leeds have also submitted a €7m (£6m) offer for “world-renowned” Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but they may have to increase their bid in order to tempt the Turkish side into a sale.
Fenerbahce are looking to receive a fee of €12m – €13m (£10m – £11m), and there is no shortage of interest in the Croatian’s signature, with the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa, Chelsea and a number of other clubs also keeping tabs.
Livakovic could be "fantastic" Milinkovic-Savic alternative
Leeds are wary that a deal for Milinkovic-Savic could be difficult, given that top clubs in Europe are keen on the Torino shot-stopper, and his wage demands could be prohibitive, meaning they may be forced to move on to alternative options.
There are plenty of signs that Livakovic could be a solid signing too, having received high praise from Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic for his performances at the 2022 World Cup, who said: “We had a fantastic goalkeeper. Today he was great, he saved each of the penalties in a very strong and stable manner.”
The Fenerbahce star has also caught the eye at club level in recent times, making some fantastic saves in the Europa League.
The 30-year-old is an experienced goalkeeper at a high level, indicating he could be a real upgrade on Meslier, so Leeds should definitely pursue a deal if they are unable to win the race for Milinkovic-Savic.
Ben Green five-for sets seal on Hampshire demolition
ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2024
Sean Dickson and Tom Abell put on a century stand•Getty Images
Tom Abell and Sean Dickson produced a scintillating fourth-wicket stand of 144 in 11.2 overs to lead Somerset to a 63-run Vitality Blast win over Hampshire Hawks at Taunton.Abell smashed an unbeaten 96 off just 47 balls and Dickson hammered 65 off 32 deliveries to help the hosts post 241 for 5, their third-highest ever Blast total, after losing the toss. Their stand was a Somerset record for the fourth wicket in the competition.Hampshire replied with 178 all out, Ben McDermott hitting 46 off 28 balls and Ben Green claiming a career-best equalling 5 for 29. Victory put holders Somerset back on track after successive group defeats on the road.The hosts did not allow the loss of three wickets in the powerplay to affect their momentum, reaching 58 for 3 by the end of the sixth over, despite the dismissals of Will Smeed, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Banton.If Hampshire were pleased to see the back of those three big-hitters, two of them to Michael Neser, their satisfaction soon turned to concern as Abell and Dickson set about their attack, taking the score past 100 in the 11th over.Abell hit the first six of the game to bring up the 50-stand in 31 balls and the pair required only a further 18 deliveries to take their partnership to three figures. The 13th over, bowled by James Fuller, went for 21 as Abell crashed three successive fours through the off-side and Dickson ended it with two more boundaries.Both players reached half-centuries in the 15th over, Dickson’s occupying 25 balls and Abell’s 30. Dickson celebrated with a six over backward point off John Turner and by the time he was caught at long-on off a Liam Dawson full toss the stand had overtaken Somerset’s previous best for the fourth wicket in Blast cricket – 110 between Babar Azam and Lewis Goldsworthy against Glamorgan at Cardiff in 2020.Lewis Gregory smacked 18 off 8 balls and Abell ended his majestic knock with a straight six off Turner as Somerset completed their highest-ever Blast total against Hampshire. Abell struck 12 fours and three sixes as only Benny Howell of the Hampshire bowlers went for less than ten an over.McDermott and James Vince began the Hampshire reply undaunted and brought the fifty up in just 4.4 overs. By then end of the powerplay they had increased the total to 65, McDermott dominating with some savage blows.Green made the vital breakthrough for Somerset in the eighth over, bowling McDermott with his second delivery as he advanced down the pitch, and struck again with his fourth ball as Vince lofted a catch to long-off to make it 78 for 2.The over ended any doubts about the outcome. Soon Hampshire were requiring more than 15 an over and Green, who claimed 30 Blast wickets with his medium pace last season, struck again when Joe Weatherley launched a catch to deep midwicket to make the score 101 for three in the 11th over.James Fuller hit a straight six off Josh Davey, but perished next ball trying to repeat the feat. Howell cleared the ropes off successive van der Merwe deliveries, but when he and Toby Albert fell in the same Riley Meredith over Hampshire’s cause was lost and a clatter of wickets, including two for Green, followed.