This summer has been all about recapturing our youth
What does summer mean to you?
2023-08-05 21:58
Chelsea make £17m offer for teenage Brazilian striker
Chelsea have submitted a £17m bid for Santos striker Deivid Washington.
2023-08-05 21:50
Aaron Ramsey: Riches of Saudi league no contest for ‘priceless’ Cardiff return
Aaron Ramsey says the riches of the Saudi Pro League could not compete with his “priceless” return to Cardiff. The Wales captain had the opportunity this summer to become the first British player to join Saudi Arabia’s lucrative league, ahead of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson moving there last month. But Ramsey put family first and returned to hometown club Cardiff, where he made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in April 2007 to break John Toshack’s record as the Bluebirds’ youngest-ever player. “There was an offer and there’s plenty of benefits to that offer over there,” said former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Ramsey, speaking about the Saudi Pro League interest for the first time. “But for me, it wasn’t the right time or the right thing to do for me, my career and for my family. “It can be very appealing and probably depends on a lot of things, on what you’ve done financially, if you’re secure or not and things like that. “For another individual, it might be life changing, but for me, being around my family and things like that is priceless. So you couldn’t put a figure on that. It's a hot topic at the moment. Obviously, there are financial rewards for going there - probably very rewarding - and a lot of players can't see past that sort of thing Aaron Ramsey on the Saudi Pro League Saudi Arabia has emerged as a powerful influence in world football that has seen a huge influx of talent to the Saudi Pro League. It is estimated that Saudi Arabia’s football-related spending has exceeded £3.5billion in the past two years with a host of players following Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East kingdom. Ramsey told Sky Sports: “It’s a hot topic at the moment. Obviously, there are financial rewards for going there – probably very rewarding – and a lot of players can’t see past that sort of thing. “I think obviously it depends on the individual situation. I think I’ve been very fortunate in my career that I’ve done OK so far. “So there’s plenty of factors that go into people’s decisions, but I’ve made mine based on my situation.” Ramsey makes his third Cardiff debut – he had a short loan spell there in 2011 after suffering serious injury at Arsenal – at Leeds on Sunday with excitement swirling around the Bluebirds. Despite being under an EFL transfer embargo that has prevented them from paying fees for players, new boss Erol Bulut has strengthened a squad that flirted with relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last season. Bulut has signed six players in total with former Reading striker Yakou Meite and West Brom loanee Karlan Grant among the arrivals. “I like the way the manager has come in and put down his own stamp so far,” said Ramsey. “He’s very positive and so is the style of football that he wants to try and play. “He’s managed Fenerbahce – one of the top teams in Turkey – and is used to the expectations and pressures at the highest level to be able to perform and to win games. “The club had some great years at the highest level and that is something we want to try and bring back here. “So hopefully not too long in the future, we can see Cardiff back in the Premier League.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level
2023-08-05 21:21
Berkshire Operating Earnings Rise on Insurance Strength
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. posted $10.04 billion in second-quarter operating profit as strength in its insurance businesses
2023-08-05 20:56
Rasmus Hojlund joins Manchester United on five-year deal for reported £72million
Manchester United have completed the signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta on a five-year deal for a reported £72million. The 20-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 87 club appearances and netted six times in six appearances for Denmark, has an option for a further year which would take his Old Trafford stay to 2029. He becomes the third first-team signing of the close-season, following the arrivals of Mason Mount from Chelsea and goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter, and was introduced to United supporters on the pitch at Old Trafford ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Lens. Hojlund, who leaves Atalanta after a single season since joining from Sturm Graz, told United’s website: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy, and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player. “I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality, and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me. “It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players. “Once I had spoken to the manager, I knew that this environment would be perfect for my development; I am relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the world. “Under his guidance and support I know that I am capable of achieving great things together with my new team-mates at this special club.” He began last season as a substitute for the side from Bergamo but later established himself in the team as a replacement for the injured Colombian striker Duvan Zapata. He scored four goals in four games in January to cement a burgeoning reputation in Serie A, as the team went on to finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League. United manager Erik ten Hag has been vocal about his team’s need for a striker this summer, particularly since the club pulled out of the race to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham. After Lens the team travel to Dublin to play Athletic Bilbao in their final pre-season outing before opening their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves a week on Monday. Director of football John Murtough said: “Rasmus is a truly exceptional talent. He possesses technical and physical attributes which rank him amongst the best players in the world for his age group. “Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level
2023-08-05 20:51
Real Madrid respond to rumours of Florentino Perez's resignation
Real Madrid have dismissed claims president Florentino Perez is set to resign.
2023-08-05 20:29
Watching Simone Biles this weekend will show how women's gymnastics has changed
The sport once pressured young athletes to stay skinny from a very young age, but a newer culture emphasizes power over weight.
2023-08-05 20:27
Manchester United complete £72m transfer of striker Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund has joined Manchester United for a fee rising to £72m and said he believes he can achieve “great things” at Old Trafford. The Denmark centre-forward, who has signed from Atalanta as Erik ten Hag’s summer search for a striker has ended, said a dream had come true as he joined the club he supported since childhood. He has signed a five-year contract – United have the option to extend it by a further year – and was unveiled on the Old Trafford pitch before their pre-season friendly against Lens. The 20-year-old scored nine goals in Serie A last season and was described as a “truly exceptional talent” by United’s director of football, John Murtough. Paris Saint-Germain also bid for Hojlund this summer but United landed Ten Hag’s top attacking target, who they had tracked since his days at FC Copenhagen. Hojlund said: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy, and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player. I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality, and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me. It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players. “Once I had spoken to the manager, I knew that this environment would be perfect for my development; I am relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the world. Under his guidance and support I know that I am capable of achieving great things together with my new teammates at this special club.” Hojlund, who is recovering from a minor injury, will not be fully fit for a few weeks, though he is back in training. United targeted Hojlund while choosing not to bid for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen this summer and are excited by the potential of the former Sturm Graz player, who has six goals in as many caps for Denmark. Murtough added: “Rasmus is a truly exceptional talent; he possesses technical and physical attributes which rank him amongst the best players in the world for his age group. Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform; everyone across the club will ensure that he is given the time and all the support required to reach his immense potential “Throughout the summer we have acted quickly and decisively to secure our primary targets early in the transfer window. This will ensure that Erik and his coaches have the best opportunity to prepare the squad to push for further success in the exciting campaign ahead.” Hojlund becomes United’s third summer signing, after Mason Mount and Andre Onana and takes Ten Hag’s spending in this window to around £170m. Read More Manchester City sign second most expensive central defender in history Man United join Romeo Lavia chase as midfield transfers look set to shape the market A new era for old empires? How a summer of rebuilding could change the Premier League On This Day in 2019: Harry Maguire joins Manchester United Man Utd vs Lens: Kick-off time and how to watch on TV Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna backed to handle step up to the Championship
2023-08-05 20:16
Pope visits Fatima shrine in Portugal; skips key address
By Philip Pullella and Catarina Demony FATIMA, Portugal (Reuters) -Pope Francis visited the revered Catholic shrine of Fatima in Portugal
2023-08-05 19:48
Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury
England midfielder Katie Zelem admits it was bittersweet to make her World Cup debut knowing close friend Keira Walsh’s injury was the reason why. Manchester United captain Zelem started in England’s 6-1 victory over China, while Walsh has stepped up her recovery from the knee problem she sustained in the 1-0 victory over Denmark. Zelem, 27, was not part of boss Sarina Wiegman’s squad to face Brazil and Australia in April and confessed there was a time she did not think she would be on the plane to the World Cup. She said: “I think it’s a tough situation, to be honest, especially when Keira is one of my closest friends in the team. “I think you never want to be playing on someone else’s misfortune, but luckily we found out that Keira’s injury obviously wasn’t too long-term or serious, so that is brilliant news. “To be honest when I found out I wasn’t picked for the April camp I actually thought that was my World Cup dream over. “I think that was one of the hardest moments to take, especially following the Euros last year when I wasn’t selected. “It just kind of felt like there’s not another camp before obviously the selection. “I think for a couple of days I really thought I’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s just not meant to be, but we had some really important games at Manchester United, obviously fighting for the league title and the FA Cup final. “I think that really helped shift my focus to being the best I can for club and hopefully whatever I did was enough.” Walsh joined her team-mates at the Central Coast Stadium on Friday, though the Champions League winner took part in an individual programme while the remaining 22 Lionesses trained on the pitch. On Sunday they will travel to Brisbane ahead of Monday’s last-16 meeting with world number 40 side Nigeria, who emerged from Group B while Olympic champions Canada – 33 places above them in the global rankings – were sent packing alongside debutants the Republic of Ireland. Wiegman, who before this tournament had the reputation of being unfailingly consistent – starting the same XI for every match of England’s Euro 2022 triumph – has now shown she is willing to switch between players and systems to optimise the Lionesses’ chances of winning against sides with vastly different philosophies and approaches. The decision to switch to a 3-5-2 against China turned out to be an inspired choice, while new connections numerous players insisted were forming in training seemed to really start clicking as England played with more fluidity. On the flip side, even in the absence of Walsh, a regular place for someone like Zelem, who made not just her World Cup debut but earned her first senior England start in the final game of the group stage, is nowhere near a given. She said: “As much as we’re all pushing each other and fighting for the starting 11 spot, I think it really is a team effort. “You can see when different players come on and when different players start the sort of impact they make.” Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Women’s World Cup golden boot: Who’s leading the top-scorer standings? When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-08-05 19:28
Chelsea in talks over loan exits for Lewis Hall & Cesare Casadei
Chelsea are holding talks over loan moves for both Lewis Hall & Cesare Casadei.
2023-08-05 19:25
'This isn't some random dude with a duffel bag': To catch fentanyl traffickers, feds dig into crypto markets
The Biden administration has intensified its focus on tracing cryptocurrency payments that some of the most dangerous Mexican drug cartels use to buy fentanyl ingredients from Chinese chemical companies, the latest step in a renewed attempt to crack down on the multibillion-dollar fentanyl trade that kills thousands of Americans each year.
2023-08-05 19:18
