List of All Articles with Tag 'ports'

The newly established Professional Women’s Hockey League unveiled its Original Six franchises with franchises based in NHL markets with track records of supporting the women’s game

The U.S. Open is the noisiest of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments

It was, not for the first time in football, a Jose Mourinho call that proved persuasive. The Roma manager last week rang Romelu Lukaku personally to say he was exactly what they were missing. “We have a good team but we are missing a champion,” Mourinho said. The Portuguese also explained to Lukaku exactly how he would work with Paulo Dybala. The hope is that the loan move reignites Roma’s faltering start to the season, and Lukaku’s career. Staying at Chelsea, while something that manager Mauricio Pochettino at least toyed with, was never really on. The club want to go in a new direction based on younger players developing in their career and capable of going to higher levels. That will be a consideration as they look for a forward in the final days of the window, although there is an expectation they will eventually move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney. The entire Lukaku situation says a lot about this summer’s market, and how it was influenced by the chase for forwards and Saudi Pro League money. The Belgian had a huge offer from the newly disruptive league from the off, that would have more than quadrupled his current wages. Lukaku wasn’t prepared to go there, though, and leave the top end of the game. It had long been anticipated that he would stay at Internazionale, where he was on loan last season, but there were already doubts in his mind. Lukaku felt he was back in top physical condition from the spring, with the goals to prove it, which made it all the more surprising that he was so often left on the bench for big games. Edin Dzeko might have been enjoying a late career surge, but the very fact that Inter manager Simone Inzaghi knew the Bosnian was leaving made it surprising that he didn’t seek to use Lukaku more. Lukaku felt it was better to move on, which is where Juventus came in. As with Roma now, a huge attraction in Juventus wasn’t just the status of the club but also the status of the manager. Lukaku was convinced by Max Allegri. There was just one major problem, as it turned out: Juventus first had to sell Dusan Vlahovic before bringing in Lukaku. This is what took the move so long. In talking with Chelsea about Lukaku, Juventus assured them there was a market for Vlahovic, and it was just a matter of time. That didn’t prove to be the case, despite a series of top clubs wanting strikers – including Chelsea themselves. All of them had Vlahovic on their list, but quite far down. It is quite an unexpected development for a player who turned down Arsenal over a year ago, although unfortunate fitness issues haven’t helped. Either way, Bayern Munich were singularly focused on Harry Kane. Paris Saint-Germain are likely to get Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani, and Vlahovic isn’t seen as a good fit for new PSG manager Luis Enrique in any case. Manchester United were never interested, as they pursued Rasmus Hojlund. “There was no place for him on the chessboard,” in the words of one involved figure. It got to the point where Juventus even turned around and offered Vlahovic to Chelsea. It never happened, though, which left the forward frustrated. There was also the complication that Chelsea were at that point insistent on Lukaku moving on a permanent transfer rather than another loan. It was then that Roma and AC Milan came in, and delicate negotiation was required by Roc Nation’s Alan Redmond and Michael Yormark, as well as Belgian lawyer Sebastien Ledure. The former had the benefit of a good relationship with Chelsea, as Roma took the lead by having Mourinho speak to the player and eventually sending a party to London to do the deal over the weekend. The Portuguese was adamant they don’t come back without getting it done. Milan never went so far, although the interest from almost all of the country’s major clubs reflects Lukaku’s reputation in Italy, where has been hailed as “the king of Serie A”. After long negotiations, and a lot of details to be finalised, a deal on a loan fee was eventually struck. Roma and Lukaku will now press ahead seeking to fire their season. Chelsea will press ahead trying to bring in one more forward before the window closes. Another domino in this interconnected forward market has gone, though. Whether that clears the way or makes it harder to navigate remains to be seen. Read More Chelsea’s Academy stars can rise to Carabao Cup challenge – Mauricio Pochettino Roma set to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on season-long loan Roma officials fly to London for talks with Chelsea over Romelu Lukaku loan deal Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku must share blame for standoff

The Dominican Republic advanced to the knockout stage at the World Cup with a 75-67 victory over Angola

Manchester United are in talks with Lyon about a permanent move for Argentina World Cup winner Nicolas Tagliafico. While the French Ligue 1 club want €6m (£5.15m) plus bonuses, there is still some way to go in any deal, as United would prefer a loan for a position they didn't anticipate having to sign for until Luke Shaw's injury. The Old Trafford hierarchy could prefer to save any money for a midfielder signing, which is the main priority in the remaining days. Talks are ongoing with Lyon, though, as the player himself wants to move. Ajax wanted the 30-year-old wanted to return to Amsterdam but he did not want to return and United now offer an alternative option. United spent over £150m this summer on Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, but their start to the season has remained unconvincing despite wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest. Defeat to Spurs saw Erik ten Hag criticise his side’s approach. The Red Devils face last season’s runners-up Arsenal at the weekend in their next match, before hosting Brighton after the international break. Read More Luis Rubiales news LIVE: President’s mother hunger ends enters second day ‘I am willing to die:’ Luis Rubiales’ mother continues hunger strike inside church Fan who threw bucket at goalkeeper jailed for three months

Royce Lewis became the first Minnesota Twins player to hit a grand slam in consecutive games

The Rugby World Cup will take place against the backdrop of a concussion lawsuit that has similarities to one settled by the NFL in 2013 at a likely cost of more than $1 billion

Through two games of this FIBA World Cup, the players who lead USA Basketball team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots all share something in common

Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks

Top pitching prospect Kyle Harrison struck out 11 for his first career victory in an electrifying home debut with San Francisco, and the Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 for their third consecutive win

Novak Djokovic has made a winning return to the U.S. Open

The Atlanta Braves' game against the Colorado Rockies on Monday was delayed momentarily when two spectators ran onto the field, approached and made contact with Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. at Denver's Coors Field.