Alexander Isak has been told he is "killing the squad" at Newcastle United as he continues to try and secure a Liverpool transfer.

• Isak wants to leave Newcastle
• Pushing for Liverpool transfer
• Warned he is "killing the squad"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Manchester United and Newcastle star Nicky Butt has laid into Isak as he tries to force a way out of St James' Park. The Sweden international has reportedly refused to play for Eddie Howe's side as he trains away from the first team – which has prompted Butt to call out the 25-year-old's "sickening" behaviour.

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  WHAT BUTT SAID

  He told BetMGM: "People make mistakes. I seem to remember Wayne Rooney having rumours around him and he stayed and went on to become Manchester United’s record goalscorer – but the way this one [the Isak situation] has gone on, it would have been 'see you later'. When the player is repeatedly saying it – and he has been for two or three weeks now, [Alexander] Isak – it’s just different. It isn’t one quote that he didn’t mean, so he would have been moved on by now. I hope that Newcastle do that. They’re an amazing, big football club with an unbelievable fanbase. They’ve given him the platform to become the superstar he is now and changed his and his family’s lives. I think the way he’s behaved is sickening, really, but I do think he will get his move to Liverpool."

  Butt added: "It’s really messy. He’s obviously got his reasons but I would hate it… hate that he thought I wasn’t good enough for him to play with me. It wouldn’t happen in the changing rooms that I was in. You’d maybe let it go once or twice. But the way this one has gone on is too far. I actually think the senior players, the leadership team, should go to the club and say they don’t want him around. It’s killing the squad; the way he is behaving is so selfish. Football is a job sometimes for these lads, no more than that. He’s not from Newcastle, he’s not a Geordie, he’s just thinking about his next move and how he gets to his dream – winning the Champions League or whatever it may be. He’s got his reasons but there are ways of going about these things.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Isak is intent on joining Liverpool but it will take a Premier League record fee to convince Newcastle to sell him. The former Real Sociedad man has gone from being a club icon, after helping the Magpies beat Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup earlier this year, to public enemy number one with his wantaway actions. To make matters worse, this comes during a summer where Newcastle have repeatedly missed out on top transfer targets.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Time is running out for all three parties to agree on a transfer, with less than three weeks of the summer window remaining. It is up in the air whether or not Liverpool meet Newcastle's price tag or if Isak will remain in exile at the Magpies.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is in talks to join Canada’s Global T20 league, after pulling out of the Hundred citing a desire to spend time with his family. The two leagues are set to clash directly in 2024 and Afridi’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the Hundred’s standing.Afridi played in the Hundred for the first time last year, taking six wickets in six appearances for Welsh Fire. He was retained by mutual agreement on a contract worth £100,000 – the second-highest salary band in the league – for the 2024 season, but has now pulled out of his deal. The ECB confirmed his withdrawal on Monday.”I’m sad to miss out on playing for Welsh Fire this year,” Afridi was quoted as saying in a press release. “I enjoyed the Hundred a lot last season, and I was excited about being back in Cardiff. I wish Mike [Hussey, Welsh Fire’s coach] and the team the best of luck for 2024.”Related

• Lancashire want IPL link for Manchester Originals

• ECB finalises process for Hundred private investment

• MLC 2024 to begin on July 5, set for six-day clash with the Hundred

• Pakistan men's players to get landmark central contracts

ESPNcricinfo understands that Afridi’s official explanation to the ECB was that he is reluctant to commit to spending four weeks away from his family. The Hundred starts on July 23 and ends on August 18, with players expected to report a few days before their opening match.Pakistan players are only permitted two No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to play in foreign leagues per season, as per the terms of their central contracts with the PCB. Afridi is already locked into a long-term deal with the Avram Glazer-owned Desert Vipers in UAE’s ILT20.Rather than using his second NOC on the Hundred, Afridi will instead consider playing in the Global T20, a privately-run league in Canada, which is set to return for a fourth season in 2024. The league’s organisers are yet to announce a schedule but it is expected to run from July 25 until August 11 – a slightly shorter window than the Hundred.The first two editions of the Global T20 were in 2018 and 2019 but it was postponed indefinitely during the Covid pandemic. It returned unexpectedly in 2023, attracting a strong cast of overseas players including Andre Russell, Mohammad Rizwan and Shakib Al Hasan, running at a similar time to the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC).The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) has received reports of late or non-payment issues with the Global T20 in the past 24 months. As a result, FICA recommends on its leagues hub that “any participating players request advanced payment”.Matt Henry, the New Zealand seamer, has been confirmed as Afridi’s replacement at Welsh Fire in the Hundred. He could miss the start of the tournament if San Francisco Unicorns, his MLC franchise, reach the play-offs, with around half of the men’s overseas players signed up for the Hundred in a similar situation.The ECB’s desire to compete with salaries on offer in other leagues is among the reasons underpinning their decision to open the Hundred up to private investment. Four other Pakistan players are under contract in the men’s Hundred for 2024: Naseem Shah (Birmingham Phoenix), Haris Rauf (Welsh Fire), Imad Wasim (Trent Rockets) and Usama Mir (Manchester Originals).

أدلى آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، بتصريحات عقب فوزهم على آرسنال مساء يوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وخاض ليفربول مباراته في الجولة الثالثة من الدوري الإنجليزي، 2025/26 ضد آرسنال على ملعب “الأنفيلد” حيث فاز بهدف دون رد.

وقال سلوت، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “إذا فزنا على فريق مثل آرسنال، الذي كان فريقًا قويًا للغاية الموسم الماضي وعزز صفوفه بشكل كبير، فإن ذلك أمر إيجابي للغاية، سنعرف في نهاية الموسم قيمة ذلك الفوز”.

وأضاف: “بالاستماع إلى ما قاله جيمي كاراجر ورأيه أننا كنا منفتحين للغاية على الصعيد الدفاعي ضد بورنموث، فقد قررنا أن نجعل مباراة اليوم مملة! بشكل جاد خاطروا باللعب في المواجهات الفردية، كان ذلك صعبًا لأنهم جعلوا جميع لاعبي خط الوسط قريبين جدًا من الدفاع”.

وواصل: “مباراة هادئة، فريقان متكافئان تمامًا، شعرت أننا سيطرنا على الشوط الثاني، لكن الشوطين كانا غاية في الروعة، في الشوط الثاني ضغطنا بشكل جيد للغاية، في رأيي سيطرنا على المباراة بعد 45 دقيقة، في النهاية كنا في حاجة إلى لحظة سحرية”.

وفيما يخص دومينيك سوبوسلاي، قال: “مرة أخرى، أعمل معه الآن لفترة أطويل بقليل من مجرد موسم واحد، ولكنه يُظهر جوهر ليفربول، إذا اضطر للعب في مركز الجناح الأيمن أو الظهير الأيمن أو خط الوسط، فإنه يقدم أفضل ما لديه، كان رائعًا اليوم كذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سوبوسلاي: خاطرت بقراري أمام آرسنال.. وتذكرت لاعب ليفربول السابق

واسترسل: “لقد خضنا مباريات صعبة، على عكس الموسم الماضي عندما بدأنا دون مواجهة فرق احتلت المراكز العشرة الأولى، إنها بداية أصعب، هو ما لاحظته كذلك في المباراة، الآن لدينا 9 نقاط وهذا أمر إيجابي، لكنني ذكّرت لاعبينا أيضًا أننا في الموسم الماضي كان لدينا تسع نقاط بعد ثلاث مباريات، لكننا خسرنا في المباراة الرابعة أمام نوتينجهام”.

وعندما سُئل عن مدى انشغاله في اليوم الأخير من موسم الانتقالات، غدًا، قال: “مشغول للغاية لأن عليً ركوب الطائرة في الساعة الثانية، دعونا ننتظر ونرى، لم أتحدث إلى المدير الرياضي بعد”.

واستكمل: “لا أعتقد أنه من المفاجئ أننا نحاول معرفة ما إذا كان بإمكاننا تعزيز الفريق، ولكن إذا لم يكن ذلك ممكنًا، فنحن سعداء للغاية بفعل ذلك مع هذا الفريق”.

وعما إذا كانت إصابة إبراهيما كوناتي اليوم تجعل الحاجة إلى ضم مدافع جديد أكثر ضرورة، قال: “ليس من السهل طلب ذلك، اضطررت إلى استبعاد لاعب من القائمة وكان قلب دفاع (لم يتواجد جيوفاني ليوني في التشكيل الأساسي أو دكة البدلاء بسبب اكتمال عدد اللاعبين)، أعتقد إننا جيدون للغاية في ذلك المركز”.

واختتم: “أظن أن كوناتي يعاني من مجرد تشنج عضلي، لا أعتقد كونها إصابة، علينا معرفة ذلك في الفترة المقبلة”.

Michael Olise has been tipped as Bayern Munich’s next leader after Thomas Muller compared him to club legend Franck Ribery.

• Muller says Olise can become Bayern’s future leader
• Compared Frenchman to club legend Ribery
• 23-year-old enjoyed stunning first season in Germany

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In an interview with , the German legend hailed Olise as Bayern’s “absolute top performer” and even drew parallels with former team-mate Ribery. Muller, who left Bayern Munich after 25 years with the club, believes the Frenchman has the qualities to become a future leader for the club, pointing to his confidence and ability to take responsibility on the pitch without needing to be vocal. 

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  Olise joined Bayern from Crystal Palace last summer for a fee of around €60 million (£51m/$65m), signing a five-year deal until June 2029. His first season in Munich couldn’t have gone much better, scoring 17 goals, providing 17 assists, and lifting the first team trophy of his career with the Bundesliga title. Muller, who made his MLS debut for Vancouver Whitecaps recently, also insisted Bayern won’t lack leadership after his departure. He highlighted Aleksandar Pavlovic and Josip Stanisic as role models who “absolutely embody FC Bayern.” 

• WHAT THOMAS MULLER SAID

  Muller heaped high praise on former Crystal Palace midfielder, saying: "He can become the player who leads the way for Bayern in the future, as Franck Ribery did in my time.

  “Olise is a guy who clearly signals: ‘Give me the ball, I’ll take care of it!’ That’s how you can lead a team without being a big loudmouth."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MICHAEL OLISE?

  Bayern, who recently won the German Supercup after defeating Stuttgart, will begin their Bundesliga campaign on August 22 against RB Leipzig, with Olise expected to play a central role in their attack. Fans will be eager to see if the 23-year-old can build on his breakout season and live up to Muller’s high praise.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo contou com um golaço de Galoppo na derrota de virada para o Bragantino por 2 a 1, nesta quarta-feira (8), pelo Campeonato Paulista. Nos vestiários, o técnico Rogério Ceni comentou sobre a utilização do argentino na equipe tricolor e mais uma vez indicou onde pretende usá-lo. Assista no vídeo acima!

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Al-Nassr have released their new home kit for the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season as Cristiano Ronaldo aims to pick up his first silverware with the club.

New home kit officially releasedRonaldo and Felix show off shirtKick off Saudi Pro League season on FridayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr kick off their new league season on Friday and have a new golden kit to wear for the campaign. "From Riyadh’s sunrise to matchday lights, Nassr always shines," is how the club have introduced the new home shirt on social media. The Portuguese superstar is front and centre of the kit release as he prepares to lead the team once again.

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Ronaldo signed a new two-year contract at the club over the summer, ending speculation about a potential transfer away. The club have also been active in the transfer market in the summer in a bid to strengthen the squad. Former Barcelona star Inigo Martinez has arrived along with Ronaldo's Portugal international team-mate Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich.

WHAT AL-NASSR SAID

The club said: "A legacy that never fades..Every year, a new look—But the badge of AlNassr makes it timeless. He is the greatness that is untouchable..Years and he is climbing the peaks .. Great and grand. In every year .. A new kit. And every year .. The slogan of Nasr Al-Jazeera is more beautiful."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Al-Nassr will be hoping this is the kit that Ronaldo wears when he finally wins a trophy with the club. The Saudi side kick off their league campaign on Friday against Al-Taawoun.

Las Águilas discussed the ambitious goal while unveiling their new signings for the Apertura 2025

Another signing is not ruled out.Club seeks to renew Brian RodríguezCáceres received two offers from EuropeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Club América sporting president Santiago Baños confirmed Friday that the club is pushing to stage an official Liga MX match in the United States, joining a global trend of leagues exploring regular season games abroad. 

“We will do everything possible to make it happen,” Baños said, citing examples like La Liga’s proposed Barcelona-Villarreal clash in the U.S.

The comments came as América officially unveiled their Apertura 2025 reinforcements at Coapa, where Allan Saint-Maximin, José Zúñiga, Alexis Gutiérrez, Isaís Violente, and Ralph Orquín posed in the jersey. Baños praised the roster but admitted changes could still come before the transfer window closes: “If someone leaves, we’ll look to replace that spot. Otherwise, we consider the squad complete.”

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Baños also addressed criticism of América’s transfer activity ahead of the current tournament, where the team sits fourth with 11 points and remains unbeaten. 

“People blow the criticism out of proportion. We come from a three-peat and are fighting for a fourth straight title. If that’s considered a crisis, then imagine how the rest of the teams are doing. América will always be the club that dominates headlines and airtime,” he said.

Getty Images SportWHAT SANTIAGO BAÑOS SAID

Regarding Sebastián Cáceres and Brian Rodríguez, both linked with possible moves abroad, Baños was straightforward. 

“No one is indispensable here, not Sebas, not Brian. Whoever wants to leave has the door open.” He explained that the bids for Cáceres did not meet expectations for “a national team player,” while in Rodríguez’s case, he revealed that a renewal offer is already on the table and could be finalized next week.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA?

face Atlas this Sunday in Matchday 6 as they look to remain unbeaten and stay at the top of the table.

Nuno Espirito Santo has dropped a bombshell after revealing his relationship with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has broken down.

• Nuno future as Forest boss is uncertain
• Claims relationship with owner has changed
• Uncertainty has spread to the playing squad

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Forest boss made the stunning revelations after a summer of uncertainty over transfer dealings, which has had a negative effect on his relationship with the owner. The players are aware of the uneasy feeling between the pair and the Portuguese boss' position is not considered safe, according to .

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  Forest beat Brentford in their season curtain-raiser and have European football to look forward to, but summer dealings have led to a thawing in relations between boss and owner. Nuno said: "We have doubts, who is going to be (here), when are they (new signings) going to come? All these things create doubts."

• WHAT NUNO SAID

  Nuno said: "I always had a very good relationship with the owner – last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well (between us) but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us. Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. I think everyone at the club should be together but this is not the reality."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FOREST?

  It was meant to be a season of celebration for Forest after being promoted to the Europa League having initially qualified for the Conference League, replacing Crystal Palace due to the Eagles falling foul of ownership rules. It's the south London team they face this weekend.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após ter terminado a fase de grupos do Campeonato Paulista com a melhor campanha geral, o Palmeiras se prepara para enfrentar o São Bernardo pelas quartas de final. A partida acontecerá no sábado (11), às 19h, no Allianz Parque. O Verdão precisa de apenas dois pontos para garantir o mando de campo até o final da competição.

> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui

O Verdão terminou a fase de grupos com a melhor campanha geral do estadual e na primeira posição no Grupo D com 28 pontos, enquanto a equipe do ABC foi a vice-colocada com 26 (com a segunda melhor campanha geral). Agora, os times se enfrentam em busca de avançar para as semifinais do Paulistão.

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Caso o Alviverde se classifique contra o Bernô, garante automaticamente a vantagem de atuar como mandante até a final, se chegar até lá, visto que São Paulo ou Água Santa, se conquistarem duas vitórias, só chegam a 29 pontos, pontuação que o Palmeiras já alcança com apenas um empate.

Portanto, mesmo se o Verdão avançar à final somente com dois empates e se classifique nos pênaltis, vai somar, no mínimo, mais um ponto na fase semifinal e chegará à grande decisão.

O Corinthians tem apenas 22 pontos e, mesmo se chegar até a decisão, só alcançaria no máximo 28 pontos, o que também não seria suficiente para superar o Verdão. Com isso, a equipe comandada pelo técnico Abel Ferreira deve entrar em campo com força máxima para garantir a vantagem de atuar diante da sua torcida até uma possível final.

>Palmeiras x São Bernardo: saiba onde assistir ao jogo válido pelas quartas do Paulistão

O Palmeiras não fica fora das semifinais do Paulistão desde 2014. Campeão da última edição, o Alviverde agora busca o bicampeonato estadual e o segundo título do ano. O primeiro foi a Supercopa do Brasil, diante do Flamengo, no dia 28 de janeiro.

Alexis Sanchez has returned to La Liga after 11 years, joining Sevilla on a one-year deal. Sanchez's last spell in Spain was with Barcelona, where he spent three years before joining Arsenal. He then briefly played for Manchester United before heading to Italy, where he turned out for Inter and took in a second stint at Udinese.

• Sanchez joins Sevilla
• Returns to La Liga after 11 years
• Left Udinese after one season

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  On transfer deadline day, Sevilla announced the arrival of veteran forward Sanchez from Udinese as the 36-year-old Chile international signed a one-year contract. Sanchez returned to Udinese last summer on a two-year deal, but his stay at the Italian side lasted just one season.

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• WHAT SEVILLA SAID

  Sevilla released an official statement confirming Sanchez's arrival, which read: "Sevilla FC and Udinese Calcio have reached an agreement for the signing of Chilean striker Alexis Sánchez to the Sevilla club for one season. With a career that few can match and having played for many of the biggest clubs in the world of football, Alexis arrives at Nervión to bring his experience and goal-scoring instincts. His trophy cabinet includes, among other trophies: a Spanish league title, a Copa del Rey title, two FA Cups, two Serie A titles, two Italian Cups, a European Super Cup, a Club World Cup, and two Copa América titles with Chile , with which he has accumulated 168 senior caps."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  In an illustrious two-decade-long career, Sanchez has won multiple trophies in three different European countries, and has scored 165 career goals. Sevilla decided to sign the Chile international on deadline day after Dodi Lukebakio left for Benfica for €30 million (£26m/$35m).

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SANCHEZ?

  Sanchez could make his debut for Sevilla after the international break as the Spanish side take on Elche in a La Liga clash. They are currently 12th in the table after recording two losses and only one win in their first three games of the new season.