Latest news with #Reds
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool step up striker chase as talks begin with new target
All summer long the Reds have been linked with three forwards above all others. Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike have been the three names in the frame. Osimhen looks certain to clinch a move to Galatasaray with Liverpool not involved in the bidding at this stage. Advertisement Isak's £120m+ price tag has always been an impediment and the Merseysiders may well have to wait to land the Swede until his contract ticks down further. And Ekitike is a known target but Eintracht Frankfurt are insisting on €100m for the France under-21 international. Given Liverpool have already lavished around £200m on summer arrivals to this point, they will be looking to make sales before signing a new forward. Liverpool speaking with Mateta Even then, it would be a surprise to see the Anfield club come close to the fee they paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz. That's why a cut-price option up top sounds appealing - all the more so if the striker in question comes with added Premier League quality. Advertisement And that brings Jean-Philippe Mateta into focus - with Foot Mercato in France now claiming that the Crystal Palace forward has met with Liverpool over a transfer this summer. Mateta is under contract until 2027 at Selhurst Park and the 28-year-old could be available for €50m to €60m according to the report. Reds in battle with Man Utd 'Liverpool are keen on Jean-Philippe Mateta,' a report reads. 'There has been contact from the English champions regarding him. 'Mateta and his agent also met with Liverpool representatives in Paris.' Last season Mateta scored 14 Premier League goals and has also attracted the attention of Manchester United. Advertisement 'Liverpool will nevertheless have to go on the offensive quickly, since Manchester United is a candidate for Mateta's signature,' the report continues. It looks like Liverpool are determined to move on from Darwin Nunez during this transfer window. If a suitor can be found then expect Richard Hughes to accelerate efforts to sign a replacement - with Mateta now a firm target in his sights.
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
MLB All-Star Game Host Curse? Atlanta Braves On Pace To Continue Bizarre History
When an MLB team gets word that it's going to host the All-Star Game, it's met with excitement from the franchise, fan base and greater region. In reality, it should be met with horror — kind of like when an NFL team is told that it's going to be the subject of HBO's "Hard Knocks" or when Kylo Ren told Rey that she was a Palpatine. Anyway, the Atlanta Braves host tonight's 2025 MLB All-Star Game (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), and with the team 42-53, they're on pace to become the 12th club in 13 seasons – there was no All-Star Game in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic – to host the Midsummer Classic and miss the playoffs. Here's evidence of the curse. 2012 – Kansas City Royals The 2012 season wasn't a low point or a surprisingly dark year for the Royals, by any means. But it was still one that saw Kansas City post a losing record (72-90) for a ninth consecutive season. 2013 – New York Mets The 2013 season was the fifth of six losing seasons for the Mets. To boot, star third baseman David Wright missed extensive time post-All-Star break due to a hamstring strain, and it ultimately became the beginning of the end for the two-time Gold Glover's status as one of the premier players in the sport, as injuries perpetually got in his way over the next five years. 2014 – Minnesota Twins The 2014 season marked the fourth consecutive year that the Twins finished with a losing record, and long-time manager Ron Gardenhire was shown the door after 13 seasons in the dugout. Minnesota missed the playoffs in each of the next two years, as well. 2015 – Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati made the playoffs in both 2012 and 2013, but it followed those seasons with a 76-86 campaign in 2014 and a mere 64-win 2015, when it last hosted the All-Star Game. The Reds then shipped star right-hander Johnny Cueto to the Royals at the trade deadline, with Cueto then helping Kansas City win the World Series. The Reds then traded third baseman Todd Frazier, a 2014 and 2015 All-Star who won the 2015 Home Run Derby in Cincinnati, to the Chicago White Sox in the offseason. The Reds haven't won a playoff game since 2012. 2016 – San Diego Padres San Diego continued the trend in 2016. Going 68-94, the Padres missed the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season and posted their lowest win total since winning just 63 games in 2008. 2017 – Miami Marlins The Marlins hosted the All-Star Game and finished with 77 wins. Then, they decided to essentially trade every All-Star-caliber player on their roster: Miami dealt 2017 National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton, fellow star outfielders Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna and infielder Dee Gordon the following offseason. One year later, the Marlins traded star catcher J.T. Realmuto. In case you were wondering, the Marlins missed the playoffs in 2018, too. 2018 – Washington Nationals After winning the NL East in four of the past six seasons and making the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history (2016-17), the Nationals missed the playoffs when they hosted the All-Star Game in 2018. Then, homegrown star Bryce Harper bolted D.C. for the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason. Granted, the Nationals won the 2019 World Series. Still, Washington continued the trend by missing the playoffs and lost its then-franchise player before then. 2019 – Cleveland Guardians Cleveland was as good as any team in the sport for three seasons from 2016 through 2018, winning the 2016 AL pennant, an AL-best 102 games in 2017 and claiming the AL Central division title in three consecutive seasons. Then, 2019 happened, and you guessed it: Cleveland missed the playoffs despite winning 93 games. Two offseasons later, the Guardians traded star shortstop Francisco Lindor to the Mets. 2021 – Colorado Rockies The Rockies traded superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2020-21 offseason and then hosted the 2021 All-Star Game, in what became an otherwise quiet season. Finishing 74-87, Colorado missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season and hasn't appeared in the postseason since 2018. 2022 – Los Angeles Dodgers – The Outlier For the first time since the Arizona Diamondbacks did so in 2011, the team that hosted the MLB All-Star Game made the playoffs in 2022. Los Angeles went on to win 111 games in the regular season, the most by any MLB team since the Seattle Mariners won 116 games in 2001. But guess what happened? The Dodgers lost to the NL West rival Padres — who were playing without Fernando Tatis Jr. the entire season — in the NL Division Series in four games. So, even though the Dodgers made the postseason, they still faced a reckoning after hosting the Midsummer Classic. 2023 – Seattle Mariners In 2022, the Mariners made the playoffs for the first time since their aforementioned 116-win 2001 campaign. While they were swept by the Houston Astros in an eventful series — including a walk-off home run in Game 1 and an 18-inning Game 3 — the 2022 Mariners reinvigorated the Seattle fan base. Then, they missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and are currently clinging to the third AL wild-card seed for the 2025 playoffs at 51-45. What a coincidence! 2024 – Texas Rangers In another instance of "you can't make this up," the Rangers missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, brought in Bruce Bochy to manage the team in 2023 and had an active offseason, which led to them winning the 2023 World Series, the first championship in franchise history. Want to take a wild guess at what happened next? The Rangers missed the playoffs in 2024 and have a losing record in 2025 (48-49). 2025 – Atlanta Braves The Braves have made the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons, highlighted by winning the 2021 World Series. Naturally, they host Tuesday night's All-Star Game, are 9.5 games out of the No. 3 NL wild-card seed and stand in fourth place in the NL East. Furthermore, 16 of the past 19 teams to host the MLB All-Star Game have missed the playoffs. If the Braves right the ship post-All-Star break, then perhaps it's an exorcism at work. Until then, the All-Star Game host curse is alive and well. Denying reality only compounds the difficulty of changing it for the better. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! 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BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Newcastle insist Alexander Isak not for sale amid Liverpool interest in star man
Liverpool have not given up hope of prising striker Alexander Isak away from Newcastle, despite the Magpies' insistence he is not for sale. A report on Tuesday suggested the Reds are prepared to pay £120million for the 25-year-old Sweden international, who has been a huge hit at St James' Park since his £63million arrival from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022. Advertisement The PA news agency understands there has been no formal contact between the two clubs over a player who is the subject of long-standing interest from Anfield. Alexander Isak. 🇸🇪 — Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 15, 2025 However, sources on Merseyside have indicated Isak is among a series of options being considered this summer as the Reds look to bolster their attacking options in the wake of the death of Diogo Jota and the possible departures of Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa. The frontman, who is currently at a pre-season training camp in Austria with his team-mates, still has three years remaining on his contract on Tyneside and the Magpies, who are trying to tie him to a new deal, remain adamant he is going nowhere. It is understood they have put a value on him of around £150million in an attempt to ward off potential suitors. Advertisement Indeed, sources in the north east have insisted the club's ongoing pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who has also been linked with Liverpool, is no indication they are seeking a replacement for the Swede, but rather a new team-mate. Newcastle's majority owners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, have the financial clout to resist any approach should they remain steadfast in their determination to hang on to a player who is understood not to be agitating for a move. But in the age of profit and sustainability rules – head coach Eddie Howe was forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last summer to avoid a points deduction – a formal bid which would all but double their money inside three years might at least cause them to pause for thought. LOOK AT THOSE SCENES 😍😍😍 — Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 16, 2025 Neither club has commented on the situation, which will prompt frenzied speculation on the banks of both the Mersey and the Tyne. Advertisement Isak, who has also been repeatedly linked with Arsenal, has been one of the flag-bearers for Newcastle's return to prominence under their new owners. His goals last season helped to fire the club into the Champions League for the second time in three years, and it was his strike at Wembley in March that effectively secured a 2-1 Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool which ended the Magpies' 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy. Meanwhile, Liverpool have told Bayern Munich Luis Diaz is not for sale after rejecting a £59million bid. PA understands the Bundesliga champions' offer of 67.5million euros (£58.6m) was immediately dismissed, in keeping with the club's stance which saw them rebuff an approach from Barcelona earlier in the summer. Advertisement Diaz is in the last two years of his contract and, while talks have not progressed over a new deal, privately Liverpool insist he remains an important player and interested clubs are being told that. There is also a long-standing interest from the Saudi Pro League in the 28-year-old Colombia international. Liverpool have rejected a £59million bid from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA. Al-Hilal's failed 100m euros (£87m) bid for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who is two years older, is viewed by some as a benchmark valuation for an elite attacker in the domestic and global market, but regardless there remains no appetite to sell. Only a few weeks ago Diaz hinted at uncertainty over his future by claiming his representatives were openly discussing his options. Advertisement 'We are currently in contact with Liverpool, because we are talking to clubs, and that's normal given the transfer market that's opening,' he said last month. 'We're trying to arrange what's best for us.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I'm a Newcastle fan and Liverpool's Alexander Isak transfer interest deeply worries us all'
It should come as no surprise that when I heard the news of Liverpool's approach to sign Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, I sighed heavily. On Tuesday, it was reported that the Reds had approached the Magpies over a potential move that could see Liverpool bolster their attack with Newcastle's star striker. While understands no formal offer has been submitted, it is widely understood Newcastle also has zero intention of selling the Swedish international. In fact, Newcastle responded quickly and firmly to the approach. Advertisement For the record, while I write occasionally for I am a Newcastle fan, born and bred. When Isak scored the second goal in the Carabao Cup final last season against Liverpool, I was left in a state of disbelief, laughing uncontrollably at the fact that we might win some silverware. READ MORE: Liverpool and Newcastle handed new twist amid Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike transfer standoff READ MORE: Liverpool fans get their wish as Reds make first transfer move for Alexander Isak Over the last two years, Newcastle fans have had to deal with Isak being heavily, and I mean HEAVILY, linked with Arsenal, almost to the point where it got a bit weird. Advertisement However, while a move to Arsenal never really looked to be close to happening, this interest from Liverpool worries all of us, for several reasons. The first of which is this: if Liverpool really wants to sign Isak, who scored 23 goals in the Premier League last term, they probably could. For Newcastle to part with their star forward, it would take more than the £120 million ($161m) Liverpool reportedly approached the Magpies with, a figure that could be reachable should the Reds sell Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz for big fees. Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has previously spoken highly of Liverpool -Credit:(Photo by) More importantly, however, what makes it harder for Newcastle fans is that Isak is, alongside the Premier League's record goal scorer, Alan Shearer, the best striker many have seen. On his day, he is absolutely unplayable. Advertisement And if you were to take emotions out of it, realistically, for Isak, a move to Merseyside represents the opportunity for him to immediately be able to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League. While Newcastle want to be able to compete for those trophies under the ownership of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, they are still miles behind Liverpool at almost every level. The second reason Liverpool's interest worries me as a Newcastle supporter is what it says to the likes of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento. Selling your star striker, who helped you win your first trophy in 70 years, is likely not going to go down well with Newcastle's key players, especially with a huge season on the horizon for the club. Alexander Isak scored twice against Liverpool last season, including in the League Cup final. -Credit:2025 Getty Images While they have added Anthony Elanga, Newcastle has missed out this summer on the likes of Bryan Mbuemo (although are Manchester United actually going to sign him?), Joao Pedro and Liam Delap. If they lose Isak too, where on earth does that leave them in terms of recruitment? Advertisement That then feeds into the third reason. Newcastle, up until yesterday, were widely expected to be leading the charge to sign Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who is also a target for Liverpool. However, the approach for Isak from Liverpool is two-pronged. If Newcastle hold firm and say Isak isn't for sale, there is nothing to stop Liverpool from trying to land Ekitike, with Newcastle having done all the legwork on working towards a fee, only to have the Reds jump in at the last second, leaving the Magpies without a player they have wanted since January 2022. But, conversely, if they do keep hold of Isak, which they want to (and for my money, must do), then what is to stop the Swede from running down his contract next? He will have one year left on his deal next summer and Newcastle will be in a much worse position to negotiate than they are this summer. All in all, you can't blame Liverpool for operating shrewdly in the transfer market. They've made Newcastle's life difficult with the approach for Isak and the Magpies will have to think long and hard about whether or not to sell up.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate rejects transfer approach to quit Anfield THIS summer
Ibrahima Konate is attracting interest from Real Madrid after entering the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has snubbed a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League, insisting he wants to remain in Europe. The France international centre-back has now entered the final year of his contract at Anfield and at this moment in time, is not close to signing fresh terms on Merseyside. Discussions with Liverpool have reached deadlock in recent months and Real Madrid are thought to be eyeing Konate on a free transfer after recently landing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Arne Slot's champions. However, in the past week, it's understood an unnamed club from Saudi Arabia contacted Konate via his representatives to register an interest in signing the ex-RB Leipzig stalwart THIS summer. But Konate rebuffed the chance to sit down at the negotiating table and instead outlined his commitment to staying in Europe, where he wants to continue competing at the highest level. Had Konate provided any encouragement that he was open to the move, the unnamed suitor would have been ready to kickstart talks with Liverpool over a deal. Liverpool would like to resolve Konate's ongoing contract saga but there is a growing sense the 26-year-old may now be holding out for a move to Real Madrid and he'd be free to speak with Los Blancos from January 1. The Reds are open to recruiting another central defender before the transfer window shuts having recently sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in a £35million deal. They're a little light at the heart of defence, though Wataru Endo is viewed as potential cover alongside Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson also slotted in at left centre-back in the friendly win over Preston. Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is on Liverpool's shortlist and they've also looked at Ajax's Holland U21 international Jorrel Hato. Whether Liverpool would consider bids for Konate this summer - given the prospect of a new contract is currently up in the air - remains to be seen given they're yet to receive any formal proposals for his services. For now, the champions appear to be prioritising the signing of a marquee attacker after lodging an enquiry for Newcastle's talisman Alexander Isak. The Magpies do not want to sell but the Reds are also threatening to muscle in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike if Newcastle do not play ball. Eddie Howe's side have already seen a bid worth up to £69m including add-ons rejected for the Frenchman, who they'd like to pair with Isak at St James' Park. In the meantime, Liverpool have also rejected an initial offer worth up to £58.6m from Bayern Munich for Luis Diaz. The Colombian international is thought to be open to a transfer but Liverpool want to keep the player and believe Bayern's bid is way below fair market value. Napoli have also been pursuing Darwin Nunez, who is also the subject of fresh interest from the Middle East, but so far the Italians have not got close to Liverpool's asking price.
