AC Milan are planning to use Croatia legend Luka Modric to help land his former Real Madrid team-mate Andriy Lunin in case their star goalkeeper Mike Maignan exits the club as a free agent. Maignan, a France international, looks set to leave the Italian club at the end of the season, with no new contract talks scheduled with the Serie A giants.

Maignan set to leave AC Milan

With his contract expiring at the end of this season, Maignan can begin negotiations with other clubs as early as January, raising the possibility of leaving Milan on a free transfer next summer. The Rossoneri had reportedly offered an extension until 2028, increasing his salary from €2.8 million to €5.5m per year, but he has not been convinced to sign on the dotted line with reporting that no further talks are scheduled between the goalkeeper and club. 

Maignan is reportedly demanding a fee in the region of €8m, which is significantly higher than what the Italian giants are offering. Juventus have emerged as serious contenders for Maignan's signature, while top European clubs like Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the race. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMilan want Madrid's Lunin

With Maignan unlikely to stay back, AC Milan have started their search for a new No.9 at San Siro and reports that they have included Real Madrid's Ukrainian custodian Lunin. further claims that Los Blancos value the Ukraine international in the region of €25m. 

Lunin is represented by famous football agent Jordge Mendez, a representative with whom Milan have worked in the past. Mendez also represents former Milan star Joao Felix and Pervis Estupinan and Rafael Leao. The report also adds that the Italian giants are hoping that Modric, who joined them from Madrid, would play a key role in the club's negotiation with Lunin and convince him to move to Milan. 

Why do top European clubs want Maignan?

The French goalkeeper has established himself as one of the best in his position in Europe during his time in Milan. He's also the No.1 for France and wore the captain's armband back in October in the absence of injured skipper Kylian Mbappe. France boss Didier Deschamps explained why he went with his goalkeeper, as he said: "Mike is a leader. Against Azerbaijan, when Kylian came off, Mike took over the armband. The fact that he has been able to play so many matches means that he is solid. He is a great competitor, even in training. He is a workaholic, sometimes a little too much in my opinion. But that's how he is." 

The stopper also does not lack confidence. When asked if he is the best goalkeeper in the world, he told : "I’m not going to say, no. There are a lot of great goalkeepers around. I only focus on myself. I know my potential. I believe in myself. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am. I don’t feel I’m a spectacular keeper. I try to do things in the simplest way possible.”

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How is it going for Modric at Milan?

After spending more than a decade at Santiago Bernabeu, where he established himself as an all-time great in world football, Modric finally left Madrid this summer to join AC Milan on a free transfer. The veteran midfielder has appeared in 15 matches for the club thus far in all competitions, where he has scored one goal and provided two assists.

When asked why he chose to move to Italy, Modrid had earlier said: "After Real, I've always said it, wherever you go it's a step down. There is no doubt about this and all players can confirm it. But I think I arrived at a club that is very close to Real Madrid in terms of reputation and history: for me it is the most ideal situation that could have happened to me. Especially because I love Milan and as a child I grew up with Italian football. Milan was the club I adored the most. When Milan's option presented itself, it was the right one for me."

He added: "The city is wonderful. People welcomed me phenomenally, both inside and outside the club. The teammates, the coach, the fans, everything is really high-level. You can see that Milan is a great historic club, one of the biggest in the world. You can feel it at every step, so I'm really happy and I'm enjoying all of this."

New York Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning suffered a scary non-contact injury during his start against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night at Citi Field.

In the top of the third inning with one out and one runner on, Canning, facing Braves shortstop Nick Allen, delivered an 0-1 slider which resulted in a groundout out to short. But as Canning landed on the mound, his left leg seemed to awkwardly plant, and the Mets starter hobbled off the mound and dropped to the ground in the infield grass, where he laid as Mets players, manager Carlos Mendoza and team trainers surrounded him.

Canning was then helped off the field.

Mets color analyst Ron Darling initially feared an Achilles injury for Canning, but the Mets announced that it was an ankle injury for the starter and that he would undergo imaging.

Canning, 29, in December of 2024 signed a one-year contract with the Mets. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native is in the midst of a bounce-back season, as he has pitched to a 7-3 record and a 3.77 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings pitched in 2025.

Bryce Harper was none too pleased after he was rung up on a check swing Friday night against the Detroit Tigers.

The Philadelphia Phillies star thought he was walked when he saw a low payoff pitch from Tigers reliever Will Vest with two runners in scoring position and first base open with two outs. Harper checked his swing, though, and Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler challenged to third-base umpire Vic Carapazza, who ruled Harper went around and was subsequently out on strikes.

Upset at the call, he gestured toward Carapazza and repeated "there's no way," maybe with an added expletive. That ended his night a tad early, take a look:

After the pitch, Harper put his bat down and started to take off his shin guard, preparing to go to first base before he was called out. Whether he went around or not was certainly a close call.

On the night, he was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk. Despite the late ejection, the Phillies were able to come out on top with a 5-4 win after a two-run eighth inning. They scored three runs in the seventh before Harper was tossed.

England’s attack leader endures a luckless day with DRS but still prises out two key wickets

Matt Roller02-Jul-2025

Chris Woakes trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal in front, and the batter survived on umpire’s call•PA Images via Getty Images

“That is a f***ing joke,” Chris Woakes was caught muttering to himself on Edgbaston’s giant screen, after umpire Sharfuddoula’s on-field decision of not out was upheld via umpire’s call by the DRS. It was out of earshot, but reflected both a rare outward glimpse of Woakes’ inner steel and his disbelief that he would end a faultless opening spell with a solitary wicket to his name.It was also a moment that summed up England’s mood on the first day, as their attack toiled hard with some success only to walk off at the close with India slightly ahead of the game after being sent in. Woakes was the clear pick of the attack, although his figures of 2 for 59 from 18 overs failed to reflect the problems that he caused, particularly with the new ball.The specific source of Woakes’ chagrin was an lbw shout against Karun Nair that he was convinced should have been given out. Nair shouldered arms to a ball delivered from wide on the crease, which ball-tracking projected would have gone on to hit some – but not enough – of his off stump. It left him seething to the extent that he even called for a law change.Related

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• Gill holds India together with second hundred as captain

“I need to be careful: I’ve had some [decisions] go my way over the years,” Woakes said. “In general, DRS has been good for the game. A lot more right decisions are given [than before]. The only thing I would like to come in is that if a batsman decides to leave the ball and it’s still hitting the stumps, I think that should be out – regardless if it’s clipping or not.”It was the second umpire’s call lbw in three overs that went against him, and the first could have changed the course of the day. Woakes told his team-mates in the huddle that the ball – from over the wicket to the left-hand batter – had “100 %” pitched in line and was vindicated by the DRS, but HawkEye projected a bail-trimmer, which meant Yashasvi Jaiswal survived on 12.”We could have easily had them 30 for 3,” Woakes said. “It was a pretty frustrating morning, really. Obviously emotions run high when you are desperate to do well for the team, do well for yourself, and it would’ve been nice… had those decisions gone our way, the day looks completely different, but that is Test cricket and we move on.”His first wicket came between the two referrals, and was the culmination of a severe working-over for KL Rahul. Woakes’ lengths were far more consistent at Edgbaston than they had been at Headingley last week, and his line was immaculate. Rahul played out consecutive maidens but, after two tight leaves, chopped the ball on to his stumps while defending off the back foot.2:06

‘Frustrating’ – Woakes on the DRS decisions that went India’s way

Woakes celebrated with a look to the skies, in memory of his late father Roger, who died last May. Woakes has a new tattoo dedicated to his father and has felt his absence keenly at his home venue. “He’s always on my mind, that’s for sure,” he said, his voice wavering. “There are moments where you certainly think about him. He loved his cricket; he would’ve loved this week.”But his plan to Nair eventually paid dividends against another batter: in his third spell, after a change of ends – and umpires – Woakes went wide on the crease, convincing Nitish Kumar Reddy to leave the ball alone. It nipped in off the seam to take out his off stump, highlighting Woakes’ adjustment to a slow pitch where bowled and lbw were the main modes of dismissal.”It felt like the stumps were in play all day,” Woakes said. “It didn’t feel like a massive nick-off wicket, to be honest; it didn’t feel like it had the pace in it for that… It was something which we were looking for. Basically, it was trying to find the right length that allowed you to be full enough not to get driven, but still bring the stumps into play.”0:53

Aaron: Marked improvement by the English bowling unit

Woakes made an inauspicious start to this series, taking 1 for 148 across 43 overs at Headingley, and had been noticeably struggling for rhythm. It was no surprise that he looked sharper on Wednesday, in only his fourth first-class appearance of 2025 – “I’ve always been better for overs under the belt,” he has previously said – not least given the venue.”Across a career, you don’t get that many games at your home venue: this is my fourth Test match here. They are really special weeks. You have a lot of friends and family in the ground, and I’ve got a lot of love for Warwickshire, which goes deep. It’s all I’ve ever known… There’s a lot of people behind the scenes who support you through the good times and the bad.”Woakes spent 18 months either injured or out of favour between the end of Joe Root’s tenure as captain and the 16th Test of the Stokes-McCullum era, but has since become an integral part of England’s attack again. They have only lost once with him in the side in the last two years, and at 36, he has finally emerged from James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s considerable shadows.A hard-earned reputation as one of cricket’s good guys has sometimes worked against Woakes, making it relatively easy for coaches to leave him out – or for umpires to turn down his appeals. But today his obvious exasperation reflected a self-evident truth: reaching this level of sport demands talent, but staying there for as long as Woakes has demands tenacity, too.

Another week, and there are another three initiates of the 100-mph club. Zach “Big Sugar” Maxwell, 24, of the Reds, made his debut at 275 pounds and with an average fastball velocity of 100.7 mph. Joel Peguero, 28, averaged 101.1 mph for the Giants, and Bubba Chandler, 22, twice hit 100 mph in his debut for the Pirates.

You might think such big-arm pitchers were can’t-miss amateurs. But the universe of 100-mph throwers has expanded so far that Maxwell was a sixth-round pick, Peguero is pitching for his fifth organization in 10 years after signing his first pro contract and Chandler was a third-round pick.

With 20% of the season left to play, already we’ve seen more pitchers hit 100 mph (76) than in any complete season in baseball history (the record was 64 in 2022 and ’23).

This is the first generation of pitchers who have grown up under Velocity Inc., a catchall to describe the growth business of leveraging technology to teach velocity throughout the amateur market (colleges, private coaches, throwing labs, etc).

Compared to the same date of previous seasons, the number of pitchers who have hit 100 mph in the major leagues is up 38% from last year and from 2019, the last full season before the velocity revolution began on the other side of the COVID-19-impacted campaign.

From 2008 to ’19, the 100-mph club held relatively steady, with gradual increases. But you can see the classic “hockey stick” growth pattern since ’21, including the huge spike this year:

فاز منتخب الجزائر على نظيره العراق، بنتيجة 2-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العرب 2025.

والتقى منتخبا الجزائر والعراق، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة من عمر دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب المقام في قطر.

وسجل أهداف منتخب الجزائر، محمد توجاي في الدقيقة 45+1 من عمر الشوط الأول، وأضاف الهدف الثاني، لاعب منتخب العراق سعد ناطق بالخطأ في مرماه في بداية الشوط الثاني.

طالع..  بالمواعيد | مواجهات دور الـ 8 من كأس العرب 2025

وبهذا الفوز، حسم منتخب الجزائر تأهله إلى دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس العرب، متصدرًا ترتيب المجموعة الرابعة برصيد 7 نقاط. أهداف مباراة الجزائر والعراق اليوم في كأس العرب 2025

وكان منتخب الجزائر يتنافس مع السودان على بطاقة التأهل الثانية من المجموعة الرابعة لكأس العرب، بعد حسم منتخب العراق البطاقة الأولى منذ الجولة الثانية.

وبذلك يكمل منتخب الجزائر، عقد المتأهلين إلى دور الـ 8 من كأس العرب، مع الأردن والإمارات وفلسطين وسوريا والعراق والمغرب والسعودية.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي منتخب الجزائر ضد نظيره الإمارات صاحب المركز الثاني في المجموعة الثالثة، في دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس العرب.

ويلتقي منتخب الجزائر مع الإمارات، يوم الجمعة المقبل 12 ديسمبر، في دور ربع النهائي لـ كأس العرب 2025.

MatériaMais Notícias

Exatamente daqui uma semana, o Palmeiras enfim retornará ao Allianz Parque após mandar cinco jogos na Arena Barueri, por conta da reforma no gramado sintético da belíssima arena alviverde localizada na Pompéia, bairro da zona oeste da cidade.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Por conta da ausência do Verdão no bairro que cresceu em torno dele ao longo dos seus mais de 109 anos de história, muitos lojistas e comerciantes que dependem dos jogos pra sobreviver estão passando apuros neste início de temporada.

Segundo apuração do Lance!, em relação as lojas que vendem artigos oficiais do clube, a queda no faturamento em fevereiro e março chegou a quase 50%, e bares da região também sofrem com a queda de receita, inclusive um estabelecimento teve a água cortada pela Sabesp por falta de pagamento.

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– Os jogos movimentam muito a região, principalmente nessa época do ano, com lançamento de produtos, camisas de jogo e a linha de treino e viagem que foi lançada agora. O entorno vive em função do Palmeiras, e os jogos são essenciais para a sobrevivência das lojas, bares e restaurantes. Jogos por aqui despertam até a curiosidade em turistas que visitam São Paulo – disse um funcionário de uma loja que não quis se identificar.

Entre os cinco jogos que o Palmeiras teve que mandar em Barueri neste período, entre eles teve um clássico contra o Corinthians, um dos jogos em que o entorno do Allianz Parque mais fatura durante toda a temporada.

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– Tive uma queda de mais de 60% do meu faturamento. Os jogos do começo do ano são o nosso carro chefe, ficar sem esses jogos não foi fácil. A expectativa agora é a gente conseguir retomar, esperamos que o torcedor volte com muita sede e que o Palmeiras classifique pra final do Paulista – disse o dono de um bar na rua Caraíbas.

O retorno do Palmeiras para o Allianz Parque está marcado para a próxima quinta-feira (28), quando o Verdão encara o Novorizontino, pela semifinal do Paulistão 2024.

Before the Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to the Giants in June, tension emerged between Boston and Devers over his position this season.

The conflict began when the team signed Alex Bregman and decided to play him at third base over Devers, who previously manned the position for the Red Sox. Devers eventually agreed to be the designated hitter by the start of the season, but tension re-emerged when they asked him to spend time at first base following a season-ending injury to Triston Casas. The Red Sox felt like Devers wasn't living up to the responsibilities of his massive contract with the team, and ultimately traded him to the Giants.

Mike Yastrzemski only played alongside Devers on the Giants for less than two months before he was traded to the Royals, but quickly learned the type of teammate and player Devers is for a team.

"He was the best," Yastrzemski said of Devers on . "Awesome teammate, willing to do whatever he had to. I think he just got thrown into a weird circumstance and sometimes as players you have to stick up for yourself. I think that's what he tried to do and the wording of it was delivered poorly because he's an awesome teammate, he works his tail off, he tries to help everybody.

Yastrzemski continued, "If you're facing a guy that he's faced and you haven't faced him, full scouting report, where you want to look for the ball, what pitch you want to hit, how he's gonna pitch you. He's really smart and he cares about winning so much. I don't understand where all the heat came from."

While Devers's approach appeared to quickly change when he arrived in San Francisco and said he was "here to play whatever [position] they want me to play," he said he wasn't trying to spite the Red Sox or be a bad teammate. He later explained that he felt he had earned respect in Boston and would have been willing to play first base for them had they asked in spring training. The Giants gave him time to train to play first base, and he is beginning to find his groove at the position.

It’s incredible just how quickly the mood around a football club can change, and Chelsea are a perfect example.

Less than a month ago, the Blues were coming off their third defeat in four games, and as a result, the club had to publicly back the manager.

Yet today, after three wins on the bounce against Benfica, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, there is a renewed sense of optimisim that Enzo Maresca’s side will be near the very top of the Premier League table come the end of the season.

What makes this turnaround even more impressive is that it’s come without the talismanic Cole Palmer. However, the manager does have another star in his team, whom he has compared to the former Manchester City gem.

How Chelsea have coped without Palmer

Palmer was forced off just 21 minutes into the defeat to Manchester United last month, has missed the previous three games and will be out for another six weeks.

However, while Chelsea lost to Brighton & Hove Albion, largely thanks to Trevoh Chalobah’s red card, they have come out on top against Arne Slot’s Reds and the Tricky Trees without the sensational Englishman in the side.

Now, that isn’t to say the Blues are better without him – they are not – but it does show that, unlike some other sides, the West Londoners are capable of putting in good performances without their talisman.

For example, against the defending champions, the Pensioners opted to stick with Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto on the wings, with Enzo Fernández down the middle, and were still able to create chances.

Moreover, when the former Wolverhampton Wanderers’ star came off in the 75th minute, Maresca opted to throw on the young and hugely exciting Estevao, who was able to slot home the winner late on.

Interestingly, instead of keeping the 18-year-old in the starting lineup, the manager opted to start Neto at the City Ground, and what a decision that turned out to be.

In his 78 minutes of action, the Portuguese international was a constant threat. Although he lacked that final delivery in the first half, he provided an assist early into the second and then scored a free-kick to ensure his side collected all three points.

It was a comprehensive performance from Chelsea, and one that showed they can cope without Palmer when it really comes down to it.

With that said, Marsca did start another player whom he has compared to the Englishman.

Chelsea's star who is like Palmer

Given the quality of young players in Chelsea’s squad today, like Estevao, you could argue that several of them could become Palmer-type players.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, a player you might see as being all that comparable to the talismanic attack is Reece James.

However, it was after the Conference League final last season that Maresca claimed that “for us, he is like Cole Palmer.”

There were two reasons the Argentine made this comparison, and the first is that he sometimes needs his minutes managed due to injuries and fitness.

However, the second and far more important point of comparison is just how undeniably important the two players are to the West Londoners.

After all, the defender might not be as involved when it comes to goals and assists, and therefore doesn’t get the same recognition outside the club, but he is a core leader, he is the captain.

Moreover, while he’s not as prolific as his compatriot, he is still more than capable of chipping in with goals and assists.

For example, he has already provided two assists this season, and scored his first goal of the campaign against Forest on the weekend.

Finally, his underlying numbers more than back up the idea of him being one of the best full-backs in the world.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for through balls, the top 3% for passes into the final third, the top 5% for passes completed and aerials won, the top 9% for interceptions and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, it might not seem like an immediately obvious comparison to make, but when you think about how important he is to Chelsea, James really is like Palmer.

Chelsea open talks to sign "powerful" £35m forward with 15 goals in 2025

The Blues have entered discussions with the agents of a new forward, who is enjoying an impressive campaign.

By
Dominic Lund

Oct 19, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv have distanced themselves from disturbances which led to the cancellation of the derby match against Hapoel before kick-off on Sunday, ahead of their trip to Aston Villa in November.

Maccabi’s fans have been barred from attending the Europa League match away to Villa next month amid safety concerns, a decision which was heavily criticised last week by a number of politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

A No 10 Downing Street spokesman said on Friday that discussions were happening “at pace, across government” to overturn the ban.

On Sunday the Tel Aviv derby was called off before kick-off, with reports of smoke grenades and flares being thrown, but Maccabi insist their supporters did nothing to contribute to the game’s cancellation.

Maccabi Tel Aviv send statement after riots cancel local derby

A club spokesperson told the PA news agency: “Maccabi Tel Aviv FC would like to clarify that the reason given for the cancellation of the derby match hosted yesterday by Hapoel Tel Aviv FC – unlike as reported by some (foreign) media – was as a result of flares thrown on to the pitch by fans of our opponent Hapoel Tel Aviv, not visiting fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

West Midlands Police said last week they supported a decision by the local Safety Advisory Group to bar visiting fans from the Europa League tie against Villa, having classified the fixture as “high risk”.

They said the decision was “based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam”.

The match at Villa Park takes place against the backdrop of ongoing tension in the Middle East.

The Fare network, which reports incidents of discrimination to UEFA from national team and European competition matches, told PA it was “reluctant to question” the decision to bar Maccabi fans and added that Maccabi fans were “well known for their racism”.

PA understands Fare has made multiple reports of discriminatory behaviour by Maccabi fans inside stadia within the last 10 years.

Maccabi are aware of Fare’s comments but have not yet commented on them or on the decision of the authorities in Birmingham to bar their supporters.

Hapoel issued a statement on their website regarding Sunday’s derby cancellation, criticising the police for “preparing for a war and not a sporting event”.

“The shocking events outside the stadium and the reckless and scandalous decision not to hold the game only show that the Israeli police have taken control of the industry,” Hapoel said.

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Eagle eyed fans have spotted something in the striker’s celebratory post…

ByBen Goodwin Oct 16, 2025

“When we asked for explanations in real time, we were met with a contemptuous and humiliating attitude.

“Needless to say, the club’s management condemns all manifestations of violence – and will fight lawbreakers, even if they are wearing uniforms.”

Media reports in Israel said Tel Aviv police arrested five people on suspicion of disturbing public order and that 51 flares or smoke bombs had been thrown on to the pitch.