Kylian Mbappe has hit back at French rapper Orelsan after being mocked in a new track over the Real Madrid star’s ownership of Caen. The French club now sit in the third tier of French football after facing relegation under Mbappe's ownership. The striker issued a fiery reply on social media, accusing the rapper of "begging" for a free stake in the club.

• Mbappe fires back at French rapper Orelsan

  The feud erupted hours after French rapper Orelsan dropped his new album, featuring a biting track titled “La petite voix.” In one verse, the Caen-born artist took aim at Mbappe’s record as club owner, sneering, “You’re going to sink your city like the Mbappes.” The line referenced Caen’s dramatic decline since the footballer’s family-led takeover in 2024.

  Mbappe, known for rarely engaging in off-field controversies, wasted no time responding. Posting on X, he wrote: “You’re welcome to come and save the city you love so much.

  “PS: The guy kept begging us to get in with 1% without paying because he doesn’t have a penny but wanted to look like the little guy from Normandy.”

  The jab sparked mixed reactions. Some accused Mbappe of arrogance and deflection, while others applauded his blunt defence. The incident, however, revived scrutiny of his ill-fated venture with Caen, a club now mired in relegation, layoffs, and mounting frustration among fans who once saw him as a saviour.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Mbappe’s failed Caen project

  In 2024, Mbappe became one of Europe’s youngest football club owners after purchasing an 80 per cent stake in Caen through his firm, Coalition Capital, investing around €20 million. What began as a symbolic homecoming, returning to the club that once nearly signed him as a youth, quickly turned into a cautionary tale of ambition and mismanagement.

  By April 2025, Caen had hit rock bottom. A crushing 0-3 defeat to Martigues mathematically confirmed their relegation from Ligue 2, sending the club into France’s third division for the first time in 41 years. Supporters stormed the pitch in protest, unfurling a banner reading: “Mbappe, SMC is not your toy.”

  The fallout was immediate. Sixteen staff members were laid off in a controversial restructuring, and fan trust evaporated. Christophe Vaucelle, head of the Malherbe Normandy Kop, summed up local sentiment, saying: “The Mbappe clan bears some responsibility. They arrived, stayed invisible, and disconnected from the fans. The situation is catastrophic.”

  For Mbappe, the failure cut deep. Alongside Madrid’s Champions League exit that same week, Caen’s relegation marked one of the most turbulent months of his career, both as a footballer and businessman.

• AFP
  

  How Caen collapsed under new ownership

  Behind the scenes, Mbappe’s management model at Caen was built on trust and delegation. His close associate Ziad Hammoud took over as club president, while sporting operations were overseen by general manager Josselin Flamand and technical director Pascal Plancque.

  Recruitment head Reda Hammache later revealed that Mbappe stayed “informed but not intrusive,” relying on regular updates rather than day-to-day control. “He’s not the type to call and demand changes,” Hammache told . “He trusts us but gives input on big decisions.”

  However, reports claim the absence of a strong leadership presence at the club left a vacuum. Miscommunication, unclear sporting direction, and repeated coaching changes – from Bruno Baltazar to Michel Der Zakarian and later Maxime D’Ornano – created instability. Dressing-room tension grew, morale plummeted, and results worsened.

  For many fans, the perception that Mbappe had overextended himself as he juggles between Madrid, the French national team, and a football club further cemented the narrative that Caen was a vanity project gone wrong. The financial losses from relegation and dwindling ticket sales have only deepened the crisis.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Fame, failure, and France’s changing relationship With Mbappe

  The Orelsan feud struck a cultural chord because it exposed a growing rift between Mbappe and sections of the French public. Once seen as the golden boy of football, the Madrid star now faces skepticism about his off-field ambitions. This is not the first time Mbappe has clashed with figures from France’s rap scene, his earlier feud with Booba also revolved around ego and authenticity. But this latest exchange cuts deeper, tying together fame, money and regional pride.

  As Caen continue life in the National League, the club’s focus has shifted toward stability and youth development under coach D’Ornano. Meanwhile, Mbappe must navigate the fallout by balancing his image as a global superstar with the growing backlash at home.

Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has admitted he let standards at the club slip during his final season in charge, accepting blame for their decline after early success. The club legend reflected on his spell at the helm at Camp Nou with self-criticism, acknowledging the team’s attitude and respect dwindled after winning La Liga and explaining why he’s taking time before returning to management.

From champion to chaos: How Xavi’s Barcelona dream fell apart

When Xavi took charge of Barcelona in late 2021, optimism surged through the Camp Nou. The club icon arrived as both saviour and symbol of identity, tasked with restoring order to a side struggling under the weight of financial turmoil and on-field inconsistency. His impact was immediate. Under his stewardship, the Catalan giants reclaimed the La Liga title and lifted the Spanish Super Cup in his second season, restoring a sense of pride and competitiveness. Yet what began as a revival soon deteriorated.

The 2023-24 campaign saw Barca stumble across competitions, their confidence fading amid tactical confusion and waning intensity. Friction between players and management became increasingly visible and by the end of the season, Xavi was dismissed.

Now, months after his departure, the Spaniard has publicly reflected on his mistakes, acknowledging that his second full season exposed flaws in leadership and accountability.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportXavi admits he lost control of the dressing room

Speaking at a leadership conference at ESIC University, Xavi delivered a candid assessment of his time as Barca coach, outlining both the pride of his achievements and the regret of what came after.

“I began my coaching career at Barca with high expectations for both the players and the club,” he said. “The club was coming from a period where there weren't many demands, but my mistake was maintaining those high standards for only one year, from when I arrived until we won La Liga and the Super Cup.”

Reflecting on his downfall, the 45-year-old acknowledged that discipline and focus within the squad began to fade and that he didn’t do enough to stop it.

“Later on, I was able to be self-critical and I said to myself: ‘Damn, what happened to me?’ I had lowered those high standards and the players no longer had the same attitude, the same respect, the same effort. The standards kept dropping until, in my last season, we didn't win anything. I learned a lot from this. I had to be self-critical.”

His admission marks the first time Xavi has publicly accepted responsibility for losing control of the dressing room, a confession that resonates deeply with the club’s supporters, many of whom viewed him as the perfect embodiment of the Barca philosophy.

Measured comeback – Xavi waits for the right project

Since leaving Barcelona, Xavi has chosen patience over urgency. He’s been linked with several high-profile jobs, including Manchester United, but has made it clear that his next move will depend on the vision of the project rather than prestige alone.

The 2010 World Cup winner turned down an approach from Spartak Moscow, reportedly rejecting the offer after finding the club’s project lacking in long-term ambition. Those close to him describe his current approach as “strategic and calm,” focused on studying modern football trends rather than rushing back into management. Far from detached, Xavi has continued to meet regularly with his technical staff, dissecting game models and preparing for a future return. His track record remains impressive, from his successful stint with Al Sadd in Qatar to guiding Barcelona to a domestic double in his first full season – proof of a coach capable of building, not just inheriting, success.

Meanwhile, clubs across Europe with unstable benches are watching closely. With managerial changes expected across top leagues this winter, Xavi’s name is once again surfacing in discussions among major sporting directors.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportA patient rebuild, not a rushed return

Unlike many out-of-work coaches, Xavi seems content to wait for the right challenge rather than chase immediate redemption. Sources close to him suggest he is determined that his next role “be about building a vision, not repairing damage.”

After being incharge of Barcelona, the former midfielder is spending time with family, reflecting and refining his approach to leadership, qualities that could define his second chapter in the dugout.

رد لويس روبياليس، رئيس الاتحاد الإسباني السابق لكرة القدم، على هجوم رئيس نادي ريال مدريد، فلورنتينو بيريز ضد برشلونة خلال الأيام الماضية.

بيريز شن هجوما كبيرا على برشلونة خلال الأيام الماضية، موضحًا أن الفريق الكتالوني قد استفاد بصورة كبيرة من التحكيم ومن الاتحاد الإسباني بقيادة رئيسه الحالي خافيير تيباس.

وأشار روبياليس في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”، إلى أن بيريز قد تواصل معه بنفسه من أجل العمل على تعديلات على تقنية الفار بالفعل.

وقال روبياليس: ”أرسل لي صديق فيديو يروي كيف اتصل بي فلورنتينو بيريز، رئيس ريال مدريد، ومنذ ذلك الحين طرأ تغيير على تقنية الفيديو المساعد وأرغب في شرح ذلك”.

وأضاف روبياليس في حديثه: “واجهنا مشكلة مع تقنية الفيديو المساعد، مع التقنية الأولى لم تكن عدسة الكاميرا متوافقة مع خط التسلل، كانت هناك مشكلة فنية وكانت هناك حالات تسلل لم يكن من الممكن رصدها بشكل صحيح، ولكن تم تصحيحها عند اختيار تقنية الفيديو المساعد الثانية”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. تيباس عن تصريحات بيريز الهجومية: “متطرف وعنصري”

وأوضح: “اتصالات تيباس كانت لخدمة مصالح ذاتية، تلقيت اتصالات من جميع الرؤساء والمديرين العامين والرؤساء التنفيذيين وبعض المديرين الرياضيين، خلال خمس سنوات لي كرئيس للاتحاد الإسابني، اتصل بي جميع فرق الدرجتين الأولى والثانية للاحتجاج وطلب عقد اجتماعات”.

وأردف روبياليس: ”علاوة على ذلك، تم وضع بروتوكول يسمح لهم بالاتصال بنا وإرسال الرسائل إلينا وكتابة خطابات إلينا ونتيجة لهذه الاتصالات، تم تحديد مواعيد مع هيئة الاتصالات الإسبانية”.

وتابع: “خلال السنوات الخمس التي قضيتها هناك، أعتقد أننا تلقينا اتصالًا أو اتصالين من ريال مدريد وهناك العديد من الأندية الأخرى التي تلقينا منها اتصالًا واحدًا أو اثنين أو ثلاثة أو عشرة أو حتى خمسة عشر اتصالًا حول تقنية الفار”.

واختتم روبياليس: ”هناك أمور أخرى لا يحسن ريال مدريد التعامل معها، على سبيل المثال مع دوري السوبر كان لدينا خلاف، أو مع قضية البث التلفزيوني كانت هناك أمور لم تعجبنا وناقشناها مع النادي، لكن قضية تقنية الفيديو فاجأتني، لأنني أصر على أن ريال مدريد اتصل بنا مرة أو مرتين بينما اتصل بنا آخرون أكثر”.

The MLB trade deadline is nearly upon us.

As the clock ticks down to the 6 p.m. ET deadline on Thursday, there are a number of storylines to follow as contending teams attempt to beef up their rosters for the stretch run. What follows is an updated look at all the latest news, rumors, and trades before the deadline passes.

Camilo Doval Heads East as Yankees Add Bullpen Piece

The Yankees didn't make a huge splash at the deadline, but added another key piece before the trade deadline passed. New York acquired Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants before the clock ticked down to 6 p.m. ET. The 28-year-old righty has 107 career saves, and this season is 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts against 24 walks in 46 2/3 innings. He also has 15 saves in 19 chances. Doval will be under team control through 2027.

Tigers Add Charlie Morton Before Deadline

The Detroit Tigers had been looking for a starting pitcher for weeks and managed to land one right before the deadline. They acquired Charlie Morton from the Baltimore Orioles a few minutes before the deadline passed. The 41-year-old impending free agent has had an up -and-down season and is 7-8 with a 5.42 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts against 48 walks in 101 1/3 innings. That said, Morton has extensive postseason experience and two World Series rings.

Red Sox Get Dustin May to Bolster Rotation

The Boston Red Sox made a significant move without much time on the clock before the trade deadline on Thursday. They acquired starting pitcher Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for James Tibbs III, who the team received from the San Francisco Giants in the Rafael Devers deal. Got all of that?

May has had Tommy John surgery twice since 2021 and missed the 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair an esophageal tear. This season, he has made 19 appearances (18 starts) and is 6-7 with a 4.85 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts in 104 innings. He has elite stuff, but hasn't put it all back together after missing so much time. Before the 2025 season, he had pitched in 20 games in the previous four seasons.

Rays Land Griffin Jax, Adrian Houser With Minutes to Spare

The Tampa Bay Rays made their presence known before the deadline, landing reliever Griffin Jax from the Minnesota Twins and starter Adrian Houser from the Chicago White Sox. Jax is 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts against 13 walks in 46 innings over 50 appearances. His xERA of 3.11 shows he's been a bit unlucky this season and he has stellar chase and whiff rates.

Houser has been a great story and has turned in a dominant campaign while transitioning back to being a starter. In 11 starts, he's 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts against 22 walks in 68 2/3 innings.

Rangers Get Merrill Kelly in Late Deal With Diamonbacks

The Texas Rangers just upgraded their rotation in a big way. Texas swung a late deal to acquire Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitchers Kohl Drake and David Hagaman are part of the return for the veteran righty.

In 22 starts this season, Kelly is 9-6 with a 3.22 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 121 strikeouts against 38 walks in 128 2/3 innings. He'll almost certainly slot in behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to give Texas a formiddable three-headed monster atop its rotation.

Astros Land Correa, Sanchez in Continued Push

The Houston Astros pulled off a wild move just before the deadline, bringing Carlos Correa back to town. Correa helped lead the Astros to a World Series title in 2017 but has spent the last four seasons in Minnesota with the Twins. This season he's slashing .267/.319/.386 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs. It's not his best season but heading back to Houston could help. It will be a long-term return as he'll be under contract through at least 2028.

Sanchez was having a solid season with the Marlins, slashing .256/.320/.420 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. The 27-year-old will be under team control for two more seasons.

Padres Land O'Hearn, Laureano From Orioles

Padres general manager A.J. Preller can't stop, won't stop. After two significant deals already, he added two bats to his lineup shortly before the deadline. San Diego is acquiring outfielder Ramon Laureano and first baseman Ryan O'Hearn from the Baltimore Orioles. Left field has been a huge issue for the Padres, and Laureano will be a massive upgrade. Meanwhile, O'Hearn's spot will depend on what happens to the rest of the roster. The Padres currently have Luis Arraez at first and Gavin Sheets rotating between DH and left field.

Mets Fill CF Vacancy With Cedric Mullins

The Mets continue to address their needs by acting aggressively. Hours before the MLB trade deadline, they added Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for three prospects. Mullins is a pure rental but is a former All-Star who desperately needed a change of scenery. So far in 2025, Mullins is slashing .229/.305/.433 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs. The Mets have gotten near nothing in offensive production out of their center fielder this season so this is a significant upgrade.

Padres Pay Heavily for a Catcher

The San Diego Padres have needed help at catcher all season and may have found some before the deadline. The Friars landed 30-year-old backup Freddy Fermin from the Kansas City Royals but paid heavily to land him. San Diego sent starting pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek in exchange for Fermin.

In 67 games this season, Fermin is slashing .255/.309/.399 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. He'll be under team control through 2029. The 25-year-old Berger debuted this season and is 1-0 with a 2.78 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP in 11 appearances (seven starts). Kolek was stretched into a starting pitcher this season and has been excellent at times. The 28-year-old is 4-5 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

Yankees Land Bednar From Pirates

The Yankees added to their bullpen by acquiring All-Star closer David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates. New York's bullpen has been struggling lately, and Bednar is having a nice bounce-back season. The 30-year-old is 2-5 with a 2.37 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts against 10 walks in 38 innings over 42 appearances. He has 17 saves in 17 chances. His average fastball velocity (97.1 mph) and strikeout rate (33.1) are outstanding.

Dodgers Bolster Bullpen With Stewart

The Los Angeles Dodgers made their first major move of this year's trade deadline by adding a bullpen arm. L.A. acquired Brock Stewart from the Minnesota Twins, who are fully open for business at this point. Bullpen was arguably the Dodgers' biggest need, and Stewart should help in that regard. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 34 innings this season.

The 33-year-old Stewart began his career with the Dodgers and pitched for the team from 2016 though '19.

Phillies Add Harrison Bader in Deal With Twins

The Philadelphia Phillies continued filling out their roster on Thursday by acquiring outfielder Harrison Bader from the Minnesota Twins just hours before the deadline. This season, Bader is slashing .258/.339/.439, with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs. The veteran outfielder's 117 wRC+ is the highest of his career. He'll likely form a platoon with left-handed hitters Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh. The former Gold Glove winner holds a $10 million mutual option for 2026 that most expect him to decline after what is becoming a career year.

Padres Acquire Mason Miller and JP Spears in Blockbuster With Athletics

The Padres entered the July 31 trade deadline with a 60-49 record on the season, and in firm buying mode sitting just three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. San Diego worked to shore up the back-end of the bullpen, as well as depth in the starting rotation by trading for Athletics closer Mason Miller and starter JP Sears. The price to acquire the two pitchers for the homestretch came at the cost of the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball – shortstop Leodalis De Vries, as well as pitchers Braden Nett, Henry Baez and Eduarniel Nunez.

Blue Jays Land Former Cy Young Winner Shane Bieber in Trade With Guardians

The Toronto Blue Jays are the best team in baseball, and they filled a hole in their playoff rotation with the addition of former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber in a Thursday morning trade with the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber has yet to make his season debut after 2024 Tommy John surgery, but has shown well in his rehab starts thus far. In return, the Guardians landed pitching prospect Khal Stephen in return in the one-to-one swap.

Mariners Stun Baseball World With Trade For Eugenio Suarez

One of MLB's biggest trade targets has officially been dealt ahead of the deadline. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Arizona Diamondbacks have traded third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners. Suarez, a two-time All-Star is slashing .248/.321/.577 with 36 home runs and 87 RBIs.

The Mariners needed big upgrades at the corners and got them, both from the Diamondbacks. They landed Josh Naylor on July 24, and Suarez the night before the deadline.

Red Sox Acquire RP Steven Matz From Cardinals

The Boston Red Sox are on the board. After dealing with some slight attrition in the bullpen with an injury to Aroldis Chapman, Boston has acquired relief pitcher Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade was first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Matz began his career with the New York Mets in 2015 before stints with the Toronto Blue Jays ('21) and, most recently, the Cardinals ('22-25). The 34-year-old is 5-2 this season in 32 appearances with a 3.44 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and two saves.

The Red Sox are sending minor leaguer Blaze Jordan to St. Louis in return.

Ramon Urias Heads to Astros

The Baltimore Orioles seem to be selling despite winning five of their last six, sending Ramon Urias to the Houston Astros according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Urias, 31, is slashing .248/.300/.388 this season with eight home runs and 34 RBIs, while also holding a .984 fielding percentage while committing just three errors.

Reds Land Zack Littell in Deal With Rays

The Cincinnati Reds continued to buy on Wednesday night. They worked a trade to land righty Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays. Littell has been solid this season. In 21 starts, he's 8-8 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts against 17 walks in 128 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the season.

The Reds currently rank 12th as a team in baseball with a 3.85 ERA, and their starters are 10th at 3.86. Adding Littell will help the rotation's depth.

Cubs Bolster Rotation in Trade for Soroka

The Chicago Cubs acquired Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals Wednesday night in a move to bolster their starting rotation. Soroka, a former All-Star who missed most of three seasons following multiple tears to his right Achilles tendon, has struggled to regain his form over the past few years. This season, he has made 16 starts and is 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts against 24 walks in 81 1/3 innings. On the upside, his expected ERA is 3.32, which means he has gotten pretty unlucky.

With Justin Steele out for the season following Tommy John surgery, the Cubs have needed more depth in their rotation. They may have found it in Soroka.

Padres Pursuing Multiple All-Stars

According to a report from The Athletic's Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal, the San Diego Padres are looking to swing big at the deadline and have several big names targeted. The Padres are pursuing outfielders Jarren Duran and Steven Kwan, as well as closer Mason Miller.

The Boston Red Sox have been unwilling to part with Duran so far, and the Cleveland Guardians have let it be known that it would take a haul for them to part with Kwan. The Oakland A's have not been shopping Miller, but given the franchise's situation it would be foolish not to listen.

A.J. Preller is never shy when it comes to big swings at the trade deadline, and this could be yet another year he goes all-in.

Eugenio Suarez Still Being Chased by Multiple Teams

The Athletic's Jon Morosi is reporting multiple teams are still going hard after Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez as the trade deadline approaches. Arguably the most coveted bat on the market, Suarez is still drawing interest from the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Detroit Tigers, among others. The Cubs, in particular, need an upgrade at the position, as entering Wednesday, they had a team OPS of .575 at third base this year.

Suarez will almost certainly move before the trade deadline but where he will go is still a mystery with less than 24 hours to go.

Mets Acquire Ryan Helsley From Cardinals

Just after the Phillies landed Jhoan Duran, the Mets made another move for a reliever. They landed St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley in a blockbuster deal. The 2024 NL Reliever of the Year and two-time All-Star is headed for free agency after the season, so the Cardinals did what they could to get something back for him. On the season, Helsley is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. He has 21 saves in 26 chances. He is likely to be the setup man for Edwin Diaz.

In exchange for Helsley, the Cardinals will acquire prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt.

Helsley is the second reliever the Mets have added in the past few hours, as they landed Tyler Rogers from the Giants earlier in the day.

Phillies Trade for Jhoan Duran in Major Upgrade

The Phillies won the race for Jhoan Duran, as they beat out the Dodgers and other suitors in the battle for the best relief arm available at the deadline. Philadelphia's relievers own the 23rd-ranked ERA in baseball (4.33), and they don't have a go-to closer. That problem is now in the past.

In exchange for Duran, the Twins landed the Phillies' No. 4 and No. 6 prospects, catcher Eduardo Tait and righty Mick Abel.

Mariners Beef Up Relief Corps

The Mariners landed lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pirates on Wednesday. As Pittsburgh continues to sell, Seattle took advantage. The 29-year-old is 2-2 on the season with a 3.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts against 14 walks in 43 1/3 innings. Ferguson is having an excellent season as he's allowing very little hard contact. His average exit velocity (83.5), and hard-hit rate (25.2) are among the lowest in baseball.

In return for Ferguson, the Pirates will receive right-hander Jeter Martinez (great early 2000s baseball name). Martinez is a 19-year-old starter currently in A-ball, and is listed as Seattle's No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Mets Surrender a Ton in Tyler Rogers Trade

The New York Mets landed right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers from the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, but it cost them a significant price. They sent righty Jose Butto, righty pitching prospect Blade Tidwell, and outfield prospect Drew Gilbert to land the 34-year-old veteran.

Rogers has been excellent for the Giants this season. In 53 games, he is 4-3 with a 1.80 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts and only four walks in 50 innings. He has allowed just 10 earned runs this season.

Astros Pursuing Cease

The San Diego Padres are open to moving starting pitcher Dylan Cease, and one team has been hot on his heels. The Houston Astros are chasing Cease and appear increasingly likely to land him. Cease has struggled this season, but he has elite stuff that belies his 3-10 record and 4.79 ERA. There is faith that the impending free agent can turn it around, especially given his xFIP of 3.39.

We'll see if a deal eventually comes together.

Eugenio Suarez Sweepstakes Heating Up

Eugenio Suarez remains the most popular hitter at the deadline, with four teams currently chasing him. The Arizona Diamondbacks are actively shopping the impending free agent and will do what they can to maximize the return. The Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies are all chasing Suarez hard as we head toward the deadline. It's worth noting, Seattle and Arizona already completed a swap for Josh Naylor.

The 34-year-old third baseman has been one of baseball's best sluggers this season. He's currently slashing .248/.320/.576 with 36 home runs and 87 RBIs. Suarez was hit on the hand by a pitch Monday night but appears to have escaped serious injury.

Jhoan Duran Chased by Two NL Contenders

The Minnesota Twins appear likely to move closer Jhoan Duran before the deadline, and two teams have separated themselves in the chase for his services. According to 's Bob Nightengale, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are in active talks to land him. To this point, the Phillies have refused to include top pitching prospect Andrew Painter in an offer.

The 27-year-old Duran is 6–4 with a 2.01 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. He has saved 16 games in 18 opportunities and is under team control through 2027.

Reds Land Ke'Bryan Hayes From Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in full sell mode, and on Wednesday, they shipped third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds for two prospects. Hayes is one of the best defensive players in baseball and is signed affordably through 2029, with a club option for '30 as part of an eight-year, $70 million deal he agreed to in '22. So far this season, he's slashing .236/.279/.290 with a woeful wRC+ of 57 in 100 games.

The Pirates received shortstop Sammy Stafura, who ranked as the No. 9 prospect in Cincinnati's system, as well as veteran reliever Taylor Rogers.

Dan Lawrence battles with unbeaten 44 but weather has the final say in Superchargers’ campaign

Matt Roller30-Aug-2025

Andrew Flintoff congratulates Joe Root after Rockets progressed to the final•Philip Brown/Getty Images

It will be Trent Rockets, not Northern Superchargers, who face Oval Invincibles in Sunday’s Hundred final at Lord’s after a soggy night in south London ended in an abandonment. Showers delayed the start by 20 minutes, prompted two hour-long interruptions, and eventually wiped the game out altogether, with Rockets progressing by virtue of their higher group-stage finish.The final call came at 9.52pm, nearly four hours yet only 80 legal balls after the scheduled 6pm start. Rockets twice started to chase adjusted targets – 134 off 75, then 105 off 55 – only for the drizzle to turn into rain, and the crowd had thinned by the time a final heavy downpour prompted umpires James Middlebrook and Martin Saggers to finally pull the plug.The final will start barely 20 hours after the Eliminator ended, and a stop-start night hardly served ideal preparation. “It’s been a long day… I thought you had to wait until the rain stops before you start,” reflected Rockets’ Marcus Stoinis, who removed Harry Brook and David Miller before the rain took over. “It’s a bit of chaos, but I think it will be fine.”Invincibles, by contrast, have had since Monday to prepare for Sunday’s final as table-toppers, and will welcome back Stoinis’ close friend Adam Zampa as a handy replacement for Rashid Khan. Jordan Cox and Sam Curran helped them to surge home against Rockets in the stand-out match of the group stage, and they are gunning for a third successive title.David Willey struck with his third ball to remove Zak Crawley•ECB/Getty Images

“It was a good contest last time,” Stoinis said of their meeting at The Oval earlier this month. “We probably had the better of them for the majority of that game and they played really well. Credit to them for winning… It was some of the best hitting that there’s been in any cricket, really. But to be honest, we haven’t really thought about it – we haven’t had a chance!”This was a cruel end for Brook’s Superchargers, but one they could have avoided. These two teams were level on points heading into the final week of the group stage, but Superchargers lost their last fixture on Tuesday, and Rockets clinched second place with a win on Wednesday. With no reserve day for the Eliminator, it proved enough for them.”I think everybody in the world knew that was going to happen,” Brook said, ruefully. “Everyone saw the forecast was going to be shocking from about five or six o’clock. It is what it is. We can’t do anything about it.”It’s easy to say loads of things when you’re sat on the losing side. You could say we could have played last night, knowing that it was going to rain tonight; or we could have brought the game earlier, say the girls play at 11 and we play at 2. But this is how they’ve set the schedule… There’s so many things you could say.”Harry Brook was cleaned up by Marcus Stoinis•ECB/Getty Images

Rockets shaded the limited action there was, with captain David Willey setting the tone after winning what looked like an important toss. He struck with his third ball, which Zak Crawley edged to slip, and frontloaded his 20-ball allocation into the first 40 in the knowledge that the innings was unlikely to last its scheduled duration.Dan Lawrence top-scored with an unbeaten 44 from No. 3 around cameos from Dawid Malan and David Miller as Superchargers reached 76 for 3 after 50 balls at the first rain break, and 119 for 5 after 75 at the second. Lawrence was unusually due to keep wicket, but the discarded Michael Pepper took the gloves as a substitute fielder after Malan tweaked a muscle.After the first long delay, Jacob Duffy pushed the first ball of Rockets’ chase past Tom Banton’s pad; after the second, Banton slashed him over slip for four and picked up four leg-byes from an attempted scoop. But no sooner had Matthew Potts removed his cap to bowl the second set, than the rain returned with a vengeance, sending Superchargers’ season down the drain.

Manchester United edged closer to finally winning five successive games in the Premier League when they won their third in a row against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Bryan Mbeumo scored two of the club’s four goals in the game, whilst Casemiro got on the scoresheet and Matheus Cunha scored his first goal for United since his move from Wolves.

Interestingly, the Red Devils were up against a player they were reportedly willing to smash their club transfer record on, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The Premier League giants were reportedly keen on a deal for the defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window, before INEOS decided against a big-money move for him.

Baleba, however, was substituted in the 59th minute of the match, having failed to provide any goals or assists, whilst Casemiro, his direct opponent, scored and provided an assist.

The Brighton midfielder’s performance on Saturday, coupled with his displays throughout this season, may make the club think twice about any potential move for him in a future transfer window.

Why Man Utd may not make a move for Carlos Baleba

The left-footed star’s drop-off in form from last season to the current campaign is cause for concern at Old Trafford, as it shows a lack of consistency in his game.

In the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, Baleba won 55% of his duels and made 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game across 34 appearances in the Premier League for Brighton.

The 21-year-old midfield talent also scored three goals and provided one assist for his club, with his performances leading to interest from Manchester United in the summer.

Unfortunately, though, Baleba has been unable to kick on and continue his fine form on the pitch in the Premier League this season, after he did not get a move away from Brighton during the transfer window.

The United target’s defensive numbers are down across the board through the opening nine matches of the 2025/26 campaign, which may be a red flag for the Red Devils recruitment department.

Carlos Baleba (Premier League)

24/25

25/26

Appearances

34

9

Goals

3

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.7

2.1

Clearances per game

1.3

0.9

Duels won per game

5.8

3.1

Ground duel success rate

55%

41%

Fouls made per game

1.2

1.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Baleba’s form has dropped off a cliff this term, from a defensive perspective, as he has gone from being dominant in duels to being dominated by opposition players.

This is why Ruben Amorim and INEOS may be hesitant to make a club-record move, of more than £89m, for the Brighton man in January or next summer, as his current performance level shows that he has not been consistently impressive.

Man Utd preparing move for LaLiga midfielder

According to a report in Spain, via Stretty News, Manchester United are interested in a deal to sign Real Madrid defensive midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in the upcoming January window.

The report claims that the Red Devils are preparing to make a move for the France international to bolster their options in the middle of the park next year.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

It adds that the Premier League giants have made Camavinga a ‘top priority’ target and that they are prepared to offer around £70m to secure his signature from the Spanish side.

The outlet reveals, though, that Real Madrid are not in any rush to cash in on the former Rennes star, and that it would potentially take more than £70m to convince them to part ways with the midfielder.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Red Devils will be able to do enough to convince Real Madrid to sell Camavinga, or if they will be able to convince the player to make the move to Old Trafford, with no European football on offer this season.

Why Man Utd should sign Eduardo Camavinga

Manchester United should press ahead with a deal for the French central midfielder because he would be an upgrade on Baleba, as an even better signing for Amorim’s midfield.

The left-footed star, who scored his first goal in the Champions League last month, provided a timely reminder of his quality in the El Clásico at the weekend, winning eight of his 12 duels and completing all three of his attempted dribbles in a 2-1 win over Barcelona, per Sofascore.

Camavinga, who has been utilised at left-back, centre-back, central midfield, and defensive midfield by Real, has shown more consistency and quality in his performances than Baleba over the past 365 days in all competitions.

The chart above shows that the France international has outperformed the Brighton star in a host of key midfield statistics both in and out of possession in the past year.

On top of that, the £70m-rated midfielder, who was described as a “duel-monster” by analyst Raj Chohan, has outperformed Baleba at league level so far in the 2025/26 campaign.

25/26 season

Camavinga (LaLiga)

Baleba (Premier League)

Appearances

6

9

Sofascore rating

6.96

6.53

Tackles made per game

1.8

1.0

Dribbled past per game

0.7x

0.7x

Duels won per game

4.3

3.1

Ground duel success rate

74%

41%

Fouls per game

0.3

1.4

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Real Madrid star has been significantly more effective as a defensive presence in the middle of the park at league level this season, winning 1.2 more duels per game and winning a far higher percentage of his ground duels.

Perhaps the most telling statistic is their respective fouls made per game. Camavinga rarely trips up and has to foul opposition players, whilst Baleba is committing over one foul per match on average, which shows that he is losing duels and having to resort to fouls to break up play.

Overall, Camavinga appears to be the better option out of the two, as evidenced by both his form this season and over the past 365 days, as a defensive midfield signing for United in the January transfer window.

This is why INEOS should forget about a move for Baleba and concentrate their efforts on attempting to sign the Real Madrid midfielder next year.

Related British prodigy who’s like Lampard has made huge decision about joining Man Utd in January

He has a massive future ahead of him.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Oct 28, 2025

Manchester City are now planning to make a move for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior if he becomes available, amid tension with manager Xabi Alonso.

Rodri might have something to say about Man City making a move for Vinicius, given what happened back in 2024, with the Real Madrid forward refusing to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony after finding out the Spanish midfielder was set to win the award.

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele went on to win the prestigious award for the first time this year, with the Brazilian missing out again, but he remains in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or power rankings for 2026, with two City stars also in the top 20.

After the controversy that unfolded, City fans unveiled a banner mocking the Madrid forward using Oasis lyrics ahead of a Champions League tie against the Spanish side last season.

Man City planning to make move for Vinicius Junior

Despite the fallout after the 2024 Ballon d’Or, a report from Spain has now revealed that Man City intend to make a move for Vinicius if he becomes available, amid rumours of tension with Real Madrid manager Alonso.

A number of elite clubs are closely monitoring the situation, including Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, with the winger yet to put pen to paper on a new contract to extend his stay at the La Liga club beyond 2027.

However, it could take a huge bid to get a deal over the line, with reports from elsewhere revealing Madrid are expected to demand €250m (£220m) to sanction a departure.

Lauded as “the best player in the world” by Real Madrid columnist Kiyan Sobhani, the Brazil international has been one of the driving forces behind his side’s fantastic start to the season, having won nine of their opening ten La Liga matches.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has featured in every game, chipping in with nine goal contributions, but he stole the headlines for different reasons in the El Clasico last time out, having engaged in a heated exchange with Alonso after being substituted.

The most recent outburst, coupled with his reaction to being snubbed, suggests the Rio de Janeiro-born forward may cause problems behind-the-scenes for Pep Guardiola, but there can be no denying he is a top player, excelling across several key metrics over the past year.

Statistic	Average per 90
Non-penalty goals	0.41 (89th percentile)
Assists	0.29 (83rd percentile)
Progressive carries	7.36 (99th percentile)
Successful take-ons	3.0 (97th percentile)

That said, £220m would be a huge fee to shell out on any player, so it may be worth waiting another year to see if Vinicius’ price-tag drops towards the end of his contract.

Vinicius Junior has been named as one of the best wingers in the world

The Best 15 Wingers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best wide man in world football right now?

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 28, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras está em desvantagem no placar agregado da final do Paulistão diante do Santos. A equipe treinada por Abel Ferreira acabou derrotada por 1 a 0 na Vila Belmiro, mas conta com motivos convincentes para apostar na virada e, consequentemente, o tricampeonato seguido do Estadual.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Acredita no Verdão?! Aposte R$50 e fature R$260 no Lance! Betting para o Palmeiras fazer 2 a 0 ser campeão no tempo normal

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

O clássico acontece a partir das 18h deste domingo (7), no Allianz Parque.

VIRADAS RECENTES

Nos dois últimos títulos estaduais, o Palmeiras saiu em desvantagem. Diante do São Paulo, em 2022, a primeira partida terminou com derrota alviverde por 3 a 1. Contra o Água Santa, ano passado, o clube de Diadema venceu por 2 a 1.

➡️ Palmeiras x Santos: onde assistir e escalações da final do Paulistão

Com cenários semelhantes à final de 2024, o Verdão buscou a virada nas duas ocasiões. Em ambas, goleou os adversários por 4 a 0. Além disso, todos os jogos de volta aconteceram no Allianz Parque, estádio que o Alviverde passou a contar novamente e mandará o clássico com o Santos.

continua após a publicidade

“LAST DANCE” DO CRAQUE

Endrick, “o cara” do Palmeiras, disputará seu último título pelo clube, diante do Santos. O garoto já se demonstrou decisivo mesmo com a pouca idade e foi grande personagem dos últimos dois títulos brasileiros do Verdão e, inclusive, até em vitórias da Seleção Brasileira principal.

O atacante também revelou que seu último desejo vestindo verde e branco é faturar o Paulistão. Ele se muda para o Real Madrid, da Espanha, na metade deste ano.

continua após a publicidade

ABEL FERREIRA

Multicampeão pelo Palmeiras, Abel construiu uma equipe sólida e tem ótimo retrospecto contra o Santos. São sete vitórias, dois empates e duas derrotas enfrentando o rival, desde 2020.

Além disso, o Verdão treinado pelo profissional português soma apenas uma derrota no tempo regulamentar em toda a temporada 2024.

Tudo sobre

Campeonato PaulistaPalmeirasSantos

It’s been a confusing month or so for Chelsea fans.

One week, the Blues are beating Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, and then the next, they’re losing to Sunderland or dropping points against Qarabağ.

However, while Enzo Maresca’s side are far from consistent at the moment, it is full of sensational talent.

In fact, there is at least one player who feels destined to become one of the best in the world, alongside Cole Palmer.

Chelsea's world-class stars

While it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, Chelsea are blessed with several players who could become some of the very best in the world in their position, if they aren’t already there.

Chalkboard

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

For example, while Moises Caicedo had a slow start to life in West London, he is now one of, if not the best six, in the Premier League.

The Ecuadorian is a monster when it comes to winning the ball back, has an underrated range of passing and can score his fair share of bangers.

Another star who is arguably the best in his position in the league is Reece James.

The Cobham gem is no longer suffering from injury after injury and, as a result, has been able to show the full extent of his exceptional ability on a consistent basis.

For example, in addition to being rock solid at the back, he is a genuine attacking threat due to both his impressive passing range and ball-striking ability.

Finally, while he’s out injured at the moment, Palmer is without doubt on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world.

He is the one who makes the Blues’ attack click, and in just 101 appearances for the club has already racked up a tally of 45 goals and 29 assists.

With all that said, there is another young Chelsea star who looks like he could be following in Palmer’s footsteps.

The Chelsea star on track to be one of the best in the world

While there are several exciting youngsters at Chelsea, like Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens, and even Alejandro Garnacho, the one who seems destined for the very top is, of course, Estevao.

The highly promising Brazilian gem was signed by Chelsea last year, but due to regulations surrounding players under 18, he was unable to join the club until this season.

However, it looks like that extra year in his homeland has done him the world of good, as so far this season, he has looked every bit the “future Ballon d’Or winner” respected analyst Ben Mattinson described him as.

Appearances

83

Minutes

5610′

Goals

27

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

133.57′

For example, he was arguably the Blues’ most exciting player in pre-season and injected some real life into the side when he came on in the season opener against Crystal Palace.

Then, when Palmer picked up an injury ahead of the West Ham game, Maresaca handed the youngster his first competitive start, and he looked incredible.

The Franca-born gem was running rings around the East Londoners and even picked up his first assist after a mazy run.

Amazingly, his first goal for the club came in that incredible 2-1 win over Liverpool last month.

He then quickly followed that up with a goal against Ajax in the Champions League and another against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup.

As if he hadn’t already made his mark on the team, he then scored his second UCL goal against Qarabağ.

In doing so, he became the first South American 18 or under to score in consecutive Champions League matches.

Ultimately, while it is still so early in his career, it certainly feels like Estevao is on the same trajectory as Palmer and will soon join him as one of the best players in the world.

Big-money Chelsea flop is fast becoming their new Danny Drinkwater

Chelsea have a new Danny Drinkwater on their books.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 7, 2025

Group B is the group of death, and whoever loses on Saturday will ride a treacherous road to Super Four qualification

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Sep-20252:32

Jaffer: Bangladesh favourites over SL

Big pictureSo far in the Asia Cup, things have gone roughly as expected. India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have all registered comfortable victories, and Pakistan have also avoided an early banana peel. But Saturday brings up a more even clash. Over the last few years, T20 matches between these teams have sometimes been explosive, but although the heat of the rivalry has died down a little, it is also clear that these are well-matched teams in this format. Over the last 10 years, Sri Lanka have won eight of their 16 encounters, and Bangladesh eight.Related

Asalanka: We are T20 Asia Cup defending champions

Hasaranga fit for Sri Lanka's Asia Cup campaign

Why are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh so poor at T20I batting?

Hridoy hits back at critics as Bangladesh opt for safety over speed

More recently Bangladesh have had the better run, winning 2-1 in Sri Lanka in July, having also beaten Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup last year in Dallas. In those matches, Bangladesh’s bowlers tended to strike early, and find wickets regularly. Sri Lanka hope their batting order is in a better place now. But it was less than two weeks ago that they collapsed to 80 all out against Zimbabwe.Bangladesh also have the advantage of having played a match at this venue already. Their crushing of Hong Kong on Thursday was a largely complete performance, with the seamers getting wickets and the top order unfussily taking the team home in a modest chase. There were also wickets for legspinner Rishad Hossain, who was excellent against Sri Lanka in their most recent series, going at only 5.47 an over in his 12 overs across three matches.This being the group of death – Afghanistan are the other top-10 team vying for a Super Four spot – whichever team loses here will ride a treacherous road to qualification.Wanindu Hasaranga is set to return after missing the tour of Zimbabwe with a hamstring injury•AFP/Getty ImagesForm guideBangladesh: WWWLW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Sri Lanka: WLWLLIn the spotlight: Litton Das and Pathum NissankaBangladesh captain Litton Das needs 56 more runs to become Bangladesh’s most prolific T20I batter. He is clearly one of Bangladesh’s key T20I batters at the moment, having hit 476 runs this year at a strike rate of 137.17. He also top-scored for Bangladesh in that series in Sri Lanka. Given his experience, he is the Bangladesh batter that will worry Sri Lanka’s bowlers the most.Pathum Nissanka is having a fine T20I year himself, having made 230 runs at a strike rate of 147.43 in 2025. That Sri Lanka have been a significantly improved team in the powerplay is down partly to Nissanka’s improvements. He has opened up new parts of his game, and has become particularly severe on errors of length. In Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka lost the only match in which he didn’t get to 30.Pitch and conditionsThe Abu Dhabi pitch tends to be batting-friendly, though occasionally it will have something for the slower bowlers as well. Rain is not forecast on Saturday.2:05

Jaffer: Hasaranga’s return big boost for SL

Team news: Hasaranga set to returnBangladesh will likely keep the same XI that beat Hong Kong. That means they will likely play three frontline seamers.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Pervez Hossain Emon, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman.Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said Wanindu Hasaranga should be available to play on Saturday, after Hasaranga had missed the Zimbabwe series with a hamstring injury. He also suggested Sri Lanka could go in with three frontline seam options. If fit, Dushmantha Chameers seems a certainty, with Asalanka stating that Nuwan Thushara would also play. Binura Fernando may just have the edge over Matheesha Pathirana for the last spot.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Binura Fernando, 11 Nuwan Thushara.Stats and trivia Pathum Nissanka needs 50 more runs to complete a tally of 2000 in T20Is. He has played only 67 innings, which means he has eight innings in which to get those 50 runs and become the fastest Sri Lanka men’s batter to the milestone. Kusal Perera got there in his 76th innings. Litton Das has not been dismissed for less than 50 in his last four T20I innings, making 54*, 18*, 73, and 59, against Netherlands and Hong Kong. Even just in Asia Cups, these teams’ record is pretty even. Bangladesh won the first T20I Asia Cup match between them, in Mirpur in 2016. Sri Lanka won the next one, in Dubai in 2022. Quotes”It’s more of a rivalry for the fans. For us as players it’s just good challenging competition.”
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka on the rivalry between these teams