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Setting lofty ambitions for 2026, Tottenham Hotspur have now reportedly launched their opening move to sign a Barcelona star who earns over £14m a year in Spain.

Tottenham's ambitious transfer plans

When Tottenham Hotspur dismissed Daniel Levy, they set their sights on turning Tottenham into an ambitious club rather than just sustainable. Vinai Venkatesham, chief executive, told reporters when Levy left the club: “We’ve got a massive global fanbase. We saw in May in Bilbao what that next step is. That is competing for and ultimately winning trophies.

Agbonlahor says Frank should be worried about Tottenham star who gives "zero"

The pundit claims he can’t be relied upon.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 4, 2025

“We’ve had a taste of that, and it’s even better than you imagined. You realise the club is even bigger than you thought it was, and you’re hungry for more. That’s what everyone associated with this club is hungry for, more nights like that.”

Since then, Thomas Frank has enjoyed mixed results in all competitions but has managed to stay unbeaten in the Premier League after edging past Leeds United. The Lilywhites sealed victory thanks to Mohammed Kudus’ first Premier League goal for the club, as his strong start continues after his summer move.

It’s the type of successful transfer window that those in North London will be keen to repeat in 2026 and reports are already suggesting that their ambitions are high.

Some have even gone as far as to suggest that Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde is a summer target. The impressive midfielder would be an undeniable game-changer in Frank’s side, but it remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites can lure him to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the famous El Clasico, Tottenham have reportedly made their first move for a Barcelona star.

Tottenham launch first Ter Stegen move

According to Sport in Spain, Tottenham have now launched their first enquiry to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the winter window. The Barcelona shot-stopper is currently out injured with a ruptured patellar tendon and is not expected to return until around January time, but that hasn’t stopped Spurs from making their first move.

In the meantime, the 33-year-old will have just two years remaining on his current deal when the summer arrives, which certainly leaves the door ajar for a potential exit. The big question for those in North London will be whether Ter Stegen still has the quality to step into the Premier League.

For all his experience and place as one of Barcelona’s biggest earners at around €16m (£14m) every year, this is still a player coming back from a major injury in his 30s. Tottenham must take that into account.

Although Barcelona chief Deco recently dubbed the German “great”, the Spanish giants and any on-watching interested parties will only receive a glimpse of the goalkeeper’s current level when he returns from injury. Until then, Tottenham would be wise to proceed with caution.

MLB’s winter meetings continued on Tuesday, as more deals were struck and rumors continued to fly.

The blockbuster news on Tuesday was the Dodgers signing Mets All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a massive, three-year, $69 million deal. L.A.’s bullpen was a mess in 2025, and last offseason’s big signing, Tanner Scott, was straight up awful. The team’s closer went 1–4 with a 4.74 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, 60 strikeouts against 18 walks in 57 innings, and posted a whopping 10 blown saves. Theoretically, signing Díaz should correct that mistake.

That was the big headline on Tuesday, but there are plenty of rumors circulating around the winter meetings. Several of the biggest we’re hearing are below.

Red Sox could look to Bo Bichette

The Red Sox want to bring free agent third baseman Alex Bregman back, but he has drawn interest from across the league. If he opted to bolt for a new home, it would leave Boston with a sizable hole in the infield. Enter Bo Bichette. Rumors are picking up steam that the Red Sox could turn to Bichette if Bregman walks. While the 27-year-old shortstop’s defensive metrics are awful, he could man the spot for a few years with Marcelo Mayer sliding over to third base.

Bichette is coming off an outstanding season for the Blue Jays in which he slashed .311/.357/.483, and set a full-season personal best with a wRC+ of 134, while producing 3.8 fWAR in 139 games. He’s a hitting machine and would fit well with a young Red Sox core ready to start making the next steps toward contention. Toronto won’t let him walk without a fight, but Boston would be an excellent fit.

Mets willing to trade David Peterson

The Mets watched Díaz leave for the Dodgers on Tuesday, and there’s another All-Star pitcher who might not be back in 2026. The team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, has said there is currently a “pretty active” trade market, and ’s Tim Britton and Will Sammon are reporting New York would consider parting with starter David Peterson in the right deal.

The 30-year-old lefty made his first All-Star team in 2025 and went 9–6, with a 4.22 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts against 65 walks in 168 2/3 innings. That followed a 2024 campaign in which he went 10–3 with a 2.90 ERA in 121 innings. Peterson is under team control through the 2026 season before hitting free agency.

Given his production and what should be an affordable salary (projected to be under $8 million) in his final year of arbitration, Peterson wouldn’t come cheap. The Mets need rotation help, so it would likely take a decent amount to pry him loose. That said, New York needs to find an outfielder to replace the departed Brandon Nimmo and may need to find a replacement for Pete Alonso at first base. Moving a valuable player to fill those holes might be the route Stearns opts to take.

Ketel Marte trade speculation continues

The Diamondbacks continue to field calls on second baseman Ketel Marte. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star is one of the big names available on the trade block this offseason, but he’ll fetch a high price if he is moved. He’s coming off a 2025 season in which he slashed .283/.376/.517, with 28 home runs, 72 RBIs, a wRC+ of 145, and 4.6 fWAR. He was also criticized for sitting out too many games.

For Arizona to move Marte, it would need a massive return. He’s owed $102.5 million over the next six years, which is an incredibly affordable contract for a player with his ability. He’s a consistent, All-Star-level performer, and while he’s leaving his prime, his deal is manageable.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Red Sox are interested, along with three unnamed teams.

Dodgers not “likely” to move Teoscar Hernandez

While they have a mostly complete roster, the Dodgers are looking to rework some things this offseason. They kicked off that effort on Tuesday by signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz, and they almost certainly won’t be done making changes. One potential deal seems to be off the table, though.

L.A. general manager Brandon Gomes said it “doesn’t feel likely” that outfielder Teoscar Hernández will be moved. After he helped lead them to a World Series title in 2024, the Dodgers re-signed Hernández to a three-year, $66 million deal last offseason. The 33-year-old proceeded to take a step back. In 2025, he slashed .247/.284/.454, with 25 home runs and 89 RBIs, while posting a career-worst wRC+ (102), and only producing 0.6 fWAR. All of those numbers were significantly lower than those he put up in 2024. It doesn’t help that he’s also a terrible defender in right field.

Hernández is expensive for an aging one-dimensional player coming off a down year, but the lack of right-handed bats available in free agency may have elevated his value. Still, it’s a big investment for a risky return. On the flip side, the Dodgers may opt to keep Hernández simply for the sake of continuity. He fits in the clubhouse, and if he underperforms again, the team is more than capable of paying to find a replacement.

L.A. is looking for another outfielder this offseason, and moving Hernández would necessitate finding a second. It’s likely he’ll stay with the team heading into 2026.

The India captain’s high-risk batting has made sure there is no jeopardy as the chase enters the middle overs

Sidharth Monga08-Nov-20231:20

Kumble: Rohit and Kohli key to India’s World Cup success

Rohit Sharma has scored more powerplay runs, quicker, at a higher average, hitting more fours and more sixes than anyone at this World Cup. It is a staggering statistic. For a batter who built his game on watchful starts. For a team that is built on conservative starts and big runs from star batters. For a captain to take that high-risk role on and not delegate it to a younger batter.At least for the last ten years, India have consistently been among the best two or three sides in limited-overs cricket. However, that has been down to the sheer quality of players. Nobody can accuse them of being the most modern or tactically the sharpest side despite always having been among the best.Ever since Rohit has taken over the reins, though, he and coach Rahul Dravid have looked to push themselves out of their comfort zones. One of the areas India could push themselves in was putting a slightly lesser price on their wickets in the early and middle overs and being more enterprising. Rohit knew he had to lead by example if he wanted other batters to follow suit.Related

• Relaxed Rohit neither 'too excited' nor feeling 'much pressure' ahead of big final

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Rohit has been trying to hit a boundary to 30% of the balls inside the powerplay. Only Travis Head has been more enterprising, but not with as much success. Rohit has been in control of 77% of those boundary attempts, which is incredible efficiency. As a result, India are behind only Australia in scoring quickly in the powerplay. Australia have played more higher-scoring games than India, and both their openers are going for it as opposed to one for India.While India have generally been looking to be proactive in the powerplay, the extent Rohit has taken it to has perhaps surprised even the management. “It is his idea, he is taking the initiative,” the batting coach Vikram Rathour said. “There are no set strategies at a World Cup. We are looking to maximise, looking to score as many runs as we can. And if the surface is good, and if he feels he can go for it, he does.”It has perhaps helped that the ball has not swung much when India have batted. Possibly the plan was to watch a couple of overs with each ball and then cash in on the second half of the powerplay. It seems Rohit has seen the lack of swing, and started going much earlier.The pressure it has put the opposition bowlers under was apparent in how many unforced errors South Africa made with the new ball in what was being seen as the final before the final. It was a tricky pitch on which the spinners were not going to be easy to face. The headstart that Rohit gave India allowed Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to take their time and take no risks against the dangerous Keshav Maharaj. That is a luxury India need with Nos. 8 to 11 not offering much with the bat.Not that Kohli can’t deal with the demand of scoring quicker than his team-mates, but these starts from Rohit take away the pressure of scoring quickly. And when Kohli needs to score at only five an over, he is pretty much invincible. He is able to make sure he bats deep into the innings so that India don’t miss the batting depth.Vikram Rathour on Rohit Sharma: “He is playing the way he wants the team to play”•ICC via Getty ImagesIn a tournament where chasing has not been easy, Rohit’s starts have made sure there is no jeopardy as the chase enters the middle overs. The presence of Kohli perhaps gives him the confidence to play the high-risk game as was seen in the first match against Australia.Rathour was asked if the coaches asked Rohit to bat that way. “He feels he is batting well, and if he feels the wicket is good and he can go for his shots, he is going for them,” Rathour said. “That has been working out really well for the team.”The most impressive aspect of the way Rohit has been batting is that it didn’t come off at first. Now, batters are known to be extremely particular with what brings them success. It would have been easy for Rohit to say he gave it a shot, but it didn’t work out, and it is best for him and the team that he goes back to his tried and trusted methods. Rohit, though, kept at it.”It takes a lot of conviction,” Rathour said. “That is why he is a great batsman. He always has the conviction. He is one guy who is leading with his actions. He is playing himself the way he wants the team to play.”There is no guarantee India will finally take those final two steps after dominating the league stage once again, but for once, thanks to almost revolutionary batting from Rohit, you can’t accuse them of not being with the times.

Manchester United have now identified an “unbelievable” manager as their first-choice target to replace Ruben Amorim, amid the uncertainty surrounding the 40-year-old’s future.

Amorim not out of the woods despite improved results

Frank Ilett, the fan who has vowed not to cut his hair until Man United win five games in a row, probably hasn’t gotten his hopes up just yet, but Amorim has made some improvements in recent weeks, guiding his side to wins in two of their last three Premier League games.

On paper, the fixture list looks relatively kind until late October, with the Red Devils set to take on Brentford away this Saturday, before taking on Sunderland at Old Trafford the following week, giving Amorim a golden opportunity to buy himself some more time.

However, the United boss will be well-aware that things must start improving, given that he is currently regarded as one of the worst appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

It has now been revealed the Man United hierarchy have started making plans for life after Amorim, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing that AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is the number one choice to replace the Portuguese coach.

Iraola, who is one of the most sought-after managers in Europe, is being closely monitored by the Red Devils, having transformed Bournemouth’s fortunes since replacing Gary O’Neil back in the summer of 2023.

INEOS are said to view the Spaniard as an elite coach, with the capabilities of managing a top club, and they have been impressed with the way in which he has implemented his system at the Vitality Stadium.

"He was our best player" – Amorim told Man Utd star is "suffering" more than Bruno in new role

He’s yet to show his best form this season…

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 24, 2025

"Unbelievable" Iraola could be perfect Amorim replacement

Sky Sports’ Sue Smith waxed lyrical about the job the 43-year-old has done with the Cherries earlier this year, describing the work he’s done as “unbelievable”.

The Bournemouth boss, who likes to implement a 4-2-3-1 system, led his side to a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, and he has made a flying start to the new campaign.

Despite losing a number of key players in the summer, such as Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez and Dango Ouattara, the Cherries have taken ten points from their opening five games, with arguably their most impressive victory coming away at Tottenham Hotspur.

Having now proven himself in the Premier League over a sustained period of time, Iraola could be the ideal replacement for Amorim, but it appears as though INEOS are willing to give the current manager a little while longer, after two wins in the last three league games.

The €197 million sale of the iconic San Siro Stadium to Inter and AC Milan has been overshadowed by a shock probe into alleged bid-rigging. Just an hour after the deed was signed, prosecutors launched an investigation, drawing outrage from Inter president Beppe Marotta and Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala, who condemned the “worrying timing” of the inquiry.

• San Siro's historic deal under scrutiny

  Milan and Inter completed the €197 million (£165m/$215m) purchase of the San Siro Stadium and surrounding land from the Municipality of Milan, ending 77 years of municipal ownership. The deal is a historic milestone allowing both Serie A clubs to move ahead with plans for a new, modern arena designed by Foster + Partners and MANICA Architecture. Foster + Partners are the same company that are working on the new Manchester United stadium, which is being touted to become the largest football stadium in UK.

  But celebrations were quickly clouded by controversy. Just one hour after the deed was signed, the Milan prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into alleged bid-rigging during the sale process. Inter president Marotta voiced his frustration at the Football Business Forum, saying: “The deed was signed at noon, and an hour later, the investigation opened. This is Italy.”

  Calling the deal “a historic event” and “a step towards financial self-sufficiency,” Marotta criticised the timing of the probe as symbolic of Italy’s slow-moving bureaucracy compared to Europe’s efficiency.

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• AFP
  

  Officials push back against prosecutors

  Marotta wasn’t alone in his criticism. Milan’s mayor, returning from Brazil, addressed the investigation for the first time, defending the city’s role in the transaction. "We did everything right, respecting the rules. Once we received the expression of interest, we kept the tender open for the necessary time," Sala said during the Lombardy at the Heart of the Olympic Challenge event.

  Sports Minister Andrea Abodi also echoed their concerns, emphasising that Italy’s ongoing infrastructure projects, including the San Siro redevelopment and preparations for Euro 2032, were being conducted transparently and in the public interest.

  "Suddenly, something is happening that hasn't happened for 30 years, and it doesn't just concern Euro 2032: in Italy we have a dozen open construction sites that we will manage with the extraordinary commissioner Sessa, and I think this is an extraordinary result. What has been done in Milan has significant value, beyond its economic dimension, because it seeks to improve the city and the nation, unlike someone who, on a political or judicial level, attempts to question a path that is in everyone's interest."

  The investigation centres on whether alternative bidders, including promoter Claudio Trotta of the Si Meazza Committee, were unfairly excluded from participating due to an unusually short tender window. Trotta alleged that “other consortiums were never given a fair chance,” prompting prosecutors to open formal inquiries.

• City symbol enters Inter & Milan hands

  The San Siro sale marks the end of 77 years of municipal control and the beginning of a new era of private ownership in Italian football. Built in 1926 and expanded over the decades, the San Siro, officially known as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, has hosted World Cups, Champions League finals, and countless derbies, becoming a symbol of Milanese identity.

  Under the terms of the sale, both clubs will continue to share the existing stadium until the new 71,500-seat arena is completed, expected before Euro 2032. The redevelopment includes green spaces, retail areas, and leisure facilities, turning the site into a modern entertainment hub.

  Both Milan and Inter see the move as vital for reviving Serie A’s global competitiveness. Their joint statement called the acquisition “a new chapter for the city of Milan and Italian football.” For fans, however, it’s bittersweet, progress at the cost of nostalgia.

  Still, club leaders argue that the new stadium is essential contending that it would allow them to make it a much bigger source of earnings, which is required today with how mordernised the sports has become in recent times. Milan president Paolo Scaroni acknowledged the emotional resistance, saying: “It was a difficult process, not only because of the bureaucracy but also because people didn't want a new stadium out of nostalgia. But today, if someone wants to go to San Siro, it's almost scary, when there's no match, it's almost deserted. And instead, we want a stadium that can host something every day.”

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  The road ahead for Serie A clubs

  While the investigation looms, both clubs are pressing forward. The new stadium project, estimated at €1.2-1.5 billion, aims to meet UEFA’s highest standards, generate year-round revenue, and reflect sustainability goals. Designed by world-renowned architects, the arena will retain tributes to the old San Siro’s legacy while embracing a futuristic, fan-focused model.

  Despite the optimism, challenges persist. Demolishing an iconic landmark has drawn public resistance, while legal uncertainty could delay construction. The compressed bidding timeline, which lasted just over a month, remains at the centre of the probe. Still, city officials maintain the process was “transparent and compliant with all legal and procedural requirements.”

Young captain earns rewards after steering tight-knit team to memorable win at Trent Bridge

Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Sep-2023Lewis Hill has been at Leicestershire for the last 16 years, earned his first professional contract in 2014 and stepped up as club captain this season. If anyone has a full scope of the ups and downs of the county, it’s him. A player who pushed to realise a dream that has, up until now, been punctuated by crises rather than glory.As he sat at a table within the depths of Trent Bridge, Metro Bank One-Day Cup winners’ medal around his neck, guffawing through every answer in his post-match press conference, his joy was infectious, even uncomfortable. While his team-mates were bouncing off the dressing-room walls after a remarkable two-run victory over Hampshire to seal their first trophy since 2011, Hill was almost physically fighting to suppress his emotions to find the words to contextualise the proudest day of his career.He was able to, of course, summoning similar levels of composure that he had displayed in the field as Leicestershire defended their 267 for 7. It was a total built off the back of a remarkable unbeaten 117 from Harry Swindells, and 60 from Sam Evans. Hill’s own 42 should also be registered, stemming the flow after the top-order had been blitzed to leave them 19 for 4 inside seven overs.It helped that Hill’s words were merely variations of a speech he had been giving behind closed doors for a while. Promises made to the squad that had now come to fruition.”I kept saying at the start of the year that we could do something special with the group of players that we had,” Hill said. “We have done that.”We have pictures at Grace Road of T20 Blast wins, and we said at the start of the year: ‘Guys, let’s get up there; 20 years on, when you come to come to watch Leicestershire County Cricket Club, you see the people who won a trophy for the club.’ That means a lot.”Leicestershire’s wall of champions will now get an overdue update, with this group emulating the Blast winners of 2004, 2006 and 2011, while becoming the first team since 1985 to bring a List A trophy back to this corner of the Midlands.Leicestershire celebrate after Josh Hull closed out victory off the final ball•Getty ImagesThat Hill was in this position, not just a winning captain but captain outright, is down to a malaise all too familiar with Leicestershire. A winless County Championship campaign in 2022 was followed by Callum Parkinson declining a contract extension – he departs for Durham at the end of this summer – and brought a change in leadership. Maybe Hill was chosen because he was already a popular figure, maybe because – as per those who know him – he is an empathetic soul, but this season has carried an unfamiliar optimism, even after the departure of head coach Paul Nixon in July.Leicestershire are still just about in a promotion push, though they will rely on other results to go their way in the final two rounds. They came within 16 runs of a successful chase of 499 against Sussex last week, which would have been their fourth Championship win of the season. It would have also repeated their trick in 2023’s Division Two opener when they pulled off a bumper fourth-innings victory over Yorkshire – the first time they had triumphed in a first-class match at Headingley since 1910. Suddenly, a county regularly mooted as an irrelevance, always first for the chop in any blue-sky thinking into the future of the domestic game, were fighting back.”I just wanted to be myself through the whole summer,” Hill said of his approach to leadership. “It has been a lot of man-management because I think that is how you get the best out of your players. We stuck together – obviously we had a bit of a hiccup in the middle of the year – but we really stuck together while the outside world kind of pelted at us a little bit.”To stick together the way we have, I’m really proud of every player, and I’m really pleased for not just the players but everyone associated with Leicestershire – members, supporters, people who have worked there – to see some success. I am really happy that they can see us do this.”It’s worth exploring the man-management element of all this. Leicestershire only lost once in the group stage but were dealt a blow when Peter Handscomb, their leading run-scorer, returned home to Australia after helping them over the line in the semi-final against Gloucestershire. Evans, the designated next man in, having already made two appearances in the competition, knew last week that he would be replacing Handscomb in the final.By contrast, Swindells was only made aware of his call-up on Friday after Matt Sailsbury picked up a hamstring injury. And after deliberating with coaches Alfonso Thomas and James Taylor, Hill reckoned he could cope with just the four seamers and Colin Ackermann’s offspin, and figured giving Swindells the gloves could ease his own workload. It proved an inspired decision and, of course, damn lucky, which is not to detract from Hill’s game-management. Some of cricket’s greatest captains have fortune on their side.Leicestershire have sealed their first List A title since 1985•Getty Images”Do you know what, it’s one of the best innings I’ve seen live,” Hill said of Swindells’ century. “To come in under that pressure, to have not played a game in the competition. Like, to play like that – him and Sam Evans – was absolutely outstanding. And they deserve all of it because they train hard, and I’m over the moon for them.”I don’t have words for it really. To come in and do what he did is a testament to his character, his skill level. It speaks to everything about him; he trains hard. He is a cracking individual on top of being a really fine player. He is a Leicester lad as well, so I’m sure it means as much to him as it does to me and a few others.”Not keeping wicket allowed Hill to pull the strings more effectively in the field. Hampshire botched their chase at crucial junctures, with errors from experienced heads in Ben Brown, Joe Weatherley and Liam Dawson. But the pressure sustained in the ring and well-placed catchers in the deep – in particular setting fine leg back for the Dawson ramp-shot that ultimately clinched the game midway through the final over – was a feather in Hill’s cap. And, of course, those of his attack.Josh Hull was the standout – literally at six-foot-seven. The left-arm seamer was identified during the winter as a unique talent. “This guy has got something good,” Hill recalled himself saying aloud in the off-season when watching the 19-year-old in the nets. That “something” came to the fore at the death.Having removed Hampshire’s own impressive youngster Tom Prest for 51 earlier in the piece, Hull held his nerve for the final over to concede just five when eight was needed. It was all the more impressive given his penultimate over – the 48th – had been taken for 14 to swing the game Hampshire’s way. He finishes the campaign with 17 wickets at 24.23 from nine matches, with an economy rate of 5.45, and a few extra admirers after pushing the speed-gun into the late eighties during a televised game.”He has played loads of games this year, and he didn’t have his best day with the ball until the final few overs, but to come back and bowl like that and to have clear plans like that – he told us what he was bowling, and that is what I want in a young bowler, and he executed really well. I’m really proud of him.Related

• Ackermann, Hill combine to keep Leicestershire promotion hopes alive

• Swindells century saves the day as Leicestershire seal One-Day title in final-ball thriller

• Dawson seven-for demolishes Warwickshire as Hampshire reach Metro Bank final

• Handscomb, Mulder guide Leicestershire to first county final since 2001

“I have never seen a guy who takes information in so young, so quickly and so well. Honestly, I think he has a massive future ahead of him. He has a cool head on his shoulders, a fantastic family that supports him and has done a lot for him early in his career, driving him around. He is definitely one to watch in the future.”Difficult decisions were made, too, such as leaving out Parkinson and Rehan Ahmed – one of the most talented youngsters going in English cricket – which could have come back to haunt Hill but didn’t. This success was as much about nurturing homegrown talent and arms around shoulders as assuming a more ruthless approach.And if the club are to shed the “little old Leicestershire tag”, it will be through bloodying the noses of the established forces on the field rather than cosying up to them off it. Even in the shadow of the Hundred, the manner of this One-Day Cup run has earned some much-needed respect and given them an extra chip to play in recurring discussions over their merits as an organisation within English cricket.”I’ve been at Leicester for eight or nine years as a professional, starting when I was 16,” Hill said. “I have seen some of the darker times at Grace Road, so it was great to see good times returning – the way we’ve played cricket this year, and this trophy, shows that we’re going the right way. Teams like Leicestershire are needed in county cricket.”

It seems unlikely at this stage that he can return to the tour at any point

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Mar-2021Angelo Mathews will leave Sri Lanka’s tour of West Indies immediately for personal reasons. It seems unlikely at this stage, that he can return to the tour at any point. Even if the “family matter” he is returning to Sri Lanka to attend to finds a resolution before the end of the tour, he will still need to undergo quarantine upon his arrival in the Caribbean.Mathews leaves on the day of the second ODI, having captained the T20I leg of the tour. There are two ODIs and two Tests yet to be played, as well as a practice match ahead of the Test series. He was expected to be in Sri Lanka’s middle order for all of these matches.His departure further depletes an ODI squad that is without the likes of Kusal Perera and Lahiru Kumara, due to injury, and for the second match is also without Dasun Shanaka, whose late arrival due to visa troubles have meant he is available for the third ODI only. Dhananjaya de Silva is in the Caribbean, but is also still in quarantine and is available only for the Test series, as he is making a gradual return to top-flight cricket following a significant thigh injury sustained in December.Sri Lanka lost the T20 series 2-1, and lost the first of three ODIs as well. The likes of Oshada Fernando, Thisara Perera, and Niroshan Dickwella are available to take up Mathews’ place in the XI.

Orion Kerkering is going to have a long offseason.

The 24-year-old Phillies reliever made an all-time boneheaded play during the 11th inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night, and cost his team the game.

Replacing Jesus Luzardo after the Dodgers put runners on first and third, Kerkering entered the game with two outs in the inning and the score tied 1-1. He walked Kike Hernandez to load the bases, then faced the No. 9 hitter in L.A.'s lineup, Andy Pages.

After Pages authored a half-hearted swing out of the first pitch for a strike, Kerkering got exactly what he wanted on the second—a weak ground ball back to him. Then all hell broke loose.

Kerkering bobbled the ball a bit, then, for some reason, he decided to throw the ball home, while catcher J.T. Realmuto was standing right in front of him, pointing to first base. He chucked it past Realmuto all the way to the backstop as Hyeseong Kim crossed the plate.

Had Kerkering simply thrown the ball to first base, he would have had Pages out by a mile, and the inning would have been over. Instead, the Dodgers scored, winning the game 2-1 and ending the series.

The shot below shows how easy the play to first would have been.

And the photo below shows Kerkering's reaction to the play.

Let's just be real here: Kerkering completely panicked in a spot where he couldn't afford to. It's genuinely sad. He's a 24-year-old who was put in a high-leverage spot and didn't come through.

He'll have to think about that all offseason, which is horrible to think about.

The Dodgers have advanced to the NLCS for the second season in a row and the fourth time in six seasons.

Bayern Munich have reportedly decided to offer veteran goalkeeper and club legend Manuel Neuer a contract extension for another year, which would see him remain at the Allianz Arena until June 2027. The 2014 World Cup-winning custodian has reiterated that he wants to take his time before reaching a decision over his future, however, with the club set to hold talks in December.

• Neuer going strong at Bayern in his final year of contract

  The 39-year-old has managed to retain his place in the starting lineup under head coach Vincent Kompany, proving week in week out that he is still among the best in the business despite having entered the twilight of his career long ago. Despite his horror blunder in the 2-2 draw against Union Berlin last weekend, which saw Bayern's 16-game win streak come to an end, there are no doubts Neuer is still the man for the No.1 spot. Neuer has played in 14 of the 17 games the Bavarian giants have played this season.

  But Neuer will not stay at Bayern forever. The legendary goalkeeper is set to turn 40 in March next year and is into the final seven months of his deal. According to a report from , Bayern have reached a decision over the future of their iconic player. The report claims that the club are keen on extending Neuer's contract by another year, until June 2027. 

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  Neuer keen on taking his time amid retirement talks

  Bayern are determined to ensure Neuer stays at the club beyond next summer, with contract talks set to intensify sometime in December. The club are extremely happy, not only with his performances, but also with the significant changes he has incorporated into his daily routine to prevent further injury setbacks. mention that Neuer consults the physiotherapist everyday and undergoes weight training ahead of every team training session. What's more, his main workout sessions are followed by an extra 30-minute weight lifting sessions twice a week. 

  With Neuer walking the extra mile with respect to his fitness, it may seem like he aims to prolong his career. However, the Gelsenkirchen-born goalkeeper is not spending any time pondering over his future, preferring to take it one day at a time instead. 

  "I’m totally relaxed about it. The most important thing is what we do with our team," Neuer told reporters ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. "I already hinted at this in the mixed zone, that my well-being will also be important. I'm taking my time and being totally relaxed, at least over the winter. Many factors come into play. It's a question of health, fitness, and motivation. But also, what happens with the club next season. I can't answer that myself because it's still far too early. Then, of course, we can always talk. Everything plays a role."

• Urbig motivating Neuer to push himself

  There's belief at Bayern that they will reach an agreement with Neuer to extend his contract. At the same time, they are also relaxed about the future of second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who has made just 15 appearances since joining Bayern from Cologne in January earlier this year. Per , Neuer is motivated by his heir apparent; he understands that his colleague is a highly-promising goalkeeper and hence, he is not taking his current status as the undisputed first-choice for granted at all. 

  Urbig, for his part, is embracing the experience of learning from experienced goalkeepers like Neuer and Sven Ulreich. He is not paying attention to whether Neuer extends, he says. “These are things I don't really concern myself with,” he told recently. “Because it's not my place to comment on the decisions Manu makes, or the club makes. I concentrate on the day-to-day work with Manu, the goalkeeping team, and the squad. Our relationship is good; we work well together. It’s important to me to emphasise that we have a good relationship within the entire goalkeeping team. Manuel and Sven simply have an incredible amount of experience, which I can learn a lot from.”

  Still only 22, Bayern believe Urbig can further develop behind Neuer in the 2026-27 season, should the latter potentially opt against retiring.

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  A return to Germany on the cards?

  Whether Neuer retires or not also probably hinges on whether he comes out of international retirement. Reports over the past few months have mentioned that Germany could urge Neuer to consider re-joining the national team in light of the uncertainty faced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona. 

  Speculation also suggests that authoritative figures within the German Football Federation (DFB) are trying to persuade head coach Julian Nagelsmann to allow Neuer to return. However, the final decision will rest with the former RB Leipzig and Bayern head coach. 

  also mentioned that DFB sporting director Rudi Voller reportedly held conversations with Neuer to ask him if he was willing to return to the national team, with the World Cup set to take place next summer.

“If that’s what is needed to win a Test match and if that’s what’s required then, yeah, I’m fine with it,” Travis Head says

Matt Roller30-Nov-20253:17

Smith: Travis Head’s batting incredible to witness

Travis Head is “happy” to continue opening the batting after his match-winning century in the first Ashes Test, echoing Pat Cummins’ view that batting orders are “over-rated”. His comments come amid continued uncertainty over Usman Khawaja’s fitness and his future as an international cricketer.Head has been Australia’s first-choice No. 5 for the last four years but deputised at the top of the order in the second innings in Perth last week, with Khawaja off the field following back spasms. His stunning 123 off 83 balls helped Australia chase down a fourth-innings target of 205 in just 28.2 overs, taking a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s second Test at the Gabba.Khawaja, who turns 39 next month, has been retained in Australia’s 14-man squad and said this week that he “should be right” to play. But he has been given no guarantees over his place by selectors, and has come under significant scrutiny after averaging 31.84 in the last two years with a single century.Related

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Australia’s squad assembled in Brisbane on Sunday and Head said before their training session that his role for the second Test had not yet been discussed. But he made it clear that he was open-minded about staying at the top of the order. “I’m happy,” he said. “If that’s what is needed to win a Test match and if that’s what’s required then, yeah, I’m fine with it.”I’m preparing for anything at this stage… There’s a fair bit to work through. I’ve just got here. We haven’t really had many conversations over the last week. It’s been about just spending some time out of the game as much as you can. You don’t get much time to chill out in a massive series like this, where it’s pretty full-on every single day.”Andrew McDonald revealed after the Perth Test that his Australia side had previously considered using different openers in each innings of a match, and Head said that he was “open” to the idea. “We’ve talked about that a lot: how you get there, and what personnel we have to be able to potentially do that and the personalities in the line-up,” he said. “You’ve seen it a little bit in the T20 team as well, where we’re trying to push the boundaries in power-hitting, and [asking] do we take singles at certain stages… I feel like I can play in any role, so I’m open to it, and it’s just trying to work out in-game and in moments when that may come out and when you may use that.”All options are on the table and have been for a long period of time about where this team can potentially get better, and where there’s opportunities to potentially win games of cricket in moments. It’s always been on the table.”Head was in agreement with Cummins, who is set to miss the second Test in Brisbane because of his ongoing back stress concerns, saying, “I agree with Pat. I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways and whatever ways that is to win games of cricket.”We’ve seen it in red-ball [Tests] but particularly probably pink-ball [Tests] as well. Non-traditional stuff, with double nightwatchmen, how you use orders, and how you use players in certain situations. So I agree with Pat that I think they’re slightly over-rated… It’s ever-evolving, and we’ll see where we get to.”