ENGLAND
Everton sign Fabian Delph
Everton on Monday said that they have signed England midfielder Fabian Delph from Manchester City on a three-year deal. Everton did not say how much they had paid for the 29-year-old, who joined City from Aston Villa in 2015. Delph played 89 games for City, winning two Premier League titles. He also has 20 England caps. “When I look to bring a new player into our squad, the first thing I look for above all the other things is quality and Fabian is a player with high quality, but what they can bring to our dressing room is also important,” Everton manager Marco Silva told the club’s Web site. “Every time I have played against Everton, whether it was home or away, straight away the first thing that comes to mind when you see the fans is passion,” Delph said. “Hopefully, we can push together, fans and players, to do something special.”
SPAIN
Barcelona sign Hiroki Abe
Barcelona on Monday said they had completed the signing of young Japanese winger Hiroki Abe from the Kashima Antlers of the J-League. The Catalan club said that they had paid 1.1 million euros (US$1.25 million) for the 20-year-old and assigned him to their reserve team, which plays in the third-tier Spanish Segunda B. Barcelona said Abe had signed a four-year contract with a 40 million euros buyout clause which would rise to 100 million euros if he is promoted to the first team. He “is considered to be Japanese football’s big promise ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games,” Barca said on their Web site. Abe, who made his international debut in the Copa America last month, can play anywhere across the front line, but “has predominantly been used on the left flank,” Barca said.
ITALY
Juve to sign De Ligt: reports
Defender Matthijs de Ligt has agreed to join Juventus, Dutch and Italian media reported on Monday, but it was not clear whether the Turin club had yet agreed a fee with Ajax. Reports said that the 19-year-old Netherlands international, who captained Ajax to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, had agreed personal terms with Juventus and would arrive in Turin yesterday and undergo a medical today. Media in Italy said Juventus would pay Ajax 75 million euros. De Ligt has been linked with many of Europe’s leading clubs after his impressive play for resurgent Ajax last season. He has played 117 games for Ajax in all competitions, scoring 13 goals. Earlier on Monday, Juventus unveiled Aaron Ramsey, the Wales midfielder who had agreed in February to join as a free agent once his contract with Arsenal expired.
UNITED STATES
Martinelli scores on debut
Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli on Monday scored on his Arsenal debut as the English Premier League club began their pre-season tour of the US with a 3-0 friendly win over the Colorado Rapids. Bukayo Saka and James Olayinka also scored for the Gunners, who cruised to victory at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado. Saka, 17, was an energetic presence and put Arsenal up 1-0 in the 13th minute as he collected a through-ball from Eddie Nketiah. Another teenager — 18-year-old Olayinka — doubled the score in the 29th minute. Martinelli, 18, capped the scoring in the 61st minute when he slotted home a cross from close range.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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