Newcastle keen to sign Marc Guehi in January, Chelsea will rebuff all offers for Cole Palmer and Manchester City to battle Bayern Munich for Florian Wirtz.

Newcastle are ready to make a renewed attempt to sign England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, 24, in January for around £80m. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea will not entertain offers for attacking midfielder Cole Palmer, 22, with the England international linked with a return to former club Manchester City. (Football Insider), external

Manchester City are also showing serious interest in Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 21, but face competition from Bayern Munich. (Sky Germany via Sky Sports), external

French champions Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid are also keen on Wirtz, with Leverkusen preferring to court offers from outside Germany. (Goal), external

Manchester United are interested in hiring 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, who has a release clause that becomes active in 2025. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Bayern Munich’s German winger Leroy Sane, 28, is not interested in a move to Newcastle United. (CaughtOffside), external

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was prepared to leave the club last summer before the Red Devils offered the Portuguese midfielder, 30, a “massive” new contract. (ESPN), external

Arsenal’s Spanish boss Mikel Arteta, 42, suggests he would be open to managing England in the future. (Guardian), external

Neither Eddie Howe nor Graham Potter were interviewed for the England job before Thomas Tuchel was appointed, raising question marks over the Football Association’s claim that 10 coaches were approached. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Tottenham are closely monitoring Borussia Dortmund’s 20-year-old English winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens with a potential deal in mind. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool are set to rival Borussia Dortmund for the signature of Red Star Belgrade and Serbia midfielder Andrija Maksimovic, 17. (CaughtOffside), external

Manchester City are in advanced talks to sign Republic of Ireland Under-17 forward Michael Noonan, 16, from St Patrick’s Athletic. (Fabrizio Romano), external

New York City’s 20-year-old Argentine winger Julian Fernandez would like to play for Liverpool in the future, despite his club being owned by the City Football Group, Manchester City’s owners. (Express), external

TEMPLEGATE tackles one of the best day’s racing all YEAR confident of smashing the bookies and ending the Flat season on a high.

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CHARYN (3.15 Ascot, nap)

Has had a dream season which has already included a couple of Group 1 victories. He has formed a potent partnership with Silvestre De Sousa but SDS didn’t have his finest hour in France last time when he was second in the Moulin after leaving his challenge too late. This mile on soft ground is ideal and anything like the form of his Queen Anne victory at the Royal meeting would be good enough.

MONTASSIB (1.55 Ascot, nb)

Loves it soft and looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup last time. He edged out the improving Kind Of Blue and there won’t be a lot between them again. The tip will need a little luck coming through the field but his liking for the ground is a major plus.

THUNDER RUN (4.35 Ascot, treble)

Has the benefit of Ryan Moore in the saddle and he ran a cracker to score in a big field at York last time. A 4lb rise in the weights for that is fair, this trip suits and trainer Karl Burke continues in excellent form. This is the softest ground he’s faced but he’s progressing fast and should cope with it on pedigree.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

1.20

KYPRIOS can turn the tables on Trawlerman who edged him out in this race 12 months ago.

The Ballydoyle stayer is in much better form this time around as he showed when landing his fourth Group 1 in a row at Longchamp last time. He goes on any ground and can get the job done.

Defending champ Trawlerman is the big danger again and he’s fresh having been off the track since pushing Kyprios all the way in the Ascot Gold Cup in June.

He will take some passing if he gets his way in front.

Al Nayyir is no mug and loved the mud when landing a Newmarket Listed prize. This is tougher but he could easily make the frame given his improvement for current connections.

Sweet William likes it soft but needs more at the highest level.

1.55

MONTASSIB loves it soft and looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup last time.

He edged out the improving Kind Of Blue and there won’t be a lot between them again. The tip will need a little luck coming through the field but his liking for the ground is a major plus.

Kinross won this two years ago and was second to surprise scorer Art Power last season.

He’s back in solid form having gone close in France last time and he likes cut in the ground. He’ll be right there again.

Audience has good form over 7f and his stamina will be an asset in the conditions. He looks solid each-way.

Mill Stream is proven in this grade and is another for the shortlist on ground that suits.

2.35

QUANTANAMERA had lots in the tank when winning a Group 2 in the mud across the Channel last time. She picked up strongly from the back and powered through the line.

German horses have come and won at this meeting before and she could be underestimated.

Kalpana impressed on the Kempton sand last time but this will be much the softest ground she’s tackled which is a concern. If she copes with it, she’ll go very close.

Tiffany landed Group 2 honours in Germany last time for Sir Mark Prescott and she is proven to stay which will take her a long way today.

Village Voice picked up well in the mud in France last time and looks a big price to make the frame.

Contest is by Galileo so has a good chance of handling conditions and is better than we saw in France last time.

She won the Yorkshire Oaks nicely after her Irish Oaks second. She won’t be far away.

3.15

CHARYN has had a dream season which has already included a couple of Group 1 victories.

He has formed a potent partnership with Silvestre De Sousa but SDS didn’t have his finest hour in France last time when he was second in the Moulin after leaving his challenge too late.

This mile on soft ground is ideal and anything like the form of his Queen Anne victory at the Royal meeting would be good enough.

Tamfana ran well in Group 1 company before scoring in that class when taking the Sun Chariot at Newmarket 14 days ago. She handles cut in the ground and looks the main threat.

Prague went through the mud strongly to grab the Group 2 Joel Stakes last time but he’ll need more in this company.

Henry Longfellow looks in need of further after lacking a little pace when third at Longchamp last month. He does like it soft though and could nick third.

3.55

CALANDAGAN pushed superstar City Of Troy all the way in the Juddmonte International at York last time and his last Ascot run saw him take the Group 2 King Edward VII by an impressive six lengths.

He has soft ground form in France so conditions should be fine and there’s more to come from the French raider.

Economics has improved with every run and was given a break after his dazzling Dante win in May.

He passed the Group 1 test when taking the Irish Champion Stakes last month where he stayed this trip well. Soft ground is a slight unknown but there won’t be a lot between the big two.

Los Angeles was a cracking second in the Arc but he may lack a bit of pace at this trip.

Anmaat would be a surprise winner but his best form could take him on to the podium.

Iresine handled cut when winning a French Group 2 latest and is another with place hopes.

4.35

THUNDER RUN has the benefit of Ryan Moore in the saddle and he ran a cracker to score in a big field at York last time.

A 4lb rise in the weights for that is fair, this trip suits and trainer Karl Burke continues in excellent form.

This is the softest ground he’s faced but he’s progressing fast and should cope with it on pedigree.

Toimy Son was an excellent third in the Cambridgeshire last month and has every chance off the same mark. He handles soft and Oisin Murphy was on board for his last win.

State Actor is consistent and went down in a photo for the Irish Cambridgeshire at The Curragh latest. A repeat of that would take him close.

Bopedro is hard to catch right but he went close here 14 days ago and handles soft. He comes from the back so will need luck but will finish strongly.

Elnajmm won on his last crack at this course and distance. He’s 8lb higher now but is on the shortlist.

Cicero’s Gift won a hot Sandown handicap over this trip on soft in July and has been running in Group races since.

This drop in class should help while Godwinson got no luck in the Cambridgeshire last time.

Templegate’s tips

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Wrestling. That’s what caused Robelis Despaigne to suffer his first professional defeat in MMA.

The Olympic karate bronze medalist got his momentum halted in May when Waldo Cortes-Acosta handed him his first loss. Despaigne (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who entered the promotion earlier this year with a ton of hype, was beaten in a unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 56 and was heavily criticized by many for his defensive wrestling or better yet, lack thereof.

Now, five months later, the Cuban knockout artist promises he addressed that deficiency ahead of his return at UFC Fight Night 245.

“Oh, we’ve put in so much work (in the wrestling),” Despaigne told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We’ve dedicated a lot of time to it, almost 50-50. Wrestling involves a different distance, and different type of cardio. It’s completely different, so we’ve dedicated a lot of time to it. I’ve received a ton of support from the fighters at American Top Team. It’s almost a family, and they’ve helped me out a ton.”

Following his dominant defeat, Despaigne attended part of his training camp at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., which he describes as very formative in his MMA journey.

“We’re in collaboration with American Top Team,” Despaigne explained. “I go and train there because I have more training partners my size. It’s been very satisfactory. I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve had many trainings and sparring with great athletes, and it’s benefited me a ton.”

Despaigne returns to the octagon this Saturday in the opening bout of UFC Fight Night 245. He takes on Austen Lane (12-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in an exciting heavyweight clash. Despaigne understands some of the criticism surrounding his potential, but he also feels a lot of it is not coming from the right place.

“The critics are normal, it’s a normal thing,” Despaigne said. “Sometimes I win, and I even get criticism, so that’s a part of the sport. You just have to take the constructive criticism, and everything else, the ones that are aimed to destroy, those I don’t pay attention to.”

Despaigne is looking to pick up a first-round finish in his return to the octagon. He sees Lane as a dangerous opponent, given they’re both in must-win situations.

“We’re coming out with everything,” Despaine said. “I’m coming from a loss, he’s coming from a loss, and we’re going to try to win at all costs. I’m going to give it my all, and I’m ready for it.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

After a year of many ups and downs, the 2024 DTM season is set for an epic climax at Hockenheim this weekend. Three drivers, representing as many teams and manufacturers, are in pursuit of their maiden title in the prestigious German series.

Leading the standings is factory Lamborghini man Mirko Bortolotti, who is keen to avenge his narrow loss to Porsche’s Thomas Preining in 2023. The Italian sits 15 points clear of Abt Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde, while Mercedes’ Maro Engel is another five points adrift in third for Winward Racing.

Both Bortolotti and van der Linde have scored at least one win so far, while Engel’s title charge has been built on consistency, having finished on the podium in seven of the 16 races so far in 2024.

A total of 56 points are on offer at the Hockenheimring double header, with 25 going to the winner of each race and three additional points granted for pole position in both qualifying sessions.

How Mirko Bortolotti can win the 2024 DTM title

Podium: Race winner Mirko Bortolotti, SSR Performance

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

Bortolotti is the only driver who can secure the title on Saturday. To do so, he would have to score at least 14 points more than van der Linde and eight points more than Engel on the opening day of racing. That would give him an insurmountable lead heading into Sunday.

This means that if Bortolotti takes pole position and wins on Saturday, he can seal the title if van der Linde rival finishes fifth or lower and Engel does not end up on the podium. Even a fourth place for van der Linde would suffice for Bortolotti if his South African rival qualifies lower than second and does not score the additional two points.

If Bortolotti finishes sixth or less in the first race, the fight will go down the wire on Sunday regardless of how his two rivals perform.

If the SSR Lamborghini driver does not score any points in Saturday qualifying, even a fourth place would ensure that the title fight will be decided on the last day of the season.

However, the Italian does not necessarily have to fight for victory in the final weekend: two podium finishes, either second or third, would in all probability be enough for Bortolotti to secure the coveted DTM crown for the first time. Because then van der Linde would have to win at least one of the two races to swing the fight in his favour.

How Kelvin van der Linde can become the 2024 champion

Kelvin van der Linde, Team ABT Sportsline Audi R8 LMS GT3

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

The elder of the van der Linde brothers may not be able to emulate Sheldon’s 2022 success on his own. Even a perfect weekend, with two wins and two poles, would not guarantee the South African the championship.

If Bortolotti were to follow him and finish second in both races and qualifying sessions, the Lamborghini driver would still end up three points clear. On his final weekend driving an Audi, the Abt driver may therefore need some misfortune to hit his chief rival in order to win a title that slipped from his grasp in the controversial 2021 finale.

For the 28-year-old, it will be important to make up as many points as possible on Saturday to keep himself in the fight. He cannot afford to lose more than 14 points to Bortolotti on the first of the two race days if he wants to add a DTM title to a CV that includes two ADAC GT Masters titles, and as many wins in the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

If van der Linde driver finishes ahead of Bortolotti, the title will definitely not be decided until Sunday. Regardless of where Bortolotti finishes on Saturday, he would keep the title fight open with a podium finish in the first race.

However, it would be advisable to win from pole position in at least one of the two final races in Hockenheim. This would significantly improve van der Linde’s chances of success. If he manages to achieve this feat on Saturday and Bortolotti only finishes fourth, the two drivers will be level on points at the top of the table again before the last race.

If Bortolotti and van der Linde finish the season with the same number of points, the latter would have a decisive advantage regardless of the Hockenheim results. Because while the Lamborghini driver celebrated his first victory of the season only last time at Spielberg, van der Linde has already been on the top step of the podium twice this year. If they end up level on points, the number of wins will decide who gets to lift the championship trophy.

How Maro Engel can win the 2024 DTM title

Mirko Bortolotti, SSR Performance, Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

Maro Engel has the lowest chance of all three title contenders. If the Mercedes-AMG driver doesn’t take any risks on Saturday, he would have to bury his title hopes early.

That’s because if Bortolotti scores at least eight points more than him in the first race, he would already be out of the championship reckoning.

If Bortolotti ends up third on Saturday, Engel would have to finish between fourth to seventh, depending on the qualifying result, in order to remain in the title hunt. Should Bortolotti finish second, the newly-crowned GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup champion would also have to finish on the podium to maintain his title chances.

If Bortolotti manages a perfect Saturday, following up pole position with victory, Engel would be left in a precarious situation. He would have to qualify in the top three and finish the race in second place to keep a mathematical chance of winning the title.

Second place on Sunday would be enough to finish the year on the same number of points, but Bortolotti would have more wins to his name.

It is not unlikely that the number of victories will ultimately decide who wins the 2024 DTM title. In many calculations, Bortolotti and Engel end up on the same number of points. The Mercedes-AMG driver would therefore be well advised to put all on the line to win Saturday’s race.

Then he would not only score a big chunk of points and keep his small hope of winning the title alive, but would also have – just like Bortolotti – a victory under his belt.

If they finish equal on points and race wins, the number of second places would decide and Engel is currently ahead with five second places compared to four for Bortolotti.

Teams’ and manufacturers’ titles

René Rast, Schubert Motorsport BMW M4 GT3

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

BMW squad Schubert Motorsport leads the championship by 39 points over Abt, having benefitted from its status as the DTM’s only three-car team.

Winward, SSR Performance and HRT – the Mercedes squad welcoming Jules Gounon for his series debut this weekend in place of an unwell Luca Stolz – are also very much in the frame for the title.

In the manufacturers’ championship, Mercedes is on top with 384 points, followed by Lamborghini (360), BMW (337) and Audi (301).

Hockenheim is poised to be Audi’s final appearance in the DTM, with long-time partner Abt splitting with the German marque to join forces with Lamborghini.

Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri was knocked out in the first session because his lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits at the penultimate corner and will start the sprint 16th.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was knocked out in the second session and will start 11th.

The sprint event, for which there are eight points for a win, seven for second and so on down to eighth place, is on Saturday at 19:00 BST.

The result was a blow to Norris, who needs to close on Verstappen at an average of nearly nine points a race, especially as both Red Bull and McLaren are among the teams with upgrades on their car this weekend.

Verstappen, who had not qualified fastest since the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of July, said: “We had a good day. The car was working quite well and happy to be first. It’s been a while.”

McLaren have had the fastest car for some time, and Verstappen has been fighting a rearguard battle as Norris has eaten into his lead every race since Dutch Grand Prix in late August.

The Briton said: “Not very good. Not a great day. Been struggling the whole day, honestly, with the balance and set-up. In a way, happy with P4 because it could have been a lot worse, but the lap was shocking.”

And he downplayed the relevance of McLaren’s upgrade package, saying: “It’s not a new package, it’s pretty much the same. On pace, we are where we deserve to be.”

More to follow

Tom Aspinall has a lot of respect for Francis Ngannou.

This Saturday, Ngannou makes his long-awaited return to MMA when he faces Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL: Battle of the Giants. It will be Ngannou’s first MMA fight since 2022 when he successfully defended the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in his final fight with the promotion. Since then, Aspinall has made quite the impression on the UFC’s heavyweight division, winning the interim heavyweight belt and then defending his interim title back in July.

Currently, Aspinall hopes to finally have a title unification bout with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones after Jones defends his belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November, but with Ngannou’s return to the sport, fans are now also interested in how a hypothetical fight between he and Aspinall might look. And addressing that question on his YouTube channel recently, Aspinall believes it’s close.

“That’s a good fight! That’s a great fight,” Aspinall said. “I’ve always been a big fan of Francis. I love his story, love what he’s all about. I think it’s a 50/50 fight, to be honest. Francis is a scary man. But I think technically I would take the edge. But I think that’s a great fight.”

Of course it’s exceedingly unlikely Aspinall and Ngannou will ever meet in the cage as the UFC almost never agrees to co-promote fights. However, there is a different superfight Aspinall might be able to get if Ngannou or a unified heavyweight title fight doesn’t manifest: light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

“Poatan” has been teasing a move up to heavyweight this year and if he finally does decided to make the jump, Aspinall is more than happy to welcome him in a champ vs. champ fight.

“I like the idea of that,” Aspinall said. “It’s up to Alex. He’s doing massive things at light heavyweight, he’s obviously done massive things at middleweight as well. So that’s completely up to him. If he wants to come and test the waters at heavyweight, sign me up. I’m up for it.”

Whether or not that will happen is still up in the air, but for the time being, Aspinall is simply waiting. The interim champion is set to serve as the backup fighter for the Jones vs. Miocic fight at UFC 309 next month and revealed that plans are already in motion for what comes next if his services are not needed then.

“I’m just training to be the backup fighter right now,” Aspinall said. “I’m getting myself fight. Do I think it’s going to happen? Probably not. But I’ll be ready for it if it does. And we just spoke to the UFC, we’ve got some plans in place. I can’t reveal them right now because they’re top secret but there is big news coming soon.”