Arsenal are set to complete their protracted move for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.

BBC Sport reported on 30 July that Guimaraes was expected to move to the Premier League champions following a breakthrough in talks.

And a full agreement is now almost done, with Guimaraes waiting for permission to leave Newcastle‘s training base in La Manga, in Spain, to finalise the formalities of his move to Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are now making preparations for the Brazil midfielder’s medical this week. There is no confirmation of a fee but sources are indicating it could reach £80m.

Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022, has made clear his intention to join Arsenal as the 28-year-old has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice central midfield target.

Newcastle and Arsenal have been discussing the finer terms of the deal this week with a final agreement now considered a formality.

Vozinha arrived in Santiago on Sunday to a lively reception from Colo Colo’s fans and joined his new team-mates in training two days later.

The veteran goalkeeper became a cult hero when Cape Verde claimed their first-ever World Cup point against Spain in the group stage and has seen his social media fame explode from 50,000 Instagram followers to nearly 30 million.

After helping his team reach the knockout stages, taking finalists Argentina to extra time in the last 32, Vozinha was named in Fifa’s team of the tournament and even had a newly discovered species of sea slug named after him.

Vozinha’s career has taken him to Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and, most recently, Portuguese second division side Chaves, but he has always believed himself to be a “‘big club’ player”.

Joining Colo Colo, the most successful team in the Primera Division (34 titles) and Copa Chile (14), is his career “highlight”.

“The decision was very clear. Despite playing in smaller leagues for clubs that weren’t exactly giants, deep down I always told myself I was a ‘big club’ player,” Vozinha said.

“So when Colo Colo came calling, there was no doubt. From day one, I knew where I wanted to play. I received many offers but Colo Colo was always the priority.

“The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now. Being here representing Colo Colo – a massive club with a rich history – is the highlight of my club career.”

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Olympique Lyonnais lost (2-1) away to Sparta Prague in the first leg of the third qualifying round. The return leg will take place on August 11 in Lyon.

That reality has created a new one.

Rashford is contracted to Manchester United until 2028. His salary of £325,000 a week makes him the club’s top earner at a time when minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to stay on top of wage costs, which is, by some distance, the club’s highest expenditure.

United’s transfer activity has slowed since Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans joined them for £35m on 14 July.

While uncertainty over Rashford’s future is not the entire reason for this, it is a basic truth that United’s search for a left-sided attacking player, or another striker, will be affected if he stays at the club because he can play in both positions.

Equally, the amount United can pay in wages will differ depending on whether Rashford’s salary is part of the overall bill.

Many fans are conflicted.

Plenty feel Rashford’s fallout with Amorim over his performances in training was reflective of someone who no longer felt the joy of playing for his boyhood club.

Comparisons were made with his performances prior to his exit from United and those at Aston Villa, with England and then Barcelona.

Others think Rashford is too good to be discarded; a local lad who would benefit from an arm around the shoulder and is capable of making a significant impact in Carrick’s team.

The secondary point to that is could United sign a player of similar standing for £26m, given that is the fee sources close to Rashford feel would not be exceeded given it had been agreed with Barcelona?

The PCB said it has taken “serious notice” of the participation of former Pakistan cricketers in the tournament.

NEW DELHI: Several former Pakistan cricketers could face disciplinary action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after taking part in the Asian Legends League in Zambia without the required approval, according to ESPNcricinfo. More than a dozen retired Pakistan players signed up for the tournament. The controversy began after the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), the country’s official governing body, said the event was not sanctioned, approved or endorsed by it.The PCB said it has taken “serious notice” of the participation of former Pakistan cricketers in the tournament.Players found to have violated the rules could be banned for two years from receiving a PCB No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in approved overseas leagues or cricket events.They could also be declared ineligible for any cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring or other roles with the PCB and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years.“In light of the above, the following disciplinary measures will be taken on individuals found to have participated in the said unsanctioned event without obtaining the requisite approvals from the PCB,” the PCB statement said. “A ban of two years from the issuance of any PCB No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in approved overseas cricket leagues or events. [And] Ineligibility for any cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring and/or other assignments with the PCB and the PSL for a period of two years.“According to ESPNcricinfo, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal travelled to Lusaka after signing up for the league. However, they chose not to play after learning that the required ICC approvals had not been received.Several other former Pakistan cricketers are believed to have participated in the tournament.The PCB said all current and former Pakistan cricketers must obtain the required approvals before taking part in overseas cricket events.“The PCB remains fully committed to upholding the ICC regulations and safeguarding the integrity and governance of the game,” the PCB statement said.“The board reiterates that all current and former cricketers seeking to participate in overseas cricket events requiring PCB clearance must obtain the necessary approvals and NOCs prior to participation,” it said.

The controversy within Hockey India over the change in the Indian teams’ jersey colour intensified on Tuesday after Executive Director Commander RK Srivastava failed to meet president Dilip Tirkey’s deadline to submit documents explaining the decision, while secretary general Bhola Nath Singh sought an emergency meeting of the Executive Board.

In an strong worded email sent to Srivastava for the second consecutive day, Tirkey directed him to furnish all supporting documents by 5 pm, asserting that his earlier directive had not been withdrawn despite a clarification submitted by the Executive Director to the Executive Board.

“With reference to the explaination submitted by the Cdr (Srivastava) to the Executive Board in this matter, it is clarified that the directive to respond with documentary evidence remains in effect and has not been withdrawn,” Tirkey said in the email.

“In view of the detailed explaination already provided to the Executive Board, it is now necessary that the same be substantiated with all relevant documentary proof. Accordingly Cdr is required to submit the complete supporting documents by 5PM today,” he added.

However, sources told PTI that no reply was received from Srivastava by the deadline.

“Commander Srivastava did not provide any clarification to the Hockey India president by the deadline of 5 pm,” a source said.

The source added that shortly after the deadline, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh wrote to Tirkey requesting that an emergency meeting of the Executive Board be convened.

“For the last many days, emails from your side have raised many different issues, it is therefore requested that all issues maybe compiled and the same maybe put before the EB for its disposal. Please call for an emergent EB board meeting at the earliest,” the source said quoting Bhola Nath’s email addressed to the president and copied to EB members.

On Monday Tirkey sent a strongly worded email to HI executive director Srivastava, seeking detailed clarification on the process, which eventually triggered widespread criticism.The latest email was Tirkey’s second communication in less than a week seeking answers over the decision-making process.

In his previous email, Tirkey had said that HI was not consulted before the change was finalised.

The issue has snowballed into a major controversy ahead of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, beginning on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Former India captains Viren Rasquinha, Ajit Pal Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Pargat Singh have publicly objected to the change, saying the team’s traditional identity should not have been altered without wider consultation.

HI has defended the move, saying the colour change was necessitated by visibility concerns while playing on blue turf. Tirkey, however, has maintained that the decision was taken without the knowledge or approval of either the president or the Executive Board.

The jersey issue is not the only matter on which Tirkey has sought answers from the Executive Director.

In another email on Monday, Tirkey asked for the complete inquiry report related to complaints of harassment and misconduct against a highly placed HI official.

He sought the complete record of the Interim Complaints Committee’s composition and constitution, credentials ad eligibility of ICC members, official notification constituting the committee, evidence of compliance and statutory requirements under the POSH Act along with signed minutes of ICC proceedings maintained by the committee.

According to sources, the requested documents were also not furnished despite three reminders sent until Monday.

The allegations stem from anonymous complaints received in April against the official. Over the following weeks, several women involved in the Indian Hockey ecosystem reportedly corroborated the allegations.

In May, Tirkey had written to the Executive Board expressing concern over the growing number of harassment complaints within Indian hockey.

Although discussions were held in June on constituting a committee to investigate the matter, sources said no such committee has been formed so far.

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz brings out the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the Fifa World Cup Trophy ahead of the World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. U.S. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP

CINCINNATI — Carlos Alcaraz withdrew Tuesday from the Cincinnati Open because of a lingering right wrist injury that has sidelined him since April.

The No. 2-ranked Spaniard was hoping to return to defend his title in the hard-court tournament, which serves as an important warmup for the US Open.

“We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible,” tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement. “We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in the future.”

READ: Carlos Alcaraz slated to return at Cincinnati Open

Alcaraz last played at the Barcelona Open, then missed the French Open and the entire grass-court season, including Wimbledon.

He is entered in the US Open, where he is the defending champion. Recent photos and videos on social media have shown the seven-time Grand Slam winner on the practice courts, so it was thought he would be ready to play in the Cincinnati event that begins Aug. 11.

Harsh Dubey and Vipraj Nigam

NEW DELHI: Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam have linked up with the Indian team as net bowlers ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15. The four players will assist the Shubman Gill-led side during its preparations in Sri Lanka.India have already arrived in the island nation and will play a four-day practice match in Colombo from August 7 before the Test series starts.Before the Test series, India will play a three-day practice match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo starting on August 7.The opening Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.India have been hit by a number of injury setbacks ahead of the series.Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out after failing to recover fully from the left knee injury he suffered during the ODI series against England. Auqib Nabi has been named as his replacement.Harshit Rana is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a quadriceps injury.All-rounder Washington Sundar will miss the first Test because of a hamstring problem. Fast bowler Akash Deep also remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from stress reactions in his back.The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings with four wins and four defeats from nine matches. The team has a points percentage (PCT) of 48.150.India’s squad Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.*Sai Sudharsan is subject to fitness clearance.