Manchester City transfer latest includes the pursuit of Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez and more incomings needed

Manchester City are set for crunch talks with Chelsea as they look to complete their biggest deal of the transfer window. The Blues have already smashed their club record to bring in Elliot Anderson for £116m but will almost certainly have to go higher to sign Enzo Fernandez.

Fernandez’s future at Chelsea has been uncertain all summer but the West London club have been reluctant sellers. An unofficial deadline was put in place before the start of the season where interested parties were told they must offer £120m or the player would not be leaving Stamford Bridge.

That has been and gone but City never lost confidence that Chelsea would be open to business for the right price and have been encouraged that agreeing terms with the player will not be an issue. Fernandez starred under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and is keen to reunite with his former boss, who in turn needs another experienced midfielder he can count on after seeing Bernardo Silva and Rodri depart the Etihad this summer.

Despite expectations that the deal will be done, the price still needs to be set and Chelsea need to have enough time to find a replacement for Fernandez before the window officially shuts on Tuesday. Chelsea may try to hold out for more than the £120m they previously asked for but City will try to hammer out an agreement this weekend.

Those negotiations are contributing to a hectic end to the transfer window for the Blues with more incomings required and expected. Palmeiras winger Allan is putting the finishing touches to his £32m move, and another forward will be signed as well; Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo are among City’s targets.

Jack Grealish could head back to Everton for the season and help City’s attempts to sign Ndiaye. Maresca spoke with the 30-year-old on Thursday to confirm he would not be part of the travelling squad for the Palace game.

Amid several exits, City are still exploring a deal for another midfielder as well. Roma’s Manu Kone is one of the names being looked at, although time is running out to complete their business and talks between Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana will determine exactly how many deals are completed.

Real Madrid’s head coach Jose Mourinho sits on the bench before the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

With the 2026 Ballon d’Or drawing closer, Jose Mourinho has offered a rather different way of looking at football’s biggest individual prize, arguing that winning the Champions League or World Cup should not automatically put a player at the front of the queue. The Real Madrid manager believes the award should recognise the players who stand out at the very highest level and leave a lasting mark on the sport, rather than simply rewarding whoever happened to collect the biggest trophies.Mourinho made the comments during his press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga meeting with newly promoted Malaga, where he also suggested that some of the strongest Ballon d’Or candidates are already playing under him at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Mourinho wants the award to recognise greatness, not just trophies

Mourinho’s argument is rooted in the idea that the Ballon d’Or should belong to players whose careers and performances make them impossible to forget, rather than someone whose main case rests on winning a major competition.“The Ballon d’Or should go to one of those players who, when they retire, we miss them for eternity. Maradona, Cristiano, Messi, R9, Zidane… You can’t give the Ballon d’Or to a guy just for winning the UCL or the World Cup. If you should give it to someone just for winning the UCL, then give it to Luis Enrique.”He then made it clear that, in his view, the award should not become a contest based on nationality, club or the biggest trophy won during the season.“No, it needs to go to the best player in the world, not necessarily a Spanish guy, or a PSG player. It needs to go to one of the 3-4 best players in the world, and those guys are here. But politics come into the Ballon d’Or, so I don’t like getting into politics.”Mourinho’s comments touch on a long-running debate surrounding the award, where players whose teams win the Champions League, World Cup or other major honours can often gain a significant advantage in the voting, even when another player may have produced a stronger individual season.

Who does Mourinho believe can win it?

Although Mourinho did not name a single player as the only deserving candidate in his broader comments, his reference to the “3-4 best players in the world” being at Real Madrid points towards a number of his own stars, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham.Mbappé, in particular, has a compelling case after a remarkable 2025-26 campaign. The French forward scored 43 goals in 47 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, while also winning both the LaLiga Golden Boot and the Champions League Golden Boot.His year became even more extraordinary at international level during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mbappé scored 10 goals in eight appearances, becoming the first player to reach double figures at a World Cup tournament in the 21st century and moving to the top of the competition’s all-time scoring charts.That form has continued into the new campaign, with Mbappé recently scoring a hat-trick against Real Sociedad.For a player who has spent much of the past decade being discussed among the world’s elite but has never won the Ballon d’Or, the timing could hardly be more interesting.Real Madrid will return to LaLiga action on Sunday, August 30, when they host Málaga CF at the Santiago Bernabéu. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM IST (5:00 PM local time), with Mourinho and his squad looking to continue their campaign in Spain’s top flight.

A long day at Oracle Park opened with a bang on Saturday, even if it went unnoticed by most fans: Ron Wotus, a non-traveling member of the San Francisco Giants coaching staff, got himself tossed during the scorecard exchange. 

The bench coach for the Giants‘ three championship teams the previous decade, Wotus clearly didn’t care for the ejections leveled the previous night. Alan Porter, who was the home-plate umpire Friday night, had tossed manager Tony Vitello and he and Wotus exchanged some heated words Saturday until Wotus earned the early shower. 

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That was the most significant action in the first game of the day-night doubleheader until Lars Nootbaar‘s grand slam in the seventh off reliever Ryan Walker made up the bulk of the scoring in the Arizona Diamondbacks‘ 7-1 win.  All three baserunners reached via walks, two by starter Matt Wilkinson in an otherwise excellent six-plus inning home debut, and one by Walker. It was the second slam the Giants’ bullpen has allowed this week following Eugenio Suárez‘s drive off Dylan Smith on Wednesday, the centerpiece of the Reds‘ historic comeback from a six-run deficit in the ninth.

Wotus clearly was defending the Giants’ manager and, in doing so, he reflected the anger still percolating in the Giants’ dugout. There was a strong feeling after Friday’s game that the umpires are singling Vitello out because of his lack of pro baseball experience, or, at the very least, are quicker with the hook than they might be with others. Both Vitello and director of pitching Frank Anderson, who came with Vitello from Tennessee, have seen umpires make disparaging comments to them this season because of their college background, and Vitello said things “turned personal real quick” with Porter on Friday. 

Dusty Baker, on hand for Jeff Kent’s jersey retirement before Game 2, said he’s unsure if the treatment Vitello is receiving is just because he’s a rookie manager or because he came from the college ranks. “Maybe both,” Baker said. 

Vitello and the umpires kept their distance Saturday, at least in Game 1. The lineup-card exchange before Game 2 will be watched closely, and the choice for delivering the card will be interesting. 

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Wilkinson, 23, worked limited innings in his two stints as more of an opener; two in his big-league debut against Cleveland, his former organization, and 3⅔ innings at Boston on Sunday. With the Giants playing two games Saturday and the bullpen covering four innings the night before, Wilkinson needed to go as deep as possible, and he scattered three hits in his first six innings of work, retiring 12 in a row in the middle innings. 

He didn’t walk a batter until the seventh, when eight of the nine pitches he threw were balls, likely a sign of fatigue. Walker, back up from Triple-A Sacramento just this week, walked Tim Tawa then gave up Nootbaar’s slam on a 2-2 fastball at the top of the zone. Typically, Walker throws the four-seam fastball sparingly, just 4% of the time entering Saturday. Last year, he threw two, total. 

The Giants’ staff, especially the relievers, are under instructions to throw strikes because they’ve walked far too many – 48 this month from the bullpen entering Game 1, fifth most in the majors. Avoiding walks is laudable, but too many strikes can backfire occasionally, making pitchers a little more predictable. 

Left-hander Seth Lonsway, who was called up earlier in the morning, made his big-league debut and struck out Ildemaro Vargas to open the eighth. He gave up two hits and the Diamondbacks scored an unearned run off him thanks to Turner Hill’s error in left, and Arizona scored two more off him in the ninth. 

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Jung Hoo Lee, the Game 1 bobblehead honoree, drove in San Francisco‘s run with a single in the eighth. 

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This article originally published at Giants’ frustrations with umpires lead to pregame ejection for coach before loss.

Daniel Dubois has shared his reaction after Moses Itauma suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Filip Hrgovic.

Hrgovic showed a sensational chin throughout the contest as he recovered from a second round knockdown to earn the ninth round TKO win against an exhausted Itauma, winning the vacant IBF heavyweight title in the process.

WBO heavyweight champion Dubois was sat ringside to watch the fight unfold, and whilst speaking to Seconds Out, he began by praising Hrgovic for his victory.

“It’s boxing. The better man won. It was a good fight while it lasted. I knew Hrgovic had it in him. He’s a tough competitor.”

Dubois is the only man to have defeated Hrgovic, claiming an eighth round TKO win due to cuts back in June 2024, and ‘DDD’ felt that Itauma’s performance against his former rival showed that the two Brits aren’t on the same level.

“[I have a] different mindset, [I’m a total] total different animal. I wasn’t going to be denied. He’s not me. He can come again I suppose. Maybe rebuild I suppose. It tests his team out around him now. He’ll see who’s really with him.”

A unification fight between Dubois and Itauma had been touted for Wembley Stadium next year, but those plans have now gone up in smoke after the victory by Hrgovic.

Itauma will instead have to rebuild as he looks to bounce back from his first loss, while Dubois will look ahead to his rematch with Fabio Wardley, after it was officially confirmed that the two men will meet for the second time on October 17.

Kai Sotto (right) and AJ Edu will anchor the Philippines’ interior against Iran. —FIBA PHOTO

A dramatic Friday night win over Jordan did nothing to widen the margin of error for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Filipinos know they need to set aside an 82-81 victory and go for another favorable result when they host Iran on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“From our calculations, we got to win five or six in this round,” coach Tim Cone said ahead of the 8 p.m. matchup, which the Philippines must win in hopes of closing in on the standings in Group E.

For Cone, defeating Jordan was just half the job, and beating Iran would check a major task box.

Gilas’ win over Jordan and Iran’s loss to New Zealand, also in overtime, made the standings interesting for the Philippines. While Australia is running away from the pack with a 7-0 (win-loss) record, Jordan and Iran fell into a tie with New Zealand at 5-2.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has three wins in seven matches.

Sunday will also see New Zealand playing Syria at 2 p.m., and Jordan taking on Australia at 5 p.m. at the same venue. The Jordan-Australia game could also have some implications in Gilas’ World Cup bid.

But Cone said they won’t rely on other results.

“We got to take care of our own business,” he said. “This (Jordan win) is like halftime for us, but we haven’t won anything. We have to win the whole thing. Right now, it’s just halftime and we got another [half] to play.”

Momentum is something Gilas hopes to maximize, not only because of the way it won, but also because it is playing at home once more.

The win was cemented by Kai Sotto’s game-saving block in the end, Kevin Quiambao’s go-ahead three, CJ Perez’s clutch buckets and Scottie Thompson’s defense and hustle.

Sotto’s presence justified what many believe—that he’s the missing piece to the Gilas puzzle since he last played for the national team in 2024. Perez, on the other hand, put up what is arguably his best performance on the international level.

Perez also set up the pass for Quiambao, whose three gave Gilas the lead for good. Thompson, however, remained a polarizing figure, with fans either praising the intangibles he provided or ruing his five-second inbound violation that almost cost the game.

One concern being determined at press time is the status of Carl Tamayo, who scored eight points, for Sunday. The former University of the Philippines standout rolled his left ankle during the third quarter. Cone hinted that he may tweak his roster by replacing him with either Justin Arana or RJ Abarrientos if he can’t go. INQ

Hrgovic – wearing the red and white checks of his country – made his entrance first to a wall of boos, before the mood inside the O2 Arena flipped as Itauma emerged to a huge roar – taking his time and soaking up the reception.

The crowd had made its allegiances clear after a fiery build-up which included Itauma shoving Hrgovic, the Zagreb man slapping him back and plenty of verbal sparring.

Itauma came out with real intent, landing straight lefts from his southpaw stance. Hrgovic is known for his durability but struggled to keep pace with the Briton’s speed early on.

Early in the second, a right hook knocked Hrgovic off-balance and his glove touched the canvas. Oasis star Noel Gallagher and boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed were among those watching as the crowd gasped at almost every Itauma punch, whether it landed or not.

But by the end of the third, Itauma – who had boxed just 26 professional rounds before his first world-title fight – was already breathing heavily.

There had also been questions over his chin, simply because it had never really been tested. Hrgovic began landing the occasional heavy shot but Itauma took them well and fired straight back.

A fight in the crowd momentarily took attention away from the action in the fifth before an Itauma uppercut in the closing seconds brought the focus back to the ring.

Itauma continued to fire combinations but Hrgovic was barely budging. A huge right landed on the bell in the sixth and another followed in the seventh, yet the Croatian simply walked through them.

The Briton was well ahead but, rather than box his way towards victory, he continued to chase the knockout. A flurry in the eighth backed Hrgovic on to the ropes and had him in trouble, but Itauma was grimacing between exchanges and looking increasingly spent.

By now the danger was clear. Hrgovic came out with renewed purpose in the ninth and landed a thudding right which sent Itauma staggering backwards, almost through the ropes.

The youngster somehow stayed upright but his legs had gone. Hrgovic continued to press and when Itauma slumped into his corner, exhausted and barely able to defend himself, the towel came in.

Melbourne and Carlton close the Wildcard Round after arriving through sharply contrasting final-round performances.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Melbourne Demons vs Carlton Blues Odds

Melbourne Demons vs Carlton Blues Preview

The Demons surrendered their top-four opportunity in a 108-87 loss to the Western Bulldogs, despite Max Gawn compiling 28 disposals, 59 hitouts, 10 clearances and 10 score involvements. Injuries to Jake Lever and Matthew Jefferson may also leave Melbourne short of key-position options. Carlton surged into the finals by beating minor premier Fremantle 119-82, driven by five goals from Francis Evans and influential midfield displays from Jagga Smith and Sam Walsh. Carlton edged Melbourne 73-71 in their 2023 semi-final, although the Demons overturned a 43-point deficit to win their Round 3 meeting this season. The Blues’ current momentum and greater scoring depth make them the stronger selection.

Even the playing surfaces at NFL stadiums need a moment to get into regular-season form.

The Buffalo Bills are planning to replace the grass surface at Highmark Stadium before their home opener against the Detroit Lions in Week 2.

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The Buffalo News was the first to report the team’s groundskeeping plans. USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the Bills for confirmation.

The 2026 season will mark the first time the Bills are playing their home games on a grass surface – and not artificial turf – since 1972. During the entire, 53-year period in which they were tenants of Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills played on synthetic material. But Buffalo’s new grass field had a shaky debut when the Bills played their first preseason game of the year on Aug. 15.

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A first look at the new Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen

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BILLS STADIUM: Thurman Thomas weighs in on Highmark Stadium uproar

On one play, backup quarterback Kyle Allen scrambled out of the pocket then took a hit as he slid down on the new grass field. During the play, The Athletic’s Tim Graham reported, a “massive clump” of grass was ripped out of the ground after the tackle.

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Starting quarterback Josh Allen was joined by teammates DJ Moore, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown in trying to stomp the displaced grass back into the divot after the play, Graham reported.

The Bills did not make any notable changes to the surface before their next home game: a preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, they waited until after the preseason to re-sod the field and get it prepared for Buffalo’s regular season home opener in Week 2.

The Bills will play the Texans in Houston to begin the season on Sept. 13 before returning home to face the Lions in a “Thursday Night Football” matchup on Sept. 17, where the new field of grass in the new stadium will make its debut.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills’ new stadium facing another hurdle ahead of home opener