Former Bayern Munich midfielder offers himself to Barcelona reportAccording to journalist Matteo Moretto (h/t SPORT), Leon Goretzka has offered himself to Barcelona after becoming a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Bayern Munich.The German midfielders representatives have made contact with Barcelonas sporting department in recent hours, indicating that Goretzka would be interested in joining Hansi Flicks project following Frenkie de Jongs long-term knee injury.The Dutchman is expected to be sidelined for around four months after sustaining the injury during the World Cup. This has prompted the manager to request the club to reinforce the midfield if possible.Flick knows Goretzka WellThis is not the first time Goretzka has been linked with Barcelona in recent months.The 30-year-old midfielder worked under Flick at Bayern Munich between 2019 and 2021, making 64 appearances during the German coachs tenure. Goretzka worked with Flick at Bayern and with the German NT. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Across all competitions, he contributed 15 goals and 18 assists and played an important role during Flicks successful spell at the Allianz Arena.That existing relationship has fuelled speculation that Goretzka could be a suitable option for Barcelona.Barcelona not planning midfield reinforcementDespite the players availability, Barcelonas sporting department, led by Deco, are not currently considering a move for Goretzka.The club have no plans to strengthen the midfield, believing the squad already has sufficient depth to cope with De Jongs long-term absence following the rupture of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.Barcelonas stance also means De Jongs injury will not alter the clubs plans regarding Marc Casado either. Barcelona not considering Goretzka move. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)The Catalan side believe the academy graduate has reached the stage where he should seek regular first-team football elsewhere. Although the club will not force him to leave, they intend to help him find a new team.An option on the tableLast season, Goretzka played more than 2300 minutes across 48 appearances for Bayern Munich.Although he was not an undisputed starter under Vincent Kompany, he remained an important member of the squad as Bayern completed a domestic clean sweep in Germany and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.For now, however, Barcelonas position remains unchanged, with the club focused on their existing midfield options rather than pursuing the experienced German international.

Camera technology has evolved far beyond traditional image capture, becoming a core component of intelligent sensing, automation, and real-time decision-making. Modern camera systems combine advanced image sensors, optics, embedded processors, artificial intelligence, depth sensing, and connectivity to deliver high-performance imaging across diverse applications. Industries including...

"I think we need some help." That's what Philadelphia Phillies star first baseman Bryce Harper said after the team's 1-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I think we've proved pretty much all year that we've done a pretty good job, but any time you can get some help in here and reinforcements, I think it helps," Harper, who also expressed that the Phillies "need both" a bat and an arm, elaborated after they dropped their second consecutive game to the Marlins, which was also their sixth loss in seven games. The Phillies are 57-51, good for a one-game lead on the second National League wild-card seed, while being six games back of the Atlanta Braves (62-44) for first place in the NL East. Harper, who earned his ninth career All-Star nod earlier this year, has totaled 22 home runs, 63 RBIs, a 125 OPS+ and 1.9 wins above replacement, while the two-time NL MVP boasts a .252/.358/.488 slash line. As for potential areas of need, the Phillies' bullpen is 24th in MLB in opponent batting average (.250), 22nd in ERA (4.37) and 20th in WHIP (1.34). Maybe they swing a blockbuster trade for San Diego Padres star closer Mason Miller, forming a dynamic backend reliever duo with Jhoan Durn? Meanwhile, the Phillies' offense is tied for 29th in on-base percentage (.303), while being 18th in both runs scored (467) and slugging percentage (.399). Aside from Brandon Marsh (16 home runs and a .280/.321/.458 slash line), Philadelphia has been unable to get consistent production from its outfield rotation. What about a trade for San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos? The MLB trade deadline is Monday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET.

After leading the United States men's national team to its best World Cup finish in two decades, Mauricio Pochettino is likely sticking around to finish what he started. The USMNT head coach is close to finalizing a deal with the USMNT that would keep him under contract through the 2030 World Cup, according to The Athletic. Financial terms of the deal which has not been finalized just yet are not known at this time. Mauricio Pochettino on course to agree new contract & extend reign as USA head coach through to 2030 World Cup. Barring unexpected change of heart 54yo Argentine boss set to remain in charge of #USMNT for next cycle @TheAthleticFC after @AndresCantorGOLhttps://t.co/TYHr8JVuHm David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 29, 2026Pochettino had been reportedly offered a four-year extension partway through a 2026 World Cup run during which the team won their group, scored more goals than they had in any previous tournament and picked up their first knockout win in 24 years. Pochettino's current contract was set to expire now that this summer's tournament is over.Pochettino was hired by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) in 2024 to take over after two failed Gregg Berhalter stints. Typically, federations try to hire international managers for a full World Cup cycle, which is every four years. But USSF's choice to re-hire (and later re-fire) Berhalter shortened the window by the time the federation landed on Pochettino to take over.Still, in just two years, Pochettino was able to build one of the strongest U.S. squads in decades, capitalizing on the talent currently in the U.S. roster pool and putting unlikely players in the position to thrive. Though Pochettino did his best to downplay the USMNT's chances, hopes sailed high for the team coming out of the group stage. The USMNT's journey at the 2026 World Cup concluded with a disastrous loss to Belgium in the Round of 16, surrounded by controversy that Pochettino also downplayed. But even with the defeat, it marked the U.S.'s best result at the tournament since a quarterfinal finish in 2002.The Argentine manager fully embraced American culture throughout the home World Cup. But the question became whether he would want to stay.It's common for international managers to leave their team after the World Cup especially with a number of attractive club positions open in Europe both Pochettino and USSF has expressed interest in continuing to work together. The coach said earlier this month that he would make a decision this week.Now, with Pochettino's future settled, the USMNT can look to the next chapter.This story will be updated.

I recently released my first batch of my favorite NFL win totals to bet for the 2026-27 season. A derivative futures market off of that one is whether or not a team will make the postseason, which is what I'll explore in this article.I like trying to find some longer shots in these markets, where our preseason priors might end up being far off and the returns from our wagers can loom larger. I found three teams with some asymmetry worth exploiting.Here are a few NFL playoff make/miss wagers that I like right now:Los Angeles Rams to miss the playoffs (+350)The Rams have the shortest odds to win the Super Bowl, and yet I am interested in their market to miss the playoffs entirely. So, what gives?Among NFL teams, Los Angeles is one where injury risk looms the largest. A 37-year old Matthew Stafford came into last season with serious concerns about his back injuries, sitting out most of training camp and all of preseason, while getting multiple pain injections into his spine. While Stafford went on to nullify those concerns playing in all 17 games and winning MVP it doesn't change the fact that he's now a year older and still has a heightened injury possibility compared to other QBs. If Stafford got hurt, the Rams would have to rely on rookie first-round pick QB Ty Simpson. Los Angeles funnels usage to its top skill position players DaVante Adams and Puka Nacua who also carry increased injury risk. Adams is 33 and entering his 13th year in the league, while Nacua is known for leaning into some massive contact and taking big hits (and has had some off-field issues this offseason). Losing Stafford, Adams, or Nakua for any lengthy amount of time would be a huge concern.Lastly, the NFC West is a brutal division. As mentioned, the Rams are the preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl, but they will have to knock off the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers (win total of 10.5). Winning the division will be tough, and then it comes down to earning a wild-card spot.I can see this being a "year from hell" for the Rams and one where fading them was the best decision. New England Patriots to miss the playoffs (+150) Last season, New England had the second-easiest projected strength of schedule based on forecasted win totals. After winning the AFC East, and making it all the way to the Super Bowl, it's easy to say they clearly took advantage of that easy schedule. However, finishing in first place draws much stiffer competition the following season. Some of the out-of-division games this year for the Patriots includes a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks, playing the NFC North (Lions, Bears, Packers, Vikings), and matchups against the Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Jaguars and Steelers. That is a vastly different class of opponents than last season.Drake Maye also put together a pair of unsustainable and non-correlated stats that I expect to regress. Maye had the league's highest completion rate in the NFL at 72%, and he also boasted the highest average yards per pass attempt at 8.9. It is remarkable to be the leader in both of these categories.My NBA comparison would be saying it is like Stephen Curry having the highest field goal percentage in the league, while also taking the most 3-pointers. If Maye regresses a bit in completion rate, most likely due to fewer completions on deeper passes, the Patriots' explosive play rate drops and expected points falls off. As a result, their record takes a hit.New England is my second fade team in preseason playoff futures.Atlanta Falcons to make the playoffs (+225) The sharp betting community having an affinity for the Falcons is an annual preseason NFL futures tradition. For the third year in a row, they are going to be preseason darlings that take steam across win totals, division odds, and playoff bets and I am going back to the well again. What I am most excited about is the additions of QB Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Kevin Stefanski. I think these are both material upgrades over Michael Penix Jr. and Raheem Morris from a year ago. Tua has always thrived when having a pass-catching running back in the flats, and a tight end to open the middle of the field Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts fit the bill. He also has a top-end red zone target in wide receiver Drake London. I see this unit as complementary collective unit, which will raise the individual talent level of each player.The Falcons also have a soft and winnable division in the NFC South. Last year the Panthers made the playoffs with an 8-9 record because they owned the tiebreakers over the Falcons and Buccaneers, who also finished at 8-9. A third-place finish for Atlanta due to those tiebreakers last season also makes this seasons schedule more manageable.

UEFA slams FIFA plan, says it exploits football for profitUEFA has just issued a new statement condemning the deadline FIFA has set for federations to back its commercial plan or be excluded from the one-off payment if they reject the proposal.For UEFA, that ultimatum "says it all" about the plans true intentions. The organization argues that FIFA is using football to enrich itself and its friends.The statement says that UEFA has held talks with numerous stakeholders from across the football world. According to the body, there is "significant and growing" opposition to the plan among those actors.UEFA argues that football can grow "in the right way," without resorting to this kind of financial pressure on federations. It calls for priority to be given to federations, clubs, leagues, players, and fans.The standoff adds to the growing tension between UEFA and FIFA over the plan to open up to private investors. The two bodies are thus facing a new chapter in their clash over commercial control of football.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

Well, it looks like plans at the quarterback position may have changed for the Carolina Panthers.According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers are bringing in free-agent quarterback Kyle Trask for a workout on Wednesday.Following the retirement of third-stringer Will Grier, Carolina has gone through the first handful of training camp practices with three quarterbacks. Last Wednesday, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan was asked if he was looking to add back a fourth for the summer."No plans right now to bring a fourth guy on," Morgan told reporters. "Obviously, wish Will and his family the best. In terms of his career, just playing as long as he did, and just wish him the best moving forward."Trask, a second-round pick out of the University of Florida in 2021, has spent each of his five NFL seasons in the NFC South. The first four (2021 to 2024) came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he crossed paths with Panthers head coach Dave Canales in 2023. The 28-year-old then signed with the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad midway through 2025.Follow@ThePanthersWireon Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Report: Panthers to bring in former Buccaneers QB for workout

The story of the week became a much bigger story than it should have been because the 49ers deliberately delayed acknowledging that the Kyle Shanahan car accident had happened for 11 days. On Tuesday, Shanahan opted to correct the record as to the public record that placed blame on the other driver.Via Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Lt. Nicolas Martinez of the Palo Alto police department confirmed that a mistake was made when entering the information into the database.I can confirm that Kyle Shanahans statement that he provided is correct and that he was found at fault for the collision, Lt. Nicolas Martinez said in a statement. There was a clerical error in the preparation of the report that was transmitted to the State database. We are in the process of correcting that error. It is the officers discretion at the scene of the collision as to whether they issue a citation to either party. It is not uncommon for officers to elect to not issue a citation to either party involved in a collision. Neither party in this situation was provided preferential treatment.That doesn't change the perception that Shanahan received preferential treatment, both as to the decision not to cite him and the extreme secrecy that applied until the 49ers were opening training camp and had no choice but to disclose it.Regardless, the truth is finally coming out. The decision to keep it under wraps from July 14 until July 25 served only to make people wonder why it was handled that way. And it will still cause some to wonder whether the whole story has been shared.

Leadership and Management Training Courses UK: Develop the Skills to Lead Successful Teams Effective leadership and strong management are essential for organisations that want to build productive teams, improve workplace communication, and achieve long-term goals. As businesses continue to evolve, professionals are increasingly looking for leadership and management training courses UK...

One of the Detroit Lions biggest training camp storylines officially moved onto the practice field Wednesday morning.Star running back Jahmyr Gibbs did not participate in Detroits opening practice while awaiting a new contract, according to Lions beat writer Dave Birkett.Gibbs reported to camp, so this appears to be a hold-in rather than a traditional holdout. He is with the team but is choosing not to practice while his representatives and the Lions continue working toward a long-term extension.Adam Schefter Says a Deal Could Come SoonThe situation should not necessarily be viewed as a sign that negotiations are falling apart.ESPNs Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Gibbs could receive a new contract within the next couple of weeks. Detroit has already made the former first-round pick one of its top extension priorities, and Brad Holmes has repeatedly shown a willingness to reward foundational players before their rookie contracts expire.Gibbs currently has two seasons of team control remaining after Detroit exercised his fifth-year option. That gives the Lions leverage, but it does not remove the urgency to secure one of the NFLs most explosive offensive players for the long term.Gibbs Has Earned a Massive PaydayThe Lions traded David Montgomery during the offseason and have publicly positioned Gibbs as the centerpiece of their rushing attack.He rushed for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 while adding 77 receptions for 616 yards and five more scores. Detroits own roster preview described him as the bell cow of a backfield expected to lean heavily on his speed and versatility.That increased responsibility will become part of the contract conversation.Gibbs is expected to seek a deal that places him among the NFLs highest-paid running backs, potentially resetting the market at the position. Detroit must also navigate eventual extensions for Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, but Gibbs appears to be first in line.Lions Can Afford to Be Patient for NowMissing one training camp practice is not a crisis.Gibbs participated during Detroits offseason program and already understands the offense. Running backs also require fewer timing-based repetitions than quarterbacks, receivers or offensive linemen.The situation becomes more noteworthy if his absence stretches into several practices or preseason preparation.For now, this looks like a calculated business decision from a player who knows his value and a franchise that appears motivated to keep him.Bottom LineJahmyr Gibbs is at Lions training camp, but he is not practicing while waiting for a new contract.Dave Birketts report confirms that the possibility of a training camp hold-in has become reality. Adam Schefters update offers reason to believe it may not last long, with a deal potentially arriving within the next couple of weeks.Detroit wants Gibbs as the centerpiece of its offense.Gibbs wants the contract that comes with that responsibility.Now Brad Holmes has to close the deal.