Real Madrid coach Jos Mourinho talked to Real Madrid TV right after the teams 2-2 draw against Fiorentina on Saturday. The Portuguese coach was happy with the performance and pointed at their physical condition as the main reason why Fiorentina were able to score twice.I liked everything. On the phone, I saw A Madrid with two faces. It was a Madrid with three faces: fresh, tired, and super tired. The fresh team played very well, and the 2-1 scoreline at halftime was far too short. The first half was of very high quality, and we could have been leading three or four to nil comfortably. In the second half, the game became more physical against a typically Italian team with great physicality. They applied some pressure, and the second face started to show at the beginning of the second half. After that, we saw Moise Kean playing in the area against two 18-year-olds, who had a great game and are growing, but physically, they are not yet at the level to handle someone like Moise, who is a fantastic player. The third face, which I also liked a lot, was the super tired face, but where the team knew how to be a team, control the game, and regain dominance, said Mourinho.The Portuguese coach still admitted that he wants to see more from his team.This is Real Madrid with the players we have. As I told the boys before the match, Real Madrid is Real Madrid. Whether its a friendly or a training match, its Real Madrid. We have to seek evolution but also achieve results to honor our history. I had to put on the field the men I had available. I had to pair Trent and Dumfries together and try to find a dynamic that would allow this style of play. We only worked yesterday in preparation for the match because the goal is not to work on just one game. We did a little organizational work to have a team that knows what to do on the field. I am very happy with the work of the boys from day one, he added.Mourinho also praised the players who had been training for a handful of days yet managed to make an impact.Dumfries and Endrick trained for three days and played more than 70 minutes. Its a fantastic effort that, to me, signifies a willingness to give their all. I liked everything, and I thanked Grosso for the training session they gave us, which was very good. Joan and Mario are two kids with a fantastic future who displayed tremendous class as long as the game didnt get too physical. I loved seeing the quality of the youngsters. It was a mix of the academy players with the seven men we have available, two of whom trained for only three days. Then we brought in Carlos, who trained with us for just an hour yesterday, to help us and get a taste of what Real Madrid is all about, he explained.Real Madrid will have to find a way to keep building their team without some key stars.Im concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. Its not possible. On Monday, Vini Jr., Brahim, and Bernardo will arrive. Dumfries, Carlos, and Endrick will already have a few more days of work. Little by little, until the boys who played in the World Cup semifinals and final arrive, with the final being only Cucurella, he concluded.

Report: Manchester United star targeted by Bundesliga giantsBenjamin Sesko on Bayern Munich Shortlist as Manchester United Future Remains in FocusBayern Munich continue to keep a close watch on Benjamin Sesko, with the Manchester United striker still viewed internally as a profile that could suit their long term attacking plans. According to Christian Falk, the Bundesliga champions have not moved on from their earlier interest, even if any concrete approach appears unlikely in the immediate future.That context matters. Sesko only arrived at Old Trafford ahead of the 2025-26 campaign in a high value transfer and, after an uneven beginning, ended the season with growing authority under Michael Carrick. His return of 12 goals in all competitions did not place him among Europes elite forwards, but it did offer enough encouragement for United to believe there is more to come once he settles fully into Premier League football.Bayern Munich strategy around Harry KaneThe latest information suggests Bayern Munich are thinking carefully about the shape of their attack over the next few seasons. Harry Kane remains the clubs leading striker and there is an expectation he will sign a new contract this year. At the same time, there is a wider tactical discussion over how his role may evolve as he gets older.Photo IMAGOFalk said: It is TRUE: There is an idea to give Harry Kane a deeper role as he gets older at Bayern Munich. The striker knows hes not getting faster as the years progress, but everyone can see that he already has an important role at FC Bayern with his passing and playmaking ability. So, he already has in his mind that he could play deeper and leave room for a pure striker ahead of him. This idea was already developing at the club when Vincent Kompany first joined in 2024, which was why Bayern had the idea to bring Benjamin eko to Munich. He was too expensive at the time, which is why Manchester United ended up pulling off the deal a year later.However, the idea is still there to bring such a striker into the team. Now, Bayern have Ismael Saibari who can cover this role as well. So Bayern will perhaps see if they can make it work already this coming season. So they have to see if theyll still need a player like eko down the line. The Slovenian is still on the list and hes a player whos very interesting for FC Bayern. Perhaps, if hes struggling to make his mark in the Premier League, they could return to this idea. The plan for the future, nonetheless, is to sign another striker who can be a Harry Kane successor but also play in a two-striker system. This is one of Vincent Kompanys key ideas.Manchester United stance on SeskoFrom a Manchester United perspective, the message is straightforward. Sesko is not expected to go anywhere. The club invested heavily in him, he is still adapting, and there is a belief that his physical profile, movement and finishing can become a major asset over a full season. Bayern Munich may admire him, but admiration alone does not alter Uniteds current position.It is also relevant that Bayern have already added Ismael Saibari this summer, strengthening their options across the front line. That addition reduces the urgency for another attacking signing, even if Sesko remains on their shortlist. In practical terms, this feels more like active monitoring than the early stages of a deal.Transfer interest likely to stay in backgroundThe broader picture points towards a situation worth tracking rather than one nearing a breakthrough. Bayern have shown before that they like to prepare well in advance for future squad shifts, particularly in key positions such as centre forward. Sesko fits the age profile and style they value, especially if they eventually want a striker capable of leading the line while Kane operates in a deeper role.For now, though, the most realistic outcome is continuity. Sesko remains a Manchester United player, Bayern Munich remain interested, and much will depend on how the striker develops in the months ahead. If he thrives, United will have little reason to entertain outside attention. If he stalls, the situation could look different down the line.Our ViewAs a concerned Manchester United supporter, this is the kind of report that creates unease even if it stops short of suggesting an imminent move. Sesko has only just arrived, and after one season, the conversation should be about how to get the best out of him, not whether another European giant is positioning itself for a future opportunity.There is a sense that United supporters have seen this pattern too often. A player is signed for significant money, needs time to settle, shows flashes of quality, and then external noise starts building before the project has really had a chance to breathe. Seskos 12-goal season was far from perfect, but it was enough to suggest he can become an important forward for this team.The concern is not that Bayern admire him. Top clubs will always monitor talented strikers. The concern is whether United can finally provide the stability, structure and patience required to help a young centre forward reach his ceiling. If the environment around him is strong, there should be no opening here at all.From a fan perspective, the hope is simple. Back Sesko, build around his strengths, and remove any doubt about his future by making him feel central to the long term plan. United should be developing players Bayern want, then keeping them, not treating strong interest as an inevitable part of the cycle.

The Kelsey Plum era is over in Los Angeles. The Sparks are sending the five-time All-Star to Phoenix in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani, the Mercurys 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, league sources confirmed to The Athletic. ESPN was first to report.The Sparks traded the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft (which became All-Star Dominique Malonga) to acquire Plum in the 2025 offseason in an attempt to end their rebuild and get to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. That plan didnt pan out: Los Angeles came up two games short of the postseason in 2025, and Plums lower leg injury in 2026 dug the Sparks a hole they could not get out of.At 10-17 and 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, Los Angeles is pulling the plug on this season, and that means moving on from Plum, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Plum has only played 12 games in 2026, but is second in the league in scoring (23.9 points per game) and sixth in assists (6.4). She is arguably the most efficient No. 1 option as a guard in the league her field-goal percentage only trails Aja Wilson among top-10 scorers and she has also been a secondary (even tertiary) scoring option on a two-time title team in Las Vegas.As reported by The Athletic, the sense from executives around the league was that Plum wouldnt re-sign in Los Angeles, forcing the Sparks hand to trade her and recoup some of the value they lost in acquiring the five-time All-Star guard. Even so, there have rarely been trades involving all-WNBA players during the season. The last time it happened was in 2015 when the Chicago Sky dealt Sylvia Fowles to Minnesota. The Lynx ultimately won the championship that season and Fowles was named finals MVP.This is a developing story and will be updated.This article originally appeared in The Athletic.Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, WNBA Trade Deadline2026 The Athletic Media Company

I dont know Roberto De Zerbi opens up on Richarlisons Tottenham futureTottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that Richarlison will have to decide on his future before the club takes action into their own hands.Tottenham are seriously considering parting ways with the Brazilian striker this summer and have already set his asking price at 30 million (26m).Spurs are preparing for a fresh start under De Zerbi and have been one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the transfer market so far.While theyre far from done with their summer business, Tottenham must now cash in on a few players to balance the books and free up space for further recruitment.So far, Richarlison is one player whose Tottenham future is far from guaranteed.De Zerbi has already made it clear that he doesnt know if Richarlison will leave Tottenham this summer as the striker sometimes wants to jump ship.I dont know because I like him as a player and as a guy, De Zerbi said when asked about Richarlisons future (via BBC). Hes unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour.But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do. When pressed on whether Richarlison wants to leave, De Zerbi said: I dont know.I didnt understand well because sometimes he says he wants to stay, sometimes he wants to leave. We have to speak anyway. There is not any problem. Hes a lovely guy.Tottenham have been in impressive form throughout their pre-season and are yet to suffer defeat.Interestingly, they recently beat arch-rivals Chelsea in a friendly, with Richarlison scoring a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory for 10-man Spurs.While De Zerbi has hinted that hed want Richarlison to remain at Tottenham, the Brazilian is entering the final year of his contract, so a decision has to be made on whether to cash in this summer.The 29-year-old has already been strongly linked with a move away. But if that doesnt happen, Tottenham will hope he signs a contract extension to avoid losing him on a free transfer.Richarlison has recorded 32 goals and 15 assists in 133 games for Tottenham. He scored 11 times and provided four assists in 32 league games last season to help Tottenham survive relegation.

Premier League giants decide to go all-in for Real Madrid megastar reportWhile Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid continue to be at economic odds over the terms of a renewal, the clubs demand and insistence on a take-it-or-leave-it offer make it clear that bridges are slowly but surely breaking.All efforts will be taken towards preserving the cordial relations the two parties have enjoyed over the years, but it will require one or both to compromise on their stance.Meanwhile, Arsenal have stolen the opportunity and entered as a powerful force looking to swoop the player away. They are willing to alter their salary structure to accommodate Vinicius, and have been growing as an option in recent days.Going all inNow, as confirmed by Rodra on ESPN (h/t The Madrid Zone), Arsenal have decided to go all-in for the Brazilian winger and have placed him as a top and dream target.Arsenal are going all-in. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)It is not just Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta who want the player in London. Rather, the owners of the club are now directly involved and see the magnitude of the opportunity that has presented itself to them. The interest is now directly from the owners.Arsenal will, thus, do everything in their power to sign Vinicius this summer and are going 100% all in. There is no more room for any hesitation or dilemma.Economic green light receivedAs reported last night, the ownership group of Arsenal FC have officially given the green light to fund the massive transfer, thereby permitting the administration to proceed with going for the kill.The saga must end soon. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Given that the player has less than a year left on his contract, the move can be pulled off for a sum lower than Vinicius massive market value, but it is expected to be well above the 100 million mark in any case. Even that sum would be a bargain for a player of his calibre.The bigger economic investment for Arsenal, however, will be the players salary and signing-on bonus. Vinicius will undoubtedly push for higher wages than he is earning in Madrid with some reports claiming he wants to double it. Further, he and his agents will command a significant signing bonus.