With the January transfer window now open around Europe, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
The report states that the Spanish giants are looking at midfield reinforcements for next season, with players with expiring contracts a particular interest. N’Golo Kanteis one of these players who have been looked at, but with the Frenchman reported to be close to signing a new deal at Chelsea, attention has turned to Gundogan.
Gundogan’s deal at City is set to expire in June, which would leave him available to speak to clubs regarding a pre-contract deal ahead of next season. The Germany international was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the Etihad in 2016, which has seen the 32-year-old win the Premier League four times in his six seasons at the club.
While City could offer Gundogan a new deal, younger talents such as Jude Bellinghamand Declan Riceare reportedly available in the summer. The club may feel that it is best if Gundogan is allowed to leave on a free, upon the expiration of his contract. However, Gundogan is the current captain at City, showcasing how highly rated he is at the club.
With Barcelona’s recent financial woes, Gundogan would represent a good value transfer. The midfielder has been a reliable performer over the years, and with his pedigree, could help mentor youngsters such as Pedriand Gavi.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Borussia Dortmund have had their bid for Jakub Kiwior turned down by Serie A club Spezia, according to Foot Mercato. The report states that a bid worth €22 million was rejected by the Italian side, who are eager to hold on to Kiwior. The 22-year-old right-back has impressed this season and has attracted attention from across Europe, but with Dortmund and other clubs lurking, they could have their arm forced in the window.
– Nacho Fernandez is attracting interest from AC Milan and Juventus as he nears expiration of his current deal at Real Madrid, according to Mundo Deportivo. The defender sees his deal with Los Blancos expire in June 2023, and with the report stating that Juventus and AC Milan are interested in the 32-year-old, they may be tempted with the chance to sign Nacho on a free in the summer.
– Christian Ramirez has reportedly signed for the Columbus Crew, according to MLSSoccer.com’s Tom Bogert. Ramirez has impressed in Scotland with Aberdeen, netting 15 goals in all competitions this season, but looks set to return to Major League Soccer, having previously had spells at Minnesota United, LAFC and the Houston Dynamo. The 31-year-old has struggled for game-time under Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin, and has been keen on a move away from the Scottish club.
– Southampton are working on an agreement to sign Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, according to The Athletic. The report states that Villarreal after looking for €20m to let him depart, and that the Saints are closing in on this figure. It is also believed that Southampton are making progress regarding personal terms with Jackson, as they look to bolster their forward options this winter.
– Lyon have made a late attempt to hijack Wolverhampton Wanderers ‘ move for Joao Gomes, according to The Athletic. The report states that Wolves understood that terms had been agreed last week, but Lyon’s bid has now prompted a delay at Flamengo. However, it is believed that the player wants to sign for Wolves, who remain hopeful of securing the signature of the 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder.
The atmosphere and dialogue are indeed changing in elite sports, especially in pro tennis with stars like Naomi Osaka opening up about their psychological struggles and the emotional rigors of the tour. “Break Point,” the new fly-on-the-wall documentary series from Netflix, focuses heavily on the mental rigors of the sport, through leading players like Nick Kyrgios and Paula Badosa. “So much happens behind the scenes,” Garcia said. “So much more than people know.”
Garcia said on Tuesday, after her convincing 6-3, 6-0 first-round victory over the Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov, that Netflix had recently contacted her team to explore the idea of her taking part in the series.
She remains undecided. “You have to weigh the pros and cons,” she said. “Because the process is rather intrusive, the way they film, and if you are not at ease with that, it serves no purpose to do it.”
But Garcia, despite her uneasiness over the reach of her comments about eating, does think it has been helpful to share her story, not necessarily with the general public but with those close to her. She said her condition is bulimia, which often involves forced vomiting after a binge. Garcia said she did not vomit but took other extreme measures associated with bulimia, like fasting to avoid putting on weight after a binge.
“I had accepted it and learned to cope with it,” she said. “My close people and my family and my team were totally aware. That’s the most important thing. You don’t necessarily need for the whole world to know to live with it well.”
Alizé Cornet, a veteran French player and friend of Garcia’s, said she was unaware of Garcia’s troubles but said that many players go through “some form of depression” while on tour.
“I feel like it’s almost obligatory process: to be able to bounce back and to know oneself and to get some distance from things,” Cornet said on Tuesday. She added: “I’m sad for her that she had to go through that, but when I see how she’s grown, it was perhaps something that was useful after all.”
West Brom ruthlessly exposed the 70-place gap between themselves and National League Chesterfield as they won their FA Cup third-round replay 4-0 at The Hawthorns.
John Swift scored the first goal then had a hand in the next two from Tom Rogic and Jake Livermore before substitute Jovan Malcolm headed the fourth.
Carlos Corberan’s in-form side made it 10 wins in 12 games in all competitions to set up a fourth-round tie at fellow Championship side Bristol City.
West Brom had an effort ruled out in the second minute for Grady Diangana’s aerial challenge on goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, who carried the ball over the line.
Albion eventually took a 23rd-minute lead after a wild clearance from Jamie Grimes saw Livermore beat Darren Oldaker to the header to then feed Swift for a classy, curling left-footed finish from 16 yards.
West Brom made the tie safe with two goals in six second-half minutes as Rogic doubled their lead in the 49th minute after some awful defending by Chesterfield.
Swift’s 70-yard pass saw Adam Reach get to the line and cross, and midfielder Rogic punished Jeff King’s dallying from close range.
Livermore then fired home in the 55th minute after the defence failed to clear Swift’s corner.
Substitute Malcolm headed home Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s cross in the first minute of time added on to complete the rout.
Birmingham avoid upset at Forest Green
Image: Kevin Long scored the winner for Birmingham at Forest Green in the FA Cup third round
Championship side Birmingham City produced a second-half comeback to avoid an FA Cup third-round upset at League One’s bottom side Forest Green Rovers.
Goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz and Kevin Long gave Blues a 2-1 win at the New Lawn Stadium to set up a clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
A Ben Stevenson stunner after seven minutes put Rovers in front but Blues fought back to reach the fourth round.
Forest Green’s early pressure was rewarded when a short-corner routine was worked neatly to Stevenson and he planted a fine curling effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
Visiting captain Jutkiewicz gave Rovers goalkeeper Lewis Thomas no chance soon after the break when he fired a low effort from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.
Neil Etheridge produced an incredible double save at the other end to deny a spectacular Regan Hendry strike and a Matt Stevens follow-up to keep the scoreline level.
But Tahith Chong’s corner fell kindly for Long who sidefooted home to complete the comeback after 65 minutes.
Bell stunner snatches Bristol City an extra-time win at Swansea
Sam Bell scored a superb winner nine minutes from the end of extra-time to book Bristol City a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Swansea.
The Robins substitute cut in from the left and fired past goalkeeper Andy Fisher to settle the replay and reward his club with a home tie against West Brom.
It was 20-year-old Bell’s first senior goal for the club as Swansea pressed hard for a second equaliser but Kyle Naughton flashed a shot inches wide.
Mark Sykes’ third goal in two games had put Bristol City ahead against the run of play with a composed finish after a defence-splitting pass from substitute Bell just past the hour.
But Swans substitute Ollie Cooper levelled the scores in the 73rd minute, seconds after coming on. The midfielder was alert enough to stab the ball home from Matt Grimes’ cross for his sixth goal of the season.
Luton score stoppage-time winner at Wigan
Elijah Adebayo scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Luton advanced to round four of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory at Wigan.
Extra-time was on the cards after Cauley Woodrow quickly cancelled out Thelo Aasgaard’s second-half opener but Adebayo pounced from close range at the death to win it in the 98th minute.
If the first period was low on excitement and quality, the second half burst into life with two goals in the space of five minutes.
Within a minute of the restart, Luton half-cleared a Wigan throw-in, allowing Aasgaard – who scored a last-minute stunner to win the league game at Kenilworth Road in September – to volley into the top corner from 18 yards.
However, the response from Luton was excellent, and Woodrow equalised at the second attempt, after Ben Amos had done well to parry away his first effort.
But there was a final twist, with the ball being played in from the Luton left and Adebayo firing home from close range to the delight of the travelling fans behind the goal who can look forward to a fourth-round home tie against League Two Grimsby.
University of Michigan president Santa Ono released a statement Monday confirming that Harbaugh would be back in Ann Arbor for his ninth season as head coach in 2023, ending any speculation that the former San Francisco 49ers head coach was eyeing a return to the NFL.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines walks the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
“I just got off the phone with Coach Harbaugh and Jim shared with me the great news that he is going to remain as the Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” Ono’s statement read. “That is fantastic news that I have communicated to our Athletic Director Warde Manuel. Go Blue!”
Michigan also released a statement on behalf of Harbaugh.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh watches in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
“I love the relationships that I have at Michigan – coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono and especially the players and their families,” his statement began.
“My heart is at the University of Michigan. I once heard a wise man say, ‘Don’t try to out-happy, happy.’ Go blue!”
Harbaugh had been linked to several NFL team’s that parted ways with their respective coaches. He had a Zoom interview with the Denver Broncos last week and reportedly spoke with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper earlier this month.
Harbaugh saw a deal of success in the NFL, coaching the 49ers from 2011-2014 where he won two NFC West titles and reached the NFC championship game three times in four seasons.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates after the Big 10 Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and Purdue Boilermakers on December 3, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He was 44-19-1 during that span and helped the 49ers get to Super Bowl 47, where they lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens.
In eight seasons as Michigan’s head coach, he compiled a 74-25 record. Michigan was 13-0 this season before getting upset by TCU in the College Football Playoffs.
Following a season in which Tagovailoa missed five games due to two documented concussions, Dolphins brass was asked Monday about his future with the team.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sits on the bench against the Packers at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
And Miami general manager Chris Grier left no doubt.
Tagovailoa will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 and is scheduled to make around $4.7 million.
Regarding Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option and possible extension – which Miami has until March 1 to decide on – Grier said “everything is on the table” for the organization.
When Tagovailoa was available, the Dolphins played well, going 8-5 in games the third-year pro started.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa takes the field for the Green Bay Packers game at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
After two years in which many around the league were uncertain whether Tagovailoa was the answer in Miami, the former No. 5 overall pick threw for a career-high in yards and touchdowns.
In just 13 games, Tagovailoa threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions in 13 games.
Miami made the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season and for just the third time since 2008.
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart appeared to be shaken up by the deaths of offensive lineman Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy and tweeted two messages about both of them late Sunday.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart looks on vs TCU at SoFi Stadium. (John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“Gone far too soon. Chandler, I will always remember you for your kind heart,” he added in the other.
Willock, 20 and LeCroy, 24, were killed in an early Sunday morning crash in Athens, Georgia, just hours after the program celebrated a back-to-back national championship. Two others were injured in the incident. ESPN identified Warren McLendon as one of the injured in the crash.
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
“We are all heartbroken and devastated with the loss of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy,” Smart said in a statement. “Devin was an outstanding young man in every way and was always smiling. He was a great teammate and a joy to coach. Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude and energy every single day. We grieve with their families for this tragic loss and will support them in every way possible.”
Willock was a passenger in an SUV that crashed in Athens around 2:45 a.m. local time, police said. The vehicle was traveling in the outside lane when it left the roadway and struck two power poles and several trees, according to authorities.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Willock was dead at the scene. LeCroy, who was the driver, was transported to the hospital where she later died, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Georgia Bulldogs Offensive Linemen Devin Willock (77) after the college football game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 02, 2021, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Willock, a redshirt sophomore from New Milford, New Jersey, was a backup offensive lineman on the Bulldogs who played in every regular season game. He also played in the SEC Championship and in both College Football Playoff games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News Digital.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and his sister, Breona, had a hilarious exchange on social media Monday following the team’s dramatic 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown, which proved to be the game-winner as the defense was able to shut down Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley on the final drive of the game.
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the wild-card playoff game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Breona Humphrey appeared to have something else in mind when she witnessed Hubbard make the game-changing play.
Marlon Humphrey of the Ravens during the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Jan. 1, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“See this why we lost right here. It be your own flesh and blood,” he wrote. “… I want emancipation.”
Breona responded: “Marlon, wait! I take it back bro. I’m sorry!”
Humphrey had a terrific sixth season for the Ravens. He played in every regular-season game for the first time since 2019 and earned himself a Pro Bowl selection for the third time as he tallied 71 total tackles, seven pass breakups, four QB hits and three sacks.
Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens before the Browns game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Dec. 17, 2022 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Ravens finished in second place in the AFC North division after a 10-7 season. Baltimore will have decisions to make regarding some of its star players come the offseason.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News Digital.
Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock had made one fan’s day on Saturday just hours before he was tragically killed in a car crash.
Sam Kramer tweeted his appreciation for Willock on Saturday after the player had met with his grandson and took a photo with him. The boy was seen in pictures posted to social media smiling and posing with Willock.
Bulldogs offensive linemen Devin Willock after the Arkansas Razorbacks game on Oct. 2, 2021, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Special thank u to @DevinWillock for taking time for my grandson when he didn’t have to. U went out of ur way to make him feel special and U made his day!! Good luck next year! Go Dawgs!” Kramer tweeted.
Willock responded with a heart emoji.
Hours later, the unthinkable happened.
Willock, 20, and Chandler LeCroy, 24, were killed in a car crash in Athens, Georgia, early Sunday morning, the UGA Athletic Association said. Two other members of the team were also injured and were in stable condition.
Georgia Bulldogs’ Devin Willock run blocks during the CFP National Championship game against the TCU Horned Frogs on Jan. 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“We are all heartbroken and devastated with the loss of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in a statement. “Devin was an outstanding young man in every way and was always smiling. He was a great teammate and a joy to coach. Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude and energy every single day. We grieve with their families for this tragic loss and will support them in every way possible.”
Willock was a passenger in an SUV that crashed in Athens around 2:45 a.m. local time, police said. The vehicle was traveling in the outside lane when it left the roadway and struck two power poles and several trees, according to authorities.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Willock was dead at the scene. LeCroy, who was the driver, was transported to the hospital where she later died, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Devin Willock of the Bulldogs in action against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium on Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Georgia. (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Willock, a redshirt sophomore from New Milford, New Jersey, was a backup offensive lineman on the Bulldogs who played in every regular season game. He also played in the SEC Championship and in both College Football Playoff games.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News Digital.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday provided an update on wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. after he was the focal point of a scary-looking scene toward the end of the team’s 31-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Gage was put on a backboard and carted off the field at Raymond James Stadium after being hit in the back and neck area by Cowboys defensive back Donovan Wilson.
Tom Brady of the Buccaneers looks on during an injury timeout for teammate Russell Gage in the wild-card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
“After suffering a neck injury and concussion during the fourth quarter of last night’s game, Russell was taken to a local hospital where he remained overnight for additional testing and observation,” the team said in a statement. “Russell has had movement in all extremities and will continue to undergo additional testing today. We will provide additional information as it become available.”
The play occurred as the Buccaneers were on one of their final drives.
Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage is hit by Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Tom Brady threw an incomplete pass to Gage at the 19-yard line. He went down in pain after he was hit in the back and neck area by Wilson. The Buccaneers’ medical staff rushed to the scene and players watched as the trainers attended Gage.
The medical personnel called for a cart and put Gage on a backboard to take him off the field. Buccaneers and Cowboys players went down to one knee. It appeared Gage was able to move his right leg as he was being worked on and eventually, he was taken off the field and to the hospital.
Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage is taken off the field, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
C.J. Stroud on Monday announced his decision to enter the NFL Draft after a stellar career at Ohio State.
Stroud waited a couple of weeks to make the announcement. He and the Buckeyes were eliminated from the College Football Playoff in a close game against Georgia in the semifinal. Georgia would eventually defeat TCU in the national championship.
C.J. Stroud of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to throw a pass against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
The star quarterback thanked his family, coaches, teammates and everyone on the Ohio State staff for helping him develop into the player he is today. He also said playing in the NFL was a lifelong dream.
“This process has been difficult, and the decision, one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make,” he said in a statement. “As a kid, I dreamed of playing football at the highest level and after much prayer, I’ve made the decision that it’s time to turn those dreams into reality.”
Stroud, along with Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis, is expected to be among the first quarterbacks taken off the board when the draft officially begins.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) gestures during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl college football playoff game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He had 3,688 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes in 2022. Ohio State finished 11-2. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
In 2021, Stroud finished with 4,435 passing yards, 44 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He played in 26 games over the course of his collegiate career. He appeared in one game in 2020.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) warms up before the college football playoff semifinal game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and The Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jackson is entering an offseason of uncertainty as he finishes the fifth year of his rookie option.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson talks with team staff after being sacked against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore. (Mitch Stringer-USA Today Sports)
The Ravens now have two months to either agree to a long-term deal, slap the franchise tag on him, or trade the former MVP.
Adding to the intrigue was Jackson’s notable absence from the sidelines during Baltimore’s 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
But while his teammates were forced to play the last five games of the 2022 season without him, there are more than a few who expect him back in Baltimore next season.
“You can’t let a guy like him go,” Ravens defensive tackle Calais Campbell said Monday, according to Baltimore’s website.
Calais Campbell of the Ravens is introduced before the game against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
“I know it’s football, and there’s always some new exciting toy, new exciting kid that has potential to go out there and be great. But this is a for-sure, a known. You know Lamar Jackson is an incredible player. I think it’s in the best interests of the Ravens’ organization to give him a long-term contract, make him our guy.”
Shortly after the end of Baltimore’s season, Jackson posted an interesting message to his Instagram account, sharing a post from Wallace Peeples – the co-host and owner of “Million $ Worth of Game.”
“When you have something good, you don’t play with it. You don’t take chances losing it. You don’t neglect it,” the post read. “When you have something good, you pour into it. You appreciate it. Because when you take care of something good, that good thing takes care of you too.”
Quarterback Lamar Jackson was on the sideline, cheering his teammates during the Ravens’ 17-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 24, 2022. (Kenneth K. Lam/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Now the Ravens need to decide whether Jackson is worthy of a long-term deal as guaranteed money for quarterbacks continues to skyrocket.
“It doesn’t weigh on me all that much,” Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. “All I know is that I want Lamar to be playing here with me as long as I’m playing. He knows that, and I have full faith that they’re going to work something out.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks to pass against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
“In my mind, I know he’s going to be here. He’s a competitor, he wants to win, and this is his team and his offense. The money is not the most important thing to Lamar. He really wants to win, contrary to popular belief.”
The Ravens will have until March 7 to reach a deal. Baltimore will have the option to use the exclusive franchise tag on Jackson if a deal cannot be reached by that date.
Jerrell Powe, a former NFL defensive lineman who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, was arrested in Mississippi on Thursday on a kidnapping charge.
The Ridgeland Police Department arrested Powe and the 35-year-old was currently listed in the Madison County Detention Center.
Booking photo of Jerrell Powe. (Madison County Detention Center)
The Ridgeland Police Department said in a news release obtained by Fox News Digital on Monday that officers responded to a Chase Bank at around 1:40 p.m. local time in reference to a report of someone being held against their will. Responding officers made contact with the victim upon arrival and he told authorities he was kidnapped in Laurel and was forced to take out money.
Police said the victim identified the suspects as Powe and Gavin Bates. Both men were arrested on the scene and were charged with one count of kidnapping.
Jerrell Powe #57 of the Ole Miss Rebels celebrates a sack against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 28, 2008 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)
Powe played college football at Ole Miss from 2008-2010. He was on the Rebels’ teams that won the Cotton Bowl in 2008 and 2009. He finished sixth in the SEC in tackles for loss in 2009. He finished his collegiate career with 69 total tackles, seven sacks and an interception in 37 games.
He was Second Team All-SEC in 2009 and 2010.
The Chiefs selected Powe in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Jerrell Powe #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs rests on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 30, 2012 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
He played three seasons for the Chiefs, racking up eight tackles and a sack in that span. He signed with the Texans in 2014 and played 16 games for them, recording 10 tackles but not one sack.
Wolves have confirmed the signing of Pablo Sarabia from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €5m (£4.4m).
The Spain international has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Molineux after agreeing personal terms and undergoing a medical on Tuesday.
Wolves announced the move ahead of their FA Cup third-round replay against Liverpool, with Sarabia watching on from the stands. He could make his debut away at Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The 30-year-old, who featured for Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was captain for his country’s U19 side when Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui was in charge.
They were also briefly at Sevilla together, for a month, before Sarabia left to join PSG in July 2019.
He made 89 appearances while in the French capital, helping them win two Ligue 1 titles, and spent last season on loan at Sporting Lisbon.
Sarabia becomes Wolves’ third signing of the January transfer window after the arrivals of Mario Lemina from Nice and Matheus Cunha on loan from Atletico Madrid.
Image: Sarabia represented Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
‘Sarabia could be key for Wolves’
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate:
“Pablo Sarabia was at Molineux on Tuesday ahead of official confirmation of his arrival. He is the latest signing as Julen Lopetegui looks to make the adjustments that will keep Wolves in the Premier League. They are currently 16th, two points above the relegation zone.
“The experienced wide forward has an impressive scoring record and goals are what Wolves have been missing this season.
“The focus has been on the need for a striker but Daniel Podence’s recent improvement in front of goal highlights the fact that contributions from elsewhere could help turn the club’s fortunes around. Sarabia could be key.”
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window opened on Sunday January 1, 2023 and closes at 11pm on Tuesday January 31, 2023
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
WNBA free agency hasn’t even begun, but the league has been turned upside down by two huge trades that were announced Monday: Jonquel Jones, the 2021 MVP, was traded to the New York Liberty as part of a three-team deal, and her former Connecticut Sun teammate Jasmine Thomas was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Los Angeles also now owns the No. 10 pick in the 2023 WNBA draft (from Connecticut), while the Sun acquired New York’s first-round pick (No. 6 overall).
A source also told ESPN that the Sun intend to designate Brionna Jones a core player; Friday is the last date teams can offer that designation.
There are surely plenty of deals to come, not to mention more movement when free agents can officially sign deals beginning Feb. 1. But for now, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, M.A. Voepel and Alexa Philippou share their analysis on what this pair of trades means for each individual team involved and the league as a whole.
What does the Jonquel Jones trade mean for the Liberty’s chances of signing Breanna Stewart?
Only Stewart can answer that, but the structure of the trade opens up the possibility of the Liberty building a superteam with two of the past three MVPs. Because New York sent out more salary than it took back in the deal, the Liberty’s cap space has increased to more than $400,000, based on salary data from HerHoopStats.com — easily enough to make a max offer ($202,154) to Stewart or another free agent.
Additionally, New York managed to retain a tradable first-round pick that could be sent to the Seattle Storm if Stewart wants a larger supermax deal ($234,936) that would require negotiating a sign-and-trade.
We don’t have to envision what a team with Jones and Stewart would be like. They played together for EuroLeague champion UMMC Ekaterinburg in 2020-21 along with Brittney Griner, Emma Meesseman, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot. The lineup was so loaded that Jones typically came off the bench months before winning WNBA MVP, though she still averaged 12.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Because WNBA free agency was largely sleepy before the current collective bargaining agreement was signed in 2020, there’s no real precedent for this kind of NBA-style team-up of MVPs in their primes. (Jones just turned 29; Stewart is 28.) The closest was probably Sylvia Fowles requesting a trade to the Minnesota Lynx, joining MVP Maya Moore. However, Fowles didn’t actually win MVP until she was in Minnesota.
Add in another young All-Star in former No. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty could become the most talented team in the league — if they’re able to convince Stewart to sign in New York after taking a meeting with the team last offseason. — Pelton
Is the Sun’s championship window still open?
It’s difficult to imagine a Sun team without Jonquel Jones — considered by many a top-three player in the world — having a realistic shot at a championship. Recent data from Pivot Analysis illustrated how Jones was Connecticut’s most impactful player in four of the past five seasons (not including her opt-out year in 2020). That said, Connecticut didn’t appear to have much of a choice in Jones’ departure (ESPN previously reported that she requested a trade to New York specifically), and given how the league is structured, the return on her trade was likely not going to be equitable to what was lost.
So now the Sun decide to prioritize re-signing Brionna Jones, who’s expected to be cored. As the roster currently stands, they will be building around Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, with a ton of young players surrounding them (their only newcomers on protected contracts are Allen and Harris). Allen will provide perimeter shooting, something that has been the Sun’s Achilles’ heel the past few seasons.
While Jasmine Thomas is coming off an ACL tear and has more years behind her than in front of her in the WNBA, these transactions appear to indicate the Sun are looking at Harris — who’s young and relatively unproven — and Natisha Hiedeman — should she stay in Connecticut — to run the point. The organization extended a qualifying offer to Hiedeman last week, but she could still end up on another team.
It’s unclear how much Brionna Jones’ contract would end up being with the Sun, but if it’s the supermax, Connecticut would have just over $170,000 remaining to sign one or two players (not including Hiedeman), if the cap situation stands as it is now. So Connecticut could sign at least one impactful free agent, and with additional maneuvering perhaps even more. — Philippou
The Wings have been involved in a lot of trades and transactions. Are they really making themselves better?
It remains to be seen. The franchise moved to Dallas to become the Wings in 2016, and is now on its fifth coach (counting an interim) there. During that time, Greg Bibb has been the executive in charge of making moves. The question is how in concert those moves have been with the coaching philosophies.
Skylar Diggins-Smith wanted out before the 2020 season and pushed for a trade to the Phoenix Mercury that netted three draft picks. From that, only Ty Harris (three seasons) and Bella Alarie (two seasons) have played any significant time for Dallas. Alarie didn’t play at all last season, and now Harris has been dealt to Connecticut.
Then in 2021, the Wings traded Katie Lou Samuelson and a 2022 second-round pick to get the No. 1 pick in the weak 2021 draft, when they already had the No. 2 selection. They took Texas Longhorns center Charli Collier first, but she has yet to make an impact.
Now Dallas has traded to add Howard and Dangerfield to a team that lost 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs to Connecticut last season and has Latricia Trammell as its newest coach. It has been rumored that Allisha Gray, who was the Wings’ top draft pick at No. 4 in 2017, wants out of Dallas. And the Wings have decisions to make involving players such as Marina Mabrey and Teaira McCowan, who are both restricted free agents.
Did this latest trade make Dallas’ playing rotations for 2023 any clearer? Or did the Wings just pick up more puzzle pieces without being fully sure how they will fit together? — Voepel
What does Monday’s trade mean for the Sparks’ rebuild?
The Sparks faced a fascinating situation entering free agency with a slew of free agent veterans, a lot of younger talent on unprotected contracts and just two players (Samuelson and Chennedy Carter) on protected deals.
While the upside of their youth could have been part of the foundation for their rebuild, the Sparks decided to trade Nelson-Ododa, Walker and Smith and bring in a veteran point guard with one year left on her contract (Jasmine Thomas), which seems especially noteworthy given Sparks guards Lexie Brown, Jordin Canada, Brittney Sykes and Kristi Toliver are free agents. No doubt new Sparks coach Curt Miller was thrilled with signing Thomas, his former longtime point guard in Uncasville. Another plus is the Sparks got Connecticut’s first-round pick after trading theirs away in the deal that brought Carter to L.A. last year.
That said, there’s so much else we don’t know about L.A.’s situation yet that it’s impossible to fully understand the ceiling or floor of this group, even if, for example, Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike both return as anticipated. As the franchise with the most cap space heading into the new year, it’s likely the Sparks’ big moves aren’t done. — Philippou
The Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith undercard features intriguing match-ups, world title hopefuls and some very heavy punchers.
Below are the bouts that will be on the Eubank vs Smith undercard at the Manchester Arena this Saturday.
The live show on Sky Sports Box Office will start from 6pm.
Richard Riakporhe vs Krysztof Glowacki (12 rounds)
Riakporhe is an unbeaten power-punching cruiserweight from South London on the verge of a world title shot.
His 73 per cent KO ratio and highlight-reel finishes show he is a cruiserweight force. Riakporhe, who stands at 6ft 5ins, won fights to elevate him up the world rankings last year, stopping clever southpaw Deion Jumah and halting Fabio Turchi with a ferocious body shot finish.
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Riakporhe says the undercard fight against Krzysztof Glowacki has to be the last test before he gets a shot at the world title
He is demanding a world title fight next after this.
But former world champion Glowacki stands between him and those dreams. Highly experienced, the Pole has only lost three times before and that was to the very best in the division: Oleksandr Usyk, Mairis Briedis and Lawrence Okolie.
Glowacki has taken key wins over Marco Huck, Steve Cunningham and Maxim Vlasov. He has claimed 20 of his 32 victories inside the distance and is a dangerous puncher himself.
Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo (12 rounds)
This bout promises to be an exciting clash for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.
Essuman is unbeaten in 18 fights and step by step has become a force on the UK welterweight scene. With an impressive performance he hurt Chris Jenkins to the body and halted him in eight rounds to win the British and Commonwealth titles.
He has already defended those titles three times, beating Danny Ball, Darren Tetley and most recently Sam Antwi.
Bermondsey’s Kongo caught the eye when he broke down and halted Luther Clay. He was unbeaten in 12 pro bouts before he dropped a decision against Michael McKinson in Gibraltar. Kongo rebuilt from that. Most recently he took a solid 10-round win over Sebastian Formella, joining Conor Benn and Shawn Porter as the only people to have beaten the German.
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Welterweights Chris Kongo and Ekow Essuman had a heated exchange ahead of their fight on Saturday’s undercard on Sky Sports Box Office
Joseph Parker vs Jack Massey (10 rounds)
Joseph Parker is the star heavyweight, a former world champion, who has fought a who’s who of boxers on the British scene.
He lost his world title to Anthony Joshua and boxed Dillian Whyte. He has beaten Hughie Fury as well as Derek Chisora twice. In a breakout performance Joe Joyce imposed a first stoppage loss on Parker. Now he is looking to bounce back.
No one, though, was expecting Jack Massey to step up from cruiserweight and in his first heavyweight contest take on the former world champion. A former national amateur champion, as a professional Massey has only ever lost to Riakporhe and he will have his local crowd roaring him on as he looks to spring an upset.
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Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker shows off his guitar skills in the Sky Sports News studio
Frazer Clarke vs Kevin Espindola (Six rounds)
Olympic super-heavyweight bronze medallist Frazer Clarke goes into the fifth bout of his professional career. Argentina’s Espindola in contrast has had 13 pro contests. Although he has lost six of those, already he has boxed good standard opponents, going 10 rounds with Ivan Dychko, a former Olympic medallist, and eight with good prospect Solomon Dacres.
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Heavyweight boxer Frazer Clarke says 2023 is the year he needs to put his foot down and challenge for titles, and he does not rule out a fight against Parker in the future
Matty Harris vs Jiri Surmanj (Six rounds)
Harris is a towering heavyweight prospect from Coventry who has won his last two contests by stoppage in the first round and he will be looking for another explosive finish.
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Matty Harris toppled Mait Metsis with a huge uppercut at Newcastle Utilita Arena
Scott Forrest vs Amine Boucetta (six rounds)
Although a novice pro Forrest was a GB boxer as an amateur and trains alongside Liam Smith as a pro. The Scotsman will be a cruiserweight to watch.
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Scott Forrest continued to impress in the pro ranks with this TKO win against Toni Visic
Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith is on Saturday January 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book it now if you are a Sky TV subscriber or a Non-Sky TV subscriber. Buy tickets here.
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COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and quarterbacks coach Shane Day, the team announced Tuesday.
Changes have been expected to head coach Brandon Staley’s staff after a 10-7 season and a stunning loss Saturday in a wild-card playoff game in which the Chargers surrendered a 27-point lead and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars31-30.
The Chargers held a 27-0 lead in the second quarter but scored only three points the remainder of the game.
Staley and general manager Tom Telesco are scheduled to meet with reporters Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Despite the ability of quarterback Justin Herbert, who this season passed Andrew Luck for the most passing yards by a quarterback through his first three NFL seasons, the Bolts’ offense consistently underperformed, going three-and-out on 21.7% of their drives, which ranked 18th in the NFL.
They also consistently underperformed in the run game and red zone.
The Chargers’ rush attack ranked near the bottom of the NFL in several categories, including average rushing yards per game (89.6, 30th) and yards per rush (3.8, 30th). In the red zone, the Chargers converted only 54.1% of their drives into touchdowns (17th), and their goal-to-go percentage was 65.6% (23rd).
After halftime, the offense often was outpaced by opponents with a second-half scoring margin of minus-48, which amounted to the seventh worst in the league.
After posting the third-best Total QBR in his second season (behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers), Herbert’s ranking dipped to 11th in the NFL this season. A year after passing for 38 touchdowns as a second-year pro, Herbert this season passed for 25. Despite arm strength being among his most notable talents, Herbert averaged only 6.78 yards per attempt (26th) as the Chargers often struggled to create explosive opportunities downfield.
Herbert did, however, play several games with fractured rib cartilage, which he suffered late in a Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The offense also experienced several significant injuries throughout the season.
Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams played only four complete games together (23% of snaps) because of injuries, and Williams was not available in the wild-card playoff game after suffering a small fracture to his back in Week 18.
The offensive line — which ranked near the bottom of the league in pass block and run block win rates — lost left tackle Rashawn Slater, who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 as a rookie, in Week 3 because of a torn left biceps tendon. The Chargers also played three games without veteran center Corey Linsley and right tackle Trey Pipkins III because of injuries.
The sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Herbert is now eligible to sign a contract extension. He is anticipated to command more than $50 million per year and become the highest-paid quarterback in the league.
Lombardi and Day, who also held the title of passing game coordinator, were among the initial staff hired by Staley when he was named head coach in 2021.
MELBOURNE, Australia — This country has a well-earned reputation as a land of extremes: fatally poisonous snakes, deadly insects, killer crocodiles, drenching rains and brutal heat.
The Australian Open got a fair dose of that Tuesday — well, not so much the killer bugs or crocs or snakes, though the park next to the tennis center does have signs warning visitors to beware of snakes. The heat got so intense that play was halted for most of the afternoon. In the evening, a torrential rain fell, halting play once more.
Keeping with the theme of extreme, somewhere in the midst of all this weather, Andy Murray, the 35-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1, somehow managed to turn back the clock and beat Matteo Berrettini of Italy in five sets, including a deciding super-tiebreaker at the end of the fifth set. The final score line looked like this: 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (10-6). The match lasted 4 hours 49 minutes. Murray, who is in the middle of a yearslong comeback from major hip surgery, saved a match point and played the final set with blood coming out of his knee after skinning it on the ground trying to win it in four.
“I feel tired,” Murray said in his news conference a little more than two hours after he finished.
“Impressive what he could do after so many surgeries, after all the kilometers that he ran in his career,” Berrettini said of Murray. “It just shows how much he loves the game, how much he loves these kind of matches.”
Murray and Berrettini were lucky. They played in Rod Laver, one of three courts here with roofs, which were closed when organizers announced that while temperatures had not hit triple digits, the four climate factors they consider when deciding whether to halt play — air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed — had all tipped the scale.
The 2023 Australian Open
The year’s first Grand Slam tennis tournament runs from Jan. 16 to Jan. 29 in Melbourne.
Taylor Fritz of the United States, who beat Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia in four sets, said he had felt far more discomfort in Washington, D.C., last summer or at the U.S. Open some years.
“It’s dry heat,” said Fritz, who has spent plenty of afternoons in smothering humidity in Florida. “I don’t think it’s as bad.”
The weather played havoc with the schedule, and with rain forecast on and off through the evening it appeared that plenty of matches might not finish until Wednesday.
If you like upsets, Tuesday was not your day. Murray’s was the big one. Berrettini, a finalist at Wimbledon in 2021, was the 13th seed, and with his big serve and forehand he can be as dangerous as anyone other than the nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, who beat Roberto Carballés Baena of Sapin in straight sets in the late match on Rod Laver, a court and time slot that Djokovic loves.
Murray credited a three-week journey to Florida last year to train with Ivan Lendl, the coach who has been with him for many of his biggest wins. The past success creates trust, Murray said, and the confidence he needs to compete with players a decade or more his junior. He will face the winner of the match between Thanasi Kokkinakis, a hometown favorite, and Fabio Fognini of Italy on Thursday, when the high temperature is expected to be just 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s worth noting in the wake of Berrettini’s loss that there is some chatter going around Melbourne Park and social media about a Netflix curse. The thinking is that if you were featured in the Netflix series “Break Point,” the tennis gods are coming for you.
Nick Kyrgios, Paula Badosa, and Ajla Tomljanovic all featured heavily in “Break Point” and had to pull out with injuries. Now Berrettini is out. Then again, Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime have survived. Eventually, the tennis gods come for everyone except one woman and one man.
As for Wednesday, Rafael Nadal is scheduled to be back in action against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in the afternoon, but the real star power is on the night schedule.
Coco Gauff, the American star who is only 18, takes on Emma Raducanu, who won the U.S. Open in 2021 as a qualifier and has graced magazine covers ever since. If ever there was an early-round match worth setting an alarm for 3 a.m., this one might be it.
Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says he “absolutely” would consider coaching the Houston Texans in 2023, and on Monday, he took a potential step toward that.
The Texans, who finished 3-13-1 and fired former coach Lovie Smith last week, completed an interview Monday night with Payton.
Earlier in the day, Payton said on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” that he was to meet this week with Houston, the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Broncos interview will take place Tuesday in Los Angeles, and the Panthers meeting is set for Friday.
The Arizona Cardinals also have requested permission from the Saints to meet with the 59-year-old coach, who won the Super Bowl with New Orleans at the end of the 2009 season.
Any team that hires Payton would have to compensate New Orleans, which has rights to the coach through the end of the 2024 season after he stepped away from the job following the 2021 season with three years left on a five-year contract.
Payton said he and Saints general manager Mickey Loomis already have discussed what that compensation potentially would be.
“Ultimately, the compensation for the Saints would be a mid- or late-first-round pick,” Payton said. “Each team has different ammo or different pick selections. It could be a future one where maybe you have to throw in something.”
Houston has the second pick, Arizona the third, Carolina the ninth and Denver currently the 29th via a trade with San Francisco, which is still in the playoffs.
Asked specifically if he would consider Houston, which has gone a combined 11-38-1 the past three seasons and doesn’t have a franchise quarterback, Payton didn’t hesitate to say yes.
He noted his knowledge of the organization and key individuals such as general manager Nick Caserio after practicing against the Texans multiple times during his time in New Orleans.
“When you practice for three days with an opponent, you get a chance to meet a lot of the different personalities and people involved in the building,” said Payton, who has spent this season working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports. “They’ve got really good draft capital, really good draft capital. They’re in a division that you can at least say with Indy, Tennessee and Jacksonville [is winnable].
“There’s growth potential immediately there from their two or three wins they had this year.”
The Panthers on Sunday became the last of the four teams to request an interview with Payton. They already have interviewed former Broncos coach Vic Fangio for their defensive coordinator position and have requested an interview with New Orleans defensive backs coach Kris Richard for the same job.
Fangio, the original defensive coordinator for the Panthers in 1995, has been linked to being a candidate for defensive coordinator under Payton. Richard was Payton’s secondary coach in 2021.
Carolina general manager Scott Fitterer also has ties to Richard from their time together in Seattle.
Payton, who had a record of 152-89 in 15 seasons with the Saints, didn’t put a timetable on when he could be hired. He reminded that whatever happens, a deal must be worked out between that team and New Orleans.
The first step is getting to know his potential suitors.
“That’s the significance of the upcoming week or two, meeting some of these individuals, asking some questions, maybe some difficult questions,” Payton said. “And trying to get answers so we’re not having difficult questions when you’ve already taken the job.”
