Real Madrid are intent on holding their nerve in securing Kylian Mbappe for free next summer, despite Paris Saint-Germain announcing their preference to sell him for a fee this summer. The French star's decision to tell the Qatari-owned club he would not be extending his contract next summer continues to shape this summer's window, and has now led to a "shocked and disappointed" Nasser Al Khelaifi admitting "he can't leave for free". It is widely accepted in football that Mbappe will eventually go to Madrid but there is currently a stand-off between the two clubs from long-held tensions around the player and other issues. PSG are adamant Madrid must pay what they want. But Bernabeu president Florentino Perez does not want to pay PSG a penny for Mbappe. The Spanish club recently announced that their spending was finished for the summer with the surprising deal for Joselu, who is seen as a temporary replacement for Karim Benzema before going all in on Mbappe next summer. Madrid are determined to stick to that and hold their nerve and do not currently plan to spend any more, with their budget for the summer settled. The only element that may change that is if Mbappe himself encourages a move. Little competition for Mbappe is envisaged, in part because of his own desire to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and go to the Bernabeu, and in part because of a rare status that prices all but about four or five clubs out of being able to sign him. Sources with knowledge of the situation were on Friday insistent that there was no bid from Liverpool, as any such move is simply beyond the club's transfer plans. In any case, it is understood that Arsenal would actually be Mbappe's first preference if he were to ever go to the Premier League, both because he likes the evolution of Mikel Arteta's team and would also enjoy the challenge of delivering the title to the club again. He is nevertheless seen as way beyond Arsenal's budget, too, and it should be stressed there has been no contact. Much will depend on whether there is a serious move, either by another club or Mbappe himself, as to whether Madrid go on to purchase him this summer. The player himself is nevertheless relaxed about the situation. It is not seen as realistic that PSG park him on the bench for the season if they can't secure a fee this summer. Read More The ‘problem’ Kylian Mbappe faces after disrupting the entire transfer market What next for Kylian Mbappe? Real Madrid, Man Utd and other options for PSG forward Lionel Messi to Inter Miami: Apple deal, MLS contract, salary, debut and everything we know

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The Kansas City Chiefs opened training camp this week with great news on running back Isiah Pacheco.The Kansas City Chiefs are headline-makers on the highest order, but few players made more improbable waves around the NFL last season than seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco. The Rutgers product sw...

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Eden Hazard is putting an end to a 16-year injury-hit career marked by great success at club level and unfulfilled promise with the Belgium national team’s “Golden Generation.”

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 11, 2023--

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Anthony Martial will miss the FA Cup final with a hamstring problem as his injury-hit season has come to an end. The French forward strained his hamstring in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday and tests showed he tore a muscle. Without Martial, who has scored nine times this season, United’s 30-goal top scorer Marcus Rashford could play as a centre-forward against Manchester City at Wembley. Wout Weghorst, who has only scored twice in his loan spell and who has not found the net in his last 15 games, is the other option available to manager Erik ten Hag. Martial has been Ten Hag’s first-choice striker this season but has only started 17 of their 61 matches in all competitions and has only struck two goals in his last 12 appearances. However, he did score twice against City as a substitute in United’s 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in October. Concerns about Martial’s fitness are a reason why Ten Hag’s major objective in the summer transfer market is to sign a centre-forward. United are also waiting to see if winger Antony will recover from an ankle injury in time, with Ten Hag saying the Brazilian will "probably" be fit. Read More ‘He has a decision to make’: Erik ten Hag delivers stark message to Harry Maguire Premier League 2022/23 season awards: Best player, manager, transfer flop and breakthrough act

Equity markets sank Friday and oil extended a sharp selloff after a string of interest rate hikes by central banks revived...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 25, 2023--