List of All Articles with Tag 'ba'

Newcastle are hoping to push through a club record-breaking deal for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali within days, the PA news agency understands. Sporting director Dan Ashworth has been pictured in the Italian city after he flew out to try to negotiate the terms of a move which it is understood would exceed the club’s £60million swoop for Sweden striker Alexander Isak last summer. Reports from Italy have suggested the 23-year-old, who is expected to captain his country in their opening Group D fixture against France at the European Under-21s Championships on Thursday evening, has agreed to the switch. A successful conclusion to the talks would take Newcastle’s transfer spending under their new owners past the £300million mark. Head coach Eddie Howe has identified Tonali as the holding midfielder he needs to allow Bruno Guimaraes in particular to thrive in an advanced role. Howe has vowed to strengthen his squad for the new campaign, during which the Magpies will play Champions League football for the first time since the 2002-03 season, as he attempts to challenge on both the domestic and European fronts. The 45-year-old guided the club to a fourth-place Premier League finish and the Carabao Cup final last season as they took a major step forward, but he is expecting a response from the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea this time around in the race for the top four. Howe has been at pains to point out the spending restrictions under which the club must operate, but at the same time has signalled his intention to recruit quality rather than quantity this summer. Tonali, who was a substitute in the senior Italy side’s 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifier defeat by England in March, made 48 appearances for Milan in all competitions last season and started both legs of their Champions League semi-final defeat by city rivals Inter. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

A group of buyers including Fortress Investment Group is set to take over Vice Media after offering $225

The Government and the Professional Footballers’ Association have called for a review of pitch perimeter safety after a non-league player suffered a serious injury last season. A letter has been sent by Sports Minister Stuart Andrew and PFA chief executive Maheta Molango to the chief executives of the Premier League, the EFL, the National League and the Football Association in a bid to avoid a repeat of what happened to Alex Fletcher. The 24-year-old required emergency brain surgery after he suffered a fractured skull colliding with an advertising board reinforced with concrete blocks in a match for Bath last November. The letter, seen by the PA news agency, calls on leagues and the FA to be more proactive in setting guidance and expectations for clubs in this area, and also to involve players in risk-assessing the pitch perimeter, given they have the best idea of what the dangers are. It asks the authorities to review whether lessons can be learned from the serious player collisions which have taken place and make improvements where necessary to ensure playing areas are as safe as possible. It is believed to be the first letter of its kind between the Government and the union, and the hope is that the timing of the letter – between seasons when stadium upgrades tend to take place – could be advantageous. PFA director of external affairs Ben Wright said: “After the incident where Alex Fletcher was so badly injured, we met with the Minister to highlight what we felt was a lack of clarity over the regulations that are in place to ensure player safety. “Although safety is ultimately the responsibility of the stadium owner, the PFA’s view is that the direction given to clubs in this area is not as strong as it could be. Collectively, football should do everything it can to make sure incidents like Alex Fletcher's don’t happen. This is a step in the right direction and we appreciate the Minister's support. PFA director of external affairs Ben Wright “We’re pleased that the Minister wants to see the leagues and the FA take a bigger role in ensuring player safety. “They are able to give guidance, share best practice and set an expectation that clubs will be proactive in their approach. “As part of that, we want clubs to work with players to identify potential risk factors that those who aren’t on the pitch every week might not necessarily see. “It’s the time of the year where clubs take the opportunity to do work on stadiums ahead of the new season, so it’s a good opportunity for them to think about this. “Collectively, football should do everything it can to make sure incidents like Alex Fletcher’s don’t happen. This is a step in the right direction and we appreciate the Minister’s support.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live CAS: Impossible to put timescale on final decision in Kamila Valieva doping case Ellyse Perry a thorn in England’s side as rain leads to early tea on opening day Wrexham to host former finalists Wigan on Carabao Cup return

The ten most expensive signings in Barcelona's history.

NBA Draft Rumors: Marcus Smart traded from Celtics to GrizzliesIn a late-night shocker, the original trade which sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics was voided at the last minute. Porzingis is coming off his best -- and perhaps more importantly -- healthiest season in quite some time. He...

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said returning US inflation to 2% is crucial to support the long-term health

The day Victor Wembanyama has dreamed of for years has arrived

Online retailer Overstock.com has won the auction for some assets of Bed Bath & Beyond, including the bankrupt

VIDEO: Rocco Baldelli had to argue a strike which earned him an ejection.

The Boston Celtics made a huge pre-draft move, sending out Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis. It sounds like they might be just getting started.According to Brian Robb of Masslive, the Boston Celtics are not done making moves after trading for Kristaps Porzingis. They now have a first-round pi...

The Wizards didn't get any first-round picks for Kristaps Porzingis. But they did salvage value from a player they didn't want to keep.Last night, the Wizards agreed to trade Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics in a three-team deal with the Grizzlies that includes Tyus Jones going to the...

Wrexham will host former finalists Wigan on their return to the Carabao Cup. The Welsh side, who will be participating in the competition for the first time since 2007-08 following their promotion to League Two, were paired with the 2006 runners-up in Thursday’s first-round draw. Notts County, who came up from the National League along with Wrexham, were handed a home tie against Lincoln. Leicester, Leeds and Southampton must play in the first round following their relegation from the Premier League. Leeds will host Shrewsbury, the Foxes will head across the midlands to Burton and Southampton will travel to Gillingham. The ties will be played in the week beginning August 7. The first-round draw, featuring sides from the Championship, League One and League Two, was split into northern and southern sections. The majority of top-flight sides will enter in the second round with those involved in European competitions going straight through to the third round. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live