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The Red Sox may want to consider wearing their Green Monster-themed City Connect uniforms on a full-time basis.

When shortstop Trevor Story punched a ground ball through the infield to drive in the winning run for a 2-1 victory over the Marlins on Friday night, it marked Boston's fifth walk-off win wearing their green uniforms which were just released this season.

The thrilling victory was Boston's 10th walk-off win of the year with half of those coming in their Fenway Greens. Considering they only wear the special uniform during Friday home games, that's a pretty remarkable feat. Plus, each game the Red Sox have won donning the green has come on a walk-off.

After the close win in the series opener against the Marlins, the Red Sox advanced to 67-56 on the year, currently 4.5 games back of the Blue Jays who hold the lead in the AL East. They are in wild-card position, though, currently two games up on the Yankees who hold the final spot and three games in front of the Guardians who sit as the first team out.

Down the stretch, maybe they should bend the rules and rock the Fenway Greens more often.

Allrounder moves on from Hampshire at age of 37 to fill hole left by Steven Mullaney

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2025

Nottinghamshire have signed the veteran allrounder Benny Howell from Hampshire on a two-year, T20-only contract and charged him with filling the role that Steven Mullaney played for them during their years of dominance in the Blast.Mullaney, who has since moved into a coaching role at Trent Bridge, was a two-time Blast winner with Notts in 2017 and 2020, and head coach Peter Moores believes that Howell has similar attributes and can spearhead their bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in three seasons.”We saw some really good examples of the progress that we’re making as a side last year, and bringing Benny in will only serve to continue that,” Moores said. “If you look back into recent history, we feel he can take on the role that Steven Mullaney played for many years in our T20 side, not just as a quality allrounder, but also as that link between players with different levels of experience.”He feels like the perfect fit for where we are as a side right now, where we’re trying to bring together our more experienced players, and those that are still emerging. We’re really excited to welcome him to Trent Bridge, and we can’t wait to see the impact he has both on and off the field.”Howell forged his reputation as one of the canniest white-ball bowlers in county cricket during his 11-season stint with Gloucestershire before returning to Hampshire, his first club, in 2023. They reached Blast Finals Day twice during his three seasons with them and were losing finalists last season but, at 37, he is on the move again.”It’s a real honour to sign for Notts Outlaws. The club have a rich history, a great fanbase, and play at a fantastic ground in Trent Bridge. I’m looking forward to calling it home,” Howell said. “With the way the club is run, with the coaching staff and group of talented players that are there, I was immediately excited when this opportunity first came up.”I’m constantly looking to improve my game and I believe this is the perfect environment to do that. With my skill set and experience, I hope to contribute to the team’s success in the Blast, and ideally lift that trophy.”

For a long time, one of Arsenal’s most significant problems was finding a proper backup for Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon is undoubtedly Mikel Arteta’s best player, and his time on the sidelines last season showed just how much the team were in desperate need of someone who could cover and compete with him on the right.

Fortunately, the North Londoners signed Noni Madueke in the summer, and while his arrival wasn’t met with universal excitement, his performances over the first five Premier League games suggested he may well be the player the club have needed for so long.

Therefore, supporters should be excited about recent reports linking Arsenal to an international ace who has been compared to both Saka and Madueke.

Arsenal target Saka & Madueke hybrid

It’s not even December, but Arsenal are already being linked with a host of exciting players across Europe and beyond.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, Levante’s Etta Eyong, who has already racked up nine goal involvements, has been touted for a move to the Emirates, as has Nottingham Forest’s incredible Elliot Anderson.

However, as talented as they are, neither of them could be described as being a hybrid of Saka and Madueke, unlike Karim Adeyemi.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of a few top sides interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund star.

More than that, the report has revealed that while the German international’s representatives have spoken to Manchester United, he would favour a move to the Gunners.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from Germany claim that Dortmund value their attacker at around £70m.

It could be a complicated and costly deal to get over the line, but given Adeyemi’s ability and potential, one worth pursuing, especially as he’s been compared to both Saka and Madueke.

How Adeyemi compares to Saka & Madueke

Even though it feels like it has been around for some time now, Adeyemi is still just 23 years old.

The Munich-born “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been a key player for Dortmund for a few years, ending last season with an excellent tally of 12 goals and 11 assists in just 41 appearances.

He appears on track to match that tally this year as well, as in 14 appearances, totalling just 817 minutes, he has already racked up six goal involvements.

However, while his output is seriously impressive, the comparisons to Saka and Madueke primarily come from elsewhere, from FBref.

They have compared him to every attacking midfielder and winger across Europe’s top five leagues and have determined that the Hale Enders is the second most similar, and the former Chelsea star is the fourth.

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the German dynamo has ranked closely to the two internationals.

In the case of the Gunners’ talisman, these metrics include expected goals plus assists, progressive passes, shot-creating actions, shots on target, and more, all per 90.

Expected Goals + Assists

0.57

0.58

Progressive Passes

2.14

2.24

Shots on Target

0.89

0.93

Passing Accuracy

71.4%

72.4%

Shot-Creating Actions

4.47

4.23

Fouls Drawn

2.68

2.50

Then, for the former Blues star, the underlying numbers include metrics such as goal-creating actions, expected assists, and most interestingly, carries, also all per 90.

In other words, the former RB Salzburg gem seems to possess some of the creativity and goal threat of the North Londoners’ number seven, as well as the carrying ability of their summer signing, which helps explain why Mattinson called him a “serious transitional threat.”

Expected Assists

0.29

0.24

Goal-Creating Actions

0.54

0.59

Carries

28.2

25.9

Successful Take-On %

43.3%

41.2%

Ball Recoveries

2.86

2.94

Ultimately, it would be a costly and challenging transfer to get over the line, but given Adeyemi’s skillset, positional versatility and output, it is one Arsenal should pursue.

Trossard upgrade: Arsenal plot £65m move for "best winger in the country"

Arsenal could sign a big-money winger in bad news for Leandro Trossard.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

Cat Macario shined, Jaedyn Shaw delivered a statement, and Emma Hayes couldn’t stop smiling as the USWNT capped 2025 with another dominant win over Italy.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – It was impossible to miss the smile on Emma Hayes’ face. Every time the camera panned to the U.S. women’s national team coach, she was either grinning or laughing. And she had every reason to – her team delivered the kind of performance you want to close out a 2025 slate.

Facing Italy again just days after a 3-0 win, the U.S. took care of business in much the same way. This one finished 2-0 instead of three, but the performance was just as convincing. To close out 2025, the U.S. put in one more shift – and it was the familiar faces who carried them, just as they have all year.

Cat Macario scored the first, finishing with a fantastic chip that only an in-form player can provide. Lily Yohannes assisted her, continuing her evolution at just 18. Then, for the second, Alyssa Thompson teed up Jaedyn Shaw, who did the heavy-lifting with a long-range curler that left the goalkeeper with nothing to do but aimlessly dive and wave at the ball as it soared past her. Shaw reflected on just how important it was for her to wrap up 2025 with a goal. 

"Looking back on the year, I think it has been so much of a roller coaster of emotions," she told GOAL. "I think it didn't start out how I thought it would be. I think  just like trusting in my faith and trusting in God's plan for me, that like it's all gonna work out for the betterment of seeing what like my next opportunity is, and it's all preparation for moments like these." 

Macario and Shaw's goals were the biggest causes of Hayes' happiness. But there were plenty of other reasons, too. This was a complete performance from a complete team, one that will now head into 2026 with plenty of optimism as World Cup qualifying starts next year. Hayes jokingly compared her team's progress and potential outlook for next year to a superb winter stew that isn't quite finished yet. 

"I think, first of all, it's still cooking, and it's a little bit if I think about it, like being a nice winter dish…Like a slow-cooked stew, and [it] gets better with more time it's on. The heat certainly gets more tender. I think when I watch our team play, I think you're starting to see the maturity in the performances," she said. 

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Chase Stadium…

Getty Images SportWINNER: Jaedyn Shaw

This 2025 calendar year tested  Shaw. There was a while there where she was seemingly staring down a crossroads. Well, whatever path she took at that crossroads was the right one because, right now, there's no doubt that Shaw is blossoming into the best version of herself. She pointed to winning a title with Gotham FC and jokingly remembered that she's still just 21 while reflecting on overcoming challenges. 

"Just being here now, being able to reflect on those times is so special for me, and ending the year on like, such a high, like winning a championship… It still feels weird. But yeah, I'm, I'm so happy to be at this point and my career, and I'm so blessed to be around these amazing people to help me in these times," she said. 

With her goal on Monday, the Gotham FC starlet snapped her 13-game goalless run, finally getting that big USWNT payoff that she deserved. It took a while to get there, as Shaw battled back from a tough run of form to start the season, one that saw her spend time with the U-23s in an attempt to rebuild. Consider her rebuilt now, though, and perhaps better than ever.

Shaw will, quite obviously, be riding high. Fresh off a NWSL title with Gotham FC, she carried that momentum right into this game. As she heads into the offseason, the forward admitted she picked an ironic spot for a vacation. 

"I will be going on vacation. I'm going to Italy, actually, which is ironic. It is ironic, but yeah, so I'm getting girls from Italy…So yeah, I'll definitely be getting some rest and recovery," she said. 

Once she's back from the the USWNT will hope she carries her momentum into 2026 now because, if she can, the sky really does seem to be the limit for a player who, just a few short months ago, faced a fight to prove that was true.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: Francesca Durante

Durante will be sore tomorrow. This was not a fun game with her, and not just because of the goals she conceded.

The goals, of course, were pretty unsavable, but that won't make her feel any better. Macario's chip was stunning, but hey, it happens. Shaw's finish, meanwhile, was pretty unsavable and, again, it happens. In terms of pure goalkeeping, there was little Durante could do, so no real reason to feel bad there.

She will feel bad physically, though. Durante got hit hard multiple times on USWNT set pieces, forcing stoppages multiple times. The Italy goalkeeper surely got the wind knocked out of her at least one of those times. She didn't leave the game with an injury, but her back will surely feel that in the morning.

Getty Images SportWINNER: Cat Macario

There was a split second where one could see the wheels turning in Macario's head. She looked up, then down, then up again, and then came to her conclusion: "Yeah, I'm gonna chip her." The chip was perfect, and the ball went into the back of the net. 

That's what Macario can do.

In particular, though, that's what she's capable of when she's in form. With her first-half goal, she now has five finishes in her last three USWNT appearances, taking her total to eight in the 2025 calendar year. That leads the team, and it's no surprise: Macario has been leading this team all year long. This goal was among her best, but again, these types of moments have become commonplace for the Chelsea star. Yohannes, who threaded the needle in delivering the ball to the striker, believes the pair is starting to form strong chemistry on the pitch. 

"Cat is just such a special player, and I know if she gets the ball in front of the goal, 10 times out of 10, it is probably going to be a goal," Yohannes said. "So, yeah, I'm just, I think we're growing a partnership. I think that's super cool. You know, we have a great friendship off the pitch and to be on the pitch and assisting her…I'm just so proud of her."

For several years, injuries robbed the USWNT of that. For so long, this team played without her and, in truth, they thrived. Now, with Macario back and in this type of form, the USWNT has something special going, largely because she is a special, special player. 

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Getty Images SportLOSER: Italy

Scoreline-wise? Yeah, this was a little better. Two-nil is better than 3-0, so they have that going for them. Performance-wise, though? Italy didn't offer much, and they never really threatened the USWNT across the two matches in December. 

This Italy team isn't bad. They entered this window ranked 12th in the world, with the USWNT ranked second. In these games, though, there was a clear gap. On Monday, the U.S. had 66 percent of the ball and fired seven shots to Italy's one. One team was significantly better than the other here, no matter what the rankings say.

With the loss, Italy now sit on a five-game winless run. They lost to England in extra time in the Euro semifinals before drawing Japan and then falling to Brazil in October friendlies. These two defeats to the U.S. were the final pieces of that streak. There’s no shame in those results, but for a team that seems so close, turning those losses into signature wins is what will push this program forward.

Don’t say it too loudly, but things might be turning around for West Ham United.

Nuno Espírito Santo made changes to his team ahead of the Newcastle United game at the weekend, and lo and behold, came away with all three points.

Moreover, it wasn’t a smash-and-grab; the East Londoners actually played well, with one player in particular doing spectacularly.

In fact, with the proper support around him, that starter could become a leading figure for West Ham and their biggest star since Mohammed Kudus.

Why West Ham were right to sell Kudus

Now, it should be noted that one significant issue with selling Kudus in the summer was that he went to Tottenham Hotspur.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, while doing business with rivals is never ideal, deciding to move the former Ajax star on for £55m was still the correct decision from the club.

After all, while he had a stellar first season in Claret and Blue, he was anonymous at best last year.

For example, in 35 appearances across all competitions last season, totalling 2721 minutes, the Accra-dud mustered up a dismal return of five goals and four assists.

In other words, he managed a dire average of a goal involvement every 3.88 games, or one every 302.33 minutes.

For comparison’s sake, Jarrod Bowen scored 14 goals and provided ten assists in 36 games, totalling 3148 minutes.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 131.16 minutes.

Therefore, while he was capable of some magic moments, Kudus was not consistent enough to justify his place in the team, especially not when someone offers over £50m for him.

Anyway, in addition to Bowe, West Ham appear to have another superstar in the making on their hands this season.

West Ham's future star

It would be fair to say that, at the moment, West Ham’s biggest star is Bowen, but over the coming years, that title could shift to Freddie Potts.

Now, it is still so early on in the midfielder’s Hammers career, but there is a real sense around the fanbase that he could be something special.

Moreover, although he has just one competitive start for the club, he has plenty of experience with other sides, having made 38 appearances for Portsmouth and 43 for Wycombe Wanderers.

However, while his experiences in the Championship and League One help bolster his CV, it was really his performance against Newcastle that has excited the Hammers faithful.

It was a game in which the academy graduate put in a quintessential all-action midfield display.

From helping break down attacks to kickstarting them himself, the Englishman was near enough faultless in the middle of the park and totally vindicated the fans who have been calling for him to start for some time.

He would even have got himself a goal if he had worn one size smaller boots.

After the match, one analyst described the Barking-born star as possessing a “similar aura to Rice when he first came through” and as being blessed with a “supreme confidence” on and off the ball.

It certainly sounds like hyperbole, but it’s rather difficult to argue against such statements.

Ultimately, it’s still early in Potts’ career, but as things stand, he looks like he could become West Ham’s biggest star since Kudus.

West Ham 'sound out' £30m striker with Fullkrug 'determined' to leave in January

The Irons are making plans to replace him.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 6, 2025

New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole has historically struggled to pitch to Boston Red Sox star third baseman Rafael Devers, and in Saturday's 7-1 loss to Boston, Cole did everything in his power to pitch to Devers.

In the first at-bat, Cole threw four pitches to Devers, all inside, with the fourth pitch of the at-bat hitting Devers. In the second at-bat for Devers in the third inning, Cole elected to intentionally walk Devers with one out and nobody on.

In a game that the Red Sox won handily, Boston manager Alex Cora ripped Cole in the aftermath of the victory for hitting Devers in the first inning.

"I wasn't surprised at all [about the intentional walk] because in the first at-bat I felt that [Cole] hit [Devers] on purpose," Cora said after the game. "He doesn't want to face him. That's the bottom line. He told us with the intentional walk that in the first at-bat he hit him. He hit him. … We took exception to that."

With 13 games remaining in the regular season, the Red Sox are four games out of the second wild-card spot in the American League playoff race. While it will be difficult to make up that ground, the Red Sox are still more than happy to play spoiler to the Yankees in their hopes of capturing the AL East crown.

The Yankees still hold a 2.5 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians conseguiu inscrever o técnico Mano Menezes no BID (Boletim Informativo Diário) da CBF para a 25ª rodada do Brasileirão. O novo técnico do Timão está regularizado para comandar a equipe no confronto deste sábado (30), contra o São Paulo, no Morumbi, às 18h30.

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Para o clássico, Mano não poderá contar com Fagner, Moscardo e Yuri Alberto, já que os três levaram o terceiro cartão amarelo durante a vitória sobre o Botafogo. Além deles, alguns veteranos como Fábio Santos e Renato Augusto devem ser poupados visando o jogo de volta contra o Fortaleza, pela partida de volta da semifinal da Sul-Americana. Rojas, com uma lesão no músculo posterior da coxa esquerda, vem sendo preparado para voltar no duelo contra o Leão do Pici, e deve ser baixa no Majestoso.

Mano foi contratado um dia após a demissão de Vanderlei Luxemburgo. O técnico chega ao Alvinegro com o objetivo de conquistar o título da Copa Sul-Americana, além de afastar a equipe da zona do rebaixamento no Brasileirão.

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Mano Menezes assinou contrato com o Corinthians até o final de 2025. Sua coletiva de apresentação está marcada para sexta-feira (29), às 14h, no CT Joaquim Grava.

It was one-way traffic for Emma Hayes, who started a young lineup that was determined to dominate from start to finish

There were some factoids that emerged prior to Wednesday night's match between the U.S. women's national team and New Zealand. With an average of just 17.3 caps, this was the least-experienced USWNT lineup in 25 years. It featured three teenagers – for the second straight game – to combine for an average age of 23.2.

Captain Rose Lavelle had 114 caps, more than all the rest of the starting XI combined. But, despite all of their youthful naivety, this U.S. team did something that its predecessors have done for years and years: overpower an overmatched opponent.

Led by the first international hat-trick from relative newcomer Emma Sears, the U.S. never let up against New Zealand in a 6-0 win, and, realistically, it could have been much worse. This was a game with goals in it from the very start and the USWNT made sure to score them. Sears netted three, Catarina Macario got two and Lavelle, the veteran, got one of her own.

It was a masterclass from top to bottom against a New Zealand team that, in reality, had no way of stopping what was to come. The USWNT now have 20 wins, one loss and one draw in 22 all-time meetings with New Zealand.

Coach Emma Hayes will be proud of the decisive outcome. After two tough games against Portugal, she handed the keys to many of her least experienced players for a different kind of test. The expectation was always going to be to win by a lot, not just win, and that comes with its own sort of pressure.

The U.S. was never fazed by that. In fact, they seemed determined to score more and more even as the game wore on.

"It’s exciting to see the future of this team," Michelle Cooper told TNT. "To be able to have multiple players change our starting lineup and still be able to raise the level and get a win out of that, it really speaks to the future of this team and what Emma has done here."

This, then, was a good step for some of the USWNT's younger players, from debutant Kennedy Wesley right up to the likes of Sears, who headlined the group that has been making their way into the team since the post-Olympic phase last year. This was the most lopsided win in that stretch, one that will see the U.S. end an October that started with a surprising low feeling very high.

"We knew that we had another level to go," Macario told TNT post-game. "When you’re apart for like four months or so, and Portugal played a great game against us and it was a different challenge, one that took us a while to solve. But we bounced back in the second game. And I think it’s about staying together and bringing our qualities – that’s what we did today, and we were really intentional in doing that. It was a good end to the camp."

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from CPKC Stadium.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Emma Sears

Being in the right place at the right time is, generally, good fortune. There's something special about doing it over and over again and, because of that, there's nothing lucky about what Sears did on Wednesday.

None of Sears' finishes were particularly spectacular, but the way that she put herself in position to get them certainly was. Against a New Zealand team that was bunkering for their lives, Sears routinely found her way into space, pouncing on opportunity after opportunity to notch three goals.

It was a masterclass in attacking soccer because, sometimes, doing things the easy way is the best way.

“Honestly, I want to give a lot of credit to my teammates,” she said. “Especially with that first goal, Michelle served it on a platter for me to tap it in. And yeah, the goals following, it was good to carry on that momentum throughout the game and ultimately get the win.”

This game was a big statement for the 25-year-old attacker, who, entering the game, had just one goal in her first 10 caps. That came in her debut a year ago. With four now to her name, Sears is pushing for a place in a crowded attack – and, generally, the best way to make that push is to score. Scoring three? That's a strong message.

"I knew that after my first call-up to the national team, it was an opportunity that I really needed to make the most of," Sears said. "I think a lot of the advice I’ve received since coming back to soccer is to really trust the process and just remember and stay with what I’m good at, and bring that into this environment.

"As I’ve also heard from some of the more experienced players on this team, in international games, you only get a few opportunities to use in each game, so to show what you’re really great at is super important."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: New Zealand

We'll call this a "burn the film" game. That's likely what New Zealand should do after this because, in reality, there isn't much to take from it. It wasn't an individual error or moment that caused their undoing on Wednesday. It was simply that the other team was significantly better.

Luckily for them, they won't face the USWNT every game, and they'll be thankful that's the case. New Zealand were coming off back-to-back losses against Mexico, but the 2-0 and 1-0 scores were more respectable. There's a reason, though, that they've won just one of their 15 World Cup games over the last five tournaments.

There is simply a gap in quality here and, realistically, there isn't much to learn from this beyond that. So burn the tape and move on, New Zealand. There will be better days ahead and bigger tests, particularly against local rivals Australia next month before World Cup qualifying begins next year.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Catarina Macario

This was the version of Macario that USWNT fans have been eager to see. Injuries prevented her from showing that too often over these last few years, but we sure did get a look at the best version of the Chelsea forward on Wednesday.

There were two goals, of course, as Macario made the most of her moments in front of goal. It was her fourth international brace. She's not a pure striker, though, at least in the traditional sense, which means she'll always offer a bit more in the attack. 

Her assist on Sears' goal really showcased that fact. When she's on her game, Macario is the type of player who can glue an attack together with her ability to dribble and pass the ball.

"I love being with this team, I love playing with them and I love playing football," Macario said on TNT. "As a forward, you always get a little frustrated when you don’t score, but I’m just happy to help the team – but I’ll take the goals, of course."

The USWNT attack was ticking all night, and Sears and Michelle Cooper deserve their share of the credit, too. Don't overlook Macario, though, particularly on a night in which she showed, once again, that she can really deliver at a high level.

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Getty ImagesLOSERS: Those that didn't play

Those left on the bench must have been salivating. This was the type of game in which everyone and anyone could have gotten a goal or an assist, so spare a thought for those that didn't get a chance. Alyssa Thompson ran and ran against Portugal, but was left out of the squad for this match against New Zealand after playing heavy minutes.

There's little doubt she would have been among the scorers with the way this game went. Olivia Moultrie will feel that way, too, after netting twice against Portugal on Sunday. Ally Sentnor has proven goal dangerous, too, but was also among those who didn't get in, while even the defenders on the bench might be looking on, going, "What if?"

This was a game everyone wants to play in, and those who didn't get that chance will be, relatively, disappointed not to get the opportunity.

The board hopes to bail out last season’s teams who haven’t paid their players fully

Mohammad Isam26-May-2025

The BCB will introduce revenue distribution for the first time in the BPL in a bid to bail out last season’s teams that haven’t cleared their dues to players. The decision was taken during the BPL’s governing council meeting in Dhaka on Monday.The payment issue came to the fore last season after Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players boycotted a match over non-payments. Their local players had also skipped a training session during the tournament as a mark of protest. Towards the end of the tournament, the payment delay left some of the overseas players stranded in their hotel in Dhaka.After Durbar Rajshahi kept missing the payment deadline, Bangladesh’s sports ministry put pressure on the team owner Shafiqur Rahman.The BCB, in principle, has decided to allocate a portion of the tournament’s ticket sales to the seven franchises according to their final position in the points table. The four teams that reached the playoffs last season will get Taka 5.5 million (US$45,000 approx.) and the ones that didn’t reach the playoffs Taka 4.5 million (US$36,000 approx.).”This is the first time that the BCB will distribute revenue from ticket sales to BPL franchises,” a BCB statement said. “The disbursement, scheduled ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, will be conditional upon the verification of payment acknowledgments from the respective players.”The BCB also threatened legal action against the franchises that are still defaulting on payment obligations.”The final disbursement amount for each franchise will be determined proportionally, based on the percentage of outstanding player payments they have cleared relative to their eligible share,” the statement said. “In addition, the Governing Council has decided to pursue legal action against any franchise that continues to default on payment obligations despite repeated official notices. This decision reflects the BCB’s commitment to ensuring contractual accountability and maintaining the integrity of the league.”

Tottenham Hotspur have been given a late-summer transfer boost as Daniel Levy and the Lilywhites recruitment team scramble for reinforcements.

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Spurs want to sign a centre-back, playmaker and a new winger (Sky Sports), but bringing in all three is perhaps unlikely at this stage of the window and with such little time remaining.

The north Londoners have found it notoriously difficult already, having seen high-profile blockbuster deals for the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze fail in dramatic fashion.

After weeks of talks, Spurs have also got nowhere with their bid for Savinho, as Man City make it crystal clear that the Brazil international is not for sale.

It remains to be seen who they target as an alternative to the 21-year-old, but it is evident who has become their top playmaker target during this final stretch.

According to numerous sources, RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons is in London right now, with both Chelsea and Tottenham pursuing a deal for the highly-rated Netherlands international.

The 22-year-old is valued at around £60 million, which is a similar price that Spurs were once prepared to pay for Eze and Gibbs-White. With there being precious few available playmakers who could truly make a difference for Thomas Frank, Simons has emerged as their potential saving grace.

He racked up 11 goals and eight assists over 33 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig last term, and Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that Simons is an “unbelievable” player.

Tottenham have now submitted a near-£60m bid for Simons, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, with journalist Graeme Bailey also sharing the player’s stance on joining Frank’s side.

Xavi Simons ready to join Tottenham after talks with his camp

As per the reporter, it is believed that Simons is ready to join Tottenham, who’ve held talks with his representatives, after Chelsea began stalling their deal – with the attacking midfielder growing impatient.

The west Londoners have been in talks for weeks, but there are complications with player sales.

They also haven’t found a full agreement with Leipzig in all of that time, and that has allowed Spurs to move in to hijack their negotiations. Right now, Simons is happy to stop pausing on a move and sign for Tottenham instead, despite already agreeing personal terms with Chelsea.

This flurry of promising developments, including Levy’s offer, means that they could be on the verge of finally signing their desired number 10. However, as we’ve seen with Tottenham, no supporter should celebrate until the ink is dry.

“I think he’s going to have a really good career at the highest level,” said Bayern Munich sporting director, Christoph Freund.

“He has everything, mentality, character and is just an exceptional player.”