On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Nico Williams has been the talk of Spanish football over the last 48 hours, following his Man of the Match performance against Italy at Euro 2024. The 21-year-old has already had his future dissected extensively in recent weeks, and this has gone into overdrive since Thursday.
One of the clubs to be strongly linked with Williams is Barcelona, who are in the market for a new left winger. Sporting director Deco is keen on him, although reports have suggested that Liverpool’s Luis Diaz is the player he wants – it appears that others at the Catalan club disagree with the Portuguese’s top target.
That is because Toni Juanmarti has reported that Barcelona consider Williams to be their top target for the upcoming summer transfer window. What’s more, numerous fans chanted in the direction of president Joan Laporta on Saturday morning, demanding that the club sign the Athletic Club star.
A Laporta le pidieron esta mañana en múltiples ocasiones el fichaje de Nico Williams. Una vez tras otra los aficionados que acudieron a Castelldefels le sacaban el nombre del extremo.
De largo, Nico es el jugado que más ilusiona al barcelonismo. Para el club también es el núm.1
— Toni Juanmartí (@tjuanmarti) June 22, 2024
The problem for Barcelona is trying to afford Williams. Athletic have no intention of negotiating with any clubs, meaning that the only way a deal can be agreed is if the player’s €58m release clause is triggered. Currently, Los Blaugrana do not have the financial power to do this, so money will need to be raised.
More must-reads:
- Three Premier League dark horses to watch in 2025-26
- Goalkeeper saving season for sizzling Charlotte FC
- The 'American League WAR leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Fabrizio Romano reveals club who’ve spoken to Nicolas Jackson’s representatives multiple times
'Buzzing around the place' – Former Liverpool star impressed with Chelsea and tips them for ‘wins’
One former Liverpool star has admitted that he has been impressed with Chelsea recently and has tipped them to go on winning. There certainly is a bit of a buzz around Chelsea right now, and I am sure there will be even more of a buzz around the place as we go into the season and also look to tie up a couple more new signings. If Chelsea can get Xavi Simons done then Blues fans will certainly be buzzing about that one, but it’s been ongoing so long now and still not done, I suspect that many fans are now believing it will not happen. Although, Fabrizio Romano did report yesterday that it is still on the cards and in the works. Bayern Munich have been freshly linked with Christopher Nkunku this week and that is a move that if happened, could help Chelsea sign Xavi Simons in the remaining weeks of this transfer window. We’ll see what happens with those two potential deals, but focus will be on the pitch only this weekend as Chelsea get set for their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, and the fans will be hoping to continue that buzz. Fowler praises Chelsea Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler has been full of praise for Chelsea this week. He says: “I think Chelsea were a good team last year, in all fairness, I think they’ve got great players. They’ve got a relatively young squad. They had that season last year, obviously the culmination of winning the World Club Cup. “I think everyone will be buzzing around the place because of that. I think that will give them the confidence and the rhythm to go into the season and get wins.” He’s dead right here as well.
Perhaps Superman Paul Skenes has found his kryptonite
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes may continue to be one of the top contenders for the National League Cy Young Award, but there is one place where he has appeared mortal this season. On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers did to Skenes what they have done to plenty of MLB pitchers in 2025 ... put up big offensive numbers. For the second time this season, Skenes also pitched in Milwaukee on June 25, the Brewers forced him from the game after just 4.0 innings on Tuesday night, logging six hits and four runs during his time on the mound. Both of those performances came at Milwaukee's home stadium (American Family Field) and both are now Skenes' shortest outings of the season. While another NL Central team has put up more runs against Skenes this season (the St. Louis Cardinals nicked him for five runs in 6.0 innings on April 8), no other team has had the same kind of success over multiple starts by Skenes in 2025 as have the Brewers inside their home stadium. In all this season, Skenes has given up 10 hits and eight runs in 8.0 innings in Milwaukee. It was his third career outing on the road against the Brewers, with his lone 2024 start representing arguably the best outing of his rookie season. On July 11, 2024, Skenes struck out 11 and didn't allow a hit over 7.0 innings as the Pirates would eventually post a 1-0 victory. Tuesday's short outing was highlighted by a pair of Milwaukee home runs, including a leadoff solo shot by Sal Frelick that quickly set the tone for the Brewers. While Milwaukee's hit parade helped raise Skenes' ERA on the season to 2.13, it's hardly any reason for concern in a season where the 23-year-old right-hander is still a heavy favorite (-600) to win the NL Cy Young Award, per BetMGM. Skenes struggling in Milwaukee is likely more yet another stamp of approval on the Brewers' potential to be a threat once the postseason arrives. With an 18-4 record since the All-Star break entering Tuesday, Milwaukee has taken over the NL Central race from the Chicago Cubs. So what's the good news for Skenes? This is Pittsburgh's last trip to Milwaukee this season and the next-to-last series for the Pirates against the red-hot Brewers. Milwaukee will visit PNC Park for a three-game series on Sept. 5-7 and, if Skenes gets a chance for revenge against Milwaukee, there couldn't be a better place for him to take the mound. This season, in 11 starts covering 68.2 innings, Skenes has a 1.70 ERA in the Steel City.
Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is supposed to remain in charge of the team for years even after the sale. Given what just happened with the Boston Celtics, it might only be months. When the Grousbeck family sold the Celtics for $6.1B in March, ESPN reported that Wyc Grousbeck would stay on as the Celtics CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season. Now, new owner Bill Chisholm will take over once the sale is final. That should concern current Lakers team governor Jeanie Buss, whose family sold a majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers to investor Mark Walter. Buss is supposed to stay on as team governor for "at least a number of years," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but new NBA owners haven't been keen on waiting to take control of teams recently. Mark Cuban thought he would continue running the Dallas Mavericks when he sold a controlling interest to the Adelson family in November 2023. Before the end of that season, when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals, new team governor Patrick Dumont, the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, was firmly in charge. General manager Nico Harrison reported directly to Dumont, which is how Luka Doncic ended up traded to the Lakers despite Cuban's objections. It might be different with the Lakers. Walter has owned a minority share in the Lakers since 2021, so he's had a working relationship with Buss. Her role as team governor may be a condition of the sale itself. With the team preparing for a long-term future with Doncic, Walter and his fellow owners might opt for continuity in the team governor role. But in general, people do not spend billions of dollars on a professional sports team so that someone else can be in charge. Buss is in charge of the Lakers now. Recent history says she won't be for long.
Oklahoma QB denies sports gambling allegations after suspicious screenshots emerge
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has faced questions about some alleged screenshots from his Venmo account, and the school is reportedly investigating the situation. Screenshots and videos that were widely circulated on social media Monday claimed to show multiple Venmo transactions linked to Mateer that contained the phrase “sports gambling.” The two main transactions in question were on Nov. 20, 2022, which was when Mateer was a freshman at Washington State. The alleged transactions that referenced “sports gambling” were between Mateer and a Venmo account for Richard Roaten, who is believed to be one of Mateer’s former Washington State teammates. While some have questioned whether the screenshots could have been altered, there were also videos that appeared to show people actively scrolling through the account that is believed to belong to Mateer. According to a Tuesday report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Mateer has denied to Oklahoma officials that he has ever been involved with gambling. The school is still planning to investigate further, however. Mateer issued a statement on his X account denying being involved in sports gambling, explaining that the descriptions seen on his Venmo account are "inside jokes" with his friends. "The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false," Mateer wrote. "My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends. "I have never bet on sports. I understand the seriousness of the matter but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling." Oklahoma also issued a statement saying it has “no reason to believe” there is going to be an NCAA investigation. Rules prohibit student athletes or team staff from betting on any sports that have NCAA championships. One of the alleged screenshots connected to Mateer had a reference to “UCLA vs. USC” in addition to “sports gambling.” Penalties for an athlete who has been found to have gambled on prohibited sports can include a loss of eligibility. Mateer had his first full season as a starter last year at Washington State. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Mateer entered the transfer portal after last season as one of the top players available, and he had a disrespectful gesture when announcing his commitment to the Sooners.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
