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Lazio have reportedly reignited interest in Napoli striker Giovanni Simeone as they look for a replacement for Ciro Immobile.
The Biancocelesti sold the 34-year-old Italian striker to Besiktas earlier this month for around €3 million, ending an historic eight-year tie between player and club. His departure leaves a serious void up front, with Valentin Castellanos the only true number nine left.
Lazio have already been active in the summer transfer window, picking up new wingers, midfielders and a left back. With the new season fast approaching, the club still haven’t managed to find a replacement striker yet.
As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, Lazio are seriously considering the idea of making a move for Simeone this summer, aware that the Napoli striker is not considered part of Antonio Conte’s new project at the club.
The 29-year-old Argentinian striker is contracted to the Partenopei to June 2026 and would likely welcome the move, able to follow in the footsteps of his father Diego.
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Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspended for skipping MLS All-Star Game
Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will be suspended for their upcoming Major League Soccer match against FC Cincinnati after both skipped the 2025 MLS All-Star Game without warning. "Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match," MLS said in a statement. Messi and Alba were both selected for the 2025 MLS All-Star team in the first round of voting. They remained on the All-Star roster until mere hours before the All-Star game kickoff, when it became apparent that neither had traveled to Austin for the match. The All-Star game was scheduled for July 23; Miami knew it had a crucial Eastern Conference clash against FC Cincinnati a few days later on July 26. Cincinnati's biggest stars, defender Miles Robinson and attacker Evander, were both slated to appear in the All-Star game. Haunted by its heavy defeat to Cincinnati earlier in the season and hungry for some advantage — any advantage — over its rival, Miami appears to have made a bet here. It kept its players out of the All-Star game, gave them an extra few days of rest, and gambled that MLS wouldn't dare punish its big-name stars. That gamble did not pay off. "I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision," said MLS commissioner Don Garber. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision." MLS has done the right thing here by hewing close to its own policy. If Cincinnati had pulled the same stunt with Evander and Robinson, MLS would've suspended them without question; Messi, Alba and Miami should not be granted an exception simply because of their global fame. But still, there are important questions to be asked here about fixture pile-up in the middle of the MLS season. The majority of teams in MLS had competitive matches scheduled four days before and three days after the All-Star Game, many in far-flung cities. Asking any soccer player to compete in, say, New York on Saturday, Austin on Wednesday and Miami on Saturday, as Inter Miami's All-Stars were expected to do, is pushing it. Asking 38-year-old Lionel Messi to do that is borderline unconscionable. It's hardly surprising that he and Miami conspired to skip the middle leg of their schedule. It's just too much travel — and too much action — for a player of Messi's age and caliber. Miami and its players deserve to be punished for breaking the rules, but the All-Star Game schedule needs a rethink, too. "We’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward," Garber said. "I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve." Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati — its biggest rival in the Eastern Conference this season — without Messi and Alba on Saturday.
New York Yankees Top Prospect Reportedly Drawing Serious Trade Interest
If the New York Yankees are looking to add in the coming days, they may have to part ways with some of the young talent rising through the ranks of their farm system. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Thursday afternoon that catcher Rafael Flores was one Yankees prospect who has been coveted by trade partners. Flores was promoted from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last Saturday. Flores hit .287 with 15 home runs, 23 doubles, 48 runs, 56 RBIs, six stolen bases and an .841 OPS across 87 games in Double-A. Through six Triple-A contests, the 24-year-old catcher is batting .208 with one home runs, three runs, three RBIs and a .720 OPS. MLB Pipeline has Flores ranked as the Yankees' No. 8 prospect, making him the only catcher in the organization's top 25. The Yankees already swung a blockbuster deal with the Colorado Rockies on Friday, acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon, parting ways with pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz in order to complete the trade. The following day, superstar outfielder Aaron Judge hit the 10-day injured list with a flexor strain. Those two moves could change New York's plans for the coming days, including their willingness to move Flores. The future of second-year first baseman Ben Rice, who has spent roughly one-seventh of his time at catcher this season, could also play a part in determining Flores' availability. The trade deadline is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Brutal setback could be end of the line for former Titans first-round pick
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks may have already sealed his fate ahead of a make-or-break 2025 season. On Saturday, the No. 18 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft suffered a broken collarbone while making an outstanding diving catch along the sideline during training-camp practice on a pass from rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The play was a distillation of Burks' pro career thus far, one that could be special if not beset by injuries. Burks has only appeared in 27 of a possible 51 career regular-season games. During his rookie season, Burks missed Weeks 5-9 with a foot/toe injury. He also suffered a concussion against the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing him to miss two additional games. In 2023, he was sidelined by a knee injury from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15, followed by another three-game absence the next month after he was carted off with a head injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, Burks was limited to five games after tearing his ACL during practice. He appeared to be in prime form on his spectacular grab during the play he was injured, showing off his tantalizing potential (and no lingering effects from his knee injury) by laying out to make the catch. But as has been the case throughout Burks' career, his giant step forward was met with two backward strides. In May, the Titans declined to pick up Burks' fifth-year rookie option, which would have paid him a projected $15.493 million in 2026, per Over The Cap. Over his first three seasons, Burks has 53 receptions, 699 receiving yards and one touchdown. Tennessee invested heavily in improving its wide receiver depth this offseason, insulating it from the effects of Burks' most recent injury. During free agency, the Titans added Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson. They selected Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft while also signing Ward's college teammate, Xavier Restrepo, as an undrafted free agent. Burks' path to playing time was already challenged by the offseason moves, but his broken clavicle could knock him out of the rotation for good. If Burks is ever going to live up to his draft status, it's become increasingly more likely it won't be in Tennessee.
Dodgers Announce Max Muncy Update After 16 Straight Missed Games
Third baseman Max Muncy is in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. Muncy failed to establish himself as a reliable major-league hitter in Oakland, but his career took off in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger has made two All-Star teams with the Dodgers and appeared in 905 games, hitting 203 home runs and driving in 575 runs. He’s also been a postseason hero, batting .217 with 44 hits, 13 homers, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored across 62 career playoff games, and he’s won two World Series titles (2020, 2024). On July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise after a collision at third base while making a tag. An MRI showed no structural damage, and although his initial recovery timeline was set at six weeks, the Dodgers announced he could begin a rehab assignment next week and return ahead of schedule. His rehab progress has expedited his return timetable, and the team is eagerly anticipating his comeback. During his absence, the Dodgers have dropped five of 16 games, and their division lead dropped to five games over the San Diego Padres. His veteran presence has been missed in the clubhouse as much as his bat has been at the plate. In 2025, Muncy is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 walks while hitting in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.
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