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Reports in Italy suggest that Nottingham Forest are the current frontrunners to acquire the services of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, while Milan and Manchester United could battle it out for 17-year-old Argentinian talent Franco Mastantuono.
Here is the round-up of Wednesday’s transfer news in Serie A.
Juventus transfer news: Douglas Luiz, Yildiz, Milik and Gatti contracts
Reports on Wednesday indicate that Nottingham Forest are still pursuing the signing of Douglas Luiz from Juventus.
On the verge of qualification for next season’s Champions League, Nuno Espirito Santo’s project is of interest to the Brazilian, and there has already been contact between the two clubs for several weeks, according to the latest updates.
Meanwhile, a queue of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly interested in the potential signing of the highly-rated Bianconeri forward Kenan Yildiz according to Caught Offside.
Juventus have also announced that striker Arkadiusz Milik has extended his contract until the summer of 2027. The Poland international has not played at all this season, but has extended his contract in order to spread the remaining cost of his wages, which helps Juventus from an accounting point of view.
There are also reports that Federico Gatti has agreed the final details of a contract extension as well, which could potentially be announced in the coming weeks.
Milan and Manchetser United prepare for transfer battle
Meanwhile, reports from Calciomercato.com claim that Milan and Manchester United are both interested in signing 17-year-old Argentinian talent Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.
Both teams will have to wait until August 14 at the earliest to sign the player though, which is when he will turn 18 and will be eligible for transfers abroad.
Atalanta set asking price for Ederson
Reports from the UK suggest that Manchester United are still interested in the signing of Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta in the summer transfer window. La Dea are reportedly pushing for a transfer fee in the region of €70m.
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‘Agreed a deal’ – Arne Slot issues Leoni and Guehi transfer updates ahead of Bournemouth clash
Arne Slot was prepared for questions about two prospective Liverpool signings from the moment that he walked into the media room at the AXA Training Center on Thursday morning. The Reds have commenced talks with Crystal Palace regarding a potential £35m deal for Marc Guehi (The Times), who’s understood to be in favour of joining the Premier League champions, who he helped to vanquish in the Community Shield last weekend. LFC are much further along in their pursuit of Giovanni Leoni, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Wednesday night (via X) that a €35m (£30.1m) deal has been agreed with Parma for the 18-year-old, who’s expected to fly into Merseyside today and undergo a medical. Slot addresses Guehi and Leoni transfer status Slot spoke to the media this morning in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday night, and he was immediately asked about those two prospective transfers. The Dutchman was unusually candid as to where things stand with Leoni but unsurprisingly batted off one reporter’s follow-up question about Guehi. The 46-year-old said (via Liverpool FC on YouTube): “The clubs have agreed a deal [for Leoni] but he hasn’t signed for us yet. The moment that he signs for us, I can go into more detail. “The other one [Guehi] is of course the answer you always get from me. He’s not our player and unfortunately he was the captain of the team we lost against last Sunday. If you want to talk about him, you should go to Palace and [Oliver] Glasner and ask his opinion about him.” Slot was unusually candid with Leoni transfer update Slot is almost always diplomatic when asked about transfers in press conferences, so for him to reply that a deal has been agreed for Leoni was refreshingly transparent and offers perhaps the strongest hint yet that the Italian’s signing is imminent. The Liverpool head coach was naturally more opaque about Guehi, which suggests that there’s still plenty of work to be done behind the scenes before any move for the Crystal Palace captain is completed. The Dutchman must privately be delighted and relieved that the Italian youngster is set to join his squad, which currently has just three centre-backs, one of whom (Joe Gomez) is only just back in training after a recent Achilles injury which curtailed his involvement in the pre-season tour to Asia. The imminent signing of Leoni isn’t just a case of the Reds bulking up their quantity of defensive options, either – legendary former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi hailed the 18-year-old as a ‘great coup’ who has already ‘demonstrated the qualities needed to go far’ at the highest level of the game. That arrival will essentially cancel out the £30m departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, and hopefully the Merseysiders might also complete a deal for Guehi before the transer window shuts on 1 September!
Paul Joyce revelation will add to Liverpool fans’ delight about impending Giovanni Leoni transfer
Green Bay Packers 4th Round Rookie Heralded As Steal Of The Draft
The Green Bay Packers’ front office has made a habit of unearthing underappreciated talent in the NFL Draft, and rookie Barryn Sorrell might be their latest gem. A fourth-round pick out of Texas, Sorrell has turned heads in training camp and delivered a standout performance in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s early, but the buzz is building—Sorrell could be the steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s a closer look at Sorrell’s impressive week, why coaches are raving about him, and what his role on the team could look like as the season unfolds. Green Bay Packers Barryn Sorrell: Preseason Debut Though the Green Bay Packers fell short against the Jets in their preseason opener, Sorrell’s debut was nothing short of promising. Lining up on the defensive edge, the rookie flashed the explosiveness and technique that made him a standout for the Texas Longhorns in college. Pro Football Focus gave Sorrell a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9 for the game, showcasing his ability to generate pressure. While Green Bay didn’t record a sack as a team, Sorrell came close on multiple occasions, recording two quarterback hits and two pressures. On one notable snap, he effortlessly tossed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside before delivering a clean shot on quarterback Brady Cook, demonstrating a pass rush technique well beyond his years. “He looked sharp out there—really sharp,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said after the game. “For a young guy stepping into this environment, his ability to impact the game with consistent pressure is what we want to see moving forward.” The Work Ethic That Sets Him Apart What has impressed coaches just as much as Sorrell’s on-field performance is his relentless effort and commitment to improvement. Practice reports continually highlight his hustle during drills and scrimmages. From chasing down plays to perfecting minor details in his technique, Sorrell has demonstrated the kind of mindset that coaches love to see in young players. “He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop,” linebackers coach Sean Duggan said. “When you see a guy like Barryn putting in that level of effort, it elevates the whole group. That’s been his reputation since he arrived in Green Bay.” That reputation has driven Sorrell to stand out during training camp and preseason, setting him apart despite a crowded defensive rotation. Why Sorrell Is Being Dubbed a Steal Draft analysts have been quick to call Sorrell one of the smartest picks of the 2025 Draft, though hindsight reveals just how much of a sleeper he was going in. Coming out of Texas, Sorrell had been productive at the collegiate level, showcasing a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. However, concerns about his relatively modest size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) for an every-down edge rusher caused him to slide to the fourth round. It’s now becoming clear that those concerns were overstated. General manager Brian Gutekunst, who has built a reputation for finding value in the mid-to-late rounds, once again seems to have struck gold. Sorrell’s early success highlights why many now believe that he should have gone much earlier in the draft. “There’s zero reason he should’ve fallen that far,” said one AFC scout. “The Packers got a guy with Day 2 talent in the fourth round, and it won’t take long before he proves it.” Eyes on the Future The Packers’ philosophy of building through the draft has rarely been more evident than in their approach to Barryn Sorrell. With veteran leadership guiding him and coaches invested in his development, the rookie appears to be in a near-perfect situation to succeed. For a team looking to solidify its defensive identity, finding a player like Sorrell is invaluable. His work ethic, playmaking ability, and high football IQ give him every chance of being a long-term cornerstone for Green Bay’s pass rush. Final Thoughts It’s far too early for definitive conclusions, but Barryn Sorrell’s introduction to the NFL has Green Bay Packers fans excited. His performance in camp and the preseason has already exceeded expectations, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be an immensely bright future. If his current trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be a steal of the draft—he’ll be a key piece in the Packers’ ongoing pursuit of greatness.
Five best NFL offseason value signings on offense: Bills get great deal with RB extension
Few know how to spend money like an NFL front office. This offseason, teams handed out over $4 billion in extensions alone, not to mention the several other billions spent in free agency. But which were the shrewdest investments? Below, we examine the best value signings at five positions on offense: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith Contract: Two years, $75 million ($65.5M guaranteed) Shortly after acquiring Smith in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks, the Raiders extended the 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year to a contract that raises the Raiders' floor while maintaining flexibility. Smith has a manageable $26.5M cap hit in 2026, when Over The Cap projects Las Vegas to have the third-most cap space ($78.7M) based on an estimated 5.8 percent cap increase. Since 2022, Smith has the third-highest completion percentage (68.5 percent) among 32 quarterbacks with at least 20 starts during that span. He's also tied with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the second-most fourth-quarter comebacks (10) and trails only Mahomes in game-winning drives. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook Contract: Four years, $48M ($30M guaranteed) Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams pierced Cook's bubble when he signed a three-year, $33M extension on Aug. 5. The Bills running back sought $15M per year, making his $12M in annual average value (AAV) a huge win for Buffalo. Over Cook's first three seasons, he's averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2024, he led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. With just 533 career tackles, Cook doesn't have the wear-and-tear of other backs who've made splashes early in their careers, raising hopes that he can withstand the workload that comes with being Buffalo's featured back. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins Contract: Four years, $115M ($40.9M guaranteed) The Bengals retained Higgins at a remarkable price, keeping him in Cincinnati at less than $30M per year, the going rate for the league's top wideouts. Per Spotrac, while Higgins is No. 10 in AAV among wide receivers, he ranks just outside the top 20 in guaranteed money. Last season, Higgins averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game, his most since 2021, and scored a career-high 10 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride Contract: Four years, $76M ($43M guaranteed) The 2024 first-team All-Pro ranks No. 1 among tight ends in guaranteed salary. However, if he continues producing numbers more akin to WR1s — last season, he had 111 receptions, 1,146 receiving yards and two touchdowns — his contract will be one of the league's better bargains. Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley Contract: Three years, $60M ($44M guaranteed) Stanley's journey back from a devastating 2020 lower leg injury culminated in the 2019 first-team All-Pro being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his first nine seasons last year. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft was rewarded with a contract that will keep him in Baltimore through his age-33 season. In terms of average annual value, his extension ranks below other left tackles who signed contracts this offseason, and not just younger players such as Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers), who was recently lost for the season, and Bernhard Raimann (Indianapolis Colts). Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews, 33, is averaging $22.5M on his current deal, while Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller, 29, is set to earn $22M per year through 2028.
Bruins' top prospect makes decision on college that will shake up the scene
Boston Bruins top prospect James Hagens has announced he will return to Boston College for his sophomore season. In a brief interview with Scott McLaughlin of Boston’s WEEI 93.7, Hagens shared that he’s in no rush to advance to the next step, acknowledging that development is a, “marathon, not a sprint.” Hagens revealed the news while participating at the Bruins’ 14th annual back-to-school celebration, alongside current Bruins Mason Lohrei and John Beecher. Few announcements will shake the college scene as much as the news of Hagens’ return. He was among the best freshmen in college last season, tracking to 37 points in 37 games. That scoring earned him a unanimous selection to Hockey East’s All-Rookie team — an accolade he shared with teammate Teddy Stiga and Boston University rival Cole Hutson. Hagens reached those heights while filling an interesting role with the Eagles, stepping in between wingers Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard after the two spent their last three years centered by San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith. Each of Perreault, Leonard and Hagens scored fewer points than the Eagles’ top-line managed in 2023-24, but it seemed that was more the cause of a low-scoring year across Hockey East. The top unit recorded points on 36 percent of BC’s goals this season, an ever-so-slight improvement over the 34 percent contributed by Smith, Leonard and Perreault in 2024. But while Hagens faced questions of his scoring upside relative to other top draft-eligible talents in the NCAA, it was hard not to be impressed by his on-ice results. He’s long been a dynamo among his age group, with an innate ability to predict movement and put himself in position to make a play. Hagens is strong on the puck — with an ability to use finesse moves and bulky shoulders to force his way into the dangerous areas of the ice. More than that, he showed clear signs of improvement as the year went on — developing his physical presence and ability to make a difference even when he wasn’t the first man in on a play. Those signs of growth give Boston a prospect to be excited over. Hagens was lauded as the clear first overall talent in the 2025 draft class, prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 season. Much of that claim came from his command of the U.S. NTDP over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, where he served as the team’s top-line center and snappy playmaker next to electric goal-scorer Cole Eiserman. With Eiserman’s help, Hagens was able to become the fifth-highest scoring player in NTDP history, with 187 points in 118 games. He also set the scoring record at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in 2023, with 21 points in seven games, and the World U18 Championship in 2024, with 22 points in seven games. Hagens will be returning to a fresh-faced Boston College lineup next season. Both Leonard and Perreault signed their NHL entry-level contracts at the end of last season, leaving the Eagles with vacancies on both wings on their top-line. One of those spots will be occupied by Stiga, who has shown years of chemistry playing next to Hagens. The other spot will be closely contested, but could land in the hands of transfer forward Ryan Conmy or fellow Bruins draft pick William Moore. Hagens and Moore will be two of six Bruins prospects on next year’s Eagles squad, providing local fans with plenty of reasons to walk to Conte Forum when the puck drops.
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