Football
Why Liverpool pulled out of race to sign Matheus Cunha ahead of Manchester United

Liverpool reportedly gave serious thought to pursuing Matheus Cunha this summer before allowing Manchester United to secure a clear path to the Wolves forward.
Cunha, now 26, has agreed in principle to join United and is expected to wear the No. 10 shirt, currently held by Marcus Rashford.
The Brazilian has settled on a five-year contract, with the Premier League club now working out the payment structure with Wolves after opting to meet his £62.5 million release clause.
Since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2022, Cunha has become a vital figure for Wolves, finding the net 31 times over two seasons.
His performances drew attention from Arsenal and Chelsea during the winter transfer window, and he reportedly caught Liverpool’s eye after an eye-catching showing at Anfield in February.
Despite Liverpool winning that fixture 2-1, Cunha’s goal for the visitors impressed both the coaching staff under Arne Slot and the Merseyside club’s decision-makers.
Reports suggest that Liverpool were strongly considering a move for Cunha in the second half of the season, intrigued by his technical ability and direct attacking style.
However, the Reds ultimately opted not to pursue the Brazilian, as they faced uncertainty over how he would fit into Slot’s system. With the Dutch manager already boasting a deep pool of offensive talent, Liverpool decided to prioritize other targets.
Their focus eventually shifted toward Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, with the club preparing a potential record-breaking offer for the German playmaker.
Arne Slot had previously spoken highly of Cunha, stating ahead of Liverpool’s match against Wolves that the forward possessed the quality to play for a top-five Premier League side.
He emphasized that Cunha stood out even in a struggling team, highlighting the gap in talent between leagues and noting how rare it is to find such a player at a club sitting near the bottom of the table.
Despite the admiration, not all clubs were sold on Cunha’s personality. Some decision-makers were reportedly cautious due to lingering questions about his attitude.
Gary Lineker commented on this aspect during The Rest is Football podcast, noting that while Cunha is a gifted player, some managers have hinted at concerns over his work rate and commitment to team principles. Lineker acknowledged that this issue has surfaced under more than one manager at Wolves.
On the other hand, former Manchester United defender Phil Jones expressed excitement about Cunha’s imminent arrival, describing him as a strong and dynamic player capable of making a real impact.
Drawing comparisons to Mousa Dembele, Jones highlighted Cunha’s strength, dribbling, and playmaking abilities, adding that he could be a valuable asset for Ruben Amorim’s squad at Old Trafford.
As Cunha prepares to join a United team that struggled domestically, finishing just 15th in the league and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if the Brazilian can deliver on his potential and help reignite the Red Devils’ fortunes.
Football
Napoli-linked Sancho ‘attracting interest’ from new Serie A side

Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Football
Flamengo punish 10-Man Chelsea in 3-1 Club World Cup stunner (Highlights)

Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Football
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan: Ramos opener earns shock draw after Lautaro misses sitter

Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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