As an Argentine international, this may be the end for Lionel Messi — and I say “may be” because he has retired in the past, but this seems to be much more of a true retirement from Argentina. There are so many different directions and so many different questions that come up when it comes … Read more
Everton are closing in on a dramatic deadline day loan deal for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee after their proposed move for Monaco forward Folarin Balogun appeared to collapse. The Toffees had been on the verge of finalising a move for Balogun to spearhead their attack, but negotiations have ground to a halt following the … Read more
Training camp is in the books for the Bucs, and now the page turns to the 2026 regular season. But before the book is fully closed on a roller coaster of a camp, there’s one last chapter that still is unfinished. That would be the contract negotiations between the Bucs and quarterback Baker Mayfield. A … Read more
Everton have agreed a deal for Jack Grealish to return to the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City while striker Beto has joined Serie A club Fiorentina in a £14.58m move. Grealish, 30, is set for a medical at the Toffees, with his switch expected to be completed before Tuesday’s 23:00 BST transfer … Read more
Some pathetic, frontrunning dorks are fans of the Rams. But many, many more people are NOT fans of the Rams. This 2026 Defector NFL team preview is for those in the latter group. Read all the previews so far here. Your team: Los Angeles Rams. Your 2025 record: 12-5. Heh. Haha. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The Rams had … Read more
Aston Villa completed the signings of Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis on deadline day, with Unai Emery confident the club’s radical summer overhaul has left Villa in position to replicate their recent success. Villa, who have lost both of their Premier League games this campaign, have qualified for the Champions League in two of the … Read more
Time for your weekly edition of the Defector Funbag. Got something on your mind? Email the Funbag. You can also read Drew over at SFGATE, and buy Drew’s books while you’re at it. Today, we’re talking about iPhone complaints, America’s infrastructure tragedy, changing clothes at the airport, and more. Your letters: Monte: Congrats! That grody … Read more
Enzo Fernández is about to make a one-way trip across England. Manchester City has reached a deal with Chelsea to sign the 25-year-old midfielder, The Athletic reported on Tuesday morning. Fernández has reportedly been given permission by Chelsea to undergo a medical, with his transfer costing Manchester City €125 million ($169 million) — which ties … Read more
Even after relegation scares in back-to-back seasons, the most pessimistic of Spurs supporters probably wouldn’t have predicted being rock bottom after two games, with a -5 goal difference. Or perhaps they would have, from recent trauma build-up. Still, Tottenham Hotspur’s summer incomings have been impressive, and arrived with an expectation of achieving European football this … Read more
Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of midfielder Declan Rice after the England international limped off at Villa Park during the Gunners’ 1-0 Premier League victory against Aston Villa. Bukayo Saka’s 59th-minute goal ultimately secured all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side, but the win came at a cost. In the 85th minute, Rice was … Read more