Fermín López has revealed he endured “the worst summer” of his life after an injury ruled him out of Spain’s World Cup-winning campaign. 

The Barcelona midfielder admitted he required professional help to cope with the heartbreak while being at his physical peak.

Heartbreak During The World Cup

Fermín has revealed the immense psychological toll of missing Spain’s recent World Cup triumph. A poorly timed injury completely derailed his summer, forcing him to watch his compatriots achieve international glory from the sidelines. 

The 23-year-old playmaker was operating at the peak of his powers before the physical setback abruptly ruled him out of the tournament. 

Navigating this devastating blow required a massive support system, with the youngster relying heavily on his family, friends, and partner to pull through.

Tuning Out The World Cup

The emotional impact of his forced exclusion was so severe that Fermín initially refused to tune into the tournament. Speaking to Catalunya Radio’s Tot Costa from Barcelona’s pre-season camp in England, he confessed that watching Spain play was simply too painful.

“It’s been the worst summer of my life. I was at my peak, everything was going well, and then the injury happened,” Fermín admitted. “You learn from these situations, but it’s true that I’ve had a really tough summer. I’ve gotten through it thanks to my family, my partner, and my friends. I needed help. I already had it before, but my coach has helped me a lot to get through it.

“I didn’t watch the first few matches of the Spanish national team in the World Cup. I couldn’t. I wanted to be there at the World Cup. Let me make it clear that it made me very happy to see my teammates win the World Cup. Towards the end of the World Cup, I felt a bit better and decided to go see the final live in New York.”

Road To Recovery Under Flick

After enduring months of grueling rehabilitation, Fermín is finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The midfielder is currently working closely with Hansi Flick’s squad in the United Kingdom as he focuses on regaining his match sharpness ahead of the new campaign.

He remains incredibly optimistic about his current physical status and is already eyeing a return to action at the Joan Gamper Trophy. The young star insists that his painful summer experience has only provided him with more motivation to succeed.

“I’m feeling better every day. I have no discomfort, which is important,” he explained. “If everything goes well, I could play a few minutes in the Gamper Trophy match. The intention is to come back from this injury with even more motivation. I think I’m very ready. I’ve already shown how I can help Barça, and I have to continue doing the same next season.”

He added about his ambitions for the new season, saying: “The dream of winning the Champions League is shared by the whole team. We’ve closed the last two years. This season could be a good one. We’ve been playing together for three years and have experienced a lot. I feel we’re ready to win the Champions League. Winning a third consecutive league title is difficult. It will be a tough year. But if we’re focused on our game and united, we can win a third league title.”

Focus On The New Season

With his fitness returning and his mindset reset, Fermín is now firmly focused on achieving greatness with Barcelona. The Catalan giants are targeting domestic dominance and European success as they head into the new season under Flick’s guidance.

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John Stones has touched down in Italy as he prepares to finalize a high-profile move to Serie A champions Inter. 

The veteran England international, who recently departed Manchester City following the expiration of his contract, was greeted by reporters upon his arrival in Milan.

Nerazzurri Landing For England Star

The wait is almost over for Inter fans as Stones has arrived in Milan to put the finishing touches on his move to San Siro. After a decade of dominance at the Etihad Stadium, the 32-year-old is set to embark on a new chapter in Italy, bringing a wealth of elite European experience to Christian Chivu’s defensive line.

Upon his arrival, Stones made his excitement clear regarding the upcoming challenge in a new league. “I’m excited to be here, thank you so much. I’ll see you soon, ciao,” the defender said. 

According to Sky Italia, the centerback is scheduled to undergo his medical examinations and obtain his sports fitness certification from CONI Thursday. Once these formalities are completed, he is expected to put pen to paper on a two-year contract worth €4 million per season.

Chivu’s Defensive Rebuild Takes Shape

The arrival of Stones is regarded as a major coup for Inter as they look to defend their Scudetto. Chivu has been vocal about wanting to add proven winning experience to his backline, and Stones fits that profile perfectly. 

During his time atManchester City, the defender amassed 20 major honors, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.

However, the signing of Stones may not be the end of Inter’s defensive recruitment this summer. The club’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio, recently confirmed that active discussions are underway for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero. 

The Argentinian 2022 World Cup winner remains a primary target, and there is a possibility that both Stones and Romero could arrive if Benjamin Pavard departs the San Siro during the current transfer window.

Beyond the central defensive positions, Inter have reportedly identified Djed Spence as their priority target to bolster the wing-back slots.

Fitness Concerns And World Cup Form

Despite his undeniable pedigree, the 2025-26 campaign was a challenging one for Stones due to persistent fitness issues. Thigh and calf problems restricted him to just 18 appearances across all competitions, raising questions about his long-term durability. 

However, he silenced some of those doubts with his performances for England at the World Cup, where he played five games and helped the Three Lions secure a third-place finish.

Inter’s medical staff will be paying close attention to these injury concerns as they conduct his physical assessments today. The Nerazzurri are banking on the fact that a fresh start in a new environment will help the defender put his recent fitness woes behind him.

Final Details Before Official Announcement

All signs point towards an official announcement in the next 24 to 48 hours, provided there are no late hitches during the medical process. The deal represents a massive blow to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, who were both heavily linked with the defender following his exit from Manchester.

The veteran defender leaves Manchester City as one of the most decorated figures in the club’s 132-year history. His time under Pep Guardiola transformed him into one of the most unique ball-playing defenders in the world, a skillset that Chivu is eager to integrate into the Inter setup.

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After a historic 2024 season in which the Lions won a franchise-record 15 games, Detroit took a major step back in 2025.

The Lions finished 9-8 and fell to last place in the NFC North.

Can Detroit return to the success it had in 2023 and 2024, when it won a combined 27 regular-season games?

Let’s take a look at the Lions’ Over/Under win total odds for the 2026 season.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Detroit Lions

Over 10.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Under 10.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)

What to know: Despite the disappointing 2025 season, Detroit remained one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, ranking fourth in scoring at 28.3 points per game and fifth in total offense with 372.0 yards per game.

Jared Goff threw for the second most yards (4,564) and touchdowns (34) in the NFL, Jahmyr Gibbs had 1,839 all-purpose yards, and Amon-Ra St. Brown had 117 receptions for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

The defense, however, couldn’t match that production. The Lions allowed 24.3 points per game, ranking 22nd in the league. 

This offseason, Detroit added D.J. Wonnum to bolster the pass rush, while also signing Roger McCreary to help with the secondary. 

The Lions also focused on improving their offensive line by adding Cade Mays and Larry Borom in free agency before selecting Blake Miller in the first round of the NFL Draft. After the unit slipped from its usual standard over the past few seasons, Detroit made strengthening the trenches one of its top priorities. 

Odds: This upcoming season, Detroit is the +170 favorite to win the NFC North, the +930 fifth choice to win the NFC and the +1900 12th choice to win the Super Bowl. 

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Chicago — Just like that, talking season has officially reached its conclusion.

After patiently waiting its turn while other conferences around the country took the spotlight, the Big Ten assumed center stage at the Hilton Chicago for a three-day preview (July 28-30) that served as an unofficial beginning to the 2026 campaign.

Storylines were aplenty: from defending national champion Indiana to Michigan’s never-ending drama. From a handful of potential Heisman Trophy candidates to more than a few coaches who are occupying increasingly hot seats.

Here are our biggest takeaways from the week in Chicago: 

1. Curt Cignetti Is The Conference’s Biggest Star

Michael Cohen:If there were any doubts surrounding whether Indiana, the defending national champion, could maintain the supreme focus it displayed across the first two seasons of an incredible rebuild, consider this quote from Cignetti on Thursday — more than a month before the Hoosiers’ opener against North Texas:

“Yesterday morning we flew in here, right?” Cignetti said during a breakout session. “I was working on opponents yesterday morning until I had to leave to go to the airport, you know? Because I like to know opponents like the back of my hand before we go to camp. It gets a little more difficult now with the portal, a lot of new faces.”

Curt Cignetti and Indiana celebrate beating Miami in the 2025 CFP national championship. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Despite everything Cignetti has accomplished since taking over Indiana — the 27-2 overall record, the back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, the Big Ten championship, the national title, the fairytale turnaround of a perennial conference doormat — he’s using every last minute to grind through tape in late July before his mandatory media responsibilities get in the way. National champion or otherwise, he refuses to deviate from what works.

At an event that is traditionally dominated by two of college football’s biggest brands in Ohio State and Michigan, Cignetti arrived in Chicago with the grandest profile. He captivated a national television audience during his quip-filled address from the main stage at the Hilton Chicago. And when he migrated to a smaller podium across the room, riffing and rolling for an additional 30 minutes, reporters who have covered this event for years were stunned by the size of the crowd. Only Cignetti — whom Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson describes as a “unicorn” — could dwarf the attention Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day captured earlier this week.

And in trademark Cignetti fashion, the zingers flowed:

On the rigors of the Big Ten compared to the SEC: “The Big Ten is the best league in football. A lot of really good football teams, very physical football teams, very well-coached. It definitely prepares you for the playoffs, there’s no doubt about it. The numbers speak for themselves. We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say: ‘We fell short.’ We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. That’s why we’re the best.”

On the Hoosiers’ success during his tenure: “I’m a firm believer in our blueprint. Our Monday morning meeting will be very similar to what it was eight years ago. It’ll be about an hour long. There’s certain things we’ll do in there, there’s certain things I’ll say in the team meeting Tuesday night that I said eight years ago. It’s not word for word, but it’s pretty damn close. The way we practice, pretty similar to what we did eight years ago. We have a way of doing things. We’ve got guys that have been together, and all we do is win.”

On why he’s excited for the 2026 season: “I’ve been on vacation long enough. I’m tired of being bossed around by my wife. I’m ready to boss somebody else around and develop a football team.”

The Hoosiers, which welcomed 39 newcomers, finished third in most of the unofficial Big Ten preseason polls released earlier this week. Indiana returns 10 starters from the group that won a national championship in January and retained virtually everyone on Cignetti’s highly respected coaching staff — most notably, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, both of whom received large raises. Program-wide continuity is fueling Cignetti’s confidence that this team can make another run despite new starters at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher.

At this point, who could possibly doubt him?

“I think part of the key to the drill is getting everybody to think alike,” Cignetti said. “That’s where my messaging is important in upholding a standard and having accountability. But look, you’ve got to have the right people in place. You’ve got to have a process and people in place. We have the right people in place, upstairs and downstairs. I feel very strongly about that. I’ll be stalking complacency. I know that question is coming. But I like what I’ve seen so far.”

2. Kyle Whittingham Aims To Stabilize Michigan Football

Cohen: In addition to the coaches and players, there are also plenty of athletic directors eager to mingle with reporters at Big Ten Media Days.

Some of them, like Josh Whitman from Illinois and Ross Bjork from Ohio State, are highly visible. They linger around the perimeter of the main interview room, offering friendly smiles when approached. Others might travel with their school’s contingent to engage in meetings with colleagues from around the conference, but avoid engaging with reporters.

Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletics director, has almost always portrayed the latter. And that was certainly true this time around, at the Hilton Chicago, amid a tumultuous summer in which Manuel’s future with the Wolverines has been hotly debated. It was announced earlier this month that Manuel, whose tenure has been strewn with scandals and national championships alike, will voluntarily step down later this year — in exchange for a hefty buyout.

“That’s one thing about the players at Michigan right now,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said, “they’re hungry and ready to get back in a season, get some football. They’ve been through a lot in the last four or five years. Hopefully we can put the drama to bed and just get back to being student-athletes and having a great college experience.”

Warde Manuel will voluntarily step down from his post as Michigan athletics director at the end of this calendar year. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

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With Manuel nowhere to be seen this week, Whittingham, the Wolverines’ new coach, fulfilled the role he was expected to play when Michigan plucked him from Utah last December: the adult in the room.

Whittingham, 66, ran a successful and squeaky-clean program at Utah for two decades before coming to Michigan after Sherrone Moore was fired for cause. In addition to outperforming Moore on the field — the Wolverines have lost eight games over the previous two seasons combined — Whittingham is tasked with providing some much-needed ballast for a program where embarrassing personnel issues and running afoul of the NCAA are regular occurrences. How quickly the mess can be cleaned was a question Whittingham faced time and again on Thursday in one form or another.  

“There has been a lot of drama,” Whittingham said. “We hope that we’ve come to the end of that, and we’re ready to proceed with the business of playing football and winning football games and graduating players and putting the emphasis on things that should have the emphasis.

“There were some unfortunate things that happened. It’s not my place to really speak out on it. I wasn’t there, I was not involved. I can tell you [that] now we have a very hungry and willing group of players that have worked their tail off for the last seven months and are eager to get the season started. Very good leadership as well. I’m just excited to make the first thing first, which is graduating and winning football games.”

3. QB Dylan Raiola Is Expected To Stick At Oregon

RJ Young: With Dante Moore’s decision to forgo the NFL Draft and return to Oregon this season, the arrival of former Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola to Eugene created what seems like a natural transition from Moore to Raiola in 2027.

Quarterbacks Dante Moore (left) and Dylan Raiola (right #8) chat on the sideline at Oregon’s spring football game. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

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Raiola also provides the Ducks with a former starting quarterback as their backup — with 22 total starts across two seasons, over 4,800 passing yards, and 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. But given the unpredictability of players entering the transfer portal at season’s end, most coaches would worry about the possibility of seeing both his QB1 and QB2 leave.

Not Lanning.

“I think there’s always a looming threat. But not with Dylan. I believe Dylan chose Oregon knowing in advance what it looks like at Oregon,” Lanning said on Wednesday. “He wanted to sign up for an opportunity to be with us. We were transparent throughout the process that there’s a great chance that Dante could be back. Dylan has done an unbelievable job changing his body, working really hard. He has unbelievable talent, a smart player, that has the opportunity to get exposed to our system.

“You’re only as strong as all your players. You need everybody to be a part of that. Dylan is a big part of the success we’ll have this season, as well as every other quarterback in that room.”

4. Jeremiah Smith Expects Kenyatta Jackson Jr. To Have A Huge Season 

Young: Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith, arguably the best college football player in the country, believes Buckeye defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. has the same ability former Ohio State defensive end Chase Young displayed.

Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. enters his fifth season at Ohio State. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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“He’s a leader on the defense,” Smith said Wednesday. “Hopefully, he’ll have a big year, and that’s just somebody I believe in. I won’t say he’s Chase Young yet. I’m always telling him you can take over the game. You’re [six-foot-six], 260 [pounds] — like you’re kind of like Chase Young, and hopefully he shows that this year.”

Jackson notched 6.5 sacks and 16 tackles last season, ahead of a potential breakout campaign in 2026.

 

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NFL training camps might be underway, but some teams still have plenty of work to be done on the contractual side of things. 

Thursday saw a few contract matters dominate the headlines around the league. While Baker Mayfield isn’t holding out, he expressed his displeasure with what went down during extension negotiations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.

Elsewhere, a star wide receiver received an extension that made him one of the highest-paid players at the position, while another notable wide receiver signed a deal to reunite with his former team. 

That’s just some of what you need to know from Thursday’s NFL news. 

Baker Mayfield revealed that contract extension negotiations with the Buccaneers have not met his expectations. 

Mayfield, who is entering the final year of a three-year, 100 million deal, expressed disappointment after Tampa Bay offered him a two-year contract, stating that he is seeking a long-term commitment from the organization. 

The Tampa Bay signal caller added that the two sides remain far apart financially, as Mayfield is aiming for an extension in the $50 million annual range as training camp gets underway, but told ESPN that the Buccaneers were “pretty far” from offering him that. 

After spending the season proving he can lead the New Orleans Saints’ offense, Chris Olave is being rewarded like a true star. The two sides have agreed to a four-year extension worth $132 million with $90 million guaranteed, ESPN reported.

The payday comes after Olave flourished and became the go-to target in first-year head coach Kellen Moore’s offense. Olave was able to haul in 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns to secure his third 1,000-yard season since entering the league.

Olave, 26, was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He has yet to play a full season, but a lot of his recurring injuries appear to be behind him as Olave is heading into training camp fully healthy.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to work his way back from injury following the torn ACL and LCL injuries he suffered last December. 

Cleared for full participation ahead of training camp, Mahomes appeared to be able to scramble without issues during Thursday’s practice session. He made multiple throws on the run and even scrambled downfield as he progresses toward potentially playing in Week 1 of the regular season. 

Mahomes is coming off a 2025 campaign where he threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games before his injury.

Back in with the old? 

That’s how it is in the Bay Area, at least for Thursday. The San Francisco 49ers are reuniting with Deebo Samuel, reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million. 

San Francisco’s decision to bring back Samuel came a day after the team’s concerns about wide receiver Ricky Pearsall’s knee became public. Pearsall is dealing with lingering knee swelling connected to the PCL injury that limited him during the 2025 season, and the Niners are concerned that he could miss the entire 2026 season, NBC Sports Bay Area reported Thursday.

Pearsall, who the 49ers took in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has been an asset to the team’s offense when healthy. He’s logged 67 receptions for 928 yards and three touchdowns, but has only played in 18 games over his career.

Now, Samuel becomes the third notable addition the 49ers have made to their wide receivers room this offseason. They made one of the biggest splashes in free agency when they signed former Buccaneers star Mike Evans and used their second-round pick on Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. 

Samuel, who played six of the first seven years of his career with the Niners, put up a respectable stat line with the Washington Commanders in 2025. He had 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels out for much of the season. 

Now, the 30-year-old Samuel will look to make some magic happen in San Francisco again. He was a key part of four 49ers teams that reached the NFC Championship Game, earning an All-Pro and a Pro Bowl nod during that time. 

 

• Panthers rookie WR Chris Brazzell will undergo season-ending surgery on his torn lateral collateral ligament in his left knee, the team announced Thursday.

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There will be a second Deebo Samuel era in the Bay Area. 

The San Francisco 49ers and Samuel agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, ESPN reported Thursday evening, bringing back the 30-year-old for another run in the red and gold.

Samuel last played for the 49ers in 2024 before a trade sent him to the Washington Commanders in the offseason. During his brief stint in D.C., he hauled in 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns.

The 49ers have revamped their wide receiver corps this offseason. After re-tooling in free agency with veteran signings Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, they added explosive young talent by selecting Ole Miss speedster De’Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick.

Faced with growing concern over Ricky Pearsall’s lingering knee injury, the 49ers will turn to a proven commodity in Samuel. Bringing back the veteran wideout gives Kyle Shanahan an immediate playmaker who already knows the playbook like the back of his hand.

Samuel, now 30, was selected No. 36 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and put the league on notice with his immediate impact. He quickly became one of the most versatile playmakers in the league and was instrumental in the franchise’s turnaround under Shanahan.

In six seasons with San Francisco, Samuel posted 334 receptions, 4,792 receiving yards, and 22 touchdown catches. The All-Pro and Pro Bowl wideout was equally dynamic in the backfield, piling up 1,143 rushing yards and 20 scores on the ground.

With Samuel reunited with Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers feature a completely revamped receiving corps anchored by Samuel and Evans as they look to bounce back and compete for the NFC West title.

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The 2026 World Cup on American soil introduced fans to iconic traditions from around the globe. But what if one of those traditions was here to stay in America this fall? 

The Minnesota Golden Gophers announced via X that they are adding Norway’s iconic Viking Row to their fan celebrations at home games.

While college fan bases have some of their own iconic traditions, like Virginia Tech’s “Enter Sandman” or Colorado’s “Ralphie’s Run,” Minnesota adopts theirs as the Viking Row for their 2026 season. 

Norway ended their historic 2026 World Cup run with a quarterfinal appearance – their first ever – before their 3-2 loss to England. Star forward Erling Haaland finished his tournament run with seven goals in five matches. 

The Viking Row first caught the attention of World Cup fans in Norway’s group stage games in June. After every win, Norway’s players would gather in front of the fans and the traditional Viking row, which is rung in by two drum beats for fans to row in sync. But what made the Viking Row tradition appealing to the Minnesota Gophers? The state’s history. 

Minnesota currently has the largest population of Norwegian-Americans, with 750,000–812,000 residing in the state. It also compliments their NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings. 

Erling Haaland Leads Norway in EPIC Viking Row Celebration After Advancing to Quarterfinal 🇳🇴

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Heading into coach PJ Fleck’s 10th year as the Gopher’s head coach, Minnesota is looking to bounce back from a 7-5 season, which saw a dominant top-25 win over then-No. 25 Nebraska. Since Fleck has led the Gophers, he’s secured a 66-44 overall record, and a perfect 7-0 record in bowl games.

However, the Gopher’s returning players add hope for a strong year. Minnesota returns their starting quarterback Drake Lindsey, who finished the year with 2,382 passing yards, 22 total touchdowns and eight interceptions, and running back Darius Taylor. Taylor finished the year with 671 rushing yards and four touchdowns. 

The Gophers now face a 2026 slate that consists of road games at Penn State and reigning champions Indiana, and a home contest against Mississippi State in week 2. 

Minnesota kicks off their season on Thursday, Sept. 3 at home against Akron, and will look to defend their 7-0 home record from 2025. 

Norway’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇳🇴

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The Minnesota Twins acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets on Thursday ahead of Major League Baseball trade deadline on Aug. 3, per ESPN. 

In exchange, the Mets received two Twins prospects: third baseman Billy Amick, ranked 21st in Minnesota’s system, and infielder Bruin Agbayani, ranked 29th, per The Athletic.

Minter, 32, has posted a 1-1 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 20 strikeouts, and one hold across 23 appearances this season. He provides Minnesota with left-handed depth in high-leverage situations, addressing a roster need following Anthony Banda’s season-ending left lat strain in June.

The trade signals the start of an expected sale at the deadline for the 47-63 Mets. Meanwhile, the 55–55 Twins remain three games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central and are positioning themselves for a postseason run.

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Real Madrid has reportedly reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign winger Yan Diomande for a transfer fee exceeding 100 million euros.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international will travel to Madrid this week to undergo medical evaluations and complete a contract running through June 2031, per Fabrizio Romano.

Diomande recorded 12 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig which earned him the league’s Rookie of the Season award before representing Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup. 

Diomande started all four matches for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer, recording an assist against Curaçao in the group stage. He helped his country reach the round of 32, where Ivory Coast was eliminated by Norway. He is expected to be a player to watch at the 2030 World Cup.

The move comes amid a broader overhaul at Real Madrid under manager José Mourinho, who began his second stint as manager of the club earlier this summer. 

Diomande joins Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, and Bernardo Silva among the additions brought in to reshape the squad after a forgettable season that ended in scandal last year.

Moving to Real Madrid concludes a transfer chase for Diomande, who had also drawn interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool earlier in the summer window.

Ivory Coast’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇨🇮

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The New York Mets’ season has gone from World Series aspirations to a potential roster overhaul. With disappointment mounting in Queens, New York could become one of the busiest teams at the MLB Trade Deadline as the franchise shifts its focus toward selling.

At least, that’s the expectation from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal on Saturday broke down the team’s plans ahead of the deadline and highlighted the potential trades that could be on the way.

In fact, he expects multiple players to be traded before the deadline, headlined by starting pitchers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes.

“I expect them to make at least six trades,” Rosenthal said. “I see Peralta and Holmes. Holmes has a player option, but he’s like Shane Bieber from last year, coming off a significant injury but will be in demand and decline that player option. The Mets don’t seem interested in giving him an extension.”

(Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

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However, the Mets’ most valuable trade assets could come from their bullpen. Among the pitchers available is likely Luke Weaver, whose remaining year of team control could make him one of the most attractive relievers available at the deadline.

“The two lefty relievers, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley,” Rosenthal said. “Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor and the big question will likely not be Lindor, but Luke Weaver. The Mets have him for another year. They want to compete in 2027, but the demand for relievers is always high.”

If the Mets remain active at the deadline, their focus may not be limited to acquiring prospects. Instead, the team could target MLB-ready talent, as Rosenthal believes New York is looking to add major league players with the goal of being competitive again in 2027.

“The Mets are one of these teams that might not want prospects back,” Rosenthal said. “They might want major league talent. With players on expiring contracts, I don’t know that you would get much either way, so it probably would be [prospects] back. But at the same time, they might look for major league help.”

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