The transfer window usually dominates discussion during the summer, but that’s rarely the case in tournament years as the market is forced to take a back seat. Business never sleeps, however, and several deals have gone under the radar during the 2026 World Cup. After five-and-a-half weeks and some 104 matches, the big event is finally over, which means attention can now turn to the comings and goings at club level.

In the Premier League, an extraordinary sum of money is being spent once again. We’ve seen Tottenham splurge on the likes of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, Elliot Anderson has swapped Nottingham Forest for Manchester City for a huge fee and Chelsea have made Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player of all time after

But it’s not just the big hitters who have been splashing the cash this summer, with a number of relatively lower-profile moves going through while all eyes were on the tournament across the pond.

Here, then, are 10 Premier League transfers you might have missed during the World Cup…

Emersonn (Toulouse to Ipswich Town, £26.5m)

Ipswich quietly broke their transfer record during the World Cup following their return to the Premier League after one season away, going big to sign young Brazilian striker Emersonn (yes, with two Ns) from Ligue 1 side Toulouse in a deal worth £26.5m ($35.5m).

It certainly seems that there is some risk attached to the transfer, given the 22-year-old obviously isn’t proven in the English top-flight and his return of six goals and two assists in the league last season isn’t particularly promising. When you factor in the potential financial implications of relegation at the end of 2026-27, there is a lot of pressure for this move to work out.

Joao Gomes (Wolves to Aston Villa, £38m)

Not strictly a transfer that happened during the World Cup, with the switch announced the day after the final, but Aston Villa certainly put this deal in place while the tournament was still ongoing. The Midlands club moved quickly to sign a replacement forYouri Tielemanss, who only joinedManchester Unitedd a week ago,

The £38m ($51m) fee looks a little steep, but Gomes is a Brazil international and Premier League-proven from his time at Molineux. A neat and tidy midfielder who loves to bite into tackles, he isn’t a like-for-like replacement for the more attack-minded Tielemans, but Unai Emery will hope that, at 25, the new man can develop his game further at Villa Park in a more free-flowing team. He follows

Illan Meslier (Leeds United to Arsenal, free)

Arsenal have a new back-up goalkeeper in their ranks after

Whether he is second or third-choice behindDavid Rayaa remains to be seen, amid uncertainty surroundingKepa Arrizabalaga’ss future in north London. It has been reported that Arsenal will not stand in the 31-year-old ex-Chelsea ‘keeper’s way if an approach is made.

Oscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo to Crystal Palace, free)

While the rest of the footballing world was focused on events in North America, Crystal Palace might have pulled off one of the most shrewd moves of the transfer window by bringing in Oscar Mingueza, who was

Honed in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Mingueza has been a standout performer in La Liga over the past 18 months, and was even linked with the likes of Arsenal and Juventus before landing in south London. Although he missed out on a place in Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, the 27-year-old is a full international who brings versatility and experience. This looks like a very smart piece of business.

Marco Palestra to Chelsea (Atalanta to Chelsea, £47m)

The first signing of the Xabi Alonso era at Chelsea is

A marauding, versatile full-back who was named Serie A Defender of the Year off the back off an impressive season on loan at Cagliari, the 21-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge for a cool £47m ($62m). Alonso is reported to have signed off on the transfer, with the young defender seemingly perfectly suited to the Spanish tactician’s preferred back-three or back-four systems, given he can operate on either flank as a wing-back or full-back.

Alvaro Rodriguez (Elche to Bournemouth, £26m)

Bournemouth have forged a reputation for unearthing young gems in the transfer market, and they will hope they have pulled off another shrewd move by bringing in Elche striker AlvarRodriguezez. The 22-year-old Uruguayan, who came through Real Madrid’s academy, impressed last season despite Elche flirting with relegation.

Rodriguez provided 12 goal contributions in La Liga, and Bournemouth have taken a leap of faith by investing a significant £26m ($34m) fee in his services. The hope will be that he can translate that form to the Premier League as he continues to develop, and he may well be a replacement for 20-year-old sensation Eli Junior Kroupi, who is attracting attention from the so-called ‘big six’.

Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim to Newcastle, £43m)

In terms of statement, big-name signings, Newcastle’s transfer window once again hasn’t exactly gone to plan. The Magpies have been pipped to a number of key targets for the second successive summer after their nightmare in 2025, includinVictor Munozoz, who joineLiverpoolol, and the aforementioned Manzambi, who has signed for Aston Villa.

The Tynesiders have, however, gone about adding a number of highly-rated youngsters to their squad, with the most significant outlay going on

Toure was swiftly followed into St James’ Park by 18-year-old Ajax midfieldeSean Steurur, who cost £23m ($31m) himself.

Callum Wilson (West Ham to Brentford, free)

West Ham might have been relegated, but veteran striker Callum Wilson won’t be going down with them after jumping ship at the end of his one-year contract and swapping east London for west by joining Brentford on another short-term deal. He follows the arrival oJaidon Anthonyny in what looks like a bargain £20m ($27m) move from relegated Burnley.

Wilson is likely to play second fiddle tIgor Thiagogo at the Gtech Stadium after the Brazilian’s prolific 2025-26 campaign, which earned him a World Cup call-up for Brazil, and the England international has set his sights on reaching 100 Premier League goals. He currently sits on 95.

Harry Wilson (Fulham to Leeds United, free transfer)

Could this prove to be one of the Premier League signings of the summer?! Top-flight clubs were queuing up to sign Harry Wilson following the expiry of his contract with Fulham and a sublime individual season that yielded 11 goals and a further eight assists in all competitions, with the former Liverpool man belatedly discovering the form of his life at the age of 29.

Quite unexpectedly, it was Leeds who won the fierce battle for Wilson’s signature as a free agent. Announcing the Welshman’s arrival, the Yorkshire club said the attacker had chosen them over “several offers from elsewhere”, a list that may well include Aston Villa, who were strongly linked earlier this summer and have qualified for the Champions League once again.

The Whites then stole a march on their rivals again to land Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo after his impressive World Cup displays.

Zadok Yohanna (AIK to Brighton, £26m)

You’d be forgiven for not having heard of Zadok Yohanna (neither had we, to be honest!), but he might just be the latest in a series of brilliant pieces of business by the masterminds behind Brighton’s endlessly profitable model. The Nigerian winger didn’t come as cheap as some of the club’s biggest success stories, but that is probably because he has a very high ceiling.

Yohanna was signed from Stockholm-based AIK earlier this summer for a cool £26m ($34m), but don’t be surprised if he’s sold for a significant profit in the next few years. The 19-year-old had already clocked up nine goal involvements in just 12 appearances in Sweden’s 2026 season (which runs from April to November) before linking up with the Seagulls, who had otherwise been focused on reinforcing their backline with LeedsPascal Struijkjk and Tottenham prospecLuka Vuskovicic.

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Mexico icon Guillermo Ochoa has officially announced his retirement from active competition, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 22-year career that saw him become a global cult hero. The 41-year-old shot-stopper featured across six different World Cup tournaments, a feat matched only by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

A farewell to the beautiful game

Ochoa, widely considered among the greatest Mexican goalkeepers in history, announced his retirement from elite soccer on Tuesday. The shot-stopper had previously indicated that

Putting an end to the swirling rumours regarding his future, Ochoa took to social media to share his heartfelt decision. “I gave it my all; I left everything on the field for my clubs and the national team, and today I hang up my gloves,” Ochoa posted. “Being a goalkeeper means knowing you might wait 90 minutes for a single moment when everything depends on you. And when that moment arrives, you cannot hesitate.”

Entering the history books with Messi and Ronaldo

Ochoa’s longevity is perhaps his most staggering achievement, as he featured for Mexico in six World Cups – a number shared only by icons Ronaldo and Messi. While he travelled as a youngster early in his career, he eventually made the position his own, serving as Mexico’s starting goalkeeper in three consecutive tournaments: Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.

Reflecting on a journey that took him from the youth ranks of Mexico City to the biggest stadiums in Europe and beyond, Ochoa expressed his gratitude for the path he travelled. “I never imagined how far a dream could take me. Today, I can only look back with pride and say: Thank you,” he wrote. “I take with me the affection of millions and the peace of mind that comes with knowing I gave everything for Mexico.”

One final moment at the Estadio Azteca

Though he served primarily as a backup to Raul Rangel in the 2026 World Cup, manager Javier Aguirre ensured the veteran received the send-off he deserved. Aguirre brought Ochoa on for the final 13 minutes against Czechia in Mexico’s last group-stage match, allowing the fans to roar their appreciation one last time. Following the final whistle, an emotional Ochoa kissed the goalposts at the Estadio Azteca – the very venue where his career began – before kneeling to accept a poignant embrace from his teammates.

Long after the stands had cleared and the stadium lights began to dim, Ochoa walked out to the centre circle one last time to take in his final farewell to the pitch. He retires with a trophy cabinet that justifies his status, having captured a league title with Club América during the 2005 Clausura tournament and winning the Belgian Cup with Standard Liege.

A trailblazing career across Europe and Mexico

Ochoa made his top-flight debut with Club America in February 2004, quickly establishing himself as a prodigious talent with incredible reflexes. He spent his first seven seasons with the Mexican giants before making a historic move to French club Ajaccio in 2011, becoming the first Mexico-born goalkeeper to ever play in Europe.

His European odyssey was extensive and varied, involving stints with Malaga, Granada, Standard Liege, Salernitana, AVS Futebol, and AEL Limassol. These spells were punctuated by a high-profile three-year return to his beloved Club America from 2019 to 2022, where he reaffirmed his status as a club legend.

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Santos superstar Neymar was a notable absentee from the squad as Cuca’s side secured a dominant victory in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night. Rather than flying to Venezuela for the continental clash, the Brazilian icon was spotted competing in a professional poker tournament in São Paulo.

High stakes at the poker table

While his Santos teammates were battling on the pitch in Venezuela, Neymar was busy testing his luck and skill at the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) Winter edition. The forward, who has a well-documented passion for the card game, was spotted at the Golden Hall of the WTC Complex in Sao Paulo participating in the fourth stage of the national championship, according to ESPN Brazil. It is a familiar haunt for the Santos hero; during his participation in the same tournament in 2025, Neymar pocketed R$53,500.

The timing of his appearance raised eyebrows among some supporters, as it occurred just hours before Santos kicked off their crucial playoff tie. However, his presence at the event was not a case of going AWOL. The club had already made the decision to leave their marquee player behind to focus on a specific fitness programme following his return from a disappointing World Cup campaign.

Cuca explains the superstar’s absence

Santos manager Cuca was quick to clarify the situation surrounding his star man after the 4-1 victory over Universidad Central. The veteran coach insisted that the decision to leave Neymar out was primarily aimed at ensuring he was fully rested following his international commitment.

“Since he was sidelined for a few days and didn’t have a holiday, we decided to let him get even stronger, training hard so he could have a run of games,” Cuca explained after the match. “Now, in ten days, we’re going to play four matches. What advantage would it be to bring him here? You saw how hard and exhausting the trip is. He stayed there working, just like [Willian] Arao, Joao Schmidt, and Igor Vinicius, and that gives us more options for the upcoming games.”

Despite his evening at the poker table, Neymar has been putting in the work at the club’s training ground. He had recently shared a video on social media showing him scoring goals and looking sharp in training drills. The manager’s plan appears to be focused on ensuring Neymar is at 100 percent for the domestic campaign, where the club is currently struggling in 15th place in the league table.

Successful night for the Peixe

Even without their talisman, Santos proved far too strong for Universidad Central, putting one foot firmly in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The Brazilian giants romped to a 4-1 victory in Venezuela, establishing a commanding cushion ahead of next week’s second leg at the Vila Belmiro. Should they finish the job, Ecuadorian giants Macara await in the next round.

When asked if his No. 10 would return for the upcoming league fixture, Cuca confirmed Neymar will be back in action against Chapecoense this Saturday. The decisive away win eases the pressure on their continental campaign, allowing the club to shift its entire focus back to domestic duties for the weekend.

Life after international retirement

This period marks a significant transition for Neymar, who recently called time on his legendary career with the Selecao. The forward announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock 2-1 loss to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, an exit that left the player in tears. Having scored 80 goals in 130 appearances for his country, he stepped away from the world stage at the MetLife Stadium.

 

With his international duties now a thing of the past, the focus for the remainder of his career is firmly on his club commitments with Santos. The Peixe are desperate for his leadership and goal-scoring prowess to navigate a congested fixture list. If he can stay fit and replicate the sharp form shown in recent training sessions, his presence will be the deciding factor in whether Santos can salvage their season.

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The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has sensationally confirmed that Pep Guardiola is a primary candidate to take over as the next head coach of the Azzurri. President Giovanni Malago admitted that the federation is prepared to make a significant financial ‘exception’ to lure the former Manchester City boss to the international stage.

FIGC eye ambitious Guardiola move

FIGC president Malago has publicly confirmed that Guardiola is among the leading candidates to fill the vacant head coach position for the national team. The Azzurri are currently searching for a successor to

Malago, who was elected FIGC president on June 22, revealed the federation has already opened talks with Guardiola despite the financial challenges involved. He also made clear the former Manchester City manager is not the only option under consideration as Italy continue their search for a new coach.

Reports also claim senior figures Paolo Maldini and Leonardo met Guardiola in Barcelona to discuss the vacancy, highlighting the federation’s determination to appoint one of football’s most decorated managers.

Malago confirms talks and financial commitment

Speaking on the Cronache di Spogliatoio podcast, Malago confirmed discussions have taken place with Guardiola but insisted there is no certainty they will lead to an appointment. He said: “It’s not a given that this [talks with Guardiola] will come to fruition, but I believe it was right and important to open a dialogue and keep it alive.”

Malago also acknowledged Italy’s financial constraints but suggested Guardiola would justify an exceptional investment. “There are also financial and budgetary considerations,” he added. “In the short to medium term, to say that we’ll have to tighten our belts is an understatement. However, some exceptions have been made, which may relate to the name that is so dominant at the moment.”

When asked directly if he meant Guardiola, he replied: “Yes.”

Despite the high-level interest, the board is maintaining a broader search to ensure the national team is not left stranded if Guardiola declines. The president stressed that Guardiola, former Italy coach Roberto Mancini, and legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo are not the only names on the list. He noted: “No, absolutely not. But If we’re considering a certain profile, these names certainly fall within the scope of these profile categories.”

Sabbatical plans remain a major obstacle

Despite Malago’s public optimism and the willingness to offer a record-breaking salary, reports suggest that Guardiola is still leaning towards taking a prolonged break from the game. ESPN suggests that initial talks between the two parties were relatively brief, as the Spaniard has consistently maintained his desire to spend time with his family after a stressful final season in England.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has echoed these sentiments, suggesting it would take a “miracle” to change the manager’s mind. Romano noted Guardiola wants to disconnect before considering his next project.

Italy continue managerial search

The FIGC will continue exploring its shortlist while waiting to see whether Guardiola can be persuaded to take charge. Malago has already confirmed the federation is considering several candidates, ensuring Italy have alternative options if talks with the former Barcelona and Manchester City boss do not result in an agreement.

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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400, which runs on Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. ET.

In 2025, Bubba Wallace got the thrilling victory after starting from second position and after closing at +1100 to be the outright winner.

Who gets into Victory Lane at the Brickyard this year?

Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of July 22.

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.

NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 2026

Denny Hamlin: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Tyler Reddick: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Ryan Blaney: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Kyle Larson: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
William Byron: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Christopher Bell: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Chase Briscoe: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Chase Elliott: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Bubba Wallace: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Joey Logano: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Ty Gibbs: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Chris Buescher: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Carson Hocevar: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Erik Jones: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Austin Cindric: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Corey Heim: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Brad Keselowski: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)

Shane van Gisbergen: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Alex Bowman: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Ross Chastain: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Daniel Suárez: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Ryan Preece: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Riley Herbst: +11000 (bet $10 to win $1,110 total)
Connor Zilisch: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Josh Berry: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Michael McDowell: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)
Zane Smith: +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)
Austin Hill: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Austin Dillon: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Todd Gilliland: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
Cole Custer: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Cody Ware: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Ty Dillon: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Daniel Dye: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Casey Mears: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)

Here’s What You Need To Know About The Oddsboard:

The Favorite

Denny Hamlin has consistently been at or near the top of the oddsboard for much of the season. Last week, he opened as the favorite to win at North Wilkesboro but settled for second behind Joey Logano. The week before in Atlanta, he finished 12th. But that was one week after his podium finish (third) at Chicagoland. While he only led one lap last year at this race, he did finish third and had the fastest lap time (49.74). Currently, he sits first in the standings and has already secured his place in The Chase.

One To Watch

The regular season is almost over, and Kyle Larson still hasn’t found his way into Victory Lane … yet. However, he does have eight top fives and 11 top 10s under his hood. Last year, he closed as the favorite to win this race but ended up finishing second to Bubba Wallace. Even without any wins in 2026, he does sit sixth in the standings, with 637 laps led. In his last two races, however, he finished 15th (North Wilkesboro) and 34th (Atlanta).

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Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazil midfielder and five-time Champions League winner Casemiro on Wednesday, and Major League Soccer is now investigating whether the reigning league champion engaged in tampering to get that deal done.

The 34-year-old Casemiro — who appeared in all five of Brazil’s matches at this year’s World Cup and scored a goal against Japan in the round of 32 — has agreed to a contract with Inter Miami through the end of the 2027 sprint season, with an extension option through June 2029.

MLS is officially transitioning from its traditional spring-to-fall schedule to an international-style summer-to-spring calendar, running July through May. To bridge the gap between the 2026 season and the start of the full 2027–28 season, MLS established the 2027 Sprint Season—a one-time, truncated 14-match tournament running from February to May 2027.

Casemiro’s discovery rights were held by the LA Galaxy, and by league rule that would have prevented Inter Miami from negotiating with him. The teams reached a settlement that allowed Inter Miami to get the long-awaited signing done, but the league is still probing the tampering allegation.

“The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” MLS said in a statement. “While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.”

It’s unclear when Casemiro will debut for Inter Miami. The team said he is still waiting on the necessary visa.

Casemiro spent the past four seasons with Manchester United, and the bulk of his professional career prior to that with Real Madrid.

“He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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In each of their last two marches to a World Series championship, the Dodgers’ deadline needs were much more pressing and obvious than they are right now. 

In 2024, the Dodgers made their desire for an impact arm abundantly clear and traded for the best starter available in Detroit’s Jack Flaherty. They still ended up with a dearth of reliable starting options late in the season and leaned heavily on their bullpen — they got 22 more innings from their relievers than their starters in the postseason — on their path through October. 

Last year, they had the opposite problem. An injured and overworked Dodgers bullpen had thrown the most innings in baseball and ranked in the bottom 10 in ERA at the time of the deadline. That was the team’s most glaring need. 

But acquiring players in the middle of the season usually requires an overpay in the form of prospect capital. The Dodgers have spent exorbitantly offseason after offseason in an attempt to build a big-league roster that doesn’t need deadline reinforcements.

“I do not want to buy in July,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman repeated before the 2025 season.  “I feel like the more times I say it out loud, the better chance it has to actually be a thing.” 

So the Dodgers ended up making just one move for a high-leverage relief arm at the 2025 deadline, trading for Brock Stewart from the Twins, while also adding outfield depth by acquiring Alex Call from the Nationals. 

The team’s deadline restraint threatened their chances to repeat. 

Stewart made just four appearances before joining the club’s long list of injured relief arms. The Dodgers’ bullpen issues forced them to use starting pitchers in relief throughout October and into November — the six Dodgers pitchers who appeared in Game 7 of the World Series were all starters at some point during the regular season — though they ultimately had just enough pitching to become the first back-to-back champions since the 1998-00 Yankees. 

This year, despite the Dodgers’ thirst for a third straight championship, Friedman might finally get his wish. 

The Dodgers were well-represented at the All-Star Game. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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WITH THE TRADE deadline less than two weeks away, they have no clear needs and the largest division lead in the sport. The Dodgers could do nothing and would still be the favorites to three-peat. 

Their offense ranks first in OPS, even with Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández underperforming at the plate. Their pitching staff ranks in the top 10 in both rotation ERA and bullpen ERA and is expecting Edwin Díaz, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow back from injury in the second half. 

Of course, every contending team could use more bullpen arms. So, an approach like last year’s — some light buying on the margins, potentially even some selling to bolster an already robust farm system — seems likelier than the team completely standing pat. 

Remember, amid their quiet deadline last July, the Dodgers also traded big-league starter Dustin May to Boston for outfield prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard. That prudent move is an example of how a Dodgers team that routinely picks at the end of drafts with little bonus pool money has still maintained one of the most robust farm systems in the sport. Tibbs (who also plays first base) and Ehrhard are now among the club’s top hitters at Triple-A Oklahoma City, and yet those two aren’t even among the top outfield prospects on the farm. 

James Tibbs III is one of the Dodgers’ top prospects. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

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Dodgers minor league outfielders Josue De Paula, Mike Sirota, Zyhir Hope and Eduardo Quintero all rank among the top 30 prospects in all of baseball, according to MLB.com, while Charles Davalan, who was selected 41st overall by the Dodgers last year, has an OPS over .900 over his first two minor-league seasons. With Tibbs and Ehrhard at Triple-A and De Paula, Sirota and Hope at Double-A, it won’t be long until a horde of Dodgers outfield prospects are knocking on the big-league door. 

But there won’t be room for all of them on a Dodgers team that has Tucker and Hernández signed through at least next season (Tucker’s four-year deal includes opt-outs after 2027 and 2028) and an All-Star in Andy Pages under team control through 2030. 

And right now, the Dodgers are set at virtually every position in the field. 

They have All-Stars in Pages (center field), Freddie Freeman (first base) and Max Muncy (third base). They just re-signed Hernández to a three-year deal before last season and gave Tucker his massive deal in the offseason. Despite Betts’ struggles at the plate, he remains an exceptional defender at shortstop and has been a much better hitter over the past couple months. Tommy Edman, who has spent most of his time at second base lately, has excelled at the plate after returning from ankle surgery.

Catcher is a question mark with Will Smith’s neck issue taking longer than anyone expected to get right. So, if the Dodgers want some insurance behind Dalton Rushing, they could use some of their outfield prospects to add more catching. Or, they could also use those prospects for pitching depth at the big-league level or to supplement the farm at other positions of need. 

…Or, they could just throw caution to the wind and win the deadline again, as they have in the past. 

Tarik Skubal is the main prize of this MLB trade season. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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THIS IS STILL a front office that made deadline trades for Yu Darvish in 2017, Manny Machado in 2018 and Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in 2022. And despite Friedman’s long-stated goal not to buy in July, they have the prospects to get any deal done and had a three-peat on their mind from the moment the confetti landed on the grass at Dodger Stadium during their last championship parade. 

“We’re gonna be extremely driven and do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to do it again,” Friedman said last November. 

There aren’t many players potentially on the block who could meaningfully shift a team’s championship odds. Tarik Skubal, of course, represents an exception, should the Tigers make him available. 

Maybe the uncertainty around the health of Snell’s elbow, Glasnow’s back and Shohei Ohtani’s knee will convince the Dodgers to push all in for the Tigers ace. Perhaps the Dodgers try to get him simply so the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner won’t stand in their way come October. 

The Dodgers don’t need anything else to win a third straight title. But if their desire for a three-peat is insatiable, they have the resources to keep pushing as far as they desire. 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.

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The Baltimore Orioles ended Boston’s franchise record-tying 15-game winning streak behind Kyle Bradish’s six innings of one-run ball, defeating the Red Sox 5-1 in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Wednesday.

It was Boston’s first loss since a 10-2 setback to Washington at Fenway Park on July 1.

The Red Sox won the opener 6-3 to match the club’s 80-year-old record. Boston’s 1946 team that won 15 straight was led by Ted Williams and won the American League pennant.

This year’s Red Sox streak was the longest in the majors since St. Louis also won 15 straight in September of 2021.

Dylan Beavers had a two-run single in a four-run first inning for Baltimore, which avoided a three-game sweep and won for the 11th time in 16 games.

Masataka Yoshida had an RBI single for Boston.

The Orioles had a season-high seven-game winning streak halted in the series opener on Monday before a rainout Tuesday.

Making his first start after agreeing to a $90 million, five-year contract for 2027-31 on Saturday, the 29-year-old Bradish (7-9) gave up four hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

Three Orioles relievers combined to allow one hit.

After the Red Sox took a 4-0 lead in the day game, Baltimore knocked out Eduardo Rivera (0-1), who retired only two batters, with its four runs.

The first run came in on Rivera’s wild pitch. After Beavers made it 3-0 with his single, he scored on Johnathan Rodriguez’s double off the Green Monster.

Up next

Orioles: Haven’t named a starter for their series opener at home on Friday against Atlanta.

Red Sox: Host last-place Toronto for a three-game series starting Friday.

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LIV Golf makes its lone 2026 stop in England this week for LIV Golf United Kingdom, the 10th event of the season. Here’s the schedule, TV info and how to watch every round on FOX One.

When Is LIV Golf United Kingdom? What Time Does It Start?

Play runs four days, Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26, with each round teeing off at 8 a.m. ET behind LIV’s signature shotgun start, meaning every group begins at the same time on different holes.

Where Is LIV Golf United Kingdom?

The tournament is at JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, England, near Uttoxeter. The course was built by construction giant JCB under chairman Lord Bamford and designed by architect Robin Hiseman. Saturday night brings a concert from drum and bass act Chase & Status on-site at the club.

LIV Golf United Kingdom Schedule

• Round 1: Thursday, July 23, 8 a.m. ET (FS2, FOX One)
• Round 2: Friday, July 24, 8 a.m. ET (FS2, FOX One)
• Round 3: Saturday, July 25, 8 a.m. ET (FOX, FOX One)
• Round 4: Sunday, July 26, 8 a.m. ET (FS1, FOX One)

How Can I Watch LIV Golf United Kingdom? What Channel Will It Be On?

Thurday and Friday will air on FS2, Saturday’s round airs on FOX and Sunday will air on FS1.

How Can I Stream LIV Golf United Kingdom?

All round stream live on FOX One and FOXSports.com, with the FOX Sports App also carrying coverage. 

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Who to Watch

The field is headlined by Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Cameron Smith and Anthony Kim, four of whom have already won an event this season. Rahm has two wins in 2026, in Hong Kong and Mexico City. DeChambeau also has two, in Singapore and South Africa. Hatton won last time out at Valderrama in his native Spain, and Kim opened his season with a win in Adelaide.

LIV Golf United Kingdom is the 10th event held this season after Louisiana was canceled. Three stops remain after this week, in New York, Indianapolis and the season-ending Team Championship in Michigan.

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France’s new coach will be announced next Tuesday, when Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to replace Didier Deschamps.

The French Football Federation said in a statement on Thursday that its president, Philippe Diallo, will name the coach at a news conference at the headquarters in Paris.

The 54-year-old Zidane has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. The midfield great coached Madrid to three straight Champions League titles from 2016-18.

Deschamps was in charge of France for 14 years and stepped down after the World Cup, where Les Bleus lost in the semifinals to Spain.

France won the World Cup under Deschamps in 2018 and lost the final on penalties in 2022. Les Bleus also lost the European Championship final on home soil in 2016.

Zinedine was France’s playmaker when they won the 1998 World Cup, scoring twice in the final in a 3-0 win against Brazil, and starred two years later when France won the European Championship. He won the men’s Ballon d’Or in 1998.

Zidane played 108 games for France, scoring 31 goals, including a deft Panenka-style penalty in the 2006 World Cup final, which Les Bleus lost after he was sent off in extra time for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest.

France’s next games are away to Turkey in the Nations League on Sept. 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later. France then faces Italy at the Stade de France on Oct. 2.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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