He's slotted into the side brilliantly, especially this season after what was a slow start, and obviously was key in the team that won the FA Cup last year. He is another example of what I think is the best thing about Crystal Palace, he works hard for the team, plays his role and there's no ego or arrogance about him.
Lazio are beginning to worry about the future of full-back Adam Marusic, and his agents have apparently offered him to AC Milan. According to TMW, Maurizio Sarri is calling for Marusic's renewal, but the two sides are still far apart. This is because the Lazio defender has requested a long-term contract from the Biancoceleste, but Claudio Lotito has no intention of going beyond a one-year contract with an option for another.
There has been plenty of mutual interest between the Phillies and Kyle Schwarber, leading to a sense around the league (and among MLBTR's staff) that Schwarber's free agent path will ultimately lead him back to the City of Brotherly Love. It doesn't appear, however, that a reunion is imminent, as MLB.com's Todd Zolecki wrote earlier this week that the two sides "are not close to a deal."
It is NOT TRUE: Bayern want to sell Leon Goretzka in January. But, it is true that the Germany international wants to stay at the Allianz Arena. The 30-year-old sees a chance to stay at Bayern Munich - he'd love to stay at the club. However, as everyone knows, he's one of the top earners at about €17m-18m [£14.9m-15.8m] gross. Bayern have made a decision to talk to the midfielder and his agents next year about a new contract, and then they will see if he's willing to lower his earnings. If so, there's a chance for Leon Goretzka to stay.
Liverpool suffered a shock defeat against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Premier League. The defending champions continue their disastrous form this season with the Merseyside club now dropping in the bottom half of the Premier League table. They have lost six of their last seven league matches, a run that normally relegation threatened teams go through. Nothing is working out for Arne Slot at the moment.
Stowers, 28 in January, had a breakout season in 2025. A notable prospect with the Orioles, he hadn't yet established himself as a big leaguer when he was flipped to Miami in the 2024 deadline deal sending Trevor Rogers to Baltimore. Going into 2025, Stowers had 340 plate appearances spread over three seasons with a 6.2% walk rate, 33.8% strikeout rate, .208/.268/.332 line and 69 wRC+.
Vinicius Jr will enter 2026 with 18 months left on his Real Madrid contract and little appetite to renew due to the breakdown of his relationship with coach Xabi Alonso, according to a report in The Athletic. The Brazil winger has struggled to make an impact under the former Spain midfielder, playing the full 90 minutes just five times in 17 Madrid games this season. That has led to growing frustration for Vinicius Jr, and it spilled over during October's El Clasico when, having been substituted, he shouted "Always me, I'm leaving the team, it's better if I leave, I'm leaving."
Man City are planning to sign a new right-back next summer, and their top target continues to be Newcastle's Tino Livramento. The 23-year-old, who returned to action against Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday, could be in for a 2026 move to Manchester, although that would depend on whether he pens a new contract at St James' Park. Livramento is out of contract in 2028, and in preparation of him entering the final 2.5 years of this deal,
Yeah, well, look, he's definitely going to be of interest because of his contract situation at Everton. I'm sure Everton will be doing everything they can to keep hold of him. He's been one of their best players this season and has even been tipped for an England call-up. He's such a versatile player, obviously can play in midfield but has filled in at right-back and left-back, and that shows his importance to the Everton team.
Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi has become a player in demand, with Sky Sports Deutschland reporting that his agent, super-agent Jorge Mendes, has held discussions with several top European clubs, including Manchester United. While this does not mean a departure is imminent, it signals a growing uncertainty surrounding Adeyemi's long-term future at the Westfalenstadion. Adeyemi, now 23, is locked into a Dortmund contract that runs until 2027.
The union and the college made little progress on negotiating a contract until more than 200 faculty went on strike earlier this month; the union agreed to pause the strike during subsequent contract negotiations. When the two parties failed to reach a tentative agreement after hours of negotiations last week, the union threatened to go back on strike Monday.