All posts by KANKENNEWS

Chelsea star has verbal agreement to seal transfer to Champions League giants

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard reportedly already has a verbal agreement on a transfer to Real Madrid, though the two clubs are not yet negotiating a deal together.

The Blues attacker will be out of contract at the end of next season, meaning it is little surprise to see talk of him moving on from Stamford Bridge.

MORE: Chelsea star ready to cancel current deal in order to clinch transfer to Premier League rivals

The latest from Don Balon is that he has a deal of sorts with Real Madrid, though it remains to be seen if or when Chelsea will agree to let the Belgian go.

Hazard is one of a number of big-name attacking targets for Los Blancos, who are also looking at Paris Saint-Germain duo Kylian Mbappe and Neymar as they bid to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real have struggled since selling the Portuguese goal machine to Juventus in the summer, with players like Gareth Bale not really stepping up since then.

Brandt Snedeker among those making push for a Masters invite

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Tournaments in two countries last week might have gone a long way toward who finishes in the top 50 of the world ranking at the end of the year and gets into the Masters.

Dylan Frittelli, the South African who holed the winning chip for Texas when it won the NCAA title in 2012, defeated Arjun Atwal in a playoff in the Mauritius Open and moved to No. 55 in the world. Frittelli is playing the Joburg Open this week, the final event of the calendar year on the European Tour. He also is entered in the Indonesia Masters next week on the Asian Tour.

In the final event on the Japan Golf Tour, Sotoshi Kodaira closed with a 67 to tie for 21st. Only the top 22 received world ranking points, so it was a big finish for Kodaira because that allowed him to move up four spots to No. 49. Yusaki Miyazato won the tournament and moved up 16 spots to No. 58. Both Japanese players are entered in the Indonesia Masters next week.

And they will have company.

Brandt Snedeker missed five months with an injury to his sternum and slipped 15 spots to No. 47 before he returned for the PGA Tour's last official event of the year at Sea Island. He shot 70-70 on the weekend and tied for 29th. Snedeker fell to No. 50 this week and will keep losing ground.

MORE: Unofficial list of players qualified to play in the 2018 Masters

But the American has entered the Indonesia Masters, the last event of the year that offers world ranking points. The field will get a tiny bump because Justin Rose (No. 6 in the world) has decided to play. That would be Snedeker's last chance to try to crack the top 50.

Players still have until March 25 to get into the top 50 and earn a spot in the Masters, but it would help to have that taken care of going into the new year.

Also playing in Indonesia is Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who is No. 60.

Among those not playing is Ian Poulter, who is No. 52. Poulter did not play two weeks ago in the Hong Kong Open, where he is a past champion. He said in a text message it has been a long year and he needs time off, but that "I will make the top 50 before the Masters I promise."

Bill Haas also is outside the top 50. He has not missed the Masters since 2009.

A year ago, 12 players not already eligible for the Masters finished the year in the top 50 to earn invitations. That number will be smaller this year. Players who are assured of finishing in the top 50 are Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren, Matt Fitzpatrick, Branden Grace, Ross Fisher, Yuta Ikeda and Bernd Wiesberger.

Among those who will have to earn their invitations in the spring is Lee Westwood, who is No. 66 and not playing the rest of the year. Westwood has been eligible for every major since he missed the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot. The last time Westwood failed to qualify for the Masters was 2004.

TOUR SWITCH

The European Tour has tapped into the PGA Tour to find its latest executive to oversee television production.

Stu Nichol, the senior vice president of broadcasting and programming for the PGA Tour, has left to become head of television production for the European Tour. Nichol is expected to start his new job in January at a time when the European Tour is taking control of European Tour Productions. Previously, it was a shared venture between the European Tour and IMG Media.

Nichol's decision stemmed from a chance meeting with European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley during the World Golf Hall of Fame induction in New York in late September. Both are Canadians. Nichol's first job in the late 1980s was at TSN in Toronto, where he was an assignment editor and Pelley was the producer.

Nichol was not looking to leave the PGA Tour, though the move became attractive when the PGA Tour decided not to opt out of its television contracts and consider the possibility of its own network. Nichol had been involved in potential models.

AILING KOEPKA

Brooks Koepka won the Dunlop Phoenix by nine shots, then returned home for Thanksgiving and to get ready for the Hero World Challenge. Somewhere along the way, the U.S. Open champion felt soreness in his left wrist.

"I have some wrist issues," Koepka said in the Bahamas. "I want to figure that out. I can't grip anything strong with my left hand."

Koepka said he first felt some tightness on Saturday before going over to Albany Golf Club. He has the next month to let it heal or figure out if anything is wrong before starting the new year in Kapalua at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

TRAVELING MAN

A year ago, Justin Rose withdrew after the first round of the Hero World Challenge with a nagging back injury. This year, he's stronger than ever, and he has the airline miles to prove it.

Rose won the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and then went straight to the Turkish Airlines Open. He came home to the Bahamas for one week before returning to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship, then returned to the Bahamas for the Hero World Challenge. After a week at home with friends, Rose is off to Jakarta for the Indonesia Masters.

"It's been a test — I can't lie," he said. "But I'm feeling good. I'm feeling really good."

DIVOTS

Sony Corp. has agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the Sony Open another four years through 2022. Sony took over as title sponsor in 1999. The tournament has been held at Waialae Country Club down from Waikiki Beach since 1965. … Ian Poulter missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open and thought he had lost his full PGA Tour card until he was spared by a technical oversight in tour regulations. Since then, he has made the cut in 19 consecutive tournaments worldwide to finish out the year. … Scott Reid, formerly tournament director of the RSM Classic, will be the tournament director for the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. … The World Cup returns to Melbourne next fall, only this time it will be headed to Metropolitan Golf Club. Metropolitan held the Match Play Championship in 2001 won by Steve Stricker.

STAT OF THE WEEK

Dustin Johnson will become only the third American to finish the year at No. 1 since the world ranking began in 1986.

FINAL WORD 

"You can't go through a career without some heartache." — Justin Rose.

 

This article was written by Doug Ferguson from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

 

Juventus could sell €80m+ star man in order to land superstar signing to pair with Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus have been tipped to explore an ambitious transfer strategy which involves selling Paulo Dybala in order to land Kylian Mbappe.

The Bianconeri have continued their domestic dominance so far this season, opening up a nine point lead at the top of the Serie A table as they go in search of an eighth consecutive Scudetto.

SEE MORE: Juventus chief confirms interest in Arsenal star and sends message to Man Utd over Allegri

Signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer was done with a view of ending their long wait for success in Europe, and although the Portuguese superstar didn’t hit top form in the group stage, they advanced to the last 16 of the competition to remain on course on that front too.

However, as reported by Calciomercato, via the paper edition of La Repubblica, they could be formulating a long-term plan to bring in another superstar signing in the form of Mbappe, which could require the sale of Dybala who is given a valuation of between €80m and €100m.

Selling the Argentine forward doesn’t sound like a particularly sensible idea to start with given his ongoing influence for the Turin giants, while he’s only 25 years of age himself.

In turn, question marks could be raised over that point alone as he remains one of the top forwards in Europe.

Nevertheless, it’s suggested that Mbappe could be signed to pair him with Ronaldo up front, and there is no doubt that the French international and World Cup winner would be a sensational signing for the Italian champions.

The 20-year-old has bagged 37 goals in 63 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain since leaving Monaco, while he’s already won two Ligue titles.

There is no doubt over the quality that he possesses, but it remains to be seen if Juve can put an offer on the table to convince PSG to sell him.

As noted by the Guardian, the French giants do face ongoing FFP issues, and so that perhaps could eventually force them into an unwanted transfer decision involving the sale of a marquee name.

Double swoop: AC Milan eye €50m+ Chelsea duo to bolster key area of squad

AC Milan have concerns in midfield with their current injury crisis but Chelsea pair Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas could reportedly emerge as the solution.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso will be without both Giacomo Bonaventura and Lucas Biglia for the long-term after both sustained serious injury setbacks.

SEE MORE: Bizarre Arsenal related Ivan Gazidis issue touted as AC Milan chief faces fine risk

In turn, that has left him short of quality and depth in midfield, with loanee Bakayoko handed a more prominent role than was expected alongside Franck Kessie.

The Chelsea loanee has stepped up and impressed in his defence, putting aside a shaky start to establish himself as a consistent performer and key figure for the Rossoneri.

In turn, as noted by Calciomercato, it’s suggested that Milan could make his move permanent by exercising the €40m clause in their deal with the Blues and so he could remain as a long-term solution in midfield.

However, that isn’t the only deal that they could do with Chelsea, as it’s suggested by Calciomercato that by spending €40m on Bakayoko, Milan will hope the Premier League giants give them a discount on the €10m-€12m demands being made for Fabregas.

The Spaniard would offer something different in midfield with his technical quality, vision and passing range to help add creativity in a deeper role.

That is where Biglia’s limitations come into play, and so perhaps with Fabregas complementing the likes of Bakayoko and Kessie, it could be a sensible strategy to launch a double raid on Chelsea for the pair.

Meanwhile, Sky Sport Italia note that Milan are also set to complete the €35m signing of Lucas Paqueta who will arrive in January, and so with these potential key additions, it could prove decisive in helping them secure a top-four finish in Serie A this season to qualify for the Champions League.

Tommy Fleetwood wins 2017 Race to Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tommy Fleetwood won the Race to Dubai and the right to be called the top golfer in Europe after a tense battle with Justin Rose that was ultimately decided on the final green of the season on Sunday.

Rose, seemingly in cruise control after 11 holes as he opened up a one-shot lead atop of the leaderboard on 19-under par, then wobbled and made bogeys on the 12th, 14th and 16th holes on the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The 37-year-old No. 6-ranked golfer reached the par-5 18th hole three shots behind clubhouse leader Jon Rahm of Spain (19 under), and needed to make an eagle to move up to second. With Fleetwood in the clubhouse in joint 21st at 11 under, Rose needed to finish in solo fourth place or better to win his second Order of Merit title.

Just short of the green with his second shot, Rose used his putter and came agonizingly close but the ball did not go in. He finished in joint fourth place at 17-under par with three other players, handing the title to Fleetwood.

Spain's Rahm, winner of the Irish Open earlier this year on the European Tour, fired a final-round 67 to finish on 19-under par 269 to win the tournament.

Ireland's Shane Lowry shot the day's best round, a 63, to finish tied second at 270 alongside Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat (67). Masters champion Sergio Garcia (65) and South African duo of Dylan Frittelli (69) and Dean Burmester (68) were the other players tied for fourth with Rose.

Rose made four birdies in his first seven holes, and played his first poor shot on the 12th when his approach found the greenside bunker. He made a bogey there, before finding the water with his second shot on the par-5 14th and missing a two-foot par putt on the 16th.

After two successive rounds of 65, Fleetwood failed to make headway on Sunday, and could only watch the drama unfold in the scoring tent after a two-over par 74 round.

"It's the biggest day of my career for sure. The emotions were difficult on me. I don't trust computers, so even when everything had finished, it was so difficult to get up or down. Then I felt for Justin a lot. He was so gracious when he came in.shows a lot about his character," said Fleetwood after accepting his trophy.

RELATED: Tommy Fleetwood shoots record 63 at Carnoustie

Rose was disappointed with his finish, but delighted for Fleetwood.

"I just feel I went a bit flat around the turn. I had opportunities around 10 and 11 and didn't take those. I got a little bit out of my routine and a little distracted, had a poor shot on the par-5 and then it was a struggle from there on in. The shots on 13 and 14 were the undoing," he said.

"Tommy, I'm pleased for him. He's battled hard all year and put a good week in South Africa and had a great couple of comeback rounds this week to fight back and deserve it. He's been leading all year and it's good for him to finish it off."

As other players struggled down the stretch, Rahm birdied the 14th and the tough 16th to take the lead for good.

"I was a little anxious before teeing off. I really wanted to win. I really wanted to finish strong," said Rahm, who also won the PGA Tour event in Torrey Pines and is expected to climb up to fourth place in the world rankings on Monday in his first full season as a professional.

This article was written by The Associated Press from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

Manchester United cleared to seal superstar forward transfer after SHOCK development

Manchester United have been handed a huge Paulo Dybala transfer boost as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez no longer intends to sign the Juventus star.

The Red Devils have long been linked as admirers of the Argentina international, who would make an ideal replacement for the struggling Alexis Sanchez in attack.

MORE: Paul Pogba sends unexpected message to Jose Mourinho after Manchester United thump Cardiff

With Sanchez to Chelsea transfer rumours doing the rounds, and PSG also linked with the Chile international ahead of January, it makes sense that United could soon be back in for Dybala.

Despite long looking one of the finest attacking players in the world, Dybala has not been as much of a regular at Juve this season.

Part of that is down to the summer signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, and Don Balon claim Real Madrid are now less keen on him as a result of him having lost his place.

Big transfer boost for Barcelona: Manchester United star ‘only wants to play’ for Blaugrana amid transfer links

Barcelona have been handed a big boost regarding their pursuit of Manchester United and England winger Marcus Rashford, a player who’s also a target for Real Madrid.

According to Don Balon, both Real and Barca are in pursuit of the English youngster, and the player’s proposed €60M move to Los Blancos has been put to a halt following the future arrival of Jose Mourinho.

The report also notes that Rashford ‘only wants to play’ for the Blaugrana, and the possible departure of Malcom and inconsistent displays of Ousmane Dembele could tempt the club in to bolstering their attacking options.

Barca signing Rashford would be a fantastic move for the club to make, as the England international is one of the brightest talents that the Premier League has to offer.

The 21-year-old has managed to score 37 goals and bag 22 assists in 144 appearances for the Red Devils, a fine return for a player who’s constantly been made to play out wide in attack instead of centrally.

Rashford is only willing to seal a move to Barca and not rivals Real Madrid

Rashford didn’t exactly manage to cement his place in United’s starting XI during Mourinho’s stint as manager at Old Trafford, as the Englishman was constantly made to start matches on the bench during the 55-year-old’s tenure.

And it seems like the Portuguese coach’s future move to the Spanish capital looks to have forced the winger’s hand in his search for a new club if Don Balon’s report is anything to go off.

NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick has an Augusta National replica hole in his backyard

As far as backyards go, Kevin Harvick has just about everyone beat.

Outdoor putting greens are fairly common in, and outside of homes – but Harvick takes it to another level. The NASCAR driver is an avid recreational golfer – so much so, in fact, that he has a replica of Augusta National’s 12th hole in his backyard:

“It’s a little bit smaller and a little bit out of proportion, but in theory, if you’re just standing back with a quick glance, it definitely looks the same,” Harvick told For The Win. “So we had a corner of the yard that I convinced my wife was never going to grow grass, and we needed to utilize it. And we convinced her that it would be a good spot for (his son) Keelan and I to hang out and hit golf balls, so it worked out.”

Harvick’s son, Keelan, has burgeoning interest in the game, as you’ll see below:

The Harvicks sure take their golf seriously.

Done deal: Manchester City starlet signs new six-year contract at the Etihad

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with the club, which will reportedly see him earn £30,000 a week. 

The Englishman came through the ranks at the club at youth level before breaking into the senior squad permanently in 2017 and he has since gone on to make 23 appearances across all competitions.

According to City’s official website, Foden has now agreed on terms for a new six-year contract at the Etihad, which will see him remain in Manchester until 2024.

The 18-year-old only managed to feature in five games for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, but he has already surpassed that tally this term, appearing eight times as the team has continued their push for silverware on domestic and European fronts.

Foden has already represented England from U-16 level to U-21 and has been tipped for a bright future in the game, having already shown a maturity and confidence on the pitch belying his tender age.

As per the club’s official website, City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain expressed his delight after the announcement was made on Monday afternoon: “We are delighted to have secured Phil for the next five and a half years.

“He is an outstanding talent and he is Manchester City born and bred so this is where he wants to play his football.

“Under Pep and with the players, we have here around him, he is in the best place possible to develop as a player.”

Foden could be included in Guardiola’s starting line-up in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Hoffenheim visiting the Etihad in their final Group F fixture.

City have already booked their spot in the knockout phase and the Spanish boss might, therefore, be tempted to blood some of the youngsters within his squad, which could give Foden the perfect opportunity to showcase his talent once again.

Chelsea’s Victor Moses could make a return to this former club in January

Chelsea wideman Victor Moses could be offered the chance to get his career back in track by one of his former clubs in January, Moses has only featured twice in the Premier League this season.

According to reports from Mirror Football and The Sun, Crystal Palace could look to re-sign their former academy graduate in the January transfer window.

The Blues are understood to demand £12m for the Nigerian’s signature.

Moses was a key member of Chelsea’s team under Antonio Conte when the Blues won the league. Since then Moses has fallen out-of-favour at Stamford Bridge.

With first-team opportunities looking unlikely at Chelsea, Moses will have to push for a move away in January if he has any hope of getting his career back on track.

The 27-year-old would still be a fine addition to any sides in the bottom half of the Premier League and his versatility could appeal to many sides.

Should Moses return to Palace, the pressure on Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend would be eased, with Christian Benteke succumbing to several different injuries in the past 12 months, Zaha and Townsend have been the Eagles’ main source of goals.

Moses will likely jump at the chance to re-join his former club. Crystal Palace had to cash in on the talented wideman in 2010 because the club fell into administration, Moses was sold to Wigan Athletic, where he impressed and caught the eye of Chelsea.