Bayern Munich in pole position to beat Arsenal to surprise Chelsea transfer raid

Bayern Munich are reportedly leading the chase to seal the transfer of Chelsea wonderkid Callum Hudson-Odoi ahead of the likes of Arsenal.

The 18-year-old is considered a big talent for the future after impressing in Chelsea’s academy and looking set for a possible role in the first-team this season.

MORE: Video: Chelsea loanee scores first-half hat-trick in insane goal fest

However, the Blues are not renowned for promoting youth too often, and it may be that Hudson-Odoi will need to look elsewhere to get the playing time he needs at this stage of his career.

With the likes of Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson making such an impression in the Bundesliga this season, Hudson-Odoi is the latest England youngster being linked with a move to Germany.

According to the Sun, Bayern are eyeing him up as a potential long-term replacement for ageing wide-men Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, while Arsenal and Juventus are also admirers of the teenager.

Chelsea transfer news: Serie A star waiting on a call from Maurizio Sarri

One of Serie A’s biggest stars is reportedly interested in making a move to Chelsea and that star is just waiting for a call from Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.

This is according to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, who state that prolific striker Gonzalo Higuain is hoping that the Blues come calling for him very soon.

Higuain is regarded as one of the most clinical strikers in the world and Chelsea could certainly do with bolstering their options up front with neither Olivier Giroud or Alvaro Morata managing to make the striker’s position their own recently.

Higuain has scored 5 goals in 10 Serie A appearances this season for Milan. The Argentine would immediately take Chelsea’s frontline to the next level.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Higuain has been handed a boost given that the 30-year-old loved his time being managed by Sarri during his time as Napoli boss.

In another report published by calciomeracto.com the former Real Madrid talisman claimed that Sarri was “the best manager he had in his career”.

Chelsea may need to sign Higuain in order to match their rivals Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Harry Kane proved that the presence of a world class striker is necessary to be regarded as one of the Premier League’s best sides with his wonderful long-range effort in Tottenham’s 3-1 win against Chelsea yesterday evening.

Chelsea could also be handed a boost in their pursuit of Higuain with Corriere dello Sport  reporting that Milan are struggling to finance a permanent move for Higuain – who is on loan from Juventus.

Rory McIlroy's drives a smashing success at Bridgestone Invitational

AKRON — Rory McIlroy may leave town with his second World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational title.

One thing he is guaranteed to have is a 2017 record mentioned in the tournament history book.

McIlroy set a Bridgestone 54-hole record for most drives over 300 yards on No. 18 Saturday. It was his 38th this week.

"I'm hitting the driver really well," said McIlroy, who will enter Sunday's final round three shots behind co-leaders Zach Johnson and Thomas Pieters. "When you're confident with it and can go at it 100 percent, it feels good."

RELATED: Why Rory could win his third PGA title

McIlroy ranks first in average driving distance at 344.2 yards for the two official measured holes. He is also averaging 328 yards for all holes measured by ShotLink.

Even an annoying divot on No. 16 could not slow McIlroy. He hit it with a 364-yard drive, but still managed to par the par-5 hole and remain within striking distance of the lead.

Walker's struggles

It was not a great day for second-round leader Jimmy Walker. He quickly lost his one-shot lead when he bogeyed No. 1, and that snowballed into a forgettable front nine.

A 4-over 74 dropped Walker into a tie for 10th place at 3-under, six shots off the lead. Thanks to another bogey and two double-bogeys, he shot 41 on the front nine.

Streak in jeopardy

Jordan Spieth's streak of tournament wins is in jeopardy.

Spieth shot 1-over 71 Saturday and fell into a tie for 16th and 2-under, seven shots off the lead. He opened the day with back-to-back birdies, but bogeys on 3 and 4 put the brakes on what could have been a pivotal day for the 24-year-old.

"I really had a chance to shoot a low round today," Spieth said. "I birdied the first two and I felt really good about my range session, my putting session before. It just wasn't meant to be today."

Spieth won the Travelers Championship and Open Championship prior to coming to Firestone.

Stars and stripes look

Scott Hend's shoes were a design of the United States flag. Someone shouted "Nice shoes" when he played No. 17. It probably wasn't the first time he heard it during his round.

Hend wore the shoes despite not knowing Saturday was Military Appreciation Day at the Bridgestone Invitational.

"I wore them for the appreciation of the military, what they did for us who actually live in this country," Hend said.

Hend said the shoes were designed by the Italian company Raimondi. He also had shoes designed with the flag of his native Australia.

Will he wear the Australian flag shoes on Sunday?

"They're not here," Hend said. "I wore them at the Golf Sixes in England the other week. I caught a bit of flak from the English guys wearing Australian shoes."

This article is written by Mike Popovich from The Repository, Canton, Ohio and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

The club Cristiano Ronaldo agreed a transfer with before joining Juventus from Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo agreed a transfer with AC Milan before ending up at Juventus after leaving Real Madrid this summer.

That’s the claim of former Milan chief Massimiliano Mirabelli, who explained how the Rossoneri decided against the deal in the end.

MORE: Man Utd summer signing reveals Cristiano Ronaldo influence on his decision to join Red Devils

Signing Ronaldo was hugely expensive for Juventus, and it may be that Milan were unable to finance the deal.

‘It was an operation that came to mind and we spoke with Jorge Mendes, we knew he could have problems with Real Madrid, we also talked about the contract and we did everything, but then the Chinese owner blocked the agreement because It was not sustainable,’ Mirabelli is quoted in Sport.

‘With the current owners Cristiano Ronaldo would have been a Rossonero player.’

Juventus are one of the world’s wealthiest and most ambitious clubs, and will be delighted to have won the race for Ronaldo’s signature in the end.

Cristiano Ronaldo recently scored against AC Milan for Juventus

Unai Emery ready to sell flop Arsene Wenger signing as Arsenal already identify perfect replacement

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is reportedly ready to sanction the sale of flop midfielder Mohamed Elneny as Leicester City show an interest in his services.

The Egypt international has barely featured for Arsenal in recent times, falling even further down the pecking order under Emery despite already struggling to make much of an impact under Arsene Wenger, who signed him in 2016.

MORE: Arsenal star reveals the first thing Unai Emery said to him after replacing Arsene Wenger

The Gunners could do with an upgrade in midfield, and already have their replacement lined up if Elneny does leave, with Villarreal starlet Pablo Fornals a top target, according to the Sun.

This seems like a good move for Arsenal if they can pull both deals off, and they’ll be helped if Leicester are indeed willing to take Elneny off their hands.

The 26-year-old seems a solid enough player to do a job for most Premier League clubs, though perhaps not for one with top four ambitions.

Lionel Messi ready to make personal intervention to spoil Manchester United’s transfer plans

Manchester United could be in trouble as Lionel Messi may reportedly stand in the way of their transfer plans regarding Adrien Rabiot.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is heading towards the end of his contract at the Parc des Princes, with United and Barcelona seeming among the clubs after him.

Adrien Rabiot is attracting plenty of transfer interest

However, Don Balon claim Messi could give Barca an edge in the deal by calling the player himself to try to persuade him to make the move to the Nou Camp instead of to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils will hope they can still have a good chance of winning the race for Rabiot’s signature, with the France international looking an ideal addition for them in that problem position of central midfield.

MORE: Chelsea to battle Manchester United and City for surprise £50million transfer

The 23-year-old is talked up by Don Balon as a player who could replace United misfit Paul Pogba, though he’d also serve a role deeper in midfield, filling the void left by Michael Carrick since his retirement, which summer signing Fred has been unable to fill.

Nemanja Matic also looks past his best, so there’s certainly room for Rabiot in this United squad, and he’d be a fine addition on a free transfer if he does end up leaving PSG at the end of his contract.

Jordan Spieth maintains Travelers Championship lead with 20-foot birdie

CROMWELL, Conn. — Jordan Spieth continues to play just a little better than anyone else at the Travelers Championship.

The 23-year-old Texan closed with a 20-foot birdie putt for a 4-under 66 on Saturday, giving him a one-stroke lead for the third straight round at TPC River Highlands.

After predicting earlier that it would take a score of 16 under to win, the two-time major champion took a 12-under 198 total into the final round.

Boo Weekley was second after a 65. The 43-year-old Weekley, playing just in front of Spieth, birdied five of the last eight holes, basking in the chants of "Boooo! Boooo!" from the raucous gallery.

RELATED: Travelers Championship Leaderboard | Photos from Cromwell

Spieth bogeyed Nos. 13 and 14, but matched Weekley with three birdies on the final four holes, capping it with the final shot of the round from below the hole.

"It's in the shadow," Spieth said. "I'm looking to hit the putt at the right speed. If it goes in, great, if it doesn't, so be it, tap it in. With a few feet to go it was going to have a chance and it curled right in the middle. That was a loud roar, and those are really fun to experience.

Weekley is looking for his fourth tour title and first since 2013. The colorful Floridian said he's been dealing with personal issues, but declined to elaborate. His had a season-best tie for 37th at the Puerto Rico Open in March and has made just eight cuts in 21 events.

Spieth is looking for his 10th tour win and second this season after a victory in February at Pebble Beach.

Weekley acknowledged that makes for an odd final pairing Sunday.

"He loves to fish, so we've got a little in common there," Weekley said. "So we can talk about that."

RELATED: How far does a pro golfer walk in a year?

Daniel Berger, looking for his second victory of the month, was three strokes back after a 66.

C.T. Pan (64), David Lingmerth (65) and Paul Casey (66) were 8 under.

Because of morning showers, the players went off in threesomes from both the first and 10th tees. But the breeze helped the greens quickly dry out and play faster than had been expected.

Pan, who went out just after the rain ended, and shot a bogey-free round. The 25-year old former University of Washington star is looking for his third top-10 finish this season and his first since finishing second at Torrey Pines in January.

"It wasn't as windy, so I made birdies on three of my first four holes," Pan said. "That really helped my mindset and keep my momentum going."

Spieth hit his first six fairways and got his first birdie of the day on the sixth hole, when he chipped in from 30 feet behind the green. He made another birdie on the next hole, before giving a shot back at No. 9. He repeated that pattern on the back nine, making birdies at 10 and 11 to go up by two strokes, then put his tee shot into the water at 13. He bogeyed that hole and 14.

But on 15, his chip from the greenside bunker landed inches from the hole and he had another birdie.

Spieth has a chance to join Phil Blackmar (1985) as the only players to win in their first start at the Connecticut event. He's also trying to become the first player to lead wire-to-wire alone in the event since Tim Norris in 1982 at Wethersfield. Peter Jacobsen had at least a share of the lead after every round in 2003.

Berger had just one bogey, at the 17th, but came back with the last of his five birdies on the final hole. He won in Memphis two weeks ago before missing the cut at the U.S. Open, which was won by his Florida State teammate, Brooks Koepka. Another former Seminole teammate, Chase Seiffert, was in contention at 4 under after qualifying for the tournament Monday.

Rory McIlroy remained at even par. He's been trying to find his short game this week and decided to switch Saturday from the putter he began using while at the U.S. Open. He spent time before his round on the practice green with several different putters before picking a new one.

The change didn't seem to help. His first putt Saturday, a birdie attempt from 12 feet, went 3 feet past the hole and he needed 33 putts during his round of 70. He was even par overall.

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

Stewart Cink awarded the 2017 Payne Stewart Award

Click:裝修

Golf trophies are nice and meaningful, and Stewart Cink has a gracious plenty of them decorating his Duluth home.

But the trophy the 2009 British Open champion — and six-time PGA Tour winner — was holding Monday was looking like a centerpiece.

It's the one featuring the bronze figure of the late Payne Stewart, jaunty in trademark knickers, the one that has come to represent the PGA Tour pro who represents "character, charity and sportsmanship," that will command a special place.

Cink is the 2017 recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, its 20th winner, joining a roster that includes the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Davis Love III, Steve Stricker, Nick Faldo and, last year, Jim Furyk. The winner traditionally is named at East Lake Golf Club, a particularly fitting venue this year. Club-member Cink has carried the banner for East Lake's community endeavors since leaving Georgia Tech and hitting the Tour full-time in 1997.

Cink's also the guy who, after beating 59-year-old Tom Watson in a playoff for the '09 Open, so carefully tempered his joy of winning with respect for the old champion and the sentimental story line that was denied that day.

"I'm not really into golf for recognition too much, but this is a recognition that I'm very, very proud of," Cink said Monday.

"All those other (trophies) are about a career and a livelihood, this is one is about what golf instilled into me — a nature of wanting to give back some of golf's values."

Cink choked up Monday when asked what in his personal life led him down the path of philanthropy. He remembered back 25 years, while at Tech, and his long-time girlfriend called from Auburn with some startling news: She was pregnant.

The young couple sought counseling, and were encouraged to accelerate plans of marriage and child-rearing. The counselor at the time "helped us become confident that we could do it, that we could be married, we could raise a family while in college," Cink said.

He and Lisa Cink have raised two sons, and Cink's wife in turn served as a pregnancy counselor for 10 years. "I'm just so proud of that," Cink said, his voice cracking.

"Our hearts were forged that day (25 years ago)," he said.

The two predominant organizations within the Cinks' charitable foundation are the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit. Also to benefit from a $300,000 grant from the Southern Company, sponsor of the Payne Stewart Award, are the East Lake Foundation and the Healing Place, an Alabama-based grief counseling center for children. Also, the annual East Lake Invitational celebrity golf tournament, started by Cink and Billy Andrade, benefits the Drew Charter School Senior Academy at East Lake.

Lisa Cink, who has since April, 2016, has been in treatment for stage four breast cancer, was with her husband Monday. The pride in seeing the Cink name in the company of Payne Stewart Award winners was undeniable. "I look at those names and I see great men, giving men. I see big-hearted genuine men and the women behind them. I also see our friends," she said.

No matter how uncomfortable the compliment makes his wife, Cink could not help but credit her example with giving his golf career a little kick in the slacks. His three top-10 finishes are his most since 2013. His $1.2 million in money winnings is his most since 2010.

"Lisa has been fighting now for a year and a half and I've watched her fight," he said. "Seeing the nature of what she's done and how she has left no stone unturned has inspired me to leave no stone unturned as far as my career.

"As we just saw, the PGA Championship was a showcase for youth — it's awesome, they're great. I thought maybe I hadn't fought quite hard enough. Maybe there were a few stones I hadn't turned over."

At 44 — "I'm not 45 yet, so I'm in my early 40s," he said — winning more golf trophies on the PGA Tour may be problematic. Currently 73rd in FedEx Cup points, he plans to return to the course in two weeks with the start of golf's playoffs. Making it back to East Lake Sept. 21 with the surviving 30 players for the Tour Championship would be monumental.

Having already enjoyed a career moment at East Lake in 2017, Cink is in full its-all-gravy-from-here mode.

"All I can do is move up (in the FedEx standings), that's the way I'm viewing it," he said with a smile. 


This article is written by Steve Hummer from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

How Man United could line up after January transfer window, with deals for a trio of Premier League stars mooted

After the departure of tyrannical manager Jose Mourinho last week, new interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be poised for a busy winter transfer market.

The Red Devils are currently sixth in the Premier League, eight points behind Chelsea in fourth and an astounding 19 behind Liverpool at the top of the table, after just 18 matches of the 2018-19 campaign.

The final few months of Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford were miserable, to say the least, and the team seems to have completely lost its identity during that period, struggling to produce fluid, attacking football while conceding far too many goals at the back.

Solskjaer was drafted in to replace the Portuguese until the end of the season and he now has the unenviable task of galvanising a group which has lost all confidence.

He got off to a flyer in his first game in charge, securing a 5-1 win at Cardiff City which highlighted the fact that this United team is still full of quality and perhaps wasn’t giving everything to the cause during the last few months of Mourinho’s tenure, for whatever reason.

The Christmas period will end with two more important games against Bournemouth and Newcastle, which gives the new United manager ample opportunity to assess his new squad, before potentially bringing in some new faces in January.

Mourinho had complained during the summer that due to the club’s lack of investment prior to the new season they would struggle to compete with their rivals at the top of the table. His prediction turned out to be correct and although he pushed the self-destruct button spectacularly, it is obvious that the team could do with a few fresh reinforcements.

2017 Girls Junior PGA Championship

The 42nd Girls Junior PGA Championship will be played July 18-21 at The Country Club of St. Albans Lewis & Clark Course in St. Albans, Missouri. Here's everything you need to know about the event:

City: St. Albans, Missouri

Dates: July 18-21, 2017

Architects: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish

Year Opened: 1992

Trophy: Patty Berg Trophy

Format: 72-hole, stroke-play Championship, with a cut after 36 holes to the low 70 plus ties. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff.

Eligibility: Girls under 19 years of age may attempt to qualify.

Entry: Players qualify through the 41 PGA Section Championships; in addition to winners of selected national junior tournaments, via national rankings; and past Junior PGA Champions who have not reached their 19th birthdays.

Defending Champion: Lucy Li

  • Round 1 recap: Hailee Cooper leads after shooting a record-tying 64
  • Round 1 highlights: Watch the action from St. Albans
  • Round 2 recap: Rose Zhang shares lead after record-tying round | Three golfers share lead
  • Round 2 highlights: Watch the Junior PGA Championship action
  • RELATED: Full field list | Scoring | Photos from the 2017 event | College coaches scouting at Junior PGA Champ.
  • Round 3 Recap: Rose Zhang owns solo 54-hole lead at Girls Jr. PGA Championship
  • Round 3 highlights: Watch the Junior PGA Championship action
  • Final round recap: Rose Zhang wins Girls Jr. PGA Championship
  • Final Round Highlights: Watch Rose Zhang's stellar clinching round

The Junior PGA Championship for boys will also be contested at St. Albans, July 31-Aug. 3.

“The PGA of America is excited to significantly expand the field for our new Junior PGA Championships, beginning in 2017, at such a historically significant venue as the Lewis and Clark Course at St. Albans,”  then-PGA President Derek Sprague said last year. “By creating separate boys and girls events, we will double the number of players for all of our Sections. In addition, the number of boys and girls participating in each Championship will increase from 78 to 144 each. We believe this is an important investment in the future of the game, in order to provide more opportunities for top players nationwide to compete in our Junior PGA Championships.”

In 1991, the award-winning architectural firm of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish were selected to design and build the Lewis and Clark course at St. Albans. Renowned for its natural beauty of rolling hills, wooded terrain, valleys, lakes and natural wildlife, with a true reverence for the rich history of the area, the course and the prestigious St. Albans clubhouse opened in 1992. The St. Albans property bears many historic symbols that were meticulously preserved by the designers, from Civil War era graves that dot the property to the striking stone homes designed by Theodore Link, famed architect of St. Louis Union Station.

“On behalf of the members and staff of The Country Club of St. Albans, we are honored to host the 2017 Junior PGA Championships,” said Joe Schwent, PGA Director of Golf Operations at St. Albans. “We know the players will enjoy our Lewis and Clark golf course which has consistently been ranked in the Top 10 courses in the state of Missouri by Golf Digest. We are proud to have been selected, and look forward to welcoming the PGA of America and the top junior golfers in the country.”

PGA of America Vice President Suzy Whaley serves as Junior PGA Chair for the Girls PGA Championships and PGA of America President Paul Levy serves as Junior PGA Chair for Boys PGA Championships in 2017.

The 2018 Junior PGA Championships will serve as the final PGA of America qualifying venues for the 2018 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team in Paris.