Real Madrid eye marquee January signing, prolific duo with 400+ career goals between them on radar

Real Madrid have endured a problematic start to the campaign, and they could reportedly look to address it with a marquee January signing.

Los Blancos sit in fourth place in the La Liga table after 15 games, while they suffered a heavy defeat to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League this week as they haven’t entirely convinced in Europe either despite advancing to the knockout stage.

SEE MORE: Real Madrid transfer boost as €110m prolific 130-goal forward re-emerges as target

Part of that problem is arguably their inability to sufficiently replace Cristiano Ronaldo, with their former talisman leaving the Bernabeu this past summer to join Juventus.

Without his goals and influence in the final third, Madrid haven’t looked the same, and that is reflected in their goals tally so far this season.

The Spanish giants have scored just 23 goals in 15 league games, which is dwarfed by Barcelona’s tally in comparison as the Catalan outfit have scored 41 goals in the same number of games.

In order to address that issue, Calciomercato report, via Don Balon, that Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez wants either Mauro Icardi or Edinson Cavani in the January transfer window.

Considering the pair have got well over 400 career goals between them, Icardi contributing 130 goals in 233 games while Cavani has 335 goals in 546 outings, it’s fair to say that either of the prolific duo would certainly help make Real Madrid a more clinical outfit.

Time will tell if an agreement can be reached for either star, but perhaps with Inter crashing out of the Champions League this week and sitting 14 points adrift of Juventus in the Serie A title race, it could be enough to perhaps make Icardi think twice about his future.

Karim Benzema will turn 31 later this month, and although he’s bagged 10 goals in 23 games so far this season, there is a strong argument that Madrid need to freshen things up in attack and bring in another prolific forward.

Juventus in pole position to beat Inter and AC Milan to quality transfer as Paratici opens talks

Juventus are reportedly in pole position to beat Serie A rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan to the transfer of Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

According to Calciomercato, the Italian giants have opened talks with the Wales international’s entourage through their sporting director Fabio Paratici.

MORE: Arsenal mid-season review: Unai Emery proves fans right but January transfer overhaul surely needed

The report states Juve are ahead of Milan and Inter due to being more able and willing to meet Ramsey’s big wage demands to complete a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

This is a blow for Arsenal, with Ramsey a star player for them for many years before getting into the final year of his contract.

Surprisingly, however, it is the Gunners who are said to have pulled out of talks over extending the 28-year-old’s contract, according to BBC Sport, leaving him free to leave on a Bosman at the end of this season and able to agree a transfer by January.

Tottenham eye £15m swoop for teenage Championship starlet in January but key condition touted

Tottenham have been linked with a £15m move for Norwich youngster Max Aarons as Mauricio Pochettino reportedly eyes a long-term reinforcement.

Spurs are enjoying quite the campaign thus far, as their big win over Bournemouth on Wednesday lifted them up to second place in the Premier League table at the half-way stage.

SEE MORE: (Photo) Christian Eriksen mocks Tottenham teammate Harry Kane on Instagram

They sit six points adrift of leaders Liverpool, and despite the lack of signings this past summer, Pochettino continues to work his magic and has put them in contention to compete for the title again this season it seems.

Nevertheless, that lack of strengthening the squad could perhaps come back to haunt them as the season goes on, and so Tottenham fans will surely be hoping that the club act moving forward and give the Argentine tactician the reinforcements needed to sustain their push.

According to The Sun, Spurs are being tipped to launch a £15m bid for Aarons in January, albeit it’s suggested that he could be loaned back to Norwich for the remainder of the season.

In turn, the 18-year-old may be seen as a long-term solution at right back rather than a signing to help Spurs on their quest for silverware in the more immediate future.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that he has impressed up to this point, bagging three goals and three assists in 20 appearances to showcase his ability to make a decisive impact from an attacking perspective too.

Given Norwich are in second place in the Championship and chasing promotion, it’s no surprise that they will look to keep their squad in tact in January in order to give themselves the best possible chance of returning to the Premier League.

Time will tell though if Spurs can put a deal in place to snap up the talented teenager, with Pochettino seemingly set to have to rely on his current options to guide them towards trophies for this season at least.

Kevin Chappell grabs last spot to make Presidents Cup team

NORTON, Mass. — Kevin Chappell made his first Presidents Cup team by a fraction of a point, and he needed a lot more help that he realized.

"I made it a lot more exciting than it needed to be," Chappell said.

Chappell, who won his first PGA Tour event earlier this year in San Antonio, earned enough FedEx Cup points from the Dell Technologies Championship to secure the 10th and final automatic spot on the U.S. team.

This was the final qualifying event for the Presidents Cup, which starts Sept. 28 at Liberty National.

Chappell will be one of at least four U.S. players making their debut in a Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup. He spent the last month getting weary of talking about the possibilities, suggesting that he could live with however it turned out.

That changed when he shot a 69 on Sunday and was projected ahead of Hoffman, meaning he controlled his own fate.

"I didn't know what it meant until I tried to go to sleep last night," Chappell said Monday on his way to the airport to catch a flight home — in coach, no less — to Seattle.

Hoffman, who showed up at the TPC Boston at No. 10 and with a slim lead, closed with a 68 on Monday and tied for 40th. Chappell appeared to have it locked up until three bogeys over a four-hole stretch on the back nine.

He answered with a birdie on the par-3 16th, but then his shot from a fairway bunker on the par-5 18th came to rest on a loose piece of dirt, and his wedge came up well short. Chappell pitched to 10 feet, missed his par putt and closed with a 71.

That's when he needed some help, and Russell Henley unknowingly provided it.

Chappell was tied for 35th, and Henley also was in that group at 2-under 282. If Henley had made one more birdie, that would have taken points away from Chappell, and Hoffman would have moved past him.

Henley, however, made bogey on the 17th and failed to birdie the 18th to tie for 40th. That was all Chappell needed.

It was a familiar feeling for Chappell, and not a pleasant one. Five years ago in the final tournament of the year, Chappell finished at No. 125 on the money list to keep his card by $1,809, but only after two players made par on the tough par-4 18th at Disney. If either had made bogey, Chappell would have lost his card.

"That was to keep my job," he said. "I'd much rather being doing this, relying on others to get me on a Presidents Cup team."

The other U.S. qualifiers were Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner, Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed.

U.S. captain Steve Stricker will make two wild-card selections Wednesday afternoon, and Hoffman is a favorite to get one of them. With no one below Hoffman in the standings playing exceptionally well, the other pick could go to Phil Mickelson, who has never missed a team event since 1994.

Mickelson was in the mix early at the TPC Boston on Monday, and that could be enough to show Stricker that he's worth a pick.

Emiliano Grillo of Argentina also came up with a good round at the right time. Grillo closed with a 66, enough to move him past Hideto Tanihara of Japan to No. 11 for the International team. Only the top 10 from the world ranking qualify, though Grillo would seem to be safe to be one of captain Nick Price's picks.

"That's not up to me," Grillo said. "Today was up to me and I did my best. It worked out."

The other International team qualifiers were Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman, Branden Grace, Jhonattan Vegas, Si Woo Kim and Adam Hadwin.

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.

Mesut Ozil’s agent admits to struggles under new Arsenal manager Unai Emery as he addresses transfer talk

Mesut Ozil’s agent Dr. Erkut Sogut has responded to transfer speculation surrounding his client after a difficult season at Arsenal under Unai Emery.

The Spanish tactician replaced Arsene Wenger as Gunners manager in the summer and has not indulged the player as his predecessor often seemed to.

Ozil has found himself in and out of the first-team this season, with Sogut admitting the German is still having to adapt to the tactical change and general big upheaval at the Emirates Stadium in recent times.

He also conceded it’s not been the best first half of the campaign for his client, but did move to insist that his long-term future is with Arsenal.

“I would prefer not to speak publicly about Mesut’s situation, but given the recent speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal, I do feel it is important to provide some clarity so we can end this and focus on football,” Sogut told Goal.

“Mesut signed a new contract last January because he saw his future at Arsenal and nothing has changed in his mind. He wants to stay for the duration of that contract and maybe even longer.

Cancer survivor earns European Tour card at Q-School

TARRAGONA, Spain — A 6-foot-9 (2.06-meter) English golfer who battled leukemia for five years as a child has earned his first European Tour card after finishing birdie-birdie in the final day of the grueling six-round Q-School tournament on Thursday.

Jonathan Thomson hugged his tearful father after shooting 2-under 69 at Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona, Spain, to become one of 33 players to get playing privileges for Europe's main tour for the 2018 season.

The 21-year-old Thomson was diagnosed with a strain of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 7, and went into remission after five years of chemotherapy. He represented England in tournaments at youth level and turned pro in September 2016, spending this season on the EuroPro Tour — the third tier of European golf.

Thomson shot 67-72-68-67-71-69 at Q-School to qualify with two strokes to spare.

"I know who will be leading the driving distance stat next year," said European Tour player Tyrrell Hatton, a good friend of Thomson's.

Sam Horsfield shot a final-round 63 to win Q-School by eight strokes on 27-under par. Having come through the first and second stages of qualifying, Horsfield played 252 holes to get his European Tour card.

Two former winners on the European Tour, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Anders Hansen, regained their playing privileges for the main tour.

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

Romelu Lukaku is the latest Manchester United star who wants out because of Jose Mourinho

Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku is the latest Red Devils star to become frustrated with Jose Mourinho, the Belgian is considering his future away from Old Trafford.

According to a report from The Sun, Lukaku is starting to become concerned that he is longer one of the first names on the team sheet and the Belgian will consider a move away should his spell out of the starting line-up continue.

Over November, Lukaku has only started twice for the Red Devils. Jose Mourinho has dropped the 25-year-old following his poor run of form this season.

Lukaku made the move to Old Trafford from Everton last summer, the Belgian moved for an initial fee of £75m, according to BBC Sport.

Romelu Lukaku is going through a bad spell for Manchester United.

Since Lukaku has been dropped from the starting line-up, Mourinho has experimented with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez up top.

The former Chelsea man only broke a scoring duck that went on for 12 games – last weekend, against relegation candidates Southampton.

The report also reveals that United chiefs are aware that the Belgian is starting to become frustrated with his spell on the sidelines, could we see Lukaku return to the starting line-up for United today ahead of their Premier League clash against Fulham?

Georgia defeats New Jersey to capture sixth PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 19, 2017) — With Olympic gold medalist Kerri Strug looking on, undefeated Georgia vaulted to the mountain top of PGA Jr. League as national champions with a dramatic 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 victory over New Jersey at picturesque Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The 6th PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental showcased some amazing golf, as Georgia (Duluth) took an early 3 ½ to ½ lead through the first three holes and then held on tight, as New Jersey (Hillsborough) rallied back into serious contention.

This is the second title for a Georgia-based team (Atlanta in 2013).

With the final group watching from the tee on the ninth and final hole played (par 5, 465-yard Hole No. 18), the Georgia team of William Love, 14; Harris Barth, 13; and Strug’s nephew Lucas Jinglov, 13, earned a conceded birdie to seal a half-point, and clinch the match. Moments later, their Georgia teammates rushed the green, realizing they had secured a hard-fought national title.

RELATED: PGA Jr. League Championship full coverage | Photos from Grayhawk

"It was really fun," said Jinglov. "The way we've been treated and everything that's been done for us…It's been a great experience overall."

The Georgia team was on the green in two, before Barth and Love both missed their eagle putt, leaving a short putt for the Championship. Showing tremendous sportsmanship, the New Jersey team of Katie Li, 12; Megan Meng, 11; and Adrian Jordan, 11, conceded the match.

“It means a lot to the team,” said Team Georgia Captain Patrick McCrary, a PGA Professional at TPC Sugarloaf near Atlanta. “They worked hard to get here, and it’s been a long road. We couldn’t be more happy for these kids.”

The co-ed New Jersey trio simply played lights out golf to get New Jersey back into the match, with three straight birdies on the third, fourth and fifth holes played (Nos. 12, 13, 14). They equaled Georgia shot-for-shot from there on out.

Li made an electric 60-foot putt on No. 13 to match birdies with Georgia on the hole and put the entire tournament on its ear.

New Jersey got its first spark from the duo of Garrett Engle, 14, and Logan Paczewski, 13, who struck three birdies in a row to close out their match and capture a critical turnaround point.

“Signature for Team New Jersey—we dug a deep hole, scrapped out, and fell short,” said New Jersey Captain Anthony Latham, PGA. “They played hard, and I couldn’t ask for anything more. They never quit."

The group behind them put on yet another show. New Jersey’s Joshua Ryan, who earlier in the week won the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental long-drive championship with a massive drive of 312 yards, made dramatic shot after dramatic shot.

On the sixth hole played (par 4, 378-yard Hole No. 15), Ryan and Georgia’s Ethan Gao showed why they were playing on the anchor leg, as they matched birdies, with mouth-dropping shots to the green – Ryan’s from approximately 180-yards out to within three-feet; and Gao’s from under the green and over the bunker from 70-yards away to 12 feet from glory.

The dual birdies prevented Georgia from clinching early and extended the match to the final hole.

In the third place match, Team Ohio (Columbia Station) defeated Team Texas (Houston) 7 ½-4 ½. Team California (San Jose) took fifth place over Team Arkansas (Little Rock) 7-5. Team Illinois (Chicago) won the seventh place match over Team New Hampshire (Atkinson) 7-5.

The 80 boys and girls competing comprise eight Regional Champion teams from a record 42,000 kids who played in PGA Jr. League during 2017.

“There are so many sports that are more individually-focused, and it’s nice when there’s a team component particularly when you’re young,” said Strug from the gallery. “I think it’s good to have that ownership but understand the team component, too.”

The two teams in the Championship match appeared to be on a collision course to the finals all weekend of pool play, as both Georgia and New Jersey went undefeated, 3-0, in the Wanamaker and Ryder Divisions, respectively—and in impressive fashion. Georgia tallied a total of 29.5 of a possible 36 points in round-robin division play, while New Jersey amassed a stout 25.5 points.

Golf Channel to Air Championship Telecast Dec. 5
For the second consecutive year, PGA of America, Grayhawk Golf Club and National Car Rental have partnered with Golf Channel to air a two-hour, primetime special highlighting the 2017 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental. The special will air Dec. 5 (Tuesday) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with a rebroadcast at 12:30 a.m. ET/9:30 p.m. PT. An encore airing will also air on Dec. 15 at Noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

Champions
2017: Georgia (Duluth); 7 to 5; Grayhawk Golf Club (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
2016: California (Livermore); 8 to 4; Grayhawk Golf Club (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
2015: California (San Diego); Playoff (1st hole); Disney’s Palm Course (Lake Buena Vista, Fla.)
2014: California (San Ramon); 7 to 5; TPC Sugarloaf (Duluth, Ga.)
2013: Georgia (Atlanta); 6 ½ to 5 ½; TPC Sugarloaf (Duluth, Ga.)
2012: California (San Francisco); 8 ½ to 3 ½; Cog Hill Golf & Country Club (Lemont, Ill.)

Ryder Division
New Jersey (Hillsborough): 3-0-0, 25.5 points*
Texas (Houston): 1-1-1, 17.5 points
Arkansas (Little Rock): 1-1-1, 16 points
Illinois (Chicago): 0-3-0, 13 points

Wanamaker Division
Georgia (Duluth): 3-0-0, 29.5 points**
Ohio (Columbia Station): 1-2-0, 15 points
California (San Jose): 1-2-0, 14 points
New Hampshire (Atkinson): 1-2-0, 13.5 points

**Won Championship
*Won Division Title
 

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Juventus to beat old club Real Madrid to €80million transfer

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly eager for Juventus to beat his old club Real Madrid to the transfer of Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.

The Austria international is one of the top defensive players in Europe, whether he’s playing centre-back, left-back or a holding role in midfield.

MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric winning Ballon d’Or

It’s easy to see how Alaba could be a great addition at Juventus, and Don Balon claim Ronaldo has requested the signing of the €80million-rated star.

This would undoubtedly be bad news for Real Madrid, who look in urgent need of rebuilding in several areas after the blow of Ronaldo’s departure this summer.

The generation that won four out of the last five Champions League finals looks to be past its peak, and someone like Alaba could have been a great starting point for them to revamp their squad.

David Alaba in action for Bayern Munich

The democratic, yet cruel life of trying to make the PGA Tour

Golf is among the most democratic of all sports. There are no judges or referees to miss a call, no teammates to lean on or blame. There is no clock to expire and end your comeback, no opponent to tackle you or block your shot.

At every level, from the peewees to the pros, your score reveals exactly where you stand, whether you miss or make a cut, whether you finish 50th or first.

The game, then, is eminently fair.

That doesn't mean it isn't cruel.

Take, for example, Mike Van Sickle and Jordan Niebrugge, the most talented golfers with Wisconsin ties since Mark Wilson broke through in the 1990s.

Neither of them has yet made it to the PGA Tour, though their resumes are thick with accomplishment and their swings as sweet as anything you'll see on the practice tee at Augusta National in April.

Their only downfall is bad timing.

They've played their best golf, mainly, in the minor leagues, in backwater mini-tours and state opens. But a golfer can win 20 two-day events and every state open from Nebraska to New Hampshire every year and never sniff the PGA Tour.

The only way in, for nearly everyone not named Tiger Woods, is to survive a grueling qualifying process to get to the Web.com Tour and then play well enough there to earn a coveted PGA Tour card.

Van Sickle had another close call Sunday. The former Marquette University all-American tied for 85th place in the final stage of Web.com Tour qualifying, after advancing through the first two stages.

Unfortunately, only the top 45 are guaranteed a set number of starts when the tour cranks up in 2018. Van Sickle earned conditional status, which sounds good but in reality means he won't get many, if any, starts.

This was his ninth attempt at Web.com qualifying and the third time he reached the final stage. He is married, has a son and is days away from turning 31.

"It's difficult, that's for sure," Van Sickle said. "To stay sane you have to continue to believe in yourself and have the support of others who believe in you. There are times you question whether you're doing the right thing or not."

He was in a good position after making birdies on nine of his last 14 holes en route to a second-round 65 and still had a chance to finish among the top 45 with a few holes left Sunday. But he three-putted from the fringe after nearly driving the green on a short par-4 and the wind went out of his sails.

"That was the egregious error," he said.

Anyone who has seen Van Sickle play would tell you he has the game to compete at the highest level. He won the Byron Nelson Award as the nation's outstanding senior at Marquette, played in the Palmer Cup (where he won a singles match, 8 and 7) and was a first-team all-American with the likes of Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel and Kyle Stanley.

As a professional, he's won a fistful of state open titles and mini-tour events and played in the 2016 U.S. Open. But he hasn't been able to get through Q School.

"It's just a matter of putting it together the right week," he said. "Is the week when you have your best stuff Q School or is it a state open?"

The same goes for Mequon's Niebrugge, who starred at collegiate powerhouse Oklahoma State, won the 2013 U.S. Amateur Public Links title and finished in a tie for sixth at the 2015 British Open with major champions Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose.

This year, he was ninth on the McKenzie Tour-Canada money list and was exempt through the first stages of Web.com Tour qualifying. But he finished in a tie for 99th in the final stage despite a closing 67 and, like Van Sickle, will have conditional status.

Niebrugge qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills and made the cut. He's unquestionably good enough to make a living on the PGA Tour. But first he has to get there.

Van Sickle, who lives outside Pittsburgh, said he would try to get into Web.com and PGA Tour events via brutally difficult Monday qualifiers in 2018 and fill out his schedule by competing wherever he can, whenever he can.

"I have talent and I work hard," he said. "It's just really hard to look in the mirror and say I'm not good enough. The belief I have in myself, if I just had status somewhere I'd be out there making cuts pretty much every week.

"But I don't want to sound like I'm complaining about not getting opportunities. Golf is such a democratic game. There's no politics in the actual game of golf. You've got to shoot a number. Nothing more than that." 

 

This article is written by Gary D'Amato from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.