New York Red Bulls in talks over Timo Werner move
Werner, 29, has 57 caps for Germany and has spent the last 18 months on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, but is surplus to requirements at Leipzig and will be allowed to leave. No agreement has been reached yet, but both sides are optimistic that a deal can be concluded this summer.
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Werner has actually been a long-time target for the RBNY and had the option of joining the club in the summer of 2024. It's understood that negotiations have been underway for some months and that Werner would be keen on a move to MLS, where he would reunite with his former Leipzig teammate, Emil Forsberg.
A wide forward, Werner joined Leipzig from Stuttgart in 2016 and scored 78 goals in 127 Bundesliga appearances before to earn a move to Chelsea in 2020, with whom he won the Champions League in 2021.
He rejoined Leipzig in 2022, earning a recall to the German national team, and was part of the side that won the DFB-Pokal in 2023, the first trophy in the club's history. But after falling out of favour at Red Bull Arena, he joined Tottenham on loan in January 2024. That loan was then extended by a further year, during which Werner was part of the Spurs team that won the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou.
Last season saw the Red Bulls reach MLS Cup for the first time since 2008, falling to fellow founding member LA Galaxy. This winter the club signed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has been the team's starting striker.
Werner projects to fit in nicely on the left of the forward line, with Scotland international Lewis Morgan on the right and Forsberg pulling the strings beneath. At the midpoint of the 2025 season, New York sits 7th in the Eastern Conference, narrowly in the playoff places.
It's unclear whether New York has Werner's 'discovery rights', an MLS mechanism to prevent clubs from up-bidding one another for talent from outside of the league. Should New York need to obtain those rights from another club, they have plenty of allocation money available; as of February 28, their ledger sat at nearly $1.7 million of the league-issued currency.
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NBC Sports
21 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Chelsea has the 'upper leg' against Palmeiras
Brad Thomas and Vaughn Dalzell place bets for the FIFA World cup: Chelsea vs. Palmeiras. Chelsea has so much to prove, giving them the upper leg in this tournament and should advance to the next round.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Some Promising Quarterfinal Match-Ups In The FIFA Club World Cup
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The winners will advance to the semifinals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on July 8 and 9, with the champion being crowned at the same venue on Sunday, July 13. Of course, there can be other variations of a theme as the 32-team tournament enters its final 10 days. In many international soccer competitions, some of the best games are in the quarterfinals. So, we might be in for a treat or two over the next few days. Here is a quick look at the four quarterfinals: July 4 Ignacio centre-back of Fluminense and Brazil and his teammates celebrate the passage to the round of ... More 16 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group F match between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Fluminense FC at Hard Rock Stadium on June 25, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) This contest matches a pair of underdogs who were not given much of a chance of advancing far in the competition by Opta. Al-Hilal was given a 17.9 percent chance of reaching the quarters and 0.4 percent chance of winning it. Fluminense was at 15.8 percent of qualifying for the final eight teams and 0.1 percent of emerging as the winner. Backed by an enthusiastic fan base, Fluminense (1-0=2, 5 points) finished second in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund (2-0-1, 7). The Brazil team started with a scoreless draw against the German side and followed that up with a 4-2 win over Ulsan HD (South Korea) and another 0-0 deadlock with Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa). In its 2-0 Round of 16 victory over Inter Milan (Italy), Fluminense scored early (37-year-old Argentine German Cano in the third minute) and late (24-year-old Brazilian Hercules) in the third minute of second-half stoppage time) in Charlotte, N.C. on June 30. Inter Milan lost to PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, 5-0, in May. Two keys to the Brazilian side's success have a pair of fortysomething players - center back and team captain Thiago Silva, who will turn 41 in September, and veteran goalkeeper Fabio, who will be 45 that month. Fabio recorded four saves against Inter, for his fourth clean sheet of the tournament. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 30: Fabio of Fluminense FC celebrates after team mates Hercules ... More scored to give the side a 2-0 lead during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by) "The Europeans sign the best players in the world, but with attitude and dedication to the team, we managed to defend," Fluminense head coach Renato Gaucho told reporters. 'We are very proud of ourselves for the affection and joy we are bringing to our fans and, without a doubt, to Brazilian football. We are proving that we have commitment and attitude on the pitch. Off the pitch, we can't compete financially, but on the pitch it's 11 against 11. That's it.' Al-Hilal has weathered the hot and humid conditions quite well. The Saudi Arabian team, which is bolstered by several big European stars, is unbeaten in four matches (2-0-2), having played Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw, Red Bull Salzburg to a scoreless tie and stunning Pachuca. 2-0, in Group H action. The squad finished second to Real Madrid. ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JUNE 30: Marcos Leonardo #11 of Al Hilal celebrates scoring his team's fourth ... More goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) The Saudis are coming off the upset of the tournament, a thrilling 4-3 triumph over English powerhouse Manchester City on June 30. It was considered one of the biggest wins in Middle Eastern soccer history. Marcos Leonardo, who struck for a brace, including the game-winner in the 112th minute, will face his countrymen. The 22-year-old forward, who is once played for Santos in Brazil, is tied for second place with a dozen other players in goals (three). Angel Di Maria, whose Benfica team, was eliminated in a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the Round of 16, topping the charts with four goals. It was an emotional moment for Leonardo. 'I've had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU,' he said. 'Today, she's fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her. She was able to watch the match.' TOPSHOT - Palmeiras' Brazilian forward #10 Paulinho celebrates after scoring the opening goal during ... More the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 all-Brazilian football match between Palmeiras and Botafogo at Lincoln Financial Field Stadium in Philadelphia on June 28, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) In the lone South American-European match-up of this round, the teams will tussle in the only quarterfinal encounter under the lights. Palmeiras, one of the South American country's most storied clubs, has won Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 12 times (most recently in 2023) and Copa Libertadores on three occasions (most recently 2021). In this competition, Verdão (Big Green) started with two shutouts, a scoreless tie with Porto and a 2-0 win over Al Ahly before playing to a 2-2 deadlock with Inter Miami CF in the final Group A encounter. In a battle of Brazilian sides in the Round of 16, Paulinho's 100th-minute goal, his second of the competition, lifted the squad to a 1-0 win over Botafogo in Philadelphia on June 28, its third clean sheet in four matches. 'Coach has been saying this since the start of the season, that we have a dream and dreaming costs nothing," Palmeiras defender Bruno Fuchs told the Associated Press. "We follow that dream, one game after another. Always thinking about the present, about the next game. ... We're very happy, we're pleased to have qualified, and as I said, we have to keep dreaming.' CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 28: Christopher Nkunku #18 of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring his ... More team's second goal with teammates during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 28, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Chelsea's trophy case is pretty full with a host of domestic and international hardware. That includes six Premier League/First Division titles, eight FA Cup titles and the 2021 Club World Cup championship. The Blues (2-1-0, 6) finished second to Flamengo (2-0-1, 7) in Group D, losing to the Brazilian side in its second match, 3-1, after blanking Los Angeles FC. 2-0. Yet, they shrugged off that defeat with two consecutive wins. They shut out Esperance de Tunis, 3-0, and then 10-man Benfica in the Round of 16, in extra time, 4-1, in a match that was delayed for two hours due to lightning in Charlotte, N.C. on July 28. Chelsea produced some lightning of its own in extra time as French international forward Christopher Nkunku (108th minute) scored the game-winner off a rebound. Portuguese international winger Pedro Neto added his team-best third of the competition (114th) and English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall his first (117th) for some late insurance. Prior to the tournament, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca told his squad: "We are not here for pre-season. It's a big, big tournament." So far, the team has taken those words to heart. July 5 PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Fabian Ruiz of Paris Saint Germain celebrates scoring the first ... More goal with Goncalo Ramos and Nuno Mendes during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group B match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Club Atletico de Madrid at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 15, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) On paper, this is the marquee quarterfinal match, as the UEFA Champions League winners and French Ligue 1 champions take on the Bundesliga champs at the indoor venue. The key to PSG's success is that it doesn't necessarily have one superstar, but it boasts stars at just about each position and even off the bench. Seven players have celebrated goal, with Portuguese international midfielder Joao Neves and Moroccan international defender Achraf Hakimi leading the way with two apiece. When playing at its optimum, the French side is difficult to beat and forces its opposition to chase the game, as Inter Milan learned the hard way in the UCL final, a 5-0 triumph, in May. PSG continued that excellence in its 4-0 thrashing of Atletico Madrid. It hit a speed bump in a 1-0 loss to Botafogo but rebounded to finish atop Group B behind a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. In the Round of 16 in Atlanta on June 29, PSG booked a quarterfinal berth behind a 4-0 thumping of Inter Miami CF, scoring three times in the waning minutes of the first half, as Neves bagged a brace. 'We [had] a very good game. Even when we were winning four-nil, we didn't stop," Neves said. "We keep on playing our game and I think it was a positive day for us. It's the first time I scored two in one game, so I'm very happy but I'm happier for the win.' Added head coach Luis Enrique: 'I'm happy with all the players, with the mentality and the attitude. I think we need to improve, like always. ... But, I'm happy.' MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 29: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munchen celebrates scoring his side's ... More fourth goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between CR Flamengo and FC Bayern München at Hard Rock Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) Bayern Munich, which has won 34 German First Division titles, brings some impressive firepower as well, as it has not one, not two, but three players who have written their names on the scoresheet three times. The formidable threesome is England national team striker Harry Kane, German international midfielder Jamal Musiala and French national team midfielder Michael Olise. The Bundesliga champions (2-1-0, 6) started out with a 10-0 victory over Auckland City, a team comprised of semi-pro players from New Zealand, before coming back down to earth in Group C. They then edged Boca Juniors, 2-1, before dropping a 1-0 decision to Benfica in their group finale. Die Bayern then went out and recorded a 4-2 triumph over Flamengo in the Round of 16 as Kane bagged a brace, scoring on either side of halftime at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 29. 'I know a lot of my game is judged on goals and I've been doing it throughout my career, but what maybe some of the German fans and some of the Bayern fans are realizing is that I'll do anything for the team to help us win," Kane said. MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 1: Kylian Mbappé #9 of Real Madrid runs for position during the FIFA ... More Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC at Hard Rock Stadium on July 1, 2025 in Miami Gardens, United States. (Photo by Carl Kafka/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) Real Madrid is one of the kings of domestic and global soccer, having won 36 La Liga titles (most recently in 2023-24) and five Club World Cups (most recently in 2022), among countless other championships. Los Blancos are a team to be reckoned with, and then some. The Spanish powerhouse finished atop Group H with a 2-0-1 mark. It began with a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal before registering three consecutive wins. Real then defeated Pachuca, 3-1, and then Red Bull Salzburg, 3-0. In the Round of 16 in Miami Gardens on July 1, Real edged Juventus, on Gonzalo Garcia's 54th-minute goal, his third of the competition. Real enters the quarterfinals with a relatively fresh Kylian Mbappé, who missed every group match after he was hospitalized with an acute case of gastroenteritis. He made his tournament debut, replacing Garcia in the 68th minute against Juve. Mbappé, 26, a member of France's 2018 World Cup championship side, can be handful and a half to cover and stop when he is at the top of his game. He is a player to watch. 'I think that every single day he is getting better,' Real head coach Xabi Alonso said. 'I think from now until the quarterfinals he's going to be even better. I talk to him every single day and ask him how he is feeling, and I think he is going to be way better for the quarterfinals.' ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 01: Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring to give ... More the side a 1-0 lead during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and CF Monterrey at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 01, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by) Borussia Dortmund might not enjoy the same storied history as its Bundesliga rivals, Bayern Munich, but still can be a difficult side to overcome. Die Borussen (The Prussians) started off slowly, playing Fluminense to a 0-0 deadlock in Group F. Dortmund put together three one-goal victories, edging Mamelodi Sundowns, 5-4, and Ulsan HD, 1-0, and Monterrey, 2-1, in the Round of 16 in Atlanta on July 1. Guinea international striker Serhou Guirassy scored both goals in the latter win. The team has seen success without star center back Nico Schlotterbeck, who suffered a meniscus tear in April. Dortmund will be remembered as the team that kept its reserves in an air-conditioned locker room for its game vs. Mamelodi Sundown in Cincinnati on June 21. Also, U.S. international Gio Reyna, who could have helped his country in the Concacaf Gold Cup, was on the Dortmund roster, but has watched from the bench for most of the competition. "Of course, against Real Madrid we'll need to raise the level even more. With their individual quality, they have an advantage," goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said on DAZN after the win over Monterrey. "We'll need to compensate for that in other areas and have a really good day."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Raptors mailbag: Masai Ujiri's replacement? Are they a playoff team?
The NBA draft is over, free agency is underway and Summer League tips in less than a week as the page turns to the 2025-26 season. Which means it's a good time for a Raptors and NBA mailbag. Wasn't surprised to see a lot of questions about the departure of Masai Ujiri and his possible successor. Thanks as always for the queries. Here's Part 1: Pierro @Oliaros2: 'Are we, for the foreseeable future, going to be Washington Wizards bad? Or are we going to be in hateful NBA purgatory: too good to get a high lotto pick that pushes the team forward, not good enough to contend for the playoffs.' RW: It's amusing to ponder this in the wake of Masai's exit since he was adamant the middle was no place to be in the NBA (an accurate statement). He was always dead-set against the Raptors lurking there. I believe in the near term the team will indeed be too good to get a high lottery pick (assuming the key players stay healthy), but I'm more optimistic about the playoffs. In the West they'd be near the bottom, but the East stinks, so the play-in is my absolute floor for these Raptors. Only Cleveland, Atlanta, Orlando and New York seem definitively better. That leaves four playoff spots for Boston (no Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis), Indiana (no Tyrese Haliburton or Myles Turner), Detroit (weakened by some defections and no longer benefitting from the element of surprise), Philadelphia (if two of Joel Embiid, Paul George or Jared McCain play 60 games apiece, which is far from guaranteed), Milwaukee, and maybe Miami for Toronto to fight it out with. Brooklyn, Charlotte, Washington, Chicago, Miami, weakened Indiana and Detroit seem less talented than these Raptors, but we'll see. Sean @Whispering375: 'Who in your opinion would be the front runner on Masai's job? And if they do hire someone outside of Bobby, don't you think that new person would want a new coach and management?' RW: Ujiri built a very diverse front office complete with a little bit of everything ranging from a jack of all trades with a specialty in the salary cap in Bobby Webster, lots of people with scouting backgrounds, someone who was in media relations (and scouting) in Dan Tolzman, analytics (Keith Boyarsky), and even a former journalist (Luke Winn), amongst others. One thing they don't have is a former agent in a prominent position. That's been the trendy thing in the NBA for a while now (like with Leon Rose in New York). To that end, Bob Myers would be a great candidate, but can't imagine Rogers would meet his price or he'd want to move his family at this point, but you never know. Ideally they'd find an agent-type to work under Webster and maybe even Tolzman, but not sure how likely that is. As you mentioned, it's tough to hire someone above as they usually do want their own people (and I think Webster and Tolzman are more than deserving of showing what they can do in the top two roles. Both are extremely well-regarded league-wide and it would be a shame if Rogers turfed them solely as further cleaning out of the old Ujiri regime. I'm not the only one that's thought a former (or current) agent is most likely to come aboard, but don't know specific candidates. Another idea is a veteran presence in the mix, which was lost when Jeff Weltman went to Orlando years ago. Someone with decades of experience in management as the great Wayne Embry is not a daily presence with the franchise. Or, an out of the box one, what about Steve Nash? (Though that would mean you could shut down all those RJ Barrett trade rumours, since Nash is his godfather). Freeman Igers @freemanigers: 'Do you think Masai's departure is more performance related or compensation?' RW: A little from Column A, a little from Column B, but they're related. From what I've been able to report from sources, Ujiri wasn't keen on Raptors life post-Larry Tanenbaum with Edward Rogers calling all the shots and Rogers wasn't willing to pay Ujiri anything close to what he wanted anyway. So there was no pathway to Ujiri sticking around. If Tanenbaum wasn't on the way out (reports have said Rogers can buy his shares by next summer, they just closed their purchase of Bell's shares this week), there was a good chance Ujiri would stick around a bit longer. But the team's struggles over the last half-decade really soured Rogers on Ujiri at his upper echelons of NBA executives compensation point. Raptors shore up centre position with Jakob Poeltl contract extension, free agency signing Who will replace Masai Ujiri as Toronto Raptors president? Just Win @ 'How much of the current Raptors makeup was Masai and how much is Bobby (who has been GM for years now)? Do you expect significant changes on the court to reflect those differences (what major differences in philosophy might Bobby have)?' RW: Bobby has a different background than Masai, who was always a scout through and through. Webster came up studying and anticipating league trends, helped write a previous CBA, saw how the Magic operated back in the day, etc. It's too early to know how different he will be making the final call. He and Ujiri and Tolzman were aligned on a lot of the prospects they previously liked and the room has always been very inclusive, with opinions solicited from everyone. 'Cross-checking' was a key principle and everyone was encouraged to give their opinions on prospects or trade targets and I wouldn't expect that to change. @WolstatSun
