IGA SWIATEK HIT BY BALL,

 

AP

Iga Swiatek dropped to her knees on the court and clutched at her midsection after getting hit by a ball during a point in the Paris Olympics singles quarterfinals Wednesday, but it was her opponent, Danielle Collins of the United States, who stopped playing later in the third set.

Swiatek was leading 6-2, 1-6, 4-1 when Collins retired from the match after taking a medical timeout then getting another visit from a trainer.

Collins, a 30-year-old who was the runner-up at the 2022 Australian Open and has announced she will retire from elite-level tennis after this season, said she cramped and went into convulsions because of dehydration and exhaustion after competing in heat that reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday.

She blamed Olympic organizers for not having insulated water bottles, for the water not being cool enough and for not "prioritizing the health of the athletes."

"It's incredibly disappointing because you work so hard your whole life to make it to the Olympics, and this is my first and my last Olympics, and something like not having adequate water on court. That's really frustrating and it's really sad," Collins said.

In the opening game of the final set, with Collins serving at deuce, she directed a backhand down the middle of the court. Swiatek was up at the net and unable to get out of the way of the shot.

Swiatek looked stunned as she let go of her white racket and stopped down on the red clay at Court Suzanne Lenglen. Collins -- who asked, "Iga, are you OK?" -- walked around the net to check on Swiatek, and chair umpire Damien Dumusois climbed out of his perch to see how the world's No. 1 player was.

"I could not breathe for a moment. It hurt for a bit," Swiatek said. "But with the adrenaline that you have on court, you don't feel as much as you should."

Swiatek eventually rose and nodded to indicate she could continue.

Three points later, Collins pushed a forehand long and Swiatek had a break. Soon, she would break again to lead 3-0 in that set, and Collins left the court for a medical timeout that delayed the action for about five minutes. When they resumed, it quickly became 4-0, before Collins took a game. But then she conceded the match.

In the semifinals, Swiatek will face Zheng Qinwen, who ended the stellar career of Germany's Angelique Kerber in a titanic tussle that ended 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Zheng failed to convert three successive match points in the third set as Kerber clung on grimly in stifling heat but eventually prevailed, collapsing to the red clay in disbelief as Kerber's last shot struck the net.

Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion, announced last week she would retire after the Olympics.

"I've achieved everything I dreamt of," Kerber said. "I was No. 1, won Grand Slams, won a [silver] medal in Rio, so what more could you want in the end?"

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic bowed out with a 6-4, 6-2 loss to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Schmiedlova has now eliminated both women who played in the final at the All England Club 2½ weeks ago. She defeated Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini in the third round Tuesday and now is the first tennis semifinalist from Slovakia at a Summer Games since 1988.

Krejcikova was seeded ninth in Paris and has fared well on the clay courts at Roland Garros, which hosts the French Open and is being used for tennis at these Olympics. Her first Grand Slam singles championship came at the French Open in 2021, when she also won the doubles title.

But with the heat at 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the air thick with humidity, Krejcikova looked listless down the stretch against Schmiedlova, a 29-year-old who is ranked 67th and owns one fourth-round appearance at a Slam. That came last year at Roland Garros.

By the end, Krejcikova appeared spent and was barely moving. She slapped a forehand into the net to finish the match, and Schmiedlova raised both arms overhead.

The two players accumulated nearly the exact same number of winners, with 18 for Krejcikova and 17 for Schmiedlova. The big difference was in unforced errors: 32 by Krejcikova, more than twice as many as Schmiedlova's 15.

That included five double-faults for Krejcikova, who needed to deal with 11 break points and lost five of her service games.

Next for Schmiedlova will be a match Thursday against Donna Vekic of Croatia, who beat Coco Gauff in the third round, or Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, with a place in the gold medal final on the line.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

- 

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(via @giorgiochiellini)

SIMONE BILES DESTROYS EX-USA TEAM-MATE WITH SIX-WORD RESPONSE TO OLYMPIC TEAM CRITICISM

Simone Biles helped lead the US to gymnastics gold

Simone Biles delivered the perfect response on social media after helping the USA win gold in light of criticism from former team-mate MyKayla Skinner, who questioned the team.

Simone Biles has mocked former US team-mate MyKayla Skinner's "work ethic" criticism after winning Olympic gold in the women’s gymnastics.

Biles furthered her legacy and is now the most decorated American gymnast in the history of the Olympics with eight medals. She led the US team, which also included Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Hezly Rivera, to victory in the team gymnastics final on Tuesday.

Prior to the games beginning in Paris Skinner, who had claimed silver in the vault final in Tokyo three years ago, took aim at the lack of quality in the US team once you looked past Biles. She also bemoaned the effort being put in by the current crop of stars - only for them to win gold.

She said in a YouTube video: "Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be. I mean, obviously, a lot of girls don’t work as hard. The girls just don’t have the work ethic.

"A lot of girls don’t work as hard. It’s hard too because of SafeSport. Coaches can’t get on athletes which in some ways is really good but at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics you do have to be… a little aggressive, a little intense."

Biles celebrated her gold on her Instagram and put up a post of her and her team-mates with their medals before creating a caption that clearly had Skinner's comments in mind. She wrote: "Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions."

Skinner has since u-turned on her criticism and claim she was drawing comparisons between the current team and the class of 2021, who were led by the controversial coaching regime of gymnastics coach Marta Karolyi.

Mykayla Skinner's comments about the current squad have come back to haunt her

She said: "Upon reflection, I was comparing the ‘Marta Era’ to the current era. I am coming to terms that I have not fully dealt with the emotional and verbal abuse I endured under Marta that perhaps led to my hurtful comments. I take full responsibility for what I said and deeply apologise."

America, who took their oldest ever team to the Olympics, were able to make amends for coming up short in Japan with Biles admitting that was a huge motivation. “I think we all had something to prove from Tokyo and tonight we did just that," she said.

The US victory was Biles' 38th career gold medal across the Olympics and world championships - further extending her record as the most decorated gymnast in history.

- Samuel Meade, Sports Brand Writer

ALEX ALBON ISSUES 'REALISTIC' WILLIAMS WARNING CARLOS SAINZ WILL NOT WANT TO HEAR

Getty Images 

Alex Albon has now issued a warning about Williams that Carlos Sainz will not want to hear after agreeing to his multi-year contract to join the Formula 1 team from Ferrari.

The Grove squad have moved to lock down their driver line-up for 2025 with Sainz replacing Logan Sargeant. Williams have gifted the 29-year-old an initial two-year contract that boasts options to take his stay past 2026, after Ferrari elected to replace Sainz with Lewis Hamilton.

Ferrari put Sainz in the shop window in February when Hamilton confirmed that he will leave Mercedes after the 2024 Formula 1 season. Williams have now, finally, won the race to land Sainz’s signature to partner Albon in Grove having decided to drop Sargeant after two years.

Alex Albon admits Williams must ‘be realistic’ with F1’s 2026 regulation changes

Albon also renewed his contract with Williams in May to stay in Grove through, at least, the 2027 F1 season. The 28-year-old is committed to helping Williams return to the front of the grid and shaping how they deal with Formula 1’s huge set of regulation changes come 2026.

F1 will introduce new chassis and engine regulations in its biggest shake-up since 2014 and the start of the V6 turbo-hybrid power unit era. Engines will become a 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power, while running sustainable fuels and removing the MGU-H.

The chassis regulation changes will also see Formula 1 cars become smaller in 2026 and run active aerodynamics. But Albon feels Williams must ‘be realistic’ with their expectations for 2026 and that any suggestions the Grove natives will become podium threats are ambitious.

“I think 2026 to say we will be at the front would be optimistic,” Albon told GPFans. “I think we do need to be realistic and stay grounded, and focus on how much of a journey that we were gonna have to be on.”

James Vowles made Carlos Sainz fully aware of the project Williams are building

Albon admitting that Williams are unlikely to become front-runners when Formula 1 enters the new regulations in 2026 will be among the last things that Sainz wanted to hear having signed his multi-year contract. It is hardly a huge vote of confidence in the project he joins.

But team principal James Vowles spoke with Sainz since last December about the project he is creating at Williams. So, the Spaniard will move to Grove in 2025 with his eyes wide open to what is in store as he steps down from Ferrari, where Sainz has won three Grand Prix yet.

Getty Images 

Sainz became a Grand Prix winner for the first time in his Formula 1 career as a Ferrari pilot at the 2022 British GP. He has since added victories at the 2023 Singapore GP and the 2024 Australian GP. But Ferrari felt they could not pass up on a chance to sign Hamilton for 2025.

Now, Williams will hope Sainz’s experience – having also taken five pole positions and 21 of his 23 career podiums at Ferrari – helps Albon to shape their path into the 2026 regulations. Williams have not taken a podium since the 2021 Belgian GP, when the race lasted one lap.

On true merit alone, Williams’ last podium came at the 2017 Azerbaijan GP as Lance Stroll secured third place. The Grove squad also last took a pole position at the 2014 Austrian GP with Felipe Massa. Pastor Maldonado gifted Williams their last win at the 2012 Spanish GP.

CSA AND ACB ANNOUNCE HISTORIC ODI

CSA and ACB announce historic ODI series
©REUTERS

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are pleased to announce a historic three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between the Proteas Men and Afghanistan from 18 - 22 September in the United Arab Emirates.

The ODI series is the first-ever bilateral series between the two sides with all three matches set to be hosted by ACB at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

South Africa has faced Afghanistan on two occasions in 50-over cricket during the last two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2019 and 2023.

This series will mark their first encounter since South Africa defeated Afghanistan in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Trinidad and Tobago last month.

CSA Chairman Lawson Naidoo commented: “We are excited to embark on this historic ODI series with Afghanistan, who have become a very competitive all-round team as evidenced by their recent performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and most recently at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This is a significant milestone in our cricketing relations, and we look forward to a competitive and entertaining series”

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf added: “These fixtures were not initially part of our FTP. Still, based on our productive negotiations with our counterparts at Cricket South Africa, we concluded that we will host the Proteas for an ODI series in September. They are an excellent team, and we are eagerly looking forward to hosting them and playing them regularly in the future.”

Fixtures

Wednesday, 18 September

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

-  Cricket World & Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) & Cricket South Africa Wednesday 31 July 2024

ALEX YEE CLAIMS STUNNING GOLD MEDAL IN MEN'S INDIVIDUAL TRIATHLON

Getty Images 

The Brit runs down Hayden Wilde in the last few moments to upgrade his silver from Tokyo, while Beth Potter gets a bronze medal in women’s event

Alex Yee quite literally turned on the turbo-boosters at the Paris Olympics, finding strength late on to win a dramatic gold medal in the men’s individual triathlon.

The Brit looked like he’d have to settle for yet another silver, after Yee finished second behind Kristian Blummenfelt in the individual event in Tokyo three years ago.

Yee was around 12 seconds back to Hayden Wilde with around a couple of kilometres to go but started to eat into that lead and then overtook the New Zealander with just a few corners of the Parisian course left.

After crossing the line first, Yee fist bumped the air and knew that he had the gold medal in the bag, winning by six seconds.

Hayden Wilde and Alex Yee (Getty)

Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising, given Yee has an excellent background in distance running and boasts a personal 10,000m best of 27:51.94 from 2018.

That year, he also became British champion over the distance at Night of the 10,000m PBs.

After such an enthralling individual triumph, Yee and his fellow British teammates will aim to retain the mixed relay title later in the Games.

The incredible action made up for the scheduling chaos in the build-up to the event.

The men’s race was postponed by a day due to pollution levels in the Seine being too high for athletes to safely swim in.

Overnight rain didn’t help the situation but, following days of uncertainty, the triathlon was given the go ahead.

Beth Porter (Getty)

Beth Potter won a superb bronze medal in the women’s individual triathlon, finishing behind France’s Cassandre Beaugrand and Switzerland’s Julie Derron.

The Brit, who is the reigning world champion, battled through the gruelling conditions to make the podium.

It was unsurprising that the athletes, who didn’t just overcome strong currents in the Seine but also greasy roads due to the overnight rain, collapsed over the line at the finish.

After a tough swim and chaotic cycle – the latter seeing a myriad of athletes slipping and sliding on the bikes – Potter got herself in the leading pack for the final 10km, which included Derron and Beaugrand’s compatriot Emma Lombardi.

With a couple of kilometres to go, Beaugrand made the big move in her bid for the gold medal, immediately establishing a gap. No one managed to stay with her and it was more than enough for the French athlete to take the victory.

Beaugrand, who trains in Loughborough, has roots in the UK and was once the BUCS individual triathlon champion.

Derron was six seconds behind Beaugrand, with Potter a further nine seconds back in third.

It was an incredible moment for Potter, who represented Great Britain in athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympics and finished 34th in the 10,000m.

“I’m so happy. I was going for the gold but Cassandre and Julie were just too good for me and I’m super happy to come away with the bronze,” Potter told BBC Sport.

“I’ve come a long way in eight years. I did it for me but I also did it for everyone who has helped me in eight years and believed in me from day one. It is for them back home as well.”

Reigning Olympic champion Flora Duffy finished fifth.

- Tim Adams

TRIATHLON RACES CLEARED TO GO AHEAD ON WEDNESDAY

Athletes dive into the Seine River for the start of the women’s individual triathlon at the Paris Olympic Games on Wednesday.(Vadim Ghirda / Associated Press)

 Organizers cleared the Olympic women's and men's triathlons to go ahead on Wednesday after the latest Seine river water tests showed lower levels of bacteria, ending days of uncertainty over whether the central Paris swim was viable after heavy rains.

The men's race had been postponed to Wednesday because of bacteria levels.

"The results of the latest water analyses, received at 3.20 a.m. (local time), have been assessed as compliant by World Triathlon allowing for the triathlon competitions to take place," Paris 2024 and World Triathlon said in a statement Wednesday.

The women's race is scheduled for 2 a.m. ET (8 a.m. local time) and the men's race at 4:45 a.m. (10:45 a.m. local). - Reuters

OLYMPIC GOLF: STAR-STUDDED PAIRINGS FEATURE SCHEFFLER, MCILROY, RAHM, SCHAUFFELE

How about these Olympic men's golf pairings for the first two rounds?

The star-studded group of Scottie Scheffler (USA), Rory McIlroy (Ireland) and Ludvig Aberg (SWE) will tee off together at 4:11 a.m. Eastern time (10:11 a.m. locally) on Thursday and 12:06 p.m. locally on Friday.

In other featured groups: Xander Schauffele (USA) will play alongside Viktor Hovland (Norway) and Jon Rahm (Spain) at 11:55 a.m. locally Thursday.

Collin Morikawa (USA) is in the Thursday 12:06 p.m. pairing with local French favorite Matthieu Pavon (France) and Matt Fitzpatrick (Great Britain) in a group that should enjoy a raucous following at Le Golf National.

And Wyndham Clark (USA) will play at 9:44 a.m. locally Thursday alongside Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Tommy Fleetwood (Great Britain).

 – Gentry Estes

COCO GAUFF ELIMINATED FROM SINGLES TENNIS COMPETITION FOLLOWING CONTROVERSIAL RULING

Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP/Getty Images

PARIS – Tennis star Coco Gauff, who was chosen as the Olympic opening ceremony flag bearer for Team USA, is out of the women’s singles competition after losing 7-6, 6-2 to Donna Vekic of Croatia.

It was a loss that was mired in some controversy. Down 7-6, 3-2 in a match that was tightly contested all the way through, Gauff faced a massive break point at 30-40. As she retreated to hit a backhand, the linesperson made an out call before Gauff swung her racket and she immediately decelerated, causing a miss.

But the chair umpire saw it differently, overruling the out call and awarding the point to Vekic.

A five-minute argument ensued in which Gauff called the tournament supervisor and appeared to be crying, while saying “I feel like I’m getting cheated constantly in this game.”

Gauff still has a chance to take home medals in doubles and mixed doubles, but her performance Tuesday was surprising and disappointing given how solid she looked in the first two rounds of the tournament and her strong track record on the clay of Roland Garros during the French Open. – Dan Wolken

OLYMPIC SOCCER: EGYPT BEATS SPAIN 2-1, BOTH ADVANCE TO MEN'S KNOCKOUT STAGE

Egypt's defender #04 Ahmed Eid runs with the ball in the men's group C football match between Uzbekistan and Egypt during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes on July 27, 2024. AFP

 Ibrahim Adel had a brace, scoring a goal in each half, to fuel Egypt’s 2-1 win against Spain and a first-place finish in Group C. Both teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

Samu Omorodion scored in the 90th minute for Spain, which began the day with a spot in the knockout round already clinched. Spain enters the knockout stage as the Group C runner-up. 

Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan are both eliminated from the Paris Olympics after their 1-1 draw. – Safid Deen

TEAM USA BMX RIDERS IN PRIME MEDAL POSITION ENTERING FINALS

Mamie Fernandez

PARIS — Team USA's freestyle BMX riders are poised to help extend the United States' lead in the overall medal count after a stellar showing in qualifying Tuesday at the La Concorde Olympic venue. Both men, Marcus Christopher and Justin Dowell, and both women, Hannah Roberts and Perris Benegas, not only qualified for Wednesday's finals, but all four will be seeded fourth or higher among nine competitors in each division.

Roberts will be the No. 1 seed in the women's competition after posting an average score of 91.45. Benegas will be seeded fourth. For the men, Christopher took the No. 2 seed and Dowell the No. 4 seed. Medal rides for the women will begin at 1:10 p.m. Paris time, followed by the men at 2:44 p.m.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the United States led all countries in medals with 20, four more than host-country France (16). – Chase Goodbread

TEAM USA HAS "APPROPRIATE FEAR" IN FACING SOUTH SUDAN

PARIS -- Team USA has initiated the "appropriate fear" phrase.

This tradition traces back to Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich, who pioneered the mindset -- a respect for the underdog mantra he brought to the San Antonio Spurs and later as coach of Team USA.

And one that current coach Steve Kerr, one of Popovich's many pupils, has been imparting this week as the Americans prepare to see South Sudan on Wednesday in Olympic pool play. On the heels of an impressive win over Serbia, another U.S. victory would clinch a spot in next week's quarterfinals.

South Sudan is playing in its first Olympics and doesn't have any current NBA players on its roster. But the Bright Stars beat Puerto Rico in their Olympic opener last Sunday and pushed Team USA to the brink in a one-point loss in a friendly in London less than two weeks ago.

"We have appropriate fear," said Steph Curry, who has played for Kerr for a decade with the Golden State Warriors and is quite familiar with the concept. "We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win."

The U.S. is a heavy favorite against the Bright Stars; ESPN BET has set the line at 29.5 points. But the Americans were favored by more than 40 points on July 20. It took a basket by LeBron James with eight seconds left and surviving multiple good looks the South Sudanese got just before the buzzer for the U.S. to secure a 101-100 victory.

"They came within one shot of beating us," Kerr said. "I'm really glad that we played them so we can feel their speed and their 3-point shooting ability and feel how good they are."

Unlike Serbia, a methodical bruising team that prefers to play slow and rough, South Sudan is loaded with players with NBA-level quickness.

Led by former NBA player and current Houston Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey, South Sudan will have five 3-point shooting threats on the floor at all times and look to spread opponents out. It made 14 3-pointers against the Americans in London and made 10 more against Puerto Rico.

"The exhibition schedule was great because you got to figure out where we need to get better and also feel the force of teams that are coming trying to beat us," Curry said. "They're a very high-octane offense, spread the floor, shoot a lot of 3s and have athleticism. So you just got to be mindful of how to guard them. It's totally different than Serbia."

High on the scouting report will be former Philadelphia 76ers wing Marial Shayok, who lit up the U.S. for 24 points in the last meeting. He and former NBA forward Wenyan Gabriel combined to shoot 9-of-15 on 3-pointers.

Former G League Player of the Year Carlik Jones had a triple-double in the game in London, breaking down the American perimeter defense with aggressive drives that opened up kick outs to 3-point shooters. Jones, who recently signed a with Serbian power FK Partizan, had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Puerto Rico.

"We'll be much better prepared [Wednesday]," Kerr said. "But doesn't guarantee anything."

Also Tuesday, Team USA center Joel Embiid spoke to the media for the first time since arriving in France. Embiid was booed by the French crowd in Lille on Sunday, not unexpected after he passed on offers to play for France in these Olympics.

"[Reaction is] nothing," Embiid said. "Like I've said, I'm an American. I play for Team USA."

Embiid grew up in Cameroon and moved to the U.S when he was 16. He was granted French citizenship in 2022 and American citizenship in 2023.

- Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer

OLYMPIC TENNIS STAR TELLS OPPONENT 'I DON'T RESPECT YOU ' IN A HEATED ROW AFTER LOSS

SHAPOVALOV TAKES ON BAUTISTA AGUT | WASHINGTON 2024

 

ADIDAS REMOVED BELLA HADID FROM AD CAMPAIGN AFTER CRITICISM FROM ISRAEL

Company says it is ‘revising’ work for shoe designed for 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israelis were killed by Palestinian terrorists.

Adidas has pulled images of the model Bella Hadid from adverts promoting a sports shoe first launched to coincide with the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

The German-based sportswear company said it was “revising” its campaign after criticism from Israel over Hadid’s involvement.

The SL72 trainers, described by Adidas as a timeless classic, were promoted by Hadid, an American whose family has its roots in Palestine.

The model, who previously drew the ire of the Israeli government for allegedly chanting the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, has been accused of antisemitism.

Israel’s official account on X said it objected to Hadid as “the face of [the Adidas] campaign” in a post that noted that “eleven Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics”.

Hadid has repeatedly criticised the Israeli government and supported Palestinians over the years and on 23 October made a statement on Instagram lamenting the loss of innocent lives while calling on followers to pressure their leaders to protect civilians in Gaza.

Adidas said in a statement that the campaign for the SL72 shoe “unites a broad range of partners”. It said: “We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events – though these are completely unintentional – and we apologise for any upset or distress caused.

“As a result, we are revising the remainder of the campaign.”

It did not set out what changes would be made. Other advertising images showing Adidas brand ambassadors including the French footballer Jules Koundé, the US rapper A$AP Nast and the Chinese model Sabrina Lan remain online.

Members of the Palestinian group Black September broke into the Olympic village on 5 September 1972. Eleven members of the Israeli team were taken hostage and killed.

It is not the first time that the sportswear company has cut ties with celebrity ambassadors after accusations of antisemitism.

Adidas ended its partnership with the rapper Kanye West in October 2022, saying it “does not tolerate antisemitism” after the rapper was suspended from Instagram and Twitter over offensive posts.

It said the comments and actions from West had been “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous and violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness”.

- Tom Ambrose 

BEARS, WIDE RECEIVER DJ MOORE REACH 4-YEAR, $110M EXTENSION

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears and wide receiver DJ Moore reached agreement on a four-year, $110 million contract extension, the largest in franchise history, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

The deal -- negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey -- includes $82.6 million guaranteed, which ranks third for a wide receiver on a single contract in NFL history (Justin Jefferson $110 million guaranteed, A.J. Brown $84 million). All three players agreed to their deals this offseason.

Moore, 27, had two years remaining on the extension he signed at the end of his rookie contract with the Carolina Panthers and was set to hit free agency in 2026. He is now under contract with the Bears through the 2029 season and headlines a wide receiver room with 12-year veteran Keenan Allen and the draft's ninth overall pick, Rome Odunze.

A former first-round pick, Moore was the focal point of a 2023 trade that sent the No. 1 overall selection from Chicago to Carolina in exchange for Moore and four draft picks. At the time of the trade, Chicago general manager Ryan Poles said he was "over the moon" about receiving Moore in the haul from the Panthers and was worried the receiver wouldn't be available had the Bears waited past the date they executed the trade March 10, 2023.

In his first season with the Bears, Moore put together a career year, leading the team in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364), receiving yards per game (80.2) and touchdowns (8). He accounted for 39.9% of Chicago's receiving yards, the highest percentage for any player for a team in 2023.

In one season, Moore changed the trajectory of the Bears offense. His 1,364 receiving yards were the fourth most by a Bears player in franchise history, trailing only Brandon Marshall (2012), Alshon Jeffery (2013) and Marcus Robinson (1999).

Since entering the league in 2018, Moore has caught a pass from 12 different quarterbacks -- yet still ranks seventh in the NFL in receiving yards over that span despite playing with a rotating cast of QBs.

"Our best player has got to be our hardest workers and they've got to be our best finishers and they've got to be available to practice out there, and DJ certainly is that," Chicago coach Matt Eberflus said in June. "He's as tough as they come and he is a great teammate and he is our hardest worker and one of our most talented guys."

The Bears rewarded Moore with an extension earlier than they have for players under Poles' direction. Last summer, Chicago extended tight end Cole Kmet going into the final year of his rookie deal. The team let cornerback Jaylon Johnson play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 before signing him to a four-year extension this offseason, after using the franchise tag as a placeholder for negotiations.

In March, Poles said he wanted to be "intentional with the order that we do negotiations," which eventually meant that Moore would leapfrog other Bears players who are headed for contract years in 2024.

Allen, who was traded to the Bears from the Los Angeles Chargers, has one year remaining on his deal. Left guard Teven Jenkins is entering the final year of his rookie contract and said the Bears told him and his agent that he would have to wait until after Chicago's Week 7 bye to enter negotiations.

By extending Moore, Poles now has the team's offensive core locked down for quite a while; Chicago has its first overall quarterback (Caleb Williams), two first-round wide receivers (Odunze, Moore), a top-10 pick offensive tackle (Darnell Wright) and starting tight end (Kmet) all under contract for at least the next four years (including fifth-year options on first-round contracts).

Moore is the latest to cash in during a summer of mega contract extensions for wide receivers. His deal makes him the second-highest-paid wide receiver behind Minnesota's Jefferson, who signed the richest contract in NFL history at the position (four years, $140 million) in June.

ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.

- Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff Writer

ISRAELI DELEGATION FACES THREATS AND ABUSE AT PARIS OLYMPICS

 Latest Developments

French authorities opened an investigation into spectators who carried a banner declaring “Genocide Olympics,” chanted “Heil Hitler,” performed Nazi salutes, and otherwise tormented the Israeli team and its fans at the Paraguay-Israel soccer match on July 27. Stewards removed anti-Israel demonstrators from the stadium hosting the match as part of the Paris Olympics. At Israel’s previous match against Mali on July 24, a bomb scare prompted French police to cordon off areas near the venue. Separately, a false alarm at the airport prevented Israel’s president from deplaning for 40 minutes.

Expert Analysis

“Sports are supposed to bring people together to celebrate human achievement and the camaraderie of competition. Instead, anti-Israel protests have tarnished the sanctity of the Olympics by spreading hate and threatening the athletes.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“The bitter irony of spectators waving a banner falsely accusing Israel of ‘genocide’ chanting Hitler’s name to emphasize their point shouldn’t be lost on anyone.”— Ben Cohen, FDD Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Manager

Israeli Delegation Faces Death Threats

On July 18 and 19, prior to the start of the games, 15 Israeli athletes and their teams received identical emails in Hebrew warning them they would be killed if they went to France. On July 25, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate concluded that Iranian hackers published the personal information of Israeli athletes and sent them threatening messages. On the same day, Israel’s foreign minister warned his French counterpart of an Iran-backed plot to target Israeli athletes and visitors. In response to the threats, France is escorting Israeli athletes to and from matches at the Olympics with elite tactical units and providing the Israelis with 24-hour protection.

Israeli Athletes Face Discrimination

Judo competitors from Morocco and Tajikistan refused to shake their Israeli opponent’s hand following their respective matches, contravening standard practice in the sport. Judo’s governing body is investigating a separate incident in which an Algerian failed to meet the weight requirement, allegedly intentionally so that he would not have to face his Israeli opponent on July 29. Additionally, Olympic officials denied an Iraqi request to “relocate or remove” an Israeli flag at a Lyon stadium that was next to an Iraqi flag.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee has not allowed Israelis to wear yellow ribbons, which represent the campaign to free hostages held in Gaza. This is in line with Olympic regulations forbidding athletes from making political statements. However, Waseem Abu Sal, one of the Palestinian delegation’s two flag-bearers wore a shirt depicting a warplane dropping missiles on children playing sports. Abu Sal described the political nature of the shirt, which “represents the current picture in Palestine,” while the president of the Palestine Olympic Committee said Olympic officials approved the shirt.

DOUBLES TEAM TO WEAR MICS AS PART OF ATF TRIAL IN WASHINGTON

 Select doubles teams will wear microphones in competitive matches for the first time at this week's Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington as part of a trial to enhance the fan experience, the ATP said Monday.

While players commonly wear microphones at exhibition events, the trial will give fans an insight into discussions about tactics in tournament play, offering a similar experience to hearing NBA players in a huddle and Formula 1 drivers talk to engineers.

The conversations will also be made available on the ATP's digital channels during the July 29-Aug. 4 event.

"The continuation of the 2024 ATP Doubles Trial with the introduction of player-worn microphones during competition is a transformative opportunity for players, fans and the sport as a whole," ATP chief sporting officer Ross Hutchins said. "This will provide fans live, never-before-seen insight into tactics players use during critical points of a match while also providing interesting glimpses into the lighter, funny moments of the action."

Some of the other changes on trial at Washington include a maximum of 21 seconds between points, 60-second changeovers and free crowd movement on the sides of the court.

The ATP has also conducted trials for innovations to the doubles game at Madrid; London; Hamburg, Germany; Gstaad, Switzerland; Newport, Rhode Island; and Kitzbuehel, Austria, this season.

Reuters contributed to this report.

'TERRIBLE': TRUMP REACTS TO PARIS OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY

 

HOW KROENKE & CO. REVITALISED ARSENAL AND AIM TO PUSH FORWARD

Josh Kroenke, left, chats with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard at last week's L.A. Rams training camp. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 LOS ANGELES -- Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke is in a tent looking out over a field at Loyola Marymount University, where Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay have just finished coaching 100 children at a community event.

"Just seeing Mikel and Sean out there standing, talking with the kids around, it is kind of a full-circle moment that we have been building towards for a number of years," Kroenke says in an exclusive interview with ESPN. "I've always preached that we need to figure out a way to get our different groups together because it is apples, oranges and watermelon but it's all fruit to fruit."

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), founded by Josh's father, Stan, has enjoyed a ripe spell of late. It owns six professional teams and, in June 2023, the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship in their 48-year history. It was KSE's fourth title in 18 months after the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche claimed the 2021-22 Stanley Cup, and the Colorado Mammoth were crowned 2022 National Lacrosse League champions. MLS side Colorado Rapids and English Premier League club Arsenal complete the six, and altogether KSE was valued by Forbes in January at $15.59 billion, making it the world's largest privately held sports group.

"The benefit of the organisation my dad has built has given us the ability to cross-pollinate certain concepts and ideas across similar but different businesses, and those are our teams," Kroenke continues.

"When you go through your hiring process, whether that's your technical director/general manager-type role, a head coaching role, or you're getting into new commercial enterprise driving the business, there are a lot of similarities, but they are all very different at times. With Sean and Mikel in particular, there is a relative template to putting good people in positions, giving them time and resources to succeed."

There is a harmony within KSE these days. Stan is also in attendance to watch talent from two of his teams schooling children aged 7-12 from Inglewood and South L.A. Arteta and McVay speak regularly to share ideas, and, during Arsenal's preseason tour of the U.S., staff members from both teams -- plus others flown in from KSE's Denver teams -- had dinner together and held panel discussions they hope will lead to further improvement across the group.

Arsenal are beginning to reap the benefits, having finished fifth in the 2021-22 Premier League table before two second-place finishes in which they pushed Manchester City in incrementally closer title races. (Their points totals in those last two seasons, 89 and 84, would have been enough to win the league nearly any other season were it not for Pep Guardiola's remarkable work at Man City.) A steadfast belief in a transposable template is what enabled KSE to navigate the mutinous atmosphere that for so long threatened to define its involvement with Arsenal.

KSE's 2007 decision to buy a minority stake in the club was viewed with scepticism among Arsenal's fanbase, many questioning whether U.S. owners with no background in elite football could truly have the club's best intentions at heart. That scepticism grew into widespread hostility over the next decade as Arsenal's last Premier League title, back in 2004, increasingly felt like a bygone era.

The club's 2014 FA Cup win belatedly ended a nine-year wait for a trophy, but Arsenal's inability to challenge for bigger prizes led many supporters to feel that then-manager Arsène Wenger was not sufficiently held accountable for the expanding distance between former glories and present travails. Debt repayments linked to the move to Emirates Stadium limited Arsenal's transfer activity, and sights were consequently lowered from challenging for the title to simply qualifying for the Champions League. Between the second-place finishes in 2015-16 and 2022-23, the Gunners finished no higher than fifth and failed to even make it into the Champions League.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

TEAM USA VS. TEAM SERBIA | FULL HIGHLIGHTS| PARIS OLYMPICS 2024

NADAL VS. DJOKOVIC: STORY OF A HISTORIC RIVALRY

 

CHRISTIAN HORNER POINTS OUT MERCEDES 'MISTAKE' AFTER GEORGE RUSSELL DISQUALIFICATION

Christian Horner reacts to George Russell's disqualification from the Belgian GP.

George Russell’s second win of the 2024 season has been taken away, with the Mercedes driver disqualified for returning an underweight car to parc fermé.

Russell’s disqualification has bumped both Red Bull drivers up in the points standings — and Christian Horner, Red Bull team boss, offered his perspective on Mercedes’ crucial mistake at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Christian Horner: Mercedes made ‘a mistake in their calculations’

George Russell has spent years trying to turn a one-stop strategy into a Grand Prix win, and it appeared as if the Mercedes driver had finally pulled it off when he crossed the finish line first at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Unfortunately for Russell, his car was found to be underweight by a mere 1.5 kg. A minute difference — but a massive one in Formula 1, where every milligram of weight matters when trying to find a performance advantage.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was asked if he believed Russell’s one-stop strategy actually contributed to his car’s weight discrepancy after the race.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Horner replied.

“I’m sure that you’d have lost well over a kilo of rubber. We saw that on Friday.

“But you know, you have to carry enough fuel to do the sample, otherwise you’re using fuel as ballast.

“Really sad news for George, but obviously a mistake in their calculations.”

It is a devastating result for a team that would have taken a massive boost in the World Constructors’ Championship thanks to its one-two finish.

But Horner wasn’t the only person Sky Sports was able to catch for an opinion. Indeed, they were able to grab Charles Leclerc — who inherited third place after Russell’s disqualification but was unable to celebrate on the podium — before the Monegasque racer left the circuit.

“They had done an incredible job today, and it’s not the difference of the weight; they won because they were the stronger team today,” Leclerc said.

“Obviously, these kinds of things, it’s difficult to do an exception, and it’s understandable that they got disqualified.

“It’s unfortunate because [Russell] had done an amazing job, as well as Mercedes.”

The disqualification will certainly provide plenty of food for thought for the Mercedes team heading into this extended summer shutdown period.

- Elizabeth Blackstock

SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW: GRADING BIG SIGNINGS IN MEN'S SOCCER ⚽

Photo: Antonio Villalba

 Premier League clubs spent £100 million in the 2024 January transfer window -- the lowest single-window expenditure in the men's game since 2012 (£60m) and a significant drop from the record £815m splashed out in 2023, according to Deloitte.

After record-breaking spending in the past three transfer windows, things seem to have slowed. But English clubs' total spending of £2.5 billion during the 2023-24 season was still the second-highest ever, and across the rest of Europe's Big Five leagues, January spending actually rose from €255m to €455m.

What can we expect this time around? Here are grades for all the major confirmed summer transfers in the men's game, with each day's moves listed in order of highest fee.

All fees are reported unless confirmed with an asterisk.

July 28

ROBIN LE NORMAND

€34.5m ($37.4m)

Real Sociedad: C

Atlético Madrid: A-

Robin Le Normand is the second Euro 2024 winner to earn a notable move this summer, after Álvaro Morata, as he brings an eight-year stay with Real Sociedad to an end -- and it feels like a bit of a steal.

In the modern game, €34.5m for a prime age (27), hugely experienced and accomplished defender with a near-spotless injury record doesn't seem like much at all. Atleti desperately needed to address this position having said goodbye to two senior centre-backs (Mario Hermoso, Stefan Savic) this summer, and this is an excellent fix. La Real will struggle to replace his quality and overall impact like-for-like.

RAPHAËL VARANE

Free

Como: B

Como are back in Serie A and offering one of the most glamorous market propositions going: Top-level football, managed by Cesc Fàbregas, living by the lake. As a result, experienced players are flocking there, with Raphaël Varane -- who was released by Manchester United when his contract expired at the end of June -- the latest to sign up.

The France international, now into his 14th professional season at the age of 31, may be past his peak (injuries have certainly played a part in that) but he can still produce dominant defensive displays. He'll be a big influence as Como seek to stave off relegation.

July 24

MOUSSA DIABY

£50.5m ($65.3m)

Aston Villa: A

Al Ittihad: A-

Diaby's time in the Premier League was short and (relatively) sweet. Villa did well to beat off competition from the Saudi Pro League to sign him last summer, but just one year on he's made the move. The club should be satisfied with the chunky fee they've received, as it represents a small profit on the £45m they paid in 2023 and Diaby did not finish the season as a key player -- despite a red-hot start to life in England.

The Saudi Pro League will also consider it a win, as it has attracted a renowned, prime-age (25) player to its growing project.

July 22

AMADOU ONANA

£50m ($64.6m)

Aston Villa: B

Everton: A

A big signing, in more ways than one. Villa have paid through the nose to secure the 6-foot-6 Belgium international, who is one of the best young midfielders in England. A fee of £50m will create plenty of expectation, but not only is Onana proven at the top level, he'll slot in alongside fellow Belgian Youri Tielemans, which should help.

Onana has particular strengths, such as aerial duels and box defending, which Villa are crying out for if they're to move forward. It's a loss of talent for Everton but it's also a big fee and an opportunity to strengthen across the board.

PIERRE-EMILE HØJBJERG

Loan

Tottenham: B+

Marseille: B-

Spurs will be happy to get a decent fee for a player whose contract had just a year to run, as the loan contains an obligation to sign him permanently for €20m when it expires. Højbjerg didn't seem to command the trust of Ange Postecoglou -- he only made eight league starts in 2023-24 despite plenty of injury issues affecting the team -- so it's a smart play.

Marseille's summer so far has seen them appoint a manager from Brighton (Roberto De Zerbi), sign a striker from Manchester United (Mason Greenwood), and now a midfielder from Tottenham. Usually it's English clubs plucking talent from Ligue 1, so they're really flipping the script. Højbjerg is a solid addition and a perfect professional. At 28, he's got plenty left in the tank and will anchor the midfield well.

July 18

LENY YORO

€62m (£53.3m; $67.5m)

Lille: A

Manchester United: B+

Yoro is one of the finest young central defenders that football has seen in some time. At just 18 years old, there are some understandably rough edges to his game, but most who see him agree that we're looking at a potential great.

Lille will be sad to lose him after only one full season, but with only one year left on his contract, they're understandably willing to cash in while they can. Some are questioning Man United for paying a significant fee in order to sign someone who would be a free agent in 12 months, but the reality is that if they don't buy him now, Yoro would be likely holding a Real Madrid shirt this time next year. It does hold them back from an A grade, though.

ÁLVARO MORATA

€13m ($14.2m)

Atletico Madrid: D

AC Milan: A

He is perhaps the ultimate modern journeyman striker, and after captaining Spain to Euro 2024 victory, he embarks on yet another new adventure, this time with AC Milan.

The fee is a very small price to pay for a player whose goal-scoring record at the top level is more than proven, as is his mentality, work ethic and will to win. He even has strong Serie A experience, having won two titles with Juventus in the past.

Ultimately, Atlético Madrid's hand was forced -- Milan activated a release clause -- and they'll have to part with a lot more money in order to sign his replacement.

MASON GREENWOOD

€30m (£25.2m, $32.8m)

Manchester United: B

Marseille: B

Once Manchester United decided Mason Greenwood would not be part of the club moving forward, their goal became simple: find a club willing to spend. All things considered, what they got from the French side isn't bad going.

The loan to Getafe last season, in which he scored eight goals and provided six assists, was an excellent reminder of what he's capable of and was enough to convince Marseille to take him on. He remains a very good footballer, so he should succeed in Ligue 1.

JADEN PHILOGENE

€15.4m (£13m, $19m)

Hull City: C

Aston Villa: A-

Eleven months ago, Jaden Philogene left Aston Villa in search of first-team football despite greatly impressing on their preseason tour. Now, after one stellar campaign in the Championship, he's back.

This price is a bargain for Villa: Ipswich Town had originally agreed an £18m deal, only for Villa to step in, turn his head and use the sell-on clause they negotiated last summer to get a discount. Hull will struggle to replace his quality like for like.

SÁVIO

€40m (£33.7m, $43.6m)

Troyes: A+

Manchester City: A

Sávio was the true breakout star of La Liga last season, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists and helping Girona into the Champions League. This blazing form came out of nowhere, as his previous campaign consisted of just eight substitute appearances for PSV Eindhoven split up by injury.

Manchester City have seen fit to move him across the CFG portfolio, from Troyes to Girona and now to the Premier League. Pep Guardiola will love his dynamism, burst and unselfish delivery, plus the fact he can operate on either flank without issue. Troyes will love the €40m fee; you'd imagine they can do a lot with that in the French third tier.

GEORGES MIKAUTADZE

€18m ($19.6m)

Metz: B+

Lyon: A

Georges Mikautadze was one of the surprise stars of Euro 2024, scoring three goals as Georgia made history and won admirers across the globe. He's had a curious career so far, but in making this move, you get the impression he's now firmly back on the track to the top.

Both clubs get a strong grade for the deal: Lyon must spend a small sum for a quality, young striker, while for Metz have essentially made a profit after signing him permanently from Ajax despite getting relegated from Ligue 1 last season, safe in the knowledge they'd be able to find him a new club just a few weeks later.

SERHOU GUIRASSY

€18m ($19.5m)

Stuttgart: D

Borussia Dortmund: A-

Serhou Guirassy set the Bundesliga ablaze last season with an incredible goal-scoring campaign, netting 28 from just 25 starts. Those are remarkable, Robert Lewandowski-type numbers. When it was revealed his release clause was a lowly €18m, it became a matter of time before he earned a move to one of Europe's elite. Somewhat predictably, Dortmund have pounced.

The reason we're holding this grade back from a full-blown A is that up until last season, Guirassy had never surpassed 11 league goals in a season; now, suddenly, at age 28, he's scored 28. Is it a one-off? Or the new normal? There's a very small amount of risk here, hence the minus.

July 14

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE

€42.5m (£35.7m, $46m)

Bologna: B

Manchester United: B

Zirkzee was once viewed as Robert Lewandowski's heir at Bayern Munich, but things didn't quite go to plan. Years later, after a long, circuitous route back to the top, he has signed for Man United after an impressive campaign helping Bologna into the Champions League.

Fans may need to be patient with the 23-year-old initially, as they did with Rasmus Højlund, because Zirkzee scored only nine non-penalty goals in Serie A last season. His real brilliance came in linking play, creating chances for others and pressing well.

A €42.5m fee isn't much to stake on a good, young, still developing player -- but the fact that Zirkzee hasn't shown that killer instinct just yet holds him back from an A grade.

July 12

RENATO VEIGA

€14m (£11.8m, $15.2m)

FC Basel: C

Chelsea: A-

Centre-back? Left-back? Defensive midfielder? Veiga is only 20, but so far he has flashed the ability to do all of the above to a strong level. That's an impressive level of versatility for one still learning his trade.

The €14m fee is a small price to pay for such potential, with Veiga standing out as yet another example of Chelsea's strong scouting at younger ages. Exactly how big his role will be to begin with is not clear, but he does profile well as an inverted full-back for new manager Enzo Maresca.

July 11

JOÃO PALHINHA

€50m (£43m, $54.8m)

Fulham: C

Bayern Munich: B

Last summer, on deadline day, Bayern got Palhinha all the way to Munich, through a medical and even into a photo shoot in the kit ... only for the €65m deal to then fall through. A year on, they've acted much earlier and sealed the deal; this time, they got their man even cheaper.

Palhinha has been incredible for Fulham: A duel-winning machine, a set-piece nuisance and a massive influence on midfield proceedings. He's the best player to wear the shirt for some time and will be impossible to replace like-for-like. The fee is fine, but not quite standout. Bayern clearly see his qualities and, in signing him at age 28, must believe he can have a big impact on their team from the start.

July 10

KHÉPHREN THURAM

€20m ($21.6m)

Nice: B-

Juventus: B+

Juventus' midfield is going to look very different in 2024-25, as Thuram follows hot on the heels of Douglas Luiz signing from Aston Villa. Thuram is a super-smooth midfielder with press-resistant qualities and who can glide through the middle of the park with ease. The issue last season was that he didn't necessarily show these qualities often enough, which may explain why the fee comes fairly cheap.

Perhaps moving to the club his legendary father, Lillian, played for will inspire Khéphren and restore him back to his top level?

July 7

MICHAEL OLISE

€60m (£50.7m; $64.4m)

Crystal Palace: A

Bayern Munich: B

Harry Kane in 2023; Olise in 2024. Bayern are sensing opportunity in the English market in a way they rarely have before. They've plumped for Olise in an attempt to refresh their wing corps, no doubt swayed by the remarkable creative inventiveness and goal-scoring form the Frenchman finished the 2023-24 season in (four goals and three assists in his final six games).

From Palace's perspective, it's a massive fee -- by far the largest in their history -- and it's always better to move players to a club on the continent, as there's significantly less chance Olise will score and break local hearts on a return to Selhurst Park.

July 6

THIAGO ALMADA

$21m (€19.6m)

Atlanta United: B

Botafogo: B

Almada's long-anticipated MLS exit has finally happened, although somewhat surprisingly, he hasn't taken the step to Europe ... yet.

In a curious deal, Almada has initially joined Botafogo with a view to joining French side Lyon later down the line, according to ESPN Brasil. Both clubs are owned by the same group, Eagle Football Holdings. Atlanta will be devastated to lose one of the league's finest players but have at least earned a record MLS fee in return: $21m rising to a potential $29m with add-ons.

July 5

MICHELE DI GREGORIO

€18m ($19.5m)

Monza: C

Juventus: A

It's time for a new era between the sticks for Juventus. After seven years and over 250 appearances for the Old Lady, Wojciech Szczesny will move on to new things; in his place comes Di Gregorio, who has shot to prominence thanks to an incredible 2023-24 campaign with Monza.

Statistically speaking, he was the best shot-stopper in Serie A last season, conceding 10.4 fewer goals than expected based on the shots he faced. He also showcased true prowess with the ball at his feet, which is a quality new manager Thiago Motta will be extremely attracted to. All that for just €18m? It's a brilliant deal for Juve.

July 4

DAVID RAYA

£27m ($34.3m)

Brentford: B-

Arsenal: B+

Arsenal made Raya's loan deal permanent for £27m (plus £3m in add-ons) after an excellent 2023-24 campaign. He took little time to usurp Aaron Ramsdale and then never looked back, contributing strongly to the Premier League's best defensive unit. The price they've ended up paying feels like it's on the cheap side for a trusty, dependable No. 1, and it's clear he has earned great faith from Mikel Arteta and the coaching staff.

There's no risk to this deal whatsoever. The only thing holding it back from an A grade is that Raya still has a way to go before he can be considered one of the world's best at his position, but at 28 there's still room for him to grow.

July 2

ARCHIE GRAY

£40m ($50.7m)

Leeds United: A

Tottenham: B

Failure to get promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking comes with many costs, chief among them the loss of treasured players. To Leeds, Gray was not only a phenomenal prospect and player, but also family: His father (Frank) played for Leeds, while his uncle (Eddie) was a true Leeds great.

At the very least, he's gone for a great fee, and £40m is no small sum to part with for Tottenham, but they'll be rightly confident in Gray as a footballer. When you watch him, it becomes immediately apparent that the midfielder/right-back is highly intelligent and talented in so many ways; his confidence and positional versatility belie the fact that he's still just 18.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL

£30m ($38m)

Leicester City: D

Chelsea: B+

Dewsbury-Hall reunites with manager Enzo Maresca at Chelsea. They combined to guide Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League last season and will now combine at Stamford Bridge. It's a solid addition for the Blues. Dewsbury-Hall is a good player who will help with the squad's adaption to a very different new style -- although he doesn't solve any problem positions for Chelsea.

From Leicester's perspective, though, they've not only lost arguably their best player upon promotion, but the fee seems pretty low compared to some of the other deals being struck around this time.

July 1

ENDRICK

€72m ($77.3m)

Palmeiras: A+

Real Madrid: A-

There are plenty in Brazil who believe that we're looking at football's next great No. 9 striker. And when Brazilians say that, you sit up and listen -- they know a thing or two about what makes a goal scorer. Securing his signature early continues Real Madrid's quest to hoover up all of the best Brazilian talent, with Endrick following in the recent footsteps of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. Though he can't join officially until he turns 18 on July 21 because of FIFA regulations.

It's a lot of money to spend on a teenager, but he's quite experienced for his age, having clocked more than 50 top-level appearances in South America, and he's off the mark for his nation too. Moving to Real Madrid is a huge step, but the evidence so far suggests he'll take it in his stride.

IGOR THIAGO

€35m (£30m, $38m)

Club Brugge: A

Brentford: B

Brentford are almost always one step ahead of the game, and in agreeing to sign Thiago well ahead of the transfer window they've prepared well for whatever may happen this summer with regard to the potential departures of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.

Thiago was named Europa Conference League Young Player of the Season after scoring five goals for Club Brugge, showcasing strength, powerful shooting and a love for the rough-and-tumble side of forward play -- which is a good sign when it comes to transitioning to the Premier League, as it's a big step and nothing is guaranteed.

LUIS GUILHERME

€30m (£25.3m, $32.4m)

Palmeiras: A

West Ham: B

Endrick is not the only talented teenager from Palmeiras on the move this summer, as Luis Guilherme became an early statement signing for West Ham. He's still fairly inexperienced at senior level (he has just five league starts to his name) but has shown flashes of great potential both off the bench for his club and for Brazil in youth tournaments.

His turn of pace is good, as is his control in tight spaces, but as ESPN's South American expert Tim Vickery notes, he has work to do on his weaker right foot. This is both an exciting signing for the Hammers and yet another big transfer windfall for Palmeiras.

CHARLES DE KETELAERE

€24m ($25.7m)

AC Milan: B

Atalanta: A

De Ketelaere's €32m move to AC Milan from Club Brugge in 2022 simply did not work out, but at Atalanta he seems to have found a home. He made 25 league starts while on loan there last season, scoring 10 and assisting eight, plus he played a significant role in La Dea's Europa League win in May.

For Atalanta, making him a permanent fixture just makes sense; the fee is pretty reasonable for a 23-year-old attacking midfielder who they already know suits the team and manager. For Milan, there's certainly some lost potential at play, but recouping a decent amount of the original fee allows them to strengthen other areas of the squad.

HIROKI ITO

€23m ($25m)

Stuttgart: B

Bayern Munich: A

Stuttgart's rise to second place in the Bundesliga was one of the stories of the 2023-24 season, but even securing Champions League football hasn't stopped the top teams moving for their top players.

It's a blow for Stuttgart to lose such an important player; Ito was excellent in splitting his time between left-back and centre-back for a defence that conceded just 39 goals. No doubt that versatility and flexibility -- along with the fact he's left-footed -- was key to Bayern's interest. Only Benjamin Pavard (€35m) has left Stuttgart for a bigger fee in the club's history, but even still, in this market, €30m might feel a touch low in their eyes.

MATVEY SAFONOV

€20m ($21.4m)

Krasnodar: A

PSG: B

It can be tough for goalkeepers to earn top-level exposure when they're young, but Safonov broke into Krasnodar's first-team as a teenager in 2018 and never looked back. Now 25, he's Russia's No. 1, has more than 175 appearances under his belt and is ready for the next step.

PSG is a slightly odd landing spot, given the goalkeeping quality already present, but the capital club have never been shy about adding depth and quality in that position. Safonov will now battle Italy No. 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma and Spain's Under-19 European Championship winner in Arnau Tenas for playing time; serial Champions League winner Keylor Navas will depart the club this summer.

TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS

£20m ($25.5m)

Manchester City: A-

Southampton: A

Harwood-Bellis was a vital cog in Southampton's successful charge to promotion in 2023-24, starting 43 games in the heart of defence and showcasing incredible poise and prowess on the ball. He quickly became key to a possession-based style that swept opponents away with ease.

Achieving promotion triggered a £20m clause for Saints to sign him permanently, and it's a deal that perfectly suits all parties: Southampton have paid an acceptable fee for an excellent young English defender, Harwood-Bellis can finally test himself fully at Premier League level and Man City continue to make good money from allowing their academy players to leave, which is key to funding their spending.

IBRAHIM OSMAN

€18.95m (£16m, $20.4m)

Nordsjaelland: A

Brighton: B+

Over the past five years or so, FC Nordsjaelland have produced a litany of exciting young wingers who have all made big moves to top European clubs: Mohammed Kudus headed to Ajax (then West Ham), Ernest Nuamah signed for Lyon, Kamaldeen Sulemana moved to Rennes (then Southampton); and Osman is the next off the production line.

Brighton know exactly what they're doing here, as two years ago they signed winger Simon Adingra from the Danish club and have now returned for Osman. He scored six goals and had seven assists in the Danish Superliga in 2023-24 and some of his goals were absolutely spectacular.

ASSAN OUÉDRAOGO

€10m (£8.5m, $10.8m)

Schalke 04: C

RB Leipzig: A

Schalke have a rich history of producing fine footballers from their academy -- Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sané and Mesut Özil spring to mind -- and it looks like Ouédraogo could be the next to have developed there.

He was ripe for the picking thanks to Schalke's struggles in the second division and a lowly €10m release clause, although there is a chance they'll get him back on loan after a summer assessment. Leipzig have played the role Bayern Munich traditionally do here, swooping in early for top domestic talent in determined fashion.

LUCAS BERGVALL

€10m (£8.5m, $10.8m)

Djurgårdens: A

Spurs: A

Back in February, Spurs agreed to the signing of Bergvall ahead of Barcelona and will welcome him to the club this summer. It's a big move that completes his meteoric rise from the Swedish second division to the Premier League in just two years.

Each club gets an A grade, as it's a deal that works for all. A fee of €10m isn't a lot for Spurs to put down on a player who is full of potential, and having graduated from the same academy as Dejan Kulusevski in Sweden, the 18-year-old will have help settling in. But €10m is a lot for Djurgårdens, though; in fact, it's the biggest outgoing transfer fee in Allsvenskan history.

MARC GUIU

€6m (£5.1m; $6.4m)

Barcelona: D

Chelsea: B+

The striking thing about the Barcelona academy graduate is that he's not very Barcelona at all. At 6-foot-2, with a centre-forward build and skillset to match, he's a far cry from the type of player you typically associate with La Masia. The 18-year-old burst on to the scene last season, scoring with his first touch on his debut against Athletic Club, but slipped back down the pecking order and ended up back with the B team in April.

After paying his release clause of just €6m, Chelsea were happy to gamble on such a player; Barça, understandably, aren't particularly happy to see him go so soon.

TIMO WERNER

Loan

RB Leipzig: C

Spurs: A

Werner made a positive impact on loan at Spurs last season, so the decision to bring him back for another 12 months was likely an easy one. His direct, quick style of play suited Ange Postecoglou's tactics and his low crosses into the box from the left flank became a feature of their late-season play. Having qualified for the Europa League, Spurs clearly need more players to fill out the squad, so nabbing Werner on loan again -- with a €10m option to sign him permanently in 2025 -- is smart, risk-free business.

From RB Leipzig's perspective, though, it's another year without much of a return from a player they paid €20m to sign from Chelsea in 2022.

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

Free

PSG: F

Real Madrid: A+

Football's worst-kept secret is finally out in the open. Mbappé, arguably the world's best player, will join the reigning European champions Real Madrid. He makes an already sensational attack even stronger, ensuring everyone will be tuning in to watch Los Blancos in 2024-25.

The Frenchman's whopping signing-on fee (reported to be €100m) means this isn't really a free transfer, but Madrid have capped the cost of a superstar somewhat -- and PSG received absolutely nothing for him, having paid €180m to sign him from Monaco in 2017.

SERGIŇO DEST

Free

Barcelona: C+

PSV Eindhoven: B-

Dest enjoyed an excellent season on loan with PSV Eindhoven in 2023-24, only for a torn ACL to cut his campaign short in April and force him to miss the Copa América for the USMNT too. The Dutch club are taking something of a risk here, gambling on him making a full recovery in 2025, but are unsurprisingly comfortable doing so on the basis it's a free transfer -- having turned down an €11m option to sign him previously.

Barcelona get no transfer fee, having signed him for €20m back in 2020 from Ajax, but ESPN sources confirmed that they will get a percentage of any future transfer fee. They're under pressure to bring their hefty wage bill down for registration purposes anyway, so it's ultimately a deal that seems to suit all parties.

TOSIN ADARABIOYO

Free

Fulham: F

Chelsea: A

With Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) hanging heavily over Premier League clubs, free transfers have arguably never been more attractive. Although Chelsea look pretty well stocked for centre-backs -- Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah are already in the squad -- signing Adarabioyo for free makes sense.

Over the past four seasons with Fulham, he has blossomed into a very solid centre-back whose long, threaded passes forward can change a game in an instant. They'll be crestfallen to lose him for nothing, and even more so that he's headed to their west London rivals.

LLOYD KELLY

Free

Bournemouth: D

Newcastle United: A+

Like with Tosin, Kelly quickly marked himself out as one of the most attractive early transfers this summer by virtue of being available for free. He plays both left-back and centre-back -- two positions Newcastle have had terrible injury luck in -- so he feels like an extremely astute addition that potentially solves two problems at once.

Add that to the fact that not only is he homegrown, but he's worked with Magpies manager Eddie Howe before on the south coast, and it's a transfer that just seems clever in every way.

SAMUEL ILING-JUNIOR & ENZO BARRENECHEA

€22m (£18.6m; $23.6m)

Juventus: B

Aston Villa: B

One of Aston Villa's summer targets is to deepen their squad ahead of a Champions League campaign, so scooping up two young talents from Juventus' conveyor belt of next generation excellence is a solid strategy.

Samuel Iling-Junior is returning to England, having successfully made the jump into senior football abroad, and is an exciting, explosive wide player. Enzo Barrenechea is rewarded for a breakout 2023-24 campaign on loan at Frosinone with an intriguing next step. Juve won't be thrilled to lose either of these players, but funds needed to be raised to sign Douglas Luiz.

June 30

DOUGLAS LUIZ

€50m (£42.5m; $53.6m)

Aston Villa: B

Juventus: B

There's no doubt Villa will be distraught to lose Douglas Luiz; he was one of their best players last season and means a lot to the fans, having been at the club since 2019. But Villa's position with regard to Profit and Sustainability Regulation (PSR) rules forced them into allowing a big exit and Luiz was the one to go. A fee of €50m is a lot to receive in return, but it's still a tough one to take.

Villa's loss is Juventus' gain, though, and incoming manager Thiago Motta will love the fact he has a new playmaking midfielder to utilise as a brand new era in Turin begins.

ELLIOT ANDERSON

€50m (£35.5m; $44.4m)

Newcastle United: A

Nottingham Forest: C

Newcastle found themselves needing to make a sale to comply with Profit & Sustainably Rules so, in what has been a theme for the summer, they turned to an academy graduate in their hour of need.

Anderson, 21, was the reluctant pick. He's been a handy squad player for Newcastle over the last few seasons and clocked just over 1,000 Premier League minutes in 2023-24 while battling a back injury. Still, the £35m fee attached to him feels massive, and therefore an awful lot for Forest in terms of investment.

YANKUBA MINTEH

€50m (£33m; $41.7m)

Newcastle United: A

Brighton & Hove Albion: B-

Yankuba Minteh's Newcastle career came and went in a flash! He signed for around €7m in the summer of 2023, headed straight out on loan to Feyenoord for the season, notched 10 goals and five assists in just 1,463 Eredivisie minutes, and has now moved to Brighton more than four times that initial fee.

He's a reluctant, yet lucrative and necessary transfer for the Magpies who were under pressure to make some money on outgoings. For Brighton, it's yet another young talented in the door -- although at a significantly higher price than we're used to seeing.

OMARI HUTCHINSON

€50m (£20m; $25.3m)

Chelsea: C+

Ipswich Town: A

Ipswich Town smashed their transfer record to sign Omari Hutchinson permanently following his exceptional loan spell at Portman Road in 2023-24. He got better as the season went on, developing into a key player who scored 10 goals, assisted five, provided some stunning moments and pressed extremely effectively from the front.

Undoubtedly, this is a big get for Ipswich, who need quality difference-makers if they're to survive a Premier League campaign. Chelsea book a tidy profit, which is no bad thing in 2024, but it's hard to escape the feeling that for a player of Hutchinson's potential, £20m may end up looking a little cheap in the end.

June 29

OMARI KELLYMAN

£19m ($24.1m)

Aston Villa: A

Chelsea: B

Chelsea's quest to hoover up as much young potential as possible has continued this summer with the signing of Kellyman. The 18-year-old joined Villa from Derby County two years ago and is now on the move once again.

In the handful of senior minutes Kellyman received last season, he looked a player brimming with potential -- smooth on the turn, clever in his positioning and capable of playing across the forward line or as the No. 10. Villa will be sad to lose such a player, but it still goes down as a great bit of business from their point of view, as the club were under pressure to generate revenue ahead of June 30's PSR deadline.

June 28

IAN MAATSEN

£37.5m ($47.7m)

Chelsea: A

Aston Villa: B

As the cliché goes, qualifying for the Champions League opens up fresh possibilities for clubs in the transfer market. Aston Villa are the latest to take advantage of this, signing Netherlands left-back Maatsen in part thanks to their new position among Europe's elite.

Maatsen shone on loan at Borussia Dortmund over the second half of last season, playing a key role in the German side's run to the Champions League final. He's both a significant addition to Unai Emery's side and a significant source of funds for Chelsea, who found themselves under PSR pressure ahead of the June 30 deadline.

- Sam Tighe