List of All Articles with Tag 'al'

Jordi Alba is to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

Real Madrid are intent on holding their nerve in securing Kylian Mbappe for free next summer, despite Paris Saint-Germain announcing their preference to sell him for a fee this summer. The French star's decision to tell the Qatari-owned club he would not be extending his contract next summer continues to shape this summer's window, and has now led to a "shocked and disappointed" Nasser Al Khelaifi admitting "he can't leave for free". It is widely accepted in football that Mbappe will eventually go to Madrid but there is currently a stand-off between the two clubs from long-held tensions around the player and other issues. PSG are adamant Madrid must pay what they want. But Bernabeu president Florentino Perez does not want to pay PSG a penny for Mbappe. The Spanish club recently announced that their spending was finished for the summer with the surprising deal for Joselu, who is seen as a temporary replacement for Karim Benzema before going all in on Mbappe next summer. Madrid are determined to stick to that and hold their nerve and do not currently plan to spend any more, with their budget for the summer settled. The only element that may change that is if Mbappe himself encourages a move. Little competition for Mbappe is envisaged, in part because of his own desire to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and go to the Bernabeu, and in part because of a rare status that prices all but about four or five clubs out of being able to sign him. Sources with knowledge of the situation were on Friday insistent that there was no bid from Liverpool, as any such move is simply beyond the club's transfer plans. In any case, it is understood that Arsenal would actually be Mbappe's first preference if he were to ever go to the Premier League, both because he likes the evolution of Mikel Arteta's team and would also enjoy the challenge of delivering the title to the club again. He is nevertheless seen as way beyond Arsenal's budget, too, and it should be stressed there has been no contact. Much will depend on whether there is a serious move, either by another club or Mbappe himself, as to whether Madrid go on to purchase him this summer. The player himself is nevertheless relaxed about the situation. It is not seen as realistic that PSG park him on the bench for the season if they can't secure a fee this summer. Read More The ‘problem’ Kylian Mbappe faces after disrupting the entire transfer market What next for Kylian Mbappe? Real Madrid, Man Utd and other options for PSG forward Lionel Messi to Inter Miami: Apple deal, MLS contract, salary, debut and everything we know

Here are four areas Real Madrid need to address in the summer transfer window and some players they could pursue.

Looking to upgrade your running shoes this season, or kickstart a new jogging regime with some swanky new kit? We put these recent releases from a range of top running brands through their paces… 1. Asics Gel-Nimbus 25, £175, asics.com The technical bit: Billed as ‘the most comfortable running shoe’ following consumer tests, Asics have taken cushioning to the max with the Gel-Nimbus 25. Lightweight foam and PureGEL pockets in the soles promise enhanced shock absorption for softer landings and smoother transitions, while the stretchy tongue and collar promise an adaptive fit and stability. The rundown: Despite the super chunky soles, these shoes are pleasingly lightweight. The fit feels a little snug at first (you may want to try them on in store for size) but once I get running, my feet feel very stable and supported. What’s most noticeable about the cushioning is how it supports the whole of the foot at every part of the stride – from striking the concrete to take-off – making for a confident and comfortable run. 2. On Cloudsurfer, £150, On-running.com The technical bit: Ons are known for their revolutionary midsole designs, promising the sensation of ‘running on clouds’ – and the On Cloudsurfer features the brand’s latest design enhancement, CloudTec Phase®, for the ‘smoothest ride’ yet. They’ve upped the sustainability stakes too, using 95% less water in the dying process (compared with conventional methods) for the 100% recycled uppers. The rundown: These are hands-down the most comfortable running shoes I’ve ever worn! They’re so light and flexible, I barely knew I was wearing them – apart from the fact my feet felt super bouncy. They also look very stylish and are easy to clean, which is a bonus. 3. Nike ZoomX Invincible 3 Flyknit Women’s Running Shoes, £169.99, Sports Direct The technical bit: Designed for road running, the design details promise to help reduce injuries, with very thick cushioning a key feature of the rubber soles, along with Nike’s ZoomX midsole technology and lightweight Flynit uppers. The rundown: I could definitely feel the benefits on my longer road runs, thanks to the added comfort and support. My feet and knees felt less achy than usual. It did take me a while to get used to the wide sole design, however, as I’m used to a narrower shoe. But for comfort pounding the pavements, they’re a win. 4. Men’s Featherswift Trail Running Shoes, £90, Helly Hansen The technical bits: These trainers are great for anyone new to trail running, designed with lots of support and cushioning, while remaining light and flexible. And if you’re looking for sustainability, they have a 70% recycled upper, including recycled laces, lining and webbing, as well as zero-waste design elements. The rundown: As described, running in the Featherswifts is light and easy. They have a brilliant grip – which is handy, as all the woodland areas I run in seem to be pretty slippery at the moment – with a good support structure around the heel. As someone who’s prone to ankle rolling, they’re stable enough to give you confidence when running off-road, although they could look a bit more interesting for the price. 5. London Edition FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3, £220, New Balance The technical bit: Made for ‘marathon runners who never let up’, the two-layer FuelCell midsole and carbon fibre plate is said to deliver energy return. The one-piece integrated tongue also ensures a secure and breathable fit. The rundown: With a design inspired by the TCS London Marathon, the look might not be for everyone. These trainers are super expensive and attention-seeking, but they do make you run like a dream and the bounciness is unreal. They somehow seem to make your stride longer, higher and faster (apparently, that’s down to the FuelCell foam, which delivers a ‘propulsive feel’ to help drive you forward, and the energy-boosting carbon fibre plate geometry). If looking cool is more important to you, you might prefer to downgrade to the London Edition Fresh Foam X 880 v13 (more affordable at £140), but if distance is your thing, you won’t regret buying these. 6. Women‘s KIPRUN KS900, £89.99 (were £99.99), Decathlon The technical bit: Designed with longer runs in mind, these trainers promise a cushioned sole – thanks to the new MFOAM cushioning – and extra grip, perfect if you’re going cross-country on wet terrain. With a wider sole than other trainers in the KIPRUN range, these shoes are all about delivering stability – and with the power of your run distributed more evenly across the sole, it aims to keep you comfortable as you clock up the miles. The rundown: I find some running shoes too flimsy, in a bid to be as lightweight as possible. This model strikes the balance perfectly between feeling sturdy enough that my feet were supported, while still being light – so I wasn’t weighed down. As promised, the sole felt comfortable and springy, with plenty of grip to prevent slips. The fit runs on the snug side – but in a good way, meaning my feet felt extra supported as I pounded the pavements.

Real Madrid and Federico Valverde share the same view of a summer transfer amid interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Bayern Munich & PSG.

European football teams, media like Le Monde and Agence France-Presse and other organizations on the continent have found

Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea have held talks for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, but Manchester United, Manchester City & Newcastle are also keeping tabs on the situation.

A father has issued a safety warning about mermaid swimming outfits after his five-year-old daughter nearly drowned. Adam Lisberg initially shared the warning on Twitter in July 2020, where he’d recounted the events that led to his daughter being hospitalised for two days. According to Lisberg, the “scary story” revolved around his daughter Annabelle and her older sister Ruby, seven, both of whom “love mermaids”. “This is a scary story starring my daughter Annabelle. I’m telling it as a warning about kids, pools and swimsuits because I don’t want anyone else’s kids to end up in the ER or the ICU, like she did for two days,” Lisberg began the Twitter thread, which included a photo of his daughter in a hospital bed. In subsequent tweets, the father-of-three explained that he and his wife had ordered their daughters two-piece swimsuits with matching mermaid tails after getting an inflatable pool for the driveway. Lisberg then shared a photo of the paddling pool in question, which featured water that reached only up to the childrens’ legs. In the post, Lisberg noted that he and his wife “know to be careful” and “know kids can drown in anything” and to “watch them”. “Still, things can happen,” he wrote. According to Lisberg,the incident occurred while his daughters were playing in the pool while wearing their mermaid swimsuits and he was in the kitchen. “Sunday afternoon, the mermaids were in the pool. I was in the kitchen overlooking the pool, window open so I could hear them, looking at them every minute or two,” he wrote. “Then Ruby came inside and told me calmly that Annabelle was underwater and wasn’t moving, so she pulled her out.” Lisberg said that he looked outside to find his five-year-old daughter lying on the ground beside the pool with her arms inside her mermaid tail and “not moving”. After rushing outside, Lisberg said he picked up his daughter, who “didn’t react,” despite her eyes being “wide open”. In the emotional Twitter thread, the father then recalled hearing his daughter cough a little while questioning how long she’d been under the water and “what no oxygen to the brain looks like”. According to Lisberg, he began to perform CPR that he’d learned when his daughter was born, at which point Annabelle began to cry and cough. “Water, mucus, then vomit. This is all good,” he wrote. At this point, Lisberg revealed that he’d called 911, and that Annabelle had begun to cry but still wasn’t able to form words. The father then explained what had happened, as told to him later by his daughters. “Ruby said Annabelle pulled that mermaid tail up to her shoulders and tucked her arms inside. And as Annabelle told us later, she tried to ‘play potato’ by lying down in the water. But she couldn’t reach her hands out to get up,” he wrote. “Annabelle said she tried to talk, but the words just turned into bubbles. I will never get that image out of my head.” In the Twitter thread, Lisberg then credited his eldest daughter for saving Annabelle’s life, as the seven year old had seen that her younger sister “wasn’t coming up”, at which point she pulled the five-year-old’s head out of the water, before pulling her completely out of the pool. “She guessed Annabelle was only under for about 30 seconds,” he wrote, before adding that paramedics arrived within five minutes and measured “good blood oxygen” levels as Annabelle began to recover. However, despite spending just 30 seconds underwater, Lisberg said the five year old had to spend two days in the paediatric ICU. “Even a little water in the lungs, especially if it has chlorine, can spark a delayed reaction as the body fights injury,” he wrote. “She had a temperature and elevated pulse and breathing for almost a day after. Needed oxygen to kick it.” According to Lisberg, when Annabelle came home, she was the “same giggly bubbly silly sparkly girl she was,” with the father-of-three noting that his family is “indescribably lucky”. “I cannot imagine what it’s like to be the parent who didn’t get lucky like this,” he wrote. Lisberg concluded the Twitter thread thanking those who had read it before admitting that he hopes it “haunts” them. “So, thank you for reading this. Frankly, I hope this haunts you. I share it because I want you to never take any kids’ safety for granted, especially in water, no matter how shallow, even for a minute,” he wrote. “And maybe skip the mermaid tail. She’ll be okay without it.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more children ages one to four die from drowning than any other cause of death in the United States, and for children ages five to 14, drowning is the second leading cause of “unintentional injury death” after car crashes. Speaking toToday about the experience, Lisberg said that his daughters had owned similar swimsuits in the past, and that he and his wife had thought they would be safe because the pool was “two feet deep”. “Even if they sit down they can get themselves up,” he explained. He also noted that he’d been aware, like “every parent,” that you have to watch children “like a hawk and you have to be careful all the time”, but that he’d thought it would be okay for him to watch from the kitchen as he supervised his five-year-old son’s attempt to make guacamole. Lisberg also shared the fear he’d felt when he reached his daughter, with the father-of-three admitting that he’d “thought she was dead”. As for the quick response of his daughter Ruby, Lisberg described his eldest daughter’s rescue as “incredible”. “She got her sister completely out of the water. It was incredible,” he said, adding that the seven-year-old’s first instinct had been to protect her sister and “she did”. In addition to avoiding swimsuits that may obstruct a child’s ability to move, a swim instructor recently warned parents against buying blue bathing suits for their children. @scarnati.swim Just dont do it! Why think about which bathing suits for the splash pad? Just buy bright ones!! ☀️☀️ #selfrescue #selfrescueswimming #selfrescueswim #watersafety #drowningpreventionawareness #springhillisd ♬ original sound - According to Nikki Scarnati, a certified ISR (infant swimming resource) instructor who goes by the username @springhill.isr on TikTok, blue bathing suits can make it difficult to see a child underwater. The Independent has contacted Lisberg for comment. Read More Experts advise on how to stay safe while swimming in open water Children’s swim instructor issues warning about blue bathing suits Father issues warning about mermaid tail swimsuits after daughter almost drowns Why do I get sick when I go on holiday? How to check if you have skin cancer: Symptoms and signs to look out

What the papers say Manchester United are preparing a big-money move for a new striker, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper reports United will make a £50million swoop for Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 20, from Atalanta. Another Dane could be heading out of the Premier League with Atletico Madrid approaching Tottenham over a move for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, reports the Daily Mail. Bayern Munich have also been linked with the 27-year-old midfielder. Chelsea will have to dig deep in their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. The Daily Telegraph reports they will need to pay more than £100m for the 21-year-old from Ecuador. West Ham are looking at a potential move for midfielder Denis Zakaria from Juventus. The Guardian said the Switzerland international, 26, could head to London on loan with an option to buy for £14.5m. Social media round-up Players to watch Max Kilman: Wolves have turned down a £30m bid from Napoli for the English defender, 26. Wilfried Zaha: The Crystal Palace forward, 30, is considering offers from Lazio, Fenerbahce and Al-Nassr. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Daryl Morey has a history of playing hardball. Will the James Harden saga playing out with the Philadelphia 76ers be any different?Almost a week ago, Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden opted in to his contract with the team and formally requested a trade heading into the 2023-24 season.Si...

The Tar Heels are luring over some of the nation's top talents to redeem themselves from last year's dud of a season. Their latest acquisition: West Virginia's James Okonkwo.Two weeks before James Okonkwo was supposed to visit UNC, he announced his decision: he was transferring to...

The Braves recently received great news on pitcher Max Fried, who has been recovering well from his forearm injury.The Atlanta Braves were winners when they had eight players named to the All-Star game, and they were winners on Thursday, when they got good news on lefty Max Fried.Fried, who ...