Manchester United open talks to sign £52m Chelsea forward as plan B to Bryan Mbeumo

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 23, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Manchester United have wasted little time strengthening their attack this summer, but one new arrival isn’t enough after the club’s worst-ever scoring return in the Premier League era.

Matheus Cunha has already arrived, but Ruben Amorim knows the squad needs greater depth and variety in forward areas if United are to close the gap to the top four.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo remains a top target, but he isn’t the only option under discussion.

Now, another name has entered the conversation – one with a point to prove in English football.

Manchester United make first contact with Christopher Nkunku’s entourage

According to a report from L’Equipe, United have made contact with the representatives of Christopher Nkunku.

The 27-year-old forward has struggled to find form and fitness at Chelsea since his £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023 – a price noted by Sky Sports – and is reportedly open to a fresh start.

Enzo Maresca has overlooked Nkunku in favour of other options, and the board appear ready to move on from a player whose time in blue has featured more setbacks than highlights.

The report states that while Mbeumo remains the primary focus, Nkunku has become a subject of genuine interest inside Old Trafford – not just in the technical team, but among top decision-makers.

It’s worth noting that there is no offer yet, and Nkunku’s name may also be surfacing to apply pressure on Brentford during ongoing talks for Mbeumo.

• READ MORE: ‘They weren’t very kind’… Paul Pogba hits out at former club for lack of support during suspension

One aspect of the report that newer fans may not recall: Amorim had pushed to sign Nkunku during his time at Sporting CP before Chelsea moved in. That existing admiration could be a factor.

Chelsea have since added Liam Delap to their front line, and there is now a willingness inside Stamford Bridge to let Nkunku leave if a suitable bid arrives this summer.

Regardless, the market is moving quickly – and United don’t want to be late to the table if Nkunku’s situation resolves fast.

Nkunku doesn’t feel like a direct fit for what United need

United were linked with Nkunku in January, but nothing materialised. It felt like a move of opportunity rather than necessity back then, and that hasn’t fully changed.

The profiles of other linked forwards – like Viktor Gyokeres, who is direct and athletic, or Hugo Ekitike, who brings unpredictability and pace – seem to fit Amorim’s tactical shifts more naturally.

Nkunku, candidly, hasn’t played as a line-leading striker since his RB Leipzig days. His defensive work rate has also declined, which is noticeable when comparing that era to now.

He would make more sense playing behind the main striker, which raises questions about why the club is still so invested in pursuing Bryan Mbeumo.

The links to Nkunku may suit United as a bargaining tool. Making Brentford feel there are alternatives could help them seal the move they truly want.

While Nkunku still carries quality when fit, these links make more sense as backup planning than as headline ambition.

Carlos Alcaraz joins exclusive club with Roger Federer and Andy Murray after winning Queen’s

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 23, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Fresh off another spectacular run, Carlos Alcaraz heads to Wimbledon in top form as he chases a third straight title at the All England Club.

The world number two extended his grass-court win streak to 18 matches by beating Jiri Lehecka in the Queen’s Club final, securing his second title of the season in the process.

Alcaraz has won Wimbledon for the past two years and won the Queen’s Club Championships in both of those seasons as well. But this stretch isn’t just about titles.

The Spaniard is now, at least for the time being, drawing comparisons with both Roger Federer and Andy Murray after this win.

Carlos Alcaraz joins Roger Federer and Andy Murray in grass-court feat

Alcaraz has become the third man this century to win multiple Queen’s and Wimbledon titles – joining Federer and Murray.

Federer has eight Wimbledon titles and has also won the Halle Open ten times. Meanwhile, Murray is a two-time Wimbledon champion and a five-time winner at Queen’s Club Championships.

Alcaraz, who is still only 22 years old, is far from finishing his career and has plenty left to achieve in the coming years.

• READ MORE: Novak Djokovic takes unprecedented step to show how much Wimbledon 2025 means to him

How Alcaraz deals with different surfaces

Alcaraz has now become one of the best grass-court players ever despite not spending as long on the surface, compared to clay or hard courts.

This is largely because grass was rarely featured on the calendar until more matches were added in recent years

However, despite winning the majority of his 21 career titles on clay, Alcaraz’s highest win percentage is, in fact, on grass.

He has a record of 29 wins and three losses on the surface, which compares to his records of 103-19 on clay and 119-39 on hard court.

Alcaraz has also won a major title on each of those surfaces.

He recently claimed his first Australian Open crown, and already has two French Opens, two US Open titles, and two Wimbledon championships.

Tommy Fleetwood praised for what he did after tough defeat to Keegan Bradley at the Travelers

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 23, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Keegan Bradley won the Travelers Championship on Sunday but he also shared the spotlight with Tommy Fleetwood, who impressed despite being defeated.

Fleetwood had held a three-shot lead heading into the final round at TPC River Highlands and looked comfortable in control at various points.

However, as the pressure mounted late, a handful of mistakes crept in, none more costly than a three-putt on the 18th green that gave Bradley an opening he did not waste.

While the disappointment was clear on Fleetwood’s face, the 34-year-old did not shy away from it. He spoke to the media immediately after the finish, earning praise from figures across the sport.

Tommy Fleetwood hailed for what he did after the Travelers Championship

Sky Sports analyst Dame Laura Davies was among those who praised the British golfer. She compared him with fellow players who left reporters empty-handed after tough results.

“He is devastated. Everything he said is exactly right. Where he put that putt gave Keegan a free read. It could not have been worse,” she said.

“But the fact he just did that interview, and was so magnanimous about what Keegan had done, and Keegan won it. What a man. That is just fantastic.

“We have seen players this year blow by reporters and not want to say a thing and they have had a lot less to be upset about in the way a tournament finished, so all praise to Tommy Fleetwood. I was a big fan already but that’s made me an even bigger fan.”

• READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler’s final-hole moment with Ted Scott at Travelers shows why he is on another level

Tommy Fleetwood puts a number of PGA Tour players to shame

Fleetwood’s willingness to front up was noted in a season where several high-profile players have drawn criticism for avoiding post-round interviews, including Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa after recent major disappointments.

He may not have walked away with the trophy, but Fleetwood left Connecticut with an even greater reputation for professionalism, a fact not lost on fans or fellow players, even if it offered little immediate comfort.

Jake Paul explains what stands in the way of a $200 million fight with his brother Logan Paul

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 22, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Jake Paul knows fans want to see him and his brother square off in the ring.

It’s a natural question. Both are immersed in the combat sports world, whether it is Logan with his career in WWE or Jake with his pursuit of becoming a world champion in boxing, with an 11-1 record to date.

The Problem Child believes the event would have huge financial appeal. Even so, it isn’t something on the radar for now – and it also doesn’t seem to be a possibility that excites the brothers for the future.

Jake and Logan’s parents forbid a potential brothers’ clash

Jake appeared on The Iced Coffee Hour and discussed why the fight isn’t likely. He said both could make between $70 million and $100 million each but stated that neither of them are interested right now, mostly because of his parents.

“I really don’t think we would fight,” Jake said.

“The only reason we maybe would is just because we do everything that no one else does.

“No other boxer brothers in history have fought. The Klitschkos, the Charlos, the list goes on and on.

“We could be the first idiots to just say, ‘F— it’.

“[Our parents], they’ve always said no. They’ve always said, ‘If you do it, we are gonna disown you.’”

• READ MORE: Jake Paul gives honest assessment of where Julio Cesar Chavez Jr ranks among his opponents

Jake and Logan have bigger priorities

Jake said both brothers have other priorities at the moment. Logan is focused on his WWE career, while Jake is preparing to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – and he doesn’t plan to stop after that.

He has a six-man hit list for future fights. The list includes Anthony Joshua, KSI, Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Badou Jack, and Tommy Fury.

Nick Taylor shares thoughts on Collin Morikawa’s bold no-glove approach at the Travelers

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 22, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Golf is full of minor experiments and personal tweaks, but Collin Morikawa’s latest change still turned heads at the Travelers Championship.

Morikawa, who finished two under par and seven shots behind the leaders going into the final two days, is still searching for his first win since the 2023 ZOZO Championship.

While he’s already one of the most consistent ball strikers on tour, the American player hasn’t been shy about trying new approaches to get back in the winner’s circle.

One of his new strategies – taking shots without gloves – caught the attention of fans and media, while fellow players like Scottie Scheffler and Nick Taylor offered quick feedback on the idea.

Nick Taylor gives verdict on Collin Morikawa’s no-glove call at the Travelers

Golfers are always searching for an edge, even if it comes in strange forms. While the two-glove method isn’t unheard of, going completely without a glove – like Morikawa is doing – is unusual by today’s standards.

Nick Taylor admitted it’s not something he’d feel comfortable with.

“I saw that. These conditions, the club would fly out of my hands. Either my hands are too sweaty or I’d be too nervous about it,” Taylor said.

“Yeah, honestly we’ll try anything. We’ll literally try anything. It’s not surprising that somebody has done that. Someone of his calibre I guess I’m probably a little bit surprised.”

Taylor pointed out that pros are always making adjustments, and sometimes even a small change can spark something – even if it eventually gets tossed aside again.

“But it’s amazing. We’ll mess with something, and if it works on the range, you try it one day, it works, you just let it go. And one day you might catch fire. If he doesn’t like it, I’m sure he’ll change back next week. We’re always tweaking. Doesn’t matter what level you’re at.”

• READ MORE: Michael Kim offers hot take on Jordan Spieth’s Travelers Championship withdrawal

Golfers who never wore gloves on the PGA Tour

Morikawa isn’t breaking completely new ground, though. Lucas Glover currently plays without a glove, and some notable names from earlier generations did the same.

Fred Couples may be the most famous example, but Hall of Famer Ben Hogan and the legendary ball striker Moe Norman also skipped the glove entirely.

Others, like Corey Pavin and Lee Janzen, are part of that club as well. It’s rare, but clearly not impossible to find success that way.

Tom Aspinall speaks out and drops hint to Jon Jones after becoming the new UFC heavyweight champion

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 22, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Tom Aspinall has broken his silence after Dana White confirmed Jon Jones’ retirement and named him the new UFC heavyweight champion.

The British fighter had held the interim title for nearly two years without a chance to unify it against Jones. But during a press conference, White revealed that the former two-weight world champion had decided to retire, clearing the path for Aspinall to become the undisputed champion.

Jones is widely considered one of the sport’s greatest ever fighters – and while the Briton never got the chance to share the cage with him, he didn’t hide his excitement about finally taking the top spot in the division.

Tom Aspinall promises to be an active UFC heavyweight champion

Aspinall took to social media to address the news, promising fans that the attention will now shift back to the fights, rather than contractual debates and injuries.

He posted a photo of himself wearing the newly recognised title, captioned: “For you fans. It’s time to get this Heavyweight division going. An active Undisputed Champion.”

One fan replied: “Retired the goat as you said! That’s a nice win to add to the résumé sir.”

Ciryl Gane, ranked number one in the division, is currently expected to be Aspinall’s first title defence.

• READ MORE: Francis Ngannou fires back at Dana White after Jon Jones’ shock UFC retirement

Dana White confirms Jon Jones retirement from UFC

During the UFC Baku press conference, Dana White revealed that Jones officially retired the night before in a phone call, ending long-standing speculation about his future.

The UFC’s official channels quickly posted a clip of White stating: “Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired and Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.”

On his social media channels, Jones confirmed the decision and thanked fans for their support. He said: “I’m completely overwhelmed right now, I love you guys so much. Thank you.”

Francis Ngannou fires back at Dana White after Jon Jones’ shock UFC retirement

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 22, 2025 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Francis Ngannou has fired back at Dana White following Jon Jones’ unexpected retirement from the UFC.

For months, Jones had been at the center of one of the most drawn-out sagas in UFC history, refusing to face interim champion Tom Aspinall.

That saga appeared to conclude earlier this month when Jones announced his retirement in a sudden social media storm.

Then, after the UFC’s debut event in Baku, Dana White made it official, confirming that Jones had retired for good – and Aspinall was upgraded to undisputed champion.

Dana White takes aim at Francis Ngannou after Jones’ retirement

After the news broke, Aspinall took to social media to assure fans that he would be an active champion and bring new energy to a division that had stagnated under Jones.

Still, the list of must-see opponents for Aspinall isn’t particularly long. One possible solution to bring the hype back to the heavyweights is Francis Ngannou, who hasn’t ruled out a return to the UFC recently. However, Dana White seems to dislike this idea.

Speaking after UFC Baku, White doubled down on his position, saying: “One thing I’ve learned over the years about Francis, Francis doesn’t always mean what he says publicly, behind the scenes are different than what he says publicly.

“I’m not a big fan, I would be shocked if Francis ever came back here, on lots of different levels, I’m not a fan and he doesn’t always mean what he says publicly.”

• READ MORE: Tom Aspinall drops bold prediction on Demetrious Johnson’s clash with former World’s Strongest Man

Francis Ngannou hits back at Dana White after UFC Baku comments

Ngannou, who hasn’t fought in the UFC since defending his title in 2022, before leaving over contract disputes, responded swiftly to White’s comments.

Taking to social media, he wrote simply: “Did I say I’m ever coming back?”

In another reply to a fan urging him to reclaim his title, Ngannou fired back: “I don’t remember losing it, mate. It’s still in my closet.”

While a fight between Aspinall and Ngannou would have been a huge draw, for now, it remains unclear who the newly crowned champion will face in his first official title defence.