Sports
Rory McIlroy reacts to Ryder Cup win
Rory McIlroy stood with a smile that said it all: Europe had held off the storm.
The Ryder Cup ended 15-13, but the scoreline hardly told the full story of a week in golf that began in a blaze of blue and ended in a surge of red. From day one, Europe established a grip on the contest, building a commanding lead that seemed to drown out even the most hostile chants from the New York galleries.
By Saturday night, the Americans looked battered, yet Sunday brought a revival — a charge that rattled nerves and momentarily made the impossible feel within reach. McIlroy, though, insisted that it wasn’t the crowd, nor the noise, that defined Europe’s response. Instead, he pointed to something deeper, a force that carried them through the turbulence and ensured that, when the final putt dropped, it was Europe raising the cup once again.
Rory McIlroy Reveals Europe’s Real Motivation to Lift Ryder Cup Again
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of this team,” McIlroy said when on the 18th green, moments after his friend Shane Lowry sealed Europe’s retention of the Ryder Cup trophy. “I’m extremely proud of every single one of the players, the VCs, the captain, all the backroom and support staff. This was an unbelievable collective effort.”
Despite the crowd, there was a greater motivating force for McIlroy his Europe’s players. “As soon as we won in Rome we turned our attention to something everyone thought was pretty impossible. Not only winning in America, but winning in New York. It’s just been an amazing week.
“Honestly, to do something a lot of people thought we couldn’t do. The comments and what people were saying after Whistling Straits, about decades of American dominance. We took a lot from that, we let that fuel us.”
McIlroy hailed Luke Donald’s leadership, describing him as “absolutely amazing” and giving credit to the continuity from last year’s team. “Eleven of the 12 players from Rome came back. We knew what we needed to do,” he said. “We got so lucky in getting an incredible leader in Luke Donald, he shepherded us through this whole process.”
The four-time major winner closed with a promise: “We’re going to celebrate like there is no tomorrow.”
Sports
Liverpool Tell Tottenham to Pay £72m to Sign Cody Gakpo
Tottenham have made Liverpool star Cody Gakpo a leading target for the summer transfer window, and now they know how much they need to pay to get a deal done.
Spurs have had a huge summer window so far with six arrivals so far, bringing in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali, and Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that he now wants to address the forward areas within his squad.
Man City star Savinho has been earmarked as the top target, with talks ongoing with Man City over a deal, but the Netherlands international has now also been made a leading target, and Liverpool have set their asking price.
Liverpool Set Gakpo Asking Price
Gakpo, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been a regular at Anfield since making the move from PSV Eindhoven back in January 2023. The winger has made 180 appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals in that time, and that has attracted the attention of Spurs.
The north London club are keen to add more options to their front line with Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, and Wilson Odobert recovering from serious knee injuries, while the future of Richarlison is also up in the air.
Gakpo has been identified as a target, and Liverpool have not shut the door entirely on a move away from Anfield.
According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool have now set a £72m asking price for Gakpo if he is to move away, after using the Anthony Gordon transfer to Barcelona earlier in the window as a benchmark.
Gordon moved to Spain in a deal worth £70m, and the Reds feel that Gakpo is worth a similar fee if he is to be allowed to move on, especially with a rival club showing the strongest interest.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Tottenham Planning ‘Bomba’ Transfer
De Zerbi told the world that Tottenham are only 60% done in the transfer market this summer, and they were planning on a ‘bomba’ signing in attack alongside Savinho.
Gakpo would certainly fall into that category as a major signing, having won the Premier League and played at the highest level for the Netherlands, with 24 goals in 54 caps, having played at two World Cups.
Spurs may find it difficult to convince him to make the move without Champions League football this season, but they have got the money to get a deal over the line and they have shown that their project is one that is appealing to top stars with the business they have already done.
Sports
Newcastle Must Go All-Out to Seal Deal for Tottenham Star Djed Spence
It’s been a mass exodus at Newcastle United this summer, and the club must make at least one statement signing to prove that business is meant over the 2026/27 campaign.
Anthony Gordon was flogged to Barcelona early doors, and long-term murmurs that Sandro Tonali wanted away from the North East came true when a £100 million move to Tottenham Hotspur was sanctioned. With the Magpies having stood by the Italian’s side through his betting ban, that was a kick in the teeth.
News that Bruno Guimaraes is set to up sticks for Arsenal rubs salt in the wound, and you can’t blame Eddie Howe for handing in his resignation.
Transfer chiefs at St James’ Park need to shift the mood fast. The appointment of a new manager will be a priority and, after that, Newcastle must prove they are still a club that the big players want to sign for.
Newcastle United Must Push to Sign Djed Spence
Luckily, Newcastle may have the perfect opportunity to do just that. The Magpies must push to sign Djed Spence from Spurs – it won’t be easy, but it will certainly be a statement.
The full-back positions are already a cause of concern for the incoming manager at St James’ Park. There’s no doubting Lewis Hall’s talent at full-back, but the England international struggled to keep his place over midfielder Lewis Miley at the end of last season.
Manchester United are said to be interested in a £60 million move for the 21-year-old, and that fee, combined with the club’s apparent inability to keep top talent, makes a move to Old Trafford feel a real possibility.
Spence was more regularly deployed as a left-back by Tottenham last season, but is adept on either side of defence and is naturally right-footed. He would arrive with 59 appearances of Premier League experience and, perhaps more importantly, off the back of a thoroughly impressive World Cup.
Spence, described as ‘frightening’, was a standout star for the Three Lions in North America and Mexico. The defender boasted a tenacity and flair that could help inject some excitement into a club that desperately needs an uplift.
The Magpies would be purchasing a 25-year-old entering his prime. Snapping up young talent to sell them on when at their most potent is the new mantra for Newcastle, but cannot be the only mode of operation.
It’s a move that would work for Spence too. The version of the player that emerged at the World Cup was significantly more impressive than his club performances, which regularly came under criticism as Spurs struggled last term.
Spence’s fight was questioned, but the defender proved he has plenty of that on international duty. Riding that high, a fresh start would surely tempt the dynamic full-back.
Roberto De Zerbi Open to Spurs Exits
It has been reported that Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Spence, with several other clubs competing for his signature too. That report adds that Spence is one of six players Roberto De Zerbi could sanction the sale of as the club looks to offset the £230 million already splurged this summer.
Spence’s heart did not seem in it for Tottenham in their relegation battle last season, and that could be why De Zerbi doesn’t mind losing the star, despite his England performances.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Speaking during pre-season, the Spurs boss said: “I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave.
“I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation.”
There could be no hard feelings in north London. Spence may have grown fatigued with the project at Spurs, but he has just proved he still has the bit between his teeth. Tottenham can balance their books and Newcastle can prove that the club still means business in the Premier League.
Sports
Kaoru Mitoma Avoids Prison Sentence After Hospitalising Woman
A Premier League star, 29, has avoided a prison sentence this week, despite having run a red light before hospitalising a woman after crashing into a cyclist.
Local police had questioned the player, who would have also featured at this summer’s World Cup had it not been for injury, for a while back at the start of July, but came to a surprising decision not to prosecute him.
A woman was rushed to hospital after the incident after being knocked off her bike. The victim, 48, was treated for hand injuries and signed off work for two weeks.
Since the incident, the player’s representatives have also issued a statement on his behalf, expressing their sincere apology for what had taken place.
Premier League Star Escapes Prison Despite Road Accident
On July 8th, in Tokyo, Brighton & Hove Albion and Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma ignored a red light at a junction, before crashing into a female accident.
According to The Sun, local public prosecutors studied the case, and considered charging Mitoma with causing injury through dangerous driving. But they announced on Friday morning that the 31-cap international will escape prosecution because both parties ignored traffic signals.
They said they had reached their verdict “considering that both parties were running a red light, and the content of other related evidence.”
Japanese media quoted updated traffic rules and described the junction’s complex layout as reasons for the prosecutors’ decision.
His Representatives Have Issued A Statement
Following the incident, his representatives released a statement which read: “We sincerely apologise for the great inconvenience and concern caused to the injured party, and all involved due to the accident.
“Mitoma himself takes this accident very seriously, and is responding with condolences and apologies to those affected. The victims have been treated by medical institutions and diagnosed with bruises, but Mitoma himself is not injured.
“We take this matter seriously, fully cooperate with the investigation by related agencies, and strive to thoroughly promote safe driving awareness and strengthen compliance education to prevent recurrence. Once again, we deeply apologise to those affected, their families, and all involved.”
Mitoma has been recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of last season, which caused him to miss Japan’s World Cup campaign.
The Seagulls signed him from home-country club Kawasaki Frontale in 2021, with him yet another hidden gem the club’s recruitment team unearthed. The winger has since gone on to make 135 appearances for the south coast side, scoring 27 goals.
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