SPORTS

• Manchester United scouts have reportedly identified Spanish left-back Salinas as a potential target after being impressed by his performances. • The player gained attention during the Under-19 European Championships, where he was a regular starter for the winning Spanish squad. • This move highlights United's ongoing efforts to strengthen their defensive depth with young, international talent during the summer window.

• Liverpool have dismissed reports that they intend to pursue a summer transfer for Tottenham and England full-back Djed Spence, 25, despite current injury challenges. • Juventus are reportedly seeking to secure Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, 25, from Manchester United via a loan deal that includes no obligation to buy. • Arsenal and Manchester United have both deployed scouts to monitor the progress of young talent Kaua Elias.

• Mauricio Pochettino has officially signed a four-year contract to serve as the head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT). • The appointment provides Pochettino with a stable timeline to implement his vision and prepare the squad for the next World Cup. • Pochettino expressed confidence in the existing talent pool and the potential for soccer to grow into a dominant sport within the United States.

• The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has released the schedule for the Women's Asia Cup 2026, which will be hosted in Dubai. • Eight teams will compete in two groups, with a highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for September 5. • Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, and debutants Indonesia.

• India received a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships, featuring challenging matchups for some and favorable paths for others. • Ayush Shetty faces a difficult start against defending champion Shi Yu Qi, while PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen have avoided top seeds in their opening rounds. • Sindhu, coming off a Japan Open victory, avoids world number one An Se Young and Akane Yamaguchi until the medal rounds, though she may face Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarter-finals.

• Real Madrid has reached a £120m agreement to sign Yan Diomande, while Aston Villa has secured a deal for Matteo Ruggeri. • Liverpool is currently exploring a potential move for Ibrahim Mbaye as part of their squad reinforcements. • Sporting CP submitted an improved £14m bid for Watford's 20-year-old Australian forward Nestory Irankunda, though the offer remains below the club's valuation.

• Manchester United is actively seeking to strengthen its squad by targeting a new defensive midfielder and additional cover for the left-back position. • Recent transfer links have connected the club with Premier League stars Morgan Gibbs-White and Antonee Robinson as potential targets. • The club is also monitoring developments regarding Real Madrid players Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga for the midfield role.

• New Delhi is preparing to host the badminton World Championships from August 17 to 23 at the Indira Gandhi Arena. • Organizers are aiming for a "smoother spectacle" after the previous India Open was marred by air-quality issues, stray animals, and bird droppings on the courts. • The event serves as a critical opportunity for the city to redeem its reputation as a host for flagship international sporting tournaments.

• PV Sindhu has a favorable path at the 2026 Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, avoiding top seeds An Se Young and Akane Yamaguchi until the semifinals. • Sindhu is projected to face China's third seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals, followed by a potential quarterfinal match against Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani. • In contrast, Indian players Lakshya Sen and Ayush face significantly more challenging draws in their respective brackets.

• India is hosting the World Championships for the first time in 17 years at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from August 17 to 23. • Fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received a first-round bye, with their primary challenge expected to be the 12th seeded Indonesian pair, Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin. • While coach Pullela Gopichand believes the draw generally favors Indian athletes like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, Ayush faces a difficult opening match against tournament favorite Shi Yuqi.

• AC Milan has completed a record-breaking transfer to sign defender Sergio Ramos, while Real Madrid has strengthened its attacking options by signing Denzel Dumfries. • These high-profile moves are part of a broader trend of significant spending across Europe as clubs reshape their squads for the upcoming season. • The transfers signal a strategic shift in team compositions, potentially altering the competitive balance of top-tier European leagues.

• Arsenal have granted midfielder Christian Norgaard permission to undergo a medical with Everton as part of a proposed £7 million transfer. • Norgaard has already been excluded from Arsenal's squad traveling to Dublin to facilitate the move. • The development comes as the transfer window remains open until September 1, with other clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City targeting Pep Chavarria and Pedro Neto.

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino received internal support to maintain his leadership position following a high-level crisis meeting. • The meeting addressed internal tensions and challenges facing the organization's current administration. • This support is critical for Infantino as he seeks to stabilize his presidency and maintain control over global football governance.

• Tanvi Sharma and other Indian women's singles players delivered strong performances at the Korea Masters, while the men's side suffered early exits, including Kidambi Srikanth. • Fifth seed Isharani Baruah advanced to the next round by defeating Korea's Lee So Yul in a three-game match (21-18, 15-21, 21-7). • Eighth seed Anmol Kharb also progressed after overcoming Hong Kong's Lo Sin Yan Happy with a comeback victory (16-21, 21-17, 21-12).

• The 18th edition of the Korea Masters badminton tournament, a BWF World Tour Super 300 event, is scheduled to take place from August 4 to 9, 2026. • The event will feature a competitive field including registered Indian players vying for the tournament's prize money. • As a Super 300 event, the tournament provides critical ranking points for athletes aiming to climb the BWF world standings.

• Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth suffered an early exit after crashing out in the opening round of the Korea Masters 2026 men’s singles event. • In the women's singles, Tanvi Sharma advanced by defeating China's Yuan An Qi 21-16, 21-15, following her recent Taipei Open title win. • Other Indian players progressed, including fifth seed Isharani Baruah, who beat Lee Yo Yul, and eighth seed Anmol Kharb, who defeated Lo Sin Yan Happy.

• Thailand is nearing removal from the U.S. Treasury's currency monitoring list, a move expected to reduce trade tensions and increase economic flexibility. • In sports, the national volleyball team secured the SEA V Cup title by defeating host nation Vietnam in straight sets. • The Thai football team has seized control of Group B in the ASEAN Championship following a victory over Malaysia.

• Several Premier League clubs are targeting new talent, with Nottingham Forest eyeing Tijjani Reijnders and Tottenham Hotspur pursuing Savinho and Nicolas Jackson. • Manchester United and Chelsea are both competing for Bologna's 28-year-old Colombian centre-back Jhon Lucumi, who has also attracted bids from Juventus and Como. • Real Madrid has resumed contract negotiations with star forward Vinicius Jr to secure his long-term future at the club.