Aston Villa set to complete loan move for Marcus Rashford with an option to buy.
Marcus Rashford is on the verge of joining Aston Villa on Loan from Manchester United, with a £40 million option to buy included in the deal. ESPN reported that Unai Emery’s side had shown interest in the England international, and a move now seems imminent. Rashford will join Villa until the end of the season, with the club covering 70% of his £325,000-a-week wages. According to Fabrizio Romano, the agreement includes a potential three-and-a-half-year contract if the buy option is triggered. A medical is scheduled for Sunday. Rashford, who has been sidelined for nearly two months due to a rift with manager Ruben Amorim, had hinted at a United exit weeks ago. With Jhon Durán sold to Al-Nassr, Villa needed attacking reinforcements. If selected, Rashford could link up with Ollie Watkins. Villa, currently fourth, must finalize the deal before the transfer window closes at 11 pm on Monday.
🚨🟣🔵 Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa, here we go!
Agreement in place on loan deal with over 70% salary covered by Villa.
Buy option clause worth £40m also included in contract with potential three year and half deal to follow.
Medical booked today. pic.twitter.com/3z5EogHyPs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 2, 2025
Isreal Adesanya stunned by Nassourdine Imavov in second round knockout.
Former UFC Champion, Israel Adesanya suffered his third consecutive defeat on Saturday night, falling to Nassourdine Imavov in devastating fashion. The former UFC middleweight champion was knocked down by a powerful right hand before Imavov finished him with brutal ground and pound in the second round. Adesanya had reclaimed his title in April 2023 by knocking out Alex Pereira but later lost to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. Desperate for a win to stay relevant in the division, he started strong, landing heavy leg kicks and using his footwork effectively. However, late in the first round, Imavov landed a clean right hand, foreshadowing what was to come. In the second, another right sent Adesanya crashing down, followed by a fierce uppercut and flurry of strikes that forced the referee’s stoppage. Visibly frustrated, Adesanya pounded the canvas as the reality of his 24-5 record settled in, leaving fans questioning the 35-year-old’s future in MMA.
IMAVOV WASTED NO TIME AND FINISHED ADESANYA VIA ROUND 2 TKO 😤 pic.twitter.com/vFWgTWVCOf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2025
Carlos Romero’s late goal gives Espanyol a narrow win over Real Madrid.
Real Madrid endured a frustrating evening on Saturday, falling 1-0 to a disciplined Espanyol side in a defeat that tightens the La Liga title race. Despite dominating possession, Los Blancos lacked sharpness in attack. Vinicius Jr thought he had given Madrid the lead after 20 minutes, but his goal was ruled out due to a foul by Kylian Mbappé in the buildup. Espanyol defended resolutely, restricting Madrid’s chances throughout the first half. The pattern continued after the break, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men pressing forward but failing to convert. Rodrygo struck the post late on, while Mbappé missed a key opportunity. Espanyol capitalized on Madrid’s wastefulness, sealing the win through left-back Carlos Romero’s composed finish on the counterattack. The result lifts Espanyol out of the relegation zone and allows Barcelona to close the gap at the top. Madrid now face Atletico next week, with Diego Simeone’s side poised to take first place with a victory.
FT: Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid.
REAL MADRID HAVE LOST WHICHS MEANS BARCELONA CAN CLOSE THE GAP DOWN TO 4 POINTS AND THE GAP WITH ATLETICO & REAL MADRID BECOMES JUST 1 POINT! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/niXlGPEyyj
— TheEuropeanLad (@TheEuropeanLad) February 1, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks trade Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davies.
In a blockbuster Trade set to reshape the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz have agreed to a three-team deal, sending Luka Dončić to L.A. and Anthony Davis to Dallas. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers will acquire Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks receive Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Utah will gain Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks. Dallas initiated the trade, frustrated with Dončić ‘s ongoing conditioning struggles, which have contributed to injuries. The 5-time All Star has played just 22 games this season, battling calf and wrist issues. Meanwhile, Davis has also been sidelined with an abdominal strain. The trade marks the first time two reigning All-NBA players have been swapped midseason. Dončić was set for a $345 million supermax deal, but the trade makes him ineligible. The Lakers and Mavericks will face off twice more this season, on Feb. 25 and April 9.
The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick in a three-team deal that includes Utah, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/DT2kwMVxJt
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 2, 2025
Chris Wood the hattrick hero as Nottingham Forest obliterates Brighton.
Nottingham Forest demolished Brighton 7-0 at the City Ground, led by a Chris Wood hat-trick, in a stunning response to last week’s 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth. The win moves Forest to 47 points after 24 games, level with second-placed Arsenal, strengthening their Champions League push. Brighton remains ninth with 34 points. Forest’s dominant display began in the 12th minute when Lewis Dunk turned Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross into his own net. Gibbs-White then doubled the lead with a header from Anthony Elanga’s corner before Wood, left unmarked, nodded home Elanga’s cross for 3-0. Brighton’s best effort came from Danny Welbeck, who hit the bar before halftime. Wood tapped in his second in the 64th minute and completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot five minutes later. Neco Williams added a sixth, and Jota Silva sealed the rout in stoppage time. Wood became the first Forest player to score a home top-flight hat-trick since 1987.
FT: Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton.
HUGE VICTORY FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST, THEY REMAIN 3RD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/i4PwboYBih
— TheEuropeanLad (@TheEuropeanLad) February 1, 2025