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EspañolReliable transfer insider reacts to report Bayern could steal Liverpool defender this summer
Bayern are not looking at Joe Gomez ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Bavarian giants would consider signing a backup centre-back, though only on the condition that Kim Min-jae pushes for an exit.
At which point, however, it’s unlikely that the Liverpool centre-half would figure highly on the Bundesliga champions’ shortlist.
Bayern Munich don’t want to sign Joe Gomez
(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Liverpool are not at risk of losing Joe Gomez to Bayern this summer.
“It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are monitoring Joe Gomez ahead of a summer move,” the Bundesliga insider exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.
“I heard about the rumours as well, but at the moment, there isn’t any interest in the Liverpool centre-back. Bayern Munich are happy with their defensive options.
“There’s always something that could happen for the backup options, but it won’t be Joe Gomez’s name brought up at the table.”
Bayern are understood to be considerably more keen on Tottenham loanee Luka Vušković.
However, there is an acceptance that a move for the footballer would not be suitable at this time for two main reasons.
From a financial viewpoint, this is not a potential deal that Bayern’s decision-makers feel well-placed to make this summer.
Secondly, the Croatian himself would prefer to move to a team that would supply him with the kind of regular senior minutes he’s currently enjoying at Hamburger SV.
* Luka Vušković’s appearances at Hamburger SV in the 2025/26 season (Transfermarkt)
Losing Gomez would be a blow for Liverpool
From a positional versatility perspective, losing Joe Gomez this summer would represent at least a small blow for the incumbent Premier League champions.
The centre-back’s ability to play centrally and as an auxiliary right-back when required marks the 28-year-old out as a supremely valuable squad option.
Whilst his current defensive statistics fail to present the picture of a dominant first-choice option in defence, it should be remembered that the Englishman at the peak of his powers was perfectly able to hold his own alongside Virgil van Dijk.
* Joe Gomez in only 310 minutes of Premier League action (Fotmob)
With a regular supply of minutes, perhaps in a slightly less intense league than the Premier League, we strongly suspect Gomez would be a valuable addition.
That team might not be Bayern, but you could forgive other top European sides coming in to test the waters with Liverpool’s backup star.
6 prospects who shined on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL combine
Business picked up on Thursday at the 2026 NFL combine in Indianapolis. After a few days of interviews and weigh-ins, we finally saw some action as the defensive linemen and linebackers participated in workouts and on-field drills.
Several of them put on a show, including a couple of prospects in play for the Washington Commanders with the No. 7 overall pick. The Commanders need plenty of defensive help at all three levels, with edge rusher being the most pressing need. You can't rule out a wide receiver or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love either.
Outside of projected No. 1 overall pick, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the top half of the 2026 NFL Draft could be as unpredictable as ever. So, the combine could be important for some players to separate themselves from the pack.
Here's a look at six players who shined on Day of the NFL combine.
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Sonny Styles profile...
— Underdog (@Underdog) February 27, 2026
6'5" ➡️ same as Calvin Johnson
244lbs ➡️ three pounds lighter than Derrick Henry
43.5" vert ➡️ same as Nate Robinson's max vert
4.46s forty ➡️ same as Bijan Robinson
135" broad jump ➡️ same as Julio Jones
FREAK ATHLETE pic.twitter.com/mFx13ywggF
Sonny Styles didn't need the NFL combine to show he was a first-round pick. It's all over his college tape. But when you add in his size, measurables and bloodlines, Styles is almost a perfect prospect. He arrived in Indianapolis as a surefire top-15 pick, but he may leave as a potential top-five pick.
Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
David Bailey at the 2026 Combine…
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) February 26, 2026
▫️Faster than Antonio Cromartie
▫️Quicker than Davante Adams
▫️Jumps higher than A.J. Green
▫️More explosive than Adrian Peterson
▫️Heavier than Von Miller#NFLCombine2026pic.twitter.com/EIrK6YIhXH
While much of the talk centered around Styles, don't forget about Bailey. The All-American was a top-10 lock before Indianapolis, with a ceiling as high as No. 2 to the New York Jets. He did nothing to discourage the hype. Bailey's size, speed, explosiveness and short-area quickness match his tape. The Commanders already knew there was a good chance Bailey wouldn't make it to No. 7. It's doubtful now.
Ohio State EDGE/LB Arvell Reese
Sheeeeeesh.@OhioStateFB LB Arvell Reese with a 4.47u
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2026
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/j74Yd3XQCw
Reese performed as expected. He and Styles were on another planet. However, they are different players. Reese played some at edge rusher and off-ball linebacker with the Buckeyes. He can do about everything, even though there are some questions about where to play him at the next level. It's really quite simple: don't box him into one spot. Reese is a top-five lock.
Florida DT Caleb Banks
.@GatorsFB DT Caleb Banks put on an unreal performance today:
— NFL (@NFL) February 26, 2026
- 6'6", 327 pounds
- 5.04 40-yard dash
- 32" vertical jump
- 9'6" broad jump@nflnetwork | @Accenturepic.twitter.com/FLWDdfKUUn
Caleb Banks is a prospect who could use the combine as a way to shoot up draft boards. The talent is there. The size and athleticism are unreal. A foot injury cost him much of the 2025 season, so there were some who believed he could fall too early in the second round. That's not happening. Don't be shocked if Banks ends up going somewhere in the top 15-20 picks. Teams love to bet on upside. Banks has that and then some. He's also versatile enough to move around on the offensive line.
Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Jacob Rodriguez reached a top speed of 18.43 mph during the Backpedal & React Drill, the fastest by any linebacker over the last four years.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 27, 2026
Rodriguez traveled nearly a full mile per hour faster than the next-closest linebacker (Arvell Reese, 17.49 mph). pic.twitter.com/ELC3LQm1pQ
Despite a decorated college career that saw him win the Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, no one really discussed Rodriguez as a first or second-round pick. There were concerns about his size, and some questioned his athleticism. Rodriguez, who has elite tape at Texas Tech, put those concerns to rest on Thursday, leading the linebackers in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drills, proving his explosiveness. Rodriguez will be drafted in the second round when all is said and done.
Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis
Pitt LB Kyle Louis | 2026 Combine Results:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 27, 2026
🔵 40 Yard Dash: 4.53 (5th)
🔵 10 Yard Split: 1.58 (3rd)
🔵 Vertical Jump: 39.50” (4th)
🔵 Broad Jump: 10’9” (2nd)@Pitt_FBpic.twitter.com/YlHU4uY7Zi
Kyle Louis was an excellent player at Pitt. However, size concerns had him pegged for the middle rounds. Louis showed his ability at the Senior Bowl last month. He was everywhere. NFL teams fell in love with him. On Thursday, he backed up what you see on the field with elite testing numbers. Louis is a player who probably would've struggled to make it 10-15 years ago just because of size. Now, he's a positionless weapon. He can play linebacker, safety, big nickel, etc. Defensive coordinators will want his speed on the field. For a team that wants to be "younger and faster," like the Commanders do, it's players like Louis who get coaches excited.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL combine: 6 players who shined on Day 1
One foot in semis, New Zealand look to topple England next
Friday night’s Super 8 clash in Colombo offers contrasting scenarios. England are already through to the final four while New Zealand control their destiny. A win will send them to the top of Group 2 and confirm their spot in the semifinals. A loss, however, would potentially reopen the race, leaving Pakistan with a slim net run-rate opportunity if they beat Sri Lanka with a resounding margin on Saturday.
On Wednesday, New Zealand were reeling at 84/6 against Sri Lanka before captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie produced a compelling turnaround, guiding them to 168/7. It proved to be the cornerstone of their crushing 61-run win against the co-hosts. Walter credits this to the team’s excellent problem-solving abilities.
“We’ve always been excellent problem-solvers,” he said. “We’re street-smart, read conditions quickly and find a method that works.” That flexibility could prove vital on a spin-friendly turning track at the Premadasa Stadium.
New Zealand's slow-bowlers — Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Philips and Cole McConchie — will test an England batting order led by their irrepressible captain Harry Brook, who could make the No. 3 spot his own after the match-winning century against Pakistan.
However, Ravindra, who finished with a career-best haul of 4/27 against Sri Lanka, is taking nothing for granted. “You’re always confident, especially when you know what the surface might offer,” he said on match eve. “But it would be silly to underestimate England. They’re a quality side with world-class batters.”
England, however, will hope Jos Buttler rediscovers his touch. The veteran has endured tepid returns in this tournament so far, scoring 36 runs across five innings. England’s spinners, comprising Will Jacks and Liam Dawson, will add intrigue to the tactical battle. On a tacky surface, even 170 could prove to be a winning total.
Ravindra asserts that New Zealand are battle ready. “We’ll take confidence from the last game,” he said, adding, “It’s a new challenge. We have to be ready again.”
🇸🇦 Tribuna Deportiva: Valencia looking to offload Diakhaby
Valencia CF has made a firm decision regarding the future of Mouctar Diakhaby.
According to Tribuna Deportiva, the Mestalla club will try to offload the Guinean center-back during the next summer transfer window, marking a point of reflection in the club’s sporting plans for the 2025/2026 season.
The main reasons pushing the club to seek this transfer are the player’s injury history and his high salary.
Despite having a contract in force until 2027, Valencia considers it a priority to free up wage budget in order to make new signings under the direction of Carlos Corberán.
Saudi Arabia, the club’s preferred destination
From the Mestalla offices, there is optimism about receiving a strong financial offer from Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi league has become a key player in the international market, able to take on high salaries and offer beneficial transfers for clubs in delicate financial situations like Valencia.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
Doohan Receives Death Threats Before Alpine Exit
Jack Doohan said he received multiple death‑threatening emails and saw three armed men during the Miami Grand Prix, forcing him to call a police escort. The Australian driver, who made his Alpine debut at the season’s final race, was replaced by Franco Colapinto after the event and is now a reserve driver for Haas.
Doohan later posted that he and his family faced online abuse, blaming fans from Colapinto’s home country of Argentina. The two drivers were the only ones in F1 last season not to score a point as Alpine finished last in the constructors’ standings.