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Chelsea close to deal for Vicente Garcia, 16, from LA Galaxy

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general view of the stadium prior to the game between LA Galaxy and Minnesota United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 04, 2026 in Carson, California

Garcia has signed a pro deal with LA Galaxy Luiza Moraes/Getty Images

Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for 16-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder Vicente Garcia.

Sources briefed on discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, said a deal was in place for Garcia to join Chelsea when he turns 18 in the summer of 2028, with the fee expected to be worth in the region of $3million (£2.25m) plus add-ons.

Chelsea’s move for Garcia comes after The Athletic reported in July that the Premier League club had agreed a deal to buy U.S. youth international Benji Flowers, 15, from FC Dallas when he turns 18. Dallas will receive an initial fee of around $3m, while performance-based add-ons could take the deal to around $10m.

Garcia signed his first professional contract with the Galaxy as a homegrown player in January 2025. Aged 14 years and 198 days, he became the fifth youngest player in MLS history to sign a professional deal. The midfielder will officially join the Galaxy on an MLS contract at the start of 2027.

At the beginning of August, Garcia was called up to the Galaxy first-team squad for an MLS fixture for the first time, and he was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw with FC Dallas.

He has represented the United States and Mexico up to under-15 level, and was selected for a U.S. Under-17 camp in June.

Garcia has featured 16 times for Ventura County FC, the Galaxy’s MLS Next Pro affiliate (reserve) team, this season, providing three goals and four assists.

The global under-21 market is one Chelsea have been particularly active in in recent seasons. The club agreed to sign 15-year-old Ecuadorian attacker Kendry Paez in the summer of 2023 on a pre-arranged deal to join when he turned 18. U.S. defender Caleb Wiley  and international team-mate Gaga Slonina have also moved to the west London club in recent seasons.

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Manor Solomon: West Ham United sign Israel winger from Tottenham Hotspur

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West Ham have completed the signing of winger Manor Solomon from Tottenham on a three-year contract.

The Championship club did not disclose the fee, but the Hammers are understood to have paid about £5m to make the Israel international their third permanent signing of the summer.

Solomon, 27, made 19 appearances for Italian side Fiorentina on loan last season.

He also spent time on loan at Leeds United and Spanish club Villarreal after joining Spurs in 2023.

“I know West Ham have a rich history both in the Premier League and in Europe,” said Solomon, who will wear the number 10 shirt for the side gearing up for their first season outside the top flight since 2011-12.

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Unique Michael Jordan signed card box from rookie year sells for $1.48 million

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The Michael Jordan autographed 1986 Fleer Basketball box on display.

The Michael Jordan autographed box of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball cards on display at the National Sports Collectors Convention. Brooks Peck / The Athletic

A sealed box of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball cards, signed and inscribed by Michael Jordan, sold for $1.48 million in an eBay auction Sunday night. It’s the only unopened box of ’86 Fleer Basketball — the set includes his iconic rookie card, as well as those of multiple NBA legends like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon and more — that Jordan has autographed, which he noted with an inscription reading “Rookie Card Box 1/1.”

Trading card and memorabilia company Upper Deck first announced the auction in July along with news that it had extended its long-term exclusive partnership with Jordan. The company also had Jordan autograph 23 sealed individual packs of 1986 Fleer Basketball cards that collectors can claim through a redemption program and will be part of its 2026 Goodwin Champions release. Ten percent of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The 1986 Fleer Basketball set was largely disregarded upon its debut, as the NBA and basketball card collecting were far less popular than they are today. Jordan, however, became a global superstar in the 1990s and fans began to collect anything and everything associated with him; his rookie card and the set it came in rose significantly in value. Today, a sealed box of ’86 Fleer not signed by Jordan is worth north of $100,000. Each box contains 36 packs and about three to four Jordan #57 cards on average.

What’s interesting about the final price of the signed box is that it’s considerably lower than the record $2.7 million that a single Fleer rookie card signed by Jordan sold for last fall, even though the box is a one-of-one while there are more than 100 authenticated ’86 Fleer Jordan autographed cards. It illustrates how scarcity isn’t always the ultimate factor in the collectibles market and how individual cards are often more desirable to collectors. For example, cards bearing a small piece of a player’s game-used jersey often sell for far more than a full game-used jersey of the same player.

Jordan collectibles, including his ’86 Fleer card, are arguably more popular than ever right now. According to GemRate, which tracks trading card sales and grading data, more than $68 million was spent on individual Jordan cards on eBay alone through the first half of 2026, second only to Shohei Ohtani ($85.6 million), rising from just over $8 million in January to almost $17 million in June.

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Endrick set to stay at Real Madrid despite interest from European clubs

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Endrick warms up for Real Madrid

The 20-year-old forward spent the second half of last season on loan at French club Lyon. Christian Bruna/Getty Images

Real Madrid forward Endrick is set to remain at the club for upcoming season, despite interest from several European clubs.

There is competition for minutes along Madrid’s front line, though the 20-year-old is expected to stay at Madrid and fight for his place. The decision was made by the player, the club and head coach Jose Mourinho.

The Brazil international had attracted interest from multiple top clubs across Europe.

Endrick is expected to have more opportunities on the right side of attack, as well as the chance to operate as a central striker, serving as a backup to Kylian Mbappe alongside new signing Carlos Espi.

His situation is expected to reviewed in January, in a similar fashion to earlier this year, when he joined French side Lyon on loan after receiving a lack of first-team opportunities at Madrid. Endrick recorded eight goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 club.

In total, Endrick has featured 40 times for Madrid, scoring seven times.

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