Sports Express | August 27, 2026 Liverpool close in on PSG forward Barcola

1. Liverpool close in on PSG forward Barcola

Source: Sky Sports

Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola is on the brink of a move to Liverpool in what could be the most expensive transfer of the summer window. The 23-year-old France international has just won back-to-back Champions League titles with PSG, though he came off the bench in both finals. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's arrival from Napoli in January 2025 established him as first choice on the left.

Barcola came through Lyon's academy but was never a boy wonder. His academy coach Jean-Francois Vulliez recalled that he was a "normal kid" who never played above his age group — a late developer physically and psychologically whom Lyon patiently waited on.

Under Luis Enrique, Barcola has improved his ball retention and knows when to run at defences. With pace, power and intelligence, he ranked among the fastest players in last season's Champions League and can both score and create for others.

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2. TNT Sports unveils NHL national TV schedule

Source: NHL.com

TNT Sports has unveiled its national broadcast schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season, featuring 72 regular-season games. The slate opens Wednesday, Sept. 30 with a rivalry-filled doubleheader: Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 p.m. ET in a rematch of their 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series, followed by the Los Angeles Kings visiting the Colorado Avalanche at 10 p.m.

Highlights include the Discover NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Eve, the Thanksgiving Showdown doubleheader, regular Tuesday and Wednesday night telecasts, and an expanded Sunday slate in the second half of the season.

The season culminates with TNT Sports' exclusive presentation of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the Stanley Cup Final.

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3. Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 ban pros returning to college

Source: Yahoo Sports

The Big 12 unanimously passed a policy Wednesday prohibiting professional athletes from returning to compete in college, covering all sports rather than just football. The Big Ten formally adopted a similar policy Tuesday — making underclassmen who declared for the NFL Draft and didn't withdraw, signed pro contracts, or appeared on an NFL roster ineligible — followed Tuesday afternoon by the SEC for football and basketball. Notre Dame has told the leagues it will follow suit, while the ACC is considering whether to join.

The flurry follows reports that Dae'Quan Wright of the Cleveland Browns and Zxavian Harris of the New Orleans Saints are leaving their NFL teams to play for LSU.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was granted "full and unlimited authority," including suspending a school from competition. If the conferences agree on a ban, they could also face new lawsuits.

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4. NFL becomes first major U.S. league to cancel Pro Bowl

Source: Yahoo Sports

The NFL has cancelled its version of the All-Star Game, the Pro Bowl, from the 2026-27 season, becoming the first major U.S. sports league to do so. The move scraps the flag football and skills competitions, focusing instead on simply naming players.

Most fans welcomed the decision, with some calling it "the right decision" and saying the Pro Bowl Games "had become a joke," while a few argued being named a Pro Bowl selection "now means absolutely nothing."

The Pro Bowl has declined in recent years as players are unwilling to risk injury in an exhibition, and tinkering with the format created more viewer apathy.

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5. Nottingham Forest sign Delap from Chelsea

Source: Yahoo Sports

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Chelsea striker Liam Delap in a club-record £45 million ($61.1 million) deal. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the City Ground, his third club in three seasons.

Delap was told he was not part of Xabi Alonso's plans at Chelsea, but new Forest boss Oliver Glasner made him a priority. "I really can't wait to get started, this is a massive club with a big history," Delap said.

Chelsea, who signed him for £30 million from Ipswich a year ago, make a profit despite him managing only two goals last season. He has signed in time to make his debut against Liverpool on Saturday.

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6. 49ers' Jed York skips owners' meeting after arrest

Source: Yahoo Sports

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York skipped Wednesday's NFL owners' meeting in Atlanta following his arrest in an Ohio prostitution sting, with CEO Al Guido representing the franchise as the league reviews whether York violated its personal conduct policy.

York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio. Prosecutors reduced the prostitution charge to disorderly conduct, and York pleaded no contest to that charge and to possessing criminal tools. He served one day in jail and received a $1,150 fine.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed the league is reviewing the matter: "It's being reviewed under the personal conduct policy." Newly released bodycam footage shows York appearing stunned as he was handcuffed without resistance.

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7. Spurs beat Charlton 5-1 as Savio scores on debut

Source: Sky Sports

Tottenham thrashed Charlton 5-1 to progress to the third round of the Carabao Cup, with new signing Savio scoring and assisting on a dream debut. The Brazilian, signed from Man City for £85 million on Tuesday, came on as a second-half substitute and took just 11 minutes to open his account.

Youngster Mikey Moore broke the deadlock with his first Tottenham goal before Dominic Solanke doubled the lead, and Kevin Danso headed home with his first touch. Savio then fired into the bottom corner and had a shot deflected in off Ben Davies for a fifth.

Spurs will meet Liverpool at Anfield in the third round.

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8. Carabao Cup draw: Liverpool to face Tottenham

Source: Yahoo Sports Canada

The Carabao Cup third round draw was made Wednesday, Aug. 26, with 32 teams drawn into 16 matches. The headline tie is an all-Premier League clash between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Other Premier League matchups include Manchester United vs. Brighton and Crystal Palace vs. Middlesbrough. Defending champions Manchester City and last year's runners-up Arsenal enter at this round.

The third round will take place across the weeks starting Sept. 7 and 14, with full fixture dates announced in the coming days. The Carabao Cup streams on Paramount Plus.

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9. Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba joins Villarreal

Source: CBC

Spanish club Villarreal officially introduced Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba at a press conference Wednesday after signing him to a contract through 2031. The 22-year-old from Longueuil, Que., says joining a top European league brings him closer to his dream of playing in the Champions League.

Saliba will line up alongside fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi. He joined from Belgian club Anderlecht, where he had three goals in 34 league games last season, and previously made 78 appearances for CF Montreal.

Saliba represented Canada at this year's World Cup, scoring on a free kick in a 6-0 win over Qatar on June 18. Villarreal finished third in La Liga last season and qualified for the Champions League league phase.

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10. BC Lions extend winning streak to four

Source: Indo-Canadian Voice

The BC Lions extended their winning streak to four games with a 30-16 victory over the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Place, improving to 5-5.

Nathan Rourke completed 22 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Jevon Cottoy on a 23-yard score. Cottoy finished with six catches for 110 yards.

Next, the Lions travel to face the 0-10 Ottawa Redblacks, seeking a fifth straight win and a chance to move above .500 for the first time this season.

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