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NFL

Sources: Fins fielding trade inquiries on Rosen

The Miami Dolphins have fielded trade inquiries in recent days about former first-round pick Josh Rosen, league sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Rosen could be on the move for the second time in his young NFL career, as rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has proved healthy so far in training camp.

Rosen has been part of a three-man quarterback competition in training camp, with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the front-runner to start in Week 1.

Coach Brian Flores hasn’t announced an official decision on the starting and backup quarterbacks, but the Dolphins have seen enough so far in camp to make Fitzpatrick and Tagovailoa their two active quarterbacks on game day.

Soccer

Report: Barcelona's meeting with Messi Sr. ends without resolution

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Lionel Messi’s father could not reach an agreement over the player’s future during a slightly tense meeting Wednesday, sources told ESPN’s Rodrigo Faez and Moises Llorens.

Messi’s father, Jorge, flew to Barcelona demanding his son’s release, citing a now-infamous clause that allows him to unilaterally terminate his contract at the end of each season.

The two sides will hold another meeting, according to Faez and Llorens, but have not determined a date.

During the two-hour meeting, Bartomeu reportedly insisted the clause is no longer valid, Messi remains under contract until June 2021, and teams interested in signing the 33-year-old will have to pay his €700-million release clause.

Messi Sr. told local reporters it will be “difficult” for his son to stay at Barcelona – where he’s played all 16 years of his professional career – but denied talking to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

When asked about a potential move to the Premier League side, Messi Sr. said, “There’s nothing yet.”

Messi skipped Barcelona’s first preseason training session Monday due to the ongoing dispute. His legal team believes he’s no longer under contract and has no responsibility to show up to training.

The club says the termination clause expired in June, but Messi’s camp argues the Blaugrana should have extended the deadline because of the season delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

City are considered the favorites to land the six-time Ballon d’Or winner if he ends up leaving Barcelona. Messi has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, and Juventus.

Soccer

Manchester United land Dutch midfielder Van de Beek for potential €44M fee

Manchester United reinforced their midfield Wednesday with the signing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

Ajax confirmed the deal is worth €39 million, plus a potential €5 million in add-ons.

Van de Beek put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Red Devils after completing a medical in the Netherlands.

He’ll now join the Dutch national team ahead of Nations League matches against Poland and Italy.

“Donny has all of the technical attributes needed to perform in this team and has the personality required to succeed at Manchester United,” manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in a statement. “His ability to see space, time his movements, and read the game will really complement the qualities that we have in midfield, and his arrival really strengthens the depth of talent we have in that position.”

The 23-year-old – who played a key role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semifinals in 2018-19 – drew interest from Real Madrid before receiving an offer from United.

Barcelona were reportedly interested in signing Van de Beek, a personal favorite of newly appointed Dutch manager Ronald Koeman, but were unable to finance a move.

A two-way midfielder who can sweep up and join the attack, Van de Beek made his senior debut as an 18-year-old in the Europa League against Celtic. He earned his first start in the Eredivisie three days later in a win over PEC Zwolle.

Overall, Van de Beek recorded 41 goals and 34 assists in 175 appearances with Ajax.

“I would like to thank everyone at Ajax. I grew up there and I will always have a special bond with the club,” Van De Beek said. “I am now ready to take the next step in my career and perform at the highest level, and there is no higher standard than Manchester United.”

Solskjaer now has a ton of creativity in his squad. With Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, and Van de Beek combining in midfield, the Red Devils have an envious rotation of players to feed the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, and Anthony Martial.

A bid for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, however, has yet to materialize.

NFL

Rams linebacker Howard (knee) will miss season

3:49 PM ET

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    • Covered Rams for two years for Los Angeles Times
    • Previously covered the Falcons
    • Has covered the NBA and college football and basketball

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams linebacker Travin Howard will undergo knee surgery and will be sidelined for the season, coach Sean McVay said Tuesday. Howard suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee during practice last week.

“It’s really unfortunate for a guy that’s put in a lot of work, put himself in position to be a huge impact player for us,” McVay said.

Following the departure of Cory Littleton in free agency, Howard was on track to start alongside Micah Kiser.

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