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Basketball: Reports say Curry to stay with Warriors as Carmelo joins LeBron

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry has reportedly agreed to a historic contract extension with Golden State while forward Carmelo Anthony will join pal LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry will sign a four-year deal worth US$215 million (S$290 million) with the Warriors, his agent told ESPN. He will be the first player in NBA history to sign two contracts worth more than US$200 million. Anthony confirmed reports he will sign with the Lakers with a social media post changing the "L" in "Melo" to the "L" of the Lakers' logo. The moves came on the second day of NBA free agency for the 2021-22 campaign. Teams cannot confirm deals or sign players until Friday. Seven-time All-Star Curry, a 33-year-old guard, was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2015 and 2016 and helped spark Golden State to titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Anthony, a 37-year-old forward, will join a revamped Lakers roster that will also include star guard Russell Westbrook and veteran center Dwight Howard plus Malik Monk, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington and Kent Bazemore. Three-time Olympic champion Anthony averaged 13.1 points and 3.1 rebounds last season for the Portland Trail Blazers and hit 40.9 per cent from 3-point range. Anthony enters his 20th NBA campaign still searching for his first title after stints with Denver, New York, Oklahoma City, Houston and Portland. But this will be the first time he plays in the NBA alongside James, a former Olympic teammate who like Anthony entered the league in 2003.

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Football: Chelsea sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea have signed goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on a free transfer, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday (July 28). The 29-year-old left nearby west London side Fulham at the end of last season after making more than 100 appearances in over a decade with the Cottagers. Bettinelli has now agreed a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge where he will compete for the goalkeeping position with Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga. "It's always been a special club. I know the area very well so it's been a dream of mine to come over to this side and it's finally happened," former England Under-21 international Betinelli told Chelsea's website. "There were some talks a few years ago when I was a bit younger and for whatever reason that didn't come about but I'm here now," added Bettinelli, whose arrival at Chelsea follows the departure of Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero. More on this topic   Related Story Russia's Abramovich didn't buy Chelsea for Putin, England court hears   Related Story Football: France striker Giroud thanks Chelsea ahead of transfer

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Football: Arsenal agree deal to sign Brighton defender Ben White, says British media

LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White for £50 million (S$93 million), British media reported on Saturday (July 17). Sky Sports reported Brighton have added a sell-on clause for White, who was a late call up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for the European Championship. White did not feature at the Euros as England lost to Italy in the final. After being released by Southampton in 2014, White secured a move to Brighton and made an impact at the south coast club following loan spells with Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United. White was one of the standout performers for Graham Potter's Brighton last season, making 36 Premier League appearances in the heart of the defence. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are looking to strengthen their back line after finishing eighth in the league last season and missing out on European football for the first time since the 1994-95 season. Meanwhile, Brighton confirmed winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh has completed a permanent move to Dutch side Feyenoord on a three-year contract. The Iran international joined Brighton from Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar in 2018 but struggled for regular first-team chances, scoring four goals in 61 appearances in all competitions. "Ali has been a very good professional and great to work with, but this move is a good one and gives him the chance of more regular game time, which is not something we are able to guarantee," Potter said in a statement. "I'd like to thank Ali for his hard work during my time here and wish him all the best for the future." More on this topic   Related Story Football: Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs to play friendlies in support of mental health   Related Story Football: Manchester United, Arsenal tumbled in value during Covid-19 pandemic

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