Chelsea are still trying to convince Napoli to let Dries Mertens join Stamford Bridge before the end of the transfer window on Friday, sources have told ESPN.

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The Belgian striker wants to sign for the Blues but the discussions between the two clubs are moving slowly, sources added.

Mertens, 32, is out of contract in the summer and Chelsea have offered €7 million to recruit him now. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis rejected the bid and is proving quite difficult to deal with. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is leading the pursuit for Mertens and is considering making a better offer of €10m on Friday to secure the signing.

Chelsea have been desperate to recruit a striker this month but have failed so far. The future of Olivier Giroud will also depend of the arrival of Mertens. The London club was ready to let the Frenchman leave as he is not part of Frank Lampard's plans. But the club is now refusing to allow Giroud to leave unless a replacement is signed.

Giroud has agreed to personal terms with three teams -- Inter Milan, Tottenham and Lazio -- and all of them have a deal in place with Chelsea for a loan and an option to buy in the summer.

Yet, the French striker remains at Chelsea as he tries to secure more playing time in the second half of the season, or risk being left out Les Bleus squad for Euro 2020.

Tom Banton says he has ambitions to play Test cricket, but is not about to be swayed by Michael Vaughan's assertion that he needs to ditch his Indian Premier League contract to take part in the County Championship with Somerset.

Speaking on the eve of England's first warm-up match on the white-ball leg of their tour of South Africa, Banton, 21, admitted he is still getting his head round a "whirlwind" 12 months, which included a starring role in the Royal London Cup final at Lord's, an explosive introduction to the Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat, and a maiden England T20 call-up for the recent tour of New Zealand.

And now, with a number of England's World Cup-winning batsmen resting for the ODIs in South Africa, Banton is in line to make his international debut in the 50-over format too. In the short term, his likely berth will be at No,3, with England's established pair of Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy set to resume their alliance at the top of the order.

While Banton's outstanding talent was already well known on the county circuit, his profile was sent soaring over the course of this winter - most particularly at the BBL, where his haul of three fifties in seven matches included a stunning innings of 56 from 19 balls against Sydney Thunder, featuring five sixes in a row and seven in total.

That innings, and similarly hard-hitting knocks against Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers, confirmed the impression that Kolkata Knight Riders had picked up a bargain in signing Banton for just over £100,000 at the IPL auction in December. He is set to link up at the franchise with the England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan, where the influence of head coach Brendon McCullum will no doubt help to hone his game in the shortest format.

All of which means that, regardless of Vaughan's belief that Banton is ready to challenge for a Test berth (despite averaging 27.12 in 12 first-class matches for Somerset), his short-term career trajectory could not be clearer.

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Asked whether he would be honouring his KKR contract, Banton said: "Yes, 100 percent. When I was growing up, IPL was definitely something I thought I'd love to do, and play for England and definitely in Test cricket as well. But we'll just have to wait and see."

"I just think this last year has been a whirlwind," he added. "I was in Perth last year playing first grade for South Perth and I think I averaged 10 across all cricket. I wasn't really sure if I was enjoying it that much, which was a bit of a shame.

"I'd open and seem to get out in the first two overs, and then not do a lot for about a month or so. But definitely I'd like to play Test cricket. I'll just take it day by day and see how it goes."

And yet, despite his success, Banton was candid about the state of his game after linking up with the England squad in Paarl, and said that he would be seeking the advice of England's Test captain Joe Root, ahead of their practice matches against a South Africa Invitation XI on Friday and South Africa A on Saturday.

"I think the last few months, I've kind of lost, not the basics of cricket, but just there that net session didn't feel like how I'd have liked it to have done. After this, I'm going to hit with Rooty.

"I just feel I'm not coming forward as much as I'd like to, but I guess there's always areas you can improve on. I just want to keep enjoying my cricket, I love playing it and a bad net session isn't going to change a career."

With back-to-back T20 World Cups looming in Australia this winter and India in 2021-22, Banton's inclusion in the 50-over squad is a reflection of how that format is now being used to test up-and-coming prospects. For the moment, he will be on the outside looking in when the three-match T20I series begins next month, with the likes of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler returning to the front line in his place.

However, he is still firmly focussed on pressing his T20I claims, having had a taste of the format with three matches and a top score of 31 from 20 balls in New Zealand in November.

"I'm yet to get a score with an England badge on, which is pretty disappointing," he said. "I've only played three games, I know, but it's something to do.

"Maybe one of those 30s could have gone on to be a 60 and it would have been completely different, but I'm not going to change the way I've played.

"The white-ball team seems so strong at the moment but I'd love to go," he added. "You've just got to keep performing, haven't you? We've got the summer coming up and an IPL so I think some strong performances there are going to help."

AVENTURA, Fla. -- Wide receiver Sammy Watkins said he's considering many options -- including one where he would sit out the 2020 season -- as he contemplates his future with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"If it suits me and my family and [meets] my needs, for sure," Watkins said Thursday when asked about possibly renegotiating his contract as the Chiefs prepared for Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers. "But I'm really in a different space right now. I don't know what I'm going to do. If we win it, I might chill out. I might sit out a year. You just never know.

"Not retiring, but I might just want to rest up and chill. I don't know. I don't want to say I'm going to do something, but you never know. I might want to go somewhere else and create another Super Bowl team. So it's just all about how I'm feeling. I've got to sit down with my family, my parents and grandparents and everybody and just see what I want to do.''

Watkins would be entering the third and final season of his contract with the Chiefs in 2020. He is scheduled to make $14 million next season, but none of it is guaranteed. The Chiefs would take a $7 million salary-cap hit if Watkins is released.

He has caught 92 passes for 1,192 yards and 6 touchdowns in 28 regular-season games for the Chiefs. Two of his better performances have come in AFC Championship Games, with Watkins catching four passes for 114 yards against the New England Patriots last season and seven for 114 and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans this season.

When asked late in the regular season about whether he thought he'd be back with the Chiefs in 2020, Watkins said he wasn't sure.

"Possibly not if we win the Super Bowl and we've got to pay Pat [Mahomes] $300 million and then you've got to pay [Travis] Kelce and other guys, too," Watkins said. "So you never know. But I definitely love it here. My family loves it here. If we keep winning here, I'm willing to stay anywhere. I want to stay here. I don't want to go to another team and lose. I think I'd retire if I get back to losing games.

"As long as we're winning games and I stay healthy and I'm having fun, I'm willing to stay."

The NBA has informed teams of 2020-2021 salary-cap and luxury tax estimates, including a $2 million drop in the tax threshold that brings a costly impact to teams facing that penalty, league sources tell ESPN.

The league informed teams of estimates of a $115 million salary cap and $139 million luxury tax -- each representing a smaller rise than previous expectations of $116 million and $141 million, respectively.

The NBA's 2019-20 salary cap is $109.1 million.

The new salary-cap and luxury tax numbers take effect at the start of the league year July 1.

Estimates for future years -- including the 2021-22 season that includes the possibility of several top free agents -- will be delivered to owners at the Board of Governors meetings in April, league sources said.

The league office delivered revised projections Thursday as an accommodation allowing for franchises to make more informed financial and roster decisions ahead of next Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

Advanced notice and pre-trade-deadline timing of these looming projections, communicated in a recent league memo, is a departure from past protocol.

The loss of the league's China-driven revenue had caused many teams to prepare for the possibility that the original cap projection of $116 million could drop to as far as $113 million, front-office executives told ESPN. These projections have impact on such items as free-agency cap space, luxury tax payouts and player contracts based on percentages of the salary cap -- including as maximum deals and midlevel exceptions.

China's decision to pull sponsorships and television coverage because Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters in October is believed to have cost the NBA anywhere between $150 million and $200 million, league sources said.

Based on ESPN's conversations with team executives, the new cap and tax estimates are unlikely to significantly impact the deadline behavior of teams.

Salary-cap space is less important this summer than in past years, because only seven teams are currently poised to have salary-cap space above the projected $9.75 million midlevel exception. Also, the talent pool of players available in free agency isn't considered strong.

The projected luxury tax figure impacts teams like Boston, Brooklyn, Golden State, Houston and Philadelphia, who could pay between $6 million and $8 million more in tax based on their looming payrolls next season. Three more teams -- Denver, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers -- could be in the tax pending the retaining of their own free agents.

For example, the Warriors -- considered a repeater tax team -- would lose $14 million if the tax projection dropped $3 million. With an extension for Draymond Green starting next season, the salary slot for a potential Top 5 draft pick in the 2020 draft and full use of the $5.9 million taxpayer exception on a free agent this summer, the Warriors could face a $75 million tax. Golden State was projected to pay a $65 million tax with a $141 million salary cap.

Brooklyn could be facing a $36 million luxury tax penalty.

Other contending teams -- including the Utah Jazz, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers -- could be impacted over a decrease in projected luxury tax. For instance, the Lakers would become hard-capped if they use the full $9.8 million exception this summer, which would limit their flexibility to make a trade next season.

A salary-cap decrease of $1 million impacts the class of rookie contract extensions signed over the past year, including small decreases for Philadelphia's Ben Simmons ($1.5 million), Denver's Jamal Murray ($1.5 million) and Toronto's Pascal Siakam ($1.1 million). Maximum contracts are based upon percentages of the salary cap.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will miss at least one game after injuring his right ankle during Thursday's practice.

Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday morning, sources told ESPN, and will not play later that night against the Rockets in Houston.

The All-Star guard also is unlikely to play Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks, sources said.

Two sources said the ankle injury, suffered when Doncic stepped on another player's foot, appears to be similar to the sprain he suffered earlier this season.

That sprain, which occurred when Doncic stepped on Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn's foot on Dec. 14, caused Doncic to miss four games. He returned to practice 10 days later.

Doncic suffered the injury near the end of practice on Thursday and was getting treatment while coach Rick Carlisle addressed the media.

A source said Doncic stepped on a defender's foot while driving to the basket during a brief scrimmage.

Doncic, 20, who was voted to be the youngest All-Star starter since LeBron James in 2005, is averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Kung Fu Panda is back with the San Francisco Giants.

Pablo Sandoval agreed to a minor league contact with the Giants and would get a one-year, $2 million deal if he's added to the 40-man roster.

The 2012 World Series MVP, who thought last summer that his time with San Francisco could be over, would have the chance to earn $750,000 in performance bonuses.

Sandoval, 33, is working back from season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early September. Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles determined Sandoval needed the procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament, and the third baseman has said he is determined to come back even stronger in 2020.

The progress and health status of the switch-hitter will be more clear come spring training. Pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona on Feb. 11.

New manager Gabe Kapler is counting on Sandoval's veteran presence.

"Pablo brings a wealth of experience, a lot of energy and consistent positivity,'' Kapler said. "That mentality from a veteran player really helps set the tone for a clubhouse. I'm excited for the impact he'll have. On the field, he's a dangerous bat, and he was always one we planned carefully around when I was with Philly.''

Sandoval made a comeback with the Giants in 2017 after his release by the Red Sox, and he was used in various roles by now-retired manager Bruce Bochy. In 2019, Sandoval batted .268 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 108 games.

The Boston Red Sox are deep into talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers about All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts, according to sources.

The two sides have talked about possible trade combinations that involve veteran left-hander David Price, and some that don't include Price.

The Red Sox see the benefit of opening spring training without the question of Betts' future hanging over the team, sources said. Betts, 27, will be eligible for free agency after the 2020 season, and the Red Sox have repeatedly broached the idea of signing him to a long-term deal, without success. Rival executives think it's inevitable that the Red Sox will trade Betts before the July 31 deadline.

The Dodgers have a range of young players attractive to Boston, including outfielder Alex Verdugo, pitcher Dustin May and others. L.A. has built one of the deepest farm systems in baseball.

Price is set to be paid $96 million over the next three seasons. He is 34, with a history of elbow trouble. He helped the Red Sox to the title in 2018 but was 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts last season.

Betts will make $27 million in 2020, after agreeing to a record deal for an arbitration-eligible player. He is a career .301 hitter and has averaged 28 homers and 96 RBIs in his six seasons in Boston.

If the Red Sox include Price in the deal, they'll shed at least some salary -- Boston may have to eat some of the contract to move him -- but receive less in prospect return. The Red Sox have discussed the merits of dealing Betts for prospects, without Price involved, and then open 2020 with the veteran lefty in their rotation, in the hope that he rebuilds some of his value.

The Red Sox had talked with teams about Betts' availability before Christmas, but in the aftermath of the firing of manager Alex Cora, Boston has talked with other teams more seriously. The Red Sox have also had discussions with the Padres, according to sources.

SEATTLE -- The Mariners added a veteran arm to their bullpen Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.6 million contract with Yoshihisa Hirano.

Hirano has spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, appearing in 137 games with a 3.47 ERA. Hirano was very good in 2018, when he struck out 69 batters in 66 1/3 innings and allowed just 18 earned runs. He struggled last season while appearing in 62 games. He had a 4.75 ERA and issued 22 walks in 53 innings.

Before joining the Diamondbacks, the 35-year-old Hirano spent 11 seasons pitching in Japan for Orix of the Pacific League.

"We believe his combination of experience and bat-missing ability brings needed stability to our bullpen," Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto said in a statement.

Hirano can earn $500,000 in bonuses based on pitching appearances: $50,000 each for 30 and 35, $75,000 apiece for 45 and 50, $100,000 for 55 and $150,000 for 60.

He also can get $450,000 in bonuses for games finished: $50,000 for 20, $75,000 apiece for 25 and 30, $100,000 for 35 and $150,000 for 40.

Hirano would receive a $250,000 assignment bonus each time he is traded but not if he is claimed on waivers, the money payable by the new team. Hirano cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his consent.

He will become a free agent when the contract expires.

Left-hander Ricardo Sanchez was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Sanchez spent last season at Double-A Arkansas.

In the latest part of his marathon training blog, AW’s Euan Crumley looks at why the more mundane aspect to training is still crucially important

Consistency. It’s not a very glamorous word, is it? It doesn’t immediately conjure excitement, dramatic images of amazing sporting achievement or remarkable feats. For now, however, consistency is exactly what I’m looking for when it comes to the early stages of preparation for the Virgin Money London Marathon. Being solid, if unspectacular, is the aim.

We’re midway through week three of the schedule now and the main objective has been laying foundations. I’m following a
15-week plan, which is longer than the 12-week period I would normally opt for, but because I wasn’t at my sharpest going into this training block, and had fallen out of the pattern of properly regular training, I wanted to give myself time to get back into the habit, back into a routine, and to build things carefully. Only time will tell if that approach works but for now it feels like the right thing to do.

It’s important to set small goals and little landmarks along the way and my first target has been to get through these first three weeks unscathed but showing small signs of improvement. Thankfully, there have been a couple of reasons to feel encouraged.

Firstly, and fundamentally, I’m enjoying it. There’s a satisfaction that comes with sticking to a plan and a motivation that is provided by aiming at a long-term target. I live and train in Scotland and, believe me, there have been some days recently where the weather has done its best to put me off. Without that marathon goal, I’m pretty confident it would have won on a few occasions and I wouldn’t have done nearly as much work as I’ve managed thus far.

My kit feels like it’s sitting just a little more loosely, too, as my body starts to change a bit and the excesses of Christmas begin to get truly burned off. There’s just a little glimmer that my running is improving, too. Out on a session which included easy running mixed with some miles at marathon pace, I began to find – albeit momentarily – something approaching a flow. There was a hint of increased strength, I managed to get into a good rhythm without feeling like my lungs were about to explode and, though I’m always wary of placing too much store in what my watch tells me, I was pleasantly surprised by a couple of the splits.

I’m certainly not breaking any records or approaching personal bests, but the curve definitely feels like it’s inching upwards and that’s all I want to see.

The latest edition of AW includes a substantial training section which features insights from some of the top athletes as to how they train and prepare. It was interesting to note that a common thread across a lot of disciplines involves laying the groundwork and creating a platform before, as Steph Twell puts it, “laying on the additional layers of quality”.

I’m not sure how high my own level of quality will ultimately be but it’s definitely true that – and this applies across sport – you won’t get very far if you don’t get the basics right. I’ve got 26.2 miles to run and a long road ahead to London so I’m hoping that I have at least set myself off on the right path.

How’s your training going?

Thank you for the responses to the blog so far and please do get in touch to compare notes about training and let me know how you’re getting on. What mini goals have you been setting yourself on the way towards your ‘A’ race and how do you like to prepare? It would be great to hear from you.

Happy running.