The Ghana international, who joined the North London club earlier this summer, impressed during Spurs’ Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Kudus was a constant threat to the French champions before being substituted in the 79th minute.

Tottenham had raced into a 2-0 lead, but PSG fought back to level the match and eventually triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout to claim the trophy.

Kudus, 25, created the most chances (three) and completed the most dribbles (two) of any Spurs player on the night.

“He’s got such good talent, such quick feet, and you can see his qualities there. The added ingredient for him as a player is consistency,” Hoddle said on TNT Sports.

“A lot of my West Ham fans, and I have quite a lot, have said to me, ‘Thank you for taking him, Glenn.’ So I don’t know about that. The first year, I thought he was excellent. The second year, they’re telling me he didn’t do so well. But he looks like he’s got a lot of potential, I’ve got to say.

“Sometimes, I look at dribblers and I like what they do, but can they dribble and play with their head up? That is the key for me. Can he also play with his head up? That’s the next progression for him. And I think if he does, he could be a real asset for Tottenham,” he added.

Kudus joined Spurs from West Ham this summer in a €63.8 million move after two seasons at the London Stadium. He is expected to make his Premier League debut for the club against Burnley this weekend.

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In the past month, Italy and Spain’s football federations have unveiled plans to stage league fixtures in Australia and the United States, and are seeking permission from Fifa and Uefa.

If successful, La Liga clubs Barcelona and Villarreal will face each other in Miami in Decemberin what would be the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

And if permission is granted, Serie A sides AC Milan and Como will meet in Perth, Australia in February.

Other one-off matches, such as the Italian Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, have been held abroad in recent years.

The idea of the Premier League playing an extra round – the ’39th game’ – outside England was raised in 2008 but the plans were shelved after criticism from fans and the media.

And, despite former Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore saying 10 years ago that clubs were keen on the idea, Masters has downplayed such a scenario.

“I don’t think it changes the Premier League’s view on this at all, we don’t have any plans to play matches abroad,” he said.

“It’s not anywhere near my in-tray and it’s not a debate around our table.”

There are 11 US-owned clubs in the top flight, closer than ever to the two-thirds majority of 14 that is needed to impose changes to the Premier League’s rules.

Last year, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner told the Financial Times he hoped to see Premier League games played in New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Riyadh and Rio de Janeiro, raising fears among some fans of an attempted resurrection of the ’39th game’ concept.

However, Bournemouth’s American owner Bill Foley has said he does not support staging league matches abroad.

Masters added: “The first thing to say is it hasn’t happened yet. You need a whole bunch of things to happen.

“The Premier League flirted with this over a decade ago and the reason was to grow the league internationally and we were able to do this through different means – digital means, broadcast partners, concepts like the summer series in the US.

“The necessity that was driving that concept has dissipated.”

Premier League champions Liverpool get the 2025-26 campaign started with their home fixture against Bournemouth at Friday with Masters predicting “a great season”.

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport, Masters also discussed:

• the top flight’s spending
• the situation regarding former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey
• the impact of the new football regulator and the ongoing issues at non-Premier League sides Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe
• the impact of the Club World Cup.

‘Spending good as long as everyone stay within rules’

According to Transfermarkt, Premier League clubs have spent more than £2bn during this transfer window compared with the £740m spent by the second highest-spending league, Italy’s Serie A, and the third-placed German Bundesliga’s total of £520m.

Transfermarkt has Liverpool as the top flight’s highest spenders so far, with more than £250m worth of signings, including Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz in the summer’s biggest deal so far – an initial £100m.

Chelsea have also paid out nearly £250m, while Manchester United have brought in forwards Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a combined initial fee of about £194m.

However, in terms of net spend, United have the biggest outlay, followed by Arsenal, Manchester City, Sunderland, Tottenham and Liverpool.

“I think investment in squads is generally a good thing so long as everyone stays within the rules,” said Masters.

“Squads will be strengthened and that adds to the competitive element. It’s a brilliant mix of the best stars from around the world and homegrown talent.

“We’re at the start of a new commercial term… and usually you get a spike in spending [with that].”

Everton recently became the third Premier League team, after Chelsea and Aston Villa, to sell their women’s team to the parent company which owns the club.

The move improves their compliance with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, which allow clubs to post losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.

“Ultimately, I have to be [comfortable with clubs doing that], the rules permit it,” said Masters.

“We have had lots of debates around our table about whether to change them and we decided not to, so whether I like it or not that debate has been had and we move forward.”

Masters on how Arsenal dealt with Partey situation

Ghana midfielder Partey left Arsenal when his contract expired at the end of June.

Four days later, he was charged with five counts of rape against two women and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

Partey, who denies the charges, was granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this month and has since signed for Spanish side Villarreal.

The charges against Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in a £45m deal in 2020, resulted from an investigation by detectives which started in February 2022.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he is “100%” sure the club followed the right processes when dealing with the midfielder, who made 35 appearances for the Gunners in the Premier League last season and also played 12 times in the Champions League.

Asked if he was comfortable with how Arsenal handled the situation, Masters said: “I have to be.”

He added: “What is clear to me is that it is a situation between an employer and employee and it is for them to make that decision.

“The Premier League doesn’t have jurisdiction over those particular issues.

“I am absolutely sure that our clubs take these situations extremely seriously and think about them very deeply before deciding whether suspension is the right course of action or not.”

League ‘looking forward to working with regulator’

A bill to establish an independent football regulator became law in July in what Prime Minister Keir Starmer called a “proud and defining moment for English football” which would usher in a “stronger, fairer future” for the game.

The regulator, which is set to be launched later this year, will be independent from the government and the football authorities and will oversee the men’s game in England’s top five divisions.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says the regulator will be able to make a difference but, in the meantime, there is financial turmoil at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe, who have been suspended from the National League, and the future of both clubs is in doubt.

“What is clear is the ownership situations at Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe need to be resolved,” said Masters. “They are cases of bad ownerships.

“We are looking forward to working constructively with the new regulator. They will have powers to intervene in these sorts of situations, and there is no panacea to bad decision making.

“We hope those situations resolve in a sale as quickly as possible.”

What about the impact of the Club World Cup?

A revamped Club World Cup took place in the summer when 32 teams, including English clubs Chelsea and Manchester City, took part in the tournament in the United States.

Chelsea won the competition by beating Paris St-Germain 3-0 on 13 July – just five weeks before they start their Premier League campaign with Sunday’s home match against Crystal Palace.

City went out in the last 16, beaten by Al-Hilal, on 1 July and start their top-flight campaign at Wolves on Saturday.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called the Club World Cup “the worst idea ever implemented in football” because of “serious fears” over player welfare.

“We have to have a close look at the impact,” said Masters. “We don’t know what the impacts will be on the two clubs that participated in the Club World Cup.

“The Premier League has stayed the same since 1994. All the expansion has been in European and now international football.

“There needs to be a proper debate at the top of the game about how many matches players are required to play.

“I want our players to never have to face the choice between wanting to play in the Premier League on a Saturday or resting themselves for other games going forward.”

But this was not your typical afternoon at the club’s Benton base.

A barbecue had been arranged for the players and their young families before the new season.

The words “better together” may have been signposted inside the canteen, but there was a notable absentee.

Alexander Isak was nowhere to be seen.

‘A high stakes game of poker’

As much as Eddie Howe would love to be able to call upon Isak, the Newcastle head coach said it was “clear at the moment that we can’t involve him in the group”.

Isak remains determined to leave Newcastle and join Liverpool.

But Newcastle have stood firm, rejecting a £110m bid from the champions earlier this month.

Should that come as a surprise?

After all, what sort of message would it send to sell Isak to Liverpool?

What precedent could it set for other Newcastle players given that Isak still has three years left on his contract?

How would Newcastle even go about finding a worthy replacement, particularly so late in the window?

But could Isak really be reintegrated one day?

This situation is a “complicated mix of employer/employee relations and the specificity of sport” in the words of Dan Chapman, the partner and head of employment and sports teams at Leathes Prior.

“Contractually Newcastle are likely to be well within their rights to insist that Isak trains away from the first team and are absolutely entitled to hold him to his contract and reject any advances from Liverpool,” the lawyer said.

“However, balanced against that is a compelling commercial reality which is that he is a very expensive player to be paying if not involved with the first team – and if they refuse to sell him this window and do not play him, his market value will only diminish.

“For that reason, we often see that the so-called player power will be perceived to win out in the end, though Newcastle will be trying to ensure that, if they are going to end up selling the player, they absolutely maximise the value they receive.

“They will also want Isak to recognise that if he did end up spending this season as no more than a fringe player, he would be harming his own value and, potentially, entering a World Cup year in less than ideal conditions.

“Though legally Newcastle hold most of the cards here, in practical terms, the player in a situation like this will often believe he also maintains a very strong hand, and how these situations finally play out resembles a very high stakes game of poker.”

Group has been disrupted

High stakes, indeed.

There has been an acknowledgement behind the scenes that a tight-knit group have been “disrupted” “during an “unsettling” period without their talisman.

But experienced defender Kieran Trippier vowed “we are together” and those words have been echoed by Howe.

“The group has been together,” the Newcastle head coach insisted. “Since the moment I stepped through the door, we had our challenges.

“We had big mountains to climb on the pitch, but we were always united off it. It’s been one of our biggest strengths and that’s why we have been successful.

“It doesn’t mean that we can’t overcome this and come back even stronger. I have to work really hard with a group of players who will fight and give everything for the football club so that we use any adversity or challenge to our benefit.”

It will likely fall to winger Anthony Gordon to lead the line against Aston Villa on Saturday because of a lack of senior alternatives up front.

That had never been part of the plan, but the same could be said of these past couple of months in general on Tyneside.

Last summer was challenging enough after Newcastle had to dash to raise funds to avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

But it is rather telling that club insiders believe this has been an even more difficult window.

‘Anything can happen when Howe is in charge’

Where do you even begin?

There has been further boardroom upheaval following the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell while chief executive Darren Eales is serving his notice.

Newcastle have also missed out on several transfer targets, including Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and James Trafford.

These pursuits have highlighted the challenge Newcastle face to compete with clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, who have superior wage bills and a greater legacy of success.

It has left fans concerned.

Thomas Concannon, who helps plan the huge flag displays before home games, admitted it was “hard not to be a little bit nervous and down” particularly with the Isak situation “adding a big cloud of doubt over the whole project”.

But the Wor Flags volunteer still retains hope after the bulk of the squad helped the club qualify for the Champions League and end a long wait for silverware last season.

“The one thing you have learned with this team is that anything can happen when Eddie Howe is in charge,” he said.

“Newcastle still have St James’ behind them and a lot of things in their favour. I still think they can definitely do something.

“So many things have to go right to have a good season, but there’s nothing to say it can’t happen – especially if they finish the transfer window on a high.”

That remains a big if before the window shuts on 1 September.

But Newcastle have made progress this week.

Newcastle announced the arrival of AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw and the club are in advanced negotiations with Aston Villa to sign midfielder Jacob Ramsey, having brought in Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale.

Newcastle also remain interested in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, who would be viewed as a replacement for Callum Wilson, rather than as a successor to Isak.

It does not feel like all hope is lost. Not yet.

The 29-year-old becomes Everton’s sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Adam Aznou.

He says talks with Toffees manager David Moyes were decisive in him choosing to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” said the England winger.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go. On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well and that’s another reason why I chose Everton.

“I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I’ve had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I’m sure I will.”

Grealish is in line to make his Everton debut in their Premier League opener at Leeds on Monday.

The England playmaker joined City from Aston Villa for what was a British record fee of £100m in August 2021 and has made more than 150 appearances for the club – winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup.

But he fell out of favour last season, making only seven league starts before being left out of their squad for the Club World Cup in the United States.

A move to Everton gives him the chance to rejuvenate his career and take centre stage at their new stadium.

Grealish will also be aiming to win his place back in the England squad – something Moyes hopes Everton can help him achieve – after saying last summer he was “heartbroken” by being left out of the squad for the 2024 European Championship.

Everton boss Moyes said: “I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.

“We’re all looking forward to working with him and providing a platform for him to show the best version of himself.”

Coote, who was sacked by the Premier League in December 2024, has been further sanctioned by the FA for an “aggravated breach” of rule E3.2, because of the reference he made to Klopp’s nationality in the video.

The clip, which was filmed around July 2020, was leaked online in November 2024.

Coote admitted the charge.

The FA’s written reasons for the verdict said Coote expressed “deep remorse” and acknowledged his comments were “crass and inappropriate”.

As well as his suspension, Coote must undergo a mandatory face-to-face education programme.

The 42-year-old was initially suspended in November 2024 when the online clip showed him making derogatory comments about Klopp and Liverpool.

He was sacked a month later by Premier League referees’ body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following an investigation into his conduct.

Coote was also banned in February by Uefa from officiating in European competition until 30 June 2026.

A video – separate to the one in which he made reference to Klopp’s nationality – emerged in November of Coote sniffing a white powder when he was on duty at Euro 2024, which is organised by Uefa.

He revealed in January that he was gay, and had hidden his sexuality during his professional career through fear of abuse.

Coote, who did not attend the hearing, said he thought he was speaking in a “private” setting when he made the comments about Klopp and Liverpool.

In June, Coote was cleared of any gambling misconduct following claims that he discussed issuing a yellow card to a player prior to a match.

However, Coote accepted that the video in which he made remarks about Klopp, which was filmed after the UK emerged from the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, was “likely to cause hurt and reputational damage” once it entered the public domain.

He said the pandemic and the years since had significantly impacted his mental health.

BBC Sport has been told by several sources that it is the Sweden striker’s ambition to join the Premier League champions before the deadline closes on 1 September.

The Magpies rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool for Isak on 1 August, with the Reds subsequently claiming that they were prepared to walk away from a deal.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said following a pre-season friendly defeat by Atletico Madrid that “everything is in play” when it comes to Isak’s future but stressed it was “clear” he “cannot involve” the striker in his current plans.

As such, Isak is expected to miss Newcastle’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday (12:30pm BST).

The former Dortmund forward missed Newcastle’s pre-season tour of the far-east with a “minor” thigh injury.

He then trained alone at former club Real Sociedad, before returning to the UK last week.

Isak, who scored 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season, has three years to run on his deal in the north east.​​​​​​​

Newcastle have failed with several moves for strikers this summer, with Liam Delap opting to join Chelsea, Benjamin Sesko choosing Manchester United and Hugo Ekitike moving to Liverpool.

Interest remains in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, who left the Bees’ pre-season camp in Portugal in July because of his desire to join Newcastle.

The 28-year-old returned to first-team training last week following constructive talks with head coach Keith Andrews.

But the DR Congo striker remains keen on moving to Newcastle should a fee be agreed.

Howe’s side are closing in on the signing of AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.

The centre-back is due to fly to Tyneside on Sunday night to finalise his £34.62m move to St James’ Park.

The 23-year-old joined the English Championship club last summer from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

Despite high hopes, Norwich finished 13th last season with 57 points, falling short of a return to the top flight.

Speaking to Flashscore, Amankwah emphasized the club’s strong ambition to secure promotion.

“The club wants to get promoted, so as a player, you also need that because the Premier League is the best league,” he said.

“It’s like the top league, and everybody’s watching the Premier League. So I’m prepared for that, and I hope we get the best of it.

“We hope for the best next season, and I hope we can get promoted. We will do everything and try our best to just get promoted,” he added.

Norwich kicked off their 2025/26 Championship campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Millwall at Carrow Road.

Amankwah and his teammates now turn their focus to the EFL Cup, facing Watford on Tuesday, before a league trip to Portsmouth.

The Ghana international will be keen to play a pivotal role as the Canaries chase their first win of the season.

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The 24-year-old trained alone on Friday amid reported transfer interest from Newcastle after they missed out on signing Manchester United-bound Benjamin Sesko.

A move suits Jackson and Chelsea, with the Blues having signed two strikers this summer – Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

Chelsea hope to receive at least double the £32m they spent to sign the Senegal forward in 2023 from Villarreal.

The club believe he is worth more than the £52m paid by Arsenal to sign Noni Madueke due to the striker’s superior goal and assists statistics.

If their asking price is not met, Chelsea plan to reintegrate Jackson into the squad.

Christopher Nkunku was also left out of the match amid a possible move but is also getting over a minor injury complaint and not in full training.

Jackson has scored 30 goals and delivered 12 assists in 80 matches for Chelsea in his two years at the club.

In September 2024, he signed a nine-year contract until 2033.

The 18-year-old’s previous deal had been set to expire in June 2026.

“It means everything to me, I’m so happy to have got it done. This is where I feel at home, and where I’m going to develop the best,” he said.

“I’m very excited. I see this as my first real season and part of a proper squad in the changing room. I’m so excited for what I can bring to the team and how I can help the team.

“I think I’ve actually become more direct over the past few years and I’ve added more goals, so I’m excited for what will come next.”

Nwaneri made headlines when he became the youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League aged 15 years and 181 days old against Brentford in September 2022.

And the attacking midfielder made 37 appearances and scored nine goals in all competitions during a breakthrough campaign for the Gunners last term.

He capped a fine 2024-25 season by helping England Under-21s defend their European Championship title in Slovakia in June.

The charity and the Premier League began working together in 2017 to “help further promote LGBT+ equality in football”.

As first reported by the Daily Telegraph, the Premier League now plans to launch its own inclusion campaign to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month in February.

Sources have told BBC Sport that the Premier League is continuing to work with clubs to reinforce the message that discrimination will not be tolerated and that existing education resources remain available.

“Rainbow Laces has benefited from a wide range of partners with a natural ebb and flow reflecting cultural and sporting changes,” a Stonewall spokesperson said.

“Alongside other sporting bodies the FA has been instrumental in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion at the grassroots level and more recently the Women’s Super League has taken up the mantle as the women’s game has grown – enabling Rainbow Laces to reach more diverse audiences.”

In 2021, the BBC withdrew from a workplace equality scheme run by Stonewall because of questions over whether it could be impartial on issues that the charity was campaigning about.

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which launched in 2013, was supported by all clubs in England’s top flight.

The initiative encouraged all Premier League players to wear rainbow-coloured laces and captains rainbow armbands to show support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, inspire acceptance among children and young people, and promote equality and diversity.

Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, a Muslim, decided not to wear the rainbow armband last season, with the club saying it was because of his “religious beliefs”.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi wrote ‘I [heart] Jesus’ across his armband, while Manchester United abandoned plans to wear a jacket supporting the LGBTQ+ community because a player refused to wear it.

Meanwhile, Premier League players have agreed to continue taking the knee in 2025-26.

But they will perform the gesture, which is linked to the Premier League’s “No Room for Racism” campaign, on just two occasions during October’s Black History Month.

It comes after the England women’s team announced they would stop taking the knee.

The 21-year-old has been told to find a new club as United head coach Ruben Amorim believes he wants a new challenge.

Garnacho came close to joining Chelsea in January, with the player convinced a transfer would be agreed.

The deal was not completed but the feeling has persisted that the player would eventually end up at Stamford Bridge.

A line of communication has been left open throughout the summer but there is now more focus around the talks, although there is no agreement on a transfer just yet.

As a ‘home-grown’ player, the fee United could generate for Garnacho, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid as a 16-year-old, would be important from a profit and sustainability perspective.

But it remains to be seen how close United can get to the £60m they initially wanted for him at the start of the summer.

Amorim was criticised for telling Garnacho he should find somewhere else to play immediately after the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in May.

Although Garnacho did go on the club’s post-season tour of Asia, he cut a detatched and unhappy figure.

He was not selected for the recent three-match trip to the United States, having initially been told to delay his return for pre-season training in the hope of a deal being concluded.

When that did not happen, Garnacho was ordered to train at different times to Amorim’s squad, along with fellow outcasts Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford, who subsequently joined Barcelona on loan.

Asked about Garnacho in Chicago last week, Amorim said: “You can see he is talented, he’s a really talented boy. But sometimes things don’t work out.

“You cannot explain specifically what it is but I have the feeling it’s clear Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership.

“I can understand that. It is not a problem. Sometimes you adapt to one guy and have a connection, other times you want a new challenge. It’s a natural thing in football.”

The Reds, in their first season under new boss Arne Slot, won the Premier League with four games to spare – finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal.

Slot’s side have spent £269m so far this summer – including a club record £100m deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz – which could rise to £116m.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (initial £69m), Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez (£40m) and Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m) are their other major incomings, while Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has joined in a £25m move agreed last year.

But many of their title rivals have spent big this summer too.

BBC Sport has a look at how last season’s top five teams have recruited this summer and if anybody can catch Liverpool.

Arsenal (2nd, 10 points off top)

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Arsenal will hope striker Viktor Gyokeres can prove to be the difference this season

Selected transfers in: Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia)

Selected transfers out: Kieran Tierney, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu (all released)

Money spent: £201m

BBC Sport reporter Alex Howell: “This season is an important one for Arsenal and nobody around the club is scared to say it. The players, manager and even the kit launch have all referenced the ‘reach new heights’ tag – or a version of it – as they look to win a trophy for the first time since 2020.

“The Gunners have spent more than £190m in initial fees as they look to refresh the squad and bring in new players, including the highly anticipated arrival of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.

“Mikel Arteta has done an excellent job in transforming Arsenal into repeat contenders in the league and brought consistent Champions League football but now it is time for them to take the next step. This will be a pressured season after coming so close for so many seasons now.

“Arteta looks to have tweaked the way Arsenal are playing, too. During pre-season the Gunners have played the ball through the lines quicker, looking to get the ball forward into areas where they can score goals.

“All of that has been done to complement Gyokeres’ style of play and, although it may take time, if it clicks Arsenal are going to come very close again.”

Manchester City (3rd, 13 points off top)

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Manchester City lost in the Club World Cup last 16 to Al-Hilal this summer

Selected transfers in: Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves), James Trafford (Burnley), Sverre Nypan (Rosenborg)

Selected transfers out: Kevin de Bruyne (released), Kyle Walker (Burnley)

Money spent: £154m

BBC Sport reporter Shamoon Hafez: “Manchester City will be a wounded beast after an undoubtedly disappointing season without winning a major trophy, capped off by a shock exit from the Club World Cup.

“Boss Pep Guardiola has freshened up the squad with five new signings, including re-energising the midfield with the acquisition of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.

“Not since 2017 have City finished third in the Premier League, so there may be a little uncertainty around how they react and how quickly the new blood settles in.

“Champions Liverpool and Arsenal are being talked about as the frontrunners for the title this season so it may suit City to fly under the radar, while all the focus is on the other two challengers.”

Chelsea (4th, 15 points off top)

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Chelsea won the Club World Cup this summer

Selected transfers in: Liam Delap (Ipswich), Joao Pedro (Brighton), Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Jorrel Hato (Ajax),

Previously agreed deals gone through this summer: Dario Essugo (Sporting), Estevao Willian (Palmeiras)

Selected transfers out: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Arsenal), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Djordje Petrovic (Bournemouth), Mathis Amougou (Strasbourg)

Money spent: £249m

BBC Sport reporter Nizaar Kinsella: “Chelsea’s 3-0 win in the final of the Club World Cup against European champions Paris St-Germain was a statement that they are a force to be reckoned with.

“Manager Enzo Maresca has united a group of players who cost up to £1.4bn, according to the club’s own accounts, and although the starting XIs were the youngest ever to play out a Premier League season last year, they appear to be good enough to win titles.

“Among the star players are Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella but the Blues have also added Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian and Jorrel Hato this summer to cope with the increased workload of returning to the Champions League next season.

“Internally, Chelsea have again set a top-four finish in the league as the main target, but defender Levi Colwill is among those who suggest they are ready to win the Premier League or Champions League as early as next season.”

Newcastle (5th, 18 points off top)

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Anthony Elanga (r) scored for Newcastle in their friendly against Arsenal

Selected transfers in: Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton, loan)

Selected transfers out: Sean Longstaff (Leeds)

Previously agreed exits gone through this summer: Lloyd Kelly (Juventus)

Money spent: £55m

BBC Sport reporter Ciaran Kelly: “It is easy to forget that Newcastle United were, technically, still in the race to finish as runners-up with just a couple of games to go last season.

“Newcastle ended up in fifth, but the club had real momentum going into the summer after qualifying for the Champions League and ending the club’s long wait for silverware.

“Only this has not proved a transformative window.

“Newcastle have missed out on a host of targets, including Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, James Trafford, Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen.

“The Alexander Isak saga continues to drag on and there has been further upheaval in the boardroom following the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell.

“It has been far from ideal.

“Newcastle still have a side capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best, as the Magpies proved against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, but this thin squad needs urgent reinforcements to fight on four fronts.”

The Spaniard, now 19, moved to Stamford Bridge for £5m from Barcelona in July 2024 and scored six goals in 16 matches for the Blues last season.

Describing himself as “a powerful striker” and “natural goalscorer”, Guiu said of his transfer to Sunderland: “This year is a huge opportunity for me to help take this team where it truly deserves to be, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Sunderland earned promotion to the Premier League by beating Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final in May.

Guiu becomes the Black Cats’ ninth signing of the summer.

He came through Barcelona’s celebrated La Masia academy and scored just 33 seconds into his debut in a 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in October 2023.

After moving to England, he scored three goals against Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League last season to become Chelsea’s second youngest player to net a hat-trick.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “In a loan acquisition, we not only have to convince the player but also the parent club, and we thank Chelsea for placing their trust in us.

“Most importantly, Marc wanted to come to Sunderland and be a part of our club. The competition for his signature was significant and he had many high-quality options.

“Marc’s a progressive striker who has key attributes that align with the role in our team.”

The offer includes a guaranteed payment of 75m euros (£65.2m).

United are yet to get a response but believe it is an appropriate valuation for the 22-year-old Slovenia international and that the player is keen to complete a move to Old Trafford.

Newcastle also want Sesko and have a made bid for the striker, which has not been accepted.

The offer is seen as significant as there had been suggestions Manchester United did not want to firm up their interest with Leipzig without knowing Sesko was prepared to join them.

United are willing to let Rasmus Hojlund leave the club in order to make space for Sesko to come in.

Sesko has 39 goals in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig and, at 6ft 5in, he would also bring a significant physical presence to the Old Trafford club’s front line.

United sources have previously outlined how it is possible for them to reach an agreement on Sesko even though Sir Jim Ratcliffe said earlier this year there was the potential for United to go bust by Christmas without massive cost-cutting measures.

Payment arrangements for the deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford this summer, which total £130m, have been arranged in a favourable way.

In addition, the entirety of Marcus Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary is being covered by his loan move to Barcelona and Manchester United received £5m from Chelsea after the Blues pulled out of a deal to sign Jadon Sancho.

United have also received more than £15m in payments as part of sell-on clauses involving Anthony Elanga, Alvaro Carreras and Maxi Oyedele.

The fee for the 26-year-old is an initial £24m with a further £3-4m due in add-ons, and he will now finalise personal terms and undergo a medical despite late interest from Fulham.

Dewsbury-Hall had initially been reluctant to leave Stamford Bridge after a season playing in a supporting role as the side won the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Conference League, as well as qualifying for the Champions League.

However, the Blues were open to letting the midfielder go as they look to recoup the vast majority of the £30m it took to prise him from Leicester City in 2024, where he rejoined Enzo Maresca who also left the Foxes to manage Chelsea.

Everton have also been in negotiations with Southampton for winger Tyler Dibling, but are considering walking away if the valuation for the 19-year-old doesn’t drop after a second bid was rejected.

In manager David Moyes’s final press conference at the Premier League Summer Series, he said: “I think there’ll be deals next week. I think we’re getting much closer, but I felt that four or five weeks ago as well.

“Obviously, we’re getting near the tickly bits and we’ve got to get some things done.”

Following the signing of Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax on Sunday, Chelsea are negotiating multiple sales this week.

French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, 21, has agreed to join Burnley, who are also in advanced talks with their Albanian forward Armando Broja, 23.

Borussia Dortmund have also re-opened negotiations for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka as the Blues look to trim their squad.

The 19-year-old has finalised a seven-year contract with the Blues after a medical in London over the weekend.

The Netherlands international has become the eighth signing of the summer transfer window for the Fifa Club World Cup champions.

“I’m very excited, I’m so happy to be here,” said Hato.

“I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I’m very happy.”

Hato emerged from Ajax’s famed academy, making his debut in the first team aged 16.

Adept at left-back or centre-back, he captained the Dutch club at 17 and went on to make 111 appearances.

Hato made his international debut for the Netherlands in 2023 against Gibraltar and has six caps.

Speaking to reporters who are accompanying United on their pre-season tour of the United States, Amorim revealed for the first time the depth of his despair at presiding over United’s worst season since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.

United finished 15th in the Premier League last season – their lowest league finish since the 1989-90 campaign.

Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag as manager in November 2024, oversaw a run of seven wins from 27 league games – and a shattering Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in Bilbao.

Asked how he felt when he returned home to meet his wife and young family after repeated defeats – at one point his side lost four games in a row and later on won only three times in 11 matches – Amorim said it was pre-match that was the most stressful.

“To tell you the truth, it’s not how I returned to my house after the games, it was how I left to go to the games, because I felt that sometimes we will struggle,” he said.

“All the struggles we had in games, I felt it before. That was the hardest part.

“To go to the games and know that we are not going to be competitive – I was really frustrated.”

But Amorim says he does not feel like that now. He says he has a less “romantic” view of his job but also sees positives that make him “believe” better days are ahead.

In a 25-minute, wide-ranging interview at Chicago Fire’s training ground, Amorim covered a range of topics, including:

• How he is changing the culture at United
• His relationship with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
• His belief the club will eventually win the biggest trophies again
• His dream of staying in the job for 20 years

During last season’s dark days, Amorim was repeatedly criticised for refusing to tweak his tactical approach.

“Sometimes, when you are losing, you might think let’s change the standards a little bit for them [the players] to be with me,” he said.

“I didn’t – and they saw it. Now they understand when I say something, I will do it.

“I don’t treat the players as babies. But they have rules now and that can change the way you train.

“I’m always on top. If you don’t train in the right way, I have footage to show you. And I show you in front of everybody.”

Amorim has appointed a leadership group of six players – Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui – to uphold standards in the dressing room and deal with the “small things”.

It has not been easy to get to this point.

Amorim admits there were times last season when he wavered and wondered if he had done the right thing leaving Portuguese club Sporting – where he had built his reputation and where he was feted as a hero – mid-season.

He did not go seeking out assurances. For Amorim, keeping his job says enough.

“Try to remember one team, one big team that lost so many games and the manager kept their job,” he said.

“You will not find it. That shows more than words that they support me.”

Amorim on dealing with pressure

Amorim said last season that he was not worried about any pressure on his position, focusing instead on the team and what was needed to improve.

“This is not the moment I felt most pressure in my life. I had to finish my career as a player really quickly because of the injuries,” he said.

“I remember me and my wife had an Excel spreadsheet with all the money that we have and all the things that I need. I want to help my family. I felt the pressure in that time.

“Nowadays, it’s more like an ego thing. I want to be manager of Manchester United for a while.

“I took five years to choose this club. I don’t want to fail.”

Asked how long he wants to stay at the club, Amorim replied: “I want to stay 20 [years]. That is my goal. I truly believe in that.”

Amorim on blunt conversations with Ratcliffe

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe told BBC Sport in March that Amorim was doing “a super job”, describing him as “an outstanding young manager”.

“We speak on the phone, he sends me messages, he sends me gifs – [I’m] joking,” Amorim said.

“It’s really easy to deal with Jim. If you know your stuff, how to explain any decision, you’ll be fine.

“I know he’s the owner of the club, I know my place. But when I need to say something, I’m really direct.

“I think it’s something he likes a lot.”

Amorim on squad and ambition for season

The team will return to training at Carrington on Wednesday. The unwanted quartet of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia will continue to train at different times to the main squad.

“Garnacho is a really talented boy. But sometimes things don’t work out,” Amorim explained.

“You cannot explain specifically what it is. It’s clear he wants a different thing with a different leadership.

“They want new challenges. The market is open. I’m just working with the players that I think are going to stay.”

The aim for the season is easy for Amorim.

“I know it’s a massive gap from where we finished – but it’s Manchester United. We need to return to Europe,” he said.

And beyond that? Can United win the Premier League and Champions League again?

“I have no doubts,” Amorim said.

“There are some things you cannot buy that this club has: pedigree, history, fans. We have money without the Champions League.

“With all these things, if we have a different culture, we can return to our place.”

How has pre-season gone so far?

It is very early but there are signs Amorim’s approach is working.

On Wednesday, with a starting line-up retaining nine of the team that performed so poorly in Bilbao, United looked efficient, energised and, at times, exciting in a 4-1 win over Bournemouth.

Patrick Dorgu excelled in the left-sided wing-back role and Luke Shaw is fit and performing to a level that made him an automatic pick for England.

However, while there is more purpose and confidence around striker Rasmus Hojlund, it has emerged that United are willing to sell him for £30m.

Victory against Everton in Atlanta will send United home with a 100% record from their three games in the United States.

Amorim has support in the boardroom. He also has it in the Old Trafford stands. Fans continually sang his name and Amorim has promised them this season will be better.

“If I say it, it’s because I believe it,” he said. “We cannot control the results. But the way we play, the way we perform, the way we connect with the fans, all these small things, we are going to do those no matter what.

“All the credit I had when I arrived was used last year. Now we have to perform.

“If I have the feeling before the game we are going to be competitive, then we’ll be OK.

“I just don’t want to return to that feeling that we are thinking it’s not a 50-50 game.”

The top-flight season begins on 15 August, kicking off 11 months of competitive action which will end in the US for the World Cup final on 19 July.

The season starts three weeks after Chelsea beat Paris St-Germain to win the Club World Cup – and two weeks after the final round of Summer Series matches.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested last year that players are close to going on strike because of the increase in games.

France’s Ligue 1 reduced from 20 to 18 teams for the 2023-24 season.

But Masters told BBC Sport: “I don’t think we should be forced into that decision.

“I am all for the growth of the game and the exciting competitions our clubs can participate in – but not at the expense of domestic football.”

Fifa and players’ union Fifpro have long been in dispute over player burnout.

Masters sides with the union in claiming Fifa has not consulted the game properly, on the implementation of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup or next summer’s World Cup, which will be the first to include 48 countries.

This is not the only reason the calendar is squeezed – Uefa’s expansion of all three club competitions last season was the main reason FA Cup replays had to be scrapped and the Carabao Cup third round now has to be played across two midweeks in September.

But Masters said the major leagues at least had an input into the decision-making process.

“The jury is out about the competitiveness of the format and the scheduling and the underlying economics, but it is not my job to assess the success or otherwise of the Club World Cup,” Masters said.

“It is my job to assess whether these new competitions have an impact on the domestic calendar and domestic competitions, of which the Premier League is one.

“Since 1994 the Premier League has been 380 matches, 20 clubs. We haven’t changed shape at all.

“Now we are now starting to redesign our domestic calendar at the altar of European and global expansion.

“We are asking the players to play in more matches. There has to be, at the top of the game, a proper dialogue between Fifa and all the stakeholders about how these things go forward.

“That has been sadly missing.”

While Masters is correct in stating the Premier League has remained the same since it reduced its numbers from 22 to 20 for the 1994-95 campaign, it has been guilty in the past of forcing clubs into a schedule they do not want.

In more recent times the Premier League have stopped clubs playing away on Wednesday nights in Europe then having to play again on Saturday lunchtime and put more distance between fixtures over the Christmas period.

The latest issue has centred upon Chelsea and City, who both wanted a delayed start to the new campaign given their summer exertions.

This was rejected, meaning Chelsea will meet Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge exactly five weeks after beating PSG at MetLife Stadium.

“It is the butterfly impact of decisions taken beyond our influence by other footballing bodies that directly impact on domestic leagues,” said Masters.

“When you finish a tournament in mid-July and have to provide the players with three weeks’ break, there is only a week to go before the start of the season.

“It doesn’t add up. It puts us in unnecessary conflict with our own clubs. It’s not just those involved in the Club World Cup. It is the clubs they are playing and we have to be fair to everyone.”

‘We will be back for Summer Series’

Masters said he does not recognise a media report this week that said not all Premier League clubs were happy about central funding being used on the Summer Series.

League officials have spoken of the wider commercial benefit of bringing the tournament to the US for the second time in three years, especially with broadcasting giant NBC now one of its most significant partners.

Rather than scrap the biennial tournament – which began in 2003 as the Asia Trophy and has had 25 different clubs enter – Masters is confident it will happen again in 2027.

“I am sure we will be back,” he said. “We can’t announce it yet because we haven’t organised it, and we need to get the clubs onside, but it is part of our growth agenda and very popular.”

The ‘growth agenda’ should not be underestimated.

At the Summer Series event two years ago Masters told BBC Sport he was “not too concerned” about the threat posed by the Saudi Pro League.

Since then, recruitment within the league has become more strategic but, more importantly, Fifa has awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, meaning investment in football in the country is likely to grow.

This comes as some argue the Premier League is becoming more predictable, with the last six promoted clubs immediately getting relegated and the biggest clubs becoming more aggressive in their recruitment.

“I am not oblivious to the fact the Premier League exists in a highly competitive environment,” Masters said.

“We always keep an eye on what is going on and clearly the Saudi Pro League is developing and moving forward. But so is the Premier League.

“Of course we have our issues, but the fans want to watch, domestically and round the world.

“You have jeopardy. You don’t know who is going to win. Clubs can aspire to rise up the league. There is competition at the bottom and for European places and hopefully for the title.

“As long as that remains the case, I am very optimistic about the future of the Premier League.”

After 48 hours of intense speculation around United’s search for forward reinforcements and the knowledge RB Leipzig’s highly-rated Slovenian Benjamin Sesko is at the top of their wishlist, Hojlund answered back on and off the pitch in Chicago on Wednesday.

The Denmark international scored one and thought he had a second as United beat Bournemouth 4-1 at Soldier Field in their second game of the Premier League Summer Series.

The 22-year-old scored 10 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions last season as United ended a dismal Premier League campaign in 15th place, but has vowed to “stay and fight” for his place in Ruben Amorim’s side.

“My plan is very clear,” said Hojlund, after purposely seeking out the waiting media after the win over Bournemouth. “That is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.

“Competition is fine with me. It sharpens me. I’m more than ready. I’m feeling sharp so I welcome everything that comes.”

Since joining United in 2023, Hojlund has scored 26 goals in 95 competitive appearances – just over a goal every four games.

The numbers are not terrible. But they include a run of five goals in four games last season and eight in eight the campaign before – two sequences which, if they are removed, leave just 13 goals in 83 appearances.

Yet some argue too much has been asked of Hojlund in the first place and he should have come into a squad with an experienced striker who could share the burden of responsibility.

“When I came, [Anthony] Martial was there as well but he had a lot of injuries, so I obviously had to take a lot of the game time,” he said.

“You’re not going to tell me I shouldn’t be playing because I want to play every game. But obviously I could have done with some help in terms of sharing the games a bit, especially in the beginning.”

Hojlund has appeared determined to prove a point on the trip to the United States.

Against West Ham at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday he used his pace and power to drive into a shooting position, crashing a shot against the post.

He took just eight minutes to find the net against Bournemouth, steering home a left-wing cross from fellow countryman Patrick Dorgu.

His claim on a second was more contentious. After using his strength to cause unease among Bournemouth ranks the Denmark forward claimed Amad’s low shot, which was heading for the far corner regardless, flicked off him on the way in.

The goal was officially awarded to Amad, but Hojlund said: “It is definitely mine. I can’t help it. The ball touched my shin. It’s my goal.”

After the criticism he has received for his relative lack of goals over the past two seasons, it is understandable that Hojlund would want to claim any that he can.

There does seem to be a renewed focus about Hojlund.

He looks a different player to the one that ended last season, when he was so badly lacking in confidence and did not seem to believe he would score.

He has 61 goals for club and country, but while some score many more – Erling Haaland had gone past 100 by the time he was Hojlund’s age – others take longer.

England’s leading goalscorer Harry Kane had only scored 53 goals by the time he was 22.

“I’m still very young,” he said. “People forget that sometimes.

“I’m only 22. Not every striker scores 100 goals by that age.

“But I’ve learned a lot, I think you can see it in my game. I’m starting to develop and become even better in the basics.

“Last season was tough on us all. I should have done better, everybody knows.

“But it’s also a team thing. We’re going to be better now. We are progressing in the right way and looking forward to what’s coming.”

In May, after United’s Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, Shaw questioned whether he and his team-mates were good enough to play for the club, comments that drew criticism from former captain Gary Neville.

Looking back, Shaw said his damning assessment was triggered by a mixture of the hurt he was feeling at a time when his head was still “hot” as he tried to come to terms with the shattering defeat, which cost United any chance of European qualification after their woeful 15th-placed Premier League finish.

Amorim responded to the loss by resolving to drive up standards inside the dressing room while also excluding five senior players, including Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

“It’s not hard to see from the outside what it’s been like,” said Shaw.

“A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative.

“It can be quite toxic, the environment, it’s not healthy at all. We need an environment that’s healthy, that’s positive, that’s got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more.

“Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it.

“He demands 100% and doesn’t want anything less. If someone’s doing 85-90%, it’s not enough. I think, especially this year, if you’re not doing the right things, you won’t play.”

Shaw, 30, said the message must be reinforced by United’s senior players, including himself.

“The more experienced ones need to be demanding more, day in, day out,” he added.

“The levels in training, keeping to the times of when we’re doing this or that, making sure no-one’s coming late.

“The manager’s not bothered. He doesn’t care who the player is. That’s how it should be. Whatever he wants, as players, we have to be delivering – and we are fully behind that.”

Shaw did not mention United’s ‘bomb squad’ – Rashford, Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony – in his assessment and was not placing all the blame on those players, four of whom were not even at United for the second half of last season.

In a separate chat at a Premier League event in Chicago, the England defender did say there are “no stragglers in this group any more” and Amorim had made it clear “everyone needs to put the team first”.

However, United’s longest serving player feels the aftermath of the final defeat in Bilbao took the club to such a bad place, it left everyone in Amorim’s squad uncertain for what the future held.

“I wouldn’t say I regret what I said but straight after the game, your head is hot, you say things and don’t think about it,” he said.

“A lot of people, after that final, and after that year, didn’t know how the next season was going to look, we have to be open and honest about that. None of us were good enough.

“I had such an awful year as well. I was just fully angry about everything. That’s why I did the interview and said what I said.”

‘I felt like I let a lot of people down’

Amorim described Shaw as “world class” in Chicago last week.

The assessment was passed on to the 30-year-old almost immediately in the belief it would give his confidence a boost.

Shaw said he is currently in a good place, but there have been plenty of times over the past two years when that has not been the case.

After missing three months with a muscular injury at the start of the 2023-24 campaign, he suffered another problem in a game at Luton in February 2024.

Shaw recovered enough to start for England in that summer’s Euros final but did not start a game for United until 27 April, 2025 – a gap of 14 months. During that time, Erik ten Hag was sacked and Amorim struggled to fill the left-sided defensive berth crucial to his system.

“I don’t want to keep banging on about it but I couldn’t have got any lower last season,” said Shaw.

“I know I’ve had a lot of injuries but, mentally, last season was really tough.

“I’ve never had a calf injury in my life, it was completely different rehab. Then stuff just kept happening. It was really stressful.

“I felt like I let Erik down because I wasn’t there for him towards the end and that wasn’t nice.

“For a lot of last season I felt like I let a lot of people in the club down. I found it really hard and put a lot of blame on myself.”

There is no doubt a fully fit Shaw would be a huge asset.

Amorim has tended to use him in the left of his three-man defence, where there is competition from 18-year-old Ayden Heaven, plus senior players Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez, who are both currently injured.

Shaw could also play at left wing-back, although whether Amorim would risk him in such a physically demanding role is open to debate.

“I really like this formation,” he admitted. “I haven’t spoken about it too much with the manager, but I’m happy to play anywhere.

“I’ve been playing left centre-back this pre-season so we’ll have to see if that carries on. I missed last pre-season so I’m just really happy to be doing this one.”

The 27-year-old completed his transfer – worth up to £64m (73m euros) – on Saturday, ending the Gunners’ hunt for a striker to help their quest to lift a trophy for the first time since the FA Cup in 2020 in Mikel Arteta’s first season.

Henry’s 228 goals in 377 games made him synonymous with Arsenal’s number 14 shirt.

And speaking before what could be his first match in Arsenal colours in Hong Kong against rivals Tottenham on Thursday, Gyokeres says it was an “easy” choice to make when selecting his squad number.

“Of course I know about the history,” said Gyokeres.

“To be honest there weren’t so many numbers available. There weren’t too many to pick from.

“But of course, that one was available. So when I knew that it was an easy choice to take it.”

Henry won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Premier League Golden Boot four times with Arsenal, but Gyokeres is not worried about any comparisons that may come between the two.

“I don’t know. It’s not really my intention to be compared with what he’s achieved in his career,” he said.

“Especially here. I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course he was an amazing player, but different from me. I just want to try to do my own thing.”

Arteta said he felt the number would be a good fit for Gyokeres after their initial meeting.

“I use the word conviction and that’s the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him,” he explained.

“Someone very determined, someone that was already really attached to the club the way he was talking about the club, the history and in this case Thierry and what the shirt represented. He straight away felt it, and when you feel it – go for it.”

There has been a huge fan reaction to Gyokeres’ signing with purchases of his replica shirt breaking club records.

“Of course it’s great to see. It’s very nice. Of course that gives you extra motivation,” he added.

“I think I have enough expectations on myself. I’ll just try to perform anyway.”

‘Joining Arsenal wasn’t a difficult choice’

The signing of Gyokeres was one of the longest running transfers of the summer and it was held up in the final week while Arsenal and Sporting negotiated over the add-ons to the transfer fee.

Sporting’s club president Frederico Varandas also said that Gyokeres faced disciplinary action after failing to report for training, while every stage of the deal created a lot of fan interest.

“It’s been a new experience. I haven’t really been in that situation before,” Gyokeres said.

“It’s been a lot of waiting from my side. I wanted to come here, but it wasn’t that easy. But I’m finally here and it feels great.

“I tried to train as much as possible by myself and keep the day going. A lot of days were the same kind of routine.

“I woke up, trained, had dinner and then went to bed again. It was like that for a few weeks, but it was worth it for sure.”

His new manager Arteta has spoken about the excitement that he and the players have about the signing of the Sweden international and Gyokeres says he felt “that they wanted me here”.

He added: “Also because it’s a very big club with a lot of history. I just felt that I really wanted to come here and be a part of this club.

“I think you can always have a decision of your future. Of course there were other clubs as well, but I didn’t feel it was a difficult choice for me this time.”

Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting and registered 26 assists and although the striker backs himself to succeed in the Premier League, he thinks there will be a period of transititon.

“I think I’ll have to adapt. But I think there are a lot of players from Portugal who have done even better in England. It depends on who you pick,” he said.

“I think it’s difficult to compare one player to another. And how they’re performing in a different league.

“Because there are a lot of different factors. Not only a better league. If you play in a better team also, it makes it easier. Especially if you’re an attacking player. So we’ll have to see.”

Gyokeres has only been with his team-mates for a few days but has said that Arteta has already made clear what he wants from him.

“Just try to use my qualities as much as I can,” he said.

“But as you said, I haven’t been here too long. I’ve only done one training session.

“I think I have to do a few more to come into it even more. So far it’s been feeling great. I’m looking forward to doing even more.”

Topps, an American company that produces trading cards and other collectibles, announced a deal with the Premier League earlier this year that will see them manufacture the cards.

Arsenal confirmed they were in talks with Partey over a new contract as recently as last month, only for the midfielder to leave at the end of his deal after new terms could not be agreed.

Four days after Partey left the club he was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The 32-year-old denies the allegations and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.

Topps confirmed to The Athletic that players are initially selected based on a number of objective factors, such as the number of minutes a player played in the previous season, how long they have been at the club, and whether they are an international player. The player selection for the 25-26 collection was finalised in May, with all player lists approved by Premier League clubs at that time.

The list approved by Arsenal included Partey, despite an ongoing police investigation of which the club were aware, and the fact that he would become a free agent in the summer if a new contract with Arsenal couldn’t be agreed.

Of the 60+ players previously entering free agency this summer, only four — Partey, Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Josh Brownhill (Burnley) and Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion) — were included by their respective teams.

The young forward, who has been with the London-based side for a week, is reportedly impressing the team’s handlers.

Rasco rose to prominence last season with Bechem United, winning over fans with his consistent performances.

His impressive form earned him a call-up to Ghana’s U-17 team, the Black Starlets, for the WAFU Zone B Championship.

Brentford FC, renowned for its innovative training model and eye for identifying overlooked talent, provides a distinctive entry point into top-tier European football for Rasco.

“He’s ready for this moment,” said Roy Arthur, manager and mentor who has played a pivotal role in preparing the 18-year-old for this opportunity.

“This isn’t just a trial—it’s a statement of intent. Rasco represents a new wave of disciplined, technically gifted Ghanaian footballers who are ready for the global stage.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough year last season, registering a career-best 11 goals and five assists to help the Cherries secure a ninth-place finish.

Now, with a new season just weeks away, Semenyo is aiming to raise the bar.

“I want to take my game to the next level. And, I feel like this season, coming, I’ll be able to do that with the team that we have. So I’m looking forward to it,” Semenyo told the club’s media.

The Ghana international also commended Bournemouth’s preseason preparations, describing them as “good” and expressing confidence in the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.

“Preparations have been good,” he said.

Semenyo, who recently committed his future to the club with a new deal running until 2030, played a key role in Bournemouth’s 3-0 win over Everton in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

He is expected to feature again when Bournemouth face Manchester United in their next preseason clash early Thursday morning.

Semenyo will be hoping to make a strong start to the campaign when Bournemouth travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in their Premier League opener on August 19.

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The Gunners will pay the Portuguese club a £55m (€63m) guaranteed fee, plus £8.5m (€10m) in add-ons, with Gyokeres joining on a five-year deal.

Bringing in a striker has been a primary focus for Arsenal in this transfer window having explored conditions for several players, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Sky Sports News reported in June that Gyokeres was a Manchester United target after they made an initial approach for him through intermediaries.

Last month, Sporting president Frederico Varandas revealed Gyokeres would not be allowed to leave for less than £59m (€70m) this summer after disputing the existence of a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the Swede’s agent that would allow him to leave for a fixed fee of £50.8m (€60m), plus £8.4m (€10m) in add ons.

After joining Sporting from Coventry City for around £20m in 2023, Gyokeres has scored an incredible 97 goals in just 102 matches during his two seasons in the Portuguese capital.

Gyokeres netted 54 goals in only 52 games in all competitions last campaign, including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, as he helped Sporting win the league and the Portuguese Cup.

A move to Arsenal sees Gyokeres return to English football, having joined Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2018, before moving to Coventry after loan spells at St Pauli and Swansea City.

Gyokeres scored 43 goals for Coventry in his two and a half seasons with the Championship side.

Coventry will receive just over £4m due to a 10 per cent sell-on clause and Brighton are also due a small amount for the deal they agreed when selling him.

Coventry’s sell-on was originally 15 per cent but they sold five per cent of that back to Sporting last summer for an undisclosed amount.

Arteta: Gyokeres has so many qualities

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on signing Viktor Gyokeres:

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.

“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.

“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him. We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal.”

Berta: Gyokeres is the perfect fit – he will have major impact

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta on signing Viktor Gyokeres:

“We are so pleased with the excellent deal we have completed to bring Viktor Gyokeres to the club.

“Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level centre-forward.

“His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision.

“We are confident Viktor will have a major impact on the pitch and become an important figure in our dressing room. Welcome, Viktor!”

For years, the football world called for Arsenal to sign a striker and the Gunners have finally responded.

The move is set to be a standout one for the Premier League – no player in Europe’s top eight divisions matched Gyokeres’ 39 league goals for Sporting last season and it could herald the arrival of another elite goalscorer for the division.

But it is even more significant for Arsenal, given their spending under Mikel Arteta.

The Premier League champions rejected an opening bid of £58m from Bayern Munich earlier this month for Diaz, whose contract expires in the summer of 2027.

While Slot said Darwin Nunez missed the game against Milan in Hong Kong with an injury, he confirmed Diaz was omitted “due to speculation on his future”.

“There are a lot of rumours around Luis lately and I cannot go into that,” said Slot.

“He’s training really well but we have decided for now not to play him.”

Liverpool have signed forwards Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike already this summer and are in pursuit of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Diaz arrived at Anfield from Porto in a deal worth an initial £37m in January 2022 and he was an integral part of the squad that won the 2024-25 Premier League.

Liverpool’s record signing Wirtz made his first start for his new club against Milan at a sold-out Kai Tak Stadium.

Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish laid a wreath of flowers before kick-off and the players had ‘Diogo J 20’ on their shirts in tribute to their former team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident as he and his brother Andre Silva drove through the Spanish province of Zamora earlier this month.

The Premier League champions dominated the opening 10 minutes but it was the Italian side who opened the scoring when a counter-attack ended with Rafael Leao smashing past Alisson Becker.

Dominik Szoboszlai equalised with a fine curling strike into the top corner of Mike Maignan’s goal from the edge of the box.

England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek restored Milan’s lead early in the second half as the Reds were again caught short at the back and Noah Okafor made it 3-1 with a brilliant finish beyond Liverpool’s new Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Cody Gakpo pulled one back in added time with a header from Ibrahima Konate’s pinpoint ball into the box but an awful mix-up between Mamardashvili and Kostas Tsimikas allowed Okafor to net his second.

Liverpool now travel to Japan and will play Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday.

Wirtz comfortable in unusual role

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Florian Wirtz was named the 2023-24 Bundesliga player of the season

Wirtz, a £116m signing from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, filled a unfamiliar false nine role against Milan with Nunez and Diaz missing and new signing Ekitike not ready to play.

The Germany playmaker had exciting 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha on his left and Mohamed Salah in his usual right wing position.

Slot is expected to use Wirtz either as an attacking midfielder behind the striker or a narrow left-sided forward, but in Hong Kong he showed he was capable of linking the forward line from an advanced central role.

His speed of thought and first touch kept him a step ahead of his opponents and opened up space for him to drive forward with the ball.

There was disappointment when he did not re-emerge for the second half, but fans got a look at Liverpool’s other new signings – right-back Jeremie Frimpong and left-back Milos Kerkez – as they were introduced at half-time.​​​​​​​

Liverpool look short at the back

News broke before kick-off that versatile defender Joe Gomez had flown back to England for work on an Achilles injury and that leaves Liverpool with just two fit senior centre-backs.

Liverpool looked exposed in defence in both halves, with Virgil van Dijk starting the first period and Konate taking the captain’s place in the second.

In the absence of Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch started alongside Van Dijk at the heart of the defence, meaning the usual midfield shield was missing.

Liverpool are already a central defender short after Jarell Quansah’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, with Andrew Robertson used as a centre-back in the pre-season win at Preston North End and now it was the turn of another left-back, Tsimikas, to fill in.

However Slot said: “I don’t think we have a concern at centre-back. Ryan showed he can play that position – he did it well, although we favour him as a number six.

“Wataru Endo can play there. So we have enough options but it is true that Jarell Quansah left and we haven’t replaced him yet.”

With 12 months left on his contract, Liverpool have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi this summer and Gomez’s injury could increase that interest.

The striker is considering his future at the club amid interest from Liverpool.

Isak did not travel with the squad to Singapore on Thursday, with Newcastle saying he had a thigh injury, but the Sweden international wants to look at a move.

A source has told BBC Sport that Liverpool are still interested in the 25-year-old, despite signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69m.

Speaking before Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Arsenal, Howe said: “Of course there are things going on behind the scenes.

“He will be aware he is in the news every day and I’m sure that is not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen with Alex and the club, or Alex and myself, will stay private for obvious reasons.

“We do share a good relationship. He has been magnificent for us since he joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room.

“We would love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. Although, whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle.”

Isak, signed from Real Sociedad in August 2022 for around £60m, has a contract until June 2028. He scored 27 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle last season.

Last Saturday, after Isak missed a 4-0 friendly defeat by Celtic, Howe said the player would “absolutely” be part of the squad for the games in Singapore and South Korea.

Howe says Isak is in Newcastle having his injury assessed, adding: “Hopefully he’ll be back soon and playing in the black and white shirt. That’s what we all want to see.”

He added: “He first mentioned his thigh before the Celtic game. We assumed it would be a very minimal injury, nothing too serious. I think on Monday after the Celtic game, he went in for training very early and he didn’t feel right.”

Howe said he has not yet had direct contact Newcastle’s board about Isak’s future, but added that any contract talks would take place “at a later date”.

Asked if Isak would stay, he added: “I said after the Celtic game I certainly hope he stays and I said I was confident he would stay.

“I don’t see anything that will change that opinion of mine at the moment – but it’s football and who knows what the future may bring?

“We are in a very strong position financially.

“We are determined to be successful, be ambitious. We have got a great season ahead of us and we need to add to the squad and continue to improve. The journey will continue in an upward trajectory and that’s what we all want.”

Amorim exiled his so-called ‘bomb squad’ – Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrrell Malacia – at the start of pre-season.

While Rashford has now sealed a “dream” move to Barcelona, the other four remain at the club and have been told to train back at Carrington, having been left out of United’s squad for the three-game Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

Real Betis remain keen to bring Antony back after the Brazilian’s impressive spell on loan last season, while Juventus are interested in Sancho but need to offload players first, and Garnacho has been linked with numerous clubs.

But no deals are imminent and the feeling persists that suitors will wait to the latter days of the transfer window, which closes on 1 September, in the belief the price will drop.

Amorim warned that will not be the case, and if those players have to come back into the fold, they will.

“[Technical director] Jason [Wilcox], [chief executive] Omar Berrada and the club have a number for these players,” said Amorim.

“If they don’t reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that.

“Some players have to find a new place so we have more space in the team and other players clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams.

“We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide.

“I understand the clubs are waiting for the last minute but they can have a surprise. I’m ready to receive the players.”

New signings Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon have arrived at United this summer, but the club still want a striker and a holding midfield player to address clear weaknesses in Amorim’s squad.

While that might not happen, the former Sporting boss insists he would be happy if he has to face Arsenal in the opening game of the season with the current group of players he has at his disposal.

“At the moment, our club needs to be really careful when we sign a player,” he added.

“So if we have to start the season with this squad, I’m happy because all the players that are here want to be here – and that for me is the most important thing.”

United have spent almost £130m on forwards Cunha and Mbeumo, believing the pair can supply the goals to fire them up the Premier League table from the dismal 15th place they ended last season.

For both players, the move represents a risk.

Cunha had interest from Tottenham and Arsenal but, having harboured an ambition to play for United as a boy, snubbed the chance of Champions League football to become part of the sizeable Old Trafford rebuild.

He knows the likely reaction to a below-par start to the season, and given United’s opponents include Manchester City and Chelsea, in addition to Arsenal, in the first five games, the spotlight will be on immediately.

But Cunha doesn’t care about that as the Brazilian, 26, said: “I really think the pressure of this club is not really pressure, it’s a privilege.

“This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and when Ruben came to me and said he wanted me to help put the club in the perfect times again, it was a challenge I wanted.”

On Saturday, Magpies boss Eddie Howe said the striker would “absolutely” be part of the squad for their games in Singapore and South Korea.

Newcastle have selected a 30-man group for the trip but said Isak “misses out with a minor thigh injury”.

The Sweden international, who scored 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season, has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer.

The 25-year-old was also left out of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Celtic as Newcastle began their pre-season fixtures.

Earlier this week, Liverpool signed Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69m, a player for whom Newcastle had unsuccessfully bid £70m.

Newcastle, at least publicly, have maintained that Isak is not for sale and Howe said at the weekend he remains “confident” the player will still be at the club at the start of the season.

“I think it’s difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player,” Howe said after their defeat by Celtic.

“Alex is happy at Newcastle. He loves the players he plays with, the staff, the team and I’ve never had any issue with him.”

BBC senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel reported last week that Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak “suggests they have had some private encouragement” and their interest in the Swede is likely to remain.

Meanwhile, defender Lewis Hall has not featured since February with a foot injury but has been included in the Newcastle tour squad as he steps up his recovery before the new season.

Newcastle face Arsenal on Sunday 27 July in Singapore before travelling to South Korea to take on a K-League All-Star team on 30 July and Tottenham on 3 August

BBC Sport has learned the 28-year-old has returned to London from the Bees’ training camp.

Wissa will now hold talks with Brentford director of football Phil Giles with a trio of Premier League clubs keen on him.

Newcastle, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are among those with a firm interest in the DR Congo international.

All three clubs can offer him European football next season and it is understood agreeing personal terms, particularly with either Tottenham or Newcastle – whose efforts to land Wissa have intensified in the last 48 hours – will not be an issue.

Wissa is understood to have been unsettled by the speculation regarding his future in recent weeks.

He is expected to join back up with the team upon their return to London if he continues to be a Brentford player.

The outcome of the meeting is likely to be pivotal towards how Brentford approach resolving Wissa’s future.

Brentford recently tried to open negotiations with Wissa over a new contract, but he is understood to prefer a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium this summer.

It comes after Bryan Mbeumo left Brentford for Manchester United in a deal worth an initial £65m.

Brentford initially had no intention of losing both Mbeumo and Wissa this summer.

However, with Wissa turning 29 in September the scenario of a depreciating asset – who this summer could command a fee in the region of £40m, if not more – will likely be a consideration.

That he has just 12 months left on his current deal, though there is an option to activate by a further year, is another factor to mull over.

Wissa joined Brentford from French club Lorient in August 2021 and has scored 49 goals in 149 games in all competitions for the Bees.

He scored 19 goals in 35 Premier League games last season.

Brentford face Portuguese Primeira Liga side Gil Vicente at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos in their first pre-season friendly on 25 July.

The 25-year-old has signed a long-term contract that will keep him at the Vitality Stadium until 2030, turning down advances from Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the former Bristol City striker revealed that feeling valued by the Cherries was key to his decision.

“When you’re somewhere, you want to feel wanted, and I didn’t feel that elsewhere, so this was my safe place,” he said.

“I felt wanted and it’s good to be back. It’s still the best place to be right now,” Semenyo added.

Semenyo enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in 37 league appearances.

His performances cemented his status as a regular starter under manager Andoni Iraola.

He is expected to play a pivotal role in Bournemouth’s plans for the upcoming season.

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The Gunners have been busy in the transfer market and have completed deals for Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke for a total of about £123.5m.

They are also still in negotiations for the 73.5m euros (£63.5m) transfer of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and working to bring in young defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.

Arsenal had been hoping to finalise a deal for Sweden international Gyokeres and include him on their pre-season tour but a transfer has yet to be completed, although Arteta has not ruled out new signings joining them in Asia.

“I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet. When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player, we will do that,” Arteta said when asked about the arrival of 27-year-old Gyokeres.

Asked whether there could be more new signings joining his 30-man squad while they are travelling, Arteta said: “There’s still a long time in the window and we are seeking still.

“In terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad. We are constantly looking in the market.

“Until that happens, [we] focus on the players we have – and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.”

Arsenal are in Singapore for matches against AC Milan and Newcastle before they travel to Hong Kong for a game with rivals Tottenham.

Speaking in Singapore about his new signings ahead of Arsenal’s match against AC Milan on Wednesday, Arteta added: “It’s like shaking the tree again.

“New faces… they bring new excitement, new energy as well. We signed very important players as well. I think everybody feels that the heights have to go to different level and it’s what we are seeking.”

Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners since taking over almost six years ago, but they have not won major silverware since FA Cup success in 2020 – his first season in charge.

The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for three successive years and lost in the semi-finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup last season – to eventual winners Paris St-Germain and Newcastle respectively.

As Arsenal begin their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong, BBC Sport looks at the changes that needed to be made in an attempt to lift a trophy for the first time in five years.

The need to avoid lengthy lay-offs

Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all spent lengthy spells on the sidelines last season, which disrupted Arsenal’s attack.

Striker Gabriel Jesus also missed a large part of the campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and – with other recognised attackers out – midfielder Mikel Merino ended up playing as a makeshift centre-forward.

Merino did well – scoring seven times in 28 Premier League games and hitting an important goal in the victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League – but Arteta will want to avoid such a scenario this season.

It wasn’t all bad for the Gunners, of course, as those injuries allowed academy products Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri to break into the first team.

Lewis-Skelly has since gone on to make his debut for England and sign a new long-term deal.

Nwaneri is close to doing the same – after scoring nine goals in 37 appearances.

“I don’t think we can give excuses,” Gabriel, 27, told BBC Sport. “We did everything we could in the last three years. I feel like we had a little bit of bad luck sometimes, but we all believe that we can win big titles.

“We’re focused on what our manager is telling us to do, and what we have to do, and what we have to improve. I think this year will be different.”

Signing ‘great players’ like Gyokeres

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Gabriel and Arsenal faced Gyokeres in last season’s Champions League

Arsenal have been busy in the transfer market and will have several new faces in their squad when they start their Premier League season at Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August.

The Gunners have already signed winger Noni Madueke, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. They are also working to complete transfers for striker Viktor Gyokeres and young defender Cristhian Mosquera.

Zubimendi is one of the most highly rated defensive midfielders in Europe.

Premier League champions Liverpool tried to sign him last season, and he played a crucial role in the Euro 2024 final as a half-time substitute as Spain beat England.

Alongside him, Arsenal have brought in midfielder Norgaard from Brentford to provide experience now Jorginho and Thomas Partey have departed.

Madueke is seen as ideal back-up for Saka, but also someone who can play on both wings, challenge Martinelli for his position, and continue developing his own game.

“I think the players that came will help us out a lot,” Gabriel said.

“The club is doing what is best for the players and the manager. They are definitely doing their best to bring the best players that can help us, but we have to focus on what we can do out on the pitch.

“The players that are here are doing that. We are strong and we are getting stronger with these new players.

“Definitely, it excites me. We want to have the best players. To be in the dispute for titles, you have to have the best players.”

Arsenal will hope the expected arrival of Gyokeres from Sporting will bring goals, with the Swede having scored 54 in 52 games last season.

Gabriel has played against Gyokeres, and mimicked the forward’s celebration after scoring in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Sporting in November in the Champions League.

“We all know he is a great player, but he is a Sporting player not an Arsenal player,” Gabriel said.

“Playing against him last year was a challenge. He is great and had a great season. About the celebration, it is something I can’t talk about right now.”

The desire to ‘win big titles’

Gabriel missed the final weeks of last season after injuring a hamstring in April. He had surgery to fix the problem and is working to be fit for the beginning of the season.

The Brazilian has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2029 – and says he “didn’t hear” about links with a move to Saudi Arabia.

The feeling around Arsenal is they are ready to take the next step, and feel confident to say publicly they are ready to lift a trophy.

“I’ve been at the club for five years now and I’ve seen how much the club has grown.” added Gabriel, who was speaking before the club’s pre-season tour, where the Gunners will play AC Milan on 23 July and Newcastle on 27 July in the Singapore Festival of Football.

“I am here to win big titles and I do believe that this season will be different. We have let a couple of titles slip through our fingers recently.

“We almost won but I think this year, things will be different. I have a lot of faith in that.”

Multiple sources have indicated that Liverpool aim to have the transfer wrapped up by this weekend.

Newcastle have had a £70m offer for Ekitike rejected by Frankfurt, with Liverpool’s offer expected to surpass it.

Ekitike is open to joining the Premier League champions, who want to sign a central striker.

The 23-year-old scored 15 goals in 31 starts as Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga last term.

However, Ekitike is a provider as well as a scorer, with his eight assists ranking him within the top 6% among forwards for creating chances in Germany last season.

Ekitike registered 117 shots on goal in the Bundesliga last term – more than any other player.

His expected goals figure of 21.6 was the league’s second highest.

Liverpool have also shown a major interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, but the Magpies are adamant the Swede is not for sale at any price.

Liverpool have signed midfielder Florian Wirtz in a potential British record £116m deal this summer and paid £40m and £30m respectively for full-backs Milos Kerkez wand Jeremie Frimpong.

Newcastle are expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa within the next 24 hours after their own attempts to land Ekitike slowed.

Henderson, 35, spent 12 years with Liverpool, where he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, Community Shield, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

In July 2023, he joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, managed by former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, but six months later his contract was cancelled and he joined Ajax.

Last week, the Dutch club agreed to end Henderson’s contract a year early.

Henderson was handed an England recall in March by new manager Thomas Tuchel, having not played for the Three Lions since November 2023. He has 84 England caps.

The midfielder has featured at three World Cups and three European Championships.

Henderson was appointed an MBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to football and to charity.

“When we became aware of Jordan’s availability, it was a pretty simple decision,” said Brentford manager Keith Andrews.

“He’s still phenomenally fit and he’s still phenomenally motivated to achieve things in the game, having already achieved a lot.”

Andrews said it was important to replace the experience lost with the recent departures of Christian Norgaard, Mark Flekken and Ben Mee.

“What Jordan will bring is that he has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years,” Andrews said. “He’s been at the forefront of driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a fantastic football club.

“He will drive standards and be a brilliant addition to the squad.”

The German club approached Liverpool earlier this month but were told Diaz was not for sale.

That position was reinforced on Tuesday as Liverpool turned down the Bundesliga side’s first bid for the 28-year-old Colombia international.

Liverpool value Diaz, whose contract expires in the summer of 2027, in excess of £87m as a key member of Arne Slot’s squad.

He scored 22 goals for club and country last season, with 13 of those in the Premier League as Liverpool won the title by 10 points.

Diaz attracted interest from Manchester City last summer, and also has admirers in Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool are in the market for a striker and are known to have firm interest in Newcastle’s Sweden international Alexander Isak.

BBC Sport understands the Premier League champions have made genuine moves towards a deal to sign Isak in recent days. They have also explored the parameters for other centre-forward targets.

Portugal forward Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash on 3 July in the Spanish province of Zamora.

The Reds play their first pre-season friendly since Jota’s death at Preston North End at 15:00 BST on Sunday.

In his first interview since Jota’s death, Slot told Liverpool TV: “If we want to laugh, we laugh; if we want to cry, we’re going to cry.

“If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.

“We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.”

The funeral of the brothers took place in their hometown of Gondomar last Saturday when a large Liverpool delegation, including Slot, were in attendance.

There have also been floral tributes at Anfield, where Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, members of the brothers’ family and Liverpool’s squad all visited on Friday to pay their respects.

Liverpool have retired Jota’s number 20 shirt across their men’s, women’s and academy teams in “honour and memory” of the former Wolves forward.

A number of tributes have been planned for the Preston game, including a pre-match rendition of Liverpool’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone and a minute’s silence, with both sets of players wearing black armbands.

“Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened,” said Slot. “But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.

“What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well. It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate [for] what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?

“And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his team-mates, to the staff, he was always himself. So let us try to be ourselves as well.”

Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, helping them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and the Premier League title last season.

He played his final match for Portugal as they beat Spain in the final of the Nations League on 8 June. He scored 14 goals in 49 internationals.

The Guardia Civil told BBC Sport that Jota and his brother died after their car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle.

The brothers had been heading to the Spanish port of Santander so Jota could return to Liverpool for pre-season training.

The 26-year-old has won over most Chelsea supporters, but it hasn’t been easy for a player who suffered injury and had off-field issues after moving from Brighton to Stamford Bridge for £62m three years ago.

When asked about his journey from unpopular signing to fan favourite, Cucurella said: “It is very good because when I arrived at this club it was difficult and in the beginning we had a lot of changes. The results were difficult.

“I’m not a player that has the quality to take the ball and change the game in one action and go past three players. I’m more of a player that needs to have the team playing well to show my qualities.

“So at the beginning it was very tough because the team didn’t have maybe identity or didn’t have a clear way to play. I struggled a little and then I understood that the club paid a lot of money for me so they expect that I’m a machine and I score every game!

“The first games [at Chelsea] I don’t feel like I enjoyed. When I win, it’s very important, but when you join here, it’s like, ‘you win, OK, it’s your job’ and you don’t celebrate – but that’s because I had played for smaller clubs.”

Cucurella revealed more about his family life in Prime Video docuseries Married to the Game. In one scene, the Spain international is moved to tears, seated alongside his partner Claudia, while detailing how dealing with his son Mateo’s autism was initially challenging before his family began to thrive again.

“All the people think that you have a perfect life, but we footballers have normal lives and normal problems that all people have,” he said.

Of the show, he added: “Personally, I didn’t expect that people would love it in this way.

“I was not nervous but, if things don’t go well, people might say, ‘He’s not focused on football, he’s focused on filming this and that’. But it was nice.”

Cucurella is over his struggles now. He says an injury in December 2023 helped him take stock, adding: “I started to enjoy my journey here after my injury. When I was injured, I was three months out, and then I had a lot of time to think about myself and to know me better and what is good for me and what I needed to work on more. This is probably the moment that changed my career.

“I won the last six games with Chelsea [under Mauricio Pochettino], won the Euros and now I am playing my best football.”

He will hope his form continues when Chelsea face Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday (20:00 BST).

“If we do it, it’s amazing because it’s the first club to do it,” he said.

“We will get to wear a world champion badge on our shirt for four years and all people will remember us as the first club to win the trophy [in its new format].”

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a six-year contract with the North London club in a deal reportedly worth £55 million, making him the most expensive Ghanaian footballer in history, surpassing Arsenal’s Thomas Partey.

Following the announcement of his transfer, Kudus took to social media to express his gratitude to the Hammers and their supporters.

“Pleasure to be a Hammer running life’s marathon. Thank you for the warm seat through it all. Best wishes for the season and the future,” Kudus wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Pleasure to be a hammer running life’s Marathon. Thank you for the warm seat through it all. Best wishes for the season & the future. @WestHam . #TMC🏁 #kudusdream pic.twitter.com/DPoFT8fgpv

— Mo Kuku (@KudusMohammedGH) July 12, 2025

Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax and spent two seasons at the London Stadium, where he made 80 appearances, scored 19 goals, and provided 13 assists.

His performances were instrumental in the club’s success, including their UEFA Europa League triumph.

Now set to begin a new chapter with Spurs, Kudus is expected to bring creativity, pace, and attacking depth to Thomas Frank’s side as they prepare to compete on multiple fronts in the upcoming campaign.

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The Ghanaian midfielder recently sealed a high-profile move from West Ham United to the North London side in a deal worth £55 million.

Kudus signed a six-year contract with the Europa League champions ahead of the upcoming season.

During his two-year stint with West Ham, Kudus netted 19 goals in 80 appearances across all competitions. However, Sannie Daara believes the 24-year-old’s best is yet to come.

“We will see the real Mohammed Kudus at Tottenham Hotspur. We saw him at the World Cup and Ajax, but at West Ham, he was only playing in the Premier League and other cup competitions. But at Tottenham, he will play in the Champions League, which is every player’s dream,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

Sannie Daara added that Kudus thrives under pressure and expects him to flourish among Tottenham’s talented squad.

“Kudus thrives when he is being challenged, and with the quality players at Tottenham, he will perform and live up to expectations,” he added.

Kudus is expected to make his competitive debut for Tottenham in a high-stakes UEFA Super Cup clash against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

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The Ghanaian forward has signed a six-year contract with the North London club, moving from West Ham United in a £55 million deal.

Having played a key role in West Ham’s journey to the Europa League quarterfinals two seasons ago, the 24-year-old is eager to bring that same level of performance to Spurs as they prepare for a demanding campaign in both the Premier League and Champions League.

“I’m very team-oriented, so my personal goals are around helping the team get as many points as we can, to be as high as we can in the Premier League, and perform really well and go as far as we can in the Champions League,” Kudus told the club’s website after completing his move.

He also expressed his excitement at the opportunity to compete on Europe’s biggest stage once again, having previously featured in the Champions League during his time with Dutch giants Ajax.

“I know how big this club is and its history. Playing in the Champions League has always been a dream of mine, so this is a special moment,” Kudus said.

“The Champions League is one of the highest levels in football. I’ve had a taste of it with Ajax, and I understand the demands—it takes top quality and full concentration throughout every match. I’m looking forward to bringing my individual strengths to help the team succeed.”

Kudus made nine appearances in the Champions League across three seasons with Ajax from 2020 to 2022. His most notable campaign came in 2022, when he scored four goals in six group-stage matches.

With Spurs set to return to the Champions League in the 2025/26 season, the versatile attacker is eager to help drive the team forward on their European journey.

Kudus’s first competitive outing in a Tottenham shirt will come in the UEFA Super Cup clash against European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

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The 24-year-old sealed a six-year deal with the North London club on Thursday, committing his future to the current Europa League champions.

The Ghana international had attracted interest from Chelsea and clubs in the Saudi Pro League but ultimately opted for Spurs.

Speaking to Tottenham’s official website, the former Ajax star revealed that the vision laid out by manager Thomas Frank played a pivotal role in his decision.

“One of the most important parts of why I came here is the project and how the manager sees it, and to develop under him,” he said.

“With the history of where he’s come from, I’ve seen the amount of talent he’s developed to become great players.

“It’s a big sign of why I wanted to work under him as well,” he added.

Kudus, who impressed during his stint at West Ham, has been handed the No. 20 shirt at Tottenham as he looks to make his mark in North London.

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The 24-year-old joins the North London outfit from West Ham United in a deal reportedly worth £55 million.

Kudus has signed a six-year contract with Spurs and will wear the No. 20 shirt for the upcoming season.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the former Ajax star expressed his eagerness to hit the ground running.

“It feels great to be here. I’m very happy and can’t wait to start,” he said.

Describing his style of play, Kudus noted: “I’m a very direct winger—strong, very good at taking players on and creating chances. There’s a lot of flair in my game.

“I like to entertain the fans as well. That’s what football is about—putting a memory in the heads of the fans for when they go back home, especially after the money they’ve spent to buy a ticket.

“Although there’s a lot of seriousness and competitiveness in the game, I still think it’s a sport I try to enjoy as much as I can and give the fans something to enjoy too. I hope fans are really going to enjoy what I’m bringing to the team,” he added.

Kudus arrives at Tottenham after two standout seasons with West Ham, where he quickly earned a reputation for his creativity, dribbling skills, and attacking prowess.

His addition is seen as a significant boost to manager Ange Postecoglou’s squad ahead of the new campaign.

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The Ghanaian completed his £55m move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a long-term contract on Thursday.

BBC Sport looks at why new boss Thomas Frank wanted to add him to his squad – and why the transfer is a rare move for the north London outfit.

From ‘best newcomer’ to Potter struggles

Image source: BBC Sport

Image caption: Mohammed Kudus was at his most dangerous on the right flank during the 2023-24 campaign, when he registered eight goals and nine assists in 33 Premier League appearances

Kudus was the subject of huge interest from Premier League clubs in summer 2023 after a string of eye-catching displays in Ajax’s 2022-23 Champions League campaign.

The Dutch giants were eliminated at the group stage but Kudus set up six goals in as many appearances – including a stunning effort off the underside of the bar in a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield – catching the eye of Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton, among others.

It was West Ham, though, who won the race to sign the Ghanaian, who wasted little time in recapturing the form of his final year in the Netherlands, plundering eight goals and six assists in the league in an excellent debut season under David Moyes.

Named the Premier League’s best newcomer by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville at the end of the campaign, Kudus also won West Ham’s goal of the season award for his magnificent solo effort against German club Freiburg in the Europa League.

His second season with the Hammers, however, was underwhelming to say the least.

Kudus struggled to adapt to Graham Potter’s wing-back system after the Englishman succeeded Julen Lopetegui in January 2024, his final-day effort against already-relegated Ipswich Town one of only two efforts under the former Brighton boss.

He was often deployed as a striker by Potter and only rarely featured wide on the right, arguably his best position but one in which West Ham already have skipper Jarrod Bowen.

The Ghanaian attempted the most dribbles in the Premier League for the second season running in 24-25 – 198 compared to 281 the season before – but his success rate dropped from 55.9% to 47%.

He was also much less effective off the ball last term, winning back possession on 148 occasions compared to 298 times in his debut campaign.

Perhaps his most telling contribution – if you can call it that – in his final year with the Hammers came in a 4-1 defeat against Spurs last October, when he was sent off for kicking out at defender Micky van de Ven and raising his hands to both the Dutchman and midfielder Pape Sarr.

Kudus, who was subsequently handed a five-match ban, later said he was “deeply embarrassed” by his actions.

‘He can be a game-changer’

“Kudus can add attacking threat to Spurs either from the right flank, cutting inside, or from a more central position,” explains former West Ham assistant Edu Rubio.

“He is very versatile and like Bryan Mbuemo – who became a very effective and important player for Thomas Frank at Brentford – can add goals, pace and work-rate when pressing high.

“Kudus can add an aggressive high-press style, since his approach to closing down the man on the ball is exceptional. He is rapid, intense and effective with it. He can add goals into the squad, too.

“He can be a game changer. He just needs to find that consistency needed at the top. He fits Thomas’ 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 and also the manager’s desire to have quick and direct attacks when possible; therefore I believe Kudus can reach his potential and the consistency under a manager like Frank.

“He may need to improve his variation on decision-making when on the ball, especially when playing centrally as he tends to get more exposed there and lose more possession easily.

“Overall he can add goals, work-rate off the ball, uniqueness and pour desire and character into the squad. He is a very exciting player.”

Image source: BBC Sport

Image caption: Kudus has been less effective in the final third under Graham Potter, who favours a wing-back system

Hitting form in Amsterdam after injury-hit start

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Mohammed Kudus scored a stunning goal in Ajax’s Champions League group game against Liverpool in 2022

Kudus is perhaps the most notable graduate of Ghana’s Right To Dream academy, which was founded in 1999 by Manchester United’s former head scout in Africa, Tom Vernon.

The academy, which purchased Danish top-flight side FC Nordsjaelland in 2015, also counts former Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana among its alumni.

Kudus, who was just 12 when he started his journey at Right To Dream, used to idolise former Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Sadio Mane as a youngster, telling West Ham’s official website in 2019: “I like players who entertain the fans and want to score.

“I know there’s a lot at stake, but it’s a sport at the end of the day, and it’s entertainment, so I like players that get fans off their seats.”

One of three Right To Dream prospects to make the move to Nordsjaelland in 2018, Kudus was handed his senior bow just three days after his 18th birthday.

His first goal against Brondby in March 2019 – a smart finish at the near post after the youngster had started the move by chasing down a long ball – was a sign of things to come.

Nine efforts in 21 league appearances the following season earned him a move to Ajax, but knee and rib injuries restricted him to only 33 league appearances – and five goals – in 20-21 and 21-22.

He started the following campaign with a point to prove – and he made it impressively with 25 goal involvements across 42 appearances in all competitions, convincing West Ham to part with £38m for his services.

Despite a disappointing second season at London Stadium, new Spurs boss Frank clearly feels the 24-year-old will prove a valuable addition to an attack which scored 64 times in the league last term – as many as fourth-placed Chelsea and the seventh highest tally in the division.

First since 2011: Kudus makes rare move across capital

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Kudus is the first West Ham player to join Tottenham since Scott Parker (left) in August 2011

Daniel Levy has often been criticised by Tottenham fans for a perceived lack of investment in the playing squad, but when the chairman does do business it is rarely with the club’s London rivals.

Kudus is the first player to move between West Ham and Tottenham since August 2011, when Scott Parker signed for Spurs following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League.

You have to go back even further for the last transfer between Spurs and Chelsea, who have not struck any deals since goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini moved from Stamford Bridge to White Hart Lane in January 2009.

Former France international defender William Gallas was the last player to move across north London from Spurs’ fierce rivals Arsenal, joining on a free transfer in August 2010.

The only other West Ham player to join Spurs in the past 20 years was back-up goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, who failed to make a first-team appearance under then-manager Harry Redknapp after signing in 2009.

Former England internationals Michael Carrick and Jermaine Defoe both moved from Upton Park to White Hart Lane in 2004, while striker Frederic Kanoute joined Tottenham from the Hammers in 2003.

Kudus stats compared to Kulusevski and Johnson

Source: Opta

At the time, much of the internal discussion centred around the future of Ange Postecoglou. But with the club’s trophy drought finally over, Levy had resolved to push the squad further.

Six weeks later, Spurs secured the signature of Mohammed Kudus.

Now under new head coach Thomas Frank, Spurs are eager to showcase their ruthlessness and ambition—two key factors that helped lure Kudus across London from rivals West Ham United. As details begin to emerge, the move is being hailed as one of the most significant deals of the 2025 summer transfer window.

A Turning Point

In a Flashscore Insider article published on June 25, it was revealed that Kudus and West Ham had differing goals regarding his future. The Ghanaian international was intent on joining a Champions League club, while West Ham sought a deal that would bring in significant funds to ease financial strain.

The day after that article was published, Tottenham made their move—attempting to make amends for missing out on previous targets like Antoine Semenyo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Eberechi Eze.

Among fans, there was growing concern that Spurs were lacking urgency in the transfer market. High-profile targets such as Christian Nørgaard, Roony Bardghji, Rayan Cherki, Angel Gomes, and Johnny Cardoso had all opted for moves elsewhere, despite reported interest from Spurs.

The signing of Kudus signals a shift in momentum—an act of intent designed to restore belief and inject fresh optimism into the fanbase.

Spurs’ New Star

Although Kudus had an £85 million release clause in his contract, Spurs will pay £55 million for his services—an astute piece of business by the club.

Chelsea had previously submitted an early-season offer for Kudus, involving a player-swap deal that was ultimately turned down. They were reportedly considering a fresh approach this month. However, Kudus was swayed by Tottenham’s vision, ambition, and the assurance that he would be a central figure in the project.

Privately, there were concerns that Chelsea could not offer the same guaranteed playing time, role, or spotlight.

With Kudus on board, Tottenham believe they can compete seriously for more silverware, including the Premier League and the Champions League. The 24-year-old had previously rejected a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia, while potential moves to Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Newcastle United failed to materialise despite some contact.

Kudus had made a personal vow to be playing at the highest level by the start of the new season. After a year of frustration at West Ham, Tottenham quickly convinced him of their long-term project.

Though West Ham harboured doubts about Spurs’ approach to the deal, Daniel Levy understood that Kudus was eager to leave. He also suspected that West Ham were under pressure to finalise the transfer early to begin their own rebuild under new manager Graham Potter.

Eyes on the Super Cup

Spurs are confident that Kudus could help elevate them into the ranks of English football’s elite. More signings are expected to follow.

Kudus himself is determined to become Tottenham’s talisman, with his potential debut likely coming in the European Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.

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The 31-year-old has joined for an initial £10m – with a possible £5m in performance-related add-ons – on a two-year contract with the option of a third year.

Norgaard joined Brentford from Fiorentina in 2019 and became a key player, captaining his side and making 196 appearances.

He is Arsenal’s third signing of the summer after deals for Spaniards Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Norgaard said he got “almost emotional” because signing for Arsenal means he will live his “dream” of playing Champions League football.

“I’ve just turned 31 and had signed a new deal with Brentford,” he said.

“There’s always a little chance that a miracle could happen with Brentford, but it was probably unrealistic to play Champions League with them.

“Now I get to hear the anthem and be a part of a Champions League campaign. It’s a childhood dream and something I didn’t think would be possible. So it’s something I’m really, really happy about.”

Norgaard helped Brentford win promotion from the Championship in 2021, before making 122 Premier League appearances.

Midfielder Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad last week in a deal worth almost £60m, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga moved from Chelsea for £5m.

Arsenal are also in talks to sign Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres for £70m and have made a formal approach for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.

Kudus, who scored 19 goals in 80 appearances during his first two seasons with West Ham United, has emerged as a top target for Tottenham Hotspur in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Despite interest from Chelsea and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, reports indicate the 24-year-old is keen on a move to Spurs, particularly due to his desire to play European football next season.

However, West Ham have turned down Tottenham’s initial £50 million offer, as the Hammers look to maximize the value of one of their most marketable players.

Speaking to 3Sports, Sannie Daara emphasized Kudus’s quality and ability to make an immediate impact wherever he goes.

“There is no team that Mohammed Kudus will go to and be on the bench,” he told 3Sports.

“Kudus is more talented than Bukayo Saka,” he added.

Kudus’s release clause stands at £85 million for Premier League clubs, valid within the first 10 days of July.

For European suitors, the clause is slightly reduced to £80 million, while Saudi Arabian clubs would be required to pay up to £120 million to land the former Ajax man.

As West Ham prepare for a potential summer reshuffle, the club is expected to sanction Kudus’s departure before making any major signings.

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The Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Football Governance Bill, which continues to make its way through parliament.

The legislation will establish a regulator that is independent from government and the sport’s authorities to oversee the men’s game in England’s top five divisions.

The amendment would require it to ensure that the top-flight matches – along with the League Cup Final, and the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals – would be free-to-air.

The Lib Dems say they are confident that a vote will be granted on the proposal.

Last year, the party committed to widen public access to major sporting events by ensuring more are available to view without subscription TV packages. It says it favours a similar approach to one taken in Spain where La Liga must offer one free game a week to fans after a change in the law in 2022.

Max Wilkinson MP, Lib Dem spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport said: “I’m urging MPs of all stripes to back our amendment to tear down the paywall and make Premier League games available on free to air channels.

“For too long, the jewel in the crown of British football has been locked behind an expensive barrier that keeps fans out while lining the pockets of broadcasters.

“That must end today – with a free-to-air revolution that gives the Premier League back to the country.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: “The government has no plans to review the listed events regime.”

The Premier League declined to comment.

The legislation has now reached the report stage in the House of Commons.

A similar amendment was tabled at the committee stage last month.

At the time, the Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “The listed events regime have protected key moments such as the FA Cup Final while ensuring that the Premier League, EFL & FA are able to raise billions of pounds annually, which is invested back into the pyramid.

“We all want to see more matches being televised free-to-air, but that must be balanced against that investment and not risk it… It would not be appropriate for the regulator to intervene in commercial decisions between the relevant broadcasters and rights holders.”

The Lib Dems claim analysis of subscription prices shows that to watch each available Premier League game live next season fans will have to pay £660 a year.

Last month, it was revealed Premier League television viewing figures on main live rights-holder Sky Sports were down 10% last season, while TNT Sports had a 17% reduction in its year-on-year figures.

The West Ham United attacker has been at the centre of transfer speculation this summer, with clubs from both the Premier League and Saudi Pro League expressing interest. However, Kudus is currently focused solely on a potential switch to Spurs.

Tottenham have already opened talks with West Ham over the 24-year-old, although their initial £50 million bid was swiftly turned down by the Hammers.

Despite the rejection, Kudus is said to be unwilling to entertain offers from other suitors, including Chelsea, until a deal with Spurs is either agreed or falls through.

West Ham are holding out for a higher fee, but Kudus is reportedly eager to make the move in order to play European football.

Personal terms with Spurs are not expected to be a stumbling block, should both clubs reach an agreement.

The Ghana international is contracted to West Ham until 2028, with the club retaining an option to extend the deal by an additional year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on Kudus’ situation, despite his current preference for a move to North London rivals Spurs.