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Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, widely regarded as the architect who helped build the Dallas Cowboys into one of the most successful and popular sports franchises of all time, died on Thursday, according to the Cowboys. Brandt was 91.

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of midfielder Cole Palmer from Manchester City.

Man Utd have completed the signing of Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Transfer deadline day is upon us as Premier League clubs have until 11pm BST this evening to wrap up their deals, with some frantic last-minute buying and selling guaranteed. Liverpool look set to give their midfield a further boost with the signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, while Tottenham Hotspur are chasing Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson as a potential Harry Kane replacement. Elsewhere, Man City could be set to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea, while the latter could offload Callum Hudson-Odoi after his return from loan. Manchester United, meanwhile, are still looking for at least two more additions – including Spurs left-back Sergio Reguilon – but did sell goalkeeper Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace on Thursday evening, with a potential replacement lined up. Brighton look set to sign Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona, while several other Premier League teams could also conclude deals late on before the window shuts. Follow all the latest news and transfer rumour updates below; get all the latest football betting sites offers here and the latest odds on transfer deadline day deals here.

The Europa League is nearly upon us for the new 2023/24 season, with the group stage draw set to take place in Monaco on Friday. Four British sides will be in the hat: Liverpool and Brighton finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Premier League to qualify for the Europa League, while West Ham won the Europa Conference League to book their spot. Rangers finished runners-up in the Scottish Premiership to reach the Champions League play-offs, but they lost to PSV Eindhoven. For the final time before the competition takes on the new Swiss-system format next season, 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four. Each group will contain one team from each of the four seeded pots, and clubs from the same national league will not be drawn together in the same group. The final will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 22 May 2024. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here or sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here. When is the Europa League draw? The draw for the group stage will take place in Monaco on Friday 1 September, at 12pm BST. Which clubs have qualified? There were 22 clubs qualified directly for the Europa League group stage, with ten play-offs deciding the remaining places. England: Brighton, Liverpool, West Ham Spain: Real Betis, Villarreal France: Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse Italy: Atalanta, Roma Germany: Freiburg, Leverkusen Austria: Sturm Graz, LASK Azerbaijan: Qarabag Belgium: Union Saint Gilloise Czechia: Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague Cyprus: Aris Limassol Greece: AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos Israel: Maccabi Haifa Moldova: Sheriff Netherlands: Ajax Norway: Molde Poland: Rakow CzÄ™stochowa Portugal: Sporting CP Scotland: Rangers Serbia: TSC Sweden: Hacken Switzerland: Servette What are the Europa League group stage dates? Matchday 1: 21 September Matchday 2: 5 October Matchday 3: 26 October Matchday 4: 9 November Matchday 5: 30 November Matchday 6: 14 December Read More Unai Emery keen for extended European run with Aston Villa How to watch the Europa League group stage draw on TV and online On This Day in 2016: David Luiz returns to Chelsea Rangers fail to qualify for Champions League after thrashing by PSV Eindhoven Football rumours: Tottenham take pursuit of Brennan Johnson to deadline day Premier League leads the way as global transfer spending record smashed

What the papers say Tottenham head into transfer deadline with their pursuit of Wales forward Brennan Johnson, 22, from Nottingham Forest continuing, according to the Evening Standard. The Daily Telegraph reports Chelsea’s England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 23, could also be a late target for Spurs. Fulham have emerged as suitors for Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg according to the Evening Standard. With Joao Palhinha a possible deadline day departure, Fulham are also being linked with a move for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay. Wolves are looking to strengthen their striking options with the Daily Mail reporting they are interested in Scotland forward Che Adams from Southampton. Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho is another option for a move to Molineux. Nottingham Forest are keen on bringing Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare to the City Ground. The Daily Mail reports Forest have revived talks with PSV Eindhoven over a deal. Social media round-up Players to watch Hannibal Mejbri: Sevilla and Anderlecht are keen on the 20-year-old midfielder, who has been told he has a role at Manchester United if he stays at Old Trafford. Johan Bakayoko: Brentford are believed to have lodged a club-record bid to bring the striker, 20, from PSV Eindhoven. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Gareth Southgate made his reputation as England’s mild-mannered assassin. He ended the international careers of Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart. He showed a willingness to move on to the next generation. But then, having forged a team, he has been transformed into a loyalist. Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips – combined total of minutes this season: 0 – were included in the squad to face Ukraine and Scotland and few should be surprised. There were reasons for each; a lack of fit centre-backs with international experience, a shortage of specialist defensive midfielders. Yet there was a notable absentee, a player with more football and in better form than Maguire and Phillips, a face of Southgate’s England. But, once again, a squad did not contain Raheem Sterling’s name. In March, fitness accounted for his absence. In June, it was the forward’s preference, Sterling asking for a break to work on his conditioning. In September, it will be managerial preference. Southgate’s explanation focused on loyalty: to the players who beat Malta 4-0 and North Macedonia 7-0 in June, to ones who have begun the season as well as Sterling. It was, though: “A difficult call and Raheem was not particularly happy about it.” A quarter of a century earlier, when Southgate made Glenn Hoddle’s World Cup squad and Paul Gascoigne did not, the midfielder responded with a tantrum. Sterling’s response was more polite, but his disappointment evident. “Raheem is always really respectful with how he responds, and deals [with things], he will always say ‘I respect your decision’ but of course he wants to get back in the group,” Southgate said. “I wouldn’t expect that to be any other way.” But the expectation was that he would be back in a squad that instead contained Eberechi Eze. Sterling has looked rejuvenated for Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea; he was arguably man of the match even in defeat to West Ham, he scored twice against Luton. “It’s not a decision I have based on the three games he has played,” Southgate said. “What I am hearing him say, he’s very focused and I am under no doubt that he’s going to have a really good season with Chelsea, I think they are going to go well. He looks like he’s back in the groove to score a lot of goals.” Which he has done for Southgate’s England: only Harry Kane has scored more in the manager’s reign. For a long time, he and Kane seemed the two certainties in the forward line, with everyone else competing to accompany them. Southgate does not call every player omitted from his squads: that he rang Sterling was a reflection of the importance he used to have. “Firstly he’s a player who has been a really big player for us, an important part of our team, and I wanted to address the fact that he’s playing really well,” he said. He painted it as a continuity choice from June, waiting for the season to unfold. “By next month we will have had another seven, 10 games and there will be a lot more evidence right across the board, of all the players and where they are at.” And yet the reality is that the wings are the area where England boast the most strength in depth. Southgate listed his rivals’ credentials: Marcus Rashford was involved in three goals against Nottingham Forest, Phil Foden was exceptional against Newcastle, Jack Grealish set up Erling Haaland’s opener at Sheffield United and Bukayo Saka has carried on where he left off last year. “We have got Foden, Grealish, Rashford, Saka, so there’s four for two positions,” Southgate reflected. “Maddison also played there. Whichever one I didn’t pick was going to be the story.” But Sterling is: a player with 55 caps in his reign, England’s outstanding attacker at Euro 2020, the talisman who realised his potential under sympathetic management, the prodigy who had looked on course to break Peter Shilton’s caps record. Then Sterling lost his place at the World Cup, albeit in a tournament when he returned to England after a burglary at his house, and amid a car-crash of a Chelsea season. He felt collateral damage in the chaos Todd Boehly brought to Stamford Bridge, a player who had arguably his worst campaign in senior football. “I understood why he wanted to focus on the fitness in June and we are seeing the benefits of that now,” Southgate said. “Of course, when you are not in, other people have the shirt.” All of which was rational and fair. But it showed a hard edge that he often conceals. Injuries could alter the equation and allow a route back in, yet Sterling will have to displace a high-class player. And for the meantime, it leaves him looking the odd man out, the player whose exclusion is not a one-off as much as a regular occurrence. If it long looked inconceivable that England could enter Euro 2024 without a fit and in-form Raheem Sterling, perhaps it is not now. Read More Jordan Henderson has given Gareth Southgate a Saudi Arabia problem Gareth Southgate says Raheem Sterling ‘not particularly happy’ at England snub Raheem Sterling misses out as Eddie Nketiah handed debut England squad call-up LGBT+ England fans may shun Jordan Henderson for ‘turning his back’ on them Gareth Southgate admits Raheem Sterling not happy after England snub Southgate explains ‘difficult’ decision to leave Sterling out of England squad

Gareth Southgate is not doing a Don Revie, but he stopped short of saying he would never do a Jordan Henderson. The England manager is aware that the popular move would be to say that he would never take the Saudi Arabian money but is conscious, too, that such a statement could make him look like a hypocrite later. Whereas perhaps the most reviled of his predecessors, Revie, walked out for a lucrative offer from the United Arab Emirates and the manager who overcame him in the Euro 2020 final, Roberto Mancini, quit Italy for Saudi Arabia, Southgate stated: “I’m not looking to leave the job I’m in. I’m very happy. I certainly wouldn’t leave managing my country during my contract.” And yet, were he out of work, would he still reject a supersized offer? “I can easily say no and look like the big guy. But can you answer that question until it is there in front of you?” he countered. It was the question Henderson faced. Many feel let down by the choice he made. Often eloquent, the former Liverpool captain is yet to explain himself, leaving Southgate, after calling his vice-captain up for England, in the uncomfortable position of trying to do so. “It’s for him to decide when he’s going to speak and how he speaks,” Southgate said. “I’d be pretty certain that his views on life haven’t changed at all. I think he realises that by making the decision he has made, that is going to bring a certain level of scrutiny and criticism. He’s not naïve. “I did have that discussion with him. But any career decision has got a lot of different factors within it. Obviously there is a lot of money within Saudi Arabia that is being paid, none of us are going to avoid that. But his prospects of playing at Liverpool were probably a big factor in that becoming more attractive than it might have been in the past. That’s a big factor in the decision to go. Liverpool as a club will have presumably got a good fee for an older player. All of those things are complex.” That hinted at the various issues: how do you balance the moral, the footballing and the financial? Henderson’s priorities can seem skewed. Southgate argued his situation bears similarities with those of many people in other walks of life. “Given the situation with Russia, we are reliant on Saudi Arabia for a lot of our oil,” he said. “I don’t really know what the morality argument is because so many of our industries are wrapped up with Saudi investment but I don’t hear any noises about that. It’s only the football that’s highlighted. The LGBT+ stance is a religious belief in that country.” Perhaps Southgate struck a duff note in that sentence but a former ally of the LGBTQ+ community has been left looking like a man who sacrificed his principles for money. What remains to be seen is whether Henderson sacrificed his England career, too: he had long been adamant he would not retire from international football. But if Southgate is adamant he will not exclude a player because of the league he plays in, he remains unsure if it will prepare Henderson for the rigours of international football. “There was the honest conversation we had: ‘We’re going to have to map you against players playing in a different league and in a different level of competition and we’re just going to have to see how that goes’,” he said. “What I have got to do is pick a team based on the technical, tactical, physical capabilities and the question about that league at the moment from our perspective is, ‘Is the intensity going to be enough to be physically in the right condition for the level of games we are going to have?’ We can only find out over a period of time.” Henderson’s game has been built on his running power; if he wilts in the Saudi heat, he becomes a lesser force. And then there could be footballing grounds to exclude a midfielder who played well in England’s June games. Southgate does not think there are yet, though Henderson was slipping down the pecking order at Anfield. His research may have to take him to the Middle East. It could become a regular trip. Southgate suspects the Saudi investment in football is not confined to one summer. There may yet be other England players joining Henderson there; Southgate noted that Saudi clubs are not just targeting the thirty-something footballers. At some stage, he plans to scout Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in person. “We haven’t felt that was the best use of our time during the first weeks of the season,” he said. “Logistically it was important to get around the Premier League.” Yet the presence of the England manager in Saudi Arabia would be more controversial than in Spain and Germany. If Henderson has made Saudi Arabia a problem for Southgate, it is one that is unlikely to go away. Read More Jordan Henderson risks tarnishing Liverpool legacy after career built on triumph of character Gareth Southgate understands criticism of Jordan Henderson following Saudi move Jordan Henderson could be shunned by LGBT+ England fans after Saudi Arabia move LGBT+ England fans may shun Jordan Henderson for ‘turning his back’ on them Gareth Southgate admits Raheem Sterling not happy after England snub Liverpool agree £35million deal with Bayern Munich for Ryan Gravenberch

The Europa League is nearly upon us for the new 2023/24 season, with the group stage draw taking place today in Monaco. Three English clubs and one Scottish team will be in the draw: Liverpool and Brighton finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Premier League to qualify for the Europa League, while West Ham won the Europa Conference League to book their spot. Rangers finished runners-up in the Scottish Premiership to reach the Champions League play-offs, but they lost to PSV Eindhoven. For the final time before the competition takes on the new Swiss-system format next season, 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four. Each group will contain one team from each of the four seeded pots, and clubs from the same national league will not be drawn together in the same group. The final will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 22 May 2024. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here or sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here. When is the Europa League draw? The draw for the group stage will take place in Monaco on Friday 1 September, at 12pm BST. How to watch on TV and online The Europa League draw will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) for subscribing customers, and will be available on the TNT Sports app. You can also live stream the draw for free on the Uefa website and YouTube channel. Which clubs have qualified? There are 32 clubs qualified for the Europa League group stage. England: Brighton, Liverpool, West Ham Spain: Real Betis, Villarreal France: Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse Italy: Atalanta, Roma Germany: Freiburg, Leverkusen Austria: Sturm Graz, LASK Azerbaijan: Qarabag Belgium: Union Saint Gilloise Czechia: Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague Cyprus: Aris Limassol Greece: AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos Israel: Maccabi Haifa Moldova: Sheriff Netherlands: Ajax Norway: Molde Poland: Rakow CzÄ™stochowa Portugal: Sporting CP Scotland: Rangers Serbia: TSC Sweden: Hacken Switzerland: Servette What are the Europa League group stage dates? Matchday 1: 21 September Matchday 2: 5 October Matchday 3: 26 October Matchday 4: 9 November Matchday 5: 30 November Matchday 6: 14 December Read More What time is the Europa League group stage draw today? Unai Emery keen for extended European run with Aston Villa On This Day in 2016: David Luiz returns to Chelsea Rangers fail to qualify for Champions League after thrashing by PSV Eindhoven Football rumours: Tottenham take pursuit of Brennan Johnson to deadline day Premier League leads the way as global transfer spending record smashed

Mohamed Salah linked with a big-money offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad Liverpool looking to complete £34million Ryan Gravenberch signing from Bayern Munich. Manchester United seeking to bolster injury-hit squad. Manchester City expected to finalise £53million signing of Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes. Barcelona duo Ansu Fati and Clement Lenglet could be heading to the Premier League. 0700 Welcome to the PA news agency’s live transfer deadline day blog . The 2023 summer transfer window closes this evening at 11pm for Premier League and EFL clubs while it is midnight for teams in Scotland. In the major European leagues there are various different deadlines today, from 1700 BST in Germany to 2300 BST in Spain, while the big-spending Saudi Pro League can continue buying players until September 7. The likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte have already swapped Europe for the Middle East this summer and it remains to be seen if they will be joined by any other big names in the coming week. Clubs in the Women’s Super League, which does not kick-off until October, still have a few more weeks until their transfer window closes. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Jonathan Gannon gave a speech to fire up the Arizona Cardinals. It was awkward.

Braves' Ronald Acuna just powered his way to the summit of the NL MVP race with a grand slam against the Dodgers.