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The PGMOL have released the audio of the controversial Luis Diaz offside decision to Liverpool as part of a review, before it is eventually made public. It follows an official request from the Anfield club, although the referees’ body were always insistent it was just a case of “when” rather than “if” the audio was released. Liverpool have now received the audio and will begin to review the incident for themselves. The controversy has caused a credibility crisis for referees and the Premier League, which led to significant internal debate over whether the audio should have been made public in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s defeat to Tottenham. It was ultimately decided in consultation with the Premier League that the audio should go through a full review first, and that the club and competition should all have a chance to assess before it goes to the public. The audio was set to be covered as part of Howard Webb’s new Match Officials Mic’d Up monthly programme, which airs unheard audio from decisions between on-field officials and VAR team. The next Mic’d Up episode is scheduled for Monday next week, but the PGMOL are considering whether to release it before then, once the review of Saturday is complete. Meanwhile, referees Darren England and Dan Cook, the VAR officials who made the error, have been stood down from duty for a second round of Premier League fixtures. VAR lead England and VAR assistant Cook failed to overturn Luis Diaz’s wrongly disallowed goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat, after not realising that on-field referee Simon Hooper and his assistant officials had initially ruled the goal out for offside. England and Cook were subsequently replaced from Sunday’s match between Nottingham Forest and Brentford and the game between Chelsea and Fulham on Monday night, and neither official was issued a Premier League fixture ahead of this weekend. Referee Hooper will be the lead VAR for Everton’s match against Bournemouth this Saturday, after he served as the fourth official for Chelsea’s victory over Fulham in Monday’s west London derby. The referees’ body PGMOL admitted after Liverpool’s controversial defeat at Spurs that a “significant human error” had been made and referees’ chief Webb spoke to Liverpool after the match and offered an apology. It later emerged that England and Cook had taken charge of a match in the United Arab Emirates in midweek and had only made the six-hour return flight back to London the day before Liverpool’s match at Tottenham. Read More The Premier League now faces a credibility ‘crisis’ – and latest VAR farce is just the tip VAR officials who made Liverpool error not selected amid ongoing controversy Jamie Carragher believes VAR at ‘crisis point’ in Premier League VAR officials who made Liverpool error not selected amid ongoing controversy Liverpool request VAR audio of match-altering Luis Diaz goal decision Arsenal renew Pedro Neto interest but face competition from two Premier League rivals

The Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim still wants to buy Manchester United outright after Sir Jim Ratcliffe considered altering his bid to take a minority stake in the club. United have been up for sale since last November when the owners, the Glazer family, announced a strategic review. Sheikh Jassim, a banker, and the British petrochemicals billionaire Ratcliffe, through his company Ineos, have emerged as the two most persistent bidders, submitting offers that have valued the club at around £5bn. The Glazers are thought to want more. Ratcliffe, a lifelong United supporter, had proposed buying a majority stake in a deal which would have left the Glazers with a stake in the club their late father, Malcolm, acquired in a leveraged buyout in 2005. Two of the six Glazer siblings – Joel and Avram – are thought to be particularly keen not to sell up completely. However, Ratcliffe has contemplated a new proposal which could entail him taking about 25 percent of United and which would leave the Glazers in control. In contrast, Sheikh Jassim has maintained he wants to acquire all the shares in the club. Supporters have protested about the Glazers on multiple occasions and have regularly chorused for them to go this season. Read More Is Manchester United vs Galatasaray on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Champions League Raphael Varane reveals formula for Manchester United to claim Champions League glory Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly considering minority stake bid for Manchester United

Manchester United will hope to get back on track in the Champions League as they host Galatasaray in their second Group A fixture. Erik ten Hag’s side were beaten by Bayern Munich in the opening fixture of their European campaign despite scoring twice late on in a hectic end to a 4-3 defeat in Germany. The club’s stuttering start to the Premier League season has since continued with an unconvincing win over Burnley followed by a narrow home defeat to Crystal Palace. Galatasaray, conversely, are yet to lose in the league this season and took a point from their Group A opener against FC Copenhagen. Here’s everything you need to know. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Manchester United vs Galatasaray? Manchester United vs Galatasaray is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 3 October at Old Trafford in Manchester. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Manchester United continue to deal with significant injury problems, particularly defensively, where Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia remain absent. Sergio Reguilon could continue to be sidelined, too, which may force Erik ten Hag to continue to use Sofyan Ambrabat at left back. Antony has returned to training after allegations of domestic abuse and may yet be included in the squad. Galatasaray’s primary injury doubt is Hakim Ziyech, who has been struggling and training alone after picking up a knock. That could well mean a start for Wilfried Zaha against his former club - the winger scored in the weekend win over Ankaragucu. Left-sided player Kazimcan Karatas is injured. Predicted line-ups Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Amrabat; Mount, Casemiro, Fernandes; Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho. Galatasaray XI: Muslera; Boey, Sanchez, Bardakci, Angelino; Torreira, Demirbay; Zaha, Mertens, Akturkoglu; Icardi. Odds Manchester United win 4/9 Draw 7/2 Galatasaray win 6/1 Get the latest football odds here. Prediction Manchester United secure a much needed win. Manchester United 2-1 Galatasaray Read More Marcus Rashford’s form has become the latest symptom of Manchester United’s struggles David Beckham reveals pain of World Cup red card: ‘I was a mess’ ‘No excuse’ for Man United to lose at home to Crystal Palace, says Erik ten Hag Consistency the key for Vincent Kompany as he bids to lift Burnley Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly considering minority stake bid for Manchester United Raphael Varane reveals formula for Manchester United to claim Champions League glory

Arsenal travel to France to take on Lens in their second Champions League Group B fixture. Mikel Arteta’s side got their European campaign up and running with a convincing home win against PSV Eindhoven in matchweek one, and will hope to take another big step towards the knockout rounds. Lens, making their return to the competition after 20 years away, secured a solid point in Seville in their first fixture, though have endured a difficult start to the new Ligue 1 season. Last year’s runners-up have already lost four times and sit only a point above the relegation places in the French top tier, though back-to-back wins have been a significant boost. Here’s everything you need to know. Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Lens vs Arsenal? Lens vs Arsenal is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 3 October at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Massadio Haidara has not featured for Lens since suffering a thigh injury in the Champions League opener against Sevilla, joining David Costa (shoulder), Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez (both ACL) on the sidelines. Mikel Arteta will be fretting over the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, who sustained knocks late on in the win over Bournemouth. Saka trained on Monday but may not be risked with a clash with Manchester City to come at the weekend. Thomas Partey has also been back on the grass as he nears a comeback from his own injury issue, but Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring) would again appear unlikely to feature. Predicted line-ups Lens XI: Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Samed, Mendy, Machado; Fulgini, Sotoca; Wahi. Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Jesus Odds Lens win 9/2 Draw 16/5 Arsenal win 4/7 Get the latest football odds here. Prediction Arsenal secure a strong away win. Lens 1-3 Arsenal. Read More Every VAR apology so far: From Liverpool offside to Man City handball Mikel Arteta delighted to see Arsenal’s ‘human qualities’ after Kai Havertz goal It is the food – Mikel Arteta suggests reason behind string of Basque coaches Arsenal renew Pedro Neto interest but face competition from two Premier League rivals Arsenal suffer travel delays ahead of Champions League tie in Lens Football rumours: Juventus seeking new long-term deal for Adrien Rabiot

The top fantasy football waiver wire options for Week 5.

Liverpool will be sent the audio from Saturday’s offside controversy at Tottenham first before it is released publicly, the PA news agency understands. The club are understood to have requested the audio related to the “significant human error” which led to Luis Diaz’s goal against Spurs being disallowed, having released a statement on Sunday saying they would explore their options given the “clear need for escalation and resolution”. PA understands the goal was not given due to a miscommunication between VAR Darren England and the on-field referee Simon Hooper. Professional Game Match Officials Limited is understood to have always been keen to release the audio in a bid to provide transparency, and that first and foremost it must go to Liverpool. The organisation has not ruled out either airing the audio in the next ‘Match Officials: Mic’d Up’ programme which is scheduled for Monday next week, or possibly sooner than that. England and his assistant VAR, Daniel Cook, have not been included among the officials for duty in the coming weekend’s Premier League fixtures. The pair had already been replaced for the remainder of their Matchweek Seven duties – England was due to be fourth official at Nottingham Forest v Brentford on Sunday, with Cook scheduled to be assistant referee for Monday’s Fulham-Chelsea clash. PGMOL is currently conducting a review of Saturday’s incident. Hooper and his assistants had given offside against Diaz on the field, and the PA news agency understands that although England followed the correct procedure in drawing lines, he lost focus and mistakenly thought the initial on-field decision had been onside. This resulted in him issuing a ‘check complete’ notice to Hooper, rather than advising of an intervention and the goal being awarded. Once the officials realised an error had been made, play had restarted and VAR protocols state that once that has happened, there is no way back to revisit a decision. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The two match officials stood down from duty following Saturday’s incident that saw Liverpool wrongly denied a goal will not be involved in this weekend’s Premier League fixtures. Darren England and Dan Cook were VAR and assistant VAR respectively when a “significant human error” resulted in Luis Diaz’s effort incorrectly being disallowed for offside in the Reds’ 2-1 loss at Tottenham. Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) on Sunday announced the pair had been replaced for their next matches – England was due to be fourth official that day at Nottingham Forest v Brentford, with Cook to be assistant referee for Monday’s Fulham-Chelsea clash, but Craig Pawson and Eddie Smart stepped in. And on Tuesday, England and Cook did not feature as the Premier League released its list of officials for matchweek eight this Saturday and Sunday. Simon Hooper, the on-field referee for the Tottenham-Liverpool contest and fourth official for the subsequent Fulham game, is to be VAR when Everton host Bournemouth on Saturday. After Diaz’s 34th-minute effort at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when the score was 0-0, was disallowed PGMOL put out a statement saying “a significant human error occurred” and that a goal should have been given but “the VAR failed to intervene”. The PA news agency understands Liverpool have formally requested the audio from PGMOL of the conversation between Hooper and England related to the incident. Liverpool issued a statement on Sunday night saying they would “explore the range of options available given the clear need for escalation and resolution”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Mauricio Pochettino promised Chelsea will continue to show belief in their young stars after Mykhailo Mudryk scored his first goal for the club in their 2-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Armando Broja, making his first start since injuring his ACL in December, also netted as the visitors gave their most convincing performance yet of the manager’s reign and ended a run of three Premier League games without a goal. Chelsea took the lead after 18 minutes when Mudryk chested down Levi Colwill’s expertly-flighted cross and nudged the ball past Bernd Leno as the Fulham goalkeeper advanced. And within a minute it was two, Cole Palmer dispossessing Tim Ream who was careless with the ball at his feet and feeding Broja, who deflected the ball home off Ream’s attempted clearance. It was a dominant first half from Chelsea with Palmer, making his first Premier League start for the club after impressing in the EFL Cup win against Brighton last week, making a critical difference coming deep to collect the ball and starting the visitors’ attacks. Ian Maatsen, on at half-time in place of Mudryk, struck a post after the break as Pochettino’s side threatened a third, and it was not until 14 minutes from time that a lacklustre Fulham threatened a response when Robert Sanchez blocked Sasa Lukic’s close-range shot. Pochettino pointed to the patience the club have shown in waiting for their expensively assembled but young side to come good, particularly Mudryk who finally broke his scoring duck nine months after jointing from Shakhtar Donetsk for £88million. “The difference (tonight) is the result,” said the manager. “The performance was really good. First half I think we played really well, second half we controlled the game. “I’m pleased for Mudryk, and for Armando. For Misha because he has scored his first goal in the Premier League and then for Armando, after a long period out he’s scored again. The competition is really good for the team. “It’s about maturity, adaptation. We need to understand that young people need time, need to settle. Massive change for him when he arrived here. I think when you arrive in a team, it’s not easy to settle because there were too many young players that arrived in a team (that) was not solid. “They need to add something to the team, to build something important. Always it’s difficult, but it’s about time and to have patience, to trust these guys and these young, talented players, and to build their confidence. “It’s a massive job. It’s step by step. Sometimes people have not the patience, but for us it’s about being patient. Even when we were losing and when we didn’t win from the beginning of the season, we were calm and kept the belief. “Now that we’ve won two games in a few days it’s (still) important to stay calm.” It was the fourth game in a row in which Mudryk had started, having not been in the starting XI for any of Pochettino’s first five matches in charge. He was withdrawn at half-time with what the manager said was an issue with his quad, but he is expected to be fit for Saturday’s trip to face Burnley. “He played because he deserved it, and he showed in training that he deserved it,” said the manager. “He was really focused in training and had the confidence to go on the pitch and play. “Normally it’s the player that needs to show us that we can trust in them.” Fulham boss Marco Silva reflected on a game in which he felt his team lacked the required aggression as they fell to a third league defeat of the season. “Disappointing result for us,” he said. “At certain moments, performance-wise as well. They started intense from the first moment, winning some individual challenges that gave the boost they needed. “Our first half was not aggressive enough on and off the ball. We were sloppy in some moments. We did not bring the dynamic that we should. Even our first pressure didn’t work very well.” Read More Chelsea finally catch a break as Mykhailo Mudryk gets his moment Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Chelsea got their goal and then had some fortune. If both were overdue, it came as a great relief for Mauricio Pochettino, who got just his second win since returning to the Premier League with this comfortable 2-0 victory over neighbours Fulham in the west London derby. It may just be one night in Chelsea’s long road back to where they want to be under the former Tottenham manager, but there was enough here to suggest that something is finally starting to come together in this young side – not least because of the identity and resilience of their goalscorers at Craven Cottage. Mykhailo Mudryk got his first for Chelsea at long last, amid much criticism of his performances since an £88m transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, while Armando Broja marked his return from injury and first start in 11 months by doubling Chelsea’s lead in the space of two first-half minutes. Mudryk was rewarded for his perseverance and it was somewhat fitting that the winger ended Chelsea’s goal drought in the Premier League while also breaking his own personal duck. If Pochettino will hope it is the moment that gives the 22-year-old the platform and confidence to show his true potential, he too was rewarded for continuing to give Mudryk the opportunity on what was his fourth consecutive start. Chelsea hardly turned a corner against Fulham, but Pochettino’s display of faith and patience is what the club will need to get there. After all, it had not been easy for Mudryk. “It’s about maturity, adaptation,” Pochettino said. “We need to understand that young people need time, need to settle.” It was a reminder that Mudryk’s difficult start at Cheslea can also be put down to wider issues at the club. Mudryk joined a bloated squad last season and a dressing room that could not even fit all of their first-team players. It was hardly an environment where he could arrive and be the “cherry on the cake”, as Pochettino explained. “It’s about time and to have patience, to trust these guys and these young, talented players, and to build their confidence,” Pochettino continued. His proven record of developing young players suggests the Argentine arrived at just the right time for Mudryk. Because there is a player there, even as the Ukrainian’s flashes come in raw, untamed bursts of speed, his legs and boots often whirring ahead of the brain. But against Fulham there was also, finally, the touch of class at the end, in the moment that unlocked the match and released the pressure on the visitors. Mudryk was typically electric yet erratic in the opening 10 minutes, running the ball out of play on the left before lashing a wild shot wide after cutting in from the wing; he was taunted by the Fulham fans in the Hammersmith End with chants of “what a waste of money”, and could have allowed his head to drop. But if the forward’s decision-making around the box looked to be in question again, Mudryk then provided the sharp touch from Levi Colwill’s clever ball into his path before finishing under Bernd Leno. With it, Mudryk had his first goal since his last appearance in the Ukrainian top flight almost 11 months ago, and after a goalless September, Chelsea had their first in the Premier League since a 3-0 win against Luton in August, as well as a rare away win. After a spell of almost 300 minutes without a goal, the second then came in a matter of seconds, and in this final fixture of the weekend there was room for one more “significant human error”. This time, though, it was Fulham captain Tim Ream who passed straight out to the impressive Cole Palmer, and whose efforts to clear instead saw the ball cannon off Broja’s foot and past Leno. Chelsea will argue that their slice of good fortune had been coming; Pochettino’s side had arrived at Craven Cottage as the Premier League’s great xG underperformers, with more big chances missed than anyone this season, but this was the night where their luck perhaps started to turn. Pochettino’s team were the brightest before the goal and for once they had quickly built a lead to settle on. It allowed for a night of positivity – Chelsea needed a win after making their worst start to a top-flight season in 45 years, but Pochettino will be more encouraged by some of the displays in his young, although expensively assembled, side. Palmer, in particular, stood out on his first Premier League start for Chelsea, his left foot all deft touches and clever, slipped passes through the lines. In for Raheem Sterling, who was on the bench due to illness, the £40m signing from Manchester City has laid a claim to be the brightest of Chelsea’s many summer recruits and produced the pass that led to Broja’s goal. In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher, the player of the match, functioned well ahead of the record signing Moises Caicedo, who shielded and screened to allow the other two to burst and drive. As a collective, they outworked and dominated Fulham’s midfield trio of Joao Palhinha, Harrison Reed and Andreas Pereira, which does not happen often. Fulham, though, were well below what was required on their big night. After finishing above Chelsea last season, they came into this west London derby feeling as confident as they had done before this fixture in a generation. But Marco Silva’s side were blunt in attack and far too open at the back – it took until the hour for substitute Carlos Vinicius to threaten Chelsea’s patched-up defence for the first time when he headed over the bar from close range. Moments later, Chelsea could have been out of sight. Ian Maatsen, who replaced Mudryk - off due to a minor know - at the break, struck the inside of the post with a first-time effort from Gallagher’s cut-back before Fernandez’s shot was blocked by Leno. Robert Sanchez made his first saves when the Chelsea goalkeeper kept out another Vinicius header and then raised his foot to deny Fulham substitute Saka Lukic, who should have scored from six yards late on. It would have made for a tense finish, but after a difficult start to the season, Chelsea had earned themselves a break. Read More The Premier League now faces a credibility ‘crisis’ – and latest VAR farce is just the tip Jamie Carragher believes VAR at ‘crisis point’ in Premier League Frank Lampard explains why he is ‘not surprised’ by Chelsea’s struggles Mauricio Pochettino’s faith in Mykhailo Mudryk is exactly what Chelsea need Mauricio Pochettino vows to continue to show belief in Chelsea’s young stars Frank Lampard explains why he is ‘not surprised’ by Chelsea’s struggles

Raphael Varane has won the Champions League more often than Manchester United have. Which, given Europe’s importance to United’s identity, is an indication of the Frenchman’s success in his time at Real Madrid. It ought to mean few are more qualified to discuss what it takes the secure the club game’s most prestigious prize. And, on the face of it, United scarcely look candidates. Languishing 10th in the Premier League, defeated in their last two top-flight games at Old Trafford and fortunate to only be beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener this season, they have not reached the competition’s semi-final since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. They have only progressed to two quarter-finals in the subsequent 10 years: once under David Moyes, once with an almost surreal conclusion to a visit to Paris Saint-Germain under then caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Neither their stuttering start to the season nor their decade of disappointment bodes well but Varane argued they can win the competition. “I think so, yes,” he said. And if he is compelled to talk up his team, a quadruple Champions League winner sounded more bullish than he needed to. “It’s not the start of the season we expected but I still believe we have the quality enough to compete with the best teams in the world,” he said. “I think we have the quality in the squad to play and to win that competition.” And if individuals’ credentials are examined, he may have a point. Varane is not even the most decorated member of the current United squad. Casemiro has five winner’s medals from his Real Madrid career. Mason Mount is proof a team does not have to start a season well to end it champions of Europe: Chelsea were ninth in England when Thomas Tuchel was appointed in January 2021 but he set up Kai Havertz’s final winner. Andre Onana’s last game for Internazionale was June’s final against City. Manager Erik ten Hag was a kick of the ball away from steering Ajax to the 2019 final. As Tottenham went through, Christian Eriksen instead played in it. Perhaps, though, that illustrates the issue with United: they can be less than the sum of their parts. That has been the case so far, in part because some of those components are missing: United have actually won four of the six games in which Varane has featured this season and lost all three he has missed. Nearly all of their finest victories under Ten Hag have come with the Frenchman partnered with Lisandro Martinez, but now the Argentinian is out until December. Varane argued a defence that has conceded 15 times in all competitions this season has not been the problem; that may flatter him and his colleagues, given that their statistics for shots against and xGA are those of a mid-table team. United scored three goals from four attempts on target in Munich but they have been profligate in the Premier League. Varane feels the key to success in Europe lies in being more clinical. “I think that competition is about details, and you have to be efficient to win that competition,” he added. “In the last weeks, I think what we can improve is to be more efficient in front of the goals, with a very low number of occasions we concede goals. We need to create a lot to score, so that’s the reality of the top level. You have to be efficient to win big trophies.” And United have not been efficient in the Premier League. They have seven goals from 109 shots this season. Marcus Rashford’s return of just one from 28 is an issue for the joint top scorer in last year’s Europa League, but he is not alone. Bruno Fernandes has two goals – one a penalty – from 20 shots, Casemiro, the top scorer in all competitions, one from 14, Alejandro Garnacho none from 10, Rasmus Hojlund none from seven, though he has also scored in Europe. Antony’s impending return may not help: the Brazilian has had 11 efforts, with only two on target and no goals. Better finishing would help; but United’s general performance level is scarcely that of a side who look the best among the best in Europe. They have overcome few elite teams in months: not since Aston Villa in April, while their last major scalp was Newcastle in February’s Carabao Cup final. And as Varane knows from personal experience, conquering Europe involves beating some of the best: in his four successful campaigns, Real eliminated Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid three times each in the knockout stages, Juventus twice and Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Napoli, Manchester City and Liverpool once apiece. Could this United do something similar? It feels unlikely but Varane has a formula for glory. “You have to take care of every detail, but we have a team with quality, with a good mentality and we have to make some improvements,” he said. But a lot of improvements are required. Read More Marcus Rashford’s form has become the latest symptom of Manchester United’s struggles Mason Mount aware Man Utd must improve after stuttering start to the season Erik ten Hag loses signature strength as mediocre Manchester United’s revival proves a false dawn The key questions behind Manchester United’s poor start to the season Erik ten Hag concerned by Manchester United’s mounting injury problems Champions League faces future rival as Saudi Arabia looks to transform Club World Cup

What the papers say Arsenal are reportedly lining up Wolves winger Pedro Neto for a summer transfer. According to the Daily Mirror, the Gunners considered launching a bid for the 23-year-old in 2022 but nothing materialised. The club are believed to have maintained their interest however, and join Liverpool, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid in keeping tabs on the Portugal international. Staying with Arsenal, the Daily Mail says negotiations have begun over a new contract for defender Ben White. The development comes despite the 25-year-old England international having three years left on his £120,000-a-week deal. And The Sun says Manchester United have sent a scout to monitor 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio, with a view to a potential January deal. Social media round-up Players to watch Bryan Cristante: Calciomercato reports Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr are set to make a move for the Roma midfielder. Lucas Beraldo: Liverpool are keen on the 19-year-old Sao Paulo centre-back, according to website 90mins. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

As Newcastle United prepare for their first Champions League home match in over 20 years, their owners have far bigger plans, that could well supersede Europe’s premier competition for decades. The Public Investment Fund and wider Saudi Pro League are targeting Fifa’s first expanded 32-team Club World Cup, to take place in the USA in 2025, to make a major statement of their football power. Such ambitions would also have the added effect of amplifying the prestige of the revised tournament, especially if the Saudi Pro League’s teams at that point feature an even greater proportion of the world’s best players, so as to make it a rival to the Champions League The next phase of a plan that is both a sporting project and a sportswashing project comes as Uefa have made it clear that Saudi Arabian clubs will not be allowed cross confederations to enter their competitions. Internal and informal discussions about the issue involved arguments over whether allowing such a transcontinental switch would facilitate some form of cost control given the disruptive nature of Saudi spending in the last window, but it was ultimately felt this would be an integration similar to LIV Golf. Uefa would also lose the unique leverage that comes with the Champions League. The ambition from Saudi Pro League clubs and the Public Investment Fund - who own four clubs in the competition - is instead to aim for the Club World Cup and help improve its prestige, as that could ensure a glamorous alternative to the Champions League that eventually supersedes it. While many might sniff at that, the argument is that attitudes will change if it features many of the best players in the world. The circumstances have been further conditioned by tension between Uefa and Fifa over a range of issues, but the riches of the club game have proved a core subject. Fifa president Gianni Infantino has long wanted a competition to rival the Champions League, but one that he feels should benefit the wider football world too. An issue is that any expanded Club World Cup would initially need the major European names to make it lucrative, which is why there had previously been talk of £80m offers to the biggest clubs to participate when the idea was first broached before the Covid crisis interrupted the game. Fifa’s plans at that point had been to fund the Club World Cup with Softbank, whose largest investors for the Vision Fund are the Public Investment Fund, the 80 per cent owners of Newcastle United. Such reports brought fury from many stakeholders, because of the argument that figures of that scale would wreak havoc on the competitive balance within domestic competitions. If Boca Juniors and River Plate got huge money for one edition, as an example, it could ensure no one in Argentina is able to financially match them for a decade. Fifa would argue financial mechanisms still need to be resolved, and that this serves to spread the wealth of the game beyond western Europe. That plan was ultimately shelved as the game came together amid Covid, but has since been revised for the 2025 competition. That Club World Cup in effect replaces the Confederations Cup as preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, but with the aim of making it a valued tournament in its own right. That is why the Saudi Pro League’s financial power could be so key to the project. While some former players within Uefa do back the project for reasons of football purism, there is concern that it could be an “Indian Premier League or Kerry Packer-style” disruption with huge impact. Whatever the outcome, Saudi ambition could give both the country’s clubs and Fifa the glamour for the Club World Cup that both want. It could have huge repercussions for the Champions League, without letting Saudi Pro League clubs in. Read More The Premier League now faces a credibility ‘crisis’ – and latest VAR farce is just the tip Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly considering minority stake bid for Manchester United Frank Lampard explains why he is ‘not surprised’ by Chelsea’s struggles PGA Tour have received interest from investors other than LIV Golf Chelsea finally catch a break as Mykhailo Mudryk gets his moment Mauricio Pochettino vows to continue to show belief in Chelsea’s young stars