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The Tampa Bay Rays will be represented during Monday's Home Run Derby as 22-year-old Junior Caminero is among the eight-man player pool for the slugfest at Truist Park.

He'll be rocking what is maybe the most unique bat of any participant in this year's derby, too.

Caminero will take to the batter's box Monday night with a bat that's designed with an image of himself. The top of the bat is Caminero's blonde curly hair, and his sunglass-laden face covers the barrel. In the design on the bat, the infielder is depicted wearing a blue jersey that has his No. 13 on the back, and he's wearing a lime green chain which matches the handle of the bat.

Have a look at the spectacularly distinctive bat design Caminero will be using during the derby:

This is Caminero's first appearance in the Home Run Derby in what is just his second MLB season, and his first full one. In 91 games, he's showcased plenty of power at the plate, racking up 23 home runs, which ranks fourth in the American League, and 60 RBIs along with a .790 OPS.

He'll hope to put on a show and become the first Rays player to win the Home Run Derby in the franchise's history.

Honorary Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness slammed Barcelona for their financial mismanagement amid a debt that has ballooned to €1.45 billion (£1.27bn/$1.68bn). Hoeness, who expressed pride over how the Bavarians operate, claimed that Barcelona's way of functioning is highly unsustainable and would've resulted in demotion from the top-flight in any other country.

Inside the financial collapse at Barcelona

Barcelona's financial struggles are well-documented. During the final years under the presidency of Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Catalans spent recklessly and turned a blind eye to financial management. It has resulted in major repercussions for Barca in the recent past, with the club having to sell some of its assets in a desperate attempt to stabilise their sinking ship. 

Barcelona are currently trapped under the staggering €1.45bn debt rubble. This all traces back to the €222m windfall from Neymar's transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017, followed by a devastating drop in revenue due to Covid-19, and the skyrocketing costs associated with the €1.5bn Espai Barca redevelopment project. Instead of stabilising after Neymar's exit, the club opted to go on a lavish spending spree, racking up €960.3m in transfer fees over three years, with a net spend of €399m. Football costs soared as well, with wages and amortisation costs jumping from €367.4m to €593.9m, which consumed a whopping 81% of the club's revenue in the 2017-18 season, according to figures from .

Lionel Messi's contract in 2017, which was valued at up to a mind-boggling €555.2m over a four-year period and ultimately cost around €515m, added even more strain to the finances. Matchday income plummeted from €174.9m to just €23.7m during the pandemic, leading to €389m in deferred salaries. By the end of the 2020-21 season, the Blaugrana reported a record loss of €555.4m, prompting president Joan Laporta to take drastic measures. He activated a series of 'financial levers,' such as selling 25 per cent of La Liga TV rights for €667.5m and offloading 49 per cent of Barca Studios – the club's main entity responsible for creating, producing, and marketing all of the club's audiovisual content – for €200m, although that deal has since lost value, with only €20m realised.

To cover short-term losses, the club also recognised €71.6m from a €100m sale of VIP seats at the Camp Nou, all while the budget for Espai Barca inflated from an initial €600m to €1.5b, with actual spending already hitting €975m and revenue taking a hit due to the temporary move to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Heavy borrowing ensued, including €595m from Goldman Sachs with €30m in annual repayments, a €265.7m bullet payment due in 2031-32, and €907.7m linked to the stadium project, making Barcelona the most indebted club in football. 

AdvertisementAFPBayern chief lambasts Barcelona’s reckless descent into debt

Speaking on the this week, Bayern honorary president Hoeness didn't mince his words while addressing Barcelona's spiralling debt crisis. Hoeness insisted that Barcelona’s approach is incompatible with sustainable club management and admitted he is astonished they’ve managed to stay in the top flight given their financial turmoil.

“Barcelona isn't the model I envision. In any other country, they wouldn't even be in the first division," he said. "When you have 1.3 billion euros in debt, how are you supposed to function? I find it absurd and incomprehensible that they're still playing in the top division. It's a club model I would never respect. In any normal country, a club run like that wouldn't even be in the first division. Honestly, it's a miracle they're still allowed to play in the first division.

"It contrasts completely with the control we have at Bayern and our sound finances, which should be an example for all clubs in Europe. We can boast of solid management, with sound economic judgment, and a level of sporting quality that doesn't depend on financial manoeuvres.

“The strict German licensing regulations and the pressure of audits would immediately paralyse a club with a debt of 1.3 billion euros."

Barca still owe money to several clubs

Barcelona's financial report of the 2024-25 season revealed some major details about the clubs still owed money by the reigning La Liga champions. Per the report, Barca still owe an outstanding amount of €159.1m (£140m/$184m) to several clubs. Premier League side Leeds United top the list, who are yet to receive the remaining €41.9m (£36m/$48m) for the transfer of Raphinha, signed in 2022. 

Bayern Munich are owed a further €20m (£17m/$23m) for Robert Lewandowski, while Barca will need to pay €24.5m (£21m/$28m) for the services of Jules Kounde. All three aforementioned names arrived in Catalonia over three summers ago. 

The debts extend further: Manchester City are due €13.3m (£11.5m/$15m) for Ferran Torres, and Real Betis are owed €8m from the sale of Emerson Royal. Smaller outstanding payments also remain with clubs such as Girona, Valencia, Sporting CP and Rennes.

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Getty Images SportBarcelona nearing their best on the pitch

While the Catalans remain deeply mired in financial troubles, things are starting to look very bright as far as on-field matters are concerned. Despite losses to PSG, Sevilla, and Real Madrid in recent weeks, not to forget the shock 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League, Hansi Flick and his team look like a rejuvenated outfit. Despite missing regulars such as Pedri and Gavi amid an injury crisis, the defending league champions have done a commendable job of cutting down Real Madrid's five-point lead down to just one. They will next face Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

The Premier League wound down for the November international break, and Unai Emery seemed content. After all, his side had just given Bournemouth a four-goal hiding, and that marked five wins from six in the top flight.

The Spanish tactician believes he has stopped the early-season rot that had crawled across the Villa Park surface and threatened the stability of the project. Villa have found form, and they believe they can go all the way in the Europa League.

However, there are wrinkles that need to be smoothed out as the January transfer window draws closer.

The changes Emery needs to make at Villa

Aston Villa are well-positioned for the months ahead. However, Emery has several issues to contend with. Chief of which is the future of Harvey Elliott, who is on loan from Liverpool but playing the bittiest of roles at Villa Park. It is anticipated he will return to Merseyside in January.

And what to do with Ollie Watkins? The centre-forward has been his side’s talisman for years now, and yet he’s been horribly out of sorts this season, raising questions as to whether the board need to dig into their purses this winter.

The Three Lions striker has only scored once in the Premier League this season despite starting ten of 11 fixtures. His instinctiveness has deserted him, with Sofascore revealing he has missed four big chances.

25/26

11

1 (0)

24/25

38

16 (8)

23/24

37

19 (13)

22/23

37

15 (6)

21/22

35

11 (2)

20/21

37

14 (5)

Likewise, Evann Guessand has struggled since moving to England this summer, having started only five times in the Premier League and without registering a goal or assist.

There’s a player in there, for sure, but Leon Bailey out of the squad, Emery could package a few more stars to bring Villa’s chances of a grand-slam season to the fore.

The dream XI Emery could build in January

Aston Villa are in a good position, even having completed a quiet summer transfer window this year. Even so, some more depth could be beneficial up front.

As per FBref, the club’s 9.1 xG total this term puts them above only newly-promoted Burnley for that metric.

That’s why a move is being explored for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, with the £26m-rated Japan star looking to leave the La Liga side and Villa among the frontrunners, according to reports from a few weeks ago.

Kubo is as pacy as they come and ranks among the top 3% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions per 90, so in theory, he could help Villa in their bid to become a more fluent attacking outfit.

But for all that Villa aren’t creating much, Watkins is letting them down with his profligacy in the final third. That’s why fans will be attentive to the news that a number of unspecified Premier League clubs are considering moves for Ivan Toney, who left Brentford for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2024.

Regarded as a “monster” of a striker by his former Bees boss Thomas Frank, Toney, 29, has enjoyed prolific returns in the Gulf region but would be open to returning to his homeland ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

To cap off a prospectively wonderful transfer window, V Sports are understood to be interested in bringing right-back Guela Doue from Strasbourg to the club, looking to hijack Chelsea’s bid for the 23-year-old.

More progressive on the ball than Cash, the Ivorian would serve as a perfect counterpoint, adding the dimension required to wade deep into the European campaign while maintaining the push for top four in the Premier League too.

GK

Emi Martinez

RB

Guelo Doue

CB

Ezri Konsa

CB

Pau Torres

LB

Lucas Digne

CM

Amadou Onana

CM

Boubacar Kamara

CM

John McGinn

RW

Takefusa Kubo

LW

Morgan Rogers

CF

Ivan Toney

This is not the finished article. Lucas Digne, for example, turns 33 at the end of the season, and a left-back will be coveted in the Villan offices.

But such signings would take Villa’s winter spending to the £75m ballpark, and you have to be realistic about parameters.

It’s more than a start, a flourish on a canvas already bursting with colour. Emery’s Aston Villa are many things, but they are nothing if not progressive.

Not Martinez or Konsa: Aston Villa star is now "among the best in the league"

Aston Villa produced a show-stopping performance to defeat Bournemouth in the Premier League.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 10, 2025

Inter Milan and AC Milan went blow for blow in a tightly contested Derby della Madonnina until U.S. international Christian Pulisic produced the decisive moment in the 55th minute, sealing a 1-0 win for the Rossoneri. The American reacted quickest to a rebound from Alexis Saelemaekers’ blocked shot, smashing home from close range before Mike Maignan preserved the points with a late penalty save.

• AFP
  

  What happened

  This was a crucial victory for Milan, who climbed to second and sit just two points behind Roma in the Serie A table.

  From the opening whistle, the derby unfolded as a cagey, high-intensity affair between two bitter rivals. Inter began on the front foot, dominating possession 58 to 42 percent and outshooting Milan 10-4. Despite both sides sharing the San Siro, it was the “home” Nerazzurri who carried the early initiative. Yet their finishing repeatedly let them down, with Lautaro Martínez rattling the post midway through the first half on their best chance.

  Milan, meanwhile, stayed compact and leaned heavily on Mike Maignan to handle danger. The French goalkeeper’s steady presence kept Milan level – and his distribution sparked the sequence that broke the match open. Alexis Saelemaekers burst down the right and fired at Yann Sommer, whose save spilled directly into the path of Christian Pulisic. The American reacted first and buried the rebound to give Milan a 1-0 lead.

  Inter pushed for an equalizer and will regret failing to convert their clearest opportunity minutes later. Strahinja Pavlović brought down Marcus Thuram in the box, handing Inter a penalty. But Hakan Çalhanoğlu telegraphed his effort, and Maignan produced a confident stop in the 71st minute to preserve the lead. Pulisic exited in the 78th minute, and Milan saw out the final stretch to secure a massive result for Max Allegri’s side.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  The MVP

  The spoils need to be shared here between Christian Pulisic and Mike Maignan, who were both equally important to the one-goal win. In a match that offered Milan very few chances, it was the American who maximized his sole chance to deliver the winner, but it was ultimately Maignan who kept Inter at bay with six saves. 

  Outside of the goal, Pulisic was threatening the entire match with two out of four successful dribbles and three passes into the final third. 

• AFP
  

  The big loser

  Hakan Calhanoglu largely had an effective match, delivering scoring chances and remaining tidy with his passes, but his penalty miss was back-breaking for Inter, who essentially saw a lifeline go begging. This is a painful defeat for Inter, who haven't beaten their crosstown rivals in six tries and have also lost to other Serie A contenders this season. The side now falls to fourth place. 

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• Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Venue yet to get police approvals to host matches following the stampede that caused the deaths of 11 people during RCB’s victory celebrations on June 4

Shashank Kishore12-Aug-2025

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium was scheduled to host some key games at the Women’s World Cup•Getty Images

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru could be in danger of losing its Women’s World Cup matches after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) missed the August 10 deadline set by the BCCI to secure police approvals to host the games at the venue.The Greenfields Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is being mooted as an alternative.Bengaluru is, for the moment, scheduled to host the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka on September 30, and matches between England and South Africa (October 3), India and Bangladesh (October 26), the second semi-final on October 30, and possibly the final on November 2.As things stand, the Greenfields Stadium is preparing to host the second season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) from August 21 to September 7. However, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) is believed to have a back-up plan in place, with the KCL being moved to another venue, should they be required as World Cup hosts.Related

Venkatesh Prasad: 'Want to bring cricket back to Chinnaswamy'

Maharaja T20 moved from Bengaluru to Mysuru

Probe panel deems Chinnaswamy 'unsafe' for large-scale events

Karnataka government holds RCB accountable for Bengaluru stampede

Deaths and injuries to fans mar RCB's homecoming in Bengaluru

As per the ICC guidelines, a venue has to be handed over to the organisers at least a month prior to the tournament. This means a decision will need to be taken by the BCCI and ICC within a week since Thiruvananthapuram is also likely to be allotted World Cup warm-up fixtures on September 25 and 27.According to the police commissioner’s office, the KSCA hadn’t got clearance for the Chinnaswamy Stadium as of Monday, when the ICC marked the 50-day countdown to the tournament with an event in Mumbai. ESPNcricinfo has contacted KSCA CEO Subhendu Ghosh but has yet to receive a response.The KSCA is currently hosting its T20 competition, the Maharaja Trophy, in Mysore. The tournament also had to also be moved out of the Chinnaswamy Stadium after the KSCA failed to secure police permission despite offering to play the matches behind closed doors.As a final attempt at securing police approvals, the KSCA is believed to be exploring the possibility of conducting World Cup matches with a reduced capacity. It’s unclear whether the BCCI would approve such a proposal considering the Chinnaswamy Stadium is also the venue for the final if Pakistan don’t qualify.The KSCA has been in trouble since June 4, when 11 people died and more than 50 were injured around the premises of the Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory parade after winning IPL 2025. In the aftermath of the incident, secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned citing moral responsibility.Late last month, a committee tasked by the state government to investigate the stampede deemed the Chinnaswamy “unsafe” for large-scale events. The commission “strongly recommended” that large-scale events be relocated to venues that were “better suited” to handle significant crowds.The uncertainty could potentially upset plans of several teams which had hoped to be based in Bengaluru to train at a number of practice venues, including the KSCA facility in Alur on the city’s outskirts, in the lead-up to the tournament.

قال خالد مرتجي أمين صندوق النادي الأهلي، إنه كان يتمني الفوز على الزمالك بنتيجة كبيرة، خلال المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس السوبر التي جمعت بينهما مساء الأحد.

وحقق النادي الأهلي الفوز على الزمالك، في المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس السوبر المصري بنتيجة 2-0، ليحصد اللقب للمرة الـ16 في تاريخه والخامسة على التوالي.

وقال مرتجي خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “النهار” لبرنامج “الصورة”: “الجميع في الأهلي كان على قلب رجل واحد، والعمل كان من أجل إسعاد الجماهير”.

طالع | أشرف بن شرقي: نسعى لحصد جميع البطولات مع الأهلي.. ويعدد ميزات ييس توروب

وأضاف: “الأهلي أفضل اسكواد في إفريقيا، معه جهاز فني محترم، كنا نحتاج إلى هذه البطولة ومن الزمالك، بالأخص، ستكون بداية البطولات”.

وتابع: “الفترة الماضية توجد إصابات مؤثرة في الفريق، نشعر بدور المدير الفني الجديد ييس توروب، في الفريق واللاعبون يحبونه، شاهدت الأهلي في المباراتين الماضيتين، شكل مختلف وجميل”.

وأكمل: “كنت أتمنى الفوز على الزمالك بنتيجة أكبر من ذلك، عندما تفوز بالسوبر من الهرم الثاني في مصر، يكون له شكل مختلف، الزمالك منافس النادي الأهلي”.

وبسؤاله هل توجد خطة لصفقات يناير؟، أوضح: “هذا الأمر لا يخصني ولا أتحدث عنه، هو مسؤولية لجنة الخطيط مع المدير الفني والمشرفين على الكرة، أنا متفائل، هم يعملون باحترافية كبيرة”.

وأتم: “نحن كمجلس إدارة لا نتأخر على الجهاز الفني أو شراء لاعبين، والموسم الماضي أظهر ذلك”.

Is there anything more exciting than the long ball in baseball? 

I may have something – betting on a player to hit a home run, and it actually comes through!

That’s what our team attempts to do every day by picking the best home run prop bets in Major League Baseball, and there are two players that I’m eyeing for Sunday, June 9. 

Can these two American League sluggers close out the weekend strong?

Best MLB Home Run Picks Today, Sunday June 9Jose Ramirez to Hit a Home Run (+450)Gunnar Henderson to Hit a Home Run (+265)

Jose Ramirez to Hit a Home Run (+450)

Jose Ramirez has a great matchup on Sunday against struggling Miami Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers, who has allowed seven homers on the season, including at least one in six of his last eight starts.

The Cleveland Guardians All-Star is having a great series, homering on Saturday – his second long ball in three games. Can he do it again today?

I love taking Ramirez against any left-handed pitcher, as he’s destroyed them in 2024. The switch hitter is posting an impressive .320/.381/.587 slash line against lefties with five homers in just 75 at bats. 

With 18 home runs already in 2024, I love taking Ramirez in this favorable spot on Sunday. 

Gunnar Henderson to Hit a Home Run (+265)

This home run prop isn’t going to bring the greatest return, but I can’t pass it up in this matchup. 

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has Tampa Bay Rays starter Zack Littell in his MLB career, going 4-for-7 with two homers against him. 

Littell allowed 11 hits the last time he played the O’s and Henderson (20 homers on the season) has been red hot as of late, picking up a hit in 10 of his last 11 games.

Henderson – like Ramirez – also homered on Saturday, but I expect him to stay hot against Littell. The Rays starter has allowed at least one long ball in four straight starts.

It’s the same old story at Manchester United – even Saturday’s win can’t mask that.

Seven games into the Premier League season, United are ninth, having lost three times already and been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town.

There have been signs of progress, no doubt, but it’s been a familiar tale for the Red Devils, whose fanbase recognise the importance of the juncture just ahead.

Ruben Amorim has gone through the wringer since making the move from Portugal, leaving two-in-a-row champions Sporting Lisbon and taking on a huge job at Old Trafford, who had parted with Erik ten Hag early into the 2024/25 season, with cup triumphs papering over the general lack of progress at the club.

And while all of a United persuasion would love to see the Portuguese tactician pull it together, he is nearly on borrowed time in the hot seat.

The latest on Amorim's Man Utd future

“What makes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job.” This is what Amorim said in his pre-match press conference, ahead of Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Sunderland in the Premier League.

He wore his passion on his sleeve as he addressed the reporters in front of him, advocating vehemently for his system and stressing that it has the capacity to thrive in the Premier League.

Amorim, at least, has spoken with candour about his and Man United’s situation. He knows things need to change, and he knows that results have not been good enough, having won 19 of 50 matches at the helm.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, at least outwardly, has given the 40-year-old is full support, but it can’t go on like this. Results need to change, fast. Should it prove more of the same after the October international break, INEOS may well bite the bullet and end Amorim’s stay.

Jose Mourinho

93

54%

Erik ten Hag

85

52%

Ole Gunnar Solskjær

109

51%

Louis van Gaal

76

51%

David Moyes

34

50%

Ralf Rangnick

24

41%

Ruben Amorim*

33

27%

*before Sunderland

A number of candidates have already been earmarked, and there’s one who might strike fans as particularly curious.

Man Utd could sign a more radical coach than Amorim

Manchester United. Never ordinary. ‘Hated, ignored, but never ignored’ is more than just a mantra; it is a truth, and the club need a big personality with tactics proven to work in the Premier League.

Roberto de Zerbi, with this in mind, could be the perfect coach to take the hot seat at the Theatre of Dreams, having previously impressed as the manager of Brighton & Hove Albion before leaving in 2024 and joining Marseille.

Last season, the possession-based tactician guided Marseille to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1, having languished to an eighth-place conclusion previously. They are third this term, with four wins from six outings.

Well, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, De Zerbi is very much on Man United’s shortlist “if and when” they decide to move on from Amorim, very well regarded at the top end of the INEOS hierarchy.

Aged 46, De Zerbi might field a more conventional 4-2-3-1 formation than Amorim’s controversial three-back line-up, but he’s certainly more radical on the spectrum than most.

He has a fan in Pep Guardiola, who praised the “unique” style of football the Italian implements and remarked that he “monopolises the ball in a way it hasn’t been for a long time.”

Finishing, the Manchester City boss made quite the claim, saying he is “one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years.”

A complicated, sharp-witted manager, De Zerbi’s Marseille completed more passes (3092) in Ligue 1 last season than any other side not hailing from the capital, and his desire to attack the press and implement through a short build-up is something not wildly different to Amorim’s vision, but perhaps could be better implemented at Old Trafford.

He has, after all, actually proven himself in the Premier League, instrumental in taking a Brighton side who had a reputation for attractive football after their promotion and then shaping them into something sustainable and competitive at the higher end of the division.

Across the 2023/24 campaign, only Man City completed more passes than the Seagulls, so it’s clear to see why he has a fan in Pep. If De Zerbi were to arrive at Man United and get a tune out of the underperforming Redmen, there’s no reason why this couldn’t be a style of football to propel the club back into the limelight, consistently challenging for the biggest prizes once again.

Manchester City

1st

26,251

Brighton & Hove Albion

11th

23,547

Liverpool

3rd

22,515

Tottenham Hotspur

5th

22,488

Chelsea

6th

21,926

Manchester United

8th

18,074

Stats via Premier League

Last season, Man United finished fifth in the Premier League passing charts, having completed 15,931 across the campaign. FBref also reveal Brighton achieved an xG (expected goals) total of 56.8 that year, whereas United hit only 52.6 across the 2024/25 campaign.

Described as “one of the best coaches in the world” by his players at the Stade Velodrome, De Zerbi might be somewhat radical in his tactical vision, but he has proven himself in the Premier League and earned the admiration and respect of the division’s heavyweights.

This is what Man United need. Amorim might be a left-field thinker, but he’s trying to fit square pegs into round holes, and a freshen-up looks like it would be the best thing for all parties at this stage.

The new bomb squad: INEOS must axe £425k-p/w Man Utd trio with 760 games

Manchester United still have some deadwood that needs to be removed from the Old Trafford set-up.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 3, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur’s final signing of the summer transfer window, striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG, is poised to make his imminent Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday.

The Frenchman’s versatility will be invaluable for Thomas Frank, with Kolo Muani able to play on both the right and left-hand side, though it appears he’ll most likely be used as an alternative to centre-forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

Mohammed Kudus

£55 million

Kota Takai

£5 million

Mathys Tel

£30 million

Joao Palhinha

Loan

Kevin Danso

£21 million

Xavi Simons

£52 million

Randal Kolo Muani

Loan

The latter didn’t play in Spurs’ 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth prior to the international break due to a niggling ankle problem, and while Frank suggested that Solanke could be back this weekend, it is definitely wise to have another option up top considering Richarlison’s fitness issues last season.

Kolo Muani has played the vast majority of his 269 total senior appearances as a striker, and there is reason for supporters to be excited by his arrival.

During his best-ever campaign to date in 2022/2023, the 26-year-old racked up an impressive 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, and this stellar form earned him a £76.4 million move to Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.

While it hasn’t worked out for him in the French capital, Kolo Muani’s head-turning loan move to Juventus last term, where he managed 10 goals and three assists in 22 outings, showcases a player of serious attacking quality.

On the international stage, Kolo Muani has always maintained the faith of Didier Deschamps, even amidst his PSG exile, with the forward bagging semi-final goals against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and Spain in Euro 2024.

The former Nantes sensation has also been a long-time target for the Lilywhites. Tottenham attempted to agree a deal for Kolo Muani in January before his switch to Juve, and ex-Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was personally pushing for him in the winter, according to club insider Paul O’Keefe.

Now, the Spurs recruitment team have got their man, but unfortunately for Frank, there is no option to buy Kolo Muani at the end of his loan spell if he manages to pull up trees in north London.

This is seen as quite an ‘un-Spurs like’ condition of the Kolo Muani deal, and pundit John Wenham has fired a warning to Tottenham over agreeing to a straight loan.

Tottenham sent Randal Kolo Muani warning as "frustrating" claim made

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says thatTottenham are taking a “risk” by just signing Kolo Muani on a dry temporary deal, calling it a “frustrating” development and explaining that other sides could outbid them next year.

While there is an argument that Tottenham face not being able to hold on to Kolo Muani, the fact he’s arrived at N17 for essentially zero cost for the entire season is still a big boost for Frank.

Spurs need strength in depth if they’re to finish in the top four and contend for major trophies, and Kolo Muani is exactly the calibre of player to help them do this.

Arsenal are believed to still be pursuing Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, despite recently adding Eberechi Eze to their ranks alongside fellow attacking stars Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

The north Londoners also agreed a new deal with Leandro Trossard, which includes a pay rise, so the Belgian won’t be going anywhere this summer with two years remaining on the contract (BBC).

Eze, while viewed as a central playmaker to fill the void left by Kai Havertz’s injury, can also play on the left-wing when required, so it would seem that Arteta has more than enough options on that side with Gabriel Martinelli too.

On the right, Arsenal also have Madueke and star man Bukayo Saka, so any move for Rodrygo at this very late stage of the window would be both a surprise and a real statement of intent from Andrea Berta.

Berta has been linked with a move for the Brazil international all summer, holding exploratory talks as far back as May, and that interest apparently remains.

The 24-year-old, who scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions last season, was left out of Brazil’s latest international squad by Carlo Ancelotti – which has cast further doubt on his future.

While Rodrygo started Los Blancos’ latest La Liga win over Real Oviedo, he was benched for their opening weekend win over Osasuna, and Xabi Alonso’s hesitancy to start the winger regularly appears to be having consequences.

What Real Madrid have told Rodrygo's agents with Arsenal deal on

As per journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, intermediaries are working on a potential Arsenal or Man City deal for Rodrygo behind-the-scenes.

What’s more, Real have sent a clear message to Rodrygo and his reps – that he’s free to leave before the deadline on September 1.

However, when it comes to the ‘right offer’, this still may be too high for Arsenal or City.

According to reliable media sources, the lowest bid Real could entertain for him as we approach deadline day is around £51.5 million, which is still a hefty sum considering Berta is also trying to sign Piero Hincapie to replace the potentially exit-bound Jakub Kiwior.

That being said, a player of Rodrygo’s quality and versatility would add even more dynamism to Arsenal’s attack, and amid serious competition from Liverpool, it could be something worth considering.