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Rangers are also involved in new 36-team league phase that has replaced the traditional group stage

George Flood1 minute ago

Europa League draw LIVE!

Manchester United and Tottenham will discover their opponents this afternoon as the draw for the significantly revamped 2024/25 Europa League takes place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Uefa have made sweeping upgrades to the continent’s secondary club competition this term to mirror the huge alterations to the new-look Champions League, the much-changed draw for which took place seemingly without a hitch yesterday.

The Europa League’s traditional group stage has also now been replaced by a new league phase in which 36 teams are split into four pots of nine based on their latest coefficient rankings. Each club will face two teams from each pot, playing eight games in total - four at home and four away. The draw is semi-automated and teams from the same nation are kept apart at this stage, meaning no early showdown between Manchester United and Spurs is possible.

Both Premier League representatives are in Pot 1, the significance of which has now been greatly reduced with plenty of tough ties potentially looming against the likes of Roma, Rangers, Porto and Ajax. The top-eight finishers will all go straight through to the last 16, while a knockout play-off round awaits for those who end up between ninth and 24th. Follow the Europa League draw live below!

Europa League draw latest news

Draw stage is set

The stage is set at the glamourous Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, where the Europa League draw is just over half an hour away now...

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Tottenham bid to banish memories of Dinamo Zagreb nightmare

Having been beaten to fourth spot in the Premier League and the final Champions League qualification berth by Aston Villa last season, Tottenham are back in the Europa League for the first time since the 2020/21 season, when Jose Mourinho’s side were stunned by Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16 after a shocking 3-0 second-leg loss in Croatia that saw a hat-trick from Mislav Orsic that wiped out their 2-0 aggregate advantage.

Spurs had to go through qualifying that year and beat both Shkendija of North Macedonia and Maccabi Haifa before topping a group that contained Antwerp, LASK and Ludogorets.

They were knocked out of the Conference League group stage the following year after forfeiting a tie against Rennes, before reaching the Champions League last 16 in 2022/23 and losing to AC Milan.

There was no European football at all for Tottenham during Ange Postecoglou’s first season at the helm.

The best they have managed in this tournament in recent years has been the quarter-finals in 2012/13, where they were ousted by Basel on penalties, though they were two-time winners of the old Uefa Cup back in the 1970s and 1980s.

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Europa League play-off results

A reminder of last night’s play-off second-leg results and the aggregate scores that completed today’s draw lineup...

Dream and nightmare draw scenarios for Man United and Tottenham

So, what are the best and worst-case scenarios for Tottenham and Manchester United today do we think?

The Pot 1 dangers are obvious, while Pot 2 also contains some obvious challenges including Real Sociedad, Lyon, holders Olympiacos and Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.

Galatasaray are among the dangers lurking in Pot 3, with Qarabag in Azerbaijan among the longest of trips on offer.

Pot 4 also has its tests including Athletic Club and Besiktas, as well as a potentially unfamiliar name to many in FK RFS of Latvia.

I guess the dream and nightmare scenarios for the English clubs would be something like this...

Dream scenario

Slavia Prague, Eintracht Frankfurt, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ferencvaros, Bodo/Glimt, Malmo, Elfsborg, FK RFS

Nightmare scenario

Roma, Porto, Real Sociedad, Olympiacos, Galatasaray, Qarabag, Athletic Club, Besiktas

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Europa League draw restrictions

A reminder that no two teams from the same country can be drawn together during this new-look opening league phase, so there will be no early tie between Tottenham and Manchester United.

Clubs can also only be drawn against a maximum of two teams from any other country.

However, United and Spurs could end up facing Rangers, who are placed alongside them in Pot 1.

In yesterday’s Champions League draw, Celtic ended up with a trip to face Aston Villa.

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When will the Europa League fixtures be played?

The exact dates and kick-off times for all the fixtures drawn for this new opening Europa League phase will be confirmed by Uefa on Saturday.

But here’s the general outline for each matchday...

Matchday 1: September 25-26, 2024

Matchday 2: October 3, 2024

Matchday 3: October 24, 2024

Matchday 4: November 7, 2024

Matchday 5: November 28, 2024

Matchday 6: December 12, 2024

Matchday 7: January 23, 2025

Matchday 8: January 30, 2025

How does the new Europa League format work?

So how exactly does this new Europa League format work?

Well, as with the Champions League, the old group-stage format has now been axed and replaced by a 36-team league phase featuring every club.

The teams have been placed into four pots of nine depending on their individual coefficient ranking and will play eight games in total during the league phase, four at home and four away.

Each club will play two teams from each pot, including their own, with a computer to decide the fixtures in a semi-automated draw after each team have been drawn out manually first.

The top eight finishers at the end of this new league phase will all head straight through to the last 16, with teams that finish from ninth to 24th facing a two-legged knockout play-off round.

Those that end up 25th and below will be eliminated from European football altogether in the New Year.

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Confirmed pots for Europa League draw

The play-off ties for the 2024/25 Europa League concluded with last night’s slew of second legs, which featured no shortage of drama.

Hearts and Shamrock Rovers were among the teams that fell at the final qualifying hurdle.

Here are the confirmed Europa League draw pots after Thursday’s action, with Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers all in Pot 1 due to their Uefa coefficient rankings.

However, as we’ll discover in a moment, that is no longer the advantage that it used to be...

Pot 1: AS Roma, Manchester United, Porto, Ajax, Rangers, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio, Tottenham, Slavia Prague

Pot 2: Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar, Braga, Olympiacos, Lyon, PAOK, Fenerbahce, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ferencvaros

Pot 3: Qarabag, Galatasaray, Viktoria Plzen, Bodo/Glimt, Union SG, Dynamo Kyiv, Ludogorets, Midtjylland, Malmo

Pot 4: Athletic Club, Hoffenheim, Nice, Anderlecht, Twente, Besiktas, FK RFS, Steaua Bucharest, Elfsborg

Where to watch Europa League draw

TV channel: Today’s draw will be shown on TNT Sports 1.

Coverage starts at 12pm BST and the draw will commence shortly after.

Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers will also be able to watch live online via the Discovery+ website and app.

UEFA.com and the TNT Sports YouTube channel will also be showing the draw live for free.

Europa League draw live

Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of the draw for the revamped 2024/25 Europa League.

Tottenham, Manchester United and Rangers are all poised to discover their opponents this afternoon for the new-look competition, which mirrors the Champions League in terms of a bold new format that sees the traditional group stage replaced by a new 36-team league phase.

Proceedings at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco are expected to get underway at 12pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest news, live updates and plenty more including an explainer on the new format, confirmed pots and the best and worst-case scenarios for the British clubs involved.

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All the latest transfer news, done deals, rumours and gossip

Alex Young @ alexwsyoung1 minute ago

Deadline Day LIVE!

The summer transfer window closes tonight at 11pm, leaving clubs just hours to wrap up any last business today. Arsenal could be one of the busier teams of the day as they explore a late deal for Kingsley Coman and weigh up a move for Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling. Both look hard to pull off but Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen. Aaron Ramsdale should join Southampton as Joan Garcia or Neto arrives as a replacement.

Sterling is running out of options to leave the Blues, along with a number of fellow exiled players such as Ben Chilwell, while Chelsea are working on deals for Victor Osimhen and Jadon Sancho, though the Manchester United winger is also in talks with Juventus. Brentford striker Ivan Toney appears to no longer be a target amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

United are shipping out Scott McTominay, to Napoli, and hope to get rid of Sancho as they bring in Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in deal worth around £50million. Tottenham activity is expected to involve outgoings, but anything can happen in the final hours of the window! Follow along with every done deal, news and rumour below!

Latest Deadline Day transfer news and updates

Spurs waiting on bids for outcast pair

Tottenham have interest in Giovani Lo Celso from more than one Spanish club but are yet to receive a concrete bid for the midfielder, writes Dan Kilpatrick.

Real Betis, who sold Lo Celso to Spurs in 2019, is understood to be one interested party.

Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon, who is also on the transfer list, both have a year remaining on their contract, so Spurs are reluctant to agree to straight loan deals.

If they do get a loan bid for either player, Spurs would likely look to extend their contracts by a year to protect their value or demand a fee.

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West Ham activity ramping up

West Ham are progressing in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a loan deal for midfielder Carlos Soler, writes Simon Collings.

Nottingham Forest also progressing in talks with West Ham over deal for James Ward-Prowse, while Crystal Palace and Southampton are both in for Maxwel Cornet.

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Chelsea get Victor Osimhen lifeline

Ivan Toney will this morning undergo a medical with Al-Ahli after Brentford accepted a £40m bid. But there are doubts the Saudi club are able to sign Toney and Victor Osimhen, which is music to Chelsea ears.

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Done deal! Wolves sign Sam Johnstone

Sam Johnstone has joined Wolves from Crystal Palace.

The 31-year-old has signed a four-year contract.

Simon Collings on Arsenal outgoings

Arsenal are looking to secure moves for some young players, one of those being Omar Rekik. The centre-back could leave on loan - or permanently if right offer made.

Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand could also go on loan, but less likely than Rekik. He travelled with first-team squad to Villa Park last weekend.

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Southampton boss Russell Martin on Aaron Ramsdale

Southampton want to hand Aaron Ramsdale his debut this weekend, but must be registered before today’s 12pm deadline.

"We will have to wait and see,” the Southampton manager said.

“I think the clubs are very advanced in what is going on with the paperwork.

Arsenal are trying to get one [a goalkeeper] in, the hope is he will get registered [in time for tomorrow].

Playing internationally, he is hungry to become England's number one again and he wants to be here. That is so important."

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Al-Ahli agree £40m fee for Ivan Toney as medical booked

Al-Ahli are not messing around.

The Saudi club have now agreed a £40million fee with Brentford for Ivan Toney.

Al-Ahli want to sign both Toney and Victor Osimhen.

Toney is expected to sign a four-year contract and, according to The Mirror, will earn £60million over the course of the deal.

He will undergo a medical in London this morning and fly out to Saudi Arabia tonight.

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Dan Kilpatrick on the Tottenham latest on Deadline Day

The priority for Spurs, as it stands this morning, is completing their summer clearout by finding buyers for unwanted pair Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon.

Neither player is part of Ange Postecoglou's plans and they face being left out of the Premier League and European squads if they remain at the club. Postecoglou, though, does not believe in bomb squads, so Lo Celso and Reguilon are continuing to train with the first team.

If no European buyer emerges, Spurs will offer the pair around Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where the windows remain open for longer.

As for incomings, do not hold your breath. Spurs are not expecting to make any signings today unless they are presented with a deal that is too good to turn down.

Never say never but it will probably be quiet.

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Arne Slot not expecting further Liverpool signings

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has just been speaking to reporters at his usual pre-match press conference.

"We're happy with the ones we've signed. It is a strong team, so if we find players we're happy,” he said.

"Chiesa can help for the short term and Mamardashvili is an example of what this club has done in the past looking at the future of the club.

"I am not expecting anything [today] but it is no different than all the days before. If we see an opportunity, we will see but I'm not expecting anything."

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Chelsea scrambling to sign Victor Osimhen after Deadline Day blow

Chelsea face a late scramble to sign Victor Osimhen after Al-Ahli agreed a deal with Napoli for the striker, writes Simon Collings.

Osimhen has been a top transfer target for Chelsea ahead on Friday’s deadline.

But, according to Sky Italia, Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli have agreed to pay around £67million plus add-ons to sign him.

Osimhen is said to have been offered a four-year contract worth in the region of £600,000-a-week, leaving Chelsea with a fight to secure a deal for the Nigeria international.

Chelsea have made signing a new No9 their priority on deadline day and missing out on Osimhen would be a blow.

Read more here!

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Keep up to date as transfer deadline day approaches

Marc Mayo10 minutes ago

Transfer news LIVE!

Transfer deadline day is within sight and some major deals are still to be done ahead of the window slamming shut on Friday. Arsenal are soon to announce the signing of Mikel Merino but have first seen the departure of Eddie Nketiah to Nottingham Forest collapse.

Victor Osimhen remains linked with Arsenal and Chelsea and the Blues’ talks have been revived over the Napoli striker, while Al Ahli have reportedly agreed a fee for the striker. However, Osimhen’s agent has indicated that they want to stay in Europe. Chelsea are also interested in a swap deal with Manchester United involving wantaway wingers Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho.

Man Utd continue to push for a loan deal to sign Manuel Ugarte whereas Liverpool have still not made a signing under Arne Slot, as Anthony Gordon and Giorgi Mamardashvili rumours continue. Tottenham too continue to be active and you can keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, rumours, deals and gossip via Standard Sport’s LIVE blog!

Latest transfer news and updates

West Ham told to up Tammy Abraham bid

West Ham have been offered a deal to sign Tammy Abraham.

The English striker is up for sale at Roma and sat on the bench for the weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Empoli.

Corriere dello Sport say the Hammers have offered over £17m for Abraham, but Roma want over £20m up front plus add-ons.

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Done deal!

Atletico Madrid have signed Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a year-long loan.

Breaking news - Victor Osimhen agent's bombshell statement

Victor Osimhen’s agent has suggested that he will REJECT a move to Saudi Arabia.

Roberto Calenda has posted on X a statement that spells out that he wants to remain in European football.

It reads: “Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction. He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club's decisions.

“As I said, he is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African footballer of the year, eighth at the Ballon d'Or, he still has so much to do in Europe. There needs to be respect and balance.”

Read more here!

Victor Osimhen's preference revealed amid Saudi talks

Victor Osimhen is open to a move to Saudi Arabia.

Although the Napoli forward has long preferred to stay in Europe and join Arsenal, PSG or Chelsea it is Al Ahli who have offered £60m for his services.

Napoli, according to Sky Sport Italia, are mulling over the offer - amid claims earlier on that the fee is agreed.

Osimhen previously dismissed any notions of a move to Saudi but is now at least up for negotiations.

Napoli have also hoped for over £100m for the striker yet are contemplating a sale which will give them the funds to sign Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku.

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Arsenal reject defender exit

Arsenal have rejected numerous advances for Jakub Kiwior.

Clubs in Italy are keen on taking the back-up Gunners defender on loan but TMW report on zero interest from Arsenal in such a deal.

Bologna are the latest club to check in on Kiwior, as a potential replacement for Riccardo Calafiori, after Juventus and AC Milan were knocked back.

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Arsenal eye one more signing after Mikel Merino

Arsenal will still want one more signing after Mikel Merino joins from Real Sociedad.

The Spanish midfielder was spotted landing in north London on Friday before undergoing a medical, and his transfer could be made official today.

Fabrizio Romano says their final target for this window will be a new attacker.

A blockbuster deal such as Nico Williams is highly unlikely, but the Gunners have been linked with Kingsley Coman and Raheem Sterling to bulk up their options.

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Fulham transfer update from Marco Silva

Marco Silva hopes Fulham sign another winger before the end of the window, writes Dom Smith.

“We are working really hard to add another forward player to play in the wide areas of our attack”, he said.

“We have to work really hard to get a player in to help us to be more competitive. It has been hard work for us, when you lose some big names like we’ve lost. It was important for us to be really assertive in the market.”

Fulham had been interested in Lyon winger Rayan Cherki, but Silva would not discuss whether he remains a target.

“I’m not going to talk about players from other teams”, he said.

Read more here!

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New Man Utd director pushing Manuel Ugarte deal over the line

New Manchester United director Jean-Claude Blanc is playing an integral role in the signing of Manuel Ugarte.

The Frenchman previously spent time as a PSG executive and is said by transfer journalist Ben Jacobs to be assisting in talks to land Ugarte.

Latest reports suggest United are closing in on a loan deal for the Uruguayan midfielder which will feature a £51m obligation to buy him next summer.

The Standard

Barcelona still unable to register Dani Olmo

Barcelona have sealed another player’s exit as they look to clear room on their wage bill to finally register Dani Olmo for LaLiga.

Despite signing the Spanish winger weeks ago, he is still ineligible to play due to financial rules.

Ilkay Gundogan and Mikayil Faye have already gone and this morning Vitor Roque signed on loan for Real Betis.

But reports in Spain claim even more cash must be chopped off their wage bill for Olmo to be registered.

Victor Osimhen fee accepted amid Chelsea links

Napoli have agreed a deal with Al Ahli to sell Victor Osimhen for a package worth over £55m.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims personal terms talks are ongoing.

The Nigerian wants to keep the big salary he earns in Naples and there is talk of a release clause being added to his contract.

Osimhen is said to not be open to a loan exit, which comes as the Telegraph report on Chelsea eyeing him on loan.

Napoli are said in that report to be offering the west Londoners better terms than earlier in the window as they look to get the striker out the door and bring in Romelu Lukaku.

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A gift for Spurs! An absolutely horrific touch from Pickford allows Son to press him, win the ball back and roll into an empty net.

For Bissouma, that was the perfect on-pitch response to his one-match club ban. Just as you were starting to wonder if Spurs would rue missing a slew of early chances, the Malian breaks the deadlock with an oustanding first-time finish from the edge of the box. Question is now, can Spurs build on this lead, as they failed to do at the King Power Stadium?

Spurs have made another fast start here, with Romero and Son both extending Pickford in the early stages and Odobert lively. But as Monday's frustrating draw at Leicester illustrated, these spells of pressure count for little when you don't convert your chances.