BBC

Wales captain Ben Davies has joined the Football Association of Wales (FAW) council.

The 32-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender is one of eight new appointments that include former Bristol City head coach Lauren Smith, currently an assistant at Manchester City.

Davies, who has a degree in business and economics, passed a century of caps for Wales in October 2025 and has played more than 350 games for Spurs since joining from hometown club Swansea City in 2014.

The FAW say the new appointments mark "another significant milestone" in the delivery of its 'Together Stronger for the Future' reform.

"One of the ambitions of our governance reforms was to ensure the people helping shape the future of Welsh football better reflect the game we serve today," said FAW chief executive Noel Mooney.

"These appointments achieve exactly that. We have welcomed individuals with outstanding experience from elite football, grassroots football, supporter engagement, governance and community development, alongside young people who will represent the next generation of Welsh football."

Joining Davies as a player representative on the council is Charl Galloway, co-founder of the Her Game Too Training Centre.

Smith, who has previously been on the Wales women's coaching team, is joined as a coaching representative by Cardiff Draconians manager Nana Baah.

Dr Penny Miles and Gareth Watts have been appointed to reflect supporters views, while Eleeza Khan and Begw Elain have been named as youth council representatives.

"Football in Wales is stronger when the people around the council table reflect the people who make our game so special," said FAW president Mike Jones.

"These appointments bring together an outstanding mix of experience, knowledge and fresh perspectives, while ensuring the voices of players, coaches, supporters and young people are represented as we shape the future of Welsh football."

'We must 100% hang on to him' - fans' views

Tottenham Hotspur

Tim: It's unbelievable if Spence leaves. Andy Robertson will not give us the longevity, although he is a great player with experience. Just look at the way he tackles and the pace he has. Spence will be superb soon, if he isn't already.

Mark: If there's one player I want to remain at Spurs, it's Spence. He's got everything you need in a modern full-back - pace, power and excellent technique. He absolutely loves defending and is great going forward. His pace gets us up the pitch. He was an absolute warrior for England at the World Cup and proved any doubters wrong. We must 100% hang on to him.

Jerome: Spurs should definitely keep Spence. He is a quality player with a strut and arrogance that singles him out from the rest. If we let him go, we will regret it.

Josephine: After last season, I see a better one ahead and good signings set the ball rolling. I would really like Spence to stay. He more than showed how good he is while playing for England. A must for Spurs.

Sean: I'd keep Spence, play him on the wing and as additional full-back cover. He's pretty decent going forward.

De Zerbi wanted to convince Spence to stay

Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said in July that he wanted to convince Djed Spence to stay at the club.

De Zerbi added he sees Spence, who signed a long-term deal with the club last year, as an important part of his plans.

Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro, who De Zerbi said is the "best in the world" in his role, currently occupies Spence's preferred right-back position at Spurs.

The England defender played six times at left-back at the World Cup and featured 32 times on the left for Tottenham last season.

Spurs signed Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, 32, from Liverpool at the start of the summer.

Inter in advanced talks for Spurs full-back Spence

Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Inter Milan are in advanced talks to sign Tottenham and England full-back Djed Spence, in a deal worth a minimum of £25.6m (30m euros).

The 26-year-old has emerged as a key target for the Serie A champions, having enhanced his reputation at the World Cup, at which he made eight appearances.

Despite coming under criticism early in the tournament, Spence ended up starting and impressing in England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.

Spence was named in Tottenham's Premier League starting XI 23 times last season as they narrowly avoided relegation.

He has made 85 appearances for the north London club after a £20m move from Middlesbrough in July 2022 and Spurs have begun the process of identifying potential replacements.

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Simon Stone

BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

Do United need another left back with how well Amass has played in preseason? Scott, Huddersfield

I just get the impression United do not think Amass is the right man to challenge Luke Shaw for his place and potentially replace him.

I guess ultimately, it is not about standing in for Shaw occasionally, which I think Amass could do, or come on as a substitute, it is if Shaw was injured for a length of time, would Michael Carrick be happy with Amass, at 19, being the first choice left-back and, potentially playing against Manchester City or Real Madrid? I think it would be a stretch and unfair on Amass.

Recap of Fernandes 'hurt' after Al-Hilal offer

At the end of the 24/25 season, club officials told the Bruno Fernandes they would not stand in his way if he wanted to accept a huge offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al Hilal.

Fernandes has spoken previously about the "hurt" he felt.

After speaking to his family, he opted to stay, just as Wayne Rooney did after saying he wanted to leave in 2010, when all of Europe's leading clubs coveted him.

"I stayed because I thought I still had something that I can give back to the club," said Fernandes.

"Obviously the Saudi situation, with the money... there was a lot. The good thing I have in my family is that my wife is pretty down to earth like me.

"We're very aware that we don't want to be the richest person in the world. We just want to be the ones that have achieved the dreams they had and live a good life with their kids and trying to be as successful as possible.

"The words of my wife were like, 'have you achieved your dreams? Have you achieved everything you wanted?'.

"And that small thing she said made me understand that she's on the same page as me. Let's keep trying and see where this takes me."

Atletico Madrid have agreed a £34.2m (40m euros) fee to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.

The 28-year-old is set to become Atletico's fourth signing of the summer, while Spurs will also retain a 15% sell-on clause as part of the deal.

Argentina international Romero was the subject of interest from Premier League champions Arsenal in recent days, but Tottenham did not want to sell their captain to their north London rivals.

He leaves Tottenham after five seasons, having made 156 appearances for them, scoring 13 times, following an initial campaign on loan from Atalanta in 2021.

With the additions of midfielders Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Atletico are set to take their transfer spending over £100m this summer should they complete the Romero deal.

Atletico Madrid have agreed a £34.2m (40m euros) fee to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.

The 28-year-old is set to become Atletico's fourth signing of the summer, while Spurs will also retain a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal.

Argentina international Romero was the subject of interest from Premier League champions Arsenal in recent days, but Tottenham did not want to sell their captain to their north London rivals.

He leaves Tottenham after five seasons, having made 156 appearances for them, scoring 13 times, following an initial campaign on loan from Atalanta in 2021.

The centre-back played for Argentina during their run to the World Cup final this summer, missing just one game.

Romero was scheduled to return to pre-season with Spurs in the coming week after being given extra time off following the tournament in North America.

He captained the side last season as Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League.

Having signed permanently from Atalanta in a £42.5m deal, Romero became a key figure in their defence.

The news will be a blow to Spurs fans who are also set to lose Djed Spence to Inter Milan, who are in advanced talks to sign the England full-back in a £25.6m (30m euros) deal.

With the additions of midfielders Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Atletico are set to take their transfer spending over £100m this summer should they complete the Romero deal.

Head coach Diego Simeone is aiming to strengthen his squad after they finished fourth in La Liga last season, with Villarreal beating them to third place.

We asked you whether Tottenham selling Djed Spence to Inter Milan in a deal worth a minimum £25.6m (30m euros) is a wise decision.

Here are some of your comments:

Alistair: No. Seems mad, he's been developed into an elite attacking full-back to pair with Pedro Porro and now he's going. Destiny Udogie is too injury prone. What an odd choice, especially if he wants to stay.

Anthony: I definitely don't think it is wise that my team sell Djed Spence. I have always liked him, he's a good defender and he will only get better and better - keep, keep, keep.

Keef: This makes no sense at all. I know he wants first-team football, and Roberto de Zerbi can't guarantee that. However, if we have an injury (which we will), we are lacking any credible cover if we sell him. For the fee being quoted, it seems very cheap too.

Ross: Given his age, experience, versatility and off the back of solid World Cup performances, the fee for Spence seems way too low to warrant considering selling him.

Rob: Selling Spence makes no sense when he had a great World Cup and was one of the better performers last year. Excited for new season but selling Spence would be a regressive step given his versatility.

Peter: I don't want him to go but I think that's a positive step for him and his career and I wish him well, but the reason he's gone is because we can get a grip for two-seasons-in-a-row.

Tom: It makes total sense as he will want to keep his England place. But he's not first choice at right-back (Porro) or left-back (Udogie/Andy Robertson), for a season where we have no European games. Meanwhile, our attack desperately needs attention. Makes sense to cash in now and let him move to a team where he will start.

Inter Milan are in advanced talks to sign Tottenham and England full-back Djed Spence, in a deal worth a minimum of £25.6m (30m euros).

The 26-year-old has emerged as a key target for the Serie A champions, having enhanced his reputation at the World Cup, at which he made eight appearances.

Inter Milan are in advanced talks to sign Tottenham and England full-back Djed Spence, in a deal worth a minimum of £25.6m (30m euros).

The 26-year-old has emerged as a key target for the Serie A champions, having enhanced his reputation at the World Cup, at which he made eight appearances.

Despite coming under criticism early in the tournament, Spence ended up starting and impressing in England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.

Spence was named in Tottenham's Premier League starting XI 23 times last season as they narrowly avoided relegation.

He has made 85 appearances for the north London club after a £20m move from Middlesbrough in July 2022 and Spurs have begun the process of identifying potential replacements.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said in July that he wanted to convince Spence to stay at the club.

De Zerbi added he sees Spence, who signed a long-term deal with the club last year, as an important part of his plans.

Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro, who De Zerbi said is the "best in the world" in his role, currently occupies Spence's preferred right-back position at Spurs.

The England defender played six times at left-back at the World Cup and featured 32 times on the left for Tottenham last season.

BBC Sport football reporter Nizaar Kinsella has been answering some of your latest Tottenham transfer window questions.

Guy asked: What is going on with Spurs? They bought loads of players at the start but haven't signed any since?

Nizaar answered: Last time I was in and around the Tottenham camp in Australia, Roberto De Zerbi told us he was planning a surprise "bomba" in attack.

Since then, nothing has crossed my path to suggest otherwise, but the forward market is a little stunted, with clubs needing to sign replacements before allowing players to leave.

I still think there is a very good chance Spurs sign Savinho from Manchester City, but Enzo Maresca is keen to add attacking talent himself before sanctioning any move.

We asked for your views on the turnaround that Roberto de Zerbi has overseen at Tottenham after the club enjoyed more good news in extending the contract of Micky van de Ven.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: I love that DeZerbi realised the priority was to improve our midfield, which was completely inept. Now we have a top-class trio in Madders, Tonali and Fernandes. All we need now is a striker who knows how to find the back of the net, then we will be a side to be reckoned with.

David: I feel great. I have a similar feeling with Roberto at the helm as I did when Pochettino arrived. He is articulate, positive and has a clear view as to the style of football he wants us to play. We still need a top class striker, but as things are we'll do OK.

Laurence: Things are looking up for us now no doubt about it but we still need to upgrade our striking options quickly because relying on Solanke and Richarlison to stay fit and score enough goals has proven to be mistaken. We invest in the wide areas but still have not got the required fire power up front.

Tottenham Hotspur have released their third kit for the 2026-27 season which is inspired by their classic mid-90s purple away shirts.

It celebrates "30 years of disruption through a distinctly Spurs and Nike lens" and is paired with matching purple shorts and socks.