The Mirror

Tottenham have finally given Giovani Lo Celso the green light to complete a deadline day switch to Real Betis - but only after holding out for a favourable deal.

The Argentina midfielder, 28, has spent the last two seasons on loan at Villarreal and is surplus to requirements at Spurs, who were open to selling him before Friday night.

Ange Postecoglou confirmed in the morning that Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon, who is also available for transfer, were "exploring their options".

A report from Sport Witness had outlined that Tottenham were demanding €15million (£12.6m) for Lo Celso, even though he's now inside the final year of his contract. The report also outlined the player's 'crazy' desire to leave, though that didn't soften Spurs' negotiating stance.

Want the latest transfer news straight to your phone TODAY? Join our Transfer Deadline Day WhatsApp community

However, it has since emerged through reports in Argentina that talks between the two clubs have struck an agreement which sees Tottenham gain a 'priority option' to sign Johnny Cardoso from the La Liga outfit in the future as part of a deal for Lo Celso.

Postecoglou had earlier stressed that neither Lo Celso nor Reguilon will feature in his plans should they fail to secure a move away before Friday night's 11pm deadline.

The Australian said: "No, they don't have to get integrated back to the squad. It's their decisions. It's pretty clear where they sit in terms of where we are as a squad and where we are as a team, but, you know, I've never been one to force people out.

Join the debate! Do you think Spurs should sell Lo Celso? Let us know here.

"They've got decisions about their own careers and what they want to do, and if they're still here, they're still here. We'll work around that scenario, but it certainly won't affect the way we work in the first team."

Postecoglou hinted that both players could yet be offered to clubs whose transfer window remains open beyond Friday night. Clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia will still be able to sign players and could come into play.

Postecoglou added of the situation: "I don't get too involved in that part of it, that's between players, players' representatives and the club.

"But there's other windows open as well, so we'll see what activity there is, but they're both exploring options."

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit was on the verge of joining rivals Tottenham before hopping in a cab and heading to Highbury.

After securing a Premier League and FA Cup double in his debut season at Arsenal, the hijack proved money well spent. French enforcer Petit formed an impervious midfield combination with compatriot Patrick Vieira during his spell in north London between 1997 and 2000.

He impressed after moving to England, becoming a World Cup winner with France in 1998 and one of the more recognisable and most composed players in the Premier League with his ponytail-rocking appearance.

However, the 53-year-old admitted how his career could've chartered a very different course, as he was originally lined up to join Gerry Francis' Tottenham Hotspur.

Want the latest transfer news straight to your phone TODAY? Join our Transfer Deadline Day WhatsApp community

Speaking to fellow ex-Gunner David Seaman on his Seaman Says podcast via Betway, Petit recalled the saga that saw him snub one half of north London and head for the other.

"The same day I joined Arsenal, I was in the Spurs office," revealed Petit. "They paid for a cab for me to go and sign for Arsenal. It's been 26 years now. You can turn the page, close the books and move on."

Legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was influential in persuading Petit to reject Spurs, as the great manager was the one who handed the midfielder his debut at the age of 18 while he was on the books at Monaco.

"Sometimes you have to feel what your heart is telling you, not your head," Petit continued. "I wanted to reunite with Arsene. He brought me into the first team in Monaco.

"He took me from the academy, I was not a professional, and was playing for the first team for European finals, French cup final, for the big prizes all the time.

"I was enjoying my life, and I know what I owe to Arsene, more as a person than as a player because he was acting as a father with me for years and years."

Petit left the Gunners to join Barcelona in 2000 alongside team-mate Marc Overmars but returned to English soil a year later, signing for Chelsea under Claudio Ranieri. He swapped Vieira for Frank Lampard – who joined from West Ham in 2001 – in west London and formed an impressive midfield duo that secured Champions League football during his second season.

The Frenchman announced his retirement in 2005 after being released by the Blues due to a string of injuries and failing to completely recover, but could have had a vastly different career had he not snubbed Spurs.

Manchester United will have a tasty reunion with Jose Mourinho after discovering their opponents for the first phase of this season's Europa League alongside Tottenham.

UEFA have revamped this season's competition and discarded the traditional group phase. Instead, teams will play eight different opponents - four home and four away - in a league phase before the knockouts in early 2025.

Aside from a trip to face Mourinho's new side, Fenerbahce, United and Spurs will both play Rangers. The Scottish giants will visit Old Trafford in September, October, November or December while Tottenham are due to travel to Glasgow at some stage. Dates for each fixture will be confirmed on Saturday.

Mourinho hasn't faced United since he was, coincidentally, Tottenham manager in April 2021. The ex-Red Devils and Spurs boss took charge of Fenerbahce this summer but failed to guide them into the Champions League.

Want the latest transfer news straight to your phone TODAY? Join our Transfer Deadline Day WhatsApp community

United could also face former midfielders Fred and Sofyan Amrabat, the latter of whom is close to joining Fenerbahce ahead of the transfer window closing in Turkey on September 13. Fred has already spent a season in Istanbul and even scored his first-ever hat-trick in his last appearance.

The final of this season's Europa League takes place at San Mames, the home to Athletic Bilbao in Spain on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. United won the competition in 2017 under Mourinho, beating Ajax 2-0 in the final in Stockholm.

Four years later, the Red Devils came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy for the second time in their history. But after a 1-1 draw, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lost on penalties to Villarreal in Gdansk.

Your turn! Will Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League? Give us your prediction in the comments section

Tottenham are already two-time winners of the competition, winning the inaugural UEFA Cup in 1972 before being crowned champions again in 1984. They last competed in the Europa League during the 2020-21 season, with Mourinho overseeing a shock defeat to Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb in the last 16.

Fixtures in full

Manchester United will play - in no confirmed order: Rangers (H) Porto (A), PAOK (H), Fenerbahce (A), Bodo/Glimt (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Twente (H), Steaua Bucuresti (A)

Tottenham will play - in no confirmed order: Roma (H), Rangers (A), AZ Alkmaar (H), Ferencvaros (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A), Elfsborg (H), Hoffenheim (A)

Manchester United and Tottenham will be eagerly awaiting Friday's Europa League draw, with an expected start time of 12pm.

United and Spurs will be the Premier League's only representatives in this competition this season, with no clubs dropping down from the Champions League at any point this season. Instead, like the premier competition, the Europa League will use a League phase this season.

That means the 36 teams will shape up in a single league, with sides playing eight different opponents home or away. Clubs will be seeded according to their coefficient, but instead of being hand-picked, matches will be randomly drawn by dedicated software.

Teams will face two clubs from each pot. Both United and Spurs are in Pot 1, but cannot be drawn against each other. The draw is set to start at midday on Friday and will likely take around an hour once the ceremony gets underway.

Follow the draw live with Mirror Football below...

A reminder of the who the Premier League teams will face

Manchester United:

Rangers (H)

Porto (A)

PAOK (H)

Fenerbahce (A)

Bodo/Glimt (H)

Viktoria Plzen (A)

FC Twente (H)

FCSB (A)

Tottenham

Roma (H)

Rangers (A)

AZ Alkmaar (H)

Ferencvaros (A)

Qarabag (H)

Galatasaray (A)

Elfsborg (H)

Hoffenheim (A)

Draw done

And that's the draw completed.

RFS's games

Ajax (h), Frankfurth (a), PAOK (h), Tel-Aviv (a), Galatasaray (h), Kyiv (a), Anderlecht (h), FCSB (a)

Nice's matches

Rangers (h), Lazio (a), Sociedad (h), Ferencvaros (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Union SG (a), Twente (h), Elfsborg (a)

FCSB's games

Man Utd (h), Rangers (a), Olympiacos (h), PAOK (a), Midtjylland (h), Qarabag (a), RFS (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Anderlecht's matches

Porto (h), Praha (a), Ferencvaros (h), Sociedad (a), Ludogorets (h), Plzen (a), Hoffenheim (h), RFS (a)

Twente's games

Lazio (h), Man Utd (a), Fenerbahce (h), Olympiacos (a), Union SG (h), Malmo (a), Besiktas (h), Nice (a)

Athletic Club's games

Praha (h), Roma (a), Alkmaar (h), Fenerbahce (a), Plzen (h), Ludogorets (a), Elfsborg (h), Besiktas (a)

Elfsborg next

Roma (h), Spurs (a), Braga (h), Alkmaar (a), Qarabag (h), Galatasaray (a), Nice (h), Athletic Club (a)

Hoffenheim's games

Spurs (h), Porto (a), Lyon (h), Braga (a), Kyiv (h), Midtjylland (a), FCSB (h), Anderlecht (a)

Besiktas' matches

Frankfurt (h), Ajax (a), Tel-Aviv (h), Lyon (a), Malmo (h), Bodo/Glimt (a), Athletic Club (h), Twente (a)

And finally Pot 4

A reminder of those teams:

Athletic Club (ESP)

Hoffenheim (GER)

Nice (FRA)

Anderlecht (BEL)

Twente (NED)

Besiktas (TUR)

FCSB (ROU)

RFS (LVA)

Elfsborg (SWE)

Plzen's games

Man Utd (h), Frankfurt (a), Sociedad (h), PAOK (a), Ludogorets (h), Kyiv (a), Anderlecht (h), Athletic Club (a)

Qarabag's games

Ajax (h), Spurs (a), Lyon (h), Olympiacos (a), Malmo (h), Bodo/Glimt (a), FCSB (h), Elfsborg (a)

Midtjylland matches

Frankfurt (h), Porto (a), Fenerbahce (h), Tel-Aviv (a), Union SG (h), Ludogorets (a), Hoffenheim (h), FCSB (a)

Kyiv's matches

Lazio (h), Roma (a), Ferencvaros (h), Sociedad (a), Plzen (h), Galatasaray (a), RFS (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Galatasaray's games

Spurs (h), Ajax (a), PAOK (h), Alkmaar (a), Kyiv (h), Malmo (a), Elfsborg (h), RFS (a)

Malmo's fixtures

Rangers (h), Praha (a), Olympiacos (h), Ferencvaros (a), Galatasaray (h), Qarabag (a), Twente (h), Besiktas (a)

Ludogorets' matches

Praha (h), Lazio (a), Alkmaar (h), Lyon (a), Midtjylland (h), Plzen (a), Athletic Club (h), Anderlecht (a)

Union SG's games

Roma (h), Rangers (a), Braga (h), Fenerbahce (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Midtjylland (a), Nice (h), Twente (a)

Time for Pot 3

Those teams are:

Qarabag (AZE)

Galatasaray (TUR)

Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Bodø/Glimt (NOR)

Union SG (BEL)

Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)

Ludogorets (BUL)

Midtjylland (DEN)

Malmo (SWE)

Lyon's matches

Frankfurt (h), Rangers (a), Olympiacos (h), Fenerbahce (a), Ludogorets (h), Qarabag (a), Besiktas (h), Hoffenheim (a)

Alkmaar's games

Roma (h), Spurs (a), Fenerbahce (h), Ferencvaros (a), Galatassaray (h), Ludogorets (a), Elfsborg (h), Athletic Club (a)

Sociedad's fixtures

Ajax (h), Lazio (a), PAOK (h), Tel-Aviv (a), Kyiv (h), Plzen (a), Anderlecht (h), Nice (a)

Braga's games

Lazio (h), Roma (a), Tel-Aviv (h), Olympiacos (a), Bodo/Glimt (h), Union SG (a), Hoffenheim (h), Elfsborg (a)

PAOK's games

Praha (h), Man Utd (a), Ferencvaros (h), Sociedad (a), Plzen (h), Galatassaray (a), FCSB (h), RFS (a)

Ferencváros's matches

Spurs (h), Frankfurt (a), Alkmaar (h), PAOK (a), Malmo (h), Kyiv (a), Nice (h), Anderlecht (a)

Fenerbahce's games

Man Utd (h), Praha (a), Lyon (h), Alkmaar (a), Union-SG (h), Midtjylland (a), Athletic Club (h), Twente (a)

Tel Aviv's games

Porto (h), Ajax (a), Sociedad (h), Braga (a), Midtjylland (h), Bodo/Glimt (a), RFS (h), Besiktas (a)

Pot 2 next

Pot 2 is next up, a reminder of those teams:

Real Sociedad (ESP)

AZ Alkmaar (NED)

Braga (POR)

Olympiacos (GRE)

Lyon (FRA)

PAOK (GRE)

Fenerbahçe (TUR)

M. Tel-Aviv (ISR)

Ferencváros (HUN)

Top StoriesDon't Miss

MORE ON

Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox

Invalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.

Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow me

See ourPrivacy Notice

The Europa League has followed the Champions League by adopting a completely new format for the 2024/25 season.

FA Cup winners Manchester United, and Tottenham, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, plus Scotland’s representatives Rangers, are awaiting the new-look draw which will take place from midday UK time on Friday.

Like the Champions League, UEFA’s second-tier competition will have 36 teams in a single league, with sides playing eight different opponents as they strive to reach the knockout phase, which will feature an extra play-off round before the round of 16.

Here’s all the need to know about how the new-look Europa League draw will work…

The draw process

Traditionally, the names of teams, according to their seeding status, were completely hand-drawn. However, under the new format, that would take up to four hours and is therefore unworkable, according to UEFA.

So in keeping with modern life in general, AI technology will do most of the leg work. Clubs still be seeded according to their coefficient. But instead of being hand-picked, matches will be randomly drawn by dedicated software. To avoid accusations of draw-rigging, UEFA insists the automated system will be independently monitored regularly.

Teams will be split into four pots. For example, when a team in pot one is manually drawn, the technology will pick eight opponents, two from each pot. The software will also randomly decide which side plays are at home and away.

HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you think of the changes? Tell us in the comments section.

Each team will face one side from each pot at home and one away. Clubs from the same country will be kept apart in the league phase while each team will play a maximum of two opponents from one other nation.

While United and Spurs cannot play each other in the league phase, one of them could face Rangers. United, Tottenham and Rangers will be joined by the likes of Roma, Lazio and Porto in Pot 1.

Knockout phase

Where you finish in the league will determine your future in the competition. The goal for every team after their eight matches will be to finish in the top eight, which means an automatic spot in the round of 16.

Sides finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16. Clubs from 25th to 36th will exit the competition.

What about the Conference League?

UEFA’s recently-introduced third-tier competition will follow a similar format with a subtle difference. Teams will be seeded in six pots, with each team facing six opponents, one from each pot.

In the garden of Edam, Micky van de Ven garnished a rout with an 80-yard run and told Tottenham : “We need to reach another level.”

The big Dutchman’s electrifying gallop to set up skipper Heung-min Son’s second goal, from one box to another, was the crown jewel of a 4-0 demolition of Everton. But as rampant Spurs unfurled an impressive opening statement at home for the 2024-25 campaign, Van de Ven called for tangible evidence of success.

Taking the temperature among his giddy flock, the 6ft 4in centre-back surveyed 16 years of barren sycophancy on White Hart Lane and admitted: “We want to win a trophy this season, that’s clear.”

At the meeting of English football’s two great under-achievers - one of them 16 years without a trophy, the other 29 - it was painfully obvious where the prospects for tying ribbons round a pot’s handles are brightest.

Everton we can deal with in short measure. They are in for another grim survival battle this winter. From England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ’s howler for Son’s first goal to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s anaemic scuffling up front, they were woeful.

But Tottenham’s win, culminating in Van de Ven’s surging run, was more comfortable than a hammock. They carried a goal threat from all over the pitch, and the Toffees looked like bewildered guests at a swingers’ party: They knew what they were going to get, but they didn’t know where it was coming from.

When Van de Ven was on the charge, it brought this famous old stadium to its feet and he laughed: “I just decided to keep going, hopefully nobody could stop me, and nothing happened.

“I knew Sonny was on my left so I kept driving at the centre back and at the right moment I played Sonny in. Was I tempted to have a crack? No - Sonny was there and I knew he would finish it off.

“When I was dribbling with the ball you could sense everyone in the stadium was getting really hyped and, yeah, it felt good.”

Van de Ven says Spurs messiah Ange Postecoglou gives his defenders licence to venture forward instead of needing a visa to cross the halfway line, and it gives Tottenham a multi-dimensional attacking threat.

He said: “Ange gives us the possibility to do it and I feel comfortable to play like this. He trusts his defenders, and he trusts everybody in the team, to play that way and it’s really important for us to feel that trust. We need to reach another level this season - last year we were fifth, so it was a good season, but we want more. We want to win a trophy, that’s clear.”

Yves Bissouma, banished to the naughty step for the 1-1 draw at Leicester after posting footage of himself inhaling laughing gas on social media, began the long march to redemption with his first goal in 56 games for Spurs.

Then dawdling Pickford had his pocket picked by Son, Cristian Romero decorated his 100th appearance for Tottenham with a soaring header and Van de Ven’s excursion ended Sonny side up.

Everton boss Sean Dyche was unhappy with his side’s “subservient” approach, growling: “We know they are a good outfit who have spent money on some real talent. They are in a big stadium, their first game at home and everything, and we just started a little bit subserviently.”

Neal Maupay has slammed abuse from Everton fans after being labelled a “f***ing rat” and a “w****r” in a furious showdown.

The Frenchman was at the heart of an angry tirade from supporters in the aftermath of Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham. Toffees supporters had spotted Sean Dyche ’s squad at Euston Station as they prepared to travel back to Merseyside.

Among the furious comments, supporters shouted at Maupay: “F*** off, you f***ing rat. F***ing 80 grand a week? You f***ing w****r.”

And the Everton striker has now responded to a video of the incident that had gone viral on social media. He replied: “Imagine another job where it’s normalised to get abuse like this. Hanging around at a train station to scream at men who are trying their best…”

The incident is just the latest difficult chapter during the Frenchman’s miserable Everton career. He signed for the Toffees in a £15m deal back in the summer of 2022.

But he has scored just one goal across 32 appearances in all competitions for the club. Maupay was even sent back to his former club Brentford on loan last season.

He found brighter form while back in West London with eight goals in 31 outings for the Bees. Brentford did have an option to make the deal permanent but elected not to, meaning Maupay was forced to return to Goodison Park, where he has a year remaining on his deal.

Another return to Brentford could still be on the cards though. Thomas Frank’ s men have been linked with the 28-year-old, while French side Marseille are reportedly among his admirers.

What has gone wrong for Everton so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Everton are back in action on Tuesday evening as they take on Doncaster in the Carabao Cup ahead of clashing with Bournemouth at the weekend. Boss Dyche will certainly be hoping for a response having torn into his players following the defeat to Tottenham.

He said: “What about taking responsibility at 0-0? Strangely, it is easier to take responsibility when you are one or two goals down. Every manager will call it 2-0 football and then everyone starts playing. What about playing when it is 0-0?

“So within all the challenges, which are quite obvious, we have got to remind ourselves of the truth of what we are, and what we are trying to achieve, and that part of the mentality of the group, we have shown before how positive it can be, we let it go too easily.

“And today, we know they are a good outfit who have spent money on some real talent. They are in a big stadium, their first game at home and everything, and they started like that, and we just started a little bit subserviently.

“We had good organisation but the first goal was a sign of it, everyone just backing off and just letting players run into the box and that kind of - it is only two or three yards but it is two or three yards of intent to go and stop moments like that.”

Everton fans made their feelings clear towards players as the Toffees boarded a train following their 4-0 humbling by Tottenham on Saturday.

Sean Dyche's side were well beaten in north London thanks to strikes from Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero as well as a brace by Son Heung-min. It leaves Everton bottom of the Premier League with no points and no goals from their opening two fixtures, sporting a goal difference of -7.

Some fans gathered at Euston Station to make their voices heard as a clutch of Toffees players strode along the platform to catch a train back to Liverpool. Jordan Pickford and Mason Holgate were among those to acknowledge the peeved supporters.

One player that attracted particular ire was former Brentford and Brighton striker Neal Maupay. He has managed just one goal in 32 appearances for the Blues and returned to the Bees on loan last term.

But he is back on Merseyside now and was an unused substitute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As he was met by angry jibes from Everton fans, he appeared to bite back from the platform.

That triggered a torrent of abuse, with one fan heard shouting in a clip shared on social media: "F*** off, you f***ing rat. F***ing 80 grand a week? You f***ing w****r."

After the clip had gone viral, Maupay posted on X: "Imagine another job where it’s normalised to get abuse like this. Hanging around at a train station to scream at men who are trying their best."

Everton started the Premier League season in the worst-possible fashion, losing 3-0 at home to Brighton. Another defeat at Spurs has already turned the atmosphere toxic within the fanbase amid fears another relegation battle could be on the cards.

The Toffees now have back-to-back home fixtures before the international break with Dyche desperate for results. They take on League Two Doncaster in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before taking on Bournemouth in the top flight.

Everton will move into their new stadium next season and have been subject of takeover interest with two separate deals collapsing over the summer. Dyche has admitted Everton may sell players before Friday's transfer deadline, even if they cannot be replaced.

"Until I'm told different, there isn't any finance to go and change things. This is what we are," he said. "There's so many stories, so much noise every day and it's not very often about the football.

"Is there a reality it's tough to come down here [to Spurs] anyway? Yes. Is there a reality it's even tougher when you've got a thin squad and you haven't invested like these have? Yes.

"Does that mean they win? No. I've shown that many times before, the players I've worked with... But you have to make games like today work in your favour and we didn't have enough to do that today.

"We finished strongly last season. We sell a player [Onana] who's growing and maturing and become a very important player. And then we bring in other players who we've got to start the process with again and make them grow and mature and become important players. It's a cycle that keeps going and going and going.

"That's just the reality of the club and I always try to work on realities. There's plenty of myths about it - the latest one being, it's the last season at [Goodison Park] so we're going to be in Europe. And I went, 'how's that then? So what happened to the last three seasons? Do you think they weren't trying to be in Europe?'

"There has to be some reality to the storyline and I've tried to bring that."

Ex-Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley is set to ramp up plans to buy into Tottenham Hotspur, it has been claimed.

The 51-year-old was a pivotal figure at St James’ Park over the past few years. She was heavily involved in the Saudi-backed takeover by the Public Investment Fund.

Alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, she bought a considerable stake in Newcastle and was granted a place on the club’s board of directors. But her spell at St James’ Park came to an end this summer as her stake was purchased by the club’s Saudi owners, while her involvement with any businesses associated with Newcastle also ended.

It appears that Staveley is not intending to be out of football for very long. She has been linked with making a possible investment into Tottenham in the past and is ready to ramp up her interest.

As per The Sun, Staveley will step up her bid to buy into the North London club. It is suggested that she is backed by “serious money” from Middle Eastern investors.

Current Tottenham owner Daniel Levy would apparently be open to selling a stake, while Staveley’s consortium would hope to buy a greater stake down the line should a deal be struck. It is further revealed that it could cost around £650m for 25 percent of the club.

Staveley had previously remained tight-lipped about a potential deal earlier this summer but confirmed she was open to investment in another Premier League club. As quoted by The Athletic, she said: “My preference would have been to stay with Newcastle, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to. Nothing is going to replicate that.

"I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people and that can’t change, but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.

Where will Tottenham finish this season? Share your predictions in the comments below

“Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people, I love to be very busy and to engage and I love football. Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.”

Stavelely’s time at Newcastle was a remarkable success. The Magpies surged to safety following the takeover and secured a place in the Champions League the following campaign.

They were on the verge of another place in Europe last term but lost out due to Manchester United ’s FA Cup win. Staveley penned an emotional farewell message to Newcastle after her exit.

A statement on her Instagram read: "Nothing I write today can ever express my gratitude or describe the debt I owe you all. Your support over the last years has been extraordinary, and no fans deserve success more than you.

"Being a small part of your precious Newcastle United has been a privilege, and I will cherish the memories of every single moment. Working with Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, and Becky Langley has taught me so much.

"They are truly world class - and I will miss everyone terribly. Mehrdad and I have relished the role we had at the club - we particularly loved working alongside Yasir, our PIF colleagues and Jamie Reuben to create a club that will constantly challenge for Europe and will be capable of winning trophies.

"I know PIF and RB will continue to be remarkable custodians - and the club will receive the required support over the coming years."

Harry Winks says he’s never stopped dreaming about England.

The Foxes midfielder is back in the big time and has his eyes fixed firmly on forcing his way back into the Three Lions side. Winks, 28, made the last appearance for his country almost four years ago during a 3-0 victory over Ireland at Wembley.

He left Spurs last summer in search of regular game-time and found it in the east Midlands as part of Enzo Maresca’s promoted side. Returning to the top-flight was all part of the plan after he joined the Foxes for £10m.

And the desire to play for the Three Lions has never left him. When quizzed about a return, he said: “Obviously, that’s out of my hands. The important thing is to play well for Leicester - then everything will take care of itself.

‌“But it is something I think about. I’ve never stopped thinking about it. I know you need to perform well at the highest level and the Premier League is that level.”

‌Winks enjoyed a solid campaign as Maresca led the club to the Championship title. And the midfielder said that while going abroad offered him a chance to be noticed, he felt it was better if he did remained in England and took the chance to return to the elite after spending one campaign in the Championship.

‌He added: “The Premier League seems the best place to try and return. When you go abroad or in the Championship, it’s not looked at like that. The Premier League is the best league in the world so you have to show it on that stage.

“I’m looking forward, with the squad and players here we can have a positive season and for me personally, I want to make sure of that as well. I’ve got full confidence in myself. I’ve never lost that.

Will Leicester stay up this season? Share your predictions in the comments below

"I’ve always said it’s about playing games regularly and regaining my confidence. Since I’ve joined the club I’ve had that. I love the club, the players and since I’ve come I’ve felt at home.”

Maresca returned the favour for Winks when the two were playing together last term. The Italian boss said that the midfielder was on loan to the Championship - and so it proved.

‌But the manager who took a gamble on him now has far bigger issues to sort at Chelsea - while Winks is getting to grips with new boss Steve Cooper. He said: “It’s still enjoyable - but it’s different to last season.

‌"We’re learning what he wants. He’s given the senior players a bit of licence. There’s not too much difference but the main thing is we build up differently.

‌"We try to keep the same style with an overload in the middle. Off the ball is different. The manager has been in the PL, he understands what it takes to stay in the PL and we have to understand that’s what the manager wants to do and we’re all behind doing what he says. It showed last Monday - because a point against Spurs is a good return.”