BBC

If you had told Spurs fans at the beginning of the summer that by September we would have signed the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus, as well as securing Randal Kolo Muani and Joao Palhinha on season-long loans, we would have been very happy.

The issue with 24-hour news cycles, social media, and everyone seemingly being a football transfer expert, is that it can leave you feeling like you have missed out.

If this business was conducted solely behind closed doors and no-one knew anything until the deal was signed, there would have been no upset caused regarding the Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze debacles.

Those two very public failed attempts aside, Spurs have done some shrewd and sensible business in this transfer window.

Thomas Frank has got what - if not exactly who - he wanted: players who want to play for the club and who will fit into his team, not just make up squad numbers for the sake of it.

Crucially, we have got another striker - a position that has needed addressing for quite some time, but even more so now that Dominic Solanke is injured. This area will need looking at again once Muani's loan expires, but, for now, we have a promising option in the France international.

Ideally, I would have liked to see us sign a left winger and another centre-back, as well as sell a few more players, but when you are up against stiff competition in an over-saturated market, you cannot achieve everything in one transfer window.

We might not always get what we want, but I am hopeful these players will prove to be the ones we need - and I still think Frank will be the overall signing of the season.

Transfer window rating: 7/10.

'Liverpool are the team to beat'

Sami Mokbel Q&A

Paul: It is doubtful that West Ham will be in the title race but have they made it more open by signing Igor Julio under the noses of Palace thereby ensuring Mark Guehi did not move to Anfield?

I don’t think so. Liverpool will certainly be the team to beat and while not signing Guehi arrived as a clear disappointment, it’s not like they are weak in central defence. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are two excellent central defenders who laid the foundations for last season’s title victory. If either – particularly Van Dijk – gets injured then it becomes an issue, but even then Joe Gomez is hardly a dud is he? Gomez came on versus Arsenal on Saturday and was excellent. Much is anticipated, too, of summer signing Giovanni Leoni, although at just 18 you wonder how much he will play.

'Spurs have been productive'

Sami Mokbel Q&A

Mike: Lots of clubs are spending stupid money. For example Liverpool spending half a billion on front men, but what is your opinion of Spurs’ quiet grab of quality players?

Tottenham have had a productive window in my opinion. The signings of Mohamed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani are all top-level acquisitions that will add to the squad. Kudus and Simons are particularly exciting. They could maybe have added an extra central defender, but you can’t win them all. They remain in a healthy position regarding FFP, too, so can continue to spend – within reason – in future windows.

'Mainoo is still deemed a full international'

Sami Mokbel Q&A

Matt: I understand Mainoo not getting a senior call up due to lack of game time. But to not even getting an U21 call up is baffling. Is there a reason why he has been completely overlooked?

It’s a fair point, Matt. But while he is only 20 and eligible for U21s, we have to remember Mainoo is deemed a full international. He started in the Euro 2024 final, let’s not forget. There has been players who have flittered between the senior and U21 squad in recent years; Adam Wharton for example has been named in both squads in recent months. But given his pedigree at international level, there seems little to be gained for Mainoo to drop back down to junior level international football at this stage of his England career.

'Lauren has spoken on behalf of a lot of people'

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former England footballer Nedum Onuoha speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about Lauren James' criticism at Euro 2025: "You could see a change in how Lauren was as the tournament went on. She did suffer with an ankle injury but it is important to remember that players are doing the best that they can. They may not always be at their best fitness.

"People will support what she has come out and said but the downside for me is this gives people chance to criticise her even more. I am happy that Lauren has spoken out because whether we like it or not, she has spoken out on behalf of a lot of people who have thought what she said, but were too scared to say anything.

"Speaking about it makes people who have never had to think about it, think about it. There are a lot of thoughtful people out there and when you see things like racial abuse, it is a minority of people who are doing it. Unfortunately the people on the minority are very loud and can affect people on a large scale."

'Lauren has almost been too honest'

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former England footballer Nedum Onuoha speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about Lauren James' criticism at Euro 2025: "It is really sad hearing this from Lauren James. She has almost been too honest, as she is giving people a perspective that they will not have heard before.

"Listening to her makes you realise the pressure that there is, not just playing football but the pressure of playing for your country and the worry of what could go wrong. That is a really sad position to be in.

"As fans you feel sickness watching a penalty shoot-out but there are no consequences apart from the result. But for those women stepping up with the weight of the nation on them and knowing what is going to come next - I don't envy that position at all."

'People assume you're not trying'

Emma Smith

BBC Sport

England forward Lauren James says fans were "too quick to judge" during her struggles at Euro 2025.

In an interview with BBC Sport, the 23-year-old said injury problems and criticism during the tournament affected how much she was able to enjoy the Lionesses' historic triumph in Switzerland.

And with a fear of suffering racist abuse, James was also relieved to see other England players miss penalties in the quarter-final tie against Sweden after her own spot-kick was saved.

"A lot of the time fans don't know what is going on, they only know what is in front of them," she said.

"They don't know what someone is dealing with, what is going on in their life. I always say to the fans, be mindful, you don't know what someone is dealing with out there. You could just be adding on to it.

"No player goes into a game or into a season thinking I'm not going to try. It was a Euros, they don't come around often. You could have one leg hanging off, I will still tell you that I'm going to try to play."

You can read our interview in full here.

'Lammens will help United's defence'

Sami Mokbel Q&A

Adeyemie: Newcastle's deadline day business looks solid, but I'm worried about Man United's lack of defensive reinforcements.

I agree, Newcastle have had a strong window even with the loss of Alexander Isak. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey are excellent signings with big PL experience. Yoane Wissa is a proven goalscorer though we will have to wait and see if Nick Woltemade is an adequate replacement for Isak. It will take time for the German to adapt. Losing Isak is such a blow but they have strengthened in key areas. United certainly went heavy on attacking reinforcements this summer, close to £200m on a new front line of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. The acquisition of new goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp may help solidify their defence this season. Let's see how he performs. In terms of defensive personnel they have talented players and if they can stay fit, Ruben Amorim has good options at the back.

Gossip: Guehi extremely unhappy with Palace

Marc Guehi is extremely unhappy, external with Crystal Palace for denying him a £35m transfer to Liverpool, which came after manager Oliver Glasner threatened to resign if the 25-year-old England defender was sold. (Guardian)

Had Liverpool offered £55m for Guehi then Crystal Palace would have progressed with the transfer and the Reds may now face competition from Real Madrid, external to sign him on a free. (Telegraph)

Guehi, in the final year of his Crystal Palace contract, will reject any offer, external of a new deal as he plans to leave as free agent next summer. (Times)

'Liverpool will be front of the queue for Guehi'

Sami Mokbel Q&A

Anz: Hi Sami, just wanted to ask if you think Liverpool will go back in for Guehi and would you say he might give preference to them after successfully completing a medical with them?

Hi Anz, I think there's every chance Guehi becomes a Liverpool player in either January or on a free transfer next summer. The interest will remain and Liverpool still need a senior centre-back. The issue might be that there will be big interest in Guehi from all over Europe if he is available for nothing next year or a cut-price deal in January. But you'd imagine Liverpool will be at the front of the queue when his future is finally decided.

How different are England under Tuchel?

Matthew Hobbs

BBC Sport

Gareth Southgate’s 102-game stint as England manager totalled 61 wins, three penalty shoot-out victories, 24 draws and 17 defeats – including in the finals of Euros 2020 and 2024.

England scored 213 goals and conceded 72 during Southgate’s tenure, while England are the only European team to have reached at least the quarter-finals of the last four major tournaments.

Despite periods of sustained success, Southgate’s style of football was sometimes seen as too conservative - but has anything changed since his departure?

The early signs also suggest that little has changed in England’s tactical approach in qualifying wins against Albania, Latvia and Andorra, and a friendly defeat to Senegal, under Tuchel.

Tuchel’s England side are recording more shots and shots on target (albeit against some of the smaller nations in qualifying) but the fundamentals remain the same – England have more of the ball but don’t move it particularly quickly, while their sequences of passes have actually got slower so far under the 52-year-old.

How they use the ball also remains pragmatic, playing the same number of forward passes as they did under Southgate.

It is early days under England’s new head coach but the data so far suggests that fans calling for a shift to more attacking football may have to wait a little longer.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Paris St-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani on a season-long loan deal.

The France international, 26, moves on deadline day after agreeing personal terms, with the deal only subject to international clearance and being granted a work permit.

Kolo Muani will wear the number 39 shirt at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He had been linked with Premier League clubs for several months, with interest from Spurs, Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham.

The former Nantes and Eintracht Frankfurt forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus, scoring eight goals in 16 Serie A games.

He joined PSG in September 2023 and has won two Ligue 1 titles.

Kolo Muani also has 31 senior caps for France, scoring in the 2022 World Cup semi-final victory over Morocco and playing in the final defeat by Argentina.

"I'm really happy and very proud to be at such a great club," Kolo Muani told the club website, external. "I can't wait to meet my team-mates, all the fans and to get out on the pitch.

"I know what the coach expects from me. I will fight hard for the shirt, the club and the fans. I will give everything for this team."

Spurs boss Thomas Frank added: "Randal is a quality player who has proven himself over a number of years, playing for big teams in the Champions League and also with good experience for the France national team.

"He's a good age, in the prime of his career, has good qualities that will suit both us and the Premier League, and gives us a different option in the final third being able to play out wide and through the middle.

"We are all excited for what Randal can add to the squad, and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Kolo Muani is Tottenham's fourth senior signing of the summer, following Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons.

Along with wingers Kudus and Simons, centre-forward Kolo Muani could help form a new look strikeforce for Spurs as they prepare for a Champions League return.

The signings come at the end of a window which has been difficult at times for Tottenham, with failed moves for targets including Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze - who joined Arsenal instead.

Kolo Muani's arrival comes amid fears about the severity of striker Dominic Solanke's ankle injury.

Speaking after Spurs' 1-0 home league defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday, Frank said he was hopeful Solanke would be back after the international break.

He also warned against a potential imbalance in the squad if Spurs brought in another attacker.

"To have the three strikers in the squad can also cause a problem as you can only play one at a time," Frank said.

"It's a fine balance. I'm not saying we will never go for another striker at another time, but I'm happy with Solanke and Richarlison."

However, the Englishman's absence at the weekend meant Spurs had no specialist centre-forward on the bench - and they have now moved to reinforce their attack.

Manchester City's out-of-possession work has been the source of some of their recent struggles.

Last week, we drew attention to Tottenham exposing City's high press by targeting the wide areas.

That tactic looks to be more an emerging pattern than a one-off, with Brighton's winner in their 2-1 victory on Sunday highlighting many of the same concerns.

For both Spurs' opening goal and Brighton's second, the ball is moved to a defender out wide, with City's attacker unable to press tightly. The wide player is able to turn and face forward before playing a long, direct pass down the channel.

One of their team-mates drops deeper, dragging City's full-back with them - Nathan Ake against Spurs and Rico Lewis against Brighton.

That means City end up with three players in their backline, who shift over to cover the space left by the full-back. One of City's centre-backs has to defend on the flank in an area they're less comfortable in, making them more likely to lose their duel.

Opposition players are then able to run in the space between the three defenders. Brighton, for example, had four players in attack against City's back three.

Brighton also vacated the central areas knowing that, by building down the sides, their players would be more dangerous out wide or running in behind.

With this pattern having emerged in City's past two games, it is worthwhile monitoring how Pep Guardiola will seek to address the issue.

Spurs' brilliant start under Thomas Frank came to a halt against Bournemouth.

Famed for his ability to implement a great press, Cherries boss Andoni Iraola came up with an interesting tactic that nullified Spurs.

Bournemouth funnelled Spurs down their left, setting up in what looked like an asymmetrical 4-3-1-2 press that did two things.

The first was to ensure Bournemouth had an extra player back to try to defend the direct balls Spurs like to play. If they were to match the hosts' 4-2-4 shape man to man as Manchester City did at times last week, Bournemouth would not have an extra player defensively to help mop up some of those second balls. They instead chose very specific moments to go man to man.

The second thing it did was funnel the ball into players who were less able to execute Frank's instructions. Brennan Johnson struggled receiving direct passes into his feet when Spurs went more direct from Micky van de Ven. His game is predicated on off-the-ball runs into the box to finish off chances, rather than strong hold-up play. By comparison, Mohammed Kudus' press resistance when dropping deep on the right is perfect for executing Frank's tactical plan in build-up.

Perhaps the introduction of more accomplished passers under pressure - Xavi Simons, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski - as the season progresses will provide Frank's men a passing solution from deep against intelligent pressing.

If they are to go direct, they require better hold-up play from their wide men on the left.

Chelsea have been strong on set-pieces in the opening three games of the season - getting good shots off following corners in particular.

Analysing Joao Pedro's goal in the win over Fulham highlights the interesting manner in which they have been troubling opposition goalkeepers.

Pedro found space from Calvin Bassey as the Fulham man defended zonally. The Brazilian striker didn't move just to get room but also to trouble the goalkeeper directly.

After moving away from Bassey, he applied physical pressure to Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno - being the 'blocker' Chelsea have used Delap as. It prevents the goalkeeper stepping up and frees space for team-mates.

But against Fulham, the 'blocker' stepped back into space to head the ball home himself. Leno was preoccupied with trying to deal with the physical contact and by the time the header came, he couldn't react quickly enough.

Chelsea's improved corner routines - and the use of certain players on the opposition goalkeeper - is a trend to look out for in coming weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a season-long loan deal for Paris St-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani.

The 26-year-old has been linked with Premier League clubs for several months, with interest from Spurs, Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham.

He is set to move to Tottenham on transfer deadline day after personal terms were agreed with Thomas Frank's side.

Kolo Muani spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus, scoring eight goals in 16 Serie A games.

The former Nantes and Eintracht Frankfurt forward joined PSG in September 2023 and has won two Ligue 1 titles.

Kolo Muani also has 31 senior caps for France, scoring in the 2022 World Cup semi-final victory over Morocco and playing in the final defeat by Argentina.

Kolo Muani is set to be Tottenham's fourth senior signing of the summer, following Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons.

Along with wingers Kudus and Simons, centre-forward Kolo Muani could help form a new look strikeforce for Spurs as they prepare for a Champions League return.

The signings come at the end of a window which has been difficult at times for Tottenham, with failed move for targets including Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze - who joined Arsenal instead.

They are also looking to sign a central defender before Monday's 19:00 BST deadline, with interest in Manchester City's Manuel Akanji after a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi failed.

Tottenham will look to get deals for a central defender and another attacker over the line today - and their focus may be on Manchester City.

They have an interest in winger Savinho, but after Rayan Cherki was ruled out for two months you would imagine that will only strengthen City's resolve not to sell the Brazilian.

At centre-back, Spurs have failed to convince Marc Guehi to join but do have an interest in City defender Manuel Akanji.

If Tottenham can get two deals completed, after already signing Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Xavi Simons, they would be ending the transfer window very satisfied.

This will be the first meeting between Tottenham and Villarreal in European competition, with Spurs winning just one of their last 13 matches against Spanish opposition in major European competition (D5 L7).

Villarreal have played 14 matches against English opponents in the UEFA Champions League and are still looking for their first victory (D6 L8), while losing each of the last seven in a row. Over half of their defeats in the competition have been against English opposition (57% - 8/14).

This will be third time that Villarreal have played their opening game of a UEFA Champions League campaign against an English side (out of five seasons). The previous two were both against Manchester United and both finished 0-0, in 2005-06 and 2008-09.

Tottenham have only won their opening game of a European Cup/UEFA Champions League campaign in two of their seven attempts (D2 L3). However, those two have arrived on the last two occasions where they have played their opener at home: 2-0 v Marseille in 2022-23 and 3-1 v Borussia Dortmund in 2017-18.

Villarreal’s last match in the UEFA Champions League came in the semi-finals of the 2021-22 edition, losing 2-5 on aggregate to Liverpool. The Spaniards won three of their six away games in that campaign (D1 L2), more than they managed in 14 away matches across their three previous appearances in this competition (W2 D5 L7).

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank will take charge of a team in the UEFA Champions League for the first time – in fact, his only previous experience of managing in European competition came in qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, winning just three of 10 matches with Brøndby IF (D4 L3).

Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze has been directly involved in seven goals in eight starts in major European competition to date (four goals, three assists), with all of those coming for Lyon in the UEFA Europa League last season.

Randal Kolo Muani could feature for a fourth different team (Tottenham) in the UEFA Champions League since the start of 2022-23, having previously appeared for Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris SG and Juventus. No active Champions League player has played for as many as four different teams in this period.

Villarreal defender Juan Foyth made his UEFA Champions League debut for Tottenham back in December 2017 (v APOEL Nicosia). Indeed, the Argentinean remains the youngest player to start a home game for the club in the competition (19y 328d in that match).

Tottenham move into pole position for Manuel Akanji, West Ham enter race for Arsenal's Fabio Vieira and Chelsea poised to move for Fermin Lopez.

Tottenham Hotspur lead the race for Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, 30, as they look to beat both AC Milan and Crystal Palace to his signature. (Gazetta Dello Sport - in Italian), external

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick says he is convinced 22-year-old attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez, who has been capped two times by Spain, will not leave the club in this transfer window despite being linked with Chelsea. (ESPN), external

But Chelsea are ready to make an offer for Lopez, who is valued by Barcelona at 90m euros (£78m). (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

West Ham have entered the race to sign Fabio Vieira from Arsenal, but Stuttgart and another top Bundesliga club are also interested in the 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder. (Sky Sports Germany), external

Manchester United and Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui, 27, has emerged as a target for Serie A side Juventus. (Gazetta Dello Sport - in Italian), external

RB Leipzig are targeting Liverpool and England U21s midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, as a replacement for Xavi Simons but the German side remain reluctant to meet the Reds' asking price. (ESPN), external

Liverpool could make a move for Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23, should a transfer for Elliott materialise. (Football Insider), external

Brazil winger Rodrygo, 24, will remain at Real Madrid in this transfer window despite interest from a number of clubs including Liverpool and Arsenal. (Marca - in Spanish) , external

Leeds United retain an interest in Leicester City and Morocco's 23-year-old attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss after their move for Brighton's Facundo Buonanotte collapsed. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Chelsea are considering meeting the release clause of Braga forward Roger Fernandes, 19, before the summer transfer window closes. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Aston Villa are looking at a potential £21.25m move for Osasuna and Cameroon centre-back Enzo Boyomo, 23, as manager Unai Emery looks to bolster his defensive ranks. (The Telegraph - subscription required), external

Evanilson's early goal earned dominant Bournemouth a richly deserved victory at Tottenham, whose impressive Premier League start under Thomas Frank came to an unceremonious end.

The Cherries were frustrated to be knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brentford in midweek but were full of energy and invention against Spurs, doing to their opponents what Frank's side inflicted on Manchester City last weekend.

As they did at home to Wolves last Saturday, Bournemouth took the lead with their first attack of the game as Marco Senesi picked out Evanilson, whose low shot looped off Cristian Romero and over goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The visitors should have been out of sight early in the second half after creating a succession of opportunities to add to their advantage, but a combination of poor finishing and smart goalkeeping helped keep Spurs in the game.

Antoine Semenyo headed narrowly over the crossbar five minutes after Evanilson's opener, while David Brooks was denied by the crossbar early in the second half.

The hosts' first shot on target - a Lucas Bergvall drive from the edge of the box in the 68th minute - flew straight at Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, while Mathys Tel's sweetly struck volley in second-half stoppage time was the closest they came to salvaging a point they scarcely deserved.

The win moves Bournemouth level on points with Spurs, with both teams having won two of their opening three league matches.

Andoni Iraola's side have now scored the two fastest goals in the Premier League this season - Marcus Tavernier's fourth-minute effort against Wolves last weekend and Evanilson's strike at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Cherries' relentless high press, their hallmark under Iraola, caused Tottenham all sorts of problems in the early stages, making it impossible for Frank's team to play out from the back.

The visitors were just as impressive defensively, preventing Spurs from having a single attempt until nine minutes into the second half.

Bournemouth lost captain Adam Smith to injury in the first period, but other than that their only source of frustration was their failure to put the game to bed, despite carving out numerous chances to do so.

Brooks' tremendous outside-of-the-boot cross appeared to have left Semenyo with a relatively simple finish on 11 minutes, but the Ghanaian's header went inches over the crossbar.

The Bournemouth onslaught continued early in the second half as Vicario saved brilliantly from Semenyo, before Brooks' close-range effort struck the woodwork - moments after the Spurs goalkeeper had saved at the feet of Evanilson.

Spurs only began to apply some semblance of pressure late on, but Bournemouth's new-look defence rarely looked like being breached.

Bournemouth lost a number of key first-team players over the summer, but Iraola's latest vintage looks capable of disrupting the established Premier League order this season.

Summer signing Xavi Simons' introduction to the home supporters before kick-off has to go down as the high point of a miserable afternoon for Tottenham, who delivered by far their worst display of Frank's reign so far.

Spurs could have done with the Netherlands international's skill and ingenuity on the pitch as they missed the chance to pick up where they left off at Etihad Stadium last weekend.

Not only did they fail to muster a single shot at Petrovic's goal before the break, they also won a paltry 33% of their duels in a limp first-half performance.

Their midfield trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha and Pape Sarr, who were so impressive at City, were bypassed time and time again as Bournemouth did everything but add to Evanilson's early strike.

The Spurs players left the pitch at half-time to a smattering of boos, but the home fans' ire was directed at referee Simon Hooper early in the second half when Semenyo - who had already been booked before the break - was not shown a second yellow card for a trip on Richarlison.

Semenyo's dismissal would have provided an unlikely reprieve for the hosts, who only really threatened to salvage anything from the game in second-half added time.

But Tel's well-struck effort from Djed Spence's cross flew just wide as Spurs missed the chance to climb to the top of the table before the weekend's remaining fixtures.

This'll be a great game. Bournemouth were excellent against Wolves last weekend and were unlucky to only win 1-0. They've always got an attacking threat and because of that, I always fancy them to score.

But then Thomas Frank's Tottenham have been so well balanced. They've been phenomenal so far.

As for Richarlison, I was told by statman Dave not to get him in my Fantasy Team. I didn't put him in and he's had an amazing start - two goals and one assist.

At home, I fancy Tottenham to nick it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1