Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that versatile defender Djed Spence has signed a new contract with the club.

The 25-year-old has unexpectedly blossomed into a crucial cog for the Lilywhites over the past 12 months, having previously been nothing more than a bit-part player under Antonio Conte.

Spence has played the full 90 minutes in both of Spurs' opening games of the 2025-26 season against Paris Saint-Germain and Burnley, helping to propel the Lilywhites to a 3-0 victory over the latter on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.

The former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest man also played 35 times under Ange Postecoglou during the 2024-25 season, making 19 Premier League starts as he proved his worth on both sides of the backline.

Spence was previously under contract at Tottenham until the summer of 2028, but the 25-year-old has now committed his future to the Lilywhites for an additional year until the end of the 2028-29 season.

Spence speaks for first time since signing new Spurs contract

Speaking to Tottenham's media channels after penning his new deal, Spence said: "I'm over the moon, happy to sign and just can't wait to start the season.

"Just want to keep playing well and reach a higher level. Everyone has trials and tribulations but I'm a fighter. I always work hard, try to do my best and come back from everything.

"It's been difficult, it's been a rollercoaster road. I've been resilient and I'm here now, playing and happy. I've definitely grown, I've learned a lot over the past few years.Â

"It was a great season for myself, a breakthrough season you could say. Hopefully this season I can continue that, get to new heights. The new manager has been good with me, speaks with me a lot, gives me confidence.

"My target for the season? Definitely win a trophy, play as many games as I can, and just win."

Spurs brought Spence to the club for £12.7m in 2022 after he helped Nottingham Forest achieve promotion to the top flight, since when he has played 43 times for the Lilywhites in all competitions.

The full-back has been loaned out on three occasions to Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa, after which it seemed that the Tottenham door was closed, but he has enjoyed an unforeseen renaissance in the English capital over the past year.

What other contract situations must Spurs sort out?

Even though Spence was already under contract for another three years, Tottenham sought to offer him a deal that reflected his status as one of their most improved players over the past 12 months, and they have now succeeded in that regard.

Attention will now turn to the players who are in the final 12 months of their agreements, such as Rodrigo Bentancur, who is still on the same terms he signed when he arrived from Juventus three years ago.

However, the Uruguay international is in line for an extension, but the same cannot be said about Yves Bissouma, who could still leave before the transfer deadline amid persistent links with Serie A.

Tottenham Hotspur are reported to be closing in on a deal for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze worth in the region of £55m plus add-ons.

Spurs began their Premier League season in style, beating Burnley 3-0 at home on Saturday thanks to goals from Richarlison and Brennan Johnson

Summer addition Mohammed Kudus excelled on the right of attack, and there is hope that boss Thomas Frank can create one of the division's most productive forward lines.

Spurs have been linked with further reinforcements this transfer window, with reported Arsenal target Eze getting closer to a move to Tottenham from Palace.

The Guardian claim that a deal is advancing, and that there is a possibility that the initial fee for the Englishman could fall below £55m, though the report adds that the Eagle are demanding a significant portion of the payment up front.

Why Tottenham Hotspur need Eze this season

Eze scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in May, helping Palace claim their first ever piece of major silverware.

The 27-year-old would be a welcome addition at Spurs, as while his creativity would help striker Dominic Solanke, he would also come in as a replacement for the injured James Maddison.

Maddison suffered a ruptured ACL in early August and is set to miss the rest of the season, making the addition of a replacement a priority.

Eze is comfortable operating between opposition lines, and his ability to evade pressure could invaluable against high-pressing teams.

What does beating Arsenal say about Thomas Frank's project?

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal had been strongly linked to Eze, but it looks as if they will miss out on a key target.

The Gunners have challenged for the title in each of the past three campaigns, finishing second for three consecutive seasons in the Premier League.

If Spurs can bring Eze to the club, it would be seen as a significant coup, and would speak to the promise of Frank's project.

Tottenham still have a long way to go before they leapfrog their fierce rivals, but the season ahead with the likely additions of Eze looks bright.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has revealed a new injury blow for his side following their 3-0 Premier League beating of Burnley on the opening weekend.

The Lilywhites made right the wrongs of their UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, as Richarlison and Brennan Johnson inspired their side to an ultimately comfortable success in front of their own fans.

Richarlison drew first blood with a slick half-volley in the first half, after which the Clarets asked some questions of Frank's backline, but Scott Parker's men were left to rue the absence of a ruthless finisher.

In contrast, Richarlison was a man revived in the final third and came up with an early goal-of-the-season contender in the second half, doubling his and Tottenham's tally with a wonderful overhead kick before Johnson rounded off the scoring.

While Richarlison took most of the plaudits, the midfield pairing of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall also held their own in the absence of Yves Bissouma, who had been reintegrated into the group after being dropped for the PSG game due to persistent lateness.

Frank confirms Bissouma injury after Tottenham win

However, the Mali international was nowhere to be seen on the team sheet, but in his post-match press conference, Frank confirmed that his absence was injury-related as opposed to another disciplinary concern.

"Unfortunately he got injured in training yesterday so very unfortunate. An injury we [will] look into how much it is," football.london quotes the Danish boss as saying.

Bissouma joins a well-stocked Spurs treatment room also holding Kota Takai, Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, who could miss the entire season with his ACL problem.

Spurs are thought to be close to capturing a replacement for the stricken Maddison, though, as it has been reported in recent hours that they are edging closer to the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, beating fierce rivals Arsenal to his signature.

Frank has been fielding several questions about his side's pursuit of a new number 10 over the past week, and he was directly asked about a possible deal for Eze being wrapped up imminently at the end of his press conference.

Frank responds to Eze transfer question amid Spurs rumours

However, Frank remained coy, responding: "I have that nice principle that I would like to speak about the players that are in-house and all the other speculations I don't want to speak too much about that."

The former Brentford head coach did reiterate the fact that he and his transfer team are looking for reinforcements in the final two weeks of the window, though, adding: "We are definitely in the market.

"I said it before, Daniel [Levy] and Johan [Lange] and Vinai [Venkatesham] are working relentlessly to try to do their best to improve the squad, but we only want to improve the squad if we can't get players in that can improve squad. I want to keep it like is."

Tottenham have a week to get the Eze signing over the line before their second Premier League assignment of the 2025-26 season, which sees the Lilywhites face Manchester City in an engrossing Etihad encounter next Saturday lunchtime.

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Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze is reportedly unlikely to be involved in his side's Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday, as a move to Tottenham Hotspur draws closer.

Eze, 27, enjoyed an impressive 2024-25 campaign for Palace, scoring 14 goals and registering 11 assists in 43 appearances, including eight goals and eight assists in 34 Premier League matches.

The England international helped the Eagles land the FA Cup last season, while he is already off the mark in terms of trophies this term, lifting the Community Shield last weekend.

Eze's future has been the subject of much speculation, though, with Arsenal thought to be keen on him, while Tottenham have stepped up their pursuit after losing James Maddison to a long-term knee injury.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Eze has already agreed personal terms with Spurs, and he is pushing to make the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after deciding to leave Palace.

Palace attacker Eze 'nearing' Tottenham move

The report claims that the Eagles are expected to leave Eze out of the squad for Sunday's game against Chelsea.

According to BBC Sport, Spurs are planning to accelerate talks in the next 48 hours, with discussions over a move for the attacker taking place over the last week.

Palace are believed to be looking for a fee in the region of £60m for Eze, who has scored 40 goals and registered 28 assists in 168 appearances for Palace since arriving from Queens Park Rangers.

Spurs opened their 2025-26 Premier League season with a 3-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday afternoon, and the North London club will be targeting a return to the top six this term.

“Perfect start or dream start we all know we need to follow up on it. Today I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important," Spurs boss Thomas Frank told reporters after the clash with Burnley.

"If there are two days, three days, four days, one day [between games], I will make sure I do everything I can to get the team ready. But just a reminder that PSG are playing tomorrow night and we play today.

"I don’t know who decides that, but the ones who decide that maybe need to think a little bit about the players. But, big positive our medical department and performance department did a top job to make sure the players were ready to go.

"I think we had eight starters again, so that I am happy with.I think overall it was a good performance, not through the roof. A good performance against a difficult opponent. It’s never easy in the Premier League we know that and after the very short turnaround against PSG. No complaints."

When could Eze make his debut for Tottenham?

Tottenham will return to Premier League action away to Manchester City next Saturday, and there is a chance that Eze could make his debut in that particular contest.

A switch is not imminent, but it is understood that the move could be completed by the middle of next week, putting Eze in a position to make his first appearance for Frank's side in the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur marksman Richarlison produced an early goal-of-the-season contender as the Lilywhites strolled to a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Burnley in their 2025-26 Premier League opener.

Just 10 minutes into his Spurs Premier League career, £55m signing Mohammed Kudus made a telling impact, delivering a sumptuous cross for Richarlison to fire home an equally exquisite half-volley into the bottom corner.

Thomas Frank's troops dominated the ball as expected, but the Clarets' response to falling behind was an incredibly positive one, and the visitors looked more likely to equalise than Spurs did to double their lead before the break.

However, Scott Parker's man failed to make the most of that promising period and were punished severely in the second half, where the red-hot Richarlison completed his brace in stunning fashion before Brennan Johnson put the result beyond any doubt.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Ah, a Premier League win - miss that feeling Tottenham fans?

Not since early April had the Lilywhites come up trumps in a top-flight fixture, and Saturday's scrap had the potential to be a banana skin in the wake of their UEFA Super Cup heartache, which Frank responded to with a handful of changes.

The Dane's side looked particularly vulnerable after breaking the deadlock, but their visitors rued the absence of a lethal finisher and were soon run ragged by the dynamic duo of Kudus and Richarlison once again.

A prolific partnership could potentially be brewing between those two, and the fit-again Solanke may very well have a fight on his hands to get back into the first XI if the rejuvenated Richarlison continues in the same vein.

Unsurprisingly, Burnley's record-breaking defensive might in the Championship counted for nought in the Premier League, although there were some flashes of promise from the side tipped by many to finish bottom of the pile.

TOTTENHAM VS. BURNLEY HIGHLIGHTS

Frank's decision to select Richarlison over Dominic Solanke pays dividends inside the opening 10 minutes!

Burnley defender Maxime Esteve comfortably collects a hopeful punt forward from Spurs, but his poor attempt at a clearance gifts the ball straight back to the hosts on the right wing.

Mohammed Kudus retains possession under pressure from Josh Cullen and whips in an inviting ball, which Richarlison meets with a smart half-volley into the far bottom corner.

Is this the start of the Richarlison revival arc? The Brazilian outdoes his first effort with an early goal-of-the-season contender, one that leaves a few of his teammates clasping their heads with their hands.

Kudus is the instigator once again, losing his man on the right wing and delivering a crisp cross for Richarlison, who has acres of space to execute a wonderful bicycle kick past Martin Dubravka.

That will do it.

Richarlison plays his part once again, showing brilliant strength to hold the ball up in the centre of the field, allowing Pape Sarr to collect possession and thread a pass through to Johnson.

The Welshman beats the final defender for pace and pokes home low into the far side of the net to surely kill the game off.

MAN OF THE MATCH - RICHARLISON

Spurs fans can maybe tell me otherwise, but I am hard-pressed to think of a better performance in a Spurs shirt from Richarlison, who more than deserved the standing ovation he got as he was substituted in the second half.

If the Brazilian's first finish was slick, his second of the afternoon was a thing of beauty, and he used his body magnificently to help fashion Johnson's goal soon after.

The only downside for the striker was that he was taken off before having the chance to complete his hat-trick, but boy did he and Tottenham need this attacking masterclass.

TOTTENHAM VS. BURNLEY MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 68%-32% Burnley

Shots: Tottenham 16-14 Burnley

Shots on target:Â Tottenham 6-4 Burnley

Corners: Tottenham 6-5 Burnley

Fouls: Tottenham 14-8 Burnley

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Spurs' first Premier League away game of 2025-26 is an incredibly daunting one, as the Lilywhites face Manchester City at the Etihad in next Saturday's lunchtime kickoff, although they may have an Eberechi Eze in their ranks by then.

As for Burnley, the Clarets also have a full week to recover before their first top-flight home game on August 23 - a battle of the newly-promoted sides with Sunderland.

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Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has reportedly 'informed' the Eagles that he is ready to leave the club before the transfer deadline day.Â

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest in signing the 27-year-old, but neither of the clubs has made any formal approach.Â

The Gunners are long-term admirers of Eze, but their prospects of signing him are less after the contract renewal of Ethan Nwaneri. Moreover, any potential move for the England international would depend on the possible exit of Leandro Trossard.Â

Spurs, on the other hand, badly need to add a quality attacking midfielder following the ACL injury to James Maddison, and they are leading the race to sign Eze at the moment.Â

Eze edging closer to Tottenham move?Â

According to Fabrizio Romano, the former Queens Park Rangers midfielder has informed Palace earlier this week about his desire to move to London rivals Tottenham, who can offer him Champions League football this season.Â

While the two clubs are in talks over a deal, Spurs could face a fresh obstacle as the £68m release clause in Eze's contract has expired.

The technically gifted midfielder has already said 'yes' to the Tottenham project, and he is mentally prepared to move to a new club this month.Â

Eze would be a terrific signing for SpursÂ

Unless Arsenal make a late attempt to hijack the deal, it looks like Spurs have no external competition left in the race to sign the Palace midfielder.Â

Eze has been an outstanding player for the Eagles over the years, and he deserves to play in the Champions League. Last season, he netted 14 goals and registered 11 assists in 43 appearances across all tournaments, and scored the winning goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.Â

His vast experience and undeniable quality would take Tottenham to a new level, and it remains to be seen if a deal can be reached, as Eze wants the move at the earliest.Â

Arsenal reportedly wanted Palace to drop their asking price for Eze, but the Gunners may not be keen to make a concrete approach now, as they have enough players in his position.Â

Losing Eze would be a massive blow for the Eagles, and Oliver Glasner should be adequately backed in the closing stages of the window to bring in proper replacements.Â

Tottenham Hotspur must reportedly overcome a fresh obstacle in their efforts to sign Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, as the £68m release clause in his contract has expired.

The Lilywhites are understood to have revived their interest in the former Queens Park Rangers starlet following James Maddison's crushing ACL injury, which could rule the playmaker out for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

Conversations have been held between Eze's camp and Tottenham, who are now supposedly planning to open 'formal talks' over a deal for the England international after learning that he would be keen on a move.

Palace would have been powerless to prevent Eze from moving had Spurs activated a £68m release clause in his contract, but according to the Evening Standard, Spurs have missed the deadline as that option expired on Friday.

The report claims that the clause would no longer be valid once the 2025-26 Premier League season kicked off, and Tottenham will now have to directly negotiate a fee with Palace if they wish to prise Eze away from Selhurst Park, giving his current club more power in negotiations.

Eze release clause 'expires' amid Tottenham transfer interest

The Eagles can now hold out for a higher fee than his former £68m buyout option, which Tottenham apparently had no interest in forking out, and Eze remains content at Selhurst Park amid the incessant speculation.

However, Eze's contract with the FA Cup winners runs out at the end of the 2026-27 season, so if the playmaker does not renew before next summer, Palace may find themselves in a position where they are pressured into a cut-price sale.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Eagles boss Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he expects Eze to start in Sunday's Premier League opener against Chelsea, where the 27-year-old will make his 169th appearance for the Community Shield winners.

Eze has produced a total of 40 goals and 28 assists from his first 168 games in a Palace kit, including 14 strikes and 11 helpers from 43 appearances across all tournaments in the 2024-25 campaign.

Eze transfer latest: Do Spurs need to worry about Arsenal threat?

Barely a few weeks ago, Arsenal appeared to be at the front of the Eze transfer queue after Tottenham cooled their interest, but the Europa League winners have since overtaken their North London rivals and are in pole position to strike a deal.

Arsenal's admiration for the ex-QPR man is well-documented, and Eze himself would supposedly welcome the switch to the Emirates Stadium too, but there is currently no sign of the Gunners making an official approach for the Palace attacker.

Mikel Arteta's need for a new creative force has lessened thanks to Ethan Nwaneri's contract renewal - the 18-year-old is expected to battle Martin Odegaard for the number 10 spot this season - and Arsenal are also yet to make a significant attacking sale in the current window.

While Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira all remain at the club, there will be no room for Eze, and the Gunners will almost certainly have to offload one of their current attackers before they can think about firming up their interest.

Vieira has attracted interest from the Premier League and Bundesliga, but a move is not imminent, so Spurs should not worry about the threat posed by their bitter rivals - for now.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to try again in their pursuit of Manchester City attacker Savinho.

Spurs have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United this summer.

However, they are still keen to bring in further reinforcements in attacking areas following Son Heung-min's departure and news of James Maddison's long-term inury.Â

Spurs have recently emerged as a potential suitor for Man City's Savinho, despite the fact that he only arrived in the Premier League last summer.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola wants to keep the Brazilian at the Etihad Stadium, but has admitted that he will not stand in a player's way if they show a willingness to leave.Â

Spurs refuse to give up in Savinho pursuit

According to Globo, via The Sun, Man City have already rejected a £60m offer from Tottenham for the left-footed winger.

That fee would represent a significant mark-up on the £21m Man City paid to sign Savinho from sister club Troyes last summer.

However, the Citizens are seemingly keen to demand more for a player who has a long-term contract until the summer of 2029.

Tottenham are willing to 'try again' in their efforts to prise Savinho away from Man City before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Spurs are preparing to table a new offer in the near future, with Savinho said to be keen on the move to North London.Â

Why would Savinho swap Man City for Spurs?

Man City may have failed to lift a trophy in Savinho's first season with the club, but on paper, they are better equipped to win silverware in the 2025-26 campaign than Spurs.

However, Savinho appears to have some concerns about how much playing time he will receive amid competition from Rayan Cherki, Oscar Bobb and Phil Foden.

The 21-year-old feels that a move to Thomas Frank's side would guarantee him the chance to play regular football this season.

Savinho recognises the importance of playing regularly if he is to have a chance of securing a place in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup.Â

Pep Guardiola has made it clear that he would like Savinho to stay at Manchester City this summer amid reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur

The 21-year-old only joined the Citizens last summer from sister club Troyes for an initial £21m after an impressive loan spell at La Liga club Girona, and he is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2029.

Savinho has only scored three goals in 48 appearances for Man City across all tournaments, but he did notch up a team-high eight assists in the Premier League last season and has shown several glimpses of his talent on both flanks under Guardiola.

The Brazil international is understood to have caught the eye of new Spurs head coach Thomas Frank, with multiple reports claiming that the North Londoners have held talks with Man City over a proposed €50m (£43.3m) package.

Man City are reluctant to sell Savinho, but the winger is said to be open to joining Tottenham and the Daily Mail claims that the player’s agents are heading over from South America to Europe in a bid to push through his move from the Etihad.

Guardiola on Savinho: “The desire of the players is above everything”

Guardiola has made it clear that he would like Savinho to stay at Man City this summer, but he has acknowledged that “the desire of the players is above everything” and would not stand in anyone’s way if they express a willingness to leave.

"Whether it's Tottenham in that case or any other club, a player should call the club,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. "I am only concerned right now that Savinho will be with us for the rest of the season and hopefully many, many years.

“Because at 21 with the potential he has - he has to improve in final positions - but he is an extraordinary player, otherwise, he would not have played more than 3,000 minutes last season.

“At the end, as always, the desire of the players is above everything, but then they have to find an agreement with the club.

"If they don't take an agreement, the player will be here because the club spends money on those players."

Guardiola expects more Man City players to leave before deadline

Guardiola was speaking at a press conference ahead of Man City’s trip to Wolves for their opening Premier League fixture of the 2025-26 season, a game that Savinho will miss due to injury along with three other players.

Savinho is not the only Man City player who has been linked with an exit, with goalkeeper Ederson currently the subject of interest from Galatasaray, while James McAtee is on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest.

Throughout this summer, Guardiola has been keen to see his first-team squad trimmed and he expect more departures to take place before the September 1 deadline.

"We should (sell more players), but it is difficult because I love all of them, I like all of them, and they like to be here and the situation is not easy,” said Guardiola.

"It's not an ideal situation, but at the same time we have a lot of games. Every season it's more and more, and you have to have enough of a squad to compete every game."

Guardiola has also issued a specific update on Ederson who, like Savinho, will not be involved in this weekend’s clash with Wolves.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that Yves Bissouma will return to the matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League opener with Burnley in North London.

The Mali international was axed from the ranks for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain, and Frank subsequently revealed that he had been omitted owing to persistent lateness.

Bissouma is now in the final year of his Spurs contract and has been heavily linked with an exit during the summer transfer window; Juventus are believed to have identified him as a possible Douglas Luiz successor.

However, speaking to reporters in Friday's press conference, Frank revealed that he had drawn a line under the incident and will welcome Bissouma back into the ranks for the visit of the Clarets.

"Bissouma was a situation. I addressed it, there was a consequence. He will be in the squad tomorrow," football.london quotes the Dane as saying.

Bissouma returns for Spurs against Burnley after PSG axing

Bissouma's return will bolster a Tottenham squad who have been hit with several fitness concerns at the start of the campaign, none more so than James Maddison, whose pre-season ACL injury could see him miss the entire 2025-26 year.

Fellow creator Dejan Kulusevski is also absent owing to his own knee problem, as is Romanian defender Radu Dragusin, while Kota Takai, Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil are all at differing stages of their recoveries from various injuries.

Meanwhile, left-back Destiny Udogie has been nursing a knee concern since the summer, although he is expected to be the next cab off the rank in terms of Spurs' injured players and was said to have been progressing well earlier this week.

However, Frank admitted on Friday that the visit of Burnley would come too soon for the Italy international - meaning Djed Spence should deputise at left-back once again - but he has no fresh concerns from midweek.

"Every player who was available is available for the team. Destiny is progressing but it's too early for him to be involved in the squad," the former Brentford boss added.

Frank aiming to avoid breaking Tottenham manager streak in Burnley clash

When Frank takes charge of his first Premier League game for Tottenham on Saturday, the Scandinavian coach will be bidding to avoid breaking an unbeaten managerial streak that has stood for 13 years.

Across both permanent and caretaker managers, none of Spurs' last eight head coaches have lost their first Premier League match in charge of the Lilywhites; Frank's predecessors have picked up five wins and three draws in that time.

The last Lilywhites boss to suffer defeat on their Premier League managerial debut with the club was Andre Villas-Boas, who oversaw a 2-1 loss to Newcastle United on the opening day of the 2012-13 top-flight season.

Since then, Ange Postecoglou, Cristian Stellini, Ryan Mason, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino, Tim Sherwood and Nuno Espirito Santo have all come away with at least a point from their first Premier League games at the helm, while Mason also avoided defeat in the first game of his second spell as interim boss in 2023 - a 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

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