Sports Mole

Barcelona are reportedly considering selling Dani Olmo during this summer's transfer window, with Tottenham Hotspur said to be at the head of the queue for the Spain international.

Olmo made the move to Camp Nou from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2024, and he represented the Catalan outfit on 39 occasions during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 12 goals and registering seven assists.

The 27-year-old has a contract with Barcelona until June 2030, and it was expected that he would be an important player for the La Liga champions during the 2025-26 campaign.

However, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has allegedly become frustrated with Olmo's fitness issues, while Fermin Lopez is believed to be emerging as a potential starter for the team in the new campaign.

Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are also ahead of Olmo in the pecking order, while Marcus Rashford has further boosted Flick's attacking options for the 2025-26 season.

Barcelona 'open to Olmo sale' this summer

According to Fichajes, Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for Olmo this summer, with a number of teams from the Premier League and Saudi Pro League said to be interested.

The report claims that Tottenham are showing the biggest interest at this stage of proceedings, and it is believed that Flick's club would be willing to let him leave for a fee in the region of €60m (£52m).

A move to the Saudi Pro League has not been ruled out, but it is understood that the playmaker would favour a switch to the Premier League, and he was linked with Manchester United ahead of a move to Barcelona.

Olmo scored 29 goals and registered 34 assists in 148 matches for Leipzig ahead of his move to Camp Nou, and he won three trophies during his first season with the Catalan giants.

Tottenham are searching for a Maddison replacement

Tottenham have been hit with the news that James Maddison will be out for a significant period following a knee operation, so Spurs are searching for a new attacker this summer.

Olmo had seemingly not previously been on the club's radar for the current window, but the new developments have opened the door for Spurs to bring in the Spain international.

Maddison will be missing for the majority of the 2025-26 campaign due to the seriousness of his injury, putting the North London club firmly in the market for a new attacking midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has been left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup due to 'disciplinary reasons'.Â

After moving from Brighton & Hove Albion, the 28-year-old dazzled alongside Pape Sarr during the 2023-24 campaign, but he could not maintain the standards last season.Â

Bissouma has made 100 appearances for Spurs in all competitions, but he has slipped down the pecking order after only starting in 16 out of 28 Premier League games last season.Â

The Mali international is reportedly facing an uncertain future at the north London club, and his position has become even worse after he was left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain.Â

Thomas Frank confirms Bissouma's absenceÂ

Tottenham face the Champions League winners in Udine on Wednesday following their Europa League triumph last season.Â

"Bissouma has not travelled with the team due to disciplinary reasons," Frank said, as quoted by Sky Sports News.Â

The Spurs boss further explained why he made the decision: "He has been late several times and now it is one time too many.Â

"You need to give your players love but also have demands and also there needs to be consequences. This time there was."

Will Bissouma leave Tottenham in summer transfer window?Â

Bissouma is likely to drop further down the pecking order following the arrival of Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich.Â

Serie A giants Juventus have reportedly shown interest in signing the midfielder this summer, as they viewed him as a suitable replacement for Douglas Luiz.Â

It has been suggested that Spurs would be prepared to sanction the midfielder's sale for €15m (£13m) this summer, although they would ideally like to pocket closer to €20m (£17.3m).Â

Manchester City are reportedly not interested in selling Savinho amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the transfer window.Â

Spurs need to bolster their attacking areas this summer after Son Heung-Min left the club and James Maddison suffered an ACL tear that could rule him out for almost the entire 2025-26 season.Â

Recent reports have suggested that Tottenham are in talks with the Citizens over a permanent transfer for Savinho, who could be an option for Thomas Frank's side.Â

Savinho joined City last summer from sister club Troyes and recorded three goals in 48 appearances for Guardiola’s side in all competitions.Â

Difficult for Tottenham to lure Savinho awayÂ

Tottenham have sent an offer in the region of £43.3m for Savinho to Man City, but Sky Sports News claim, the north London club need to pay a lot more for City to consider selling the winger.Â

Pep Guardiola wants to trim the squad size, and the likes of Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Kalvin Phillips, John Stones and Nathan Ake could be offloaded.Â

Grealish reportedly is edging closer to joining Everton on loan, while James McAtee is nearing a permanent switch to Nottingham Forest.

While Tottenham can lure him away with the offer of regular football and Champions League participation, it will not be easy to convince City to sell him, unless the price is too good to refuse.Â

Man City considering options already?Â

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Guardiola's side are considering a big-money move for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

The versatile Brazilian attacker could leave Los Blancos in the summer, after falling out of favour with Xabi Alonso, and City reportedly see the 24-year-old as their dream target.Â

Meanwhile, City have also reportedly joined the race for RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simmons, who is linked with a move to Chelsea.Â

If Tottenham are prepared to pay a hefty transfer fee for Savinho, City might be tempted to accept it and move for either Rodrygo or Simmons.Â

Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole that it would be “wrong” for Pep Guardiola’s side to sell Savinho to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Recent reports have emerged claiming that Spurs are in discussions with the Citizens over a permanent transfer for the 21-year-old winger, who would be open to the possibility of moving to North London.

Thomas Frank’s side are said to have sent a €50m (£43.3m) proposal to Man City, but they want more money and would only be open to selling the Brazil international if their valuation is met.

Savinho only joined Man City last summer from sister club Troyes for an initial £21m following a successful loan spell at Girona, and he is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2029.

City’s No.26 has only scored three goals in 48 appearances for Guardiola’s side in all competitions, but he has shown several glimpses of his talent on the flanks and finished last season as the club’s top assister in the Premier League (eight).

Man City are currently exploring ways to increase their homegrown quota and reduce the age of their squad ahead of the new season, with Guardiola having made it clear that his first-team squad needs to be cut this summer, but McInerney does not believe that Savinho should be the one sacrificed.

While Jack Grealish (29) has agreed to join Everton on loan, the likes of Ilkay Gundogan (34), Stefan Ortega (32), Mateo Kovacic, John Stones (both 31), Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake (both 30) and Kalvin Phillips (29) have all been tipped to leave, but an exit for any of these players is far from close at this stage.

Man City urged to keep Savinho despite Tottenham transfer rumours

Speaking to Sports Mole, McInerney said: “The top-line feeling away from all the narratives around it is I don't want Savinho to go, because I think he's a very good footballer who has incredible potential and is going to get better.

“Ultimately, we've paid around £30m for him. He joined in the worst City side in a decade, if not more. We were a shambles last season at times. He started the season really well - context is important here - and he ended the season with the most assists at Manchester City.

“[Eight assists in the Premier League is] not a lot, but in a side that was dysfunctional - which is a polite way to put it - for a large part of the season, as a 20-year-old in an ever-changing Man City side with a lack of movement around him, a lack of pace, injuries, confidence issues, he came into a City side that was nowhere near the level that other wingers have had the pleasure to come into over the years, and I still think he showed the talent that he's got.

“There were issues with his finishing. His finishing was poor, bad at times, but still it's very obvious that this man can create chances, be it on the left whipping those crosses into [Erling] Haaland, or on the right cutting in.

“At the moment, we're staring down at this rebuild. I understand there's an element of sleeping in the bed that you made, but City have to move on some players because of the homegrown issues and the spots in the squad just aren't infinite.

“Unfortunately, there's no-one coming in for some of these older players that they want to move on. It's just hard to move them on. I understand that argument and I've sort of accepted that to an extent, but this for me personally feels like the straw that broke the camel's back. It's just become frustrating.

Savinho should not be Man City’s “fall guy” amid homegrown quota issues

“I understand the arguments around [Claudio] Echeverri, [Sverre] Nypan, Vitor Reis going on loan, even [James] McAtee moving on (permanently) because he wants to get regular football... but when it gets to Savinho, if City could hand on heart say that they weren't thinking about the homegrown squad issues when sanctioning this potential sale, then fair enough.

“But you can just tell they're thinking we do need a place in the squad and when it's essentially Savinho who's the fall guy on that to an extent, that's where it gets frustrating for me personally, because he shouldn't be. He should be near the bottom of the list because of his age, his profile, his ability.”

McInerney added: “I understand the frustration (with Savinho lacking a clinical touch in front of goal) if he was a £60m to £70m player, but he signed for £30m and people are comparing him to [Riyad] Mahrez and so on.

“Mahrez was legitimately playing in the fourth tier of French football around the same age, so we need to remember just how young Savinho is, what he's done, the goals that he scored [on loan at Girona] and the fact that he was the most consistent creator last season in terms of assists.

“He is a really talented footballer who's honest, works really hard, has loads of ability, he's got a wicked left foot and will get better and better and better."

McInerney has urged Man City to avoid selling Savinho for a fee below £60m and has suggested that he is not entirely sure whether Oscar Bobb is ready for a full season as Man City’s first-choice right-wing option.

“I know the money might end up being decent, but the rumoured fee just isn’t good enough in my opinion. €50m or £43m - I’m sorry, it's nonsense,” said McInerney. “[Anthony] Elanga and [Noni] Madueke have gone for more than that (to Newcastle and Arsenal respectively this summer).

Man City told to demand at least £60m from Spurs for Savinho

“Savinho is a Brazil international. Brazilian wingers carry a premium, especially when they're coming from City and they start regularly and get the most assists from Man City.

“We should be asking for a minimum of £60m. A minimum. (For £43m), I think it'd be only £10m to £15m profit on him and he's an established Premier League player. I just don't buy it at all.”

He continued: “I think we'll lean on Oscar Bobb (if Savinho is sold). Oscar Bobb is a phenomenally gifted young player, I really rate him, but he's not had a full season yet playing for the first team. What if the injury crisis kicks on again and City play [Rayan] Cherki (on the right)?

“We’re going to need Savinho unless we replace him, which I don't think we will personally. I'm quite frustrated by it because he's a very good player and I think it's just the wrong sale. We haven't moved on the players that have not got a future here past 12 months and we [instead] could sell a guy who's 21, who was our best creator last season.

“I just don't see the logic in this. It feels a bit short-sighted for me. I think he will get better and I think he's the kind of player that I want City to build forwards with. It's frustrating.”

Having said all that, McInerney reluctantly feels that Savinho could join Spurs for the right price if the player expresses a firm interest to leave Man City.

“Guardiola has very much [said to his players over the years] if you want to go, you can go,” he added. “As much as I think he rates Savinho, I don't think he's his favourite player. I think if Savinho's shown interest, he solves an issue and there's decent money coming in, I see why City may tentatively assess a bid.”

Luis Enrique will have a largely full-strength Paris Saint-Germain squad to choose from for the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur this Wednesday.

PSG were able to keep their small squad fit for most of the 2024-25 season, where the Parisians won an extraordinary quadruple, and there are no known injury absentees heading into their first game of the new campaign.

However, there is one setback, because Joao Neves will be suspended after being sent off against Chelsea, resulting in a two-match ban being handed down by FIFA.

From the familiar XI that took over European football last season, there could be another personnel change too, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma seemingly on his way out of the club.

The club have acted quickly though, bringing Lucas Chevalier in from Lille after an impressive breakout season for Les Dogues in 2024-25, and he could make his debut in Udine.

Willian Pacho missed the Club World Cup final due to suspension, but he will be available again here, as will Lucas Hernandez, but the versatile defender is set to start on the bench.

PSG will have all of their frightening attackers available too, and in particular, Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembele, who scored 35 goals across all competitions last season.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Click here to see how Spurs could line up in Udine.

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New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank will be without a number of important first-team players for his first competitive game in charge against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin were already out long term with serious knee injuries, and they have been joined on the treatment table by James Maddison, who tore his ACL against Newcastle United in preseason, and is set to miss most of the season.

With a less serious issue, but one that will likely keep him out here, Dominic Solanke is also nursing an injury, but a return for the striker is on the horizon, after missing the majority of preseason.

There are also question marks around Destiny Udogie’s fitness, as he has been made a doubt both for this clash, and Spurs’ Premier League opener against Burnley at the weekend, so Djed Spence could be forced to fill in at left-back.

Frank wants more additions to cope with their lengthening injury list, but they have brought in Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern, and after he started against his parent club in a friendly last week, the midfielder is set to make his competitive debut this midweek.

Mohammed Kudus is also in line for his debut, and he will be called upon to make an immediate impact given the injuries to Maddison and Kulusevski, as well as the exit of club captain Son Heung-min, who joined LAFC last week.

Despite losing 4-0 to Bayern in their final friendly last week, that looks set to be Spurs’ XI for the next few weeks at least, until they can welcome players back from injury, and make any additions in the transfer market.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Johnson, Richarlison, Kudus

Click here to see how PSG could line up on Wednesday.

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Manchester City have reportedly identified Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo as a potential replacement for Savinho this summer.

Recent reports claim that Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with the Citizens over a permanent transfer for Savinho, who would be open to the possibility of joining Thomas Frank’s side.

Spurs are said to have sent a €50m (£43.3m) proposal to Man City, but they want more money and would only be open to selling the 21-year-old Brazil international if their valuation is met.

Tottenham’s ambitious pursuit of Savinho comes as somewhat of a surprise considering that the winger only joined Man City last summer from sister club Troyes for an initial £21m following a successful loan spell at Girona.

Savinho, who recorded three goals and 13 assists in 48 games for Man City last season, still has four years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, but he could be heading for the exit door before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Man City considering big-money move for Rodrygo before transfer deadline

Meanwhile, Man City have allegedly agreed to loan out-of-favour Jack Grealish to Everton, who will have a £50m option to buy the 29-year-old in the summer of 2026, while James McAtee is edging closer to completing a permanent switch to Nottingham Forest.

With all three Man City players expected to finalise moves away from the club, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Pep Guardiola’s side are considering a big-money move for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

Romano adds that the Citizens see the 24-year-old as a ‘dream target’ and Guardiola is a ‘big fan’ of the versatile Brazilian attacker.

Real Madrid will allow Rodrygo to leave if the player wishes to, but Man City will be required to fork out €100m (£86.6m) to secure his services this summer.

Premier League move could be on the cards for Rodrygo this summer

Rodrygo has been strongly linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu throughout this summer after falling out of favour with former head coach Carlo Ancelotti towards the end of last season.

Los Blancos’ No.11 was also limited to only 92 minutes of football across six matches at the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer under new boss Xabi Alonso, with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and breakout start Gonzalo Garcia all preferred in attack.

A potential switch to the Premier League for Rodrygo, who has scored 68 goals in 270 games for Real Madrid since joining in 2019, has been mooted for some time, with reigning champions Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur among those said to have held an interest in him.

Spurs will seemingly cool their interest in Rodrygo if they sign Savinho, while it is thought that Liverpool are currently prioritising a record move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

The curtain will be raised on the European club season when Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head in Udine in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

Both clubs overcame adversity at stages in 2024-25 to become Champions League and Europa League winners, and they now have the opportunity to add more silverware on the eve of the new season.

Match preview

It was a season that will never be forgotten for everybody of a Parisian persuasion, as PSG completed a clean sweep of trophies, winning an unprecedented quadruple.

Ligue 1 and Coupe de France success came with consummate ease for Luis Enrique’s men, who already added the Trophee des Champions to their collection earlier in the year, but a first ever Champions League crown means this current crop will go down in folklore.

PSG became just the second French club to be crowned European champions, finally joining bitter rivals Marseille in that exclusive club, and after a decade-and-a-half of intense investment from QSI, the Holy Grail was delivered at last.

It was achieved in emphatic style too, as PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich back in May, breaking the record for the largest margin of victory ever witnessed in a final in the competition.

Enrique’s men would have had eyes on a quintuple after also going far in the Club World Cup over the summer, and they were well fancied in the final against Chelsea, but it was one game too far for the Parisians, as Enzo Maresca’s men swept them aside in a 3-0 win.

That escapade in the United States means PSG have not had any time for friendlies since returning for preseason, with their 2024-25 campaign only ending less than a month ago, and in the blink of an eye, the season is now upon us, with PSG playing their Ligue 1 opener against Nantes at the weekend.

On the other hand, Spurs have had an extensive pre-season programme, playing six friendlies under new manager Thomas Frank, remaining unbeaten until a 4-0 loss at Bayern Munich last week.

Ending the club’s 17-year wait for silverware was not enough to save Ange Postecoglou, as the Aussie was sacked following a 17th-place finish in the Premier League, despite leading them to Europa League glory in May.

An early positive sign was beating local rivals Arsenal in a friendly in Hong Kong, but this matchup will give a much clearer indication of where Spurs are at as they prepare for a campaign in the Champions League.

Frank will take charge of his first Premier League game with the club on Saturday, when Burnley make the trip to North London, where anything but a win will make for a worrying start.

Neither side has won the Super Cup before, and this will be Spurs’ first appearance in it, while PSG will want to banish the nightmare they had in 1996-97 when they entered as UEFA Cup winners, and lost 9-2 on aggregate to Juventus.

Tottenham Hotspur Preseason form:

W D D W D L

Team News

PSG were fortunate that the majority of their small squad stayed fit all the way through the business end of last season, and that is still the case, as Enrique will be able to pick a full-strength side here.

The only notable change could be in goal, where Gianluigi Donnarumma appears to be on his way out, with Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier already being brought in as a likely replacement.

Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez both missed the Club World Cup final due to suspension last month and will return here, but Joao Neves was sent off in the dying stages, and has been banned for two matches by FIFA.

Tottenham will be without James Maddison for the majority of next season after he tore his ACL in a friendly against Newcastle United earlier in preseason, joining long-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin on the sidelines.

Dominic Solanke has also missed most of preseason, but even though a return for him is expected in the near future, this will likely come too soon.

Left-back Destiny Udogie is the other injury concern for Frank, and there is a chance he will miss both this encounter, and the league opener against Burnley at the weekend.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Johnson, Richarlison, Kudus

We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

The gulf in class is striking, and if last season is anything to go by, there can only be one winner in this clash.

PSG were stunned by Chelsea last month, but they convincingly beat numerous Premier League sides on their way to Champions League glory, while Spurs finished down in 17th, and are in a transitional period under another new manager.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held talks with Manchester City over a potential move for Savinho.

Savinho is only a year into his Man City career after arriving at the Etihad Stadium from sister club Girona last summer.

The Brazilian went on to make 48 competitive appearances in his first season as a Man City player, scoring three goals and providing 13 assists.

Despite showing plenty of promise in a difficult campaign for the club, Savinho is now being linked with a potential move to another Premier League club before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

Spurs in talks over Savinho transfer

According to The Athletic, Spurs have held talks with Man City over an 'unexpected' transfer for the Brazil international.

The report claims that the two clubs have discussed a deal worth €50m (£43.3m) for a player who is under contract until June 2028.

Spurs are continuing to work on the surprise deal, with Savinho believed to be open to a move to the North London club.

The Citizens are 'not actively looking' to sell the 21-year-old, but they will not stand in his way if he makes it clear he wants to complete a move away from the Etihad Stadium.Â

Why are Spurs targeting Savinho?

Tottenham recently bid farewell to club legend Son Heung-min, who decided it was the right time to try a new challenge with Los Angeles FC in the MLS.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank can still call upon Brennan Johnson, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski as his wide options, while Mathys Tel can also play out wide if he is not being used as a centre-forward.

Despite having plenty of options, Spurs appear to be open to levelling up their attacking ranks with the addition of an exciting winger like Savinho.Â

Frank will recognise the importance of having depth in all areas of the pitch ahead of Tottenham's return to the Champions League.Â

Savinho would also bring useful versatility to the Tottenham squad, having shown during his career that he is comfortable playing on either flank.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as Joao Neves has reportedly been suspended for the match.

The 20-year-old formed one of Europe's more fearsome midfield trios alongside Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha last season, playing a fundamental role in PSG's Champions League triumph and also impressing at the Club World Cup.

Neves scored twice in a 4-0 last-16 win over Inter Miami, before also providing an assist for Desire Doue in his side's 2-0 quarter-final triumph over Bayern Munich en route to the showpiece.

However, the midfielder's final ended in particular humiliation, as he received a straight red card in the 85th minute of the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea for violent conduct, having pulled Marc Cucurella by the hair.

According to RMC Sport, Neves has now been handed a two-match cross-competition ban for his actions, meaning that he will sit out Wednesday's showdown with Spurs in Udine.

Neves 'banned' for Spurs Super Cup clash after Chelsea red card

The former Benfica phenom will also be unavailable for Les Parisiens' Ligue 1 opener against Nantes next Sunday, although his ban may have a silver lining for PSG.

Owing to their deep run at the Club World Cup, the reigning French and European champions delayed their players' holidays and only resumed full training on August 6, and Neves will now follow an adapted programme until his ban is lifted.

Furthermore, head coach Luis Enrique is not short of options to replace Neves in midfield, and the PSG boss will be expected to draft 19-year-old starlet Warren Zaire-Emery into the side in his place.

Carlos Soler, Senny Mayulu and Renato Sanches are also alternative options to Neves in midfield, and PSG's only other absentee is fringe defender Nordi Mukiele, who is recovering from a calf issue.

Do Tottenham have a chance of beating PSG?

While Neves's ban is hardly ideal for Les Parisiens, with an alternative as accomplished as Zaire-Emery in the ranks, Enrique and co should not be losing sleep over this suspension.

In contrast, Tottenham could go into the Super Cup without as many as eight infirm troops, most notably ACL victim James Maddison and fellow creator Dejan Kulusevski, who is still managing his own knee problem.

Unless Spurs can bring in a new number 10 in the next 48 hours, they will go into the Super Cup without a natural creator, and Thomas Frank is also sweating over the fitness of Dominic Solanke and his ankle injury.

A 4-0 friendly thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich on Thursday exposed Spurs' limitations in all areas of the pitch, and there is no question that they are sporting the underdogs tag for the Super Cup.

However, few expected Chelsea to slaughter Enrique's men in the manner that they did during the Club World Cup, so the Europa League winners cannot be totally discounted, even if the odds are heavily stacked against them.

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