Premier League LIVE: Chelsea offer player swap to hijack Liverpool’s Moises Caicedo deal plus Harry Kane latest

Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich appeared to strike an agreement over the transfer fee for Harry Kane on Wednesday after a summer of back and forth, but the England striker’s move was delayed ahead of his trip to Germany to complete the deal. A proposal from the Bundesliga side worth more than €100m (£86.4m) was reportedly accepted by Spurs. But now the sides remain engaged to thrash out the finer details.

And in a crazy final few hours before the season begins, Liverpool appear to have gazumped Chelsea for the signing of Moises Caicedo, with Brighton set to pocket £110 million. Elsewhere, the transfer carousel continues to spin with news that West Ham and Monaco are emerging as main competitors for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun.

We’ll have team news from all the Premier League press conferences up and down the country, the latest transfer news and Fantasy Premier League tips below:

Premier League updates live

• MIGUEL DELANEY: The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

• LATEST: Kane waits on Bayern Munich move as Tottenham talks continue

• Chelsea could offer player to Brighton to try to complete Moises Caicedo deal

• Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United have no regrets over Harry Kane

• Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for 2023/24 season

The England captain has completed his transfer to Bayern Munich

09:38 , Sonia Twigg

In the hours after Tottenham Hotspur finally agreed they would sell Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, there was actually some doubt, and a lot to consider. The player’s camp now had to actually go through with a decision that had been a long time coming, which only made it all the heavier in the moment. There was still some thinking that Real Madrid or Manchester United - Kane’s first choice - might come in now they knew Levy’s price. Even he wanted that higher going into the final hours.

Those other bids didn’t happen, though, and it is now happening that Kane is leaving Spurs.

Full article by Miguel Delaney:

Harry Kane finally gets his move — but it’s not the one he wanted

Harry Kane’s first Bayern Munich interview

09:27 , Sonia Twigg

In his first interview at his new club, Kane said: “I felt like it was the right step in my career, when anyone thinks of Bayern Munich they think of one of the top teams in the world, overall I’m just happy to be here.”

“I’m really excited, it’s been a busy day for sure but I’m just excited to get to know Munich, get to know the team, the place. I’m looking forward to getting to know my teammates and the coaches and manager.”

Harry Kane announced he will leave Tottenham today

08:59 , Sonia Twigg

Harry Kane has announced that he will be leaving Tottenham today.

The star forward has been involved with a transfer saga to Bayern Munich that was briefly held up yesterday before he was allowed to travel for his medical.

In a message to the Tottenham fans on instagram, Kane said: “Hi everyone, I wanted to be the first to tell you Tottenham fans that I’ll be leaving the club today.

Harry Kane sends message to Tottenham fans ahead of Bayern move

Pep Guardiola reveals extent of Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury

05:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Pep Guardiola confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will be out for “a few weeks” after being forced out of Manchester City’s opening-day win at Burnley.

City launched their defence of the Premier League title by cruising to a 3-0 win at newly-promoted Burnley as Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half before Rodri slammed home a third midway through the second.

Victory over former City captain Vincent Kompany’s Burnley was tainted by De Bruyne’s 23rd-minute withdrawal, with Guardiola revealing his talisman had injured the same hamstring that had kept him out at the end of last season.

Guardiola said: “Hamstring again. Same position. It depends on the magnitude of the injury, but will be a few weeks out.”

Pep Guardiola reveals extent of Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury

Liverpool offered hope in battle with Chelsea over Moises Caicedo transfer

03:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Latest from Miguel Delaney

Chelsea were still negotiating with Brighton for Moises Caicedo into the early hours of Saturday morning, but the ongoing delay could yet work in Liverpool’s favour in a multi-layered saga that has also seen both clubs also compete for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.

Liverpool went higher than Chelsea in Thursday’s effective auction for Caicedo, bidding £110m, which then saw the Stamford Bridge club go to £55m for Lavia.

Chelsea are trying to do both deals, but there is some skepticism whether they can make the two work under Financial Fair Play without significant sales.

This led to a late offer of players on top of a fee for Caicedo, but Brighton were not interested in any part exchange as of early Saturday morning.

The fluid nature of the situation was illustrated in how Chelsea dropped interest in Leeds United’s Tyler Adams despite the player travelling to London in what was supposed to be a £20m deal.

Liverpool offered hope in battle with Chelsea over Moises Caicedo transfer

Harry Kane set to complete Bayern move after late Tottenham request

03:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Harry Kane is finally set to complete his move to Bayern Munich today despite late negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur about the exact make-up of the fee.

After a dramatic few hours on Friday which saw the England captain held at Stansted airport, waiting in a car for the green light to make the trip to Munich, Kane was finally signing the paperwork on a £120m deal at 2am German time.

The England captain and Bayern Munich are now aiming for him to start in Saturday’s German Super Cup against Leipzig.

It would mark a sudden turnaround to a long and drawn-out affair, that still had some doubt about it up to late Friday afternoon.

Bayern and Tottenham Hotspur were still negotiating the terms of the deal at that point, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has ultimately got the deal he wanted.

Read the latest from Miguel Delaney, below:

Harry Kane set to complete Bayern move after late Tottenham request

A predictable start to the Premier League season sees Erling Haaland pick up where he left off

22:38 , Mike Jones

After a summer bursting with unexpected plot lines, a familiar story. As a host of intriguing new characters are added to the cast list, the main man reasserted his dominance. As the Premier League returned, so did Erling Haaland. Perhaps it was the most crushingly predictable start to a season imaginable. For now, Manchester City are top of the table and Haaland is the top scorer. Fast forward nine months and each statement may remain true.

There was, though, something devastatingly awesome amid the sense of the normal. Haaland’s defence of his Golden Boot began within 185 seconds of the opening whistle. He is a fine first-time finisher, but this was a different kind of first touch: his first of the top-flight campaign entered the Burnley net. His second goal arrived before half-time, too, a goal with a devastating blend of power and accuracy. None of which spared him an animated tongue-lashing from Pep Guardiola as they made their way off at half-time but, along with a Rodri goal, it proved too much for Burnley.

A predictable start to the season sees Erling Haaland pick up where he left off

Harry Kane arrives in Germany to seal Bayern Munich move

21:11 , Mike Jones

Tottenham’s record goal-scorer Harry Kane has landed in Germany to complete his move to Bayern Munich in a deal that could rise to £120million.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Friday afternoon that Kane’s transfer to the Bundesliga champions was “imminent” after a breakthrough in negotiations between the clubs was reached on Wednesday night.

It left the ball in Kane’s court and he decided on Thursday to leave his boyhood club for Bayern, who will pay an initial £100m, with add-ons potentially taking the deal up to an overall fee of £120m, the PA news agency understands.

Harry Kane arrives in Germany to seal Bayern Munich move

Harry Kane undergoing medical in Munich

21:02 , Mike Jones

The England captain is quickly closing in on his move to Bayern Munich after completing the first part of his medical with the Bundesliga champions.

Kane is expected to be registered for Bayern in time to play in the DFL Supercup tomorrow.

Follow Burnley vs Manchester City LIVE

20:19 , Mike Jones

The Premier League is back! The new season gets underway tonight with newly-promoted Burnley hosting the reigning champions Manchester City at Turf Moor. It’s been two months since the conclusion of the 2022/23 season saw City defeat Inter Milan and claim a treble of trophies in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola will be hoping to repeat that success in this new campaign but City have been updating their squad this summer. Captain, Ilkay Gundogan, has moved to Barcelona, and Riyad Mahrez has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol have since joined up with the champions and could feature in their first league game for the club this evening.

Burnley vs Manchester City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

Manchester United agree deal with Fenerbahce for Fred

20:18 , Mike Jones

Manchester United have agreed to sell midfielder Fred to Fenerbahce for €15 million.

The Brazil international will end his five-year stay at Old Trafford and join the Turkish club, providing he passes his medical, agrees personal terms and gets international clearance.

Fred, who had also attracted interest from Galatasaray and Fulham, has scored 14 goals in 213 games for United, was a first-choice under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and, even as a squad player, made 56 appearances under Erik ten Hag last season.

Manchester United agree deal with Fenerbahce for Fred

Manchester United delay decision over Mason Greenwood’s return

20:02 , Mike Jones

Manchester United have delayed their announcement of whether Mason Greenwood has a future at the club as they consult with members of their women’s team, among others, until after the start of the season.

United have conducted a thorough investigation into the forward over the last six months and had intended to announce their decision at some point before Monday’s opening game against Wolves.

The Carabao Cup holders intend to talk to stakeholders including the club’s commercial partners, fans and the women’s team – three of whom, Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem, are at the World Cup, which finishes on 20 August– and explain their findings.

Manchester United delay decision over Mason Greenwood’s return

Eddie Howe says Newcastle cannot ‘slap money on table’ in pursuit of signing

19:50 , Mike Jones

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted he cannot just “slap money on the table” as he attempts to find the last piece of his jigsaw for the new season.

The Magpies, backed by their majority owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, have invested a net £95milion in Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento at the expense of the departed Allan Saint-Maximin this summer but Howe is keen to add one more player to his resources, with central defence a remaining focus.

However, the 45-year-old knows the club may have to be “creative” to get another deal over the line in an attempt to plot a path through Financial Fair Play regulations, with loans and staggered payments among the options.

Eddie Howe says Newcastle cannot ‘slap money on table’ in pursuit of signing

Moises Caicedo transfer takes twist as Chelsea look to hijack Liverpool offer

19:39 , Mike Jones

Chelsea remain confident in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo despite Liverpool‘s interest and Brighton’s deadline, believing they have a superior offer to the player and that they can trump the Anfield club on price.

The Blues are also seeking to offer the Seagulls players in exchange to break the deadlock in negotiations, with the south-coast club already accepting a larger offer from Liverpool, as confirmed by Jurgen Klopp,

The player himself has made it clear his preference is Stamford Bridge, and no terms have actually been agreed with the Anfield hierarchy. The situation is nevertheless complicated because Brighton set a deadline of Thursday evening for an auction.

Moises Caicedo transfer takes twist as Chelsea look to hijack Liverpool offer

Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands

19:28 , Mike Jones

If David Moyes’ era of annual top-eight finishes feels like a distant time to Everton, they had a reason beyond nostalgia this week to remember their most successful manager of the past three decades.

When the Scot signed Edson Alvarez for West Ham, it left Everton alone: They are the sole Premier League club not to buy anyone this summer (Wolves have not purchased anyone new but were compelled to buy Matheus Cunha as part of his loan deal). And, as Everton finished 17th, escaping relegation despite a return of under a goal and a point per game, it is an understatement to say they needed reinforcements more than most.

Sean Dyche enters his first full season in charge looking prophetic; sadly for him. “I’ll be very surprised if they say, ‘Here’s another war chest, sign who you like’,” said Dyche an hour or so after keeping them up in May.

Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands

Roy Hodgson ready to go again with Crystal Palace

19:18 , Mike Jones

Veteran manager Roy Hodgson cannot wait to get another Premier League campaign up and running with Crystal Palace.

Hodgson may have turned 76 earlier this week on August 9, but has no intentions of taking things easy just yet after agreeing to stay on in charge at Selhurst Park.

The former England boss returned for a second spell at his boyhood club in March following the departure of Patrick Vieira.

Having safely guided the Eagles clear of a relegation battle at the time into the safety of a mid-table finish, Hodgson is ready to attack the new campaign head on as Palace begin life without Wilfried Zaha, who completed a summer move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

“I wanted to carry on because the club asked me to carry on,” said Hodgson, who has also managed Switzerland and Finland, counting Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom among the many clubs of which he has taken charge during a lengthy coaching career.

“Basically, because I so much enjoyed last season working with the team that I was able to work with for the last 10 games, the opportunity to carry on working with them was one that I certainly had no intention of resisting.”

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom issues plea for new players ahead of season start

19:06 , Mike Jones

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom feels the club’s season will be defined by what happens in the transfer market in the next three weeks.

The Blades’ preparations for their Premier League return have been in disarray after they sold star players Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge without having replacements lined up.

Heckingbottom has been told by owner Prince Abdullah, who is trying to sell the club, that money is now there to reinforce his squad before the end of the transfer window.

They look to be making a quick move on that front, with Coventry midfidler Gustavo Hamer set for a medical on Friday night after the two clubs agreed a fee.

Ahead of Saturday’s curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane, Heckingbottom said: “We need more players, that’s my job now to push and push and push and make us stronger. Simple.

“We can’t hide away from that fact. You can see we are light on bodies and we are nowhere near where we need to be but the players that have gone have gone now.

“It is about what we do now and what we do now will define how the season is and that is the message when I speak to Prince Abdullah and the board.

“Forget worrying about the politics, it’s about the signings we make now and how strong we can be in the next few weeks for what is going to be a tough season.

“I know the area well enough and this club well enough and usually in times like this we can surprise a lot of people.

“ I’m not fearing it or dwelling on what has happened. From this point on we should only get stronger. It’s going to be huge. Prince Abdullah has assured me that money is there to spend now so we need to go and spend it.”

Premier League 2023/24 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more

18:53 , Mike Jones

The Premier League is back ahead of a new season with different teams emerging as front runners and the prospect of top players leaving European football.

But there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Arsenal and whether they will be able to push champions Manchester City again, especially with their lucrative spending and the addition of Declan Rice.

Liverpool will hope that their last campaign was more of a blip with Chelsea also looking to firmly leave the 2022/23 season in the dust. There will be questions concerning Newcastle who surpassed expectations to qualify for the Champions League last time round, as well as Tottenham who finished outside the European spots.

Our writers predict how the Premier League season will unfold

New Bournemouth signing set to miss start of season

18:42 , Mike Jones

New Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott will miss the first couple of months of the season through injury.

The Cherries completed the £20million signing of England Under-20 international Scott from Bristol City on Thursday despite a scan showing up a “significant” knee injury sustained in training.

And new Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola revealed on Friday that Scott, 19, may not be available to make his debut until October.

“It’s a great signing for the club, the first impressions are really nice,” Iraola said at his pre-match press conference.

“For the start of the season, the first couple of months he’ll be out. We have to take these weeks for him to settle in, for him to get to know more about the team and for him to see how he can help us in the season.

“He is a player of his age who had a fantastic season in the Championship last year and he can definitely help us.”

Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury

18:30 , Mike Jones

Manchester United face a decision whether to keep Dean Henderson after their third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton was ruled out for several weeks.

United have been in talks with Nottingham Forest for weeks and were willing to allow the England international to leave after signing Andre Onana.

But the veteran Heaton was injured in training and, while United are waiting to discover the full extent, he is certain to miss their first few fixtures.

Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury

Marco Silva urges Fulham to ‘focus’ ahead of Everton opener

18:18 , Mike Jones

Fulham manager Marco Silva has stressed the need for “togetherness” from his undersized squad as they face a tricky start to the new Premier League season.

Three of the Cottagers’ first four top-flight fixtures are away from home, with Saturday’s trip to Everton followed by visits to last term’s runners-up Arsenal and champions Manchester City.

Fulham have signed Calvin Bassey and Raul Jimenez this summer and look set to hold on to Aleksandar Mitrovic despite interest from other clubs, but Silva has made it clear to the board that he needs more new arrivals.

“It doesn’t change anything in our preparation,” Silva said when asked about the early-season fixture list.

“Sometimes you think it’s going to be more difficult to play against teams that finished in the top of the table and if you don’t pay attention for the others it will be the first mistake you make.

“For us the focus is on the Everton match. It’s always difficult that type of game, to play there at Goodison first game of the season and of course after that we talk and think about Brentford and all the others.

“We are not thinking about Arsenal or City or what’s to come after, we have to keep focus on our preparation. (Pre-season) was not great in terms of numbers to prepare really for the first match of the season.

“Normally I would not start to think about other games and even more now, because we need everybody really together and to focus on the Everton match.”

We Are Newcastle United: What we learned from the Amazon Prime docuseries

18:10 , Mike Jones

We Are Newcastle United, the new Amazon Prime documentary series, may be the first of a new sporting genre: the Financial Fair Play drama. It is more about the boardroom than the dressing room; less is revealed about the guarded Eddie Howe than in the deluxe settings of Alnwick Castle, where his employers are more concerned by the bottom line than the forward line.

Take for example the gripping search for a new shirt sponsor.

Newcastle United approached 1,193 companies. They had an initial meeting with 65 of them. They were whittled down to nine, then four, then two, before they chose Sela, a Saudi Arabian sports events and hospitality company. Which can seem a little convenient to some. Newcastle’s income has been inflated this summer and a commercial deal has come from the homeland of their owners, while Allan Saint-Maximin has been sold to the Saudi Pro-League.

We Are Newcastle United: What we learned from the Amazon Prime docuseries

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

18:00 , Mike Jones

If the Premier League is to become a title race between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta once again, it will not be the only way they stand apart. They are two of the only people in the competition who seem to think anyone other than Manchester City can win the title. Even Guardiola’s opinions on that have to be viewed with some caution, however, given the performative humility he occasionally displays.

A tight title race certainly isn’t what the Catalan expects from his City players on the eve of the season. Guardiola is demanding more perfection.

Some of the other public comments on the issue from Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag are similarly for the benefit of their own squad, but it should still be notable for the Premier League that the managers of its two biggest clubs are now so open about how closed off the title is.

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

Completing early transfer business could boost Arsenal title bid – Mikel Arteta

17:48 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal could hold an advantage of their Premier League rivals after getting their summer transfer business done early.

The Gunners spent over £200million to land Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice before the middle of July, with all three joining Arteta’s squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

The PA news agency understands a loan deal for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya will be announced later on Friday but – barring any late changes – there will be no other incomings planned in the current window.

Completing early transfer business could boost Arsenal title bid – Mikel Arteta

Erik ten Hag does not regret Man Utd targeting Rasmus Hojlund over Harry Kane

17:40 , Mike Jones

Erik ten Hag says the Premier League will miss Harry Kane but the Manchester United boss has no regrets about deciding to go for Rasmus Hojlund over the Bayern Munich-bound star.

Tottenham sharpshooter Kane has long been admired by United but the club instead plumped for potential by signing Atalanta talent Hojlund.

“First of all we have chosen a striker and we are really happy with our choice,” Ten Hag said of the Denmark international.

“[Kane] is a great striker. That’s clear, he’s really a goal maker and apart from that he has all the conditions and abilities that you want to see in a striker.

“It’s a miss for the Premier League, absolutely.”

Ange Postecoglou on Harry Kane

17:32 , Mike Jones

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he has been preparing for Harry Kane’s departure throughout pre-season after his early conversations with the England captain made it clear he wanted to leave Spurs.

"I didn’t see the point in that [trying to convince Harry Kane to stay], whatever I was going to say was going to irrelevant.” Postecoglou said, "My feeling was that we’ll get to know each other and that would be the best way to navigate the early relationship.

"Having said that, in my mind I thought he’d already decided to go after the first conversation. I tried to treat him with the respect his standing deserves.

"I don’t get frustrated by these things. I’ve been involved in the negotiations side but it’s never a simple process. Harry Kane is one of the greats of this football club and there must have been some torment inside.

"While it would have been great to have it sorted earlier I always through it was going to be borderline. The one thing I was clear on was going into the first game with stuff undecided. It has happened, hopefully we’ll have confirmation over the next couple of hours.

"I don’t need assurances. Nothing has changed from when I started. We’ve had a clear idea about bringing in players to bolster the squad in the right areas. Moving players out is still a big part of what we need to do so we’ll see how that unfolds."

Harry Kane set to complete Bayern Munich move after late Tottenham request

17:23 , Mike Jones

Harry Kane is finally set to complete his move to Bayern Munich despite late negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur this morning about the exact make-up of the fee.

Kane will now fly to Germany after an earlier delay, although Spurs never took permission away from Kane to fly, sources have told the Independent.

The final fee is set to come to £105 million, which could rise to £120 million if add-ons are met.

The England captain was at Stansted airport on Friday morning, waiting in a car for the green light to make the trip to Munich.

Harry Kane set to complete Bayern move after late Tottenham request

Man City bid for Lucas Paqueta was nowhere near West Ham’s valuation

17:14 , Mike Jones

West Ham manager David Moyes stressed that Manchester City’s bid for midfielder Lucas Paqueta was “not anywhere near” the club’s valuation.

West Ham are understood to have knocked back an initial £60million approach for Paqueta from the Premier League champions.

“We’ve had an offer from Manchester City, but at the moment it’s not anywhere near meeting our valuation,” said Moyes at a press conference ahead of the new season.

Saudi spending won’t compromise owners’ aims for Newcastle, says Mapgies CEO

17:03 , Mike Jones

Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales is convinced eye-watering Saudi Arabian investment in domestic football will not derail their mission on Tyneside.

The Gulf state’s Public Investment Fund, which owns an 80 per cent stake in the St James’ Park outfit, bought majority holdings in four of the nation’s biggest clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad – in June, sparking a transfer flurry which has taken some of the game’s biggest names to the Saudi Pro League in return for vast pay packets.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French counterpart Karim Benzema are among those to have headed for the Middle East, while the Magpies have themselves benefited – to raised eyebrows in some quarters – with Allan Saint-Maximin’s move to Al-Ahli, having unlocked a Financial Fair Play conundrum with what is understood to have been a £30million cash injection.

Saudi spending won’t compromise owners’ aims for Newcastle, says Mapgies CEO

David Moyes claimed Declan Rice was ‘cheap'

16:47 , Sonia Twigg

West Ham manager David Moyes on if the money for Declan Rice has made signings hard to get:

David Moyes was asked ahead of the first game of the season if the money the club received for Declan Rice has made signing new players more difficult: “It’s not about us having £100million to spend, but the fees being charged by clubs for players,” he said, reported by BBC Sport.

“We sold Declan and I actually think Declan was quite cheap, to be honest.

“There is nearly not been a player we’ve gone for under £40million. We’ve been very active, as you all know, trying to get players in.”

Thomas Tuchel speaks about on the Harry Kane deal

16:40 , Sonia Twigg

Ahead of the German Super Cup match with RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel said: “I confirmed that we are working, the highest pressure and the highest focus on the highest priority is to sign Harry Kane.

“This is the situation, I confirmed it and this shows the importance and we are trying to get the captain of the England national team out of England, out of the Premier League and that says it all.

“It’s huge deal that we are working on, it’s a huge signature, but we are still in the process and as long as no decision is done it is not a subject for the coach to talk about.”

Chelsea may be forced to sign new forward after Christopher Nkunku injury

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mauricio Pochettino conceded Chelsea may be forced back into the transfer market for attacking reinforcements following the injury to Christopher Nkunku.

The France international, signed in the summer from RB Leipzig, was one of the standout successes of the team’s pre-season tour of the United States with three goals in his five games, but sustained a meniscus injury to his knee against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago and is unlikely to play again before December.

The 25-year-old underwent surgery this week and has begun his rehabilitation but it is understood that the club expect a 16-week recovery period, rendering the need for added attacking options suddenly more urgent.

Chelsea registered their lowest goalscoring return in almost a hundred years last season with just 38 Premier League goals, and there had been optimism that in Nkunku and fellow new signing Nicolas Jackson a solution had been found.

It is understood there is no update on the future of out-of-favour striker Romelu Lukaku, who was pictured at Cobham in a Chelsea tracksuit this week despite having made clear his desire to return to Italy where he spent last season on loan at Inter.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having departed and Armando Broja recovering from injury, it leaves Jackson as the club’s only recognised striker available for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool.

“We feel sorry about (Nkunku) because he was doing well,” said Pochettino. “He was an important player for us, his quality is there, one of the best offensive players, can play in different positions.

“It’s a big issue for us. But now it’s about not thinking too much about the injuries, and being positive.

“We’re working on the market also because we’re going to miss one player like this, offensive. The club is working to try to find a solution, maybe short-term, maybe long-term, to add the right profile.”

PA

The Independent’s Premier League 2023/24 predictions

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With the new Premier League campaign imminent, Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly and the rest of The Independent’s football writers have made their picks for the season ahead. Moussa Diaby for signing of the season? Everton to go down? Jack Grealish for player of the season? There are plenty of bold calls, and one of our staff is even tipping a team that isn’t Manchester City for the title...

Our writers predict how the Premier League season will unfold

Roy Hodgson ready to go again with Crystal Palace

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Veteran manager Roy Hodgson cannot wait to get another Premier League campaign up and running with Crystal Palace.

Hodgson may have turned 76 earlier this week on August 9, but has no intentions of taking things easy just yet after agreeing to stay on in charge at Selhurst Park.

The former England boss returned for a second spell at his boyhood club in March following the departure of Patrick Vieira.

Having safely guided the Eagles clear of a relegation battle at the time into the safety of a mid-table finish, Hodgson is ready to attack the new campaign head on as Palace begin life without Wilfried Zaha, who completed a summer move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

“I wanted to carry on because the club asked me to carry on,” said Hodgson, who has also managed Switzerland and Finland, counting Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom among the many clubs of which he has taken charge during a lengthy coaching career.

“Basically, because I so much enjoyed last season working with the team that I was able to work with for the last 10 games, the opportunity to carry on working with them was one that I certainly had no intention of resisting.”

Rasmus Hojlund to miss Manchester United opener

15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that striker Rasmus Hojlund will miss Monday’s encounter with Wolves, with Manchester United’s summer signing having to wait for his Old Trafford debut due to a stress fracture in his back.

“As we said previously, he had a small issue and he’s not on the levels where our players are in this moment so we have to train him,” Ten Hag said today. “[A] prognosis is always difficult to say. We are confident and we are positive.”

Roberto De Zerbi insists Brighton retain their ‘soul’ despite summer departures

15:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Roberto De Zerbi insists leading Premier League clubs “can’t buy our soul” as Moises Caicedo edges closer to becoming the latest star name to depart Brighton.

Albion have accepted a British record transfer fee in the region of £110million from Liverpool for the Ecuador midfielder, although reports suggest he would prefer to join Chelsea.

The Seagulls, who start the new season at home to newly-promoted Luton on Saturday, have become accustomed to selling key players for hefty fees.

Argentina World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister moved to Anfield earlier this summer, while Arsenal pair Ben White and Leandro Trossard, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella and Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma also left the Amex Stadium in the past two years.

De Zerbi is resigned to losing 21-year-old Caicedo but had a defiant message as he focused on further strengthening his squad going into a campaign which will include Europa League football.

“I’ve already forgotten Moises,” said the Italian. “I’m really proud for the players we have in the squad. We have to complete the squad.

“We want to improve the squad because we lost Mac Allister, we lost (Levi) Colwill (on loan from Chelsea last season), maybe we lose Caicedo.”

PA

Roberto De Zerbi insists Brighton retain their ‘soul’ despite star departures

David Moyes: Manchester City bid for Lucas Paqueta was ‘not anywhere near’ West Ham’s valuation

15:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

West Ham manager David Moyes hopes to be able to complete deals for both James Ward-Prowse and Harry Maguire - but stressed Manchester City’s bid for midfielder Lucas Paqueta was “not anywhere near” the club’s valuation.

Southampton midfielder Ward-Prowse is having a medical ahead of his transfer to east London, while Maguire remains in discussions with United about the terms of his exit from Old Trafford.

West Ham are understood to have knocked back an initial £60million approach for Paqueta from the Premier League champions.

“We’ve had an offer from Manchester City, but at the moment it’s not anywhere near meeting our valuation,” said Moyes.

Despite initial frustrations in the summer window, the Irons have added Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez to the squad in a £35million deal from Ajax, with Ward-Prowse set to follow.

“James Ward-Prowse is having a medical just now,” Moyes revealed. We’ve agreed a fee but it’s not right I speak about him as he’s not yet our player.

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Kane’s prospective move to Bayern Munich isn’t yet 100 per cent completed as negotiations are still ongoing with Tottenham Hotspur about the exact make-up of the fee.

Kane is yet to fly to Germany, but Spurs never took permission away from Kane to fly, sources have told the Independent.

The England captain was at Stansted airport on Friday morning, waiting in a car for the green light to make the trip to Munich.

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom issues plea for new players ahead of season start

15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom feels the club’s season will be defined by what happens in the transfer market in the next three weeks.

The Blades’ preparations for their Premier League return have been in disarray after they sold star players Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge without having replacements lined up.

Heckingbottom has been told by owner Prince Abdullah, who is trying to sell the club, that money is now there to reinforce his squad before the end of the transfer window.

They look to be making a quick move on that front, with Coventry midfidler Gustavo Hamer set for a medical on Friday night after the two clubs agreed a fee.

Ahead of Saturday’s curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane, Heckingbottom said: “We need more players, that’s my job now to push and push and push and make us stronger. Simple.

“We can’t hide away from that fact. You can see we are light on bodies and we are nowhere near where we need to be but the players that have gone have gone now.

“It is about what we do now and what we do now will define how the season is and that is the message when I speak to Prince Abdullah and the board.

“Forget worrying about the politics, it’s about the signings we make now and how strong we can be in the next few weeks for what is going to be a tough season.

“I know the area well enough and this club well enough and usually in times like this we can surprise a lot of people.

“ I’m not fearing it or dwelling on what has happened. From this point on we should only get stronger. It’s going to be huge. Prince Abdullah has assured me that money is there to spend now so we need to go and spend it.”

Completing early transfer business could boost Arsenal title bid – Mikel Arteta

14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal could hold an advantage of their Premier League rivals after getting their summer transfer business done early.

The Gunners spent over £200million to land Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice before the middle of July, with all three joining Arteta’s squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

A loan deal for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is set to be announced soon but – barring any late changes – there will be no other incomings planned in the current window.

Arsenal, who beat Manchester City on penalties to win the Community Shield last weekend, begin their league campaign at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

While the futures of the likes of Tottenham striker Harry Kane and sought-after Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo may be sorted by then, for Arteta, getting his new faces in early is a bonus.

“I think it definitely helps, especially for the player and getting to the environment and getting set,” he said.

“Also for the coaches it is important, for the media, for the commercial for the clubs as well, especially when you go on tour to be certain and have the players you are going to have for the season so it was something very positive for us.

“We’ve done it and we had the intention to do it, sometimes it is possible, sometimes it is not.

“But we tried our best and we just have to focus on what we can do, the reasons we have done it and maximise the resources we have.”

Completing early transfer business could boost Arsenal title bid – Mikel Arteta

Fantasy Premier League: Could Levi Colwill offer early season value?

14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Levi Colwill, Chelsea - 4.5

Although the 20-year-old has yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea, his new, six-year contract should be a signal of how highly he is rated by the west London club. Colwill will likely have to compete with Benoît Badiashile, Trevor Chalobah and Axel Disasi for the other starting berth alongside Thiago Silva but having impressed on loan at Brighton last year, he could well be fast-tracked into the starting 11 and worth a punt as Mauricio Pochettino looks to rebuild at Stamford Bridge.

Remember to set your gameweek 1 lineup before 6.30pm BST this evening - and if you’ve not sorted your side, The Independent’s experts have you covered...

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

Gary O’Neil ready to take surprise opportunity at Wolves

14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Wolves boss Gary O’Neil admits he was surprised to get the call to replace Julen Lopetegui at Molineux but had no hesitation in joining.

O’Neil, who was sacked as Bournemouth manager at the end of last season despite leading them to Premier League safety, has replaced Lopetegui after the Spaniard left over disagreements about transfers.

The 40-year-old was lined up last week and was happy to get back in work so quickly, despite being given only five days to work with his team before Monday night’s opener at Manchester United.

He said: “I don’t think you expect to take over from a manager with four days to go until the season, it doesn’t happen very often.

“You would normally expect things to start and teams not start so well or the managers do well and get a move.

“The phone call just over a week ago was obviously a surprise but once we spoke and I found out something mught be available at Wolves, it didn’t take me long to make my mind up.”

Chelsea could offer player to Brighton to try to complete Moises Caicedo deal

14:22 , Miguel Delaney

Chelsea are seeking to offer Brighton players in order to break the deadlock over the Moises Caicedo deal, with the south-coast club having accepted a larger offer from Liverpool.

The player himself has made it clear his preference is Stamford Bridge, and no terms have actually been agreed with the Anfield hierarchy. The situation is nevertheless complicated because Brighton set a deadline of Thursday evening for an auction, want it resolved quickly, and accepted Liverpool's higher bid.

In order to try and solve this deadlock, Chelsea have been talking of offering players, with a number understood to be available.

Conor Gallagher is one who could be attractive to Brighton, although their recruitment is usually far more forward-thinking and considered than engaging in swap deals.

Liverpool trumped Chelsea by £10m, in what would have been a Premier League record deal of £110m. The London club are prepared to improve on this, but it remains to be seen whether Brighton would re-open the process.

Erik ten Hag has no regrets over Harry Kane ahead of Bayern Munich move

14:15 , Richard Jolly

Erik ten Hag insisted Manchester United have no regrets about their decision not to bid for Harry Kane as the England captain could instead join Bayern Munich.

Kane has been a long-time target for Manchester United and Ten Hag, who described the 30-year-old as a “great striker” and is an admirer of the forward, who could join the German champions for a reported £86 million.

United instead chose to pursue Rasmus Hojlund, paying a fee rising to £72 million for the 20-year-old Dane, who scored 10 goals for Atalanta last season.

“We have chosen a striker and we are really happy with our choice,” said Ten Hag. “We are professional, the processes we do are really careful, we consider a lot of things but finally we make decisions, not overnight, we study every decision behind, we are happy with the squad we have behind us now.”

Erik ten Hag has no regrets over Harry Kane ahead of Bayern Munich move

Ange Postecoglou confirms Harry Kane move ‘likely to happen'

14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Fair to say I don’t have a blow by blow account but my understanding is it has progressed to the point where it looks like it will happen,” the new Tottenham manager said today as he prepares to take charge in the Premier League for the first time.

“From that perspective, at least it gives us some clarity and we move forward without Harry.

“From my perspective it is just about understanding where we are at and the information I have at the moment is the deal is imminent but like with all these things, you leave yourself some leeway.

“But moving forward and training today preparing for Brentford, we are doing it without Harry.

“It is best Harry speaks for himself in terms of the decision but no doubt he is one of the greats of this football club and that never changes.

“I am only new in the building but fairly evident Harry Kane will always be one of the greats for this football club.”

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

13:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We are just a few hours away from it all getting going, Manchester City at Turf Moor to begin the defence of their crown with a short trip to Burnley. Miguel Delaney sets the scene ahead of what could be a pivotal season for the Premier League:

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury

13:40 , Richard Jolly

Manchester United face a decision whether to keep Dean Henderson after their third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton was ruled out for several weeks.

United have been in talks with Nottingham Forest for weeks and were willing to allow the England international to leave after signing Andre Onana.

But the veteran Heaton was injured in training and, while United are waiting to discover the full extent, he is certain to miss their first few fixtures.

Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury

New Bournemouth signing set to miss start of season

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott will miss the first couple of months of the season through injury.

The Cherries completed the £20million signing of England Under-20 international Scott from Bristol City on Thursday despite a scan showing up a “significant” knee injury sustained in training.

And new Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola revealed on Friday that Scott, 19, may not be available to make his debut until October.

“It’s a great signing for the club, the first impressions are really nice,” Iraola said at his pre-match press conference.

“For the start of the season, the first couple of months he’ll be out. We have to take these weeks for him to settle in, for him to get to know more about the team and for him to see how he can help us in the season.

“He is a player of his age who had a fantastic season in the Championship last year and he can definitely help us.”

The ‘incredible’ Micky Van de Ven trait that Tottenham want to weaponise

13:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One player who will be wearing a Tottenham shirt this season is Micky van de Ven, the Dutch defender confirmed as Ange Postecoglou’s latest summer signing this week and potentially immediately into the first-team mix for this Sunday’s game against Brentford. Ben Davies has been filling the left-sided centre-half spot in Postecoglou’s back four, but Van de Ven would appear ideally suited to partner Cristian Romero - WhoScored’s Ben McAleer looks in detail at his qualities.

The ‘incredible’ Micky Van de Ven trait that Tottenham want to weaponise

Thomas Tuchel confirms Bayern Munich working to secure Harry Kane

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has been speaking in the last couple of hours, confimring that the German club are still working to sort a few final details after reports that Harry Kane’s move to the Bundesliga may have hit a late snag.

“We are working on it intensely, that much I can confirm,” Tuchel has said. “As of right now, no agreement has been reached, and when no agreement has been reached, then a coach will not comment on it, because it is not his player.”

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

Fantasy Premier League 2023/24: Why Nicolas Jackson could be a value pick up front

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea - 7.0

After Christopher Nkunku’s injury, Nicolas Jackson is destined to start up front for Chelsea for the foreseeable future. Without Nkunku’s creative side, Jackson’s output takes a hit but at 7.0, the value is there for a player who can be trusted to provide assists for runners in behind if Mauricio Pochettino can inspire movement in the final third. If the Senegalese can match his goal or assist every 100 minutes for Villarreal last season in LaLiga, fantasy owners will be delighted.

Find out who else The Independent’s team of experts think you should be targeting with just a few hours to go before the opening weekend FPL deadline:

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

Can Arsenal better Man City? Talking points as the Premier League kicks off

12:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend with clubs still finalising their squads for the challenge ahead.

Champions Manchester City and last season’s runners-up Arsenal will resume battle with the Gunners’ having struck an early blow in the Community Shield, while newcomers Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton begin the task of ensuring their stay among the big boys is not fleeting.

The PA news agency has picked out some of the key talking points surrounding the opening fixtures.

Can Arsenal better Man City? Talking points as the Premier League kicks off

Marco Silva urges Fulham to ‘focus’ ahead of Everton opener

12:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fulham manager Marco Silva has stressed the need for “togetherness” from his undersized squad as they face a tricky start to the new Premier League season.

Three of the Cottagers’ first four top-flight fixtures are away from home, with Saturday’s trip to Everton followed by visits to last term’s runners-up Arsenal and champions Manchester City.

Fulham have signed Calvin Bassey and Raul Jimenez this summer and look set to hold on to Aleksandar Mitrovic despite interest from other clubs, but Silva has made it clear to the board that he needs more new arrivals.

“It doesn’t change anything in our preparation,” Silva said when asked about the early-season fixture list.

“Sometimes you think it’s going to be more difficult to play against teams that finished in the top of the table and if you don’t pay attention for the others it will be the first mistake you make.

“For us the focus is on the Everton match. It’s always difficult that type of game, to play there at Goodison first game of the season and of course after that we talk and think about Brentford and all the others.

“We are not thinking about Arsenal or City or what’s to come after, we have to keep focus on our preparation. (Pre-season) was not great in terms of numbers to prepare really for the first match of the season.

“Normally I would not start to think about other games and even more now, because we need everybody really together and to focus on the Everton match.”

Harry Kane saga leaves Tottenham paying the price for Daniel Levy’s ego — again

12:20 , Miguel Delaney

Earlier this summer, when there was still the feeling that Manchester United might come in for Harry Kane, it was put to one figure at the club that Bayern Munich were very confident of getting him.

“They have no experience of dealing with Daniel Levy,” came the response. The German champions have since found out the very hard way.

Extremely late on in the Kane deal, just as the player was about to board the plane, negotiations were ongoing with Tottenham about the make-up of the final figures.

Levy has long been insistent that 80 percent of the overall package should be guaranteed and the total fee should come to £120 million. This has made many people in the football industry roll their eyes, but it all reflects how the chairman has long divided Tottenham fans. The cries of “Levy out” and “get out of our club” grew louder and louder last season, in that gleaming new stadium.

Those who back him, and have admittedly been the far quieter party lately, would point to how he has gradually built the club from a glamorous but under-performing name to one of the Premier League’s “super clubs” with the best infrastructure in Europe. They were included in the Super League, after all. Levy is clearly adept at long-term macro business strategy.

Tottenham pay the price for Daniel Levy’s ‘ego’ — again

What Premier League games are on TV this weekend?

12:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Friday 11th August

Burnley v Man City (8pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Saturday 12th August

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30pm) TNT Sports

Newcastle v Aston Villa (5:30pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Sunday 13th August

Brentford v Tottenham (2pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Chelsea v Liverpool (4:30pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Monday 14th August

Man Utd v Wolves (4:30pm) Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event

Historic all-female line-up to present TNT Sports football coverage

Rob Edwards ready to lead Luton into debut Premier League season

11:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Luton boss Rob Edwards will fulfil a dream when he sends his team into Premier League action for the first time at Brighton on Saturday.

Edwards took charge at Kenilworth Road in November last year and guided a club which less than a decade earlier had been plying its trade in non-league football back into the top flight after a 31-year absence.

Life since victory in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final has been something of a whirlwind, with the Hatters busily preparing for their latest - and perhaps biggest - challenge on and off the pitch, but Edwards admits he will feel a huge sense of pride when the dream finally becomes a reality.

He told a press conference: “I’m really proud. It’s hard because you don’t always think about it, you just think about what’s next and don’t always have time to reflect.

“It’s been an aim of mine for long time. I think most people would agree the Premier League is the highest level.”

PA

Moises Caicedo transfer takes twist as Chelsea look to hijack Liverpool offer

11:45 , Miguel Delaney

Chelsea remain confident in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo despite Liverpool‘s interest and Brighton’s deadline, believing they have a superior offer to the player and that they can trump the Anfield club on price.

The race has created another sub-plot to Sunday’s meeting between the two teams at Stamford Bridge, as both clubs have gone for Caicedo and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, in what almost appears a response to the other.

Liverpool agreed a fee with Brighton on Thursday night, as confirmed by Jurgen Klopp, but it is felt by Chelsea that the 21-year-old Caicedo’s preference is to go to London.

Moises Caicedo transfer takes twist as Chelsea look to hijack Liverpool offer

Eddie Howe says Newcastle cannot ‘slap money on table’ in pursuit of signing

11:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted he cannot just “slap money on the table” as he attempts to find the last piece of his jigsaw for the new season.

The Magpies, backed by their majority owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, have invested a net £95milion in Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento at the expense of the departed Allan Saint-Maximin this summer but Howe is keen to add one more player to his resources, with central defence a remaining focus.

However, the 45-year-old knows the club may have to be “creative” to get another deal over the line in an attempt to plot a path through Financial Fair Play regulations, with loans and staggered payments among the options.

Asked what that meant on the eve of the new Premier League season’s opener against Aston Villa, Howe said: “It means we can’t just go out and slap money on the table and buy a player. We don’t have the resources to do that at the moment with FFP restrictions.

Eddie Howe says Newcastle cannot ‘slap money on table’ in pursuit of signing

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

11:20 , Miguel Delaney

Harry Kane’s prospective move to Bayern Munich isn’t yet 100 per cent completed as negotiations are still ongoing with Tottenham Hotspur about the exact make-up of the fee.

Kane is yet to fly to Germany, but Spurs never took permission away from Kane to fly, sources have told the Independent.

The England captain was at Stansted airport on Friday morning, waiting in a car for the green light to make the trip to Munich.

While the Premier League club on Wednesday agreed they were willing to sell the 30-year-old, and the principles appeared settled, it is understood that there are still talks about what the exact figures will look like.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has wanted 80 per cent of the fee to be guaranteed, with the rest made up of achievable bonuses and add-ons to take it over £110m.

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn

James Ward-Prowse undergoing medical at West Ham

11:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

West Ham have started to re-invest the cash they received for Rice, with Edson Alvarez through the door yesterday and James Ward-Prowse all but certain to follow. Sky report that the Southampton midfielder is currently having a medical at the club.

How Declan Rice can transform Arsenal and bring Mikel Arteta’s grand plan to life

11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest tomorrow, with Declan Rice set to make his league debut for the club after a summer switch from West Ham. Can Rice be the transformative figure Mikel Arteta’s team may need to close the gap to Manchester City? Miguel Delaney explores...

How Rice can transform Arsenal and bring Arteta’s grand plan to life

Fantasy Premier League 2023/24: Defenders to target

10:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Defenders

Premium

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool - 8.0

Naturally it’ll feel an obvious pick, but such is Liverpool’s new vice-captain’s impact that he’s a full 1.5m more costly than any other defender this season. Even so, we’d go as far to suggest he’s a must-have if you’re looking for attacking points in deeper areas. Alexander-Arnold isn’t just a set-piece taker, he’s now playing much higher up in midfield in possession, has scored for England from that area and looked in incredible creative form at the back end of last term too.

Kieran Trippier, Newcastle - 6.5

His starting price may have risen 1.5 from last season but the experienced English right-back still offers plenty of upside, having scored 42 more points than the next best defender last season. One goal, nine assists and 16 clean sheets was an excellent return and, despite a tough opening run of fixtures this season, he should be primed for another excellent showing.

Mid-range

Luke Shaw, Manchester United - 5.5

With the most clean sheets and third-fewest number of goals conceded, Manchester United’s defensive performance last season may have gone under the radar. Despite his nightmare debut in an Old Trafford friendly, Andre Onana’s signing should improve Erik ten Hag’s side in that capacity with Shaw set to play a key part once again. The 28-year-old takes some set pieces, offers a threat of attacking returns and scored more points last season than his Liverpool rival, Andy Robertson, who is 1m more expensive.

Pervis Estupinan, Brighton - 5.0

The 10th most points from defenders last year (128), a goal and seven assists was a great return. The left-back has a gentle start to the season with four of the favourites for the drop including Luton, Wolves, West Ham and Bournemouth in Brighton’s first six games.

Pedro Porro, Tottenham - 5.0

Pedro Porro quietly assembled an impressive debut fantasy half-season for Spurs after arriving in January. With three goals and three assists from just 1,132 minutes, you could be looking at a top-five defender under Ange Postecoglu if things break right. Pervis Estupinan, a comparable full-back alternative, played 2,674 minutes last season for Brighton in the Premier League, finishing with the 10th most points, if Porro replicates that game time with last season’s output, he’ll score 139 points, enough to rank sixth among defenders last year.

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

DONE DEAL! Everton sign young Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti

10:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We mentioned that it had been a slow summer at Goodison Park earlier but Everton have this morning confirmed the signing of Youssef Chermiti, a talented young striker who has been impressive since breaking into Sporting Lisbon’s first-team set-up this year.

“Youssef is a talented young striker who can add a different dimension to our squad,” Sean Dyche says of the forward. “He is still a teenager who is learning his game, which we will be mindful of, but we think he has the raw talent and ingredients to be a very good player and that’s why we are pleased to have signed him for Everton.”

Chermiti himself said: “It’s a big move for me. Joining Everton is a new beginning, a new page and I’m very happy to be here. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful club.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, my new teammates and to get to work with the coach. I want to embrace everything about the club.”

Eddie Howe still targeting one more addition to his Newcastle squad

10:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Newcastle have already brought in Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Harvey Barnes this summer but the club are still on the hunt for one more signing, Eddie Howe has confirmed this morning, with the club needing to manage a European campaign alongside their league efforts. “I’d love one more player,” Howe said. “That’s what I’d love personally, and I think then we’d have the ideal depth at this moment with the injuries that we currently have, but let’s wait and see.

“It’s a good question,” Howe continued when asked if he had received assurances that further funds would be available. “Not 100 per cent because it depends on the deal and I think we may have to be creative with this last player.

“But it’s difficult to make that a definite because, again, it depends on injuries between now and the window shutting.”

We Are Newcastle United: What we learned from the Amazon Prime docuseries

Jurgen Klopp urges caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo

10:11 , Richard Jolly

Jurgen Klopp has cautioned that Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo is not yet done despite confirming that the club have agreed a British record deal worth a reported £110 million.

Klopp said: “I can confirm the deal that the club has agreed, I don’t know what it means exactly, the player and agreement we will see.

“What changes is we have not endless resources, we didn’t expect a couple of things happening, Hendo, Fab and then it happened and we give it a go and the club was really stretched. We will see in the end.

“I have told you what I know. Besides that we cannot share, don’t praise the day before the night. Let’s see what happens.”

Jurgen Klopp urges caution over Liverpool’s move for Moises Caicedo

Inside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role: ‘With great power comes great responsibility’

10:05 , Karl Matchett

If there’s one thing football fans never learn from, it’s the year-to-year optimism that flourishes right ahead of a new season’s kick-off. Suddenly, regardless of disappointments or despair that came only a few months earlier, positivity and possibility reign supreme once more.

Naturally, that can ebb and flow once the campaign actually gets started, not just with results but with those within the club talking up, or down, the prospects of success.

For Liverpool fans, while 2022/23 was a year to forget as fast as possible, the regeneration in the centre of the park and promise of still-new attackers taking another step up offers the tantalising prospect of an immediate return to fighting for honours in 23/24. For that to happen, it’s almost certain that one factor needs to play out perfectly: the qualities and availability of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the team’s greatest creator and new vice-captain, must be consistently on show in the roving, scheming role he occupied in the final months of last term.

Inside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new role: With great power comes great responsibility

Alan Shearer eager for Harry Kane to join Bayern Munich

09:52 , Jack Rathborn

Alan Shearer is keen for Harry Kane to head to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

It will likely preserve his all-time Premier League record for a few more years.

Kane, still just 30 years old, is 47 goals behind Shearer’s total of 260 goals.

But Dyche feels Everton are heading in the right direction

09:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Less concerned with Everton’s summer is Dyche himself, with the manager suggesting he thinks his side are beginning to take tentative steps in the right direction.

“It looks like a gradual change because obviously you can’t change the whole thinking of a club from last season to this season with five-and-a-half weeks pre-season and a close season of similar length,” Dyche said yesterday ahead of Everton’s opener against Fulham.

“But I think we are beginning to make steps in the right direction, rebalancing the squad on the pitch looking for that mixture with younger players as well as older, experienced players to find a healthy balance.

“In my time here we have done enough good work to make sure we stayed in the division, that was the biggest challenge, and then, from there, can we take some of the stuff we learned from that and improve? That’s the first step.

“I have confidence. Having a pre-season with the players and rubbing off more with what we expect from them and some of the things we think is important.

“So far during pre-season it has been pretty solid with some good performances and a good energy and belief in what we are doing. We want that to go into the first game, and beyond. The truth of it will be when the whistle blows.”

Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands

09:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s been a slightly odd summer for Everton, maintaining their place in the top flight by the skin of their teeth last season but strangely inactive in the transfer market. As Sean Dyche prepares for his first full campaign in charge. Richard Jolly tries to figure out what exactly the Merseyside club might be this season.

Everton’s summer of stasis leaves Sean Dyche with a salvage job on his hands

‘Pundits, prepare to eat your hats’: Airport backs Luton Town with giant flight path message

09:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Inspired appointment Vincent Kompany repaying Burnley’s gamble

09:30 , Richard Jolly

Long before Burnley’s charge to the Championship title brought a century of points and perhaps even more plaudits, Alan Pace experienced a different kind of charge. It was a more unwelcome sight. Some 15 months ago, before the game against Newcastle that decided their destiny, the Burnley chairman declared they would remain in the Premier League “for a long time.” A couple of hours later, they were relegated.

Cue the rancour. “To have people come up to the directors’ box on their way out and almost charge at the directors’ box, and yell and scream and tell you to eff off and go die, I don’t think people are really ready for that,” Pace reflected. “I know I wasn’t. And then walking down the street and people are waving with one of their five fingers and yelling stuff. The hardest part was being with family when people were telling us to go home: this is home.” It is safer for him to show his face in public now. “It is way, way better when things are going well. People are very respectful and kind.”

Inspired appointment Vincent Kompany repaying Burnley’s gamble

Referees chief Howard Webb explains exactly why more added time is here to stay

09:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Raphael Varane and Kevin de Bruyne have both questioned the logic of placing further demands on already exhausted players, but it appears the extended periods of additional time at the end of Premier League games are here to stay.

Referees chief explains exactly why more added time is here to stay

Pep Guardiola expects Man City’s standards ‘to drop’ this season

09:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pep Guardiola claims it is inevitable standards will drop at Manchester City following last season’s treble success.

The City boss accepts it is unlikely his team will be able to match the intensity that saw them pick up the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies last term as a new campaign begins.

The Spaniard wants to make sure City pace their challenge for further silverware and is not even thinking about an end goal yet.

“We are going to drop that’s for sure,” said Guardiola, whose side begin their quest for a sixth domestic title in seven years at Burnley on Friday.

“It’s inevitable a little bit. We’ll try to avoid it as much as possible. Now it’s (about) not dropping too much – staying there, staying there, (being) close to our rivals.”

Pep Guardiola expects Man City’s standards ‘to drop’ this season

The factors which could stop Man City making Premier League history

09:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Manchester City get their season up and running with a short trip to Burnley this evening, Pep Guardiola ready to re-acquaint himself with Vincent Kompany as the Belgian prepares to take charge of his first game in the English top flight. A fourth consecutive Premier League crown would be unprecendented - Richard Jolly has been digging back through the history books to try and explain why.

The factors which could stop Man City making Premier League history

Ange Postecoglou has a rebuild mandate – but Spurs’ Harry Kane tactics are only harming themselves

08:55 , Karl Matchett

As the curtain went down on last season, one of the clubs facing most uncertainty over the immediate direction they would, or indeed could, take was Tottenham Hotspur.

It was clear that their second interim manager of the campaign, Ryan Mason, wouldn’t be in charge; who was to take over and try to - yet again - restructure and rebuild the underperforming team was a mystery. It was clear that a new sporting director had to be appointed given Fabio Paratici’s ban and departure; who they would land to fill the void was unclear. And above all, it seemed that both captain and vice-captain would move on from tthe playing squad: Hugo Lloris’ last involvement saw him subbed midway through the drubbing at Newcastle and he was outspoken over summer over his “desire” to depart, while star striker - and most valuable asset in every sense - Harry Kane has just a year left on his contract and many suitors keen on his talents.

And yet, in what can only be described as very Tottenham-esque fashion, both Lloris and Kane remain at the club on the eve of the new season, new boss Ange Postecoglou handed the task of rebuilding a team without fully knowing if the spearhead of it will in fact remain past the next few weeks.

Postecoglou is in rebuild mode – but Spurs’ Kane tactics harm themselves

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for 2023/24 season

08:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Remember to set your FPL gameweek 1 teams today - a Friday night fixture means an early deadline as the new season begins. Our writers have picked out the 30 players you should be targeting for fantasy success.

Fantasy Premier League: 30 players you must consider for GW1

Another twist in Harry Kane saga?

08:40 , Jack Rathborn

And Miguel Delaney, our chief football writer, has more detail on what might be holding up the completion of Kane’s transfer.

Harry Kane waits on Bayern Munich move as Tottenham talks continue

Another twist in Harry Kane saga?

08:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some more news on Harry Kane’s potential move to Bayern Munich, which now would appear to be in doubt. Kaveh Solhekol, of Sky Sports, is reporting that Tottenham may be attempting to alter the terms of the deal they agreed with the German club yesterday:

Premier League 2023/24 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more

08:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Premier League is back ahead of a new season with different teams emerging as front runners and the prospect of top players leaving European football.

But there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Arsenal and whether they will be able to push champions Manchester City again, especially with their lucrative spending and the addition of Declan Rice.

Liverpool will hope that their last campaign was more of a blip with Chelsea also looking to firmly leave the 2022/23 season in the dust. There will be questions concerning Newcastle who surpassed expectations to qualify for the Champions League last time round, as well as Tottenham who finished outside the European spots.

While there is great uncertainty at the bottom, with Nottingham Forest looking to avoid a second-season dip, and Luton just looking to survive.

The Independent’s team of writers have made their predictions for the next season:

Our writers predict how the Premier League season will unfold

Chelsea make Romeo Lavia bid in attempt to beat Liverpool in transfer race

08:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Could that see Chelsea pivot to Romeo Lavia as their primary midfield target? Todd Boehly and co. have tabled a bid for the Southampton youngster.

Chelsea make Romeo Lavia bid in attempt to beat Liverpool in transfer race

Liverpool agree £110m deal to sign Moises Caicedo in British transfer record

08:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And another player set for a mega-money move is Moises Caicedo. The Brighton midfielder has long an object an interest for Chelsea but Liverpool have swooped in with an offer that would set a new British transfer record.

Richard Jolly has the latest:

Liverpool agree £110m deal to sign Moises Caicedo in British transfer record

Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich move after making Tottenham decision

08:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s officially day one of the new Premier League season, with Burnley and Manchester City ready to raise the curtain at Turf Moor this evening, but the morning stories are all transfer related, with a couple of big bits of breaking news overnight.

The first concerns Harry Kane, who it would appear is Munich-bound, as Miguel Delaney reports.

Harry Kane set for Bayern Munich move after making Tottenham decision

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it

08:12 , Miguel Delaney

If the Premier League is to become a title race between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta once again, it will not be the only way they stand apart. They are two of the only people in the competition who seem to think anyone other than Manchester City can win the title. Even Guardiola’s opinions on that have to be viewed with some caution, however, given the performative humility he occasionally displays.

A tight title race certainly isn’t what the Catalan expects from his City players on the eve of the season. Guardiola is demanding more perfection.

Some of the other public comments on the issue from Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag are similarly for the benefit of their own squad, but it should still be notable for the Premier League that the managers of its two biggest clubs are now so open about how closed off the title is.

“Nobody besides City can have the real target to become champions again this year,” the Liverpool manager said. Ten Hag totally echoed that, saying that only City have the right to talk about the title.

This may not exactly be the most thrilling preface for a season currently selling itself as the “greatest show on earth”, but that’s sort of the point. The issue poses an identity question for the Premier League, especially given how it has surged clear as the planet’s most popular sporting competition. The extravagant expenditure in this window is further testament to that – but does all this show it is no longer living up to this “unique selling point”?

The Premier League is having an identity crisis – but one thing can save it