Premier League

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

When Nick Pope started against Italy at the San Siro in September 2022, he became the first Newcastle goalkeeper to win a senior England cap for 121 years.

Three years later, the Magpies could now have another England international keeper on their books.

But Newcastle fans could be forgiven for any apprehension around potentially signing a goalkeeper that has suffered relegation with four different clubs.

Aaron Ramsdale was in the Southampton side that went down with 12 points last term and he also dropped out of the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2020-21, Bournemouth in 2019-20 and even endured a League Two demotion while on loan at Chesterfield seven years ago.

The 27-year-old conceded 66 goals and kept three top-flight clean sheets in a disastrous 2024-25 campaign for the Saints, with his numbers understandably below average because of playing behind such a porous defence.

His experience cannot be questioned, however, and he has 183 Premier League appearances to his name - only 38 fewer than Pope.

Ramsdale's Premier League career profile is similar to Eddie Howe's back-up keeper Martin Dubravka - both are less accomplished shot-stoppers than Pope, but more accurate passers.

Dubravka did well when called upon last term but he will turn 37 in January and the opportunity to sign a player almost 10 years younger with comparable ability could prove to be shrewd business.

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Brighton midfielder James Milner says he will wear the number 20 shirt for the 2025-26 season as a "mark of respect" to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month.

Milner played alongside Jota for three seasons between 2020 and 2023 before leaving Anfield to join Brighton. The 39-year-old also travelled to Portugal for the funeral of Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the start of July.

Liverpool have retired the number 20 shirt worn by Jota in his five seasons at the club but Milner has opted to take the vacant shirt number at Brighton, after team-mate Carlos Baleba decided to switch numbers for the upcoming season.

Speaking to MyAlbion TV, external about his decision, Milner said: "Once I heard Carlos [Baleba] was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and to obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota.

"He was an amazing player, who I was fortunate to play with, and he was a great friend as well.

"It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year."

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Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle reporter

Alexander Isak is Newcastle's best striker since Alan Shearer.

He is the player who scored the decisive goal at Wembley - one of many special moments in black and white - and he was worshipped on Tyneside.

But that relationship has been damaged.

There is an acceptance Newcastle need to become better at selling players.

It's something former sporting director Paul Mitchell alluded to last year to when he described their transfer strategy prior to his arrival as "not fit for purpose".

It is the first time since the takeover in October 2021 another club has come for one of their big names.

Many fans are worried about the impact on the dressing room and fear others will see a move away from St James' Park as the best thing for their careers.

The ownership have invested hundreds of millions of pounds in Newcastle over the last four years and the message is that they remain committed to taking the club to the top.

The Isak money, should they sell, will boost their PSR position and hopefully enable them to add more depth and quality to their squad - something they have really struggled to do in this transfer window.

It has certainly been a tough few months.

But, they were in a difficult place 12 months ago with PSR pressures, changes at executive level, and speculation about the manager's future. What followed was the most successful season the club has had.

With Eddie Howe in charge and some outstanding players in his squad, anything is possible.

Read more from Matthew Raisbeck and fans here

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Matty Renton
Fan writer

Newcastle fan contributor Matty Renton says he is ready to move on from Alexander Isak and is focused on the potential arrival of Benjamin Sesko.

He explains: "If we get that Isak money, there is no excuses - we have no PSR or FFP problems for a few years. We can rebuild, get Champions League ready and go again."

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Meanwhile Lee Johnson from the Newcastle podcast True Faith told BBC Sport: "We've just had an amazing season, in which we won our first trophy in 70 years, and he helped us win that.

"The hope was that this summer would have been a transformation for ourselves but it seems to be turning into a bit of a nightmare now."

Supporter and True Faith podcaster Charlotte Robson added: "Make no mistake: losing Isak without a replacement ready would be catastrophic for Newcastle United.

"I don't think it is controversial to say it is going to be very difficult to progress in the Champions League without a striker in the squad."

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Adam Blackmore
BBC Radio Solent sports editor

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Tyler Dibling gets rave reviews when I speak to senior players and former players about him. They see a young English talent who has great potential and huge natural ability.

Dibling has great balance, poise, power and strength for his age. The ball sticks to his feet when he is dribbling and he can win free-kicks by sucking defenders in only to shift the ball away from them in a Jack Grealish style.

Last season was a steep learning curve for him. It was a tough campaign for a teenager to deal with. He was brilliant at times but as the season faded for Southampton, it also faded for Dibling.

His niggling injuries impacted him as well as the vagaries of trying to play at the highest level week in week out, which few 18-year-olds can do.

He is a quiet and thoughtful teenager, who doesn't look for the centre stage, but his talent is good enough to demand it at some point in the future, if he keeps growing as he has.

I've said all summer that Southampton should be trying to get £40-50m for him, so we will see what the club accept at the end of the day, if he wants to go to Everton of course.

He went to Chelsea as a youngster but didn't like it and came back to Saints, so that in itself says a lot about what is important to him.

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Manchester United "can't keep taking punts" on young players with potential, says ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden.

The Red Devils have invested in talented forward prospects like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in recent seasons, but these players are yet to show significant returns for the outlay.

They appear to be approaching this transfer window differently with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo who both already have Premier League experience.

The question is whether they will continue this through pursuing experience in Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins or if they will opt to move for 22-year-old Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

"United over recent years have taken too many gambles on young players," Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. Rasmus Hojlund being one and Joshua Zirkzee being another. They had a very, very young strike force last year and it could barely score a goal.

"It is a dilemma, though. They go for a guy [Watkins] who is 29, you probably get a season or two out of him, but if he has a good season and gets them back in the Champions League then it is a return on the investment, however, I think United's view is they would rather play the long game.

"They have signed two players in their mid-20s in Cunha and Mbeumo and I think with Sesko, the worry is that he could be another Rasmus Hojlund. Although, I feel Sesko is more developed and he has had more time in a top league than Hojlund. He basically had one season at Atalanta, whereas Sesko has had a couple of years in the Bundesliga, plus Champions League experience when playing for Salzburg, so he is the better option.

"What I think United need is a proven, seasoned goalscorer, but their view is that the investment in Sesko is a better, more long-term option. However, you need to win today and tomorrow rather than just the long-term and United can't keep taking punts for four or five years down the line, they need to be winning now."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea's close ties to Strasbourg are highlighted by the five deals from the bigger English club into the smaller French club.

Defender Mamadou Sarr completes a maximum of three loans into the Ligue 1 club this summer, with midfielder Kendry Paez and goalkeeper Mike Penders also moving to the Alcase-based club this week.

All three of those loaned were looked at by Enzo Maresca and his coaching staff at the Club World Cup and were in contention to make his squad for the coming season but in all cases it was decided a loan move would be more productive for their development.

Sarr was pleased to re-join Strasbourg while Penders is going to be number one and earn valuable experience. There was some confusion around Paez who had hoped he would make Chelsea's squad for the Club World Cup but travelled to the United States without being registered instead.

Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino was also considered for a loan move by Strasbourg.

In addition to the three loanees, Strasbourg have signed Chelsea academy defender Ishe Samuels-Smith for £6.5m and midfielder Mathis Amougou for around £12m.

There are further signs of the connection between the clubs with Strasbourg led by English manager Liam Rosenior, who secured a seventh placed finish last season to allow the club to qualify for the Conference League.

They previously signed Diego Moreira from Chelsea and have Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Maxi Oyedele and Andrew Omobamidele who have spent time in the English academy system.

Chelsea have also discussed signing Strasbourg's star striker Emanuel Emegha next season as part of his ongoing contract negotiations to keep him for a further year at Stade de la Meinau.

To some, multi-club models feel wrong but Chelsea are just the latest club from England after the likes of Manchester City, Brighton and Bournemouth to benefit from such a connection.

The Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership are understood to prefer a small but mutually beneficial connection - similar to the one between RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg - rather than a bigger model like the 12-club City Football Group, led by Manchester City.

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Liverpool have launched their home and away kits for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Entering a new era with sponsor Adidas, the club have labelled their home kit 'Red, redefined' while a cream and black theme runs through the away strip.

What do you make of the Premier League champions' new threads?

Choose your verdict here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brentford striker Yoane Wissa continues to train away from the first team amid uncertainty over his future and interest from multiple rival clubs.

The 28-year-old arrived at training on time before meeting manager Keith Andrews and sporting director Phil Giles to indicate his preference to continue training alone.

Wissa has previously threatened he will never play for Brentford again in past talks with Giles amid reports a £25m bid from Newcastle was rejected last week.

Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also believed to be interested in the Congo international.

Andrews is preparing his team to face QPR on Saturday which will also be the first time he speaks about the situation publicly.

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Crystal Palace have confirmed Rob Holding has left the club with a year left on his contract.

The defender joined the Eagles in September 2023 from Arsenal, but didn't make a single senior appearance, before going on loan to Sheffield United at the latter end of last season where he played 12 times.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.

"The club wishes Rob all the best for his future career," Palace said.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Newcastle are the latest club linked with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, who is also being linked with Leeds and Atalanta. The 24-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting spot at Craven Cottage, often playing second fiddle to Raul Jimenez over the past two seasons.

But he has attracted attention from potential suitors by making the most of limited opportunities. The Brazilian opened his Premier League account in a 2-2 draw at Burnley in February 2024, the first of 17 top-flight goals in the space of 16 months.

During this time he averages a goal every 128 minutes, the sixth best record in the competition. The only players to post better figures are Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah – arguably the league's three best forwards – plus Jhon Duran and Richarlison, both of whom mainly profited as impact substitutes.

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Muniz has proved himself a clinical finisher over this period, outperforming his expected goals tally by 3.46, while also excelling in the air. Though hardly a giant at 6ft 1in, he has won an average of five aerial duels per 90 minutes since February 2024, the fourth best record of any players to appear regularly in the top flight.

Leeds have repeatedly targeted tall players this summer and Muniz's physicality could be a real asset to the newly promoted side. Winning a starting role at Newcastle or Atalanta may prove more challenging, but those clubs could offer the enticing prospect of Champions League football.

However, Fulham have yet to sign an outfield player this summer and they may be reluctant to let Muniz move on without first having a replacement lined up.

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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Nelson Semedo's departure from Wolves is finally official, but it's been shrouded in uncertainty for far too long. For weeks, fans waited for clarity, knowing the end was coming but not exactly when or how. That drawn-out farewell overshadowed what should have been a straightforward and fitting goodbye for a player who gave so much.

Semedo arrived from Barcelona in 2020, and while he faced adjustment periods, he soon built a reputation for reliability, commitment, and professionalism.

On the pitch, his overlapping runs, defensive reliability, and adaptability through several managerial changes stood out. Off the pitch, his work ethic and leadership - especially as captain - won genuine respect.

Through turbulent seasons and changing squads, Semedo's consistency anchored Wolves' right side. He quietly put in the work, handled media and club business with dignity, and never allowed contract speculation to affect his game.

Time and again, he left every ounce of effort on the pitch, week in and week out, embodying what fans expected of the Old Gold.

But the drawn-out uncertainty around his contract did the club and supporters no favours. Everyone knew a decision was looming, yet weeks passed without answers - turning a proud exit into a long goodbye that dragged on.

Fans, and likely Semedo himself, deserved better.

Now as he moves on, Wolves are left without a trusted, steady presence in defence and the dressing room. The club faces another rebuilding phase, having lost not just a player, but a leader and symbol of resilience during tough seasons.

Semedo departs with the respect and thanks of fans who watched him give his all, and with hope that his next chapter brings deserved fulfilment. His presence will be missed, but his professionalism and commitment set an example that future Wolves signings should emulate.

Now, Wolves face a real gap - not just in terms of a right-back, but also in overall squad depth and experience. As things stand, there's no obvious successor in place. Losing key players and not signing strong replacements is a recipe for trouble in the Premier League, where every weak link is punished.

Fans know that with the current squad, the club risks being outplayed and outmatched.

Wolves must act fast and smart in the transfer market. The time for hesitation is over. If the club doesn't invest and bring in quality signings, the threat of a tough season - and another relegation battle - grows more real. The fans want ambition, not just survival, and that means planning better for departures like Semedo's.

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David Moyes would prefer to have "everyone healthy" than all his transfer business sorted in pre-season, believes former Everton defender Phil Jagielka.

The Toffees have yet to win a game during their preparations for the new campaign and, while battling injuries and a thin squad, Moyes has expressed the need for more signings.

However, Jagielka disagrees that winning every game and having all new players in place for pre-season is the most important thing for a new campaign.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, he said: "You want some form of momentum if you can. You want your goalscorers scoring goals, you want your defenders and goalkeepers keeping clean sheets.

"David Moyes has been very honest with what he has got as a squad.

"But if you offered Moyes a bad pre-season as far as results go but as soon as the season starts he has the minutes in the legs he wants and everyone is healthy, perhaps with a few more signings, then that is the key aspect.

"If I was going to be greedy, I would like five more players and us winning 3-0 every game - but I know that is not a massive necessity to pre-season.

"The pool is so competitive. Everyone wants similar players for similar money and similar wages.

"I would rather we take our time and be careful. Don't make too many mistakes and we can have this conversation in six months' time, saying how well Moyes did in taking his time and picking the players he wanted."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on captain Nelson Semedo leaving Molineux after a five-season stint, making 182 appearances and playing under five different managers.

Here are some of your replies:

John: Losing Semedo was inevitable. I know the club had put a decent contract offer in front of the lad, but it was always more in hope than expectation. All the very best, Nelson. You will always be a Wolf.

Tom: A big blow to lose a player of this calibre. At times he slipped under the radar, unfairly, and he didn't always get the credit he deserved. However, his consistent performances made him a key member of the squad. He will be very difficult to replace. It's a shame to see him go, but I wish him all the best. Obrigado.

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Richard: Typical that he leaves after his best season for Wolves. Prior to that, he wasn't great. He made lots of mistakes defensively and he had no threat going forward, despite getting into good positions. I think he has proved to be a costly signing.

James: You can't blame him for coining it at the end of his contract.

Ken: You have to judge people on what they do, not what they say. Semedo just hung on, hoping to get a better offer. If he had any real regard for the club, he would have made a decision at the end of last season. Instead, by delaying so long, he has put the club in a difficult situation in terms of getting a replacement. The club should not have given him so much time.

Philip: Very unhappy with how he has handled his departure.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Crystal Palace have rejected an offer of just over £30m for striker Jean-Phillippe Mateta from Italian club Atalanta.

The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract but it remains unclear whether Palace would accept higher offers, amid high demand for strikers across the transfer market.

However, the Italian club, who lost Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui in a reported £56m move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah, are looking for a suitable replacement.

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz is also believed to be on Atalanta's list, along with Lecce's Nikola Krstovic and Genk's Tolu Arokodare.

Meanwhile, Palace are facing an uncertain summer with Arsenal interested in midfielder Eberechi Eze and defender Marc Guehi entering the final year of his contract in South London.

Jonathan Buchan
BBC Radio Leeds Sports Editor

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Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is the latest addition to Leeds United's defensive ranks and joins a pretty full-looking goalkeeping department.

Which means one thing. Someone will leave.

The new man comes expecting to be first choice and with some billing. Back in February, his coach at Lyon, Paulo Fonseca, called the Brazilian 'the strongest goalkeeper in the world' after an impressive display against Marseille.

At one stage, some might have felt that tag could, down the line, have been used for Illan Meslier. However he now looks the most obvious option to depart.

Sadly, for the Frenchman statistics such as becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 10 Premier League clean sheets, have been outweighed by numerous monumental errors over the past 12 months.

Regular listeners to our podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' will know I have long defended the 25-year-old.

However, on episode 135 even my faith began to wobble following his display in the 3-3 draw at Hull. Daniel Farke's support, at that time, remained steadfast as it would be over two months before further errors against Swansea saw Karl Darlow given the nod at Kenilworth Road.

The Welshman performed well when called upon, but he will surely now find himself back in the unique supporting role of a back-up stopper.

Alex Cairns is the fourth currently on the books and, like Darlow is classed as a homegrown player. Add to that him being a local lad who isn't expecting to play and you have an ideal third choice.

If Meslier is the one to seek pastures new I would add just one thing…a hefty sell-on clause…just in case!

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Sunderland are keen on taking Chelsea striker Marc Guiu on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old is being made available by Chelsea given they boast a host of other options and Guiu has previously attracted the attention of relegated Ipswich Town.

However, the chance of going on loan within the Premier League could also be attractive as Chelsea and the £5m signing from Barcelona in 2024 weigh up their options.

Guiu got six goals in 16 matches in his first season at Chelsea.

The Blues could also loan out winger Tyrique George, also 19, with both attackers having played a substantial role during Chelsea's Conference League win last season.

Chelsea have since signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens. They are also in talks to add RB Leipzig attacker midfielder Xavi Simons to Enzo Maresca's squad.

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We asked for your views on whether goalkeeper James Trafford's return to Manchester City spells the end of Ederson as number one.

Here are some of your comments:

David: Ederson's hunger and application have been declining for at least a year and he's just too careless. He has been a fantastic keeper and fully instrumental in our style of play but his mind is elsewhere. We need younger and hungrier players in key positions and Trafford fits the bill and knows the City method of playing. He'll make mistakes but he'd by my number one of choice in a team rebuild.

Andy: Ederson has been a great servant for the club but we need more than just distribution from a keeper. Trafford is a great shotstopper, and can only get better at distribution. Great to have him back.

Chris: As a lifelong City fan, it's great James is back in the fold, but can he challenge Ederson for ability and distribution?

Malcolm: Twelve months from now, he will be Man City's number one.

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Richard: I hoped he would get the chance to return. He went away to learn his trade, and looked a bit lightweight defending corners and under the ball. He developed under Vinny [Kompany] and given his age now, if carefully managed he can become a great. He wants to be here and he regards it as home.

Dereck: He's a signing for the present and the future. As he says, he's still young and has more to learn. Welcome home and look forward to seeing you back in our shirt.

Steve: This is the last year of Ederson's contract so I expect goalkeeping duties to be shared with Trafford taking over next season.

Rich: Ederson should be sold before his contract expires. Past his best. Stefan Ortega is a safer option and then put Trafford as number two.

Geoff: Very overrated. Poor in the air and with his feet. Got at least one major error per game in him. Won't suit Pep Guardiola's style at all.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Big Transfer Talk Show, the panel discuss the impact that Viktor Gyokeres could have at Arsenal.

"This guy is ridiculous and there are so many ways that he improves Arsenal," said Statman Dave.

"With him in their side, they will win the league. Depth is a massive thing - they have two in every position and they should win the league this season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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So, in true snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory Spurs style, Morgan Gibbs-White is staying at Nottingham Forest.

However, perhaps the real fumble was not the Forest player, but the weeks we lost in the wider transfer market.

With Xavi Simons seemingly on his way to Chelsea, Spurs could have missed out on other key targets – including better players than Gibbs-White.

Thomas Frank is playing his cards close to his chest regarding transfer interests, but with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out with injuries, our new manager will be keen to sign another number 10.

One player I am still interested in – and, to be honest, more excited about than Gibbs-White – is Eberechi Eze. With a similar price tag to the Forest midfielder, Eze offers more versatility with his ability to play across the frontline as well as in midfield.

Similarly, Morgan Rogers would be a great option – but it looks as though Aston Villa have taken notes from Nottingham Forest and offered a lucrative new contract to keep their star man.

Another, potentially more viable option, is Harvey Elliott. Apparently keen to leave Liverpool in search of more minutes on the pitch, Elliott's dribbling ability in particular could make him a fan-favourite at Spurs.

Is this focus on a number 10 correct, or could missing out on Gibbs-White be a blessing in disguise? Do Spurs actually need a number six more urgently?

A good compromise could be Adam Wharton. While the Crystal Palace player clearly has attacking capabilities, his key strengths are winning the ball and initiating attacks from deeper positions. However, Daniel Levy will probably need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of money to secure Wharton.

Whichever players we decide to pursue, I will do my best not to get too excited about anyone until they are definitely ours.

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Everton boss David Moyes says the club's recent flirtations with relegation could be behind the lack of transfer business so far this summer.

The Toffees finished 16th, 17th and 15th in the Premier League between 2021 and 2024 and were struggling again last season until Moyes returned and guided them to 13th.

"The truth is we're not getting them over the line at the moment - that's a fact," Moyes said to reporters in Chicago as part of the Premier League pre-season Summer Series.

"We're not getting a lot of the deals done which we're hoping to do, so we're continually reassessing and moving on, while maybe things are not coming to fruition."

"We keep trying to get the best players we can, but we're finding it quite difficult at the moment.

Four new players, including young left-back Adam Aznou from Bayern Munichand reserve keeper Mark Travers, have arrived so far this summer but a host of experienced starters left earlier in the summer.

On whether he is surprised the club is having difficulty getting deals over the line, Moyes added: "My first thought was yes, because Everton's such a big club, great traditions. We've looked at what it's stood for over the years, and the new stadium's an exciting new move for us

"But then when you have another thought and you think again about it, we've been in or around the relegation positions for the last five years, so maybe there's been reasons for it.

"The fact of the matter is we've got to rebuild trust in people who should come to Everton and show them that the club's going in the right direction."

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Newcastle have opened talks to sign England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton.

The 27-year-old played under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth and has been targeted by the Magpies after a £27m bid for Burnley's James Trafford was matched by Manchester City, who plan to buy back their former academy player.

"It is obvious that Newcastle want another goalkeeper," said former defender John Anderson on BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Ramsdale has been mentioned in questions with Eddie Howe for a while now. The Trafford deal seemed to drag on forever and everybody just expected that deal to happen, I certainly did. Then all of a sudden, Manchester City came along and gazumped it.

"Ramsdale is the right age for a goalkeeper and is coming into his prime at 27. Newcastle seem desperate to get another goalkeeper. There are already so many on the books as it is, so whether they are not convinced about Nick Pope, I'm not sure.

"Pope played well in pre-season but we all know he is not the best with his feet. He has had some issues but he does the job.

"The goalkeeper basically becomes an extra defender so Newcastle need to have someone who doesn't just stop the ball going into the back of the net. The goalkeepers at Liverpool and Manchester City are all very comfortable with their feet."

BBC Radio Newcastle's Simon Pryde added: "The reaction to this news is mainly negative. But that might be down to the general frustration of Newcastle fans having only made one signing this transfer window. They have missed out on a lot of top targets.

"I understand the reaction to an extent, but I have always admired Aaron Ramsdale when I have seen him play over the years."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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Micky van de Ven says he will not "approach this season any differently" as he hopes for better luck with injuries in 2025-26.

Along with a number of Tottenham players, the centre-back struggled for fitness throughout last term, picking up knee, thigh and hamstring injuries.

However, Van de Ven is confident that having a full pre-season will equip him for the upcoming campaign.

"I think it's important. Last year with the Euros, pre-season for me was not that long," he said. "I only had one week or two weeks of training before I started the Premier League.

"It is really good that I have these training weeks and that I can do these sessions and build up my strength in this physical training for the season.

"I didn't really have a pre-season at Tottenham before, because two years ago I came after the pre-season and last season I had the Euros.

"I don't approach it any differently Of course there's more time to work on my body and make my body prepared for the Premier League and for the Champions League and for all the other games that are coming up.

"I would say that's a positive thing that I can work on."

Van de Ven and his team-mates will continue their preparations for the new campaign when they face rivals Arsenal in the first north London derby outside of the UK in Hong Kong on Thursday.

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Everton are going to have to "pay what clubs want" if they are going to bring new players in this summer.

Having lost five senior members of the squad when their contracts expired and with injury-related absences of defensive duo James Tarkowski and Jarrod Branthwaite, the Toffees have struggled to pick up any form during pre-season.

The lack of squad depth was evident in their 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth in their opening game of the Premier League Summer Series at the weekend.

"Jordan Pickford came out to the mixed zone and he was a little bit down," Toffee TV presenter Ped told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I'm not sure if it is a line that David Moyes wants to get out, but he just reiterated how short we are and how many injuries we have.

"Having no defenders and having no bench I'm sure has taken it out of them. Both Pickford and Moyes in his press conference mentioned we need new players. It looks like we are about to get one, but Moyes has said we need nine or 10.

"He wasn't playing to the crowd - he was putting that message out to whoever was listening."

Everton have made completed three transfers so far this window and have made an offer for Bayern Munich's teenage defender Adam Aznou, but Moyes still feels they need at least six more.

"The way I would be looking at it is let's judge when the window shuts. Let's not be having a meltdown about it right now because who knows what can happen over the next two weeks?" Ped added.

"What Everton are going to have to do - and not everyone will like this - is they are going to have to pay what clubs want.

"We have got to go to the club and say: 'Here is what you want and now you need to force this player out'.

"I think the club are just going to have to suck it up this year and pay whatever these clubs want for the top talent."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds