Summary
Transfers: Spurs want Solanke from Bournemouth
Transfers: William Osula signs for Newcastle from Sheffield Utd
Man Utd Erik ten Hag Community Shield news conferences from 16:30 BST
Gossip: Pochettino open to England job - reports
EFL build up before Championship season starts on Friday
Pre-season: Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen; Aston Villa 3-2 Athletic Bilbao
Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Live Reporting
Craig Nelson, Tasnim Chowdhury & Martin Dougan
'Liverpool will expect to challenge even in Slot's first season'published at 15:51 8 August
15:51 8 August
Who will be Man City's biggest challengers?
Liverpool
Last season's finish: Third (nine points below City)
Liverpool start a season without Jurgen Klopp as their manager for the first time since 2015-16.
Klopp announced his end-of-season departure in the middle of the last campaign - and he was replaced by Arne Slot in May.
The Dutchman appears to be changing the Reds' playing style from a high-energy pressing game to more of a possession-based set-up.
The Reds, who are the only team other than City to win a Premier League title in the past seven years, have yet to sign anybody this season - but Slot hopes that will change.
BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella said: "Liverpool will expect to challenge even in Slot's first season in charge after a glorious era under Jurgen Klopp left the club in a good place.
"They won’t be favourites, however, and there will also be a reasonable understanding if they fall short in what is his first season as he beds in his new approach."
Can Liverpool challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title? Thumbs up for yes, down for no
ICYMI: How pickpockets helped teach Arsenal players to be on their guardpublished at 15:47 8 August
15:47 8 August
Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Arsenal players must now surely know how it feels to be left empty-handed at the end of a Premier League season after twice finishing runners-up to Manchester City.
But to ram home that point further, manager Mikel Arteta hired a team of professional pickpockets during a team meal to remind them of that feeling.
According to a story in the Athletic, external, the sleight-of-hand artists were tasked with going round the tables, pinching phones and wallets from an unwitting first-team squad.
At the end of the meal, Arteta stood up and asked the team to empty their pockets. A number of players were missing valuable items.
It was reported that the idea was to teach the squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared - at all times.
'Arsenal are going to be title contenders for a long time'published at 15:38 8 August
15:38 8 August
Who will be Man City's biggest challengers?
Arsenal
Last season's finish: Second (two points below City)
Arsenal have finished runners-up to City in the past two seasons and are only slightly longer odds than the champions this year - miles clear of any other team.
The Gunners have made just one major personnel change this summer, bringing in Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42m. He can play at left-back or centre-back.
They have also turned a loan deal into a permanent stay for Spain goalkeeper David Raya, who usurped Aaron Ramsdale as number one last season.
Arsenal's goals have been shared out - with winger Bukayo Saka their top scorer over the past two seasons. Could a proper striker be the difference between winning the title and not? They have been linked to Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen.
BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell says: "Arsenal have finished second for the last two seasons but the last campaign felt like a big change for all at the club.
"The Gunners finished just two points behind champions Manchester City and pushed them until the final day of the season.
"Captain Martin Odegaard said at the end of last season that they've changed the club and it does feel as though that Arsenal are going to be title contenders for a long time."
Can Arsenal challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title? Thumbs up for yes, down for no
See AlsoShrove Tuesday football: 'No quarter asked nor given'Quality Weed E.P., by Bovell, Brown & CobbyTransfer latest and football newsWho are Man City's serious title challengers?published at 15:32 8 August
15:32 8 August
The annual question is being asked - can anybody stop Manchester City?
For the ninth season in a row Pep Guardiola's side have been installed as pre-season bookmakers' favourites to win the Premier League title.
They have won six of the past seven titles, including an unprecedented four in a row.
Click here for BBC Sport take on City's seven likeliest title rivals, sorted by last season's finishing positions.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 15:21 8 August
15:21 8 August
To mark your card, this page will keep on running this afternoon until Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's news conference to preview Saturday's Community Shield against rivals Manchester City.
We should be hearing from the Dutchman at around 16:30 BST.
Pep Guardiola's news conference is not scheduled until Friday lunchtime.
This means we have a bit of time to assess the upcoming season and how this year's title race could pan out.
Can City win a five consecutive title under Guardiola?
Bowie joins Hibs from Fulham for 'significant fee'published at 15:12 8 August
15:12 8 August
Image source, Getty ImagesHibernian have signed 21-year-old Fulham forward Kieron Bowie on a four-year contract.
Hibs head coach David Gray described the Scotland Under-21 player as "an exciting Scottish talent" after the club announced the signing for a "significant fee".
"He can play anywhere across the front three and his pace and power will give us an extra dimension going forward," Gray told the club website. "He has all the attributes to be a success in this league."
Bowie joined Fulham from hometown club Raith Rovers four years ago.
He came to the attention of Fulham when his 10 goals during his breakthrough season at Stark's Park helped Rovers lift the Scottish League One title.
'Promoting Carsley would fit St George's Park ethos'published at 15:04 8 August
15:04 8 August
While Joe Wilkinson may not quite meet the essential criteria laid out by the Football Association in their search for a new England manager, it looks like Under-21s boss Lee Carsley could be a serious candidate - for the short-term at least.
Click the play icon below to hear what BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell believes why Carsley is being considered for the interim role...
My Mate's A Footballer podcast returnspublished at 14:56 8 August
14:56 8 August
BBC Sounds
Joe Wilkinson reunites with Patrick Bamford to discuss his wedding, the next England manager and how best to switch off on holiday before the season starts again.
Pat checks out Joe’s credentials for one of football’s biggest jobs and Pat realises there’s some alarming common ground shared by his mum and Joe.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 14:51 8 August
14:51 8 August
#bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
R.E NMP at 1316. It’s not a joke we put all our eggs in one basket rather than move on to other identified targets? Seems like United are mocked either way they do transfer business.
Kai from London
It's the correct approach by Man Utd. You can't continue to be held to ransom by every other club, and besides who knows whether Ugarte and De Ligt would end up being another Casemiro or Anthony? No-one out there can possibly tell me Antony is better than Sander Berge!
Lawrence, Sparta
Larne eager for Conference League revenge?published at 14:47 8 August
14:47 8 August
FC Ballkani v Larne (19:00 BST)
Image source, InphoLarne's bid for Uefa Conference League qualification begins on Thursday night as they travel to Kosovo to face FC Ballkani in a third qualifying round first leg.
The Irish Premiership champions received a bye to the third round after their first-round exit from Champions League qualifying last month, where they fell to a disappointing 7-0 aggregate defeat by RFS.
Tiernan Lynch's side will be eager to bounce back from a poor showing against the Latvian champions and exact revenge on the Kosovo outfit after last year's 7-1 aggregate defeat in the Conference League second qualifying round.
The first leg will be played at the home of the Kosovo Superleague champions, Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina before the second leg at Inver Park on 15 August.
'We don't fear anybody'published at 14:39 8 August
14:39 8 August
St Mirren v Brann (19:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesSt Mirren manager Stephen Robinson says his players have no fear as they prepare to face Brann in the third round of Europa Conference League qualifying tonight.
Brann sit second in the Norwegian top flight after 18 matches and are regulars in European competition - but the Buddies boss says his team expect to win every time they take to the field, whether in Scotland or on the continent.
"The mentality every game we go into is that we expect to win," he said.
"The boys know if we're at the best of our ability, we don't fear anybody - and that includes Europe. We believe we can beat anybody on our day with the players we have."
Robinson's side also started their Premiership campaign impressively by beating Hibernian 3-0 on Sunday, but the Northern Irishman emphasised that his side will need to hit new heights if they are to compete with Brann.
The winner of the two-legged tie will meet Romania's Corvinul Hunedoara or Kazakhstan's Astana in the play-off round.
- Read more here.
'It’s important we try to deliver a big performance'published at 14:34 8 August
14:34 8 August
Kilmarnock v Tromso (19:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesKilmarnock "just have to deliver" when they face Tromso in Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round first leg at Rugby Park, manager Derek McInnes says.
McInnes' side dropped into the Conference League after a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Belgian side Cercle Bruges in the Europa League.
"The players have worked extremely hard to get this type of evening," McInnes said of the team that finished fourth in last season's Scottish Premiership.
"We believe we can get through it and I’m sure Tromso will be the same.
"It’s important we try to deliver a big performance, a performance we know we are capable of.
Tromso are 13th in the 16-team Eliteserien, just two points off the bottom midway through their season, but joint-head coach Gard Holme is adamant his relegation-threatened side are starting to find their groove despite losing on Sunday.
The winner of the tie will face Denmark's FC Copenhagen or Czech Republic's Banik Ostrava in the play-off round.
- Click here to find out what Tromso have to say about Kilmarnock ahead of tonight's European tie.
Tonight's Conference League fixturespublished at 14:24 8 August
14:24 8 August
All times in BST
Thursday, 8 August
Uefa Conference League third qualifying round, first leg
- Ballkani v Larne (19:00)
- Kilmarnock v Tromso (19:00)
- St. Mirren v Brann (19:45)
Postpublished at 14:19 8 August
14:19 8 August
From the start of the English domestic season to the qualifying rounds for Uefa's cup competitions, which began weeks ago...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 14:13 8 August
14:13 8 August
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I think United should sign both Berge and Fofana. Casemiro and McTominay seem to be surrounded by a lot of speculation ATM and tbh, Casemiro's fitness has declined and McTominay, although he scores goals is tremendously inconsistent with his passing. Mainoo needs an experienced and clinical passer of the ball beside him. Both these guys can do that.
Anon
Berge could get six-figure contractpublished at 14:02 8 August
14:02 8 August
Thursday's gossip column
Manchester United
Manchester United might tempt Burnley and Norway midfielder Sander Berge, 26, to Old Trafford by offering him a £100,000-a-week contract.(Sun), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesBolton must 'get over' Wembley painpublished at 13:58 8 August
13:58 8 August
New EFL season
Another big campaign lies ahead for former Premier League side Bolton - and Wanderers boss Ian Evatt says his side have to get over the pain of their League One play-off final defeat at Wembley.
Evatt's side were well beaten 2-0 by Oxford United, missing out on promotion back to the Championship after a five-year absence.
Wanderers' defeat came off the back of narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in 2023-24.
"We have to try to get over it and formulate a way to get better," Evatt told BBC Radio Manchester.
"The hardest part of football for me was once you've had those negative experiences, you don't just think and memorise those, you think about the good things we did in that season as well and there were a lot of those.
"We have to find a balance of improving and getting better, but also not throwing the baby out with the bath water because I think there was still a lot to like about last season."
Image source, Rex FeaturesCleverley won't accept another 'mediocre' Watford campaignpublished at 13:54 8 August
13:54 8 August
New EFL season
Watford
Watford head coach Tom Cleverley has said mediocrity will not be accepted ahead of his first full season in charge.
The Hornets head to Millwall in their opening Championship match of the new season on Saturday off the back of a disappointing 15th-placed finish last term.
"The absolute minimum we have to do is improve on what we did on last season," the 34-year old former Manchester United and England midfielder told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"But, for me, that's too much of a mediocre ambition. I'm an ambitious guy and I work as hard as I can to make those ambitions come true."
Watford managed only two wins in their final 13 matches at the end of 2023-24 and have now seen an end to their Premier League parachute payments following their relegation from the top flight in 2022.
Read more from Cleverley here - and you can watch his hour-long 'hotseat special' chat with BBC 3CR here.
'Clarets should be too strong for Championship'published at 13:47 8 August
13:47 8 August
How relegated sides are shaping up for Championship return?
Burnley
Former Burnley winger and Clarets summariser for BBC Radio Lancashire Glen Little gives his thoughts on Burnley ahead of the up and coming EFL season:
Following their relegation last season, I strongly fancied Burnley to bounce straight back to the Premier League and I am not going to change my mind now.
Upon their return to the Championship, I thought they would be favourites to win the league, but that isn't the case as Leeds are fancied to take top spot.
However, with a new manager in Scott Parker and some new signings, I'm sticking with Burnley.
So far the squad is pretty much the same with only Arijanet Muric and Charlie Taylor leaving and my only slight worry would be the centre-forward position.
Last time Burnley won the league, Nathan Tella was top scorer and I am unsure who's going to replace those goals.
The squad is very strong, though, and you would be disappointed if it is not far too good for the Championship.
- You can check out all things Burnley here
- For a more in-depth look into new Burnley manager Scott Parker, what happened last season and how the squad looks for their Championship return, click here
Image source, Getty Images'Patience is vital for Blades'published at 13:39 8 August
13:39 8 August
How relegated sides are shaping up for Championship return?
Sheffield United
BBC Radio Sheffield commentator Andy Giddings thinks patience is key, if Sheffield Utd are to have a successful Championship season this campaign:
Patience is vital for Sheffield United. The revamp is significant after their Premier League relegation and the protracted, proposed takeover of the club has led to transfer delays.
Even if the takeover happens in time in this transfer window, and the signs of that are said to be positive, it's seemingly inevitable that Wilder's squad will be under strength at the start of the season.
It's also easy to think the January window will be just as significant as the current one, if not more so.
This then isn't the ideal summer build up to a campaign where promotion will and should be the aim. More positively, Wilder has the know-how with four previous promotions on his CV – two with the Blades – and the squad already has several promotion winners in it, plus there are some great emerging young stars, first among them midfielder Oli Arblaster who looks a top talent.
There's no reason to be dismissive of promotion talk with Sheffield United but it may be a season they have to grow into.
- Here is where you'll find around Sheffield Utd
- If you want to see how the Sheffield Utd squad are looking, along with what happened in the Premier League last year, this is the place to go
