Southampton were relegated from the Premier League down to the Championship after an 11-year stint at the top level at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Saints enjoyed many years in the top-flight and enjoyed some adventures on the European stage, which included a 2-1 win against Inter at St. Mary's in 2016.

They were able to use their position within the division, and when they were in Europe, to splash the cash on new signings to bolster their squad.

Who are Southampton's most expensive signings?

Tino Livramento

£22.6m*

Danny Ings

£21.7m

Kamaldeen Sulemana

£21.6m

Jannik Vestergaard

£21.6m

Sadio Mane

£19.8m

*Includes the sell-on fee that Chelsea received from his move to Newcastle United this summer.

As you can see in the table above, Southampton have been willing to shell out millions on players over the years but they have not always been able to unearth a success like Sadio Mane or Danny Ings.

One signing the club had a nightmare with was their deal to sign central midfielder Mario Lemima from Italian giants Juventus in the summer of 2017.

How much did Southampton pay for Lemina?

The Saints reportedly splashed out an initial £15.4m to sign the Gabon international from the Serie A side, in a move that could have cost up to £18.1m including add-ons.

Vice-chairman, at the time, Les Reed hailed the midfield maestro as an "outstanding" player and stated that the signing was a "statement" of intent from the club as he had featured in the Champions League final for his former team earlier that year.

The fee that the club paid was just shy of the then-club-record £16m they spent to sign Sofiane Boufal from Lille the previous year, which illustrates how expensive Lemina was at the time.

He arrived at St. Mary's off the back of a season as a rotation option for Juventus.

The 6-foot technician averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.92 across 19 Serie A appearances and only started eight matches.

Lemina produced 1.9 tackles and interceptions per game and came out on top in 50% of his individual duels to go along with one goal and one assist, as per Sofascore.

His best form for Juventus, however, came during the 2015/16 campaign.

The Gabon international averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.26 across ten league outings and contributed with an eye-catching 3.9 tackles and interceptions per match, which only Claudio Marchisio (4.9) was able to better within the squad.

He also showcased his impressive ability in possession with 2.2 dribbles per game and a sublime success rate of 96%. This shows that opposition players found it almost impossible to dispossess the central midfielder when he had the ball at his feet and was moving up the pitch.

These performances were seemingly convincing enough to make Southampton spend a significant amount of money on his services ahead of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign, with Reed and then-manager Mauricio Pellegrino bringing him to England.

How many appearances did Lemina make for Southampton?

The 30-year-old flop made 52 appearances for the Saints in all competitions over the course of his four-year stay on the south coast.

Lemina did, however, enjoy a fantastic debut season with the club as he became an instant success with his consistently impressive displays in the middle of the park.

The Gabon international averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.98 across 25 top-flight outings and caught the eye with his defensive and ball-carrying attributes.

He made 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and showcased his strength with a duel success rate of 61%, as per Sofascore, which showed that opposition players rarely got the better of him in physical contests.

Out of every player with at least five Premier League appearances, only Oriol Romeu (2.7) made more tackles per match than Lemina (2.2) as the ex-Old Lady ace displayed his ability to win possession back for his side on a regular basis.

The former Marseille star once again showed off his dribbling skills with 2.2 successful dribbles and an excellent success rate of 89% across the top-flight campaign.

However, Lemina's form dipped throughout the following season as the central midfielder averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.89 over 21 appearances and only won 53% of his battles, to go along with 1.1 dribbles at a success rate of 64%.

His performance regressing over the course of the 2018/19 campaign led to loan moves to Galatasaray and Fulham over the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons respectively.

How much did Southampton sell Lemina for?

Southampton eventually sold the former Juventus maestro to Ligue 1 side Nice for a reported fee of €5.5m (£4.8m) in the summer of 2021.

This means that his value dropped by a staggering £10.6m throughout his four-year spell at St. Mary's, from the initial £15.4m that the club paid to sign him from Italy.

He was never able to follow up on his impressive first season on the south coast and ultimately turned out to be a poor signing as they did not get much value back on or off the pitch.

Therefore, Reed had a mare with the signing of the ex-Marseille gem in the summer of 2017 and he may look back on that as one of his worst pieces of business during his time at the club.

Where is Lemina now?

The central midfielder, who was once hailed as "combative" by journalist Josh Bunting, is currently playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League after his move to the Molineux from Nice in January of this year.

He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.85 across six top-flight matches so far this season and has completed 0.8 dribbles with a success rate of 50%. The former Juventus dynamo has also lost 51% of his individual duels for Gary O'Neil's side so far this term.

These statistics suggest that Lemina has not been able to get back to the levels that he showed during the 2017/18 campaign for Southampton and that the club's decision to sell him in 2021 has not come back to bite them.

However, they may well still regret their move to sign him from Turin in 2017 as his market value dropped considerably by the time they were able to cash in on his services.

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has responded with “surprise and disappointment” to Cricket South Africa’s statement regarding its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which expires at the end of April and has yet to be re-agreed to.On Wednesday, CSA released a statement announcing its intention for an interim agreement and indicated the MoU may only be finalised by July, something SACA claims was not discussed with the players’ association. SACA also confirmed “negotiations on the key elements” of the MOU have yet to start despite CSA’s assertion that discussions had begun.”We are both surprised and disappointed that CSA has seen fit to make a public statement announcing plans relating to the MoU without giving us any proper opportunity to respond to, or to deal with these first,” SACA CEO Tony Irish said. “The suggested plans have caused consternation among players and they require a response from SACA. The indication of further possible delays and the unworkability of certain aspects of what is being suggested are particular matters of concern to us. The suggestion also that there have actually been negotiations conducted by SACA officials with CSA on the MoU to date is also not correct. Negotiations on the key elements have yet to start.”Among the most important aspects of the MoU is the financial model, which underpins players’ contracts and benefits, and which CSA initially indicated could change before backtracking. In December, CSA’s acting CEO Thabang Moroe and president Chris Nenzani told media that the revenue-share model which has formed part of the MoU since its inception 14 years ago may be relooked at. In March, Nenzani recommitted to the revenue share model though, which appeared to clear the path for agreement.However, SACA suggests there has been little to no engagement with CSA despite the player body’s best efforts.The Hampshire squad, including Kolpak signings Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw, pose on media day•Getty Images

“SACA has been doing everything possible from its side for approximately three months to engage with CSA on the MoU and to deal with the key elements to enable player contracts to be finalised well in advance of 30th April 2018, being the date on which the majority of player contracts end. In past MoUs the key elements have always been agreed by the end of February at the latest to ensure a proper player contracting process can take place well in advance of expiry dates,” Irish said. “Unfortunately our attempts to date have been met with very little response from CSA and much of our correspondence has gone unanswered.”We have now reached a point where many of our players could be out of contract in less than two weeks. The effect of this runs across the player group from senior players who play for the Proteas to young players seeking to make their way in franchise cricket.”While CSA promised yesterday to extend player contracts until a final MoU is decided on, SACA explained that would only add to the current climate of uncertainty, because too many players face uncertain futures.”This has caused confusion because it doesn’t cater for what is actually happening on the ground for many players,” Irish said. “Some players have already been told that they will no longer be contracted, some will be moving between national and franchise contracts, some will be moving between franchises and some will be first-time franchise players. Extensions of contract are simply unworkable for all of these players.”SACA’s fear is that if the MoU is not signed by the time the current deal expires, South African players may consider their options elsewhere rather than commit to cricket at home, something which could destabilise the system at large. “The delays have created an environment of uncertainty for players, and also for franchises who wish to secure their players,” Irish said. “This comes at a time when South African cricket needs to do whatever it can to retain its players in the face of competing opportunities afforded to players in the emerging T20 leagues market and also in the UK.”For that reason, SACA regards the finalisation of the MoU to be a “matter of urgency”, a term CSA also used in its release. SACA’s worry is that CSA’s timeline on an urgent matter may not correspond to its own and Irish has urged CSA to enter into talks at the soonest.”We do not understand why such a long further delay may be necessary,” Irish said. “We believe that the new MoU is likely to be substantially similar to the existing one in most respects. Whilst SACA does not have an issue with clarifying the relationship between it and CSA we urge CSA to prioritise finalising the key elements of the MoU so that there is a greater degree of certainty and security for players going forward. Our players deserve that.”

Crystal Palace have unearthed some mighty talent over the years, nurturing some stellar academy stars as well as assisting new arrivals on their path to greatness at Selhurst Park.

Not many talents stick out in south London as prolifically as Wilfried Zaha, who graduated from the academy to go on to make 458 senior appearances for Palace over his 18-year connection to the club.

Now that the Ivorian has bid farewell, it’s time for the new wave of starlets to take centre stage for the Eagles, with Roy Hodgson left with an abundance of talent at his disposal thanks to some smart signings in recent years.

Three years ago, Steve Parish welcomed one bright spark in particular to Selhurst, in a move that has proven to be a huge hit in south London. Step forward Eberechi Eze.

How much was Eberechi Eze worth at QPR?

When Queens Park Rangers signed youngster Eberechi Eze on a free transfer from Millwall in 2016, the R’s couldn’t have expected what the future would hold for both club and player thanks to his talents.

Two years after his arrival, the attacking midfielder broke into the first-team squad sporadically, making 16 Championship appearances in the 2017/18 campaign.

As a result, his expected transfer value (xTV) rose to €3m (£2.5m), as calculated by Football Transfers, telling of the path he would lead going forward.

How much did Crystal Palace sign Eberechi Eze for?

It wasn’t long before the Englishman made it to the big time, sealing a move to Crystal Palace in 2020 for a fee in the region of £20m, £4m of which were to be made up of add-ons.

At the time his xTV sat around the €17.8m (£15.2m) mark, suggesting that Palace overpaid for his services, however, the Eagles would go on to have the last laugh by capturing his signature.

What is Eberechi Eze’s market value now?

After three years and 98 appearances, it’s come to light that Parish struck gold by signing Eze, whose xTV has since rocketed to €35.1m (£30m), showing a mightily impressive £10m rise from the price he was purchased for back in 2020.

At just 25 years old, the growth that the versatile attacker has shown during his rise in the Premier League has earned him praise from beyond the comforts of Selhurst, with him earning two caps for England this year.

Why is Eze worth that much?

Lauded as having the “potential to become a star” by U23 scout Antonio Mango amid his move to Palace, Eze has quickly become one of the best talents in Hodgson’s team.

Last season, the Londoner scored ten goals as well as registering four assists in the Premier League, showcasing his importance to the attack on show in the south of the capital.

The 25-year-old was previously dubbed to be a “different class” by former Palace boss and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, which was supported by Eze registering as the highest-performing player in the Premier League in one decimal.

Indeed, as per FBref, Eze topped the charts in terms of his average of successful take-ons in comparison to other midfielders in the top flight, averaging 2.42 per 90 to show just how much of a menace he is on the ball.

From £20m to being valued at £30m in three years, Parish truly struck gold by signing Eze from QPR, with the future looking bright for both Palace and the England international.

Division Two Championship cricket tends to rush along at a frantic pace, but Middlesex must have found such a white-knuckle ride at headquarters an unusual experience

Alex Winter14-Apr-2018
ScorecardTwenty-six wickets in a day on a wicket greener than most could remember at Lord’s: welcome, Middlesex, to Division Two of the County Championship.This is how the cricket is played in the lower tier – on result pitches where teams are prepared to lose for the chance of victory. It served Nottinghamshire well last season, Northamptonshire too, whose nine wins trumped Nott’s tally and still wasn’t good enough for promotion. Middlesex are looking to prove Division Two is an alien land and after a whirlwind day they are now set to begin a season of recovery with victory.But a helpful pitch still requires bowlers of skill and craft and Tim Murtagh has been providing those credentials for 18 years. Here, he passed 700 first-class wickets when he clipped Josh Cobb’s off bail, taking 4 for 27 as Middlesex humiliated Northants in 21.2 overs of their first-innings. But it was another example of how Middlesex look out of place in the second tier that dominated the day.An impressive XI can be compiled of Middlesex players not available for this match but the depth of talent Middlesex posses is perhaps the biggest difference between themselves and other Division Two counties.Such is their depth that at the beginning of 2017, James Harris – who arrived from Glamorgan under much fanfare in 2013 – was allowed to join Kent on loan: a four-match sojourn that yielded 19 wickets at 21. He was back by the middle of the year and has begun 2018 with what should turn out to be a match-winning performance.After Middlesex began the day 136 for 4, they quickly lost both Paul Stirling and John Simpson who had shared a fifty-partnership on the first afternoon. Harris provided a punchy unbeaten 46 with the tail to steer his side to 214 and a score that appeared overpar. A thought confirmed as Harris replaced Toby Roland-Jones at the Pavilion End. His first three deliveries barely made the cut strip outside the off stump but the third came back down the slope to remove Richard Levi’s off stump and Harris was underway. He needed only 32 balls to take 5 for 9.James Harris celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

Harris and Murtagh reduced Northants to 41 for 8 and in danger of falling short of their lowest total against Middlesex of 58. That Brett Hutton, having taken 5 for 54 on his Northants debut earlier in the day, saved the visitors from such ignominy was no consolation as a 143-run first-innings deficit was conceded.With only two days of outdoor practise behind them in pre-season because of the appalling weather, Northants could claim mitigating circumstances. A pre-season tour of Barbados weakened the argument – however different the conditions. There was also little to excuse a series of missed chances – the most crucial John Simpson being dropped on three in the first-innings that would have seen Middlesex 67 for 5 and Harris spilt on 10.Middlesex conceded that to play conservatively was inviting trouble. As such, Max Holden unleashed a series of viscous cut strokes to the Mound Stand to rattle Middlesex to 54 for 1 in their second innings with a run-a-ball 33. But trying to force Doug Bracewell through cover, he edged behind and the game began to turn.Bracewell had changed to the Nursery End and oversaw a collapse of 4 for 3 in 23 balls to bring Northants back into the game. And at 112 for 9, the lead 255, they held some hope. But Murtagh swung his way to 31 in just 20 balls – including a six into the Tavern Stand – and Tom Helm, buoyed by his partner’s hitting, discovered his own taste for putting bat to ball with three further boundaries.The 10th wicket pair added 47 in 32 balls and with the target set at 303 and the pitch unlikely to ease, Middlesex should begin life back in Division Two with victory on day three

Essex supporters watched the two standout performers of last season’s title-winning team go about their work under an unseasonable April sun

Alan Gardner at Chelmsford20-Apr-2018
ScorecardIt might be stretching it a bit to suggest the Championship offers a rudder to steer us in these times of change, but in some cases familiarity does breed content. That was certainly the case for those Essex supporters watching the two standout performers of last season’s title-winning team go about their business under an unseasonable April sun. Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer were back in harness, following 147 wickets between them in 2017, and keeping the champions in contention.For a while, it was all threatening to go Pete Tong, as they say in these parts. Essex required some biffing from their No. 10, Australia international Peter Siddle, to reach 150 – hardly the most intimidating of opening batting efforts for the season (having been denied any on-pitch action in the first round at Headingley) but reminiscent of the 159 they managed on the first day against the same opponents last year. And we all know how that turned out.They then went to work with the ball, Porter finding the thudding stride that took him to within a back injury of a Test call-up over the winter. Lancashire’s top three – Keaton Jennings, Haseeb Hameed and Alex Davies, all England prospects – fell in an opening burst of 3 for 11, and he returned to remove Shiv Chanderpaul later in the evening session, as Lancashire stuttered to 109 for 7 before Jordan Clark kept them in with a sniff of a first-innings lead.Andy Flower, coach of the England Lions, was in town to give feedback on the likes of Jennings, Hameed and Essex’s Dan Lawrence, after their involvement in the winter tour of the Caribbean. That Lions series against West Indies A showed up the batsmen’s shortcomings against spin but, if Flower had hoped to watch one of his charges bat through a session in more familiar conditions, he was to be disappointed.Seam had done the trick for Lancashire, but Essex did not wait too long to introduce Harmer: Liam Livingstone, the unused batsman in England’s most recent Test squad, was taken at short leg for an attractive 33 in the 18th over, Harmer’s first – though Livingstone seemed unhappy with the decision. Dane Vilas fell in identical fashion, to similar disgruntlement, as Harmer and Porter – Essex’s HP sauce – threatened to mop up.The topic up and down the country may have been 100-ball cricket, the ECB’s latest grow-the-game wheeze, but the patrons at Chelmsford were concerned only with the old verities. There was humbug to be found, but only in small amounts, as fans returned to what we are bound to refer to as the home of the champions for a while yet, eager to drink in the sunshine and see Essex in Championship action for the first time in 2018.There were queues at the gates ahead of their 10am opening, the Tom Pearce Stand was brimming and – an important ritual, this – the first shirtless patrons of the summer were visible by early afternoon. Not too much had changed over the winter around one of the circuit’s cosiest grounds, but the Division One winners’ pennant hung (somewhat limply) by the pavilion and you can now find such delicacies as bratwurst on the lunch menu.On the field, the white-clad players went about their business, moving back and forth in the timeless manner described in Joseph O’Neill’s , “a repetition of pulmonary rhythm, as if the field breathed through its luminous visitors”.The cricket was somewhat less poetic. Until Siddle brought some fast-bowler’s grunt, whacking sixes down the ground in each direction, Essex’s innings had taken on a bronchial quality, puffing along as wickets fell. Having introduced himself, Essex’s overseas debutant was then engaged by a member of the crowd down at fine leg in a jovial discussion about whether the pugnacious Siddle had ever considered being a boxer.The fighting was one-sided to start with, although Essex might have felt they had denied Lancashire the initiative by reaching 38 for 1 after the first hour. But Nick Browne, having pilfered 23 from 54 balls, received an excellent bail-trimming delivery from Joe Mennie, Lancashire’s Australian pace bowler, coming round the wicket, and batsmen came and went thereafter.The Lancashire attack, now led by Graham Onions – still an insistent, angular menace at 35 – found their range on a pitch that was perhaps a bit soft, with Lawrence the recipient of a particularly good ball from Clark that turned him around like a nightclub doorman. Tom Westley brought coos with one straight drive but fenced to slip, while Ravi Bopara and James Foster were both lured into prods outside off, and Ryan ten Doeschate was adjudged lbw as Mennie brought the ball back in. Essex’s batsmen dragged themselves off but, not for the first time, Porter and Harmer dragged them back into it.

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, has lent his weight to calls for the ECB to consider a cut-off date for future call-ups to the IPL, after his team’s early-season plans were thrown “out of the window” due to the last-minute departure of Tom Curran to Kolkata Knight Riders.Though Curran went unsold at his base price of USD156,000 during the IPL auction in February, his stock as a limited-overs allrounder rose considerably during England’s subsequent ODI series win in New Zealand.And, when Mitchell Starc was ruled out of this year’s campaign due to a shin injury, KKR swooped for Curran in a USD253,000 deal. Barely a week later, he made his debut against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, and has impressed his new employers with three wickets in two appearances to date.While Stewart did not begrudge his player either the pay packet or the high-pressure experience that he accepts will help mould Curran into a better player, he bridled at the timing of his departure, just days before the start of a County Championship campaign in which he had been expected to be a pivotal player.Curran’s departure was one of three high-profile call-ups from the county circuit this month, preceding Yorkshire’s twin losses of David Willey and Liam Plunkett to Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils respectively, and the subject was the hot topic of discussion at last week’s crisis meeting of county coaches at Edgbaston.”It’s far from ideal losing Tom so late,” Stewart said. “I hope in time this will be looked at. The IPL is not going anywhere – I fully understand players wanting to be part of it because, one, it’s a good competition and, second, it helps your bank balance.”The problem is when you get the phone calls I got for Tom, and Martyn Moxon [Yorkshire’s director of cricket] got for Willey and Plunkett. Your planning goes out of the window.”The fact that the IPL overlaps with the start of the county season has long been a bone of contention for the ECB, who were resistant to allowing their players to take part in the tournament for most of the first decade of its existence.But now, having relaxed their attitude towards English involvement, an alternative problem is rearing its head – given that the players’ efforts to get ready for the English season make them obvious oven-ready replacements for IPL franchises seeking to replace injured players.”All I think needs to be looked at is a cut-off, ideally a month before the championship starts,” Stewart said. “If you get picked up in the auction, that’s fine – it’s at the end of February, so that’s six or seven weeks before the start of the season.”Then everyone knows that, even if you don’t get picked up in the auction, there’s a three- or four-week window, but once that has gone, you can’t then go and play.”Stewart believes that the matter has been complicated by blurred lines of communication between the players, the counties, the ECB and the franchises, and says that a redrafting of the No Objection Certificate is the only way to prevent the situation being presented to the counties as a fait accompli.”How it should work is that IPL phone the ECB to ask about a player, and the ECB talk to the county. That’s how it is meant to work – but it doesn’t, though, because the franchise will ring the player or agent direct to see if they are interested and, once they are told the money, they always are – so you have to let them go.”Tom Curran and Alec Stewart share a joke last season•Getty Images

“That needs to go on the No Objection Certificate, so that the IPL know and the franchises know that’s the deal and the players understand as well. Otherwise it leaves us in a bit of a mess.”Tom will come back a better player so I don’t have a real issue with it, but the issue is who controls the players – are they our players or are they IPL players? They are under contract [to the counties] for 12 months, so I would argue they are ours. We should have more control than just saying ‘I guess you are going then’.”A further complication stems from what Stewart believes is insufficient compensation to those counties who lose out when their star players are snapped up by the IPL – an issue that came to light when Plunkett, who is on an ECB white-ball contract, was approached by Delhi earlier this month.”We have discovered that the ECB have been receiving 10% of the overall contract a player gets from IPL for a number of years and this year it is 20%,” he said. “I hope that it will now be looked at – now that we are aware that this has been happening, which we weren’t before.”Should the ECB be keeping that? Or should that money come back to the county, who are the ones who miss out? I personally believe all that money should come back to the county if you are not an ECB contracted player because of the money that has been invested.”

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has now personally agreed to offload a "beautiful" Spurs player, according to a report this week.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Spurs and new manager Ange Postecoglou are absolutely loving life on the field; remaining unbeaten over their opening six Premier League matches in what has been one of the club's best ever starts to a season. The Lilywhites have sealed victories over Bournemouth, Man United, Burnley and Sheffield United – while also managing to tame rivals Arsenal with a 2-2 draw at the Emirates on Sunday.

Postecoglou's attack-minded, very watchable brand of football has reinvigorated sections of the Spurs fan base whilst seriously impressing on-lookers. This has been helped by the club's astute summer transfer business, having sealed deals for seven major signings in keeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, midfielder James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, striker Alejo Veliz and forward Brennan Johnson.

Levy and new Chief Football Officer Scott Munn are now facing the task of continuing to build upon the Postecoglou project, while backing their popular new boss with strength in depth. Maddison's injury scare this week perhaps highlights the need for further reinforcements, and reports suggest Tottenham are already setting their sights on the January window.

The likes of Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly and Juventus star Gleison Bremer have been linked in the past month, while more outgoings are also believed to be on the cards in an effort to rid Postecoglou of deadwood.

Who could leave Spurs?

Both Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have been subject to claims of a possible January transfer departure, while versatile wing-back Ivan Perisic is another who could now make way.

The Croatia legend is currently sidelined with a complex ACL injury and could be back around March/April time if all goes to plan. However, his lengthy absence hasn't deterred Hadjuk Split in the slightest, with a very interesting exit rumour coming to light in the last few days.

Indeed, according to Sportske, Levy has personally reached an agreement with Hadjuk president Lukša Jakobušić to offload Perisic to the Croatian side in January for free. Despite Perisic's current fitness woes, Hadjuk are still planning to fulfill this agreement, which has apparently already been completed bar the actual contract signatures.

This report adds that Hadjuk's supporters have been wishing for Perisic's signing over the course of many years' a dream which may now be realised. The international was deployed as a left-wing-back by former Spurs boss Antonio Conte last season, where he bagged more assists than any of his teammates in the league.

Reporter John Hayes called him a "game changer" after his brilliant early-season display against Wolves last campaign, while fellow journalist Josh Bunting called Perisic a "beautiful" player.

"He’s a beautiful footballer," said Bunting. "Really intelligent and precise in everything that he does. Won everything that he’s faced."

Conte, speaking after Perisic's arrival, heaped praise on the 34-year-old: "It is very important we sign a player like Ivan Perisic," said Conte last summer. “We are talking about a real important player and top player. Sometimes it is good to bring a player in your team who is a bit over age but at the same time a good player with experience who can improve a young player in your squad.”

Yet to really get out of second gear, Arsenal have still managed to remain unbeaten in their opening four Premier League games, with their most impressive win coming last time out in dramatic style against Manchester United.

Their draw against Fulham aside, it has been as expected from the Gunners, who are looking to push Manchester City all the way again having missed out on the league title in the previous campaign.

Those at The Emirates have certainly backed Mikel Arteta, too, splashing the cash in the summer transfer window on reinforcements who could bridge the gap to Pep Guardiola's side.

If the summer arrivals don't do the job, however, the North Londoners have already turned their attention to January additions, with reports indicating that Mikel Arteta has already made contact with one particular target.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

When looking at the current Arsenal squad, there's not a lot, if anything, that they urgently lack, meaning that it could simply be a case of extending their quality even more in January and looking towards the future with a luxury signing or two.

With the Champions League to think about this season, and that hopefully still being the case come January from Arsenal's perspective, there's no limit on the depth that a side needs.

With that said, according to Voetbalkrant, Arsenal are among the sides interested in Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa in January, and Arteta has already reached out to the 18-year-old over a potential move in the winter transfer window.

The Gunners will have to act quickly if they are to secure the teenager's signature, however, given that AS Monaco, Liverpool, Ajax, Lyon, and Borussia Dortmund are all also reportedly keeping an eye on him. Meanwhile, Chelsea also reportedly had a €30m (£26m) rejected for Nusa in the summer, suggesting that Brugge would want a fairly big offer to sell their future star.

Should Arsenal sign Antonio Nusa?

With the foundation for success already built at The Emirates, Arsenal would be doing themselves no harm by pursuing stars for the future. And that's where Nusa could come in.

The youngster has attracted plenty of interest from across Europe, which will only entice the Gunners even more when January comes around. That interest comes as little surprise, too, given that the winger, at 18, is already so heavily involved in first-team action in Belgium.

When at his best, Nusa has earned plenty of deserved praise, including from Arsenal star Martin Odegaard, who praised his fellow Norwegian, telling TV2, via Sport Witness: "Fantastic! He is an incredibly exciting player. You see it, everything he gets the ball, it’s exciting. He is still young and will get even better. It was cool to see him. He deserved to get the chance that he takes it to such an extent. Incredibly cool!

“He must continue as he has done. Work hard, be humble. He’s a nice boy. Very calm and nice type. It’s going to be just fine. He just has to enjoy the football and continue to deliver as he does. Then it will be good.”

أشار هاري كين مهاجم منتخب إنجلترا إلى صعوبة تنفيذ بعض التكتيكات على أرض الملعب، في حديثه عقب تعادل فريقه أمام الدنمارك في كأس أمم أوروبا.

وسجل هاري كين هدف تقدم إنجلترا، قبل أن تدرك الدنمارك التعادل بهدف في مباراة الجولة الثانية لدور المجموعات بكأس الأمم الأوروبية “يورو 2024”.

وفي حديثه لبي بي سي، قال مهاجم بايرن ميونخ إن إنجلترا تواجه مشاكل سواء مع الكرة أو بدونها.

وقال كين: “أعتقد أننا نعاني سواء مع الكرة أو بدونها، أعتقد أن الضغط في كلتا المباراتين لم يكن صحيحًا ولم يكن التعامل مع الكرة جيدًا بما فيه الكفاية”.

وتابع: “الجميع ينخفض ​​​​إلى ما دون مستوياتهم قليلاً، كان الأمر صعبًا هناك، لكننا هادئون، لم تكن المباراة الأعظم لنا لكننا أفلتنا بنقطة واحدة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ساوثجيت: الجماهير تشعر بخيبة أمل بسبب أداء منتخب إنجلترا.. ويوضح سبب استبدال هاري كين أمام الدنمارك

وأشار: “أعتقد أننا قلنا قبل البطولة إنه لا توجد مباريات سهلة وأعتقد أن هذا أمر واضح، لدينا مستويات يمكننا الوصول إليها ويمكننا أن نكون أفضل سواء مع الكرة أو بدونها”.

وأفاد كين: “أعتقد أن علامة الفريق الجيد هي عندما لا تلعب بأفضل ما لديك ولا تزال تجد طريقة للحصول على نتائج مثل التي لدينا في المباراتين الأخيرتين”.

واستطرد: “نحن في صدارة المجموعة، نعلم أنه يمكننا التحسن، أعلم أنه سيكون هناك على الأرجح الكثير من الضجيج وقليل من خيبة الأمل في وطننا، لكننا واجهنا ذلك في بطولة أوروبا الأخيرة أيضًا عندما تعادلنا مع اسكتلندا، خطوة بخطوة، سنصل”.

وأكمل كين: “لقد بدأنا المباريات بشكل جيد، لكن عندما تقوم الفرق بوضع بعض اللاعبين بشكل أعمق، فإننا لسنا متأكدين تمامًا من كيفية ممارسة الضغط، ومن هو اللاعب الذي من المفترض أن يضغط”.

وأتم: “في الشوط الثاني، قمنا بتغيير الأمر عن طريقي أنا وبيلينجهام، بتواجدنا أمام لاعبي خط الوسط لديهم، لكن الأمر كان صعبًا”.

Leeds United are in fine fettle on the pitch, but BBC pundit Alan Hutton has been left disappointed by the injury news surrounding one of the club's star men.

What's the latest news involving Leeds United?

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton has praised young Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell for his attitude toward proceedings at Elland Road despite first-team minutes being hard to come by for the 21-year-old this term.

Hutton stated: "It’s always hard to break into the first team as a young player. But if you’ve got the right personality and a bit about you, and the other boys take to you – it always helps. They want to keep you involved and part of the group. I think that’s always a good thing, and it helps you settle in.

"His time will obviously come at Leeds, it will happen, but it’s good to see that he’s got the right attitude even though he’s not playing at the moment. It can be very difficult, so to hear that from the manager is quite refreshing and good for the player."

Presenter Joe Wainman meanwhile has indicated to GIVEMESPORT that there may be no way back for Leeds United trio Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams and Jack Harrison at Elland Road due to the fact they sought moves away from the Yorkshire giants during the summer transfer window.

Southampton await Leeds this weekend at St Mary's Stadium and Whites' boss Daniel Farke will be keen to build on a solid start to life back in the Sky Bet Championship, which has yielded a six-match unbeaten streak and four consecutive clean sheets.

Nevertheless, the German coach will have to do without the services of talented attacker Wilfried Gnonto, who is scheduled to be out until after the next international break and will require minor surgery on an ankle issue, as per Leeds Live.

What has Alan Hutton said about Wilfried Gnonto?

In conversation with Football Insider, former Scotland international Hutton, who is also a pundit for the BBC, thinks that Gnonto is one of Leeds United's 'star' players and believes his injury is a 'real shame' and is 'not ideal' for Whites manager Farke to contend with as he chases promotion.

Hutton said: "Sometimes it can be tough when you’ve had a tough pre-season and you’ve been on international duty. He’s not really had a break and the Championship is a really hard league. But Gnonto is now one of the star players at Leeds, who are doing alright. “I thought he would’ve got a move away, but it didn’t happen. It’s a real shame for him. No time is a good time to get injuries, but this is really not ideal when Leeds need him to help chase Leicester down at the top of the table."

Verbania-born Gnonto has managed to make six appearances in all competitions for Leeds United this term, registering a solitary goal against Ipswich Town, as per Transfermarkt.

As always, the former FC Zurich man has been a tricky presence in the final third for opposition backlines to contain, averaging around 1.8 shots and 2.6 completed dribbles per fixture in the Sky Bet Championship, as per WhoScored.

Leeds boss Farke will be desperate for the youngster to re-enter the fold before too long as the Whites aim to secure a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.