Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris on transfers:

‘Good news this week because we renewed three contracts. Romaine [Mundle], Robin [Roefs] and Wilson [Isidor] so to keep the core of the squad was our first pillar and then we want to add what we need. The market is still open.

“I’m focused on the game first of all. I trust Flo [Ghisolfi], Kyril [Louis-Dreyfus] and the recruitment staff so we are working hard behind the scenes. We are really well aligned about our targets, what we need to get better as a team. I won’t comment on individual positions. I still think that we’ll succeed in this transfer window.”

On if he can say anything on reports linking Sunderland with Jack Grealish:

‘No.”

Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris on Europa League draw looking favourable:

“I don’t know, we’ll see. 53 years later Sunderland are back in Europe so it’s a bit unknown."

"We can expect strong opponents, different cultures, different experiences and we need that to get better. It’s a huge privilege and we are really proud of this opportunity."

On drawing Milan:

"It’s iconic, Milan. It’s a massive club, massive history so to get back in Europe with that fixture, it’s a symbol."

On fans wanting the draw because of Newcastle's "You'll never see a Mackem in Milan" chant:

“I don’t want to speak about that. It’s more about us. We are proud of Sunderland first of all. Our fans deserve to be in this position for their passion, for their connection with the club, their support and it’s going to be a huge experience but it’s football so we want to be efficient. We want to be competitive in that cup as well.

Heading back up north now to hear from Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris and his reaction to the Europa League draw.

We’ll also hear from Leeds manager Daniel Farke ahead of their first game at Elland Road against Brentford.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso on transfers:

"We are quite close to the plan we had. We will see where we finish, if it's fully executed or there are things still to be done or things we couldn't do. But for sure I think overall the balance of what we have is going to be good. We have to see how the last few days develop. But so far the team is coming together.

"It is a process that will take time. We are in a good position, with a few more days to see."

On balancing a big squad without European football:

"It's important to respect and know that not all the players are in the same stage of their career.

"Some players are established, some players it is their first year at a club like Chelsea or even in the Premier League. Everything is at a different stage.

"They understand that and know that, which is all in the creation of the team. I don't have a number, I have an idea. We will be close to that."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

Where do we start?

Chelsea are set to make their 11th and 12th signings of the summer after agreeing deals for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor.

Any move involving Enzo Fernandez joining Manchester City is likely to be linked to another arrival, possibly Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, as Chelsea do not want to weaken their squad simply to strengthen a rival.

There are likely to be around 10 more deals, either incoming or outgoing, with less than five days remaining in the transfer window.

Ultimately, Alonso said he felt Chelsea were on course to fulfil their transfer window plan and that he wants everyone in his squad to "feel involved" without carrying too many players.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, asked whether midfielder Enzo Fernandez would need to be replaced if he leaves:

"We have been talking about speculation, sorry, but I'm not the one who talks too early.

"We will see what happens. We want to be ready always."

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick spoke highly of new signing Carlos Baleba: "We’re delighted to have Carlos," he said.

"He has huge potential, he’s a really exciting signing or us, the quality he has, the attributes he has offset the balance of the group we’ve got.

"Different strengths, different combinations. So much more to come from him as well, so it’s exciting for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick says the club's latest signing Carlos Baleba has a 'little ankle issue' and will not be available for 'a couple of weeks.'

He also confirmed that Amad Diallo is still out of action after the Ivorian missed last weekend's defeat to Hull. He hopes to have the winger back before next month's international break.

Elsewhere, Mason Mount is back involved with training which Carrick described as a "real positive".

Let's kick things off with updates from Manchester United and Chelsea...

Premier League

We're back in Premier League mode now as a whole host of managers are preparing to give their thoughts ahead of the weekend's action.

Coming up soon, we have:

• Chelsea's Xabi Alonso
• Man Utd's Michael Carrick
• Aston Villa's Unai Emery
• Brentford's Keith Andrews
• Ipswich's Gary O'Neil
• Leeds' Daniel Farke
• Sunderland's Regis Le Bris
• Tottenham's Roberto De Zerbi

Stay tuned to hear what they have to say.

Conference League

League phase dates:

• Matchday 1: 15 October 2026
• Matchday 2: 22 October 2026
• Matchday 3: 5 November 2026
• Matchday 4: 26 November 2026
• Matchday 5: 10 December 2026
• Matchday 6: 17 December 2026

Knockout phase dates:

• Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027
• Round of 16: 11 & 18 March 2027
• Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027
• Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027
• Final: 2 June 2027, Istanbul

Conference League

• Monaco (home)
• Pafos (away)
• Borac (home)
• Trabzonspor (away)
• Nordsjaelland (home)
• Thun (away)

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler on chances of winning the Conference League:

"In every cup competition you have chances so of course, in certain moments you need a little bit of luck, a little bit of momentum but overall I think the success from the English teams is also the belief, the confidence to do it so we know it is a different year, a different area so let’s see how it’s going this season."

Conference League

• Monaco (home)
• Panathinaikos (away)
• Universitatea Craiova (home)
• Getafe (away)
• Kauno Zalgiris (home)
• Jablonec (away)

Image source, Getty Images

Conference League

Time for the Conference League draw.

Brighton and Hove Albion, in pot two, are the only side in the Premier League to feature in the Conference League this season.

Scottish side Hearts are in pot four.

Image source, Getty Images

Europa League

League phase dates:

• Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026
• Matchday 2: 15 October 2026
• Matchday 3: 22 October 2026
• Matchday 4: 5 November 2026
• Matchday 5: 26 November 2026
• Matchday 6: 10 December 2026
• Matchday 7: 21 January 2027
• Matchday 8: 28 January 2027

Knockout phase dates:

• Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027
• Round of 16: 11 & 18 March 2027
• Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027
• Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027
• Final: 26 May 2027, Frankfurt

Europa League

• Marseille (home)
• Benfica (away)
• Ferencvaros (home)
• Union SG (away)
• Celta Vigo (home)
• Omonia (away)
• Bestikas (home)
• Torreense (away)

Image source, Getty Images

Diouf becomes Brentford’s fifth summer signing, and he could make his debut at Elland Road on Sunday.

I think it's time to wrap up the Europa League and Conference League draws...

Brentford

Brentford have signed Senegal left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from West Ham.

The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract, with the option of another year.

Image source, Getty Images

Before we continue with Celtic’s Europa League fixtures and the Conference League draw, it appears the new‑signing klaxon has sounded...