Real Madrid are seeking financial contributions from the six Premier League clubs that withdrew from the European Super League shortly after its launch, to help cover the project's setup costs.

The Spanish club confirmed the request to Reuters on Tuesday. The Athletic reported that the total bill could reach €80 million, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur being asked to make payments.

Those six clubs were among nine of the 12 founding members who abandoned the competition within three days of its launch in 2021. The project faced widespread opposition, prompting the rapid withdrawal of the English clubs and the other early departures.

Real Madrid said the six Premier League sides were liable for costs incurred during the establishment of the European Super League. Those expenses have so far been covered by Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Spanish club did not immediately confirm whether it was also seeking contributions from the other three clubs that withdrew at the same stage: AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham Hotspur declined to comment. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

The Athletic reported that all the clubs had signed a shareholders' agreement relating to the European Super League Company, the holding company behind the proposed competition. However, it remains unclear whether that agreement explicitly stated that the clubs would be responsible for the project's setup costs.

The European Super League was launched in 2021 but collapsed shortly afterwards when nine of its founding clubs pulled out. The competition had been planned by 12 leading European clubs, but opposition to the proposal led to the withdrawal of the six Premier League members, along with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.

Juventus later left the project, while Barcelona formally withdrew in February. That left Real Madrid as the only remaining founding club.

The dispute over the Super League has also involved legal disagreements with UEFA. On February 11th, Real Madrid, UEFA and European Football Clubs announced an agreement of principles intended to resolve their Super League-related legal disputes.

Manchester United are considering a move for Bournemouth and France defender Adrien Truffert, according to The i Paper.

The 24-year-old has impressed with his performances for Bournemouth and has earned a return to the France squad as a result. Manchester United have acknowledged that failing to recruit a suitable new left-back was a weakness in their squad-building.

Their leading target for the position is Lewis Hall of Newcastle, but Truffert is also being assessed as a possible option. The France international is valued at 30 million euros.

Truffert’s contract with Bournemouth runs until 2030.

Sevilla have lodged an official complaint with La Liga’s Department of Competitions over the television coverage of their 4-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the ninth round of the Spanish championship.

The club said the broadcast did not show enough replays of several disputed incidents and requested access to the footage from the relevant cameras, the regulations governing match filming and a report on the work of the television production team.

Sevilla specifically highlighted an elbow by Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler on Peke, a possible penalty following contact between Marc Cucurella and a defender, and a foul they believe occurred before Real Madrid’s second goal.

In a statement published on their official website, Sevilla said those moments had not received the same level of coverage during the broadcast as the incident that led to a penalty being awarded to Real Madrid.

The club also asked for the original video recordings to be preserved and called for an investigation to ensure that all clubs are treated equally.

Earlier, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) explained that VAR had not intervened over the incident involving Guler because there was no clear image available.

Sevilla representatives subsequently met with the CTA to discuss the disputed incidents from the match. However, the club said the two sides did not reach a shared assessment of what happened.

The complaint is focused on the television production of the match and the availability of footage used to assess the key incidents.

Abde Ezzalzouli’s impressive form for Real Betis has attracted the attention of FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, reviving speculation about a possible return to Catalonia for the Morocco international.

The 24-year-old winger has continued to make an impact in Spain and scored against Barcelona when the two sides met. His displays for Real Betis have also prompted public praise from Flick, who is understood to be particularly impressed by the player’s pace, ability to beat opponents and effectiveness in attacking areas.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Flick is usually careful when discussing players from other clubs. His decision to highlight Ezzalzouli’s qualities therefore underlines the regard in which the winger is held, although there has been no confirmation that Barcelona are preparing a formal bid.

Ezzalzouli’s performances have increased his appeal in the transfer market, with his current value estimated at 40 million euros. Any move would represent a significant investment for Barcelona as the club balances its sporting priorities with its financial constraints.

The Catalan club already knows the player well. Ezzalzouli came through Barcelona’s academy before continuing his career elsewhere, and his name has featured among the attacking options considered by the club during recent summer transfer windows.

There were reportedly discussions and enquiries about his situation, but none resulted in a completed deal. His ability to take on defenders one-on-one and create openings in the final third would suit a Barcelona side seeking greater penetration from wide areas.

Flick’s comments alone, however, do not confirm that Barcelona want to bring the winger back. No return has been agreed, and any decision would depend on the club’s recruitment plans as well as Real Betis’ demands.

Barcelona would nevertheless have a financial advantage if negotiations were to take place. The club retained 20% of the rights to a future resale of Ezzalzouli, meaning it could receive a share of any transfer fee if he moved on. The precise amount would depend on the contractual terms governing the clause.

For now, Ezzalzouli’s progress in Andalusia remains the main factor driving the speculation. His performances, rising market value and Flick’s appreciation of his qualities have kept him on Barcelona’s radar, while a move back to the club remains only a possibility.

Real Betis are due to play Feyenoord in the third matchday of the Champions League league phase, giving Ezzalzouli another opportunity to strengthen his reputation on the European stage.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen and Algeria international Ibrahim Maza, although no formal offer has yet been made.

According to information reported by Brahim Hanifi, the Paris club are particularly interested in the international midfielder’s profile and would like to explore the possibility of bringing him to France. The reported interest could become a significant feature of the transfer market, but there has been no confirmation of an official approach at this stage.

Maza viewed as a potential fit for PSG

Paris Saint-Germain are understood to be monitoring Maza as they look for attacking players capable of adding creativity and energy to their squad.

The Bayer Leverkusen player has attracted attention for his potential and his ability to operate in advanced areas of the pitch. His technical profile is believed to fit the type of recruitment Paris Saint-Germain are pursuing, with the club seeking players who can contribute immediately while also offering scope for long-term development.

Maza’s current position at Bayer Leverkusen makes the German club central to any possible deal. Paris Saint-Germain would need to convince them to part with the Algeria international if their interest develops into a formal transfer proposal.

No offer or negotiations confirmed

Hanifi reports that Paris Saint-Germain’s interest is particularly strong and that the club are determined to test Bayer Leverkusen’s resolve over Maza.

However, the situation remains at an early stage. No transfer fee has been disclosed, and there has been no confirmation of negotiations reaching an advanced stage. It is therefore uncertain whether the reported interest will lead to an official bid.

The situation could change over the coming days or months, depending on Paris Saint-Germain’s intentions and Bayer Leverkusen’s position. For now, the French club’s interest has been reported, but no concrete agreement is in place between the parties.

Should Paris Saint-Germain decide to make a formal approach, signing Maza would represent a notable move in the transfer market. The gap between a club identifying a player as a target and completing a deal remains considerable, however.

For Maza, a move to Paris Saint-Germain would represent another important step in his career. Any transfer would depend on further developments between the two clubs, with the next stage likely to be determined by whether Paris Saint-Germain decide to turn their interest into an official offer.

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Chelsea are closely monitoring Strasbourg winger Gessime Yassine and are considering whether to make a move for the 20-year-old Morocco international, whose impressive start to the season has attracted several Premier League clubs.

Yassine has scored two goals in seven Ligue 1 appearances for the Alsace club this term, strengthening his reputation as one of the division’s emerging attacking talents. His performances have also increased interest in a potential move to England.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are seriously considering signing the left-footed winger, although the London club have not yet decided when they would seek to complete a deal. A transfer could be pursued as early as summer 2027 or delayed until 2028.

Chelsea’s existing relationship with Strasbourg could play a role in any negotiations. Both clubs are part of the BlueCo group, creating close links between the organisations. However, no agreement has been reached and there has been no formal announcement regarding a transfer.

Mohamed Chaouch has described Yassine as a player with “everything it takes to become a leading figure in Ligue 1”.

Yassine interested in London move

The player is reportedly receptive to the possibility of joining Chelsea. TEAMtalk says Yassine is particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of moving to Stamford Bridge, which would represent a significant step in his early career and offer him the chance to continue developing in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

Yassine has attracted attention for his technical ability, pace and quality on his left foot. Those characteristics are viewed as suited to the demands of English football, while his current development at Strasbourg means he still has considerable room to improve.

Chelsea are not alone in following the winger. Brighton, Newcastle, Sunderland, Brentford, Everton and Nottingham Forest have also been monitoring him for several months.

The level of interest reflects the growing appeal of Yassine’s profile. At 20, he is already producing decisive moments in Ligue 1 while retaining the potential to improve further. The next step will be to see whether any of his suitors move from scouting the player to opening negotiations.

Strasbourg hold strong negotiating position

Strasbourg are under no immediate pressure to sell. Yassine’s contract runs until June 2030, leaving the club with a long-term commitment and a strong position should a concrete offer arrive.

His current market value is estimated at 20m euros, providing Strasbourg with a substantial starting point in any discussions. The club can therefore choose to retain him, continue overseeing his development and potentially increase his value before considering a departure.

Chelsea must convince Strasbourg to agree to a deal while also deciding when the right time is to recruit the Morocco international. The club’s BlueCo connection may help, but it does not guarantee that Chelsea will win the race.

Strasbourg will soon play their eighth Ligue 1 match of the season against Rennes.

Nigeria’s Flamingos responded to their opening-day defeat by beating Puerto Rico 2-0 in their second Group B match at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Tuesday.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi put Nigeria ahead before substitute Precious Oscar added a second goal in the 93rd minute to secure all three points.

The result followed the Flamingos’ 2-1 loss to Poland in their opening fixture and puts their campaign back on track ahead of a difficult final group match against defending champions North Korea.

That game will be played on Friday, October 23. North Korea strengthened their position at the top of the group earlier on Tuesday with a 6-1 victory over Poland.

Nigeria made the brighter start against Puerto Rico, with Queen Joseph taking the first opportunity of the match in the second minute. Her effort, however, was off target.

Puerto Rico threatened six minutes later when Mia Colon went close, before Flamingos captain Chidera Chidi tried her luck in the 16th minute without finding the net.

Nigeria eventually broke the deadlock after 25 minutes. Adegbuyi finished the move to give the Flamingos the lead and provide the response they had been seeking after their defeat by Poland.

Puerto Rico had an opportunity to equalise before half-time, but Megan Rivera’s effort in the 38th minute went wide.

The Flamingos continued to look for a second goal after the interval. Tosin Rafiu was unable to convert a chance five minutes into the second half, while Joseph missed another opportunity in the 58th minute.

Adegbuyi then came close to doubling her tally in the 69th minute, only for her effort to go off target.

Puerto Rico also created chances as they attempted to draw level. Caroline Rivera went close but could not find the back of the net, and their pressure increased during the closing stages.

With fewer than 10 minutes remaining, Puerto Rico created further scoring opportunities but failed to take them.

Nigeria held on to their advantage before Oscar settled the contest in the third minute of added time, scoring the second goal to seal victory for the Flamingos.

The win leaves Nigeria facing North Korea in their final Group B fixture, with the defending champions having made a strong start after their emphatic victory over Poland.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya says he would like to play in La Liga before ending his career, although he remains happy at the Emirates Stadium and is under contract with the Premier League club until 2028.

The Spain international is still Mikel Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper, having become one of the Premier League’s most dependable players since joining Arsenal from Brentford. However, Raya has not ruled out a return to his homeland at some point in the future.

“Yes, I would love to. I would love to try out La Liga,” Raya told Marca. “For now, I’m very happy here, but I would certainly like to experience the Spanish league.”

Raya, 31, added: “I think it’s a very competitive league. Perhaps, in the future, I could play for a Spanish club. I’m Spanish, and I’d love to play there, that’s for sure.”

The goalkeeper has made 114 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions since his move from Brentford. During that time, he has kept 52 clean sheets and conceded 89 goals.

Raya also played an important part in Arsenal’s Premier League and Community Shield successes last season.

Despite his interest in experiencing football in Spain, his immediate future remains linked to Arsenal, where his current contract runs until 2028. His performances have established him as a key part of Arteta’s side and ensured he continues to occupy the club’s first-choice goalkeeping position.

Raya’s comments leave open the possibility of a future move to La Liga, but he stressed that he is currently content with life at Arsenal.

Michael Olise has been named Bayern’s player of the month for September after receiving 74.2% of the supporters’ votes.

The France winger finished ahead of Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala in the poll, which was announced on the club’s official website.

It is the second consecutive month in which Olise has won the award, having also been chosen as Bayern’s leading player for August.

Olise scored six goals and provided two assists in official matches during September. His performances included a goal and an assist in Bayern’s 5-0 Champions League victory over Bodø/Glimt.

He was also directly involved in four goals during the Bundesliga meeting with Union, which Bayern won 7-0. Olise scored a hat-trick and set up Kane for the other goal.

The winger received further recognition from the club’s supporters after his strike against Bodø/Glimt was voted Bayern’s best goal of September.

?????? ???????’s performances for Paris Saint-Germain have opened up the possibility of a future Ballon d’Or challenge, although the Russian goalkeeper is not among this year’s nominees and no goalkeeper features on the 2026 shortlist.

Instead, Safonov has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper of the year. The award recognises his progress, but matching the achievement of Lev Yashin remains one of football’s most difficult feats. Yashin is still the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or, in 1963.

Safonov joined PSG on 15 June 2024 after making 175 appearances and keeping 53 clean sheets for Krasnodar. His previous reputation did not guarantee him a starting place in Paris, where he had to establish himself again.

He has won nine trophies during his first two seasons with PSG, including two Champions League titles. However, the number of team honours alone does not define a goalkeeper’s individual standing. The more significant factor is the role he played in those successes, particularly when he became decisive in major matches.

Safonov’s defining matches

The Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo was arguably the most important game of Safonov’s career. After the match ended 1-1, PSG won the penalty shootout 2-1, with Safonov saving four of Flamengo’s five penalties.

Those saves had a direct effect on the outcome and strengthened the case that PSG’s trophies were not achieved solely through the work of its attacking players. After that match, Safonov displaced Lucas Chevalier as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

He also played every match in the knockout stages of the 2025/26 Champions League and started the final against Arsenal on 30 May. PSG won 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.

The decision by Luis Enrique’s coaching staff to select Safonov for the season’s biggest match was evidence of the trust placed in him, even though the goalkeeper should not be credited with the entirety of PSG’s success.

Last season, Safonov made 27 appearances for PSG and kept 12 clean sheets, conceding 28 goals. Those figures are strong, but they are also influenced by the quality of the defence, the standard of opponents and the number of genuinely dangerous chances faced.

His strongest argument is therefore the combination of regular knockout involvement, selection for a Champions League final and decisive saves in another final.

The Yashin Trophy competition includes Thibaut Courtois, David Raya, Joan Garcia, Unai Simon, Emiliano Martinez, Yassine Bounou, Edouard Mendy, Gregor Kobel and Vojvodina’s Vasin. Courtois represents Real Madrid, Raya Arsenal, Garcia Barcelona and Simon Spain’s European Championship-winning side.

Winning the goalkeeper award would be significant, but it would not automatically make Safonov a Ballon d’Or favourite. He must first secure a sustained starting role and produce outstanding performances consistently, while competing not only with other goalkeepers but also with the world’s leading attacking players.

Safonov starts for PSG against Barcelona this evening. A strong performance against the early-season leaders would offer another opportunity to turn exceptional moments into a more consistent pattern.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has responded to former manager Erik ten Hag’s criticism of the club’s leadership.

Ten Hag claimed that the club had failed to honour promises over support and loyalty during his time in charge.

Asked whether Ten Hag’s experience had caused him concern, Carrick, as reported by The Mirror, said there was still a positive working atmosphere within Manchester United.

He added that he did not require any further assurances from the club’s leadership about its support.

Manchester United are considering parting company with Lisandro Martinez at the end of the season as part of plans to reshape their defence, according to the Daily Mail.

The Argentina defender’s contract is due to expire next summer. However, Manchester United could trigger a one-year extension, allowing the club to receive a transfer fee if Martinez leaves rather than losing him without compensation.

Martinez’s position at the club came under scrutiny after he criticised the Manchester United hierarchy, including football director Jason Wilcox, following the Champions League defeat by Atletico in early October.

The defender subsequently apologised and returned to the starting XI for the match against Leeds.

Should Manchester United decide to move Martinez on, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been identified as a possible replacement. Everton recently rejected an approach for Branthwaite worth 57 million euros from another club.

Former Manchester United player Ashley Young believes appointing Antonio Conte as the club’s manager could end in disaster.

Young worked under Conte at Inter, where they won Serie A in the 2020-21 season. His comments are based on that experience of working with the Italian coach.

Conte has been without a club since leaving Napoli at the end of last season. During his two years in charge, he led Napoli to the Italian championship and the Italian Super Cup.

The 56-year-old has also guided Chelsea, Juventus and Inter to league titles during his managerial career.

The eighth round of the Premier League begins on Friday, 23 October, with Ipswich hosting Nottingham Forest.

Ipswich have taken nine points from their opening seven league matches under Gary O'Neil. They have won three of those games and have not drawn any, their other four fixtures ending in defeat.

That record places Ipswich 10th in the Premier League table. Their goal difference is negative, with 11 goals scored and 15 conceded.

Nottingham Forest arrive in considerably poorer form. The visitors have managed only one victory in seven league matches, while two games have ended level and four have been lost.

Oliver Glasner’s side are currently in the relegation zone, sitting 19th in the Premier League table. The club have yet to produce the results needed to move clear of danger, with just one win recorded so far.

Head-to-head record

The teams have met 79 times. Ipswich have won 22 of those matches, compared with 38 victories for Nottingham Forest, while the remaining 19 encounters finished as draws.

The historical record therefore gives Forest a clear advantage, although the current table places Ipswich nine positions above their opponents.

Bookmakers offer a slight preference to Nottingham Forest despite their position in the relegation zone. Ipswich have lost three of their past four matches, while the statistics supplied for Forest show only one win across their last eight games.

Prediction

The forecast is for both teams to score, but for the match to finish without a winner.

Ipswich’s three victories this season have helped them establish a mid-table position, but their recent defeats suggest they may not be able to turn home advantage into another success. Forest’s limited number of wins has left them in serious difficulty, although their record against Ipswich and the bookmakers’ assessment point to a closely contested game.

The predicted outcome is a draw with both sides finding the net.

Paris FC president Pierre Ferracci is to leave his position earlier than planned, with Antoine Arnault set to take over the Ligue 1 club’s leadership.

Ferracci had been expected to remain in the role until the end of the season, but announced his decision to step down at an event on Monday.

Arnault, representing the family that owns the majority of Paris FC, will become president if his appointment is approved by the club’s Administrative Council on November 9.

Ferracci will take on the position of honorary president after his departure. Paris FC’s Ligue 1 match against Monaco at Stade Jean Bouin on November 1 is expected to be his final game as president.

The outgoing president will also transfer his 28.9% shareholding to Agache Sport, the sporting subsidiary of LVMH. Red Bull will continue to hold a 10.6% stake in the club.

“It is the right time for me to pass the torch,” Ferracci said, according to L’Equipe.

Ferracci leaves Paris FC with the club third in Ligue 1 and level on points with leaders Lyon.

Luis Enrique has asked his representatives to work on presenting him as a potential successor to Hansi Flick at Barcelona in the future, according to El Nacional.

Barcelona are performing well under Flick, but the German manager is expected to leave the Catalan club at some point. Luis Enrique would like to be considered when the time comes to replace him as head coach of the Blaugrana.

The former Barcelona manager is reportedly seeking to create the conditions for a return to the club, where he previously enjoyed a highly successful three-year spell.

Luis Enrique led Barcelona from 2014 to 2017, winning nine trophies during that period, including the Champions League.

His possible candidacy is understood to have the support of Barcelona midfielder Pedri. The Spain international enjoyed working with Luis Enrique during the coach’s time with the national team.

Luis Enrique has also won 13 trophies with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 56-year-old has previously described himself as a Barcelona socio, while making clear that his loyalty would not prevent him from wanting victory against the club when facing them.

“I am a Barcelona socio, but tomorrow I hope to win,” Enrique said.

Simon Ngapandouetnbu could be in line for a return to Olympique de Marseille, with the club considering whether to activate its buy-back priority in June 2027.

The possibility has been reported by La Provence and reflects Marseille’s continued interest in their former goalkeeper. It also raises a key question: has the 23-year-old Cameroon international developed sufficiently to establish himself in the club’s first-team squad?

Ngapandouetnbu left Marseille to secure regular playing time and continue his development. He is under contract with Montpellier until June 2028 and has been gaining valuable experience in Ligue 2.

For a young goalkeeper, consistent appearances are important in building maturity, sharpening reactions and learning to manage the pressure of competitive matches. Regular football can also help develop the confidence and reliability required in a position where mistakes are often decisive.

The early figures from his Montpellier spell are encouraging. Ngapandouetnbu has played eight league matches this season, completing 786 minutes on the pitch. He has conceded five goals and recorded a 63% clean-sheet rate, equivalent to about five games without allowing a goal across those eight appearances.

Those numbers suggest a degree of defensive stability, although they cannot alone provide a complete assessment of a goalkeeper’s level. They do, however, indicate that Ngapandouetnbu has shown an ability to protect his goal and contribute to his side’s results.

Marseille will continue to assess whether that form can be maintained. His consistency, the quality of his decisive saves and his ability to cope with the demands associated with a club of Marseille’s size will all be important markers of his progress.

Marseille consider succession planning

According to La Provence, Olympique de Marseille are examining the option of activating their buy-back priority in June 2027. One reason would be to plan for the succession of Jeffrey de Lange and prepare for the future in goal.

Ngapandouetnbu already knows the Marseille environment, is continuing his development in France and would represent a familiar option for the club. A return could allow Marseille to rely on a player developed within their system rather than routinely searching for an entirely new goalkeeper.

No concrete decision has been announced, however. Marseille’s interest does not mean an agreement has been reached, nor does it guarantee that Ngapandouetnbu would automatically return to the squad.

The goalkeeper’s potential role would also need to be established. A move back to the Velodrome would not necessarily make him the starter, and Marseille would have to decide whether he is ready to compete at the highest level or requires further experience before taking that step.

His performances for Montpellier over the coming months are therefore likely to remain significant. Continued progress would strengthen his case, but he must turn the promise of his current form into sustained evidence before a return can be seriously considered.

Togo must improve their attacking efficiency, defensive concentration and competition for places after a mixed start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, according to former international Sodeke Tidjani.

The Eperviers opened the September international window with a 1-0 victory over Burundi before losing 2-0 to Zambia. In an interview with 228foot, Tidjani said possession alone would not be enough and identified 10 players who could widen coach Patrice Neveu’s options.

Thibault Klidje is one of the attacking profiles under consideration. His pace, movement and ability to beat opponents could give Togo greater threat in the final third. However, his absence from a previous squad and his relationship with the coach would need to be clarified before any return.

Idjessi Metsoko could provide another option as a central striker. His recent playing time and performances would have to be assessed, alongside the circumstances surrounding his own potential recall.

Josue Doke’s versatility could offer a different solution against teams defending deep. Able to operate in several attacking positions, he could add variety, although he still needs to become more effective with his final action and continue developing at club level.

Yawo Agbagno is another forward whose ability to influence play inside the penalty area will be monitored. His recent form would need to be compared with that of the players already selected by Neveu.

At 30, Ismail Ouro-Agoro brings experience from Tala’ea El Gaish in the Egyptian top flight, as well as previous involvement with the Eperviers. His current fitness and playing time will be important considerations, particularly as his recent sporting situation appears less favourable.

Djibril Bastou represents a longer-term possibility. Already called up to the senior side, he has recently joined the Togo U23 group and moved to Yamoussoukro FC in Cote d’Ivoire. His priority is to gain experience and establish himself at club level while remaining under consideration.

Goalkeeper Mensah Ekoue, who plays for ASCK, has impressed in the Togolese championship and has previously appeared on Neveu’s provisional lists. His case also raises questions about the opportunities available to locally based players, with Tidjani insisting that performances should take precedence over established habits.

Kennedy Boateng, a regular in previous squads, has recently been absent. His experience could help a defence requiring greater coordination, but his physical condition and ability to play consistently must first be assessed.

Roger Aholou has 25 caps and one goal for Togo. The defensive midfielder could help the team manage matches more effectively, although his club situation remains central to any decision over a return.

The final name is 23-year-old Denis Abalo, who plays in Libya. Capable of operating as a defensive midfielder, higher up the pitch or centrally, he could give the coaching staff additional flexibility.

Tidjani’s list is intended as a set of possibilities rather than a demand for immediate call-ups. Patrice Neveu must balance continuity with renewal, while Togo improve their ability to turn promising periods into goals, remain focused from the opening whistle and produce consistent results in the next stages of CAN 2027 qualifying.

Olympique de Marseille travel to Austria on Thursday to face Sturm Graz in the third round of the Europa League league phase, with both sides still waiting for their first points of the competition.

The match offers each team an opportunity to revive its European campaign. Sturm Graz will be without several important players, while Marseille have a shorter absentee list ahead of the fixture.

Sturm Graz team news

Sturm Graz are missing six players for the meeting with OM. Emran Soglo is unavailable in defence, while Otar Kiteishvili, Gizo Mamageishvili and Filip Rozga are all ruled out in midfield.

There are also two absences in attack. Seedy Jatta and Nelson Weiper, who have scored five goals between them, will not be involved in Thursday’s European fixture.

The Austrian side are expected to line up with Ammar Helac in goal. Jurgen Heil, Arjan Malic, Joshua Quarshie, Petar Petrovic and Luis Balbo are the likely defensive five.

Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Valmir Matoshi and Jacob Peter Hodl are set to form the midfield, with Belmin Beganovic and Simon Seidl expected to lead the attack.

Sturm Graz probable XI: Ammar Helac; Jurgen Heil, Arjan Malic, Joshua Quarshie, Petar Petrovic, Luis Balbo; Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Valmir Matoshi, Jacob Peter Hodl; Belmin Beganovic, Simon Seidl.

Marseille team news

Marseille have only two confirmed absentees for the trip. Defender Derek Cornelius and midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will miss the game in Austria.

The remainder of the Marseille squad is available, giving the club a stronger selection of options as they look to collect their first points in the Europa League.

Jeffrey de Lange is expected to start in goal, behind a defence of Timothy Weah, CJ Egan-Riley, Nayef Aguerd and Emerson.

Tochukwu Nnadi and Nouhoum Kamissoko are likely to play in central midfield, with Igor Paixao, Amine Harit and Himad Abdelli operating further forward. Amine Gouiri is expected to be the lone centre-forward.

Marseille probable XI: Jeffrey de Lange; Timothy Weah, CJ Egan-Riley, Nayef Aguerd, Emerson; Tochukwu Nnadi, Nouhoum Kamissoko, Igor Paixao, Amine Harit, Himad Abdelli; Amine Gouiri.

Sturm Graz and OM will meet on Thursday in the third round of the Europa League league phase. The listed odds make Marseille favourites at 1.96, while Sturm Graz are priced at 3.70 and a draw at 3.75.