Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall has signed a new long-term contract, the club announced, even though his previous deal still had three years to run.
The 22-year-old had been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer following the departure of several other key players from Newcastle, but instead chose to commit his future to the Magpies.
Hall has made 107 appearances for Newcastle since arriving from Chelsea in August 2023, and helped the club win the Carabao Cup in 2025, its first domestic trophy in 70 years. He has played every minute of this season under new head coach Matthias Jaissle, including three Premier League games and both Carabao Cup ties.
"I'm absolutely delighted. It's a really proud moment," Hall told the club website. "The fanbase and the support we get here, whether it's at St. James' Park or away, it's the best in the league in my opinion."
Jaissle said: "Lewis covers ground in a way that few players can. He defends with maturity and intelligence, and his technical level means he can support the team higher up the pitch."
Chelsea reward Neto with six-year deal
Chelsea have handed Pedro Neto a new six-year contract after the 26-year-old winger turned down interest from Manchester City and other clubs in the summer.
Neto, signed from Wolves for £54million in 2024, has been used primarily as a wing-back by manager Xabi Alonso and has scored two goals in five games this season. His new terms are a five-year deal with the option of a sixth year, and include a pay rise. He joins Joao Pedro, Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer in agreeing improved terms.
"You can call him a winger or wing-back because he has many qualities," Alonso said. "He is good in one-v-one, he is scoring goals, he has a fantastic work rate. I am very happy with Pedro and the work he is doing."
Neto's decision to stay contrasts with Enzo Fernandez, who forced through a £125million transfer to City before the summer window closed. Chelsea had held talks with Fernandez about a new contract, but he did not agree fresh terms and his relationship with the club grew strained, including a two-game suspension for openly flirting with Real Madrid last season. Real released a statement denying interest, but City continued to push privately for Fernandez on behalf of new manager Enzo Maresca, and Fernandez is said to have handed in a written transfer request.
Bergvall commits to Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur have announced that midfielder Lucas Bergvall has signed a new contract, despite telling the club he wanted to leave in the summer. Manager Roberto De Zerbi had insisted he would not beg the Swede or promise him a starting place to convince him to stay.
Bergvall, who signed a six-year contract in April 2025, has now agreed fresh terms.
"I think we're building something great here. It's an exciting time for the Club and that's why I'm happy to extend my contract," Bergvall said. De Zerbi added: "Lucas is brave, he wants responsibility and has the personality to play in big moments. I believe his best football is still ahead of him."
Pressure mounts on Arbeloa at Fulham
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa insists he retains the backing of his dressing room despite unrest following a winless start to the season. Fulham have lost all three of their Premier League games, conceding seven goals, and were booed off after a 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace last weekend.
Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi deleted all Fulham-related photos from their Instagram accounts after that result, while club-record signing Kevin, an unused substitute against Palace, posted "no speak, no hear, no see" alongside images of monkeys covering their mouth, ears and eyes.
"I don't feel like I have a problem in the dressing room," Arbeloa said. "I didn't come here just for three games or for a month. I came here because I wanted to improve this club, this team, this squad and my players."
Fulham travel to Liverpool on Saturday before facing Manchester United ahead of the international break.
Manchester derby build-up
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has dismissed Elliot Anderson's "Kings of Manchester" taunt ahead of Sunday's 199th Manchester derby. Anderson made the claim after joining City for £116million from Nottingham Forest this summer.
Carrick, who began his tenure with a 2-0 win over City at Old Trafford in January on the way to earning the job permanently, said: "We're humble and realistic enough to know where we've come from in recent history, and we need to be, and want to be, better."
Carrick must decide whether to risk left-back Luke Shaw, who missed Thursday's Champions League win over Sabah. "He wasn't quite ready for it 100 per cent, so we didn't risk it," Carrick said.
City manager Enzo Maresca said his side deserved the "kings of Manchester" tag, noting City have won seven Premier League titles since Sir Alex Ferguson's final title in 2013. "When he grew up Manchester City was dominant," Maresca said of the 23-year-old Anderson, comparing the fixture to other fierce derbies he has experienced at Porto, Juventus against Torino, Sevilla against Real Betis, and Olympiacos against Panathinaikos.
Arteta reveals pre-season 'sabotage'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed he deliberately disrupted his squad's routine during pre-season to prepare them for challenges this campaign, including delaying transport and meals, removing massage beds and heating up changing rooms.
The admission came after Arteta was asked about travel chaos in the build-up to Arsenal's Champions League win over Napoli in midweek, when air traffic control issues delayed or cancelled thousands of flights.
Arsenal face Sunderland this weekend as they bid to maintain a perfect start to the season. Former England captain Alan Shearer backed the champions to win, telling Betfair: "Arsenal are very solid, they're strong in every position. I think Arsenal will have too much for most teams this season."
