Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Anon: Now that John Textor has sold his shares at Crystal Palace, do you think they are now certain to play in the Europa League?

I do. This should hopefully settle any concerns about the multi-club ownership conundrum. A decision is expected before the end of the week and I fully expect to see Palace in Europe next season.

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Time for a bit of 'getting to know' learning so we're all clued up if/when Keith Andrews becomes Brentford boss.

The 44-year-old spent 16 years playing in English football for 12 clubs including Wolves, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Brighton.

Some 85 of his 412 professional appearances came in the Premier League and he earned 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland, including playing at Euro 2012.

Andrews ended his career in 2015 at MK Dons and moved straight into the role of first-team coach at the club, assisting Karl Robinson.

He became Stephen Kenny's assistant with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in 2019 and then the senior side from 2020 until Kenny's departure in 2023.

Andrews then spent the 2023-24 season as Chris Wilder's assistant at Sheffield United as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.

In July 2024, he was appointed Brentford's set‑piece coach - succeeding Bernardo Cueva who moved to Chelsea.

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Brentford are already in the market for a new manager following Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham, so are the club any further on in appointing a new boss?

According to our senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, Bees set-piece coach Keith Andrews is frontrunner for the vacant job at Gtech Community Stadium.

BBC Sport understands the club are not putting a timescale on the appointment, and discussions are progressing well.

Andrews, 44, was appointed to Brentford's coaching staff in July 2024, after being part of Sheffield United's backroom team. This would be the Irishman's first managerial role.

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport

Manchester United have reignited their interest in Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo with an improved bid of £60m following his standout campaign in 2024-25.

The 25-year-old recorded career-best figures in the Premier League for virtually every attacking metric, including goals and assists, chances created and touches in the opposition box.

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Additionally, the 22-cap Cameroon international was clinical: his shot conversion rate of 23.53% was better than the likes of Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, while his work out of possession in key areas should also be noted. He won the ball back 32 times in the opposition third, ranking him third of all Premier League players.

But perhaps Mbeumo’s USP is his running threat with the ball at his feet. He was responsible for nine carries of more than five metres which directly ended in a goal being scored in 2024-25 – comfortably the most of any Premier League player last season.

Lorraine McKenna
BBC Sport Journalist

Guy, at the top of the gossip column today is a story from French publication L'Equipe, external, which says Arsenal have expressed an interest in Paris St-Germain's 22-year-old France forward Bradley Barcola, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich and Liverpool. So it does look like Mikel Arteta is aware the shops are open.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Tim, Perth Australia: Hi Phil, I am delighted with Liverpool’s signings so far and look forward to seeing further additions. Is it possible to calculate how much Liverpool have left to spend and how much they have to raise from selling, to get a world class striker and abide by PSR.

Morning, Tim. Certainly outstanding work in the transfer market by Liverpool so far, but all calculations depend on trading, and I’m sure we will see a lot of outgoings as well, with Jarell Quansah on course for Bayer Leverkusen in a £30m deal as they re-invest some of the £100m they received for Florian Wirtz’s move to Anfield.

Liverpool are reaping the benefit of refusing to panic when they did not get the players they wanted, such as Martin Zubimendi, last summer and keeping their powder dry for 12 months.

They showed faith in the squad Arne Slot inherited from Jurgen Klopp and how that was rewarded by winning the Premier League.

Lots of Liverpool fans questioned that strategy, but it proved to be correct.

One thing we know about Liverpool is that the club is run on sound financial grounds, so they will be weighing up all the calculations very carefully.

I can see more incomings, even after Frimpong, Wirtz and Kerkez – but others will be out.

Manchester United have decided to shop in the Premier League attacking aisle of the summer transfer supermarket this year, taking Matheus Cunha from Wolves and hoping to secure Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford - proven top-flight players.

Club legends have had their say, with goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel telling MUTV the window so far has been a positive step in the right direction for United.

So, would Cunha and Mbeumo (if he signs) be a good fit for United? Would you be happy as a fan seeing these two in Ruben Amorim's starting line-up next season?

The thumbs are here for your quick opinion.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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Rob: Phil - with Aaron Ramsdale being touted out for loans, why are Man United not busting a gut to sign him, considering their current goalkeeping options?

Hello, Rob. Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation is an interesting one as the understanding was that they would stick with Andre Onana and focus on strengthening their forward positions, as we have seen with the signing of Matheus Cunha and the acceleration of the move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

Whether that changes remains to be seen, because Onana has not convinced. An upgrade would be preferable, although whether they consider Aaron Ramsdale to be an upgrade is another question.

As for Ramsdale, I am certain he would welcome a move back to the Premier League, especially with a World Cup coming up and others such as Dean Henderson now well ahead of him in the England pecking order. He will want the biggest stage to see if he can revive his international hopes.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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James: Hi Phil. There are rumours that Everton are trying to get Jack Grealish on loan, do you think there's realistic chance of this happening and if so would it be a good move for Grealish and Everton?

Morning, James. Everton, like many other clubs, will be aware that there is a deal to be done for Jack Grealish but this would be a very rich deal for Everton to do – and would certainly require Manchester City picking up a large share of his salary.

So, as the moment, I think you can categorise this as being a long shot but, if the clock runs down towards the window closing and Grealish has not found himself a new club, then I can certainly see Everton at least trying to find out the lay of the land.

There will be plenty of other clubs interested as well because, despite his struggles last season, Grealish is a real talent who still has the capability to exert great influence on games.

Right, we're going to break away from Bryan Mbeumo because BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is here for a Q&A!

You've been sending in questions all morning, so let's see what Phil has got to say...

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As it stands, Manchester United would lose a trio of players to the Africa Cup of Nations - a quartet if Bryan Mbeumo was to join - which begins on 21 December and ends four weeks later on 18 January.

Mbeumo's Cameroon team-mate, goalkeeper Andre Onana, would be one, Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui another, plus Ivory Coast forward Amad Diallo.

And the Premier League games they could potential miss over the fesitive/New Year period?

20 December

Aston Villa (A)

27 December

Newcastle United (H)

30 December

Wolves (H)

3 January

Leeds (A)

7 January

Burnley (A)

17 January

Man City (H)

The 2024-25 campaign was one to forget if you're a Manchester United fan; a fever dream of seeing Liverpool match the club's record of 20 league titles and Tottenham scuppering hopes of silverware and a place in the Champions League with victory in the Europa Leauge final.

A disappointing season means bumper paydays are thin on the ground, so if United are to start spending some cash this summer, can they afford it without breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) which limit clubs to losses of £105m over three years?

BBC Sport talks to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who estimates that the club will still be well within their means even if they have an outlay of £150m on new signings.

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One thing Ruben Amorim can't afford next season as United boss is players blowing hot and cold, so these quotes will be music to his ears. Earlier this month, Bryan Mbeumo told BBC Sport Africa his own career target is to "be the best player possible", adding: "Consistency is really important.

"If you want to have big ambitions you need to perform the whole season. I think I am still improving every day I put a foot on the pitch. I never put limits on myself."

Although, another personal insight from Mbeumo is he gets "angry really easy". At Brentford, the 25-year-old said he had team-mate Yoane Wissa to help him stay cool. Maybe one to think about for Amorim.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Bryan Mbeumo is a man in demand after 20 Premier League goals in 2024-25 - the first time he has scored 10 times or more in a top-flight season.

That was despite an expected goals total for the campaign of 12.3, meaning he outperformed his xG by 7.7.

Historically, that level of clinical finishing has rarely proved repeatable.

In the past five Premier League seasons, just 14 players have overperformed their xG by at least five goals. The only player to do so more than once is Tottenham's Son Heung-min, in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

That doesn't make Mbeumo, who consistently ranks highly for chances created, any less of an asset to a new team. But it could mean clubs chasing him pay a bit of a premium for his signature and perhaps risks inflating expectations from supporters.

United have already signed Matheus Cunha, another player who dramatically surpassed his xG last term.

The Brazilian's 15 goals for Wolves came from an xG of 8.6, with only Mbeumo and Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest (6.6) recording bigger differences in 2024-25.

If you're just joining us, welcome! Here's what you can expect from us today.

• We'll bring you all the latest transfer news and reports and we'll delve into the gossip that's out there in this summer window
• Bryan Mbeumo latest: Man Utd have made an improved bid of more than £60m for the Brentford forward and we're looking at just how big a signing it'd be for Ruben Amorim's side
• Plenty other players to discuss throughout the day too - the likes of Gyokeres, Eze, Sesko, Garnacho, Nkunku, Gittens - they're never far away from speculation at the moment
• And this is also your platform to have your say by asking our chief football writer Phil McNulty what's on your mind - get in touch using the usual channels

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

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New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was keen to be reunited with Bryan Mbeumo, while there has also been interest in the forward from other Champions League clubs.

Sources have suggested Brentford would want at least the same fee as Wolves have received for Cunha before they agree to the sale of a player who still has a year left on his contract.

As with Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo's Premier League experience is viewed as a major positive as Amorim needs players who can hit the ground running as United look to make a more positive start to the season than their three sluggish efforts under Erik ten Hag.

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Why is Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim keen to add Bryan Mbeumo to his squad?

Well, he scored a career-best 20 goals for Brentford in the Premier League last season, pitching in with seven assists as the Bees finished 10th in the table - five places higher than United.

In 136 top-flight appearances the 25-year-old has scored 42 goals with 28 assists.

If Mbeumo does make the move to Old Trafford, however, he is likely to miss four weeks of the 2025-26 campaign because of Cameroon's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Cameroon play Gabon in their opening group game on 24 December.

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After completing the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Manchester United want Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo to be part of their summer rebuild.

Earlier this month United had a bid rejected for the 25-year-old of £45m plus up to £10m in add-ons.

Now the Red Devils have submitted an improved bid of more than £60m, with talks between the clubs set to resume this week.

Mbeumo, 25, has also been linked with following former Brentford manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur.