The UK and Republic of Ireland will now bid unopposed for Euro 2028 after Turkey withdrew to focus on a joint bid with Italy for Euro 2032.

Turkey agreed to merge their Euro 2032 bid with Italy in July and that has now been approved by governing body Uefa.

While Italy had only bid for the 2032 tournament, Turkey had bid to host both Euro 2028 and 2032.

Both bids still need official approval by Uefa at a meeting of its executive committee on Tuesday.

"The presentations at that meeting will be an important part of the process which will take due consideration of the content of the bid submissions before reaching a decision," said Uefa.

Read the full story here.

Image source, Getty Images

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It is not yet clear how the mood in the Manchester United camp has been affected by the impasse between England winger Jadon Sancho and manager Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag dropped Sancho from his squad for the defeat at Arsenal in early September. The 23-year-old said he had been made a "scapegoat" in a social media post and has been made to train away from the first team ever since.

It seems now that the winger is increasingly likely to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window, with Sky Germany, external reporting that Borussia Dortmund are keen on taking him back to the Bundesliga.

That story is leading today's gossip column, which also includes the following Manchester United entries:

Everton and England Under-21 centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, is on United's list of targets for the next transfer window. (Mail), external

Bayer Leverkusen's 22-year-old Netherlands left-back Jeremie Frimpong - a United target - is set to sign a new deal with the German club, pushing up his transfer value. (Daily Record), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his side was "punished for mistakes" in Tuesday night's 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasaray.

You will notice that we have a vote in the page today.

Make your choice - yes, no or don't know - on whether Manchester United have progressed under manager Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford at the start of last season and helped United to a third-place finish in the Premier League, ensuring the club's return to top-flight European competition.

However, they have struggled at the start of the current campaign, losing six of their last 10 games, including their opening two matches in the Champions League.

As well as casting your vote, you can have your say on this topic by getting in touch via X, WhatsApp or text using the contact details above.

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Has any foreign player ever waltzed into the Bernabeu and looked quite so at home as Jude Bellingham?

The 20-year-old England midfielder asked for Zinedine Zidane's old number five shirt after sealing his £88.5m summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

He has proceeded to live up to that billing and then some, scoring eight goals in his first nine games for the 14-time Champions League winners.

Gary Lineker - who also enjoyed a successful spell in La Liga, playing for Barcelona - is clearly impressed, writing on X, external: "Hey Jude, this is getting silly now."

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport

It was another enthralling chapter in the ever-exciting career of Jude Bellingham as the former Birmingham City midfielder continues to show he is one of the world's best players.

He has shown an ability to score a wide variety of goals since joining Real in the summer but Tuesday's will rank among the best he has scored in his career, gliding through Napoli's backline and showing composure to apply the finishing touch.

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Jude Bellingham further enhanced his status as Real Madrid's star player, scoring and assisting as they beat Italian champions Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the Champions League.

The England midfielder carried the ball from 40 yards out, charged deep into Napoli's defensive third and then proceeded to weave his way through their backline before curling a shot cutely into the bottom right corner to give his side a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Defender Leo Ostigard had earlier put Napoli in front in the 19th minute, reacting quickest to head in after Natan's effort came back off the crossbar, but Vinicius Jr levelled for Real when he was played through on goal by Bellingham.

Napoli came out with intent in the second period and their hard work was rewarded when Piotr Zielinski equalised from the penalty spot.

But Real grabbed the winner with just over 10 minutes left when Federico Valverde's thunderbolt of a shot cannoned off the crossbar and went in via the back of goalkeeper Alex Meret.

The victory puts Carlo Ancelotti's side at the top of Group C with six points from their opening two games, having beaten Union Berlin 1-0 in their first outing.

Read the full report here.

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Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin believes Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will not hesitate to change his goalkeeper if David Raya goes through an extended poor run of form.

Raya, who has taken Aaron Ramsdale's starting spot in the Premier League and Champions League, made a poor clearance that led to Lens' opener in Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat by the Ligue 1 side.

When asked on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast if Ramsdale might come back into the side for Sunday's meeting with Manchester City if Arteta was choosing on current form, Nevin said: "He may well do that. There's nothing wrong with that.

"The problem comes when you say you're going to rotate it, the goalie has two or three bad games in a row, and you don't do it. Then suddenly there's no coming back from that. There's only one goalkeeper you can use from then on and you have to sell the other one.

"I trust Arteta to do the right thing. If there is that little drop in form, I think he will make the change. It's the oldest one in the world: one good goalkeeper or two? You'd rather have two.

"It's probably a bit too early to change it after one error, but there'll be a pair of gloves on the bench clasping together a little bit more tightly thinking: 'I've got my chance coming.'"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport

It was a tough night for Arsenal, who looked off the pace as a run of nine Champions League group games unbeaten was ended by a buoyant Lens.

Sloppy in defence, the Gunners struggled to create clear-cut chances - and will look to bounce back when they travel to Sevilla in three weeks' time.

However, the departure of Bukayo Saka will be the biggest concern when the dust settles.

He was doubtful for the 4-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend, but started - before being withdrawn after 76 minutes. Saka was passed fit for this match, but went off in discomfort.

Before his substitution, the forward showed his quality once more by providing the assist for Gabriel Jesus' strike and became the first player to record five goals and five assists this season for a team in Europe's big five leagues.

He later emerged around the hour mark and sat on the bench with his team-mates to watch the rest of the match.

But, while Mikel Arteta said he had no regrets, questions will be asked about his decision to risk Saka, especially if he is absent when champions Manchester City visit Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports after a 2-1 defeat to Lens: "They are a really good side, exceptional opponent.

"We took the lead and then in one action they managed to score. We had a big chance straight after the break.

"In many occasions we attacked the space - but it was [decided] in the boxes. We missed some big chances and didn't defend well enough for their goals.

"Mistakes happen in football and they will continue to be there somehow but the difference was made in both boxes. You have to put the ball in the back of the net and defend well.

"It was a big night for us. We weren't able to take the result we wanted but we were able to learn."

On Bukayo Saka's injury, Arteta is unsure of how serious the issue is, adding: "It was an action. It was a backheel and he felt something on this specific action. He was too uncomfortable to continue."

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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice speaking to TNT Sports: "I feel we created enough to win the game, for sure.

"We missed some big chances. It's a great finish for their first goal and the second one we created with our own problems.

"I thought we totally dominated the match but they are not an easy opponent. We had to be on it but it was just that final bit that was lacking.

"Credit to them. They defended very well and some of their centre-backs had some outstanding performances.

"We're only 10 games or so into the season. We're just warming up and getting into our rhythm. Our focus turns back to the league and it's a massive game on Sunday."

• Arsenal have suffered their first ever away Champions League defeat in France in their ninth game there (W6 D2) – two of the three times they have failed to win there have come against Lens (1-1 draw in 1998, 2-1 defeat tonight).
• Lens became the first team to beat Arsenal in a European match after conceding the first goal since Eintracht Frankfurt in November 2019 in a Europa League match. The Gunners were unbeaten in 17 such games since then (W14 D3).
• Gabriel Jesus became the third player to score in his first two Champions League appearances for Arsenal, along with Marouane Chamakh in 2010 and Lukas Podolski in 2012.
• Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is the only Premier League player with both five goals and five assists in all competitions this season, with Saka assisting Gabriel Jesus’ goal tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

It was a tough night for the Gunners who looked off the pace as a run of nine Champions League group stage games unbeaten was ended by a buoyant Lens.

Sloppy in defence, Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba made a good reaction save to deny Takehiro Tomiyasu from a Gunners corner, but was not tested enough.

Arsenal will look to bounce back in the Champions League when they travel to Sevilla in three weeks' time, while Lens host PSV.

However, the departure of Saka will be the biggest concern when the dust settles.

He was doubtful for the 4-0 win against Bournemouth at the weekend but started before being withdrawn after 76 minutes. Saka was passed fit for this match, but went off in discomfort.

Before his substitution, Saka showed his quality once more by providing the assist for Jesus' strike and become the first player to record five goals and five assists in all competitions this season for a team in Europe's big five leagues.

He later emerged around the hour mark and sat on the bench with his team-mates to watch the rest of the match.

But, while Arteta said he had no regrets, questions will be asked about his decision to risk Saka, especially if he is absent when champions City visit the Emirates on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

Elye Wahi starred as French side Lens came from behind to shock Arsenal in the Champions League.

Wahi's first-time finish into the bottom left corner from a Przemyslaw Frankowski cross in the 69th minute saw the home side seal a notable success.

The below-par Gunners rode some early pressure from Lens before Gabriel Jesus claimed a 14th-minute opener from a through-ball from Bukayo Saka, who went off injured with a muscular problem.

Lens levelled 11 minutes later as Adrien Thomasson curled a superb finish into the far corner.

As Arsenal suffered their first loss of the season on a difficult night, they were dealt another blow before Sunday's crunch Premier League meeting with Manchester City as England forward Saka went off after just 33 minutes.

But Lens were worthy of a win that took them to the top of Group B on four points, with Mikel Arteta's side second on three.

Full story.

Wales will be without captain Aaron Ramsey for their key Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia this month because of a knee injury.

Midfielder Ramsey, 32, may face surgery after injuring his right knee in training with his club Cardiff City.

In his absence, Tottenham defender Ben Davies is expected to lead Wales.

Robert Page's men face Gibraltar in a friendly in Wrexham on Wednesday 11 October, four days before hosting Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium.

The absence of 84-cap playmaker Ramsey is a major blow for Wales.

Full story.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Breakfast

They [Newcastle] should be able to enjoy it.

They are in a group with some great teams. I thought it was a fantastic draw for the players and the fans because that is what we all wanted - some of the big hitters coming to St James' Park.

But I believe they can get out of the group.

Alan Shearer has also been talking about Newcastle's first home game in this season's Champions League.

Eddie Howe's side welcome French champions Paris St-Germain to St James' Park tonight.

It is the club's first home game in the competition for 20 years - harking back to the times Shearer was banging in the goals for them.

They earned a creditable goalless draw at AC Milan on matchday one, but face a formidable challenge to make it out of Group F, which also includes Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund.

Not that Shearer is fazed by that...

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