Arsenal are not in negotiations with Barcelona over a deal to sign Jules Kounde this summer despite reports, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have been rocked this summer by news that star defender William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period of time due to a back injury, which has left Mikel Arteta’s Premier League winners slightly short of options at the back ahead of the new campaign.

Reports from Spain suggested that the La Liga champions would be open to selling the France international this summer as they look to raise funds to bring in Man City star Rodri, with Arsenal reportedly keen on a deal, but Romano has shared an update from the information he has.

Romano: Arsenal Not Interested in Kounde

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Kounde, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, has been a regular at the Catalan giants since joining from Sevilla in a £42m deal back in 2022, making 188 appearances.

Despite coming through as a centre-back, Kounde has now emerged as a regular at right-back for both Barcelona and France, and that versatility is understood to be something that appeals to Arteta as he looks for cover for Saliba, and potentially an exit for Ben White.

But speaking in his latest YouTube video, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed there is no interest from the Gunners as far as he understands.

“Questions today on Jules Kounde and Arsenal,” he said. “At the moment, guys, nothing advanced, for sure.

“Arsenal, what I can add to the story is that Arsenal keep looking for a center back. Arsenal are working behind the scenes on a new center back. Tottenham are not selling Romero to Arsenal. I told you this is why Romero is close to Atletico Madrid. Arsenal are still looking for a center back on the market.

“Kounde, in my personal opinion, would be a smart solution because he can be a right back, he can be a center back, so he would be a good solution for Arsenal, who probably need to cover both positions in terms of players. But we will see how many they will add. Maybe it’s going to be just one.

“But at the moment, from both sides, they are not confirming any advanced negotiations for Jules Kounde to Arsenal. Should anything change, I will let you know.”

Kounde a ‘Fighter’

Kounde has made himself an undisputed starter at the Camp Nou under Hansi Flick with his pace and ability on the ball, and despite having a wobbly bit of form in the last campaign, he retained the faith of his manager, who described him as a ‘fighter’ with a ‘top-notch mentality’.

With an ability to play at centre-back or right-back, Arteta will love having the 27-year-old in his squad as he fits into the profile of the rest of the side.

Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Ben White are the full-back options at the Emirates Stadium currently, but all of them are capable of playing at centre-back too. Kounde would slot in seamlessly to help cover for Saliba, while there is also speculation that White could move on.

Should that happen, it may be a deal the club opt to look at, but currently they are looking at alternative options.

Women’s basketball great Cheryl Miller has hit out at Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White after they both announced their intent to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.

The debate around transgender athletes in the WNBA continues to rumble on following Sophie Cunningham’s comments.

She sparked controversy by stating that transgender women should not compete in women’s sports.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that’,” she told ESPN. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

Her words quickly moved beyond the WNBA, with not one but two former NBA players declaring their intention to enter the WNBA draft.

Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White Declare for 2027 WNBA Draft

Screenshot via X

Kanter Freedom and White weighed in on the WNBA transgender debate by declaring their intention to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.

The WNBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which sets rules on matters including revenue sharing and player salary caps, among other issues.

On player eligibility, the CBA states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”

The lack of detail in the league’s eligibility criteria, however, has been questioned by Kanter Freedom, who took to social media to declare himself a WNBA prospect.

Kanter Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said: “I’m officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect.”

Another ex-NBA player in the shape of former Sacramento Kings power forward White, who is now a Minnesota political candidate, also declared for the 2027 WNBA draft, claiming he identifies as a woman for basketball purposes to intentionally challenge and protest the league’s transgender eligibility rules.

Cheryl Miller Condemns Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White

Kanter Freedom and White have drawn a strong reaction from ex-WNBA star Miller, who questioned where they have been in the women’s basketball game amid the transgender debate.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, she said: “I’m not giving them, those two, in particular, a whole lot of thought, because there’s outsiders looking to hijack our network. It’s horrible energy. It’s horrible energy.”

There is a long-running joke that English football began in 1992, when the Premier League as we know it today was formed. The rebrand of the old First Division has had a monumental impact on the British game in terms of both its reputation and the increased revenue it has brought in over the years.

Of course, the history of the English top flight goes all the way back to 1888. Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch, Jack the Ripper was running rife, and the first ever motion picture was being filmed in Leeds. Since then, 65 teams have entered the top flight of English football, with some stints being short and others standing the test of time.

Using the data that exists on how all the teams have fared, this is what the all-time English top-flight table looks like, 138 years since its inception.

65-51

A team now sat in the North West County Leagues start the list

In 65th and officially the worst team in British top flight history, is a team that you are likely to have never heard of. That is Glossop North End, who won just four of their 34 top flight matches. They are, however, the smallest town to have ever had a team in such a lofty position. They now find themselves in the ninth tier of the football pyramid.

Five points clear of them are current League One outfit, Leyton Orient. Swindon Town, Barnsley, tenth tier Darwen and Carlisle United make up the rest of the sixties.

Northampton Town kick off the fifties, and are followed by arguably the biggest side yet in Millwall, though they are more known for their controversial fanbase than their football. Oxford United and Reading are the first teams to surpass 100 points, followed by Accrington FC (not to be confused with Accrington Stanley) and Bradford Park Rangers.

Hull City are the first team to currently play in England’s top tier to appear. They have amassed just 171 top flight points in their history. They are followed by Wigan Athletic, who have also appeared in the Premier League within the last 15 years, with the Latics even beating Manchester City to win the 2013 FA Cup. Meanwhile, Bournemouth just miss out on the top 50.

50-41

Brentford and Wimbledon feature

REUTERS/Toby Melville

2013 League Cup winners Swansea City round out the fifties before we move to Bristol City at 49th, followed by a current top-flight club in Brentford. Keeping with the theme of B’s, it’s Bradford City in 46th—the same side who pulled off a miraculous escape from relegation in 2000.

Grimsby Town follow, before Oldham Athletic, Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion break through the 600-point barrier. The Seagulls are enjoying the best spell in their history, but it will be a while until they surpass Wimbledon’s tally.

The Crazy Gang of Wimbledon more than played their part as they settle into 42nd, while Luton Town sit more than 100 points clear after their most recent stint in the 2023/24 campaign.

40-31

Crystal Palace and Fulham appear

REUTERS/Maryam Majd

After Cardiff City in 40th, the next team is another that now finds itself playing non-league football – though the Bury FC that has been resurrected by the fans after the club went into administration in 2020 was finally purchased by supporters two years later.

2025 FA Cup winners and 2026 UEFA Conference League champions Crystal Palace will only be on the up. After passing QPR, they will have Norwich City in their sights over the next couple of seasons. Notts County find themselves in 35th and won’t be back in the top flight anytime soon, given their current status as a League One club.

Charlton Athletic are followed by Fulham and the recently promoted Ipswich Town. Blackpool then come 31st, despite not having been seen in the top flight since 2011.

30-21

Premier League winners Leicester City 24th

Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Frank Lampard has guided Coventry City back to the Premier League, meaning they can build on their 1,686 points in the 26/27 campaign. They won’t be able to catch Portsmouth and Huddersfield, though.

Southampton settle in at 27th off the back of becoming one of the worst teams in Premier League history. Preston North End and Birmingham find themselves in the mid-twenties, while the first champions of the Premier League era to appear on this list pop up – that being Leicester City.

Stoke City’s ability to frustrate the bigger teams in the 21st century helps them consolidate 23rd, with Middlesbrough coming just behind former European champions Nottingham Forest.

20-11

Leeds and West Ham feature

REUTERS/Tony O Brien

We start to reach more of the bigger names in the country as we enter the top 20, starting with Burnley and Leeds United, who had their era of dominance during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Yo-yo club Sheffield United sit in 18th, behind Derby County, who also enjoyed a legendary run under Brian Clough.

West Ham United find themselves in 16th, having had topsy-turvy spells, while Sheffield Wednesday – despite not competing in the top flight since 2000 – hold the bragging rights in their city.

Bolton Wanderers’ financial troubles have set them back from adding to their tally, while former Premier League champions Blackburn sit in the unlucky 13th spot. Wolves and West Brom are the two sides who just miss out on the top 10, though there is a fair margin between them and the team in 10th.

10-1

Liverpool top, Manchester United fourth behind Everton

REUTERS/Phil Noble

So, the top 10 that English football has ever had to offer. It kicks off with two of the biggest rivals in the country in the form of Sunderland and Newcastle – with the Magpies holding the bragging rights over the Black Cats. Tottenham finish in eighth, just 22 points behind London rivals Chelsea.

Manchester City’s dominance in the 2010s has helped them climb to sixth, while Aston Villa hold firm in fifth. It is only fourth for 20-time champions Manchester United, who sit even behind Everton, who come in third.

The top two are the previous two English champions. It’s a runners-up spot for Arsenal, while Liverpool take the crown of all crowns.