LiveScore Daily: The latest football news in bite-sized chunks

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Conte: Spence not my signing

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admitted it was not his decision to sign £20million man Djed Spence.

The 21-year-old became Spurs’ sixth signing of the summer after his move from Middlesbrough was finally confirmed.

He will compete for the starting berth with Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal in the right wing-back position next term.

But while the Italian boss gave it the green light, he has revealed it was a move the club was pushing for rather than himself.

Conte said: "Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it.

"I said ‘OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us’. The club decided to buy him."

Sarina back in the dugout

Boss Sarina Wiegman will return to the dugout for England's Women’s Euro 2022 quarter-final with Spain tonight after recovering from coronavirus,

A positive test had forced the Dutchwoman to watch the Lionesses' 5-0 group-stage win over Northern Ireland last week from afar.

There was uncertainty over whether she would have to miss tonight’s knockout clash at the Amex Stadium, but it has been confirmed that she will take her usual place on the bench.

An FA statement read: "England head coach Sarina Wiegman has tested negative for Covid-19. 

"Wiegman will now return to all elements of her role and will take her place on the bench for tonight’s quarter-final against Spain at the Brighton and Hove Community Stadium."

Forest add bite with double Terriers swoop

Nottingham Forest have announced the double signings of Harry Toffolo and Lewis O'Brien from Huddersfield.

The pair have become the East Midlands outfit’s ninth and 10th signings of the summer following their promotion to the Premier League.

Left-back Toffolo, 26, said: "I'm extremely delighted to be here, to be able to join a football club with this much stature is fantastic and to have the opportunity to play in the Premier League is something I couldn't turn down.

"I'm excited, really looking forward to meeting the lads and we want to push forward in this division. We'll push each other every day and we've got a fantastic squad being put together.

"I'm a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and I'm someone that will fight for the badge and for the team every single minute and now I can't wait to get started."

Both Toffolo and midfielder O'Brien, 23, started for the Terriers as they were beaten 1-0 in the Championship play-off final in May to seal Forest's promotion back to the top flight after 23 years.

After signing a long-term contract at the City Ground, O'Brien added: "I’m delighted to join Nottingham Forest at such an exciting time.

"Having played at the City Ground last season I’ve experienced the atmosphere and when the opportunity came about to join Forest, it was a no-brainer for me.

"You only have to look at Forest’s turnaround last season to see that something special is happening here at the moment, and after my first conversation with Steve Cooper it was obvious we both share the same vision and I’m buzzing to be part of the project."

Arteta offers fringe stars a lifeline

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s pre-season tour of America is a clean slate for players facing an uncertain future at the club.

The Gunners have taken a 33-man squad Stateside for their games against Orlando and Chelsea in Florida, many of whom could still depart this summer.

The likes of Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Lucas Torreira all spent last season out on loan and are seemingly out of the first-team picture for the 2022-23 campaign.

Meanwhile, the Londoners have boosted their ranks with four new signings, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is also set to join from Manchester City in the coming days.

Yet squad depth is still an area Arteta wants to address, leading him to offer a lifeline to a number of fringe players.

The Spaniard said: "Every player that is contracted by the club is treated in the same way, and everybody said on day one that this is a clean sheet to start to build what they want to build at this football club.

"Then we have to make decisions in relation to their needs and the levels that they show."

Guardiola: Absentees a big problem

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Phil Foden, John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan’s absence from their pre-season tour of the USA presents "incredible problems" for his side.

The Citizens are in Houston to face Club America this evening before travelling to Green Bay for a friendly with Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The trio are not with the squad after failing to meet entry requirements to the US and have instead been training with the club’s Under-23s in Croatia.

Guardiola said: "The second season here [2017/18], when we finished with 100 points, that was the only pre-season when we were all together from day one. 

"Since then it's always four players arrive, then after a few weeks some other ones and we start the season with incredible problems. That's why we drop every season at the beginning many, many points.

"This season I thought, 'maybe we will be all together', but due to personal situations with these three players, and other situations with some other ones, we cannot be together. 

"We are delayed but it is what it is. We are going to move forward and today you have to adapt.

"Before, every pre-season was three, four, five weeks all together. Now it's over, with the World Cup, European Championship — many competitions.

"The players need rest after a tough, tough season. But they are fit, they are training with the U-23s in Croatia, and when they come back they will be fine."

Bassey joins Ajax

Calvin Bassey has completed his move to Ajax from Rangers for £22.6million.

The Nigerian international, 22, has signed a five-year deal with the Eredivisie champions after an impressive season where he helped Rangers reach the Europa League final.

The sale sees the Gers pocket the highest fee they have ever received for a player, considerably more than the £230,000 they paid to sign Bassey from Leicester in 2020.

A statement from the Scottish Premiership outfit said: "Calvin leaves with best wishes from everyone at Rangers and we thank him for his hard work and commitment over the past two seasons.

"The 22-year-old joined Rangers from Leicester for a Training Compensation Fee in the summer of 2020, making 65 appearances for the Light Blues.

"Bassey played his part in Rangers' historic 55th league title victory, won the 2022 Scottish Cup, while also having a huge role in the incredible Europa League run to the final in Seville last season.

"We wish Calvin all the best for his future career."