The Guardian's Football Daily column looks at the summer transfer window, contrasting how different Premier League clubs are approaching their squad-building priorities as the market heats up between the "Geopolitics World Cup" and the new domestic season. Arsenal are again pursuing a centre-back, reportedly eyeing Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa and Bayer Leverkusen's Jarel Quansah, while Liverpool, despite also needing defensive reinforcements, are said to be focusing instead on attacking options such as Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri.

Manchester United are highlighted as unusually proactive, having already signed midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans and closing in on a third, Brighton's Carlos Baleba, for around £65m — down from a previous £100m valuation. The piece also touches on Harry Kane's rumoured move from Bayern Munich to Al-Hilal and notes Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly set to join Al-Hilal once the window closes, framing the wider window as one where clubs' declared needs don't always match their actual dealings.