Former Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, has announced plans to organise a youth football tournament in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.

Martins disclosed this during an interview on TVC on Thursday, saying the tournament, which he described as the “Renewed Hope tournament,” would be held in November.

According to the former Inter Milan and Newcastle United striker, the tournament will involve teams from the six geopolitical zones, with additional teams expected to participate.

“There’s a tournament that I’m doing for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I’m doing for his campaign, the renewal youth tournament, and I’m doing it with, I think, the geopolitical zone, which is six, and I’m adding more two to three teams with it,” Martins said.

He said the initiative was aimed not only at supporting Tinubu’s campaign but also at creating opportunities for Nigerian youths.

“I think I’m just happy to do it for the president with all his hard work and all that. And that is not just for the president, it’s for the Nigerians and the Nigerian youth as well; how we can help them,” he said.

Martins said he was funding the tournament himself and confirmed that it would take place in November.

“Yes, I’m doing it in November,” he said when asked if the initiative was self-funded.

The perception of Arsenal’s transfer window varies depending on who you speak to – but there will be no disagreement from anyone at the Emirates Stadium over how crucial their next expected signing will be.

With the market closed until January, the club are now in the process of finalising an agreement with manager Mikel Arteta over his protracted new contract.

Well-placed sources indicate those discussions have moved forward recently amid full confidence from those involved in talks that the Spaniard will renew.

Indeed, Arteta moved unequivocally last month to remove any lingering doubt over his future: “Everybody feels comfortable that the timing of the contract is not going to be an issue because my will certainly is to be here and I’m very happy here.

“My feeling from the club is the same one. That’s why everyone is doing things in a very organic way.”

Similarly, Arsenal’s chief executive Richard Garlick has said it was merely a “matter of time” before Arteta’s new long-term deal was confirmed.

Arteta can expect to become one of the best paid managers in world football once his new contract is signed – Arsenal committed to significantly improving on his current deal, worth £10m a season plus an extra £5m upon Champions League qualification.

Arteta already the longest-serving manager in English football
For Arsenal supporters, the official announcement can’t come soon enough, particularly given his current deal now has just nine months left to run.

Since his appointment in December 2019, Arteta has transformed Arsenal from a club that had lost its Champions League status to one that won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years last season.

They are overwhelming favourites to retain their domestic crown and are fancied to win their first-ever Champions League this season.

With that success comes power. Like Arsene Wenger before him, Arteta is categorically the most influential figure, certainly from a football perspective, at the club.

People will say that the manager or head coach should always be the most authoritative figure at any football club – the reality is that is rarely the case.

Arteta’s fingerprints are all over the club – and most importantly the squad. Nothing happens from a first-team perspective without his approval.

When Arsenal tried to sign Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Jr last month, it was Arteta who was at the forefront of the club’s charm offensive.

With that in mind, the thought of removing Arteta from that dynamic, certainly for Arsenal’s ownership, is the unthinkable.

Tottenham and their Brazil forward Richarlison are in dispute over the remaining nine months on his contract.

Richarlison, whose proposed deadline day move to Everton broke down, is understood to be exploring his options with sources indicting the 29-year-old is keen to be released from the remainder of his deal.

Talks between the club and player’s representatives are ongoing to find a resolution but it is believed the matter has escalated in recent days.

While Richarlison is eager to reach an agreement with Tottenham which would allow him to walk away from the club for nothing, Spurs are not considering that option as realistic.

To complicate matters, Spurs have a 12-month option to extend Richarlison’s contract until the end of next season.

Spurs are unwilling to negotiate a settlement with Richarlison over the rest of his deal.

The attacker has been left out of the club’s Premier League squad after the Everton move collapsed.

Tottenham were in line to earn £35m, but the forward failed to agree personal terms with the Toffees.

Brazilian side Vasco de Gama would like to sign Richarlison, with the forward believed to be keen to return to his homeland.