By Tim Stannard

1) Zidane says still no plans to hound James from Madrid

Pretty much every big deal this summer has either been done, or on the way to being done. Like a 3-course Cheesecake Factory dinner, the digestive journey has been challenging, but the tummy ends up content.

Paul Pogba, Claudio Bravo, Gonazlo Higuain – all have given in to the baying transfer crowd and changed clubs. But there is surely one sneaky move left for full satisfaction before the transfer window closes next week: James moving from Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, once again on Friday, the increasingly exasperated coach Zizou reiterated his claim that there are no plans to sell James Rodriguez. Except he didn’t. He merely said that the footballer has a contract and was important to the team. However, that does not mean a lot at Real Madrid and the Colombian is about eighth choice in the side behind the fellow who fixes the vending machines. "James is a Real Madrid footballer," he said. "I always get asked the same question and always reply the same way.”

Remember to tune in on Saturday from 2.10PM ET / 11.10AM ET to see what James will be up to during Real Madrid’s home clash with Celta Vigo, whether it is reading a book or playing football.

2) Triple whammy of transfers to London

ALMOST DONE DEAL! Italy's stuttering striker, Simone Zaza, is due in London on Friday for a medical with EPL outfit West Ham. The fee is reported to be $31 million going into Juventus coffers. 

ALMOST DONE DEALS! Zaza will be in good company in London as across the city, two footballers will be having medicals with Arsenal. Valencia centerback, Shkodran Mustafi and Deportivo striker, Lucas Perez are both in town ahead of deals worth a combined total of $68 million. Go Arsene! 

ALMOST DONE DEAL! It looks like Brazilian forward, Gabigol, is heading to Inter Milan. The forward is heading to the city to begin talks over a move from Santos.

3) Champions League welcomes elite as Man Utd hear Europa League fate

Perhaps reacting to Thursday's diatribe from Sports Burst that hipster types are not that keen to watch Ludogorets in the Champions League despite what they may claim, UEFA has taken firm action. 

From the 2018-19 season onwards, Europe's top four leagues - currently England, Spain, Germany, and Italy - will be guaranteed four Champions League spots. No more pesky play-offs and no more reduced spots for Serie A.  

The Europa League draw has been made. Manchester United are up against Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, and Zorya Luhansk in a competition that Jose Mourinho probably won’t be taking that seriously.

4) Cesc and Casillas cast out of Spain squad

There may be a death stare out there to rival that of Michael Phelps. Iker Casillas has been left out of the latest Spain squad for new coach, Julen Lopetegui. Also missing are Cesc Fabregas, Juanfran and Pedro. Pepe Reina makes a surprise return and Real Madrid's man of the moment, Marco Asensio also makes the cut.

Turncoat! Thierry Henry has turned his back on France to become an assistant coach of the national team of Belgium. "He agreed right away to join us," declared Belgium manager, Roberto Martinez. 

5) Bayern back in business as La Liga gets underway

The Bundesliga is up and running on Friday with defending champions, Bayern Munich hosting Werder Bremen. Thomas Muller has given a curious insight into the mind of former manager, Pep Guardiola, saying that he was fairly distant from the squad due to a big, never-sleeping brain.

"Pep was already a little bit in his own world because he thought for the whole day, 'How can I move my players two or three meters in a game situation to find a perfect solution?'

There is an absolute gaggle of games taking place on beIN SPORTS on Friday. In the Championship there is a very local derby between…er…Derby and Burton Albion. That’s live on beIN SPORTS from 2.30PM ET / 11.30AM PT.

Our Spanish sister channel, they will be Ole’ing to Betis v Deportivo in La Liga from 2.40PM ET followed by Espanyol hosting Malaga. Over on CONNECT, Marseille really, really, really need to beat Lorient. Or there will be trouble. Tune into the XTRA on Friday at 7PM ET to catch all the highlights of everything. Yes, everything.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.