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Arsene Wenger has responded to Jurgen Klopp’s claims that the Club World Cup is “the worst idea ever invented”, saying teams are in favour of the “fantastic competition”.

Former Liverpool manager Klopp criticised the tournament in June, which has been moved to the summer and expanded to 32 teams.

However, ex-Arsenal manager Wenger, now Fifa’s chief of global football development, said the Club World Cup has the full support of the teams, players and managers involved.

When asked about Klopp’s comments, Wenger said: “I am going to give a very boring answer to a very interesting question. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I don’t share the view of Jurgen Klopp at all.

“I feel a Club World Cup is needed. If you make enquiries to all the clubs who were here then 100% of answers would be that they would want to do it again. That’s the best answer of what the clubs think of a Club World Cup.

“And the decisive question is do the fans like it or not? We believe the attendances were projected as low and in reality were much higher. The answer is there.”

Fifa is also planning to learn lessons in how to deal with the heat and improve the pitches before the pan-North American World Cup in 2026, which will have most of its games in the United States.

“The heat in some games was a problem but we tried to combat that with cooling breaks, watering the pitches during the break and overall I feel we learned a lot on that front,” Wenger said.

“In two different venues [there was a problem], one of them was Orlando. But we shouldn’t underestimate the quality of the permanent [real grass] pitches.

“The grass is a bit different here. It’s a bit harsher or more resistant than in other countries. The pitches were ‘flat’. But once we watered the grass, everyone was happy.

“Certainly next year in stadiums there will also be more with roofs and the TV times will be more sensitive. At the same time, the weather conditions can be a problem for everybody.

“I asked our analysts to analyse the impact of the heat. We found heat of over 35C had an impact on high-speed running, so sprints, not distances. You have to be equipped to deal with it.”

Arsene Wenger has responded to Jurgen Klopp’s claims that the Club World Cup is “the worst idea ever invented”, saying teams are in favour of the “fantastic competition”.

Former Liverpool manager Klopp criticised the tournament in June, which has been moved to the summer and expanded to 32 teams.

However, ex-Arsenal manager Wenger, now Fifa’s chief of global football development, said the Club World Cup has the full support of the teams, players and managers involved.

When asked about Klopp’s comments, Wenger said: “I am going to give a very boring answer to a very interesting question. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and I don’t share the view of Jurgen Klopp at all.

“I feel a Club World Cup is needed. If you make enquiries to all the clubs who were here then 100% of answers would be that they would want to do it again. That’s the best answer of what the clubs think of a Club World Cup.

“And the decisive question is do the fans like it or not? We believe the attendances were projected as low and in reality were much higher. The answer is there.”

Fifa is also planning to learn lessons in how to deal with the heat and improve the pitches before the pan-North American World Cup in 2026, which will have most of its games in the United States.

“The heat in some games was a problem but we tried to combat that with cooling breaks, watering the pitches during the break and overall I feel we learned a lot on that front,” Wenger said.

“In two different venues [there was a problem], one of them was Orlando. But we shouldn’t underestimate the quality of the permanent [real grass] pitches.

“The grass is a bit different here. It’s a bit harsher or more resistant than in other countries. The pitches were ‘flat’. But once we watered the grass, everyone was happy.

“Certainly next year in stadiums there will also be more with roofs and the TV times will be more sensitive. At the same time, the weather conditions can be a problem for everybody.

“I asked our analysts to analyse the impact of the heat. We found heat of over 35C had an impact on high-speed running, so sprints, not distances. You have to be equipped to deal with it.”

Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea to sign winger Noni Madueke for just over £50m.

BBC Sport previously reported that the England international had agreed personal terms with Madueke before a potential move across London.

And the clubs have now reached an agreement in principle over a fee, with the finer details needing to be finalised.

Madueke, 23, is currently part of Chelsea’s squad at the Club World Cup and came on as a substitute as the Blues reached the final of the competition after beating Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0.

He has played 92 times for Chelsea since joining them from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and scored 20 goals.

Tom McCoy, BBC Sport

Madueke has made the vast majority of his appearances for the Blues on the right, with 88% of his Premier League minutes coming on that flank since joining in January 2023.

His signing would, therefore, ease the burden Bukayo Saka, who has perhaps been overworked in recent seasons. Saka started 108 of 114 league matches from 2021-22 to 23-24 but missed three months of the most recent campaign with a hamstring injury. Like Saka, when Madueke features on the right wing he looks to cut inside and shoot with his favoured left foot.

Madueke actually ended last season playing on the left for Chelsea, with head coach Enzo Maresca altering his approach during the run-in.

The former PSV Eindhoven man started four of the Blues’ final five Premier League matches on that flank, plus the Conference League final. He also began on the left in England’s win against Andorra in June, when he was one of the Three Lions’ better performers, setting up Harry Kane’s winner.

So in addition to cover for Saka on the right, Madueke could provide competition for both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the opposite wing, where he would offer a slightly more direct threat.

Bayern Munich bid for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, Nottingham Forest have another bid for Yoane Wissa rejected, Reds ready to open talks for Hugo Ekitike.

Bayern Munich have submitted a 52m euros (£44.7m) bid for 28-year-old Liverpool and Colombia winger Luis Diaz. (Bild)

Nottingham Forest have had another bid rejected for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, 28, believed to be even lower than the £25m they previously offered for the Congolese international in January despite the Bees’ valuation of £50m. (The Athletic – subscription required)

Liverpool are ready to open talks over a move for Eintracht Frankfurt’s French striker Hugo Ekitike, 23, even though the club need to sanction the transfer of Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez, 26, in order to facilitate a deal. (Givemesport)

The Reds have been impressed by Ekitike but the price tag and 25-year-old Sweden striker Alexander Isak’s situation at Newcastle could also be factors in any deal. (Tbrfootball)

Arsenal’s pursuit of 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres is at risk of collapse because the club has had no communication with Sporting for three days. (Abola – in Portuguese)

Real Madrid are open to letting Brazil winger Rodrygo leave this summer, but the club will leave the final decision to the 24-year-old, who wants to stay in Europe. (Fabrizio Romano)

Following Real’s defeat in the Club World Cup, coach Xabi Alonso wants to sell Rodrygo, along with Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos, 28, and Morocco midfielder Brahim Diaz, 25. (Fichajes – in Spanish)

The Spanish giants are planning to make a deal for Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero, 27, who is also attracting interest from rivals Atletico Madrid. (Fichajes – in Spanish)

Arsenal are believed to be confident that England Under-21 attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri will sign a new contract despite interest in the 18-year-old from Chelsea and clubs in Germany. (Guardian)

Napoli have stalled negotiations with Galatasaray for Victor Osimhen, 26, over his transfer fee. The Nigeria striker spent last season on loan with the Turkish club. (Gianlucadimarzio)

Sunderland are in talks with English winger Romaine Mundle about signing a new contract, as the 22-year-old has attracted interested from PSV Eindhoven. (Sky Sports)

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is targeting Belgium forward Leandro Trossard, with Arsenal open to selling the 30-year-old. (Fotospor – in Turkish)

Real Betis remain confident in signing Brazil winger Antony permanently from Manchester United, though the 25-year-old is likely to take a significant cut in wages to move to the Spanish club. (Sport – in Spanish)