The going rate for a talented young central defender shoots up and up. Chelsea were reminded of that when they embarked on their summer overhaul of a squad that had lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both were out of contract and, as the club’s new owners were still setting budgets, set off for Spain for free.
Chelsea targeted a precocious 22-year-old to fill some of the gap. After a sustained pursuit, Matthijs de Ligt preferred to go elsewhere, joining Bayern Munich from Juventus, and in doing so taking the total invested in him in transfer fees over his meteoric career past €150 million. De Ligt, a precocious captain of Ajax in his teens, joined Juve for €85m a month before his 20th birthday. Three summers on, Bayern parted with over €65m.
Jules Kounde, 23, and Kalidou Koulibaly, 31, were the next priority targets and Chelsea were successful in luring the older of the pair from Napoli. Early indications are that the authority and confidence that has made Koulibaly one of the most coveted footballers in his position for the past six years will easily translate from Serie A to the Premier League.
But Kounde turned down a transfer to Stamford Bridge, instead joining the procession of new signings at Barcelona. Barca committed €50m to Sevilla, money they have yet to show La Liga’s Financial Fair-Play auditors they can afford to spend while meeting Spanish football’s rules governing allowed expenditure-to-income. Kounde hopes that bureaucratic hurdle will be overcome in time to be properly registered as a Barca player by the weekend, having missed out on a debut in the season’s opening day draw against Rayo Vallecano.
Chelsea had no difficulties in offering as much to Sevilla as the fee Barca paid for Kounde, and are now channelling those funds - and plenty more - towards a chase for Kounde’s French compatriot Wesley Fofana. The player is keen to make the move and his club, Leicester City, had been made firmly aware of his enthusiasm to upgrade to a Champions League club and the chance to develop his game alongside Thiago Silva, the veteran Chelsea centre-back, and Koulibaly. Leicester, who bought Fofana from Saint-Etienne for €35m in 2020, have rejected two Chelsea bids so far, and have told the bidders they value the player at £80m.
Chelsea held by Tottenham - in pictures
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel clashes with Tottenham's Antonio Conte after the 2-2 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge on August 14. Action Images -

Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel. AP -

Thomas Tuchel argues with Antonio Conte. AP -

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is restrained by security after clashing with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after the match. Action Images -

Thomas Tuchel clashes with Antonio Conte after the match. Action Images -

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor. Reuters -

Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates with Reece James after scoring the opening goal. AFP -

Koulibaly celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP -

Marc Cucurella in action against Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham. EPA -

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel gestures on the touchline. AFP -

Tottenham coach Antonio Conte makes his point. AFP -

Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates after levelling at 1-1. Getty -

Chelsea's Kai Havertz remonstrates with referee Anthony Taylor after Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg levels. Reuters -

Hojbjerg scores the equaliser. Getty -

Reece James celebrates with teammates after scoring the second for Chelsea. EPA -

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte reacts after clashing with Thomas Tuchel. Reuters -

Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski in action with Chelsea's Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly. Reuters -

Reece James celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal. Reuters -

Tottenham's Harry Kane leaps to head home and make it 2-2. Action Images -

Harry Kane celebrates scoring Tottenham's second goal. Action Images
It is a vast valuation for a defender who has played just 82 matches of top-flight or European football for his senior clubs, who is only 21 and yet to win a cap for the senior France national team. But so plainly has Fofana shown his potential and maturity since moving to England that Leicester have put the same kind of price-tag on him that attached to the teenaged De Ligt, or for that matter, to another central defender whose career Leicester developed, Harry Maguire.
Maguire’s £78m (around €87m) move to Manchester United set a new benchmark for fees for defenders, in the same summer, 2019, when Bayern paid €80m to Atletico Madrid for Lucas Hernandez and Juventus bought De Ligt from Ajax.
Fofana wants to give himself the platform, in club football, that will push his claims to be considered, alongside Kounde, Hernandez, United’s Rafael Varane and rising stars like Arsenal’s William Saliba, Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate and Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano for a role in France’s defence of their World Cup title come November.
He appreciates he has catching up to do, given that he missed most of last season for Leicester with injury. After an outstanding first season in English football, his progress was abruptly interrupted when he suffered a broken leg in a friendly against Villarreal. His recuperation took seven months, but there was little delay in his establishing that neither his strong self-belief nor his mobility had been compromised. Fofana scored, in a Uefa Conference League tie, in his first fixture back in mid-March.
By June he was in contention for promotion from the France Under-21 squad up to Didier Deschamps Bleus. “He’s the same Wesley as before,” said the France U21 coach Sylvain Ripoli, echoing his Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers' assessment of Fofana’s character and qualities and the praise he has earned from Kolo Toure, the former Manchester City and Ivory Coast centre-back who assists Rodgers and took Fofana, who has Ivorian heritage, under his wing at the club.
“You feel he loves defending, and it’s important that a defender has that relish for it,” observed Ripoli. “He covers space quickly and he has a fierce side to his game.”
150 summer transfers - in pictures
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Perr Schuurs - Ajax to Torino (£8m). AFP -

Paco Alcacer - Villarreal to Sharjah (loan). Getty Images -

Matheus Nunes - Sporting to Wolves (£38m). AFP -

Tanguy Nianzou - Bayern Munich to Sevilla (£16.9m). AFP -

Alan Virginius - Sochaux to Lille (£3.8m). AFP -

Thilo Kehrer - PSG to West Ham (£10.1m). Getty Images -

Pervis Estupinan - Villarreal to Brighton (£15.1m). Getty Images -

Destiny Udogie - Udinese to Tottenham (£15.1m). Loaned back to Udinese. Reuters -
Sergio Gomez - Anderlecht to Manchester City (£11m). Photo: Manchester City -

Alex Collado - Barcelona to Elche (loan). AFP -

Remo Freuler - Atalanta to Nottingham Forest (£9m). AP -

Marc Bartra - Real Betis to Tranbzonspor (undisclosed fee). Getty Images -

Giovani Lo Celso - Tottenham to Villarreal (loan). Getty Images -

Cheikhou Kouyate - Crystal Palace to Nottingham Forest (free). Getty Images -

Emmanuel Dennis - Watford to Nottingham Forest (£20m). Getty Images -

Nico González - Barcelona to Valencia (loan). AP Photo -

Luca Pellegrini - Juventus to Eintracht Frankfurt (loan). AFP -

Daniel Wass - Atletico Madrid to Brondby (£1.7m). EPA -

Pablo Marí - Arsenal to Monza (loan). AP -

Dries Mertens - Napoli to Galatasaray (free). AFP -

Jordan Veretout - Roma to Marseille (£9.3m). Reuters -

Christian Benteke - Crystal Palace to DC United (undisclosed fee). AFP -

Maxwell Cornet - West Ham United to Burnley (£17.5m). PA -

Georginio Wijnaldum - PSG to Roma (loan). AFP -

Lucas Torreira - Arsenal to Galatasaray (£5m). AFP -

Marc Cucurella - Brighton to Chelsea (£55m). Getty Images -

Ademola Lookman - RB Leipzig to Atalanta (£12.6m). PA via AP -

Renato Sanches - Lille to Paris Saint-Germain (£12.6m). AFP -

Riqui Puig - Barcelona to LA Galaxy (free). AP Photo -

Alex Telles - Manchester United to Sevilla (loan). AFP -

Carney Chukwuemeka - Aston Villa to Chelsea (£20m). Reuters -

Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester City to Nice (£1m). AFP -

Mattia Viti - Empoli to Nice (£10.9m). AFP -

Gabriel Slonina - Chicago Fire to Chelsea (£8.3m). Reuters -

Bernd Leno - Arsenal to Fulham (£3m). AFP -

Charles De Ketelaere - Club Brugge to AC Milan (£26.8m). AFP -

Joe Rodon - Tottenham to Stade Rennais (loan). AFP -

Borja Mayoral - Real Madrid to Getafe (£8.4m). EPA -

Cesc Fabregas - Monaco to Como (free). EPA -

Alexis Beka Beaka - Lokomotiv Moscow to Nice (£11.7m). AFP -

Marcus Tavernier -Middlesbrough to Bournemouth (£10m). Getty Images -

Aaron Ramsey - Juventus to Nice (free). AFP -

Orel Mangala - Stuttgart to Nottingham Forest (£12.7m). AFP -

David Raum - Hoffenheim to RB Leipzig (£21.8m). Getty Images -

Oscar Mingueza - Barcelona to Celta Vigo (£2.5m). Getty Images -

Jules Kounde - Sevilla to Barcelona (£45m). AFP -

Dwight McNeil - Burnley to Everton (£20m). Getty Images -

Arnaud Kalimuendo - PSG to Rennes (£21m). Getty Images -

Filip Kostic - Eintracht Frankfurt to Juventus (£14.4m). EPA -

Salvatore Sirigu - Genoa to Napoli (free). Reuters -

Mikkel Damsgaard - Sampdoria to Brentford (£12.7m). EPA -

Malang Sarr - Chelsea to Monaco (loan). AFP -

Issa Diop - West Ham United to Fulham (£15m). Getty Images -

Alexis Sanchez - Internazionale to Marseille (free). Getty Images -

Timo Werner - Chelsea to RB Leipzig (£18m). AP -

Amadou Onana - Llle to Everton (£33.8m). AFP -

Emirhan Ilkhan - Besiktas to Torino (£3.8m). PA -

Gonçalo Guedes - Valencia to Wolves (£27.5m). AP Photo -

Conor Coady - Wolves to Everton (loan). Getty Images -

Anthony Modeste - Cologne to Borussia Dortmund (£3.8m). EPA -

Angeliño - RB Leipzig to Hoffenheim (loan). Getty Images -

Marcos Senesi - Feyenoord to Bournemouth (£12.6m). AFP -

Isco - Real Madrid to Sevilla (free). EPA -

Raheem Sterling - Manchester City to Chelsea (£50m). Getty Images -

Lisandro Martinez - Ajax to Manchester United (£46m). Getty Images -

Robert Lewandowski - Bayern Munich to Barcelona (£38.3m). AFP -

Hugo Ekitike - Reims to Paris Saint-Germain (loan). AFP -

Thomas Henry - Venezia to Verona (£3.8m). Getty Images -

Takefusa Kubo - Real Madrid to Real Sociedad (£5.2m). Getty Images -

Kalidou Koulibaly - Napoli to Chelsea (£33.8m). EPA -

Chancel Mbemba - Porto to Marseille (free). EPA -

Breel Embolo - Borussa Monchengladbach to Monaco (£10.6m). EPA -

Christian Eriksen - Brentford to Manchester United (free). PA -

Raphinha - Leeds United to Barcelona (£49m). Getty Images -

Federico Bernardeschi - Juventus to Toronto FC (free). Getty Images -

Andrea Cambiaso - Genoa to Juventus (£5.9m). Getty Images -

Arturo Vidal - Inter Milan to Flamengo (free). Getty Images -

Mohamed Bayo - Clermont to Lille (£11.8m). AFP -

Francisco Trincao - Barcelona to Sporting (loan). Getty Images -

Samu Castillejo - AC Milan to Valencia (undisclosed fee). PA -

Lewis Ferguson - Aberdeen to Bologna (£3m). PA -

Keane Lewis-Potter - Hull City to Brentford (£16m). PA -

Alessio Romagnoli - AC Milan to Lazio (free). Getty Images -

Nathan Collins - Burnley to Wolves (£20.5m). PA -

Andriy Yarmolenko - West Ham United to Al Ain (free). AP Photo -

David Ospina - Napoli to Al Nassr (free). Getty Images -

Kristian Thorstvedt - Genk to Sassuolo (£8.4m). Reuters -

Andreas Pereira -Manchester United to Fulham ( £10m). Getty Images -

Gabriel Jesus - Manchester City to Arsenal (£45m). Getty Images -

Steven Bergwijn - Tottenham Hotspur to Ajax (£26.5m). AP Photo -

Andreas Christensen - Chelsea to Barcelona (free). AFP -

Sébastien Haller - Ajax to Borussia Dortmund (£30.8m). AFP -

Flynn Downes - Swansea City to West Ham United (£12m). PA -

Junior Messias - Crotone to AC Milan (£3.8m). Reuters -

Luis Sinisterra - Feyenoord to Leeds United (£21.3m). AFP -

Brais Méndez - Celta Vigo to Real Sociedad (£12.8m). Getty Images -

Moussa Niakhaté - Mainz to Nottingham Forest (£8.7m). Getty Images -

Romeo Lavia - Manchester City to Southmpton (£12m). AP Photo -

Tyler Adams - RB Leipzig to Leeds United (£20m). AP -

Axel Witsel - Borussia Dortmund to Atletico Madrid (free). EPA -

Maya Yoshida - Sampdoria to Schalke (free). AP Photo -

Tyrell Malacia - Feyenoord to Manchester United (£12.9m). AP Photo -

Zeki Celik - Lille to Roma (£6m). AFP -

Ritsu Doan - PSV Eindhoven to Freiburg (£6.5m). AFP -

Divock Origi - Liverpool to AC Milan (free). AFP -

Rolando Mandragora - Torino to Fiorentina (£7m). EPA -

Joao Palhinha - Sporting to Fulham (£17m). Getty Images -

Franck Kessie - AC Milan to Barcelona (free). Getty Images -

Trezeguet - Aston Villa to Trabzonspor (£3.4m). AFP -

Kalvin Phillips - Leeds United to Manchester City (£45m). Reuters -

Giulian Biancone - Troyes to Nottingham Forest (£5m). AFP -

Giuliano Simeone - Atletico Madrid to Real Zaragoza (loan). EPA -

Raoul Bellanova - Cagliari to Inter Milan (loan). Getty Images -

Richarlison - Everton to Tottenham (£50 million). PA -

Fabio Carvalho - Fulham to Liverpool (£5 million). PA -

James Tarkowski Burnley to Everton (free). Getty Images -

Sime Vrsaljko - Atletico Madrid to Olympiakos (free). AP Photo -

Dean Henderson - Manchester United to Nottingham Forest (loan). PA -

Luuk de Jong - Sevilla to PSV Eindhoven (£3.4m). AP Photo -

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Roma to Inter Milan (free). Reuters -

Cenk Tosun - Everton to Besiktas (free). Reuters -

Andre Onana - Ajax to Inter Milan (free). Getty -

Moussa Sissoko - Watford to Nantes (£2m). AFP -

Corentin Tolisso - Bayern Munich to Lyon (free). AFP -

Vitinha - Porto to Paris Saint-Germain (£34m). AFP -

Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea to Inter Milan (loan). PA -

Lorenzo Insigne - Napoli to Toronto FC (free). AP -

Sven Botman - Lille to Newcastle United (£31.9m). AFP -

Takumi Minamino - Liverpool to Monaco (£15.5m). Getty Images -

Alphonse Areola - Paris Saint-Germain to West Ham United (£7.8m). AFP -

Lucas Leiva - Lazio to Gremo (free). Getty Images -

Joselu - Alaves to Espanyol (free). Getty Images -

Matt Turner - New England Revolution to Arsenal (£4.7m). Reuters -

Fernandinho - Manchester City to Athletico Paranaense (free). PA -

Bartol Franjic - Dinamo Zagreb to Wolfsburg (£6.9m). Getty Images -

Wahbi Khazri - Saint-Etienne to Montpellier (free). AFP -

Tobias Figueiredo - Hull City to Nottingham Forest (free). PA -

Pietro Pellegri - Monaco to Tornio (£3.9m). Getty Images -

Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City. Getty Images -

Malcolm Ebiowei - Derby County to Crystal Palace (undisclosed). PA -

Taiwo Awoniyi - Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest (£17m). Getty Images -

Gareth Bale - Real Madrid to Los Angeles FC (free). PA -

Lucas Alario - Bayer Leverkusen to Eintracht Frankfurt (£5.6m). PA -

Sadio Mane - Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£28m). Getty Images -

Armindo Sieb - Bayern Munich to Greuther Fürth (undisclosed fee). Getty Images -

Nick Pope - Burnley to Newcastle (£10m). PA -

Ki-Jana Hoever - Wolves to PSV Eindhoven (loan). PA -

Ryan Fredericks - West Ham United to Bournemouth (free). Getty Images -

Mario Götze - PSV Eindhoven to Eintracht Frankfurt (£3.4m). Getty Images -

Fabio Vieira - Porto to Arsenal (£30m). EPA -

Antonio Rudiger - Chelsea to Real Madrid (free). PA -

Merih Demiral - Juventus to Atalanta (£17.2m). AFP -

Giovanni Simeone - Cagliari to Hellas Verona (£10.3m). AP -

Marc Roca - Bayern Munich to Leeds United (£10m). PA -

Yves Bissouma - Brighton to Tottenham (£25m). PA -

Gavin Bazunu - Manchester City to Southampton (£12m). PA -

Darwin Nunez - Benfica to Liverpool (£64.3m). PA -

Aurelien Tchouameni - Monaco to Real Madrid (£85.3m). AFP -

Nemanja Matic - Manchester United to Roma (free). EPA -

Ryan Gravenberch - Ajax to Bayern Munich (£20m). EPA -

Giorgio Chiellini - Juventus to Los Angeles FC (released). Getty Images -

Cameron Carter-Vickers - Tottenham to Celtic (£6m). AFP -

Alexandre Lacazette - Arsenal to Lyon (free transfer). AFP
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Result:
1. Cecilie Hatteland (NOR) atop Alex - 31.46 seconds
2. Anna Gorbacheva (RUS) atop Curt 13 - 31.82 seconds
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) atop Cash Up - 32.81 seconds
4. Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum (UAE) atop Peanuts de Beaufour - 35.85 seconds
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) atop Benur du Romet - 37.53 seconds
6. Annika Sande (NOR) atop For Cash 2 - 31.42 seconds (4 penalties)
Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers Simon (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Sanchez (Brighton)
Defenders Gaya (Valencia), Alba (Barcelona), P Torres (Villarreal), Laporte (Manchester City), Garcia (Manchester City), D Llorente (Leeds), Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Midfielders Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Ruiz (Napoli), M Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Olmo (RB Leipzig), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Morata (Juventus), Moreno (Villarreal), F Torres (Manchester City), Traore (Wolves), Sarabia (PSG)
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
While you're here
Sulaiman Hakemy: Joe Biden has given Afghanistan its own 9/11
National Editorial: Afghanistan's next civil war will be far messier
Con Coughlin: If US cannot lead on Afghanistan, Taliban rule will follow
World Mental Health Day
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
MORE FROM ED HUSAIN: The UAE-Israel accord is a win for every Muslim
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
While you're here
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James Zogby: Race hate and gun crime are killing the US
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
EA Sports FC 24
COMPANY%20PROFILE
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
While you're here
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Tomorrow 2021
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now


