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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he does not know how much money he will be given to spend in the summer transfer window.

The Manchester United manager had previously said the club would look to ‘exploit’ the transfer market and there was hope they could bring in a couple of targets at least.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward explained it would not be ‘business as usual’ this summer due to the impact of Covid-19 and while the club still expects to be active Solskjaer said he does not know what a post pandemic budget will look like.

“I think the pandemic has hit everyone really hard. I still think we need to wait and see how things are panning out to know the real effects of the pandemic, to know what kind of financial state we are in. You see some teams invest, some teams don’t. We’ll have to take a big look at things ourselves to see how hard we’ve been hit,” Solskjaer said.

“I know the club has announced a few numbers before. It’s not for me to say here now we are going to have X amount because I don’t really know.

“I don’t really know how hard we have been hit. We are a financially strong club, but we are also probably being hit more than anybody else. Let’s see how quickly we can get our fans back into the stadium and of course the league position is going to be important for us this season.

"If we can get a trophy, the FA Cup or the Europa League. The Europa League will also qualify us for the Champions League, there’s still a lot of uncertainty and these three or four months, every businessman in the world, every footballer in the world, I think everyone is still unsure what the effect will be.”

One player’s future who remains up in the air is Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has been open to a move away from Old Trafford for a while but the financial impact of the pandemic could see the midfielder staying for at least another season and Solskjaer wants to keep the France international in his squad.

“Yes we are looking to keep Paul here and we are looking to keep the best players here anyway,” he said.

Pogba started with Bruno Fernandes for the first time in the 3-0 win against Sheffield United on Wednesday and Solskjaer spoke about how he plans to continue to fit the pair in the same side.

“I am certain that they can play well together yes because they have proven both in training in the games when they play together that it's exciting,” Solskjaer said about the duo.

“There will be rotations and times when Paul will play up with Bruno sometimes deeper. Sometimes he will play in a diamond. Of course it has been encouraging to see them together but its also encouraging to see how Nemanja [Matic], Scott [McTominay] and Fred are making it difficult for me to leave them out which is good for me as a coach.

“You want to give Paul the chance to get 100 percent fit and back to his best. He has been out for so long but I think it says everything about the quality of the boy in his performances.”

Liverpool's ascent to become Premier League champions under Jurgen Klopp has given Mikel Arteta belief that he can plot a similar revival at Arsenal.

Manchester City's 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Thursday meant the Reds were confirmed as champions of English football for the first time in 30 years.

In the intervening period, Arsenal won four league championships and they finished above Liverpool in Klopp's first season in 2015-16.

However, the two have gone in opposite directions since, with the Reds having claimed twice as many points as the Gunners' 43 from 31 games.

Arteta, only appointed as the Gunners' head coach in December, admires how Klopp has transformed Liverpool and thinks it should serve as encouragement to his current squad.

"They've come so far as a club and as a team in the last few seasons," Arteta said at a media conference.

"I think they set a very clear club culture that they have been able to transmit to the supporters and generate belief.

"I think they have a very clear philosophy with the way they want to play, the way they approach every game, and then they've got some really good recruitment.

"Starting from the staff and the coach and all the players they signed, they are specifically for the way they want to play so congratulations to them."

Asked whether Liverpool are an inspiration for Arsenal, Arteta replied: "Well, yes, because they were in a very difficult position four years ago and they made a lot of right decisions – some difficult decisions, some unpopular decisions but the right decisions for them.

"They have been very consistent with their messages, very clear messages from top to bottom, and a ruthless mentality to go every game with the mentality to win the game."

Klopp took Liverpool to two cup finals in his first campaign, though Liverpool lost on both occasions.

FA Cup glory may be Arteta's most realistic goal this term too given his side are 11 points adrift of the Champions League places with the Gunners set to face Sheffield United in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

"We are very excited," Arteta added. "It is a competition that is very linked to this football club – that has won it more times than anybody else in this country.

"The players are excited, having the chance to go to Wembley even if it's empty, it's such a special occasion so we'll try hard.

"We're going to face a difficult opponent for sure but the boys are excited about it."

Paulo Dybala, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain helped Juventus move seven points clear at the top of Serie A with a resounding 4-0 win over 10-man Lecce at the Allianz Stadium.

Fabio Lucioni's first-half dismissal left lowly Lecce, who had started brightly, facing a daunting task yet it needed a moment of brilliance from Dybala to open the scoring after 53 minutes.

Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi were guilty of woeful misses in the opening period but the former lashed home his 23rd Serie A goal of the campaign from the penalty spot before excellently setting up Higuain.

Matthijs de Ligt added a fourth that was harsh on Lecce as Maurizio Sarri's men stretched their lead on Lazio, beaten 3-2 by Atalanta last time out, albeit their rivals have a game in hand.

Andrea Rispoli flashed wide on the half-volley as Juve were carved open after four minutes.

Gabriel parried Adrien Rabiot's long-range shot and Ronaldo drilled wide of the right post as Juventus came to life and soon found themselves a man up.

Rodrigo Bentancur, playing in his 100th game for Juve, caught Lucioni in possession 40 yards from goal and the centre-back chopped down his opponent to earn the straight red.

Ronaldo incredibly put a close-range header from Dybala's corner over the top when unmarked then teed up Bernardeschi, who missed an even bigger sitter when blazing high from inside the six-yard box.

Gabriel was in action again to keep out Leonardo Bonucci's header just after the restart but was powerless to stop Dybala opening the scoring.

Evgen Shakhov's careless pass was picked up by Ronaldo, who teed up the Argentina forward to curl a sumptuous left-foot effort into the top-right corner from the edge of the area. 

It was game over just after the hour when Ronaldo lashed home the penalty he won after being tripped by Luca Rossettini.

The Portugal superstar would have had another had Gabriel not kept out his point-blank header but his ingenious backheel after a fine run deflected into the path of Higuain, who drilled home the third.

De Ligt then nodded in Douglas Costa's corner as Juve ultimately ran out comfortable winners.

What does it mean? Juve put pressure on Lazio

The coronavirus-enforced break stemmed Lazio's momentum and there is a sense there can be no more slip-ups from Simeone Inzaghi's side. If there are, then Juve's path towards a ninth straight title will be even clearer.

Ronaldo makes amends in style

There was no excuse for a player of Ronaldo's calibre missing the first-half chance he did.

But he was at his brilliant best in the second, first laying on for Dybala to beat the otherwise brilliant Gabriel, before going on to score a penalty he earned himself and finishing a mazy run with an exquisite flick that, with a little help, found its way to Higuain to score Juve's third. It was some response from the Portugal great.

Lucioni's panic undoes Lecce's hard work

Up until the red card there is an argument to say Lecce were the better team, certainly the more ambitious going forward. Lucioni's dismissal may be harsh to some but his lapse stemmed their progress, though Shakhov's carelessness was not much help either.

Key Opta Facts:

- Juventus have won seven home matches in a row for the first time since April 2018 in Serie A.
- Juventus have conceded only one goal at home in 2020, no team in the top-five European Leagues have conceded fewer goals in this period.
- Lecce are the 20th different side Cristiano Ronaldo has scored against in Serie A - the Portuguese player has found the net against 20 of the 21 teams he has faced in the competition so far.
- No player has scored more home goals than Ronaldo in 2019-20 (16 alongside Ciro Immobile).
- Paulo Dybala has scored his 50th goal at home in Serie A.

What's next?

Juventus continue their bid for the title at Genoa on Tuesday, while Lecce next face Sampdoria.

Kylian Mbappe says seeing Lassana Diarra and Gianluigi Buffon leave Paris Saint-Germain had a big effect on him. 

The 21-year-old striker joined the French giants from Monaco in 2017 and spent a year with each of Diarra and Buffon.

French midfielder Diarra joined PSG the following January and retired from the game just over a year later having made just 19 appearances, while legendary goalkeeper Buffon spent a season with the Ligue 1 champions before returning to Juventus in July 2019.

Mbappe has seen many players come and go at PSG since he arrived, but he misses Diarra and Buffon more than anyone else.

"He was Uncle Lass, a big brother you could count on," Mbappe told L'Equipe  of his relationship with the ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid player. 

" He has often told me about his career, his clubs. He made mistakes, so he gave me advice. He helped me during complicated times.

"The highest level, he knows. He knows what he is talking about. He went to a lot of clubs all over the place. He left home very early, and alone.

"I always liked listening to the senior players. Buffon was also very important to me.

"But Lass didn't just speak to me. He confided in those who were coming through. He also spent a lot of time, notably with Presnel Kimpembe and he always played this role even when he was not playing. And that is very important.

"He was not the one we have sometimes heard people talk about. Lassana was highly respected in the locker room.

"It did something to me to see him go. It also affected me to see Buffon go.

"Lass had told me about his plans, I knew what he wanted to do but I didn't think he was going to work that hard. Because he works very hard. I am still in contact with him."

Mbappe won another Ligue 1 title this season as PSG were declared champions after the campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The France star was top of the top-flight's goal charts for the second time in a row, having netted 18 times in 20 league matches.

Uefa has confirmed the allocated venues and kick-off times for the postponed Women's Champions League final stage schedule.

Last week, Uefa confirmed that the remaining fixtures of the 2019-20 club tournament will be concluded as a mini-competition from the quarter-finals onward following the coronavirus shutdown.

Uefa also named two Spanish venues - San Mames Stadium in Bilbao and Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian as the host venues in August.

On Friday, the draw of the final stage took place at the Uefa's headquarters in Nyon, with a quarter-final tie between Oshoala's Barca and Atletico Madrid to take place in Bilbao on August 21.

Holders Lyon will battle Bayern Munich at the same venue on August 22 while Glasgow City will tackle Wolfsburg in San Sebastian on August 21 before Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain next day.

The winner of Glasgow City/Wolfsburg will take on the victor of  Atletico/Barcelona in San Sebastian in the semi-finals on August 25, while Arsenal/PSG will engage Lyon/Bayern in Bilbao the next day.

The winner of the first semi-final will face the winner of the second semi-final at the Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian on August 30.

On Oshoala's part, she will look to return from holiday in high spirits on July 13 as Barcelona seek to repeat their fairytale run last season, when they battle Atletico in the first-ever all-Spanish tie.

In last year's finals, Oshoala came on late to net a consolation goal for the Catalans to become the first African to score in a Uefa Women's Champions League final against Lyon.

This term, she has continued to shine brightly, netting 26 times in all competitions to help Luis Cortes' side secure their first league title in five years, without recording a defeat in 21 matches.

Having won two titles, the four-time Africa Women's Player of the Year will be keen to inspire her side to a continental success.

Borussia Dortmund are in talks with Real Madrid to extend Achraf Hakimi's loan deal, says sports director Michael Zorc.

The 21-year-old joined the German side on a season-long loan from Madrid last summer but his impressive performances in the Bundesliga have seen him linked with other clubs.

Madrid were reportedly open to giving the Morocco international a chance in the first-team while Bayern Munich were said to be interested, though his agent denied talks with the latter .

Inter have emerged as one of the top contenders to land him, however, after it was reported by Sky Sports  they are in advanced talks over a €40 million deal to bring him to Italy.

Dortmund, meanwhile, were hoping to keep Hakimi on loan for another 12 months with an option to buy him and reports in Germany say they are not willing to spend big this summer due to the financial hit they have suffered during the coronavirus crisis.

Zorc said that his side his side are looking to work out a deal with his parent club, but admits they have limitations when it comes to fighting for the full-back.

"We know what we can and cannot do in the Hakimi case," he told  Sport1 .  "We are in close contact with Real Madrid. He's still our player for a few days."

Hakimi has scored nine goals and assisted a further 10 in 44 appearances for Dortmund this season.

Madrid boss Zidane said last week that he is happy with the progress he has made during his spell in Germany , but stopped short of promising he would have first-team opportunities in the Spanish capital next term.

Dortmund appear to have signed a replacement for the full-back, having signed Thomas Meunier in a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 28-year-old Belgium international, who spent four years with the French giants, has signed a contract that will run to June 2024. 

Dortmund have sealed second place in the Bundesliga, as they sit 10 points behind champions Bayern Munich and six ahead of RB Leipzig. 

Lucien Favre's side play their last game of the season at home to Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Asante Kotoko head coach Maxwell Konadu has revealed reports that he has requested for a sporting director are totally false.

The Kumasi-based side are enjoying a new lease of life following the appointment of a new board of directors.

Media speculation claimed Konadu has put forward a request of a sporting director to the new leadership.

"There's no truth that I am recommending a new sporting director," Konadu told Kumasi FM.

"We are in isolation, praying, and planning to amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, so we haven't decided any sporting director role to beef up my technical department.

"We have a new board of directors. Let's allow them to take charge and plan the best for us in every department in the club. If the board needs a new director or players, they will contact me but I haven't received anything.

"We shouldn't start anything that will yield misunderstanding between the playing body, board, technical team and management.

"Let's allow all departments to focus on the progression of the club. We are now putting things in order.”

Kotoko's new board, a nine-member unit, was announced in May.

The set-up is led by Kwame Kyei, who has been at the helm of affairs for the last three years.

Jude Arthur (Board Chairman for Ghana Commercial Bank), Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi (Board Chairman Ghana EXIM Bank), Kwasi Osei Ofori (Chairman Erdmark Group/ CEO Rocksure Mining Ltd), Lawyer Kwamina Mensah (Corporate Lawyer), Alhaji Lamine (Businessman), Joseph Yaw Adu (Retired Director of Sports at Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology), Baffour Kwame Kusi (Otumfuo's Ankobeahene), and Evelyn Nsiah Asare (Acting Head of Sports at Sunyani Technical University) complete the board.

The board has been "charged with an ambitious task to rebuild the Asante Kotoko brand not only for its performance on the sporting field but as a viable economic entity".

The Porcupine Warriors are the most successful club in the history of the Ghana Premier League, with 23 titles.

The Kumasi-based outfit have also won the FA Cup on 10 occasions, the last success coming in 2000.

At continental level, Kotoko conquered Africa twice - in 1970 and 1983.

The postponed Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals will take place on July 24 and 31, respectively, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed.

Both matches were postponed in April due to the coronavirus pandemic, with prime minister Edouard Philippe announcing all sporting events had been halted in an attempt to control the spread of Covid-19.

Although that led to the premature conclusion of Ligue 1, with final places in the table decided on a points-per-game basis, the FFF delayed a decision regarding the two cup finals, giving rise to the possibility the showpiece events could go ahead at a later date.

With the virus largely under control in France, provisional dates in late July were put forward as possibilities.

The FFF confirmed those dates on Friday, with the Coupe de France final between Paris Saint-Germain and Saint-Etienne set for July 24.

PSG will then contest the Coupe de la Ligue finale a week later, with Lyon their opponents on that occasion.

The French champions recently returned to training, with three players and a member of the club's staff testing positive for the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, after the departures of Thomas Meunier and Edinson Cavani upon the expiration of their contracts, Thomas Tuchel believes Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League prospects are "different but not impossible".

Up to 5,000 supporters are expected to be allowed into the Stade de France to watch the two cup matches after it was confirmed last week that stadiums will be able to open at a reduced capacity next month.

It will be the last iteration of the Coupe de la Ligue following a September 2019 decision to suspend the competition, owing to a desire to reduce the French football season's schedule.

While the two cup finals will be held to signal the close of the 2019-20 season, the 2020-21 season will begin on the weekend of August 22.

The Champions League final is scheduled for August 21, and the Ligue 1 schedule will be adjusted for Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon should either said make it to that final game.

There will be five midweek matchday throughout the upcoming season, with the season running through May 23.

That the conversation around Wolves' Adama Traore has so completely shifted over the course of the season is a testament to the player, as well as the management of Nuno Espirito Santo.

Where once a perceived lack of end product frequently caveated his blistering pace and impressive bulk, now reports indicate he may well be the one to take no less a team than the champions to another level.

When players come good in this manner, there is often a temptation to construe it as a middle finger to the critics. The implication is usually that the player in question was always that good, but that the punditocracy perhaps suffered from a collective blind spot.

However, in the case of Traore, this is just something else altogether.

There has been no shortage of speedsters in the Premier League. Pace is the single most fetishized attribute in the league, but at the same time, by virtue of its ubiquity, it is almost considered a matter of course. The lack of it is, in most cases, the bigger talking point.

So when Traore was zipping past full-backs and recording league-obliterating dribbling numbers while at hapless Middlesbrough, it was considered a piece of statistical freakishness rather than anything truly seismic.

There was also the fact that little concrete was coming of it. 

His first season at Boro, he managed a paltry one assist over 16 starts as the club were relegated, and although his output in the Championship increased (five goals, 10 assists in 26 starts), he was back to his ineffectual worst (one goal, one assist) upon joining promoted Wolves in 2018/19.

It is one thing to terrify the opponent, but quite another for that sense of dread to take on a tangible aspect and poke them in the side with the cold point of a keen blade.

His numbers also seemed to legitimize the idea that he was fundamentally unsuited for the big stage, seeing as his two Premier League sojourns had ended in disappointment.

Whereas some might have been tempted to cut their losses, Nuno set about making a more impactful player. His opening gambit in 2019/20: Traore as a wing-back in a position-share with fantasy darling Matt Doherty.

It was a role to which he took with relish, able to start his runs from a deeper position and also, by virtue of needing to spend time in the defensive third, build up his tactical understanding of the game – positioning, timing of pressing actions, challenging in the air; some of the things Aitor Karanka, who had coached him at Boro, famously said he lacked.

The Wolves manager’s use of the word 'building' to describe the process was quite apt, but the key to unlocking Traore has always been to throw convention out of the way. Build to a plan, but keep the specifics malleable.

A stunning breakaway brace in the 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad having switched to a central attacking role in-game showcased just how much that education had rubbed off.

His decision-making on the counter and at speed, in particular, caught the eye, and no doubt indicated to Nuno he was ready. He only played twice more at wing-back after that, and once assists in consecutive matches snapped a three-game winless run in November, Traore has not looked back.

He has also struck up a very interesting on-field relationship with Raul Jimenez, with the Mexican often the beneficiary when Traore goes a-chugging down the right: the pair have combined for 10 goals this season in the Premier League, the highest goalscorer-assister combination in the league.

Already, he is up to four goals and nine assists in the league this season. With eight matches still to play, that’s a more impressive return than he actually managed in the second tier of English football. It is perhaps the clearest indication yet that the 24-year-old is finally able to draw from that well of seemingly infinite ability.

It is no surprise then that Liverpool have been linked, and while Nuno noncommittal in his response to that line of questioning, it will not be lost on anyone that Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of player. In the build-up to their meeting in December, the German manager singled him out when discussing the threat Wolves posed, and he will no doubt relish adding him to his newly-crowned champions.

The obvious question is where he might fit in. as Liverpool is currently constituted, it is highly unlikely he would displace Mohamed Salah, nor would he expect to. Yet the interest seems genuine enough.

What he would be, however, is an undeniable upgrade on Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Switzerland international has only made six appearances this season, and while that has largely been down to the excellence of the regular front three, he has also had a number of fitness concerns. Although he has a contract at Anfield through to 2023, signing Traore would certainly see him most disenfranchised.

Aside being the first-choice back-up option for either of the two wide roles, Traore would also present Liverpool with the option of switching to a 4-2-3-1, especially when chasing the game.

In that system, Salah often moves into a central striking role, with Roberto Firmino playing behind him. Traore on the right of that would inject real directness and menace, and it would be interesting to see him develop a relationship with Trent Alexander-Arnold; the former driving to the byline, the latter arcing his menacing deliveries from deeper positions.

Then again, perhaps none of this even comes off. However, the plausibility of it, however theoretical, is the clearest indication of Traore’s growth and readiness for the jump to a higher level.

Mikel Arteta warned his squad that he only wants players who are prepared to ‘jump on the boat’ amid reports Matteo Guendouzi is eyeing the Arsenal exit door this summer.

The 21-year-old has been in the headlines this week after clashing with Brighton striker Neal Maupay moments after the final whistle during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium.

Guendouzi, who grabbed the Brighton striker round the throat during the incident, escaped a retrospective ban from the Football Association but didn’t avoid punishment from Arteta, who left him out of his matchday squad for Thursday night’s victory at Southampton.

It is the second time the Spaniard has disciplined the midfielder since taking over in December and French publication L’Equipe reported on Friday that Guendouzi would be open to a transfer this summer, amid reported interest from Inter Milan, Manchester United and Juventus.

The report stated that Guendouzi had made his feelings known during an internal disciplinary meeting with Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy earlier in the week.

It was also suggested that Arsenal had indicated the club would not stand in Guendouzi’s way should a suitable offer arrive.

And when quizzed on whether he believed the midfielder, who joined from Lorient in 2018, would definitely be part of his squad next summer, Arteta stopped short of offering any guarantees.

“All the players that are here, I am counting on them,” said Arsenal’s head coach. “If they want to jump on the boat, they are more than welcome and that’s always my mindset.

“I am here to help all of them to improve individually and collectively and that is my job.”

On whether the meeting involving Guendouzi took place earlier in the week, Arteta added: “As I said in the press conference [after Southampton], whatever internal issues we have we will deal with them privately and I am never going to make any of that public.”

Guendouzi has started just four of the 13 Premier League games Arteta has taken charge of since he replaced Unai Emery in December, with the Spaniard preferring the double act of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos in his midfield.

The France Under-21 international could return to the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Sheffield United, with Kieran Tierney also set to feature despite limping off with cramp against Southampton.

Cedric Soares will be absent again but is closing in on a return after his facial injury, while David Luiz will return from his two-match suspension.

Brazilian defender Gerson Fraga has declared his commitment to helping Simba SC to retain the Mainland Premier League title and thereafter have a successful Caf Champions League campaign.

Simba are in pole position to win the league once more especially after their 2-0 win over Mbeya City at Sokoine Stadium on Wednesday.

“As a player, my sole duty is to help the team win in every match that I am lined up for. It is also my duty to help Simba retain the league title and have a better and successful campaign in the continental matches next season,” Fraga told the club's website.

Although the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports has banned Simba's fans from attending their remaining away matches, Fraga has called for their support.

“We also need our supporters' backs as we fight to win the title,” concluded the defender.

Meanwhile, coach Sven Vandenbroeck has praised midfielder Said Ndemla, who has been in good form since the season resumed.

Ndemla, who had failed to stamp his authority on the first team before questions were raised about his future at the club.

“I told my players when we were starting training after the break that anyone who will work harder will be assured of a regular starting position. This is what has happened to [Said] Ndemla and Yusuf Mlipili,” Vandenbroeck told Soka Letu.

“Shiza Kichuya has also been hardworking and this explains his recent involvement.

“Ndemla has been doing what he is required to before every match. I asked him to prove that he deserves a place in the first team and indeed he has worked hard to prove his worth.

“From now on, I believe Ndemla will be in the same form so that he gets a starting position in the coming matches.

“Every player needs to work hard. I do not want them to work at 60% or 70% level because it is at the end of the league that one is given the title.

“We still need to work and bag three points in the remaining matches until when we will conclude the assignments ahead.”

Championship side Reading FC have confirmed contract talks between them and Beijing Renhe are ongoing concerning Kenyan international Ayub Timbe.

Timbe joined the English club from the Chinses side for a short-term stint and a decision concerning his future is expected to be a subject of intense debate as the contract is expected to end soon.

The forward is among the five players at Reading on loan terms and the club has revealed all the talks are expected to be finalised before the end of this month.

“Discussions with Chelsea, AS Monaco, Liverpool, Beijing Renhe and Torino are ongoing regarding the five loan players extending their contracts to the end of July – these discussions will be concluded before the end of June when each of our current loanees’ deals with the club is set to expire,” the club's Friday statement read.

Reading confirmed six players have extended their respective stays with the club.

“Reading Football Club can confirm that six of the seven players whose contracts with the club were due to expire at the end of June have now signed extensions with the club enabling them to play for our first team until the end of the protracted 2019-20 campaign,” the statement added.

“Charlie Adam, Tyler Blackett, Chris Gunter, Garath McCleary, Jordan Obita and Gabe Osho have all offered to extend their services to the club until the end of July – we are grateful to all six professionals for their continued commitment to the Royals cause as we aim to end this campaign as strongly as possible.

“The deadline for signing these short-term contract extensions passed earlier this week and young forward Danny Loader opted not to sign an extension. Danny will remain available for selection for the final two fixtures in June – Derby County away and Brentford home – but will then no longer be under contract as a registered player for Reading Football Club.

“However, the offer of a longer-term contract remains on the table for Danny should he wish to continue to represent the Royals for the remaining six games of this season and keep progressing his career in RG2 beyond the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign."

Reading will take on Derby County on June 27 in their next fixture.

Championship club Wigan Athletic have announced the permanent signing of Leon Balogun from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Super Eagles defender arrived at the American Express Community Stadium in the summer of 2018 from German Bundesliga side Mainz, signing a two-year deal.

The centre-back made his Premier League debut against Manchester United, helping the Seagulls secure a shock victory in the encounter.

The 31-year-old, however, failed to enjoy sufficient playing time with Graham Potter’s side, featuring in 12 games across all competitions.  

His lack of playing time at Brighton also limited his role in the Super Eagles team, as he sparingly features for the three-time African champions.

In his quest for a change of fortune, the centre-back joined the Championship club on loan in January and has since been delivering solid defensive performances.

The Super Eagles player has featured in six league games to help Paul Cook’s men steer clear of the relegation zone.

Balogun’s six-month loan deal will expire in June but the defender has now been signed permanently until the end of the 2019-20 campaign, which has been extended as a result of the outbreak of coronavirus.

“Leon Balogun has completed a short-term permanent transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the 2019/20 season,” read a statement on the club website.

The German-born player, who started his career with Hertha, has featured for a number of clubs in Germany including Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Düsseldorf, and Darmstadt 98 before teaming up with Mainz in 2015.

The defender played 52 league games for Mainz during his three-year stay before he moved to the Premier League in 2018.

Balogun will hope to deliver more convincing showings for Wigan for a chance to secure a long-term deal with the DW Stadium outfit.

This year, the two most powerful consoles ever released will be launched on the market as the Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X arrive during the holiday period.

Both consoles feature a variety of exciting launch titles, with FIFA 21 set to be among the early releases this autumn/fall.

The PS5 and Series X boast more powerful processors than their predecessors, meaning they will be much faster and have better graphics than the current generation of consoles.

How will FIFA 21 differ on PS5 and Xbox Series X to the PS4 and Xbox One editions?

What are the differences between FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4?

FIFA 21 will look much better on PS5 than on PS4 thanks to EA's Next Level technology which promises to "take The World’s Game from visual to visceral."

The new DualSense controller on PlayStation 5 introduces controller haptics, meaning players can sense the impact of tackles, passes and shots, letting them feel the "rhythm of the game" in their hands.

The PS5 uses a solid-state drive (SSD) rather than the hard disk drive (HDD) used in previous consoles, which greatly improves load times. Examples unveiled by Sony at the PS5 launch showed that games would load 10 times more quickly than in the past.

There will be a huge increase in graphic quality thanks to the PS5's eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU, which FIFA 21 utilises through elements like deferred lighting and rendering and exquisite weather detail.

What are the differences between FIFA 21 on Xbox Series X and Xbox One?

Microsoft is highlighting games which have been greatly improved from Xbox One to Xbox Series X through its "Optimized for Xbox Series X" branding.

One of the first titles to be Optimized for Xbox Series X is FIFA 21. According to Microsoft, this means that "the developer has either natively designed or fully rebuilt their game to take full advantage of the unique capabilities of our most powerful console ever."

The Xbox Series X is powered by DirectX 12 Ultimate and has support for hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing, which "enables developers to create more physically accurate worlds" improving both graphics and audio to make games and cut scenes in FIFA 21 appear more realistic than ever before.

Load times should also be eliminated on Xbox Series X thanks to Xbox Velocity Architecture technology, meaning that games should load almost instantaneously.

How can I upgrade FIFA 21 to PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?

FIFA 21 will be released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 9, with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X editions of the game set to come later when the two consoles are officially launched.

As a result, many gamers will have bought FIFA 21 on their existing consoles before the release of the next generation of consoles.

In order to ensure these football fans do not have to pay for the game twice, EA Sports is offering a free digital copy of FIFA 21 on PS5 or Xbox Series X to everyone who previously purchased the title on PS4 or Xbox One.

Using EA Sports' Dual Entitlement offer, you can easily download a digital copy of FIFA 21 on PS5 or Xbox Series X at no extra cost. This Dual Entitlement offer will be available until the launch of FIFA 22.

Can I use the same FIFA 21 account on multiple consoles?

The Dual Entitlement offer also means that when you upgrade from PS4 to PS5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X, all in-game progress will be copied over to the new console.

Any progress made or content acquired in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team will transfer over to the new console and back, including players, items, coins, FIFA Points, match record, and leaderboard placement as well as game saves from the VOLTA game mode.

However, any progress made in Online Seasons, Co-Op Seasons, Career Mode or Pro Clubs will not transfer over and will remain on the original console.

After availing of the Dual Entitlement offer, you can play FIFA 21 on either console, even switching between the two with progress updating in FIFA Ultimate Team and VOLTA.

Spanish club Zaragoza has confirmed the signing of Hellen Mubanga from Zambian side Red Arrows for the upcoming 2020-21 season.

This will bring to an end to the Zambia international's four-year tenure with the FAZ Women's League side as she looks to pursue her professional career with the Reto Iberdrola club in Spain.

On the global stage, Mubanga played a vital role for Zambia to reach a maiden Cosafa Women's Cup final in 2019, bagging the Player of the Match twice and later being named Player of the Tournament.

Before the Cosafa Cup in South Africa, she was part of the Copper Queens campaign at the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Ghana, where they defeated two-time champions Equatorial Guinea.

She scored the winner against Cameroon in Lusaka to see Bruce Nwape's team edge the Indomitable Lionesses to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time in their history.

Having agreed on terms with Zaragoza, she becomes the fifth signing for Nacho Bracero's side as they continue bolstering the ranks ahead of the new season.

Besides Mubanga's arrival, Zaragoza had earlier confirmed the acquisition of Austria's Annelie Leitner, America's Mady Brown, Venusela's Lisbeth Castro and compatriot Racheal Nachula.

Her transfers also increase the number of Zambian female footballers to ply their trade in Spain to three after Barbra Banda joined Logrono in 2018 and recently Nachula to Zaragoza.

Mubanga will be hopeful of having an impactful professional career in Spain, beginning with inspiring Zaragoza to the Spanish top-flight.

Jurgen Klopp has praised his Liverpool players and staff after they were crowned Premier League champions.

Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday saw the Reds confirmed the top-flight champions for the first time in 30 years, as they now sit 23 points clear at the top of the table with seven matches left.

Much of the credit for the Anfield side’s recent success has gone to the German coach, but Klopp says he owes it to the ambitious players and coaches around him.

“I am nothing without my coaches and even less without my players,” Klopp said. “We have a common idea and common dream. We have big dreams and we've always had them – that doesn't mean we can fulfil them, but we have to give them a proper try and that is what we have done since we have been here.

“Not more, and it will never be less, and the more people dream the more important and stronger it gets. So of course, without the players buying into this philosophy I have no chance, but we will not stop.

“We have to show that on the pitch obviously and two games here or there and you will tell us: 'That is not the Liverpool of last year'.

“It is OK to try but these questions will never come up that we will show you it is possible to do things even longer, not only one year, not only two years because if you into detail you would see we have done it for four years.

“We try to squeeze everything out and it didn't work out always, but the intensity was never less, it was just not as successful.

“The boys are in good age group, more experienced, more confident, more convinced and we should use that as much as we can but we know there are other teams out there who will do the exactly the same to improve their situation and there will be hard fights but that is how the Premier League is, a hard fight every three days.

“We have seven days off before Man City and then we play six of the seven remaining games in 18 days or so, so there is not a lot of time to think, only about the game we play and then the next game. That will be pretty intense.”

Former Liverpool star Luis Suarez was among those to reach out and congratulate his former team, specifically mentioning Jordan Henderson, as he toasted the new Premier League champions.

Suarez starred for Liverpool from 2011-14, having made the move to Anfield after breaking through at Ajax.

It was at Liverpool that Suarez truly became a global star, as the Uruguayan was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year while winning the Golden Boot for his exploits in 2013-2014.

Suarez fired 31 Premier League goals that season after netting 23 the year prior, as he pushed the Reds to the precipice of the club's first Premier League title. However, that push fell short as Liverpool came second in the league, finishing two points behind champions Manchester City.

The forward moved to Barcelona the next season, ending his time at Liverpool with only the 2011-12 League Cup added to the club's trophy cabinet.

However, Liverpool have gone on to find success in the years since Suarez's departure, topping the Uruguayan and Barcelona en route to the club's sixth Champions League crown before claiming the Premier League title on Thursday in record time.

Having watched his former club's triumph in the Premier League this season, Suarez reached out to offer his congratulations to his former team-mates.

"Jordan and all the other Liverpool players - I am so happy for you and your family, and for the people working in Liverpool and the Liverpool fans," Suarez told LFCTV. "I hope you enjoy this time because it’s amazing for the Liverpool supporters. You are the champions!"

Suarez was not the only former Liverpool striker to send a message to the club, with Fernando Torres also reaching out after the Reds' were officially named Premier League champions.

"Huge congratulations to everyone at @liverpoolfc on winning the @premierleague," Torres wrote on Instagram. "An unbelievable squad, magnificent manager, great staff but above all my sincere congratulations to every single @liverpoolfc supporter. You have been waiting so long and finally that desired trophy is yours. Very well deserved!"

Liverpool are set to face Manchester City on Thursday in the club's first game as Premier League champions.

Jesse Lingard is poised to return to action for Manchester United against Norwich City after recovering from illness, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United face Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals up for grabs.

Lingard has not played in either of United's two matches since the season resumed but is now back in contention, with Solskjaer labelling the 27-year-old as a "vital player".

"Jesse has come back after the lockdown with a smile on his face, loads of energy," Solskjaer said at his pre-match news conference. "Unfortunately last week he fell ill for a couple of days, but we have done all the tests and he's fine now so he'll be involved against Norwich now.

"Hopefully he can kick on because he's scored vital goals for us and he is a vital player for us. So let's see what the future holds because at the moment he is looking really sharp and focused."

Another player to impress Solskjaer is right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is experiencing his first season with United after signing from Crystal Palace.

Having established himself as a solid defender, Wan-Bissaka is beginning to show what he can do going forward and set up the second goal of Anthony Martial's hat-trick in Wednesday's 3-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United.

"You saw an exceptional defender when I watched him last season, he had a couple of games especially against [Leroy] Sane against Man City and you think, 'Wow he's so hard to go past'," said Solskjaer.

"Then when we managed to sign him you get to know him, he's a shy boy, he wants to learn, he listens and he's providing more and more assists, create chances, crosses – it's in him, because he's been a winger.

"The best full-backs at the moment, sometimes they've been wingers before. We rely on them to go forwards with the way we want to play. I'm very pleased with his progress."

Solskjaer admitted it "hurts" everyone associated with Manchester United to see Liverpool win the Premier League title.

He said: "That’s the feeling everyone associated with United has - all our playing staff and supporters. Of course, we want to get back to winning ways and that is our challenge."

Hansi Flick hit out at the "so-called experts" who do not see the value in Thiago Alcantara as he reiterated his desire to keep the Bayern Munich midfielder.

Thiago's contract with Bayern runs out in 2021, and while the club have extended the deals of others such as Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer, they have so far been unsuccessful in convincing the Spaniard to follow suit.

Given the form of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka at the base of the Bayern midfield since the season resumed last month, some fans may be wondering if Thiago's extension is necessary.

The 29-year-old, who is currently out injured with a groin problem, is not renowned for his scoring prowess - having found the net just three times in 24 Bundesliga appearances this term - and he has not registered an assist in a campaign that has seen Bayern win an eighth straight title.

However, as a ball-playing central midfielder who came through Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Thiago's qualities are obvious to Flick, who remains desperate to keep him despite links with newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool.

"There is no [contract] news. We always talk, almost every day, but there is no news," Flick told a news conference before Bayern's final Bundesliga game of the season against Wolfsburg.

"I see him every day at practice and at the games. There are always so-called experts who have their own opinions. When you see him on the pitch and in training, you see his extraordinary quality in possession of the ball.

"But he has now also shown that he can play against the ball. For me there are no two opinions about Thiago's quality.

"He gives the team a little something extra. He is an exceptional player who gives a team that certain something. That's my opinion and there is no other one."

The focus is not just on potential outgoings at Bayern Munich, who are expected to be Leroy Sane's next destination after it was confirmed he would be departing Manchester City either this year or next.

Bayern have also been linked with a move for Real Madrid right-back Achraf Hakimi, who has spent the past two seasons on loan with rivals Borussia Dortmund.

A third campaign at Signal Iduna Park looks unlikely given BVB signed Thomas Meunier on Thursday, yet, amid suggestions Hakimi could be bound for Inter, Flick would not be drawn on Bayern's possible interest.

"He is currently under contract at Dortmund and I think he still belongs to Real Madrid," Flick added.

"Therefore, I don't have to worry about that. It's very difficult at the moment anyway concerning transfers. That's why I would like to stay out of it.

"Hasan [Salihamidzic, Bayern sporting director] and I are in a very good exchange. I have every confidence that we will have a very good team for the new season."