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Sevilla have been hit with a €10,000 (£9,000/$12,000) fine by UEFA due to a late kick-off in their Europa League victory over Wolves on August 11.

Manager Julen Lopetegui has also been issued with a warning after it was determined he was responsible for the delay.

The decision comes as the Spanish club were found guilty of a breach of Article 11(2)(h) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

Sevilla are perhaps unlikely to spend too much time sweating over the fine after reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. They qualified at Wolves’ expense thanks to a late header from Lucas Ocampos, after Raul Jimenez had missed an early penalty for the Premier League side.

Lopetegui is now preparing his side for their game with Manchester United on Sunday, at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.

The winner will go on to face either Inter or Shakhtar Donetsk in the final on August 21, also in Cologne.

Inter and Shakhtar play their semi-final a day later than Sevilla and United, meaning the winner of the first tie could have a slight advantage with an extra day’s rest.

Lopetegui will be hoping to keep his players’ minds on the task at hand for the time being, though, with a game against what he says is the biggest club in the world.

"We are going to play against Manchester United in the next match - they're the biggest team in the world but we're going to be prepared for them," Lopetegui told a press conference.

"We're focused on the next game, against a top, historic side, one of the best in the history of the sport who are in great form. We will give our best as we always do. To play against them will be really tough, but we'll go into it believing we can beat them."

Once their European run is concluded, Sevilla are also likely to see some movement in the transfer window.

Left-back Sergio Reguilon, on loan in Seville from Real Madrid, has been heavily linked with Chelsea while two at least bids have come in for fellow defender Diego Carlos – said to be a target for some of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Sevilla have also been linked with a move to bring Ivan Rakitic back to the club from Barcelona, but sporting director Monchi says such a transfer would be almost impossible.

Robin van Persie believes Mikel Arteta has the potential to become a "great" coach for Arsenal.

Arteta has already won silverware in his fledgling managerial career, guiding the Gunners to a 2-1 FA Cup final win over Chelsea this month.

Though Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League, that Wembley triumph was enough to secure their place in the Europa League for next season, and former Gunner Van Persie, who spent a season playing alongside Arteta at Arsenal, has backed Pep Guardiola's former assistant to become a top-class coach.

"He was a good player. He was always fit, he connected play, he got his goals. He was good," Van Persie told Stats Perform News.​ "As a coach I do think he has the potential to become great. I said that even after watching the first couple of training sessions, or bits of it.

"The way he comes across in the media, the way he makes his team play. It's very promising, very positive.

"He needs time. Sometimes you look at teams or you look at a coach and think 'okay, this coach could have 200 years and it would not happen'.

"When I look at Mikel, I do see change, I see the positive changes and little things happening. How they work together, how they defend together. They are a shorter distance together. Going forward but defensively too. They have got better at defending set-pieces which was always an issue.

"David Luiz is having his best games. He gives confidence to players and most players are picking up on that, doing really well and they really play for Mikel."

Also backing Arteta for success at Arsenal is former Gunners defender Martin Keown, who thinks they can use the FA Cup triumph as a springboard to further success.

He told football.london: "By winning trophies you demonstrate that when things go well it clicks. You’re good enough to beat the teams that win the leagues.

"What you want to do is win the Premier League, get into that top four. Arteta will be ambitious to do that. It’s a great start and great for his confidence by the way, he’s a rookie manager but not anymore after winning a trophy.

"That’s the next step for Arteta but it’s good for the players to see that they’re capable of winning things, beating a very good Chelsea team in the process, but it’s still a rebuilding project for Arteta and Arsenal Football Club."

Robin van Persie is working with UEFA Europa League partner Enterprise Rent-A-Car. To discover more and to enjoy special rates on car hire across Europe, visit www.enterprise.co.uk

Vitoria Guimaraes have announced the signing South Africa youth international Lyle Foster from AS Monaco.

The 19-year-old striker was on the books of Belgian club Cercle Brugge during the 2019/20 season, while on loan from French Ligue 1 outfit Monaco.

Guimaraes disclosed that they have snapped up Foster from Monaco on a permanent deal which is worth €1.2 million ($1.4 million - R24.4 million).

The club released the following statement on Thursday afternoon.

“Vitória Sport Clube, Futebol SAD announces that it has reached an agreement with AS Monaco for the transfer of Lyle Foster, who signs a contract valid for the next five sports seasons."

"Vitória SC holds 95% of the economic rights of the South African striker for the value of €1,200,000, with goals that can reach up to €300,000 [Translated]."

“Foster, 19 years old, has already represented the national team of his country three times, following a successful path for the youth teams that culminated with the achievement of the COSAFA U-20 of 2017, in which he scored three goals, one of them in the final."

"The striker was part of the shortlist of nominees for the 2020 edition of the prestigious Golden Boy trophy, which distinguishes the best under-21 players playing in Europe."

“The reinforcement of Vitória SC proved to be at the service of the Orlando Pirates, from where he moved to AS Monaco last year."

"After making his debut for the Monegasque team, Foster spent the second half of the season in Belgium, on loan from Cercle Brugge,” read the club’s statement .

Foster has left Monaco having made only two appearances in the Ligue 1 without finding the back of the net and he had joined the club from Orlando Pirates in January 2019.

The Soweto-born player enjoyed some game time during his time with Brugge where he made 18 appearances in the Belgian First Division (also known as the Pro League) and netted once.

Monaco have decided to sell Foster following the arrival of their new manager Niko Kovac, who was in charge of German champions Bayern Munich between 2018 and 2019.

Foster's South African compatriots Bongani Zungu and Haashim Domingo were once on the books of Guimaraes.

Manchester City’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Lyon is attracting controversy before a ball has even been kicked, with the Ligue 1 side being urged to complain about the choice of match referee.

The game is set to be officiated by 37-year-old Danny Makkelie, a Dutch former police officer who served as the video assistant referee for the 2018 World Cup final.

However, it has been suggested that there could be a conflict of interest, with the match having a potentially profound impact on Dutch giants Ajax.

If Man City win, Ajax will qualify automatically for next season’s Champions League group stage. If Lyon come out on top, however, Ajax will have to through a qualifying play-off, which could put them at risk of losing a huge sum of money if they then fail to qualify.

Former Dutch referee Dick Jol, who oversaw the 2001 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Valencia, thinks UEFA has put Makkelie in the firing line, potentially ramping up the pressure on his compatriot if there are big decisions to make.

Jol told De Telegraaf: “UEFA should not have put Danny Makkelie in this position. Never! Can you imagine the French newspapers? They are going to be dishing it out about him taking charge of the game before a ball has been kicked.

“Financially – and in a sporting way – there is so much at stake in this game. Makkelie is not to blame. I don't doubt his integrity for one second.

“He has a massive reputation with UEFA and he is making an international career in a great way, but what happens if he gives a penalty to City late in the game? If City win, fingers will get pointed at him.”

Should Lyon choose to make a complaint, it is possible the match referee could be changed, as has happened with a Dutch official before.

The 1994 Champions League final between AC Milan and Barcelona saw Dutchman John Blankenstein replaced by Philip Don, an English referee. It was said that Milan were unhappy Blankenstein had been put in charge with Barcelona managed by Johan Cruyff.

“Milan were very angry back in 1994 because of the presence of Cruyff and Koeman,” Jol said. “I would think that there is now the same mood in Lyon.”

Montreal Impact announced on Thursday that the club have sold defender Luis Binks to Serie A side Bologna.

Binks has risen to prominence in recent months, having originally joined Impact in February. Prior to his time with the club, he was a member of Tottenham's academy, having joined in 2007 at the age of six.

Despite featuring extensively for Spurs' Under-23 side and getting the chance to train with the first team under Jose Mourinho, Binks moved to Canada in February in search of first-team football.

Binks, who has earned youth caps for both England and Scotland, made a total of eight appearances for the Impact with two of those coming in the CONCACAF Champions League.

The 18-year-old defender also started all four matches at the MLS is Back tournament, having established himself as a regular under new manager Thierry Henry.

“I came here to play football, I didn’t come here to do anything else,” Binks told MLSSoccer.com back in March. “Obviously I had to work hard [and] it wasn’t gifted to me. The two games I had in preseason, I tried to show what I’m about and I have to continue to play well because nothing is a given.

“Some could see why I’ve done it, but some were saying, ‘Why has he done that?’ I’ve got no regrets about coming to play first-team football at the age of 18. It’s better than playing Under-23 football in front of, I don’t know, 200 people.” 

Both Bologna and the Impact are owned by Joey Saputo, with the Canadian purchasing the Italian side in 2014 after bringing MLS to Montreal in 2012.

As part of the deal, Binks will remain with Impact on loan until 2021.

“Thierry Henry and Olivier Renard believe in him. Acquiring him after arriving from Tottenham is a great addition,” said Bologna FC and Montreal Impact global sporting director, Walter Sabatini.

“We had an opportunity to see his quality last winter during his first four games with the Impact and more recently in Florida, and we’re excited for him to join us.

"This transfer once again demonstrates the synergy between the two clubs and the new philosophy in place in Montreal.”

Bologna finished 12th in Serie A in the 2019-20 season, coming 12 points clear of relegation and 16 points off a Europa League spot.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has advised Atletico Madrid ace Thomas Teye Partey to snub offers from Arsenal in favour of a stay with Los Rojiblancos.

The midfielder is reportedly a top target of The Gunners, with a speculated £45 million release clause a barrier to an imminent move. Premier League rivals Manchester United have also been mentioned to be keeping tabs on the 27-year-old.

From progressing through Atletico's youth system, Partey has become a regular feature in Diego Simeone's first-team set-up, having made a combined 100 league appearances over the last three La Liga seasons.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t want him to move to Arsenal because with Atletico, he will always play Champions League football. His position is guaranteed and he will always play,” Akonnor told Starr FM.

“With Arsenal, I’m not too sure. Arsenal fans will kill me [for saying he should not join the Gunners].

“I hope that, and I’m sure money issues will come in, but I hope that whatever he asks for, Atletico will be able to pay."

Akonnor also shed light on the international future of former AC Milan duo Sulley Ali Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng who have been out of Ghana's set-up since being sent home over separate acts of indiscipline during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Both players have expressed interest in making a return to the Black Stars but it is uncertain if they will ultimately have their wish, having been consistently snubbed for six years.

“I met Sulley Muntari a few weeks ago and I was honestly impressed with what I saw him do with the ball but time will tell," Akonnor said.

"With Kevin-Prince Boateng too, time will tell. I know he is doing well and he will return to Italy. So we are keeping track of him and we will see."

While Boateng has made a return to Italian Serie A side Fiorentina following a loan spell with Turkish fold Besiktas last season, Muntari, who is currently in search for a new club since leaving Spanish lower tier outfit Albacete last year, has been linked to Ghana Premier League (GPL) fold Hearts of Oak.

''We don't have a quota for local based players in the national team but if you're a home-based player and you work hard, you’ll be called," Akonnor added.

The former Wolfsburg captain was named Ghana coach in January, tasked to lead the Black Stars to Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) victory in 2022 and to guide the team to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Simba SC are set to unveil a new logo and jersey as they build towards taking the team to the next level.

The 21-time Tanzania Mainland League champions have been dominating the local scene for the last three seasons and they want to replicate the same in the continental competitions more so than in the Caf Champions League. 

On Friday [August 14 during the start of the Simba week], we will unveil a new logo," Simba Communications Director Haji Manara told reporters.

"We have modified the new logo for it to look decent and make it easy to be adaptable in the market. 

"Thereafter, we will unveil the new jersey that we will use [in the 2020/21] campaign. This is what it means by going to 'another level."

"On the same day, Friday, we will also present to the public, the players we have signed."

The Msimbazi-based side is also planning to visit children who are less fortunate during the Simba week and share with them what they have.

"On Tuesday, we will be visiting several children's homes with our sponsor SportPesa where we will be giving them jerseys and some goods," Manara continued.

"Then on Thursday, the team will visit Uhuru School with players. There are some children there who have special needs and we will be there to help them get some of them."

Wekundu wa Msimbazi had a good 2019/20 season where they won the Community Shield, FA Cup and the league.

It is for this reason their players dominated the team of the year for the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League season after the awards presentation was held on Friday.

According to the list, Simba had six players with goalkeeper Aishi Manula, who was crowned the best keeper for the season after keeping 18 clean sheets leading the squad from the back.

Other Simba players in the squad include defender Pascal Sergie Wawa, midfielder Clatous Chama - who was crowned the best player for the season and also the best midfielder, Meddie Kagere, captain John Bocco and forward Luis Miquissone from Mozambique.

New signing for Young Africans (Yanga SC) Bakari Mwamnyeto, who arrived at the club from Coastal Union also made it to the squad, the same as Azam and Uganda Cranes defender Nicholas Wadada, and Lukas Kikoti of Namungo FC.

Alphonso Davies is capable of managing Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi in the Champions League quarter-finals, according to Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Davies, still just 19, joined Bayern from Vancouver Whitecaps in January 2019 but has forced his way into Hansi Flick's first team this season.

The speedy Canada winger has forged a starting role at left-back, meaning David Alaba has played in the centre of defence while Lucas Hernandez has spent much of his first Bundesliga campaign injured or on the bench.

Davies was named the German top flight's Rookie of the Season and particularly excelled in both legs of the Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea.

Now, in the final eight in Lisbon, Davies might be tasked with handling six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

But Rummenigge told Sky Sports Germany : "Alphonso had a great season and was rightly voted Rookie of the Season.

"Should Messi play on his left side, Alphonso will take care of him. It will be a difficult but interesting task. Davies hasn't been dribbled past or overrun much this season."

Davies is certainly relishing the prospect of taking on his boyhood idol, telling UEFA.com : "Growing up, I used to watch him all the time and now I'm defending against him; it's going to be a whole different ball game.

"But for me, it's just playing my game, changing nothing on my side and just hopefully doing my best against him.

"We know that he's a great player - we're not going to take that away from him - so the best you can do is try, I guess."

Davies’ breakthrough season has seen him rack up 43 appearances in all competitions so far, contributing three goals and nine assists to the Bavarian cause.

Bar the DFL-Supercup at the beginning of the season, he has also won every competition he has taken part in so far, lifting the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal – while Bayern are now many fans’ favourites to win the Champions League as well.

Bayern have beaten Red Star Belgrade, Tottenham, Olympiacos and Chelsea on their way to the quarter-finals, scoring 31 goals and conceding just six along the way.

Ghana have made contact with the family of Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah over a possible switch of international allegiance for the 21-year-old.

Born to Ghanaian parents in London, the striker currently represents his country of birth at youth stage.

His rise to prominence last season following promotion to The Gunners' first team has made him the subject of an international tug-of-war.

"We've been able to talk to Eddie Nketiah's parents. But even though we've tried, it doesn't mean it's a done deal," Ghana coach CK Akonnor has told Starr FM.

"Myself and the Ghana Football Association are working hard at it."

Talks about a potential international senior future with Ghana heightened when the nation's Football Association (GFA) sent out a congratulatory message to the striker on social media following Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea earlier this month.

The attacker, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Leeds United, posted a team celebration picture with the caption "Champions Arsenal", a tweet the GFA quoted with a reply "Congratulations Eddie Nketiah".

The striker then responded "Thank you" in an exchange that would fuel nationality switching speculation.

Ghana were quick to calm the rumours, saying the exchange was not that deep.

“All his parents are from Ghana and he [Nketiah] has represented England in all youth competitions," GFA communications director Henry Asante Twum said, as reported by Citi Sports.

“He has won two trophies this season, that is with Leeds United in the Championship and then with Arsenal, so we congratulated him on Twitter for his achievement. He also responded to our tweet to show his appreciation.

“It is not far-fetched to strategically congratulate him to let him know that eyes are watching.

“Contacting his family has not come up yet. When the process begins, the media will be updated.

“That move cannot be made without the input of technical handlers. Where we sit, nothing of the sort has come to our table.”

Nketiah reportedly rejected a first Ghana offer ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt last year.

The Black Stars are also making similar approaches for Brighton and Hove Albion full-back Tariq Lamptey, Ajax striker Brian Brobbey and the Anderlecht duo of Jeremy Doku and Francis Amuzu.

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has hailed his backroom staff for their work in shaping their players’ fitness, saying they have the endurance to last the entire match against Bidvest Wits at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Pirates resume their Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign following a 0-0 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday.

Some teams who have already been involved in action since season restart have been attributing their match results to lack of fitness, while those yet to play have expressed great worry about being ill-prepared condition-wise.

Zinnbauer made just one substitution in regulation time, before three in injury time against Sundowns and the German is far from being concerned about fitness levels ahead of facing a formidable Wits side.

“We have worked normally on the conditioning. We have a very good staff‚ a very good fitness coach‚ a good rehab coach‚” said Zinnbauer as per Sowetan Live.

“We have a good medical team and good coaches in the staff and we always analyse what we do‚ what we can do and what we can do much better. Maybe like [looking at] the other teams or we have an input from the group and we discuss.

“I have the same feeling now that we can play 90 minutes or more. We have three days’ rest to our next game‚ and the players can make 90 minutes of play.”

While Pirates will be playing their second match since restart, they would be facing a Wits side that would be entering game three and whose players could now be in top condition.

But Zinnbauer says his squad’s richness in depth is another trump card for them.

“But we have a good squad‚ and sometimes four players in a position. And the players make pressure from behind – they want to be in the team and in the starting XI‚ and this is maybe the reason for what we [are able to] do,” Zinnbauer said.

“And also the medical team. I find in all this a circle of a solution for us. And I am very happy to see how we can run and find the short sprints and the long sprints. And all the conditioning I think was better than the opponents [Sundowns].”

Tout Puissant Mazembe have confirmed the transfer of striker Jackson Muleka to Belgian First Division A side Standard Liege on a four-year deal.

The contract which has the option to extend with one more season comes two weeks after TP Mazembe had announced that they were in talks with Ligue 1 side Lille for the striker's services.

He was being touted as a possible replacement for Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen who has since joined Napoli from Lille.

But Standard Liege won Muleka's signature after they were among the other rumoured suitors who included Ligue 1 returnees RC Lens, as well as Belgian giants Anderlecht and Royal Mouscron who are Lille's satellite club.

His move to Belgium following impressive performances in this season’s Caf Champions League in which he managed seven goals in 10 games.

"The transfer of Jackson Muleka to Belgian club Standard Liege has just materialised," TP Mazembe announced in a statement.

"Tout Puissant Mazembe are delighted with this development which has taken place, in the interest of the three parties, thanks to the close collaboration between the two clubs and without the intervention of intermediaries.

"This collaboration had already allowed in the past, the transfer of former TP Mazembe players, Christian Luyindima, Merveille Bope and Jonathan Bolingi, with the success that we know.

"TP Mazembe can only wish Jackson the best in a European adventure they wanted. If he works and continues to progress, it will undoubtedly be successful."

Muleka had also reportedly attracted interest from Egyptian sworn rivals Zamalek and Al Ahly as well as Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca.

Other reports also indicated Portuguese Primeira Liga side Boavista had emerged as angling to sign him on loan from Lille if Lille had managed to sign him.

Mazembe did not reveal the transfer figure Standard Liege paid for the transfer but their asking price was reportedly €2.5 million for the player who has been capped four times by DR Congo and has managed one goal for the national team.

Standard Liege are yet to confirm the signing for Muleka who joins compatriots Bope and John Nekadio at the Belgian outfit.

Barcelona have Ousmane Dembele fit again for their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, with coach Quique Setien confident his side can hold their own.

Winger Dembele has been out since November after rupturing his thigh muscle but is in line for a long-awaited return in Lisbon on Friday.

Setien told a pre-match news conference: "We have arrived in good spirits. This is the game we are waiting for. We have prepared well.

"It is a satisfaction for all of us that Dembele is in the squad and I think he will be in a position to participate for a few minutes if we consider it appropriate. We are excited that he can play and get it right."

Bayern look well placed to go all the way in the competition, having romped to a domestic double in Germany and swept Chelsea aside in their previous European tie. Barcelona, on the other hand, lost their Liga title to rivals Real Madrid and have struggled to convince in recent months.

Nevertheless, Setien remains positive of their chances, saying: "Of course, we are convinced we can go through. We know the potential of the opponent, their numbers and their capacity, with extraordinary potential, but we have that, too.

"I think it will be an even game. We have a lot to say in this game."

Setien believes it is crucial that Barcelona concentrate on their own game and not get subsumed by countering Bayern, saying: "It will be important to have the ball because that will allow us to defend ourselves for less time without it, but everything will depend a little on the opposition, as it usually happens.

"Motivation is intrinsic in this team, it is a very important game against a great rival, so one thing is the statements and another what happens on the pitch. We are two great teams who will want to play according to their identity."

The coach is keen to ensure Lionel Messi is not left to do the job alone, however, even if he is highly likely to play a key role.

"Leo can help win the game, obviously, but I have always believed in the strength of the team," Setien said. "We will have to assist Leo because both Messi, like any other outstanding player, is weaker without the strength of the team."

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says that there is "no room for interpretation" when it comes to the club's stance that Jadon Sancho is not for sale, adding that "definite means definite".

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc provided an update on Sancho’s future on Monday, claiming the club has made a "final" decision not to sell the winger this summer after the club's August 10 deadline came and went.

Still, Manchester United are hopeful of a deal, with the club refusing to give up despite the frustrating nature of negotiations.

Sancho himself came out and said that he "loves" playing for Dortmund amid the ongoing links, having fired 20 goals in 44 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season.

On Thursday, Watzke backed Zorc's initial claim, stating that Sancho won't be going anywhere this summer.

"We are Westphalians," said Watzke in an interview with RTL. “We agreed on this rule, which Zorc explained on Monday. For a Westphalian, definite means definite. Jadon will play with us for the 2020-21 season. There is no room for interpretation."

In addition to discussing Sancho's potential departure, Watzke also talked about the club's desire to bring players in this summer.

Watzke says that the club has "less income" as a result of the coronavirus, meaning that Dortmund don't expect to be too active when it comes to buying players.

Watzke says he ruled out the signing of a No 9, with youngster Youssoufa Moukoko listed as a potential option to backup starting striker Erling Haaland. 

Haaland himself has backed the teenager to shine, saying that Moukoko is even more talented than he was at a similar age. Moukoko, though, will not be eligible to truly join Dortmund's first team until he turns 16 in November.

“We have many options when Erling Haaland needs a break," Watzke said. "We will have a second nine in our ranks from November 20th. We're talking about eight weeks, so that's no problem."

Haaland scored 16 goals in 18 matches for the German club after making the move from RB Salzburg in January.

Dortmund are currently in pre-season, having defeated Altach 6-0 on Wednesday with a match against Austria Wien scheduled for Sunday.

Inter Miami have confirmed the signing of midfielder Blaise Matuidi following the Frenchman's departure from Juventus.

Goal confirmed earlier this week that the 33-year-old had reached an agreement with the Serie A champions to end his contract early - with it having been due to expire in 2021 - and that was made official on Wednesday.

Matuidi has now joined the MLS franchise, co-owned by former England international David Beckham, on a free transfer.

He spent three seasons in Serie A after joining from Paris Saint-Germain - where he played alongside Beckham - winning the Italian title each year and proving an important part of the Juventus squad throughout his time at the club.

In all, he made 133 appearances for Juve, also winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana as well as lifting the World Cup with France in 2018. During his time at the club, Paulo Dybala was the only player to make more appearances for Juventus.

Matuidi, who turned 33 in April, made 45 appearances for Juve in 2019-20 and the MLS side, who have lost all six of their league fixtures since joining the competition at the start of this season, will be hoping to have signed a midfielder still near the top of his game.

Beckham told the club website: "I couldn’t be happier to welcome my friend Blaise to Inter Miami. He is an exciting and gifted player and a great person.

"To have a World Cup winner of Blaise’s quality in our new team is such a proud moment - for us as owners and for our fans. For me personally, to have a former team-mate joining our club is very special and I can’t wait to welcome him and his beautiful family to South Florida.”

Paul McDonough, Inter Miami chief operating officer and sporting director, said: “Blaise is one of the most successful midfielders of his generation and we’re thrilled to have him at Inter Miami. His world-class quality and leadership will be key attributes for the club.”

The club, who will have Matuidi available for their first ever match at their home Inter Miami CF Stadium on August 22, confirmed Matuidi will wear the No.8 shirt.

Former Barcelona captain Xavi has reiterated his desire to one day become head coach at Camp Nou and stated that he would like to draft in the likes of former team-mates Carles Puyol and Jordi Cruyff to assist him in his duties.

The Catalan club had been in touch with the former midfielder – who is currently in the dugout of Qatari side Al Sadd – before appointing Quique Setien, but Xavi made it clear that the opportunity had come too quickly.

Internal issues also played a part in the 40-year-old's decision, with major questions continuing to be asked of president Josep Maria Bartomeu's running of the club - particularly regarding the Blaugrana's recent poor transfer business.

It is widely believed that Xavi's day will come, however, and the World Cup winner already appears to have plans in mind for who will make up his backroom staff.

“I am delighted to continue gaining coaching experience and challenging myself, but of course it would be a privilege for me to train Barca one day,” he said in an interview with El Pais. “I'd want a dream team, with Jordi Cruyff, Carles Puyol and some current players.

“I would like to make a team with important people who know the club, people who I trust and will be loyal to me.”

For now, however, Barca will have to make do with Setien, a man for whom Xavi admits to having great respect for due to his style of coaching, but admits that the exciting “Cruyffismo” style counts for little if the club doesn't win games.

“In January I told them that it was not the right time and since then they have not contacted me,” he said. “As a 'cule' I wish them the best. I respect Quique Setien a lot, he has a style very similar to what Barca needs, which is 'Cruyffismo', but another thing is the results that accompany...”

The prevailing opinion on Barca at present is that they are overly reliant on Lionel Messi, a player who may well have hung up his boots by the time his old team-mate steps into the Camp Nou dugout, but Xavi still feels the Argentine can lead the club to another Champions League title.

“Messi needs Barca and Barca needs Messi,” he added. “They have to make him happy because with him they will win more titles. I maintain a great friendship with him, I respect him a lot. 

“He's a competitive animal, he always wants to win and for ten years he has been the best footballer in the world. Hopefully, we can meet again on a professional level. Having the best player in history on your team means you always have an ace to win.”

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed the extent of Leon Balogun’s injury will be determined on Thursday.

The 32-year-old defender could not complete the Gers’ 3-0 victory over St. Johnstone in Wednesday’s Scottish Premiership game.

Balogun was afforded his third appearance in the encounter since he joined the side last month but only lasted for 46 minutes before he suffered an injury.

The centre-back was subsequently replaced by Filip Helander as goals from Borna Barisic, Ryan Kent and Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo ensured the Gers secured their third league win on the bounce.

Gerrard, who has been in awe of Balogun since teaming up with his side, has provided an update on the injury suffered by the former Brighton and Hove Albion man.

“I think Balogun has a tight quad and we’ll get that looked at [on Thursday] morning,” Gerrard was quoted as saying by Glasgow Times.

The Ibrox Stadium outfit will square off with Livingston at Tony Macaroni Arena in their next league game on Sunday.

The English tactician is uncertain of Balogun’s availability for the game but confidence there will be a good replacement for the defender if he is unable to recover in time for the match.

 “He is definitely a concern for the weekend but we have really strong options in that area. Fil [Helander] came on and played like an international player with experience,” he added.

Balogun has been in top form since joining Rangers as a free agent after leaving Wigan Athletic following the expiration of his contract. 

The defender earned a place in the Premiership Team of the Week for his solid defensive performances in his debut against Aberdeen.

Balogun has been a key member of the Nigeria national team since he made his debut for the three-time African champions against Mexico in 2014.

The defender, who has 32 caps for the West Africans, was part of Gernot Rohr’s side that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The centre-back will hope to make a return for Rangers when they face Kilmarnock on August 22, should he miss Livingston clash.

Joao Felix has already shown his quality and will be a success at Atletico Madrid, according to Jan Oblak, who insists that the midfielder is not weighed down by his €126 million (£114m/$149m) price tag.

Felix has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence since graduating to Benfica's first team at the age of just 17 two years ago.

The Portuguese playmaker scored 20 goals and laid on 11 assists across 43 appearances during his first full senior campaign at Estadio da Luz, attracting a number of high profile potential suitors in the process.

The likes of Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Bayern Munich were all linked with Felix last summer, but he ended up choosing to continue his development at Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico forked out a club-record fee to win the race for the young midfielder, as he became the third most expensive player of all time behind prized Paris Saint-Germain pair Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Unfortunately, Felix has been unable to live up to expectations during his first year in Spain, as he's only managed to score eight goals in 35 outings for Diego Simeone's side in 2019-20.

The former Benfica prospect has shown flashes of brilliance, but has yet to prove that he can deliver the goods consistently at the very highest level.

However, Oblak has jumped to the defence of his team-mate ahead of Atletico's Champions League quarter-final showdown against RB Leipzig, expressing his belief that the youngster will eventually prove all of his doubters wrong.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who also joined Atletico from Benfica back in 2014, told AS of Felix's tough start to life in La Liga: "The beginnings here are always difficult. I have suffered enough, I know how it is, how it can feel. 

"But with time, if you have quality, patience and a cool mind, your time always comes and then you have to do it well and things go as they should."

Asked if the Portuguese feels any extra pressure to perform due to how much the club invested in his talents, Oblak added: "I don't think about it and I think neither does he. That's just a plus, for your confidence it's good. 

"He has shown the quality he has in many games and I am sure he will succeed. He is young and it is not easy, but he will do it."

The agent of former Chelsea winger Willian has claimed that a move to a new club has all but been completed amid strong links with Arsenal.

The Brazilian called an end to his time at Stamford Bridge following the completion of his contract after seven years of service, thanking fans for their support during his stay but conceding that it was time for a new chapter in his career.

It is understood that Willian would have been open to staying at Chelsea, however, but the club would not bend to his request for a three-year contract, instead only offering the 32-year-old a two-season deal.

Goal recently confirmed that Arsenal are actively in the race to sign Willian – whose preference was to move to another club in London as his family are settled – with the Gunners happy to offer the attacker the three years that he was looking for.

Reports have claimed that Willian has already undergone a medical with the Arsenal, but his agent refused to confirm whether the player would be featuring under Mikel Arteta in the 2020-21 Premier League.

“He is a free player. He had a fantastic seven years at Chelsea,” Kia Joorabchian said in an interview with talkSPORT. “He has been under various managers, he has won multiple trophies. He had a fantastic relationship with Frank [Lampard] and he respected Frank a lot.

“But, like every cycle, I think that particular cycle has come to a moment where it is a good moment to leave. At the moment, just for now, I can't say where he is going to go, but we know where he is going. It won't be long before we announce it.”

Another of Joorabchian's clients, Sporting CP's exciting young winger Joelson Fernandes, has been repeatedly linked with a move to north London, but the representative was staunch in his denial of any contact between the two parties.

“He is a young, phenomenal talent, but we have never, ever spoken to him about Arsenal,” he said. “I have probably seen 25 articles about him and Arsenal. It is so untrue because Arsenal have never even spoken about him. We haven't even mentioned him to Arsenal.”

Manchester United have been given a further hands-off warning from Borussia Dortmund regarding Jadon Sancho, with the club's squad manager Sebastian Kehl confident he will be staying put.

Sancho has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford after another stellar season at Westfalenstadion.

The 20-year-old has been a bright spark in the BVB Squad since arriving in Germany from Manchester City in 2017, scoring 34 goals in 99 appearances.

An impressive 20 of those efforts came during the 2019-20 campaign, and he also provided 20 assists to help Lucien Favre's men finish second in the Bundesliga and reach the Champions League knockout stages.

Sancho has reportedly reached an agreement to join United ahead of the new season, but Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc appeared to rule out any potential sale earlier this week.

Goal has learned that the Red Devils are still chasing the winger's signature despite Zorc's comments, however, they are growing frustrated by the drawn-out nature of ongoing negotiations, which are being mediated by an independent agent.

It has been confirmed that Sancho has travelled with the rest of the BVB squad to Switzerland for their pre-season training camp, with the likes of Axel Wistel and Mats Hummels coming out to express their delight over a team-mate's continued presence in the squad.

Ex-Dortmund midfielder Kehl, who currently serves as the head of the club's licensed player division, believes Sancho's position at Westfalenstadion has now been clarified conclusively, and has talked up the impact he has had in the Bundesliga over the past 12 months.

"It was important to clarify this subject [regarding Sancho's future]," Kehl told German publication Kicker. "Of course, we are aware of Jadon's appeal [in the market] but we also know how important he is for our team.

"He is a player who can make the difference in every game. He had an outstanding past year with 17 goals and 17 assists [in the Bundesliga].

"He gives the team something extra and we are very happy that he is staying, as his team-mates have already stated in recent days."

Sancho still has two years left to run on his current deal with Dortmund, and has admitted to being very "happy" in his current surroundings amid the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.