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Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta said the Nerazzurri are in talks with Barcelona target Lautaro Martinez regarding a new deal.

Martinez has been tipped to leave Inter for La Liga giants Barca at the end of the season, though the Italian side have regularly insisted they have no plans to sell the star forward.

Barcelona have long been linked with a deal for Martinez, who the club reportedly see as Luis Suarez's long-term success.

However, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the potential transfer faces a bit of uncertainty, as Barca have stated they will not make a move for the Inter star until their season in finished.

The 22-year-old – whose €111 million (£98.8m/$128.5m) release clause expired earlier this month – has scored 18 goals this season but he has struggled with just two goals since the Serie A's restart in June.

Marotta was asked about Martinez and loanee Alexis Sanchez prior to Wednesday's goalless draw at home to Fiorentina in Milan.

Martinez started on the bench, while in-form Sanchez partnered Romelu Lukaku up front, with Inter CEO Marotta telling Sky Sport Italia: "We have had some contact with Manchester United to understand if we can extend his [Sanchez] stay after the Europa League play-off with Getafe.

"We are discussing contract renewals with many players, above all the younger ones who we want to work with for a long time, and that includes Lautaro.

"We're doing it calmly, without rush, as there is a rapport of trust. He is happy to wear this jersey and at the opportune moment we will evaluate his future."

Inter came up against rumoured target Federico Chiesa, who was introduced off the bench for Fiorentina with 15 minutes remaining midweek.

Italy international Chiesa has been linked to Inter as well as Juventus and clubs in the Premier League.

"Chiesa is a Fiorentina player today, he might even be a Fiorentina player next season, that depends on them," Marotta said.

"I can assure you there have certainly not been any approaches or negotiations. We respect Fiorentina and the player."

Inter sit third in Serie A with three games remaining, one point behind Atalanta and seven points behind league-leaders Juventus.

Next up for Martinez, Sanchez and Inter is a visit to Genoa before matches against Napoli and Atalanta to end the Serie A season. 

Jude Bellingham expressed his love for Birmingham City after the tearful teenage sensation played his last game for the Championship outfit ahead of his move to Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham will play for Bundesliga giants Dortmund in 2020-21 following the completion of his €23million (£21m/$26.6) transfer on Monday, prior to Birmingham's season finale on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old stepped out in a Birmingham jersey for the final time in a 3-1 Championship defeat to visiting Derby County midweek.

Bellingham was overcome with emotion post-match at St Andrew's, where he emerged from his boyhood club's youth system last year.

"I tried my best to hide it but sometimes it's difficult," Bellingham said. "I love the club, I am a massive fan of the club.

"I've been coming here since I was seven, not just playing in the academy.

"I fell in love with Birmingham City and then fell in love with football.

"So just to get a little bit of time out there on my own and with my little brother, mum and dad meant the world to us.

"We've shed a few tears and I am really devastated about how it's finished but at the same time I am optimistic for the future and looking forward to that."

He added: "I just want to say thank you so much for the season, for the way you've been with me, the way you've pushed me on, the little bit extra that you've given me.

"Whatever happens, I'm always a Blue. As I've said, this is my club. I love the club to bits. Id' die for this club and I hope I showed that in the performances when I was here.

"I hope I was fun to watch, fun to interact with and stuff because that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to bridge the gap between the players and the fans that had maybe been there the last few years while there hadn't been an academy graduate.

"To do that and take the opportunity that I've been given, it's something I've had to do, but I'll only look back on Birmingham City with love and fond memories."

Bellingham ended the 2019-20 season with four Championship goals and two assists in 41 appearances.

Tamil Nadu is one of those states in the country which does not have a common football league. In the absence of a league or competition organised by the Tamil Nadu Football Association (TNFA), leagues in cities like Chennai and Madurai hold utmost importance for footballers from the state. 

The Chennai Football Association's (CFA) Senior Division is extremely special in that regard because it has been the breeding ground for almost every talent that has come up from the South Indian state.

It has been running for a long time (even before independence) under the stewardship of CFA and is the only properly-organised league in the state.

Forget the past. From the current crop of players, the likes of Dharmaraj Ravanan, Michael Soosairaj, Edwin Vanspaul, Michael Regin and Nandhakumar Sekar are all players who proved their mettle in the CFA Senior Division before getting their chance to gain national prominence.

However, for the last three years, the CFA Senior Division has not been held, dealing a major blow to the dreams and aspirations of countless local players who rely on the competition to impress scouts and get a break in their career.

Regin, an ISL winner with ATK last season, had this to say to Goal in a recent interview - "Chennai league is the first step for many local players. I played both second, first and then played senior division. It gives a lot of exposure to local players. Nobody would have known me If I’d not played there.

"I don't understand what is happening but a lot of players are suffering. Everybody cannot play for Chennai City FC and come up. They cannot give a chance to every player. There needs to be the league in the city. It is such an important part for a Tamil Nadu player."

The reason for the discontinuance of the league is a legal spat between CFA and TNFA. The state body took the district body to court in 2018 after opposing the elections held by the CFA that year. Chennai City owner Rohit Ramesh was elected as President but the state body filed a case saying the Secretary E Sugumaran was ineligible to contest the elections.

The legal wrangle has left the CFA without a rudder for more than two years and as a result, the Senior Division league has not run since. Not only did the spat bring the footballing activities in Chennai to a standstill, TNFA reportedly went as far as cutting the electricity connection to the CFA office at one point.

After seeing literally no progress and no intent to foster the sport in the state because of the impasse, Rohit Ramesh even offered to resign from the CFA, only for the Secretary to turn the resignation down.

The spat has permeated all aspects of the footballing administration in the state with TNFA accused of delaying and creating roadblocks for entities and clubs associated with the CFA.

The Madras High Court had to intervene in August 2019, appointing an ad-hoc committee to ensure the CFA Senior Division at least is held in 2020. However, even the court's directive has not produced any results despite efforts to start the registration process in January 2020 by the court-appointed committee.

Rohit Ramesh feels that because he belongs to the opposing camp, as per TNFA, they manufacture difficulties and create unnecesary red tape when it comes documentation and other procedures that involves his I-League club Chennai City FC.

"It (the Senior Division) has not been happening for the last three years. When you got an entity fighting case after case in the court, nothing happens. Then there are the ego clashes," he told Goal.

"For instance, when we have to get some certificate for our licensing procedure, it has been tough because they know that we are from CFA and they try to delay it. They bring politics into it. You supported this or that (against us) and why should we help you. It’s not working out."

In fact, Goal was privy to a recent telephonic conversation between a Chennai City official and J. Jesiah Villavarayar, a senior TNFA official. The club official's requests for an affiliation document needed for the club licensing procedure which was initiated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was met with a rude 'no'.

The official cited the ongoing lockdown as a reason for his inability to furnish the document. But the polite request for even an e-mail acknowledgement of the fact that TNFA are unable to do so fell on deaf ears as Jesiah asks the club official to take it up with the AIFF.

Under such trying circumstances, Rohit feels it is beyond CFA's ability to hold a league that means so much to the development of football in the city and the state. He feels that only an AIFF intervention can resolve the issue at hand in the near future.

"To be very honest, it is highly unlikely that the league will happen until and unless the AIFF intervenes. If you ask me, they should put an ad-hoc committee to help both associations sort out their differences.Till then, a representative from AIFF should take over the running of the league. That would be the only way the league might restart, if you ask me."

Not every local player can get a chance at Chennai City or Chennaiyin FC - the two clubs from the state playing in the national competitions. The CFA Senior Division is a huge event in the players' calendars and right now, they are being denied that chance by egoistic administrative tussles.

The Indian FA have made some noise recently about handing more responsibility including the organisation of youth leagues to the state associations. In Tamil Nadu's case, the priority for AIFF should be to sort out this issue that is threatening to stall the progress and development of the sport.

After waiting 30 years to return to the top of English football, Liverpool held their long-awaited celebration on Wednesday as the Reds finally raised the Premier League trophy.

Liverpool cemented the occasion as a day to remember on the field with a 5-3 win over Chelsea, with five different goalscorers kickstarting the Anfield celebrations.

Naby Keita, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldim all fired first-half goals before Roberton Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added finishes of their own in the second half.

But the day's best moments came after the final whistle, when captain Jordan Henderson, who missed the match due to injury, finally got his hands on the Premier League trophy.

Although it came at an empty Anfield with just players, coaches and families inside the stadium to celebrate, the moment was anything but subdued with massive fireworks exploding over the Kop to commemorate the occasion.

As the celebrations raged on, a number of Liverpool players, both current and former, took to social media to celebrate and send a message to fans watching at home as they await the true party when supporters are able to return to Anfield.

Swansea City have made it into the Championship promotion play-offs after they saw off Reading 4-1 at the Madejski Stadium with Yakou Meite getting a straight red card and Andre Ayew providing an assist.

The South Wales outfit bagged a 1-0 win over Bristol City at the weekend which gave them hopes of making the playoffs should they beat Reading while their closest challengers in rivals Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest lose either of their respective matches against Hull City and Stoke City.

It clearly went according to script with Forest losing 4-1 at the bet365 Stadium, conceding late via a Nuno Da Costa own goal which means Swansea finished level on 70 points but with a better goal difference.

Ayew prior to the match said the team would not be giving up without a fight despite the difficult situation they found themselves in hoping their rivals lost their matches.

Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster gave them the lead in the 17th minute for his 10th Championship goal since arriving in January.

Reading were then reduced to 10 men after Meite - who netted in a 4-3 defeat at Blackburn Rovers last time out, got a straight red card for violent conduct in the 40th minute.

Mark Bowen’s side still managed to respond with George Puscas scoring from the penalty spot two minutes to the break.

It was all Swansea in the second half with former Tottenham Hotspur winger Wayne Routledge scoring a brace while Liam Cullen also added his name on the scoresheet to complete the demolition.

Ayew headed the ball in the path of the latter to finish off a left-footed shot that found its way into the top-right corner of the net.

It was the Ghana captain’s seventh assist in the Championship this season and added to his 15 goals makes him Swansea’s highest goal contributor. He scored two goals since the restart in a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday and a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest, Nigerian winger Sammy Ameobi scoring a brace for the Reds.

Swansea end the season with 18 wins from 46 games, drawing 16 and losing 12. They scored a total of 62 goals and conceded 53.

Steve Cooper’s men will face Brentford at home in the first leg of the play-off semis on Sunday before travelling to Griffin Park for the return leg three days after.

Fulham faces Cardiff City in the other semi.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks Paul Pogba should have ‘taken it in the mush’ after the Frenchman handled the ball in the area to give West Ham a penalty at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Michail Antonio put the hosts ahead from the spot after Pogba opted to use his hands to cover his face and block Declan Rice’s shot. Gary Neville, on commentary duties for Sky, criticised the midfielder for his actions and Solskjaer said after the game he should have taken it to the face.

He said: “It was a natural reaction, he held his hand up knowing he should have taken it in the mush instead.”

Mason Greenwood’s second-half equaliser means Man Utd now go into the final game of the season against Leicester on Sunday knowing a point will be enough to secure them Champions League football next season.

But, even that could be a tough ask after another tired performance from Solskjaer’s side.

“Going into half time we knew that’s not the result we wanted and a draw or 1-0 win or 2-0 was the same outcome for us it would mean same starting point in Sunday," he said. 

"We can’t expect to turn teams over and score three or five which is what we would have to have done to have a different scenario for Sunday.”

Solskjaer added. “We have a chance go there and if we can beat them big we will be delighted we have caught up with goal difference and we now need a point.

Fantastic opportunity, we know we will play against a good team who are dangerous in different aspects and can do different things tactically. But we will enjoy the extra 24 hrs break we have this week compared to last.”

And after another goal, Greenwood is in line for another start at the King Power after impressing his manager.

“He’s bailed us out a few times and He’s done it again top lass ever since we gave him an opportunity,” Solskjaer said.

“The last game of last season was his first start and he’s grown and grown in confine and belief he trusts that his qualities and attributes can work at the highest level and we expect him to hit the target.

"Chance first half very good strike unfortunate block the kid is going from strength to strength.”

Romelu Lukaku's wastefulness proved costly as Fiorentina claimed a 0-0 draw at San Siro to leave toothless Inter's Serie A title hopes hanging by a thread.

Lukaku could have had a first-half hat-trick on Wednesday but a combination of poor finishing and inspired Viola goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano left Inter frustrated time and again.

The Belgium striker and Alexis Sanchez hit the woodwork as Antonio Conte's side missed the chance to move above Atalanta into second place with three games to play.

Inter dominated the majority of the match but could not find a way past Terracciano and it should be only a matter of time before Juve celebrate another Scudetto.

Terracciano produced a sharp double save to prevent Martin Caceres scoring an own goal and deny Lukaku in a bright start for Inter.

Terracciano again showed sharp reflexes to tip Nicolo Barella's rasping long-range drive wide for a corner before Lukaku rose unmarked to head Christian Eriksen's inviting cross against the far post from point-blank range with rain lashing down.

Lukaku spurned another great chance when he was left unmarked again, drilling straight at the busy Terracciano from six yards out after the Nerazzurri lost Stefan de Vrij to a sprained knee in a frustrating first half.

Antonio Candreva showed Lukaku how it is done when he volleyed home, but the flag was correctly up for offside and Sanchez's strike was tipped onto the post by Terracciano as the opening goal remained elusive.

Lautaro Martinez came on with just over 20 minutes remaining, but only the alertness of Samir Handanovic to keep out a close-range effort from Pol Lirola stopped Fiorentina snatching all three points.

What does it mean? Inter set to fall short

Inter only have themselves to blame for dropping points for the second successive game, having rescued a 2-2 draw courtesy of a late Lukaku penalty at Roma last time out.

Realistically they are highly unlikely to catch Juve, as they trail the leaders by seven points and Maurizio Sarri's men have a game in hand.

The Bianconeri will be the Serie A champions for a ninth straight season if they defeat Udinese on Thursday.

Terracciano to the rescue

While it was not an evening Inter will want to remember, Terracciano added some highlights to his showreel. The fired-up Fiorentina goalkeeper was commanding throughout, showcasing his shot-stopping ability and excellent handling with eight saves to stretch his team's unbeaten run to six games.

Lukaku lacking composure

Lukaku has scored 27 goals in all competitions in his first season at Inter, but he was anything but clinical after coming back into the starting line-up. The former Manchester United striker snatched at first-half opportunities and ought to have had the game wrapped up by the interval.

Key Opta Facts

- Inter have drawn a league match against Fiorentina for the first time since November 1996 (2-2).
- Fiorentina have picked up 12 points in their past six Serie A games; one fewer than in their previous 11.
- Inter have hit the post seven times in their past nine league games, as many as in their previous 23.

What's next?

Inter travel to relegation-threatened Genoa on Saturday, with the Viola travelling to the capital to do battle with Roma.

West Brom clinched the second automatic promotion place in the Championship on a dramatic final day of the season as Wigan Athletic's spirited survival bid failed.

After both West Brom and Brentford were beaten at the weekend, the Baggies only needed to match the third-placed side's result to seal a return to the Premier League after two seasons away in England's second tier.

A seemingly straightforward home fixture against QPR did not go entirely to plan for West Brom, but a 2-2 draw took them up as Brentford went down 2-1 to Barnsley on Wednesday.

That result saw Barnsley stay up, but Wigan could not join them as they drew 1-1 with Fulham – who could have been promoted with a win – and went down due to a looming 12-point deduction.

Charlton Athletic and Hull City were also demoted, while there was a similarly chaotic finish in the play-off race.

BAGGIES BEST BRENTFORD

Both West Brom and Brentford lost their nerve with two matches of the campaign remaining, but a return of just a single point from a pair of games proved enough for Slaven Bilic's team.

Following Friday's defeat to Huddersfield Town, West Brom were boosted by Brentford's own reverse at Stoke City yet could not beat QPR.

West Brom trailed to Ryan Manning's strike before turning the match on its head with goals either side of half-time through Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson, only for Eberechi Eze to equalise just past the hour-mark.

It mattered not, though, as Brentford failed to capitalise, instead losing again.

Josh Dasilva cancelled out Callum Styles' Barnsley opener, but as Brentford pushed for a precious winner, Clarke Oduor tapped in at the other end in the 91st minute.

BRAVE BARNSLEY, WIGAN WOE

There were contrasting scenes at full-time in the final regular league match at Griffin Park after Barnsley celebrated as Brentford collapsed.

The visitors were heading down until Oduor struck but stayed up at Charlton's expense, the Addicks going down 4-0 at champions Leeds United.

Hull propped up the table after a 3-0 defeat at Cardiff City, while Luton Town stayed up thanks to a rallying 3-2 success at home to Blackburn Rovers, aided by two own goals.

Wigan needed to win due to their deduction following administration, but one of the form teams in the division let a lead slip against Fulham, their total of 59 points bumped down to 47 to fall a painful point short.

SWANS SAVOUR GOAL SWING

With rivals Cardiff comfortable in claiming their play-off place, Swansea City needed to beat 10-man Reading while Nottingham Forest lost to Stoke City, along with a five-goal swing.

Improbably, the Swans stole sixth place from Forest after a remarkable finale.

The Welsh side won 4-1, netting their fourth in the 91st minute as Wayne Routledge headed in his second.

That scoreline left Forest – 3-1 down at home to Stoke at the time – needing to score, but instead they conceded, their promotion bid derailing in spectacular fashion as Nuno da Costa stabbed into his own net in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

The 4-1 defeat meant Forest – without a win since July 1 – finished seventh.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Derby County, Millwall and Middlesbrough, bringing the curtain down on another season in gripping fashion.

Semi Ajayi has helped West Bromwich Albion gain promotion to the Premier League despite playing out a 2-2 draw against QPR in their final Championship fixture of the season.

Ajayi produced a solid defensive performance while DR Congo-born Grady Diangana starred for the Baggies with a goal and an assist in the fixture.

Ryan Manning opened the scoring at the Hawthorns in the 34th minute but Diangana ensured both teams went into the break level, thanks to his 44th-minute goal.

Four minutes after the restart, the DR Congolese assisted Callum Robinson to put West Brom ahead but the lead was short-lived as Nigerian descent Eberechi Eze found the back of the net for QPR just after the hour-mark.

Ajayi played from start to finish for Bilic's men while Egypt's Ahmed Hegazi was an unused substitute.

The Nigeria international made himself a key player for the Baggies in his debut campaign, making 43 Championship appearances with five goals to his name.

Eze played the entire 90 minutes for the visitors, and he ended the season with 14 league goals and eight assists while Nigeria-born Bright Osayi-Samuel returned to Mark Warburton's starting XI after missing Saturday's seven-goal thriller against Millwall due to ongoing transfer negotiations with a Belgian club.

Osayi-Samuel played for 79 minutes as QPR ended their 2019-20 league season in the 14th spot with 58 points after 46 games.

West Brom, meanwhile, sealed the final automatic promotion slot with 83 points after their closest rivals Brentford were stunned at home by Barnsley.

They join Leeds United in securing Premier League football next season while Brentford, Fulham, Cardiff City and Swansea City will battle it out for the last promotion ticket via play-offs.

Jurgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans to "prepare for a party" with the team when social distancing measures are lifted.

The Reds' 30-year wait for a Premier League title came to an end this season and the trophy was presented to the players after their 5-3 win over Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday.

There were no fans present to join in the celebrations due to restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19, but Klopp promised there will be a real party when it is safe.   

“If you cannot see that we do this for you then I cannot help you, really,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports.

“Five years ago I asked you to change from doubters to believers. I asked and you did it. You made us champions. Thank you very much.

“We should all celebrate. Drink what you want but you have you to prepare for a party when this bullsh*t virus is gone. Then we will have a party all together. Make sure you are ready then."

He added: “We are champions - it's the truth. We won four trophies, big ones. I couldn't be more proud. Usually I don't need pictures with something but I will have a picture with all four trophies - it doesn't happen too often.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson made a dream come true by lifting the Premier League trophy and praised the team for rising to the challenge.

“The start was really good and from there we just grew and grew as the season went on,” he said. 

“We got stronger, more confident, more ruthless, really. We found a way to win on so many occasions and that was down to mentality. The lads have been great all season and deserve what they are getting now.

“To get 97 points last year and not win was hard to take. We reacted a few weeks later, won the Champions League and then started the season a few weeks later with unfinished business. 

“It’s been an amazing season and I am so thankful to be part of this club and team that has won the Premier League after 30 years.

“Winning the Premier League has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. That’s why you join Liverpool, you want to win trophies, the expectations are so high. When you come as a young player it was so difficult, but it has been a process, a journey that doesn’t happen overnight. 

“It’s been five years since the gaffer came in and every single player has been a part of that journey.”

Frank Lampard warned Liverpool not to get "too arrogant" after Chelsea's 5-3 Premier League loss at Anfield on Wednesday.

Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy after the thrilling midweek victory, in which they led 3-0 and 4-1 before closing out their win.

Lampard was involved in an exchange with the Liverpool bench before Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in a free-kick and the Chelsea head coach criticised the hosts.

"For me it wasn't a foul from [Mateo] Kovacic [on Sadio Mane] and there were little things that weren't going," Lampard told Sky Sports.

"On the bench, I've got no problem with Jurgen Klopp, he's managed his team and it's fantastic.

"Some of the bench, it's a fine line between when you're winning and they've won the league, fair play to Liverpool Football Club, but also don't get too arrogant with it. In match play you get emotional and that was it."

Alexander-Arnold curled in a brilliant free-kick after Naby Keita's stunning opener, and Georginio Wijnaldum made it 3-0.

After Olivier Giroud gave Chelsea hope, Roberto Firmino restored Liverpool's three-goal lead, only for Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic to drag the visitors back into the contest.

But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed Liverpool's win, although Chelsea remain a point clear of fifth-placed Leicester City with one game remaining.

"It was extraordinary. Even when you say they threatened to run away with it, I felt we were in it because I could feel the way we were playing," Lampard said.

"The first half, in terms of football, we were in it, it was a turnover and a great strike, a non-foul that goes in the top corner and then terrible from us in defending a corner.

"Other than that, we were okay, so the goal gave us hope, the lads showed great character, they're a fantastic team and we can't afford to make those mistakes.

"Some of the stuff I saw from our team today was resilient, was some quality and at 4-3 if we don't concede a fifth, I felt like we were coming, but not to be."

Chelsea are set to face Wolves in the final game of their Premier League season, knowing that a win or draw will see them seal a top-four spot.

Jurgen Klopp issued a warning to the rest of the Premier League that Liverpool "will not stop" despite ending the club's long wait to be crowned champions again.

The Reds lifted the trophy on Wednesday after a 5-3 win over Chelsea in their final home game of an unforgettable season, though no fans were present inside Anfield.

However, the players and staff were able to have their families in attendance to enjoy the occasion, with the ceremony taking place on a stage built on the famous Kop end.

Liverpool had never previously won the title in the Premier League era, their last triumph coming 30 years ago under Kenny Dalglish, who was involved in the presentation.

"We will not stop. We will not stop. We have challenges, internal challenges. We can improve, obviously," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"We have the players. Naby [Keita] played pretty much only the last part of the season. We pretty much have the chance to take another step. But we have to, because the others will not sleep.  

"[There are] no guarantees for anything, other than we will try."

Klopp steered Liverpool to Champions League glory last season, while they have also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup this term.

While not usually one for nostalgia, the German coach admitted he will have a photo with all four trophies so he can forever remember the achievement.

"It's unbelievable to be honest. We won four trophies – big ones – and I couldn't be more proud," he said.

"Normally I'm a person who doesn't need pictures with something. As long as I can remember it, it's worth it. But I will have a picture with all four trophies because it doesn't happen often."

The coronavirus pandemic not only delayed Liverpool clinching the league crown but also denied them from receiving the trophy in front of their supporters, though Klopp hopes the absent audience understands the role they have played in the successful campaign.

"That's how life is - you make the best of what you can get," the former Borussia Dortmund boss said. "Our families are allowed to be there, which is incredible

"Everything would be better with fans, but we've known for months that would not be possible. A few months ago, I wasn't even sure it was going to be possible to even play football.  

"I couldn't be happier, to be honest. It would be perfect if the stadium was full, I know, but we cannot change it. What we try to do to make clear for the people is that we do it for them."

Said Benrahma has revealed he is flattered by interest from Chelsea and Arsenal but stated he is focused on firing Brentford to the Premier League.

The Algeria international has been delivering eye-catching performances since his £2.7million move from French club Nice in the summer of 2018.

The 24-year-old has bagged 27 Championship goals in 80 appearances for the Bees and in the current 2019-20 season, the winger has been in fantastic form.

The forward has racked up 17 league goals and provided eight assists in 47 appearances to help Thomas Frank’s men to close in on automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The winger’s impressive form has caught the attention of a number of European clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and newly-promoted English top-flight side Leeds United.

Benrahma is thrilled with the interest from the club and has praised the Bees for aiding his development at the club.

“I was really flattered but I'm so focused on trying to get a promotion with Brentford that I don't want to pay too much attention but, of course, it is giving me confidence,” Benrahma told Daily Mail.

“My progression is due to Brentford, they have given me a lot of confidence. I was not very confident when I was at Nice but now I am. It's thanks to Brentford. So I'm going to fight to help take Brentford to the next step.

“I had this style of playing [clever skills] but in France, I was not so confident to play this way so people saw it less but Thomas [Frank] gives me the confidence to play like this and have this style.

Brentford will clinch promotion to the Premier League on Wednesday evening if they defeat Barnsley and West Bromwich lose against Queens Park Rangers.

Benrahma feels it would be a thing of joy for the Bees, who are about to move into their new stadium if they can clinch a ticket to the English top-flight.

“It would be magnificent for the first game at the new stadium to be in the Premier League but at the same time Griffin Park is our home and I have an attachment to the old stadium. To not have the fans at the game is going to be a bit sad. So we really want to win the game for the fans,” he continued.

“I always watched the Premier League, especially Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. Since I was a kid I wanted to play in England. But I don't look at it as my destiny to play in the Premier League - it has always been a target and I wish to play there with Brentford.”

Benrahma has three caps for Algeria since he made his debut in 2015 in a friendly against Senegal.

Luka Modric has described Sergio Ramos as a "phenomenon" and says the Real Madrid captain is the best defender in the world.

Ramos led Madrid to his fifth La Liga title, scoring 11 times in the top flight this season - a record for a defender in the 21st century.

The 34-year-old has won 22 trophies with Los Blancos since joining from Sevilla in 2005 and remains integral to Zinedine Zidane's plans, with many suggesting he could have been in the running for the Ballon d'Or this year before the 2020 award was cancelled.

Modric, who has become a good friend of Ramos since moving to the Spanish capital in 2012, says there can be no doubting his quality.

"My brother Sergio is a phenomenon," he told Sportske Novosti. "And I'm not just saying that because in eight years we've created a really special relationship, we hang out as families, go on holiday together, or because we've had fantastic footballing experiences and successes together.

"Ramos is a 34-year-old rock, a top-level competitor, and when you watch him working on himself, it's clear how dedicated he is and how hungry he is for success. He's a team leader and the best defender in the world."

Madrid's title triumph was also inspired by the form of Karim Benzema, who scored 21 goals this season, and Modric believes he is now starting to get the recognition he deserves.

"Now, everyone has finally realised what we players have known for a long time," he said. "Benzema is a top striker who is a pleasure to play with. His understanding of the game, movement, disrupting the balance of the opposition defence, is something special.

"Benzema has always done a great job for the team and I am just glad that he has now experienced a general standing ovation and great satisfaction from people recognising his class."

Madrid trailed Barca at the top of the table when La Liga was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a run of 10 wins in a row and a draw with Leganes on the final day saw them finish five points clear.

Modric felt there were signs when the team returned to training that they had a good chance of overhauling Barca.

"I've already won 16 trophies at Real, four Champions Leagues, but this La Liga title made me especially happy," he added.

"We definitely should have had more domestic titles because we threw away some championships in a very clumsy way.

"While we were shut in our homes, we all trained. I was in contact with team-mates and noticed everyone was working with extra motivation. When we finally got back to training together, I felt an even stronger connection between the players, enjoying being together again and in full swing."

Liverpool held off a Christian Pulisic-inspired comeback as the runaway Premier League champions overcame Chelsea 5-3 ahead of the trophy presentation at Anfield. 

Jurgen Klopp's title winners got into the party spirit as they were involved in an eight-goal thriller on Merseyside in their final home game of an unforgettable season, though there was little sign of the late drama to come when they led 4-1. 

Naby Keita's right-footed rocket opened the scoring, and there was a long-awaited home goal for Roberto Firmino - his first in the league since March 2019 - early in the second half. 

The impressive Pulisic helped the Blues battle back to 4-3, raising hopes of clinching the draw they required to make certain of a top-four finish, but Liverpool had the last word, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain slamming home to secure the win.

Manchester United recovered a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham that moved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side into the Premier League top four and saw their opponents safe.

With a result that suited both sides, albeit one that will be celebrated more by the Hammers, United leapfrogged Leicester City - their final-day opponents - as David Moyes’ side pulled four points clear of the relegation zone.

The Old Trafford outfit will clinch Champions League qualification with just a draw at fifth-placed Leicester, although they briefly threatened to follow up their FA Cup exit to Chelsea with another defeat on Wednesday.

Paul Pogba's foolish handball was punished from the penalty spot by the in-form Michail Antonio, but Mason Greenwood struck six minutes into the second half to take United up to third prior to Chelsea's clash with Liverpool.

The hosts had enjoyed a lively start as Lukasz Fabianski made low saves from both Anthony Martial and Greenwood by the third minute, yet their momentum soon waned.

After the West Ham goalkeeper then parried a Marcus Rashford drive with relative ease, the breakthrough came at the other end in first-half stoppage time.

Pogba lifted his arms to block Declan Rice's powerful strike following a free-kick, gifting West Ham a penalty that Antonio tucked away.

But United responded in fine fashion following the restart as an intricate move between Pogba, Martial and Greenwood on the edge of the area ended with the teenager lashing a low finish past Fabianski.

The under-fire David De Gea saved smartly from Jarrod Bowen, before Rice arrowed just wide of the top-right corner, yet United held on for a point that could yet prove pivotal.

They could also have stolen a scarcely deserved victory with five minutes remaining as Odion Ighalo - waiting to break his league duck for United - stabbed wide.

What does it mean? United in the driving seat but Leicester given confidence

United's last-day visit to Leicester always looked crucial, but Solskjaer's side can now head to the King Power Stadium knowing they do not even need to win to finish in the top four.

Unbeaten in 13 in the league, this result - albeit just a draw - was far more important than an underwhelming home performance, although Leicester may well feel confident of a win if the Red Devils cannot lift themselves on Sunday.

Mason the man for Man Utd

Like fellow goalscorer Antonio, Greenwood has kicked on since the season's restart and this might prove to be his most important goal yet.

A first-half effort was blocked by Angelo Ogbonna, but the 18-year-old was unerring when the next chance came his way and now has 17 in all competitions this term, a joint-record among United teenagers.

Pogba's penalty faux pas

A surprise exclusion from the United team against Chelsea, this was not the return to the XI Pogba would have hoped for.

Having had little impact on the first half, the midfielder bizarrely handled and only made matters worse by apparently feigning a blow to his face as the VAR pored over an error former United captain Gary Neville swiftly described as "embarrassing".

Key Opta Facts

- Manchester United have won 10 of their 19 home league games this season (D7 L2); only in 2016-17 (eight) and 2013-14 (nine) have they enjoyed fewer home victories in a Premier League campaign.
- West Ham have collected eight points in their last five Premier League games against Manchester United (W2 D2 L1), more than they managed in their previous 18 league encounters (seven points - W1 D4 L13) between May 2008 and August 2017.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are unbeaten in 13 Premier League games (W8 D5), which is now the Norwegian's best run in the competition with the Red Devils and his best league run in his managerial career with a single club.
- Mason Greenwood; has become the first player to score 10 Premier League goals in a season as a teenager since Romelu Lukaku in 2012-13 (14), and the first English player to do so since Wayne Rooney in 2004-05 (11).
- No teenager has ever scored more goals in a single season in all competitions for Manchester United than Mason Greenwood (17 - level with George Best in 1965-66, Brian Kidd in 1967-68 and Wayne Rooney in 2004-05).

What's next?

United's fate is in their own hands at Leicester on Sunday. Meanwhile, West Ham can still impact the relegation battle as they host Aston Villa.