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Lille have confirmed Jonathan Bamba has resumed training on Monday after he tested negative for the coronavirus.

The Ivorian forward contracted the virus on July 6 ahead of their friendly against Mouscron and has been in isolation receiving treatment, along with France international Jonathan Ikone.

The 21-year-old has now been given the green light to rejoin Christophe Galtier’s side after testing negative for the coronavirus.

Bamba has been with the Stade Pierre-Mauroy outfit since the summer of 2018 when he signed a five-year contract with the side following his arrival from Saint-Etienne.

The winger has since scored 14 goals in 64 league appearances and in April 2019 he was named Ligue 1 player of the season following his impressive performances.

In the 2019-20 campaign, Bamba scored one goal and provided nine assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Mastiffs.

The forward formed a productive partnership with Nigeria international Victor Osimhen along with Ikone to help the club finish fourth in Ligue 1 last campaign.

Bamba played for CA Paris-Charenton, UJA Alfortville and Saint-Etienne youth setups before his promotion to the Saints first team.

The winger made 42 league appearances for Saint-Etienne and had loan spells at Paris FC, Sint-Truiden and Angers during his seven-year stay with the side.

Bamba has played for France U16, U18, U20 and U21 but he is still eligible to feature for the Ivory Coast national team, provided he desires to pledge his allegiance to the West Africans.

The forward will hope to continue his fine form during Lille’s pre-season games ahead of their 2020-21 campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists David de Gea is mentally strong enough to bounce back from the mistakes he made against Chelsea ahead of Manchester United’s crucial meeting with West Ham.

The Spaniard came under fire for the part he played in all three of Chelsea’s goals at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final, with Solskjaer having said the former Atletico Madrid star knows he should have done better with Mason Mount's 25-yard effort at the start of the second half.

There have been calls for De Gea to be dropped ahead of United’s two crucial Premier League games this week as they look to secure Champions League qualification but Solskjaer would not be drawn into a debate over the goalkeeper.

Ahead of United's clash with West Ham on Wednesday evening, the Norwegian told reporters: "This is not going to become a David de Gea press conference. We're just going to stick together.

"David's mentally strong enough to know his job is to perform in training the next day and be ready for the games."

When pushed on whether or not De Gea should be dropped in place of Sergio Romero, he added: "That's your job to talk about and write about and my job is to prepare a team for West Ham.

"We're not going to talk about individuals because no one here will fear we put more pressure on them."

Meanwhile, Solskjaer is likely to be without Eric Bailly for his side’s final home league game of the season as the defender continues to recover from a nasty clash of heads against Chelsea which saw him leave the pitch on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace.

The Ivory Coast international spent Sunday night in London receiving treatment before returning to Manchester on Monday and while the centre-back appears to be okay, Solskjaer does not think he will be available for the game.

"I don't think he'll be ready for this game, I've not seen him this morning yet," he said. "I think everyone is available apart from that, we've just got to stick together, stay strong, two games to go and we've given ourselves a good chance."

Gor Mahia elections scheduled for August may not take place as planned as some members have challenged the constitutionality of the Elections Board.

In a letter obtained by Goal, Omollo and Omollo Co. Advocates acting for Ben Mathews Agunda, David Osewe Odero, Alfred Odhiambo Otieno, Gilbert Otieno Wandera, George Ochieng Gombe, Meshack Odera and Edder Jalang'o, who are members of Gor Mahia, have asked the polls be stopped or else they will move to court.

“We are instructed that you are currently engaged in an electoral process whose substance and the process is in violation of Sports Act no. 25 of 2013 and Gor Mahia Football Club Constitution in the following manner.” read the opening paragraph of the demand letter.

“We are instructed that Gor Mahia have held its elections on December 11th 2016 from which the current Executive Committee derives its mandate. 

“Under the constitution of the club, the Executive Committee was elected to a term of two years from the date of the election. 

“We are also instructed that you purported to have conducted secretive and fraudulent elections on 9th March 2019 at Jukwaa Lounge wherein you equally filed fraudulent returns with the Registrar of Societies on April 30th of 2019. We are instructed that the said meeting and or election did not take place as alleged or at all.

“We are further instructed that under the same rules, you purported to have amended the constitution of the club and forwarded the same fraudulent document to the Sports Registrar.

“We are instructed that the said document purporting to be the constitution of the club does not in material respect or comply with the club's conditional certificate of registration dated 8th June 2018, the Act or indeed the regulations made thereunder.”

The Elections Board and its formation are at the forefront of what has been contested by the members, who have questions regarding the mandatory Gor Mahia elections.

“We are further instructed that the Executive Committee members unilaterally abrogated upon themselves the powers to appoint members of the club's Elections Board without consultation or approval of the members or any other stakeholders,” continued the letter.

“We are instructed that the same Elections Board has now come up with unlawful and illegal elections rules, regulations, guidelines, timetables and calendars and nomination forms.

“We are further instructed that all these activities of the biased Elections Board are designed to perpetuate the continued stay of the incumbents in office and indeed we are instructed that the chairman has already been declared as elected unopposed.

“We are instructed that most of the members including Ambrose Rachier and Francis Wasuna are term-limited by the act and therefore barred from contesting in any further elections of the club.”

The seven members have gone ahead and given the club a period of time within which their requests must be acted upon.

“We are under instructions to demand the following; Cease and desist from further conduct of the fraudulent elections purportedly scheduled for 8th August 2020,” it concluded.

“Adhere to the conditions of registration as stipulated by the Sports Registrar in the certificate of registration dated 8th June 2020.

“Conduct the club's elections in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya, 2010, the Act and the Club’s Constitution.

“We demand immediate written confirmation of your agreement to meet our legal demand together with an indication of how you intend to comply.

“We regret that unless we receive such written confirmation and accompanying proposals within the next seven (7) days, we will file a suit to enforce our clients' rights without further notice and at your risk as to the costs and other consequences.”

According to the club, 567 members have been cleared to vote in the elections.

Olivier Giroud believes Chelsea are capable of spoiling Liverpool’s title party at Anfield on Wednesday, with the Blues confident in their ability to beat any side in a one-off contest.

The newly-crowned Premier League champions are preparing to get their hands on a long-awaited piece of silverware.

Jordan Henderson will lift the English top-flight trophy at the end of the Reds’ next outing, with a record-setting campaign bringing a 30-year wait for domestic supremacy to a close on Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have set the standard in 2019-20, with the feel-good factor they have established carrying them to more major honours.

There has, however, been a dip in standards by Liverpool since their coronation was confirmed.

Chelsea are hoping to take advantage of that when they head to the North West, with Frank Lampard’s side needing precious points in an ongoing top-four bid.

Giroud believes the FA Cup finalists are capable of tarnishing what will be a memorable evening for Liverpool.

The Blues have been in decent form of late, with their experienced France international striker leading the charge, and the Stamford Bridge giants are in confident mood ahead of another big test.

Giroud told Sky Sports: “It’s going to be a good one, a tough one, especially as they have had a few disappointing results recently.

“They will lift the trophy after our game and I think they deserve this title.

“It’s crazy when you look at the table and the difference. But in one game I think we can match them.

“We definitely need three more points to secure a place in the Champions League. It’s going to be tough but we have good momentum and we want to keep that up.”

Giroud will be hoping to add to his eight-goal tally for 2019-20 when facing the Reds.

The 33-year-old World Cup winner was back on target in Chelsea’s last outing, as they beat Manchester United 3-1 in the FA Cup semi-final, and has netted five times through eight appearances since competitive football resumed in mid-June.

On his fine form and the confidence shown in him by Lampard, Giroud said: “I just took the opportunity and just tried to give this confidence back on the pitch.

“I just try to play my part and do a good job for the team.”

Pep Guardiola has hinted at additions to his Manchester City squad in the next transfer window, but a demanding coach is looking for those already on his books to set the standard for 2020-21.

The Blues have seen the threat of a two-year European ban lifted on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

With uncertainty removed there, Guardiola and Co. are free to start planning long-term once more.

The expectation is that a side that has been knocked from the loftiest of Premier League perches this season will look to dip back into the recruitment market.

City boast a star-studded squad, but there are areas that they could seek to address – particularly at centre-half where no suitable successor to Vincent Kompany has been found.

Guardiola is reluctant to divert attention away from a Champions League challenge that remains ongoing in the present, but possible targets are being identified.

The Catalan admits that there may be arrivals over the coming weeks, with the next window set to open on July 27, but is aware of the need for experienced heads to lead by example.

“It depends on the players we’ll have next season, it depends on the quality of each one as to how we adapt the way we attack and defend,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of a meeting with Watford on Tuesday.

“New players can maybe come or maybe not, it will not change the freshness of the team completely. Everyone has to be fresh - not just one or maybe none or two or three or 10 or 20 [signings] - all of us have to freshen up our minds and bodies and desires to continue to be competitive in all the competitions.

“If you bring in eight or nine players, which is impossible, you change a lot, the mentality or the freshness or the way you want to play. But I think 80 per cent or 85 per cent or 90 per cent of the team will be the same so it depends on the people who are here.”

Guardiola has been urged to consider bringing another striker onto his books, with Shaun Goater among those to have called for long-term vision to be shown as Sergio Aguero enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck was not impressed with how his team played in the first half of the Mainland Premier League match against Alliance FC on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi were going into the match having lost the previous one 3-2 to Mbao FC and they responded well to beat Alliance FC at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Rwandan striker Meddie Kagere notched a brace to reach 22 goals this season and he is likely to win another Golden Boot while the other goals came from Luis Miquissone, Deo Kanda, and Said Ndemla in the 5-1 win.

Vandenbroeck has, however, singled out the first half of the six-goal thriller as the period his players struggled to break down the opponents because they created minimal chances, and of those created they were not turned into goals.

“I know we won 5-1 against Alliance but the first half of the match did not impress me at all, we did not play with our pace and also the few chances we created, they were not turned into goals,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by the club’s official website.

“But in the second half, the players returned to their level, the level which I love watching them play and we managed to score three goals since the first half had ended 2-1 in our favour.

“In the second period, you could see the pace was back, the players were pushing themselves and we did not miss many chances, it is the kind of play I always want to see from my players and I am happy I smiled again after a poor first half.”

Vandenbroeck further said his main focus with the team now is to win the remaining two matches in the league, against Coastal Union and Polisi Tanzania, before he can shift his focus to the FA Cup final.

“We are not looking at the domestic cup final yet because we still have two matches remaining, I know we have won the league but I want us to make sure we crown it in good fashion, we must win the remaining two matches," he continued.

“After that, then we can now start planning on the final, we can think of it, and make sure we are ready, our focus this season was to win a double and the final will be our next big thing before we end the season.”

Simba reached the final of the domestic cup after knocking out rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) 4-1 and they will now face Namungo FC in the final on August 2.

Paul Scholes has defended David de Gea after his poor performance in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, insisting the Manchester United goalkeeper "will be back".

United's 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions came screeching to a halt when they were humbled 3-1 by Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.

It was an evening to forget for De Gea, who committed two errors to gift the Blues a healthy advantage and leave the Red Devils with a mountain to climb.

The Spaniard allowed Olivier Giroud's tame effort to creep in at his near post in first-half stoppage time, before fumbling Mason Mount's long-range shot into the net just after the interval.

A Harry Maguire own goal added gloss to Chelsea's victory, with Bruno Fernandes scoring United's only goal from the penalty spot late on.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed De Gea after his previous errors against Watford, Everton and Spurs earlier in the season, but admitted that his No.1 was guilty of a vital lapse in concentration for Chelsea's second goal when speaking to reporters post-match.

He said: “It’s hard for a 'keeper to make amends. So much easier for outfield players. David showed in the rest of the game, he made a few good saves.

"He knows he should save that one 100 times out of 100 but that's football for you."

Former United 'keeper Mark Bosnich has been among those to question whether De Gea should retain a place in Solskjaer's line up for the final two games of the Premier League season, but Scholes thinks critics have been too quick to jump on a man who has won four Player of the Year awards at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils legend wrote in a post on Instagram: "Yep, he’s having a bad time. But without him, United wouldn’t have finished in the top 10 the last 6 years…he’ll be back!"

Solskjaer is currently preparing his squad for a crucial showdown against West Ham at Old Trafford on Wednesday, where a draw or a win will be enough to see them move into the top four.

United will then wrap up their latest domestic campaign with a trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, which could be a decider in the race for Champions League qualification, before focus shifts to the Europa League restart next month.

The Manchester outfit already have one foot in the quarter-finals after beating LASK 5-0 in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie, with a last-eight clash against either İstanbul Basaksehir or Copenhagen awaiting the victors.

Muzamir Mutyaba has revealed his favourite moments as he departs from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC).

Mutyaba has left the club after five seasons with them and has singled out three specific moments he will remember fondly as a Kassasiro Boy.

“There are many moments of course, apart from winning the 2017 Fufa Player of the Year award, winning the double in 2017 and playing in the group stage of the Caf Champions League stand out for me,” Mutyaba told Football256.

As he leaves, the midfielder added he is thankful for head coach Mike Mutebi for what he gave him while serving KCCA.

“I have served KCCA FC for some good years and I won everything there is to win. So, I think it’s time I move on,” the 27-year-old added.

“I thank coach [Mike] Mutebi because he gave me a platform to showcase my talent, for me that’s always important to highlight.”

Mutyaba has played for Kampala University, Maroons FC and Sports Club Victoria University before he joined KCCA in 2015.

Meanwhile, defender Edward Satulo has revealed reasons why he was convinced to sign for Premier League side Wakiso Giants.

Popularly known as Satro, Satulo agreed on a three-year deal with an option to extend for a further one year, with Wakiso Giants from Wobulenzi FC.

“No player loves watching from the dugout, everyone wants to be on the pitch game by game,” Satulo told Football256.

“The club considers young players despite their lack of experience in the league and they pay back the trust with splendid performances.

“And besides being an ambitious club that syncs with my career ambitions, the fact that I will be given a chance to showcase my talent as I build my career inspired me to join the club.

“I am a hard-working lad who never focuses on the experience that much. If someone has great attributes, then they will perform.

“I am new in the league but everything has a beginning and I believe I will have a good first season God willing.

“There are always ups and downs, so I urge the fans to be present in both moments. I will try my level best to put a smile on their faces because they deserve it.” 

Satulo will play alongside other youngsters like Hassan Ssenyonjo, Hassan Agogo, and Atendere Geriga at Purple Sharks.

David Beckham has called for patience as his MLS vision takes shape at Inter Miami, with the England legend eager to point out that “Manchester United, Real Madrid, La Liga and the Premier League wasn’t built in a day”.

The Red Devils and Blancos icon has been forced to speak out after seeing his debut campaign as an owner in American reach a disappointing and premature conclusion.

After much excitement when they were added to the schedule in the States, Inter Miami have bowed out of the MLS is Back tournament at the group stage after suffering five successive losses to open their 2020 season.

Beckham would have been hoping for much more, but is not about to get caught up in any doom and gloom.

A man who helped to raise the profile of MLS when linking up with the LA Galaxy in 2007 is playing a long game in Florida, with the experiences taken from his own playing career having shown that long-term vision is required in order to hit ultimate goals.

"Sometimes the road is long and [you] need to take a breather," Beckham wrote on Instagram. "Manchester United, Real Madrid, La Liga and the premiership wasn't built in a day.

"Teams players and clubs need time to flourish but when they do all the hard times seem so distant.

"It's important to take time to reflect on what we have achieved so far.

"I'm proud of my team, our club and the amazing fans that we have. Patience is a virtue."

Inter Miami remain very much a work in progress after what has been a testing start for the club in an exciting new era.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted their efforts, and that of their domestic rivals, but optimism remains high when it comes to future success.

Club coach Diego Alonso has said: "I think football in these three or five games has been unjust with us. We've got a lot less than we deserved.

"I feel in the game [against New York City FC] we didn't play as well as the one before against Philadelphia, but the team deserves more and has got little.

"We'll have to keep trying, working. I don't regret being the coach of these players. I'm with them more now than ever.

"I'm convinced that we'll get out of this believing and trusting in them, lifting confidence and trying to get better in the week so that football gives us the rewards we deserve."

David Moyes has defended his Manchester United record, insisting that "the difference between Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and me is that he's being given time".

Moyes was chosen to succeed the legendary Six Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford hot seat at the end of the 2012-13 season, following an impressive 11-year spell at Everton.

The Scottish head coach inherited a Premier League title-winning squad, but he was unable to pick up from where Ferguson left off as results took a dramatic turn for the worse.

Moyes was sacked from his post after just 10 months in charge , with United sitting way down in seventh in the top-flight standings and well adrift of the Champions League places.

The 57-year-old is currently working on the touchline at West Ham, who will come up against the Red Devils on Wednesday fresh from a 3-1 win over Watford last week, which ensured their Premier League status for another year.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer is now the man overseeing the United first team, and he is on the verge of guiding the club back into the Champions League after an impressive run of results in 2020.

Moyes is certain that he could have delivered the same kind of success at Old Trafford had he been afforded the same patience as his Norwegian counterpart, due to the fact he also understood the club's policy of bringing through talented young players from the academy.

"It's a wonderful club and a brilliant place to be, and the biggest club in the world, for me," the West Ham boss told a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"It's always a special place to go and I'm looking forward to going back.

"Ole had a difficult start, but the difference between Ole and me is that he's being given time. He's bringing players in from the Academy, which Manchester United has always stood for.

"They've got some really exciting young players of their own now."

United will be aiming to bounce back from a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup when they meet the Hammers in midweek.

Solskjaer's men were unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions before that loss, and they cannot afford a repeat performance in their ongoing bid to secure a place in the top four.

Manchester City are considering a move for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, while Valencia winger Ferran Torres is also on Pep Guardiola's radar.

Ake, 25, is a potential target as City look to strengthen their squad this summer, with Guardiola considering bringing in two defenders during the transfer window after losing nine Premier League games already this season.

Dutchman Ake is valued at around €44 million (£40m/$50m), but the Cherries could be forced to drop their price tag if they are relegated from England's top flight.

The former Chelsea defender would also add cover at left-back, as well as increasing the club's homegrown quota having been brought through the Stamford Bridge academy.

Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly is another defender that the club are looking at but a potential fee of €77m (£70m/$88m) could be too high, while the centre-back is also keen to remain with the Serie A club.

City are also looking for a replacement for winger Leroy Sane following his €60m (£55m/$69m) departure to Bayern Munich, with Ferran Torres a possible replacement. 

Torres, 20, has one year remaining on his contract and will leave the Spanish club during the transfer window after they failed to qualify for Europe.

The Spain international has a €100m (£90m/$114m) buy-out clause but is expected to go for considerably less, although City face competition from a host of top European sides.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United have all expressed an interest in Torres but the possibility of working with Guardiola could persuade him to switch to the Etihad Stadium.

The City manager, who will be in his fifth season with the club at the start of the new campaign, says he is looking at refreshing his squad as they look to overhaul Premier League champions Liverpool.

“It depends on the players we’ll have next season, it depends on the way we adapt, the way we attack and defend,” he said ahead of the Premier League clash with Watford.

“Just new players can maybe come and maybe it will change the freshness of the team completely.  

“Everyone has to be fresh, maybe one or two or 10 or 20 [signings will arrive], all of us have to freshen up our minds and bodies to continue to be competitive in all the competitions. 

“If you bring in eight or nine players, which is impossible, you change a lot, the mentality, the way you want to play. 80% or 85% or 90% of the team will be the same but it depends on the people who are here.”

Torino defender Ola Aina has reacted to his side’s 2-0 loss to Fiorentina in Sunday's Serie A game at Artemio Franchi, saying their best was not enough.

Moreno Longo’s men conceded as early as the second minute of the encounter after Lyanco turned the ball into his own net.

Their efforts to level proceedings produced no result before former Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery set up Patrick Cutrone to seal the victory for Fiorentina.

The defeat is Torino’s 19th in the 2019-20 campaign which saw them drop to the 15th spot on the league table, three places and eight points above the relegation zone.

 Aina, who featured for the entirety of the game, has expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the result.

"The team tried very hard, but unfortunately we were unable to bring home points,” Aina told Tuttomercato.

“We conceded too early and this complicated things, then doubling made everything even more difficult.

“But we have not stopped playing and we have tried to reopen the game until the last few minutes. In these minutes, we have worked hard to play higher and be more present in the area but unfortunately, it was not enough."

Aina joined the Stadio Olimpico outfit last summer permanently from Premier League side Chelsea after convincing showings during his loan spell.

The Nigeria international has made 34 appearances for the Bull in the current campaign across all competitions, including 29 in Serie A.

The 23-year-old will hope to help his side return to winning ways when they take on Hellas Verona in their next league game on July 22.

Aina, who previously featured for England youth team, has made 17 appearances for the Super Eagles and was part of Gernot Rohr’s squad that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Joe Willock admits some Arsenal players were “a bit sceptical” of Mikel Arteta when a former club captain was appointed as the Gunners’ new boss, but any doubters have been quickly won over.

Those at Emirates Stadium were forced into a managerial rethink back in November 2019.

A disappointing start to the current campaign led to Unai Emery being relieved of his services and Freddie Ljungberg being placed in interim charge of first-team affairs.

Arsenal embarked on a lengthy hunt for a suitable candidate to fill a high-profile post and eventually saw that path lead them towards a familiar face.

Arteta had little experience of which to speak, having only previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but a calculated gamble was taken on a highly-rated coach.

The Gunners remain very much a work in progress, on and off the field, but positive steps in the right direction are being taken by a team that is already through to the 2020 FA Cup final.

“To be fair when he [Arteta] came in, we were a bit sceptical about what he could do,” Willock told The Beautiful Game Podcast.

“Obviously he’s a very young manager and most of the players that play now have all played with him. So we were a bit hesitant on how to approach the situation.

“But we all let him in with open arms and we all thought let’s see what he has to offer.

“He’s come in and to be honest, he’s been nothing short of amazing really - his detail, the way his man-management is with every single player. And we’re just all excited to work with him.

“I’m learning about the game in ways I’ve never learned them before. He’s an amazing man and I’m not just saying that because he’s my boss.”

Arteta is still working on reshaping Arsenal as he sees fit, but improvement has been made across his tenure.

The Gunners have always boasted plenty of attacking options, but defensive leaks are also starting to be plugged.

Academy graduate Willock considers that to be a major positive, adding: “We used to give the opposition gifts and hope. He is cutting out that hope.

“We cut out that hope and in every challenge and every duel, we are the ones who are stamping our authority.

“To have that winning mentality, in every different circumstance we have to be on it and that’s what we’ve been working on in training and it is showing on the pitch.”

Arsenal are destined to miss out on a place in the Premier League’s top four this season, but European qualification and FA Cup glory is there to be shot at by a side working towards long-term goals.

Chelsea have been left frustrated in their attempts to sign Ben Chilwell and Declan Rice, with both Leicester City and West Ham not interested in listening to offers for their star players.

Both deals look unviable at present, with the Foxes having quoted an unreachable upfront sum and Frank Lampard's side having been unsuccessful in attempts to negotiate a fee that would include instalments.

The 23-year-old was open to moving to Stamford Bridge and topped Lampard's shortlist of left-back targets having earned his spot as England's regular left-sided defender under Gareth Southgate.

Lampard felt that the full-back would fit in well in his squad, with Chilwell having a number of friends in the Blues' first-team.

However, Brendan Rodgers has no interest in letting one of his prized assets leave to a rival and Leicester do not need to sell, with Chilwell having four years left on his contract.

"There's no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there's absolutely no need to sell," Rodgers said last week. "So the message is he's not for sale - it's as simple as that."

Chelsea may opt to move for Ajax star Nicolas Tagliafico instead, with Atletico Madrid concerned that their interest will be disrupted by the Premier League club.

The 27-year-old is valued at around the €26 million (£24m/$30m) mark, as he remains tied to a contract through to the summer of 2022.

Similarly, Lampard is a strong admirer of West Ham midfielder Rice, who has become the London club's most prized asset as they consider selling players to raise funds for further business.

The Hammers have survived relegation and want the 21-year-old, who has four years left on his deal with an option for an extra year, to continue working with David Moyes next season.

They will therefore look to sell other players to fund future business in the upcoming market and have refused Chelsea's initial advances, which included swap deals involving their wantaway stars.

West Ham will turn down any offers that include Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley, even though they are two players they have previously been interested in signing.

Elsewhere, Goal can confirm that Callum Hudson-Odoi remains committed to the club despite playing just 48 minutes since lockdown.

The 19-year-old has yet to reach his full match fitness following a rupture to his Achilles tendon last season and he saw illness and a minor injury disrupt his return after the coronavirus lockdown in the UK was lifted.

The form of Christian Pulisic and Willian means there have been few opportunities for the England international in recent weeks, but he will continue to fight for his place having only just signed a new five-year contract at the beginning of the season.

Chelsea have already been very active in the transfer window, signing both Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner for a combined fee of £84m ($105m).

Bayer Leverkusen sensation Kai Havertz is also on Lampard's list of targets, with the west Londoners remaining in talks for the highly-rated 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

Augustine Mahlonoko is a free agent after confirming his departure from Orlando Pirates on Tuesday. 

Reports emerged on Monday that the 18-year-old had been handed his clearance by the club.

Mahlonoko spent this season on loan at ABC Motsepe League outfit Pele Pele FC after struggling for game time at the Sea Robbers. 

The Sebokeng-born midfielder took to social media to bid farewell to the Buccaneers. 

"Done with introduction. Ready for chapter 1. Thank you Pirates for great memories. Once and Always," he wrote.     

In 2018, Mahlonoko became one of the youngest players in the history of the club to feature in a professional setup.

He made his professional debut against Highlands Park in August 2018, and at the time, Mahlonoko was just 16 years old.   

This was after a successful career with the Bucs MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) team. 

Mahlonoko captained the MDC side and it was Micho Sredojevic and Rhulani Mokwena who felt the teenager was ready to make a name for himself in the senior team. 

However, things didn't go according to plan as he was limited to three appearances before the technical team decided to go for more experienced campaigners. 

Mahlonoko is now eligible to sign with a club of his choice ahead of next season. 

Should he find a new club in the coming weeks, he will only be eligible to play at the start 2020-21 campaign as the PSL season is still suspended.  

At one stage, Mahlonoko was linked with a possible trial to an unnamed Spanish club but he couldn't go due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Sea Robbers are yet to release an official statement regarding the departure of Mahlonoko or any player movements from within their camp.  

Nonetheless, they are expected to add a few new players for next season with both Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto expected to complete their moves to Mayfair in the next few weeks. 

Manchester United have grown since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo while becoming more "resilient", says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Fernandes completed a long-awaited €55 million (£50m/$63m) move to United from Sporting CP on January 30, with Ighalo joining him at Old Trafford a day later on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

The Portuguese has proven an instant hit in Manchester, scoring nine goals and laying on eight assists in his first 18 appearances, making the transition from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League seamlessly.

Ighalo, meanwhile, has impressed in a back-up striker role for the Red Devils, scoring five goals in four starts while proving himself as a useful target man and extra option in the final third for Solskjaer.

United were dogged by inconsistency in the first half of the season, but their form since bringing in two new faces in the winter transfer window has been much improved, and a top-four finish is now on the cards.

Solskjaer has acknowledged the fact that Fernandes and Ighalo have had a huge impact, while also stressing the importance of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba's respective returns from long-term injury in his side's recent resurgence.

“I think we’ve grown over the whole season,” the United boss told reporters ahead of a midweek meeting with West Ham.

“The additions of Odion, Bruno and Paul coming back, [plus] Marcus coming back is a strength for us. We are better as a group and more robust and resilient.

“The proof is in the pudding and we’ll have to see on Wednesday how they perform.”

The Red Devils will be aiming to get back to winning ways when the Hammers arrive at Old Trafford on Wednesday, after crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea over the weekend.

Solskjaer's men were thoroughly outplayed during a 3-1 defeat at Wembley, but the Norwegian is expecting a strong response in their latest Premier League outing.

“When you lose a game, you’re hurt and disappointed,“ he admitted. ”You’ve just got to focus on the next thing.

“A defeat isn’t the end of the world - it was the end of the FA Cup dream and the final, but now it’s business as usual and onto the next game.

“We’ve had so many setbacks as a club before. We’ve lost big games before and we’ve turned that around and that’s what we need to do now.”

Raphael Varane says that Real Madrid have an "incredible hunger" to progress in the Champions League, and that "anything is possible" against Manchester City.

Madrid finished off their domestic season with a 2-2 draw at Leganes on Sunday, having already been crowned champions of Spain for the 34th time in their illustrious history.

Zinedine Zidane's men claimed their first title since 2017 by finishing five points clear of arch-rivals Barcelona, and they now have three weeks to prepare for a return to European action.

The Blancos still have an outside chance of winning a league and cup double, but must first overturn a 2-1 last-16 first-leg deficit against City on August 7.

Pep Guardiola's side have one foot in the last eight after their impressive victory at Santiago Bernabeu in Februrary, which saw Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne goals cancel out Isco's effort for Madrid.

Varane is confident that Madrid can produce a comeback, despite City having home advantage in the return leg.

"This is Real Madrid and anything is possible, the hope is always there even if the situation is difficult," the Madrid centre-back told Le Parisien.

"When you wear this shirt, you have a responsibility, we know that a difficult game awaits us but we will approach it with incredible hunger.

"It's a debt we owe to our fans, we can't predict the result but we will fight to the end."

Varane went on to praise Blancos's top scorer Karim Benzema, whose 21-goal haul helped ensure that the Liga trophy arrived at the Bernabeu instead of returning to Camp Nou.

"I wouldn't say it was the best season of his career, but that's only because I've known him for a long time," said the Frenchman.

"I'm glad to see him so radiant and happy, he is at the very top of his game in a difficult position. He has assumed his role as leader of the attack."

Varane added on the impact Zidane has had on the squad since returning to Madrid for a second spell in charge in March 2019: "He has that special capacity to make the impossible possible and his career is exceptional.

"He is a great source of inspiration for everyone, his soul as a player is always there.

"He doesn't need to speak too much, and when he does it is with words that jousts with players, that needle them, it's his way of coaching."

The “massive contract” signed by David de Gea at Manchester United has made the Spaniard “complacent”, says Paul Ince, with “schoolboy errors” creeping into the goalkeeper’s game because he faces no competition for his place.

The Red Devils do have Argentina international Sergio Romero on their books, but the South American is very much back-up and tends to only be rolled out for the odd domestic cup or European appearance.

De Gea has been the established No.1 for many years, with the consistency he has shown seeing him earn four Player of the Year awards and a standing among the best goalkeepers in the business.

Questions are, however, being asked of his place among the elite at present, and his position as undisputed first choice for United heading forward.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the option of welcoming academy graduate Dean Henderson back into his squad from another productive loan spell at Sheffield United, with something needing to be done in a bid to cut out the mistakes which are plaguing a keeper tied to lucrative terms.

Former United star Ince told Paddy Power of the unfortunate situation between the sticks at Old Trafford: "Any mistake you make, as a goalkeeper, will always be magnified. We know that, but what we're seeing from De Gea at the minute are basic, schoolboy errors.

"They are errors that someone on his wage and at his level simply should not be making – and not for the first time, too.

"If you go and look at the season, there's several absolutely horrendous mistakes that just shouldn't be happening.

"In those big games, the best keepers in the world aren't making mistakes to begin with and my feeling is that De Gea doesn't have enough, or any, competition. He is totally complacent.

"Sergio Romero only plays once in a blue moon (at United), but Dean Henderson is waiting in the wings, and the manager needs to create a bit of a challenge and competition at the club.

"Right now, De Gea knows there's no challenger to him, that he will be the first name on the team sheet, and he's playing like someone who knows that, too. As a player, if you think you're going to play every game, it leads to complacency.

"For me, Dean Henderson would be the answer. He's playing well, getting game time and it's something which Solskjaer needs to look at.

"He needs to give De Gea that challenge and drive, and this lad could be the answer. Henderson's got the hunger and desire to get into that top spot at United.

"While maybe it's a case of De Gea signing the massive contract he did and he thinks his job is done - he's lost a bit of that hunger. He needs to come out now, fighting, and show us what an incredible keeper we all know he is."

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi was on the scoresheet as New York City defeated Inter Miami 1-0 in Monday’s MLS is Back Tournament outing at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Libya international scored the only goal of the game to help the Boys in Blue secure their first win in Group A, which gave them hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the competition.

After losing their opening two games, to Philadelphia Union and Orlando City, the Yankee Stadium outfit bounced back to winning ways.

Following their defeat last time out to Orlando, manager Ronny Deila made few changes to the lineup, with Tajouri-Shradi handed a starting role.

The 26-year-old formed a three-man midfield along with Jesus Medina and Alexandru Mitrita while Valentin Castellanos spearheaded the attack.

The first half was cagey and saw little goal-mouth action as both sides failed to convert the few chances that came their way.

After the restart, however, New York City continued their push to open the scoring and it duly came in the 64th minute of the encounter.

Alexandru Mitrita sent in a long-range ball which Tajouri-Shradi controlled with his left foot before firing past onrushing goalkeeper Luis Robles.

The goal proved decisive as it handed the Boys in Blue all three points which propelled them to the third spot on the Group A table behind Philadelphia Union and Orlando City.

Deila’s men will wait for the result in other groups to learn if they qualify for the knockout stage of the competition as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Tajouri-Shradi, who featured for 79 minutes in the encounter, has now scored three of New York City’s last four MLS goals.

The forward's latest strike has compounded the woes of Inter Miami, who are the first team in MLS history to lose their inaugural five matches and the fifth club to open a season with five straight losses.

The 26-year-old has four caps for Libya since making his debut against South Africa in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September 2018.

Police FC have reached an agreement with midfielder Yousuf Sozzi to extend his stay at the club for the next two seasons.

The club has confirmed they have extended the stay of the player, who joined the club from Paidha Black Angels in the 2019-20 season, until 2022.

“Yousuf Sozzi has renewed his contract with us for the next two years,” the club stated on their official social media pages. “Thank you for your loyalty to Police FC.”

Sozzi was a key player for the Law Enforcers in the past campaign but missed a couple of matches in the closing stages after he picked an injury in an Uganda Premier League match against Wakiso Giants.

In total, Sozzi, who was also being linked with a move to the newly crowned champions Vipers SC, played 14 matches for the Cops.

Before moving to Police, Sozzi also played for a couple of teams in Uganda and Kenya, including SC Villa, Nairobi City Stars, and AFC Leopards.

Sozzi's extension will be good news for Police, who have vowed to challenge for titles in the coming season.

In a recent interview, the club chairman Asan Kasingye revealed it was time they turned into big boys in the local scene and start winning trophies.

“We no longer just want to compete; we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big,” Kasingye told reporters after unveiling their first signing in former Uganda Cranes midfielder Tony Mawejje.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

The chairman also revealed the club will do what they can to retain most of their players to build a strong side ahead of the new season.

Police, who are handled by Abdallah Mubiru, have already hit the transfer market, with the coach hoping to get the best from the transfers.

“We want to make sure we can also compete well with the best teams and our eyes on the transfer market are looking at all the good players available,” Mubiru told reporters.

“It is now a matter of building a strong team so that we can have at least cover for all positions, we must be ready to fight next season and make sure we win a trophy or two.”