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Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Moussa Dembele, with the French forward joining the Spanish side on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

Diego Simeone's side reached an agreement to sign Dembele earlier this week, with the forward undergoing a medical on Monday.

The clubs have worked out a deal to bring Dembele to Spain on loan with an option to buy for €33.5 million (£30m/$41m) with a potential €5 million (£4.5m/$6m) in bonuses. Atletico Madrid will pay a  €1.5m loan fee as part of the deal as well.

Dembele has spent the last two-and-a-half years with Lyon, having originally signed from Celtic for €22 million (£20m/$27m) in the summer of 2018.

The French forward has scored 45 goals in 108 appearances for the Ligue 1 side during that period, and helped the French club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019-20.

However, with transfer rumours swirling, Lyon sporting director Juninho admitted that Dembele's motivation levels have dropped in recent months.

He told Telefoot: "Moussa thinks that this is the moment to change teams, that he has lost a bit of motivation. This was not something we foresaw, I like him a lot. I think that Moussa has found an agreement with Atletico.”

Dembele has scored just once in 16 appearances this campaign, having hit the 20-goal mark in each of his first two seasons with Lyon.

The French club has already closed in on a replacement for the outgoing forward, signing Islam Slimani from Leicester.

Slimani heads to France following a trio of loan spells away from Leicester, having played for Newcastle, Fenerbahce and Monaco in recent seasons.

The Algerian, who has appeared just once for Leicester this season, scored nine goals in 19 appearances for Monaco in 2019-20.

Lyon currently sit top of Ligue 1, one point ahead of both Paris Saint-Germain and Lille.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, also sit first in their league as Dembele joins up, with Simeone and co currently maintaining a four-point lead over Real Madrid with two games in hand.

After taking down Sevilla on Tuesday, Atletico Madrid have over a week off before playing host to Eibar on January 21.

The German Football Association (DFB) have contacted Mesut Ozil to set up a meeting and reconcile with the Arsenal playmaker.

The 2014 World Cup winner’s international career ended in acrimonious circumstances following Germany’s shock early exit from the following tournament in 2018.

Ozil announced his international retirement on Twitter, citing perceived discrimination following a controversial photo with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“The treatment I have received from the DFB and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” Ozil said at the time. “I feel unwanted and think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.”

Ozil, a five-time German Player of the Year, singled out former DFB president Reinhard Grindel, accusing him of racism. He added: "I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly."

Now, Grindel’s successor, Fritz Keller, has reached out to Ozil to repair the relationship between Ozil and the DFB.

“We were informed that our president has contacted Mesut,” DFB director Oliver Bierhoff told Bild. “If a meeting emerges from it and everyone sits down at the table, we would be happy. I was in contact with Mesut on his birthday via WhatsApp and he replied very nicely.”

The Bild report added that the message from Keller was made after Germany drew 3-3 with Turkey in an international friendly on October 7.

Ozil recently mentioned Keller’s approach in a Twitter Q&A, saying he appreciated the gesture.

“Of course I had many amazing memories playing with the national team - we won the World Cup in Brazil and were part of a great era for German football,” Ozil wrote. “I would never say I regret playing for Germany. Lots has been said about the way it ended, and I don’t regret that decision.

“In life you move on, and I’m thankful to have received such a nice personal letter recently from DFB President, Fritz Keller, which addressed all the issues that occurred at the time.”

In total, Ozil played 92 times for Germany, scoring 23 goals in a nine-year international career.

Dylan Kerr has maintained he would have loved to see Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga return to play in Europe instead of heading to Qatar.

The 26-year-old striker left Kashiwa Reysol of Japan after two seasons in the country to sign for Al Duhail SC of Qatar, and was handed his debut on Tuesday as his team lost 3-1 against Al Sadd.

The British tactician, who handled the player at Gor Mahia and at one time tried to secure him a move to Bolton Wanderers in England, has now said he still believes the striker deserved a return to Europe rather than heading to the Gulf.

“I’ll always support Michael [Olunga] and I just wish he was given a chance in a bigger league in Europe,” Kerr, who currently handles South African club Baroka FC in the PSL, told Goal on Wednesday.

“I wish his advisor or agent would have tried like I did a few years back to try and get him a team in Europe. His stature, power and finishing instincts as a striker make me believe he could have been an asset to any top club and go even further.”

On whether he has made a mistake to end up in Qatar, Kerr said: “No disrespect to Qatar but as a player, you need to try and play in the best leagues and I believe Olunga could. But, look at it another way, do the best leagues want Michael?

“I always looked at his football and I tried to get him there too but he chose Japan then but Olunga must be happy to move to Qatar.”

After leaving Gor Mahia in 2016, Olunga ventured to Europe where he signed for Swedish top-tier side Djurgardens IF, a club he played for two seasons before signing for Guizhou Hengfeng FC in the Chinese league.

While in China, the towering striker was then loaned out to Girona FC in Spain, a team he featured for 14 matches in La Liga and wrote history by becoming the first African player to score a hat-trick in a span of 22 minutes during a 6-0 win against Las Palma.

On August 10, 2018, Olunga joined Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol and on November 24, 2019, he scored eight goals for Kashiwa in a 13-1 victory over Kyoto Sanga.

Olunga finished the season with 27 league goals as Kashiwa finished the J2 campaign as champions and won promotion to the first division.

On July 26, 2020, Olunga scored a hat-trick for Reysol in the top-flight against Vegalta Sendai; a match that ended in a 5-1 victory.

Olunga finished as the top scorer in the 2020 J1-League with 28 goals, winning the Golden Boot and the 2020 MVP, becoming the first African player to win the J-League MVP award.

Substitute Romelu Lukaku rescued Inter with a 119th-minute winner to knock Fiorentina out of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 win for the second season running.

Lukaku started from the bench ahead of Sunday's Derby d'Italia against Juventus but was called for in the second half after Christian Kouame had cancelled out Arturo Vidal's penalty opener.

There was no immediate impact as the Nerazzurri sought to get their season back on track, having taken just a point from their prior two Serie A matches.

Yet Lukaku made his mark deep into extra time at the Artemio Franchi, powering a header past Pietro Terracciano to book Inter's place in the quarter-finals, where they will meet Milan.

This was a tame affair until a frantic finish to the first half when Christian Eriksen's shot was spilled by Terracciano, who felled Alexis Sanchez as the follow-up squirmed beyond the goalkeeper and against the post.

A spot-kick was awarded only after referee Davide Massa consulted the pitchside monitor, but Vidal took full advantage.

Massa was swiftly called to the screen again to correct a second errant call, this time initially giving a foul against Milan Skriniar for a well-timed tackle on Kouame inside the area.

There was no reprieve for Inter when Kouame controlled a poor clearance and lashed into the top-right corner three minutes before the hour, however.

Lautaro Martinez had remarkably blasted wide prior to that strike and Sanchez was the next visiting star to pass up a big opportunity as he failed to turn in Ivan Perisic's cross.

Routine saves at either end took the match to extra time, where another Perisic centre deflected onto the crossbar and Sanchez was again wasteful in nodding straight at Terracciano.

Fiorentina looked to have reached a shoot-out when Terracciano blocked from Lukaku, but the striker decisively made amends with a second header to settle the tie.

What does it mean? Inter so reliant on Rom

Despite having Sanchez in reserve, Antonio Conte has picked Lukaku and Martinez whenever possible in Serie A this season, the pair playing 1154 and 1173 minutes respectively.

Given this weekend's vital fixture against Juve, the coach would have hoped he could cope without Lukaku for this one, only to see Inter taken the distance, a blow to their ambitions on Sunday.

So it was Lukaku, who has 12 goals and three assists in the league, who had to make the difference again. Conte will pray he still has something left in the tank.

Christian creating again

Seemingly set to depart San Siro and starting for the first time in a month, Eriksen was quietly impressive in an unfamiliar role, his average position just ahead of the back three.

Even from this deeper posting, no Inter player created more chances (four), played more passes in the Fiorentina half (46) or had more shots on target (two) than the ex-Tottenham midfielder, who completed the 120 minutes.

Forwards firing blanks

Sanchez also saw out the duration and won the penalty for the opener, but he allowed Vidal to take the kick after a recent miss against Sampdoria and otherwise failed to turn an energetic display into a goal threat, twice caught offside and attempting only two shots despite some presentable openings.

Meanwhile, Martinez did not trouble the target with any of his four efforts and contributed the miss of the match before being replaced by Lukaku after 69 minutes.

What's next?

It is the big one for Inter, who must arrest their Serie A slump against the champions in Milan. Fiorentina also play on Sunday, visiting Napoli.

Odisha boss Stuart Baxter was unhappy with his team's first but encouraged by the second 45 minutes in the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chennaiyin on Wednesday.

Isma Goncalves' punished Gaurav Bora's defensive errors in the first half to put his team two goals ahead. Diego Mauricio scored a beautiful goal in the second half to reduce the deficit but Odisha couldn't get another goal in the time that remained. 

After the game, Baxter said, "I am not happy with the manner in which we gave away two goals and the way we started the game. But the game was not lost. I know football. I thought the response in the first half was okay. The response in the second half was very good. We deserved to get something out of the game.

"The goals were from our own mistakes, I don't think we were in a lot of trouble apart from that. It was an even game for the rest of the half. In the second half, we played good football."

The gaffer did not criticise Gaurav Bora for his mistakes that led to Chennaiyin's goals and instead explained his poor showing on the field. 

"What's happening with Bora is that he had an outstanding game last time out. As a young player, sometimes coping with success can be as difficult as coping with failure. Throughout the game, he was worried about not living up his star billing last game. After making those mistakes, he was a strong character in the second half."

Baxter chose to rest star striker Diego Mauricio for the game but was forced to turn to him with the team trailing by two goals at the break. He replaced Marcelinho who had started just his fourth game of the season. 

"You have to look at stats telling you that Diego is tired and you have to make a tough call to not start him, If you start him and then he gets injured and misses the rest of the season, it'll be pretty stupid."

He also added, "It would be vastly unfair to say that (Marcelinho has played the last game under Baxter). I have had a player who has worked very hard, he has not been fit and ready to play. He got a chance tonight, he did the best he could do. Marcelinho will continue to be competitive, I will pick the players who are the best for a game."
 

Gavin Hunt was delighted to see Samir Nurkovic return to the line-up to score a crucial goal for Kaizer Chiefs in Wednesday's 1-0 win over AmaZulu in a PSL encounter in Durban.

Amakhosi had gone six matches without a win in the PSL since last claiming a 1-0 win over Chippa United in October 2020.

Despite only recovering from a long lay-off recently, Nurkovic was drafted into the starting line-up and featured throughout the 90-minutes, netting an early winner at Kings Park Stadium.

And Hunt was thrilled to see the Serbian make such an impact after recovering from surgery following an injury he sustained in the bio-bubble at the back end of last season.

''We now worked on our shape before we came off yesterday to try and nullify them because they have some good players, they invested in their team heavily upfront,’’ Hunt said after the game.

''I knew their wide players, they are dangerous.

''But I thought that's how you supposed to defend because in the first half, they got in behind us once, twice maybe but we had some really good chances and I thought Samir [Nurkovic], who hasn’t played for 90-minutes was fantastic, I didn’t want to play him, but we only have one striker available so it’s a problem —Khama Billiat is out with a fractured bone while Leonardo Castro is suffering from an abdominal strain."

Hunt conceded his side has been poor defensively but was happy with the three points which they will take to their next two matches, against Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC.

''Right now, for us, any win is a big win. I mean we should've won a few more games but the points or the table doesn’t lie, we have been poor defensively, but as I said from the start if you get a guy like Samir [Nurkovic] playing in your team every week, like what happened last year, he played the first 10 games and he was brilliant, he scored those goals,’’ added the four-time league winning coach.

''He had half-a-chance and we haven't had that.

''We had some great chances, but that's going to be that type of a game, they will come, push numbers forward, load our box and obviously, space will open up for us to go in which is a typical South African game of football which you see every week,

''Once a team goes 1-0 up, there's space for you to get two or three which we should’ve gotten.

''I thought it was a much better, determined performance and I thought Daniel Cardoso, people think I’m mad but we don’t have anyone else, and I’ve worked with him a bit this week to play him in midfield and he was brilliant.

''We'll take just the three points [with us to our next game].

''We have two away games in Cape Town, and you know they are very good down there, it won’t be easy. Just thank goodness we'll be out of the heat a little bit because today was a really hot day.''

Belgian side Anderlecht have announced the signing of Ghana midfielder Majeed Ashimeru.

The 23-year-old joins the Purple and White from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in a half-season deal with an option of a permanent move at the end of the period.

He has been forced to look elsewhere owing to limited game time at Salzburg.

"RSCA loans Majeed Ashimeru from Red Bull Salzburg," Anderlecht announced on their official website on Wednesday.

"The 23-year-old player from Ghana joins Anderlecht on loan with an option to buy.

"Majeed Ashimeru is a central midfielder who played in Austria during the last seasons. He became champion with RB Salzburg and reached the 16th final of the Europa League.

"The player will join the group as soon as possible."

Ashimeru joined Salzburg from Ghanaian side Wafa in 2017 after catching the eye of scouts with fine performances in the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

So far this season, he has made nine league appearances involving five starts for the Austrian champions.

"Majeed is a young, versatile midfielder with a lot of verticality in his game," Anderlecht sports director Peter Verbeke said.

"He was trained within the Red Bull philosophy, meaning his profile matches what we look for in a player. On top of that, Majeed has a good acceleration and he loves to infiltrate.

“Even more importantly, Majeed really wanted to come to Anderlecht, and we negotiated an option to buy the player, which gives us a perspective on a long term collaboration."

The Anderlecht loan will be Ashimeru's fourth short-term deal away since joining Anderlecht.

In the 2017-18 season, the midfielder spent the first half of the term with lower-tier fold Austria Lustenau where he made 11 appearances, starting 10 of the games and scoring once.

He then headed for Wolfsberger in the elite division where he featured 15 times, started 14 of the matches and found the back of the net twice.

In the 2018-19 season, Ashimeru moved to Swiss club St. Gallen where he played 34 times in the top-flight, made the first XI on 31 occasions and registered four goals.

In the last term, he returned to Salzburg, making 20 league appearances involving 15 starts and two goals. 

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson disclosed Eberechi Eze will be fined internally but he won’t be dropped from his squad.

After the Eagles were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, Eze went to Loftus Road on Saturday to cheer his former club Queens Park Rangers as they suffered a 2-0 loss against Fulham.

Although he returned with a negative coronavirus test before the match, the FA is set to look into the 22-year-old's attendance as he was not granted approval to go to the game.

Hodgson, in his reaction, described the playmaker’s decision as being ‘naïve’ and he expressed the club’s disappointment with his actions.

"It was very disappointing of course,” Hodgson told the club website. “I think it’s a lot of naivety on his part to think it was okay to do those things – it obviously isn’t. We’re very upset about it and a bit disappointed too that he wasn’t actually stopped from going.

"I know QPR have done well in that respect and taken some responsibility because of course had we known, we would have stopped it happening.

“He's apologised, of course, and he’s certainly learned a harsh lesson from it. We’ll certainly act internally to take measures to make certain it’s a lesson he’s well and truly learned."

Crystal Palace visit Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday and the 73-year-old manager thinks Eze who has contributed two goals and two assists in the Premier League does not deserve to be dropped.

Hodgson added, "Does what Eze did deserve leaving him out? I don't think so.

"But it does merit a fine. We take this very seriously. We don't want our players breaching coronavirus regulations.

"I think he did it naively and foolishly, not a determined gesture to break a rule but he did. We're not happy at all and we show that by fining him.

"I'm not a big fan of that over the years, but on this occasion, I think this error of judgement deserves it and he has to be cautious not to make them again."

Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah has completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen on a three-and-a-half year deal, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.

The 23-year-old becomes the Red Devils' third exit of the January transfer window and their most senior by some margin as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues to shape his squad for an unlikely title push.

The Dutchman, who initially broke through United's academy ranks in 2016, made 30 competitive first-team appearances in all for the club, having struggled for regular minutes under a succession of managers and has left for a fee in the region of £1.5 million.

"This is a step into a really interesting, very strong league in which Bayer have been one of the best teams for years," Fosu-Mensah told the club's official website, further confirming he will retain his No.24 shirt from United.

"I'm really looking forward to joining this team. In the past few days I've talked a lot with the coach, and conversations with Simon Rolfes and Rudi Voller have convinced me that there are great prospects in Leverkusen."

Although he featured eight times in the Premier League during his maiden season, Fosu-Mensah only managed to double that total across the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

He was an unused substitute in United's 2017 Europa League final win over Ajax, having played in their 1-1 first leg quarter-final with Anderlecht.

Fosu-Mensah impressed the following term with a loan spell at Crystal Palace, during which he earned senior international honours with the Netherlands.

He then spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan with Fulham, though neither stay led to a full-time deal, leaving him once again competing for limited minutes across last term.

That had led to speculation that he would seek a permanent move away from United, and his transfer brings an end to his Premier League career for the near future.

"Timothy Fosu-Mensah is a technically adept, fast and physically strong defender who can be used both as a right-back and in the centre," Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes added on the defender's capture.

“With his signing, we have won another top alternative for our defence. Tim is still young and capable of development."

Chapecoense are back "among giants" in the Campeonato Brasileiro after securing promotion from Serie B on Tuesday. 

After just one win in their previous five matches, Chape took on Santa Catarina rivals Figueirense at the Arena Conda knowing a win would send them back into the top flight. 

They were relegated to the second tier in 2019, having incredibly managed to retain their top-flight status for two straight seasons after an aircraft carrying the squad, club officials and journalists to the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final in Medellin crashed, killing 71 people on board. 

Chape were also last December hit by the death of president Paulo Magro due to coronavirus. He began attempts to get the club out of a dire financial situation following the resignation of Plinio David de Nes Filho, who had taken charge following the tragedy in Colombia. 

Their funds will be boosted after Paulinho Moccelin and Derlan scored either side of half-time against Figueirense, with Chape holding on for a 2-1 victory after Diego Goncalves scored from the penalty spot, sending them back to Serie A with four games to spare. 

A club statement read: "It was not easy to get here. It was much tougher than we imagined, in fact. But with work, humility, dedication, unity and, above all, with the STRENGTH FROM ABOVE, Chapecoense kept its promise. Chapecoense – made for the people, by the people – returned to the place it should never have left. 

"It is Chape, of the impossible, of the surprising, of resilience and overcoming, again among giants. 

"You can celebrate, fan. You can celebrate, president! With 66 points and four games left we have stamped our passport. Our return ticket. The beginning of another great story."

Chape's poor run prior to the Figueirense clash saw them surrender top spot to America Mineiro, who hold a one-point advantage. 

Head coach Umberto Louzer urged the players not to celebrate promotion too hard because he hopes to see them return to the Brasileirao as champions. 

"We can look back and see it was worth it. Thank you to everyone who helped us return to the first division," he told SporTV. 

"We still have a few games, we will fight America for the title. We have to celebrate, but rest because we already have to think about the next opponent." 

Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo added: "Only those who were in the group last season know about the difficult moments. 

"Even with adverse situations, we always believed and showed affection for the club. We have to congratulate everybody. The club deserved to return to Serie A." 

Chape captain Alan Ruschel, the only survivor of the plane crash that continues to play professionally, last month had his contract extended until the end of the coronavirus-interrupted season but did not feature against Figueirense due to injury.

Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea claims that it is “a joke” and “absurd” to say that Lionel Messi is “finished” at the top level as the youngster prepares to face Barcelona in Wednesday evening's Supercopa de Espana.

At 33 years old, the Rosario-born attacker has reached an age at which most outfield players would be considering retirement, but the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has stated his desire to continue playing – with or without Barcelona.

The examples of ageing duo Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at AC Milan have proven that stars can continue to contribute at the highest level well into their 30s if managed correctly, and Barrenetxea believes that Messi should still be considered the best of all time.

“To be able to play a Supercopa, after having always seen it on TV, is a blessing for me,” the 19-year-old told Marca ahead of Wednesday's match-up.

“We've earned it with our work and we're going to enjoy it and compete in it. We will go out to win as always, knowing that they are a great team. 

“I think it's a joke that they say Messi is finished, it's absurd. He is the best player of all time and he can decide a match at any time. Let's hope that it won't be on Wednesday. Let's play a great game and get to the final.”

Barrenetxea can count himself among a raft of emerging young Spanish talents that have been catching the eye, with Barca's Pedri also part of the crop of potential future stars that are making a name for themselves at the top of the game.

“I know him from the national team,” Barrenetxea said. “Pedri is an incredible player, he turns as and when he wants. If he is at Barcelona and is a regular next to Messi, it is something he deserves. They have not handed him anything. I am very happy for him, because he is very humble. 

“I have also seen Bryan Gil doing what he is doing at Eibar since he was 16 years old, when we were with the Under-16s. I haven't seen a full-back who's stopped him all game. There are very few with his quality. 

“I would also add [Yeremi] Pino and [Alex] Baena from Villarreal, Borja Sainz... The truth is that several of my generation have come together [and are playing first-team football].”

Barcelona were offered the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before he joined Manchester United, former president Joan Laporta has claimed, adding that he does not regret missing out on the Portuguese.

The talismanic forward has been a prolific presence in front of goal across a trophy-laden career, with 35-year-old Ronaldo continuing to thrive with Serie A giants Juventus to this day.

Indeed, his five Ballon d'Or awards are bettered only by Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, who has six, with both widely regarded as two of the best players to have ever played the game.

And Laporta has now claimed that the pair could well have been team-mates at Camp Nou, with the 58-year-old, who is running to be elected Barca president for a second time in the forthcoming elections, revealing that Barca were offered the chance to sign Ronaldo.

"We were about to sign Ronaldinho and Rafa Marquez," Laporta said during an interview with Iniestazo. "Marquez's people proposed Cristiano Ronaldo to us. He was at Sporting at the time.

"One of his agents said that they had a player who they had sold to [Manchester] United for 19 million, but they'd sell him to us for 17 million.

"But we had already invested in Ronaldinho at the time. Cristiano played more out wide than in the centre. We thought we were covered, so we rejected him and I don't regret it."

Despite Barca seemingly shunning the chance to sign Ronaldo, former Brazil international Ronaldinho enjoyed considerable success with the Catalan giants, while he also helped mentor Messi at the time of his emergence in the first team.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, would go on to complete a switch to Old Trafford, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson before being granted a switch to Real Madrid.

During his time in Spain, Ronaldo became Madrid's record scorer and helped them win two league titles and four Champions League trophies, among many other personal and team accolades.

He has since claimed two Serie A titles with Juve although it remains to be seen if he'll be able to secure a third in the 2020-21 season, with Andrea Pirlo's side currently fourth in the table, seven points behind leaders AC Milan but with a game in hand.

Juventus have reached an agreement to sign FC Dallas right-back Bryan Reynolds, Goal can confirm.

The 19-year-old is now set to join Benevento for the remainder of the season due to the Bianconeri currently having no room on their roster for an additional non-EU player.

Talks had been progressing well in recent weeks over an approximate €8 million (£7m/$10m) transfer and any doubts over the deal going through have now been put to bed, with Benevento finalising the last of the paperwork ahead of announcing the signing in the coming days.

With Filippo Inzaghi's side pushing through the deal at Juve's behest, it could be that Reynolds is allowed to stay at Stadio Ciro Vigorito for an additional season once the loan with an obligation to buy is completed, but the Old Lady will make a decision on that at the end of 2020-21.

Benevento sporting director Pasquale Foggia confirmed the club's interest on Saturday, telling Sky Sport Italia: "We’re negotiating to sign him [with Juventus as the next destination], but it’s not a done deal. We’re interested because Reynolds is a real talent."

A product of the FC Dallas youth academy, Reynolds was fully signed up with the Major League Soccer outfit at the age of 15 and has made 31 first-team appearances for the club since making his senior debut in May 2019.

When Reynolds does join Juve, he will become only the second American to represent the club, with Weston McKennie currently turning out for the Bianconeri on a year-long loan deal that will likely become permanent at the end of the season.

Benevento are currently 10th in Serie A after 17 matches, 19 points behind leaders AC Milan. Andrea Pirlo's side, meanwhile, occupy fourth place, seven behind the Rossoneri, although the reigning champions have a game in hand over their Milanese rivals.

Juventus have lost only one match in Serie A this season and host Genoa in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday evening.

A highly-anticipated clash against Inter follows on Sunday, with Juve set to travel to face off with former boss Antonio Conte as both sides look to close the gap on Stefano Pioli's Milan.

Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) have confirmed they have given out a tender to renovate their main stadium in Lugogo.

In a statement on their official website, the former Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions have confirmed the renovation process will last for a period of 18 months but the team will continue to use the venue when the league resumes in February.

“Following the bidding process for the construction of the Omondi Stadium, we are pleased to inform the public that Sarjan Construction was selected as the contractors for the scheduled construction works,” read the statement on their official website page.

“The site has been handed over to Sarjan Construction to commence works for the first phase of construction, these works are expected to last a period of 18 months.

“In the meantime, our offices and all football activities will remain at – at the stadium during first phase construction. In this fast-moving environment, we will issue more updates when appropriate."

The renovation of the stadium comes just two weeks after the team was barred from using the venue by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for their Confederation Cup return leg fixture against AS Kigali of Rwanda.

The Caf inspection team toured the venue a week to the match and termed it unfit to host the game, with KCCA picking St Mary’s Kitende, which is the home of their rivals Vipers SC, to host the match.

After Caf banned the use of the stadium, KCCA said: “KCCA then hired St Mary’s Stadium Kitende for the return leg game against AS Kigali that will be on Wednesday 6th January 2021, 1600 EAT.

“Late 2020, KCCA Stadium plans were approved by authorities and the club hopes to start construction of a modern, start of the art stadium early 2021.”

Despite winning the return leg 3-1, the Kasasiro Boys were eliminated from the competition on the away goals rule.

AS Kigali’s 2-0 win in the first leg after their opponents failed to raise a quorum for the tie when nine players and a coach tested positive for coronavirus.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his delight with the productive partnership between Alex Iwobi and Lucas Digne in their 2-1 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.

The Nigeria international has been delivering eye-catching performances for the Goodison Park outfit recently and against Wolves, he scored his first league goal of the season.

The 24-year-old forward opened the scoring only six minutes into the encounter after a fine combination with Digne to end a 15-game drought in the division. 

Ruben Neves then levelled for the Toffees before Michael Keane scored the match-winning goal as Everton clinched their second consecutive victory.

Ancelotti is delighted with the performances of his team and praised the partnership between the Super Eagles star and the 27-year-old.

"We had a different approach without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. We played more to attack the flanks with Iwobi and Digne and it worked well because the first goal was a fantastic combination," Ancelotti said to BBC Sport.

"Michael Keane is unbelievable with his head. His goal helped us to stay in a good position in the table."

Iwobi has now scored two goals and provided three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season to help Everton move to the fourth spot on the Premier League table.

The forward has taken to social media to express his joy with the impressive performances of the Goodison Park outfit.

Everton have also celebrated the Nigeria international's impressive showing against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

Iwobi teamed up with the Toffees in the summer of 2019 after leaving his boyhood club Arsenal, where he started his career.

The versatile winger has made more than 40 appearances across all competitions for Everton and will be expected to continue his fine form against Aston Villa on January 17.

Iwobi remains a key member of the Nigeria national team and featured prominently in their recent 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

He has 44 caps for the Super Eagles since he was handed his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2015.

Robinson Kamura, Yusuf Mainge and Jaffery Owiti have extended their contracts with Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards.

The three have each signed a two-year deal with the local giants in an effort to tie down players they hope will play crucial roles, especially in the 2020/21 season.

“The defender [Kamura] who joined Leopards in 2017 and was a key member of the squad that lifted the 2017 FKF Shield Cup, will be key once as Leopards make a title charge this season,” AFC Leopards announced.

Owiti, who joined Ingwe in 2017, pointed out reasons that made him sign the AFC Leopards deal quickly without further delay.

“I feel great again to be part of the team,” the forward said upon renewing the contract. “AFC Leopards have always been my home which made it easy on the decision about renewing my contract.

“My target is to give my best and help the team win the league title and other cups."

Owiti also promised the fans of good times ahead even as they continue to support the team away from the pitch.

“To the fans, I thank you for your continued support and I hope this season you will support us even more despite your absence from the stadium [due to Covid-19],” he added.

“We are hoping to bring smiles to our fans with a title this season.”

Mainge, who returned from trials with Slovakian side FK Pohronie, is among the players AFC Leopards deem important enough to help them achieve both short-term and long-term targets.

“[Yusuf] Mainge has committed to a new contract that sees him extend his stay at AFC Leopards,” the club stated.

“The right-back signed a new deal that which keeps him at AFC Leopards for two more seasons that run to the end of the 2021/2022 season. Mainge joined Leopards in 2018 and has continued his development into a formidable defender for the club.”

Kamura, Owiti, and Mainge have been regularly involved in the season and are expected to play key roles as the Nairobi club try to bring the winning magic back after two consecutive losses to Western Stima and Wazito.

Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries has admitted that he hopes to make a move abroad to the Premier League, even as he continues to discuss a contract extension with PSV Eindhoven.

The right-back has enjoyed two-and-a-half seasons at Philips Stadion since his arrival on a five-year deal in mid-2018 from Heerenveen, in part as a replacement for Atletico Madrid-bound Santiago Arias.

He has subsequently earned himself a regular place in the international setup and is tipped to be part of Frank de Boer's squad at this year's rearranged Euro 2020

The 24-year-old has been previously linked with interest from both Arsenal and Newcastle United, and has now opened up on his ambitions to test himself as he approaches the prime of his career away from his home country.

Dumfries has also conceded that he may have already left the Eredivisie had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic, while stating that he hopes to finish on a high with a domestic title.

"We are in talks and the intention, as it stands, is to extend my contract," the defender told Voetbal International. "But a contract extension does not automatically mean that I will stay here longer.

"My interests currently align with those of PSV of course - but I also have my own career. There are new things on the horizon [for me].

"[A departure] did not happen [due to the pandemic] and I am very happy at PSV. But I do feel that, as a footballer and as a person, I am ready to take the next step abroad.

"The Premier League and the Bundesliga, they suit my game. I can see the headlines again, but I think I can say this and I think everyone can see that I am ready to move on.

"I have played for four years at the highest level in the Netherlands and have played more than a hundred matches for PSV. It will soon be time for the next step [but] a title will be the icing on the cake."

PSV are currently third in the Eredivisie table, a point adrift of leaders Ajax having played 15 games.