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Frank Lampard says "it remains to be seen" what happens on the futures of several of his first-team players with several of his Chelsea stars struggle for minutes.

The Blues boss left Antonio Rudiger out of the matchday squad against Liverpool even without Thiago Silva available, with Fikayo Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma all selected ahead of him.

Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi has made just one start since February 1 with rumours suggesting Bayern Munich are interested in trying to sign the 19-year-old once again.

Refusing to go into specifics on the futures of individual players, Lampard admitted he will have discussions about player exits soon.

"It remains to be seen," Lampard said. "We’re not in a period where the transfer window or market is acting like it has done in recent years in terms of how players move or what level they move at.

"Again, competitive games have just started. I’m very open to those conversations with the players as the next couple of weeks go on. My priority will always be making sure I maintain and keep the strongest squad I can for this club but after that, of course, the individual conversations will happen within that.

"I will try and make sure I go into the season once the window shuts with the squad that I feel is healthy and competitive in a healthy way. There are decisions for me to take, for the club to make and for the players themselves to make.

"That’s the situation now. Of course, I have an idea of the number in the squad I want to make the squad have healthy competition but not to have so many players not competing regularly and feeling like they’re out of squads and not getting the minutes they want.

"Those are very much conversations I will have going forward. It doesn’t mean that we’re forced in any one of those positions or areas to move players on, but those conversations will be ongoing over the next couple of weeks."

Indeed, there is talk of growing unrest with Hudson-Odoi having only had 10 minutes at the beginning of the season despite injuries two rivals in his position. Lampard will start Hudson-Odoi against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup and he wants the youngster to keep fighting for his place.

“At the moment we have Christian Pulisic injured, Hakim Ziyech injured," Lampard added. "We played Timo Werner out wide the other day, but the absolute natural winger who is fit at the minute is Callum.

"We know in a Premier League squad and the number of games we’re going to play, we need competition in those areas, back-ups in those areas and players competing to make that position their own.

"That’s where Callum is at and that’s why I keep saying he needs to train, he needs to show in training every day and when he gets his opportunity in games, which he will have tomorrow because he will play against Barnsley.

"He has to show in every minute, on and off the ball, what he can do for the team and that’s the position Callum is at at the minute. He’s had an early breakthrough in his career because of his talent, he’s had an injury and now I want to see him flourish again.”

Dean Henderson strengthened his case to be Manchester United's number one with a brilliant save late on as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's disjointed side beat Luton Town 3-0 in the EFL Cup.

United suffered a 3-1 home loss to Crystal Palace in their first Premier League game on Saturday and Solskjaer made 10 changes for the third-round tie at Kenilworth Road, including handing a debut to goalkeeper Henderson as David de Gea was given the night off.

A Juan Mata penalty on the stroke of half-time gave United the lead against their Championship hosts, who would have levelled with nine minutes remaining had Henderson's one-handed stop not denied Tom Lockyer.

By that point a concerned Solskjaer had called for the cavalry and substitutes Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood both added late goals for a margin of victory that flattered United.

Harry Maguire was the only United player retained from those who started the defeat to Palace, though the newcomers looked just as rusty as those they had replaced.

On one of the few moments United's attack clicked, James Shea saved from Mata after Donny van de Beek stepped over Jesse Lingard's pullback.

Luton, who hit the side netting through Danny Hylton, looked like entering the break on level terms but George Moncur's clumsy barge on Brandon Williams resulted in a 44th-minute penalty that Mata tucked away.

There was little improvement from the visitors after the break, though Lingard did have an effort cleared off the line by Ryan Tunnicliffe, while Shea was equal to attempts from Nemanja Matic and Van de Beek.

Solskjaer brought on attackers Bruno Fernandes, Rashford and Greenwood with 11 minutes to go, though the next goal very nearly came at the other end, with Henderson springing to his right to push out Lockyer's header before Eric Bailly blocked the follow-up attempt.

Rashford collected Greenwood's pass and slotted home to kill off any Luton hopes with two minutes remaining, the teenager then opening his account for the campaign with United's third in stoppage time.

What does it mean? Job done but little to enthuse Solskjaer about squad depth

Solskjaer was reliant on the same XI towards the end of last season and the understudies' display here perhaps showed why.

It was telling that he felt he needed to bring on Fernandes, Rashford and Greenwood to make sure of the victory. It was a further indication that strength in depth is not a luxury the United boss has, except for between the sticks…

Henderson makes his mark

Henderson, who spent 2019-20 on loan with Sheffield United, has returned to Old Trafford to challenge first-choice keeper De Gea after the Spaniard made some high-profile errors last term.

Luton did not have a shot on target until Lockyer's two late attempts and Henderson showed brilliant anticipation to fling himself to his right and claw away his initial header.

Ighalo fails to inspire

The Nigerian proved a useful alternative in cup competitions in 2019-20 - scoring five times across the Europa League and FA Cup - but he dallied with the only chance that came his way in the second half and saw it blocked.

Even though they were on the pitch for just 11 minutes, both Rashford and Greenwood had two shots apiece and scored.

Key Opta facts

- Solskjaer has won 50 of his 92 games in charge of Manchester United across all competitions – only Ernest Mangnall (78 games) and Jose Mourinho (81 games) have reached 50 managerial wins in fewer matches for the Red Devils.
- Since the start of last season, United have both taken (23) and scored (19) more penalties in all competitions than any other English league side.
- Rashford has been involved in 10 goals in his past seven EFL Cup appearances, with seven goals and three assists.
- Greenwood was the first United substitute to score and assist in this competition since Rashford in September 2016 against Northampton, with both players aged 18 at the time of achieving this feat.

What's next?

Solskjaer's side return to Premier League action at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, the same day Luton visit rivals Watford in the Championship.

Gareth Bale's agent has hit out at Real Madrid, saying the Liga champions mistreated his client and that they "should be kissing the floor he walks on.”

After leaving Tottenham in 2013 to join Madrid, Bale confirmed a sensational return to north London at the weekend on an initial loan deal. 

The 31-year-old won four Champions League titles and two Liga crowns with Madrid but had fallen out of favour last season under Zinedine Zidane. 

Speaking to talkSPORT, Jonathan Barnett has said Bale was disrespected in Madrid and has put his exit down to a "clash of personalities" among other issues.

“It was a build-up of a clash of personalities, a build-up of not being supported, it was many different things," Bale's agent said of the Wales star's exit.

“For somebody who has done as well as he has for Real Madrid, he didn’t get the respect he deserved and that was a big problem.

“For seven years everybody’s been saying Gareth Bale doesn’t speak Spanish – Gareth Bale speaks Spanish! Everybody’s been saying Gareth Bale doesn’t care about football – Gareth Bale loves football, he’s never fallen out with football.

“He may have fallen out with other things, but not playing football, and I hope back at Tottenham people will realise and stop talking complete and utter rubbish."

Barnett was particularly dismayed by the behaviour of the Spanish press, saying they crossed the line when they wrote stories about Bale's family.

"I’ve been his agent since he was a very young boy, and I am so proud of him," Barnett continued.

“Not just for his achievements and everything else, but because he has become a great man. He’s never said anything wrong, he’s never done anything… his life has been exemplary really.

“When he came here one of the newspapers started writing articles about his family and his wife’s family in the papers – that is scandalous."

After amassing a number of trophies during a spell in Madrid that grew turbulent at times, Barnett feels the Blancos should have done more to show their appreciation for the Welshman.

“This country should be very proud of him, Great Britain should be very proud of him. Stop knocking him and write what he’s done and what he’s achieved," Barnett said.

“It’s very annoying, and it’s the same with Real Madrid and what he’s achieved for them.

“They should be kissing the floor he walks on.”

Zesco United have parted ways with head coach George Lwandamina with immediate effect.

The Zambian giants have confirmed on their official website that the two parties have agreed to end their relationship by mutual agreement.

“Zesco United management and club head coach, George Lwandamina have mutually agreed to separate with immediate effect,” the statement from the club confirmed.

The Team ya ZikoCEO  Richard Mulenga has thanked Lwandamina for the services rendered to the club.

“Zesco United would like to thank coach George [Lwandamina] for his services in the last three seasons which resulted in the team winning two league titles and one Absa Cup trophy," Mulenga said.

Mulenga further disclosed the club will soon be announcing a new full-time head coach ahead of the 2020/2021 FAZ/MTN Super League season.

“The club will immediately begin the recruitment process for a new full-time head coach," he concluded.

Lwandamina’s last match with the club was on Monday when Zesco United beat Division two side Neelkhant FC 8-0 in a pre-season friendly game staged at the Trade Fair Grounds, Ndola.

The eight-time Zambian champions are preparing to bounce back after a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, in which they finished fifth and will miss out on representing the country in the Caf competitions for the first time in eight years.

The Ndola-based charges have already bolstered their squad with the signings of Bruce Musakanya, Lazarus Phiri, and Kampamba.

Interestingly, Kampamba and Musakanya were on the score sheet as Zesco managed to get four goals in the first half of the friendly while Harambee Stars strikers Jesse Were and John Makwatta were also on target as well, as the hosts dominated. 

After the break, Makwatta completed his hat-trick with Kampamba also getting another goal to complete his brace with the final goal coming from Logic Ching'ondu.

At the end of last season, Mulenga revealed the club was set for massive changes to return to their best in the 2020/21 season.

“It is unfortunate especially if you consider the way we started this league, we won our first 10 matches and somewhere along the way we lost,” Mulenga told the club's website earlier.

“The process of rebuilding starts on Monday. We already know what some of the issues are, we just need to start addressing them. Some of them, we started addressing them even before the league was closed because of the pandemic.”

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson claims Wilfried Zaha is not on their transfer list as he hopes to keep the Ivory Coast forward beyond the current transfer window.

Over the past few seasons, the 27-year-old, who has three years left on his contract, has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park.

Zaha, on his part, has not hidden his desire to play Champions League football but Crystal Palace are yet to see a club match their current valuation.

As they await an official bid for his services, Hodgson relishes his working relationship with the Ivorian forward, who stunned his former club Manchester United with a brace in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

“He is under contract, he is not on the transfer list and we don’t want to sell him,” Hodgson said on TalkSport.

“But of course, I would be naive to say a situation where the club doesn’t want to sell doesn’t mean you don’t get offers which are going to cause you some problems.

“At the moment, that hasn’t happened so I will continue to enjoy having him available."

Amid reported interest from Borussia Dortmund and Monaco this summer, Hodgson claims Zaha's future in south London is open.

“I have no idea. I look forward to going into work with him every day,” the ex-England manager said when asked about the chances of staying at the club.

“I’m a realist and I realise that if a club comes in and pays what the club thinks he is worth and he desperately wants to go, it will be hard for us to keep him,” he said. “But until that day comes, there is no point in me speculating.

“I can even hope that because Wilf is a Palace man through and through that he will see a team that could be getting better and looking to go forward and maybe he will accept that staying here isn’t quite that bad.”

Azam FC have vowed to maintain their perfect start to the Mainland Premier League season.

The Ice Cream Makers have registered a 100 percent start to the new campaign, winning their first three matches so far, scoring four goals and conceding none.

They started the season with a 1-0 win against Polisi Tanzania, then won 2-0 against Coastal Union before beating Mbeya City 1-0 at Sokoine Stadium on Sunday.

Azam information officer Zakaria Thabit has now revealed their main aim is to keep the good run going as they target silverware at the end of the campaign.

“Our main target now is to keep the good record, three wins out of three is a very good start,” Zakaria told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

“We have started the season very well, and it is what we had anticipated before the season kicked-off, and we want to keep the run going, we want to keep winning our matches and hopeful we will be somewhere at the end of the season.”

After edging out Mbeya City, Azam coach Aristica Cioaba was elated to have managed to grind out a win from the difficult outing.

“I had told my players how tough it is playing against Mbeya as Sokoine, you know very well that not every team can come here and get maximum points, I am happy we did it,” Cioaba told reporters after the match.

“You have to be at your best, Mtibwa are very stubborn, and they tried to do the same against us but winning 1-0 and without conceding is something good to take back to Dar es Salaam.”

Against Mbeya, the 2014 league winners took charge of the game in the 25th minute when Ally Niyonzima found the back of the net with a powerful header.

The Ice Cream Makers were again without Aggrey Morris, who were injured during their 2-0 win against Coastal Union. The match was their first assignment away from their home ground; the Chamazi Sports Complex.

Azam will be away to Tanzania Prisons for the next league tie on September 26 before hosting Kagera Sugar on October 4.

For Mbeya City, who are yet to score a goal this season, they will face Namungo FC and Tanzania Prisons, on September 25 and October 3, respectively.

The coronavirus outbreak that began in March severely disrupted the football calendar, with all matches having been suspended for three months in order to prevent further spread of the virus.

The pandemic caused football around the world to push back their seasons once it was deemed safe enough to do so, with the majority of European leagues concluding the 2019-20 season in the summer.

The effects of this in turn altered the nature of the summer transfer window, with the period for clubs buying and selling players delayed in order to align with the new start and end dates of the league.

So when does this year's summer transfer window shut? Goal takes a look.

When does the summer 2020 transfer window close?

The summer 2020 transfer window closes at 5pm BST (12pm ET) on October 5, 2020.

It had been pushed back a month from its original end date of September 1 due to disruption caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The summer 2020 transfer window also closes on October 5 in Germany (Bundesliga), Spain (La Liga), Italy (Serie A) and France (Ligue 1), meaning all of Europe's top five leagues are in sync.

There are slight variations in other European countries.

In the Netherlands, the summer transfer window closes on October 6, and in Portugal it closes on October 25. In Russia, it ends on October 17.

Can transfers be done after the window shuts?

Clubs are granted a brief 'grace period' of one hour following the transfer window closing - 5pm on October 5 - as long as they submit a deal sheet.

The deal sheet can only be used in the two hours before the deadline and it must be received by the league before the deadline passes.

This enables clubs to complete the information required by FIFA's Transfer Matching System for obtaining international clearance for their players.

If a deal sheet has not been submitted in time, then a transfer could fall through.

When did the summer transfer window open?

The current English window opened on Monday July 27.

A number of high-profile transfers have already been conducted this summer, with Liverpool making moves for Thiago and Diogo Jota from Bayern and Wolves, respectively.

Tottenham completed the signing of former forward Gareth Bale on loan form Real Madrid, with Chelsea boosting their attack with the acquisitions of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech.

Stay informed about all the latest completed transfer deals in the Premier League on Goal's dedicated tracker here.

You can also stay up to date on all the latest transfer news and rumours here.

Roma have been punished with a 3-0 defeat for fielding an ineligible player against Hellas Verona in their Serie A opener on Saturday.

Lega Serie A announced on Tuesday that Roma used a player over the age of 22 who had not been registered on their 25-man list with the league.

Guinea midfielder Amadou Diawara turned 23 in July but was mistakenly included in the under-22 section of the club’s squad for the season. Under-22 players don’t count towards the total of 25, meaning an extra player could be included in the squad.

The game at the Marc'Antonio Bentegodi finished goalless but Roma will return to zero points for the season following their sanction.

"Roma have employed a player not registered in the 25-man squad communicated by certified email on September 14, 2020, despite having become over 22," a Lega Serie A statement read.

"[Serie A] resolves to sanction Roma with the sporting punishment of the loss of the game with a 0-3 score."

Verona head coach Ivan Juric was also fined €5,000 for giving his team instructions from the stands while serving a touchline ban.

According to Sky Sports Italia, Roma will appeal the decision.

Sky reported that Roma have admitted the error but argued that when their squad list was submitted, the system should have signalled an error given Diawara’s age. If so, the league may be able to confirm whether an alert was sent or not.

Roma's season has already started with plenty of uncertainty as the club look to finalise their squad with the season now underway. 

Edin Dzeko appeared to be on his way to Juventus but that deal is in doubt due to complications over Roma's move for their preferred replacement, Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik.

In the meantime, Dzeko's move could be off with Juve now appearing set to sign Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid instead.

Cengiz Under has left to join Leicester on loan, while Roma did manage to recently bring in defender Marash Kumbulla from Hellas Verona.

Roma will host Juventus on Sunday after the defending champions began life under Andrea Pirlo with a 3-0 win against Sampdoria at the weekend.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) Dispute Resolution Chamber has ordered Onduparaka FC to pay Bright Stars Ush 5 million ($1355) over the transfer of striker Remex Kasozi.

The striker joined the Arua-based side in the 2018-19 season, signing a three-year deal in the process. Despite the two clubs having an agreement on how to settle the financial implications involved regarding the player's contract, Onduparaka did not honour it.

It prompted Bright Stars to file a case with the Federation over the matter, and Onduparaka were found guilty as charged.

"Fufa Dispute Resolution Chamber's Decision for the case of Bright Stars FC vs Onduparaka FC regarding a contractual dispute concerning the player Remex Kasozi," the Federation communicated via their official Facebook page.

"The settlement agreement executed by rights and Onduparaka FC is hereby ratified by the chamber and its terms incorporated in the decision.

"Uganda Premier League is directed to deduct Ush 5 million (five million shillings only) from any amounts due to Onduparaka FC and furnish the same to Bright stars FC as payment for the transfer of player Remex Kasozi."  

Kasozi left the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) for Burundian outfit Aigle Noir before leaving for Somalia.

This happened as the clubs prepare to return on the pitch after the government gave a green light for the resumption of sports.

In his address to the nation, President Yoweri Museveni confirmed the government will allow sporting activities to resume but without spectators, and also asked organisers to test players for Covid-19 72 hours before any match.

"Open-air activities of sports will be open, provided there are no spectators," Museveni said in his address to the nation from State House Entebbe.

"We must learn to have games without spectators and players should be tested 72 hours before the games."

"Players should learn to remain quarantined for the period of the games."

Like many East African nations and across the world, Uganda moved to ban all its social gatherings and sporting activities immediately after the coronavirus pandemic struck the country in mid-March.

Football was not spared either as the UPL was halted for some weeks before it was prematurely ended and Fufa moved to award the league title to Vipers SC, who were sitting top at the time the league was suspended.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane feels that his forward Themba Zwane should be crowned the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) Player of the Season.

Mosimane has picked four Mamelodi Sundowns players and two from rivals Kaizer Chiefs as contenders for the awards ceremony, the date of which is yet to be announced by the PSL.

But the Downs tactician feels that Zwane has an edge over others, but would be given a good run for his money by Amakhosi’s Samir Nurkovic.

“I’ll start first with my players, Themba Zwane must win it. Why? I mean, he’s been consistent for the whole season,” Mosimane told the media as per FourFourTwo.

“Unless it’s an Absa Premiership Footballer of the Season, then I understand and then I’d say he’s got a little bit of competition from [Samir] Nurkovic.

“I think [Nurkovic] deserves something, to be honest. The guy played well, the guy attacks, scores, defends; he’s unbelievable, he’s a monster. He’s done very well.”

Zwane managed 11 PSL goals and eight assists last season while Nurkovic struck 13 league goals and six assists in his debut season in South Africa.

But the Downs man played more games than the Serbian as the Brazilians reached the final of the Telkom Knockout and the Nedbank Cup, as well as Caf Champions League football, where their campaign ended at the quarter-final stage.

“But for me, it’s Themba Zwane – he scored a lot of goals, created a lot of chances, made us play; and the difference is Nurkovic plays after seven days while Zwane plays after two days," he added.

“The stress and fatigue, and the mental stress, when Zwane plays in the Absa Premiership is not the same as for Nurkovic, I just want to show the differences.

“They might be playing the same number of games in the league but the one just landed on Monday and plays on Wednesday, while the other one played on Sunday and he’s playing again [the next] Sunday.”

Mosimane has also mentioned his captain Hlompho Kekana as one player to be considered for the award, as well as Gaston Sirino.

Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has also made Mosimane’s list together with Chiefs forward Lebogang Manyama, who was, however, criticised for dropping his form after the restart of the season.

“I know it’s not related, but that’s my opinion. But [Nurkovic] has done well, I also think Lebogang Manyama did well, to be honest,” said Mosimane.

“Sirino, I’d put him there but he’s sometimes got his things personally, that I say he must clean them, not to be part of that – he can be naughty sometimes and that taints his brilliant performances a little bit, with these red cards and all that.

“Hlompho Kekana would be there; I’d give Themba and Hlompho the same [rating] because they are consistent in the number of games they play under stress and pressure, and Denis [Onyango] is always there.”

The PSL’s joint top-scorers Frank Mhango and Peter Shalulile are missing from Mosimane’s list.

The next PSL Player of the Season will succeed Orlando Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch, who won it last term.

The South African Football Association (Safa) has announced the reinstatement of Ria Ledwaba as the vice-president following a recommendation by Natasha Tsichlas.

Tsichlas was appointed as vice-president during the Safa NEC meeting on Saturday to replace Ledwaba.

Ledwaba had been removed alongside fellow former Safa vice-president Gay Mokoena in June 2020.

However, Ledwaba reacted by appealing the decision of her removal through the organisation's arbitration. 

Tsichlas has now disclosed that she is withdrawing from the position as vice-president with immediate effect

The former Mamelodi Sundowns managing director proposed to the NEC to bring back Ledwaba, in the interest of football.

"After I served on the 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee as a Board member, I convinced the NEC to bring Ria back to football in 2013," she said in a statement.

"I am happy that I could convince the NEC then and express my appreciation to the NEC to agree to withdraw from the arbitration and to reinstate Ria Ledwaba."

Safa's chief executive officer Tebogo Motlanthe explained that they agree with Tsichlas' proposal.

“Safa is happy to endorse the presentation of Natasha Tsichlas and to support it from one of our selfless women leaders who offered to step back from the vice president post for Ria Ledwaba to return," he said. 

“We want to reiterate that this must not be viewed as condonation of wrong-doing but a response from an internationally recognized woman leader in football.

‘’We further agreed that the money that would have been spent on legal costs is better served to provide our 52 Regions with financial support to further football development.”

Safa president Danny Jordaan was heavily criticized after the NEC removed Ledwaba and Mokoena a few months ago. 

However, Safa's communications manager Dominic Chimhavi insisted that the NEC was well within its rights to remove the pair as they were not elected by the national congress. 

The country's football governing body recently strengthened its current technical team with familiar faces and former football players including Lucas Radebe.  

The Leeds United and Bafana Bafana legend returned to the committee alongside fellow former Kaizer Chiefs defender David Nyathi. 

Jurgen Klopp should be trusted if he feels Diogo Jota is worth £41 million ($53m) to the Liverpool cause, says John Aldridge, with the Premier League champions needing to add more firepower to their ranks.

Plenty had urged Klopp to bring in another forward prior to the current transfer window swinging open.

While Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino form one of the most fearsome frontlines in world football, they have little cover behind them at Anfield.

Jota has been acquired to sit alongside Divock Origi when it comes to providing support.

Big money has been invested in him, which suggests that the Portuguese will see plenty of game time, and Aldridge believes the 23-year-old will prove to be another success story.

The former Reds striker told the Liverpool Echo: “He's quick, his delivery is very good, he can play in a number of forward positions and he knows where the back of the net is.

“Don't forget a lot of his appearances for Wolves have come as a substitute so that paints a bit of a false picture when it comes to his creative ability.

“It might seem a lot of money to some people but Liverpool fans should trust the manager implicitly because look how many decisions he's got right.

“If he believes Jota is worth that, with Ki-Jana Hoever going the other way, it could turn out to be a really good deal for Liverpool.

“Our striking options are looking really good now. Mo Salah showed on the opening weekend he's as hungry as ever and Sadio Mane displayed what he's all about again at Chelsea.”

While Jota has added to the options available to Klopp, it may be that his arrival hastens a departure for Rhian Brewster.

The highly-rated 20-year-old is generating plenty of transfer talk, with Sheffield United one of his many suitors, and Aldridge admits the youngster should move on and earn himself a future return to Merseyside.

He added: “Quality back-up for the strike-force is something we've talked about Liverpool needing for some time and it's great to see it in place now.

“It will be interesting to see what it means for the other strikers on the fringe of the first team and, in particular Rhian Brewster, who is now being linked with a permanent move away from Anfield.

“Many of these reports suggest that if such a deal happens Liverpool will have a buy-back clause in the deal and that's something I would certainly like to see as there's no doubt the lad is a goalscorer.

“If he's not going to get games at Liverpool in the foreseeable future having seemingly now moved further down the pecking order, you can't blame him for wanting to move on.

“It would be shrewd to have a buy-back option though because Liverpool are then covering themselves with a kind of insurance policy, having put years' worth of training and development into the boy.

“I do think as a goalscorer the lad has every chance of being a success and who knows, if he does end up moving on, we could yet see him back in a red shirt again one day.”

Alex Morgan is a superstar, a two-time World Cup winner with 107 international goals for the United States and an Olympic gold medal to her name – and a new signing for Tottenham in the FA Women’s Super League.

Prior to Jose Mourinho sealing a stunning move that has Gareth Bale back in the Premier League, Spurs wrapped up a deal that saw one of the most iconic figures in the women’s game head to north London.

She is one of several decorated USWNT performers to have made their way to England this summer, with fellow Americans Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Tobin Heath and Christen Press joining the ranks on opposing sides of a Manchester divide at City and United.

Morgan is in London, and happy to be there after becoming a mother for the first time to the now four-month old baby girl Charlie and going over a year without kicking a competitive ball in anger.

Her presence at Spurs has surprised many, but the 31-year-old striker is looking forward to opening exciting new chapters in her life on and off the pitch.

Morgan told Tottenham’s official website on how a remarkable move came about: “I’ve heard so many great things about the WSL and some of my team-mates from the USA national team have come over and signed with other clubs in the WSL.

“I wanted to challenge myself and play in a different league than what I’m used to, so this was a perfect opportunity for me to come here and just see the progress that the WSL has made and the quality all around the league.

“I hope I provide goals for this team, help to win games, help the team get to the top of the table, and set ourselves up for success within the season.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to be there from the start but the fact that we’re only two games in, I think that I could really help the team moving forward and get back to where I left off at the end of summer last year.”

Morgan added on her plans for the immediate future: “As of right now, thinking of the craziness that was surrounded by the transfer window closing, having to really think about the future of my family in such a short period of time and uncertainty with the pandemic as well, I knew that I wanted to get on the field and play here and put on a Spurs top so that was the priority for me.

“But I can’t think too much in the future without really sitting down for a long period of time and I didn’t have that time to make a drastic decision for my family so whether I’m here for three months, six months or even further, I’ll take it one step at a time right now.”

Morgan is settling in well to life in England, with Charlie by her side, and is relishing the opportunity to embrace a new country and culture – having previously turned out for a number of sides in the States and French giants Lyon.

“We joked that Charlie’s first word isn’t going to be mumma anymore, it’s going to be mummy, I’ll work on that one, we’ll see if she’s here long enough to get her first words out,” Morgan, who is married to former Orlando City and LA Galaxy midfielder Servando Carrasco, added.

“I’m settling in nicely, the club have been extremely helpful, and I already have my flat that I am getting settled in to. The flight was great and it’s just a new opportunity that I’ll look back on and kind of think how crazy my life was with a daughter who’s under a year old.”

Alex Runarsson is setting lofty targets on the back of sealing a £1 million move to Arsenal, with the Icelandic goalkeeper looking to follow in the footsteps of David Seaman and Jens Lehmann.

The Gunners have moved to bolster their shot-stopping options after sanctioning a £20m ($26m) switch to Aston Villa for Emiliano Martinez.

Bernd Leno is the undisputed No.1 at Emirates Stadium, but he needs competition to keep him on his toes and cover in case he picks up any untimely injuries or suspensions.

Runarsson has been identified as the man for the job by Mikel Arteta, with the 25-year-old prised away from French outfit Dijon.

He is aware of the greats that have gone before him in north London when it comes to the art of goalkeeping, but there is a desire on his part to write his own piece of football folklore.

Runarsson told Arsenal’s official website of the Gunners’ iconic custodians: “They are amazing - I remember watching Seaman play when I was a small kid, the same with Jens Lehmann.

“Big characters, big personalities but also great goalkeepers. It is not easy to follow those guys but someone has to do it!

“Football would be no fun without having this type of pressure so it will be a challenge but I am up for it.”

Former Arsenal stars are not the only keepers that Runarsson is looking to model his game on, with there a couple of World Cup-winning performers – including one on the other side of north London – that he also looks up to.

The Iceland international added: “Growing up I always liked the modern style of goalkeepers, the ones who play in a similar style to how I do. 

“I enjoyed watching Hugo Lloris when he came to the Premier League, playing high outside the box, I also enjoy watching Manuel Neuer because he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world. 

“I am still young so I don’t go back that long but the modern style of goalkeepers who can make saves, but also contribute to the team when they are attacking.”

Runarsson should get opportunities to impress as Arsenal compete on multiple fronts in 2020-21, with Mikel Arteta’s side due to take in a Carabao Cup third-round clash with Leicester on Wednesday.

Leeds are closing in on a deal for Real Sociedad defender Diego Llorente, Goal can confirm, with the Premier League new boys set to part with around €25 million (£23m/$29m) in a big-money transfer.

Marcelo Bielsa is eager to bolster his Whites side at the back, with the goals flowing at both ends of the field through the early weeks of 2020-21.

Leeds have been involved in back-to-back 4-3 thrillers after returning to the English top flight, with a narrow defeat suffered at defending champions Liverpool before then edging out Fulham at Elland Road.

Bielsa’s side were famed for their defensive resilience when securing promotion out of the Championship, but those qualities have briefly deserted them.

The plan is, after missing out on the likes of Ben White, to bring in Llorente and start plugging those leaks.

Discussions regarding a move to England for the 27-year-old centre-half are at an advanced stage and a switch should be formalised pretty quickly.

Llorente does have a €50m (£46m/$59m) release clause in his contract and is tied to Sociedad through to 2022, but Leeds have agreed terms below that mark.

They will now be offering a Premier League stage to a man who has seen a move to England mooted for some time.

The Spain international previously failed to make his mark at La Liga giants Real Madrid, but has thrived since linking up with Sociedad in 2017.

A model of consistency for the Basque club has taken in 88 appearances to date, scoring eight goals.

His efforts have sparked talk of interest from the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham in the past, while Monaco are understood to have seen a bid rejected this summer.

The Ligue 1 outfit are said to have put €15m (£14m/$18m) on the table, with Sociedad quickly making it clear that no agreement would be reached at that figure.

Leeds have had more luck when it comes to negotiating a fee and are now in a position to welcome another fresh face into their squad.

Madrid will be due part of any transfer package, having included a sell-on clause in their discussions with Sociedad, while La Real could turn their attention to Atletico Madrid star Mario Hermoso or Getafe’s Leandro Cabrera as possible replacements.

Kenya midfielder Tobias Otieno has arrived in the United States ahead of his union with new side Union Omaha SC.

The U23 national team member sealed a move to the USL League One side from Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia early in January this year, but the Covid-19 situation in the country delayed matters. However, the player has now landed in the US and welcomed by the club officials, ready to join his new teammates.

"Welcome Tobi," read a message on the club's official Facebook page, accompanied by a short graphic video of an airplane. 

The 21-year-old joined K'Ogalo at the start of the 2019/20 season after an excellent campaign with Sony Sugar in the previous one. The midfielder helped the Sugar Millers finish in the fifth position.

His good performance in the top tier led to his exit to Gor Mahia who were keen on bolstering the midfield ahead of the domestic and Caf Champions League campaign.

This season, Union Omaha have collected 16 points from the 10 matches played. They have managed to get four wins, as many draws and two losses, scoring 11 goals in the process and conceding as many.

Greenville Triumph lead the 11-team table with 25 points from the 11 games played. They have managed to collect eight wins, a draw, and two losses. They have also managed to get 14 goals in the process and conceded six.

The second position is held by Chattanooga Red Wolves SC who have 18 points. They have won five out of their 11 games played, drawn three, and lost as many. Their striking department has also scored 17 goals and conceded 11.

In the US, Otieno joins Victor Wanyama who joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side Montreal Impact in March.

The 28-year-old joined the Impact on a free transfer as a Designated Player on a three-year deal.  

Wanyama joined Tottenham in 2016 - after three seasons at Southampton - and became an important part of Mauricio Pochettino's midfield.

He made 97 appearances for Spurs across four years, with the majority of his playing time coming in his first season before knee injuries kept him consistently on the sidelines.

Despite Tottenham's midfield issues at the time, Wanyama made four appearances for the club in the 2019/20 campaign and wasn't brought into first-team calculations once Mourinho replaced Pochettino as manager in November last year.