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Ivan Rakitic hopes to help turn Sevilla into La Liga title challengers after securing his return "home" following a six-year spell with Barcelona.

Rakitic, 32, completed his comeback to Sevilla on Tuesday as it was confirmed he had signed a four-year deal, with the Andalusian club paying an initial €1.5million, while another €9m could be due in performance-related variables.

The transfer sees Rakitic return to the club where he established himself as one of Europe's best midfielders in a three-and-a-half-year spell, helping them to Europa League success in 2013-14.

That was just a taste of what was to come at Barca, as Rakitic lifted 13 trophies in Catalonia, and now he is hoping to take Sevilla to the next level.

Having just won a fourth Europa League crown and with Barcelona in disarray, even club president Jose Castro recently suggested Sevilla are letting themselves dream of a first league title since the 1940s.

"With all due respect, the sixth [Europa League title] is already ours and we want it like no one else," Rakitic told reporters during his presentation on Wednesday evening.

"But we want to take the next step, both in La Liga and in the Champions League. We all know what that means, but we don't want to put more pressure on each other either.

"But we do want to know which direction we want to go. I'm really looking forward to it.

"The situation is different from how I arrived nine years ago, especially because of the situation of the team and the environment.

"I'm in a team that's a champion, and luckily I know what that means. I was able to be the first foreign captain since [Diego] Maradona and this season I want to pass on to my team-mates and my family, which is what they are, that this is still the case.

"There is great potential, they work impressively, with a great coach and coaching staff. From me you can expect maximum.

"It's not just getting here, I want to help the club, the team-mates and the fans take the next step. I'm very happy and excited to come home. I'm very grateful also for how it all turned out, which was how we wanted it to be."

A fan favourite during his previous spell at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Rakitic was known to have a strong affinity with the city through his wife and rarely shied away from displays of passion for Sevilla during his Barca days.

The most recent of which saw Rakitic throw himself into his swimming pool in celebration of Sevilla's latest Europa League triumph, and although some Barca fans criticised him for it at the time, he made no apology.

"When I threw myself into the pool I was only celebrating, like another Sevilla player, the title," he said. "There was no other thought, only the joy of what the team had achieved.

"We like that the fans feel as close as possible to us and I felt like one more fan. They were very exciting games and it was a great joy. The dip in the pool was good for me because I had sweated a lot!"

Rakitic finished by paying tribute to his late friend and former Sevilla team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes.

"The day it was all closed would have been his birthday," Rakitic said. "These are moments where words aren't needed.

"We all know what Jose means to us and to those who like football. He had a special talent. I know he's watching me and supporting me and that he's happy for me.

"I wish I could see him happy and that much of this is for him, of course."

Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp says the most important thing at this stage of the season is positive results and nothing else. 

Amakhosi registered a 1-0 win over Chippa United to maintain their spot at the top of the table, thanks to Khama Billiat's ninth minute strike. 

The 61-year-old mentor admits the Chilli Boys were more energetic than his charges simply because they had a few extra days of rest. 

"It’s about the points now. It’s about winning. I’m fully aware of that. It’s what represents Kaizer Chiefs, there’s no doubt about it. You could see today there were two days less recovery time. They played on Friday and we played on Sunday and this makes a huge, huge difference," Middendorp told SuperSportTV. 

"We had a lot of players before the game already I was aware of how far it is possible to bring them through."

Middendorp further stated that the win against Chippa United was a collective effort, appreciating the fighting spirit among the players and he hopes the players can replicate this come Saturday against Baroka FC. 

"I'm very happy with the entire team, technical team and the players that we had and what they have gone through and successfully. It was a win with a lot of fighting spirit and that’s something we needed today and need on Saturday," he added.

Chiefs could have added more goals to their name after Chippa United were reduced to nine men, and Middendorp said it was down to game management. 

"The management of the game; there’s no doubt about it. We have simply seen the ball possession, giving away in a situation where we could have played four against two. I’m all aware of it but let’s not let everybody know from the outside. Nobody knows what is going on here with the players in the bubble, more or less you are a little bit inside the prison. You are fighting for your life, expectations are there." 

"You want it. You want each and everything. It’s a fantastic team on what we have seen here and that is what it is about at this stage, nothing else," added Middendorp. 

Dean Henderson has fired a warning to fellow Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, saying he does not intend to sit on the bench next season.

After starring on loan for Sheffield United, Henderson has returned to Old Trafford after signing a new five-year contract at Manchester United.

With De Gea's form having dropped off in recent seasons, the formerly untouchable No.1 appears in serious danger of losing his job to the 23-year-old. 

And the England international has underlined that threat by telling his club team-mate that he returned to Old Trafford with every intention to play regularly.

“The aim is for me to play football next season and I don’t want to be not playing after last season. Coming off a good season with momentum, it wouldn’t be clever for me to sit around and not play football. I don’t think that would help any parties at all," the England international said.

"David de Gea has obviously been a great goalkeeper first and foremost for many years and he's been phenomenal.

“That’s something I aspire to be, to have a career like him at the club so I'll be going back in first day of the pre-season working my socks off to get in that starting line-up."

Henderson went on a series of five loans over five years, picking up valuable minutes as he's developed into a full senior international.

As he pushes for a starting role with both Man Utd and England, Henderson insists that there is only so much he can learn from training.

“You can get many things from training, and obviously learn off someone like David and the other goalkeepers and goalkeeper coaches, but I don’t think there’s any substitute for game time.

"I went out from Man Utd five years ago. I started at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and then Sheffield, which shows how much I’ve learned out on my own.

"I’ve picked up experiences that happen in games because they’re situations you don’t really get in training. I’m under no illusions that I’m not going to improve just sat on the bench. I need that game time.”

Sandro Tonali turned down the chance to join Barcelona and Manchester United in favour of a move to AC Milan, according to Brescia president Massimo Cellino.

Tonali has emerged as one of Italy's top prospects, with the midfielder often seeing himself compared to Azzurri legend Andrea Pirlo. 

For his part, Pirlo did not play down the hype and instead said the 20-year-old is "much more complete" than he was as a player.

After starring for Brescia in Serie A in 2019-20, Tonali was subject to interest from some of Europe's top clubs.

In addition to Barca and Man Utd, Cellino said that Inter were also keen on the Italy international. However, Tonali had his head turned when the Rossoneri, a club he grew up supporting, came calling.

“I know that [Inter CEO] Beppe Marotta really wanted Tonali, and that [Inter head coach] Antonio Conte appreciated him, so I think his agent had agreed terms with Inter,” Cellino told Top Calcio 24.

“He was determined and convinced that he was going to Inter, but all this time dragged on and it was practically the start of the new season with still nothing happening.

“As soon as Milan showed real interest, he did not want to listen to any other options. I also have a historically good rapport with Milan and we reached an agreement with [Milan technical director] Paolo Maldini quite quickly.

“We also had interest from Barcelona and Manchester United, but the lad is in love with Milan and went crazy once he heard of their offer, because he supports them.”

Cellino said that he expects Tonali's move to AC Milan to be wrapped up in the coming days, with the midfielder joining on an initial loan for €10m (£9m/$12m) with an option to buy for €15m (£13m/$18m) and another €10m in potential add-ons.

Though Brescia will receive a major windfall from Tonali's exit, Cellino revealed they could have netted more had Tonali opted for a move to Barca or United.

“Those figures are correct, but we turned down €65m (£58m/$77m) from Barcelona in January and about a dozen days ago Manchester United had offered €10m more than Milan,” Cellino said.

Home Grown Player rules will be brought into the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship from the 2021-22 season, the Football Association has confirmed.

The WSL has this summer seen a mass influx of foreign signings, particularly from the United States and Australia, with America’s National Women’s Soccer League having been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some have raised concerns over whether these players will prevent young English talent from getting valuable game time, but the FA has already made agreements that there will be rule changes next season to ensure this isn’t the case.

The Home Grown Player (HGP) quota will be the same as it is in the men’s game, with eight players in each WSL club’s 25-player squad needing to be HGPs.

In the Championship, the FA has proposed that clubs will be required to have a squad which consists of 60 per cent HGPs. For a squad of 18 players, that means 11 players must be home grown, while a squad of 25 players would need 15, for example. Every Championship club currently meets the potential 60% criteria.

The rules will come into place in the season that leads into England hosting the Euros, the 2021 tournament now pushed back to the summer of 2022 due to the pandemic.

The FA has also changed the rules around loan players as of this season, which begins on Saturday afternoon when Manchester City visit newly-promoted Aston Villa.

Previously, the rule was that clubs could only bring in two players on loan at once. However, this season, clubs will be allowed to sign up to six players on loan, with a maximum of three simultaneously from the same club and a limit of two outfield players over the age of 23.

“[That is] to make sure that young talent who are maybe not getting on [the pitch] can go out on loan and get key game time, which is so important for their development,” Kelly Simmons, director of the women's professional game at the FA, explained.

“We’ve got four pilot clubs where we are reviewing our player pathway too. Alongside rules, we’ve got to make sure we’re producing top, top talent so we get this blend of English and [foreign] world-class talent.

“I think it’s been well-documented that we want to make the pathway more diverse and more inclusive as well. There’s a lot of working going on in the pathway.

“A number of work is coming together really to say, how do we get this right blend of world-class and English talent. One of our goals in the new strategy is to attract and develop world-class talent. We’ve got to get that blend right together.”

There are plans to expand that HGP rule for the 2022-23 season, with the quota to remain under annual review.

As with the men’s game, a HGP is defined as a player who: “irrespective of their nationality or age, has been registered with a club and/or any other football club affiliated to the Football Association or an Affiliated Association, for a period, continuous or not of three seasons or 36 months prior to their 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which they turn 21)”.

With the United Kingdom set to leave the European Union, there will be a significant impact further down the line on the amount of foreign talent able to come to England, both in the WSL and in the Premier League.

Simmons confirmed that the FA’s endorsement criteria post-Brexit, which determines whether or not a foreign player can come to the league based on international caps and other criteria, is under review in anticipation of that change.

The league’s salary cap remains unchanged for the moment, staying at 40% of a club’s turnover. Simmons did confirm, however, that it will be reviewed in the coming months.

Rosa, the mother of Kaizer Chiefs forward Khama Billiat believes there is nothing unusual about her son’s loss of form, saying he once rose after experiencing a bad patch during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rosa also reacted to veteran coach Mlungisi Ngubane’s allegations that Billiat might have altered his age.

Although he stood where it mattered most with a goal against Chippa United on Wednesday to keep Chiefs’ title hopes alive, Billiat has largely struggled for form this season, managing just two goals and as many assists in 22 games across all competitions.

During his first season at Sundowns, the Zimbabwean attacker managed just 16 league appearances and four goals as he struggled with injuries.

“I remember at one time, at Sundowns, there was talk from fans that ‘Khama must go and Pitso [Mosimane] must go’ but, after that, he fully recovered from an injury,’’ Rosa told The Herald.

“He went on to win awards, together with his coach. So, I have seen this before, and know that it happens in football and it shall pass. I am not really worried. What I know is Khama is passionate about football, he loves football.”

At his peak in 2016, Billiat was named the Premier Soccer League Player of the Season, Midfielder of the Season as well as PSL Players’ Player of the Season while turning out for Sundowns.

He also came close to being crowned the best local-based footballer in Africa by Caf.

Billiat’s mother also dismissed Ngubane’s assertion that Billiat might have tampered with his age.

Ngubane was quoted in the media saying the 30-year-old is be struggling to get back to his best because he might have reduced the years he is known to be old and age is talking its toll on him.

“My child never cheated, when it comes his age, at any stage in his career,’’ said Rosa.

“I kept all my baby cards so that my children, when they grow up, they will show their kids. But, what I don’t understand is how a professional coach [Ngubane], who players look up to, can say such about my son.

“Maybe, he needs to look himself in the mirror and see what he has achieved, as a coach, because I don’t believe any good coach would really say such things about a player. How will he expect players to respect him, as a mentor and a gaffer?’’

Billiat’s crucial goal on Wednesday appeared to have been apt response to Ngubane’s remarks.

Eleven Wonders chief executive officer (CEO) Takyi Arhin is the latest to advise Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold against competing in the upcoming 2020-21 Caf inter-club competitions.

Kotoko are set to fly Ghana's flag in the Champions League as AshGold take a seat in the Confederation Cup.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council announced the two clubs as the nation's flag-bearers for the 2020-21 campaign in June following premature termination of the 2019-20 domestic football season due to the coronavirus disturbances.

Had the term not been cut short, the winners of the Premier League (GPL) would have been awarded Ghana's ticket for the Champions League while the FA Cup champions would have earned the spot in the Confederation Cup.

“Looking at our current situation, I will humbly advise Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold not to participate in the 2020-2021 Caf inter-club competitions," Arhin told Alpha Radio.

“I want Asante Kotoko to focus more on the Adako Jachie [training facility] project and the upgrade of its secretariat than playing in Africa.

“If the stakeholders of the club decide to partake in Africa, who am I to ask them to stop? But my only advice to them is to avoid it for now and prepare well in the subsequent season."

Ashanti Gold have already confirmed their decision to compete in the Confederation Cup next season but Kotoko are yet to make a final decision about the offer.

"Nana Yaw will start work on Monday at the club secretariat to assess things and advise the board on Africa," Kotoko board member Alhaji Abu Lamin told Atinka FM in August following the appointment of Nana Yaw Amponsah as new chief executive officer of the club.

"He has not met with the technical team yet and he needs to know the kind of players we have if they are quality enough [and] the club financial status before anything."

Last season, Kotoko played in the Champions League but their campaign ended early by a first-round elimination at the hands of Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel.

The Porcupine Warriors are eyeing a third title after successes in 1970 and 1983.

Kotoko legend Ibrahim Sunday, ex-club forward Eric Bekoe, Aduana Stars striker Yahaya Mohammed and King Faisal president Alhaji Karim Grunsah are among a host of personalities to have advised the Porcupine Warriors and Ashanti Gold against competing in Africa next season.

Niger men’s senior national team has announced friendly matches with Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia.

Gernot Rohr’s team will take on the Elephants on October 9 in Austria and will then face the Carthage Eagles at the same venue four days later.

Since defeating Lesotho 4-2 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Maseru's Setsoto Stadium on November 17, 2019, the Super Eagles are yet to play any match in 2020 owing to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a series of tweets by the Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick, the choice of European country was picked for ‘a few obvious reasons’.

“On the 9th of October, the Super Eagles will play former African champions, Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly game, then face another African giant and former champions Tunisia, four days later, on the 13th,” Pinnick tweeted.

“Both games will be held in Austria for a few obvious reasons. Due to the Covid-19 protocols presently in place and the proximity of the bulk of our team as well, Austria was seen as an ideal venue. 

“I’ll have to stress as well, that all costs will be borne by the football federations of both Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, as well as Tunisia.”

Nigeria’s last meeting with Tunisia was at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ third-place match, where Odion Ighalo’s third-minute strike separated both teams at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo.

Parading the Toure brothers, Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly and Serey Die, Herve Renard's Elephants caged the a home-based Eagles 1-0 thanks to Salomon Kalou's 84th minute effort in an international friendly staged in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2015 - that was the last meeting between both countries.

Pinnick also talked about the unfilled position of the technical director, appointment of coaches for the countries’ cadet teams as well as Africa’s most successful female team, Super Falcons.

“With regards to a coach for the Super Falcons, Africa’s biggest female football team, Phillips Consulting, in charge of the recruitment process, are putting finishing touches to it and a coach will be announced soon. This also applies to coaches for the different cadres of our national teams.”

Bidvest Wits dropped from the top three after losing 1-0 to Black Leopards who brightened their survival hopes at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

Mwape Musonda scored the only goal of the contest on the hour mark to hand Wits their first defeat of the bubble.

Getting into the match fresh from beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 last Sunday, Wits could not replicate that form and they fell two rungs down from position three to five.

For Leopards, they moved one place up from the relegation zone to 14th spot heading into the final match of the season.

Wits were without suspended captain Thulani Hlatshwayo while Bienvenu Eva Nga who was the hero of their victory against Chiefs with a goal, started from the bench and came on for Cole Alexander four minutes after Musonda had scored.

Musonda was always threatening as he called Ricardo Goss into a brilliant save 20 minutes into the match.

Wits’ first real threat came when Terrence Dzvukamanja headed just wide off Keagan Ritchie’s free-kick after 32 minutes of action.

Injury forced Wits coach Gavin Hunt to adjust his team in the 33rd minute when he substituted Lisakhanya Mlonyeni for Keenan Philips.

After a goalless first half, Leopards broke the deadlock when Musonda headed in to separate the two sides and take his season goal tally to eight.

Hunt reacted by making a double substitution, pulling off Alexander and Haashim Domingo for Eva Nga and Mpho Mathebula respectively.

Wits did not do much to hit back while Leopards remained resolute in their defending for the crucial three points.

The final day of the season will see the Clever Boys play basement side Polokwane City needing a win to get into the top three.

But their hopes of attaining a top-three finish now largely rests on Stellenbosch beating fourth-placed Orlando Pirates and SuperSport losing to Cape Town City.

Leopards would be keen to preserve their PSL status with a win over title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns on the last day of the season.

Ex-Arsenal left-back Armand Traore has offered some advice to wonderkid Bukayo Saka, urging him to stay at the club for much of his career.

The Anglo-Nigerian wonderkid starred for the Gunners during the past season, having a hand in 15 goals (four goals, 11 assists) as the North Londoners lifted the FA Cup by dispatching Chelsea 2-0 at Wembley. Saka was at his premium best again during the Community Shield against Liverpool, providing the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal, Mikel Arteta’s men ultimately winning 5-4 on penalties.

Saka had recently signed a new contract that will keep him at the Emirates until 2024, but Traore – who was with Arsenal between 2006 and 2011, making 33 competitive appearances, wants the teenager to remain there even past a decade.

“I think he’s an unbelievable little player. He’s very exciting and I enjoy watching him play,” Traore told TalkSPORT.

“The advice I would give him would be stay surrounded by good people because I’ve suffered a lot from that [and] I’ve made really bad choices in my career. If you’re not surrounded by the right people, you will go downhill from there.

“I would tell him to stay at Arsenal. Now, if I had the chance, I would not have left Arsenal and I think I would have stayed for a few more years.

“Be patient and enjoy every time you play and work hard and be professional. Talent is not enough. I used to think that when I was younger and how arrogant I was to think that. If you can couple the talent with the hard work, he will be at Arsenal for the next decade, probably more.”

Traore went on to stress on the necessity of Aubameyang signing a new contract. The Gabon international; has one more year to run and is yet to commit. He also implored Arsenal to get Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.

“First of all, they need to keep Aubameyang if they want to do that [finish in the top four],” Traore explained.

“I would strengthen the central defence. I wouldn’t mind a guy like Partey in there sitting in front of the defence or somebody a bit angry. He [Partey] reminds me a bit of your Gilberto [Silva] or [Patrick] Vieira [in terms of] somebody who can go out there and give it a go.

“They’re playing good football. I’m really impressed with Arsenal at the moment, if I have to be honest.

“I think Arteta has done a great job and I can only see them doing well in the future.”

Elias Kachunga has teamed up with English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday from rivals Huddersfield Town.

The DR Congo international moved to the Hillsborough Stadium on a free transfer, thus becoming the Owl’s fourth signing after Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Chey Dunkley and Izzy Brown.

Kachunga starred for Huddersfield last season, scoring three times in 36 league games as the Terriers finished 18th on a log of 24 teams.

Having teamed up with Sheffield, the 28-year-old would be hoping to help Garry Monk men’s ambition of securing a promotion ticket to the Premier League.

An enchanted Kachunga took to social media to express his happiness with his new adventure.

“Excited to start my new adventure at Sheffield Wednesday. Looking forward to the new season and meeting all the fans!” he posted on Twitter.

He is expected to make his debut when Monk's team face Walsall on Saturday, September 9 in a League Cup encounter.

Born in Haan, Germany, the striker began his professional career with Borussia Monchengladbach, before heading to Paderdorn after completing loan moves to VfL Osnabruck and Hertha Berlin.

After two seasons at the Benteler-Arena, he moved to FC Ingolstadt in 2015 for a club-record transfer fee of €1.7 million. There, he signed a season-long loan deal with an option to buy at the end with Huddersfield Town in June 2016.

Delighted by his performances in his debut campaign, Huddersfield paid Ingolstadt £1.1 million to turn Kachunga's loan deal into a permanent transfer.

On the international scene, he represented Germany at U19 and U21 levels before opting out to represent DR Congo at senior level. His only cap came in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Kenya on 26 March, 2017.

Bournemouth forward Josh King made little secret of the fact that he almost joined Manchester United in January and has now admitted that it would be “amazing” if the Red Devils were still interested as they continue to bolster their squad.

King had been on the verge of returning to the club at which he had spent five years earlier in his career, though he had struggled to break his way into the first-team setup and was sent out on a series of loans before signing for Blackburn Rovers in 2013.

With the Cherries now relegated, the versatile 28-year-old's future is up in the air, but it does seem unlikely that he will be plying his trade in the Championship if Man Utd – or any other Champions League side – come calling for his services.

“I'm sitting here at Ullevaal in this chair and I do not know where I will play next season – that's an honest answer,” King told TV2 while on national team duty with Norway.

“I won't lie, I really wanted to go [to Man Utd] in January. But what happened, happened. We'll just have to wait and see. There are still a lot of options.

“I have a dream to play in the Champions League. Whether that will happen in this transfer window or in two years, I don't know. But I have the same dream about it that all boys have.”

When the reporter tipped him to move to Old Trafford despite the failed January move, King added: “I hope you're right! It would be amazing if Man Utd are still interested. I was at United for five years and I learned a lot there.”

Should the Norwegian get his wish of a summer move to a big club, he admits that he would prefer to be deployed in his favoured position at the head of attack. He did, however, concede that his versatility means that he would be open to playing in a wide range of attacking roles.

“I've only played on the left and the right all season – I haven't been a full striker in 2-3 years. Yes, it inhibits me, but there is also an upside to it. Not many strikers can play in all of those positions. I handle them quite well.

“But I am a striker, it's my favourite position, when I'm in that zone and can run in behind. I was kind of sacrificed, but it was my job. I went to training and matches and gave everything every single time.

“It's impossible to know [how many goals I would score as a striker]. In the season where I scored 16, I played as a striker for four months. So yes, I could clear 15 goals each season, I have no doubt about that. 

“It goes without saying that a striker gets more chances than a left-winger who has to run up and down and help the defence.

“But you can't always get what you want. I'm a team player. If a coach asks me to play somewhere, I don't whine – I give everything.”

Gareth Bale has hit out at Real Madrid, saying his current club "make things very difficult" as he continues to look for an exit.

Bale has experienced plenty of highs during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, including four Champions League wins and two Liga titles. 

But there have also been plenty of lows, with injuries and loss of form seeing manager Zinedine Zidane freeze him out of the squad at times. 

Zidane would only hand the 31-year-old two appearances in La Liga after the coronavirus break ended in June, with the Wales international not even in the squad for his side's Champions League exit to Manchester City in August.

Bale nearly made a move to Chinese side Jiangsu Suning last summer, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bale noted his disappointment that he was not allowed to leave Madrid last summer, saying he has been frustrated to see the Blancos continue to stand in the way of a potential exit.

"I tried to leave last year but they blocked everything at the last second. It was a project I was excited for but it didn't materialise," Bale said.

"There have been other instances where we have tried to go but the club won't allow it or they've done something. It's down to the club.

"I want to play football, I am still motivated to play football, so I guess it's on the club. They are in control of everything. I have a contract, all I can do is carry on what I am doing and hopefully something comes up."

Bale has been linked with a move back to the Premier League, where he starred with Tottenham between 2007 and 2013. The winger, who has two years left on his current contract, has indicated his willingness to listen to offers from England but has so far seen his efforts to leave thwarted.

"If those options arise (interest from Premier League clubs) it is something I'd look at for sure," Bale said.

"We'll see what happens, we have plenty of time in this transfer window and a couple of others as well. Time will tell, but mainly I think the reason is that the decision is in Real Madrid's hands.

"I am only 31, I feel I am in great shape still and feel like I have a lot to give. We will see what happens. It's in the club's hands but they make things very difficult to be honest."

Orlando Pirates boosted their ambitions of qualifying for next season's Caf Confederation Cup by defeating Maritzburg United 1-0 in a PSL match which was played on Wednesday night.

The Team of Choice were desperate for a win which would have ended their five-match winless run in the league and cement their spot in the top eight. 

As expected, Thabiso Kutumela spearheaded Maritzburg's attack in the absence of Judas Moseamedi as coach Eric Tinkler looked to mastermind a win over his former side.

On the other hand, Bucs had to win the match in order to keep their hopes of finishing in the top three alive following their a victory over SuperSport United which ended their a six-match winless run in the league.

Lerato Lepasa was rewarded with a starting berth by coach Josef Zinnbauer after scoring the winning goal against SuperSport, while Siphesihle Ndlovu and Fortune Makaringe were facing their former club.

The two teams struggled to create good goalscoring opportunities in the opening stages of the encounter as they gave away possession cheaply in the final third.

Pirates improved after the cooling break with Thembinkosi Lorch looking to use his pace and dribbling skills to unlock the hosts' defence.

The Bafana Bafana international had an opportunity to break the deadlock towards the half-time break after beating his mark down the left-hand side.

However, Richard Ofori was alert in the Maritzburg goal-posts as the Ghana international produced a fantastic low save to deny Lorch heading into the half-time break with the two teams locked at 0-0.

Lorch continued to cause havoc for the Team of Choice defence after the restart and he found himself in good positions in the hosts' box.

The ball fell kindly for the former Chippa United winger in the box after Maritzburg had failed to clear their lines, but once again he was denied by Ofori with a diving save.

Wayne Sandilands, who was having a quiet game in the Pirates goal-posts, was finally tested by Bongokuhle Hlongwane following a rare attack by the home side.

However, the 2011/12 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season pulled off a brilliant save to deny the 20-year-old striker and Zinnbauer reacted by making changes. 

The German coach introduced attackers Tshegofatso Mabasa, Kabelo Dlamini and Frank Mhango and the trio changed the complexion of the game. 

Pirates piled pressure on the hosts and they managed to snatch a late winning goal through Mhango, who proved to be a super-sub when he netted in the last minute of the match.

The speedy striker turned his marker before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot which beat Ofori to seal Pirates' 1-0 win over Maritzburg - ending his eight-match goal drought in the process.

The victory took the Buccaneers to the fourth spot on the league standings - a point behind third-placed SuperSport United.

While the Team of Choice remained sixth on the log ahead of Saturday's final round of the 2019/20 PSL season.

Mamelodi Sundowns recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Polokwane City in a match which took place at Loftus Versveld Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Anele Ngcongca opened the scoring for the Brazilians before Themba Zwane doubled his side's lead in the first half. 

Keletso Makgalwa came off the bench to net his team's third of the night and increase Sundowns' chances of closing the goal difference between them and Chiefs.  

Subsequently, Sundowns kept the pressure going on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs who also won their match against Chippa United, meaning the title race will be decided on the final day of the season.

City, on the other hand, remain rooted at the bottom of the log and on the brink of being relegated to the NFD.   

Pitso Mosimane welcomed back Ricardo Nascimento from suspension while Ricardo Coetzee and Gaston Sirino started despite the club announcing they were injured.  

Lebohang Maboe had a great chance to open the scoring for Sundowns in 10th minute after being played in by Sirino but he couldn't hit the target with George Chigova out of his line. 

Chigova came to the rescue of Polokwane City in the 22nd-minute as he denied Motjeka Madisha at the near post. 

Sundowns were all over Polokwane City in the first half with Clinton Larsen's men often forced to chase the game.

They were punished in the 39th-minute when Ngcongca fired home from the rebound after Chigova had denied Nascimento. 

This was a rare occasion as Ngcongca doesn't often push forward and find himself in goalscoring positions. 

Ngcongca's goal impacted negatively on the confidence of Rise and Shine's players but Clinton Larsen wouldn't stop motivating them as he rallied them to take the game to Sundowns.  

They did just that but it left a hole in midfield, allowing Sirino too much freedom as a result. 

Sundowns utilised that opportunity and doubled their lead through Zwane, who brilliantly beat a few defenders from a Sirino pass before slotting the ball past Chigova. 

Larsen's men came back stronger from the half-time break and gave Sundowns a good run for their money.  

Their first real chance of the second half came eight minutes into it with Sibusiso Hlubi hammering his effort over the crossbar when he should have at least picked a spot. 

But the points were already in the bag for Sundowns and it was Polokwane who needed to come out of their shell and take the game to the opponents. 

Sundowns were, however, happy to knock the ball around without attempting any attack.  

Rise and Shine had their best chance eight minutes inside the second stanza after Sibusiso Hlubi received a pass from close range but blasted his shot over the bar.

A double change by Mosimane in the final 15 minutes saw Makgalwa and Lyle Lakay come on for Sirino and Maboe. 

And Makgalwa made an impact as he showed no signs of mercy on the already defeated Rise and Shine side. 

Makgalwa would wrap up the game with a classy finish deep into stoppage time as Sundowns marched on and registered an easy 3-0 win over City.

Former Ajax star Sjaak Swart has claimed that Manchester United is the right place for Donny van de Beek, who nearly joined Real Madrid or Arsenal instead.

Van de Beek completed a £35 million (€39m/$46m) move to Old Trafford from Ajax on Wednesday, with the 23-year-old signing a five-year deal with the option to extend for an additional season.

There was plenty of interest across Europe for the midfielder's services, with Swart claiming that Van de Beek could have been off to Real Madrid were it not for the coronavirus pandemic.

Still, the 82-year-old believes that Van de Beek ended up at the right place for his career.

"Manchester United is certainly the right choice," Swart told Ajax Showtime. "There were more interested clubs, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Arsenal.

"There were six in total but because of the coronavirus it all ended. It was already a regular idea in March that he would go to Madrid, but because of the virus all of that was postponed. Clubs had no income and they could not sell players.

"Ultimately Manchester United pushed a move through and they are of course a great club. They used to be a championship club and they now want to build towards that again."

Swart added that United's Premier League rivals Arsenal were keen on Van de Beek, but the club's financial situation made a move impossible. 

"They really wanted him," Swart said of the Gunners, "but they just couldn't get the money for a transfer. Even the biggest clubs struggle. Arsenal is a great club but Man Utd will certainly be an interesting adventure."

Swart believes that Van de Beek has the technical ability to thrive in England, even though Premier League matches will be played at a faster tempo than the Eredivisie games the Dutch international is used to.

"If you are technical, you can play well in England," Swart said. "They play at a very fast pace but if you are technical you take that tempo out.

Though Van de Beek is only beginning his career in the Premier League, Swart is already looking forward to seeing him return one day to the club where he became a professional.

"When he finishes his career he has to come back to Ajax," Swart said. "That would be ideal."

It was entirely predictable that former Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger would speak warmly of Mohamed Elneny's performance for the Gunners in the Community Shield. On a chilly London afternoon, the Egypt international produced a redemptive performance that evoked a famous Wenger-ism: he seemed like a new signing.

Some of that was to do with the fact the 28-year-old's last competitive appearance for Arsenal came back in May 2019, in a 3-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor as part of a heavily rotated starting 11. Following that, he went on to play three times as many minutes in a loan spell for Turkish side Besiktas last season as he had managed in the entirety of 2018/19.

Then there was the Gunners being decidedly understrength. There is a surplus of defenders at the Emirates, but midfielders are alarmingly thin in the ground. With Dani Ceballos' loan deal yet to be renewed, stalwart Granit Xhaka seemed to be lacking a wing-man for the daunting test that Premier League champions Liverpool present. Enter: Elneny.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or maybe plain old scarcity.

Whatever the case, the fact he was there in a moment of need is somewhat emblematic of his entire persona and style. "He is a fantastic team player," Wenger said afterward, and generic as that sounds, it's nevertheless eloquent: what makes Elneny useful is a conscientiousness that is easy to miss, and an availability that is easy to take for granted.

His style may seem effortless, but against a famously well-tuned Liverpool press, he did the hardest thing possible, staying calm as the horde bore down.

Twice he received the ball from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez inside his own area with pressure bearing down, twice he swept the ball out to Rob Holding with total sangfroid. The first time, the ball was at the feet of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang within three passes, the prelude to the game's opening goal; the second time, James Milner was forced to scythe down the lively Bukayo Saka, earning a booking for his troubles.

So impressive was Elneny's performance on the day – he lost out on the man of the match award to team mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but it cannot have been by much – that it has sparked something of a re-evaluation, both of him as a player and of his long-term viability at Arsenal.

As far as the former concern goes, there is little that the former Basel man has altered. He remains fundamentally the same footballer, but perhaps within the structure of Mikel Arteta's system, it is easier to appreciate his abilities.

That context is, of course, important: under Unai Emery, there was a sense of frantic disorder that served the opposite purpose, undermining the sort of elegance and composure that Elneny brought (and brings still).

If Emery was unable to channel a player in that mould, Arteta seems the perfect coach to do precisely that. If so, might Arsenal then not be better served retaining him as a squad option?

It is worth considering, especially in light of the club's interminable pursuit of Thomas Partey.

The two are far from the same profile: Atletico's man is the more expansive player, able to cut through lines passing forward in a way that Elneny simply does not.

Partey is also better at carrying the ball; again, this is not a skill the Egyptian necessarily possesses.

However, there is more than one way to play the pivot role in the three-man midfield configuration most expect Arteta to eventually adopt.

There is something to be said for unflappability under pressure, as well as the ability to turn over and recycle possession at a high level, while also being able to drop in and offer support when teammates are caught out of position.

Ultimately, the biggest obstacle in this regard may be Arteta himself, and his own vision of the player at the base of midfield.

So far, it seems the club's stance is Partey or nothing, and there is enough in the Spaniard's marginalization of the tenacious Lucas Torreira to suggest he is not content with safe distribution. His "In the moment that he is with us" comment re:Elneny on the eve of the Community Shield was just as pointed.

However, even all-star midfields can, at some point, do with a player like the Egyptian: limited, but unerringly consistent in application and 'positive' (Arteta's description) in his conduct within the group.

Tabitha Chawinga scored a brace for Jiangsu Suning as they defeated Zhejiang Hangzhou 5-0 in a Chinese Women's Super League encounter on Wednesday.

The Malawi international maintained her impressive goalscoring momentum for the champions following her last season's Player of the Year performances, scoring two goals in three matches.

Smarting from Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Wuhan, Jiangsu aimed to bounce back to winning ways but still made a false start against the newcomers as Xu Caiping fired them ahead after 15 minutes.

However, Chawinga's header helped Jiangsu level the scoreline in the 28th minute before a fine volley from Gong Li ensured they completed the first-half comeback four minutes later.

After the break, Yao Lingwei's long-range effort helped Jiangsu open a two-goal lead before she scored her second goal of the match from a goal-mouth scramble nine minutes later.

Chawinga made a brilliant finish off a rebound in the 67th minute to complete the demolition job.

The Malawian, who was in action from the start to the finish of the game for Jiangsu, has now scored four goals in four matches this season.

The 24-year-old is now second-joint topscorer with Beijing Phoenix's Ma Xiaoxu and Wuhan's Wang Shanshan with four goals each.

The win means Jiangsu are third on the Chinese log with nine points from four matches and they will face Barbra Banda's Shanghai Shengli in their next Chinese league match on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs kept their title hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Chippa United in a match which was played at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Khama Billiat scored the only goal of the game early in the first half after being teed-up by Samir Nurkovic.

As a result, they remain top of the standings on a superior goal difference going into the final matches of the season this weekend. 

Chippa United, on the other hand, aren't safe yet from relegation as they needed at least a point to be certain of top-flight football next season. 

The major talking point was around the return of Itumeleng Khune into the starting line-up for the first time in almost a year for Amakhosi's league matches. 

Khune last featured in the league for Chiefs in September when he had to be substituted after sustaining a shoulder injury against Baroka. 

And with Daniel Akpeyi injured, Ernst Middendorp had to choose between Khune and Bruce Bvuma and he opted for experience and the veteran goalkeeper was also handed the captain's armband. 

After a frantic start to the first half, Chiefs opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Billiat. 

Reeve Frosler, handed a more attacking role once again, played a floating cross into the box but Nurkovic failed to get a clean header on it. 

However, Erick Mathoho, high up the field at the time, kept the ball alive and played it back into the penalty box and Nurkovic was in the right place at the time to set up Billiat, who poked the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0.  

This was Billiat's second goal of the season after much criticism from a section of Amakhosi fans.

Chippa United took the game to Chiefs but Middendorp's charges gave them no space until midway through the first half when they got a free-kick outside the box. 

Ruzaigh Gamaldien stepped up and tested Khune but the veteran goalkeeper punched the ball back into play before the danger was cleared by Willard Katsande. 

Khune was hardly tested afterwards but there was a moment of madness toward the end of the first 45 minutes when he came all the way to collect but had doubts and the ball ended up being won by Chippa United players. 

And with Khune off his line, Gamaldien attempted a curling effort, only for Daniel Cardoso to clear the ball off the line. 

But before then, Billiat should have scored from close range after managing to get behind the Chippa defence but he ballooned his effort wide and high with only Veli Mothwa to beat.  

The second half saw Chiefs momentarily put the foot off the gas as they went back to their usual defensive mode with defenders playing long balls to the attackers. 

That tactic gave Chippa some hope as they knocked it around nicely through Kelvin Moyo and Kurt Leintjies.

There were a few scary moments inside the Amakhosi box with the likes of Nurkovic returning to lend a helping hand at the back. 

Chiefs then used the speed of Billiat to launch attacks while Frosler's job was made easier by the fact that his midfield teammates played the ball to him more often on the left-wing. 

Chippa were reduced to 10 men after Tercious Malepe was given his marching orders for a foul on Billiat. 

The Zimbabwe international, looking for his second of the night, beat the offside trap and raced through on goal but he was brought down by Malepe on the edge of the box and the referee didn't hesitate but show him the red card. 

At this stage, Chippa were a goal and a man down and therefore needed to change their game plan to soak up the pressure from Chiefs.    

Chippa United thought they had found the equaliser in the 79th minute but the goal was denied as the referee felt Khune was impeded inside the box.

Elvis Moyo was also sent off for a brutal challenge on Ramahlwe Mphahlele as Chippa United finished the game with nine in-field players. 

Ultimately, Chiefs held on to their lead to register a narrow win and maintain their spot at the top of the standings.