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As the news of East Bengal's new sponsors filters in, speculation on whether the club will actually take part in the Indian Super League (ISL) in the upcoming season has gathered pace.

In an address on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that East Bengal will play in the ISL from the upcoming season.

"The problem has now been solved. Now East Bengal will play in ISL," she said.

If such a move does come to fruition, a glance at what it means for the I-League might not be a pretty sight. The Kolkata giants' potential entry into ISL is a development that ends up with both the league and the club coming out as winners. However, this could mean Kolkata could end up without a club in the I-League.

Having finally roped in new investors (Shree Cement), East Bengal will naturally make an effort to play in the top-tier of professional football in India. In case Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) now decides to open up a tender for a new club, East Bengal would be expected to pick it up. 

East Bengal officials have publicly made it clear that they want to play in the ISL from the 2020-21 season and it is something that fans of the club will now expect, having sorted their financial situation out.

While playing in the ISL will mean East Bengal are back in the top tier of Indian football, such a move will also see the viewership and interest in ISL increase manifold, thanks to the legion of East Bengal supporters.

Not to mention the possibility of staging the 'famed' Kolkata derby under ISL's aegis. The Kolkata derby, the grand stage where the rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal unfolds, is without doubt the grandest fixture in the Indian football calendar.

Even though the ISL was the more glamorous league, the I-League always boasted featuring two of the biggest clubs in India in Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Understandably, the Kolkata derby used to the I-League's crown jewel.

Now, Mohun Bagan have merged with ATK and have entered the ISL. If East Bengal follow suit, the I-League will have been dealt a bodyblow.

Within an extremely short span of time, the two biggest crowdpullers would have left I-League and have taken with them the relevance the league still had in the minds of the hardened Indian football fans.

Not only will the attendance figures for the I-League fall (if and when the spectators are let back into the stadiums), but the TV viewership will see a dramatic decline as well.

Then there is the matter of what it means for the rest of the teams in the I-League. It is no secret that with both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in the I-League stable, the voice of the I-League clubs was amplified a lot especially when it came to demand for the retention of I-League's continental spot, better broadcast standards among other things.

Then there is also the possibility of not having any club from Kolkata in the I-League for the first time ever. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have already brought in Delhi-based Sudeva FC after Mohun Bagan merged with ATK. Even if East Bengal leave, there might not be a direct replacement.

So, the next season, I-League will have 11 teams before Visakhapatnam-based Sreenidhi joins in the 2021-22 season.

It means, only way a Kolkata-based club can play in the I-League is if either Bhowanipore FC or Mohammedan Sporting win the 2nd Division I-League which will be concluded before the upcoming season.

Of course, all this is contingent on East Bengal's ISL entry. However, judging by the developments, it would not be a far-fetched possibility.

Victor Wanyama’s Montreal Impact closed in on a 2021 Concacaf Champions League spot after beating arch-rivals Toronto FC 1-0 in Tuesday's clash.

The goal scored by Rudy Camacho from a set-piece was enough to take Montreal Impact's points tally to six, three fewer than their September 1 opponents. 

The Canadian sides are in a fight to secure a single Champions League spot via the 2020 Canadian Championship. 

Wanyama’s side will play three times each against Toronto and Vancouver Whitecaps, a total of six matches, in the first phase before the season starts.

The club that will harvest the most points stands a chance to qualify for the 2020 Canadian Championship final.

The Canadian Championship final will be played in a single-match, winner-takes-all clash against the victors of the eight-team Canadian Premier League Island Games, with the Championship winner getting an automatic slot in the next edition of the Concacaf Champions League.

Wanyama’s coach Thierry Henry was happy about how his team fought and won their second match of the series.

“It’s the attitude. We were brave on the ball and brave off the ball. We said we were going to do that,” the French coach said after the match. 

“The amount of 1-v-1s was refreshing and the number of times we stopped [Toronto] from playing was refreshing.

“Obviously, more than a couple of times [Toronto] went through and they found some openings because they’re a good team. They are a good team. You don’t go on a run of 18 games unbeaten just like that.

“We respect that a lot. But we wanted to be brave and courageous and that’s what we’ve done, on and off the ball. That’s what I actually liked the most.”

The Arsenal great also picked out a few players who he thinks had a great impact on the game.

“I thought that Sam Piette was outstanding. He grew into the game. Manu [Emanuel Maciel] also,” Henry concluded.

“At the end Rudy [Camacho] and Luis [Binks] at the back were immense. Zack [Brault-Guillard] had a good game. Also Saphir [Taider]. Everybody.

“And then Clement [Diop], since the beginning of the season does what Clement does. But everybody I think was on point.”

Wanyama’s captain Jukka Raitala was elated by their exploits against the arch-rivals.

“I think we were the better team on the field. To keep a clean sheet in a place like this, it feels fantastic,” the defender stated.

It's a derby day in Orlando as Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United battle for maximum points on Wednesday night. 

The two teams are staying in the same bio-bubble and play their 'home' matches at the same stadium for the remainder of the season.

However, none of that is expected to stand in any of the two teams' way come kick-off time. 

Chiefs need the points to maintain their position at the top of the log while Chippa are desperate to bag the full points and secure their top-flight status for next season. 

The Chilli Boys are currently placed 11th on the PSL standings with 31 points from 28 matches and they are not entirely safe from relegation. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport 2. 

Squads & Team News

Kaizer Chiefs will be without their influential goalkeeper and No.1 Daniel Akpeyi for this encounter at Orlando Stadium. 

The Nigeria international suffered a concussion in the club's previous match against Bidvest Wits and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season. 

This is in addition to Leonardo Castro, who has already left the bio-bubble due to a hamstring injury and will only return for the upcoming campaign. 

Ernst Middendorp has a tough decision to make in his goalkeeping department with Bruce Bvuma having been the club's second-choice goalkeeper of late while fans have called for the return of Itumeleng Khune. 

Khune, 33, hasn't been in any of Amakhosi's matchday squads since the return of football and it remains to be seen if he will walk straight into the starting line-up against Chippa.  

All eyes will be on the likes of Samir Nurkovic, Khama Billiat and Willard Katsande to carry the team on the day. 

While Billiat has been heavily criticised for his below-par performances, Middendorp still feels he is one of the integral members of his team. 

Meanwhile, Chippa United have not reported any injuries ahead of this encounter in Soweto. 

This means coach Lehlohonolo Seema, who arrived not so long ago to steer the team out of the relegation zone, has a pool of players to choose from for this encounter. 

He will pin his hopes on the likes of Thokozani Sekotlong, Lehlogonolo Masalesa and Diamond Thopola, who are among the experienced players in the team. 

The availability of Veli Mothwa in goal means Chippa can rest-assured that the Chiefs strikers will not have it easy on the day. 

Mothwa has kept 11 clean sheets in 18 matches for the Chilli Boys after coming in to replace Patrick Tignyemb as the club's No.1.   

Match Preview

This will be the 15th meeting between Chiefs and Chippa United across all competitions. 

Amakhosi have registered eight wins to Chippa United's five while the other two matches ended in draws. 

Middendorp's men beat Chippa United 2-0 in the first round, but before then, they had only beaten them once in the league in four years - and that was in April 2017 when George Lebese scored the only goal of the game. 

In the last seven meetings across all competitions, Chiefs and Chippa won three matches each while there was only one draw.  

Lionel Messi's father and agent Jorge has arrived in Barcelona and is expected to try to negotiate a move away for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Jorge Messi will reportedly meet with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Wednesday to discuss a potential departure for the club captain, who last week informed the Catalan giants of his desire to leave.

However, it has been reported that Barca are willing to offer their all-time leading goalscorer a contract extension until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Upon arriving at El Prat Airport, Jorge Messi told reporters: "I don't know anything, guys."

Messi did not report for the first day of pre-season training under Ronald Koeman on Monday, signalling his belief that a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on a free has been activated.

He also failed to show up for a coronavirus screening on Sunday and will not join his team-mates for training as he no longer considers himself part of Koeman’s squad.

However, Barca and La Liga are of the opinion the €700 million (£624m/$823m) release clause in a deal that runs until next June will need to be met for him to terminate his agreement at Camp Nou, although the Argentine's legal team are ready to argue that he should be allowed to terminate his deal unilaterally.

Messi had a clause in his contract which would have allowed him to cancel his Barcelona deal, which expired in June. However, he believes it was still valid when he notified Barcelona of his desire to leave last week, due to the 2019-20 season being extended into August because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Manchester City, managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola, are reported to be leading the race to sign Messi. Paris Saint-Germain and Inter have also been credited with significant interest in the 33-year-old Argentina international.

Messi has written himself into club legend by scoring a record 634 goals for the Catalans in 731 outings, including 31 in 44 last term, in which Barca finished second in La Liga to Real Madrid, having led the league prior to the coronavirus lockdown, and suffering a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

During his time with the club, Messi has won the Primera Division title on 10 occasions and has helped Barca to four Champions League titles. Additionally, he has scooped the Ballon d’Or, recognised as football’s greatest individual honour, on six occasions, one more than great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

KCB striker Enock Agwanda has travelled to Zambia to seal a transfer deal with an unknown club in the Super League.

Goal can exclusively reveal the burly striker has already landed in Lusaka for negotiation talks though it is not clear which team he is talking to.

A source privy to the transfer revealed to Goal, after landing in Lusaka, Agwanda headed to Kitwe and that his transfer could be announced in the coming three days.

“It is true Agwanda is in Zambia but I cannot give out the details of which team he is talking to currently,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal on Wednesday. “We want to have the deal as a secret until he signs.”

A KCB official, who also did not want to be named, also told Goal he was not aware the striker had left for Zambia.

“I have not heard anything about Enock [Agwanda] moving to Zambia or talking to a team in Zambia, I don’t want to lie to you that I know anything but please, I will find out and let you know,” the source told Goal.

Agwanda had a great season with the Bankers last season, managing to score 13 goals in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), and was headed to win the Golden Boot before the top-flight was prematurely ended owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In Kenya, Agwanda, who is well known for his long throw-ins, has also featured for Coastal-based Bandari, champions Gor Mahia and Sony Sugar.

His move to Zambia comes after another KPL side Tusker FC lost their lead striker Timothy Otieno to Napsa Stars FC on a two-year deal on Tuesday.

Otieno, who was in a fine form for the Brewers in the abandoned 2019/20 KPL season, scoring 14 goals to finish top of the goal scorer's chat, had travelled to Zambia to negotiate a transfer with the club.

At Napsa, Otieno linked up with another Kenyan, former Gor Mahia goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji, who signed for the club a season ago.

Should Agwanda sign in Zambia, he will join the long list of Kenyan players featuring for Zambia clubs among them goalkeeper Ian Otieno, Jesse Were and David Owino of Zesco United, Musa Mohammed, Duke Abuya, and Harun Shakuva, both who helped Nkana FC to win the league title in the 2019-20 campaign.

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has responded to Jose Mourinho's dig at his penalty record, while pointing out that Kevin De Bruyne is the only man who can better his statistics for goal involvements.

Fernandes hit 12 goals in his first 22 outings for United after moving to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in the winter transfer window.

He also managed to provide eight assists as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side finished third in the Premier League, making the club's initial €55 million (£49m/$65m) investment seem like a bargain.

However, eight of his goals came from the penalty spot, with the Red Devils awarded a total of 20 fouls in the area across all competitions in 2019-20.

United set a new record for the most penalties won in a single top-flight campaign (14), and Mourinho, who coached at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, couldn't resist a jibe at Fernandes when quizzed on his impact in Manchester.

“Bruno came in, was fit, played very well, improved the United team and also proved to be a great penalty taker, one of the best in the world, because he had about 20 to score," the Tottenham boss said in July.

And Fernandes has now addressed Mourinho's comments ahead of the new season, telling Portuguese publication A Bola: "I honestly did not feel stung.

"I feel that I am a good penalty taker and nothing more, I understand, but what I take from his [Mourinho's] words, because I’m a very positive person, is that he said I hit penalties well.

"It is a reality, not least since I arrived at Manchester United."

The 25-year-old went on to compare his record in the final third with Manchester City star De Bruyne, who equalled Thierry Henry's assist record during his 35 Premier League appearances last term.

"I hear people saying, 'ah, he only scores from penalty kicks' but a little while ago, I saw the statistics and, except for penalties, only Kevin De Bruyne has a higher involvement in goals than me in England when it comes to midfielders," said Fernandes.

The Portugal international is currently away on duty with his country, and will have little time to recover from a UEFA Nations League double-header against Croatia and Sweden when he returns to Old Trafford.

United will kick off their 2020-21 campaign at home to Crystal Palace on September 19, seven days before taking in a trip to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton.

New Gor Mahia signing Benson Omalla has set a target of winning the 2020-21 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Golden Boot.

The highly-rated teenager was unveiled by the KPL champions on Tuesday, just a few days after he turned down an offer from Wazito FC.

Omalla has now revealed the reason why he signed for Gor Mahia and what the fans should expect from him starting the new season.

“I feel very nice to move from Western Stima to Gor Mahia, because Gor Mahia is a big club here in Kenya and all players would love to play for this team, I want to thank the chairman for giving me the chance to play for this great club,” Omalla told Gor Mahia TV after signing the deal.

“Last season I wanted to be the top scorer, but I could not because of the coronavirus pandemic, it spoiled everything but this season, I want to start from where l left, my target is to win the Golden Boot and I know I will achieve my target at the end of the season.”

Asked whether he has any pressure now that he will be playing for the champions, Omalla said: “I don’t think so, I have played against Gor Mahia and scored against them and now I want to play and score goals for Gor Mahia, so I don’t see any pressure there.”

Omalla was a key figure for the Powermen last season as he registered a number of records. He became the first Western Stima star to hit a hat-trick in a KPL match, a record he wrote against Zoo FC at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium in December, where they won 4-1.

He was subsequently named the KPL Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Player of the Month for December. Omalla broke a six-year winless run by becoming the third Western Stima player to win the award.

Kenneth Muguna, who is set to be his new teammate and captain at Gor Mahia should he not leave, lifted the SJAK award in 2015 as he was serving the Kisumu side. The other player to have done so is Wesley Kemboi.

Omalla featured in the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom All-Stars team that visited Spain in 2019 after he emerged as the Nyanza region's top scorer. The teenager made his debut against KCB, scored his maiden goal against the Bankers, and have not looked back since then.

He also earned a national team call-up for Kenya U20 in the 2019 Cecafa Challenge Cup that was held in Uganda, where he found the back of the net on two occasions. 

His arrival at Gor Mahia means he has followed in the footsteps of Geoffrey Ochieng, Bernard Ondiek, Joash Onyango and Muguna from Western Stima to K’Ogalo.

Omalla will be expected to vie for first-team places with former Zoo striker Nicholas Kipkirui and Ugandan star Tiko Okello, who is among the new players to be signed by the club, having arrived from Vipers SC.

He is the third player to arrive at Gor Mahia from Western Stima in this window after goalkeeper Samuel Njau and midfielder Sydney Ochieng did so.

Cameroon forward Bertrand Konfor, John Macharia, and Andrew Juma are the other new faces at the club that is preparing to carry Kenya’s flag in the Caf Champions League.

Montreal Impact have ended Toronto FC’s 18-match unbeaten Major League regular-season spell following Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph at BMO field.

Toronto had not lost a regular-season match since August 3, 2019, when they silenced New York Red Bulls 2-0.

Rudy Camacho’s 14th-minute effort were all Thierry Henry’s side needed to seal all points at stake – in the process leaving the Reds one short of the American topflight mark held by Columbus Crew and FC Dallas.

The Frenchman who was left unmarked headed past goalkeeper Quentin Westberg a well taken corner-kick from Romell Quioto.

Earlier, Jozy Altidore had placed a free-kick on target from outside the penalty box but Impact’s goalkeeper Clement Diop was up to the task as he dealt with the fallout of a poor clearance attempt.

The hosts appeared to have levelled matters in first-half stoppage time after Alejandro Pozuelo and Pablo Piatti orchestrated a penalty-kick attempt. The Spaniard rolled the ball forward instead of shooting, and Piatti ran in before placing the ball past Diop.

Referee Drew Fischer waved off the goal, because Piatti encroached the penalty arc before Pozuelo tapped his pass forward.

According to Fifa’s Laws of the Games, where there is violation by an attacking player and the ball has not entered the goal, an indirect free-kick is awarded to the defending team.

Kenya’s Wanyama went into Fischer book following an infringement in the 52nd minute, while Saphir Taider was booked with two minutes left to full time.

Nigeria prospect Ayo Akinola who had been nursing a hamstring injury since scoring five goals in two games at the MLS is Back tournament was introduced by manager Greg Vanney for Marco Delgado in the 61st minute, nevertheless, he could not prevent his team from crumbling at home.

While the trio of Wanyama, Diop and Algeria international Taider held sway from start to finish, former Nigeria U17 star Orji Okonkwo was brought in as a 79th minute replace for Quioto.

Despite this slump, Toronto lead the Eastern Conference log with 18 points from nine matches, while Impact are seventh having accrued 11 points with a game less.

Presidential candidate Victor Font fears it is too late to keep Lionel Messi at Barcelona and says it is vital the captain leaves on amicable terms in the hope he may return in some capacity.

Messi dropped a bombshell last week by telling Barca he wants to leave the Catalan giants.

The mercurial forward believes a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on a free transfer has been activated, though the club and La Liga say his €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause remains the only valid way to terminate his deal, which runs until next June.

Long-serving Argentina international Messi has failed to report for pre-season training this week and Manchester City are the favourites to sign him.

Font last week stated that the only way the six-time Ballon d'Or winner might remain at Camp Nou is if president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the man he hopes to replace, resigns.

He now feels too much water has gone under the bridge to avoid losing Messi.

Asked if it is too late for Messi to change his mind, Font told Sky Sports: "That's the way it seems. This is the best football club in the world and we will do everything to ensure that the association with Messi stays."

When quizzed if he sees any way that Barca can convince him to perform an about-turn, he added: "That's the hope, right? Until it's over there is always hope. And therefore I really hope the decision can be changed.

"It doesn't seem likely, though, and therefore if that's the case, the focus should be on making the transition as smooth as possible. And the ties between Messi and Barcelona that go very deep, remain there, so we can ensure somehow, the relationship continues in the future."

He added: "Being the best player in the history of the sport carries a lot of weight. You see it with [Diego] Maradona, with Pele, with Johan Cruyff, these people carry a lot of value to the organisation they belong to.

"That's why we need to ensure that happens."

The new La Liga season begins on September 11 but Barcelona's first match won't be until September 27 or 28 against Villarreal - with the Catalans being given an extra break after their European exploits last campaign.

Danny Ings is determined to forget his injury nightmare at Liverpool and forge a long career with England ahead of his reintroduction to the national team.

The Southampton striker - who earned a solitary England cap in 2015 - is set to add to his international appearances after a stunning 22-goal Premier League season earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

Ings' only Three Lions appearance came shortly after he earned a move from Burnley to Liverpool in the summer of 2015, with injuries limiting him to only 25 appearances across three seasons.

However, the 28-year-old moved on loan to Southampton for the 2018-19 season and joined permanently last campaign, and is now confident that his career is in its prime.

"[The Liverpool injuries] were a long time ago and to be honest I’ve left that behind now," Ings said to the Guardian.

When asked if he thought another chance with England was gone, Ings said: "To be honest, no. I think the best part of my career is going to be the second part because I did miss quite a lot of football.

"To have the season I have just had, I have given myself something to build on. I do feel the best football for me is going to be in the years to come.

"I still feel extremely fit and hungry and I don’t think you stop learning as a player. There is always so much to learn in football.”

While Ings is likely to be behind Harry Kane in the Three Lions striking pecking order, the withdrawal of Marcus Rashford means he will compete with Tammy Abraham for the first backup role.

The Saints target man had a funny feeling walking back into the England camp, but is keen to make the most of his experience and ensure he is selected for further squads.

"You go in and you are a bit nervous inside," Ings said. "You haven’t been here in a few years, but the moment I stepped into the building it is familiar faces. I definitely appreciate it more.

"It has been a long time since that brief spell in the national team, so to be back in this environment gives me great confidence that over the years I’ve been doing something right, improving and getting back to the levels I wanted to be at.

"I want to get even better now. I want to keep improving and to try and make as many squads as I can because it would be a great feeling to do so."

Lionel Messi has been Barcelona's talisman for more than a decade, the star striker synonymous with the colours of Blaugrana.

He holds a reputation as one of the most beloved players of his generation, having emerged as a prodigy at Camp Nou and a crucial part of the Spanish side's "golden age" under Pep Guardiola.

The Argentina forward will forever be known as the club's iconic No.10, but why does he wear that number, and will the club ever retire it in his honour? Goal takes a look.

Why does Messi wear No.10 at Barcelona?

Messi began his first-team career at Barcelona and scored his first senior goal for the club wearing the No.30, before switching to No.19 after establishing himself as a regular in the side.

He inherited the No.10 shirt from former team-mate Ronaldinho, who left the club at the end of the 2007-08 season.

The No.10 shirt holds a huge amount of weight in and of itself, usually reserved for the central playmakers of the team.

Messi has spoken about the influence Ronaldinho has had on his career, especially with guiding him on transitioning into the senior side.

“He [Ronaldinho] was a great help,” Messi told the Barcelona official website in 2013. “It’s never easy to go into a changing room at the age of 16, especially with my character.

"Before leaving the club [Ronaldinho] was coming off a few months where he was thinking about things.

"He had it in his mind that he was leaving and he told me to have his number. I took it without looking at what he had done with the shirt. If I did, I would not have taken it."

Indeed, it was Ronaldinho who assisted Messi's first-ever goal in La Liga, with the two having great admiration for each other to this day.

Will Barcelona retire the No.10 shirt?

It might be the natural course of order for Barcelona to eventually retire the No.10 shirt in honour of Messi. After all, the No.10 shirt would be an enormous weight to carry for Messi's eventual successor at the club, with the Argentina striker's boots impossible to truly fill.

But should the Catalan side even wish to retire the No.10 shirt, they would not be able to.

Spanish football rules state that each team is only allowed to name 25 players in any given squad, and the team must delegate shirt numbers between 1 and 25.

Retiring the No.10 would leave the side one player short.

Despite the rules, Ronaldinho has insisted that his former side should not allow another player to wear the number when Messi leaves the club.

"When Messi retires, which I hope will be a long time from now, they should leave the No.10 there so that nobody can touch it again," he told the Sun in 2018.

There have been some exceptions made that have allowed teams to at least temporarily retire shirt numbers.

Sevilla were not allowed to retire the No.16 shirt for former player Antonio Puerta, who had suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in 2007. He passed away three days later.

The Spanish side then decided to only allow youth players to wear the No.16 jersey. Jesus Navas, Puerta's former team-mate at academy level and close friend, was given the shirt when he returned to the club in 2017.

Barcelona were only allowed to retire Luis Enrique's No.21 shirt for just two years (2004–06) due to the regulations. The No.21 shirt was awarded to Lilian Thuram in 2006.

Retired shirt numbers: Clubs and players to give & receive honour

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has said that Barcelona made an approach for Lautaro Martinez but the striker is now "out of the market".

Lautaro had been strongly linked with a move to Barca earlier in the year, particularly during the coronavirus-enforced hiatus.

Speculation was rife during that period, with media reports claiming Barca saw Lautaro as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.

But such has been the in-house turbulence at Barca over the past couple months, especially after Lionel Messi asked to leave, links between the Catalans and Lautaro have gone quiet.

Lautaro had a release clause in his contract until July but following its expiration, Inter consider the Argentina international to be untransferable.

"There was an approach for the player from Barcelona, ​​but we never started a negotiation," Ausilio told Sky Sport Italia.

"There was a clause that was never triggered and from the day it expired we considered Lautaro out of the market."

Ausilio was also quick to stress that Messi would not be moving in the opposite direction.

"You told the truth by saying that there is nothing. I don't know where certain ideas come from," Ausilio said of a move for the Barcelona superstar.

"If we talk about Messi, there is no club that doesn't want to sign him [but] the reality is different. In the market, we must be careful and smart.

"We know what we have to do. First of all, the exits. Through these, we will finance the newcomers. The opportunities are few and the ones we can take are not so expensive."

But that is not to say Inter will not be doing any business with Barca, as Ausilio also expressed an interest in signing midfielder Arturo Vidal. 

“We like Arturo Vidal for sure but he’s a Barcelona player right now," he said. "If they’ll let him go under the right conditions, we’ll consider signing him."

Ausilio also added that another midfielder linked with Inter, Chelsea's N'Golo Kante, would not be arriving at San Siro. 

“We’ve never started anything to sign Kante from Chelsea. No chance. He’s not a target," Ausilio said. 

Juventus have stepped up their chase for striker Luis Suarez, who appears increasingly likely to be leaving Barcelona. 

Though Juve have focused on a number of forwards this summer, sources have told Goal that the Serie A champions now have the Uruguayan at the top of their wish list. 

The 33-year-old is heading for the exit at Barcelona, as new head coach Ronald Koeman has informed him that he does not feature in his plans moving forward. 

Barca could opt to terminate Suarez's contract at Camp Nou, which would cost the club €14 million (£12m/$17m).

In addition to Juventus, Suarez has been linked with a return to Ajax as well as a possible move to MLS with Inter Miami.

Much like Barcelona, Juventus have a new manager who previously starred for the team and as Koeman has also done, Andrea Pirlo has recently informed one of his veteran strikers that is not in his plans.

New Juve boss Pirlo has told forward Gonzalo Higuain that he is free to find another club this summer, along with German midfielder Sami Khedira. 

As the Serie A giants search for a replacement for Higuain they have zeroed in on Suarez, who scored 21 goals in 36 appearances for the Blaugrana in 2019-20. 

After Barcelona's first trophyless season in 12 years, though, Koeman is determined to make wholesale changes to the squad and jettison some of his team's veterans. 

One veteran Koeman does not want to see leave is Lionel Messi, but the Barcelona icon appears set on a departure from a club he has called home for 20 years.

Juventus, meanwhile, are focused on winning the Champions League for the first time since the 1995-96 season after they took home Serie A in 2019-20 for an incredible ninth straight campaign.

Though Pirlo and Co. looked to be eyeing Roma's Edin Dzeko as a replacement for Higuain, they have now fully turned their attention toward Suarez.

Suarez joined Barcelona from Liverpool back in 2014, and has since scored 198 goals in 283 appearances for the club, winning La Liga four times and the Champions League once.

There have been few players in world football hyped as much as Manchester United's Mason Greenwood, but he isn't scared of the hyperbole coming his way and has thanked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for giving him a chance.

In his first major press conference, the 18-year-old spoke ahead of an opportunity to make his England debut under Gareth Southgate in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

Greenwood comes into the games having played 50 times for Man Utd last season and having already scored 17 senior goals. 

Wayne Rooney has called Greenwood 'Manchester United's best finisher', while fellow England legend Alan Shearer thinks that he could break his all-time Premier League goalscoring record.

Coming across as humble and shy, but also quietly confident, Greenwood isn't scared of chasing records.

"Any young football player wants to break records – and if you didn’t, there’s something wrong," Greenwood said at St. George's Park.

"It’s always nice to have visions and goals you set in your football career and that goes for virtually any England forward - go out there, do your best and break records, be remembered forever."

Most players make their debuts in low-pressure environments but Greenwood was called upon by Solskjaer in a Champions League last 16 match away at PSG, where his side were chasing a winning goal.

Although not involved in the moment that got an injury-hit United through the tie, Greenwood says that the choice to bring him on boosted his confidence and helped him grow into a player capable of lining up for his country.

"I took a lot of belief from that, it gave me a lot of confidence in myself to say that he has got confidence in me to put me on in that state of the game," he continued.

"I’m just glad he did because it’s helped my career and things are calmer now because the pressure was high in that game, as you could tell, not just for me but for everyone so I’m glad he did.

"Ole says to all the young players coming up: ‘Go out there with a smile on your face. You’re playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, just take it on the chin, go out there and express yourself. Think about it as a normal game because you’ve been waiting for that moment all your life so just go out and enjoy it.’

"It’s pretty easy [to ignore the hype]. The players at United get taught to just to ignore it, really, just carry on doing what you’re doing because everyone will be supporting you when you’re doing good but maybe when you’re doing bad, not many people will be supporting you so it’s all about staying calm and just forgetting about it really because it’s what’s on the pitch that’s more important."

One of the reasons why Greenwood is so hard to defend against, even at Premier League level, is his ability to shoot with both feet. Such is his talent, few know what his stronger foot is, but the youngster went onto confirm that he marginally prefers his left foot.

"When I was younger I put in a lot of practice to both feet and it’s stayed with me naturally now," he said. "I’m glad I did it at such a young age because it benefits me in my game."

By the age of 21, Kylian Mbappe has already won one World Cup, four Ligue 1 titles, finished as a runner-up in a Champions League final and was shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or three times.

What were you doing at 21?

Mbappe's sky-rocketing success with PSG and France at such a young age has inspired a whole faction of football fans to try to aspire to the same sort of success. But not for themselves - for their children, with the ultimate goal of raising their child to become the very next Mbappe. Enter: Project Mbappe.

But what exactly is Project Mbappe? Goal takes a look, as well as the very best of the social media memes surrounding it.

What is Project Mbappe?

The concept of Project Mbappe grew as a viral social media phenomenon, which details the fantasy objective of turning your child into the next Kylian Mbappe by way of ruthless and intense football coaching from an early age.

Project Mbappe is relatively tongue-in-cheek, but there's no denying that raising your son or daughter to become the next GOAT in football is an appealing thought.

The crux of Project Mbappe is the idea of living vicariously through your child and getting them to emerge as a football prodigy as soon as possible.

This, then, invites a whole barrage of humour - with football fans joking about turning into soccer moms and envisioning a high-intensity training regime as soon as their child has the ability to walk. 

The jokes write themselves: having your unborn child listen to the Champions League anthem and making sure they grasp the concept of good footwork while still in the crib.

Of course, becoming the next Mbappe is no easy feat. Hard work and talent are only one side of Mbappe's skill set - luck, being extraordinarily gifted and genuine good fortune are another, and you can't "Project" that. Mbappes are born, not made.

But we are happy to be proven wrong - and lie in anticipation for the next generation of young Mbappes to come through.

Below are some of the greatest reactions to Project Mbappe on Twitter.

Twitter reacts to Project Mbappe

Uruguayan side Penarol have sacked head coach Diego Forlan following just 11 matches in charge.

A former Penarol youth player who later spent time at the club near the end of his professional career in 2015-16, Forlan was appointed coach in December last year.

In what was his first job as a head coach, Forlan lasted just 11 games, winning four, losing four and drawing three matches.

After Forlan was sacked, Penarol announced that they have brought Mario Saralegui back for a third stint as the club's head coach.

"I only have words of gratitude and appreciation for the work that Diego Forlan did until yesterday," club president Dr. Jorge Barrera said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"His name and that of his family will always remain inscribed in the best memory and the best history of the club. The statement that he published yesterday on his social media networks confirms once again the quality of person he has been and will continue to be in the hearts of all Aurinegros."

Amid reports that he had been sacked, the former Uruguay international – who played for the likes of Manchester United, Inter and Atletico Madrid – posted a message of thanks to Penarol on Monday.

"I have to leave Penarol but first I wanted to write a few words of gratitude," he wrote on Twitter.

"Thank you for the opportunity you gave me, it was a pride for me to lead Club Atletico Penarol. To the players, thank you very much for your patience, your respect, your dedication and your teachings.

"To all those who work day by day and in silence at Los Aromos, from my heart, thank you. Finally, thanks to the fans for the love.

"I have no reproaches, that's how football is. Successes in whatever comes, up Penarol!"

Penarol also released a statement on Twitter, saying: "Penarol thanks Diego Forlan for his professional and human contribution during these eight months at the head of the first team."

Winners of three of the past five Uruguayan Primera Division titles, Penarol are in seventh place through nine games this season.

Zinedine Zidane has described Toni Kroos as a "spectacular" player, and one he will single out as an honour to have coached when he retires.

Kroos joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and has gone on to help Los Blancos to two La Liga titles and three Champions League triumphs.

Zidane has coached Kroos since 2016 over two separate spells, and the Madrid boss has no doubt that the Germany international will go down as an all-time great midfielder.

"He will be remembered as a spectacular player, one of the best in the world in his position," Zidane told Real France.

"When I arrived, well, you can imagine, I was really happy to be his coach.

"It's true, when I retire I will be able to say that I trained Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Gareth] Bale, [Luka] Modric, [Sergio] Ramos. But I will also say I coached Toni Kroos.

"It is impressive to see him train every day. How professional [he is]. Talking about him is talking about someone extraordinary."

Kroos' main skill, according to Zidane, is his patience and composure, saying that the midfielder is a player who leads by example.

"He is so good that he could play as a six or even as a 10," Zidane added. "You put him in and he adapts. His main virtue is his serenity, he's calm.

"He's not nervous and loves reaching out to shoot from distance as much as making a back pass. The ease with which he plays with both feet is fascinating to me. You could come to think that he's a natural left-footed player.

"Toni is a very quiet and reserved boy. But when he speaks, he speaks to anyone: his coach, managers, teammates. He does not stop. I have seen many discussions in which his participation has ended up being key."

Kroos and Real Madrid finished atop La Liga in 2019-20, ending a run of back-to-back league titles for Barcelona.

Madrid did not fare as well in the Champions League, however, as they were eliminated in the last-16 by Manchester City. 

After his side's elimination,  Kroos vowed to not watch the rest of the Champions Leagu e — a competition that was eventually won by his former side Bayern.