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Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart believes that Lionel Messi will be unable to leave the club for free this summer, despite the player's wishes. 

The 33-year-old is aiming to depart Camp Nou by activating a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave on a free transfer — despite his contract not expiring until the end of the 2020-21 season.

Messi and his legal team believe the clause will allow him to terminate his deal unilaterally, with Barca helpless in the matter.

The Argentine's current deal has a €700 million (£630m/$828m) release clause, a figure designed to make it impossible for another club to steal him away from Barca.

Speaking to Radio Marca, Gaspart, who was president of Barca between 2000 and 2003, insisted that Messi cannot unilaterally terminate his deal now, saying that clause expired in June. 

"I have seen the contract and it is very clear. The clause ended in June and there is no going back," Gaspart said.

"I prefer him to leave next year for free than to go for less than €700m. The club rules here, not the player. The club has paid the players. And this is not a matter of money anyway, because there is a signed contract and that's it."

Gaspert has advised current Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu to hold firm and not negotiate any sale.

"There is a clause of €700m, and contracts are signed to be fulfilled," Gaspert continued. "I understand that Messi is being pressured to leave, but if I am the president of Barca, I will not negotiate one euro. Not one euro."

Messi is understood to be furious with Barca's 8-2 humiliation to Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier this month, but Gaspert has said that Messi being allowed to opt out of his deal now would be even more embarrassing for the club than that quarter-final result. 

"If Messi leaves for less than what his clause is worth it will be more humiliating than 2-8," Gaspert said.

"I'd rather him go for free next year than this year for €699m. Barca shouldn't lower the price one euro."

The FA has announced that Gareth Southgate has dropped Harry Maguire from the latest England squad after the Manchester United star was found guilty of charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and repeated attempts of bribery on Tuesday.

Maguire's sentencing came just hours after he was initially named to England's latest squad for September’s Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark, with Southgate explaining that he had spoken to Maguire and was working on what information he was presented.

But Maguire was subsequently dropped after being handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence after an incident in Greece last week, with the defender, his brother Joe Maguire and their friend Christopher Sharman all found guilty after a trial in Syros, Greece.

Following the sentence, Maguire maintained his innocence and said he is determined to clear his name, as the defender released a statement saying that he will appeal the sentence.

Manchester United have also backed their defender as the club was critical of the prosecution service who gave Maguire’s team little time to work on a defence. 

In the wake of Tuesday's verdict, Southgate has reversed his original decision and dropped Maguire from the squad for this next round of fixtures. 

"In light of this evening’s developments, I can confirm I have withdrawn Harry Maguire from the England squad for the matches against Iceland and Denmark," Southgate said in a statement.

"As I said earlier today, I reserved the right to review the situation. Having spoken to Manchester United and the player, I have made this decision in the best interests of all parties and with consideration of the impact on our preparations for next week."

Maguire has been a regular for England since making his international breakthrough in 2017, making a total of 23 appearances for the Three Lions in 2018 and 2019.

He was a member of England's 2018 World Cup squad, as the then-Leicester defender scored against Sweden as part of the team's fourth-place run.

With Maguire's departure, Southgate will now rely on Eric Dier, Joe Gomez, Michael Keane and Tyrone Mings as centre-back options for the upcoming matches.

England are set to face off with Iceland in Reykjavik on September 5 before travelling to Copenhagen to take on Denmark three days later.

Lionel Messi has demanded to leave Barcelona by activating a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old has sent a fax to Barcelona communicating his intention to leave behind the club he's played at for 20 years.

Although his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2020-21 season, Messi and his legal team believe the clause will allow him to terminate his deal unilaterally.

Rumours of Messi's unhappiness have been swirling since Bayern Munich humiliated Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final earlier in August, ending a season that saw the club fail to win any trophies. 

Following that match, a source tells Goal they had never seen Messi so dejected and frustrated, which the Argentine immediately communicated to several club executives. 

In the aftermath of the Bayern defeat, Barcelona sacked head coach Quique Setien as well as technical manager Eric Abidal.

They subsequently hired Ronald Koeman to replace Setien, with the Dutchman expressing his desire to keep the Argentine star at Camp Nou.

Messi cut his vacation short to meet with Koeman last week, telling the Dutchman in their meeting that he no longer believed in the club's project.

Though many at Barca hoped Messi's frustration would cool with time after the Bayern defeat, his decision to leave had already been made and communicated with friends and family members.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has previously insisted that Messi will end his career at Camp Nou as his own future continues to be questioned.

Bartomeu has moved Barca's presidential elections forward to March as he looks to keep hold of a position that would become even more precarious if he is to oversee Messi's departure.

With his desire to leave confirmed, attention will turn to Messi's potential next destination, with very few clubs likely able to afford the Argentine's wages. 

Inter, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have been mooted as possible landing spots, and a move to Major League Soccer or the Chinese Super League has also been discussed.

Messi has established himself as one of football's all-time greatest players after initially making the breakthrough with Barcelona in 2004.

He has won La Liga on 10 occasions and lifted the Champions League four times - though Barca have been shut out from European club football's biggest prize since the 2014-15 season.

On an individual level, Messi has won the Ballon d'Or a record six times, including a run of four straight between 2009 and 2012 as well as the most recent award in 2019. 

The footballing world has been stunned by news that Lionel Messi has decided to leave Barcelona, with former team-mate Carles Puyol and current Blaugrana star Luis Suarez among those to respond on social media.

Sources have confirmed to Goal that the 33-year-old star has asked the club to allow him to activate a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Messi's deal is currently set to expire at the end of next season but, with Tuesday's news, it appears that he has no interest in continuing on with the club.

The Argentine has been linked with a departure for several weeks, with reports indicating that Messi has been unhappy with Barcelona's direction in recent years.

Messi's potential departure became an even bigger talking point following an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, with head coach Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal already being dismissed following the defeat.

Setien has been replaced by former Barca defender Ronald Koeman, who has stated that he fully intends on having Messi in his team. However, on Tuesday, Messi alerted the club that he sees his future elsewhere.

Reaction was swift across the footballing landscape, with former Barca star Puyol expressing his admiration for the player he once called team-mate.

Suarez only ignited more rumours by responding with clapping emojis, adding further legitimacy to the idea that Messi could actually be on his way out of Barcelona.

The Uruguyan striker himself has been the subject of transfer rumours, having recently stated that he is unsure of his own future.

Some, like Puyol, took the chance to pay tribute to Messi's iconic career at Barcelona, having risen through the ranks to become among the best to ever play.

Others, meanwhile, took aim at Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Barcelona's board for their part in the club's recent issues as the team descends further and further into turmoil.

England manager Gareth Southgate has said that fierce competition for places continues to deny Aston Villa star Jack Grealish a spot with the Three Lions. 

Southgate confirmed his squad on Tuesday for September’s Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark. Among the squad were Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, who both received their first call-up to England's senior side.

Grealish, though, continues to search for his first England call, despite a season that saw him score eight Premier League goals and add six assists as he helped lead Villa to safety.

Explaining Grealish's continued omission, Southgate has said that the 24-year-old is unfortunate to play a position that has plenty of depth. 

"The difficulty for Jack is Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford," Southgate said. "We have got incredible players in those positions, we have got competition for places. Those four have either been with us for a long time and been exceptional in their performances for us, in terms of Marcus and Raheem.

"Jadon is just breaking through and I think everybody is aware of his potential, and Mason Greenwood's goalscoring record and performances with Manchester United were outstanding.

"It is an area of the field where we have people like Callum Hudson-Odoi as well. I know at times Villa play Jack as a midfield player – that is not as I see him in the way we play.

"So with us he would be a wide player or a 10, and at the moment I think we have got players who deserve to be in just ahead of him."

Another player who missed out is Inter wing-back Ashley Young, who had been tipped for a recall after some strong performances for Antonio Conte's side. 

Southgate has said the 35-year-old is still in his thoughts and may have even earned a place had the European Championships taken place this year as originally planned.

"Ashley was a fantastic member of our squad [at the 2018 World Cup] in Russia," Southgate said. "I'm so pleased for him how he has gone on at Inter and continued to impress – when we didn't select him post-Russia it was about trying to bed in some younger players and a competition like the Nations League is a good time to do it.

"For players like Ashley Young and Jamie Vardy, if you were heading to a major tournament they are players you would have to think about taking."

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has asked the Soweto giants' players to shut themselves out from the outside world ahead of Thursday’s Premier Soccer League clash against their closest title challengers Mamelodi Sundowns.

The potential title decider kicks off at Orlando Stadium with just three points separating leaders Chiefs and second-placed Sundowns.

It is an evening that could see Chiefs stretching their lead if they win or Downs levelling up at the top.

Baloyi who guarded goal for both clubs during his playing days is singing from Amakhosi’s corner and has called for maximum focus.

“The [Kaizer Chiefs] players should encourage each other,” Baloyi told the Chiefs website.

“The boys are all staying in the bio-bubble, the Biological Safe Environment because of the Covid-19 epidemic. They should try to shut out the outside world. Also forget about social media, at least until the last game of the season. The players have each other. They should stay positive, be together and form a strong unit.

“It promises to be a tough match. I had hoped that, with Sundowns drawing so many games, we would have been five to six points clear. But that’s not how it is.

“However, I am sure that all the players, even those not playing, are aware of the situation we are in. We have the opportunity to win a major trophy in our 50th anniversary year. It’s something that doesn’t present itself every day.

“That’s why it’s so important that the players go into Thursday’s game with a positive mindset because they have the chance to write themselves into the club’s history books.”

Baloyi has urged the players to avoid being distracted by paying attention to criticism.

“The players should stop listening to and reading about any criticism coming their way. Chiefs have a very good team and it’s up to the senior players to talk with their teammates, especially the younger ones to let them know how special they are,” said Baloyi.

Chiefs will go into this match without suspended forward Samir Nurkovic who is their top marksman this season with 13 goals and their attack could be depleted if Leonardo Castro and Lebogang Manyama fail to recover from injuries in time for the encounter.

After Lazarous Kambole scored his first-ever Chiefs goal during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch, Baloyi has asked the Zambian forward to step in for Nurkovic.

“Samir Nurkovic is suspended for the Sundowns fixture. So Kambole is now in a great position for the next game. The Zambian striker must just go into that match with an attitude to enjoy himself. The goals will follow,” Baloyi said.

Ugandan Premier League side Police FC have secured the services of former Vipers SC custodian Derrick Ochan on a one-year deal.

The goalkeeper was among the players released by the newly crowned champions a couple of days ago. The administrative side has confirmed the arrival of the experienced shot-stopper on their social media account.

"Goalkeeper Derrick Ochan has completed his move to Uganda Police FC," the 2005 league champions confirmed on their Facebook page.

"The 24-year-old, formerly at St Mary's SS, Kitende signed a one-year contract with us this afternoon at the club offices in Kibuli.

"Despite seeing little playing time at Vipers, Ochan is viewed as one of the brilliant goalkeepers in the league."

The goalkeeper has welcomed the move to the administrative side stating he will have to do his best to be guaranteed a starting berth.

"I feel very happy and I am also happy to say that I am proud to be here," Ochan said after completing the move.

"I need to work hard, give in more to serve this club wholeheartedly, and deliver for it."

Club's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fahad Lumu lauded the incoming shot-stopper saying he is one of the best custodians.

"He is one of the best goalkeepers and as we look towards revamping the team, the goalkeeping department is essential," the official said.

"He comes with experience, vigor, and has a winning mentality."  

Recently, the club confirmed defender Reuben Kimera has extended his contract for another two years.

Kimera’s contract had expired in June but following on and off negotiations, the two parties have now agreed on a two-year deal.

Although Kimera has been unable to get regular playtime as a first-teamer under coach Abdalla Mubiru, he can play both at left-back and at right-back.

He engaged in 15 matches last season as the cops finally managed to keep their Premier League status after on-pitch struggles. 

The fullback is the ninth player Mubiru has agreed to extend his contract as he strengthens the team for the 2020/21 season that is tentatively set to start on October 17.

Musa Matovu, Mubarak Nsubuga, Yusuf Ssozi, Dennis Rukundo, Joseph Ssentume, Edward Kiryowa, Joseph Odong, and Bashir Kabuye have also agreed to renew their contracts with the club.

SuperSport United secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Black Leopards in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match which was played on Tuesday evening.

Lidoda Duvha were looking to boost their hopes of surviving relegation having recorded two successive wins over Maritzburg United and Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Mwape Musonda, who had scored against Maritzburg and Arrows, spearheaded Leopards' attack, while former SuperSport hardman Edwin Gyimah started in central defence.

On the other hand, Matsatsantsa were keen to move back into the top three on the league standings after defeating Polokwane City in their previous match.

Coach Kaitano Tembo named three central midfielders Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena and Jamie Webber in order to dominate positions in central areas of the pitch.

This enabled SuperSport to create goalscoring opportunities for their leading marksman Bradley Grobler, who was on the scoresheet against Polokwane.

The Bafana Bafana international should have handed the visitors an early lead when he connected with Kudakwashe Mahachi's delightful cross, but the striker placed his header wide of the target.

King Ndlovu then became a very busy man in the Leopards goal-posts as he produced a fine save to deny Grobler, before finger-tipping Mahachi's powerful free-kick over the crossbar.

The hosts did threaten following a rare attack which saw Musonda force SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into a brilliant diving save and Tumelo Khutlang fired over the crossbar from the rebound. 

However, SuperSport maintained their dominance as Grobler's goal was disallowed for a foul on Gyimah and Ndlovu produced a magnificent save to deny Mahachi - ensuring that the first half ended with the two teams locked at 0-0.

Matsatsantsa continued to control the match after the restart, but the Lidoda Duvha defence looked solid and compact and there was no supply for Grobler, who was left isolated.

Tembo decided to make changes as he introduced attack-minded duo Aubrey Modiba and Thamsanqa Gabuza with the visitors looking to break the deadlock.

SuperSport upped the tempo and they were awarded a penalty after hard-tackling midfielder Mumuni Abubakar was adjudged to have fouled Modiba in the box.

Grobler, who had an opportunity to net his 14th league goal of the season, then stepped up and he was denied by Ndlovu, who produced a fantastic low save, from the spot-kick.

The three-time PSL champions continued to attack in the closing stages of the match as Ghampani Lungu's effort was well saved by a well-positioned Ndlovu, before Luke Fleurs missed the target from close range.

However, Lungu was not to be denied in the last minute as he fired home to seal SuperSport's 1-0 victory over Leopards after pouncing on a loose ball in the box. 

The win took Matsatsantsa to third spot on the league standings - three points behind second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, while Lidoda Duvha remained 13th on the log - a point above the relegation zone.

State Minister for Sports Denis Obua has confirmed the land issues that Mandela National Stadium, Namboole faced have been finally been resolved.

The country’s biggest sporting facility has been dealing with various issues revolving around its title deeds and encroachments but going by the minister’s assertions, the problem looks to have been completely dealt with.

The Ministry of Land processed the facility’s title deeds after receiving directions from the Uganda Land Commissioner.

“Mandela National Stadium, Namboole finally got its land titles after years of protracted pursuit,” Obua confirmed according to Kawowo Sports.

“The land around the stadium was facing encroachment from various people. We have resolved one of the major challenges that the stadium has been facing over the years.

“With these land titles available, we believe the governance and management of the stadium will have to move in a more proactive manner to ensure that land earmarked for the national sports facility is protected against encroaches.”

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands Dorcus Akalany explained how they managed to solve an otherwise intricate issue.

“The board of directors, Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and the Uganda Land Commission having received the legal opinion of the attorney general regarding advising the registration of Mandela National stadium Limited on the company land titles, the Ministry of Land was requested to transfer the land title to Mandela National Stadium Limited,” Akalany said.

“This means that Mandela National Stadium is secure now and what remains of the management of the stadium is to ensure the land is protected from encroachers since it’s strategically located and many people are eyeing it.

“I wish to thank all stakeholders in this matter for patience and understanding while we were handling the transfer process.”

After a recent tour of the facility, Caf had advised there was the need for the playing surface, dressing rooms, media area and the stadium lighting system to be improved.

The governing body stated it can only certify the Mandela Stadium as fit for international games only when its recommendations on improvements were acted on.

Uganda Cranes will host their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers at the stadium.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists the injury sustained by Virgil van Dijk in Tuesday's friendly with Red Bull Salzburg is nothing to be concerned about. 

The Netherlands international was forced off in the 55th minute of the Reds' 2-2 draw in Austria after suffering a cut to his head. 

Klopp, though, confirmed after the game that the 29-year-old is not expected to suffer any lasting effects. 

"Virg only looks like he has a piercing now and has a plaster on it," he told Liverpool's official website. "It should not be, and is, no problem. In the moment it is, of course, not cool but there will not be a problem."

Liverpool face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Saturday before kicking off their Premier League title defence against Leeds United on September 12. 

Rhian Brewster scored a double off the bench as Liverpool came from two goals down to salvage a draw against Salzburg in their final pre-season friendly.

Klopp again named a strong line-up and granted Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Joe Gomez, Neco Williams and Alisson an hour of game time each.

The Premier League champions fell behind inside three minutes when Patson Daka caught Fabinho in possession and raced through to slot a cool finish past Alisson.

Daka doubled his and Salzburg's tally 10 minutes later when he darted away from Van Dijk and steered Mergim Berisha's square pass home.

A goal-line block from Albert Vallci kept Mane at bay before half-time, while Van Dijk was forced off after suffering a cut to his head following the restart. He was replaced after 55 minutes by Nat Phillips.

Brewster scored in the 3-0 win over Stuttgart on Saturday and went on as one of seven changes after the hour mark. He fired into the roof of the net at the end of an intricate move to halve the deficit in the 72nd minute.

The 20-year-old striker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Swansea City, looped an equaliser into an empty net from 20 yards after Alexander Walke raced off his line to deal with Oumar Solet's poor header and kicked a clearance straight at Curtis Jones.

Asamoah Gyan's business manager Samuel Anim Addo has stated the Ghana striker is open to joining Premier League (GPL) giants Asante Kotoko ahead of the new season.

The former Sunderland and Udinese forward is currently on the search for a new club following a short-term deal with Indian outfit NorthEast United which ended in January.

He has previously expressed hopes of playing for the 23-time Ghanaian champions before hanging up his boots.

“Kotoko have said they like him because he once stated that he’ll one day play for Kotoko, but for now, no club has approached him with any offer,” Anim Addo told Graphic Sports.

“Gyan has had offers from Europe and Asia but if Kotoko can meet our terms, then why not?”

Kotoko defender Habib Mohammed will welcome a move for the 34-year-old veteran who is Africa's highest scorer at the Fifa World Cup, with six goals.

“I will be very happy if I see Asamoah Gyan join Kotoko because he will help the team in terms of experience," said the centre-back, reports FootballGhana.

“The players will also be proud of playing with the [former] Black Stars captain."

In 2013, Gyan, who played for Liberty Professionals during his time in the domestic league, told Angel FM: "I will definitely return one day to the Ghana Premier League where I will play for no other club than Asante Kotoko.

''I have and always been a big fan of Kotoko and always wish the club win games and trophies."

The striker reiterated his desire in 2018, saying, “I have said it over and over again. I am definitely going to play for Kotoko.

“It’s official and confirmed - people know and I always say it. I am going to play for Kumasi Asante Kotoko before I retire," he was reported by Ghana Sports Online as saying.

Gyan left Liberty for Italian Serie A side Udinese in 2003. He has gone on to represent Modena, Stade Rennes, Sunderland, Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, Al Ahli Dubai and Kayserispor.

He last played for Ghana at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt where the Black Stars suffered a Round of 16 elimination.

Tanzania Mainland League giants Yanga SC have confirmed the arrival of Angolan midfielder Carlinhos.

The midfielder has been the subject of discussion in the country especially when the Yanga management confirmed contact has been made. After a long wait, the player has finally landed, less than three weeks before the 2020/21 season starts.

"Welcome to Yanga, this is your new home," chairman Mshindo Msolla said during the player's unveiling.

"We hope you are going to add real value to the team, once again, you are welcome."

The 25-year-old started developing at Petro Atletico in the youth team from 2009 and was eventually promoted to the senior team in 2013 but was loaned to Porcelana Cazengo.

He eventually made a return to his parent team stronger and went on to make 87 league appearances, scoring 11 goals in the process. He later joined Interclube which also played in the Girabola.

Carlinhos is a full international for the Angola national team, which is commonly referred to as Palancas Negras and has made 10 appearances. He also has continental experience having played eight times with Petro Atletico in the Caf Confederation Cup.

He was part of the team that won the Angola Cup in the 2017 season.

Msolla had urged members to come through and help them sign two more players to reach the foreign quota as allowed by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

The 27-time champions have now acquired the services of six foreigners including Mukoko Tonombe, Carlinhos, Michael Sarpong, and Tuisila Kisinda. Farouk Shikhalo, Lamine Moro, and Haruna Niyonzima have been with the team.

"We have two spaces for foreign players which will take the total to 10," Msolla said in an earlier interview.

"Our sponsor has played a huge role in helping us to get other foreign players, and now it is up to the members to help the team sign the remaining two.

"The two are not yet in negotiations with the club; however, if we will not bring them in the current window, then we can do it in the short transfer window."

Timu ya Wananchi have held talks with Burkina Faso forward Yacouba Songne and the two parties have reached an agreement on working together. 

Inter manager Antonio Conte will not depart San Siro this summer, the club have confirmed. 

In a brief statement, Inter said the two sides had a "constructive meeting" on Tuesday, which resulted in Conte agreeing to stay on for a second season at the helm.

"The club and Antonio Conte had a constructive meeting today focused on continuity and strategy, in which the two parties laid the foundations to continue working together on the club's project," the statement read.

Conte enjoyed a successful debut season in 2019-20 with Inter, finishing second in Serie A and taking his side to the Europa League final. 

After that final against Sevilla on Friday, which ended in a 3-2 defeat, Conte cast doubt on his future with the club when he said that he may not be at San Siro next term.

“We're going to meet next week with the club and we'll decide about my future. I'm not sure that I'll be the Inter manager next season, we'll decide together,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “Inter will plan the future with or without me."

Though he experienced success on the pitch, the former Chelsea and Juventus manager feuded with Inter hierarchy off the pitch in 2019-20, particularly when he launched a scathing attack on the club's directors following the conclusion of the Serie A season.

“I don’t think the work of the players has been recognised and I don’t think my work has been recognised,” he said. “We all received very little protection from the club, absolutely zero.

“I don’t like it when people jump on the bandwagon – they have to be there in the good times as well as the bad and here at Inter it wasn’t like that, I’m sorry to say.

“We have to grow and improve in all areas, including off the field, and a big club should protect its players more.”

Conte has reportedly been unhappy with several developments at San Siro, including leaks to the media and some of the club's decisions in the transfer market. The 51-year-old was frustrated by the arrival of Christian Eriksen during the January transfer window, given he had requested Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal.

Under Conte, Eriksen became a bit-part player and struggled to see the same amount of playing time he enjoyed during his spell at Tottenham.

Germany manager Joachim Low says that there are no plans to recall Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng into the national team despite their recent contributions to Bayern Munich's Champions League triumph.

Muller and Boateng both started in Sunday's finale as Bayern took down Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 thanks to Kingsley Coman's second-half goal, although the defender was forced out of the game in the first half due to injury.

Muller made 50 total appearances for Bayern this season, scoring 14 goals, while Boateng returned to the starting XI later in the season, making 39 appearances.

Both 30-year-old Muller and 31-year-old Boateng were left out of Low's latest Germany squad, with the manager previously saying in 2019 that he would no longer call up the two as well as Mats Hummels.

After Tuesday's squad announcement, Low reiterated that commitment as all three were once again left out for upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Spain and Switzerland.

"Both players had very good performances and they showed how important they are for this team," Low said of Muller and Boateng. "However, after the World Cup, we decided to go with other players. We want them to have space and time to develop."

For his most recent squad, Low handed Oliver Baumann, Robin Gosens and Florian Neuhaus their first call-ups to the senior team.

At age 30, Toni Kroos is the oldest outfield player with Ilkay Gundogan the only other non-goalkeeper to be over the age of 26.

Low says that he plans to continue the trend of calling in Germany's younger stars, adding that he has no current plan to reverse course and call in the more experienced players any time soon.

"These young players have developed very well and we managed the changes very quickly," he said. "So there is no reason for me to change anything in this direction."

He added: "Should the situation be different, I would be the very first person to revise a decision. Currently, however, I don't see any reason. This path is good."

Germany are set to face Spain on September 3 in Stuttgart before taking on Switzerland three days later in Stuttgart. It will be the team's first matches since last November's Euro 2020 qualifiers when Germany picked up victories over Belarus and Northern Ireland. 

Cape Town City striker Kermit Erasmus has heaped praise on his teammates for their good form so far, saying they have been working hard since the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Citizens have managed to bag three victories out of four Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches where they have downed big guns such as Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

On the other hand, the Bafana Bafana hitman has found the back of the net against Masandawana and the Buccaneers, adding that their focus is to finish the current campaign on a high note.

“The team performance has been good and we’ve been working hard during the lockdown to prepare for the resumption of the league,” Erasmus told the media.

“We have shown a lot of character in a lot of games since the league resumed, and that is why the individual performance has been outstanding.

“I have been standing out because I have been scoring in the games we have won and played in - that’s because of my teammates.

“Without them, it wouldn’t be possible for me to stand where I am now and to score the goals I have scored. Credit must go to everybody and being together you know.

“That’s what the team is about and I’m proud to call them my soldiers, they are my brothers. So, we are hoping and looking forward to the upcoming three games and we will see what happens.”

In the wake of a single defeat to Stellenbosch and three victories over Chippa United, Masandawana, and coach Josef Zinnbauer’s troops, the Mother City-based club finds itself at number seven on the log table with 36 points.

In their next three games, Dutch manager Jan Olde Riekerink will look to guide his side to wins over Golden Arrows, Highlands Park as well as SuperSport United as they target a spot in the top eight.

However, the 2017/18 MTN8 champions are set to be without veteran midfielder Mpho Makola in their next two matches as the former Bucs player was shown his marching orders against his former club on Sunday.

Looking at his contribution so far, the 30-year-old Port Elizabeth-born marksman has played 24 matches, scored 13 goals and provided two assists across all competitions.

Meanwhile, the former Matsatsantsa hitman has been linked with a move to Chloorkop and join coach Pitso Mosimane’s troops, but his future remains the subject of speculation.

Manchester United’s pre-season plans are yet to be finalised, with friendly fixtures being considered as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad are expected back in training next week.

The first team squad were given two weeks of holiday after they lost their Europa League clash against Sevilla in Cologne, and several them have jetted off to warmer climates ahead of preparing for the new campaign.

Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford and Brandon Williams have all spent time in Mykonos, Greece, while Victor Lindelof returned to Sweden and Bruno Fernandes is in Portugal.

The squad are expected back at Carrington next week to prepare for the opening fixture which is expected to be against Crystal Palace on the weekend of September 19, after their first game of the season against Burnley was postponed to give Solskjaer’s squad the 30 days of rest required between campaigns.

Several players are expected to be head straight off on international duty with Maguire, Rashford, Dean Henderson and Mason Greenwood called up for England. James has been selected for Wales, but the rest of the squad will report back to the club’s training base on September 2.

The international fixtures and United’s involvement in the Europa League knockout tournament in Germany mean Solskjaer has little time to prepare his team for the new season.

Their rivals have been back in training for a while now, with Liverpool in Austria on a training camp where they have played several friendlies, but it is understood that a similar trip for United is very unlikely.

Lack of time and concerns over flying during the pandemic mean it is more likely that they will host friendlies behind closed doors at the training ground, in the same way they did before games commenced for Project Restart.

It is understood that a more formal friendly could be organised before the season opener with the potential for the game to be televised, but at this stage opponents and venues have yet to be confirmed.

Ordinarily the squad would have flown off on a pre-season tour, with India a potential destination this summer, which would have been a chance for massive commercial opportunities and huge financial gain.

However, the late end to the last season due to the pandemic means this has not been possible.

JDT has revealed on their official page that they have received an offer from Portuguese side Portimonense SC for the transfer of Safawi Rasid, possibly for the 2020/21 season of the Primeira Liga.

That could mean that Safawi might not feature in the resumption of the Malaysia Super League season as the new Primeira Liga season will begin on 20 September 2020 with Safawi likely needed to be part of the pre-season.

Portimonense actually finished in the relegation at the end of the 2019/20 season by finishing second last in the 17-team league but got a reprieve to remain in the top flight after Vitoria Setubal could not fulfill licensing requirements.

Safawi began his professional career with T-Team FC in 2015 before his sparkling display and goal-threat alerted JDT to his potential and he joined the Super League champions in 2017.

Since moving there, Safawi has grown leaps and bounds, making himself a permanent fixture and an important asset not only for his club side but also for the Malaysia national team.

In 2019, Safawi started making his mark with JDT in the AFC Champions League including scoring a magnificent left foot curler against away to Chinese side Shandong Luneng in 2019.

Should the move fully materialised, Safawi would not be the only Asian there at the club with two Japanese players in Shuichi Gonda and Koki Anzai also part of the squad.

On JDT's side, while they are happy to allow Safawi to gain more exposure by plying his trade in Portugal, it would leave a huge gap in the side still competing in the 2020 AFC Champions League.