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Liverpool have landed themselves a “world-class” talent in Kostas Tsimikas, according to Victor Palsson, a man who has spent time in the Reds’ academy system and playing alongside their latest signing in the Danish Superleague.

Palsson spent 13 games working with Tsimikas when the Greek full-back took in a loan spell at Esbjerg in the 2016-17 campaign.

He saw enough during that stint to suggest that the 24-year-old was destined for bigger and better things.

A move to the Premier League champions has now been secured by the promising left-back, with Andy Robertson about to face greater competition for his spot at Anfield than he has done for some time.

Liverpool have invested £11.75 million ($15m) in Tsimikas, with Jurgen Klopp snapping up a player who had been catching the eye at Olympiacos.

The Reds, who have enjoyed considerable success in the transfer market of late, are expected to find further value in a player who will not look out of place as part of a star-studded squad.

Palsson believes that will be the case, telling the Liverpool Echo of a defender he has seen at close quarters: "To be honest, it was a very difficult year that we had [at Esbjerg]. We ended up getting relegated that year and the whole season was very difficult - we had three different managers.

"But Tsimi was a fantastic lad - a great guy, always very positive. He has good banter, he’s a funny kid and I can only say good things about him.

"It was a difficult year for us but you could always see the potential that he had. He was very young when he was with us and then he went to Willem II in Holland the next year and he did very well.

"Even though we were struggling, he would never put on the sad face. I really liked him when I played with him. With Olympiacos, he has done fantastically and playing for the Greek national team as well.

"I’m really happy for him and when I saw he was going to sign, it’s a massive thing to sign for the biggest club in the world and I am really, really happy for him.

"His offensive strengths are something that I always saw in him and he has very good technique. He has an eye for some good passes.

"When I played with him, he was lacking in the defensive part, but we have been watching him in a few games since then and he has really improved.

"When a club like Liverpool wants to sign you, you are in that world-class category."

Police FC have continued in their fight to keep their best players after defender Joseph Sentume extended his stay on Tuesday.

The defender, whose contract had run down in June, has now penned an extension of three years which will see him stay at the club until 2023.

Police have confirmed the news by stating: “Today [Tuesday], Joseph [Sentume] has put pen to paper to a three-year deal with the club until 2023,” the club said on their social media pages.

The central defender who captained the side last season in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) was happy to sign the new extension.

“It’s a pleasure having given this opportunity. It’s a sign of trust and confidence in me by the club and I promise to double my effort compared to last season,” Sentume told reporters.

Police CEO Fahad Lumu, who attended the ceremony, revealed why they had opted to extend his stay saying they wanted him to continue serving as the club captain.

“He is a very instrumental player in the team, he has the extreme experience and we believe he will put all efforts together to achieve our main goal.”

Sentume promised the fans he will put up a good display and work tirelessly to ensure the team performs well in the coming season.

He becomes the eighth player to renew a contract with Police after attacking midfielder Edward Kiryowa, midfielder Yusuf Ssozi, right-back Denis Rukundo, winger Odong, left-back Musa Matovu, midfielders Bashir Kabuye and Mubarak Nsubuga.

On the signing front, the ambitious Police have already roped in five new faces among them Muwadda Mawejje, experienced midfielder Tony Mawejje, goalkeepers Tom Ikara and Sammon Oloka, defender Hassan Mohamood as well as left-back Eric Ssenjobe.

Police chairman Asan Kasingye has stated they will make sure they leave a mark in the league come the new season.

“We no longer just want to compete; we need to win trophies. We are former champions and it's time to think big,” Kasingye told reporters.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be a part of it.

Lazio director Igli Tare has reacted angrily to David Silva's move to Real Sociedad, insisting that although he has "great respect" for the midfielder "as a player" he does not hold him in high regard "as a man".

Silva completed a free transfer to Sociedad on Monday after leaving Manchester City at the end of their 2019-20 campaign, crashing the Spanish club's official website in the process.

The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract at the Anoeta, returning to La Liga after 10 hugely successful years in the Premier League.

Lazio had been mooted as the most likely next destination for the ex-Spain international in recent weeks, and his father Fernando Silva fuelled speculation over the potential switch earlier this month.

He told El Transistor of his son's desire to undertake a new challenge in Serie A: "I can confirm that he loves Serie A and would really enjoy playing in Italy. He told me he could play there until he’s 40."

However, Silva has ultimately decided to embark on the next stage of his career at Sociedad, a decision which came as an unwelcome surprise to Tare.

The Lazio chief said in an official press release: "I learn about David Silva's transfer to Real Sociedad. I have great respect for the player, but not for the man."

Sociedad handed Silva the No.21 shirt upon his arrival in San Sebastian, which was vacated when Real Madrid winger Martin Odegaard returned to Santiago Bernabeu following a season-long loan.

The former City star left the Etihad Stadium with his status as a club legend firmly intact, as he took in a total of 436 appearances for the Blues after moving to Manchester from Valencia in 2010.

Silva got his hands on four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups while on City's books, and established himself as one of the top playmakers in European football.

He will now hope to help Sociedad improve on last term's sixth place La Liga finish, with the Europa League also up for grabs for Imanol Alguacil's side in 2020-21.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have denied reports they have reached a deal to hire Florent Ibenge as Luc Eymael's successor at the club.

On Monday, after Jangwani giants dispatched their delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rumours went rife that they are about to conclude talks with coach Ibenge.

The Timu Ya Wananchi delegation was led by the Competition Committee chair and the representative of GSM, the club’s sponsors Hersi Said.

Yanga are in the market for a new coach after parting ways with head coach Luc Eymael, whose half-a-season stint was marred with controversy as well as assistant coach Boniface Mukwasa.

Said have now calmed down the rumours by stating he had travelled to Congo to do football business with AS Vita plus signing other players to join Yanga ahead of next season.

"I am here to do football business and with the level of reception I have received from AS Vita president and other club officials, everything is unfolding well,” Said is quoted by Daily News.

"We want to be a good example by following the right procedures to get players who are still contracted to their teams and not like other clubs which ignore such legal steps.”

Said further clarified he had not held talks with Ibenge but the club had tasked him to ensure he drives the club further to clinch the Caf Champions League title within the next two years.

Said visited AS Vita, a club that is being headed by Ibenge further fuelling the rumour mill the 58-year-old may agree to join the 27-time Tanzanian league champions.

Ibenge is one of the experienced African coaches having been in charge of Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua a job he started in April 2012. After the short sojourn in China, he came and took over the Linafoot bigwigs in 2014.

He was appointed the Democratic Republic of Congo national team head coach in 2014 and combined the role with AS Vita duties. Ibenge led The Leopards to the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) title.

He stepped down last year from his national duties and returned to AS Vita.

Japhet Tanganga has been reflecting on a memorable breakthrough campaign at Tottenham which saw him go from playing against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane on FIFA to facing the Juventus and Liverpool superstars in real life.

The 21-year-old defender formed part of Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-season plans heading into 2019-20.

He figured in International Champions Cup fixtures during a busy summer, with one of those outings seeing him come up against Serie A title holders Juve and a certain five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“That was crazy! It didn’t feel real in many ways,” Tanganga told talkSPORT of lining up against Ronaldo.

“I was thinking, ‘I was just playing this man on FIFA but now this is real life, I’m playing against one of the greats’. He has a presence for sure.

“Luckily, I played well that day and so did the team, but I’ll never forget coming up against him for sure.”

Ronaldo found the target in that contest, but Spurs ran out 3-2 winners on the day.

Tanganga went on make his competitive bow in a Carabao Cup clash with Colchester, before Jose Mourinho threw him in at a Premier League deep end during a top-flight debut against Liverpool in January.

The youngster fared admirably against the elite, earning himself more opportunities in the process, with the promising full-back helping to keep Mane quiet in a game the Reds won 1-0.

On facing a Senegalese star, Tanganga said: “The boss pulled me aside a couple of days before the game and said, ‘do you want to play at the weekend?’, and I was like, ‘well, yeah!’

“Even though I was nervous I obviously couldn’t say no – that’s what we train for.

“So before the game I was YouTubing Mane and basically scouting him.

“I was watching him twisting guys up and I was like, ‘this could be me, man’. So I was nervous, but I had a decent game and he didn’t embarrass me or anything.”

Tanganga took in 11 appearances in total during the 2019-20 campaign, as he also saw FA Cup and Champions League action, with his efforts earning him a new long-term contract through to 2025.

Marseille's Ligue 1 season opener against Saint-Etienne has been postponed after the club confirmed three positive coronavirus tests.

The Ligue 1 club revealed on Sunday that three individuals within their "professional workforce" had been detected as potentially having Covid-19.

Their communication at the time indicated the club were seeking confirmation regarding these cases and follow-up tests on Monday all came back positive.

These results take the French outfit's total positive cases up to four in the past week, with the club subsequently announcing the transfer of all relevant information to the LFP.

Marseille's administration team delivered a message to supporters via Twitter on Tuesday, which reads: "Following the tests carried out on Monday, no new cases of Covid-19 were revealed, but Sunday's 3 suspected cases have been confirmed."

Marseille were due to kick off the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign on Friday at home to Saint-Etienne – but French football authorities have now confirmed that the fixture has been called off.

An official statement released by Ligue 1 reads: "In view of the medical results transmitted by Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday, August 18, the national Covid commission indicates to the LFP Competitions Commission that the virus is circulating within the Marseille club and proposes the postponement of the match."

The match will now be rescheduled to take place on either Wednesday, September 16 or Thursday, September 17, subject to further medical evaluations.

Friday's contest would have been the first Ligue 1 fixture since early March, when French authorities suspended action due to the coronavirus – with the competition then officially ended prematurely on April 28.

PSG were subsequently crowned champions for a third successive year, while Marseille secured a runners-up spot and automatic Champions League qualification.

Bruno Fernandes has aired his ambition to help Manchester United to “many titles”, with the Portuguese eager to make amends for semi-final heartache in 2019-20.

The Red Devils reached the last four of three competitions in a campaign that has just come to a close.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his side make impressive progress in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League, only for tangible success to remain elusive.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Sevilla dashed United’s dreams of silverware on multiple fronts, with the Red Devils having to console themselves with Champions League qualification through a third-place finish in the Premier League.

That is considered to be a step in right direction, but a rich history of trophy collecting at Old Trafford means that much more is expected.

Fernandes is determined to play a leading role in getting United back into the winners’ enclosure.

He has become a talismanic figure on the back of a January move from Sporting, with the 25-year-old playmaker contributing 12 goals to the collective cause through 22 appearances.

There is the promise of more to come from him on an individual level, while the desire of all of those on the red half of Manchester is to deliver cause for celebration as a collective.

In a message to the club’s supports on his personal Instagram account, Fernandes said: “Unfortunately our journey in the Europa League ends here.

“It wasn’t what we expected. We wanted to be in the final and fight for the trophy we so desired.

“Whilst we congratulate Sevilla for making it to the final, we still played well and we didn’t deserve to stop here.

“It is now time for rest and to reflect so that we come back even stronger and reach the goals we set ourselves for the next season!

“Thank you to all my team-mates and staff who welcomed me so well over these past months at the Red Devils.

“I hope to continue to learn and grow every day with you, and that we may conquer many titles in the future. Together we lose, together we make mistakes and together we grow.”

Fernandes fired United in front against Sevilla from the penalty spot, only to see the Spaniards turn the tie on its head and claim a 2-1 win.

That setback has further highlighted the need for Solskjaer to bolster his ranks in the summer transfer window, with the Red Devils now in the process of identifying and chasing down top targets.

Per Mertesacker has described Dayot Upamecano "one of the most exciting central defenders the world has to offer" amid talk of Arsenal's interest in the RB Leipzig star.

Upamecano is currently enjoying the best season of his career to date, having played a key role in Leipzig's run to a third-place Bundesliga finish and the semi-finals of the Champions League.

His latest performance helped Julian Nagelsmann's men upset Atletico Madrid in the last eight of Europe's elite competition, as he kept the likes of Diego Costa, Marcos Llorente and Yannick Carrasco quiet during a stunning 2-1 win in Lisbon.

The 21-year-old recently committed his future to Leipzig through to 2023, but a number of top clubs are still reported to be weighing up a summer swoop for his services, including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Arsenal have also been strongly linked with Upamecano, and Mertesacker is excited to see how the defender's career progresses in the coming years.

The Gunners' academy manager sees similarities between the Frenchman and former Brazil international Lucio, and expects him to keep attracting interest from the elite if he continues on his current trajectory.

"I was very excited about the Atletico game," Mertesacker told  Goal  and  DAZN.

"He showed so much and did it right: the courage of a Lucio who just goes forward, but also my solid game of simply finding the right man or withdrawing.

"If he continues like this, works on himself and remains consistent, he will generate more interest. He's definitely one of the most exciting central defenders the world has to offer right now.

"RB certainly made the contract extension very tasty for him. It's exciting to see where his path is going."

Nagelsmann has also been tipped to take the next step in his career after an impressive first year at Leipzig, with Mertesacker of the opinion that one of Europe's youngest managers is already among the best in the business.

"I see him as a very ambitious coach who doesn't shy away from big names," said the ex-Arsenal centre-half. "He is still very young and capable of development, at the moment we can only congratulate him. He tries to implement his tactical ideas.

"He goes along with the RB way, but refines it according to his ideas and does not allow any concept to be imposed on him.

"Comparing him to a single coach is very difficult, but when you beat the top coaches it's inevitable. I already see him in the top 10 in Europe. In his young, dynamic, tactically clever way he is unique."

Mertesacker added on the possibility of Nagelsmann making a move to the Premier League: "Such successes keep the Bundesliga coming into focus.

"The more experience he gains, the more naturally he brings himself into the conversation. I am curious to see whether it will be possible to install young English coaches, also from the youth set-up.

"If Julian continues like this, he will automatically be a candidate in England too."

Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce have announced the signing of Mame Thiam from rival club Kasimpasa.   

The forward signed a three-year deal with the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium outfit following his successful medicals with the side.    

The Yellow Canaries confirmed the acquisition of the Senegalese on Tuesday and will link up with Morocco's Nabil Dira and Cape Verde international Garry Rodrigues at the club.  

“Our club has signed Mame Thiam, who played in Kasımpasa, one of the Super League teams, as a result of the negotiations with the club and him,” read a statement from the club website.

“Our club has agreed a three-year deal with the Senegalese forward. We welcome 27-year-old Thiam to our family, who will fight with our striped jersey. We wish him success with the unlimited love and support of our fans.”

Thiam played for the youth teams of Real San Marco, Treviso, Sassuolo and Inter Milan before joining Avellino, where he made his professional debut after failing to break into the Black and Blues’ first team.

The centre-forward also played for South Tyrol on loan before he permanently left the San Siro outfit to team up with Serie A giants Juventus.

The striker also struggled for first-team action with the Old Lady and made do with loan spells at Lanciano, Zulte Waregem, PAOK and Empoli.

Thiam cancelled his contract with Juventus in a mutual agreement in September 2017 and then joined Iranian side Esteghlal.

In the summer of 2018, the defender signed for UAE team Ajman and featured in 26 league games for the club, scoring 13 goals before he moved to Turkey to join Kasımpasa.

The forward scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 28 appearances across all competitions for the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium outfit in the 2019-20 season before his departure.

Thiam will hope to establish himself at Fenerbahce to boost his chances of playing for the Senegal national team.

Wazito FC boss Ricardo Badoer is excited about the arrival of Boniface Omondi.

The winger has been a target for the 2018/19 National Super League champions who struggled for consistency in the top-tier but has now officially been confirmed at the club ahead of the new season.

"We are pleased to announce the signing of the speedy Boniface Omondi from Gor Mahia," Wazito confirmed on their website.

"He also boasts Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup experience having represented Gor Mahia in the two competitions."

Badoer, who is well remembered to have launched an astonishing Twitter rant at the 11 players who were sacked by the club two months ago, has now taken to his social media pages to welcome Omondi to the club.

“Speed and heart of a Lion with winning hunger, Boniface Omondi,” Badoer wrote on his Twitter handle. “I salute you and welcome you to the Wazito.”

Badoer had attacked the 11 players labelling them 'hyenas' and went further to explain why he axed the players, accusing the departed eleven of 'eating his money'.

"Today the Wazito FC cleaning continues," he wrote on his @Donrico77 handle. "Kicking out no good f**king hyena players that were recruited without my approval,” Badoer had stated back then.

"All they did was to eat my money and lose games. I wish them the best on the f**king streets where they belong. They lacked self-respect and love for the game."

The 25-year-old Omondi was also delighted with the move and said he was keen on having a positive impact for his new side.

"I want to thank God for the opportunity to join Wazito FC," Omondi said after signing.

"I know that it is a good side because I have faced them in the league. The goal is to help the team lift titles and I know that it is possible.  

"To the fans, I urge them to keep rallying behind the team and everything will be alright."

Wazito coach Fred Ambani also welcomed the player stating his experience will be helpful to the team.

If Lionel Messi were to leave Barcelona then “we’ll have to change the name of the club”, says Samuel Eto’o, with the Argentine superstar having become synonymous with the Liga giants.

An all-time great has spent his entire professional career to date on the books at Camp Nou.

Barca bought into Messi’s potential at a young age and carefully nurtured him through the famed La Masia academy system and into their senior ranks.

Eto’o formed part of the Blaugrana’s squad as an exciting talent broke through and always expected the Argentine to reach the very top.

Messi now has six Ballons d’Or and countless major titles to his name, with the history books having been rewritten on a regular basis as a result of his unworldly exploits.

It could be that somebody else gets to benefit from those talents before the time comes to hang up his boots, with the struggles being endured in Catalunya at present seeing unwelcome exit talk sparked.

Barca have been unable to tie their talismanic captain to terms beyond the summer of 2021, but Eto’o still considers a parting of ways to be unthinkable.

The former Blaugrana frontman told TyC Sports: “I love Messi like he was my own son, I want the best for him.

“Barcelona is Messi and I think if Messi decides to leave, we'll have to change the name of the club.

“We are lucky in that at Barcelona, we have the best player in the world and of all-time, we have to do everything possible to ensure he finishes his career at Barcelona.”

Barca’s inability to claim La Liga or Copa del Rey honours in 2019-20, along with their humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, is said to have Messi mulling over his options.

Eto’o can understand the frustration of those at Camp Nou, but is looking for everyone connected with the club to dust themselves down and bounce back stronger next season.

The iconic Cameroonian striker added: “I really suffered myself with that defeat [to Bayern], not just for Leo, but for all of the lads.

“Someone who has never played the game will find it hard to understand, but these things exist in football - and in life too. 

“Anyone can suffer a fall but you have to get up again and that is the most difficult part.

“The players, the bosses, the fans, I hope that we can lift ourselves up from this and begin to dream again for next season.”

Barcelona will be under new management for 2020-21, with Quique Setien having been relieved of his duties as reports suggest that Ronald Koeman will be appointed as his successor.

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has jumped to defend misfiring striker Gabadinho Mhango ahead of the Baroka FC clash on Tuesday. 

The Malawi international last scored in Pirates' 2-1 win over Chippa United at the start of February when he netted a brace. 

He hasn't scored in his last five competitive matches where the Sea Robbers won once, lost once and drew the other three. 

And Zinnbauer believes the 27-year-old needs self-confidence and the trust from him more than anything during this period. 

"You know as a striker you need the self-confidence and you need the trust from the coach and it's not so easy too that we have a good striker or two on the bench," Zinnbauer told the media. 

"Mhango scored a lot of goals in the first round. He had one of the best chances [against Bidvest Wits]." 

Despite his decline in form in recent matches, Zinnbauer is still pleased with the work put in by Mhango both in the attacking and defensive halves.

"A striker‚ when he doesn't think about anything‚ will score and maybe at the moment, he's thinking a little bit too much but he's doing a good job. He runs‚ he works for the team‚ he does defensive and offensive work. He tries and tries.

"But that's how it is as a striker. You have moments where you can do what you want and you still won't score," he added. 

"And now it's the decision we have to make. Normally we will give him the trust and he will meet the trust." 

The 50-year-old mentor is undecided on whether to give Mhango a break so that he can recharge his batteries or continue playing him until he rediscovers his form. 

"But I don't know what's in the next games. Maybe he needs a break‚ or maybe he needs to play," continued Zinnbauer. 

Should Zinnbauer opt to drop Mhango, he would have to choose between Tshegofatso Mabasa and Augustine Mulenga as his preferred strikers.

The suspension of Thembinkosi Lorch and Justin Shonga has also left Pirates thin in the attacking third and it is unclear as to when the duo will be allowed to return to the camp with the rest of their teammates.   

Gwambina FC have unveiled 12 new players as they prepare for life in the Mainland Premier League.

According to the club’s secretary general Daniel Kirahi who spoke to Daily News, the Mwanza-based club has signed goalkeepers Mohamed Makaka from Ruvu Shooting and Stali Nyambe from Buildcon FC of Zambia while defenders include Aron Lulambo from KMC, Moric Mahela from Stand United­ and Baraka Mtui 'Popa' from Ruvu Shooting FC.

Other are are Novartus Lufunga who served Lipuli, Said Mkange from Sahare FC while strikers include Paul Nonga from Lipuli, Lameck Daniel from Biashara United, Japhet Makalai from Kagera Sugar and Miraji Saleh who formerly served Stand United.

The club has also received a huge boost with key players renewing their contracts among them Mohamed Hussein, Isihaka Ibrahim, Revocatus Richard, Salum Kipaga, Hamad Nassor, Anthony Matogolo, Yusuph Kagoma,Yusuph Lwenge, Salim Sheshe, Rajab Athuman, Jacob Massawe, Meshack Abraham, Jimmyson Steven, and Kapama Kibadeni.

Just a week ago, Gwambina appointed Mwinyi Zahera as their new technical director ahead of the new season which kicks off on September 6.

The Congolese tactician returned to handle a team in the top-flight after his stint with Young Africans (Yanga SC) in the 2018-19 season ended when he was fired for poor results, with Belgian Luc Eymael taking over.

“We have reached an agreement with Zahera to coach our side in the coming season, he arrives with experience having coached Yanga previously and we wish him well as he takes up the challenge of making sure that we remain in the league,” the club said in a statement seen by Goal while unveiling Zahera.

On his part, Zahera promised to do his best and help the club achieve its targets.

“I know what it means handling a promoted side in the top-tier, the expectations are very high because their main target is to make sure they keep their status first and then start building from there.”

Gwambina were promoted to the Tanzanian Mainland Premier League from the First Division League (FDL) after they beat Pamba FC 1-0 in their final match of the season.

The club, which was only founded a year ago, earned promotion with two matches to spare as they had accumulated 44 points from 20 matches.

Gwambina won 13 games, drew in five and lost in two other matches. 

Gwambina were promoted alongside Ihefu and Dodoma Jiji while Mbao FC were relegated alongside Alliance FC, Lipuli FC, Ndanda FC, and Singida United. 

Gonzalo Higuain has admitted he "could play in MLS" one day, but still plans to see out his final year at Juventus, and is expecting a "different dynamic" at the club under new head coach Andrea Pirlo.

Higuain returned to the Allianz Stadium last summer after a six-month loan spell at Chelsea, and featured in 44 games across all competitions for Juve in 2019-20.

However, the 32-year-old only found the net on 11 occasions, and Goal has reported that the Bianconeri are ready to offload the striker in the summer transfer window.

A potential return to River Plate has been mooted for Higuain, but his current contract is not due to expire until 2021, and he is currently earning a reported €7.5 million (£7m/$9m) per year in wages in Turin.

Although a man who has also taken in spells at Real Madrid, Napoli and AC Milan is quite content to stay put for now, he is open to undertaking a new challenge in the United States at some point.

Higuain thinks Pirlo's arrival could see his role in the Juve squad change ahead of the new season, as he told Fox Sports when addressing speculation over his future: "Later on I could play in the MLS, many players will go and it would be good.

"But now I'm in Juventus, I still have a year left. We will see what happens.

"In five days we will return to training and see how it will be. With the new coach, there will surely be a different dynamic."

Asked if seeing out his career in Argentina holds any appeal, Higuain responded: "I don't miss it, but I like watching it.

"I started young and many players hesitate to come back, especially for the future of their families. The USA, China or Saudi Arabia are preferred."

The former Napoli star went on to defend his controversial move from Stadio San Paolo to the Allianz Stadium in 2016, adding: "Me, a traitor? I do not regret having signed for Juventus.

"How many players went from River to Boca, from Inter to Milan?

"They said the same about Ronaldo, Pirlo and many others. It is part of football."

Higuain also weighed in on Lionel Messi's current situation at Barcelona, with reports linking the six-time Ballon d'Or winner with a move away from Camp Nou widespread in the wake of the club's shocking Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

The Argentina international said of his compatriot: "I don't know if he will leave Barcelona. It is a difficult and dramatic situation.

"Only he can know what to do. I hope the best happens and that he can be happy."

Ghana is set to take delivery of 100 footballs from Caf as part of the continental football's governing body's support to member associations.

The gesture is fueled by the Fifa Forward Development Programme.

First adopted in May 2016, the Fifa programme is a special initiative to support all member associations and confederations with resources in three key areas of more investment, more impact, and more oversight - all aimed at sharing the success of the Fifa World Cup with member associations.

"The Confederation of African Football (Caf), has decided to support member Associations with one hundred (100) footballs for use by Associations as match balls," the GFA announced on its official website.

"As a result, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will be a beneficiary of this gesture as the continental football governing body, work to support member Associations via the Fifa Forward programme. This was communicated to the GFA on Thursday, August 13, 2020 in a letter by Caf.

"The 100 match balls are part of the Fifa Forward Program and the distribution is scheduled over two batches (end of August and end of September).

"The 100 footballs from Caf will be used by the national teams of the Association."

The Caf support will be Ghana's third football provision intervention since July.

Last month, the GFA signed a deal with Koreens Galaka Enterprise who will provide 5000 Macron-branded footballs for the nation's top two football leagues and FA Cup competition for the next three seasons.

Last week, the national football's governing body announced its Executive Council has decided to support grassroots development with 6000 footballs.

"It would be recalled that the GFA announced plans to support grassroots football with 6,000 balls through its Fifa Forward 1.0 programme," the GFA announcement continued.

"The GFA also announced a 5,000-football sponsorship deal for the male competitions, the Ghana Premier League, Division One League and the FA Cup for the next three seasons."

Ghana is one of 54 African football associations and federations to benefit from the Fifa Forward Development Programme.

“In light with Caf efforts to support its National Associations, Caf has the pleasure to inform you that it has been decided to provide 100 match balls to each Member Association," a Caf letter notifying Ghana of the incoming support read.

Fabinho believes he can take his game to even greater heights during a third year on Liverpool’s books, with the Brazil international aware that he needs to offer more of a goal threat.

The versatile South American has shown that he can be a useful asset to Jurgen Klopp.

Many have billed him as the finest holding midfielder in the Premier League, with his varied qualities having helped to deliver more major silverware at Anfield.

Fabinho has also showcased his shooting prowess from distance, with spectacular strikes recorded in meetings with Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

The 26-year-old is, however, prepared to acknowledge that he should be contributing more in the goalscoring department.

He told the Reds’ official website of Klopp’s demands: “He always talks about that I have to shoot more because I have this quality. I will try.

“I know I can do this, I have to try more in the games. Sometimes I have the chance to shoot more from long distance and I didn't do this because I prefer to pass.

“But I scored two nice goals last season and I just have to train on this and try a bit more in the games.”

Fabinho took in another 39 appearances for Liverpool across the 2019-20 campaign and is now up to 80 in all competitions through two seasons on Merseyside.

He is happy with how things are going – having collected Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League crowns – but feels there is even more to come from him.

A man fondly known as ‘Flaco’ - the skinny one – by his Anfield team-mates added on his future ambition: “I am always an optimist with this. I try always to be better, to learn, to keep working. 

“My first two seasons were good. Collectively it was very good and individually I think it was good as well. I will try to be better in the next few seasons.

“The club is very special. Since I came here the guys helped me a lot, the staff helped me a lot. I feel really like I'm at home now and I have a nickname!

“It's a very nice club and my relationship with my team-mates is very good as well.”

Former Harambee Stars forward Innocent Mutiso will be in the race for Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as a running partner to journalist Boniface Osano.

The latter is vying for the presidency of the Federation, and the former Gor Mahia winger has opted to form a coalition with him. 

"For far too long, former footballers have been at the back seat of football politics," Mutiso said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"We have been branded complainers without really doing anything about it. I have drawn inspiration from one Sammy Shollei who against all odds won the deputy president of the FKF back in 2011. After various consultations, I have decided to make the first step and hope more x-footballers will follow suit into football politics."

The 33-year-old is saddened by the state of football in the country especially on youth and women and has promised to focus on improving the same if given a chance to lead the game in the country.

"I have been a servant of football in my playing career and also in my retirement and it pains me that youth football and women football have come as a second thought to the federation," Mutiso continued.

"I plan to change that if given the opportunity to serve as the deputy president of FKF. I plan to work with the primary soccer schools association and the secondary schools' associations as they play a vital role in grooming the upcoming footballers into being responsible men in society. 

"The director of football should work hand in hand with these institutions and academies so that we have an identity; currently we have none."

The youthful administrator has also hit out at the tendency of taking football battles to court regularly saying he is keen on ensuring it does not continue if he gets the chance to head the game in the country.

"Since I started playing football at the highest level, it has always been played in courts one way or the other and it's time we took football back to the pitch.

"Players and fans alike are tired of all the endless court battles from selfish unscrupulous people who have no football in their hearts.  

"We want a fair playing field in the upcoming elections after it was cancelled twice, the electoral code should be all-inclusive to allow for a level playing field."

Romelu Lukaku is a "different animal" at Inter, according to Paul Ince, who says the Belgian striker wasn't "happy" at Manchester United.

Lukaku's two-year stint at Old Trafford came to an end when he completed a £74 million ($97m) move to Inter in August 2019.

Despite the fact that the 27-year-old scored a respectable 42 goals in 96 appearances for the Red Devils, he was subjected to fierce criticism throughout his time in Manchester.

Questions were asked over his fitness levels and technical ability, with doubts also raised over his commitment to United's cause under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, Lukaku has enjoyed a huge upturn in form and confidence since arriving at San Siro, scoring 33 goals across all competitions in his debut campaign for the Nerazzurri.

The Belgium international's latest double helped Antonio Conte's men beat Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Monday, and Ince was beaming in his assessment of the in-form forward after the match.

The ex-United midfielder told BT Sport of how Lukaku has turned his career around in Italy: "Lukaku didn’t struggle [to score at United], he scored goals, let’s get that right.

"He wasn’t happy under Mourinho. Sometimes you find the right person, the right country. If you’re happy you will perform."

Ince added on Lukaku's overall performance against Shakhtar: "He looked fit and lean. Talking about when he was at Manchester United, he didn’t look like he could get around the park.

"He’s just running past people [now]. Pace! I was fitter at Inter – whether it’s the climate or the food.

"He looks like a different animal. We know he can finish. Wow."

Owen Hargreaves, another former United midfielder, agreed with Ince's comments on Lukaku, expressing his belief that the Inter frontman was weighed down by unfair expectations at the Theatre of Dreams.

"I think he got a raw deal at Manchester United," Hargreaves said. "I think he felt there was a lot of pressure on him.

"He felt he had a point to prove all the time. He almost played like he was carrying that burden.

"Now he looks like he’s in a place where he’s really confident. I think he deserved a little bit better.

"We never questioned his finishing, but at 27 he looks the perfect age. It just shows you, you need to find the right fit for you.

"For whatever reason, it wasn’t there [at Manchester United]."