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Henrikh Mkhitaryan believes he has enjoyed a “good season” at Roma and is pleased to have an agreement in place that allows him to return to Stadio Olimpico in 2020-21 and avoid re-joining the ranks at Arsenal.

The Gunners sanctioned a move to Italy for the Armenian playmaker prior to the 2019-20 campaign.

They had seen Mkhitaryan endure a testing time in English football at Manchester United and Emirates Stadium. There had been flashes of what he was capable of, with three trophies secured at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, but consistency proved to be an issue for the former Borussia Dortmund star.

Mkhitaryan has rediscovered his spark in Serie A and has already seen a deal struck that will keep him away from north London for the foreseeable future.

“In my opinion, I had a good season, despite the two injuries I had,” Mkhitaryan told UEFA’s official website. “I am in good shape right now, and I hope to keep everything this way.

“We have already reached an agreement with Roma for me to play for the club for another year, until summer 2021, which I am very happy about. I have felt at home since day one – in my football, on the pitch and off it.”

Roma are yet to bring the curtain down on their current campaign as they remain in the hunt for Europa League glory, and Mkhitaryan is hoping to sign off with a repeat of the success he enjoyed in 2017, with the 31-year-old finding the target in United’s 2-0 final victory over Ajax.

He said: “The Europa League is a pretty serious tournament, and it’s an honour for any player to win it. Before the final match, I just wanted the team to win, so that I would be able to lift the cup above my head with the Armenian flag.

“I did my best to prepare for the match during the week in order to perform perfectly.

“The match went as we had planned, we won 2-0, and what’s most important is that I scored probably one of the most important goals in my career, which I was hugely happy about. I can’t even explain the emotions, the feelings I had in that moment and at the end of the match.”

Mkhitaryan’s 2019-20 season has seen him make 29 appearances, with nine goals and six assists.

Goal can reveal Anele Ngcongca is not leaving Mamelodi Sundowns for Belgian side KSV Roeselare.

In July, Roeselare claimed to have secured the services of Ngcongca on a two-year deal from the Brazilians. 

However, the said deal was denied by Ngcongca's agent Mike Makaab who reiterated his client had not signed anything with anyone except recently renewing his contract with the Tshwane giants.  

A source close to the player and the club has now confirmed to Goal that Ngcongca is still in Rustenburg with the rest of his teammates. 

The source further revealed that there have never been negotiations between Sundowns and Roeselare over the possible transfer of the 32-year-old defender. 

Ngcongca is expected to release an official statement to clear the air regarding his future and Roeselare's reports.  

"Anele is still around. He hasn't left the club," the source told Goal. 

"Those were just unfounded rumours because no club has entered into negotiations with Sundowns over Ngcongca's services," said the source. 

"The club isn't going to entertain those rumours but the management has spoken to Anele about it and he will release a statement when he is ready," concluded the source. 

Ngcongca spent nine years in Belgium and another year in France during his 10-year stay in Europe. 

He returned to South Africa to sign for the Brazilians in 2016 and has won two league titles and the Telkom Knockout Cup trophy with Pitso Mosimane's coached team since then.

This was after he turned down an opportunity to join Kaizer Chiefs who were initially interested in signing him upon his return from Belgium. 

The former Bafana Bafana utility player has made 97 appearances across all competitions for Sundowns in his four-year stay with them and found the back of the net on two separate occasions despite his earlier struggles with injuries and form. 

Ngcongca has been an integral member of Mosimane's squad this season with 29 matches, a goal and a single assist under his belt to date.  

At times, Mosimane used Ngcongca in a more central role as Thapelo Morena owned the right full-back position before his injury back in September 2019.

Toni Kroos has revealed he once lied to the Bayern Munich team doctor about how he picked up an injury - and that it eventually helped him get a valuable loan spell away from the Bundesliga giants.

Kroos, now with Real Madrid and one of the most respected midfielders in modern football, picked up a ligament injury aged 18 while having a kickaround with his friends, he said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.

The now 30-year-old playmaker revealed that, on a visit to Rostock - where he used to be an academy player - to see friends, he fell over while playing football and tore a ligament, which kept him out of action for three months.

When asked by Bayern club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt how he had sustained the injury, however, Kroos claimed he had picked it up while doing training runs in the forest, rather than while playing around with his mates.

Kroos opened up on the incident on his podcast, stating: "You haven't heard anything else to this day. Especially when it came out that it really was a torn ligament, I didn't feel like explaining that it happened in football. Now after so much time, I can't be punished for this."

The Germany international went on to say that he felt the injury had actually helped with his career. During the winter break in the 2008-09 season, Kroos was sent out by Bayern on an 18-month loan to Bayer Leverkusen in order to gain first-team experience.

Kroos established himself for Leverkusen in the 2009-10 campaign and was called up for the Germany squad at the 2010 World Cup, before returning to Bayern and working his way into the first-team picture.

In Kroos' opinion, his injury played a part in him being allowed to leave Bayern, as he would otherwise have been kept as a back-up squad member and would not have had the same opportunities.

He said: "I think Bayern would not have allowed me to move if I had been fit. I didn't play much before anyway and then everything came together so that I was allowed to go to Leverkusen."

At Leverkusen, he was given a first-team place by manager Jupp Heynckes, who then became Bayern boss between 2011 and 2013 as Kroos became an established figure in the side that won the treble in 2012-13.

Kroos remains grateful to the veteran coach, describing him as one of the greatest influences on his career.

He said: "He was the coach that I had the longest, the one who helped me to gain a foothold in Leverkusen, the one who helped me to finally assert myself in Bavaria and helped me become a top player."

Lille are set to sign Canada international Jonathan David after agreeing a €30 million (£27m/$35m) club-record deal with Gent despite interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

The 20-year-old will replace Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who joined Napoli in a €50m (£45m/$59m) deal last week, and will sign a five-year deal.

Arsenal had considered David as a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but continue to chase a contract renewal for their star striker, while they are also set to sign Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea.

The Gunners also face budget restrictions having announced they would lay off 55 members of staff at the Emirates Stadium to help fund further moves, with Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes one of the players who could arrive.

Meanwhile, Manchester United scouts were watching David but they continue to discuss a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, with the Red Devils having been unable to agree a fee with the Bundesliga club up to now.

Leicester City, Leeds, Brighton and Crystal Palace had all registered serious interest in David but he has opted for Lille having been impressed with their plan to further develop his career.

David's move to Stade Pierre-Mauroy for a €30m fee will see him break the club's previous record transfer that saw Renato Sanches join in a €25m (£23m/$30m) deal from Bayern Munich last summer.

The New York-born Canadian star alerted scouts to his talents having scored 11 goals in 12 games for his national team in a starring role alongside Bayern star Alphonso Davies.

At club level, 18 goals and eight assists in 27 Jupiler Pro League games saw him emerge as the Belgian league's top man.

Lille have already been active in the transfer window having signed former Manchester United youngster Angel Gomes on a free transfer, before loaning him to their affiliate club Boavista.

They have also signed experienced Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz and two youth stars in Isaac Lihadji and Usman Simbakoli.

Christophe Galtier's side finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and will feature in the 2020-21 Europa League.

Real Madrid will struggle to keep out Manchester City without Sergio Ramos, according to Fabio Capello, who says the captain's absence creates an "important problem" for his old club.

Madrid are facing an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to City at Santiago Bernabeu in February.

Isco opened the scoring for the Blancos in the round of 16 first-leg tie, but Gabriel Jesus hit an equaliser before a Kevin De Bruyne penalty completed a remarkable turnaround for the visitors.

To make matters worse, Ramos was shown the 26th red card of his career during the dying moments of the match, which ensured he will sit out the reverse fixture at Etihad Stadium through suspension.

Capello thinks Pep Guardiola's side will find plenty of gaps in a Madrid defence lacking a talismanic performer, and has ultimately backed them to qualify for the last eight.

The former Blancos head coach told Laureus: “I thought in the last two games that they played before the end of the season, Manchester City were on the top of their form.

“They are really dangerous when they go forward. In the past, I thought [Pep] Guardiola has made some tactical faults in midfield, but now, when they lose the ball, they try to recover it.

“The problem when you play City is how well can you defend against them?

“So I think, for me, I prefer Man City, because without Sergio Ramos, when you have to defend against City going forward, it will be difficult for Real.”

Asked if there is any chance of Madrid completing a turnaround in Manchester, Capello responded: “It's possible because, for Real Madrid, it's normal to play this kind of game.

“The pressure will help Real Madrid. They finished the Liga season brilliantly and they won the title.

“But I think they have one important problem. Without Sergio Ramos, when you have to defend, it will be really difficult.

“Sergio Ramos is the captain, is the leader in the dressing room, he's the leader on the pitch. The personality of this player is really important for all the players.”

The ex-England and Juventus manager went on to express his belief that Guardiola has altered his managerial approach significantly since leaving Barcelona in 2012.

Capello added: "Guardiola is changing his style. When he was at Barcelona, he played the famous tiki-taka, but now it has changed a lot.

"When he recovers the ball, they go really quickly to create openings for a goal, with fantastic players like De Bruyne, [Riyad] Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus. It will be a spectacular game for me.”

Tanzania Mainland Premier League champions Simba SC have reportedly developed an interest to sign Kenya international Jesse Were.

Were has established himself as a prolific striker for Zesco United since his 2016 move and the newly-crowned Tanzanian champions are said to have lately added him to their wish list.

Simba have not signed any player so far since the transfer window swung open on August 1 but reports indicate the club's top hierarchy have met where they discussed plans on how to carry out their transfer business.

In their meeting, Goal understands Were's approach was prominently discussed as well as Chris Mugalu's possible arrival too.

The Democratic Republic of Congo star is featuring in the Zambian Super League with Were as he is on the books of Lusaka Dynamos.

Simba's Chief Executive Officer Senzo Mazingisa had made it clear only top players will be brought on board as he feels the squad does not need a total overhaul.

Should Were sign for Wekundu wa Msimbazi, he would fight for a first-team place with Rwandan international Meddie Kagere who has been an indisputable goal scorer for the Msimbazi club since 2018.

He would be the second Kenyan in the team as Francis Kahata signed for them in 2019 from local giants Gor Mahia.

Recent reports had linked Were with Azam FC who have been so ambitious in the ongoing transfer period as they alongside Yanga SC, have been the busiest sides so far.

Meanwhile, David Kameta, who is reportedly on his way to Simba has praised Shomari Kapombe as the best defender in the league.

Should Kameta complete the move, he is expected to be Kapombe's understudy and he has spoken highly of the Tanzanian international who has been a defensive pillar for Simba.

“[Shomari] Kapombe is a defender that I have come to respect so much in the league. He is good not only in defending but also providing crucial crosses as well as creating assists,” Kameta told Mwanaspoti.

“I have learned a lot from watching him since I was in the lower division and now in the league. I am learning fine details from him now and possibly even in future.”

The transfer window will close at the end of August.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed he has sent his groundsmen to the Dobsonville Stadium to ensure the pitch is in immaculate condition ahead of the return of the league fixtures next week. 

The Brazilians take on Orlando Pirates at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, and Mosimane just wants to make sure that everything is ready for their match. 

"I have sent my people to Dobsonville Stadium, the people who look after Chloorkop pitches and all that. I told them that their office is no longer Chloorkop, but Dobsonville Stadium and be there nine to five,” Mosimane told the media in an online press conference. 

"They must help the groundsman and make sure that the pitch is ready and in proper condition.

"We have been given a venue and we can’t be making any excuses or passing the buck. I asked them to take everything to Dobsonville if they can but there are challenges," he said.

The 56-year-old mentor said part of the challenges is that his groundsmen are reluctant to leave their equipment at Dobsonville Stadium and while he admits the pitch wasn't bad, he just doesn't want to be caught by surprise when his team has to take to the field. 

"They said, 'coach we can’t leave our equipment in the township' but that is where we are playing; not FNB or Ellis Park - we are playing in the township; it’s the draw. It said we must go to the township and we know the challenges. I grew up in the township. So, you’ve got to make sure things are right. I don’t think the pitch is bad," he explained.

"I got the images and Bidvest Wits played there before the Covid-19 pandemic; it’s a different story after Covid-19.

"Sometimes you get paranoid about these things," he revealed. 

Mosimane is also worried about his safety and that of his colleagues and players and asked if the groundsman at the Soweto-based venue has tested for the coronavirus. 

He revealed there has been no communication at all between the people currently looking after the facility and the club while his team is in Rustenburg.  

"Has the groundsman tested for Covid-19? I am going to be talking and walking with him on the pitch. If he has tested, where does he stay? Who does he talk to while I am in Rustenburg and tried to take the team away from the epicentre?" asked Mosimane.  

"But I need the guy to help me over there, that's part of it – football under Covid-19; that’s what we have," added Mosimane. 

Jesse Lingard is determined to add to his medal collection at Manchester United, with the England international taking aim at Europa League glory in 2020.

The 27-year-old has endured a testing campaign at Old Trafford.

Fierce competition for places, along with serious questions of his form, has led to Lingard slipping down the pecking order.

He has, however, been a regular in continental competition and – having captained United early in their campaign – was back among the goals in a 2-1 victory over LASK in the second leg of a last-16 encounter.

Lingard hopes that a spark has been found in his game, allowing him to see more minutes, while the collective goal of the Red Devils is to finish their season with major silverware wrapped up.

They did take in a Europa League triumph under the guidance of Jose Mourinho in 2017, with the intention being to replicate that success three years on.

Lingard told MUTV after helping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side into the quarter-finals, where they will meet FC Copenhagen: “A win is very positive, especially taking it into the next game.

“We’ve done well and hopefully we can get to the final now and win that. That is our main aim now: to win that trophy.

“With the squad we have got and the personnel we have I feel like everyone is going to play a part. Throughout the build-up in this competition, everyone has played their part.

“We can’t wait to get there and play this game now. 100 per cent I want to win it again.

“Lifting a trophy is a special feeling you can’t really explain and winning it before you take that confidence forward. We have got a mixture of youth and experience in the squad and for the young lads to win their first trophy, it will be perfect for them.”

Lingard has now netted in back-to-back outings, having ended his long wait for a Premier League goal against Leicester on the final day of English top-flight competition, and Solskjaer is pleased to see a man with 24 international caps rediscovering his touch.

The United boss said of an academy graduate who has generated plenty of transfer talk in recent weeks: “Every player knows that when you get your chance, in a game or even in training, you’ve got a chance to prove yourself, prove your worth.

“I know Jesse, I’ve known Jesse since he’s been a little kid, and I know there’s a very good player and great personality to have around.

“He knows what we want from him and he knows that he has to stand by the manager whatever decision he makes.

“I would be disappointed if he was happy coming off, because he was growing in confidence. He’s worked really hard on his finishing, especially lately, and I’m happy for him to score.”

Long time Germany international captain Michael Ballack has expressed his deep admiration for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, and hopes the German coach will take charge of his national team at some point in the future.

Klopp has established himself as one of the world's leading managers at Anfield, having already arrived at the club with a strong reputation following back to back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 while coaching Borussia Dortmund.

He has enhanced that reputation with the Reds, winning the Champions League in 2019, then this season leading Liverpool to the Premier League to end their 30 year wait for an English top-flight league title.

This has impressed ex-Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder Ballack, who told German website Sportbuzzer: "It is impressive how Jurgen established Liverpool at the top, then led them to the Champions League triumph and now to the championship title.

"He breathed the new spirit into Reds, embodies the club, and is a brutal worker who gets the most out of his players. He is an absolutely exceptional trainer. For me he is one of the three best coaches in the world."

Ballack also backed Klopp to succeed Joachim Low as manager of the Germany senior men's international team.

Low has led Germany since 2006, and took them to World Cup glory in 2014. However they were dumped out in the group stages in 2018, and Ballack urged the national federation to look to the future in appointing their next coach by picking the most succesful German option available to them.

He said: "Why shouldn't one of the best coaches in the world be a candidate for the national coaching post? The question is not whether he has the qualities for it, but whether Klopp would even like to become a national coach.

"He is in a position where he can choose anything. Should he ever have enough as a club coach, the position of national coach would be a great story for him and German football. This connection would be perfect."

Ballack - who captained Germany at the 2002 World Cup but missed the final loss to Brazil due to suspension - is currently working on his own coaching badges. He earned the UEFA B licence last year, but his plans to take the tests for the A licence this year have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However Ballack remains committed to working in the sport again: "One thing is clear: I love football and of course I can well imagine returning."

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has backed the proposal for the Premier League's new five substitutions rule to continue through to the 2020-21 season.

When English football was cleared to resume in June following a three-month break in the season, a number of fresh conditions were put in place in a bid to ensure the safety of players and staff amid the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

All top-flight clubs were granted two drinks breaks per 90-minute match, one in each half, with managers allowed to select larger squads of up to 20 players for all remaining fixtures.

The number of substitutions allowed per game was also increased from three to five, in a bid to minimise the risk of injuries during in a congested schedule.

Premier League clubs are now set to vote on whether or not to the make the changes permanent, with the new season set to get underway on September 12.

Mourinho didn't feel the need to make the maximum number of substitutions in any of Tottenham's final nine outings, but he says having the option to shuffle his pack could be valuable tool going forward.

"The five subs, I don't mind it. In the majority of matches, myself, I felt no need for that," the Portuguese head coach said ahead of Thursday's vote.

"But one thing is no need, another thing is no chance. So if you have the chance to do it, I don't think it's a problem.

"Because it can only be done in three periods, it doesn't affect much more the real-time of the game, coaches cannot stop the game five times as you know. I think it's fine.

"I don't see a problem at all with that."

Mourinho added on the benefits of picking a larger squad for each match: "I like the 20 players [in the squad]. It doesn't make any sense to travel with 20 players and then you arrive in the stadium and have to send two guys to the stands when the clubs pay every player and invest in every player.

"And it's much better for a manager to have on the bench a right-back, a left-back, a centre-back, a winger, a midfielder, a striker.

"It's much better to have everything there because it's the ammunition you need. For all tactical reasons, beauty of the game, competitiveness of the game, it's a fair way to treat players because they want to feel they're in the game, and they feel that on the bench.

"It's different to staying at home. So the 20 players on the bench, I love it.

"It gives you more chance to bring young people [on] and gives a much better feeling to everybody. Twenty players on the bench, I think very, very good."

English Championship side Brentford have officially confirmed they have parted ways with midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo and Nikos Karelis. 

The Bafana Bafana star had been with Brentford for the past three years and was recently handed a two-month contract extension until the end of the season. 

However, the club felt he was no longer in their manger's plans for the upcoming season and showed him the exit door. 

His departure comes on the back of Brentford's failure to secure promotion to the Premier League following their loss to Fulham earlier this week. 

"Brentford FC can confirm that Nikos Karelis and Kamohelo Mokotjo have now left the club," reads part of the statement as released by Brentford.  

The pair signed short-term extensions to contracts that expired on 30 June to take them through until the day after Brentford’s final game of the 2019/20 season, as per EFL protocol implemented due to the three-month cessation of fixtures because of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the campaign ending on Tuesday, Nikos and Kamohelo will now leave." 

Mokotjo featured 102 times across all competitions for the English side since his arrival from FC Twente in 2017.

This season only, the midfielder made a whopping 29 appearances for Brendfort and his exclusion from the play-offs took the majority of South African football fans by surprise.  

"Kamohelo leaves at the end of his third season in West London and has played 102 games in all competitions for Brentford, scoring six times. He joined from FC Twente, in the Netherlands, in 2017 and, after starting out with SuperSport United in his home country, also played in the Dutch leagues for Feyenoord and S.B.V. Excelsior."  

"The midfield player has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring in the win at Wigan Athletic, as well as being a regular for South Africa. He appeared for his country in the Africa Cup of Nations last summer and now has 21 caps to his name," continued the statement. 

Brentford manager Thomas Frank wished both Mokotjo and Karelis well in their futures, saying they played a huge role in helping the club reach the level it is in this season. 

"On behalf of everyone at Brentford FC, I would like to wish Nikos and Kamo all the best for the future.

"It has been a pleasure to work with them and they have given their all for the club, on the pitch in the games they have played and in training, where their work has helped the group develop over the season," he said.  

Frank added: "Nikos has been very unfortunate, and I wish him better luck with injuries in the years to come as he has proven his quality. Kamo has been superb for us over three years and now has the opportunity to take on a new challenge. They are part of the Brentford FC story and I hope we see them again."

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have opted out of the deal to sign former Maroons FC striker Pius Obuya.

Obuya and the 13-time Ugandan Premier League (UPL) winners had already agreed on a three-year contract but a medical examination on the player is said to have revealed long-term hip and shoulder injuries.

The injuries, which would mean the forward spends more time on the sidelines, has been revealed as the primary reason why the capital city club did not want to sign him anymore and are now in the market for another viable option.

“An agreement on personal terms was reached between KCCA and the player [Obuya], subject to undergoing a medical,” a source close to Obuya revealed to Football256.

“However, during the medical examination, a problem was identified with his hip and shoulder that will require Obuya to have immediate surgery, and the club has decided to opt out of the deal.”

KCCA head coach Mike Mutebi had seen a perfect replacement for Allan Okello in Obuya but the latest injury revelation could have completely crushed their hopes.

Okello left Kassasiro Boys in January 2020 to join Algerian side Paradou AC after good personal performances, especially in the Caf Champions League.

Obuya has established himself as one of the promising forwards in the Ugandan league since he made his debut as a 16-year-old at Maroons.

KCCA, who will take part in the Caf Confederation Cup next season and target group stage qualification, have already signed Brian Aheebwa, Charles Lwanga, Ashraf Mugume, Stefano Mazengo, Bright Anukani and Denis Iguma.

Meanwhile, Joshua Lubwama has reportedly completed a move to Wakiso Giants.

The midfielder did not extend his contract with BUL FC where he had been for the last two seasons after it expired at the end of June.

His time at the Jinja-based club was hampered by injuries a case he recognised in his farewell message.

“BUL FC will remain in my heart for giving me the amazing opportunity to play in the top-flight league in Uganda,” Lubwama said as he was quoted by Kawowo Sports.

“After this time, I can only thank everyone at BUL, to the staff who made my time here so easy, to all the fans that have supported me since the first day I wore the jersey, to the coaches over the years.

“A battle with you has been an honour and to my teammates who helped me settle in since day one not only as a teammate but as friends, it has been an incredible journey and it is with great sadness that I must say goodbye.

“I will miss you all and wish you the best of luck for the future.”

Should the Wakiso Giants move be completed, Lubwama will work again with head coach Douglas Bamweyana after their previous association at Makerere University.

Pep Guardiola “clearly doesn’t fancy John Stones” and will take Nathan Ake’s game to even greater heights after investing £40 million ($53m) in a new centre-half at Manchester City, says Danny Mills.

The Blues were expected to bolster their defensive options during the summer transfer window.

Having opted against finding a replacement for Vincent Kompany in the wake of the Belgian’s departure in 2019, those at the Etihad Stadium struggled for consistency at the heart of their back four.

Aymeric Laporte has proved to be a shrewd addition, but Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have failed to convince.

That has led to Brazilian holding midfielder Fernandinho being asked to fill an unnatural position on a regular basis.

The South American has fared admirably, but a long-term solution to an obvious issue was always going to be required.

Ake is the answer in the eyes of Guardiola, with the Netherlands international having been snapped up from Bournemouth in the wake of the Cherries’ relegation out of the Premier League.

Mills believes value for money will be found in the versatile 25-year-old, with City’s highly-rated coach boasting an impressive track record when it comes to improving those he invests considerable faith and funds in.

“He clearly doesn’t fancy John Stones, Otamendi at times, and he can’t keep on playing Fernandinho out of position,” former City full-back Mills told talkSPORT.

“You have to remember he has had a good schooling as well, he was at Chelsea and then he had a few loan deals.

“At the time he probably left Chelsea because they had some very good defenders and he didn’t see a pathway of getting through and breaking into their team.

“He went out on loan and obviously left for Bournemouth on a permanent deal.

“He’s a good player. He can play, but he can also defend. Then you have to think, what has Guardiola done with the majority of signings that he’s had? He has improved them.”

Ake spent six years on the books at Chelsea before linking up with Bournemouth on a permanent basis in 2017 and is now a seasoned Premier League and international performer.

Eric Bailly has reacted to Manchester United’s progress to the Europa League quarter-finals after defeating LASK 2-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.  

The centre-back was handed a starting role in the encounter and played for the duration of the game in the second leg round of 16 of the competition.

Jesse Lingard’s effort cancelled out Philipp Wiesinger’s opener before Anthony Martial scored the second for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men with two minutes left to play.

The victory ensured the Red Devils advanced into the next round of the competition on 7-1 aggregate after securing a convincing win in the first leg at Linzer Stadion.

The Ivory Coast international has taken to the social media to applaud United’s performance against the Austrian side.   

“Job well done, we're in the quarter-finals,” Bailly posted on Instagram.

Bailly joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2016 from Spanish side Villarreal and made 38 appearances across all competitions in his debut season.

The defender has, however, endured various injury setbacks since November 2017 when he suffered his first major injury, an ankle problem, which ruled him out of action for more than three months.

The 26-year-old has only featured 10 times for United across all competitions in the 2019-20 season owing to his struggles with injury.

Bailly recently signed a two-year contract with Manchester United, which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of 2021-22 season.

The defender will hope to maintain his fitness and help the Red Devils clinch the Europa League title they last won in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.

Bailly started his career with Espanyol youth setup before he was promoted to the senior side in 2014 and featured in five league games before his departure from the side in 2015.

The centre-back made 35 league appearances for Villarreal after arriving from the White and Blue before teaming up with United.  

Bailly has 34 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of the team that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Jurgen Klopp was not expecting to be in the market for another goalkeeper heading into the 2019-20 campaign, but was delighted to snap up Adrian after Simon Mignolet’s push for the exits forced his hand.

The Reds considered themselves to be well-stocked for shot-stopping talent as they prepared to open what would be a memorable season.

Loris Karius was allowed to depart on loan as a result, with the German linking up with Turkish side Besiktas.

Belgium international Mignolet was, however, to get the chance to head home and link up with Club Brugge, meaning that Liverpool suddenly needed a back-up for established number one Alisson.

It did not take long for a list of options to be drawn up, with Klopp pleasantly surprised to see that Adrian was available after severing ties with West Ham.

The Spaniard was quickly acquired and ended up slotting straight into the Liverpool side as Alisson suffered an unfortunate injury on the opening weekend against Norwich.

“The goalkeeper situation, I don't know exactly, but one or two weeks before Simon [Mignolet] came and said, ‘I can go home. I have an offer from Club Brugge’, and we said, ‘OK, but we don't have a solution’,” Klopp told the Reds’ official website on his scramble to land a new custodian.

“John Achterberg came around the corner and said, ‘OK, he's available, he's available and he's available’.

“We go through it and I remembered I'd seen some interviews with Adrian when he was at West Ham still and thought he's a smart guy.

“I didn't know exactly why he didn't play anymore because the West Ham goalie situation didn't look settled finally there. He is a good goalie, so why didn't he play? So we had to make sure how he is as a person.

“You try to find out but it was positive. John said, ‘Yes, a good goalie and absolutely from all the options we have, he is the best’. 'Good, let's go for it'.

“So he came in, trained for five or six days and is our first-choice goalkeeper!

“He did exceptionally well. We should not forget what an incredible job he did and we won obviously all of the games at the start of the season when he was in goal and he had a massive hand in that. He had some situations when he was really good.”

Adrian went on to take in 18 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, helping them to UEFA Super Cup glory and a long-awaited Premier League title.

Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany says Anderlecht will push Bafana Bafana attacker Percy Tau to become the best player he can be during his season-long loan with the club. 

The 26-year-old completed the move on Wednesday morning from Brighton & Hove Albion after failing to secure a UK work permit for a third successive season. 

The 2020-21 season will be Tau's third successive stint in Belgium after loan spells with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge in the past two campaigns. 

And Kompany hopes the former Mamelodi Sundowns player will enjoy his time with the Belgian giants. 

"I hope this is going to be an amazing journey," said Kompany as he welcomed Tau to the club.  

"You said you've come here for the next step. So, we are going to push you to become the best player you can be," he added. 

Kompany is aware that South Africa wants to see Tau in the Premier League, and he admits it is Anderlecht's role to help the attacker achieve this objective.   

"I know they are looking back to you in the Premier League. So, it's our role to take you there," concluded Kompany. 

Tau moved to Europe in 2018 but he was loaned out to Saint-Gilloise by Brighton almost immediately after arriving from the Brazilians due to work permit restrictions in the UK. 

His first season with Saint-Gilloise saw him score 13 goals and register 11 assists. 

As a result, Tau was named Proximus Player of the Season for his efforts, and more teams started taking notice of him with France-based outfit Amiens SC also at one stage interested in acquiring his services. 

However, it was Club Brugge who did enough to secure his services - and he would go on to win the Belgian Pro League title with them at the end of the 2019-20 season. 

This was after the season was cancelled with Brugge leading the standings by a whopping 15 points. 

Tau also got to play in European competitions with Club Brugge - facing the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United in the process.   

But his efforts didn't convince Club Brugge who took the decision not to fight to keep him for a second successive season when his loan deal expired on June 30. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised Anthony Martial after his winner against LASK, while revealing that the Manchester United striker "promised a goal" after "begging to come on".

United resumed their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 win against the Austrian outfit at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils progressed to the quarter-finals 7-1 on aggregate, but were made to work for the second-leg victory after falling behind to a stunning Phillip Wiesinger strike.

Solskjaer watched his side produce an instant response to that setback, as Jesse Lingard netted his second goal in as many games to level the scores just before the hour mark.

LASK regrouped to frustrate United in the final 20 minutes of the match, and the game appeared to be heading towards a stalemate until Martial was introduced to the action in the 84th minute.

The Frenchman latched on to a Juan Mata pass and dribbled his way into the box before sliding home his 23rd goal of the campaign, which spared the Red Devils' blushes and kept confidence levels high ahead of Monday's last-eight showdown against FC Copenhagen.

Solskjaer admitted that Martial pushed for his headline moment during his post-match interview, telling reporters: "We needed to win the game. Of course, I wanted to but I couldn't get all of [the substitutes] on.

"We want to win and Anthony was begging to come on. But he promised a goal as well, so well done!"

The Norwegian head coach went on to highlight the changes Martial has made to his game in recent months, before discussing his team's new-found creative streak in the final third of the pitch.

"Anthony has upped his work-rate," Solskjaer said. "He's working harder in training, he's working harder in the games; his physical stats show that. He's been an absolute joy to work with.

"His attitude has been spot on and him and Marcus [Rashford] have found and hit off a really good relationship. And with Mason [Greenwood] and Bruno [Fernandes] coming in, that's improved us creating chances, the team's creating more chances. And tonight great link play with Juan [Mata]."

Solskjaer added on the challenge Copenhagen will pose United next week: “I know Stale [Solbakken, their manager] really well. A good friend of mine.

"I did my pro licence study with him in Copenhagen, so I know what there is to know about Stale probably. And he probably knows what there is to know about me! I'm looking forward to it.”

Crotone striker and Serie B top-scorer Simy Nwankwo has set his target on securing a return to the Nigeria national team.

The forward was in excellent form for the Pythagoreans in the 2019-20 season, helping the side to gain promotion to the Serie A.

The 28-year-old bagged 20 league goals in the campaign to emerge as the league’s top-scorer and his 21 strikes and three assists across all competitions saw him become the club’s highest goalscorer of the season. 

Nwankwo has five caps and one goal for the Super Eagles since he made his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 2018.

The forward was part of Gernot Rohr’s side that was eliminated in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, playing as a substitute against Croatia and Argentina.

The striker has, however, not featured for the West Africans since he made a bench role against Seychelles in September 2018 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nwankwo feels Crotone’s relegation to Serie B reduced his chances of a regular call-up to the national team and now hopes for more opportunities with the side.

"When I went down, I knew the risks of losing that spot that I worked so hard to get to although I didn't play more, which is perfectly understandable," Nwankwo told ESPN.

"I met a team that was already structured with one of the best African strikers at the moment - Odion Ighalo. And it was normal, it was perfect for me to stay calm and learn and then watch how things are done. And then all of a sudden, I found myself out again, which is understandable.

"No grudges on anyone. I understand every situation because the national team of Nigeria is highly rated. So, if you want to be in the national team, you have to be in the big leagues. That I can understand.

"So now we are back up. I just have to focus, like always, on what I will do here. The only way I will get myself into the national team is about what I do here.

“This season, I've done well. That puts me in a good window to be looked into by the coaches and everybody that makes the decisions. I hope that in the future I will have my chance back again."

Nwankwo joined Crotone from Gil Vicente in 2016 and has scored 44 league goals in 112 appearances since his arrival at the club.

The 28-year-old forward will hope to play a key role for the Pythagoreans in the 2020-21 Serie A campaign.

Alexis Sanchez has signed for Inter on a three-year deal after Manchester United agreed to tear up his contract.

The Chilean joined United from Arsenal in January 2018 but struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, scoring just five goals in 45 appearances.

He would then head out on loan to Serie A side Inter last summer, with his resurgent form after the resumption of football amid the coronavirus pandemic leading to him becoming a key part of Antonio Conte’s plans.

United will not receive a fee for the Chilean and it is understood the club will have to pay the player a small sum for severing his contract early.

The former Barcelona winger's deal with the Nerazzurri will run with Inter until 2023, with sources having told Goal that he has agreed to a pay-cut to secure a switch to San Siro.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who never had plans to get Sanchez back into the team, was complimentary when asked about the former Arsenal man after his side beat LASK in the Europa League on Wednesday night.

"I can confirm we have agreed [a deal for Sanchez to leave]. Alexis enjoyed his time there, they have liked him so that’s a good move for him," he said. 

"We wish him all the best and he is a top player who we want to see play his best football. For whatever reason we didn’t see the best of him here, he’s a top professional and we wish him all the best."

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta confirmed the move on Wednesday and claimed that Sanchez is an important part of their squad moving forward.

"We believe in him, that he can be a strong part of this squad and are happy to have concluded this deal," he told Sky Italia.

Conte added on the signing: "The Sanchez operation has been an excellent move by the club. We deserve it.

"He came at a bad moment in his career and with us he immediately got injured. We waited for him and he is now doing well. It is fair that we are the ones that can now enjoy him."

Sanchez could be reunited with his former United team-mates soon, with both teams currently on course to meet in the Europa League final on August 21 in Cologne.

United face Copenhagen in the quarter-final in Germany on Monday before a possible semi-final clash with Olympiacos, Wolves, Sevilla or Roma.

Inter, meanwhile, are due to face either Rangers or Bayer Leverkusen in the quarters, before a last-four meeting with either Shakhtar Donetsk, Eintracht Frankfurt or Basel.