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Sevilla have received two bids from England for highly-rated defender Diego Carlos, Goal has learned, with the Brazilian having sparked talk of interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.

There is no suggestion that they are the clubs to have made a move, but the South American’s stock is certainly on the rise.

The 27-year-old centre-half was snapped up by Sevilla in the summer of 2019 for just €15 million (£14m/$17m) from Nantes – in another show of Monchi’s transfer acumen.

A little over a year later and he is considered to have been one of the top defensive performers in La Liga during the 2019-20 campaign and a cornerstone of the project being pieced together at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

It does, however, remain to be seen how long he will be sticking around in his current surroundings.

Carlos’ valuation has rocketed, to the point that a €75m (£68m/$86m) release clause may no longer be enough to deter his suitors.

A number of teams across Europe are closely monitoring the South American’s situation, with Sevilla fully aware of the interest that a prized asset is generating.

The club’s president, Jose Castro, has told Radio Marca of the unwelcome attention ahead of what promises to be an interesting transfer market in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic: “I do not know what is going to happen.

“It seems that the market will be strange and I do not want to talk about purchases and sales at this point. Now is not the time to talk about transfers.”

While Castro is eager to avoid the discussion, Goal can confirm that two enquiries from English clubs have been lodged.

The first arrived in June, with the second rung in a few days ago.

Both have been given the same response, with Sevilla making it clear that they will not be entering into any talks for as long as their focus remains locked on a bid for Europa League glory.

Only when their season comes a close will they even consider negotiations.

The Spanish outfit have also pointed out to any would-be suitors that Carlos will only be allowed to leave if his full release clause is triggered.

Sevilla are under no pressure to sell, despite the financial impact of Covid-19, and are readying themselves for Champions League football in 2020-21.

With that taken into account, and the current ambitions of the club in continental competition, any advances for Carlos will be knocked back.

If interested parties return later in the summer, it will take €75m in order for Sevilla to be enticed to the table.

Jurgen Klopp says he is looking forward to one of the greatest days of his life when Liverpool finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy this week.

But the Reds boss joked he will resist the temptation to follow in the footsteps of Sir Kenny Dalglish by bringing himself on as a substitute as his team are crowned champions at Anfield.

Liverpool will be presented with their 19th league title following their game against Chelsea on Wednesday night, and will lift the trophy on a specially-built podium in the centre of their iconic Kop stand. 

Dalglish, perhaps the club’s most legendary figure, will be part of the presentation team alongside Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.

The Scot was manager the last time Liverpool were champions, and actually made the last of his 515 appearances for the club as a player on the night they lifted the old First Division trophy against Derby on May 1, 1990.

Klopp, though, says fans should not expect something similar from him on Wednesday.

“The first thing I have to say is that there is no chance that I will come on as a sub in the game tomorrow!” he laughed. “Maybe that’s the most important information for everyone!

“It’s absolutely great [that Dalglish will be involved]. The game when we became champions, we were in the hotel with all the different duties we had to do, we saw Kenny and Graeme Souness sitting there and how much it meant to them. It was really nice to see.

“This club touches you, gets you and you could never get rid of that. The club is too big and too emotional. 

“I’m really happy that Kenny will be around. He deserves it. The best and most deserved nickname in the world is King Kenny, and he will be there in the stadium, where he has to be. 

“I’m happy about that, as happy as I was for Steven Gerrard too. We had some messages through lockdown and after. It means so much to him, it means so much to Carra (Jamie Carragher), examples of players who tried so hard in the past.

“They know exactly what this team did. They know how big the pressure can be when you are close to it, and my boys dealt sensationally well with it. I’m happy that they recognise it, and that my boys recognise how much it means to that generation of outstanding players. They have a massive Liverpool heart, and this is for them as well.”

Discussing his emotions ahead of tomorrow night, Klopp admitted it would be a momentous occasion, and that his preparations for the game had been difficult knowing what is to follow the final whistle.

“I will try to be prepared for it!” he said. “It’s really difficult, to be honest, and quite a challenge.

“The boys worked so hard for it, everyone in the club worked so hard for it, so it should be as good as possible in the stadium. I will be in the best spirits. 

“From a professional basis, it is one of the greatest days of my life. To finally get our hands on this trophy, when everyone was waiting so long and probably two or three years ago nobody thought it would be possible for us with the challengers we have. 

“I will be proud, I think. Proud of the boys and all that we did together at this club. It’s a milestone, 100 per cent, and we should see it as such.

“It’s an important day, a very important day, but not the last very important day for us. We will be in very good spirits! 

“How emotional? I don’t know. That’s the thing with emotions – you have to feel them!”

Meddie Kagere has revealed the reason behind his goal-scoring prowess for Simba SC in the Mainland Premier League.

The Rwandan striker signed for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in the 2018-19 season and went on to win the Golden Boot in that season after notching 23 goals.

Kagere is now destined to repeat the feat this season - he has so far managed to score 22 goals and with Simba still with two matches to end the season, he stands a chance to overtake the mark.

Kagere has now revealed believing in God and always putting in extra effort during league matches has helped him to enjoy a good scoring record in Tanzania.

“I always work hard to score and never give up, I don’t give up whatever happens and I always pray to God to guide me in whatever I do,” Kagere is quoted by Sokaletu.

“I always believe in God and then always put extra effort in the job I do, I also want to mention the working relationship in our team, we play as a team and always work to help one another, it becomes easy for me to score goals because we do it as a team.

“Our players are the best to work with, they understand the chemistry and they easily pick me out to score goals, it is a good place to be in.

“I know we still have two matches to end the season, and as always I will strive to score more goals if I get the chance to start, it all depends with the coach, is plan for the game and if he gives me the chance, I am always ready to step up and help the team.”

His closest challenger Yusuph Mhilu of Kagera Sugar has managed 13 while his club Simba have already amassed 84 points and managed to score 76 goals.

Simba have matches remaining against Coastal Union and Polisi Tanzania and the team left Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

Thereafter, Simba will take on Namungo FC in the final of the FA Cup on August 2.

Stanley Matthews has confirmed that there have been talks between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns over the availability of Aubrey Modiba. 

Goal reported last week that the Brazilians had tabled a fresh offer for the left-footer and that the two teams decided to put the talks on hold until later this year.

Matthews says he told Sundowns that they are open to striking a deal with them provided the offer is better than what they offered during the January transfer window.  

“We’ve been in talks with Mamelodi Sundowns. They called us to see if we are open to an offer for Aubrey,” Matthews told Independent Media.

“I did indicate that we will be open to an offer, as long as it will be a substantially improved offer from what they gave us [in the previous window].

“They have stated that they are prepared to make an attractive offer for him."

According to Matthews, Sundowns have offered a few of their players in an attempt to sweeten the deal. 

However, the Matsatsantsa boss said he told their rivals that they are only prepared to let Modiba go if Sundowns put cash on the table.  

“They have offered me a couple of players as part of the deal, and I went back to them and said ‘no’ to those players. It is going to be a pure cash deal,” he added.

Matthews further revealed that he will push for the deal to go through a bit quicker if the season is cancelled but, will keep Sundowns at bay if PSL football is returning. 

“Until we know if we will play or not, we haven’t pushed the deal. For example, if the league is called off, I’ll push the deal quickly," he confirmed.

"If I still have six games left and I’m chasing the fourth spot, I don’t want to start negotiations around Aubrey Modiba. We are just sitting in limbo at the moment.”

Asked if there is a chance that Modiba will be at Sundowns next season, Matthews replied: “If you ask me if there’s a realistic chance that Aubrey joins Sundowns next season, I’ll have to say, yes.

Mame Diouf has sent an emotional message to Stoke City after ending his six-year stay with the Championship side.

The Senegal international joined the Potters in the summer of 2014 on a four-year contract after his deal with German side Hannover 96 expired.

The centre-forward scored 26 goals in 157 appearances across all competitions for the Bet365 Stadium outfit during his time with the side.

In the 2019-20 season, the former Manchester United striker scored one goal in eight Championship appearances.

The forward recently signed a contract extension with the Potters to enable him to complete the season with the club but has asked to be released from the deal which now makes him a free agent.

Diouf has taken to social media to appreciate the club and the fans for their support during his time at Bet365 Stadium.

“Six wonderful years gave everything. Not easy sometimes but I’ll only keep good memories. Thanks to the club. I’ll never forget you the supporters, you are amazing. Forever a Potter,” Diouf tweeted.

Chief Executive of Stoke City Tony Scholes also praised the contribution of the Senegal international to the club.

“Mame has been a hugely popular member of our first-team squad over the last six years and leaves with our very best wishes,” Scholes told the club website.

“The role he played in us securing three successive ninth-placed finishes in the Premier League should not be overlooked as he scored some key goals for us.

“He will always be welcome at the bet365 Stadium and we wish him every success in the next phase of his career.”

Diouf started his career with Diaraf and has previously played for Molde, where he shone, scoring 29 goals in 62 league games.

His performances generated interest from a number of European clubs including Arsenal, Feyenoord, Groningen, West Bromwich Albion and Red Bull Salzburg before he signed for Premier League giants Manchester United.

The forward featured in five English top-flight games for the Red Devils and was part of Alex Ferguson’s side that won the 2010 League Cup before leaving to join Hannover 96 in 2012. 

Diouf has scored 10 goals in 47 appearances for Senegal since he made his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in August 2009.

The 32-year-old striker will hope to secure a club before the commencement of the 2020-21 campaign.

Manchester United need to be forcing the issue when it comes to David de Gea and Dean Henderson, says Eric Steele, with the Red Devils urged to offer an out-of-sorts Spanish goalkeeper the competition for places that he will thrive on.

A change between the sticks at Old Trafford is being mooted on the back of some error-strewn displays from a normally reliable No.1.

Henderson is the logical choice to step in, with the 23-year-old Red Devils academy graduate having impressed across two productive loans spells at Sheffield United.

United will have the opportunity to welcome a highly-rated performer back into their ranks at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, and Steele feels they should do that regardless of who their first choice is for next season.

The club’s former goalkeeping coach told i: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants problems like this – strength in depth in every position. These are the headaches that should be in place at Manchester United.

“Should contracts permit, United need to say to Dean: ‘you are not going out on loan, you are here to compete with David’.

“He will value the experience at Sheffield United – he is better prepared now to take that challenge on. The season is a long one, 60 games if United get far in Europe, there is plenty of scope to use both.

“David understands the culture needed at United to get back winning things again, and Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] needs players like David, who understand what it means to be number one, and to keep winning.”

Opinion remains divided on whether or not De Gea should be stripped of a prominent post he has filled for nine years, with Steele of the opinion that a proven 29-year-old will embrace the challenge that Henderson’s presence will pose.

He added: “People forget he [De Gea] was a kid taking over from a legend in Edwin van der Sar.

“He just brushed that aside, got on with his job. Overcoming obstacles is not new for David.

“People underestimate him. He has this lovely, calm persona, but he loves winning.

“He came to us having won plenty of youth titles with Spain, he captained Spain Under-21s, he had already won the Europa League. I went to see him in the semi-final against Liverpool and physically he looked a baby, but I saw a goalkeeper that night who was totally unfazed.

“David has always upheld his own standards. Everyone has a dip in form. To continue to perform at the level he was performing at a few years ago would have been impossible – he is part of a major rebuild, and is very much still needed.”

Spanish Primera Iberdrola outfit Eibar has completed the signing of Thembi Kgatlana from Portuguese Liga BPI side SL Benfica, for the 2020-21 season.

Kgatlana parted ways with Benfica last week and moved on to Spain on a free transfer, after abruptly ending her two-and-half-year deal with the Portuguese side.

During her short spell in Portugal, she only made three appearances for Luis Andrade's team, scoring three goals and powered them to the Portuguese Taca de liga final and league diadem.

The 24-year-old has established herself since earning her first move to Houston Dash in the United States before moving to Chinese side Beijing Phoenix in 2019, and later Benfica this January. 

For her country, she helped South Africa to earn a maiden Women's World Cup ticket and won the 2018 Africa Women's Player of the Year prize, edging now four-time winner Asisat Oshoala.

In France, she made history for the Southern Africa country, scoring their maiden Women's World Cup goal and featured in all three matches for Banyana Banyana.

Following her signing, Jon Gallego has moved to bolster his squad ahead of the new season following their return to the Spanish top-flight for the first time since 2011.

"Thembi Kgatlana has become the latest reinforcement of the Eibar Sports Society women's first team," the club announced on its website.

"The 24-year-old South African forward, she is international for her country and in 2018 she was considered the best African player."

Following the announcement, the South Africa international will team up with Nigeria striker Charity Adule, who joined the club last summer.

She also becomes the third South African woman to earn a move to Spain this summer, after Amanda Mthandi and Nothando Vilakazi.

Paul Pogba became a “monster” after taking a kicking from Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in Manchester United training sessions.

The French midfielder graduated out of a famed academy system at Old Trafford to join a star-studded first-team squad that was pieced together by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pogba had much to prove on a senior stage, especially as a number of iconic figures were blocking his path to competitive game time.

In order to see minutes, he had to prove himself worthy on the training field.

Pogba initially decided to adopt a respectful approach, but was soon put in his place by Scholes and Co.

On the advice of those around him, including fellow countryman Patrice Evra, necessary changes were made in the pursuit of greater recognition.

Pogba eventually walked away from Manchester in order to find that, as he linked up with Juventus, but not before adding the power to his game that has made him a global superstar and World Cup winner.

Reflecting on his early experiences with Evra for The Players’ Tribune, a man who returned to England in an £89 million ($113m) deal during the summer of 2016 said: “I was very respectful to everyone, to you, to Rio [Ferdinand], to Giggs, to everyone.

“So you remember when Giggsy and Scholesy every training they kick me and I just look at them and stand up and I didn’t say anything but respect.

“So you told me ‘Paul if you let them kick you, you will start being the.. B... it starts with a B... of the team so you better wake up and change your attitude’.

“And the next day I just came in and…”

Evra finished off that sentence, saying: “Monster.”

Pogba took in just seven appearances for United before opting against signing a new contract and spreading his wings in Italy.

A further 152 have been seen since he was re-signed by Jose Mourinho.

The 27-year-old has contributed 32 goals across those outings, helping the Red Devils to League Cup and Europa League triumphs.

The 2019-20 campaign has been a testing one for him, with niggling injuries holding him back, but a return to fitness has been enjoyed alongside January signing Bruno Fernandes and there is now talk of Pogba signing a new contract – with the seemingly endless rounds of exit talk brought to a close.

Uganda international Mustafa Kizza has revealed how happy he is to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Montreal Impact.

The Canadian team confirmed they signed Kizza on a two-year deal with an option for another year, and the deal will start on August 12.

The full-back will, however, remain at KCCA until December on loan as he cannot link up with his new teammates owing to the coronavirus travel restrictions.

“Am so happy to join Montreal Impact Alhamdulillah [praise be to God],” Kizza posted on Facebook.

Kizza was nurtured at the KCCA Academy from 2015 to 2016. He was later allowed to join Premier League side Maroons FC at the start of the 2016/17 season but he returned to KCCA in January of 2017.

For the last three-and-a-half years, Kizza has been turning out for KCCA.

“KCCA FC would like to wish Kizza Mustafa the best at his new home Montreal Impact when the time for his actual move comes,” the former Ugandan champions said in a statement.

Meanwhile, SuperSport United midfielder Moses Waiswa believes the exit of Dean Furman is a great chance for the other players to show their worth.

“The departure of [Dean] Furman gives us midfielders who have not been getting playing time a chance to prove that we can play and we shall take our chances,” Waiswa told Football256.

“I am pushing and working hard to be in the team, if the coaches give me a chance, I will surely take it.”

Luke Fleurs‚ Jesse Donn‚ Oswin Appollis‚ Guily Manziba, Zama Rambuwane, and Khanyisile Mayo are the players the Ugandan is competing against for a position in the starting team.

Waiswa made his SuperSport United league debut on January 24 and has played against Chippa United and Golden Arrows so far before the PSL was suspended.

He is now ready for action.

“But I feel ready and I trust my body more because after the injury I was doubtful if I could really give a fight,” he added.

“I am now ready because I had enough time to recover mentally and physically so I am ready for the fight. Lockdown was long, so we are all excited to go back to the field and show what we have.

“It feels good coming back to training and seeing everyone pushing and hardworking. Although even before the resumption of the training sessions we were working hard.” 

He was also involved when SuperSport United lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup.

Manchester United have grown since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo while becoming more "resilient", says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Fernandes completed a long-awaited €55 million (£50m/$63m) move to United from Sporting CP on January 30, with Ighalo joining him at Old Trafford a day later on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

The Portuguese has proven an instant hit in Manchester, scoring nine goals and laying on eight assists in his first 18 appearances, making the transition from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League seamlessly.

Ighalo, meanwhile, has impressed in a back-up striker role for the Red Devils, scoring five goals in four starts while proving himself as a useful target man and extra option in the final third for Solskjaer.

United were dogged by inconsistency in the first half of the season, but their form since bringing in two new faces in the winter transfer window has been much improved, and a top-four finish is now on the cards.

Solskjaer has acknowledged the fact that Fernandes and Ighalo have had a huge impact, while also stressing the importance of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba's respective returns from long-term injury in his side's recent resurgence.

“I think we’ve grown over the whole season,” the United boss told reporters ahead of a midweek meeting with West Ham.

“The additions of Odion, Bruno and Paul coming back, [plus] Marcus coming back is a strength for us. We are better as a group and more robust and resilient.

“The proof is in the pudding and we’ll have to see on Wednesday how they perform.”

The Red Devils will be aiming to get back to winning ways when the Hammers arrive at Old Trafford on Wednesday, after crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea over the weekend.

Solskjaer's men were thoroughly outplayed during a 3-1 defeat at Wembley, but the Norwegian is expecting a strong response in their latest Premier League outing.

“When you lose a game, you’re hurt and disappointed,“ he admitted. ”You’ve just got to focus on the next thing.

“A defeat isn’t the end of the world - it was the end of the FA Cup dream and the final, but now it’s business as usual and onto the next game.

“We’ve had so many setbacks as a club before. We’ve lost big games before and we’ve turned that around and that’s what we need to do now.”

Augustine Mahlonoko is a free agent after confirming his departure from Orlando Pirates on Tuesday. 

Reports emerged on Monday that the 18-year-old had been handed his clearance by the club.

Mahlonoko spent this season on loan at ABC Motsepe League outfit Pele Pele FC after struggling for game time at the Sea Robbers. 

The Sebokeng-born midfielder took to social media to bid farewell to the Buccaneers. 

"Done with introduction. Ready for chapter 1. Thank you Pirates for great memories. Once and Always," he wrote.     

In 2018, Mahlonoko became one of the youngest players in the history of the club to feature in a professional setup.

He made his professional debut against Highlands Park in August 2018, and at the time, Mahlonoko was just 16 years old.   

This was after a successful career with the Bucs MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) team. 

Mahlonoko captained the MDC side and it was Micho Sredojevic and Rhulani Mokwena who felt the teenager was ready to make a name for himself in the senior team. 

However, things didn't go according to plan as he was limited to three appearances before the technical team decided to go for more experienced campaigners. 

Mahlonoko is now eligible to sign with a club of his choice ahead of next season. 

Should he find a new club in the coming weeks, he will only be eligible to play at the start 2020-21 campaign as the PSL season is still suspended.  

At one stage, Mahlonoko was linked with a possible trial to an unnamed Spanish club but he couldn't go due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Sea Robbers are yet to release an official statement regarding the departure of Mahlonoko or any player movements from within their camp.  

Nonetheless, they are expected to add a few new players for next season with both Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto expected to complete their moves to Mayfair in the next few weeks. 

Chelsea have been left frustrated in their attempts to sign Ben Chilwell and Declan Rice, with both Leicester City and West Ham not interested in listening to offers for their star players.

Both deals look unviable at present, with the Foxes having quoted an unreachable upfront sum and Frank Lampard's side having been unsuccessful in attempts to negotiate a fee that would include instalments.

The 23-year-old was open to moving to Stamford Bridge and topped Lampard's shortlist of left-back targets having earned his spot as England's regular left-sided defender under Gareth Southgate.

Lampard felt that the full-back would fit in well in his squad, with Chilwell having a number of friends in the Blues' first-team.

However, Brendan Rodgers has no interest in letting one of his prized assets leave to a rival and Leicester do not need to sell, with Chilwell having four years left on his contract.

"There's no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there's absolutely no need to sell," Rodgers said last week. "So the message is he's not for sale - it's as simple as that."

Chelsea may opt to move for Ajax star Nicolas Tagliafico instead, with Atletico Madrid concerned that their interest will be disrupted by the Premier League club.

The 27-year-old is valued at around the €26 million (£24m/$30m) mark, as he remains tied to a contract through to the summer of 2022.

Similarly, Lampard is a strong admirer of West Ham midfielder Rice, who has become the London club's most prized asset as they consider selling players to raise funds for further business.

The Hammers have survived relegation and want the 21-year-old, who has four years left on his deal with an option for an extra year, to continue working with David Moyes next season.

They will therefore look to sell other players to fund future business in the upcoming market and have refused Chelsea's initial advances, which included swap deals involving their wantaway stars.

West Ham will turn down any offers that include Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley, even though they are two players they have previously been interested in signing.

Elsewhere, Goal can confirm that Callum Hudson-Odoi remains committed to the club despite playing just 48 minutes since lockdown.

The 19-year-old has yet to reach his full match fitness following a rupture to his Achilles tendon last season and he saw illness and a minor injury disrupt his return after the coronavirus lockdown in the UK was lifted.

The form of Christian Pulisic and Willian means there have been few opportunities for the England international in recent weeks, but he will continue to fight for his place having only just signed a new five-year contract at the beginning of the season.

Chelsea have already been very active in the transfer window, signing both Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner for a combined fee of £84m ($105m).

Bayer Leverkusen sensation Kai Havertz is also on Lampard's list of targets, with the west Londoners remaining in talks for the highly-rated 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

Joe Willock admits some Arsenal players were “a bit sceptical” of Mikel Arteta when a former club captain was appointed as the Gunners’ new boss, but any doubters have been quickly won over.

Those at Emirates Stadium were forced into a managerial rethink back in November 2019.

A disappointing start to the current campaign led to Unai Emery being relieved of his services and Freddie Ljungberg being placed in interim charge of first-team affairs.

Arsenal embarked on a lengthy hunt for a suitable candidate to fill a high-profile post and eventually saw that path lead them towards a familiar face.

Arteta had little experience of which to speak, having only previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but a calculated gamble was taken on a highly-rated coach.

The Gunners remain very much a work in progress, on and off the field, but positive steps in the right direction are being taken by a team that is already through to the 2020 FA Cup final.

“To be fair when he [Arteta] came in, we were a bit sceptical about what he could do,” Willock told The Beautiful Game Podcast.

“Obviously he’s a very young manager and most of the players that play now have all played with him. So we were a bit hesitant on how to approach the situation.

“But we all let him in with open arms and we all thought let’s see what he has to offer.

“He’s come in and to be honest, he’s been nothing short of amazing really - his detail, the way his man-management is with every single player. And we’re just all excited to work with him.

“I’m learning about the game in ways I’ve never learned them before. He’s an amazing man and I’m not just saying that because he’s my boss.”

Arteta is still working on reshaping Arsenal as he sees fit, but improvement has been made across his tenure.

The Gunners have always boasted plenty of attacking options, but defensive leaks are also starting to be plugged.

Academy graduate Willock considers that to be a major positive, adding: “We used to give the opposition gifts and hope. He is cutting out that hope.

“We cut out that hope and in every challenge and every duel, we are the ones who are stamping our authority.

“To have that winning mentality, in every different circumstance we have to be on it and that’s what we’ve been working on in training and it is showing on the pitch.”

Arsenal are destined to miss out on a place in the Premier League’s top four this season, but European qualification and FA Cup glory is there to be shot at by a side working towards long-term goals.

Torino defender Ola Aina has reacted to his side’s 2-0 loss to Fiorentina in Sunday's Serie A game at Artemio Franchi, saying their best was not enough.

Moreno Longo’s men conceded as early as the second minute of the encounter after Lyanco turned the ball into his own net.

Their efforts to level proceedings produced no result before former Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery set up Patrick Cutrone to seal the victory for Fiorentina.

The defeat is Torino’s 19th in the 2019-20 campaign which saw them drop to the 15th spot on the league table, three places and eight points above the relegation zone.

 Aina, who featured for the entirety of the game, has expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the result.

"The team tried very hard, but unfortunately we were unable to bring home points,” Aina told Tuttomercato.

“We conceded too early and this complicated things, then doubling made everything even more difficult.

“But we have not stopped playing and we have tried to reopen the game until the last few minutes. In these minutes, we have worked hard to play higher and be more present in the area but unfortunately, it was not enough."

Aina joined the Stadio Olimpico outfit last summer permanently from Premier League side Chelsea after convincing showings during his loan spell.

The Nigeria international has made 34 appearances for the Bull in the current campaign across all competitions, including 29 in Serie A.

The 23-year-old will hope to help his side return to winning ways when they take on Hellas Verona in their next league game on July 22.

Aina, who previously featured for England youth team, has made 17 appearances for the Super Eagles and was part of Gernot Rohr’s squad that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Manchester City are considering a move for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, while Valencia winger Ferran Torres is also on Pep Guardiola's radar.

Ake, 25, is a potential target as City look to strengthen their squad this summer, with Guardiola considering bringing in two defenders during the transfer window after losing nine Premier League games already this season.

Dutchman Ake is valued at around €44 million (£40m/$50m), but the Cherries could be forced to drop their price tag if they are relegated from England's top flight.

The former Chelsea defender would also add cover at left-back, as well as increasing the club's homegrown quota having been brought through the Stamford Bridge academy.

Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly is another defender that the club are looking at but a potential fee of €77m (£70m/$88m) could be too high, while the centre-back is also keen to remain with the Serie A club.

City are also looking for a replacement for winger Leroy Sane following his €60m (£55m/$69m) departure to Bayern Munich, with Ferran Torres a possible replacement. 

Torres, 20, has one year remaining on his contract and will leave the Spanish club during the transfer window after they failed to qualify for Europe.

The Spain international has a €100m (£90m/$114m) buy-out clause but is expected to go for considerably less, although City face competition from a host of top European sides.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United have all expressed an interest in Torres but the possibility of working with Guardiola could persuade him to switch to the Etihad Stadium.

The City manager, who will be in his fifth season with the club at the start of the new campaign, says he is looking at refreshing his squad as they look to overhaul Premier League champions Liverpool.

“It depends on the players we’ll have next season, it depends on the way we adapt, the way we attack and defend,” he said ahead of the Premier League clash with Watford.

“Just new players can maybe come and maybe it will change the freshness of the team completely.  

“Everyone has to be fresh, maybe one or two or 10 or 20 [signings will arrive], all of us have to freshen up our minds and bodies to continue to be competitive in all the competitions. 

“If you bring in eight or nine players, which is impossible, you change a lot, the mentality, the way you want to play. 80% or 85% or 90% of the team will be the same but it depends on the people who are here.”

David Moyes has defended his Manchester United record, insisting that "the difference between Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and me is that he's being given time".

Moyes was chosen to succeed the legendary Six Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford hot seat at the end of the 2012-13 season, following an impressive 11-year spell at Everton.

The Scottish head coach inherited a Premier League title-winning squad, but he was unable to pick up from where Ferguson left off as results took a dramatic turn for the worse.

Moyes was sacked from his post after just 10 months in charge , with United sitting way down in seventh in the top-flight standings and well adrift of the Champions League places.

The 57-year-old is currently working on the touchline at West Ham, who will come up against the Red Devils on Wednesday fresh from a 3-1 win over Watford last week, which ensured their Premier League status for another year.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer is now the man overseeing the United first team, and he is on the verge of guiding the club back into the Champions League after an impressive run of results in 2020.

Moyes is certain that he could have delivered the same kind of success at Old Trafford had he been afforded the same patience as his Norwegian counterpart, due to the fact he also understood the club's policy of bringing through talented young players from the academy.

"It's a wonderful club and a brilliant place to be, and the biggest club in the world, for me," the West Ham boss told a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"It's always a special place to go and I'm looking forward to going back.

"Ole had a difficult start, but the difference between Ole and me is that he's being given time. He's bringing players in from the Academy, which Manchester United has always stood for.

"They've got some really exciting young players of their own now."

United will be aiming to bounce back from a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup when they meet the Hammers in midweek.

Solskjaer's men were unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions before that loss, and they cannot afford a repeat performance in their ongoing bid to secure a place in the top four.

David Beckham has called for patience as his MLS vision takes shape at Inter Miami, with the England legend eager to point out that “Manchester United, Real Madrid, La Liga and the Premier League wasn’t built in a day”.

The Red Devils and Blancos icon has been forced to speak out after seeing his debut campaign as an owner in American reach a disappointing and premature conclusion.

After much excitement when they were added to the schedule in the States, Inter Miami have bowed out of the MLS is Back tournament at the group stage after suffering five successive losses to open their 2020 season.

Beckham would have been hoping for much more, but is not about to get caught up in any doom and gloom.

A man who helped to raise the profile of MLS when linking up with the LA Galaxy in 2007 is playing a long game in Florida, with the experiences taken from his own playing career having shown that long-term vision is required in order to hit ultimate goals.

"Sometimes the road is long and [you] need to take a breather," Beckham wrote on Instagram. "Manchester United, Real Madrid, La Liga and the premiership wasn't built in a day.

"Teams players and clubs need time to flourish but when they do all the hard times seem so distant.

"It's important to take time to reflect on what we have achieved so far.

"I'm proud of my team, our club and the amazing fans that we have. Patience is a virtue."

Inter Miami remain very much a work in progress after what has been a testing start for the club in an exciting new era.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted their efforts, and that of their domestic rivals, but optimism remains high when it comes to future success.

Club coach Diego Alonso has said: "I think football in these three or five games has been unjust with us. We've got a lot less than we deserved.

"I feel in the game [against New York City FC] we didn't play as well as the one before against Philadelphia, but the team deserves more and has got little.

"We'll have to keep trying, working. I don't regret being the coach of these players. I'm with them more now than ever.

"I'm convinced that we'll get out of this believing and trusting in them, lifting confidence and trying to get better in the week so that football gives us the rewards we deserve."

Muzamir Mutyaba has revealed his favourite moments as he departs from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC).

Mutyaba has left the club after five seasons with them and has singled out three specific moments he will remember fondly as a Kassasiro Boy.

“There are many moments of course, apart from winning the 2017 Fufa Player of the Year award, winning the double in 2017 and playing in the group stage of the Caf Champions League stand out for me,” Mutyaba told Football256.

As he leaves, the midfielder added he is thankful for head coach Mike Mutebi for what he gave him while serving KCCA.

“I have served KCCA FC for some good years and I won everything there is to win. So, I think it’s time I move on,” the 27-year-old added.

“I thank coach [Mike] Mutebi because he gave me a platform to showcase my talent, for me that’s always important to highlight.”

Mutyaba has played for Kampala University, Maroons FC and Sports Club Victoria University before he joined KCCA in 2015.

Meanwhile, defender Edward Satulo has revealed reasons why he was convinced to sign for Premier League side Wakiso Giants.

Popularly known as Satro, Satulo agreed on a three-year deal with an option to extend for a further one year, with Wakiso Giants from Wobulenzi FC.

“No player loves watching from the dugout, everyone wants to be on the pitch game by game,” Satulo told Football256.

“The club considers young players despite their lack of experience in the league and they pay back the trust with splendid performances.

“And besides being an ambitious club that syncs with my career ambitions, the fact that I will be given a chance to showcase my talent as I build my career inspired me to join the club.

“I am a hard-working lad who never focuses on the experience that much. If someone has great attributes, then they will perform.

“I am new in the league but everything has a beginning and I believe I will have a good first season God willing.

“There are always ups and downs, so I urge the fans to be present in both moments. I will try my level best to put a smile on their faces because they deserve it.” 

Satulo will play alongside other youngsters like Hassan Ssenyonjo, Hassan Agogo, and Atendere Geriga at Purple Sharks.

Paul Scholes has defended David de Gea after his poor performance in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, insisting the Manchester United goalkeeper "will be back".

United's 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions came screeching to a halt when they were humbled 3-1 by Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.

It was an evening to forget for De Gea, who committed two errors to gift the Blues a healthy advantage and leave the Red Devils with a mountain to climb.

The Spaniard allowed Olivier Giroud's tame effort to creep in at his near post in first-half stoppage time, before fumbling Mason Mount's long-range shot into the net just after the interval.

A Harry Maguire own goal added gloss to Chelsea's victory, with Bruno Fernandes scoring United's only goal from the penalty spot late on.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed De Gea after his previous errors against Watford, Everton and Spurs earlier in the season, but admitted that his No.1 was guilty of a vital lapse in concentration for Chelsea's second goal when speaking to reporters post-match.

He said: “It’s hard for a 'keeper to make amends. So much easier for outfield players. David showed in the rest of the game, he made a few good saves.

"He knows he should save that one 100 times out of 100 but that's football for you."

Former United 'keeper Mark Bosnich has been among those to question whether De Gea should retain a place in Solskjaer's line up for the final two games of the Premier League season, but Scholes thinks critics have been too quick to jump on a man who has won four Player of the Year awards at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils legend wrote in a post on Instagram: "Yep, he’s having a bad time. But without him, United wouldn’t have finished in the top 10 the last 6 years…he’ll be back!"

Solskjaer is currently preparing his squad for a crucial showdown against West Ham at Old Trafford on Wednesday, where a draw or a win will be enough to see them move into the top four.

United will then wrap up their latest domestic campaign with a trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, which could be a decider in the race for Champions League qualification, before focus shifts to the Europa League restart next month.

The Manchester outfit already have one foot in the quarter-finals after beating LASK 5-0 in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie, with a last-eight clash against either İstanbul Basaksehir or Copenhagen awaiting the victors.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck was not impressed with how his team played in the first half of the Mainland Premier League match against Alliance FC on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi were going into the match having lost the previous one 3-2 to Mbao FC and they responded well to beat Alliance FC at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Rwandan striker Meddie Kagere notched a brace to reach 22 goals this season and he is likely to win another Golden Boot while the other goals came from Luis Miquissone, Deo Kanda, and Said Ndemla in the 5-1 win.

Vandenbroeck has, however, singled out the first half of the six-goal thriller as the period his players struggled to break down the opponents because they created minimal chances, and of those created they were not turned into goals.

“I know we won 5-1 against Alliance but the first half of the match did not impress me at all, we did not play with our pace and also the few chances we created, they were not turned into goals,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by the club’s official website.

“But in the second half, the players returned to their level, the level which I love watching them play and we managed to score three goals since the first half had ended 2-1 in our favour.

“In the second period, you could see the pace was back, the players were pushing themselves and we did not miss many chances, it is the kind of play I always want to see from my players and I am happy I smiled again after a poor first half.”

Vandenbroeck further said his main focus with the team now is to win the remaining two matches in the league, against Coastal Union and Polisi Tanzania, before he can shift his focus to the FA Cup final.

“We are not looking at the domestic cup final yet because we still have two matches remaining, I know we have won the league but I want us to make sure we crown it in good fashion, we must win the remaining two matches," he continued.

“After that, then we can now start planning on the final, we can think of it, and make sure we are ready, our focus this season was to win a double and the final will be our next big thing before we end the season.”

Simba reached the final of the domestic cup after knocking out rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) 4-1 and they will now face Namungo FC in the final on August 2.