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Thiago Alcantara may be an “unbelievable” player, concedes Jose Enrique, but that does not make the Bayern Munich midfielder the “best fit” for Liverpool.

A move to Anfield for the Spain international has been mooted ahead of the next transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp has pieced together a Premier League title-winning squad at Anfield, but the German tactician is aware of the need to strive for continuous improvement. That means further bolstering his ranks if the right opportunity presents itself.

Thiago may fit into that category, with the Reds in the market for more energy and creativity in their engine room.

Bayern concede that a player they have been unable to tie to fresh terms may decide to leave the Allianz Arena as he enters the final 12 months of his current deal.

Enrique admits that players of such quality will always be welcome on Merseyside, but the former Reds defender is not convinced that the 29-year-old would be the best use of any funds made available to Klopp.

He told Stadium Astro: “If they get him, definitely he’s going there because Klopp has called him and told him he’s going to be a starting player often.

“I believe he will be a very, very good player for us but how much do you want to spend on this player and for how many years is he going to perform in your team? That’s what you have to look at as well.

“I’m not sure it would be the best fit, but he’s an unbelievable player, there’s no doubt about that, and he would make the starting line-up."

Klopp was quizzed on his supposed interest in Thiago after seeing Liverpool edge past Aston Villa 2-0 in their most recent Premier League outing.

His response has helped to keep the rumour mill ticking over, with the Reds boss saying: “Would you be surprised if I don’t give an answer on that? Just because I never answer these kind of questions. Thiago Alcantara is a really good player. Like a lot of other players out there, I like (him) a lot - but that’s all I have to say about that.”

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Rivaldo Coetzee says he has embraced his new role in the heart of the park under coach Pitso Mosimane.

The former Ajax Cape Town defender was converted by ‘Jingles’ to play alongside the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Tiyani Mabunda, and Andile Jali.

On the other hand, Coetzee says it was a bit tricky to settle down in his new role but he eventually fell in love with his new role.

“Yes, I would say that the position grew on me and training in that position every day before the lockdown has helped me to adapt to it,” Coetzee told the Sundowns website.

“I actually enjoy playing midfield, I hope I can continue there and maybe have a future in that position.

“It was a bit tricky in the beginning, I wasn’t used to people pressing me from behind. I was used to seeing everything on the pitch and that made it easier for me to attack space.”

The 23-year-old Bafana Bafana international also explained what makes a good midfielder and that he found players such as Manchester City’s IIkay Gundogan as his role model.

“But in midfield, you have to think quicker and always scan so you know what’s happening around you, and know what to do with the ball before you even receive it,” he added.

“There are a few players that I like in that position, especially from teams that play the same football we do at Mamelodi Sundowns, which is to dominate and play to always have the ball. Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan at Manchester City are just two examples.”

Taking a look at his contribution to the reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions, the Kakamas-born player has featured in 10 matches across all competitions so far.

As things stand, Sundowns are chasing a 10th PSL title but they have to fight off log leaders Kaizer Chiefs who sit at the summit of the log with 48 points from 22 games, whilst Masandawana have 44 with a game in hand.

In addition, Coetzee will also look to help the reigning Telkom Knockout Cup champions to Nedbank Cup glory as they are scheduled to face Bidvest Wits in the semi-finals once the season resumes after it was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Real Madrid get more penalties than other teams in Spain because they are on the attack more often, according to Diego Simeone.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu have suggested Madrid, who sit four points clear of the Catalan giants at the top of La Liga, are benefiting from favourable decisions from referees.

Zinedine Zidane said has was "tired" of hearing such comments after his side beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on Sunday, the second straight game they have won courtesy of a Sergio Ramos penalty, which was awarded after a VAR review spotted Dani Garcia's trip on Marcelo.

Iker Muniain was critical of the officials after the match because Athletic did not receive a spot-kick for Ramos appearing to step on Raul Garcia's foot off the ball or for another incident involving the Madrid captain and Dani Garcia.

Madrid have been awarded nine penalties in La Liga this season – only Athletic and Real Mallorca have earned more (10 each) – and Simeone thinks it is natural for a team that plays on the front foot to get such decisions.

"VAR exposes everything. Before we didn't have the possibility of seeing some things that we now see. The referees are people who can be wrong as well," the Atletico Madrid boss told a news conference.

"It is fairer. If they give you more penalties, it's because you are in the opposition's area more. If they attack more, like Real Madrid, it means you are there longer.

"In the speed of the game it's difficult to see what happens, but now another referee sees it with calmness on television. People too, from their homes.

"Then there is a person who decides, which is the VAR. It can hurt you or help you, but now we are all clear on if its offside, if it's a penalty… we are all more exposed."

Atletico face Celta Vigo on Tuesday and will be without talismanic midfielder Joao Felix due to an ankle injury.

Felix has scored eight goals and supplied three assists in 34 appearances in all competitions since moving to Wanda Metropolitano from Benfica for a club-record fee of €126 million (£114m/$143m) last year.

Simeone intends to remain patient with the 20-year-old Portugal international when he is available for action again.

"Joao is in his first year at Atletico. I am not surprised by anything that is happening to him," said the Argentine head coach.

"He has to be patient and not disengage. The anger he has because of what he wants to show, because of his qualities, sometimes costs him.

"Few footballers at 20 or 21 are the finished article. He has undoubted talent. He's a humble, respectful boy who gets along with everybody."

Manchester United’s front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood are outperforming Liverpool’s title-winning trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino this season, with Owen Hargreaves considering that to be a sign of “exciting times”.

Between them in the 2019-20 campaign, a fearsome attacking unit at Old Trafford have found the target on 55 occasions.

Martial and Rashford have recorded 20 efforts apiece, while hot prospect Greenwood is up to 15 at just 18 years of age.

Finding a spark in the final third of the field has helped to breathe new life into the resurgent Red Devils, with the efforts of their forwards bettering those of Premier League champions at Anfield.

Salah, Mane and Firmino have enjoyed another standout season at Liverpool, but only have 51 goals as a collective.

Hargreaves considers that to be a notable feather in United’s cap, with there plenty of cause for optimism in Manchester.

The former Red Devils midfielder told Premier League Productions after seeing Martial, Rashford and Greenwood all find the target in a 5-2 mauling of Bournemouth: “Everyone speaks about the best front three in the Premier League in Salah, Mane and Firmino – they are. They have proven it – 51 goals between them.

“But Martial, Rashford, Greenwood  - all in their teens or early 20s – have scored more than that Liverpool front three.

“It’s not a competition but it shows you that these guys are ready to take the mantle.

“With [Paul] Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in behind, wow! What a group of players that front five is. It’s exciting times for Manchester United.”

Rashford made the same comment after helping to pick off the Cherries in United’s most recent outing.

He told BT Sport: "The lads enjoyed it today. Definitely exciting times. It doesn't matter who scores as long as we are scoring and picking up points in the table.

"It is always positive for teams if their forwards are scoring. It is important now to push on until the end of the season."

United, who remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification this season, will be back in action on Thursday when they take in a trip to relegation-threatened Aston Villa.

Kenyan sports will remain banned for the next 30 days after President Uhuru Kenyatta extended the period on Monday.

The football fraternity was praying hard that the President would ease the restrictions and allow sports activities to resume but it was not the case as he moved to extend the ban on all social gatherings for the next 30 days, meaning it will now elapse on August 6.

The President, however, announced the cessation of movement into and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Mombasa and Mandera counties will lapse on Tuesday at 04:00 but extended the nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew for 30 more days.

“By reopening [the three counties], we must be cognisant of the fact that we are much more at risk when the restrictions were in place. We must exercise cautious optimism,” Kenyatta said during the address to the nation.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had hoped the ban will be lifted to allow teams to start pre-season training ahead of the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season set to kick-off at the end of August.

Kenya’s top-flight was halted in mid-March after the outbreak of the coronavirus and FKF moved to end the 2019-20 campaign, giving the title to Gor Mahia, who were leading the 17-team table and promoting Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United.

The latest move by the government now means clubs will not be able to start pre-season training in readiness for the new season.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno told Goal they will meet in the course of the week to discuss the latest decision by the government.

“We will have to meet and decide on what should be done next because our season is due to start in August and we hope the clubs will be ready by then,” Otieno told Goal.

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula wondered why the president had opened churches to be attended by less than 100 people and left out sports.

“It is unfortunate the President overlooked sports and gave churches the green light to resume summons every Sunday, churches, and football are almost similar and he should have allowed teams to start kicking the ball,” Shimanyula told Goal.

The ban also means Gor Mahia will now conduct their much-awaited elections, set for August 8, through an electronic process since club members cannot be allowed to congregate in one centre.

On July 1, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed appointed an Advisory Committee meant to draw up protocols required for the resumption of sporting activities in the country, and a report from the team is expected to be presented to the Cabinet Secretary by July 10, 2020.

Curtis Jones is proud to be forming part of the “greatest” Liverpool side that he has seen, with the 19-year-old having just completed the most “perfect” week of his career to date.

The talented teenager had not been born the last time an era of dominance was enjoyed by the Reds in domestic and continental football.

A 30-year wait for title glory has been brought to a close, though, in 2020, with a Premier League crown secured on the back of recent Champions League and Club World Cup triumphs.

Jurgen Klopp has lifted Liverpool back to the top of the global game, with his current squad boasting a heady blend of youth and experience.

Jones falls into the first of those categories, with the Merseyside native living the dream as a senior star following in the footsteps of some iconic figures.

“I think for any young lad that's coming into the team like this, I think you've got to be confident, you've got to be brave and want to get on the ball. That's what I try and do,” Jones told the club’s official website of joining star-studded ranks.

“Growing up, I've always watched Liverpool and there's been some great players, including my idol Steven Gerrard and his team that he played in was great.

“But I definitely think that this is the greatest I've watched and I'm grateful to be part of it.”

Jones’ most recent outing proved to be a memorable one, as he opened his Premier League goal account in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

That effort came on the back of committing his long-term future to Liverpool with the signing of a new five-year contract.

Life could not be rosier for the youngster right now, with Jones adding: “They could call it perfect.

“But, for me, I'm just grateful for the manager and the rest of the staff for having the belief in me and putting me out there when it was only 1-0 and Villa were playing well. I'm grateful for that but it's been a good week.

“He [Klopp] was just saying the usual, he knows that I'm good on the ball but it's about picking the right pass and knowing when to dribble. 

“He said the game was a bit Villa were on the attack and then we were on the attack, just to try and get a hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and control the game a bit more. 

“That's what I tried to do and hopefully the goal helped.”

Jones now has three efforts to his name this season, with the first of those seeing him record a spectacular strike in an FA Cup third-round derby win over Everton.

Portuguese club Sporting Braga have secured the services of South Africa international Jermaine Seoposenwe on a two-year deal.

The Cidade Desportiva-based outfit signed the Banyana Banyana striker as a free agent after she parted ways with Primera Iberdrola side Real Betis, where she saw out her six-month contract.

During her short stint, Seoposenwe, who arrived from Lithuanian side Gintra Universitetas in February, only featured thrice before the coronavirus suspension and subsequent league cancellation in May.

In those three games, two were in Primera Iberdrola triumphs against Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano, while the other was a Copa de La Reina loss to Logrono for Pier Luigi Cherubino's team.

Earlier on her first professional outing at Gintra, the South Africa star enjoyed an impactful albeit brief spell, scoring six times in eight games for Rimantas Viktoravicius's team last season.

Having finished third last term, the 2019 Portuguese champions are eager to improve on their fortunes in the new season, having lost the services of at least 17 players to the summer window.

And Miguel Santos has made Seoposenwe and Cindy Konig his first signings since the club resumed its pre-season on July 2 as he began the quest to fill the vacuum left by the mass exodus.

Seoposenwe's arrival in Portugal swells the number of South Africans to make a move to the Portuguese BPI since their Women's World Cup outing last year to two, after Thembi Kgaltana.

Reacting to her switch, she expressed excitement over signing for Braga and shared her eagerness to hit the ground running in Portugal.

“I definitely hope to start well, be in touch with the team and fight for all the trophies," she told the club website. 

"That is the focus, working hard to achieve these goals. Liga BPI is a championship with players with a lot of skill and technique. 

"I am excited to be on the pitch and start training and playing with my teammates."

The Cape Town-born star started at JVW FC in her home country before earning a three-year scholarship to US' Samford University, where she played 80 matches and scored 39 goals.

The 26-year-old competed for Banyana at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, starred in a runners-up spot at the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations and was part of the 2019 World Cup in France.

Weston McKennie has been linked with an imminent move to the Premier League, but Schalke “strongly believe” that the United States international will be on their books next season.

The 21-year-old midfielder has a seen a switch mooted which would see him follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Christian Pulisic.

Chelsea lured one USMNT star away from the Bundesliga in 2019, with Pulisic heading to Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund.

McKennie could be the next to trade life in Germany for English football. He is considered to be a player of promise, with close to 100 appearances at club level to go along with the 19 senior caps he has earned with his country.

Schalke, though, are reluctant to see another top talent slip their net, with the club’s sports director stating his confidence that McKennie can be retained.

Jochen Schneider has told Sport1: “He is our player. I strongly believe that he will stay with us.”

McKennie is considered to have a prominent role to play in Schalke’s future, with the German outfit aware that they cannot afford to invest heavily in ready-made superstars.

Schneider added: “We won't be able to afford the seasoned top players in the next few years. We have to be honest.

“We have to rely on the young players who emerge from the academy, but also on younger players who we bring to the club. Like Suat Serdar, who came two years ago, or Ozan Kabak last season, Weston McKennie, who went through youth system - these are the players we want and need to bet on in the future.”

Schalke ended the 2019-20 campaign in 12th spot, with any threat of a relegation dogfight fended off.

The hope is that they will take a positive step forwards next term, but there are several issues to address before then.

“[Mark] Uth and [Sebastian] Rudy are coming back. These are seasoned Bundesliga players who are the framework for the team. We plan with them,” said Schneider. “With [Nabil] Bentaleb, we have to see whether Newcastle want to take up the option, but he will be expensive.

“I don’t want to go into debt anymore. A lot of capital is tied up in players that we have lent out.

“If we can get good young players then we will also have a good team on the field, which is why we have one of the best youth academies in Germany, if not in Europe, and Norbert Elgert is one of the best instructors out there.”

Mexico manager Gerardo Martino has backed Raul Jimenez to seal a move to Manchester United this summer.

Jimenez has been a big hit in the Premier League since making his way to Wolves in the summer of 2018.

The 29-year arrived at Molineux on an initial season-long loan from Benfica, but he earned a permanent contract after netting 17 goals in his debut season.

The Mexican frontman has already improved on that tally in 2019-20, scoring 24 times in 44 outings across all competitions to help Wolves fight for a top-four finish and Europa League glory.

Jimenez is now being tipped for a big-money move to one of Europe's top clubs, with United and Juventus reportedly leading the race for his signature.

Martino thinks that the ex-Benfica star has more chance of playing regularly at Old Trafford than the Allianz Arena, with a number nine spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's line-up still up for grabs.

"Looking at it from the outside today I cannot see a specialist number nine like Raul at United," the Mexico boss told ESPN . "There are many forwards like [Marcus] Rashford, [Anthony] Martial and the boy who now plays as a right-winger, [Mason] Greenwood, but since Romelu Lukaku left I can't see a pure number nine like Raul.

"At Juventus, he will have more of a fight because [Cristiano] Ronaldo shares the inside of the pitch with whoever plays alongside him, with [Paulo] Dybala or with [Gonzalo] Higuain and maybe he has a tougher fight there."

Martino went on to advise Jimenez to weigh up all his options carefully before making a final decision on his future.

"We who see it from the outside, you [the journalist] and even me, always have the idea that a player has to aim for more and how good it would be for him to go to play for Manchester United," the 57-year-old added.

"For me, that at one point in my life I was in a very big club [Barcelona], and having lived a difficult year there, I say that you have to be convinced of the step you want to take and you have to analyse it from many places.

"And he has elements to analyse it because, although he has not been at Manchester United, he was at Atletico Madrid and he was at Benfica. And he has elements to put in the balance to decide what he wants from his life.

"Maybe he wants a bigger challenge because he feels that he is in good shape and has to take advantage of it, maybe he wants to stay in this place, maybe the options you read about are not real and do not exist.

"I think the best thing is for Raul to make the decision based on the analysis he makes and with the consensus of his family because, when it comes to enjoying, not only the player suffers and enjoy, but also the family do it."

Massimiliano Allegri says he had contact with Real Madrid over becoming their head coach two years ago, but wanted to stay loyal to Juventus.

The former AC Milan boss spent five successful years in charge of Juve prior to his exit at the end of last season.

After Zinedine Zidane left Madrid following the 2017-18 campaign, the club had short spells with Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari in charge.

Allegri was one of the other options pursued by the club and the Italian thanked Madrid president Florentino Perez for his interest at the time. Madrid ultimately turned back to Zidane in March 2019.

"Two years ago, there was contact, but nothing came of it because I had a contract with Juve," Allegri told Marca about Madrid's interest. "Furthermore, I had a strong moral commitment to the club and its fans."

Allegri was asked what he likes most about the work Zidane is doing at Santiago Bernabeu, with a La Liga title on the horizon as the delayed 2019-20 season nears its conclusion.

"The strength he has had in finding the indispensable balance of a team so full of class and talent," Allegri said. "For me, the positioning of Casemiro has been a tactical masterclass from Zizou."

Discussing his own future, Allegri continued: "I've been charging my batteries [since leaving Juve] and enjoying time with my family and my city, Livorno, with my lifelong friends.

"I don't really care [if my next job is in Italy or abroad]. I'm looking for a club to share a project with and which has the ambition to compete to win."

When questioned over whether he would like to coach in La Liga, Allegri added: "Who in their right mind would say no to this question? No one.

"There is more pleasure of playing in La Liga, no matter the result. After conceding a goal, the team keeps playing as if nothing has happened. In Italy, on the other hand, there is much more love and attention for the details of the game and tactics. The brain almost always wins out over the heart, in general.

"[Italian football is more difficult] because of what I said before. The player doesn't have much freedom to enjoy themselves in a purely instinctive way and this sometimes makes it difficult."

Liverpool should be looking to bring Philippe Coutinho back to the club from a forgettable spell at Barcelona as there is nobody better to fill their number 10 berth, says Jose Enrique.

The Reds parted with the Brazil international playmaker back in the winter transfer window of 2018.

A professional dream was chased as Coutinho headed to Camp Nou, but a spell in Catalunya has becoming something of a nightmare.

The South American schemer has struggled to find his spark at Barca, leading to him being loaned out to Bayern Munich.

Further struggles for form and fitness have been suffered in Germany, with Coutinho about to see his No.10 shirt passed to Leroy Sane.

The 28-year-old is facing up to an uncertain future, with there seemingly no role for him back in Spain.

That has led to talk of a return to the Premier League being made, with various landing spots offered up – from Tottenham to Newcastle.

Liverpool have offered no indication that they are looking to bring Coutinho back into what is now a Premier League title-winning squad.

Enrique, though, believes that a player who has thrived at Anfield before could be the perfect option for Jurgen Klopp as he seeks to bring added creativity into his ranks.

The former Reds defender told Stadium Astro: “We need a playmaker, a number 10, who is going to be better than Coutinho for us?

“He knows the club, he knows the city, he’s going to perform straight away because he’s been a Premier League player.

“The only problem is wages-wise, I believe he’s very, very high wages-wise in Barcelona, so I’m not sure if he will go to Liverpool obviously losing money.

“The problem with Barcelona, they try to play him on the left side all the time, in Neymar’s position and he’s not this type of player, he needs to play in the middle.”

During his previous stint on Merseyside, which lasted five years, Coutinho took in 201 appearances for Liverpool.

He recorded 54 goals and 45 assists across those outings and Liverpool have, despite enjoying considerable success over the course of the last 13 months, opted against bringing in a like-for-like replacement as yet.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have received a major boost after forward Bernard Morrison boarded the plane to Bukoba ahead of the team’s Mainland Premier League match against Kagera Sugar on Thursday.

The Ghanaian player has been in and out of the Yanga squad and only featured once since the top-flight resume on June 13 – when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 0-0 draw against Azam FC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Morrison has been at the centre of a transfer saga after reports emerged that rivals Simba SC had tabled an offer to sign him, a move that forced Yanga to lodge an official complaint with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) asking them to take action against the giants.

Despite returning to training last Thursday, Morrison once again could not show up as Yanga travelled to Mwanza for their league match against Biashara United which ended in a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Morrison has now travelled to link up with the team ahead of their league clash against Kagera and also in readiness for the FA Cup derby against rivals Simba on Sunday.

“I said it before, I don’t have a problem with [Morrison] and I wanted the club to clear him to come and I am happy he is travelling to be with us before we play Kagera on Thursday,” Eymael told Goal on Monday.

“I would love to have him in my squad because we are chasing to finish second on the log and we also have the derby coming up, which I will like to use him against Simba, he can help us win the match and I want him to be fit and ready to play.”

Eymael had in an earlier interview told Goal the club will face Simba without their key midfielder Haruna Niyonzima, who picked up an injury against Biashara United.

“I lost Haruna [Niyonzima], one of my best players to injury, after only ten minutes into the game and it was due to a bad tackle and his knee twisted and so he will be out of Simba, and there was no reaction from the referee only a free-kick was given,” Eymael told Goal on Monday.

“It is a huge blow to my team because Haruna is one of my best players, one of my favourites, a hard worker a player who fights for the team, so he will not be available to play in the derby."

On Sunday, Yanga lost the second spot in the 20-team league table to Azam FC, who hammered Singida United 7-0 at Azam Complex.

Midfielder Ibrahim Sadam Juma has revealed he turned down a chance to extend his stay at Ugandan Premier League giants KCCA FC.

Allegedly, the Kasasiro Boys tactician Mike Mutebi is not in the player's good books, something that might have contributed to his decision to snub a new deal.

"The club approached me last year about renewal and we held talks but as an individual, I need a new task," Juma revealed as quoted by Sports Nation on Monday.

"The global pandemic has affected my next move but when all comes back to normal, I will let you know where I will be playing from."

The 26-year-old midfielder joined the 13-time league champions in 2017 but has struggled to command a regular starting berth owing to several factors, among them injuries.

The former champions, who surrendered the Uganda Premier League (UPL) crown to rivals Vipers SC after the league was ended owing to the coronavirus pandemic, had initially expressed their intentions to release midfielders Sadam Juma, Muzamir Mutyaba, forward Mike Mutyaba - who has since retired owing to a heart condition - goalkeeper Jamal Malyamungu, and winger Simon Serunkuma.

The other players who might leave the Lugogo-based giants include defensive midfielder Nicholas Kasozi, midfielder Jackson Nunda and striker Erisa Ssekisambu.

KCCA coach Mike Mutebi had confirmed the club is already looking at bringing in youthful players to fill the gap when the changes are effected.

"We have already notified these players they are not in our plans and we wish them well," Mutebi is quoted by Daily Monitor. 

"It is only left to the club CEO [Anisha Muhoozi] to give them farewell letters.

"We thought Muzamir [Mutyaba] would step up and lead the team after Allan Okello left but he is not making progress after five years with us. Mike [Mutyaba] tried his best but injuries have hampered his delivery.

"Like Nunda, we gave Sadam a second chance but in three years they have both barely made 50 matches. They are ever in the sickbay and we can’t hold on anymore."

Mutebi went further to explain why he was sending away Ssekisambu, who joined the club after a stint with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.

"Most of the players I’m driving out like [Ssekisambu] have failed to impress me with the second chance I gave them. It is the right time that I clear out this generation and look at the next one," he concluded.

Bayern Munich will let Thiago Alcantara and David Alaba dictate their own future, with the pair yet to sign contract extensions amid links to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Bundesliga champions are reluctant to part with two prized assets, but have been unable to get either tied down on fresh terms.

With both men entering the final 12 months of their current deals, big decisions need to be made on where they will be playing in 2020-21.

Liverpool have emerged as frontrunners in the race for Thiago, with the Spain international said to be keen on making a fresh start in England. Jurgen Klopp has aired his admiration for the former Barcelona midfielder, with the newly crowned Premier League title winners in the market for more creativity in their engine room.

Alaba, meanwhile, has seen moves to either City or Chelsea mooted. Talk of interest in the Austrian from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid is also never far away, with the versatile 28-year-old having long been lauded as one of European football’s top talents.

Bayern are understandably keen to keep such ability on their books, but Flick will allow Thiago and Alaba to make up their own mind when it comes to any extended stay in Germany.

He told reporters when quizzed on the pair: “Both of them know what I think of them. We will give them time to think. I try to support as a coach and as an advisor. Ultimately, the player has to decide what he wants. We have to respect that.”

Thiago and Alaba have been a regular topic of conversation for Flick over recent weeks, with Bayern having once again wrapped up a Bundesliga crown with room to spare.

“It’s just that I always have hope. I always see things very positively,” he has said.

Asked specifically about Alaba, who has been on Bayern’s books since joining their academy system in 2008, Flick said: “You can end your career at a club where you were trained. That does not happen all too often today. He could lead the way. I hope we can convince him to sign with Bayern.

“In the end, he’s a very important player for us, the heart. He’s not only an absolutely world-class player, but also important off the pitch.”

Lugano manager Maurizio Jacobacci has expressed his disappointment after Franklin Sasere missed a glorious chance in their 3-0 defeat to Young Boys in Sunday’s Swiss Super League game.

Ivorian midfielder Yao Eloge Koffi scored two own goals in the encounter before Mohamed Camara wrapped up the victory.  

Sasere joined the Cornaredo Stadium outfit last summer from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Sunshine Stars on a three-year deal.  

The forward has since struggled for game time, having only featured in five league games for the side since his arrival in Switzerland.

The forward was afforded his first start at Stade de Suisse but failed to make the most of the opportunity and wasted the few chances that came his way before he was replaced in the 46th minute.

 When asked about Sasere’s missed chance in the encounter, Jacobacci expressed his displeasure at the situation.

“As for wasted opportunities, there is a bit of anger, because with a little more calmness, at least one of those goal-bound efforts could and should have been scored,” Jacobacci told the club website.

“Then it is true after conceding two goals that it is difficult to come back into the game and claim three points with a team like Young Boys".

The loss is their 11th in this campaign which ensured they dropped to seventh on the Super League table after gathering 33 points from 28 games.

Sasere is yet to open his account in the Super League and has only managed seven appearances across all competitions.

The former Ifeanyi Ubah player will hope to get a chance to play a part when Lugano take on St. Gallen in their next league game on Thursday.

Nemanja Matic has signed a new Manchester United contract which will keep him at the club until 2023.

The Serbian has been key for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side during their current unbeaten run and has been rewarded for his good form with a new deal.

There were doubts over the midfielder’s Old Trafford future earlier in the year as he struggled to keep his place in the starting XI after a slow start to the season.

The 31-year-old was considering a move away from United if game time was to be limited and his contract was set to expire this summer.

The club exercised an option to extend that deal for a year back in March and the former Chelsea man has now agreed fresh terms to keep him at the club for another three years.

Matic has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season and has been central to the club’s current good form acting as a shield in front of the defence, and the midfielder, who has made 114 appearances since arriving in 2017, is delighted to be extending his stay at the club  

“I am very happy that I will continue to be part of this great club. As a player, I still have a lot more to give and achieve in my career and to do that with Manchester United will be a huge honour,” Matic said.

“This is a really exciting team to be part of, we have a good balance of youth and experience within the squad and there is great comradery amongst the group.

"This is a key part of the season and we are playing well. We will continue to fight to finish the season on a high and make our amazing supporters proud.”

Solskjaer regularly started Matic after Christmas after an improvement in his form and the Norwegian explained why he is happy he has signed a new deal.

“I am delighted that Nemanja has signed a new contract, I know his experience, professionalism and leadership will be invaluable to this young talented group,” Solskjaer said.

“We have great strength in midfield and Nemanja’s attributes are a key part of that. Nemanja has been here for three seasons now and really understands the values of playing for Manchester United. 

"He remains hugely ambitious and determined which will be vital as we look to achieve our aims over the coming years.”

Somalia Football Federation (SFF) president Abdiqani Said Arab believes the renovation and completion of the Mogadishu Stadium will help them cut costs.

The Somalia football national team has been hosting their matches in neighbouring Djibouti due to the issues of insecurity that has rocked the Horn of Africa country for the last three decades.

“The use of Djibouti for our home games means that Ocean Stars had travelled twice for every national duty which caused SFF to spend a lot, so the availability of Mogadishu Stadium will save money for Somali football federation,” Arab told the federation's website.

Arab has, however, noted the unavailability of more stadiums to complement the national facility is another issue but all in all he is optimistic that the multipurpose capital city-based facility will serve in the meantime.

“The country doesn’t have enough facilities and we are still eying to have more venues, but the most important thing is the return of Mogadishu Stadium which is the home of Somali national team and having it in place will also cover other major needs” Arab added.

The federation chief also noted the newly-renovated stadium will serve the fans better in the upcoming matches. Somalia, like its neighbours and global nations, suspended football activities due to the coronavirus outbreak a few months ago.

“Somalis are football-mad people and the re-launch of Stadium Mogadishu would mean that we will get enough space for the tens of thousands who turn out for football matches in Somalia- most notably the best-supported competitions," he concluded.

Somalia national team coach Said Abdi Haibeh revealed they are looking forward to matches at their home stadium which has not been in use for a very long time after it was captured and used by militants.

“The players and I are all looking forward to enjoying at home and play in front of tens of thousands of home-based Somali fans,” Haibeh said in an earlier interview.

“It was a great honour for me to be selected and act as the manager of the history-making Somali national football team last year. The players are well-prepared and ready for the national duties including international friendlies.

“However, I believe that the home atmosphere is going to be electric. This is the long-standing dream of Somali Football Federation authorities and it will soon be true if Allah allows.” 

Mogadishu City Club and Horseed Sports Club featured in the opening match of the stadium on July 1.