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Samuel Kalu has explained the efforts of Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce to secure his signature but has reiterated his commitment to Bordeaux.

The 23-year-old winger has been with the Girondins since the summer of 2018 after signing a five-year deal with the club.

The Nigeria international has featured in more than 40 league games for the side and last season he made 20 league appearances for Jean Louis Gasset's men to help them finish 12th last season.

19-time Super Lig champions, Fenerbahce, have made an offer to the Girondins to secure the services of the winger on loan but the French club have rejected the bid. 

Kalu has featured in four league games for Bordeaux in the 2020-21 season, opening his account against Lens on Saturday.

The Super Eagles forward revealed he remains committed to the Matmut Atlantique outfit while still with the club.

“There is really nothing much to say because they [Fenerbahce] first gave an offer of a loan deal but Bordeaux rejected it, saying I was an important player to the club and they can’t allow me to go on loan again,” Kalu told AOI.

“They came again with another offer for a loan and an option to buy at the end of the season but the club is yet to reply to them.

“I’m however ready to give my best to the club; if I will remain here I am 100% committed and won’t force a move away as it remains with the club to decide that.”

Kalu will hope to play a part when Bordeaux take on Nice in their next league game on September 27.

The forward has 13 caps for the Nigeria national team since he made his debut against Libya in October 2018.

Kalu was part of the Super Eagles team that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and will be expected to play a key role for the West Africans in the Afcon qualifiers.

The 23-year-old winger is part of Nigeria’s squad that will take on Ivory Coast and Tunisia in friendly games in October.

Liverpool’s deal for Thiago Alcantara and Tottenham’s re-signing of Gareth Bale show the difference between champions and “also-rans”, claims former Reds striker Stan Collymore.

Jurgen Klopp has, after taking in a relatively quiet summer transfer window, stepped up his recruitment business of late.

Spain international midfielder Thiago has been snapped up from Bayern Munich, in what is considered to be quite a coup, while Portuguese forward Diogo Jota has been prised from Wolves in a £41 million ($52m) deal.

Other notable moves had been made by others, with Wales international Bale back in the Premier League after seven years at Real Madrid.

Collymore believes title holders Liverpool are showing the rest how recruitment should be carried out, with the likes of Manchester United struggling to bolster their ranks while Chelsea are waiting on new additions to find their feet and Spurs are letting heart rule their head.

“The signings of Thiago Alcantara by Liverpool and Gareth Bale by Tottenham in the space of 24 hours last week proved one thing. That champions do things one way and those looking in do them another,” ex-Liverpool frontman Collymore told The Mirror.

“Thiago had no relationship whatsoever with Liverpool before they decided to sign him. It was just a case of Jurgen Klopp looking at his squad, looking at Thiago and saying, ‘He has what we’re missing, let’s get him in'.

“That’s completely at odds with Spurs’ move for Bale, who has only been brought back because he used to play for them.

“Yes, Bale is world class when he’s on the top of his game.

“But he only managed 20 appearances for Real Madrid last season and how many 31 year olds, however good they are or have been, will be on the radars of current or wannabe champions when they’ve barely played for a year?

“That’s why it’s a purely emotional move and one that could work but only with a fair wind. Champions don’t deal with fair winds, though, only also-rans do that.”

Collymore added on Liverpool’s capture of Thiago, with the 29-year-old snapped up on the back of a treble-winning triumph at Bayern in 2019-20: “There was never any chat of him going elsewhere, the deal just fell completely into place.

“When things aren’t going your way, potential deals come with strings attached, the agent is pimping the player out to six or seven clubs, the price keeps getting higher and, when he walks through the door, there’s a bit of an attitude as well.

“Yet there doesn’t seem to be any arrogance with Thiago, he seems quite a humble guy and he will fit in alongside Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Co with ease.

“His move to Liverpool is perfect for the player and the club.”

Thiago put in an eye-catching performance off the bench on his debut for Liverpool, with the record books already being re-written by a player who has slotted seamlessly into the fold at Anfield.

Express FC have continued with their transfer activities after signing defender Dennis Mugerwa from Tooro United.

“We would like to gladly announce the capture of right-back Dennis Mubuya Mugerwa who joins from Tooro United on a two-year deal,” the club confirmed on their official website.

“The 29-year-old managed two assists in the seven games he featured in while at Tooro United and before the stopover in Fort Portal, “Nesta” like he’s fondly known by his mates had a stint at Water FC from 2015 to 2019.”

Speaking after signing the new deal, Mugerwa said: “I am glad to finally join this big club, as a defender I know it’s important that me and my colleagues [at the back and going forward] we work as a unit to get good results.”

Mugerwa who becomes coach Wasswa Bbosa’s 13th signing for the upcoming season, will tussle it out with Richard Bbosa for the right-back starting berth.

On Monday, the Red Eagles also confirmed the arrival of 25-year-old attacking midfielder Ibrahim Kayiwa from Tooro United.

The other new signings at Express include goalkeepers Denis Otim and Cryspus Kusiima, right-back Richard Bbosa, midfielders Isaac Nsengiyunva, Abel Eturude, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Mahad Kakooza, Baker Sakah, Faisal Ssekyanzi, and forwards Charles Musiige and Kiragga Mustafa.

Meanwhile, Cyrus Kibande is itching to make his debut for Express in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL).

The young defender joined Express at the start of the 2019/ 2020 season from Terranova FC after a successful trial stint alongside his other teammates Frank Ssenyondo and Joshua Musoke.

In a recent interview with the club website, Kibande said on the new signings at the club: “According to me, the new recruits are not bad and I think we shall compete in the league because they are young, understand easily, talented, do what the coaches tell them to do, and disciplined.

“All in all, with them there is a big chance or a high probability of winning the trophy.”

On his targets for the new season, Kibande revealed: “First and foremost, I want to work hard and get a trophy for my team Express, secondly, I also want to join the national team level, then thirdly, I want also to be on the market, being in the papers all the time so that even if the club decides to sell me abroad, the club can, those are my targets for the upcoming season.”

Express will be keen to win their seventh Ugandan Premier League (UPL) when the new season kicks-off on October 17.

Gor Mahia new signing Jules Ulimwengu has revealed why he opted to sign for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions.

K’Ogalo managed to beat rivals AFC Leopards to the services of the 21-year-old forward after they unveiled him on Friday on a two-year contract from Rwanda giants Rayon Sports.

Gor Mahia have been desperate to land the forward after the departure of Francis Afriyie, Gnamien Yikpe, Juma Balinya, and Boniface Omondi, all in one year.

Ulinwengu, who managed to score 12 goals for Rayon last season, has now revealed why it was easy for him to settle for the transfer to Gor Mahia.

“It was a long journey and difficult to make it from Rwanda but I want to thank God I arrived safely, and my main target in Kenya is to work with my colleagues to make sure Gor Mahia retains the league title and leaves a good mark in the Caf Caf Champions League,” Ulimwengu told Gor Mahia TV.

“I don’t think I have a difficult task playing for this club, I am not alone, we have other quality players in this team and I know God will help us to achieve our target.

“Gor Mahia is big a team, I have been following them while in Rwanda and I knew I was coming to a big club and that is why I did not hesitate to sign for them, I will now have to work hard every day in training to make sure I cement my position in the club, I am happy to be at Gor Mahia.”

Apart from turning out for Burundi national team, the center-forward has previously played for a number of clubs in Africa including Vital’O FC, LLB Sports 4 Africa FC, Sunrise FC, and recently Rayon Sports of Rwanda.

After losing five players – Joash Onyango to Simba SC of Tanzania, David Mapigano to Azam FC, Dickson Ambundo to Dodoma Jiji, Omondi, and keeper Peter Odhiambo to Wazito FC – Gor Mahia have been actively involved in the current transfer window.

Some of the new signings at Gor Mahia include Andrew Malisero Numero from Malawi, Benson Omalla, midfielder Sydney Ochieng, goalkeeper Samuel Njau, and defender Wesonga from Western Stima, Cameroonian midfielder Bertrand Konfor, John Macharia, and John Ochieng from Chemelil Sugar.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia are still set to lose more players with Sofapaka confirming they are in talks to sign Lawrence Juma, while defender Charles Momanyi is yet to renew his contract and is being linked with a move to KCB.

Another player, Jackson Owusu, left for his native Ghana and is yet to confirm whether he will return ahead of the new season.

Dele Alli would be "fantastic" at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Darren Bent, who has urged the Tottenham star to link up with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at Parc des Princes after losing Jose Mourinho's trust.

Alli's future at Spurs has been called into question at the start of the 2020-21 season.

The England international was substituted at half-time during an opening weekend loss to Everton, before being omitted from Mourinho's squad completely in a Europa League qualifying win at Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

He was also left out of Sunday's thrilling 5-2 victory over Southampton, with the Portuguese boss explaining pre-match that he has "too many players" to choose from and the midfielder is "paying the price".

PSG have been heavily linked with a move for Alli in recent days, and Mourinho addressed ongoing speculation after watching his side pick up their first three points of the new Premier League campaign.

"I'm not responsible for the market," said the Tottenham boss. "The same way a squad is a puzzle and in the same way so is the bench. I cannot have three wingers and a No 10 and then no defender."

Bent thinks that playing alongside a whole host of world-class players at Parc des Princes would help Alli reach the next level in his career, having seen his development stall at Spurs following a promising start under Mauricio Pochettino.

“It would be superb for him. We know the French league is not as competitive as the Premier League," the ex-Tottenham striker told talkSPORT of Alli's proposed move to PSG.

“But when you go and play with players like Mbappe, Neymar, [Marco] Verratti, it’s automatically going to lift his levels and make him a better player.

“A change of scenery could do him the world of good and going to that club, he’d be fantastic there.”

Alli now finds himself way down the pecking order at Tottenham, with Bent of the opinion that the talented 24-year-old is being overlooked due to his perceived sluggish work-rate in the middle of the pitch.

“Looking at Spurs’ squad, you cannot tell me that Dele Alli isn’t better than Harry Winks, [Eric] Lamela, even [Moussa] Sissoko," he added.

“You know how Mourinho wants you – hard-working, up and down – and that’s not really Dele Alli’s game.

“I look at Dele Alli as a Frank Lampard-type midfielder. I’m not saying he’s as good as Frank, but he gets in the box, gets on the end of crosses, does those late drives into the box – he gets goals.

“For whatever reason, he can’t seem to find that form. But to say he’s got all these players and can’t find a spot for Dele Alli is a farce.

“Dele Alli is better than some of those players he’s got in the squad, but I think it comes down to trust. Right now, Mourinho trusts Winks and Sissoko a lot more than he trusts Dele Alli.”

Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry has revealed his side will miss up to four foreign-based players when they launch their campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan in November.

The Cranes will return to action with a double-header against South Sudan and coach Johnathan McKinstry had admitted with travel restrictions currently being experienced in various countries owing to the coronavirus pandemic, he will not have his full squad especially foreign-based players.

“We have already highlighted the travel restrictions in place and four of our foreign-based players are likely not to join us,” McKinstry told Fufa website.

“The squad will be 70% composed of foreign-based players with the rest coming from the local league. But like I said, with travel restrictions when we fail to get some, there must be other options especially from our league. Equally, this in the long run will definitely help our local legion as we plan for Chan.”

Asked whether he will stick to the squad he named before Covid-19 struck forcing the cancellation of competitions, McKinstry said: “Definitely, we still have them in our considerations and it will depend on their availability.

“But the situation in March is not the situation now. For example, we did not call Farouk Miya in March because he was out injured but he came back strong and ended the season well with his club in Turkey and he has also started the new season with them. You look at players like Derrick [Nsibambi] in Egypt. It is very important that they are getting playing time week in week out.”

McKinstry has also admitted he is impressed with how a number of Uganda players have commanded starting roles at their respective clubs in Europe.

“We always tell our players that when they go outside, they have gone to compete at the highest level,” McKinstry continued: “Obviously, it takes time to settle in a new environment like it was the case with Miya in Belgium but he showed commitment and is now doing well.

“When you look at 10 years ago, we only had a few players commanding playing time but that has over the years changed and it is very pleasing that we see many of them playing regularly.”

McKinstry also explained why it was important for Uganda to claim maximum points against South Sudan by stating: “It’s all about qualifying and the fact that we have qualified for the last two editions, obviously the minimum should be getting back and go a step better.

“We definitely have the chance to qualify as soon as we can but we will not take things for granted.”

On what he was doing during the lockdown period, McKinstry explained: “In the last couple of months, myself and the coaching team, we have really dug deep in terms of the game module, looked into what we want to do for the team, every position and the players we have now but also the players for the next few years.

“That sort of conveyor belt of talent, who we expect to step up in the near future. Therefore, in the last months, we have been able to put in place some good plans. Whereas it’s been a frustrating period for most of the people but ultimately, we have been able to use it effectively and we are better prepared than before.”

Uganda – like other nations – will have to honour the World Cup and their Afcon qualification matches in a condensed calendar late in the year and in 2021.

The record Cecafa champions are also set to participate in the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament to be staged in Cameroon.

John Barnes admits Sadio Mane is capable of following in his footsteps and becoming a “god” at Liverpool, but only if he sticks around at Anfield and does not follow the lead of Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez.

Former Reds star Jamie Carragher has suggested that a Senegalese forward can secure a standing as an all-time great on Merseyside.

He has told Sky Sports: “We love John Barnes, we’ve played with Barnes. He was always in Liverpool’s best-ever 11, wide-left. I think when Mane finishes, that is a serious discussion, and I cannot believe I’m saying it because John Barnes for me is like a god.

“But what that man has done since he’s come to Liverpool, he’s going to be really pushing John Barnes.”

Barnes spent 10 years with Liverpool between 1987 and 1997, taking in 403 appearances while registering 106 goals and winning two league titles.

Mane has seen 173 games across four seasons, finding the target on 83 occasions, and is now a Champions League and Premier League title winner.

He is well on course to become an iconic figure for the Reds, but Barnes says he must stay put in order for his true value to be recognised – with other star turns before him having left before cementing their legacy.

Barnes told talkSPORT on what Mane can do to emulate him: “Well, he’ll definitely be slimmer than me, I can tell you that.

“Mane has been fantastic, of course. What he’s done in the time he’s been here has been absolutely sensational.

“But, as we saw with Fernandes Torres and Luis Suarez, if he leaves this season or at the end of the season after being here for four years, you can’t compare them.

“If they stay there over a period of time, then you can compare him to any great player from the past.

“Mane has been great, but all three of them have been great, [Mohamed] Salah as well and, for me, [Roberto] Firmino still is my favourite player as he links it all together.”

Mane netted a match-winning brace against Chelsea in his most recent outing, while Liverpool will be back in action on Thursday when facing Lincoln in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Ivan Rakitic has admitted he was never close friends with Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez during his time at Camp Nou.

The Croatia playmaker brought his six-year spell in Catalonia to an end earlier in the transfer window, rejoining former club Sevilla in a cut-price deal.

There had been reports that Rakitic had not gotten on well with Barca’s star pair but, while he acknowledges they weren’t close, he says he had nothing but respect for them.

"I've said my side,” Rakitic told El Desmarque. “My relationship with them was never one of close friends. I believe that's hard in a group of 23 or 24 players.

“My closest friends were Andres Iniesta, [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen, [Kevin-Prince] Boateng and Junior Firpo last season.

“But I respect them both. They were my team-mates for six years and are very important players. I've always got on incredibly well and have the utmost respect for them.

“During the coronavirus lockdown, we've all been very close together, almost neighbours. I'm very thankful for how they've treated me over the years."

Returning to the club where he spent four productive seasons between 2011 and 2014, Rakitic will be fully focused on his club commitments at Sevilla, having also announced his retirement from international football.

"Saying goodbye to the national team is the most difficult decision of my career, but I felt that it was the moment when I had to break through and make that decision," he said in a statement.

"I enjoyed every game that I played with my country and the unforgettable moments of the World Cup will remain among my favourite memories of my life."

Rakitic played 106 times for Croatia, scoring 15 goals and reaching the 2018 World Cup final.

Sevilla are due to start the 2020-21 season with the UEFA Super Cup against Bayern Munich on Thursday, after winning the Europa League.

With La Liga having already gotten underway, they will be playing catchup when they play their first domestic fixture at Cadiz on September 28.

They then play Levante before Rakitic will return to Camp Nou for an away fixture at Barcelona on October 4.

Former Barcelona star Dani Alves wants to leave Sao Paulo, with the defender looking to depart the club just 13 months after making a return to his native Brazil.

Alves joined Sao Paulo last August on a deal that runs through December 2022, having previously stated his dream of playing for the club.

The long-time Brazil full-back, who was handed the No.10 shirt, scored on his debut, a 1-0 win over Ceara.

However, after just over a year with the club, Alves is now hoping to leave, with a number of internal political issues serving as the key reason that the former Barca and PSG defender is hoping to move on.

Alves has been left frustrated by the behind-the-scenes issues at Sao Paulo, as well as the criticism he has faced from the club's fanbase.

He was recently the target of criticism from sections of the club's supporters after attending a party with friends during the coronavirus pandemic, while he was also the subject of fans' ire after being recorded playing a musical instrument while dealing with an arm injury.

Despite his frustrations with the club, Alves is determined to make his exit an amicable one, as he looks to leave the team on good terms if possible.

His goal is to make a move back to Europe, having played 38 matches while scoring eight goals since returning to South America.

Prior to his move to Sao Paulo, Alves was a free agent after the expiration of his deal with PSG, having joined the Parisians in 2017 following a one-year stay with Juventus.

In 2017, the full-back earned interest from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea before opting to make the move to Paris.

Alves is best known for his time at Barcelona, though, having joined the club in 2008 after establishing himself as one of the world's most dynamic attacking full-backs as a member of Sevilla.

He made 391 appearances for Barca, scoring 21 goals as the club won La Liga six times as well as three Champions League titles.

Internationally, Alves has earned 118 caps for Brazil and was part of the country's 2019 Copa America-winning squad.

Juventus welcomed Alvaro Morata back to Turin ahead of the forward's expected return to the Serie A champions.

Goal can confirm Morata is set to join Juve on loan from Atletico Madrid in a deal that will cost €9 million (£8m/$11m) and the Italian club will also apparently have an option to buy the 27-year-old for €45m.

Juventus, who have been searching for a forward, welcomed Morata back as he landed in Turin.

"@AlvaroMorata is back in town!" the club wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of the forward.

Morata is set for his second spell at Juve, where he scored 27 goals in 93 games across two seasons between 2014 and 2016.

He then returned to Real Madrid for a season before joining Chelsea and later Atletico, where he netted 12 La Liga goals in 34 games last season.

With Gonzalo Higuain having left to join Inter Miami, Juve had been linked with the likes of Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Roma's Edin Dzeko.

Juventus had reached an agreement to sign Dzeko , but that deal was complicated by Roma's desire to sign Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik as a replacement.

Suarez had travelled to Italy to try and complete a move after agreeing a €10 million (£9m/$12m) contract , but sporting director Fabio Paratici has confirmed that deal won't go ahead .

Instead, Andrea Pirlo will welcome back his former team-mate Morata as the forward returns to familiar surroundings in his much-travelled career.

Morata's move could pave the way for Suarez, 33, to join Atletico.

Juve have won nine consecutive Serie A titles and opened their campaign under Andrea Pirlo with a 3-0 win over Sampdoria on Sunday.

The Old Lady have a tough set of fixtures to come in the league as they travel to Roma on Saturday, before welcoming Napoli to Juventus Stadium on October 4.

While Juve star Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to feature in both games, Pirlo has admitted the Portuguese attacker will be rested at times during the season.

Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has hit out at social media trolls claiming he is only now on television because of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Richards, who won the Premier League and FA Cup with City and became England’s youngest-ever defender in 2006, has emerged as one of the most entertaining and engaging pundits around English football in recent seasons.

However, despite his popularity among his colleagues and many fans, he claims to receive regular comments apparently suggesting he is only employed as a pundit because he is black.

“You know, I’m in a privileged position, and I did this through hard work,” Richards told Sky Sports after working on City’s 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday.

“The hard work that I have put in is not going to be tarnished. I’ve got people on Twitter, I’ve got people on Instagram [saying], ‘Oh, Micah Richards is only on air because of this whole Black Lives Matter movement’.

“But I have had conversations with corporations that I have worked for way before this, and now I am getting tarnished with the same brush – ‘Oh, he’s only on TV because of Black Lives Matter’.

“Which is disheartening for me because I put in the work. I work every single day at my craft. I have been a professional footballer, I have won the Premier League, I have played at the highest level and I am still getting stones thrown at me.

“So if I have got to fly the flag and people want to throw stones at me, I’ll happily take it because I know I have put in the work.”

Richards raised similar issues last month when some disgruntled fans targeted him and fellow pundit – and fellow former league winner and experienced international – Alex Scott after Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas were sacked from Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.

Ian Wright hit out at what he called “stinking-mouthed racists” who claimed they had been removed in order to introduce more black and female pundits onto the show.

Richards praised Scott on Monday, saying: “She is absolutely incredible, one of the best I have ever worked with.

“It is even worse for her because she is a woman, and she is seen as black as well. It’s double jeopardy, she is in a worse position.

“All you see on Twitter and Instagram is, ‘What is a woman doing working in men’s football?’. She knows football inside and out more than most people.”

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne says he feels no pressure to replace David Silva's production as he insists that he cannot recreate the Spanish star's brilliance.

Silva's decade-long stay with the club ended this summer, with the Spaniard making the move to Real Sociedad after playing 436 games for Manchester City.

Manchester City have not signed a direct replacement for Silva, with youngster Phil Foden earmarked as a player that can step in to the Spain star's attacking midfield role.

But De Bruyne, who equalled Thierry Henry's assist record last season , is also a player that has been tasked with stepping into a different role in the attacking end in Silva's absence.

The Belgian star, though, doesn't see it that way, as he doesn't believe there's a real way to truly replace the former City star.

"David Silva was an incredible player for us. I cannot recreate what David does," De Bruyne told Sky Sports.

"I have to help my team the way I always try to do. Everybody has to play out their own quality.

"Of course it will be difficult because David was the master of tight spaces but I think we have people who can do the job. He will obviously be a miss inside and outside the pitch.

He added: "I think [my position] depends on the way the other team play. Wolves play with a back three so the manager wanted to push them high and play secure with the two defensive midfielders. We have so many attacking players so I can slot them in and they can do the rest."

De Bruyne began the Premier League season in fine form on Monday, leading City to a 3-1 victory over Wolves. 

The Belgian scored a goal, provided an assist and drew a penalty in the victory, following a 13-goal and 20-assist campaign last time out.

After the match, De Bruyne played down his hot start, insisting that he isn't concerned with surpassing Henry's assist record nor putting up lofty goalscoring numbers.

"I would prefer to have five goals and five assists and go away with the title," he said. "You can contribute a lot in different ways.

"I'm a midfielder but I know these days it's a lot about statistics. I need to contribute in one way or another so that's what i'm trying to do."

Following Monday's win, Manchester City will now look ahead to a Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth on Thursday before a match against Leicester on Sunday in the Premier League.

Jadon Sancho might leave Borussia Dortmund one day, director Sebastian Kehl has admitted – but it won’t be in this transfer window.

Manchester United have been desperate to sign Sancho, but the Bundesliga club made clear early in the summer that he would not leave unless their asking price was met.

Dortmund wanted a deal to be completed before their pre-season training camp started on August 10, and United failed to meet the reported €120 million (£108m/$141m) asking price before then.

United have remained keen on a move, with shortcomings in their squad badly exposed as they suffered a humbling 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in their opening game of the Premier League season.

Dortmund have had a happier start to their own campaign. They beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 in their opening Bundesliga game, and Sancho scored their first goal of the season in a 5-0 cup win over Duisburg - which also featured a record-breaking debut goal for Jude Bellingham, who snubbed Man Utd to join Dortmund.

With momentum behind them, Kehl says Dortmund are confident of keeping a happy Sancho at the club.

“Jadon has trained well and professionally,” Kehl told Ruhr Nachrichten. “He is happy to play football.

“Yes, someday he might leave for a new challenge but right now he is happy at Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Dortmund is happy to have him.

"He is here - and he will stay here. It was an important statement from the club because we have a certain responsibility. Without Jadon, this team is worse."

One game into the new season, frustration is already beginning to mount around United.

While their top-four rivals have all strengthened, Donny van de Beek remains the only major signing of the summer window at Old Trafford, and there remains a question mark over how he will fit in midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

Former defender Patrice Evra made his disappointment perfectly clear as he launched into a scathing 20-minute attack on the club’s hierarchy over how they conduct their transfer business.

However Steve McClaren, formerly Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager, has defended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, arguing there has been a ‘massive overreaction’ to the Crystal Palace result.

Amaju Pinnick disclosed has that he is not in haste to contest the Confederation of African Football (Caf) presidential election.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss was removed from his role as the body’s first vice-president in 2019 – with South Africa’s Danny Jordaan taking his place – although no reason was given by president Ahmad Ahmad.

With the presidential election scheduled for Morocco in 2021, the 49-year-old revealed that he has a lot of things to ponder about before deciding if he will stand in the polls – citing that the body needs to address a lot of issues.

"The truth is that you need to look at indexes, you have to look at your family - family is the most prized asset that I have - so for example if my family said "don't" then I won't," Pinnick told BBC Sport Africa.

"Then you have your larger family which is your football family - your exco, your congress - if they decide to give you the go-ahead then you go to the government.

"Then from the government, you also look at some of your friends - it is not easy you have to consult your zone - you have to consult your colleagues because they are the voters.

"You have to let them know that even if you get elected, we will need to look at the reality.

"What is the reality? There are a lot of things wrong fundamentally in Caf right now - our credibility is at the lowest ebb our integrity is nowhere to be found - so we have a lot of challenges unless we keep deceiving ourselves.

"Human beings make mistakes and the only way you can correct those mistakes is to ensure that you know you have made these mistakes and genuinely want to correct it if that's the case we can't sit there and do nothing.

"Nobody is in a hurry. I am not desperate, I am going to be just 50 in December so there is a lot of time for me if I want to pursue a career path in football administration in the future."

Although Ahmad has refused to disclose whether he will run for a second term, a strong North African challenge is expected for the race to the hot seat.

Inter chairman Steven Zhang has been handed a fine by the Italian football federation for his criticism of Serie A president Paolo Dal Pino over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Zhang was highly critical of Serie A's decision to continue matches in March, calling out Dal Pino specifically for disregarding public health.

At the time, the league had announced that Inter's clash with Juventus, a potential title-decider, would be played on March 8 in what turned out to be the last round of fixtures before the league temporarily shut down due to the coronavirus.

Zhang wrote on his Instagram story: “Playing around the calendar and always putting the public health as secondary consideration.

“You are probably the biggest and darkest clown I have ever seen. 24 hours? 48 hours? 7 days? And what else? What’s your next step?

“And now you speak about sportsmanship and fair competition?

“How about we don’t protect our players or coaches and ask them to play for you 24/7 non-stop?

“Yes, I’m speaking to you. Our Lega President Paolo Dal Pino. Shame on you. It’s time to stand up and take your responsibility! This is what we do in 2020!

“Everybody around the world, doesn’t matter if you are Inter fan or Juve fan or no fan at all. Please be safe!

“This is the most important thing for you, your family, and our society.”

Inter went on to lose the match 2-0, with Aaron Ramsey and Paulo Dybala firing the eventual champions to victory, moving them one step closer to the title.

And, in addition to the defeat on the day, Zhang and Inter have now been hit with sanctions for the chairman's pre-game rant.

Zhang has been ordered to pay an €8,000(£7,400/$9,400) fine while the club will also be required to pay a fine of  €5,000 (£4,600/$5,900).

The 28-year-old businessman became the youngest ever chairman of Inter in 2018, having been instrumental in Suning Holdings Group's acquisition of Inter in 2016.

Suning Holdings Group owns 68.55 per cent of the Nerazzurri.

Inter finished last season second in Serie A and will begin play this weekend against Fiorentina.