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Pep Guardiola has recently held talks with Lionel Messi and would be delighted to be reunited with the wantaway Barcelona star at Manchester City, Goal can reveal.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has stunned the Camp Nou side by handing in a transfer request and asking to activate a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for free.

Barcelona, though, insist he still has a €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause in his contract, which runs until 2021, and that is set to be a contentious issue regarding his demand to leave.

His discontent stems from a disappointing campaign that saw Barca lose their grip on the Spanish title to Real Madrid and crash out of the Champions League in humiliating style to Bayern Munich as they suffered an 8-2 defeat.

In the aftermath of that loss, head coach Quique Setien was sacked but that was not enough to placate Messi, who subsequently had contact with Guardiola before indicating to the club his desire to leave.

Guardiola is very interested in signing the 33-year-old and City are one of the few clubs with the financial muscle capable of absorbing the Argentina international’s wage.

The relationship between the two men remains very close, having worked previously together at Barca, where Messi has spent the entire duration of his senior career after first moving to the club in 2001.

Guardiola cut his teeth in coaching with the Catalans and enjoyed incredible success during his spell in the dugout with their first team, which lasted from 2008 through until 2012. He won the treble in his first season in charge, with six major honours arriving in 2009 alone. Six more would follow before his departure. 

That Barcelona generation is widely considered to be one of the greatest that the game has ever seen, and it was Messi who spearheaded the attack, tallying an incredible 73 goals during the 2011-12 campaign, which was Guardiola’s last before stepping down to take a sabbatical year.

Having enjoyed arguably their greatest successes together, Messi is keen to reunite with the coach following a season that saw him score a comparatively disappointing 31 times – the fewest goals he has netted in a campaign since 2007-08.

The prospect of playing alongside his friend and compatriot Sergio Aguero at the Etihad, along with the chance to remain playing at high level in the Premier League, is also said to appeal to Messi.

There has been no firm offer from City and any deal for Messi would be extremely complex given the financial details involved in such a transfer. 

Manchester United, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain are among the other clubs credited with a serious interest in the attacker, who has previously said that he would one day like to return to play with Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland before he retires from the game.

Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes has revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told him not to make so many runs during matches, but he says that he "can't control" his urge to get forward.

Fernandes inspired United to a third-place Premer League finish last season, having made a €55 million (£49m/$65m) switch from Sporting CP to Old Trafford on January 30.

The 25-year-old contributed 12 goals and eight assists to the Red Devils' cause in all competitions, as Solskjaer's men also reached the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Europa League.

Fernandes has injected a much-needed spark into a side previously short on creativity, while also taking on leadership responsibilities and helping to raise the performance levels of his new team-mates.

In addition to his brilliance in possession, the Portuguese has proven to be quite the workhorse off the ball, and is often seen bursting into the penalty area when the chance to open up the opposition defence presents itself.

Solskjaer has instructed Fernandes to temper his enthusiasm slightly in order to reserve energy, but the ex-Sporting starlet claims that his "instinct" takes over when he steps out onto the pitch.

Fernandes told United's official website: “I talk already with the manager and he says to me a lot of times ‘sometimes you do so many runs and some runs aren’t for you – you need to shout someone else to run, because after you are tired and, when you take the ball, you will not be fresh.’

“But it’s instinct, it’s part of my game. I can’t control this. I’m like this and I want to help the team every time.

“In the game, you don’t think, you just run. For me, that’s enough.

“I think the most important thing is to help the team and if you help the team it’s okay.”

Fernandes added on his role as a creator in the middle of the park: “It’s important to be in the goals, whether it’s doing assists or scoring, so, for me, it’s the same.

“Of course, I enjoy assisting my team-mates because playing no.10 is the position you have to serve your team-mates.

“Sometimes, I look too much for them when I have the chance to shoot but I try always to serve them, because, normally, the strikers are there to score. For their confidence, scoring is important.

“A No.10 doesn’t need to score a lot to be confident. For them, it’s important.

“Since I arrived in Manchester, I try to serve more than score – but I have more goals than assists. That’s true!”

Georginio Wijnaldum has described Rhian Brewster's finishing ability as "unbelievable", but insists he is "not impressed" by the Liverpool starlet's recent flurry of goals.

Brewster netted both of Liverpool's goals in a 2-2 draw with Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday after coming on as a second-half substitute.

The 20-year-old has now hit three goals in two pre-season appearances, having also found the net in a 3-0 win over Stuttgart at the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp has welcomed the England U21 international back into his squad following a successful spell at Swansea last season, during which the youngster hit 11 goals in 22 appearances.

Wijnaldum has worked closely alongside Brewster at Anfield over the past three years, and has not been surprised to see him stake a strong claim for a regular spot in the first team ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

Asked to assess the forward's recent performances, the Dutch midfielder told Liverpool's official website: “I’m not ‘impressed’, because I know already which kind of quality he has.

“We trained together for a few years and he showed also in training that his finishing is unbelievable, so I’m not really impressed!”

The Reds battled back from two goals down against Salzburg in Austria, with James Milner, Takumi Minamino and Curtis Jones all introduced to the action after the interval.

The likes of Ki-Jana Hoever, Marko Grujic and Harvey Elliott were also given run-outs in the second 45, and Wijnaldum talked up the importance of squad depth after the final whistle.

"That’s how it should be. Now we have the fixtures we all know it’s going to be a really difficult season with a lot of games, so a lot of players will play a lot of games," he said.

“So if you have a lot of players who can bring quality to the pitch, it makes it even better for the team. We are really happy that the guys who came in, the young players, made the difference today.”

Liverpool will now look ahead to a Community Shield final meeting with Arsenal on Saturday, and Wijnaldum is happy with how preparations have unfolded during their latest training camp.

The Reds playmaker added: "I think every training camp is a good one, I think especially now because we only had a little bit more than two weeks to prepare for the Community Shield.

“It is always good if you have good preparation in pre-season because this is basically the pre-season for the start of the season.

"It went quite well, we had to deal with some circumstances but also that we did good, so it was a good training camp.”

Chelsea have agreed to sign Malang Sarr on a five-year deal after his contract with Nice expired but are expected to immediately send the France Under-21 international out on loan.

The 21-year-old will complete a medical this week ahead of his move to west London, meaning Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke and unnamed Italian clubs will miss out on the central defender.

It is understood that Arsenal had also been tracking Sarr, but opted not to offer him a contract upon the completion of his previous deal with Nice.

The Blues could make it six completed summer deals by the end of the week, with Thiago Silva expected to join after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Leicester City's Ben Chilwell has also been given the all-clear to complete a move to Stamford Bridge after medical tests eased concerns around his current heel injury. Chelsea will pay £50 million ($66m) for the full-back.

In addition, the Blues have made a breakthrough in talks for Leverkusen's Kai Havertz, with Frank Lampard's side having agreed to pay the German side's full asking price of £90m ($118m), though negotiations are still ongoing regarding payment in instalments.

The attacking midfielder will cost an initial £72m ($95m) with a further £18m ($24m) coming in team performance-related add-ons, while Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have already finalised moves to the Premier League club.

With so many incomings, Chelsea are looking to get players out ahead of the new season and Inter are in talks for Emerson Palmieri after the Blues set a £26m ($34m) asking price.

Furthermore, a host of loanees are currently training under Lampard at Cobham but are expected to seal temporary moves elsewhere, with Marc Guehi set to re-sign with Swansea City after travelling to complete the move on Wednesday.

Jake Clarke-Salter looks set for another loan in the Championship, with Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday showing an interest in him.

Alongside that, West Brom could be another option as Chelsea assess which club would be best for his development following a good year at Birmingham last season.

Injury-hit defender Baba Rahman is currently fit and targeting another loan. However, a permanent move away isn't off the table in his case, with clubs in Germany considering giving him a chance to rebuild his career.

Matt Miazga is gaining interest from a host of different leagues and looks set for another loan away, while Nathan Baxter and Dujon Sterling are also picking up offers.

Conor Gallagher and Ethan Ampadu are among those training at Cobham under Lampard in a bid to impress their manager, but could well end up on loan as new signings reduce the space in the squad.

Chelsea are in advanced talks with AC Milan about sending Tiemoue Bakayoko out on loan again but are keen to turn an option to buy into an obligation to buy at around £20m ($26m).

Meanwhile, Rennes have offered Fikayo Tomori a loan move, with Everton still tracking the homegrown defender who broke through last season.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are set to postpone the AFC U16 Championship that is scheduled to be held in Bahrain from November 25, Goal understands. 

Most of the AFC competitions, including the Champions League and AFC Cup, that were to be hosted in a centralised venue were slated to go ahead on schedule, but the governing body might be forced to make an exception for the U16 tournament.

AFC's 2022 World Cup qualifiers had already been postponed along with the draw for the AFC Cup knockout stages.

A couple of the participating nations has requested the apex body of football in Asia to shift the dates as they are not being able to adequately prepare for the tournament due to the worsening Coronavirus situations in their respective countries. 

The tournament was first scheduled to be held from September 16 to October 3 but was postponed to November 25 due to the pandemic. AFC is currently deliberating on their request and might as well postpone the dates for the second time to 2021.

Had the World Cup qualifier gone ahead on schedule, the senior team was supposed to start their training abroad. The India U16 team would also have started training abroad if the tournament had gone ahead on schedule.

The 2020 AFC U16 Championship will feature 16 teams - 12 of them qualified after winning their qualification groups while four best runners-up were also handed a spot.

The format for the final tournament will feature four groups of four teams each. The winner and runner-up in each group will progress to the quarter-finals.

India qualified for the 2020 AFC U-16 Championship finals in September 2019 as the table-toppers from Group B. With two wins and a draw, India managed to pick up seven points from three matches to finish above Bahrain, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the qualifiers held in Uzbekistan.

Before going into the AFC U-16 qualifiers, the colts also enjoyed a 11-match winning streak. They built on their performance and finished with an unbeaten record in the qualifiers and boasted a goal difference of +10. 

This was for the ninth time that India managed to qualify for the finals, having done it earlier in 1990, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2018 editions of the competition.

The top four teams of the AFC U-16 Championship finals qualify for the U-17 World Cup as representatives of the AFC.  

Every time Ritesh Perambra stepped onto the field in his Mumbai FC jersey, his younger brother Umesh's hopes of following his sibling's footsteps and making a mark at the top level increased manifold. 

Umesh started playing football when he was 10 years old but it wasn't until his college days that he was able to make an impact and be noticed among the people of the Indian football fraternity. 

A Reliance Foundation inter-college tournament brought out the best of footballer Umesh Perambra, whose match-winning displays caught the eye of the scouts of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Weeks later, while watching TV in his room, he received a notification on his phone - a message from his friend letting him know that he has been selected by Stephen Constantine to attend the India U-23 national team camp ahead of the AFC U-23 qualifiers in 2017. 

"The Reliance Foundation (RF) tournament is a big thing to happen in my life. We were champions of Mumbai in their tournament and from there,  I got selected to Stephen Constantine's U-23 camp. RF was the best opportunity that I got," Umesh told Goal. 

He reminisced, "I got a message from a friend. I saw my name (on the list of selected players) and was like, WTF! I was speechless. I can't even put it into words, it was that special. When I first entered the camp, it was so great. It was amazing."

Since then, his professional career kicked into life with the U-19 team of the now-defunct Mumbai Football Club and the centre-back who can also play as a right-back soon signed his first major senior team contract for Ozone FC which played in the I-League 2nd division. 

"Football wasn't that hard when I played during college, I used to score goals. After signing for Mumbai, I found it hard and started working very hard. That's how I got into that team. 

"The experience with Ozone was also very good. I was not a regular starter but I was working very hard. I played under David Booth. And the experience was very important for me, I learned a lot from there."

While several players were lucky enough to make a direct jump into the Indian Super League (ISL) from state leagues and the second division, Umesh was progressing one step at a time. Last season, the 23-year-old defender who considers Anas Edathodika as his football role model, plied his trade at Jamshedpur reserves and took part in the I-League 2nd division. Next season, he is very likely to be playing for Kerala Blasters. 

"At Jamshedpur reserves, it was a young side so I was more experienced. The training sessions were good, I learned a lot. It was a good platform. 

"I wish to play in the ISL next season. It is any footballer's dream to play in the ISL. There is a lot of difference between ISL and 2nd division. The facilities, the training, everything in ISL is excellent."

Chennaiyin FC's star midfielder Rafael Crivellaro was one of the huge reasons behind their run to the Indian Super League (ISL) final last season.

With seven goals and eight assists to his name, the Brazilian was a hit in his first season in the Chennaiyin blue. And he is set to continue as the club's poster boy in the upcoming 2020-21 season as well after penning a contract extension last week.

Chennaiyin had a poor start to the season last time out which saw John Gregory leaving his post as head coach and Owen Coyle succeeding him. However, Crivellaro and his teammates came into their own under Coyle and took the club to the final.

The Brazilian had felt that the reason Chennaiyin were slow to get off the blocks last time out was due to the fact that the entire foreign contingent was new, apart from many key Indian players like Lallianzuala Chhangte, Edwin Vanspaul and Vishal Kaith who had just come into the team. He had stated last season that the it took time for the squad to gel together and that was a huge factor behind their insipid start.

The 31-year-old, however, is optimistic of a better start to their 2020-21 campaign. Though Coyle and last year's topscorer Nerijus Valskis have left the Marina Machans, Crivellaro feels that core of the squad is still intact and that bodes well for the new season.

It must be noted that the likes of Anirudh Thapa, Germanpreet Singh, Edwin, Vishal Kaith, Eli Sabia apart from few other key players are all set to continue their association with the club.

"Yes, it is good that most of the core of our squad is intact. Players and coaches come and go, that is part and parcel of professional football. But we need to focus on the positives," Crivellaro told Goal.

"We have seen what we are capable of, in that amazing run of results last season. We need to derive motivation from that and retain the belief in ourselves. ISL is a very competitive league with games coming thick and fast.

"Hence, this time around we will have to be at our very best from the word go. The incredible quality of our Indian talent like Thapa, Chhangte, Edwin and others will make a huge difference."

Safe to say, the playmaker is confident ahead of the new season. The Brazilian is also counting on the incredible team spirit at Chennaiyin FC to hold them in good stead as they go into an ISL campaign that will be markedly different from the previous editions.

With Covid-19 pandemic throwing life out of gear across the world, the ISL will be held entirely in Goa behind closed doors. While this cuts down on travelling, there are other challenges for players including the lack of a crowd and the necessity to stay in a bio-secure bubble.

Crivellaro is focusing on only the positives.

"As professionals, we are used to staying together for long periods, say in hotels. In this case, the travel is negated but that comes with its own sets of pros and cons. We need to adapt as a team and keep our spirits up at all times.

"It is what it is and we need to try and make the best of the situation at hand," he added.

While admitting that 'normal life' as we knew it has been changed, Crivellaro is looking forward to getting back on the field and continue playing football. For being out on the field could be the only 'normal' in the coming campaign.

"The world is a much different place now than it was six months back. We have all had to adapt. I am just thankful that my family and I are safe and healthy, and I have the opportunity to continue doing what I love. I have been keeping myself fit back home, and I am excited about the new season."

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender David Kannemeyer finds it difficult to make a call on who will win the Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The retired left-back is tempted to believe Samir Nurkovic’s absence will not be a train smash for Amakhosi whilst saying it’s also difficult to say coach Pitso Mosimane’s troops have turned the corner following the win over Golden Arrows.

Amakhosi are leading the log table with 53 points and the reigning PSL champions have 50 points, the clash on Thursday is seen as crucial to settling the title.

“It’s in their [Chiefs] hands, and it depends on how much they want to win the league. It’s entirely up to Chiefs now if they want to throw it away or complete the job,” Kannemeyer told Goal.

“There’s nothing the coach and the supporters can do, it’s up to them. It’s very difficult to say Sundowns have turned the corner because everybody is looking for points now.

“So, I can’t say Sundowns have turned the corner but the players look very tired and we have to see them against Chiefs on how they turn up.”

On the absence of the Serbian hitman who is suspended and the possibility of not having Leonardo Castro for the clash at Dobsonville Stadium, the Cape Town-based legend says any player is good enough for Amakhosi.

“Look, to me the fact that Nurkovic or a certain player will not be available doesn’t matter at this stage because every player has to work hard to meet the demands of the game,” he added.

“Every player has a role to play and ensure they win the game. One player doesn’t make a team. So, whoever is thrown into the pack has to do the job at the end of the day.

“I don’t know if Zwane can be able to lead Sundowns, a team is all about a group of players and Zwane was instrumental for their win over Arrows and that’s how teams win championships. Coming from the bench and scoring a winning goal tells a lot about his character and importance at Sundowns.

“If you can have such players, it’s good, and that is what he did on Monday. I honestly can’t say who will win this one. It’s very difficult to call it but it depends on who wants it the most.”

On putting himself on Middendorp and Mosimane’s shoes, the former Bafana Bafana defender says it’s not easy to cheer up the players at this juncture, saying they are tired but mental strength is key.

“As a coach, there’s nothing much you can tell your players in terms of motivating them because it’s all about the mentality,” continued the legend.

“It doesn’t matter how much the players are fatigued or how much they have tried. The plans and all the preparations will go out of the window when it comes to the game.

“The players still have to go out there and do the job because they are tired and we all know they are supposed to be resting but they find themselves working now.

“So, it’s all about the mentality. I think the team that has a strong mentality will go all the way and lift the trophy. I think the fact that the players are in the bubble makes it difficult to refresh or see their families - it’s very difficult.” 

Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars said the club's chances of re-signing Barcelona star Luis Suarez are "quite small".

Suarez, 33, has reportedly been told he is not part of Barca's plans as new head coach Ronald Koeman tries to rebuild the embattled La Liga giants.

Ajax have emerged as a possible destination for Suarez, who spent four years playing for the Eredivisie champions before joining Liverpool in 2011.

Amid speculation Ajax are in talks to bring Suarez back to Amsterdam, Overmars addressed the rumours.

"Let me put it this way: the chance that he will come is quite small," Overmars told Ziggo Sport as Ajax defeated Hertha Berlin 1-0 in Tuesday's friendly.

"That's a straight answer, I think. Whether there has been any contact with him? We have that with several ex-Ajax players. That is logical, you also have to maintain that."

Suarez, who won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup during his time at Ajax, has celebrated four La Liga titles and the Champions League among other honours since moving to Barca in 2014.

Overmars, meanwhile, was also asked about in-demand Ajax star Donny van de Beek.

Van de Beek has been linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid, though Barca are believed to be eyeing the Netherlands international following Koeman's appointment.

"No idea, at least that hasn't made it onto my plate yet," Overmars said when quizzed on Barca's rumoured interest.

Overmars added: "It's pretty quiet. I certainly think the market has yet to get going. That makes sense: the Champions League has only just ended, so that will start soon. 

"There is always interest for some players. A few players look good, one player has fairly serious interest. Who that is? That will show itself in the coming weeks."

The Dutch giants are currently preparing for the beginning of the new domestic season after the previous campaign was cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Amsterdam outfit are due to begin the term on September 19 with a trip to face Sparta Rotterdam, while a week later they will tackle RKC Waalwijk in what is slated as their first home game of the season.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he does “not know why people don’t like” Rivaldo Coetzee and they will start realising why he sometimes selects the utility player.

Coetzee has featured in 15 games across all competitions this season, including three after the season's restart.

But Mosimane who plays Coetzee either as a centre-back or defensive midfielder claims his player is less appreciated especially after he started deploying him in the middle of the park.

“Rivaldo is an unbelievable player – he doesn’t get the credit that he deserves,” Mosimane told journalists.

“Sometimes people don’t like him and I don’t know why they don’t like him. He is an accurate passer with the right and left foot and he wins headers in the midfield – brings the ball back. But it takes time, maybe people will start realising why we pick him sometimes.”

This season is Coetzee’s second full season playing for the Chloorkop side he joined from Ajax Cape Town.

He was a central defender while turning out for Ajax but Mosimane now uses him more as a defensive midfielder.

The player himself admits that he enjoys his new role in the centre of the park.

“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 Mamelodi 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.

“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.”

It is yet to be seen if Mosimane would play Coetzee in Thursday’s top-of-the-table Premier Soccer League tie against leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Ndubuisi Egbo's KF Tirana have been eliminated from the Uefa Champions League after suffering a 1-0 loss against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.

After shattering three Champions League records last week as the first Nigerian coach to manage a team and win a game in the elite European tournament, Egbo's men bowed out to a 61st-minute goal.

Following a goalless first-half in Tirana, Tomane scored the only goal that separated both teams and sent the Serbian champions to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Ghana's Richmond Boakye was an unused substitute for Red Star Belgrade in the encounter but Gabon's Guelor Kanga and Ivory Coast's Sekou Sanogo were in action for the visitors.

Last Wednesday, Egbo who led KF Tirana to win the Albanian SuperLiga last season made a commanding statement as his side defeated Georgia's Dinamo Tbilisi 2-0 in the first qualifying round.

The defeat came as an upset for Egbo who was aiming to qualify the Albanian champions for the Champions League to make a statement.

The 47-year-old manager was a former Nigeria goalkeeper and he played for the Super Eagles between 1999 and 2002.

He played 12 games for the West African country which include appearances at the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Egbo featured for KF Tirana during his playing career, and he returned to join the club's backroom staff as a goalkeeper coach in 2014 before his appointment as a manager in 2019.

Juventus could end up playing like Antonio Conte's Bianconeri teams next season after new boss Andrea Pirlo outlined his desired tactics.

Pirlo had never previously held a senior coaching position when Juve promoted their U-23 team boss to replace Maurizio Sarri on August 8.

Moreover, Pirlo had only been in charge of Juventus' young second string for a week, so there has been little indication of how he wants his teams to set up.

However, at his introductory press conference on Tuesday, the 41-year-old spoke glowingly about the Juventus sides he played in under Conte between 2011 and 2014.

The Bianconeri won the title in all three seasons Conte and Pirlo were together, and the new coach wants to bring back some of the characteristics of those teams.

"Maybe we can reach that level of desire and cohesion," Pirlo told reporters.

"But that's what I would like to bring back - those principles, that DNA of work and sacrifice, of sweating for each other and only in this way can you reach goals."

Sarri led Juve to a ninth successive Scudetto but paid the price for another disappointing Champions League campaign, which ended in a last-16 loss to Lyon.

As was the case when he held the reins at Chelsea, Sarri's tactics were also questioned, and Pirlo has already told the squad how he wants to go about things in Turin.

"I want to bring some enthusiasm, what has been missing in the last period," Pirlo added.

"I want to propose a proactive football, and domination of the play, as I told the lads yesterday.

"I told them two things - the first is that you must always have the ball, the second is that it must be recovered quickly.

"These are the first two tactical things I said and believe in. They are the most important mental things for the team to enter."

Juventus have already made their first signing ahead of next season, with Arthur arriving from Barcelona after an underwhelming two-year spell in Catalonia.

With Miralem Pjanic heading in the opposite direction, Arthur will be expected to play a major role in midfield, as Pirlo did during his playing days.

"I have seen and admired him," Pirlo added of Arthur.

"He is a construction midfielder who can fill multiple roles - as a director, a midfielder, a midfielder of two. He has quality and will be useful."

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho told right-back Serge Aurier he was scared of his 'sh*t' defending prior to the Ivory Coast international scoring the go-ahead goal in an incredible Champions League comeback.

Vision has emerged in the upcoming Amazon documentary All or Nothing of the Portuguese tactician berating Aurier in the pre-match team-talk prior to Spurs' November home match against Olympiakos. 

In what was only his second game in charge of the North London club following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino a week earlier, Mourinho delivered a message about marking at set pieces before directing criticism toward Aurier in front of the entire team.

"Serge, you are a marker. You speak good English?" Mourinho asked to which Aurier nodded with confirmation.

"I am afraid of you as a marker. Because you are capable of doing a sh*t penalty with VAR. So I am telling you already, I am afraid of you."

Tottenham ended up down 2-0 in the match as half-time approached before Dele Alli pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time.

Harry Kane forced the equaliser five minutes after the break before Aurier popped up with the goal to put Spurs ahead in an eventual 4-2 victory.

During the documentary, Mourinho is also seen trolling Davinson Sanchez over the centre-back's defeat while playing for Ajax in the 2017 Europa League final.

Mourinho was managing the winners of the trophy at the time - Manchester United - and he tells Sanchez that he and his Ajax team-mates were 'sh*tting themselves'.

"I won the game minute one," Mourinho said to Sanchez with a smirk.

Mourinho is seen giving tough love to other Spurs players during the production, including Dele Alli, who he accused of being a lazy trainer before admitting Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to sign the English midfielder at Manchester United.

In a speech to Harry Kane, Mourinho promises to use his own box-office appeal to lift the profile of the club's star striker, who admits he wants to be like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I think we have to build your status in that direction [of becoming like a movie star]," Mourinho said to Kane in their first meeting after he was appointed coach.

"My profile, I am a little bit, I am a little bit that as a coach. The reality is that my dimension is universal and by being with me, I can help you too."

Kane replied: "That's my aim. When you are at a club like Tottenham, of course we have done well and I have done well but I want to be like Ronaldo, like Messi."

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart insisted Lionel Messi cannot leave the embattled La Liga giants on a free transfer as he hit out at the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi has sensationally told Barca he wants to leave the club, who replaced Quique Setien with Ronald Koeman after they were dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga and humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 33-year-old's contract runs until June 2021 and is said to have a clause in his deal that allowed him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

It was required to be activated before the end of May but, due to the season being extended into August amid the coronavirus pandemic, Messi has told the Catalan giants he still intends to make use of it.

However, Gaspart - who was president of Barca between 2000 and 2003 - told Marca: "[Messi] cannot leave. He will have to leave in 2021.

"I have seen the contract and it is very clear. The clause ended in June and there is no going back.

"I prefer him to leave next year for zero than to go now for less than €700 million.

"The club is in charge here, not the player. The club paid the players. And this is not a matter of money, there is a signed contract and that's it."

Having spent his entire professional career with Barca, Messi has been linked with a return to Argentina to play for boyhood club Newell's Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario.

A reunion with former Barca boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has also been mooted, while Inter have been long-term admirers. According to TyC Sports, a move to MLS could also be on the cards.

Messi is Barca's all-time leading scorer with 634 goals and 276 assists in 731 appearances in all competitions for the club.

The Argentina international made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2004 and has won 34 trophies at Camp Nou.

"I love Messi very much, but I love Barcelona more," Gaspart said. "Let the clause be paid. They did it to me one night treacherously with [Luis] Figo and I did the same with Rivaldo, because I loved Barcelona.

"And here it's the same. There is a clause of €700m and the contracts are signed to fullfil them. I understand there is pressure from others for him to leave, but if I were the president of Barcelona then I wouldn't negotiate a euro.

"If Messi leaves for less than what his clause is worth it will be more humiliating than the 8-2 [defeat]. And Messi should not forget that the fans love Barcelona more than the player. And if Messi leaves next year, well, bad luck, he goes aged 34."

Gaspart added: "I don't understand why he is leaving Barcelona. Well, I do understand because I know these plays by football players well.

"We all want him to stay at Barcelona. Doesn't he want to stay? What's going on? Are the millions of club members who ask him to stay not worth it? Does he think that Barcelona have not helped him to be what he is?

"Messi is loved a lot and I hope he will enjoy one more year [at Barcelona]. I'd rather him go for free next year than this one for €699m." 

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart believes that Lionel Messi will be unable to leave the club for free this summer, despite the player's wishes. 

The 33-year-old is aiming to depart Camp Nou by activating a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave on a free transfer — despite his contract not expiring until the end of the 2020-21 season.

Messi and his legal team believe the clause will allow him to terminate his deal unilaterally, with Barca helpless in the matter.

The Argentine's current deal has a €700 million (£630m/$828m) release clause, a figure designed to make it impossible for another club to steal him away from Barca.

Speaking to Radio Marca, Gaspart, who was president of Barca between 2000 and 2003, insisted that Messi cannot unilaterally terminate his deal now, saying that clause expired in June. 

"I have seen the contract and it is very clear. The clause ended in June and there is no going back," Gaspart said.

"I prefer him to leave next year for free than to go for less than €700m. The club rules here, not the player. The club has paid the players. And this is not a matter of money anyway, because there is a signed contract and that's it."

Gaspert has advised current Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu to hold firm and not negotiate any sale.

"There is a clause of €700m, and contracts are signed to be fulfilled," Gaspert continued. "I understand that Messi is being pressured to leave, but if I am the president of Barca, I will not negotiate one euro. Not one euro."

Messi is understood to be furious with Barca's 8-2 humiliation to Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier this month, but Gaspert has said that Messi being allowed to opt out of his deal now would be even more embarrassing for the club than that quarter-final result. 

"If Messi leaves for less than what his clause is worth it will be more humiliating than 2-8," Gaspert said.

"I'd rather him go for free next year than this year for €699m. Barca shouldn't lower the price one euro."

Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey has entered self-isolation after attending a birthday party on Friday in Jamaica for Usain Bolt, who subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

The 23-year-old is still in his native Jamaica, where he has been quarantined after the news of the Olympic champion sprinter's positive test. Bailey is set to fly back to Germany, where he will continue isolating.

A team statement said: "Bailey has been in constant contact with the Bayer 04 medical director and pandemic officer Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar since the announcement of the former sprint star’s infection, and is set to fly back to Germany under strict hygiene protocols.

"Before the flight chartered by the player takes off, Bailey, who has to be in isolation at all times, is in self-isolation at a private address after an agreement between the 23-year-old, the club and the local health authority in Jamaica.

"On arrival in Leverkusen, Bailey will remain in self-isolation and regularly undergo testing by an independent laboratory.

Dr. Dittmar added: "Contact with the team and Bayer 04 staff will obviously only happen again when there is absolutely no risk of infection or others being infected."

According to Sky, Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling also attended Bolt's party but has tested negative for the virus.

Eight-time gold medallist Bolt posted a video on social media Monday confirming his diagnosis, saying he was asymptomatic.

“I’m just waking up, and like everybody else I checked social media which is saying I am confirmed to have Covid-19. I did a test on Saturday to leave because I work. I am trying to be responsible so I am going to stay in and stay here for my friends," Bolt said.

“I’m having no symptoms so I am going to quarantine myself and wait on the confirmation, to see what is the protocol and how I should go about quarantining myself. Until then, I am saying anyone who has had contact with me should quarantine by themselves just to be safe, and just take it easy.”

Leverkusen are set to begin their pre-season preparations later this week as they look to improve on their fifth-place finish in Bundesliga last season.

Mohamed Elneny made a goalscoring return in his first Arsenal match since 2019 as they defeated League One side MK Dons 4-1 in a pre-season friendly fixture.

The 28-year-old made an immediate return to the Gunners' starting XI on Tuesday after returning from his loan spell at Besiktas last week.

In the fifth minute, Elneny capitalised on goalkeeper Lee Nicholls' poor clearance to break the deadlock at Stadium MK from 35 yards.

It was his first goal for Arsenal since he scored in their 6-0 bashing of BATE in a Uefa Europa League outing back in December 2017.

Anglo-Nigerian Bukayo Saka was also on parade for Mikel Arteta's side and he turned provider for their second goal as he assisted Eddie Nketiah to double the lead in the 10th minute.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also in action for the first 45 minutes, but he was unable to find the back of the net before trio were replaced at the break.

Second-half goals from Mark McGuinness and Reiss Nelson sealed the victory for the Premier League side after Rob Holding's own goal halved the deficit for MK Dons in the first-half.

Tuesday's match in Milton Keynes was a preparatory outing for Arsenal ahead of their Community Shield game against Premier League champions Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday.

Following the strong statement he made on Tuesday, Elneny will be aiming to cement his spot in Mikel Arteta's team.

During his loan spell in the Turkey, the Egypt midfielder contributed a goal and three assists in 27 Super Lig appearances but Besiktas did not trigger the option to make his stay permanent.

He joined Arsenal from Basel in 2016 and in 2018, he signed a contract extension that will keep him in North London until June 2022.