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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is aware that Manchester United have “achieved nothing so far” under his tutelage, but the Norwegian is determined to reward the patience he has been shown with major silverware.

A familiar face was returned to Old Trafford in December 2018 after the Red Devils took the decision to part with Jose Mourinho.

Having overseen an upturn in fortune while filling an interim post, Solskjaer was handed a three-year contract by a club he had previously helped to Treble glory in his playing days.

One of the most demanding roles in world football has provided plenty of tests to a relatively unproven coach, but a recent improvement in form has been enjoyed.

Expectation levels are now rising again at the Theatre of the Dreams, with United currently enjoying a 17-game unbeaten run, but Solskjaer acknowledges that nothing has been achieved yet.

He told Sky Sports ahead of a meeting with Southampton on Monday: “Of course, when you keep getting results and you can see progress in the way we play, you are happy. Then again, we've had to have this run to be in a chance to achieve what we want to achieve this season, because we've achieved nothing so far.

“We haven't won any trophies. But success going forward is to keep improving the team, keep developing, because it is not the destination that is the measure of success, really, it is what we do.

“With results, you can't always say that life is fair, because it isn't. Sometimes you don't get the result you deserve in football, but if we keep doing the right things, improving every single day, then we will end up hopefully as a successful Manchester United team.”

Solskjaer has been backed by his board to help 13-time Premier League champions United recapture former glories.

Patience is a commodity that can be in short supply in modern football, with the man calling the shots at Old Trafford pleased to see his club showing long-term vision.

Solskjaer added: “We went through some difficult spells, especially around that time in October, and the club have been very good with us, they've kept in touch with us and have seen and known what we're doing, and they've believed in what we're doing.

“We were allowed to keep making the decisions without thinking about what could have been. They knew our ambition, what we want here, the environment we want here, which will then be the foundation for moving up the table.”

United, who remain in the hunt for FA Cup and Europa League glory this season, will clamber into the Premier League’s top four if they can overcome the Saints on home soil.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane isn't resting on his laurels as he continues to study toward obtaining his Caf Pro License. 

According to the Brazilians, Mosimane is juggling both the training camp in Rustenburg with his coaching studies. 

The 55-year-old mentor would have been in Morocco had it not been for the coronavirus lockdown which has seen the travelling restrictions in and out of the country and he's currently studying online.  

In an interview with the Sundowns media team, Mosimane expressed delight to be in the company of great coaches from across the African continent. 

He also spoke highly of the knowledge shared by Belgium national team coach and former Everton manager Roberto Martinez. 

"I’m in the company of other great coaches from the African continent. Earlier today’s presentation was done by Belgium’s national team head coach, Roberto Martinez. We got to understand how he worked to make the Belgian Red Devils the number one ranked team in the world," said Mosimane.

Jamal Sellami of Raja Casablanca, AS Vita Club's Florent Ibenge and FUS Rabat manager Walid Regragui are some of the coaches also taking part in the course.  

Mosimane is one of the most respected coaches in Africa after guiding the Tshwane giants to the Caf Champions League title in 2016. 

He was also named Caf Coach of the Year in 2017 before masterminding Sundowns' victory over TP Mazembe in the Caf Super Cup in 2017.

The Kagiso-born mentor has won a whopping nine trophies since his arrival at Chloorkop in December 2012. 

Mosimane is one of the four coaches to have won four league titles in the PSL era; all of which came with Sundowns over the past six years. 

Meanwhile, Sundowns confirmed that performance analysts Musi Matlaba and Mario Masha are also studying toward obtaining their Uefa C Licences. 

The pair are studying with the Scottish Football Association (SFA).   

And according to the club, Mosimane is encouraging members of his technical team to enhance themselves with knowledge by studying further. 

One of Mosimane's technical team members who's also passionate about equipping himself with knowledge is none other than Rhulani Mokwena who visited Liverpool at the start of the year. 

Liverpool may be reluctant to spend in the next transfer window, but Jamie Carragher feels another two additions would aid efforts to defend the club’s Premier League title in 2020-21.

Shrewd investment over recent years has helped the Reds to domestic and continental glory.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Mohamed Salah have become key components in Jurgen Klopp’s well-oiled machine.

With dominance being enjoyed at home and abroad, it is difficult to see how a star-studded squad could be improved.

Liverpool are also having to carefully manage their finances during the coronavirus pandemic, with even the richest teams on the planet being hit hard.

Carragher, though, believes Klopp should be adding to his ranks, with the Reds legend telling the Liverpool Echo: “The obvious thing is to win again.

“I wouldn't say 'one title is not enough' as I am not a big believer in saying you have to do this or that. If you isolate a season and say you were the best team in the league that season, end of story.

“Now next season, things change. People get bought, players get sold, it's a different league. Now I don't think Liverpool themselves are going to head into the transfer market and it will only be next year when we can say if that was right or wrong.

“But most of the reasons financially are down to the situation that we are in right now, so you can't be too critical of the club on that score. But I think what they have now - I would still like them if they possibly could to add an attacking talent to the front three.

“And maybe add some sort of back-up for Andy Robertson. They are well stocked in midfield and centre-back, I think Neco Williams will be great cover for Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and I just think an extra attacker and possibly looking at (Adam) Lallana and (Xherdan) Shaqiri moving on, so maybe just an extra couple of bodies in there.

"But I am confident Liverpool can do again what they have done this season."

Klopp’s presence at Anfield is a major contributing factor to Carragher’s confidence when it comes to future success, with the German tactician having shown that he deserves to stand alongside the greats.

The former Reds defender added on a coach who was acquired back in October 2015 when Liverpool were crying out for inspiration: “The thing about coming in at Liverpool at that time, the people who Klopp and the club were competing against were financially stronger. They had some of the top managers in the world, too. We shouldn't forget that.

“Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, Arsene Wenger was still at Arsenal when Klopp took over too.

“So you always have to remember that all these managers had experience and knowledge of the Premier League when Jurgen Klopp didn't. Maybe Guardiola was slightly different but he was taking over a better team and had a lot more financial support from the club if you like.

“To do the job he has done, I think it is one of the great jobs in the Premier League if you look at the clubs who have won it, financially. If you look at when Chelsea won it and they had the backing of Roman Abramovich, Manchester City under Roberto Mancini and then Manuel Pellegrini, but I don't think that was always there for Liverpool.”

Sarthak Golui hails his father's contribution behind his rise as a professional footballer. The Mumbai City FC defender has played in top clubs like Mohun Bagan, FC Pune City and has also donned the national team jersey on four occassions. 

The defender is one of the sought-after young talents in Indian football, thanks to his versatiity. He came into national conscience after impressing under Ranko Popovic at FC Pune City.

"I started playing football for my father. He has always been supportive of me because this is his dream too and he has been an inspiration for me. He still helps me because he was also a defender during his playing time. He wanted me to play as a centre-back so he could help me. “After every game, he calls me to point out each of my mistakes. He has been my biggest supporter and critique," stated Golui during an online chat session with the Indian Super League (ISL). 

When the Indian Super League (ISL) commenced back in 2014, most teams spent heavily on the foreign contingent and brought some high profile, top quality players. Borja Fernandes, the central midfielder, was amongst the most impressive players in the first few years as he helped ATK win two league titles during his time with the Kolkata outfit. He rates Fernandes very highly amongst the overseas players who have featured in the ISL.

He also spoke of his footballing idols, namely Deepak Mondal and Mahesh Gawli.

“Borja Fernandes is my favourite player to have played in the ISL. As a defender, John Terry is my favourite player of all time. In Indian football, I have always looked up to Mahesh Gawli and Deepak Mondal. Mahesh helped me a lot during my academy days. When I was going through a hard time, he offered me suggestions and motivated me a lot."

The former Mohun Bagan defender was asked to share his thoughts on who he thinks is the best striker he has come across in the Indian Super League (ISL). Interestingly, Golui named former FC Goa centre-forward Ferran Corominas, who is the top scorer in the competition with 48 goals from 57 matches in his three years at the club. Whereas, in European football Robert Lewandowski is his favourite hitman, who has scored 51 goals in this campaign across all competitions.

"Coro is the best striker in the ISL. Internationally, I like Robert Lewandowski," concluded the defender. 

Vinit Rai, a self-confessed Manchester United, admitted that he was too shy to speak to former United legend Steve Coppell about his time at the club when the duo were at Kerala Blasters.

Coppell has played in 322 competitive games for Manchester United and scored 53 goals. The Englishman was the head coach of the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise from Kerala in the 2016-17 season when they reached the finals only to lose to ATK on penalties in Kochi.

“When I was at Kerala Blasters, I was fortunate to work under Coppell. I learned so many things from him, he is a top guy and a very (nice) human being.

“I was just a kid that time, I did not have the guts to talk to him personally and ask things about Manchester United. I was struggling to get minutes so I was just trying to work hard so that I can prove myself. I never really asked him anything about Manchester United,” said Rai who played two games under Coppell’s tutelage at Blasters when he was still in his teens.

The 22-year-old from Manipur stated that he began following Manchester United since the days of Cristiano Ronaldo back in the summer of 2003.

“I used to watch Man Utd a lot when Cristiano Ronaldo was there. I still follow their games. Manchester United have a history of getting comeback wins, that is the most important thing I like about them, they never give up. I support Real Madrid too but I follow the Premier League,” said Rai in a chat with Manchester United Delhi fans.

Rai was asked to choose between Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri to which he favoured the latter but also explained his reasons for the same.

“Both Bhutia and Chhetri are true legends. I will go with Chhetri because I have played with him and have learned a lot from him. He will come and talk to me, give me tips. The way he eats, his hard work and dedication, I follow him,” opined Rai.

Mumbai City FC centre-back Sarthak Golui is optimistic about the immediate future of Mumbai City and Indian football as a whole, after the takeover of the Islanders by the City Football Group.

A self-confessed Manchester United pointed at how rivals Manchester City have benefited after CFG took over. They became Premier League champions four times, FA Cup winners twice and won several other titles in the last nine years.

Sarthak is hoping that Mumbai City will experience something similar. However, he is more interested in the long-term positives that could emerge out of this deal. Better facilities and improvements at the grassroots level will show that the CFG is interested in the long-term development of the sport in the financial capital of the country.

“I am excited to be a part of this team. With CFG, I hope that Mumbai football is benefited heavily in the long run. I am sure that they gave it enough thought before completing the takeover and are well aware of the potential of football in Mumbai,” he said.

“I hope that this takeover proves effective not just for Mumbai but for Indian football as well. We can see how the seven teams (Manchester City, New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama Marinos, Sichuan Jiuniu, Girona and Montevideo City Torque) that were taken under the umbrella before us have developed very well. Manchester City has been a different team after the takeover. I hope that we will experience the same.

“I also hope that they have a long-term goal with the club and will bring about transformations in the academies, facilities and grass-root level development of the sport.

The centre-back who is also capable of playing as a right-back also voiced his welcome to ATK-Mohun Bagan. Sarthak spent two of his formative years at Mohun Bagan and is excited at the prospect of playing against his former club in the Indian Super League (ISL) in the upcoming season.

He said - “I want to wish (ATK-Mohun Bagan) a successful journey. I know the fans very well, having been part of the club for two years. I know that the emotion and passion for the game there is off the charts.

“This merger is great for Kolkata and Indian football. I am excited to go back to Kolkata – where I belong – and play against my former club, which is the biggest club in the country. Both are champions and the merged entity will be difficult to beat.

At just 22, Sarthak is very mature and has shown that he could be the face of the national team’s defence in a few years. He is thankful to Stephen Constantine and Igor Stimac for providing him with the opportunity to display his prowess and is hoping to become a regular in the international stage.

“Stephen Constantine gave me the opportunity to join the senior players after I played with the U23s. Playing at the SAFF Championship helped me a lot. Igor Stimac has been supportive since day one. And he was a centre-back too and likes to share his experiences. This really helps me and the other defenders,” he said.

“In five years from now, I see myself playing for the national team on a regular basis. I hope that dream comes true."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was proud of Raheem Sterling for the way the forward has fought against racial injustice.

Sterling has enjoyed another fine season on the pitch, but the England international is also helping the fight against racism amid movements around the world.

The forward scored a hat-trick in City's 5-0 Premier League thrashing of Brighton on Saturday, moving onto 27 goals this season – the most he has netted in a single campaign.

While Guardiola has praised Sterling's performances, he also lauded the 25-year-old for his work off the field.

"People forget that behind the shirt they are human beings," he told reporters.

"I've said many times to my players, 'I know for a long time you've been told you're special, but you're not. All you can do is play football, but you are not an architect, you are not a politician, you are not a doctor, you are not a thousand, million things you can do. You can just play football'. That doesn't make us special.

"But we are human beings at the same time like all the architects, politicians, doctors, journalists. They have feelings and they defend the humanitarian issues in the best possible way.

"I like it because when you have a commitment to society to make a better society for yourself and for your kids, this commitment helps to become a better player. The big athletes always make a commitment, a compromise for society.

"I think Raheem and many, many of our players, a lot of people are trying to make a better world.

"It's difficult, in the world we're living, but I'm proud. I'm really proud of what he is doing and he knows, as a club, myself as a person, we support him 100 per cent."

After back-to-back 5-0 wins, City host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Guardiola also singled Sterling out for praise after seeing his winger bag a clinical hat-trick against Brighton. 

"All credit to hime. Not just for the three goals, it's important for what we have ahead of us," Guardiola told a news conference on Saturday.

"His development as a player is because he wants to improve and we are so delighted with his performance. Raheem himself knows exactly what he has to do. He's a huge competitor and is self-confident, aggressive, he loves to score goals.

"We have wingers with the mentality to score goals which is so important."

Jose Mourinho wants to lead Tottenham into the Europa League, but compared playing in the competition to Lewis Hamilton winning Formula Two.

Spurs recorded a 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday, climbing into eighth in the table and boosting their chances of qualifying for European competition.

Mourinho is eager to qualify for the Europa League, even though the Spurs head coach compared it to Formula One world champion Hamilton racing at a lower level.

"The Europa League is not the biggest competition in Europe," he told a news conference.

"But it's the second and when a club wins the Champions League or when a player wins it or a manager does, well, if you ask Lewis Hamilton if he wants to win Formula Two or 3000 or whatever you call it, I don't think it will be a great deal for him.

"But it's a competition and I prefer to play Europa League than not to. I think it's a title Tottenham would like to get. Of course at [Manchester] United, it's a club with a dimension that thinks about the Champions League, but we played in the Europa League and we won it.

"I think we should do everything to play in the Europa League next season and we should fight for that."

Mourinho led United to the Europa League title in 2017, 14 years after winning the UEFA Cup with Porto.

With a decision over Manchester City's European ban set to be made on Monday, Spurs sit three points behind sixth-placed Wolves and two adrift of Sheffield United with three games remaining.

Mourinho believes he could have led Tottenham to a top-four finish if he had been in charge for the entire season, having replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November last year.

"I know that I could even look to the situation in a selfish point of view and say since I arrived if the championship arrived in that moment there, even with all of the problems after that, I think we would be fourth or fifth," he said. 

"I don't want to be selfish and only look at it as a fan, hypothetically, not yet, finishing above Arsenal. I would love to play in the Europa League. It's not a competition that I'm in love with or like very, very much to play, but when you cannot play Champions League, you play Europa League. 

"Because in my career I only played Europa League twice and I won it twice, it wouldn't be bad to play a third time and win a third time. We have to fight until the end to try to try to finish in a Europa League position."

Pablo Hernandez fired Leeds United to the brink of a return to the Premier League as his late goal at Swansea City earned a priceless 1-0 win. 

The former Swansea player came off the bench for the second half and scored in the 89th minute, sparking delight in the visitors' ranks. 

Spanish midfielder Hernandez found the bottom left corner after Luke Ayling cut the ball back, just as Leeds looked like being frustrated. 

Now they sit three points clear of second-placed West Brom and six ahead of in-form Brentford, who occupy third spot, and only three rounds of games remain. 

Leeds have been absent from the top flight of English football since their relegation in 2004, which came just three years after a run to the Champions League semi-finals. 

Veteran manager Marcelo Bielsa was persuaded to stay for this season, having gone agonisingly close last term to the elusive promotion. 

Now, though, Leeds look ready to end their long wait, with games against Barnsley, Derby County and Charlton Athletic to come and a maximum of four points required. 

The latest step on the road back to the elite came a day after the death was announced of one of their greatest players, England World Cup winner Jack Charlton, who spent his entire club career with Leeds. 

While their win against Swansea could prove crucial in ending Leeds' time in the Championship, Bielsa stressed he isn't celebrating just yet. 

“What we feel is we are more relaxed, more light, because we are giving the steps that we had to," he said post-match. “Of course, when you score at the end of the match it’s a higher feeling, emotion.

“When the match progressed our possibilities were growing and in the last 30 minutes I think we deserved to impose to score and get the difference we got at the end.

“I cannot enjoy this, what you feel is that you are giving a step forward. The only thing I can enjoy is the last objective if we get it.”

Bielsa's side next face Barnsley on Thursday night at Elland Road before backing up a few days later with an away game against Derby. 

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel expects a tough Champions League clash against Atalanta, but his focus is elsewhere for now.

Around 5,000 fans were in attendance as PSG thrashed Le Havre 9-0 in a friendly on Sunday.

PSG have been drawn to face Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals, but have a Coupe de France final against Saint-Etienne and Coupe de la Ligue decider against Lyon prior to that.

Tuchel said he knew PSG would be tested by Atalanta in Lisbon in August, but he is focused on domestic matters.

"It will be difficult but it's not a surprise because we will play a quarter-final. There are eight teams that want to win this competition. Every team can win their three games," the PSG coach said.

"It will be a very difficult game [against Atalanta], it will be very tough. They have many qualities. We have seen that when they played against Juventus [on Saturday]. It is a balanced and offensive team. It is a very physical team. But now, we can't think about that.

"Our challenge is to arrive in Lisbon with two titles. Now we are going to prepare our game against Saint-Etienne. It's the only game that is in my head right now. Then, we will think about Lyon. Then I think we will have 12 days to get ready for our game against Atalanta. We have to go step by step. The first step will be our game against Saint-Etienne."

PSG will be without Edinson Cavani (free agent), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund) and Tanguy Kouassi (Bayern Munich) for the remainder of the Champions League after the trio departed.

Tuchel said it made life harder for PSG, but he urged his players to push on.

"I am sad that we have lost three key players for this competition – Tanguy, Edi and Thomas Meunier," he said.

"That makes things harder for us. PSG need qualities and a great squad. But all the players did good [against Le Havre] and we have to keep going.

"We all have good relationships. We are ready to continue. Today was a good start."

Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia scored braces against Le Havre, while Kylian Mbappe, Idrissa Gueye and Arnaud Muinga were also on the scoresheet.

Jurgen Klopp has told his Liverpool youngsters they could have "beautiful" futures if they continue improving.

The likes of Curtis Jones, 19, and Neco Williams, 19, have been given chances in recent matches for the champions, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday, while 17-year-old Harvey Elliott has made two Premier League appearances this season.

Liverpool need three wins from their final three games to break Manchester City's record of 100 points in a single Premier League season.

Klopp, whose team are away to Arsenal on Wednesday, said the club's youngsters had plenty of time to grow.

"I'm not sure it's about how high the stakes are, it's about how ready are the boys?" the Liverpool manager told UK media, via the Mirror.

"There are no old and young players, there are only good and not so good players and I hope we have only good players, exceptional players.

"The problem, not just for young players, but all players not now in the first line-up – this team is really good. It is difficult to play 40 games in a row.

"But young players have so much time on their hands that they really can improve and don't have the pressure, especially not from us. If they use the time, then the future is beautiful for them."

After visiting Arsenal, Liverpool will host Chelsea before a trip to Newcastle United.

Former Liverpool player Steve McManaman recently said that he is delighted that he is not seeing much of the club’s academy players because it is evidence that they are thriving in the first-team.

“When I see some of the players who are excelling at the Academy, there's nothing better than not seeing them again,” he told LFCTV’s ‘The Academy’ show.

“I mean that in the nicest way because they move up to Melwood, and I love it when I don't see them again because it means they're at Melwood and they're excelling at Melwood. 

“There's nothing better for these younger players with talent to play with better players, to play with players who are at the top of the game. 

“I love the fact that Leighton and Jake are there, Neco Williams is there and Curtis Jones has, of course, been there a while, like a number of the older ones. But whenever they disappear to Melwood and hold their own, that means they're improving, that means they're getting better.”  

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted Xavi will become the club's manager "sooner or later" but revealed the club is ready to back Quique Setien for next season. 

The Catalans have struggled to impress under Setien and are currently second in La Liga with Real Madrid in pole position to claim the league title. 

That situation, combined with Barcelona's lacklustre displays, has led to speculation Setien could be replaced at season's end with Xavi himself preparing for a return to Camp Nou as a manager. 

But while Bartomeu has confirmed Xavi is a future Barcelona coach, the club president has thrown his immediate support behind Setien, with the pair already discussing plans for next season. 

"Xavi will be Barca's coach, sooner or later. But right now we are not looking for a coach, we are with Quique," Bartomeu told TV3. 

“Quique Setien will coach the team in the Champions League and these last two Liga games that are left.

"We have had a very atypical season, we will play in August and he will be the coach. If we overcome Napoli, we will be in Lisbon.

"Our will is to fulfil contracts and Setien has one. We went to Setien's house to speak about the future, the plans for next season. He will probably be there and I am very interested to hear what he thinks.

"He has a lot of time for Riqui Puig and Ansu [Fati]. We have seen Pedri and [Francisco] Trincao in form, there is hope.”

While Setien may be safe for now, Xavi is readying himself for the chance takeover at Barca when the right opportunity presents itself.

"The biggest hope I have now is to be Barca coach and get Barca back to winning ways," Xavi told Sport in June.

"Not me but these players and Barca triumphing. And as a consequence, our technical staff, who are preparing for it a lot and it makes us really excited.

"I'm a club man. I would like to return at the right moment to start a project from zero. I've said it a lot of times but I want to take footballing decisions at Barcelona.

"It's clear that after the elections the stage would be set, of course. I'm not ruling anything out.

"They came for me in January, we were speaking. I told them the circumstances and timing weren't right."

Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood are the toast of the town at Old Trafford right now, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans to give the prodigious trio all the freedom to match the exploits of another famous Manchester United attacking line. 

The young forwards - Martial is the eldest at 24, while Greenwood is still three months shy of his 19th birthday - have caused a storm at United since the Premier League resumed in June following the interruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Ably assisted by the likes of Bruno Fernandes and a fit-again Paul Pogba further back, between them the three have scored nine goals in five league outings to inspire the new-look Red Devils, who have netted 15 in the same time-frame to record four wins and a draw to strengthen their top-four push. 

Stellar forward lines are nothing new at the club, from 1960s legends George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law to the more recent partnership forged between Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez which helped deliver Champions League glory in 2007-8. 

And Solskjaer believes that like those illustrious predecessors, United's new goal-getters must temper freedom with discipline in order to keep taking the world by storm. 

“It’s not new for United,” the Norwegian said when asked by reporters if the likes of Barcelona's famed MSN trident served as inspiration for his young stars. 

“Did you not watch Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez when they were playing, when Sir Alex Ferguson gave them some freedom but within a framework and structure?

"So we do work a lot on patterns and positions and where we want the players to be.

“But within that we understand that you might pop up on the right or the left, or be in different positions, but we have to fill different positions.

“There has been too much, last year, sometimes this year, players who want to gravitate over to the left, and go on there and play tippy-tappy football.

“That’s something we wanted to get rid of and we’ve been more progressive and more disciplined in our positions.”

Greenwood in particular has stood out in the weeks following the Premier League's restart, scoring four times in his last three starts to make himself an automatic choice for Solskjaer. 

The manager is in no doubt with regards to his potential, and called on him to keep working hard in order to add to his already impressive goal tally. 

“I’ve said it many times, he can go as far as he wants,” he added. “He has the talent to go so far and is creating chances himself.

“Our job is to get him into positions where he can finish, because he does hit the target.

“He’ll make the goalkeeper have to work, so keep on giving him chances and he’s got a chance to score more.”

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says that the club has spoken with Inter regarding a deal for Lautaro Martinez, but there is nothing imminent as the Catalan side remains focused on their goals for the current season.

Martinez has been heavily linked with Barcelona for months, with the La Liga side reportedly keen to bring in the Argentine this summer.

The Inter forward is seen as an eventual replacement for Luis Suarez, who, at age 33, has missed portions of this season due to injury.

Barcelona have no intention of activating the €111 million (£100m/$125m) release clause that is currently in the Inter star's contract, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta, meanwhile recently told DAZN that the club "does not want to sell its champions" unless the player demands a move.

And, with Martinez remaining coy over his future, it appears that Barcelona will wait before making a real push to sign the forward, with Bartomeu saying that the club is prepared to wait until the transfer market becomes clearer.

“The coming market will be very different. The big clubs will be limited by economic problems, but Barca are always a market-mover," Bartomeu told TV3. 

"In Lautaro's case the negotiation is halted right now. We spoke to Inter a few weeks ago. We are in an assessment phase.

"We have spoken with Inter about Lautaro, but not recently. We will wait to finish the season and re-assess everything."

In order to finance a move for the striker, Barca will likely need to sell to raise funds. One player that appears likely to leave is Philippe Coutinho, who has been on loan with Bayern Munich.

However, Bayern have made it clear that they will not be buying the Brazilian star, whose future remains uncertain.

“The result of our transfer business has not been the one we wanted," Bartomeu said. "Coutinho has not had a big star's luck, he has never quite worked out.”

Barcelona currently sit second in La Liga, one point behind Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Up next for Barca is a match against Osasuna, the club's penultimate game of La Liga's campaign.

Barcelona president Jose Maria Bartomeu has reiterated the likelihood that Lionel Messi will end his career at the club. 

The 33-year-old is currently contracted until the end of next season with Barcelona holding talks with the Argentina attacker about an extension. 

While there's been speculation suggesting Messi is unhappy with Bartomeu and the club's leadership, all signs point towards him remaining at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future. 

Bartomeu confirming that initial talks between player and club are positive with the Barcelona president confident a renewal will be secured soon. 

"We've spoken, we are speaking and we will continue to speak with Messi," Bartomeu told TV3 via Marca. 

"He wants to finish his career here, we will definitely renew with him, I am in no doubt that he will stay here." 

Messi has enjoyed a stellar season to date and became the first player in La Liga history to score 20 and assist 20 goals or more in the same season when he assisted Barcelona's winning goal against Real Valladolid on Saturday.

Quique Setien admitted after that match that the Barcelona star needs a rest but the club couldn't afford to substitute him in the tight game with their La Liga titles hopes hanging by a thread. 

In all competitions this season, Messi has scored 27 goals and contributed a further 25 assists as he once again proves just how invaluable he is at Camp Nou. 

With Messi continuing to set records at the age of 33, Luis Garcia recently backed the Argentine star to continue playing until at least 2025. 

"Why not? The way he is playing, adapting his style to the game is impressive," Garcia told La Liga.

"Every year he shows us something different but keeps up the same amount of goals, of assists. Even getting more every year!

"He's adapting, he doesn't spend so much time up front because he knows it's harder, so he drops a little more.  He shows why he's so intelligent. He adapts his game to what the team needs in every game. 

"I could see him playing in 2025, easily!"