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Lionel Messi is expected to remain at Barcelona for the 2020/21 season following discussions with his father and legal team.

In one of the biggest stories of the summer, the legendary Argentine sent a burofax to the Catalan giants expressing his desire to leave the club. Messi had previously said ‘a lot’ needed to change after Barça lost their La Liga title to Real Madrid, and their embarrassing Champions League exit was enough to make the 33-year-old feel ‘determined’ to leave.

A meeting with new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is also said to have gone horrifically, with the former Everton boss apparently telling Messi his ‘privileges are over’. Messi and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu hardly see eye-to-eye either, and the former later missed training and coronavirus testing.

However, issues over a potential exit arose due to disagreements regarding a clause in his contract. Messi’s deal allows him to walk away for free at the end of each season, but only if the club is given ample warning and in a particular time frame.

La Liga backed Barcelona’s stance – which has always been totally opposed to any sale – stating the only way Messi would be able to leave Camp Nou would be another club paying his €700m release clause. Especially in the current climate, that’s a lot of money – even for a side like Manchester City, who have been touted as one of the frontrunners for Messi’s signature alongside Paris Saint-Germain.

Discussions with his father and agent Jorge, along with his legal representatives, took place on Thursday. Now, as reported by Marca, Messi is expected to remain in Catalonia. Their report states the attacker does not want to depart on bad terms, which would include going to court to essentially force a move away.

When Messi will return to train again with Barcelona is unclear. He has made no public statement as of yet, while his father has only uttered a few sentences when he’s been spotted out and about.

Yes, it’s all very confusing, but hopefully there’ll be a blanket statement from one side or another that can provide a bit more clarity on the situation. That would be really nice.

It’s taken them a while, but Manchester United are finally up and running in the transfer market this summer!

The Red Devils have completed the signing of midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax in a deal thought to be around £40m. When it first emerged United were closing in on the Dutchman’s signature recently, it came as quite a pleasant shock to many fans as all the talk had been focused on other targets such as Jadon Sancho.

Indeed, the speed at which the negotiations moved was refreshing, if not somewhat surprising. Van de Beek – a versatile midfielder who’s capable of playing in a more advanced role as well as slightly deeper – will add strength in depth in the centre of the park and will increase the competition for places. Most crucially, however, he fits the exact profile of the type of player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is after.

And this is all for a very reasonable price – especially considering he is still only 23.

But with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes certain starters for United next term, questions have been raised as to whether Van de Beek has been brought in with the promise of starting games regularly or if he will initially take up a squad rotation role.

However, one of the most exciting things about the signing of Van de Beek is the different options he will offer to Solskjaer. The Norwegian opted to typically utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation in 2019/20 for his strongest side, with Nemanja Matic and Pogba playing slightly deeper behind Fernandes after his January arrival

Pogba, however, was given the freedom to operate in a more box-to-box role when he returned from injury, allowing him to influence games through his range of passing and movement. Following the resumption of play, Matic quickly became the first-choice defensive midfielder as he provided the platform for Pogba and Fernandes to shine with his intelligent reading of the game.

Indeed, It was clear to see the lack of balance within the midfield when he was missing.

In Van de Beek, United have an extremely clever midfielder who can play in both an offensive role as well as slightly deeper. In matches against so-called lesser sides, Solskjaer could continue to deploy his preferred 4-2-3-1, with Van de Beek replacing Matic. In this system, Pogba and Van de Beek would act as the box-to-box midfielders, dictating games from deep when on the ball and sniffing out danger when out of possession.

Sure, it’s a very attacking setup, but it will be a fluid system with Fernandes and Van de Beek likely to alternate as the ‘number ten’. Now, of course, it could be a risky tactic if he were to select such a midfield against a ‘top six’ side, but when dominating possession against ‘lesser’ clubs, why not start your three best midfielders in the preferred formation?

One question on many fans’ minds is how on earth Solskjaer will line up in midfield in the bigger games – such as in the Champions League and against ‘big six’ sides. The reality of the matter is that he could well opt to go with his tried and trusted combination of Matic, Pogba and Fernandes initially.

After all, Man Utd don’t need to start Van de Beek every game. However, one way the Norwegian could start all three and provide extra solidity in midfield is to deploy a diamond formation – like he did against Everton last season.

On that occasion, Matic sat at the base of the diamond, with Fred and Scott McTominay playing in box-to-box roles behind Fernandes. Did it work against Everton? Well…not really, even if there were some encouraging signs.

But this could be a very dangerous set up with Pogba and Van de Beek coming into the midfield.

With this midfield setup, there would be countless different avenues to break through the opposition’s defence, especially if the full-backs push forward to support the attack. Creativity, energy, defensive solidity and world class talent, what more could Solskjaer want?

The potential lack of width in the diamond formation may not be an appealing long-term proposition for Solskjaer, however. Alternatively, he could look to set up his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with three flat midfielders in Van de Beek, Pogba and Fernandes. This system would see all three players tasked with equal defensive and offensive responsibility.

Now, we know what some of you may be thinking: ‘But, but, but, there would be a disconnect between the midfield and the attack.’

But in fact, each player has the dynamism as well as the understanding to be able to know when to make the right run and what pass to play. Picking up pockets of space, all three of Pogba, Van de Beek and Fernandes would be a constant threat as opposition defenders would struggle to deal with the timing of runs and how to defend against them. Equally, however, with all three midfielders working as a collective unit in the defensive phase, they would be well set up to prevent attacks.

Is Fernandes most effective when playing as the playmaker? Yes, of course he is. But each player would be more than comfortable in this setup and it would play to their strengths.

Perhaps one of the most exciting things about United’s midfielders now is their understanding of the game and versatility. This will allow them to influence and impact matches in a number of different ways next season, regardless of their position or the formation being used.

It would be easy to get overexcited about the signing of Van de Beek, with cries for him to immediately take up a spot in the midfield. But the reality is this may not be the case straight away. Either way, however, Solskjaer now has the strength in depth in midfield to consistently deliver next season. But the boss must now look to replicate this in other areas of the squad.

Brave, commanding and instinctive in his youth, Gianluigi Buffon has adapted his game with age and used his intelligence to become better positioned and less reliant on instinct, while keeping up with the trends of the modern day goalkeeper.

While he’s no longer at his best – obviously – his longevity is just one of several incredible qualities that put him in the conversation of ‘best goalkeeper of all time’. The Italian has enjoyed a mammoth career that spans across three decades, has made over 1000 appearances as a professional and holds the record for the longest time without conceding a goal in Serie A. And that’s just a few accolades.

On top of this is his ridiculous trophy cabinet, which includes 10 (yes, ten) Serie A titles, a Ligue 1 title, five Coppa Italia and the 2006 World Cup, among countless others. Buffon has consistently been one of the strongest shot stoppers in the world for the longest stretch, and his work has inspired many of the greatest goalkeepers in the world today.

The 36-year-old Serbian has gone under the radar for most of his career, but has quietly been one of the most consistent keepers in world football – and at the top level, too.

Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t epitomise the ‘modern day’ goalkeeper with athletic prowess and the burning desire to get involved with the ball at his feet, but Handanovic is one of the game’s last traditional goalkeepers.

With a strong presence on the field, similar to his Italian counterpart, Handanovicc excels in organising his defence in front of him and providing leadership.

It’s another set of traits Buffon has boasted for his entire career, which Handanovic has subconsciously moulded his game around.

Though he’s become a polarising figure due to his noticeable drop-off in form, there’s no denying just how good David de Gea is when he’s at his best.

His freakish reflexes are awe-inspiring and have single handedly kept Manchester United’s head above water at times throughout the last decade.

There are a lot of parallels between De Gea’s style of play during his peak and Buffon’s in his early years. Buffon, too, was a largely instinctive keeper who relied on reflex, speed and reactions to pull off saves.

The pair are both in the bracket of ‘greatest goalkeepers ever’ but Manuel Neuer is perhaps appreciated more these days – and unfairly so.

While the imposing German is the one to popularise and get the best out of the sweeper keeper role, making it the necessity it is today, Buffon was using that while Neuer was still in the youth ranks.

Neuer’s bravery and command over his defence, combined with his ability to lead his side to glory and control play with his feet is all inspired by Buffon in his earlier years, who was much of the same.

The Bayern stopper has admittedly taken these traits to new heights, which Buffon has recognised on several occasions, but it wouldn’t have happened without the Italian paving the way.

Courtois hasn’t been shy in his praise for the veteran Italian and is determined to mould his career into a similar style.

Quoted by Goal in 2018, Courtois acknowledged Buffon’s training regime and has adapted his methods accordingly: “If I hope to continue goalkeeping until I am 36 or 37 then you have to think about how I train.

“For Buffon, I hear he trains less on the field and he is more focused on keeping his muscles strong”.

Courtois isn’t too dissimilar on the pitch, either. He possesses a commanding presence, fills his goal and is brave in coming off his line like a young Buffon once was.

It’s an easy comparison to make, considering both are Italian, named ‘Gianluigi’ and have had similar early career paths, but what young Italian goalkeeper isn’t inspired by Buffon?

The 21-year-old debuted with Milan at just 16, while Buffon debuted with Parma aged 17. Donnarumma has become a consistent figure and beacon of hope at I Rossoneri – despite their demise – and possesses strong reactions and an understanding of the game similar to Buffon’s.

He’s also a natural leader, a trait every Italian keeper would want having grown up watching Buffon between the sticks for club and country.

The young Italian doesn’t yet get the recognition he deserves, but is quietly still operating at a high level. Perhaps he needs a move away from Milan in order to fulfil his destiny, in a similar way that Buffon swapped Parma for Juventus in 2001.

Real Madrid and Arsenal are edging closer to an agreement that would see midfielder Dani Ceballos return to the Emirates for a second season on loan.

The Spanish international spent the 2019/20 season on loan with the Gunners, and played an integral part in Mikel Arteta’s side’s FA Cup triumph.

Ceballos popped up with a crucial goal to see Arsenal past Sheffield United in the quarter finals, before playing the full 90 as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspired the Gunners to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the final.

According to Spanish journalist Jose Luis Sanchez, the two clubs are in advanced talks and are closing in on an agreement which would see the midfielder return to Arsenal for another full season.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano adds that the Gunners have had three bids turned down for Ceballos thus far, but Real are expected to give the deal the go-ahead promptly.

The 24-year-old blossomed in north London after the December appointment of Mikel Arteta, and the Gunners boss made no secret of his desire to retain Ceballos ahead of his first full season in charge.

Arteta told Arsenal’s official club website: “Well, we have some talks and Dani knows really well what I think about him. He was pretty clear with me as well that his intention was to remain with us but obviously Real Madrid is involved and I don’t know yet what they want to do with the player.”

Although keen on a move away from Real due to fears of limited playing time, there had been concerns that Ceballos would snub Arsenal in favour of a return to Real Betis – the club he spent the latter stages of his youth career with and made his senior debut for prior to moving to the capital in 2017.

Milan were also reportedly plotting to hijack an Arsenal deal in order to bring him to San Siro on loan.

AC Milan have moved into pole position to sign Sandro Tonali this summer, with various Italian journalists reporting that the Rossoneri are close to agreeing a loan-to-buy deal with Brescia.

Inter and Juventus have taken it in turns as the media’s frontrunner to sign the prodigious Italian, who has been frequently (and lazily) dubbed ‘the new Pirlo’. Juve’s interest seemed to die away after they appointed the original Pirlo as manager, while Inter seem to have turned their attention to other targets – such as Barcelona’s Arturo Vidal.

With Serie A’s two current heavyweights seemingly out of the picture, then, Milan – who have kept an eye on the situation throughout – look to have stolen a march. Renowned Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claims that Milan have moved into ‘advanced talks’ to secure Brescia’s prized asset.

He claims that the 20-year-old will join on an initial loan, which will bank Brescia €10m, plus a further €20m should Milan look to make the deal permanent – an option they would almost certainly take up.

Romano’s claims have since been backed up by a virtual who’s who of Italian football journalism. Gianluca Di Marzio, Vito Angele and Pietro Balzano Prota all seem to agree a deal will happen – and that usually means it’s a goer.

It seems odd that Brescia would accept such modest terms for a player who is rated so highly and is contracted to 2022, but owner Massimo Cellino revealed in April that he promised Tonali he would be allowed to leave this summer if that was his wish.

“I have a deal with Sandro, who is a golden boy,” he said. “He knows that when he asks me to leave, I will let him go. It is not a question of price, the important thing is that Tonali chooses with the heart, and it is only he who decides.”

Had he foreseen the coronavirus crisis slashing the spending plans of Italy’s biggest clubs, Cellino may been more cautious with what he promised his prodigious midfielder…

Son Heung-min celebrated his fifth anniversary at Spurs in trademark fashion, bagging a goal for his side in a friendly as Spurs dispatched Reading in a 4-1 win.

After a slightly bumpy start to life in London, where the Korean had all the raw talent, but found himself in and out of the team, Son has transformed into one of the Premier League’s best players, and arguably Spurs’ most talented. Yes, even more so than Harry Kane.

The 28-year-old has taken it up to a different level since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He’s developed into a lethal striker with a deadly range of finishing on both feet, blistering pace and tidy footwork that allows him to glide past defenders on long, slaloming runs.

His 85 goals and 47 assists from 229 games in a Spurs shirt have seen him become a cult hero among fans of the club – and even a secret favourite of Premier League fans in general. He’s a lethal weapon for Spurs on the pitch, and also one of the nicest guys in football at the same time.

Son is a joy to watch (expect when he’s playing your favourite team) and he’s had some incredible moments in the Tottenham shirt over the years.

Son opened his account for the Lilywhites in their opening match in the 2015/16 Europa League, hitting a tidy brace against Qarabag FK.

The brace came on his home debut for Spurs and won his side the game, after initially falling 1-0 down. Not a bad way to introduce yourself, that.

Son followed up his first two goals for the club by hitting another just three days later, scoring the only goal in Tottenham’s 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.

Showing just a glimpse of what fans were to expect over the coming seasons, Son dribbled into the box surrounded by Palace defenders and rifled home hard and low to beat the keeper.

The Korean striker treated Spurs fans to a late Christmas present with this incredible effort, once again putting his sublime game-reading and anticipation on display.

Spurs were drawing 1-1 away to Watford, before Son popped up with an expertly timed backheel finish, giving his side a last-gasp winner away from home.

After not quite managing to cement himself into the first-team picture during his first season, head coach Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Son had asked to leave Spurs, but stayed and was given another chance to stake his claim.

He answered the critics in fine fashion at the start of the 2016/17 season, running riot against Stoke in September. Son bagged a brace and assisted another, as his side wound up 4-0 winners away from home.

At this point, Son was regularly starting to show why he was worth the £22m Spurs paid for him in 2015, which now looks like an absolute bargain.

In a 6-0 thrashing of Millwall in the FA Cup, Son scored his first hat-trick for the club. The first was a scorcher that flew into the far corner, the second was an assured, poacher’s finish from a long ball over the top and the third was hit hard at the keeper, forcing a mistake.

Son proved his worth on the European stage for Spurs, bagging an early opener against Borussia Dortmund from what seemed an impossible angle.

It was vital in giving his side an early lead and once again showed just how deadly the Korean is from a number of ranges and on either side. Spurs wound up 3-1 winners against a star-studded Dortmund side.

They don’t come much better than this.

With Spurs trailing in their derby against West Ham with little over five minutes to go, Son rescued a point for his side in supreme fashion. Picking the pall up a million light years away from goal (roughly), the Korean absolutely smashed the ball into the top right-hand corner to make it 1-1.

Keeper had no chance. That’s one for the YouTube compilations.

‘Solo stunner’ sort of sounds like ‘Stone Cold Stunner’, but unfortunately Son wasn’t up to that.

With Spurs 2-1 up at home against Chelsea, Son secured the points for his side from absolutely nothing. He picks the ball up on the right flank, weaves past Jorginho and sends David Luiz to the shops, before slotting the ball home to make it three.

If only he’d have celebrated in ‘Stone Cold’ style with some aptly-timed beer cans from the crowd…

He doesn’t really do bad goals, does he?

In an incredible evening for Tottenham, Son contributed to an emphatic quarter-final victory to knock Manchester City out of the Champions League on aggregate in the second leg.

After nullifying an early City goal, Son grabbed his second of the night to put Spurs ahead at the Etihad, and in fine fashion. He received the ball on the edge of the box from Christian Eriksen, and effortlessly curled it into the far corner with his right foot.

Spurs lost on the night, but that quarter-final win and Son’s efforts took them to the club’s first ever Champions League final that year.

Harry Maguire has revealed he feared for his life after being arrested by Greek police, saying he thought he was being kidnapped.

The Manchester United captain was taken into police custody last week in Mykonos and was subsequently found guilty of aggravated assault and attempted bribery. He was handed a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days, given that it was his first offence.

Maguire has continually professed his innocence and one day after his conviction his legal team appealed the decision. A date has not yet been set for the retrial.

Now, after a period of silence, the 27-year-old has given his first interview with BBC News since his ordeal, reiterating that he doesn’t feel that he did anything wrong.

“I don’t feel I owe an apology to anybody,” he said. “An apology is something when you have done something wrong.”

“I don’t wish it on anybody. Obviously the situation has made it difficult for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I regret putting the fans and the club through this, but I did nothing wrong. I found myself in a situation where it could have happened to anybody and anywhere.”

An emotional Maguire claimed Greek police pulled his minibus over and physically dragged him out. He then alleges that police officers starting kicking his legs and threatening him that his football career was over.

Quizzed about the extent of his injuries, Maguire said: “They hit me a lot on the legs. It wasn’t on my mind. I was in that much of a panic. Fear. Scared for my life.”

The incident has led to questions over whether Maguire should continue as Red Devils captain. When asked about this, the former Leicester City man said that it was not his decision to make. The club are expected to back their skipper while he goes through the appeals process, but he has been removed from Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.

Celtic have been eliminated from the 2020/21 Champions League after falling to a 2-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros in the second qualifying round.

Neil Lennon’s side were utterly dominant stats-wise against their Hungarian opponents, registering no less than 28 shots on target and boasting 71% possession, but were undone by two clinical finishes.

Celtic will now drop into the third round qualifying stage of the Europa League.

Right from the off it was the Bhoys who looked dominant, although the visitors took the lead in fine style seven minutes in. After defending a corner, Celtic failed to push out of their box in time, with the ball falling to David Siger who hit a superb dipping drive into the bottom corner.

Stunned by the goal, the Hoops were on tenterhooks for the following five minutes as the Hungarian side pushed for a two-goal lead. After their stuttering start, Celtic did begin composing themselves with Ryan Christie seeing an effort deflected just wide of the post.

Mohamed Elyounoussi and Christie both spurned good opportunities before the break, but the hosts were struggling without the focal point in attack the absent Odsonne Edouard – who is being linked with a move away – offers.

Their equaliser did come eight minutes after the restart, albeit in fortuitous fashion. Some patient build up play against their well-organised opponents eventually fell to Christie on the edge of the box, whose strike took a deflection on its way towards goal and looped over Dénes Dibusz in net.

Finely poised heading into the final 20 minutes, Lennon’s side were undone just as they looked the more likely to score. Hatem Elhamed was guilty of some hesitant defending that allowed Tokmac Nguen too much time to pick his spot, and his strike at goal squeezed its way into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

Piling forward in search of an equaliser to avoid crashing out at this early stage of qualifying, Celtic’s efforts were in vein. Their defeat marked the first time since 2005 that the club were eliminated from the competition at this stage, doing so against Artmedia Bratislava on that occasion. They now drop into the Europa League third qualifying round.

August 25 has been one hectic day, people.

If an eyebrow-raising England squad, Antonio Conte’s update or Harry Maguire finding out his fate for his holiday antics all weren’t enough, Lionel Messi then decided to drop the most destructive of bombshells.

It appears the Argentine’s (*insert any superlative here*) 19-year spell at Barcelona is drawing to a close. With his relationship persistently deteriorating with the club’s hierarchy, Messi expressed his desire to leave Barça this summer, stating that he’ll activate a clause to unilaterally end his contract.

And he did it all via fax. Bloody fax! It’s 2020, Lionel.

Nevertheless, the gargantuan update was destined to spring transfer rumour mills into life regarding the 33-year-old’s next move, with an outrageous number of clubs linked in a matter of minutes.

Here’s the most ‘realistic’ selection of those destinations, ranked by likelihood.

There’s the whole ‘when Arsenal knock, it’s a different kind of knock’ nonsense and Mikel Arteta persuading Gabriel Magalhães to join the Gunners over Europe’s elite (Napoli), but this is a completely different kettle of fish.

The club were forced into sacking it’s whole scouting department and a bunch of kitmen just to fund a deal for free agent Willian, so you imagine they’ll have to sell the Emirates and play their games on Highbury Fields for the long-term if they’re to bring Messi to north London this summer.

Likelihood Rating: Impossible/10

Nothing like a romantic return home to end the perfect fairytale. Newell’s Old Boys was the club where Messi spent his early years learning his trade, and the Argentine side were also his boyhood team.

The superstar left Argentina to make his name in Europe, and with that, he was gone from the South American shores forever.

But what about a dramatic return to see out his career at the team who made him fall in love with the sport in the first place?

Now that’s a happy ending…maybe a few years down the line, however.

Likelihood Rating: 1/10

Step aside, Jadon Sancho, one of the greatest to ever play the game is on the market.

Remarkably, Spanish news outlet Cuatro reported before Messi’s recent shenanigans that United had put the ‘machinery in motion’ to bring the 33-year-old to Old Trafford.

Yeah, alright mate.

It seems pretty far-fetched for the Red Devils to stray away from a £108m deal for Sancho and instead fund a move for a player currently earning almost £1m-a-week at Barcelona.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

Likelihood Rating: 2/10

In terms of squad-building, a player of Messi’s profile and position couldn’t be further from what Chelsea need right now. But when it’s Lionel Messi, squad dynamics are blown out of the water.

The Blues have invested heavily this summer to bring in Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner to Stamford Bridge along with soon-to-be signings Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr, so you simply can’t rule Roman Abramovich out.

Could Frank Lampard’s plucky Blues be up to something gargantuan?

Probably not, to be honest.

Likelihood Rating: 3/10

Messi’s desire to win his first Champions League crown since 2015 is surely a major factor in his decision to quit Barcelona, with the Catalans currently boasting a squad which he clearly doesn’t deem fit to go all the way in Europe’s premier competition – especially with Bartomeu at the helm.

So, what better place for his next venture than Paris Saint-Germain (other than Bayern, of course)?

Despite their slender defeat to the Bavarians in the final, Les Parisiens proved in Lisbon that they’ve overcome their European inferiority complex and through shrewd business last summer and Thomas Tuchel’s superb coaching, they’ve finally established a healthy equilibrium of supreme individualism and functionality in their squad.

Oh, and did I mention they have a fair bit of wonga to play with?

Likelihood Rating: 5/10

Picture it: Juventus vs. Inter. Messi vs Ronaldo. Scudetto on the line. A pair of Last Dances and the greatest sports documentary ever produced.

This is the dream, right?

Sure, a Messi x Antonio Conte collaboration may well be the most unlikely of relationships but hey, ‘The Godfather’ made it work with Eden Hazard.

Allow Steven Zhang to pull the strings. Chuck Lautaro the other way. Chelsea 2016/17-esque 3-4-3. Conte shouting relentlessly at Messi from the sidelines like he’s Emanuele Giaccherini at RWB for nine months.

Likelihood Rating: 6/10

The early favourites for Lionel Messi’s signature for two reasons: first, they have an unhealthy amount of cash and, of course, Pep Guardiola, the man who initiated the greatest – and perhaps most revolutionary – position switch of the modern era by deploying the already great Messi as a false nine.

And after eight years apart, could the finest manager and footballer of their time reunite for one last hurrah?

Original ‘can 33-year-old Lionel Messi cut it in the Premier League?’ debates will inevitably be sparked and argued between Paul Merson and Tim Sherwood for hours on end, but come on, this is Lionel Messi we’re talking about here.

Despite the dreaded ‘physicality and intensity of English football’, Pep and the Etihad appear the most likely destination for the greatest to ever do it.

Likelihood Rating: 7/10

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has admitted that the club’s performance in the 2019/20 season was a disappointment, while also discussing the club’s recently overturned Champions League ban and relationship with UEFA.

City failed in their bid to defend their league title, finishing 17 points behind winners Liverpool, while they slumped to a shock Champions League quarter final exit to Lyon, as glory on the European stage continues to elude them.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official website in a wide ranging interview, Khaldoon said: “When I look back are the results satisfying? The answer is of course not as we always look to finish the season with as much success in as many competitions as possible.

“Second is not what we look for (in the Premier League) but it will make us hungrier.

“In the Champions League again our objective is to win that competition so I think overall this season’s experience leaves us with some disappointment but also a lot of positives to build on.”

In February, City’s season was thrown into controversy after they were dealt a two-year ban from European football for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.

However, the club successfully had the ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Khaldoon revealed he was always convinced that the punishment would not be upheld.

“I was confident that the truth would prevail but what I was most concerned about was the distraction this put upon all of us – the team specifically,” he added.

Pep Guardiola was adamant that City deserved an apology following their treatment by Uefa, but Khaldoon revealed that he has no ill feeling towards the governing body.

“Life is too short to carry grudges,” he said. “This was a challenge, it’s behind us, end of story. I am focused on one thing: how I can help this club compete in this competition and win it and how to have a constructive relationship with Uefa.”