Giannis Antetokounmpo's brother Alex to skip college to play in Europe

Alex Antetokounmpo, the youngest brother of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, plans to skip college and play professionally in Europe to prepare for the NBA, as per iSports baketball data API.

Alex Antetokounmpo, who graduated from Dominican High School in Wisconsin, he had reportedly received offers to play at DePaul, Ohio and Green Bay.

（iSports basketball API covers a wide range of games including NBA with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

"I am examining my options. I have a few choices from the States, but I have decided to play in Europe," he told the website. "I want to become a pro as soon as possible. I was born and raised in Europe, I know European basketball, and the best thing for me would be to sign a contract with a European club. I will have to train and compete against grown men, I will experience strong competition and pressure, and I will evolve on every level."

According to iSports basketball API, Alex Antetokounmpo averaged 20 points and 7 rebounds per game as a senior at Dominican High School this season. He moved to the Milwaukee area from Greece in 2013, when Giannis was a rookie with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Antetokounmpo isn't ranked in the 2020 ESPN 100. He was twice a first-team all-state selection and averaged 20 points and 7 rebounds per game during his senior season.

He will be eligible for the NBA draft beginning in 2021. He told EuroHoops.net that playing in Europe "will really help me in my plan to prepare myself in the best possible way. So when I feel ready to take the next step, I will be totally prepared for the NBA."

As per baskertball data provider iSports API, if he makes it to the NBA, he would become the fourth Antetokounmpo brother to do so. Giannis and Thanasis both play for the Bucks, while Kostasplays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Chelsea prepared to replace N'Golo Kanté with West Ham's Declan Rice

Chelsea are ready to make a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice this summer, but only if they lose N’Golo Kanté to Real Madrid.

The La Liga giants had been expected to try and tempt Paul Pogba from Manchester United, but have seemingly decided to alter course.

Instead, according to iSports football API, Real appear to want to raid Stamford Bridge again and reunite Kanté with Eden Hazard, who joined Los Blancos from the Blues last year.

In that event, Chelsea see Declan Rice as the perfect replacement for Kanté’s all-action style in midfield.

The 21-year-old had been on Chelsea’s books as a youth player until he was released at the age of 14.

（iSports lives data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

He subsequently switched the West End of London for the East End and blossomed in the Hammers’ academy.

West Ham are aware of Chelsea’s interest in Rice, and are determined not to sell on the cheap by demanding £70m for his services, as per football data provider iSports API.

Eyebrows were raised recently when Rice referred to his old friend and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount by telling Copa 90: “I’d love to play with him at club level again.”

Manchester United and Arsenal have also been linked with the England international, but Chelsea would appear to be in box seat should they opt to pursue Rice when the transfer window opens.

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Edwin van der Sar confirms three players could leave Ajax

André Onana, Nicolás Tagliafico, and Donny van de Beek all have Ajax’s blessing to leave the club this summer，according to football data provider iSports API.

（iSports livescore API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

However, he is not expecting a mass exodus nor will he allow any of his star trio to leave on the cheap due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Last year we agreed with Onana, Tagliafico and Van de Beek to stay one more year and then look at the next step in their career. Nothing has changed,” Edwin van der Sar told media.

“There won’t be a discount of fifty per cent, just forget it. Last year I heard in January that we would lose seven or eight players. Ultimately, only two key players left.”

As per iSports football API, Donny van de Beek has been at Ajax since 2008 with Onana joining the academy in 2015. Tagliafico joined in 2018 from Independiente after a stellar showing with Argentina at the World Cup in Russia.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football API provider, click iSports API)

Manchester United prepared to make an offer to Jack Grealish

According to English media, Manchester United are prepared to step up their interest in signing Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish after monitoring his progress over the past 18 months.

The 24-year-old has been one of the Villains’ top-performing players on their Premier League comeback and he has contributed seven goals and six assists from 26 top-flight outings, according to iSports football live data API.

While he has preferred to play in an attacking midfield role for most of his career, Grealish has regularly featured on the left wing this term and that has brought the best out of him.

The Red Devils have been keeping a close eye on his development over the past few years and they are prepared to make a formal move for his signature in the near future.

（iSports football API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

It is added that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains a keen admirer of Grealish’s ability and has no concerns with the player’s off-the-field antics which has led to criticism from the public.

Villa are currently understood to demand £70m for their prized asset but it is reported that he could be available for £50m, should the west Midlands outfit get relegated from the top-flight this term.

Solskjaer has placed the emphasis on signing young and prime-age players since taking charge of the club and Grealish would fit into the latter category.

Elsewhere, the former England youth international would have caught Solskjaer’s eye with his ability to play anywhere in the attack as well as drop into the central midfield position, as per football data provider iSports API.

As such, he appears as an ideal signing for United, who will want another creative midfield presence despite the purchase of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in January.

United do have Paul Pogba in their squad but there are still doubts whether the midfielder is committed to the club amid interest from former club Juventus and Real Madrid.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football API provider, click iSports API)

Patrick Ewing says his two Olympic gold medals were stolen

Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing revealed Tuesday that his two Olympic gold medals and NCAA championship ring were stolen.

Ewing discussed the loss of his 1984 and 1992 medals on "The Dan Patrick Show."

He had played 17 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the New York Knicks, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, according to basketball data provider iSports API.

（iSports API covers a wide range of basketball games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

The 11-time All-Star said Tuesday was the first time he's talked about the theft.

"My house got broken into in New York, and at one point they stole my medals," Ewing said. "So I called Jerry Colangelo [former USA Basketball chairman], and he was great to be able to get me two replacement medals."

Ewing won the 1992 medal as part of the Dream Team, the United States' first roster of primarily professional players, as per iSports baksetball API.

"He took care of me," Ewing said of Colangelo. "He's a great guy."

Ewing, 57, said the 1984 national championship ring he won with Georgetown was also taken.

"They did take my college championship ring, but someone tried to sell it on eBay and I was able to get that back," said Ewing, who is now the head coach at his alma mater.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable basketball data provider, click iSports API)

Ter Stegen confirmscontract negotiations are on hold

Marc-André ter Stegen himself confirmed that negotiations with FC Barcelona for an extension of the contract are currently interrupted. “There are currently more important things,” said the German with regard to the coronavirus crisis.

The contract negotiations between Marc-André ter Stegen and FC Barcelona have been stalling for some time, according to the Spanish media. The German goalkeeper has even confirmed this himself, as per football data provider iSports API.

（iSports football API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Ter Stegen said in an Instagram live interview on the channel of his former club Borussia Mönchengladbach that negotiations with FC Barcelona about a new contract are currently completely on hold.

“We had one, two or three talks with the club and then decided that we should first shut down the situation,” said the Barcelona goalkeeper on Instagram.

The reason that the contract talks are interrupted is the coronavirus crisis, says the 28-year-old: “There are currently much more important things than a contract from me.”

But interrupting the negotiations would not mean that he would ask too much or that he would not renew his contract, which expires in 2022, according to iSports football live data API.

“We are super happy here, the sporting situation is good – what more do we want?”

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Dybala still positive for COVID-19 after long

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 for the fourth time, according to reports from Itaian and Spanish media.

La Joya confirmed the news on March 21, stating that both he and partner Oriana Sabatini had tested positive for the Coronavirus, according to iSports football data API.

（iSports football API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Teammates Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi also tested positive but have since been given the all clear, leading to speculation that Dybala’s negative test was only days away.

Multiple Italian media now report that the Argentine has had four tests in the last 39 days and the most recent was positive, once again.

Juventus are expected to return to training on May 14, as per iSports football API,

but that may not be the case for Dybala and other international players who will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.

The club are yet to confirm the news in an official capacity, but the previous announcements came via Dybala himself on his social media channels.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

André Onana confirms he wants to leave Ajax this summer

Ajax goalkeeper André Onana confirmed he is ready to leave this summer, claiming he is ready ‘to take a step’.

The 24-year-old arrived from Barcelona in 2015 for a nominal fee, according to football data provider iSports API, but has now become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

The Yashin Trophy nominee has been linked with a Barcelona return, in addition to a Premier League move to Chelsea or Tottenham, recorded by iSports football data API.

（iSports football API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

With just two years left on his contract, Onana feels that it’s the right time to move on.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy with Ajax and I am very grateful to the club,” he told AD on Tuesday.

“It was five great years here, but now my time has come to take a step. We made that appointment last year.

“I don’t yet know what will happen, but my ambitions and agreements are clear.”

As per iSports football live data API，during Onana’s five years at Ajax, he made 178 appearances, allowing just 158 goals and earning a whopping 74 clean sheets.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Juventus offer five swap options for Paul Pogba

Manchester United are reported to be considering five different Juventus players who have been offered in exchange for Paul Pogba.

According to Italian media, the names put forward are Douglas Costa, Miralem Pjanic, Alex Sandro, Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot.

At first glance it would appear to be more of a list of players Juventus are willing to trade rather than players to whom United would give serious consideration.

Costa is a 29-year-old right winger and it is almost certain the Red Devils will be looking at younger options in that position, such as Jadon Sancho. Sandro is also 29 and a world class left back, according to iSports football API – but this is not an area in which United need to strengthen.

（iSports football data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Pjanic is now the wrong side of 30, Rabiot has done little recently to demonstrate his worth and Ramsey’s woeful injury record would make him a very unlikely candidate for a switch to Old Trafford.

The fact is that Juve are coming across like that desperate kid at school who wants to swap your cool item but just keep offering stuff in exchange that you really don’t want.

The only player the Turin side have who at this stage might tempt the Red Devils is defender Matthijs de Ligt, but again, centre back is not a position that is a priority at Old Trafford at the moment, as per iSports football data API.

The story follows a similar one this week which claimed that PSG were offering Julian Draxler and Angel di Maria in exchange for the Frenchman.

Last summer, Real Madrid offered flop James Rodriguez in part exchange for Pogba.

Whilst it is probably true that a player exchange is the most likely way for the 27-year-old to leave United in the next transfer window, his suitors will have to put something a lot better on the table if they want the Red Devils to be tempted.

As per football data provider iSports API, PSG’s best offering would perhaps be 27-year-old midfielder Marco Verrati. Inter Milan’s striker Lautaro Martinez could be a tempting prospect and Real Madrid would need to put forward someone like Federico Valverde, Casemiro or Isco to make things interesting. At 30 and 34 respectively, even Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are too old now to consider seriously.

Football’s financial crisis has certainly moved us into uncharted waters and whatever the future holds for Pogba, it is likely that some creativity will be necessary to put together a deal that feels safe enough – and tempting enough – for all parties to consider.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football livescore data provider, click iSports API)

Texas Tech's Jahmi'us Ramsey declares for NBA draft

Texas Tech freshman Jahmi'us Ramsey declared for the 2020 NBA draft on Saturday.

Ramsey emerged as one of the top freshman guards in this year's class with a strong season in the Big 12. Acording to basketball data provider iSports API, he averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Red Raiders, shooting 43% from 3-point range. He was named Big 12 freshman of the year and awarded a spot on the All-Big 12 second team.

（iSports API covers a wide range of basketball games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Ramsey has not hired an agent and said in his statement on Twitter that he will maintain his college eligibility.Ramsey took a circuitous route to Texas Tech, starting his high school career at Duncanville in Dallas before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida, then transferring again to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia before finishing up back at Duncanville. 

He was managed to exceed those lofty expectations with a strong freshman season that entered him into the one-and-done conversation.The appeal around Ramsey is readily apparent on first glance, as he stands 6-foot-4, as per iSports basketball API, with a strong frame, solid athletic ability and terrific scoring instincts. He's a gifted isolation scorer who can bully weaker guards and shows terrific shot-making prowess from all over the floor thanks to his unlimited confidence and excellent mechanics pulling up off the dribble from long vantage points.

Not turning 19 until June, he is one of the youngest players currently projected to be drafted, according to basketball stats API.

The NBA draft is scheduled for June 25, but following worldwide suspension of basketball activities, NBA teams are lobbying the league office to push it to August in order to salvage the pre-draft process.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable basketball data provider, click iSports API)

Chelsea in talks with Tammy Abraham over new deal until 2025

Chelsea are in talks with forward Tammy Abraham over a new contract at the club, with the Blues looking to tie him down after a successful season in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has played a huge part in Chelsea’s overall impressive campaign scoring 15 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions this season, according to iSports football livescore API, despite suffering a range of injuries throughout the campaign.

（iSports football data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

The England international has been just one of the whole host of bright young talents that have worked their way into Frank Lampard’s first-team squad – joining Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, and most recently Billy Gilmour in holding down a place in a bright future for the young Blues.

According to Fabrizio Romano, talks remain ongoing between club representatives and Abraham’s agent over a deal that would keep him at the club until 2025.

This comes as fresh hope that Abraham will remain at the club for the foreseeable future, after talks were reported to be locked in with the Englishman appearing to demand wages away from the club’s valuation back in December.

Chelsea will bolster a wealth of striking options at Frank Lampard’s disposal, after the club also decided to trigger the option to extend French striker Olivier Giroud’s contract until 2021, as per iSports football data provider, who will continue to provide competition for the in-form England international.

Reports are also gathering pace that the Blues will looking to bring midfield options to provide service for Tammy Abraham in the upcoming campaign with Lampard being urged to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.

Any new arrivals would join Hakim Ziyech at Stamford Bridge after he confirmed he would begin his Chelsea career on July 1st.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football livescore data provider, click iSports API)

TOP Football API For Building Fantasy League Platform

The universe of games is a great deal like a business.

Fantasy Sports is a world within itself, and for this we need APIs to be integrated with mobile applications developed.What does an API Football included?

Football is among the world’s most played games. API Football covers almost 160 leagues in football.

Features of API Football that you are going to enjoy：

Matches and Events are refreshed each moment, a few alliances have just last outcome just (check in our inclusion table).

Lineups are accessible somewhere in the range of 20 and 40 minutes before the match.

Match Statistics are refreshed at regular intervals.

Standings are refreshed each end coordinate.

Player statics and info are updated each day.

Pre-match notification is served.

News related to matches is updated.

How does Live Sports Odds work? 

It’s a straightforward API to get live chances for football, soccer, basketball and loads more, from a few US, UK, and Aussie bookmakers.

Features of Live Sports Odds API that you are going to enjoy：

Matches and events are refreshed each moment.

Player stats are updated each day.

Pre-match notification is served.

Scores by game period are updated every moment.

Lineups will be visible 30 to 40 minutes before the match.

iSports API coveraged all range of sports data, more than 900 different international and national competitions, cups and leagues in all major football federations around the world, represented by livescores, fixtures, group standings, history data, and in-play events.

Newcastle United want to sign Rennes star and Manchester United target

Newcastle United are interested in signing Rennes’ Faitout Maouassa this summer and will look to beat Manchester United to his signature.

The English Premier League duo have both been tracking the progress of the 21-year-old in recent months, and the Magpies even made move to sign him in January.

However, their £7 million bid was knocked back, but they remain in contact with the representatives of the French winger.

Maouassa’s current contract with Rennes runs out in the summer of 2021, and he is yet to enter into talks about a renewal.

The France youth international has predominantly played at left-back this term, scoring thrice and assisting twice in 32 games across all competition, according to football livecore provider iSports API, but he can also play comfortably on the wings.

（iSports football data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Maouassa is hoping to play Champions League football with Rennes, but the chance to play in the Premier League could be too tempting to turn down, especially if he will be able to play in the European elite competition.

The Red Devils might be able to offer that next season as they are strongly in contention to finish in top-four this term, as per iSports football data API while Newcastle could become a Champions League club post-takeover.

However, it remains to be seen if the club will still retain interest in the Ligue 1 star by the time the summer transfer window opens with Steve Bruce likely not to be in charge of the Magpies next season once the new owners come in, and that could give Man Utd a chance in the race.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football livescore data provider, click iSports API)

Robin Van Persie blasts Louis Van Gaal

Former Manchester United star Robin Van Persie has been opening up on how his time at the club came to an end.

In an interview, the Dutchman reveals the brutal manner in which his compatriot Louis Van Gaal ended his United career.

Van Persie sensationally moved from Arsenal to United in 2012 to fulfil his dream of playing under Sir Alex Ferguson. He hit the ground running, bagging 30 goals in his first season and helping the Red Devils to bring home the Premier League trophy, as per iSports football data API.

However, Sir Alex retired at the end of that season and Van Persie could not reach the same heights under David Moyes and Ryan Giggs the following term, although he still netted 18 times in an injury-ridden year.

（iSports football data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

He then spent a season under Van Gaal but struggled to adapt to the new manager’s more possession-oriented playing style. He scored just 12 goals in 31 games in 2014/15, according to football livedata provider iSports API and it was at the end of that season when Van Gaal wielded the axe.

‘I had this chat with Louis van Gaal and he told me: “Ok Robin, our ways will part. I’m the coach, you’re the player – you have to go, your time is up” the striker recalled.

‘I was like: “Yeah but I still have a contract?” He said: “I don’t care”.’

‘Ruthless. Towards the end of it, I saw something coming but not this ruthless. And the way he said it as well. My kids are going to school, they have their friends and everything. So in like a split second, all these things come across. How do you react to that?

‘I said: “We will see what happens. That’s your opinion. But I have a contract and I’m happy in England at Manchester United. So we will see what happens”. And I stood up, shook his hand and left it.’

‘That ruthless, that hard, that direct. And then loads of things came through my mind and we started pre-season. I wasn’t allowed to play in the 11 vs 11 and I was given a ball and told to do my own stuff. So you try to stay calm, stay cool but there’s loads of things happening. You’re playing the macho card “It doesn’t affect me”, but it does. It does affect me, my family and my career. Big time.’

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football livescore data provider, click iSports API)

World-Class Defender to Reject PSG in Favor of Premier League

After Paris Saint-Germain was named as one of the clubs that could realistically sign Kalidou Koulibaly, the Napoli defender reportedly prefers to play in England or remain in Italy, as per iSports football livescore API.

According to French media, Koulibaly is reluctant to join PSG this summer even if the club submits a significant offer for his services.

（iSports football data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Koulibaly instead prefers a move to the Premier League with Manchester City and Manchester United the two clubs thought to have the best chance of landing the Senegal international. Also ahead of PSG is the chance of Napoli retaining the 28-year-old.

Accoding to football data provider iSports API, with Thiago Silva expected to leave PSG at the end of the season when his contract expires, PSG could use an upgrade at the center-back position but not signing Koulibaly isn’t the end of the world.

Against Borussia Dortmund, Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos proved they can combine to silence one of the most potent attacks and I feel most supporters are comfortable with that duo at center-back moving forward.

As I outline in my preview of the 2020-21 squad, the money that would be spent on Koulibaly could be instead used to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football livescore data provider, click iSports API)

Mexican football suspends promotion and relegation for 5 years

On Friday, Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla confirmed that promotion and relegation in Mexican football have been suspended for the next five years.

The 18 Liga MX owners voted in favour of the matter after the Ascenso MX owners had approved the vote earlier in the week.

Currently, due to financial and structural guidelines, none of the 12 teams in Mexico’s second-division were even eligible for promotion. The league has dropped from 18 teams to 12 teams in the last three years, according to football livescore data provider iSports API.

（iSports football data API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Ascenso MX clubs will receive an annual total of 240 million pesos ($10m) for five years or 20 million pesos ($845,000) per club per year.

The goal is to make Mexico’s second division a breeding ground for young talent, though the specifics have yet to be decided on.

One measure that will reportedly be in place will be the limit of players on each club over the age of 23.

As a result, the infamous 20/11 rule will be eliminated as confirmed by Bonilla today.

The rule currently requires all Liga MX sides to field players under the age of 20 years, 11 months for at least 1,000 minutes per season, otherwise, they will face a three-point deduction at the end of the regular season, as per iSports football API.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football livescore data provider, click iSports API)

Real Madrid Planning a Move For English Superstar

Real Madrid could make a big-money move for Tottenham Hotspurstriker Harry Kane in the summer transfer window. The Englishman has come through the ranks at the North London club to become one of their most important players.

According to local news media, the Spanish side’s President Florentino Perez wants to bring Harry Kane to Santiago Bernabéu in the summer. But, the report states that it will be difficult to prise the English international from Spurs as manager Jose Mourinho is a big fan of him, while Chairman Daniel Levy will not let him leave easily.

Harry Kane’s current deal with the club expires only in 2024 which puts Spurs in the driving seat if Kane does want to leave. The Englishman is third in the list of all-time topscorers for the club, having scored 181 goals in 278 appearances for the club in all competitions, as per iSports football livescore API.

（iSports livescore API covers a wide range of football games with score, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Then, will Harry Kane be a good fit for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid made a big move last summer when they signed young Luka Jovic for around €60 million from Eintracht Frankfurt. But, the Serbian international has been poor for the Spanish giants, scoring just twice in 24 appearances for the club. Madrid are a club that does not offer too many opportunities, and the 22-year-old could be on his way out in the summer.

Manager Zinedine Zidane has had to rely heavily on experienced striker Karim Benzema throughout the season, who has scored 19 times in 36 appearances in all competitions for the club. But, Madrid can’t depend only on Benzema to score the goals and will need to bring in a player who can score 20+ goals apart from the Frenchman, as per football data provider iSports livescore API.

Harry Kane would be a great addition to the Real Madrid squad, which has lacked goals since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Last season, Benzema was the top scorer for Madrid with 30 goals, 21 of those which came in the league, followed by Gareth Bale, who scored 14 goals, 8 of which came in the league, according to football livescore provider iSports API. Those numbers aren’t good enough for a side like Real Madrid, who need at least 2-3 players to score 10-15+ league goals every season.

The only problem that Zidane may have is how both Benzema and Kane can play in the same team as the Madrid manager currently plays with just one central striker. He could perhaps move to a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Eden Hazard playing behind the two central strikers, i.e. Kane and Benzema. This would be a lethal strikeforce that could torment most defences in Europe.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Chinese Basketball Association postpones restart until at least July

The Chinese Basketball Association is facing another setback in its efforts to resume play in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is reported that league officials met overnight to discuss the fate of its season, which has been on hold since Jan. 24 according to basketball data provider iSports APPI, and elected to postpone its schedule again, this time until at least July.

The CBA had been scheduled to resume play on April 15, and teams had taken steps to call back American players. But on March 30, the General Administration of Sports -- an arm of the Chinese government -- issued a wide-ranging ban on large-scale sporting gatherings due to concerns with containment of the virus, as pei iSport basketball API.

（iSports API covers a wide range of basketball games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Further complicating matters is the entry ban that was implemented by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in late March on all non-citizens, including residents and foreigners with previously issued visas. Several players were unable to enter China, leaving many CBA rosters without one or both of the allotted import players.

No final decision on the CBA's season can be made without government clearance, which won't happen until mid-May at the earliest. The possibility of canceling the remainder of the season is still in play.

The CBA's ability to return to normalcy will be closely monitored by sporting leagues across the globe, including the NBA and EuroLeague, which are both postponed indefinitely.

According to Chinese media outlet Xinhua, CBA CEO Wang Dawei will take a 35% pay cut, and other executives will also reduce salary to help ease financial pressure.

Caught in limbo are more than a dozen Americans who returned to China and have finished their 14-day quarantine period. CBA teams have been conducting basketball activities in varying formats, some with full-contact practices and others through social distancing methods. Several player representatives told they've been informed that teams will look to extend contracts and put players on retainer in hopes of resuming play in July, while others may send foreign players home while waiting to see if reopening is likely.

CBA contracts are considered some of the most lucrative in professional basketball, which can make for a difficult decision for Americans. Considering the Foreign Ministry's ban on incoming travel from non-citizens, returning to China in June may prove impossible for those now leaving the country. Some of the top players in the CBA told they intend to stay in China as long as they are receiving salaries, rather than conducting two additional 14-day quarantines.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable basketball data provider, click iSports API)

Immobile eyeing Higuain's Serie A record

Lazio star Ciro Immobile is eyeing Gonzalo Higuain's Serie A goalscoring record when the season resumes.

Immobile had scored an incredible 27 Serie A goals this season, as per iSports football livescore API, when the campaign was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With 12 games left to play, Immobile is nearing Higuain's record of 36 goals in a single Serie A season, set with Napoli in 2015-16, according to football data provider iSports API.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

The 30-year-old hopes he can reach that mark, telling Sky Sport on Monday: "I don't know. It depends.

"I'm training hard to achieve this goal. Everyone has their own. It would be nice. It's like the Easter egg. We'll see what the surprise will be when we get back on the field. I'll do my best."

Immobile had helped Lazio sit second in the table, just a point behind Juventus, when the season was stopped.

The Italy international said the club would be setting their sights on a first Serie A title since 1999-2000, as pre iSports football API.

"The ambitions remain. It is obvious that at this moment we have thought little about football," Immobile said.

"When the time to get back on the field is getting closer, we will have to be good at preparing ourselves mentally because there will be 12 very important matches to continue our dream."

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)

Man Utd's Pogba is ready for comeback

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has said that he has been "frustrated" due to his injury problems this season but is ready to return stronger.

Pogba, 27, has only made eight appearances in all competitions this season after suffering metatarsal and ankle injuries, as per football live data provider iSports API. He has not played a competitive game since December and was due to return to first team training before the Premier League was suspended on March 13 due to the coronavirus.

（iSports API covers a wide range of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Speaking on United's official podcast, Pogba said his lack of minutes this campaign has made him "more hungry" to return to action.

"I'm already training and touching the ball," he said. "I've been frustrated, a long time ago. Now I'm almost there, so I'm just thinking about getting back and training fully with the team and everything.

"You think bad but I've never had something like this in my career, so I always take it in a good way. It makes me more hungry to come back and do well and, yeah, it just shows me as well how much I love football."

The France international also revealed the extent to which his injuries have seen him unavailable since United's 4-1 victory against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, as per iSports football data API.

"So I had a foot injury, which came in the game against Southampton," he added. "It was early this season and so I carried this for a long time, training and trying to be playing with it. After I stopped, I found I had a fracture.

"I had a cast on it, a plaster-cast, so it went very well but too well. The bone got bigger and so, when I came back again, I played those two games against Watford and Newcastle, I could feel something again.

"So I had to have an operation and now here I am. I don't feel anything and, hopefully, I'll be back very soon."

Pogba has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford but United are optimistic he will remain at the club beyond the next transfer window.

Juventus and Real Madrid are interested in signing the midfielder but sources have said the La Liga side have put their transfer plans on hold due to the uncertainty over the financial impact of the coronavirus.

(Start free trail with you long-term sports data partner with reliable football live data provider, click iSports API)