Bayern Munich and Thiago Alcântara closing in on contract extension

Ever since his move from Barcelona in 2013, Thiago Alcântara has been one of Bayern’s most consistent performers and ever-present faces in the starting XI.

Seven years later, the soon-to-be 29-year-old is set to be rewarded once again for his efforts.

According to Germain media, Bayern Munich and the Spaniard are close to agreeing on a contract extension that will keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.

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Thiago’s current deal is set to expire next summer, having last signed an extension in 2017, according to football live data provider iSports API. Though it’s not clear how long the extension will run for, it’s widely believed that Bayern could offer the midfielder the maximum extension that would see him stay until 2025.

Like many of the Bayern Munich veterans, Thiago boasts an incredible trophy haul, having won a total of 21 major titles with Bayern (13) and Barcelona (eight), as per iSports football data.

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Zanetti hopes Lautaro Martinez has long Inter career

Lautaro Martinez is an "asset" for Inter and is happy at the Serie A club despite transfer links, according to their vice-president Javier Zanetti.

Martinez, 22, is reportedly being targeted by the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid after impressing at Inter.

The Argentina international has scored 16 goals in 31 games in all competitions this season,according to iSports football live data API. Zanetti said Martinez was happy at San Siro, where he arrived from Racing Club for a reported €22.7million in 2018.

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"I'm happy to talk about [Lautaro] because when we signed him we had been following him for some time," he told Sky Sport on Thursday.

"He was one of the most promising players in Argentine football and [Diego] Milito thought he'd have a big future.

"Now he's an asset for us and he's grown a lot. I see him training every week. He's happy with us and I hope he stays for a long time."

Martinez had helped Inter sit 3rd, 9 points behind leaders Juventus, in Serie A when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, as per football data provider iSports API.

Zanetti hopes normal life can resume soon in Italy, which has been hit hard by coronavirus, with more than 13,900 deaths.

"Thinking about recovery is very difficult today. Until April 13 it is right to stay home to allow the epidemiological curve to go down, then we will return to normal life gradually," he said.

"We are in a dramatic situation all over the world. The coronavirus is affecting many populations and should not be underestimated."

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Callum Hudson-Odoi 'feeling perfect' after coronavirus scare

Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi admits he is “feeling perfect” after becoming the first Premier League player to test positive for COVID-19.

The coronavirus outbreak has swept through European football, with all five major leagues, the Champions League and Europa League all postponed until further notice, as per football data provider iSports API.

But after a period of self-isolation, Hudson-Odoi insists he is ‘back to normal’ and thanked those supporting him through difficult moments.

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“I am feeling perfect,” he told the club’s official website. “I had the virus which has cleared now. I feel good, feel fit, and back to my normal self.

“I had it [the illness] three weeks ago now, on a Monday when I felt a bit hot and I was thinking this is a bit unusual, ‘why do I feel this hot?’.

“I thought it was just a temperature thing, but obviously it wasn’t. I was lucky to have minor symptoms and support from those around me.”

The 19-year-old was also asked about Euro 2020, and how the postponement to next summer provides him with another opportunity to impress.

“For me it’s an opportunity to prove myself again, keep pushing and hopefully have an opportunity to go,” he added.

“I just want to make sure that I keep pushing myself every game, making sure that I keep trying to score goals and make assists.”

Hudson-Odoi made 25 appearances for the Blues this season, scoring three goals and assisting five，according to iSports livescore football API.

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Man United renew interest in Juventus defender De Ligt

Manchester United are prepared to make a renewed bid to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer if the Italian club are ready to listen to offers for the Netherlands international.

De Ligt rejected interest from United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain last summer before completing a €75 million move from Ajax to Juventus as per iSports API, after he captained the Dutch champions during their run to the Champions League semifinals last season.

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But, after signing a five-year deal at Juventus, the 20-year-old has been in and out of the team under coach Maurizio Sarri. According to football data provider iSports API, the defender has started 17 of the club's 26 games in Serie A prior to the shutdown due to the coronavirus crisis in Italy earlier this month.

It's said that United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to recruit a centre-back this summer, and the club have already drawn up a list of potential targets, including Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

De Ligt, who earns a £210,000-a-week at Juventus as per iSports football API, is regarded as having the perfect profile for Solskjkaer's United in terms of his age, versatility and character.

There is an acceptance, however, that Juventus are unlikely to sanction the sale of De Ligt after just one year in Turin unless the player seeks a move after a frustrating campaign at the club.

But, should the Italian outfit be prepared to sell the defender, United are ready to make a second attempt to sign the player.

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Manchester United's Rashford stepping up recovery from back injury

Marcus Rashford is stepping up his comeback from injury after being given the green light by Manchester United's medical team, as per iSports football API.

The England striker has undergone further scans on his back injury and after positive results has been allowed to increase his workload.

Rashford is training away from United's Carrington training base during the coronavirus crisis but is being monitored closely by the club's medical department.

The 22-year-old, who has scored 19 goals this season, according to football livescore data provider iSports API, has not featured since January after tests revealed a double stress fracture in his back but has responded well to his initial treatment.

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"I feel much better," Rashford told the journalist.

"Definitely, comparing it to two or three weeks ago, I feel 10 times better.

"For me now, it is just about getting ready to build it back up to training and playing the games with the team. I am in a much better place. I am much happier now than I was about a month ago, so things are looking positive."

Rashford has been using a stationary bike at his Bowden home to stay fit during the shutdown, as well as his personal gym.

"Everyone's just dealing with the circumstances as well as they can," he said.

"I have just been in my house, doing my recovery work, reading books, watching Netflix and just whatever you can do to make the time pass."

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Real Madrid and Ajax chase the "new Kaka"

Real Madrid and Ajax are locking horns in a battle for Sāo Paulo attacking midfielder Igor Gomes, according to AS.

Gomes, a Brazilian U23 international, has been likened to former Galactico Kaka.

The 21-year-old reportedly has a €50m release clause, according to football data provider iSports API, which has attracted the attention of a number of European clubs, with Real and Ajax believed to be leading the race currently.

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Gomes broke through the youth ranks at Sāo Paolo and has made 31 appearances for the club, scoring three goals and laying on two assists, as per iSports ffootball live data API.

There have been no official moves from any club at the moment but it will be interesting whether he decides to opt to follow the same route as Vinicius, Rodrygo and Reinier Jesus in moving to the Bernabéu.

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Flamengo is the most valuable team in South America

Brazilians and Argentines make up the entirety of the 25 most valuable clubs in South America, according to the football data provider iSports API website.

In the top-10, representing Brazil are: Flamengo, Palmeiras, Grêmio, São Paulo, Corinthians, and Internacional, while River Plate, Boca Juniors, Vélez Sarsfield and Racing Club make up the rest of the lot.

To almost nobody’s surprise, Flamengo top the list with their players being worth a combined €151.2m (R$820m), as per iSports football API.

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Rubro-Negro’s economic success comes partially from good financial management, which began in 2013 under the tutelage of former president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello.

Back in 2013, Bandeira de Mello employed a policy of financial austerity which has proven fruitful in the last year, with Flamengo reaching the Club World Cup final after winning the Carioca, Brasileirão, and Copa Libertadores titles.

Flamengo also heavily invested in their youth academy, which resulted in Lucas Paquetá, Vinícius Júnior, and Reinier being sold for a combined €113.4m (R$624.8m) in the last 18 months, accoriding to iSports API football live data.

2018 Copa Libertadores champions and 2019 runner-up River Plate is second on the list. Though the club is sponsored by Turkish Airlines, which gives them $5m (R$25m) annually over a three-year period, their financial statements showed they are not currently making a profit.

The first club that is not Brazilian or Argentine on the list is Junior Barranquilla (Colombia), who appears 26th.

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