Barcelona "can make moves" to sign Lionel Messi, but LaLiga will not alter its regulations to help, even if Javier Tebas is keen to see the superstar forward back in Spain.

Messi, widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, left Barca on a free transfer two years ago after financial restrictions prevented the club from giving him a new contract.

There has since been consistent talk of Messi returning from Paris Saint-Germain, with his initial contract in France up at the end of the season.

But Barca's financial situation still has not improved to the extent they could immediately bring their great number 10 back into the fold.

Indeed, LaLiga chief Tebas told the Blaugrana last month they would have to recoup a significant sum in transfer fees and wage cuts before making any signing.

That remains the case, with the league determined not to ease its rules, but Tebas sees a path to Barca signing Messi again.

"As of today, no [Barcelona cannot sign Messi], but there is a lot of time left," Tebas said on Wednesday. "We are waiting for their viability plan [for next season].

"I hope they can make the necessary moves to make space for Messi to come in, but of course we are not going to change any rules for Messi to sign.

"Barca can make moves; they sell players. That's what we hope happens because I am a fan of Messi and I would like Messi to play in our league.

"But we won't change any rules. It is complicated, but I think they have the capacity to do it."

Messi's PSG deal included an option for a further year, while he has also been heavily linked with a move to Inter Miami in MLS.

Pascal Gross has signed an extension to his deal at Brighton and Hove Albion, meaning Seagulls fans can expect their team to keep creating plenty of chances.

The 31-year-old has been at Brighton since arriving from Ingolstadt in 2017, contributing 23 goals and 33 assists in 184 Premier League games for the club.

Since Gross came to England's top-flight in Brighton's first season after promotion from the Championship, only Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne (535) has created more chances than his 388, ahead of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (381) and Mohamed Salah (361).

Brighton announced on Wednesday that the German midfielder has extended his stay at the Amex Stadium until 2025.

Real Betis legend and former Spain winger Joaquin will retire at the end of the season.

The 41-year-old announced on Wednesday he will call time on a career of incredible longevity when Betis' campaign comes to an end.

Captain Joaquin made his Betis debut 23 years ago and returned to the LaLiga club in 2015 following spells with Valencia, Malaga and Fiorentina.

Only the great Andoni Zubizarreta has made more LaLiga appearances than Joaquin's incredible 615, with the ex-Spain goalkeeper playing 622 times in the Spanish top flight.

Betis have nine games remaining this season, so Joaquin could take that record, although he has started only once this term.

He won the Copa del Rey for a second time with Betis last April and lifted the same trophy during his time with Valencia in 2008.

Joaquin won 51 caps for his country, playing in two World Cups and one European Championship.

He said in a video posted on social media by Betis: "Life is a constant evolution, the secret is to have the ability to adapt to changes, face each day as a challenge and always put a little bit of art into everything.

"The road is full of emotions, names and moments keep resonating in my head. Oh, that magical night at the end of April in which I was able to fulfil a dream!

"Time flies so fast. Nothing is forever they say, but they are wrong. Don't you know art? It is inspiration, emotion and transformation. For 23 years I have tried to make football an art and to be remembered from generation to generation.

"From the classic to the contemporary. Now all that remains is to hang up my boots, my art. A window into eternity."

Milan have renewed Olivier Giroud's contract, with the France international reportedly agreeing to stay at the club until the end of next season.

Giroud joined Milan from Chelsea in 2021, and has scored 27 goals across 76 appearances.

The 36-year-old has netted 13 times this season, having played as Milan's first-choice striker in the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has managed only four appearances this season following a long injury lay-off.

Giroud helped Milan progress to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2007 when he scored their opener in Tuesday's clash with Serie A leaders Napoli.

Victor Osimhen scored late on for Napoli, but Milan held firm to progress with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Milan, who are fourth in Serie A, will face either Benfica or city rivals Inter in the last four.

Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion have each been fined £100,000 for the touchline clash during their Premier League encounter earlier this month.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of Spurs' 2-1 win over the Seagulls, which saw both bosses – Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi – sent to the stands.

Tempers had become flared during a game in which Brighton saw two goals and a penalty claim denied after VAR checks, before going on to lose to their hosts.

When asked about the incident after the game on April 8, Spurs interim head coach Stellini told Sky Sports: "I don't like to be involved when there is a fight or something too aggressive. I'm quiet and focused on the game.

"I try to do my job. I want to speak only about my team and the game, not what happened between us and them on the bench."

Fellow Italian De Zerbi responded to BBC Sport: "I am used to always respecting everyone and I want the same towards me."

The FA charged both clubs for the "mass confrontation" and confirmed the fines on Wednesday, saying: "Both clubs admitted they failed to ensure that their benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and did not behave in a way which is improper during the 58th minute."

Toni Kroos is "on the right track" to sign a new deal with Real Madrid.

The former Germany midfielder is only under contract with Los Blancos until the end of the season and had stated that he could retire this year.

Kroos joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and has played a big part in their success during his long spell at the club.

The 33-year-old suggested he is set to extend his stay in the Spanish capital.

He told reporters: "Everything is on the right track, but I also respect what the club wants: how and when it communicates. 

"There is a good relationship that I have with the club over the years and this issue has already been discussed for a while."

Kroos added: "There is absolute trust on both sides. The club knew from the beginning that I was not going to do anything stupid. 

"Theoretically, I could have signed for another team from January 1, but we didn't even start with this nonsense. There is a lot of trust there. I will most likely stay that way for a while."

Kroos produced a typically influential display in a 2-0 win in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Chelsea on Wednesday, with the holders securing a 4-0 aggregate victory.

On Wednesday, Spanish publication AS reported that Kroos' team-mate Karim Benzema had agreed an extension to his contract at Madrid.

Manchester United have welcomed Marcus Rashford back into the fold for their trip to Sevilla in the Europa League.

Rashford, who has scored 28 goals this season, suffered a groin issue in United's 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on April 8.

The England international subsequently missed last week's 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie, as well as United's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

However, Rashford has travelled to Spain for Thursday's second leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Luke Shaw also returning from injury after not featuring since April 2.

Bruno Fernandes is not available to Erik ten Hag due to suspension, though.

Scott McTominay is also out.

Thiago Silva has warned things could get worse before they get better for Chelsea unless the club "stop and put a strategy in place".

Chelsea lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to exit the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.

The Blues also fell short in both domestic cup competitions and are 11th in the Premier League, despite spending more than £600million on new players over the past year.

That has coincided with the Todd Boehly-led consortium taking over from Roman Abramovich, with the new backers having nothing to show for their investment so far.

The owners have already sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, with Frank Lampard brought back as caretaker manager, but Silva hopes lessons will be learned.

"I think the first step has been made, an incorrect step, but it has been made," he told TNT Sports following Chelsea's European exit. 

"We can't be blaming the managers if we don't take responsibility. It's a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.

"Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn't fit the size of the squad.

"A positive point is that there are amazing players in the squad, but on the other hand, there are always players that are going to be unhappy."

Chelsea have made 17 signings over the past two transfer windows – both loan and permanent arrivals – leaving a number of players struggling for any meaningful action.

"There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play," Silva said. "The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that's tough.

"Some can't make the squad. We signed eight in January, so we need to stop and put a strategy in place, otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes."

Chelsea are winless in seven matches, losing five of those, including all four since Lampard was brought in as Potter's temporary successor.

Veteran centre-back Silva, who is nearing the end of his third season with Chelsea, accepts it is down to him and his team-mates to step up.

"Everybody talks too much about replacing managers. I think we, as players, must also take responsibility," he said.

"We have had three managers this season, plus a fourth with Bruno [Saltor] where we failed to win. We have lost today, and with Lampard, we have failed to win. 

"Everybody is talking about the manager, but we must look at what has been done wrong and try to change."

Chelsea have seven Premier League games remaining, starting with the visit of London rivals Brentford next Wednesday.

Reported Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong is similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold in the way he "bravely" attacks but "forgets that he needs to defend".

That is according to Dimitar Berbatov, who played for both United and Frimpong's current club Bayer Leverkusen.

Reports this week have suggested United manager Erik ten Hag is particularly keen on the right-back, having this season rotated between using Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in that role.

Frimpong has scored eight goals in the Bundesliga this season, the most of any defender across Europe's top five leagues, while only Raphael Guerreiro can match his 14 goal involvements.

Dalot has a goal and two assists in the Premier League, while Wan-Bissaka has not contributed to a single goal.

Frimpong also ranks first among defenders for touches in the opposition box (118) and second for chances created from open play (41).

In the latter category, he is joined in the top 10 by Liverpool's Alexander Arnold (35), and Berbatov sees similarities between the two – at both ends of the pitch.

"He is someone who reminds me of Trent Alexander Arnold, because he is primarily an attacking full-back and sometimes he forgets that he needs to defend as well," Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, told Stats Perform.

"But the way he's playing, bravely going up the pitch, attacking, running, assisting and scoring goals, it's a joy for me to watch, to be honest.

"Yes, I say it in the form of a joke, but he needs to work a bit more on his defensive part of the game.

"But he's very young, he has a bright future in my mind, and I think some of the big clubs will come up to him, for sure."

Alexander-Arnold has been widely criticised for his defensive work, with that scrutiny increasing in a difficult season for Liverpool.

However, he played a hybrid midfield role on Monday against Leeds United and provided two assists in a 6-1 win.

Meanwhile, Frimpong has played every game for a Leverkusen side who have conceded 41 goals in the Bundesliga, the joint-most in the top half of the table.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass’. You can view episode one in full https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

Marcus Rashford and three other Manchester United first-team players returned to training on Wednesday in a major boost for their Europa League quarter-final second-leg trip to Sevilla.

Rashford suffered a groin injury in United's 2-0 win over Everton on April 8 and was subsequently ruled out for "a few games".

Although not deemed a serious injury, Rashford's form this season has seen his importance to United increase exponentially, with his 28 goals across all competitions already comfortably his best season.

Therefore his absence was a frustrating blow to United and manager Erik ten Hag, but there appears to be a chance he could feature at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday.

In the first of two games Rashford missed, United remarkably surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Sevilla, with a couple of freak own goals late on allowing Jose Luis Mendilibar's side to rescue a 2-2 draw that never looked plausible such was the hosts' dominance.

Luke Shaw, Marcel Sabitzer and Tyrell Malacia – the scorer of one of those own goals against Sevilla – were also back on the training pitch on Wednesday.

Shaw has not played since sustaining an unspecified injury during the 1-0 win over Brentford on April 5.

His return would be particularly welcome following the news of Lisandro Martinez being ruled out for the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury, as Shaw has regularly filled in at centre-back this season.

Sabitzer's issue was also not made known to the media after his late withdrawal from the starting XI to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Austrian scored both of United's goals in the first leg against Sevilla, though he may find it difficult to get back into the side on Thursday given the high standard exhibited by his replacement Christian Eriksen in the 2-0 victory at the City Ground.

Manchester United need to win the Europa League for this season to be considered a real success, former striker Dimitar Berbatov has told Stats Perform.

Erik ten Hag's side are locked at 2-2 in their quarter-final with Sevilla heading into Thursday's second leg in Spain after throwing away a two-goal lead last week.

United ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February and also have an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.

With a top-four finish in the Premier League now looking a formality, Berbatov is eager to see United go all the way on the continent to make this a truly memorable season.

"Winning the trophy is always a good thing," said Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. 

"But to be successful, in my opinion, really, really successful, I think they should qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League. That'll be an amazing season.

"If they qualify for the Champions League and don't win Europa League, then in my mind will be an okay season because of [the EFL Cup] they won. 

"But I think with Ten Hag now in charge, seeing the team can perform really well, everybody knows what they need to do on the pitch, the appetite for big things should grow.

"I always connect United with [being] the top one. But this is something that is left in my mind from my time there. Obviously, my time is different to now. 

"Man City are top in the Premier League, and everybody's challenging for their spot. United know they have a way to go to catch them. But they're on the right track."

United led Sevilla 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg thanks to Marcel Sabitzer's first-half double, only for late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire to level up the tie.

It marked the first time United had failed to win a European match in which they led by two goals since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.

The Red Devils now have their work cut out, as Sevilla have won 23 of their past 26 home matches in the Europa League, a competition they have won four times in nine years.

Berbatov, who twice finished a Champions League runner-up with United, urged his former side to learn from last week and stay focused right until the final whistle.

"I think now it's 50-50. If you are two goals up going into the second leg, then it's a different game," he said. 

"Now it's 2-2, purely because of the lack of concentration in the first game and two own goals. Now they have made their life difficult and they know that.

"That's why I say it's 50-50 – Sevilla are a dangerous team. They have a lot of history in the competition and they know how to get out of difficult situations.

"Again, the only thing I can say is United need to be fully concentrated for 90, 95 minutes, 100 minutes, it doesn't matter. Stay concentrated until the end. They have the quality. 

"They've been struck with some injuries, but Ten Hag knows how to manage and get the best out of players. The only thing I want to see is concentration for the whole game."

United have faced Sevilla four times without winning in European competition – their joint-most against a side without winning in Europe, alongside Atletico Madrid.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass. You can view episode one in full at: https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

A goal in each half from Natoya Atkinson Tuesday night led Jamaica’s U20 Women to a 2-0 victory over Honduras and a spot in the final round of the Concacaf U20 Championship qualifying competition.

In the keenly contested Group E top-of-the-table clash at the National Football Stadium in Nicaragua, Atkinson opened the scoring in the second-minute of play, bursting through two defenders to score.

Jamaica took the 1-0 lead into the second half aware that only a victory would see them through as Honduras entered the match with a better goal difference after both teams won their first two matches in the group.

However, the second goal would come in stoppage time when Atkinson forced her way past one Honduran defender and eluded another to score the match winner and give Jamaica three wins from three starts in the competition.

Jamaica topped Group E with the maximum nine points while Honduras remained in six following the loss.

Meanwhile, Bermuda picked up their first points of the group stage when they beat Anguilla 3-1.

Panama is also through to the final round after they demolished St Maarten 11-0 to top Group B with the maximum nine points.

Curacao, meanwhile, blanked The Bahamas 7-0 to take second place in the group.

El Salvador moved to the top of Group A after beating St Vincent and the Grenadines 10-0 while Cuba notched their first win of the competition with a 2-0 victory over Martinique.

Canada that has won their first two matches can win Group A if they beat El Salvador on Saturday.

The Canadians at + 27 have a superior goal difference to the Salvadorians, who have a goal difference of +15.

Didier Drogba can "no longer recognise" Chelsea as the former striker took aim at co-owner Todd Boehly for his handling of the club since taking over from Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to exit the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.

The Blues are now winless in seven games in all competitions, losing five of those, and are down in 11th in the Premier League.

As a trophyless campaign peters to its end, Drogba – who won 12 major honours across nine seasons with Chelsea – criticised the club's current regime.

"I knew this club with a certain class during the Abramovich era, but today I find it lacking. It's very hard for me to see how they got rid of certain people," he told Canal+.

"They should go back to the principles and values they had. I no longer recognise my club."

Chelsea have spent more than £600million on new players since the new owners came on board last May and have already parted company with two head coaches.

The vast majority of those new recruits have yet to find their feet, with the Blues starting their second-leg tie against Madrid without a recognised striker.

"Bringing in players like Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko, Herman Crespo, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, I go on – it was done to win titles," Drogba added.

"They are players with a certain experience. The strategy is now different; we bet on young players. But a dressing room of over 30 players is difficult [to manage] for a manager."

Chelsea, under the caretaker management of Drogba's former team-mate Frank Lampard, have seven league games remaining in what has been a dismal campaign.

Lampard is expected to make way for a new permanent head coach at the end of the season, but he is more positive in his assessment of the future than Drogba.

"People will make a lot about this season for Chelsea because we've had so much success. The reality is this club's going to be back," Lampard said.

"We have to pick ourselves up. We have been fortunate to have success for 20 years. Many clubs in the Premier League would dream of our success.

"So this is a year where we are not quite where we want to be and there are reasons for the transition.

"A few years ago we didn’t make the Champions League one season and won the Premier League the next. We can't be too short term with it."

Chelsea return to league action next Wednesday with a London derby against Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

Harry Kane's future at Tottenham is uncertain, with his contract due to expire in 2024.

As a result, speculation is developing about a move for the England international striker during the next transfer window.

Manchester United are known to be interested in the 29-year-old, while Bayern Munich were previously linked too.

TOP STORY – PSG TO CONTEND WITH UTD FOR KANE SIGNATURE

Paris Saint-Germain will battle it out with Manchester United to land Tottenham forward Harry Kane, reports Le Parisien.

PSG sporting director Luis Campos wants to bolster the side's attack and has identified Kane as their top target.

The French champions' president Nasser Al Khelaifi has a good relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, which may help negotiations.

ROUND-UP

- Lionel Messi has decided to remain in Europe for another two seasons, amid speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia or MLS, namely Inter Miami, claims SPORT. Messi has been linked with former club Barcelona, having yet to re-sign with Paris Saint-Germain.

- Fichajes reports Barcelona are circling to make a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in the upcoming transfer window. Barca are hoping to sign him on a reduced fee, with the Reds to miss out on Champions League football next term.

- Liverpool will commence talks with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's camp soon, according to Fabrizio Romano, who said an off-season exit is a certainty.

- Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham are all circling for James Ward-Prowse who has been told he can leave Southampton if they get relegated, claims Daily Mail.

- Inter have turned their attention to signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram or Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, rather than making Romelu Lukaku's loan spell from Chelsea permanent, claims Gazzetta dello Sport.

- Fabrizio Romano reports Borussia Dortmund have agreed personal terms with Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini to join as a free agent in the off-season.

Is there any stopping Erling Haaland?

The Norwegian has hit 47 goals already for Manchester City this season, including one against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first leg last week.

City ran out 3-0 winners to take a healthy lead to the Allianz Arena, where Bayern must show the right kind of fight this time as they look to claw that deficit back, while also somehow halting Haaland.

Inter's domestic form has dropped off a cliff, having not won in five and lost four of those, including a shock 1-0 home defeat to Monza on Saturday.

However, they hold a 2-0 advantage over Benfica, who also travel to San Siro with perhaps more hope than belief they can turn it around and reach the semi-finals.

With the assistance of Opta numbers, Stats Perform takes a look at Wednesday's two Champions League contests.

Bayern Munich v Manchester City: Can Bayern pack the punch to come back against City?

The Bavarians came to blows over their loss at the Etihad Stadium last week, but will be hoping to use that fire more positively in the second leg on home soil.

Bayern have lost their last two meetings with City in the Champions League – the first time they have lost consecutive games against them, and as many defeats as they had suffered in their first five clashes in the competition (W3 L2).

Thomas Tuchel's men are also looking to become just the fifth team to progress from a two-legged Champions League knockout tie after losing by three or more goals in the first leg, after Deportivo de La Coruna in 2003-04 (5-4 v Milan), Barcelona in 2016-17 (6-5 v PSG), Roma in 2017-18 (4-4 v Barcelona, won on away goals) and Liverpool in 2018-19 (4-3 v Barcelona).

Since losing three consecutive games against Tuchel's Chelsea in 2020-21 – the last of which being the 2021 Champions League final – City boss Pep Guardiola has won each of his last three games against the German, without seeing his side concede a single goal. 

Guardiola is just one win away from 100 Champions League match victories, which will make him the third manager/head coach to reach a century of wins in the competition, along with Carlo Ancelotti and Alex Ferguson. He would also be the quickest to reach that figure, with it being his 158th game, with Ancelotti taking 180 games and Ferguson 184.

Haaland has scored 11 Champions League goals for City this season, his best return in a single campaign, and just one behind the season record for a Premier League player in the competition (Ruud van Nistelrooy, 12 in 2002-03 for Manchester United).

He may have ended the first leg with a cut lip for his troubles, but since the start of last season, former City man Leroy Sane has more combined goals (10) and assists (7) in the Champions League goals than any other Bayern player (17). Despite his side failing to score at the Etihad Stadium, Sane was directly involved in eight of Bayern's 12 shots in the first leg (five shots and three chances created).

Inter v Benfica: Eagles must make history to get past Nerazzurri

Inter cannot buy a win in Serie A, and may even have to win the competition to qualify for it next season, but their performance in the first leg showed they can still perform. 

The Nerazzurri remain unbeaten in all four of their previous meetings with Benfica (W3 D1), keeping a clean sheet in three of those matches, though the Lisbon side have already won away to Italian opposition in the Champions League this season, beating Juventus 2-1 in the group stage.

Benfica lost the first leg of a two-legged European Cup/Champions League tie by two or more goals for the ninth time, and only once previously have they progressed from such a position, and not since 1961-62 when they beat Nurnberg, losing the first leg 3-1 before winning the second 6-0.

In addition to that, it was also the ninth time Inter have won the first leg of a two-legged European Cup/Champions League tie by two or more goals, and they have never been eliminated from such a position.

Roger Schmidt's side are unbeaten in seven away matches in the Champions League (W4 D3), their longest ever unbeaten run away from home in the competition. They have won their last two away matches, and could win three in a row for the first time since March 1990.

Striker Goncalo Ramos will need to have a big game, having been directly involved in four goals in his last four Champions League appearances for Benfica (three goals, one assist). On top of his attacking contribution, the Portugal international is also important for his team's pressing out of possession, having applied more pressures (674) and pressures in the final third (299) than any other striker in the competition this season.

Romelu Lukaku has scored nine goals in 14 appearances for Inter in the Champions League, with only four players now scoring more goals for the club in the competition – Adriano (14), Julio Cruz (13), Hernan Crespo (11) and Samuel Eto'o (10).