I am sure he is not happy - Deschamps will talk to struggling Barca forward Griezmann

 I am sure he is not happy - Deschamps will talk to struggling Barca forward Griezmann

Didier Deschamps can understand why an out-of-sorts Antoine Griezmann would not be happy as he continues to be played out of position at Barcelona.

Griezmann endured a poor first season at Barca following his big-money move from LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid.

The France forward has also struggled early in Ronald Koeman's reign at Camp Nou, with the former Netherlands boss selecting him on the right rather than down the middle.

Les Bleus boss Deschamps on Monday stated he will talk to Griezmann after he reported for international duty.

"I do not interfere with the use of my players in other clubs, be it Barca or another," said Deschamps.

"Antoine is playing on the right there at the moment. What I can say and it does not go against Ronald Koeman because Antoine told him that he did not understand why he did not play in a central position.

"For me, he is still more effective when he is in the heart of the game, so he touches the balls. He has the possibility to come and help in the midfield too.

"He doesn't have the ability to take the ball and provoke on the wing like others. He especially needs to touch the ball a lot, he is smart in his movements.

"I'm talking to him, I'll see him later. I am sure he is not happy with this situation. We must do the best, taking into account the different situations at Barca, the system and the players.

"Antoine never complains, but to give his full potential it's always better when a player is in his best position."

Douglas Costa joins Bayern on loan from Juventus

Bayern Munich have signed Douglas Costa on a season-long loan deal from Serie A champions Juventus.

The Brazil international played for Bayern between 2015 and 2017 prior to moving to Juve, initially on loan before joining them on a permanent basis.

Costa, 30, made 103 appearances for the Bianconeri across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and winning the Serie A title three times, as well as the Coppa Italia in 2018.

"I am very happy to play for Bayern again," he told the club's official website. "I had a wonderful time in Munich with many successes and I am sure that we will win titles again now."

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: "Douglas will strengthen us on the outer flanks that are important for our game. We are now very well staffed with Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala and Douglas.

"Douglas knows Bayern and will find his way around very quickly."

During his first stint at Bayern, Costa won two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL Supercup, scoring 14 goals in 77 appearances.

He becomes Bayern's third signing in two days following the captures of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer and Marc Roca from Espanyol for a reported €15million.

As for Juve, they are expected to bolster to their attacking options with the signing of Federico Chiesa from Fiorentina before the deadline.

Football Association investigates party involving Abraham, Chilwell and Sancho

Jadon Sancho, Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham are being investigated by the Football Association for allegedly breaking coronavirus protocols by attending a party, while Raheem Sterling has been ruled out of England's upcoming matches due to injury.

Borussia Dortmund star Sancho and the two Chelsea team-mates are understood to have attended a surprise birthday party thrown for Abraham at the striker's London flat on Saturday.

Coronavirus regulations in the United Kingdom currently prohibit meetings of more than six people in social situations, but British tabloid The Sun claims approximately 20 people were at the party.

As a precaution, England confirmed the three players have been instructed to delay arriving for international duty while the FA investigates.

Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden were both dropped from the squad in the previous international period due to flouting coronavirus preventions measures in Iceland, when they were caught socialising with two Icelandic girls.

They were subsequently left out of the selection this time around as a consequence of their actions, suggesting similar measures could be taken if Chilwell, Sancho and Abraham are found to be in breach of regulations.

An apologetic Abraham is quoted by The Sun as saying: "I arrived home to find a small surprise gathering.

"Though I was totally unaware this was planned, I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for the naivety shown for the organisation and attending of this gathering.

"All I can do now is learn from it, apologise to everyone and ensure it never happens again."

Adding to England's woes, Manchester City star Sterling has withdrawn from the upcoming triple-header that sees the Three Lions face Wales in a Friendly on Thursday, before Nations League clashes with Belgium and Denmark on October 11 and 14.

England have not specified the injury Sterling has sustained, but reports suggest it is a minor hamstring issue.

His place in the squad has been taken by versatile Chelsea defender Reece James, who is called up for the first time.

Bayern Munich sign Choupo-Moting on free transfer

Bayern Munich have increased their options in attack after bringing in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer.

Choupo-Moting spent the last two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain and came off the bench in the Ligue 1 side's Champions League final defeat to Bayern in August.

The 31-year-old made 51 appearances across all competitions for PSG following his surprise move from Stoke City, scoring nine goals.

Choupo-Moting, who has previously played in the Bundesliga for Hamburg, Nurnberg, Mainz and Schalke, has signed a one-year deal with Hansi Flick's side.

"It's a great feeling to come back to the Bundesliga and then to the biggest club in Germany," he told the club's official website.

"Who wouldn't want to play for Bayern? It's an honour to play for this club. At Bayern, the aim is always to win everything and I am highly motivated to achieve these goals."

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: "I am happy that we were able to sign Eric. He gives our squad a depth on the offensive, especially in the centre, which we will need.

"Eric gained international experience at Paris Saint-Germain, he knows the Bundesliga, and he is coming on a free transfer. It all fits together very well."

Choupo-Moting arrives at the Allianz Arena a day after Marc Roca joined the club from Espanyol for a reported €15million

Barcelona announce €97m in losses, blame COVID-19 for €203m decrease in revenue

Barcelona have announced losses of €97million for the 2019-20 economic year and blamed the coronavirus pandemic for a €203m decrease in revenue.

The Catalan club finished the year with revenue of €855m, which they said could have been a record-breaking €1.059billion were it not for the COVID-19 outbreak.

Barca decreased their expenses by €74m but still suffered significant losses, though the extension of the season beyond June 30 meant profit and loss items from the end of the season were transferred to the 2020-21 financial year.

There would have been a profit of €2m rather than a loss of €97m had it not been for the pandemic, according to Barca.

A club statement read: "FC Barcelona has not been immune to the outbreak of COVID-19, but its consequences have had a massive effect on the entire sports industry, with widespread losses of revenue among all clubs in all the major leagues due to the restrictions that had to be applied to curb the spread of the disease, including competitions first being suspended and then resuming but with matches being played behind closed doors.

"ECA [the European Club Association] has estimated the overall loss at around four billion euros and Barca, as one of the largest clubs in Europe and with such extensive diversification of its income, is one of the most affected.

"The club suffered financially from the consequences of games being played behind closed doors, as well as the total cancellation of the basketball Euroleague, and hence there was a considerable loss of income.

"The lack of tourists and visitors to the city of Barcelona due to the reductions and limitations applied to international tourism also meant far fewer visitors to Barca's premises, meaning major losses in terms of such areas as visitors to the Camp Nou Experience and the sale of products in official stores."

Barca are provisionally estimating €791m in revenue for the 2020-21 financial year.