MX23RW : Monday, December 11 16:47:40| >> :120:14988:14988:

Coronavirus latest: Jose Mourinho sees market change, tennis returns, no netball

The Portuguese expects fees to drop while the LTA has announced tour events.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho believes the coronavirus pandemic will hit transfer fees, while tennis has taken a step forward to restarting.

Former Manchester United chief Mourinho expects big fees to be a thing of the past as football adapts following the crisis.

Spurs bought Steven Bergwijn for £27million from PSV in January, while also breaking their club record to sign Tanguy Ndombele for a reported £55million last summer.

But Mourinho insisted things will change when football returns.

Jose Mourinho file photo
Mourinho has warned transfer fees will drop. (Steven Paston/PA)

"It is normal you are going to have a different market, I don't see the world – especially the football world – ready for some crazy numbers we used to have," he told Sky Sports.

"The first question after that is when will the transfer window be? I don't think it will be in July or August anymore, it has to go further than that.

"I would like my club to be what I know what we will be: sensible, balanced and not going to spend rivers of money. We are trying to respect the situation, not just the football but the situation in the world and society overall."

The Lawn Tennis Association has announced four three-day British Tour events will take place behind closed doors over consecutive weekends in July.

The National Tennis Centre in Roehampton will host between July 3-26 with each events open to the 32 highest-ranked players – 16 men and 16 women – in a bid to provide safe and competitive opportunities for Britain's best players returning to action.

LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said: "Since the coronavirus crisis, we have been working incredibly hard to support all our players, venues, coaches and officials through this very challenging time.

"The LTA is actively engaged in developing the necessary guidelines for behind closed doors events, which we hope will be determined by the Government in the coming weeks to ensure the safest environment for anyone involved in returning to competition and look forward to bringing tennis back into people's lives this summer."

There has been no professional tennis since the start of March, with the French Open postponed until late September and early October while Wimbledon has been cancelled this year for the first time since World War Two.

Meanwhile, the Vitality Netball Superleague 2020 season has been cancelled, England Netball has announced.

The season had started in February and was stopped on March 15, after just three full rounds and two additional matches were completed,

A statement added: "Concluding the season now is the most appropriate measure to guarantee the safety of the netball family, protect the long term future of all VNSL teams and ensure the VNSL can take necessary steps to come back in a strong position for a successful season in 2021."

ID:400550: cacheID:400550:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6852:
Latest coronavirus PSA
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nicola Sturgeon pictured in March 2020
Read Next:
Coronavirus latest: Timeline of sport's response on Thursday, May 21
>
rhs 2.0
MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16114136152137
2Arsenal16113233151836
3Aston Villa16112335201535
4Manchester CityMan City16103338182033
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1693433231030
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd169071821-327
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1682633211226
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton167543328526
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham167362630-424
10Fulham166372626021
11Brentford165472322119
12Chelsea165472626019
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves165472126-519
14Bournemouth165472130-919
15Crystal Palace164481523-816
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest163581728-1114
17Everton167272020013
18Luton TownLuton1623111732-159
19Burnley1622121634-188
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1622121241-298

MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
New Apple Music general promo - 300x250

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!