Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Messi agrees to €700m Man City contract

Donny van de Beek has completed a medical at Manchester United, according to Sky Sports.

The 23-year-old is set to move to Old Trafford from Ajax, joining the Premier League club for a £40 million ($53) fee.

Van de Beek had his medical while with the Netherlands national team ahead of their Nations League games against Poland and Italy.

Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac is interested in a return to Schalke, according to Bild.

Kolasinac was a fan-favourite with the Royal Blues before joining the Gunners in 2017, and has recently told friends of his desire to return home.

A move could prove financially challenging for cash-strapped Schalke, with Kolasinac having a contract in north London through 2022.

 

Manchester United midfielder Fred is the subject of interest from Roma – according to Calcio Mercato.

The Giallorossi want to bring in the Brazilian on loan with the option to buy, as Paulo Fonseca looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

Fred still has three years left to run on his current contract with United, but the impending arrival of Donny van de Beek from Ajax could see him slip down the squad pecking order.

West Brom have reached an agreement to sign Grady Diangana from West Ham on a permanent deal – according to Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old spent the 2019-20 season on loan at the Hawthorns, scoring eight goals in 30 Championship appearances.

The Baggies are ready to fork out a club-record fee of £18 million ($24m) to bring Diangana onto their books ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Ivan Rakitic insists Barcelona remain “the best option for all players” but admits he does not know whether Lionel Messi will leave the club.

Rakitic this week agreed a return to Sevilla from Barca for an initial fee of just €1.5 million, signing a four-year deal with Julen Lopetegui’s side.

His departure has been overshadowed by the news that Messi also wants to leave Camp Nou, having told the club as much last week.

Read the full story on Goal.

Bayern star keen on joining Klopp’s side

Thiago Alcantara only wants to join Liverpool despite speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United, according to RMC Sport.

The Bayern midfielder has reportedly already discussed the switch with Jurgen Klopp and he has made preparations for his move to England.

There remains the issue over agreeing a deal with Bayern, however, with talks dragging on as Liverpool attempt to strike a deal with the Bavarians.

Gonzalo Higuain’s agent has revealed that he has received offers from England, Spain and MLS for the exit-bound Juventus striker.

“He has received offers from France, England, Spain, China and USA clubs, but not the ones that could make you go weak at the knees,” the forward’s brother and representative Nicolas Higuain told Tuttosport.

“We will make our evaluation carefully, but two things I can say for sure: Gonzalo will no longer play in Italy and most of all he will never play for Boca Juniors.

“He grew up at River Plate and he would never join their rivals. Retiring? This is nonsense. The time has not come yet, he wants to play. How long he will play, it’s up to him.

“But he wants to keep playing. Maybe he will return to Argentina in the future, but not now.”

Check out the full story on Goal!

 

Aston Villa are in pole position to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero – according to The Athletic.

Everton have also been linked with the Argentine, who is eager to secure a move away from Old Trafford after playing second fiddle to David de Gea for the past five years.

United currently value Romero at around £10 million ($13m), and may be open to including the 33-year-old as a makeweight in any possible deal for Villa talisman Jack Grealish

Jorge Messi says it’s now “difficult” to stay at Barca

Lionel Messi’s father and agent has opened the door to a move to Manchester City, admitting it will be “difficult” for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to remain at Barcelona.

“A future at Barcelona? It’s difficult. It would be difficult to stay,” Jorge Messi told El Chrininguito.

“I haven’t talked with Pep. There’s nothing yet with City.”

Check out the full story on Goal!

Germany striker Kevin Volland has completed a move to Monaco from Bayer Leverkusen.

The French outfit confirmed the 28-year-old’s arrival via their official website on Tuesday.

Volland, who scored 50 goals in 148 games for Leverkusen, has since a four-year contract at Stade Louis II.

Goal has learned that Barcelona have not been in contact with Liverpool over a potential deal for Georginio Wijnaldum.

Ronald Koeman has reportedly set his sights on the Netherlands international after inheriting the managerial reins at Camp Nou, with a €15 million (£13m/$18m) deal believed to be in the works.

However, Barca have yet to make a formal approach for Wijnaldum, who still has one year left to run on his current contract at Liverpool.

Liverpool need to make some signings with Chelsea “kicking at their heels” according to Emile Heskey, who has admitted to being a “little bit worried” about the lack of summer spending at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp guided Liverpool to their first league title in three decades last season, while also delivering the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

The Reds finished 18 points clear at the top of the league after being crowned champions with a record-breaking seven games left to spare, but their biggest test is yet to come.

Read the full story on Goal

Atletico Madrid are close to completing the signing of Getafe defender Mathias Olivera – according to Mundo Deportivo.

Los Rojiblancos want the 22-year-old to come in and provide competition for Renan Lodi at left-back next season.

Getafe are hopeful that Atletico will loan Victor Mollejo to Coliseum Alfonso Perez as part of the deal, which is likely to be finalised in the coming days.

 

Arsenal will not have the option to purchase Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid even if he moves on loan to Emirates Stadium for a second time, according to Diario Madridista.

Ceballos is set for a second spell with the Gunners in 2020-21 after impressing on loan for Mikel Arteta’s side last season. After initially struggling to find form, the 24-year-old was excellent when the Premier League restarted and was key in helping his team win the FA Cup.

Real are keen for Ceballos to continue gaining first team football at Arsenal, but feel he could eventually star at Santiago Bernabeu and are not willing to risk letting him go permanently.

Newly promoted Premier League side West Bromwich Albion want to boost their attacking options by signing Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea, according to Football Insider.

The 26-year-old Belgium international is on the fringes of the first team picture at Stamford Bridge, and has been bumped further down the pecking order by the arrival of Timo Werner this summer.

West Brom are reportedly keen to sign Batshuayi on a season-long loan, however Chelsea are said to want to sell permanently for around £25 million as the forward is in the final year of his contract.

The Reds are reportedly keen on a defender who stepped into the Dutchman’s place for the Scottish champions

Liverpool are keen on signing Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, according to the Daily Star.

Ajer, who moved into central back for the Scottish champions after Virgil van Dijk left to sign for Premier League side Southampton, could move to Anfield and link up with the Dutchman, who is now martialling the defence at Anfield.

He is reportedly one of two more signings Jurgen Klopp is targeting this summer, having sold central defender Dejan Lovren to Zenit.

Presidential candidate Victor Font fears it is too late to keep Lionel Messi at Barcelona and says it is vital the captain leaves on amicable terms in the hope he may return in some capacity.

Font last week stated that the only way the six-time Ballon d’Or winner might remain at Camp Nou is if president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the man he hopes to replace, resigns.

He now feels too much water has gone under the bridge to avoid losing Messi.

Asked if it is too late for Messi to change his mind, Font told Sky Sports: “That’s the way it seems. This is the best football club in the world and we will do everything to ensure that the association with Messi stays.”

Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz underwent a medical with Chelsea on Sunday, claims Bild.

The young German attacker has been a long-time target for the Blues with a deal now close to being finalised.

After being let go by Juventus, Gonzalo Higuain could be heading to MLS.

According to TyC Sports, the 32-year-old striker has reached a principle of agreement with Inter Miami.

Former Turin team-mate Blaise Matuidi also recently sealed his own move to Miami as the club owned by David Beckham looks to land another big name.

Fulham manager Scott Parker will sign a new three-year deal with the club after securing their return to the Premier League.

The Sun reports that after lengthy talks a fresh deal has been agreed with official confirmation expected before the new season kicks off.

Juventus have stepped up their chase for striker Luis Suarez, who appears increasingly likely to be leaving Barcelona.

Though Juve have focused on a number of forwards this summer, sources have told Goal that the Serie A champions now have the Uruguayan at the top of their wish list.

The 33-year-old is heading for the exit at Barcelona, as new head coach Ronald Koeman has informed him that he does not feature in his plans moving forward.

Read the full story here on Goal!

Jose Mourinho is eager for Tottenham to sell Tanguy Ndombele if a buyer can be found, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spurs manager is also willing to let defender Serge Aurier leave as he prioritises finding another striker as back-up for Harry Kane.

Benfica defender Cristian Lema is in talks to join New York City FC on loan, claims TyC Sports.

Despite interest from Newell’s Old Boys, who he played for on loan last season, the Argentine now looks bound for a season in MLS.

 

Arsenal remain keen to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey and are preparing to offload three players to ensure a deal can be done, reports the Mirror.

Matteo Guendouzi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Rob Holding are all up for grabs as the Gunners look to fund a move for Partey.

Atletico were previously offered Guendouzi plus £22 million (€24m/$29m) for Partey but refused the offer.

Frenkie de Jong has revealed that Lionel Messi remains in Barcelona players’ WhatsApp group chat despite recently asking to leave the club.

Messi recently revealed his intention to leave Barcelona, with the likes of Inter, Paris Saint-Germain and, most prominently, Manchester City linked to the Argentinian star.

In the week since Messi’s announcement shook the football landscape, he has done little to walk back that initial request as he reportedly continues to insist that his time at Barca is over.

Read the full story here on Goal!

The defender is in demand across Europe

Paris Saint-Germaim have offered Arsenal £25m (€28m/$33m) plus £5m in add-ons for right-back Hector Bellerin, according to The Guardian.

The Gunners need to sell someone this summer after the recent signing of Gabriel Magalhaes but are hesitant to let Bellerin leave.

The Spanish defender is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Juventus.

James Rodriguez is set to swap Real Madrid for Everton with the two clubs agreeing to a deal, reports the Telegraph.

The 29-year-old attacker will join the Toffees on a three-year contract after struggling to secure regular game time in Madrid.

James made just nine La Liga appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side last term.

The Barcelona star looks set for a big payday should he secure a move away

Lionel Messi has agreed to financial terms with Manchester City that if given the green light would be worth €700 million (£623m/$834m) over five years, claims the Daily Record.

The Argentine has also been offered an equity stake in City Football Group as part of the deal with Messi expected to spend three years in Manchester before moving to MLS side New York City FC.