There is a flurry of activity as European football clubs rush to make last-minute deals in the summer transfer window ahead of the start of the forthcoming seasons.
Among the more mentionable latest football transfers is Lionel Messi, whose Former club Barcelona, hinted at the possibility of a reunion.
Lionel Messi’s “chapter” at Barcelona is “not done,” according to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, 11 months after the 35-year-old Argentina star left the club for Paris St-Germain.
Barcelona has not accepted any bids for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been extensively linked with a move to Manchester United.
“Messi was everything,” Laporta said exclusively to ESPN.
“To Barca, he’s been possibly its greatest player, the most efficient. To me, he’s only comparable to Johan Cruyff. But it had to happen one day.”
”We had to decide as a consequence of what we inherited. The institution is in charge of players, and coaches.”
Laporta has previously spoken of his desire to return Messi to Barca, where he won the Ballon d’Or on six occasions, as well as holding the club’s records for goals (672) and appearances (778.)
Argentina forward has a year remaining on his contract at PSG, with the option of a further year.
However, United is contemplating signing Lazio and Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 27, as a replacement for de Jong.
Manchester United have been insistent that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale – but they may potentially make an exception to guarantee he can participate in the Champions League before returning to the club next summer.
Manchester United is willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo depart on loan this summer.
In exchange, they want the 37-year-old great to exercise a one-year option to extend his contract, allowing him to return to Old Trafford for a final hurrah, ideally in the Champions League, next summer.
Ronaldo requested to leave this summer to play Champions League football next season, and he has yet to return to training after being allowed time off for personal and family reasons.
Liverpool is debating whether to accept Juventus’ offer of 23 million euros (£19.5 million) for Brazil striker Roberto Firmino, 30.
Juventus is also interested in France forward Anthony Martial, 26, but Manchester United has no plans to transfer him.
Martial has also enjoyed a positive summer after being given a clean slate by new United boss Erik ten Hag. Before the Dutchman’s arrival, Martial’s time at Old Trafford looked destined to come to an end, having slid down the pecking order in recent seasons.
Arsenal has acknowledged their interest in Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 24, but has yet to make an offer.
The Gunners have rejected a £7 million approach from Fulham, with a further £3 million in add-ons, for German goalkeeper Bernd Leno, 30, who has already accepted personal terms with the newly promoted club.
Newcastle United and Everton are boosting up their chase of Chelsea and Albania striker Armando Broja, who was dropped by West Ham.
Newcastle’s interest in Broja is ongoing and a loan offer may yet appeal to Chelsea, who don’t want to give up on the Albania striker but are struggling to find a role for him in their forward line.
For his part, Broja is understood to want regular football and is fully aware that there is interest in him beyond the West Ham offer – which remained on the table until the club agreed a £30.5m deal with Sassuolo for towering Italy forward Gianluca Scamacca last week.
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Everton, too, is ready to progress discussion with Chelsea on Broja as they look to unlock their frustration in the summer transfer window. Frank Lampard wants three more players after signing James Tarkowski and they also have an interest in Billy Gilmour, the Scotland and Chelsea midfielder.
Newcastle will make a move for Burnley’s English winger Dwight McNeil, 22, if Leeds United refuses to decrease their £35 million asking price for their English attacker Jack Harrison, 25.
