Transfer centre today we take a look at the talks for world cup winner Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or winner Benzema, Chelsea’s Kante and Zaha links to Saudi Arabia.
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However, as the transfer window opens clubs look to bluster their squad to aid in next season’s campaign as Tottenham now have acquired the signature of the Celtic boss and Kane’s move to Real Madrid is all done and dusted.
Lionel Messi’s preferred move would be back to Barcelona, father and agent says
Lionel Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, says his son’s preferred move would be a return to Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
Astonishingly, Messi played his last match for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, ending a two-year stay in the French capital which had become tumultuous of late.
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The World Cup winner was booed on more than one occasion by PSG fans this season, including when he walked onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes stadium to celebrate the team’s Ligue 1 title on Sunday.
In addition, among the clubs vying for his contract is Al-Hilal, with Reuters reporting last month that Messi had received a formal offer to join the Saudi club.
However, when asked by journalists if returning to Barcelona, where Messi spent 17 trophy-laden years, would be his son’s preferred move, Jorge answered: “Yes.”
Jorge was then asked if the Messi family was confident of a return to the Catalan club, to which he responded: “I would love it.”
Messi left Barcelona in tears in 2021 after financial mismanagement at the club, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, meant it was unable to offer its talisman a new contract.
The Argentine won two Ligue 1 titles in his two seasons at PSG but was unable to help the club win the Champions League for the first time in its history.
Messi’s time at the club ended acrimoniously after PSG suspended him for taking an unauthorized trip abroad, with the Argentine later apologizing.
Now a move back to the club where Messi turned from schoolboy to sporting legend is on the cards.
At 17 years old, he made his first of 778 appearances for the Blaugrana, becoming the youngest player to represent the club in an official game at the time.
He went on to break the club’s goal-scoring record and won 35 trophies during his time at Camp Nou – including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
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Under new coach and club legend Xavi, Barcelona this year won its first La Liga title in four years.
“For me, there’s no doubt that if Messi comes back, he will help us on a football level,” Xavi told Barcelona-based newspaper SPORT in a recent interview.
“I let the president [Joan Laporta] know this. I have no doubts, no doubt at all that he will help because he is still a decisive footballer, because he still has hunger, because he’s a winner, because he’s a leader and because, also, he’s a different, different player,” added Xavi, who told SPORT that he still talks to Messi.
“We don’t have a Barça on a talent level like 2010, for example. And what would Messi bring? He’d bring talent. Final pass, set pieces, goals … in the final third, he’s a player on a different level.
“As such, and because of the way I want to play, the way the staff wants to play too, for me there’s no doubt that he would help us a lot, but it all depends on him. In the end, the one who calls the shots at this time is Leo. There’s no doubt.”
Karim Benzema agrees to join Saudi champions Al-Ittihad after Real Madrid exit
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has agreed terms on a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid.
Amazingly, the French striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies – including five Champions Leagues and four La Ligas – in 14 years with Madrid but they agreed to let him leave his contract a year early.
He scored 354 goals for Real, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo who hit 450 Real goals and plays for another Saudi club, Al-Nassr.
“It’s a good league and there are many good players,” said Benzema. “Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend which shows Saudi Arabia is starting to further progress its level. I am here to win like I did in Europe. “I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe. It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project.”
Al-Ittihad are managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Benzema played 648 times for Real after his 2009 move from Lyon and scored with his last touch for the club, netting a penalty in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao before being replaced.
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On Monday it was announced Al-Ittihad were one of four leading Saudi Arabian clubs to be taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle United.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are another, and so are Al-Hilal, who have been strongly linked to Paris St-Germain’s Lionel Messi this summer.
Kanté on the verge of leaving Chelsea for Al-Ittihad
As Romano reported on Tuesday, Saudi emissaries were in London today to discuss a move for France’s international Kanté.
It had been expected that the former Leicester City midfielder would extend his deal at Chelsea, and a deal was reportedly close.
The player’s entourage even told Le Parisien in April that they expected to extend at Chelsea, adding that “he wants to continue his career in London.”
However, Kanté now looks on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabia. As Romano reports he is set to join Al Ittihad on a free transfer, and will join former France international Karim Benzema (35) at the Saudi club.
The Olympique Lyonnais academy product joined Al Ittihad earlier today.
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Once the final details are discussed, Kanté will accept the proposal. Al Ittihad directors have now arrived in London to “link up” with the Saudi Private Investment Fund (PIF) delegation to prepare the documents. Kanté will earn €100m per year until 2025.
Alexis Mac Allister: Liverpool medical for the midfielder before moving from Brighton
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister is set to make a £55m move to Liverpool after the Seagulls gave permission for the midfielder to have a medical.
Astonishingly, the Argentina playmaker played a key role as Brighton finished sixth in the Premier League last season to qualify for Europe for the first time.
The 24-year-old also helped his country win the World Cup in December.
Liverpool needs to add to their midfield with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving this summer.
They were priced out of a move for Borussia Dortmund’s England teenager Jude Bellingham, who is a target for Real Madrid.
However, Mac Allister played a prominent part as the Seagulls secured European football for the first time in their 122-year history.
He made 40 appearances and scored 12 goals, mostly in a number 10 role but also at times in deeper midfield positions.
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi last month said Mac Allister was a “great player” who deserved to “play at a higher level”.
Mac Allister joined Brighton from Argentinos Juniors in January 2019 and immediately went back to the Buenos Aires club on loan.
He played his first match for the Seagulls in a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2020 and has since made 112 appearances for the club, scoring 20 goals.
Mac Allister has been capped 16 times by Argentina and played in six games of their 2022 World Cup-winning campaign in Qatar, scoring in a 2-0 win against Poland in the group stages.
Wilfried Zaha: Al Nassr offer three-year contract worth £45m amid Atletico Madrid interest
Wilfried Zaha has been offered a three-year deal by Al Nassr worth £45m (£15m per year); Zaha’s representatives have also been approached by Atletico Madrid and three other Champions League clubs; signing a new Crystal Palace deal also still possible.
Zaha’s representatives have also been approached by Atletico Madrid and three other Champions League clubs.
The Ivory Coast international has not made a decision on his future yet and wants to assess all his options.
Signing a new contract at Crystal Palace has not been ruled out, with his current deal set to expire at the end of June.
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Zaha has consistently been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in recent years but has spent the majority of his career at the London club.
He has made 458 appearances in all competitions, scoring 90 goals and registering 76 assists.
