Lionel Messi agrees personal terms with new club


 
on
 August 28, 2020



Argentine journalist, Veronica Brunati, has claimed that Manchester City have already agreed on personal terms with Lionel Messi.

Manchester United contact Messi’s father over transfer, Maguire reacts


 
on
 August 28, 2020



Manchester United have contacted Jorge, the father of Lionel Messi, over his son’s possible transfer to Old Trafford.

Chelsea confirm the signing of veteran defender Thiago Silva on a one-year deal 









Chelsea have completed the signing of veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva on a free transfer.

 

The 35-year-old joins Frank Lampard's side on a one-year contract after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following their Champions League final heartbreak by Bayern Munich. 

 

Following his arrival, Silva told the club's official website: 'I am so happy to be joining Chelsea. 

 

'I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard's exciting squad for next season and I'm here to challenge for honours. See you soon Chelsea fans, I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon.' 

 



 

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia then hailed: 'We are delighted to be able to add a player of Thiago Silva's proven world-class credentials to our squad.

 

'Having performed at the highest level for many years, we have no doubt his experience and quality will complement the many exciting talents we already have here.

 

'Thiago will be an excellent fit and we hope he can add some new trophies to his impressive list of honours.'

 

 Thiago Silva becomes Chelsea's fifth arrival of the summer after the signing of Hakim Ziyech (£38m), Timo Werner (£53m), Ben Chilwell (£50m) and Malang Sarr (free).

Quote:
[b]PSG Set To Beat City To Messi After Neymar Asked To Bring Former Teammate


PSG look to beat Manchester City to Lionel Messi as they 'make contact with his representatives' after Neymar asked club chiefs to bring his former Barcelona team-mate to Paris[/b]

- Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona in news that has shocked world football
- A number of top European clubs have been linked with a move for Messi
- Yet Neymar has reportedly asked PSG about trying to sign the Argentine
- In addition, the former team-mates have spoken on the phone about a move
- PSG sporting director Leonardo has made contact with Messi's representatives


Neymar has reportedly asked his current club PSG if they can sign Barcelona's Lionel Messi

Neymar has reportedly asked his club Paris Saint-Germain to sign Lionel Messi, with sporting director Leonardo making contact with the Argentine's representatives.

Messi and Neymar, who played together at the Camp Nou from 2013-2017, have also reportedly spoken earlier this week, as the Brazilian looks to persuade his club to sign Messi, with Manchester City also keen on the 33-year-old.

However, according to Sky Sports, the Ligue 1 champions - who lost in the Champions League final to Bayern Munich on Sunday - are yet to make a formal offer for Messi, despite Leonardo calling the player's representatives to ask about the specifics of Messi's contractual situation at Barcelona, details a separate report in Spain.

The report in Spanish outlet AS says that Leonardo wanted to discover what the clause is that binds Messi to Barcelona still - amid uncertainty surrounding his current deal - and also what salary and length of contract Messi is looking for.

In addition, Leonardo reportedly called again to inform Messi's representatives that there are a number of elements PSG must consider before submitting an offer, particularly with regards to conforming with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Abiding by FFP rules will also be a concern for City, with both clubs having trouble with the UEFA regulations in the past.

Messi is currently on wages of £95m-a-year, with his fixed salary totalling £64m (€71m) but bonuses for signing, staying, and for winning trophies taking this figure well above that.


PSG sporting director Leonardo has made contact with Messi's representatives about a move

Just by playing 60 per cent of games until the 2021 date when his contract ends sees Messi earn on average £95m (€106m) a season. But the potential – if he were to win the treble and win FIFA's player of the year award – exists to push the final figure over the £110m (€122m) mark.

Barcelona captain Messi shocked the world of football on Tuesday when he effectively handed in a transfer request.

Messi, 33, has not played for any other team and his sudden keenness for pastures new has alerted a number of top clubs, including Man City, Manchester United and Inter Milan.

However, United are not expected to bid for the Argentine this summer, whilst City are contemplating a move which would reunite Messi with his former coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.


Messi and Neymar played together at the Camp Nou from 2013-2017 and have remained close

But Neymar, who has in the past year constantly been linked with a reunion with Messi at Barcelona, now wants his former team-mate to move to Paris, as the Qatari-owned club look to go a step further in Europe next season.

Neymar and Messi played together at Barcelona for four years and won a famous treble in 2015, forming a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez under manager Luis Enrique.

Yet the Brazilian, 28, moved to PSG three years ago in a world record £200m move, and has won three Ligue 1 crowns since moving to Paris.

But Europe's greatest prize - at PSG - still alludes him and the prospect of forming a partnership alongside Messi and Kylian Mbappe has persuaded Neymar to ask his club to plunge for the Argentine forward.


Neymar was devastated after PSG lost the Champions League final on Sunday to Bayern

Speaking after the final defeat to Bayern, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel said: 'What coach says no to Messi?'

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu would step aside if Lionel Messi agreed to commit his future to the club, according to reports in Spain.

However, a separate report has revealed that the under-fire 57-year-old has tried to call Messi to bring about peace talks - but was ignored by the Argentine star.

LaLiga: How Real Madrid players reacted to Messi’s request to terminate his Barcelona deal


 
on
 August 28, 2020



Real Madrid players were left “stunned” by Lionel Messi’s request to leave rivals Barcelona, ESPN reports.

Quote:Jürgen Klopp: No Chance Of Liverpool Signing Lionel Messi 

Jürgen Klopp has laughed off suggestions that Liverpool could sign Lionel Messi but would like to see him in the Premier League. Messi has rocked the football world by handing in a transfer request at Barcelona, sparking widespread speculation over his future.

Klopp says he would happily take the six-times world player of the year, but concedes the Premier League champions are not in the market for the 33-year-old. The Liverpool manager said: “Interest? Who doesn’t want to have Messi in their team? But, no chance.”

Liverpool’s title rivals Manchester City are considered to be among the favourites to sign Messi should he leave the Nou Camp. A move to the Etihad Stadium would reunite Messi with his former Barça boss Pep Guardiola, under whom he won two Champions League crowns in 2009 and 2011.

City may hold further appeal in that chairman Ferran Soriano and the director of football Txiki Begiristain are also well known to Messi from their time at the Catalan club. He may also be keen to link up with his friend and long-time Argentina team-mate Sergio Agüero.

Klopp said: “It would obviously help Manchester City and make it even more difficult to beat them, which was already very difficult. For the Premier League it would be great, 100 per cent, having the best player in the world in the league. The numbers are not for us. We don’t have to start thinking about it. No chance, but, good player to be honest!”


“I’m not sure the Premier League needs a boost but it would be a boost, for sure,” Klopp added. “It would be interesting to see as well. Messi never played in another league, other than Spain. Actually, I would like to see it - but I’m not sure I will.”


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbGweWi2GPU

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/transfer-talk/news/jurgen-klopp-no-chance-of-liverpool-signing-lionel-messi_412007.html

I can only win the next two Ballon d’Or with Guardiola – Messi


 
on
 August 29, 2020

 


Lionel Messi wants to leave Barcelona for Manchester City, so he can win the next two Ballon d’Or while playing under Pep Guardiola, Marca reports.
The 33-year-old has already told the LaLiga club he wants to leave this summer.

Transfer: Man United offer three players in exchange for Grealish


 
on
 August 29, 2020

Quote:
Gattuso Warns Napoli Fans Over Osimhen Expectation, Says We Have Not Signed Pele

Gattuso Warns Napoli Fans Over Osimhen Expectation

Gennaro Gattuso has warned Napoli fans not to get over-excited after Victor Osimhen’s debut hat-trick on Friday, Completesports.com reports.

Osimhen marked his first game for Napoli with a hat-trick inside eight against fourth division club L’Aquila.

The game was Napoli’s second pre-season game after they had earlier thrashed Castel di Sangro 10-0. Osimhen was not in action against Castel di Sangro.

But Gattuso has warned fans of the club not to put pressure on the €80m signing from Lille.

“It’s too easy to get excited now, we’ve got to give him time and let him work, not put pressure on,” the 2006 World Cup winner told Radio Kiss Kiss and Sky Sport Italia.

“He is an important player and we paid a lot for him, but there were no doubts he would give us something different that we haven’t had in my time here. There’s a long way to go.

“It’s not like we suddenly signed Pele or Maradona, we simply brought in a player with certain characteristics that can help us.”

Gattuso led Napoli to the Coppa Italia title last season after they shocked Juventus on penalties.

https://www.completesports.com/gattuso-warns-napoli-fans-over-osimhen-expectation/

Messi refuses to return for Barcelona tests

 
on
 August 29, 2020



Lionel Messi and his lawyers have told Barcelona that the player will not return for pre-season medical tests, Goal reports.

Community Shield: Arsenal defeat Liverpool as Arteta wins second silverware


 
on
 August 29, 2020



Arsenal have clinched their second trophy of this month, as they beat Liverpool on penalties to lift the Community Shield on Saturday.

Community Shield: Atiku, Apostle Johnson Suleman react as Arsenal defeat Liverpool
 
on
 August 29, 2020


Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted as Arsenal football club clinched the Community Shield.

Quote:[b]Juventus May Explore Possibility Of Pairing Messi With Ronaldo

If we are talking percentages then Manchester City are very much in the driving seat to be Lionel Messi's next club.[/b]

Paris St-Germain have been in touch with Messi's dad, his agent, again about the possibility of signing the Barcelona captain, who submitted a transfer request on Tuesday.

And, perhaps most intriguingly of all, Juventus are now looking at the hugely unlikely scenario of organising some very daring financial deals and sponsorships that could see Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing together for the first time.

What a mouth-watering prospect that would be. But it is also close to impossible.

At the end of a week of countless headlines and rumours, there are two things we know above anything else: Messi very much wants to leave Barcelona and Barcelona would very much like the Argentina forward stay.

That element is simple, but it promises to become a much more complicated scenario because both sides are absolutely convinced the '10 June clause' - the one that enables Messi to leave for free - gives them the right to defend their position.

Messi thinks he can walk away for nothing because that date was intended to be, effectively, the end of the season. However, the coronavirus pandemic meant the campaign ended up finishing with the Champions League final on 23 August, two days before Messi let Barcelona know his intentions in an official way.

Barca firmly believe the time for him to declare desire to leave has elapsed and that the 33-year-old is contracted until the end of 2020-21.

The lawyers will be licking their lips in anticipation.

From Messi's side nothing has changed. He would like to leave on the best terms possible.

Barcelona have said the player is not for sale - unless of course someone thinks it is worth shelling out the 700m euros needed to trigger his buyout clause at this stage - and see no point in any further meetings for now.

Messi does not want to depart in a bad way, not because of the board but certainly because of the respect he has for the club and their fans.

Many people have focused on the burofax sent to tell Barcelona of his intention to leave, claiming it was a disrespectful way of handing in his notice. It was nothing of the sort. It was confirmation - a form of recorded delivery - that informed the club in writing what Messi had told them verbally on numerous occasions since he ceased contract renewal negotiations around March.

It was just a logical step along the way, with a meeting to try to arrange a friendly exit the next logical step. Messi's strategy has been unchanged throughout. The change would be if he decided to go to war with the club.

The Argentine has no plans to make any statements in the immediate future, certainly not while there are still so many things to discuss and everything is up in the air. When things start to move in the right direction for him, Messi will be prepared to explain his feelings, but not before.

The players have to do their pre-season tests on Sunday and then training starts on Monday.

Rumours Manchester City would be prepared to let any regular starters go in exchange for Messi are way off the mark. Defenders Angelino or Eric Garcia could feature in a deal.

No club is going to be able to pay a transfer fee of 100m euros plus Messi's salary, even taking into consideration his wages will be reduced wherever he goes next.

Barcelona will not accept a swap of players; they do not want anyone from City. They do not want to sell and would only be prepared to meet Messi in order to renew his contract, not to negotiate a way out.

Everybody is positioning on clear terms. All that makes the resolution impossible to predict.

Josep Maria Bartomeu clearly does not want to be the Barcelona president who lets Messi go.

But who is he thinking about? Certainly not the club because, as things stand, he plans to keep an unhappy player who does not want to be there and who can go for free in 12 months.

Messi's departure would allow Barcelona to let other players grow and develop next season.

And what players they are. Frenkie de Jong, Miralem Pjanic, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to name just a few.

They would need to buy a strong central midfielder and a centre-back either now or soon, but that is entirely doable.

To insist on not letting Messi leave shows short-sightedness on the part of Bartomeu.

We wait to see what happens next, starting with whether Messi turns up for training on Monday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53959454

Barcelona have straight up refused to meet with star man Lionel Messi to discuss the terms of an exit, but will only come face-to-face with the club legend in order to arrange a new contract.

Messi has officially informed Barca via burofax that he wishes to exercise a clause which enables him to walk away for free at the end of a season, though Barca rigidly state that a deadline to do so has long since passed.

And now Barca chiefs are so steadfast in their position that they will not meet with Messi and his agent for anything other than his recommitting to the Nou Camp, as report El Periodico in Spain.

The only possible meeting, say Barca sources, would be to extend the contract that currently binds Messi with the club until 2021.

It is reported that Barca and Messi started to talk about this in June, as football started to return from the postponement caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Upon the return of action however, Barca embarked on a miserable run which saw them slump in the La Liga season and hand the title over to rivals Real Madrid.

eprieve in the Champions League after beating Napoli to book a place in the one-legged semi-final against Bayern Munich in Lisbon, only to be utterly humiliated by an 8-2 defeat.

Messi was seen looking distraught at the final whistle and later sat alone in the dressing room, before later coming to the decision that he wanted out of the club.

President Josep Bartomeu has already played his hand in the saga, by stating he is willing to step aside should Messi make this desire clear.

This 'movement of Bartomeu that does not convince Messi at all' according to Spanish reports, with the Argentine still hopeful of engineering a move to reunite with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Barca maintain Messi still remains bound by his buy-out clause, which stands at as astronomical £625million (€700m).

Source: https://amp.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2020/08/28/5f4933cc22601d24668b45d9.html

Timo Werner scores in Chelsea debut against Brighton


 
on
 August 30, 2020



Timo Werner scored a goal in the first four minutes as a Chelsea player, as they played a 1-1 draw against Brighton in a friendly match on Saturday evening.

Brighton vs Chelsea: Lampard gives latest update on Ziyech’s injury


 
on
 August 30, 2020



Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, has provided the latest update on winger, Hakim Ziyech’s injury following his side’s 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday’s friendly.


Ziyech, who had an immediate impact with a role in Timo Werner’s first goal for Chelsea against Brighton, suffered a potential injury after the break at the Falmer Stadium.

Man Utd set to sign Van de Beek


 
on
 August 30, 2020



Manchester United are favourites to land Donny van de Beek from Ajax, ESPN reports.

The 23-year-old was left out of the team in a friendly with Frankfurt on Saturday, as he closes in on a move away.