Amid all the action at Euro 2020 and the Copa America, the summer transfer window has opened, with Europe’s biggest clubs looking to make a splash in the transfer market. Check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
TOP STORY: PSG trump Barca’s offer to Messi
Lionel Messi may now be a free agent following the culmination of his contract on Thursday, but Barcelona are confident that he will stay, as has previously been reported by ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens. However, that confidence seemingly won’t stop other clubs from trying to lure the Argentine away from Camp Nou.
With this in mind, AS have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain have made an offer to the 34-year-old. They’ve already brought in former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer and are close to landing AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos for nothing too. Meanwhile, they are ready to spend €70m to sign Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi,
Even so, Messi is said to be the dream signing, as club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has wanted to bring in the Barcelona hero or Juventus‘ Cristiano Ronaldo since taking over at PSG in 2011. In an attempt to make this happen, PSG have made an offer that is financially superior to Barcelona’s proposal.
For now, they are unlikely to get a response from the man himself, as Messi’s concentration is firmly placed on Argentina‘s Copa America campaign. The Parisians are willing to be patient and wait until the tournament ends, but it is unclear whether they will be able to stop him from remaining at Barcelona.
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12.10 BST: Cagliari have announced the signing of Kevin Strootman from Marseille on loan with an option to sign him permanently.
Strootman, 31, signed for Marseille from Roma for €25m in 2018 having struggled to overcome damage to his anterior cruciate ligament. He spent time on loan in Serie A with Genoa from last January, where he made 18 appearances.
11.30 BST: Should Man United keep Paul Pogba, or try and move him on to Juventus or Real Madrid?
1:23
Mark Ogden feels Paul Pogba lacks the defensive discipline to fit comfortably into Manchester United’s team.
10.32 BST: Goal says that Arsenal could be interested in signing Sergio Ramos and “have asked to be kept updated regarding any future talks regarding the former Real Madrid captain.”
Ramos, 35, is a free agent and has left Madrid after failing to reach an agreement to extend his 16-year stay in the Spanish capital.
Sources told ESPN that Paris Saint-Germain are in advanced negotiations with the defender, while Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also monitoring Ramos’ situation. Ramos wants a two-year deal but PSG are only offering one with a second year as an option to be triggered by mutual content. His wages should also be lower than what he was earning in Spain and what he would have earned had he stayed at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal may not be the most glamourous spot to land anymore, but they might be able to offer him a two-year deal at least.
10.03 BST: Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is on the radar of Manchester United this summer, according to La Repubblica.
Brozovic, 28, has been linked with Liverpool in the past and is available for around €30m as his contract expires in 2022.
Given his contract situation, Barcelona are also reported to be keen on the Croatia international.
09.22 BST: England forward Nikita Parris has signed for Arsenal from Lyon, the Women’s Super League (WSL) club announced on Friday.
The 27-year-old has signed for Arsenal in a deal worth €80,000, with €20,000 in potential bonuses. The former WSL top scorer is with Team GB for Tokyo 2020 and will link up with the north London side for preseason later this summer.
Parris returns to the WSL after two seasons in France where she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Coupe de France Feminine, Trophee des Championnes, and the Women’s International Champions Cup.
09.00 BST: ICYMI – New Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo wants to meet Harry Kane before the wantaway striker goes on holiday after Euro 2020, sources have told ESPN.
Spurs appointed Nuno on Wednesday after a protracted managerial search during which they discussed the vacancy with several candidates following their decision to sack Jose Mourinho on April 19.
The 47-year-old was a free agent after leaving Wolves by mutual consent at the end of last season and accepted the role following further talks in London with chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici.
One of his first tasks will be convincing Kane his future lies in north London after the England captain expressed a desire to leave the club this summer.
1:20
Ale Moreno questions Sergio Ramos’ fitness ahead of his proposed move to PSG.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
— Toby Alderweireld has indicated that he would like to leave Tottenham Hotspur, and new manager Nuno Espirito Santo is willing to sanction the departure, as has been reported by the Mail. This news comes with the suggestion that Spurs are hoping to sign Denmark centre-back Joachim Andersen, who spent last season on loan at Fulham from Lyon. The North Londoners have also been looking at Sevilla FC‘s Jules Kounde and Bologna‘s Takehiro Tomiyasu.
— According to Calciomercato, AC Milan are looking to fill the attacking void left by Hakan Calhanoglu‘s move to Inter and see Ajax Amsterdam‘s Dusan Tadic as the man to do it. In fact, it is suggested that they have even made initial contact with the Eredivisie champions regarding their captain. With the Serbian having played in various attacking roles, it is felt that he could work well behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
— Borussia Dortmund are hoping to sign RB Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg, as has been reported by Bild. BVB are said to have offered €8m, while RB Leipzig are looking for €12m. However, with there being just one year left on the 29-year-old’s contract, he is likely to leave this summer.
— Following Andre Silva‘s departure to RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt are already close to securing Santos Rafael Santos Borre as his replacement up front, reports Fabrizio Romano. The deal is almost done for the Colombia international, who is a free agent after his River Plate contract came to an end.
— Mamadou Sakho is set to join Ligue 1 side Montpellier, as has been reported by L’Equipe. The ex-Liverpool centre-back, who is now a free agent after his Crystal Palace contract came to an end, had offers from Asia but prefers a return to France.