LIONEL MESSI helped Argentina reach the semi-finals of the Copa America – but is still a free agent as his Barcelona contract situation drags on.
And Chelsea have missed out on a key target with Achraf Hakimi joining PSG.
Meanwhile Spurs are also set to battle Barcelona for the signing of Lorenzo Insigne, according to reports.
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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
ITARY ARE IN THE FINAL
Italy beat Spain on penalties to make it to the Euro 2020 Final!
The Azzurri opened the scoring with a fine effort by Federico Chiesa in the hour-mark.
But Juventus star Alvaro Morata equalised for the Furia Roja 10 minutes before full-time with a stunning run.
However, Morata then missed Spain’s most crucial penalty before Chelsea star Jorginho beat Unai Simon and sent his country to the final.
The winner of tomorrow’s semi-final between England and Denmark will face Italy on Sunday at Wembley
MORATA SCORES
Here’s how Alvaro Morata equalised for Spain and took the game to extra-time.
What an incredible match we are seeing at Wembley!
Check it out:
CHIESA SCORES
Here’s how Italy opened the scoring with Juventus star Federico Chiesa.
Spain had been dominating possession and tempo but a smashing counter-attack gave the Azzurri the lead.
Chiesa has put Roberto Mancini’s men ahead with this beautiful finish.
Check it out:
HERE WE LO
Arsenal are close to landing Anderlecht ace Albert Sambi Lokonga.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims the final details will be sorted soon.
Negotiations are at a final stage, which means that a medical has not been scheduled at the moment.
More below:
SIGN IN
As mentioned earlier, Tottenham and Barcelona are interested in signing Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne.
The same goes for Liverpool and Atletico Madrid as Insigne’s deal with the Partenopei expires next year.
Fabio Santini told Area Napoli: “To make the situation even more complicated is the intense competition for the player.
“I know for sure that there is a strong interest from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on Lorenzo Insigne”
TRIPPIER REACTS
Atletico Madrid star and Manchester United target Kieran Trippier insists he is not paying attention to any transfer speculation and is only focused on England during Euro 2020.
Trippier told The Guardian: “I’ve just enjoyed the season [at Atlético] and we’ve won the title.
“I’m away with England, we’re playing Denmark and I’m not focusing on my club or what is going on.
“I’m just focused on England and doing as best as I can if I play. If I don’t play, I still give 100 per cent”
GETTY IMAGES VARANE BID
Manchester United are prepared to splash €50million (£42.9m) for Raphael Varane, according to Ian McGarry.
McGarry said on the Transfer Window Podcast: “He’s a player who has won literally everything.
“He is someone who is out of contract next year so therefore available at a very reasonable price when you consider what good defenders are going for in the current market.
“It’s our understanding that Manchester United are prepared to pay €50m for Varane.
“Real Madrid do not want to lose for free in a year’s time.”
MAD THING
Arsenal are looking to raise funds in the summer in order to make a move for Leicester star James Maddison.
According to Football London, the Gunners could gather up to £72million through the sales of four players.
Those could be Joe Willock, Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles as well as Alexandre Lacazette.
Manager Mikel Arteta is determined to sign a top player to team up with Thomas Partey in the middle of the park
TEAM SHEETS ARE IN!!!
Spain: Simon, Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Alba, Koke, Busquets, Pedri, F Torres, Oyarzabal, Olmo.
Subs: De Gea, Diego Llorente, P Torres, Marcos Llorente, Morata, Gerard, Thiago, Sanchez, Gaya, Rodri, Fabian, Traore.
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.
Subs: Sirigu, Locatelli, Belotti, Berardi, Pessina, Acerbi, Cristante, Bernardeschi, Bastoni, Florenzi, Toloi, Meret.
INJURY NEWS
Italy and Spain are set to lock horns tonight at Wembley Stadium in the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
Of course the Azzurri are going to be without Leonardo Spinazzola, who has been ruled out of the rest of the competition after suffering an Achilles injury against Belgium.
Spinazzola is set to be replaced by Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri at left-back.
The Furia Roja, on the other hand, may be without Pablo Sarabia who suffered a thigh knock against Switzerland.
Manchester City ace Aymeric Laporte also missed a training session but that is understood to have been a matter of recuperation
MBAPPE ADVICE
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool ace Nicolas Anelka insists Kylian Mbappe should move to the Premier League if he wants to make a real global impact.
Anelka wrote in his column at The Athletic: “So, if you want to be one of the best, then do what you do in Paris but with Chelsea or [Manchester] United or Arsenal or [Manchester] City or Liverpool.
“Or go to Spain to Madrid or Barcelona. Or maybe Italy.
“Then we can speak about a more global impact”
GETTY IMAGES VARANE PLAN
Manchester United are reportedly ready to spend a total of £75million in total to sign Raphael Varane and Eduardo Camavinga.
According to Marca, United plan to allocate £50m to get Real Madrid star Varane and the other £25m to secure Rennes ace Camavinga’s services next season.
It’s been reported that the Real centre-back has already verbally agreed to join the Red Devils this summer.
But their rivals Chelsea plan to upstage them in signing Camavinga with a last-gasp bid for the talented midfielder
BIDDING WAR
Arsenal appear to have joined the bidding war for former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
That is according to Goal, who claim the Gunners are weighing up a potential move for Ramos, who is now a free agent.
The Real legend appears close to signing with Paris Saint-Germain but he is still open to the prospect of moving to the Premier League.
Manchester United and Chelsea have also expressed interest for the Spain international
PAUL-ING AWAY?
Paris Saint-Germain have contacted Paul Pogba’s representatives over a potential blockbuster summer deal.
That is according to RMC, who claim Pogba is ‘more than open’ to the prospect of leaving United for PSG.
The Ligue 1 giants are confident in their bid to land the star midfielder as his contract runs out next year.
Therefore, the Red Devils could be forced to cash in this summer or risk losing the France international for nothing in 2022
SIGN-E HIM
Tottenham and Barcelona are interested in signing Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne.
That is according to Corriere dello Sport, who claim that Spurs and Barca are believed to have contacted Insigne’s agent as he’s yet to agree a long-term deal at the Serie A club.
Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis is struggling to persuade the winger to commit his future to the club.
The 30-year-old has put together a series of stunning performances at Euro 2020 as he has played a huge role in Italy’s campaign to semi-finals
GETTY IMAGES
MESSI FUTURE
Paris Saint-Germain have offered Lionel Messi a lucrative contract after his contract with Barcelona expired.
That is according to AS, who claim PSG are looking to capitalise after Messi became a free agent.
The star forward is currently focused on the Copa America as he led Argentina to the semi-finals and is looking for his first ever international trophy.
Rumours suggested that the 34-year-old legend agreed to sign a new two-year contract with Barca.
But the Balugrana would have to free up £170m in wages if the Argentina captain stayed at the Nou Camp
CAM AND GET HIM
Chelsea have joined the bidding war for Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga, who is also targeted by Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Ligue 1 side are expected to cash in on Camavinga this summer as his deal expires next year.
The Red Devils and the Gunners are reportedly eyeing up an offer for the young midfielder, with Fabrizio Romano claiming he could be available for as little as £26million.
But according to Get French Football News, the France international’s wish is to join Paris Saint-Germain, although Mauricio Pochettino’s side are yet to make a formal bid.
They also state that Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is pushing for a move, with the west Londoners in talks with the 18-year-old’s agent Jonathan Barnett
GETTING MESSI
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi’s future has been thrown into further doubt because the Blaugrana cannot register new signings after already exceeding their wage cap, according to reports.
Messi is currently a free agent after his contract with Barca expired on June 30.
And although many expect him to pen a two-year extension at the Nou Camp, that is now reportedly under threat.
Barca are currently in financial disarray as a result of the pandemic, with debt standing at £1billion, and have been told by LaLiga to cut their annual salary to £300million from £331m.
According to Goal, the Catalan giants are operating beyond that figure – even without the Argentina captain signing on again.
The 34-year-old’s latest contract was worth a whopping £2.4m per week – or £123m per year.
But the report also adds Barcelona are not allowed to add new signings to their squad until they have made the necessary savings.
That means free signings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia as well as £6m addition Emerson Royal will allegedly not be officially registered with LaLiga just yet
EUROS RETURN
Euro 2020 action returns tonight as we reach the semi-final stage.
Italy are going to square off against Spain at Wembley in what poses as the most exciting match of this round.
The winner will go on to face either England or Denmark in the esteemed ground on Sunday.
The Three Lions will be in action tomorrow
KEEP CALM AND HARRY ON
Two-thirds of England fans think football’s finally coming home this summer ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark.
The Three Lions are two wins away from immortality but boss Gareth Southgate has warned the nation against getting carried away.
Almost 60 per cent of 8,595 fans polled backed England to beat Denmark on Wednesday before triumphing past either Italy or Spain in the final.
A more modest 26.7 per cent felt the country would just fall short while a timid 1156 supporters chose to sit on the fence.
SunSport says Keep Calm and Harry On Our readers are backing the Three Lions BALE OUT
Gareth Bale is planning to RETIRE from club football after next season, according to reports.
But the Welshman COULD play for his country at the 2022 World Cup, should they make it.
The Mirror claim that Bale, 32, will see out the last year of his contract at Real Madrid, now that Carlo Ancelotti has replaced Zinedine Zidane.
But they also reckon that he has no intention of siging for another club.
Fans could see the back of Bale in 12 months timeCredit: Getty
GRIEZE TO LEAVE
Barcelona are reportedly set to offload Antoine Griezmann in a bid to partially recoup his hefty £108million transfer fee.
The Spanish giants signed the Frenchman in 2019 for the monstrous amount in better times before the Covid pandemic hit a year later.
Since then, they’ve found themselves in dire financial straits and see the sale of the 30-year-old as part of the solution, according to Football.London.
Ronald Koeman’s side find themselves in the precarious position of being unable to register new signings Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay ahead of the new season.
They’ve already exceeded the La Liga’s strict salary cap ruling by more than 40 per cent, and Griezmann’s departure could help change that.
What makes things easier for Barca is that the World Cup winner, whose contract ends in 2024, is reportedly open to a move away from the Nou Camp.
The ex-Atletico Madrid ace is reportedly Pep Guardiola’s Plan B if his proposed £100m move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane falls through.
Griezmann could be sold to alleviate some of Barca’s financial woes AOUAR-TOPILOT
Houssem Aouar has reportedly skipped Lyon pre-season training amid transfer interest from Man Utd and Arsenal.
The 23-year-old has allegedly been AWOL for five days and looking to force through a move away from the club.
Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool have all been linked with the French midfielder.
And Get French Football News claim he hasn’t been seen for days despite Lyon saying he is not sick.
The report adds that Aouar is unhappy that Memphis Depay left on a free to join Barcelona.
Houssem Aouar has reportedly skipped Lyon training GOING, GOING, GUEN
Marseille have announced the signing of Matteo Guendouzi from Arsenal.
The midfielder spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin, after falling out with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
Guendouzi, 22, will now return to Ligue 1, having originally joined Arsenal from Lorient.
The Frenchman moves to Marseille on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
GET THE CHEERS IN – EXCL by Harry Cole
Pubs will be allowed to open until 11:15pm on Sunday night – in case the Euros final goes to extra time and penalties, The Sun can reveal.
Boris Johnson this morning signed off plans for extra drinking time this weekend regardless of whether England make Sunday night’s Wembley showdown.
An emergency tweak of the law will be put forward to the Commons imminently to allow pubs to open for an extra 45 minutes serving on Final day.
Normally they have to shut at 10:30pm on a Sunday but that risked fans – hopefully Three Lions ones – being turfed out if the showdown goes long.
And the change to the law will happen regardless of whether England make the final after their crunch Semis clash with the Danes tomorrow evening.
If the Three Lions are victorious tomorrow evening they will meet the winner of tonight’s last four decider between Spain and favourites Italy at Wembley on Sunday evening at 8pm.
Boris Johnson this morning signed off plans to allow pubs to open until 23.15 on Sunday night
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
