LIONEL MESSI is willing to join Man City if they pay him £500,000-a-week after tax, SunSport can reveal.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is equally up in the air with the Portuguese ace reportedly looking at a Juventus exit.
And Zinedine Zidane has reportedly told his players he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
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CAMPBELL ‘WOULD LOVE’ GREALISH
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell “would love” for Arsenal to sign Aston Villa’s main man Jack Grealish.
I would love Arsenal to make a move for Grealish but I don’t think the club could afford him at the moment,” Campbell told Football Insider.
“He has proved to be a world-class player this season. He is very consistent with his performances and he is only young.
“What a huge difference he has made to Aston Villa this year.
“I think any one of the big boys would look at him. I wouldn’t put it past Manchester City to sign him, even though they have a wealth of attacking talent. I could see him there.
“Listen, that would be making the strong stronger. It could be an embarrassment of riches.
“You have to keep strengthening. If you don’t, you are standing still and others will catch you.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES JOT-TEN LUCK
Diogo Jota will miss Liverpool’s remaining fixtures due to a foot injury, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
In Thursday’s derby win over Manchester United, the Portuguese star netted the equaliser but was subbed off late on.
And he was missing from the teamsheet announcement on Sunday as Liverpool took on relegated West Brom.
Klopp said: “No good thing without a bad thing – so, we won at Manchester United but Diogo got something with the bone.
“Not too serious but serious enough to end the season. That’s it.”
DRAG RACE
Crystal Palace hope to snap up Romanian centre-half Radu Dragusin from Juventus at the second attempt.
The Eagles missed out when Dragusin, 19, re-signed with the Italian giants last month while they teed up a summer bid.
But now Dragusin could be available on a season’s loan and Palace may swoop to boost their backline.
Juve could be willing to offload the teenager as they look for him to get regular first-team football.
The Romania youth international has appeared in just one Serie A game this term.
SAN THE MAN
Liverpool are reconsidering a move for Borussia Dortmund and England forward Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided a further 18 assists in 36 games for the German side this season.
And his supreme form has caught the eye of Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea.
But after passing up any interest in him last season, Bild reporter Christian Faulkner has revealed that Liverpool are now back in the running for the talented youngster.
He said: “That is indeed, true, Liverpool are looking at Sancho again.
“He is on the list, especially because they don’t know what will happen with [Mohamed] Salah, who is always a bit on the move and thinking about a transfer.
“Chelsea are also very interested, as we have reported, and also Spain lures him again and again.
“If Salah were to be sold or he says he doesn’t want to be at the club any more then there would surely be movement on Sancho with Liverpool.”
Man Utd were heavily linked with Sancho throughout last summer as Dormund set an asking price of more than £100million.
But it is thought that the Bundesliga side could lower the price to as much as £50m this time around.
Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho has been linked with a move to Manchester United and LiverpoolCredit: AFP MAGUIRE UPDATE
Harry Maguire is positive that he will make the Europa League final.
Maguire is on crutches and is wearing a protective boot after damaging ankle ligaments just over a week ago against Aston Villa.
It left manager Ole Solskjaer fearing the worst ahead of the final against Villarreal in Gdansk a week on Wednesday.
But the latest update has been more positive and Solskjaer says he will give his captain right up until the last minute to prove his fitness.
Solskjaer said: “When I spoke to him this morning he was positive.
“Naturally the day after he was injured everyone was very down.
“But we decided we had to focus and be positive and think he is going to make it.
“He is making progress but we have consciously made the decision not to test him out too early.
“Hopefully we will have good news but I will give it as long as possible because we know his importance.
“We have known that for a long time but maybe people appreciate it more when he is not playing.
“I became a very good player when I was injured because people realised what I could do as a sub and what I was as a player.”
United have conceded six goals in two games since Maguire’s injury losing both to Leicester and Liverpool.
BIG BUYS
Paul Pogba is the most expensive Premier League transfer to date.
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
Arsenal have denied receiving a £2bn takeover approach from Spotify founder Daniel Ek’s consortium.
But the Swedish billionaire, 38, hit back and insisted he DID table a bid to buy the Premier League side from unpopular owner Stan Kroenke.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, he said: “This week an offer was made to both Josh Kroenke and their bankers that included ownership, representation at the board and a golden share for the supporters.
“They replied they don’t need the money. I respect their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever change.”
CAM AND GET ME
Arsenal have reportedly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Eduardo Camavinga with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich looking to sign the Rennes ace.
The Ligue 1 side are poised to cash in on the French midfielder in the summer with the 18-year-old having just one year left on his contract.
It has been claimed that the France international is refusing to commit his future to Rennes, leading to a number of clubs to weigh up an offer.
Mikel Arteta is rumoured to have made Camavinga his No1 target with the Gunners doing ‘everything they can’ to nab him.
But according to Marca, they are in competition with Bundesliga champions Bayern and LaLiga giants Real.
MESSI TO MANCHESTER
Lionel Messi’s camp have ‘put feelers out’ to Man Utd and Chelsea over a potential transfer, according to the Daily Express.
Messi could leave Barcelona this summer with his contract running out at the end of June.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City remain keen on the global superstar, with Pep keen to reunite with one of the greatest of all time.
And today could be Messi’s last appearance at the Camp Nou as a Barcelona player against Celta Vigo.
OUT THE DOOR
Willian could leave Arsenal this summer, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
According to Romano, a host of European clubs, and David Beckham’s Inter Miami wanted to sign the Brazilian last summer.
But Arsenal won the race for the former Chelsea player.
Willian scored his first goal for Arsenal in last Sunday’s 3-1 win against West Brom.
FINAL DANCE
Barcelona’s game against Celta Vigo today COULD be Lionel Messi’s last as a Barca player at the Camp Nou.
The global superstar’s contract expires at the end of June 2021.
And he’s been linked with a move to the Premier League, to reunite with Pep Guardiola at Man City.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES TAM TO GO
Tammy Abraham’s girlfriend has criticised Thomas Tuchel after the Chelsea boss left the England striker out of their 20-man FA Cup final squad.
The 23-year-old hasn’t featured much under the German manager since he was appointed in January, casting doubt over his long-term future.
After hearing the news of her boyfriend’s exclusion, Leah Monroe took to Instagram to complain about Tuchel’s decision.
She wrote on a story: “How on earth do you make the decision to leave your top goal scorer out of the squad for a final?
“The same person who even scored the goals to actually qualify for this competition?
“It’s not making any sense whatsoever.”
Abraham is Chelsea’s joint-leading scorer in all competitions this season with 12, despite his lack of game time under Tuchel.
Credit: INSTAGRAM @LEAHMONROE_ VA VA VOOM
Man Utd are holding talks with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to the Manchester Evening News.
But the Red Devils are joined in the pursuit for the World Cup winning defender by rivals Liverpool.
The report states that Man Utd will go ‘all out’ for a centre-back this summer, as they look to close the gap on champions-elect Man City.
And with a year left on his current deal, Real could struggle to command a high transfer fee.
The Frenchman could decide to see next season out and leave for free.
ARSENAL EYE BERTRAND
Arsenal are interested in signing Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
And the 31-year-old will be available for free, after announcing he will be leaving the Saints.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen the left side of defence, to provide cover for left-back Kieran Tierney.
According to the report, Man City are also interested in Bertrand.
‘IT MIGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE’
Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes that West Ham may not be able to sign Jesse Lingard permanently this summer.
Phillips believes finances will get in the way of Lingard making the permanent move from Manchester to London.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Financially, signing Lingard, it might not be possible.
“It might be hard to sign him even if they do make the Champions League, which isn’t great if you’re a supporter.
“It was another blow for them against Brighton which is a shame because what a story it would be if they got Champions League football.
“Either way, West Ham will look at signing him. Financially, if it’s not viable and it will break the bank, they won’t do it.
“Especially in today’s climate. Champions League does help so it will be interesting to see what happens there.”
AMA GO CRAZY
Thomas Amartey casually tossed Chelsea’s official FA Cup final pennant over his shoulder in celebration at Leicester’s Wembley win.
A Youri Tielemans screamer gave the Foxes their first FA Cup triumph on Saturday, with help from a tight VAR call that ruled out a late equaliser.
It sparked wild celebrations from the players and thousands of fans allowed inside the stadium.
In the dressing room, the squad revelled in their win with footage posted online including an Instagram Live by Wesley Fofana.
The French defender filmed Amartey, who was an unused substitute in the game, grab the Blues pennant and toss it over his shoulder, to loud laughter from his team-mate.
The players also sung and danced along to the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline as the celebrations continued.
Daniel Amartey grabbed the Chelsea pennant during Leicester’s celebrations The Foxes ace casually tossed it over his shoulder after the 1-0 win ZI-DONE
Zinedine Zidane will not continue as Real Madrid manager beyond this season, according to reports.
The announcement was apparently made to the Madrid squad ahead of the clash with Sevilla last week.
The Frenchman has a year left on his remaining contract but he is set to resign as manager of the club for a second time, claims Goal.
Zidane led Los Blancos to the Champions League semi-final for a fourth time this term, but was defeated by Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
He still has a chance of winning LaLiga for the third time, with his team currently trailing rivals Atletico by two points with two games remaining
KA-BAK TO SQUARE ONE
EXCLUSIVE – Liverpool will say farewell to Turkish centre-back Ozan Kabak at the end of this season — and put their rivals on alert.
Kabak, 21, helped out the Reds by signing on loan in the winter window and went straight into Jurgen Klopp’s side as they coped with a defensive crisis.
But now the decision has been taken to scrap a full-time deal that would have meant paying £18million to his German side Schalke.
Boss Klopp believes Kabak would not be in the first-team picture at Anfield next term.
And the cash-conscious club are not prepared to splash out that kind of money for the defender to sit on their bench.
It is a massive blow for Kabak, whose parent club dropped out of the Bundesliga while he was away.
Ozan Kabak is set to head back to Schalke in the summer CUP UPSET
Rio Ferdinand has revealed his regret at never winning the FA Cup and admitted: ‘It still grates’.
The Manchester United legend won six Premier League titles, two League Cups and one Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
But he never once lifted the oldest prize in the book, losing in finals against Arsenal in 2005 and most recently to Chelsea in 2007.
That day, Didier Drogba’s extra-time winner meant Ferdinand had to settle for a silver medal, and still struggles to live it down to this day.
He said on BT Sport: “It still grates, definitely. I’m sitting here looking at it (the trophy) and I want to launch it.
“They were bad moments. I was lucky enough to win quite a lot of stuff in my career.
“But I tell you, I probably spend more time even in retirement thinking about not getting my hands on that trophy.”
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Manchester City have been told they can have Lionel Messi if they pay him £500,000-a-week AFTER TAX.
The superstar’s contract with Barcelona runs out at the end of the season and his father Jorge has started the process of deciding where his future lies.
SunSport understands the 33-year-old is open to the idea of a 12-month contract, with an option for a further year, if a club will stump up £25million-a-year.
That would make him the best-paid player in Premier League history and the lack of a transfer fee plus the enormous commercial cut gained by signing Messi could make financial sense.
Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani will hit a six-figure jackpot if he is a chart-topper in his second season at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United striker agreed a deal to stay for another 12 months, as Sunsport revealed he had been offered a pay hike to £250,000-a-week.
And the Uruguay forward could earn close to the same again in bonuses if he is in the goals next season.
Cavani, 34, will pick up an extra £100,000 if he is United’s leading scorer – and a similar amount if he ends up as the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner.
It is also understood that United will promise the South American a rolling annual review, which could even see him staying in England for another season beyond the next one.
And finally, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers shared his thoughts after leading the Foxes to their first ever FA Cup trophy.
He told the BBC: “It’s an amazing feeling.“I wasn’t aware before I came to Leicester that they hadn’t won the FA Cup. So to be able to give that to these supporters, plus Top [Srivaddhanaprabha] and his family, makes this a special day.
“It’s a real collective effort at Leicester, from the board, players, staff and supporters. It’s an amazing day for the city.
“Youri’s [Tielemans] goal was like an old-school FA Cup winning goal, but also Kasper’s [Schmeichel] saves. I thought we were the better team overall. We were super-aggressive and always a threat with the ball.
“Chelsea are an amazing team but I though we deserved to win. It’s the FA Cup, and as a British coach, it means so much. I’m so proud, but more happy for everyone else. A monumental performance and what a day for everyone involved with Leicester.”
ED START
Exclusive by Phil Thomas: Edinson Cavani will hit a six-figure jackpot if he is a chart-topper in his second season at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United striker agreed a deal to stay for another 12 months, as Sunsport revealed he had been offered a pay hike to £250,000-a-week.
And the Uruguay forward could earn close to the same again in bonuses if he is in the goals next season.
Cavani, 34, will pick up an extra £100,000 if he is United’s leading scorer – and a similar amount if he ends up as the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner.
It is also understood that United will promise the South American a rolling annual review, which could even see him staying in England for another season beyond the next one.
ALL BARC, NO BITE
Man City’s hopes of signing Lionel Messi have been rekindled by his new contract offer at Barcelona, SunSport can reveal.
Messi, who turns 34 next month, has accepted his salary with Barca will be reduced but wants better terms than the two thirds reduction proposed by the Catalans.
Only Man City and PSG have the post-pandemic clout to match Messi’s terms and staying at Barcelona still appears the most likely option.
However new club president Joan Laporta is desperate to sign Erling Haaland and could even be willing to dispense with the Messi to push the deal through.
GETTING MESSI
Exclusive by Duncan Wright: Manchester City have been told they can have Lionel Messi if they pay him £500,000-a-week AFTER TAX.
The superstar’s contract with Barcelona runs out at the end of the season and his father Jorge has started the process of deciding where his future lies.
SunSport understands the 33-year-old is open to the idea of a 12-month contract, with an option for a further year, if a club will stump up £25million-a-year.
That would make him the best-paid player in Premier League history and the lack of a transfer fee plus the enormous commercial cut gained by signing Messi could make financial sense.
DOR OPEN
Manchester United are reportedly in ‘pole position’ for signing Jadon Sancho.
Sport1 claim the winger is keen on making a switch to Old Trafford as United ‘will remain’ the club of his choice.
The report adds that talks between the Red Devils and the Borussia Dortmund star’s agent are ‘already underway.’
REAL PROBLEM
Zinedine Zidane is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
