The summer transfer window opens next week and Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all wasting no time getting their business done. The Gunners are closing in on the signing of Declan Rice, having reportedly agree terms on a contract, and have taken an interest in PSV youngster Xavi Simons and Sacha Boey. Moises Caicedo is also a target after Arsenal revived their interest from January.
Chelsea are also keen on Caicedo and are targetting a double move for the Brighton star and Manuel Ugarte from Sporting. Many outgoings are expected this summer and Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic are in talks with Manchester United and Manchester City, respectively. The Blues are said to want £35m for the Croatian.
United have agreed terms with Mount and must now agree a fee with Chelsea, and are also working on a deal for 20-year-old Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund. Harry Kane is their main target, but he is expected to stay at Tottenham for one more year amid strong interest from Real Madrid. Dusan Vlahovic has been touted as an alternative, Spurs, meanwhile, are closing in on Ange Postecoglou as their new manager. Follow the latest news, gossip and rumours below!
Live updates
Confirmed: Lionel Messi to leave PSG this summer
Hardly a surprise this, but Lionel Messi’s summer exit from Paris Saint-Germain has now been officially confirmed by the club.
“After two seasons with PSG, the adventure between Leo Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end at the end of the 2022-23 campaign,” PSG announced in a statement released before the final Ligue 1 game of the season against Clermont Foot on Saturday, alongside a farewell video.
“The Club wishes Leo, with undeniable emotion, many more accomplishments for the rest of his career.”
Messi said: “I would like to thank the club, the city of Paris and its people for these two years. I wish you all the best for the future.”
PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi paid tribute to Messi, stating: “I would like to thank Leo Messi for his two seasons in Paris. To see a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the Rouge & Bleu and at Parc des Princes, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and inspiring our younger players has been a pleasure.
“His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be understated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future.”
Xavi has admitted that securing Messi’s fairytale return is a prority for Barcelona this summer, while the Argentine superstar has also been linked with big-money moves to Saudi Arabia – where he serves as an ambassador to the country’s tourism board – and Major League Soccer in the United States.
Wembley hero Gundogan sends message over Man City future
Ilkay Gundogan insists nothing has been decided over his Manchester City future.
The influential City captain scored two memorable volleys from outside the box – the first after only 13 seconds – to guide Pep Guardiola’s dominant side to a narrow FA Cup final win over fierce rivals Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.
Gundogan is out of contract at City next month and Barcelona and Arsenal have both been strongly linked with the German midfielder, who could yet remain at the Etihad.
After moving his team to within one more win of a historic Treble, Gundogan told the BBC: “I don’t need these kind of days to feel appreciated or special in this club. I am here (for) seven years, with all the up and downs. Nothing is decided yet. We are going to see what’s going to happen.
“To win a final is always special, every single trophy is special. This group deserves it. We played really well and we deserved to lift another trophy.
“Obviously we knew how we wanted to play the kick off, we aimed for it, to go long for Erling and get the second ball. For the first time this season we’ve scored, the ball was placed amazingly for me.
“It was a good strike, it went in and it was amazing.”
Lloris wants to leave Tottenham
Hugo Lloris has confirmed his desire to leave Tottenham this summer.
The 36-year-old French goalkeeper still has one year left on his contract but says he is seeking a new challenge after 11 years and more than 400 appearances for the club.
Spurs in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer and their targets include Brentford No1 David Raya.
Lloris has been at Spurs since joining in 2012 from Lyon and has captained the side since 2015.
“It’s the end of an era,” said Lloris. I have a desire for something else.”
Read more here!
Simeone opens door for Felix to make Atleti return
After new Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino rejected the chance to sign Joao Felix permanently, Diego Simeone has opened the door for him to return to Atletico Madrid.
Simeone told El Partidazo de COPE: “Joao is an Atletico Madrid player who, if he does not have a place at Chelsea, as Pochettino apparently said, he will have to come to Atletico de Madrid, he will have to work with us again, and obviously we will be willing to give him the best for that he can improve in what we believe is important.
“He has enormous quality, he heads well, he hits well with both feet… he will be what he wants to be. It is a reality that is shown in the game.”
Asensio to leave Real Madrid
Real Madrid have confirmed Marco Asensio will leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
The Spanish international is set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
After seven years at the Bernanbeu, a Real statement read: “Madridistas will never forget his career and his exemplary behaviour during all this time.
“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and his whole family good luck in this new stage.”
Adrian set for new Liverpool contract
Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has confirmed he is set to sign a new contract at Anfield.
The goalkeeper has not played for Liverpool since the Community Shield at the start of the season but Jurgen Klopp wants to keep both him and Caoimhin Kelleher this window.
“I have a great relationship with the manager and the club. We’ve been in talks and we’re really close,” Adrian told The Athletic.
“I know the situation and my role in the squad. Everyone wants to play and have minutes on the pitch, but you also need a big squad with good people who will commit everything every day in training.”
Xavi: Messi is Barcelona’s priority
Barcelona manager Xavi has confirmed a move to bring Lionel Messi back is a priority for the Catalan club.
Messi is leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are confident of securing his signing.
But Xavi has not given up a dream return for Messi at Barcelona.
He said: “The priorities are very clear. I would really like Messi to return, I have spoken with him. I have already said that it depends on him. From here, apart from Leo, the other priority is a pivot”.
Ancelotti: Kane is a ‘top player’
Carlo Ancelotti has described Harry Kane as a “top player” as Real Madrid step up their interest in the Tottenham striker.
Reports in Spain claim Real have made Kane their top transfer target, whatever happens to Karim Benzema as he weighs up a lucrative offer to move to Saudi Arabia.
Real are said to want to Kane and Benzema to play together at the Bernabeu and their interest is being driven by Ancelotti, who has identified Kane as his preferred striker.
Ancelotti has now confirmed he is staying at Real Madrid in a move that could implications for Kane and his future.
Read more here!
Chelsea want £70m for Mount
Chelsea have told Manchester United they want £70million for Mason Mount after the two clubs opened formal talks over a deal for the England midfielder.
United are increasingly confident they will reach an agreement over Mount and are set to make an opening offer for the 24-year-old following the FA Cup Final.
Chelsea do not want to lose Mount but are ready to sell him to ensure they receive a transfer fee and do not risk losing him for free next summer when his contract is due to expire.
United manager Erik ten Hag has identified Mount as one of his key summer transfer targets, alongside Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Read more here!
Bayern not giving up on Kane
Bayern Munich have not given up hope of signing Harry Kane, but admit any deal would be tough to pull off.
According to reports in Germany, Kane remains a key target for Thomas Tuchel but they know Tottenham do not want to entertain a sale.
Manchester United are also interested and Kane is expected to favour staying in the Premier League should he be on the move this summer.
