Messi to Man City back on EXCLUSIVE, Real Madrid 'contact Allegri to replace Zidane' – transfer news live

LIONEL MESSI is willing to join Man City if they pay him a huge £500,000-a-week after tax, SunSport can reveal.

Meanwhile Real Madrid are in contact with Massimiliano Allegri, with Zinedine Zidane reportedly almost certain to leave the club at the end of the season.

And Cristiano Ronaldo's future is still up in the air with the Portuguese ace reportedly looking at a Juventus exit.

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Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…

  • Joe Brophy

    PAUL OVER NOW

    Manchester United have reportedly vowed not to be held to ransom over Paul Pogba’s future.

    The Mirror claim that the Frenchman’s massive wage demands are proving a major stumbling block to him staying at Old Trafford.

    The report adds Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola wants in excess of £400,000-a-week for the World Cup winner to sign a new deal.

    United are said to be conflicted on what course to take with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting to keep Pogba at the club.

  • Joe Brophy

    MAD-RID MAX

    Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri could succeed Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager if the Frenchman departs this summer.

    Club legend Zidane's future is uncertain after a disappointing campaign, with reports in Spain suggesting he had told his squad he will be leaving at the end of the season.

    According to Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, the ex-Juve boss has been in 'direct contact' with Real Madrid since March.

    He is also said to be wanted by some Italian clubs, but Allegri is waiting on how things will pan out with Zidane and Madrid.

  • Joe Brophy

    TEAR JERKER

    Alisson Becker dedicated his astonishing stoppage-time winner at West Brom to his late father – and said he hoped he was watching somewhere.

    He told Sky Sports: "I’m too emotional this last month, for everything that has happened with me and my family.

    "But football is my life. I played since I can remember with my father.

    "I hope he was here to see it, I’m sure he is celebrating with God at his side."

  • Joe Brophy

    WERNING LIGHT

    Chelsea forward Timo Werner should be replaced by a 'big striker', according to former Aston Villa man Gabby Agbonlahor.

    Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt as it’s his first season, but the more I’m seeing of him he’s making the wrong decision.

    “He picked the ball up, running at two defenders and takes a wild shot over the bar when it’s best to make a pass and another run.

    “He seems a bit too erratic and Chelsea, with their history with the likes of Didier Drogba and the strikers they’ve had in the past, they need to go out and buy a big, big striker who can score goals and turn up in the big games.”

  • Joe Brophy

    ROGER THAT

    Virgil van Dijk claims Roger Federer serves as his inspiration to intimidate Premier League strikers.

    The Liverpool centre-back treats the tennis icon as a spin doctor, copying his laid-back style to FOOL opponents into thinking he is in control.

    And, in a new Leo Moynihan book called Thou Shall Not Pass: The Anatomy of Football’s Centre-Half, Van Dijk claims winning battles on the field is more in the mind than people might realise.

    The £75million former Southampton kingpin states: "Some people suggest I make the game look easy, but trust me, every game is very tough.

    "We play against world-class strikers, very physical strikers, and never am I thinking, ‘this is easy'. Maybe, though, I want my opponent to think I am.

    "Look at Roger Federer. If you see him play tennis, you think he doesn’t sweat.

    "Mentally, that must be so tough for his opponent, who will think he’s not trying."

  • Joe Brophy

    MORE FROM BOTMAN

    He told the Athletic: "It was nice to hear but I was focusing on Lille and I’m still doing this. After the season I will enjoy a vacation and see what happens next.

    “If I’m honest, the Premier League is one of the leagues I dreamed about… but also Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga. The Premier League is something special. It’s the football I really like and that fits me.

    "The style of play, the emotion; I really like to see the fans with such big emotions in the stands. It is a beautiful competition I really like to watch and did for pretty much all my life.

    “I’m not the kind of guy who is already planning for the future. How it’s going with me now, I hope to someday make a good step to a top competition or a big club; that’s my goal.

    "But I’m good at the moment with Lille. I’m really enjoying this year, I’m enjoying playing a lot. I learn a lot and I still have to improve a lot. I’m not complaining about my situation right now, I’m happy at the moment.

    “For my ambitions, yes, of course I want to achieve as much as possible. I hope to make a big, beautiful step for me. We’ll have to see in the future if that is possible or not.”

  • Joe Brophy

    DEVIL MAY CARE

    Sven Botman has admitted he would be "lying" if he claimed Manchester United's interest doesn't flatter him.

    The Lille star told The Athletic: "It is a good compliment when you hear these clubs are interested.

    "I’m lying if I say it’s not interesting me — it’s the first time such big clubs are linked to me — but it was early days because in January I was only at Lille for half a season.

    "It was nice to hear but I was focusing on Lille and I’m still doing this. After the season I will enjoy a vacation and see what happens next."

  • Joe Brophy

    BLADE RUNNER

    Sheffield United starlet Daniel Jebbison is reportedly attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

    The Bundesliga giants are no strangers to picking up young Premier League talent with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jamal Musiala making the move.

    And, according to website 90min, Blades attacker Jebbison is next on their wish list.

  • Joe Brophy

    GUNNING FOR HOME

    Aaron Ramsey would ‘love’ to return to Arsenal this summer, according to reports.

    The Welsh midfielder has struggled for form and fitness since moving to Italy to join Juventus on a free transfer in 2019.

    According to a report seen by The Mirror, the 30-year-old is keen on a return to the Emirates.

    These claims have been supported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who told The Arsenal Lounge podcast: “Aaron Ramsey would love to join Arsenal again.

    “At Juventus he is struggling, he’s not playing [and has had] many injuries.

    “He will be on the market 100 per cent, he will be available. If Arsenal want to go for Ramsey, they know they have a chance.

    “But at the moment there’s nothing advanced or serious with Ramsey yet.”

  • Joe Brophy

    ALISSON WONDERLAND

    Liverpool incredibly beat West Brom in the last minute following a bullet header from their goalkeeper!!!!!!!

  • Joe Brophy

    FERGET IT

    Bruno Fernandes has revealed he ‘regrets’ having not yet spoken to club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

    Speaking to the club website, Fernandes said: “That is one of my biggest regrets in the club until now.

    “I met him already but never had the chance to speak with him like I would like to do.

    ”I think everyone who watched Manchester United in the past remembers Sir Alex. [That is true] for me, growing up and seeing the club, being a fan of the club and seeing the development of the team.

    “I would like to have a conversation with him and understand, from his point of view, what he thinks about me and what I can improve or still improve in my game to be better.”

  • Joe Brophy

    DRAG RACE

    Exclusive by Alan Nixon: 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.

  • Joe Brophy

    EURO FEAR

    Sports minister Nigel Huddleston admits the Indian Covid variant is a threat to getting fans back into stadiums.

    He hailed the success of Saturday's FA Cup Final which saw 21,000 spectators at Wembley as Leicester beat Chelsea 1-0.

    Huddleston said: “This was the biggest sporting event – in fact, this is the biggest event – in the UK for 14 months.

    "The biggest gathering of over 20,000 for 14 months and that’s quite a milestone really. The fact we’ve got to this point is quite remarkable.

    “We couldn’t have done it had we not felt comfortable with the roadmap, had the vaccination programme not gone well and other test events had gone well.

    "So that in itself must be seen as a success. But variants are called variants of concern for a reason – they are of concern.

    "There’s no doubt we are worried about them but we always would be. We want to get as many fans as possible into stadiums again.

    “I’m hoping we get there, I’m hoping we’ll get to capacity crowds soon but it depends entirely on the variants of concern but it’s a goal and has been all along."

  • Joshua Mbu

    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
  • Joshua Mbu

    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.”

  • Joshua Mbu

    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.

  • Joshua Mbu

    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
  • Joshua Mbu

    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.

  • Joshua Mbu

    BIG BUYS

    Paul Pogba is the most expensive Premier League transfer to date.

  • Joshua Mbu

    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.”

  • Joshua Mbu

    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.

  • Joshua Mbu

    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.

  • Joshua Mbu

    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.

  • Joshua Mbu

    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
  • Joshua Mbu

    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_

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