LIONEL MESSI has reportedly agreed a stunning £623m contract with Manchester City as his struggle to leave Barcelona intensifies.
Today the Argentina captain's dad weighed in with Argentine TV reporting that he told Barca his son will not stay at the Nou Camp.
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Get all the latest transfer news, updates and gossip here…
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CITY KEEPER JOINS WYCOMBE
Ex-Manchester City keeper Curtis Anderson has joined Championship newcomers Wycombe on a one-year deal.
The 19-year-old helped England win the Under-17 World Cup three years ago and last season was with United Soccer League side Charlotte Independence.
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CASH OUT, CASH IN
Aston Villa have agreed a £16million deal for Nottingham Forest right-back Matty Cash – after having three bids rejected.
The 23-year-old is bow poised to sign for £14m plus add-ons.
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DAYOT: NO HURRY TO MOVE
Manchester United and Arsenal target Dayot Upamecano is in “no hurry” to leave RB Leipzig despite admitting holding transfer talks with other clubs.
The French centre-back, 21, has signed a new three-year deal with the Germans.
But it is thought to have a £53million release clause, dropping to £40m next summer.
He said: “I extended my contract with Leipzig because I feel good with my team-mates.
“I’ve been in Leipzig for more than three years, I feel good.
“I’ve been in demand. I talked to some clubs, it’s true, but I’m not in a hurry. We’ll see what happens in the future.”
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UTD MUST FIND ATTACK BACK-UP
Gary Neville added: “Yes, Sancho may fit that bill, but I'm not sat here as a United fan thinking I desperately want him. It could be any number of players that become available that would improve United.
“If Harry Kane became available, and Tottenham fans will be saying why are you trying to get him out of Spurs again, but if he became available, he'd obviously improve United's squad. So it doesn't have to be a certain player.
“The emergence of Mason Greenwood takes a bit of pressure off the situation but still, Manchester United need to add to the front three of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
“They need to challenge those three players and support those three players. They need to have depth behind those three players, and they will drive the standards.”
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UTD NEED MORE – BUT SANCHO NOT VITAL
Gary Neville believes Jadon Sancho is not essential in Manchester United's fight back to the top – but multiple signings are required.
The Red Devils' hopes of signing the Borussia Dortmund winger this summer aftere landing Ajax midfielder Dony van de Beek today appear to be fading.
With a deadline set by the German club now passed, United are hoping Sancho still wants the move.
But ex-defender Neville, 45, wants to see his old team focus their efforts elsewhere if the youngster is unavailable.
He wrote for Sky Sports: “The fans I speak to aren't saying we desperately want Sancho.
“They are saying we want the right calibre of signing brought into the club. It could be anybody that fits that bill.”
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BALE: I'M STILL MOTIVATED TO PLAY
Unsettled Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale added: “I want to play football, I'm still motivated to play football.
“It's on the club really. They're in control of everything.
“All I can do is carry on what I'm doing and hopefully something comes up.”
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BALE: REAL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO LEAVE
GARETH BALE has begged Real Madrid to let him leave this summer.
The Welshman says he is desperate to quit the Bernabeu after falling out of Zinedine Zidane's plans.
And Bale adds that Real have blocked his exit numerous times in the past, shattering the narrative that he is happy to pick up his pay cheque while sat on the bench.
Bale told Sky Sports News: “I think the club needs to answer that. Real Madrid are making it very difficult.
“I tried to leave last year but they blocked it at the last second. It was a project I was excited for but it didn't materialise.
“And there's been other instances where we're tried to organise a move but the club wouldn't allow it.”
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HOW MAN UTD ARE SHAPING UP
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants a new centre-back, right-winger and striker, according to many reports.
But after Donny van de Beek's arrival, here's how they are currently looking:
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BELL CAN RIN THE CHANGES
PSG are thought to have offered £30million for Hector Bellerin after losing Thomas Meunier on a free transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Bellerin would compete with Thilo Kehrer for the right-back spot under Thomas Tuchel.
And it seems that Arsenal are ready to enter talks as they look to raise funds for Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.
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HEC OF A DEAL?
Hector Bellerin is reportedly open to leaving Arsenal for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Football London claim the right-back, 25, is considering leaving the Gunners after a nine-year spell.
Bellerin apparently feels the time may be right for a change of scenery.
And Arsenal are open to selling as they believe they can get a good fee for the defender.
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RUM TONIC FOR PHILIPPE
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of the midfielder returning to Barcelona: “We would like to thank Philippe Coutinho very much,.
“With his creativity and excellent technique, he has invigorated our game during this treble-winning season.”
And Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic added. “His commitment in Munich has made it clear what an outstanding player he is,.”
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COUTINHO RETURNS TO BARCA
Bayern Munich loanee Philippe Coutinho, who has been linked with Chelsea and especially Arsenal this summer,is returning to parent club Barcelona.
The ex-Liverpool playmaker netted as Bayern beat Barca 8-2 in the quarter-finals on the way to winning the Champions League.
Bu a statement on the Germans' website read: “After the treble-winning season, FC Bayern says 'Thank you' and “Goodbye, take care” to Philippe Coutinho.
“The Brazil international, who joined Bayern on loan from Barcelona last August, returns to the Catalan side following the expiration of his season-long deal.
“Due to the suspension of matches resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder’s contract at Bayern was extended to cover the end of the Champions League finals tournament in Lisbon.”
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CITY TIPPED TO KEEP BARCA TARGET GARCIA
Eric Garcia plans to stay at Manchester City this season despite refusing to sign a new contract with them.
Barcelona reportedly hope to land the centre-back, 19, in a cut-price deal if Lionel Messi heads to Manchester City.
They think that Garcia could be “a lot cheaper” if City complete the Messi transfer, according to Sport.
But City are keen to keep the youngster and boss Pep Guardiola has previously said: “Yeah, I am confident he will stay, but in the end it is his decision.”
New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is keen to bring Garcia back to the club, where he rose through the ranks from their renowned La Masia academy.
Koeman sees Garcia as the successor to the club’s veteran defender Gerard Pique, whose Barca future is in doubt.
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EVERTON AGREE £27m OUT-LAYE
Everton have agreed a £22million fee with Watford for Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Toffees are now on the verge of beating Wolves and Fulham to sign the French midfielder.
He will now travel to Merseyside to undergo a medical tomorrow as Carlo Ancelotti looks to secure a treble swoop after the player and club already agreed personal terms.
Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez is heading to Goodison Park on a three-year contract after a deal was finally agreed for the Colombian yesterday.
And Napoli’s defensive midfielder Allan flew to Liverpool today to complete his transfer move.
Everton had chased Doucoure last summer but failed to get a deal over the line.
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SPURS JOIN SKRINIAR RACE
Manchester United have reportedly been joined in the race for Milan Skriniar by Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain.
Fresh off the heels of a £40million deal for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, Italian outlet CalcioMercato claims the Red Devils are now targeting Inter Milan centre-back Skriniar.
The 25-year-old Slovakian ace is regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer apparently sees him as the perfect fit to play alongside Harry Maguire.
However, United – who are also keen on Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara – face stiff competition for Skiniar’s signature.
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OLE: DONNY'S JUST WHAT WE NEED
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his new £39m midfielder Donny van de Beek “has all of the technical attributes needed to perform in this team and has the personality required to succeed at Manchester United”.
Solskjaer added: “His ability to see space, time his movements and read the game will really complement the qualities that we have in midfield and his arrival really strengthens the depth of talent we have in that position.
“Donny’s performances in the Eredivisie and in Europe have been excellent over the last few years and we are all looking forward to working with him.”
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BEEK: UTD HAVE AMAZING MIDFIELD
United new boy Donny van de Beek believes he can add a new dimension to what he already believes is an incredible midfield.
He said: “Everyone has told me how amazing the Old Trafford atmosphere is and I am looking forward to experiencing that, once it is safe for the fans to return.
“This team has some of the best midfielders in the world and I know that I can learn from them and also bring my own strengths to the group.
“Having spoken to the manager about his vision for this team, the direction that the club is going in is hugely exciting and I cannot wait to be a part of that.”
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MARCUS HAILS DONNY ARRIVAL
England striker Marcus Rashford was hot off the mark to hail Donny van de Beek arriving as his latest Manchester United team-mate.
With the ex-Ajax star set to add stability alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the middle at Old Trafford, Rashford tweeted within moments of United confirming the deal.
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DONNY'S 5-YEAR DEAL
Dutch superstar Donny van de Beek completed his £39million transfer to United from Ajax.
The star underwent medical tests in Holland earlier this week and after they showed no issues he has now penned a five-year contract with the option for an additional 12 months at Old Trafford.
United will pay Ajax £34.5m up front with a potential further £4.5m in add-ons.
Van De Beek said: “I cannot begin to explain how incredible an opportunity it is to join a club with such an amazing history.
“I would like to thank everyone at Ajax, I grew up there and I will always have a special bond with the club.
“I am now ready to take the next step in my career and perform at the highest level and there is no higher standard than Manchester United.”
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UTD COMPLETE £39m VAN DE BEEK DEAL
Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek is a United player.
MORE TO FOLLOW
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UTD FACE UPHILL FIGHT TO LAND THIAGO
Bayern Munich hero Thiago Alcantara is ready to snub Manchester United for Liverpool, reports say.
But the Champions LeagUe and Bundesliga winners are sticking to their £27million asking price.
Mohamed Bouhafsi claims Thiago, 29, has told Bayern he intends to leave this summer.
And Liverpool remain favourites for the 37-cap Spain star, despite United now also being keen.
That means Thiago could replace Liverpool's barcelona target Georginio Wijnaldum.
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MEC YOUR MIND UP TIME
United are still eyeing RB Leipzig's in-demand defender Dayot Upamecano this summer.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to find serious competition for Victor Lindelof's role alongside Harry Maguire.
And France Under-21 star Upamecano remains on the radar, especially after Arsenal won the race for Lille's Gabriel Magalhaes.
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BENFICA BEAT BRIGHTON TO NUNEZ
Brighton look to have been outbid by Benfica for Almeria hotshot Darwin Nunez.
The Seagulls' hunt for more strikepower will continue elsewhere after Portuguese giants Benfica reportedly agreed a deal worth around £22million for the one-cap Uruguay star, 21.
Brighton frontman Glenn Murray, 36, has joined relegated Watford on loan.
And Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy, 28, is oiff to Celtic.
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