City’s big-money offer ‘rejected’ by Messi
Manchester City were so keen to sign Lionel Messi that they were ready to triple his salary if he agreed to move to the Etihad, it has been revealed.
Citing reports in Spain, The Sun says Messi was on the Premier League champions’ radar before he signed his latest contract with Barca in November 2017.
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City chief executive Khaldoon al Mubarak is said to have asked coach Pep Guardiola to speak with Messi. The club have denied any talks taking place.
Mubarak reportedly said: “We asked Guardiola to talk to him and we offered him triple the salary he had in Barcelona, but he never accepted.”
Lukaku praises Juventus ‘project’
Is Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku angling for a transfer to Juventus? In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgium star said: “Juve have a great project in place and they just keep going. Every year they try to get stronger.
“Without doubt, Juve are one of the two or three best teams in Europe. They’ve got a great coach on the bench and extraordinary players in every area of the team. Cristiano Ronaldo stands out, but watch out for the others too. Paulo Dybala is already impressive and getting stronger, while I love Douglas Costa.”
United face Juventus and Ronaldo at Old Trafford in the Champions League on 23 October and again in Turin on 7 November. (Sky Sports)
Ramos praises Kane
Spain captain Sergio Ramos has picked out Harry Kane as the England dangerman, ahead of tonight’s Uefa Nations League clash in Seville. The Real Madrid defender also said he believes the Spurs striker would “thrive in La Liga”. England skipper Kane has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent months. (The Daily Telegraph)
Hazard won’t force Real transfer
Last week Eden Hazard revealed that he “dreams” of playing for Real Madrid one day, but now the Chelsea and Belgium star is insisting he would never force through a move to the Champions League holders. Referring to Chelsea’s decision to block a transfer this summer, Hazard said: “I will never look to clash with the club. Chelsea have given me a lot.” (The Sun)
Foden to follow Sancho to Germany?
First England star Jadon Sancho left Manchester City to play first-team football for Borussia Dortmund in Germany and now his former teammate Phil Foden is being linked with a move to the Bundesliga. Dortmund and RB Leipzig are keen on the teenage Man City midfielder, as are French champions Paris Saint-Germain. (The Guardian)
Chelsea offer Kante new deal
Another midfielder linked with PSG recently is Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante. The Blues have offered French World Cup winner Kante a new contract to “fend off interest” from the Paris club. (Daily Mirror)
Ake focused on Bournemouth
Last week Nathan Ake was being linked with a move to Tottenham, but the Dutch defender has dismissed speculation that he could be leaving Bournemouth. He said: “I’ve seen it pass by but of course it’s [just] rumours.” (Metro via football-oranje.com)
Clubs vie to sign Loftus-Cheek on loan
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is “plotting” a loan move from Stamford Bridge in January in order “to save his England career”. After impressing on loan at Crystal Palace last season, Loftus-Cheek was named in England’s squad for the World Cup in Russia. However, this season he finds himself on the fringes of Chelsea’s first team. Palace, Everton and Arsenal are reportedly interested in taking the 22-year-old on loan in the new year. (Daily Mail/The Sun)
