Premier League and EFL football gossip and transfer rumours
Premier League and EFL football gossip and transfer rumours

Thursday's Paper Talk: Football transfer news, opinion and gossip as Man City eye up Lionel Messi


Pep Guardiola is keeping a close eye on Lionel Messi's Barcelona bust-up as Man City eye up a mega summer move, according to today's papers.

THE SUN

  • Manchester City will swoop for Lionel Messi if he fails to resolve a bust-up with Barcelona.
  • Barcelona and Real Madrid have joined the race for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.
  • Mikel Arteta is planning a major Arsenal shake-up to kickstart his stalled Emirates revolution, and senior stars including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil are all threatened.
  • Chris Smalling's impressive performances have seen him dubbed 'Smalldini' after AC Milan defensive legend Paolo Maldini.
  • Manchester City have joined arch-rivals United in the race for £30m Birmingham kid Jude Bellingham.
Transfer Talk: Big name deals set to go through in the summer
Transfer Talk: Big name deals set to go through in the summer

DAILY MIRROR

  • Liverpool and Manchester United's hopes of Kai Havertz transfer could hinge on Philippe Coutinho and whether he stays at Bayern Munich.
  • Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal admits they were never interested in Bruno Fernandes.
  • Chelsea are ready to go head to head with Manchester United in the battle to sign Moussa Dembele this summer.
  • Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc insists there have been no offers for Jadon Sancho - despite reported interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Alex Keble looks at what's gone wrong at Man City and how to fix it
Alex Keble looks at what's gone wrong at Man City and how to fix it

DAILY MAIL

  • Arsenal will aim to conclude early transfer business this summer amid concerns they could be priced out of the market during Euro 2020.
  • West Ham will appoint former club captain Kevin Nolan and Paul Nevin as first-team coaches to try and help David Moyes steer Hammers away from relegation trouble.
  • Leroy Sane's Manchester City future is set to remain uncertain as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his deal at the end of the season... with Bayern Munich still keen on a move for the winger.
  • Barcelona 'prefer Cristhian Stuani' to Angel and Willian Jose as the hunt for short-term attacking option continues.
  • Jonny May and Ben Youngs are facing a huge drop in wages at Leicester if they want to stay on next year despite their status as England stars.
Our Soccer Saturday pundits give us their verdicts on how VAR is working in the Premier League
Our Soccer Saturday pundits give us their verdicts on how VAR is working in the Premier League

DAILY TELEGRAPH

  • Wolves are bracing themselves for record-breaking bids to land Adama Traore during a summer window where Europe's most exciting forwards are expected to move clubs.
  • Manchester City face a frustrating wait in their efforts to stop Leroy Sane leaving for Bayern Munich this summer after the Germany winger switched agents.

THE TIMES

  • Roy Hodgson could leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season unless he is given assurances over the club's transfer plans.
(video no longer available)

DAILY STAR

  • Liverpool suffer a transfer setback as Kylian Mbappe 'agrees terms' with Real Madrid.
  • Chelsea boss Frank Lampard reportedly ditched Willian from his starting XI to face Leicester last weekend as he was sulking after not being allowed a move to Barcelona.
  • Chelsea fear Liverpool could beat them to RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.

DAILY EXPRESS

  • Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has shown why Tottenham want to sign him, claims former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
  • Manchester United attempted to sign Russia striker Fedor Smolov before ultimately landing Odion Ighalo.
Our preview ahead of the new Premier League Darts season
Our preview ahead of the new Premier League Darts season

DAILY RECORD

  • Celtic could be set for a substantial summer windfall, as Chelsea and Manchester United get set to go head to head for former Parkhead striker Moussa Dembele.

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo